New details about a U.S. plan to blow up a nuclear bomb on the moon as a Cold War 'show of dominance' have been revealed in a recently-published book. The secret mission, code-named Project A119, was conceived at the dawn of the space race by an Air Force division located at New Mexico's Kirtland Air Force Base. A report authored in June 1959 entitled 'A Study of Lunar Research Flights' explained plans to explode the bomb on the moon's 'terminator' - the area between the part of the surface that is illuminated by the sun, and the part that's dark. The explosion would have likely been visible with the naked eye from Earth because the military had planned to add sodium to the bomb, which would glow when it exploded. A 1959 report explained plans to explode a nuclear bomb on the moon as a show of force. This file picture shows what would happen if a planetary body were exploded or struck by objects 'A nuclear bomb on the surface of the moon was definitely one of the stupider things the government could do,' said John Greenewald, Jr., author of Secrets from the Vault. The book was published in April and explores years of declassified documents The book, published in April, details some of the more surreal suggestions made in history. Greenewald, 39, has been interested in U.S. government secrets since he was 15 and has filed more than 3,000 Freedom of Information Requests. He curates The Black Vault, an online repository of some 2.1 million pages of formerly secret documents pertaining to UFOs, assassinations and other phenomena. 'You look at these documents and wonder - if this is what they're telling us, imagine what they're not,' he told The New York Post. Greenewald writes that the Air Force devised the moon plot as a 'show a dominance of space by the United States over the Soviet Union, and ultimately, the entire world.' The plan was, of course, never carried out - perhaps due to the potential for 'unparalleled scientific disaster,' as one declassified document puts it. The existence of the scheme was first revealed in 1999, in a biography of the celebrated astronomer Carl Sagan, who died in 1996. John Greenewald, Jr., author of Secrets from the Vault, has dug into declassified documents Sagan's biographer, Keay Davidson, discovered that he had disclosed details of it when he applied for the prestigious Miller Institute graduate fellowship to Berkeley. Sagan was hired by Dr Leonard Reiffel, a physicist who studied the possibility of a lunar nuclear bomb, to work with him in Chicago. Reiffel, who died in 2017 aged 89, said in a 2000 interview that the bomb would have been at least as large as the one used in Hiroshima. 'It was clear the main aim of the proposed detonation was a PR exercise and a show of one-upmanship,' he told The Observer. 'The Air Force wanted a mushroom cloud so large it would be visible on earth. 'The US was lagging behind in the space race.' Carl Sagan, one of the most popular astronomers in the U.S., worked on the nuclear plan Reiffel was approached by senior US Air Force officers in 1958, who asked him to 'fast-track' a project to investigate the visibility and effects of a nuclear explosion on the moon. 'I made it clear at the time there would be a huge cost to science of destroying a pristine lunar environment, but the US Air Force were mainly concerned about how the nuclear explosion would play on earth,' he told the paper. Although he believes the blast would have had little environmental impact on Earth, its crater may have ruined the face of the 'man in the moon'. 'Had the project been made public there would have been an outcry,' he said. Plans for Project Horizon, from 1959 Greenewald's book also explores the Army's 1959 scheme to build a military base on the moon, codenamed Project Horizon. The aim was to create a permanent colony to house 10-20 people by late 1966. To get the equipment there, the projections called for an average of 5.3 Saturn rocket launches per month from August 1964 to November 1966. In the entire history of the American space program, only 19 Saturns were ultimately launched. 'Moon-based military power will be a strong deterrent to war because of the extreme difficulty, from the enemy point of view, of eliminating our ability to retaliate,' the plans suggest, in documents which have been unclassified. In the 1959 memo, Lieutenant Arthur G. Trudeau, Chief of Research and Development for the US Army, demanded that America beat the Soviets to the moon and that if a permanent base 'can be established first by the United States, the prestige and psychological advantage to the nation will be invaluable.' The report estimated that establishing a 12-man outpost and keeping it operational for a year would cost more than $6 billion - equivalent to more than $53 billion in today's money. Webster Area uses hot-shooting performance to roll past Roncalli Webster Area used a strong offensive performance, shooting better than 50% from the field to down Aberdeen Roncalli 68-39 on Friday night in Aberdeen. Beyond the public rhetoric, it is genuinely the case that Sinn Fein has not entirely given up on being in government, even if that possibility is receding this weekend. Like the rest of us, Mary Lou McDonald is waiting for the outcome of the Green Party membership vote which will be known this Friday. If just over a third of Green members vote down the programme for government deal with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, then the country will be plunged into a "political crisis", as the Taoiseach labelled it last week. So what then? A scenario put forward by some senior Sinn Fein figures, speaking on condition of anonymity, is that the party would make another attempt to form a government with like-minded parties by taking the document agreed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens and, as one source put it, "cleaning it up". "It wouldn't take too long for people to sit down and turn it into a progressive programme between ourselves, the Greens, the SocDems and Labour," said a source. "And, having done that, go to Fianna Fail and say look there is an alternative, are you willing to talk to us on the basis of that, and at least then create a process? "So it could be the progressive pro-change parties clean this up and then say to both of the larger parties, are you interested in talking to us about this?" Publicly, Sinn Fein is keen not to interfere with the internal vote of the Green Party, while the left-wing Rise-Solidarity-People Before Profit alliance openly called on Green TDs and members to defect if the party goes into government. But Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Pearse Doherty, has kept an open line to Eamon Ryan, the Green Party leader, over recent weeks. Sinn Fein knows there is no clear-cut route out of the chaos that will ensue if the Greens vote down this deal and it is a party which thrives on capitalising on chaos in politics. But at this moment that seems unlikely given the momentum building behind the Greens accepting the option of coalition this weekend. So, as Mary Lou McDonald said last week, Sinn Fein is preparing to be "the most coherent and effective opposition in the history of this State". What would that look like? Her first task will be to appoint a shadow front bench to mark the new multi-party cabinet. This, another party source said, is McDonald's decision alone and not something that requires sign-off from the infamous ard comhairle. Prominent spokespeople such as Doherty (finance), Eoin O Broin (housing) and Louise O'Reilly (health) are likely to retain their existing roles where they effectively marked the outgoing government and were major assets during the election campaign. Also likely to play prominent roles are the likes of Padraig Mac Lochlainn, who was justice spokesman in the 2011 to 2016 Dail, former MEP Matt Carthy and former Seanad leader Rose Conway-Walsh, who all became TDs in February. There is also a cohort of newly elected TDs who worked as party staff in Leinster House over the last decade and are familiar with how the place operates. Meath East TD Darren O'Rourke is chief among them and could be given responsibility for the social protection portfolio, where the Covid payments are likely to be the source of much contention. Sinn Fein wants them extended until the end of the year. Also in contention for that gig is Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane, a former PA to Independent MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and more recently Sinn Fein's political adviser on social protection. Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu, who has held several positions across the party, including in its election department, is also being tipped by insiders for a prominent role. Dublin Mid-West TD Mark Ward could be given responsibility for mental health issues, while Galway West TD Mairead Farrell is also spoken of highly. Several of Sinn Fein's new TDs are unlikely to make the cut, however, particularly those who were surprised themselves to take seats in February. "A lot of newbies that wouldn't have the experience probably won't be front benchers," said a senior source. "There'll be a huge emphasis on them going out to win back their seats if there is another election." One key position in Sinn Fein's gift will be the chair of the Dail's powerful Public Accounts Committee, a role traditionally held by the main opposition party. Waterford TD and former Brexit spokesman David Cullinane is the most likely candidate, having served as a tenacious PAC member for the last four years. Sinn Fein will have more speaking time, more time for private members' bills and more media exposure. But it will be operating in a Dail that has a majority government for the first time in four years. That will limit its ability to progress legislation, but it will offer opportunities to embarrass the coalition. Central to this will be housing with O Broin leading the charge. Sinn Fein's main focus is on delivery of affordable housing. You can expect to see the party table legislation that will inevitably put pressure on Fianna Fail and the Greens, who found themselves frequently siding with Sinn Fein in Dail votes on housing over the last four years. For example, the programme for government makes no commitment on freezing rents long-term and Sinn Fein's proposal for a three-year moratorium is likely to make a reappearance early in the new term. This will be particularly difficult for Greens such as Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello to vote down. "You can expect in housing, health, in foreign affairs, childcare, in pensions, we'll be fighting all the big ticket items we were fighting in the last period," said a Sinn Fein source. Another early embarrassment for the new coalition would be for Sinn Fein or another opposition party to re-table the Occupied Territories Bill. It was passed in the last Dail with the support of Fianna Fail and the Greens and both parties pushed for it in the talks but gave up in the face of strident Fine Gael opposition. The Fine Gael-Fianna Fail alliance represents a seismic shift in the State's political landscape. Sinn Fein will attempt to position itself as leader of a left-of-centre alternative government and will look to build alliances on many issues with Labour, the SocDems, a number of left Independents and the far-left parties such as Solidarity and People Before Profit "Combining with SocDems - we had extensive negotiations with them - and Labour to a lesser extent and all those different ones, you have a fairly cohesive opposition with us leading it," said the senior party source. The feeling is not mutual, however. One SocDem TD said: "The Shinners won't be leading me on anything. I'd rather work with the Greens than follow in behind Sinn Fein and their anti-everything bulls**t." Labour will also be keen to carve out a unique identity particularly under the leadership of the outspoken Alan Kelly who is often unrivalled when it comes to making headlines. While Sinn Fein may be the big guns, it will not have it all its own way on the opposition benches. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared a landslide victory for his ruling party Sunday in a parliamentary election tarnished by a boycott from much of the opposition, who accuse the leader of burgeoning authoritarianism. With some 63 percent of the vote, according to Vucic, the centre-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was set to dramatically expand its dominance in the 250-member parliament. While Vucic did not run for office himself, the 50-year-old tightly controls the party, which has been in power since 2012. "I am grateful to the people for this historic support," he said with elation from the SNS headquarters where brass music blasted in celebration. "We won everywhere," Vucic continued. "We won in the places where we had never won before." The sweeping success was helped by a boycott from the country's main opposition camp, who decried the elections as neither free nor fair under Vucic's domineering reign. But despite their stay-at-home campaign and lingering concerns about the coronavirus, turnout was lower than normal -- but not dramatically -- at slightly under 50 percent according to the independent election monitor CRTA. The boycotting opposition slammed the "fake elections" and claimed their movement was victorious. Either way the ruling party will have few rivals to contend with in the halls of parliament, where they are expected to hold around 189 seats. - Virus bump - In second place was their traditional junior coalition partner, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), predicted to claim 32 seats, according to the IPSOS polling agency. And next in line was the only opposition party to garner enough votes to pass the three percent threshold to enter parliament: the newly formed Serbian Patrotic Alliance (SPAS) with around a dozen seats. A slate of ethnic minority parties with a lower bar to entry will also take some 17 spots, according to IPSOS. Among those who didn't make the cut was the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party, led by convicted war criminal Vojislav Seselj. Without a meaningful opposition, the "pyrrhic victory" could ultimately discredit Serbia's ruling party as it will be viewed as "less legitimate than ever before", Balkans analyst Florian Bieber commented on Twitter. But in the short term they will be more powerful than ever, capping Vucic's eight-year effort to consolidate control over the country's democracy, first as prime minister and now as president. He came into this poll riding a fresh wave of popularity for keeping Serbia's coronavirus situation in check, with around 260 deaths in a country of seven million. Although the post of president is meant to be ceremonial, he remains Serbia's top decision-maker and led the country through the health crisis. Serbian analyst Dusan Spasojevic describes the Balkan state's elections as a form of "competitive autocracy". "There is a competition but participants are not equal," he explained of a playing field warped by Vucic's outsized influence. Watchdogs say Vucic's power lies in his manipulation of the media, with several outlets effectively serving as SNS propaganda machines. The US-based Freedom House recently declared the country no longer a democracy but a "hybrid regime", due to "years of increasing state capture, abuse of power, and strongman tactics". - Time for Kosovo talks - Yet the Serb leader can count on support from allies across the international stage. In addition to close ties with Russia and China, he has backing from the West, where he is seen as capable of resolving Serbia's decades-long territorial dispute with former province Kosovo. With elections behind him, the president will now face pressure to make progress on talks with Pristina that have been frozen for over a year. He already has a busy schedule lined up: over the next week he will talk with the European Union's envoy for Serbia and Kosovo, visit Moscow and meet Kosovo representatives at the White House. At the heart of the dispute is Belgrade's rejection of the independence that Kosovo, home to an ethnic Albanian majority, declared after a bloody 1990s war that was halted by a NATO intervention. The issue is highly emotive for Serbian nationalists but it weighs especially heavily on the Serb minority still living in Kosovo. burs-ssm/jj While Vucic did not run for office himself, the 50-year-old tightly controls the party, which has been in power since 2012 Watchdogs say Vucic's power lies in his manipulation of the media, with several outlets effectively serving as SNS propaganda machines Around two dozen people in Saskatoon gathered in front of City Hall Saturday, calling for justice for murdered and missing Indigenous people. The rally was organized by the mother of Jordan Lafond, Charmaine Dreaver. Lafond died a day after a car chase with members of the Saskatoon Police Service in October 2016. The chase ended when the stolen truck Lafond was a passenger in hit a fence, ejecting the 22-year-old father. Two Saskatoon police officers testified they struck Lafond one stomping on his left hand, the other kneeing him four times in the head as he lay on the ground following the crash. Four years later, Dreaver is still calling for justice for her son. She's been collecting signatures for a petition to change Saskatchewan's Police Act. "There's no civilian body to investigate the police when there's serious injury or death," she said Saturday. "We want changes now. We don't want changes next week, next month, next year we want them now." CBC There were several young people at the rally, which Dreaver said is heartening. "This will affect us all as ... the future comes. So I think it's a great thing for the young to come and join us and to really understand what's going on in our world today." 17-year-old Shyan Arop said she attended the protest because racism has followed her throughout her life. "Just because I'm Black, doesn't mean I shouldn't stand up for other people. They've stood up for me and I will always stand up for them," she said. Arop said there's a disconnect when it comes to people understanding violence against people of colour. "Because it hasn't happened to them, so many people don't understand that this stuff happens," she said. "I've had a fear of police since I was seven because of my own interaction with police when I was a little girl." Arop said she hopes leaders take real action instead of "performative actions. Story continues "We see them come out but where are the changes? Just because we've seen you come out and walk with us does not mean you're making changes where you're sitting in your offices and that needs to happen," she said. CBC Andrew Kingsley came to the gathering Saturday because he said it doesn't feel right not having a voice in the movement that's been building around the world for months. "Silence is violence, at this point," he said. Kingsley, an Indigenous man, said a lot of people he knows have suffered police brutality, and others he knows are missing or murdered. "Canada's not innocent ourselves. This has been going on for years. This is our land that was essentially taken from us and if we don't fight for our rights then nobody else will," he said. As a public health professional and research scientist, I have dedicated my career to population health and prevention. The irony of prevention is that its difficult to measure an event avoided: a child who didnt become malnourished because of clean water; the stroke that didnt occur because of good blood pressure management; or the heart attack avoided due to increased physical activity. Policies enacted in Montana to prevent the spread of COVID-19 fall into the same category. We dont know exactly what would have happened had we not closed schools/businesses, required social distancing, and wore masks in public. One study that attempted to quantify the price of inaction found that shutdown orders have prevented over 60 million COVID-19 cases in the U.S. The impact of COVID-19 in Montana has been a self-defeating prophecy. While predicted that COVID-19 could have a large impact, we encouraged social distancing, sheltering-in-place and wearing masks to help avoid a massive spread of infections. While its tempting to say now that putting these measures in place was an overreaction, in reality, things could have been much, much worse had we done nothing, supported by evidence from neighboring North Dakota, as well as globally. New Delhi, June 21 : In what can be seen as a subtle message in the backdrop of the recent India-China face-off in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and reportedly a similar number, if not bigger, were on the Chinese side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the International Yoga Day on Sunday to send out a message. He asserted Yoga allows "emotional stability to confidently negotiate the challenges before us". "Yoga enables us to stay balanced in every situation," he said invoking Swami Vivekananda to say, "that a principled individual remains active and in complete peace even amid challenges". He also invoked Lord Krishna from Bhagavad Gita to suggest "Yoga is but efficiency in action". The Gita contains a series of dialogues between Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Lord Krishna in the middle of Battlefield Kurukshetra where the "dharma yudha" or a battle between right and wrong was to begin. Modi said: "Lord Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita that Yoga is but efficiency in action. This mantra always teaches us that Yoga provides us strength to become more successful in life". Modi directly touched upon the issue of the pandemic while saying that the ancient Indian meditation system has been a source of emotional strength to many during these trying times. "Many people all over the world infected by COVID-19 are benefitting from Yoga. They are getting the strength in fighting the disease. Yoga provides the self confidence and mental strength by which we are able to face challenges and also overcome them. Yoga provides mental peace and power to endure pain," said Modi as he addressed the nation through a televised program. He claimed, worldwide many corona infected individuals are "benefitting" from Yoga. Highlighting India's contribution for universal brotherhood, PM Modi remarked that "Yoga, enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate, it goes beyond race, colour, gender, race and nation." However, he added, "Right eating and drinking, right play, right habits of sleeping and rising and right way of doing one's duties - Yoga is this itself," he summed up. He again invoked ancient ideologies to state, "Nishkama Karma - serving everyone without any selfish motive - has also been called in our tradition as Karma Yoga. This Indian thought, embedded in our culture, has been experienced by the whole world whenever in need". While, he advocated Indians to practice Yoga as a part of their regular lives instead of for just a day, he made the point of making India a global beacon of solidarity was unmistakable, particularly at a time when China has been increasingly facing global isolation from nations like Japan, Australia, Canada, the US and others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for using symbols, imageries and Indian epic to make his point. While he did not even passingly mention the recent stand-off between the two nuclear armed Asian nations, the context and background of it is clear for everyone. He was likely to be present at Leh for this year's Yoga Day, as per the plans made before the pandemic outbreak. The Ladakh capital is the groud zero of the violent face-off in Galwan Valley where Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed on June 15 night. Last year, Modi led a grand event on the occasion of International Day of Yoga from Ranchi. He has been an active supporter of the ancient Indian meditation system and have earlier led top Indian leaders to do 'asanas' on Delhi's Rajnath, in the past. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed 21.06.2020 LISTEN When President of Ghana, Nana Akuffo Addo announced that his administration would construct 88 district hospitals and 6 new regional hospitals in the newly created 6 regions and rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi, many in Ghana thought the president is making promises to score cheap political points. However, the Presidents real motive lies over 800 miles to the North West of the country, Bolgatanga, the second biggest city in the Northern half of the Ghana. During the 2016 electioneering campaign, then candidate Nana Akuffo Addo, made a solemn pledge to the people and chiefs of the Upper West Region of Ghana that should he be elected the President of the Republic, he would ensure Bolgatanga becomes a seat of educational excellence and a great city of learning to rival Timbuktu in Mali. Many in the audience did not fully understand or appreciate the statement made by Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo at the period. Throughout his adult life, Nana Akuffo Addo has been disturbed by the educational and economic disparities between the north and the south of the country. In a private conversation he had with late Mrs Gladys Asmah, this writers maternal grandaunt, Nana Akuffo Addo stated that should he be given the opportunity to lead Ghana one day, the northern half of the country would become his top priority in terms bridging the developmental gap between the north and the south of the country. To show his seriousness, in his second year as President, Ghanas 62nd Independence celebrations was held at Tamale, the Capital city of Northern Ghana and acclaimed 3rd Capital city of the country, after Accra and Kumasi, (due to the make-up of the country, a relic from the colonial era, Ghana is deemed to unofficially have three capital cities, namely Accra, Kumasi and Tamale). Like the former President, John Mahama, the current NPP government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, decided in the first year of his administration to boost health care delivery in the country. Although they have not been able to achieve as much health infrastructural development as the NDC administration did under John Mahama, which many in the party have alluded to, they have pledge to embark on this development should they win a second term. In November 2018, just under two years into his administration, Nana Akuffo Addo declared the campuses of the University of Development Studies in Wa in the Upper East and Navrongo in the Upper West Regions of Ghana as autonomous. In the Upper West Region, the autonomous new University was called University of Technology and Applied Science and in the Upper East, University of Business and Integrated Development Studies. Although the intention was for each of the 10 regions (now 16) at the time to have at least one public university, however, the Presidents intention for the Navrongo University goes far beyond that notion. On 4th September 2019, barely a year after giving Upper West Region its first public University, the government of Ghana secured a $20 million concessional funding from Saudi Arabia to expand Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, perhaps the only regional hospital in the country which is not a teaching hospital but with all facilities as such. On April 2, 2020, the Ghanaian Parliament amended the Technical Universities Act 922 to convert Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics to technical universities, after being left out in the first phase of the polytechnics which were converted into technical universities under the NDC administration. Professor Erasmus Alnaa, Vice Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University, in an interview after the elevation stated that the university would admit more students to double the student population from the current 1,500 to 3,000 students for the 2020/2021 academic year (free SHS students). He further stated that the school authorities are embarking on major renovation of existing structures and constructions of new lecture halls, staff accommodations, student halls of residence etc to give meaning to the conversion and the new status of Bolgatanga Technical University. On May 2, 2020, in an interview he granted to the media in Bolgatanga, Professor Albert Luguterah, the Pro vice chancellor of University for Technology and Applied Science, announced that the university would soon start training medical doctors and other allied health professionals once it is inaugurated and emphasised that the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital have the medical facility which is well equipped and ready to train doctors. Professor LUGUTERAH reiterated the Presidents agenda of Ghana Beyond Aid when he said, the public must see the university as an institute for the whole country and not only one particular region, the aim is to build a better and prosperous Ghana. According to Professor Luguterah, once the medical school is established at the University of Technology and Applied Science, Bolgatanga Regional Hospital would be elevated into a Teaching Hospital since all the facilities are already in place for a teaching hospital. Already Bolgatanga Regional Hospital is patronised by clients from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Nana Akuffo Addo is strategically positioning Bolgatanga, not only to rival Tamale but to achieve the status of a seat of cultural and educational excellence in Northern Ghana, which fits in well with his Ghana and Africa Beyond Aid agenda. Whilst it took 3 presidents, namely Rawlings, Kuffuor and Mahama to put Tamale, Ghanas third Capital city on the world map, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo is single handily pushing Bolgatanga and Wa to become the next growth poles in Ghana. In this regard, the NPP administration under Nana Akuffo Addo have place much emphasis on road and rail road link from the Ghanaian ports of Tema and Takoradi to Burkina Faso under the Norther Corridor Transit and Transport Agreement of AfDB Regional Integration. This agreement involves constructing a first-class motorway and railroad joining all the countries in Africa. In Ghana already the northern roads that would link to Burkina Faso are near completion while the first phase of the railway is under construction in the southern part of country. Nana Addo Dankwas ambition of transforming his country, some argue, may rival the countrys first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, founder and father of Ghana. This writer strongly believes that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addos Presidential Library would be built at University of Technology and Applied Science (UTAS) in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region and not at the Kyebi campus of University of Sustainable, Environmental Studies and Applied Research. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addos educational achievement (Free SHS and educational development in Upper West and East Regions) would be his lasting legacy in his homeland of Ghana. Peter N Jeffrey Houston, Texas. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 06:17:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Egypt highly appreciates China's efforts to promote international cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Sunday evening. Shoukry's remarks came during his meeting in Cairo with Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, during which the two discussed distinguished relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese embassy in Cairo said in a statement. "China's successful experience in fighting the pandemic is worth learning by all countries," said the Egyptian foreign minister. "Egypt is willing to work with China to deepen Africa-China relations and cooperation." Egypt and China enjoy distinguished bilateral relations that have been elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. The North African country is a key participating state in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for multinational development via win-win partnerships among BRI states. Under the BRI, China State Construction Engineering Corporation is currently building a massive 20-tower business district in the Egypt's new administrative capital city, some 50 km east of Cairo. Shoukry highlighted the importance of the BRI for Egypt, expressing his country's willingness to continue "actively participating" in the initiative. For his part, Liao emphasized China's keenness on continuously deepening cooperation with Egypt in various fields and promoting their joint partnership under the BRI. The Chinese ambassador also highlighted the necessity of Chinese-African cooperation in fighting COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that "China is willing to continue working with African countries to build a Chinese-African community of shared future." Egypt and China have been cooperating closely in fighting the pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise. In early February, Egypt provided aid to China to help with its fight against COVID-19 and China later returned favor by sending three batches of medical aid to the North African country, the latest of which was in mid-May. Since mid-April, Chinese doctors and medical experts have held three video conferences with Egyptian counterparts to share their experience in the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus. Enditem You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Pakistan on Sunday summoned Indian Charge dAffaires Gaurav Ahluwalia to register its protest over the alleged ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC). Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri registered a "strong protest over the ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces in Hajipir and Bedori sectors on June 20, the Foreign Office said in a statement. It claimed that the "indiscriminate and unprovoked firing killed two persons and injured one. Chaudhri said the Indian government "must realize that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions are increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region. India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and security," according to the Foreign Office. The Indian forces along "the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons, he alleged. He called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. Kabul, June 21 : The venue and time of the start of intra-Afghan talks will be finalized after the completion of the prisoners swap between the Kabul government and the Taliban, the State Ministry on Peace Affairs said. "With the completion of the prisoners swap between the two sides and a halt in the violence, arrangements will be made for the venue and date of intra-Afghan talks," TOLO News quoted Najia Anwari, a spokeswoman for the Ministry, as saying on Saturday. But, a former senior Taliban leader in Kabul, Jalaluddin Shinwari, has said that the intra-Afghan talks had been delayed due to the emergence of mistrust between the Afghan government and the Taliban. "There has been mistrust between the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and (the Talban) and this has resulted in the suspension of intra-Afghan talks during the current week," said Shinwari. While a reduction in violence by the Taliban is considered a precursor of a swift start of the intra-Afghan talks, there are widespread reports of deadly battles between the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) and the Taliban outfits in various regions across the nation. In a latest sign of escalating violence, two commanders in the Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on Friday night in Helmand province amid an unannounced truce between the two sides and while peace efforts by the Afghan government and its allies are underway, TOLO News reported. Reports say that nine Taliban fighters have also been killed during the firefights with ANDSF in Helmand and Logar provinces. In another incident, three Afghan security force members were killed as a result of a roadside mine in Kohsan district of Herat on Friday night. On Friday, Afghan forces displayed dozens of weapons and motorcycles they seized from the Taliban in Paktia province after the Taliban launched a coordinated attack on Afghan forces in Sari-roza district of the province. Under the US-Taliban peace agreement that was signed between the sides in Doha on February 29, the Taliban demanded the release of 5,000 of its detainees in the Afghan government jails as part of efforts for the intra-Afghan talks. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: COVID-19 toll in Andhra Pradesh reached 101 with five more deaths reported in the last 24 hours ending 10 am on Saturday. The Coronavirus count increased to 8,452 with 491 new cases, the highest single-day spike so far. Two deaths each were reported from Krishna and Kurnool, while one death occurred in Guntur district. Both Krishna and Kurnool, with 33 deaths each, topped the list of casualties in the State, followed by Guntur 11, Anantapur six, Chittoor and East Godavari five each, Nellore four, Praksam two, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam one each. No casualties were reported in West Godavari, Kadapa and Vizianagaram districts and among those who returned from other States and foreign countries. As per the news bulletin issued by the State Command Control Room (health) on Saturday evening, 22,371 samples were tested, the highest in a single day so far. Out of them, 390 tested positive. Another 83 cases were reported from those who returned from other States and 18 among foreign returnees. The State Command Control Room, which had stopped giving district-wise report on COVID-19 case status, on Saturday started giving the numbers and the details of coronavirus infection among foreign returnees and people returned from other States. The highest number of cases in the last 24 hours was reported from Anantapur district. A total 97 cases were reported in the district, followed by West Godavari 65, Chittoor 51, Krishna 51, East Godavari 41, Guntur 17, Prakasam 16, Kurnool 15, Kadapa 51, Visakhapatnam 15, Nellore 6 and Vizianagaram 1. No new cases were reported from Srikakulam in the last 24 hours. Kurnool district, with a total of 1,247 positive cases, leads the table, followed by Krishna district with 982 cases, Anantapur 789, Guntur 742, Chittoor 515, West Godavari 498, East Godavari 485, Nellore 459, Kadapa 330, Visakhapatnam 261, Prakasam 175, Vizianagaram 78 and Srikakulam 59. So far, 4,111 patients were discharged from COVID-19 hospitals in the State including 859 returned from other States and 49 foreign returnees. In the last 24 hours, 138 patients were discharged. Among the districts, the highest number of recoveries were reported from Kurnool district. A total 729 people were discharged, followed by Guntur 493, Krishna 428, Chittoor 268, East Godavari 267, Nellore 242, Anantapur 230, Visakhapatnam 151, Kadapa 142, West Godavari 105, Prakasam 95, Vizianagaram 31 and Srikakulam 22. The total number of active cases in the State as on Saturday 10 am is 4,240, including 647 people returned from other States and 277 from other countries. Among those who returned from other States, the highest number of cases were reported among those who returned from Maharashtra 785. As many as 297 cases were reported from those returned from Tamil Nadu and 212 from among those who returned from Telangana. On the other hand, among the foreign returnees, the highest number of cases (289) were reported from those who returned from Kuwait followed by Dubai (UAE) 10, Qatar 7, Indonesia 5, Abhu Dhabi 4, Kazakhstan 3, South Africa 3, Bahrain 3, Muscat (Oman) 1 and Sudan 1. On May 25, George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police. Four days later, as mass protests kicked off across the United States in response, Toronto-born, Brooklyn-based Black designer and activist Aurora James jotted down an idea, took a photo of it and shared it with her 128,000 Instagram followers. The post went viral, and the 15 Percent Pledge was born, a personal plea-turned-non-profit organization fighting for economic equality in the U.S, where Black-owned businesses currently represent only 1.3 per cent of sales. We are waiting and we are not going anywhere. When will you take the pledge? wrote James via the @15percentpledge Instagram account. The concept is startling in its simplicity, calling on major retailers to allocate 15 per cent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses in direct correlation to the Black population in the United States. Its both a small ask and a significant one, with the pledge focusing on big players such as Sephora, Whole Foods, Net-A-Porter, Shopbop, Ulta Beauty and Target. I first met Aurora in 2014 when she launched Brother Vellies, her line of African-made footwear and accessories, and I have covered her work extensively since. I admire that she isnt afraid to speak out against racism in the fashion industry, even if that means confrontations with the axis of power. Her approach appears to be working. As the pledge gathered momentum via a petition and #blacklivesmatter social media pressure, Sephora signed on, a huge step for the LVMH-owned beauty behemoth. As of press time, the other big players mentioned have remained mum. Aurora had another pointed ask, which felt rather personal: she wanted white women, with all our collective spending might, privilege and new-found realization that we are inadvertently supporting systematically discriminatory organizations, to take the pledge and run with it. You do the counting. You do the work for us, she wrote. I felt compelled to do something beyond just assisting her volunteers in tallying numbers, which were pitiful. For example, of Shopbops 937 brands, we found just 12 are from Black designers. But its not enough to just look down disapprovingly at yet another fractured system in the U.S. Instead, lets abandon our racism superiority complex and look inward at how Canadian retailers stack up. Are they any better in a country where, according to the most recent census, 5 per cent of the population identifies as Indigenous, 3.5 per cent Black and 22.3 per cent identify as visible minorities? The answer is no and non. I assembled a squad of recent journalism school graduates from across Canada to help me research more than 3,200 global brands. As you might imagine, most retailers do not publicly share these can-of-worms diversity statistics, so we must allow for a small margin of human error. I wish our findings are somehow grossly inaccurate; corporate reps, please correct me if I have missed any Black and/or Indigenous brands carried at your stores. I would love to be wrong. Lets first look at Holt Renfrew, the countrys most prestigious department store chain. Across its 285 brands, only 12 are Canadian. Three have Black creative directors. None are Indigenous. This excludes heiress Alexandra Westons H Project, which I view as more of a marketing initiative to highlight small designers in select stores for a short run. Im looking at real investment in BIPOC-founded brand growth among items carried regularly across all of the stores, of which there is next to none. Next we looked at Shoppers Drug Mart, a cosmetics and beauty powerhouse with more than $11 billion in annual revenue. It currently carries 204 brands; of those, only 13 are Canadian and just three are Black. Zero are Indigenous. How about distributing some of that wealth and opportunity more equitably, and amongst Canadian entrepreneurs from marginalized groups? In the beauty space, there is an abundance: from popular Indigenous-owned Cheekbone Beauty to Black-founded luxury skin care label Okoko Cosmetiques. Quebec Citys venerable Simons has 15 stores in Canada and carries 520 brands. Of those, 136 are Canadian and seven are Black. While it recently collaborated with eight Indigenous artists and designers on a terrific seasonal capsule entitled IFWTO + Edito par Simons, they only stock three on an ongoing basis. Meanwhile, SSENSE, Montreals e-commerce arbiter of worldly experimentalism from Syrian-born brothers Rami, Bassel and Firas Atallah, currently sells 426 brands. From our findings, just 13 are Canadian, 17 are Black and zero are Indigenous. There certainly isnt a shortage of local talent. May I suggest adding designers Warren Steven Scott, a member of the Nlakapamux Nation, and Evan Ducharme, who is Metis, to the mix? Both have been featured by American Vogues first Ojibwe fashion scribe, Christian Allaire. The fact that only one of the 1,832 brands currently listed on the website of Hudsons Bay Company, where I once worked as associate fashion director, is Indigenous is perfectly in line with its problematic legacy. The company almost had us with Native Union, a Hong Kong tech accessories brand, and Native Youth, a British fashion brand from a designer of East Indian-descent. Furthermore, it seems just 289 of its brands are Canadian these days, and only nine are Black. Consider this an urgent call for retailers in Canada to immediately take the pledge. White people, are you with me? Aurora has enough on her plate trying to fix America. Its time to start making it right, Canada. Its time to take the pledge. Every day, the men unfurl large pleas for help over the balcony railings of their hotel room and stand in silence as traffic roars along the main road of the Australian city they're trapped in. Their signs are mostly made from bin bags stuck together with tape, and secured to the railing with shoelaces. "Where is justice?" one reads. These men are not hotel guests, but refugees and asylum seekers who have been in Australian immigration custody for seven years. Many arrived in Australian waters in 2013, after the government introduced offshore immigration processing. They were detained on the remote islands of Manus in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and on Nauru in the Pacific, in conditions once described by the United Nations as "harsh" and "inadequate." In 2016, Amnesty International called Nauru an "open-air prison." All are suffering the effects of prolonged, indefinite detention and were brought to Australia last year for urgent medical treatment. But some say the conditions in the Brisbane hotel are worse than PNG or Nauru. "You're in prison in here. In PNG, you have a little bit of freedom. You can move around. There is no ABF (Australian Border Force), no security guards around you," said Farhad Rahmati, an Iranian refugee who was transferred to Australia from PNG last July. For months, the 120 or so men inside the hotel kept quiet about their plight. However that changed in March, when the number of coronavirus cases in Brisbane started rising. Fearing the virus would enter the hotel via the guards who come and go, they crafted signs large enough to be seen from the street. As people noticed their pleas, weekly demonstrations began outside the hotel. These demonstrations have now escalated into a blockade by human rights activists who are demanding the men be freed. The standoff between cellphone-armed protesters and security guards has cast unwanted attention on an Australian immigration policy that has long been, by definition, focused offshore. Now it's playing out in the heart of one of Australia's largest cities in a 4.5-star hotel that only a few months ago was still accepting paying guests. Offshore detention In 2018, it was reported that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a model migrant boat on his desk bearing the words: "I stopped these." Before taking high office, Morrison helped strengthen the country's border protection policies, which mandate that people arriving by boat will be processed offshore -- and even if they are found to be refugees, they will never be settled in Australia. The government says this policy removes demand for people smugglers and prevents deaths at sea. Boat arrivals peaked in 2012, when more than 17,000 passengers arrived from Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and other troubled nations, via hubs such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Few boats arrive now, but human rights advocates say the policy has created a cohort of prisoners confined to islands offshore. As the detainees' mental health deteriorated, advocates pushed for a law to allow doctors to decide if they should be brought to Australia for medical treatment. The medevac bill was passed in March 2019, opening the door for transfers, but the government abruptly closed it again after winning an election that May, citing national security concerns. Before that happened, almost 200 men had been brought to Australia under the medevac law, including some who were suicidal. Others had brain injuries, undiagnosed gastrointestinal bleeding, heart conditions and broken bones that needed surgery. For months, many of those detainees lived in one of the Brisbane hotel's three buildings, confined to the upper floors -- and beyond the view of paying guests. Before the coronavirus outbreak, they were allowed visits from pre-approved guests. Now, they're only allowed out for medical appointments, escorted by guards. In March, due to the pandemic, more space was needed for social distancing in Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA), the main immigration detention center on the city's outskirts. About 40 more detainees were moved to the hotel -- and their rooms opened onto a balcony with a view of the street. Watching the world go by Somali father-of-one Saif Ali Saif stands on his balcony each day, with his own sign scribbled in pen on an old T-shirt. It says: "I want (to) hug my son." His wife Sabah Siyad lives in community detention 29 kilometers (18 miles away) with their three-year-old son, Sammi. She gets a small government allowance each week and is not allowed to work or study. The family hasn't held each other since March, when visits stopped due to the coronavirus. Saif worries Sammi will forget him. Saif escaped war while working as a driver in Yemen; Siyad ran from bombing in Somalia. She lifts her sleeve to show shrapnel scars as proof. The refugees met and married in Nauru in 2016 and Sammi was born on Valentine's Day the following year. Their baby was a few months old when it became apparent that his breathing difficulties required specialist care. Officials approved the baby's transfer to Australia with his mother but not Saif. "I was really scared my son would die there," he said, so he let them go. Saif was told last June he was being transferred to Australia and has now spent a year in detention. He says he doesn't know why he was transferred. The family has been separated for three years. "Sammi wants his father," Siyad said. From his balcony, Rahmati, the Iranian refugee, can see a pub, a car wash, restaurants and a McDonald's on the next block. "I see everything, but I have no chance to touch it," he said. "I see people walking their dogs. I love dogs. I'd love to have a chance to, you know, to walk my dogs. But look at my situation. I'm not even close to that." Rahmati worked as a civil engineer before fleeing Iran in 2013. He doesn't want to talk about why he left. While Rahmati and Saif stand on the balcony with signs, many detainees don't. They stay in their rooms, worried that protesting will affect their chances of ever being freed. Strange events on the corner Even before the signs went up, neighbors noticed something strange going on at the hotel on the corner: cars with blackened windows, guards with earpieces, trucks coming and going on a regular basis. No one told them what was going on at the hotel, which has been there for over a decade. Central Apartment Group (CAG) took over the hotel's operation in 2018 and changed its name to Kangaroo Point Central Hotel and Apartments. It's one of 18 hotels on the company's website, advertised as family-friendly accommodation "ideal for business and leisure travellers." When contacted by CNN, the group's CEO Sid Knell said he would not comment about events at Kangaroo Point. "You can ask me about self-drive holidays," he said. Nearby residents, however, have railed against the appearance of a prison on their street. "How could they start a prison and not tell people?" asked Annette Hogan. The residents CNN spoke to said they didn't have a problem with the refugees, but the walls and guards had changed the tone of the neighborhood. Opinions differed on the local Facebook page: "Send them back," one post said. Hannah and Anand Parameswaran have a direct view of the hotel grounds for their kitchen window. From there, they can see the small pool where guests used to swim. The detainees aren't allowed to use it. "I feel a little bit guilty coming and going," said Hannah Parameswaran. Anand agrees: "I feel really guilty because it's our money being used to do this to them." The Refugee Council of Australia estimates it costs the government 346,000 Australian dollars ($236,000) each year to hold someone in detention in Australia. That is on top of the AU$7 billion ($4.8 billion) the government spent on offshore processing from 2012, according to the Australian National Audit Office. Carmelo Nucifora, who runs Spizzico, the Italian restaurant on the hotel premises, says he wasn't consulted about plans for a prison on the site. As more fences went up, blocking off most of the restaurant's parking area, he said he sought a meeting with Australian Border Force officials. "I went and pleaded to one of the officers. It's embarrassing, but I cried in front of them, pleading for some attention, for mercy," he said. Like other restaurants in the city, he was forced to limit his business to takeaway only during the coronavirus lockdown. Takings plunged from around AU$14,000 a week to AU$2,000. Now, even as coronavirus restrictions ease to allow more diners, his restaurant is surrounded by protesters. The protests "Seven years too long. Free the refugees," chant protesters through a tannoy outside the hotel. Last Thursday, their weekly protest turned into a 24-hour occupation when word spread that Border Force officials had arrived to transfer Rahmati, the Iranian refugee, to BITA. Cellphone footage shot by another detainee, and seen by CNN, shows Rahmati being led to a van by security guards, where they are ambushed by protesters, who stand on the roof and glue their hands to the van. Rahmati is hurried back inside the hotel and returned to his room. Protesters don't want any of the men to be transferred deeper into Australia's immigration detention system. They're demanding the men be released into the community by Christmas. But on Friday morning, the guards came back for Rahmati. An Emergency Response Team burst into his room, ordered him to lie face down on his bed, cuffed him, flipped him over and took him to a waiting car, Rahmati said via cellphone from the high-security compound in BITA, where he was taken. Rahmati is in Australia receiving treatment for a heart condition. Matt Sheppard, from rights group Refugee Solidarity Meanjin, says too few protesters were positioned outside a gate to stop the car that took Rahmati away. After that, protesters blockaded the exits and agreed only to clear them if they were able to search vehicles coming and going, to make sure no more refugees would be transferred. Sheppard says he believes Rahmati was taken from the hotel because he spoke to the media. "He's just a really charismatic person that provides a lot of support for the men inside as well. So, I think it was a calculated move to remove him from the community and break up that cohesion," he said. In a statement, Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram denied detainees were being "punished" or moved for speaking to advocates or the media. "Detainees are routinely moved for a range of reasons, including health, welfare or to ensure the safety of other detainees, staff and the public," he said. The day after Rahmati's removal, hundreds gathered in the street to call for the occupants' release. Saif, the Somali refugee, spoke from the balcony, his phone call amplified on speakers to the crowd. "Let me hug my son," he said. One by one, the crowd started chanting, "Let him hug his son, let him hug his son." They cleared a path to the hotel entrance so Siyad could push Sammi towards him in his pram. She got as far as the gate before the request was denied. They don't know when they'll next be able to meet. A spokeswoman for acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge told CNN that "it was made very clear to those who were transferred under the medevac provisions that they would be placed into immigration detention." David Manne, the executive director of Refugee Legal, said the law also allows the minister to release them. "There are powers at the disposal of the government and the minister personally to release these men from detention. It's incumbent upon the federal government to explain why it's not using those legal powers to release these men from prolonged and indefinite detention," he said. As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Australia is obliged to provide a safe place of refuge for people fleeing persecution, or to resettle them elsewhere. ABF Commissioner Outram said in his statement that the men are "encouraged to finalize their medical treatment so they can continue on their resettlement pathway to the United States, return to Nauru or PNG or return to their home country." Manne said that despite many of their illnesses being severe or critical, there was "significant information to cast doubt upon whether they are receiving or have received the medical treatment required." "It is abundantly clear that the prolonged, indefinite detention of these men, who were critically ill and brought to Australia for treatment, is almost certainly compounding the severity of their medical conditions," he said. The immigration minister's spokeswoman said the men had access to medical professionals and specialists, and any claims to the contrary were incorrect. Former immigration officer Rebecca Lim, from the Brisbane On-Arrival Refugee and Asylum Seeker Response Group, said volunteers were ready and waiting to help support the men in the Australian community -- when, and if, they are freed. "If the minister is not making the decision to release the men into community detention because it is not in the public interest, then he needs to explain what that means," she said. "Indefinite detention is wrong." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo denied that she was interested to apply as head of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), saying even without an appointed post she had been helping in efforts to contain the pandemic. She laughed off the "fear" of some officials who have been trying to dismiss the idea of her heading the Task Force. "Huwag po kayong matakot kasi hindi ako nag-aapply. Nakakatawa lang kasi nakikita kung sino 'yung natatakot eh," Robredo said in her weekly radio show on Sunday. [Translation: Do not be afraid because I am not applying to any post. I just find it funny because it shows who are seemingly afraid.] Robredo did not name names, but hinted at some government officials who responded to the remark of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday to have Malacanang appoint her as head of the IATF. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had rejected Trillanes' challenge, noting that there is no need for Robredo to be appointed if she really has genuine intentions. Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, whose "Balik Probinsya" program was recently suspended, even chimed in with a similar sentiment in a recent radio interview and noted that Robredo should learn from her fate as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. 'I don't need a title to get the job done' Robredo reiterated that since day one, she intended to get the job done, even without any position involved. "Unang una, hindi ko naman kailangan ng posisyon para tumulong. Nakita naman sa trabaho natin mula day one. Dati nga hindi pa tayo inaappoint sa Cabinet, marami na tayong ginagawa," she said. [Translation: First of all, I don't need a position to help out. It can be proven in our efforts since day one. Even before getting a Cabinet position, we have done a lot of things.] Robredo, who chairs the Liberal Party, has been booted out of her government post for a number of times due to her differences with the Duterte administration. In November, President Rodrigo Duterte fired Robredo from her post as ICAD co-chair less than three weeks after her appointment. Even in the early days of the Duterte administration, Robredo was appointed as Housing Secretary but had to resign after she was suddenly barred from attending Cabinet meetings. However, back in April, Duterte lauded Robredo for seeking help from private companies that could help in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. He even fired Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna for recommending an investigation on Robredo and questioning her efforts amid the crisis. The Office of the Vice President has been helping out over the past months in generating funds to assist frontliners, health workers, and local communities, among others. She has also distributed test kits and protective gears to hospitals, and food and care packs for those hit by the pandemic. In what can be seen as a subtle message in the backdrop of the recent India-China face-off in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and reportedly a similar number, if not bigger, were on the Chinese side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the International Yoga Day on Sunday to send out a message. He asserted Yoga allows "emotional stability to confidently negotiate the challenges before us". "Yoga enables us to stay balanced in every situation," he said invoking Swami Vivekananda to say, "that a principled individual remains active and in complete peace even amid challenges". He also invoked Lord Krishna from Bhagavad Gita to suggest "Yoga is but efficiency in action". The Gita contains a series of dialogues between Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Lord Krishna in the middle of Battlefield Kurukshetra where the "dharma yudha" or a battle between right and wrong was to begin. Modi said: "Lord Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita that Yoga is but efficiency in action. This mantra always teaches us that Yoga provides us strength to become more successful in life". Modi directly touched upon the issue of the pandemic while saying that the ancient Indian meditation system has been a source of emotional strength to many during these trying times. "Many people all over the world infected by COVID-19 are benefitting from Yoga. They are getting the strength in fighting the disease. Yoga provides the self confidence and mental strength by which we are able to face challenges and also overcome them. Yoga provides mental peace and power to endure pain," said Modi as he addressed the nation through a televised program. He claimed, worldwide many corona infected individuals are "benefitting" from Yoga. Highlighting India's contribution for universal brotherhood, PM Modi remarked that "Yoga, enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate, it goes beyond race, colour, gender, race and nation." However, he added, "Right eating and drinking, right play, right habits of sleeping and rising and right way of doing one's duties - Yoga is this itself," he summed up. He again invoked ancient ideologies to state, "Nishkama Karma - serving everyone without any selfish motive - has also been called in our tradition as Karma Yoga. This Indian thought, embedded in our culture, has been experienced by the whole world whenever in need". While, he advocated Indians to practice Yoga as a part of their regular lives instead of for just a day, he made the point of making India a global beacon of solidarity was unmistakable, particularly at a time when China has been increasingly facing global isolation from nations like Japan, Australia, Canada, the US and others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for using symbols, imageries and Indian epic to make his point. While he did not even passingly mention the recent stand-off between the two nuclear armed Asian nations, the context and background of it is clear for everyone. He was likely to be present at Leh for this year's Yoga Day, as per the plans made before the pandemic outbreak. The Ladakh capital is the groud zero of the violent face-off in Galwan Valley where Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed on June 15 night. Last year, Modi led a grand event on the occasion of International Day of Yoga from Ranchi. He has been an active supporter of the ancient Indian meditation system and have earlier led top Indian leaders to do 'asanas' on Delhi's Rajnath, in the past. LE MARS, Iowa -- Fred D. Wells, who along with cousin Fay Wells led the Le Mars-based ice cream maker bearing their name as it grew far beyond its Midwestern roots in the final decades of the 20th century, died June 12. He was 93. Wells joined the family firm in 1946, after serving in the Pacific theater during World War II and attending classes at Morningside College. In 1977 he was named president and COO at Wells, positions he held until his retirement in 2001. He remained co-chairman of the Wells Board of Directors from 2001 until 2007. Wells Enterprises, now led by Fred Wells' son Mike C. Wells, became the nation's second-largest ice cream maker last year after a trio of large acquisitions. The company now employs an estimated 4,000 people and operates plants as far away as Lakewood, New Jersey; Dunkirk, New York; and Henderson, Nevada. Among ice-cream makers owned and operated by private families, Wells -- maker of the widely distributed Blue Bunny brand -- is the largest, a distinction it reached during the tenure of Fred and Fay Wells. Fay died in 2005 at age 82. In a statement, Mike Wells recalled his father's community spirit. "My Dad was such a humble man, always giving credit to others for their efforts in helping grow our family business. He instilled in all of us the importance of giving back to the communities where we live and work," Wells said. "My Dad enjoyed hearing how our family business was growing and the opportunities we provided team members across the country. He was so proud of the business and everyone that works for Wells. He always commented how he couldnt have imagined the company we have become today. He will be missed tremendously by our family, friends and the local community," Wells added in the statement. Retired Sioux City attorney Marvin Berenstein was 24 years old when he first met Fred and Fay Wells in 1962, shortly after he moved to Sioux City. He described Fred (and Fay) as a "titan of industry" and a "good corporate citizen" -- very generous in his dealings with the community, but not showy about it. Wells served as a board member for Boys and Girls Home and Family Services as well as Goodwill Industries/Wall Street Mission and had given to Goodfellow Charities, among others. "The more he did for the community, the better it was for Wells Dairy," Berenstein said, referring to the former name of Wells Enterprises. "They were not looking for prestige, they were not looking for having anybody name everything after them. They were just people who appreciated people that did things for others," he added of Fred and Fay Wells. Wells early history The company traces its history to Fred Wells' uncle, Fred H. Wells Jr., who decided to move his family back to their native Chicago after a drought struck their South Dakota farm in the summer of 1911. En route, the family ran out of money and stopped in Le Mars, where Wells became a hog farmer. Sometime thereafter a cholera outbreak decimated Wells' herd and he needed a new line of work. In 1913, Wells acquired a horse-and-wagon milk-delivery business in Le Mars. By about 1925, the elder Fred Wells and his sons began producing ice cream and were distributing it to Remsen and Alton, Iowa, by the next year, according to Wells Enterprises. In 1927, Harry C. Wells -- the younger Fred Wells' father -- joined his brother Fred in a partnership to distribute ice cream in Sioux City. Fred Wells was born in April of that year. The following year, the brothers sold that distribution system to Fairmont Ice Cream. As a result, when they decided to sell ice cream again in Sioux City in the mid-1930s, they no longer held the rights to the Wells name. So the company adopted a new brand name -- Blue Bunny, the end result of a "Name that Ice Cream" contest in the Sioux City Journal. In the late 1950s, Fred Wells, along with Fay Wells and Fay's older brothers, Harold, Roy and Mike, formed a partnership. From four states to all 50 At the time Blue Bunny was still a regional brand. Toward the end of 1961, Blue Bunny ice cream products were sold in roughly 1,500 retail outlets across parts of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. A very-small dairy operation, of the type Fred H. Wells ran in the early days, was no longer practical by the 1970s -- dairy industry players had to increase their volume, often via consolidation, in order to compete in a low-margin industry. By 1977 Wells Dairy (as it was then called) had absorbed more than 40 small dairies in Northwest Iowa, in the process becoming the largest ice cream manufacturer in the state. At the time it had roughly 350 workers and its distribution area had expanded slightly, to a total of six Midwestern states. In 1991 Blue Bunny products were being test-marketed in Mexico and Japan. At the end of that decade the company was selling its products in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and 20 other countries. "We have determined that we can manufacture a product, take it long distances, get acceptance in distant markets and make a profit," Fred Wells told Dairy Foods magazine in 1990. The variety of Wells' product lines also broadened during this time period -- from roughly 27 frozen dessert products in 1961 to a reported 540 by 1990. By the 1990s, the company's growth led to Le Mars being designated the "Ice Cream Capital of the World." The company's plant capacity underwent several expansions in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1995, the company's sales reached about $500 million, half of which was attributed to the Blue Bunny ice cream label. "(Fred and Fay Wells) were instrumental in making Wells Dairy grow; they were active in the milk industry and particularly in the ice cream industry," Berenstein said. When both retired in January 2001, Fay and Fred Wells turned over day-to-day management to their sons, the third generation to run the family business. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COLUMN: How we can do reparations, right now Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT A man called 911 early Saturday morning to say he was headed to a city hospital with his girlfriend in his vehicle after she was shot while he was driving, officials said. At 12:26 a.m., the citys dispatch center got two ShotSpotter system activations, one in the area of 201 Maplewood Ave. and the other in the area of 212 Maplewood Ave., according to Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency communications and emergency management. Washington County added to quarantine list for troublesome bug The Maryland Department of Agriculture has added several areas, including Washington County, to its quarantine list regarding the spotted lanternfly. Thousands protest against COVID-19 passports in Sweden Chinese automaker Geely in talks to buy Meizu Kaunas officially becomes European Capital of Culture 2022 Turkish journalist who insulted Erdogan on live TV arrested Ipsos poll predicts Macron's landslide victory in French presidential election Germany elects new CDU leader Media: US on Monday will begin evacuation of families of diplomats in Ukraine UN expresses concern over disappearance of 2 activists in Afghanistan Carnival in Rio de Janeiro postponed due to omicron strain More than 9,300 Afghans claiming protection were taken to Germany Scientists suggest that under surface of one of Saturn moons lies ocean Russian Foreign Ministry: US and NATO launched toxi campaign against Moscow Sergey Nersesyan dismissed from post of Yerevan Deputy Mayor British Foreign Secretary to visit Moscow in February for talks with Lavrov 48-year-old man dies of frostbite in Yerevan 1,822 criminal cases launched in Kazakhstan after January riots Tatoyan: Expired drugs found in mental health centers in Armenia 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Alaska Putin and Pashinyan discuss by phone prospects for further cooperation within CSTO First batch of military aid to Ukraine from US arrived in Kyiv 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes off Philippine coast Armenia confirms 940 new coronavirus cases, no deaths Armenian rescuers pull out 50 stuck cars and provide necessary aid to 80 citizens Papua New Guinea parliament repeals death penalty law TikTok starts testing paid subscriptions Israeli fighter jets, refueling planes hold massive drills aimed at Tehran France announces gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions Fountains in Athens' central square illuminated with Armenian tricolor Austria approves Europe's first mandatory COVID-19 vaccination mandate World War II aircraft crashed in India found after 77 years Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker meets EU delegation Deputy Speaker of Armenian parliament meets Russian Ambassador to Armenia Germany won't pay compensation if Nord Stream 2 doesn't comply with German, EU laws NEWS.am digest: EU special rep. is in Armenia, Roma's Mkhitaryan turns 33 today Child injured in Artsakh car accident taken to Yerevan by Russian peacekeepers' helicopter Taiwanese woman faces death penalty for setting island's deadliest fire Turkey passes law to exempt converted lira deposits from corporate tax Blinken says he discussed Iran nuclear deal with Lavrov Erdogan says Turkey has peaceful relations with Russia like never before New German government wants to attract 400,000 skilled workers from abroad every year Israeli Attorney General orders to investigate police allegations of spyware Blinken: Any Russian invasion of Ukraine will be met with swift response Candidate: Ombudsmans institution is one of few established institutions in Armenia Lavrov summarizes the results of talks with Blinken UN agrees on definition of Holocaust denial Lavrov and Blinken talks kick off in Geneva Australian FM says issue of sending direct military aid to Ukraine is not considered Armenia PM receives EU delegation, need for full operation of Karabakh peace process is stressed Armenia National Assembly debating on new ombudspersons candidacy Katherine Tai: The world can't go back to the 2019 trading system Dollar gains value in Armenia Armenia legislature told hold secret ballot to elect TV and radio commission new members NATO intends to hold largest military exercises beyond Arctic Circle in early March 7 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh 'Zangezur corridor' will unite Turkic world, says Azerbaijan presidential office official Armenia FM highlights need for full resumption of Karabakh peace talks Armenia ex-defense minister: In our time it was shame to immediately turn to CSTO in case of Azerbaijan provocations UN General Assembly head calls for peace during Beijing Olympics Armenia Tourism Committee has new chairperson Russian MFA: Priority today is to start Azerbaijan-Armenia border delimitation, demarcation process Parliament passes, in first reading, bill restricting gambling advertising in Armenia UK considering sending hundreds of additional troops to Ukraine's neighbors Warships of Russia, Iran and China work out counteraction to maritime piracy Armenia first deputy minister of justice dismissed Israeli defense minister tests positive for COVID-19 Karabakh conflict resumption likelihood is moderate, its impact on US interests is low, report says Antonio Guterres thinks Russia will not invade Ukraine Azerbaijan ambassador to Russia hastens to sweeten the sediment of statement by US embassy in Baku IS fighters attack army barracks in mountainous area north of Baghdad, killing 11 soldiers Thomas de Waal: Will Armenia and Turkey be able to normalize relations after 3rd attempt? Armenia Security Council secretary, visiting EU delegation discuss situation on border with Azerbaijan Foreign ministers of Israel and Turkey have talk for 1st time in 13 years Fly Arna shareholders appoint companys Board of Directors 628 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia CSTO chief: Necessary to work on Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation, demarcation FBI search congressman's home in connection with Azerbaijan probe Newspaper: Armenia PM again goes way of black and white Newspaper: Scenario devised after war to be implemented in Artsakh EU Special Representative for South Caucasus arrives in Armenia Quake hits Armenia: 28 km northwest of Jermuk State education leaders are finalizing guidelines for the reopening of public schools amid thorny questions on whether students will be expected to wear face masks, ways to avoid crowded school buses and how many skittish families will opt for distance learning over traditional classrooms. "Opening schools is going to be very, very tricky," said Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, echoing a refrain heard around the state. Some schools resume classes Aug. 6, and earlier in districts offering remedial work because of the sudden shutdown in March. Exactly what schools will look like this time depends on what phase the state is for combating the coronavirus pandemic, said Cade Brumley, state superintendent of education. How will Cade Brumley lead Louisiana schools as superintendent? Look to his work in Jefferson Parish Louisiana's newly-named state superintendent of education Cade Brumley said he wanted to be a school leader since he was in the first grade. State leaders are expected to hold a press conference, possibly Thursday, to spell out some of the details of what children and parents can expect. "I think that is our intent, to reopen in congregant form," Brumley said in an interview. "But that will depend on what phase we are in and the decisions that the governor will make." Brumley said the aim is for the state to provide local educators with what amounts to playbooks that vary based on the state restrictions in place. Louisiana is in Phase 2 for reopening its economy, which generally limits churches, restaurants and other sites to 50% of capacity. Gov. John Bel Edwards is set to announce any changes next week but looser restrictions appear unlikely amid the rising number of cases in Acadiana and some other locations. Once the state is in Phase 3 school restrictions will loosen again while a return to Phase 1, which is not expected, could mean distance learning only. Brumley emphasized that state guidelines will include minimum standards, best practices and sources for health and other information, leaving flexibility for superintendents in the state's 70 school districts to spell out rules based on conditions in their areas. +2 With classrooms shuttered for the year, Louisiana public schools face these huge challenges Now that classrooms are closed for the rest of the school year because of the coronavirus, local educators face two huge challenges: how to de He said recommendations around face masks will be based on information from state health officials and others. "We are still finalizing what that might look like," Brumley said. He noted that some medical professionals believe masks can be problematic for children because it means touching their face more. Edwards has repeatedly said residents need to wear face masks while in public. West Baton Rouge Parish School District Superintendent Wes Watts said some parents have already told him their children will not be back if masks are required. David Alexander, superintendent of the 23,000-students Ascension Parish school system, said the issue of students wearing masks is up in the air. "We will follow what the guidelines require," Alexander said. How to get many of the state's 720,000 public school students to class daily is another key challenge, especially since students typically pile in three to a seat on buses going to and from school. Districts cannot simply buy more buses to ensure social distancing. 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 Requiring riders to spread out, with vacant seats in between, will likely mean multiple runs and new routes and pickup times. "The transportation issue is tricky for a number of reasons," Brumley said. "That makes it one of the most significant challenges." Traditional classrooms ended nine weeks early because of the pandemic, sparking hasty efforts to switch to distance learning in a state where nearly one third of families lack internet access at home. Part of the problem major gaps in student access to computers or tablets has been addressed with the help of $260 million from the federal CARES Act. Louisiana public schools getting $260M for coronavirus aid: A look at how it'll be spent Public schools Friday began receiving about $260 million in federal aid to help with costs sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and to address Students in most school districts will have their own computers once that federal money is utilized, officials said. 28% of public school students lack access to computers to assist with distance learning, state survey shows More than 1 in 4 public school students lack access to a computer or tablet at home to assist with distance learning during the classrooms shu Addressing the lack of internet connections, especially in rural areas, remains a major challenge, especially if schools are interrupted again because of the virus. "We are not solving broadband access in the state of Louisiana over the next month," Brumley noted. The issue is especially relevant because some families plan to keep their children at home when classes resume amid health concerns, or because districts prefer "blended" school services -- in-person and online. Watts, whose district includes about 4,000 students, said a survey of parents showed about seven percent plan to rely on distance learning for their child's education. "If parents are not comfortable sending their child to school we will have a virtual school option," he said. Officials of the highly-ranked Ascension Parish School District last week asked parents to fill out surveys on whether they prefer online learning and, if so, what kind. If the state remains in Phase 2 when schools start Ascension plans to have young children in classrooms while older students will be served through distance learning, which has been offered since 2013. Alexander said his top concern is ensuring a quality school day around a time crunch sparked by steps needed to combat the virus. "Because to implement some of the anticipated restrictions, guidelines and safety measures when you actually think about it they are going to take some time," he said. Carter noted that schools will be expected to do more at a time when state aid is frozen. 'Best case' for Louisiana public schools would be no surplus amid budget shortfall, leaders say Public school leaders said Tuesday they are aiming for a standstill budget after an earlier $80 million increase request was buried by the cor Tia Mills, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, said her group is most concerned about the health of students and school employees. Mills said the LAE opposes a proposal awaiting a House vote House Bill 59 that would remove any civil liability for school districts and colleges for deaths or illnesses caused by the virus. Top officials of the state Department of Education last week briefed the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on the recommendations, including input from a wide range of state health officials, a task force set up by the Southern Regional Education Board, the 13-member Superintendent Advisory Group and the Resilient Louisiana Commission. "We are right where we should be in getting these guidelines right and getting them issued," said Ken Bradford, an assistant state superintendent of education. En estas circunstancias dificiles por las que atraviesa nuestro pais, no hay mejor muestra de carino que cuidar y proteger la salud de los que mas quieres. Feliz dia a todos los papas! pic.twitter.com/pRUDIsf1kv 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. 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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. McBride faces felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated identity theft and continuing a financial criminal enterprise, according to police. He may also face additional charges as a result of a pending indictment, police said. Butler is charged with continuing a financial criminal enterprise, identity theft and possession of a stolen/fraudulent credit card, police said. Children of former president John Dramani Mahama have eulogized their father to mark Fathers Day celebrations. Fathers just like mothers play an essential role in the lives of their families as well as protecting, providing, and nurturing their children. But special days to celebrate parents always require special attention. In a video message posted on the official Facebook page of John Mahama, his three children; Jesse, Farida, and Sharaf are seen sending warm wishes to celebrate their father. Farida Mahama told her father; Happy Fathers Day Daddy, youre so kind and always there for me when I need someone to talk to, thank you for being so caring I would like to thank you for all that you have done for us and being there for us every day of our lives and I hope you know the influence youve had on all of us, Jesse Mahama said. The other, Sharaf Mahama said; Were grateful to have you and May God guide you and bless and we show you appreciation on this day to show you lucky we are to have you Fathers around the world are today being celebrated for the vital roles they play in the lives of their children and families. Watch the full the below; Sharaf, Jesse and Farida shared with me a Happy Fathers Day. Thank you. Posted by John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, June 21, 2020 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 Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday told Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to leave soldiering to the army and stand with the national government in sending a message to China that India was united in the hour of crisis. In a statement here, SAD senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhundur said it was distressing that the chief minister politicising a matter of national security. Such statements create divisions and are likely to be exploited by our enemies at a time when four bravehearts from Punjab have also been martyred. We request you to let the Indian army decide on the best tactical response needed to counter our adversaries on our borders, Bhundar said. Speaking about the rules of engagements about which the chief minister had made a comment on Saturday, Bhundur said the former should know that this was part of an agreement with China signed in 1996 and ratified in 2005 during the UPA tenure. You seem to have overlooked this fact while talking about the need to change this policy and allow soldiers the freedom to use firearms, he added, informing that the rules of engagement were changed yesterday itself and it was conveyed to China. One of Britain's leading infectious disease experts today said the 14-day coronavirus quarantine rule for people arriving in the UK is 'completely useless'. Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said today that the rule should be 'dropped as soon as possible'. Foreign Office rules currently require that everyone coming into the UK from another country must self-isolate wherever they are staying for two weeks, regardless of how healthy they feel. People must also provide the Government with details of who they are, where they've been and where they're going, within 48 hours of arriving in the country. But Professor Piot told the Andrew Marr Show the rules will not help to curb the spread of the coronavirus and will only do more damage to the economy. He said cutting the 2metre (6'6") rule, as the Government plans to do this week, should only be done if face masks are made mandatory, and added that he believes around 20million people around the world are likely to have caught the virus. Holidaymakers arriving in, or returning to, Britain must now spend two weeks in isolation before they can return to society, under Foreign Office rules (Pictured: An arrivals terminal at Heathrow) Professor Piot said: 'We don't need to look outside our own borders. The virus is here.' He said he was 'pretty relaxed' about plans to reduce the social distancing rule from 2metres (6'6") to 1m (3'3") but wanted masks to be worn if people were getting closer. For the 14-day quarantine rule for travellers arriving in, or returning to, the UK, however, he said there was no logic behind it. 'There are other measures that are completely useless like quarantine for returning travellers,' Professor Piot said. 'That only makes sense at the very beginning, before we have cases, when indeed they were imported. 'Today, that's not going to contribute much and the damage it causes to the country - to the economy - is going to be enormous. 'So let's hope that that rule is dropped as soon as possible and let's concentrate on what works.' Professor Peter Piot said of the two-week isolation rule: 'Let's hope that that rule is dropped as soon as possible and let's concentrate on what works' Foreign Office rules dictate that holidaymakers arriving in the UK must self-isolate wherever they are staying for two weeks before going out in public The guidance on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website explains that people must self-isolate when arriving in the UK from other countries. It says: 'When you return, you must follow the rules for entering the UK. You must... not leave the place youre staying for the first 14 days youre in the UK except in very limited situations (known as "self-isolating").' The rules are understood to include all tourists or people travelling for leisure, but there is a long list of people who are exempt from the restriction. Politicians and diplomats from the UK and abroad, contractors travelling for 'essential government work', those who work abroad or commute from abroad more than once a week, and bus and lorry drivers, for example, do not have to self-isolate. The French President Emmanuel Macron and his entourage were able to conduct a flying visit on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of the two nations' joining forces against the Nazis in World War Two. When Professor Piot was asked how he thought the coronavirus outbreak might play out in future if it returns, the infectious disease expert said he would expect subsequent outbreaks to be smaller. Professor Piot said a resurgence was 'nearly certainly' going to happen, adding: 'I don't think, and I hope, it's not going to be a tsunami. If only because it won't take us by surprise... we know much better what to do. 'It will depend on whether everybody, every single individual, follows the guidelines in terms of social distancing so we can turn care homes, turn health services... into safe places. 'Probably what we will see is a series of local outbreaks.., The virus will not disappear one fine day - forget it.' The government is asking the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to reconsider the cap on the number of people attending religious services It follows criticism from the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin who said as few as 1% of people would be able to attend mass in some parishes. Next Sunday will be the last Sunday when religious services will not be allowed at churches and other places of worship. Up to now, the pandemic had limited them to opening for private prayer only. From Monday, June 29, groups of up to 50 people will be allowed to gather for prayer. That limit is due to rise to 100 three weeks later on July 20. But there has been criticism from the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin, who has called the measures "strange and disappointing". He says with some churches large enough to hold 1,500 in normal circumstances, they should be able to hold more than the current limits even with strict social distancing. Now a government spokesman says "large churches can accommodate many more than 50 or 100" and it's asking officials NPHET to reconsider. Skywatchers along a narrow band from west Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, India and southern China will witness on Sunday a dramatic ring of fire solar eclipse. The partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 9.16 am. The annular phase will start at 10.19 am and end at 2.02 pm. The partial phase of the eclipse will end at 3.04 pm, the Ministry of Earth Sciences said. Close to noon, for a small belt in north India the eclipse will turn into a beautiful annular (ring-shaped) one since the Moon is not close enough to cover the Sun completely, the Astronomical Society of India said on Saturday. Follow Solar Eclipse LIVE updates here Places like Delhi will be dark for 5-7 minutes from 11 to 11.30 am, said Arvind Paranjpye, the Director of the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai. Also Watch | Solar Eclipse 2020: Watch captivating images of the ring of fire from across the country The parts of northern India where the annular phase (ring of fire) of the eclipse will be visible are Dehradun, Kurukshetra, Chamoli, Joshimath, Sirsa, Suratgarh. From the rest of the country, it will be visible as partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon, earth and sun come in a straight line, with the moon between the earth and the sun. However, unlike a full solar eclipse when the sun is entirely covered by the moon for a brief period, during the annular eclipse, the angular diameter of the moon falls short of that of the sun and it fails to cover up the latter completely. As a result a ring of the suns disk remains visible around the moon. Hence, an annular solar eclipse is popularly known as ring of fire. The next annular eclipse will be seen from South America in December 2020. Another annular eclipse will occur in 2022, but that it will be hardly visible from India, news agency PTI quoted N Rathnashree, Director of Nehru Planetarium in Delhi, as saying. Todays celestial event will is coinciding with the summer solstice which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. Here are the tips issued by the government for those who want to watch the eclipse: Do not use sunglasses, goggles, exposed X-ray sheet or lampblack over a glass. They are not safe. Nor is viewing the Suns image on the surface of the water. Only Welders glass number13 or number 14 can be used to see the Sun directly with naked eyes. You can make a pinhole in a card sheet and hold it under the Sun. At some distance, keep a screen of white paper. The Suns image can be seen on this sheet. By adjusting the gap between the sheet and the screen, the image can be made larger. Look at the shadow of a bush or a tree. With the gaps between the leaves acting like a pinhole, numerous images of the eclipsed Sun can be seen on the ground. You can use a strainer for making pinhole images. Cover the compact makeup kit mirror with black paper, with a small hole at the centre. Reflect the image of the Sun on a distant wall in shadow. You can get a projected image of the eclipsed Sun. The issue of racism in the United States is not only a domestic issue, but a global issue in the era of global media No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom The current Black Lives Matter movement surely got our attention in one way or another, whereby the movement highlights the systematic racism African Americans have faced throughout their history in the United States, from slavery to segregation to the current focus on police brutality. It might be surprising how constructed media stereotypes play a palpable role in reflecting and enforcing racist beliefs against African Americans. One of the major stereotypes is the gangster or criminal figure that was first introduced during the 1970s through Blaxploitation films wherein crimes were being framed and portrayed as a modern play in which criminals were categorised through certain social and physical features (black skin and black community) which are the evil forces in the play. On the other hand, white skin colour is linked to cops, law enforcement officials and victims. Notably, racial stereotypes were not only introduced during desegregation and the 1970s; they are indeed traced back to slavery and segregation. The Mammy and the Coon were from initial stereotypes derived from the idea that African Americans are genetically dependent and cannot be positioned in high ranked jobs because of their basic nature. The ending of segregation marked a new beginning of African American portrayals in US media, especially with the introduction of Blaxploitation films in the 1970s. African Americans were proved to become effective movie protagonists. However, white/black relations within these movies were controversial because they all revolved around underdogs fighting between black drug dealers, criminals, pimps, gangsters and white police. This can be seen in movies like Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasssss Song (1971), Super Fly (1972), Hit Man (1972) and Black Caesar (1972). Blaxploitation films had an influence on movie production in the late 1990s and 21st century and continues to frame African Americans as criminals, pimps and gangsters in movies like Do the Right Thing and Boyz n the Hood in the late 1990s. During the 21st century, elements of Blaxploitation movies were seen in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Kill Bill (2003) and Inglorious Basterds (2009). The goal of empowering African Americans in the media through Blaxploitation films backfired, whereby these movies further perpetuated negative stereotypical images of African Americans. Patricia Hill Collins an African American author, who wrote Black Feminist Thought, emphasised that racial stereotypes of black women are traced back to the times of slavery and segregation, not only during the Blaxploitation period. Stereotypes of African American women were mostly concentrated on the image of the "Mammy. The Mammy stereotype justified the horrors of slavery, whereby her characteristics (contented cook, satisfied with domestic service) suggest that being submissive is not only one of Mammys characteristics towards her Caucasian masters, but its also engraved in her genes. Putting African American women into slavery is thereby justified. The cult of true womanhood during slavery was generally based on the characteristics of white women (piety and purity). However, African American women were framed in totally different ways in popular culture. The Mammy stereotype had been constantly repeated through American animation. For example, it crystalised in one of the most well-known animated series: Tom and Jerry. It was represented through the "mammy two shoes icon: an African American maid and cook who is an overweight middle aged woman. Her portrayal is a reflection of the black maid who worked in white households during the period after the Civil War. The stereotype was repeated in the image of "Aunt Jemima" as a brand of pancake syrup. Surprisingly this syrup is still sold to the present day. Nonetheless, boycotts by African Americans led Quaker Oats in 1968 to replace the characters bandana with a headband and make her slimmer and younger. Hence, the cover picture changed from an overweight African American woman wearing a turban to a young, thin lady with wavy black hair. Another stereotypical black image is the Coon, suggesting that African American men are like raccoons or pests. The image entails that African American men are lazy and need to be guided by their white masters. Hence, justifying the institution of slavery and segregation. The Coon stereotype can be seen in Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat, Bugs Bunny and Jungle Jitters. Actors such as Stepin Fetchit and Willie Best played the lazy Coon stereotype of African Americans. It might be surprising for some people that US racism against people of colour indirectly affects Egyptian subconscious beliefs towards black people, heres why. After the 1946-1991 Cold War, the United States became a megapower and hegemon over the globe, including Egypt. Consequently, it had the ability to enforce and spread US stereotypical beliefs, not only through hard power, but also soft power and most importantly mass media. It must be noted that Hollywoods influence all over the world is extraordinary, especially after the rise of globalisation and global media. A behaviorist model called The magic bullet suggests that the message the media enforced is just like a bullet fired from a media gun into the viewers mind. The model claims that viewers are indirectly manipulated and persuaded by Hollywoods message. As mentioned, the Black Lives Matter movement highlights continuing racism in US society. This racism is not only societal, but was also demonstrated in US hegemonic media that Egyptians to this day are influenced by. Global mass media can be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it expands nations horizons regarding cultural differences and developments. On the other, it affects peoples conscious and unconscious beliefs towards certain racial groups and discriminated minorities. Hence, it either cultivates brainwashed racists or tolerant individuals. Search Keywords: Short link: Leaders of the General Assembly should heed a call by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus for sensitivity training to address racial and cultural biases among state legislators. The training is indisputably needed. Too bad it wasnt done sooner. Sparking the call, sounded by OLBC President Stephanie Howse, a Cleveland Democrat, were words spoken at a Senate committee meeting by legislator/physician, Sen. Steve Huffman, a Tipp City Republican whose western Ohio district includes parts of Dayton. 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. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on June 20 said that his country is committed to resolving the dam crisis with Ethiopia using diplomatic and political paths after talks between the two countries came to a halt. Egypt and Ethiopia were having talks over the construction of a giant hydroelectric dam by the latter on the Blue Nile before it stalled on June 17. Egyptian President Sisi while addressing the issue at an air force base said that Cairo is committed to resolving the issue via diplomacy, defending the country's decision to move to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for intervention. Read: Sudan Says Talks On Ethiopia's Nile Dam Fail To Produce Deal The project and dispute Ethiopia's $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be built near its border with Sudan and is expected to make the country's Africa's biggest power exporter. Egypt is seeking an agreement that would guarantee minimum flows to the country before the project starts operating. The Nile is the only freshwater source for Egypt, which is why the country wants a deal with Ethiopia before the project starts so that any dispute in the future is resolved in line with the agreement. Earlier in February talks between Egypt and Ethiopia in Washington ended without an agreement following which the latest round began on June 9 via video-conferencing. Read: Egypt: Ethiopia Rejecting 'fundamental Issues' On Nile Dam The United States, European Union, and South Africa had been acting as observers during the talks between the irrigation and water ministers from the three Nile basin countries. Sudan and Egypt view the dam as a threat due to the dangers it poses to their essential water supplies. Meanwhile, Ethiopia believes the dam to be a necessity for the electrification and development of the country. The 6,600-kilometre-long Nile river is a lifeline for the 10 countries it passes through; it supplies them with water as well as electricity. Read: Nile Countries Resume Talks Over Disputed Dam After Deadlock Read: 'Deadlock' In Nile Dam Talks Again, Egypt Accuses Of Ethiopia 'intransigence' Police this week were investigating separate automobile accidents in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, on Friday that occurred within 15 minutes of each other and resulted in the deaths of a 7-year-old girl and an 85-year-old woman. The crashes also resulted in significant road closures, police said. Police gave the following accounts: About 5:30 p.m. on Delilah Road, a westbound car driven by Jabril Williams, 26, of Galloway, crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a vehicle operated by Decinique Brown, 28, of Vineland. A 7-year-old girl in Williams car, whom police did not identify, was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City Campus, and later airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where she died. Williams, an adult passenger in his car, and Brown were taken to AtlantiCare with serious injuries, police said. Delilah Road was closed for about four hours in both directions. About 15 minutes earlier, a car westbound on the Black Horse Pike collided with a vehicle driven by Lois Kerbel, 85, of Mays Landing, that was making an improper turn at an intersection, police said. Kerbel was later pronounced dead at AtlantiCare. The driver of the other vehicle, James Ganly, 69, of Aberdeen, Md., was taken to the hospital for evaluation, authorities said. That accident forced the closing of the Black Horse Pike for three hours. Web Toolbar by Wibiya TORONTO, June 19, 2020 /CNW/ - Ahead of World Refugee Day, Plan International Canada has released a report on the layered crises and heightened risks refugee and displaced women and girls face in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, titled Close to Contagion: The Impacts of COVID-19 on displaced and refugee girls and young women, shows that refugee and displaced girls around the world face considerably larger challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This further curtails the realization of their fundamental human rights to education, productive livelihoods, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and protection from violence, exploitation and abuse. Girls living in fragile, conflict, disaster-affected, or less developed countries with weaker health and social systems, are acutely vulnerable to a diversion of resources away from other key medical and social services that supported them pre-COVID-19, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights services and protection against violence. This adds a risk that refugee communities face in this pandemic. Without urgent action, the immediate and long-lasting consequences of COVID-19 for girls, particularly displaced girls, will be abuse, violence, neglect, fear and hunger, fueled by existing gender inequality. "For refugee and displaced girls, this is a triple crisis: the crisis of displacement, the COVID-19 pandemic and the risks they experience simply because they are young and female," says Dr. Tanjina Mirza, Plan International Canada's chief programs officer and interim co-CEO. "It's imperative that their unique needs and rights are addressed in global and local COVID-19 responses. In addition, we need to hear the voices and solutions of those impacted nothing should be decided without them." Adolescent girls face human rights violations disproportionately and are among the most excluded and invisible people on earth. Yet, they are also inherently powerful. The risks refugee girls face, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, include gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, harmful gender norms that lead to child early and forced marriage or increased expectations to take on home and care work. It also means that those who struggled to access education before the pandemic may never return to their studies. Findings from consultations with adolescent girls and young women show that despite the challenges they face, adolescent girls demonstrate resilience, leadership, entrepreneurial skills, a desire to help others and optimism for the future. "I want to do a job after completing my education and work for the welfare of this community," said a 12-year-old Rohingya girl living in Bangladesh, taken from previous Plan International research. Crisis brings inequality and issues that have long been left unaddressed into sharper focus," says Severine Meyer, Plan International Canada's Senior Program Manager, Emergencies & Humanitarian Assistance. "COVID-19 has exacerbated the risks that refugee and displaced girls face, but it also provides an opportunity to reset humanitarian response in a way that empowers them. We cannot return to a pre-pandemic normal, because 'normal' wasn't working for adolescent girls." Plan International Canada calls on powerholders and stakeholders worldwide to listen to adolescent girls and take action. Supporting girls and young women's resilience and agency is critical to any effective preparation for, or in response to, the current COVID-19 crisis and other intersecting crises in refugee camps and settlements. Additional report recommendations Response plans for COVID-19 must be informed by a comprehensive analysis of the short and long-term consequences of the pandemic, based on age, gender and diversity: including collecting data disaggregated for age, sex and disability. Child protection risks and risks of gender-based violence must be assessed, monitored, and responded to in displacement camps, host communities and in quarantine situations. Girls' and women's sexual and reproductive health and rights must continue to be prioritized as a life-saving intervention. Policy makers must be flexible in their approach to education including supporting pregnant girls and young mothers who often face stigma and discriminatory school re-entry laws. In displaced settings, where digital education solutions are not always accessible, governments must invest in distance learning approaches that are low-tech and gender responsive. National authorities should list humanitarian workers as key workers, excluded from stay-at-home orders wherever possible. Commitments made at the Global Refugee Forum should be accelerated in response to this pandemic. About Plan International Canada's COVID-19 response Plan International's COVID-19 response is focused on protecting the most vulnerable children and placing the needs and rights of girls and young women at the centre as the crisis unfolds. Plan International is on the frontlines of the COVID-19 global response, focused on health, hygiene and preventing the spread of COVID-19, providing personal protective equipment to healthcare providers, continuity of education, continuity of sexual and reproductive health and rights, food assistance, strengthening child protection, community engagement and accountability, and supporting actions in our response that address gender specific needs. Canadians are encouraged to donate to support Plan International Canada's COVID-19 response. Visit plancanada.ca/donate-covid-19. About Plan International Canada Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries. We are calling on all Canadians to Defy Normal: to believe in the power and potential of every child and to take a stand anywhere children are oppressed, exploited or left behind and anywhere girls aren't equally valued. Together, we can create a world where all unleash their full potential. Visit plancanada.ca for more information and follow @PlanCanada on social media to #DefyNormal and join the conversation. The health ministry has said that a total of 2,27,755 patients have been cured of COVID-19 till date and the number of recoveries exceeds the number of active cases by over 58,000. Eight days after recording three lakh COVID-19 cases, India went past the four lakh-mark on Sunday with 15,413 new infections, while the death toll rose to 13,254 with 306 fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry's data. India took 64 days to cross the one lakh-mark from 100 cases, another fortnight to reach the grim milestone of two lakh cases and then in another 10 days, it went past the three-lakh mark. The country has been registering record single-day spikes for the past four days. The jump of 15,413 cases has taken India''s case load to 4,10,461. However, on the positive side, the health ministry has said that a total of 2,27,755 patients have been cured of COVID-19 till date and the number of recoveries exceeds the number of active cases by over 58,000. During the last 24 hours, a total of 13,925 COVID-19 patients have been cured and the recovery rate has further improved to 55.49 percent, it said. Presently, there are 1,69,451 active cases and all are under active medical supervision, it added. State-wise figures Of the total 13,254 deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest 5,984 fatalities, followed by Delhi with 2,112 deaths, Gujarat with 1,638, Tamil Nadu with 704, West Bengal with 540, Madhya Pradesh with 501, Uttar Pradesh with 507, Rajasthan with 337 and Telangana with 203 deaths. The COVID-19 death toll reached 149 in Haryana, 132 in Karnataka, 101 in Andhra Pradesh, 98 in Punjab, 81 in Jammu and Kashmir, 52 in Bihar, 27 in Uttarakhand, 21 in Kerala and 12 in Odisha. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have registered 11 deaths each, Assam nine, Himachal Pradesh eight, Puducherry seven, Chandigarh six, while Meghalaya, Tripura and Ladakh have reported one fatality each, according to the health ministry. More than 70 per cent deaths took place due to comorbidities, it said. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 1,28,205, followed by Tamil Nadu at 56,845, Delhi at 56,746, Gujarat at 26,680, Uttar Pradesh at 16,594, Rajasthan at 14,536 and West Bengal at 13,531, according to ministry data. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 11,724 in Madhya Pradesh, 10,223 in Haryana, 8,697 in Karnataka, 8,452 in Andhra Pradesh and 7,533 in Bihar. It has risen to 7,072 in Telangana, 5,834 in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,904 in Assam and 4,856 in Odisha. Punjab has reported 3,952 novel coronavirus cases so far, while Kerala has 3,039 cases. A total of 2,301 people have been infected by the virus in Uttarakhand, 2,041 in Chhattisgarh, 1,965 in Jharkhand, 1,186 in Tripura, 754 in Goa, 836 in Ladakh, 777 in Manipur and 656 in Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh has recorded 404 COVID-19 cases, Puducherry has 286 cases, Nagaland has 201, Mizoram has 140, Arunachal Pradesh has 135 and Sikkim has 70. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 68 COVID-19 cases. Andaman and Nicobar Islands has registered 47 infections so far while Meghalaya has recorded 44 cases. Numbers of labs increased to 981 The health ministry said that as a concerted effort to expand the laboratory and testing infrastructure, the number of government labs has been increased to 722 and the number of private labs to 259. There are a total of 981 laboratories now. The number of samples being tested everyday also continues to grow. In the last 24 hours, 1,90,730 samples were tested, while the total number of samples tested so far is 68,07,226, it said. According to the ministry, there are 547 Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs, including 354 government labs and 193 private labs. The number of TrueNat-based testing labs is 358 (341 government and 17 private) while there are 76 CBNAAT-based testing labs (27 government and 49 private). Hetero gets DCGI nod to launch COVID-19 drug Drug firm Hetero said it has received approval from regulator DCGI to launch investigational antiviral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. The company has received the manufacturing and marketing approval for Remdesivir from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. Hetero''s generic version of Remdesivir will be marketed under the brand name ''Covifor'' in India. The drug will be available in 100 mg vial (injectable) which has to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner, it said. Asked about the price of the drug, Hetero Group of Companies MD Vamsi Krishna Bandi told PTI it will be in the range of Rs 5,000-6,000 per dose. Currently, the drug is being manufactured at the company''s formulation facility in Hyderabad. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is being made in the firm''s Visakhapatnam facility, he added. The drug will be available only through hospitals and government, and not the retail channel, Vamsi said. The company is focused on providing one lakh doses in the next few weeks, and the production can be ramped up based on demand, he added. The drug has been granted approval by DCGI for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease, the company said. Delhi govt issues revised home isolation guidelines The Delhi government has issued a revised order stating that the novel coronavirus patients who do not have comorbidities or require hospitalisation could opt for home isolation following withdrawal of the decision on five-day mandatory institutional quarantine. "All individuals who are positive will be referred to the COVID care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and presence of co-morbidities," it said in an order. An assessment will also be done to check whether adequate facilities like minimum two rooms and a separate toilet exist so that the family members and neighbours are protected and a cluster of cases does not develop in that locality, according to the order. "If adequate facility for home isolation exists, and the person on clinical assessment is found to have no comorbidities and does not require hospitalisation, he would be offered to either continue to stay in COVID centre/paid isolation facility (hotels etc), or can opt for home isolation," the order said. The order said the patients in home isolation should follow home isolation guidelines laid down by the Health Ministry and should stay in touch with healthcare providers so that if their condition deteriorates, they can be moved to the COVID hospitals. UP suspends Kanwar yatra The Kanwar yatra during the auspicious month of Shravan will remain suspended this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official release. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a video conference with his counterparts of Haryana and Uttarakhand, ML Khattar and Trivendra Singh Rawat, respectively, and discussed the issue of annual Kanwar yatra in the month of Shravan, an official release issued said. The chief ministers said religious gurus and kanwar sanghs in their respective states have proposed suspending the yatra in view of COVID-19 and after deliberating over it they took the decision in the public interest, the release said. Adityanath also held a video conference with all police IGs and commissioners and asked them to hold a dialogue with religious leaders, kanwar sanghs, peace committees in this regard and publicise their appeals among the people. He also directed them to ensure compliance of COVID-19 protocol and ensure that not more than five people go for ''jalabhishek'' at the local temples and make all arrangements for the safety and security of the devotees, the release said. With inputs from agencies OTTAWA, June 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To address Corona Virus symptoms, health officials have recommended to use ventilators, but as of yet, fewer medicine have been used to test and treat COVID-19 in humans. A researcher has been looking at the Coronavirus situation in Canada and he is hoping that his proposal might be the solution to control the outbreak in the present challenging time. According to Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, a Global Health student at the University of Manchester, and CEO of Taleam Systems says, people who are infected with COVID, will have better prognosis with longer duration of sleep. Research shows that humans require 12 to 20 oxygen breaths per minute, but if it is lower or higher than this amount, it is time to seek expert advice states another source at the Cleveland Clinic. Meanwhile, breathing problem is one of the symptoms of Corona Virus as per WHO risks for COVID-19 . The virus first originated in China in late 2019, but gradually transmitted to other nations including Canada and the UK by mid March 2020. The virus has infected over 100,000 people in Canada and has killed about 8,300 more to date according to health Canada statistics. With the use of ventilators, it has helped majority of the people ( including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnsons recovery from COVID-19 ), but still the vulnerable population i.e. Seniors, and those with serious respiratory illnesses have fallen through the cracks. Pharma companies are also working on expensive vaccines, but already available medicine have yet to be tested. The COVID-19 vaccine being developed in Canada and elsewhere may not be too helpful since people are now mandatory required to wear face masks, and those with positive symptoms may not benefit from the vaccine since they are already infected. Ahmadzai adds, No information is readily available from Chinese authorities to prove what kind of virus this is other than its purpose which is to create a major public health outbreak everywhere. Increase in sleep may help to control Corona Virus symptoms since breathing patterns are lower in COVID patients than the normal standard, signals Ahmadzai. Taleam Systems is a technology company based in Ottawa, Canada which provides computer support to medical clinics and hospitals. To learn more about Taleam Systems, visit www.taleamsystems.com Media contact: Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, CEO melad@taleamsystems.com 613-521-9229 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02a05c58-e5b9-486b-a47d-cdb64a3a964a The Chhattisgarh government has asked the Centre not to allow auction of coal blocks which fall under Hasdeo Arand, Lemru elephant reserve and the Mand river catchment area which are biodiversity-rich forests. Five of the nine coal blocks that will be up for auction for commercial mining fall under this area which includes Morga -2, Morga (South), Madanpur north, Shyang and Fathehpur (east). In a letter to Union Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar on Saturday, Chhattisgarh Forest minister Mohammad Akbar said that many public and private sector industries are currently engaged in coal mining in Chhattisgarh. Coal block between Hasdev Arand and Mand river area also proposed for auction by the Union government . Recently, there has been an increase in the numbers of wild elephants in the state which has led to a spike in human-elephant conflict. For providing habitat for wild elephants, 1,995 sq km of forest area around Hasdeo river has been declared as Lemru elephant reserve. The process of issuing notification for the same is under process, Akbar said in the letter. He reasoned that it is necessary to stop mining in that region to prevent loss of human lives and control on man-elephant conflict. It is my humble request to you, that in the upcoming coal block auction, the Hasdev Aranya and its adjacent Mand river coal blocks located in the catchment area and areas within the range of the proposed elephant reserve should not be included in the auction, Akbar wrote. A senior officer said that apart from five coal blocks which fall under this area, the government has no opposition in auctioning other four other mines. The other mines fall in areas which are not in Hasdeo Arand and catchment area , hence there is no issue in auctioning those, said a senior forest official. Hasdeo Arand spans 170,000 hectares of forests. The other four coal blocks are -- Gare Palema (4/1), Gare Palema (4/7), Shankarpur Bhatgaon (second extension) and Sondhia. The officer said Chhattisgarh has not yet decided to approach the Supreme Court on the issue. We have not decided to move the Supreme Court like Jharkhand till now, said the officer. On Saturday, the Jharkhand government moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centres decision to auction coal blocks for commercial mining. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren said the coal auction it is a huge policy decision and the respective state governments needed to be taken into confidence The Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, which is working for rights of tribals in Hasdeo Arand region accused the Centre of ignoring environmental concerns while deciding on the coal blocks to be auctioned. We welcome the letter written by the Chhattisgarh government. It is clear that in the auction process of coal block, the Modi government has not only ignored the environmental concerns but the opposition of gram sabhas was also not taken into consideration. This auction is also an attack on the federal structure because the centralization of the entire process has taken away the rights of the states, said Alok Shukla, convener of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh government is considering increasing the area of Lemru elephant reserve area after activists demanded the inclusion of the total catchment area of Hasdeo river in the reserve. Forest department sources said that the final decision has to be taken by the Chief Minister but total area of the reserve which is about 1995.48 square kilometers could be extended. The government might include the total or a part of the catchment area of Hasdeo Basin, which is about 250 square kilometers with the elephant reserve. The major hurdle in front of the government is four operational mines, five allotted mines and 12 coal reserves which come under the catchment area of Hasdeo Basin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the auction of 41 coal mines for commercial mining, saying the market for the commodity is now open and the sales will help turn the Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity. But several of the 41 mines are located in biodiversity-rich forest areas in central India. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Beaver Dam will be beavering away with activities next Friday and Saturday, as an alliance of civic groups, businesses and participants holds several activities in which social distancing and COVID 19 precautions will be encouraged. On the calendar for both days are the Best Dam South Spring Street Block Party, a downtown Beaver Dam sidewalk sale, the Veteran's Banner Honor Walk, a city-wide rummage sale and the second ever "Riddles" scavenger hunt. Community Development Manager Mary Vogl-Rauscher has been instrumental in organizing the events which are designed to help the business community throughout the city. The initial driver was the citywide rummage sale, said Vogl-Rauscher. Because we wanted to build on the traffic that could potentially be coming to the area, we have added a number of other activities to downtown and throughout the city to allow people to have some safe fun and to support our local businesses. The Veteran's Banner Honor Walk is the Eagle Scout project of Luke Diljak of Beaver Dam Troop 724, with help from the city, Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation, American Legion Auxiliary and Exchange Club. The mission of the program is to honor veterans of the Armed Forces. Boris Johnson is facing growing unrest on the Tory benches over the government's obsession with polling. The PM's allies have voiced defiance after analysis showed the extent of the spending on tracking public opinion. Contracts worth millions of pounds are in place to provide surveys and focus groups on how voters view the government's handling of coronavirus and other policies. MPs told the Sunday Times that the reliance on such data meant that Downing Street was reacting rather than giving 'leadership'. But insiders insisted the claim was 'bull'sh**' - pointing out that ministers are pushing ahead with unlocking the economy despite strong evidence of 'coronaphobia' among the public. Boris Johnson (left on a visit to a school in Hertfordshire on Friday) and his chief aide Dominic Cummings (right in Downing Street last week) are facing growing unrest on the Tory benches over the government's obsession with polling Mr Johnson's administration is regarded as putting an unprecedented emphasis on tracking public opinion. The Cabinet Office has long had a contract with YouGov to supply a daily survey asking 40 to 50 questions on British attitudes. But sources told the paper that the the two-year 318,700 cost had already been exceeded with a year to run, because so much polling was being ordered. Hanbury Strategy, set up by Vote Leave communications chief Paul Stephenson and ex-No10 adviser Ameet Gill has been carrying out a separate coronavirus-specific project. While the two companies provide most of the quantitative data - or 'quant' - there is also work on qualitative information - or 'qual'. Public First began a year-long 840,000 contract to conduct virtual focus groups at the beginning of March, according to the Sunday Times. Another focus group specialist, Britain Thinks, founded by Gordon Brown's pollster Deborah Mattinson, is said to have secured a contract with the Department of Health last year. The company is expected to start a 2million deal with the Department for Transport shortly, as it struggles to manage disquiet about using public transport and aviation. Another major pollster, Kantar, reportedly secured a 'Covid-urgent' 705,000 contract with the Cabinet Office for 'social research services' between April and October. Tory MPs complained that Mr Johnson was effectively in charge of 'government by focus group'. Tory MPs complain that the PM is in charge of 'government by focus group', amid claims he relies to heavily on polls such as this one by YouGov from earlier this month A senior Tory backbencher said: 'Leadership is about leading. The clue is in the name... 'We've taken an age to get shops and pubs open. At the moment we are seeing neither leadership or competence.' But the criticism was rejected by allies of the PM. One pollster told the Times: 'All governments do polling, there is just more of it. 'There is a word for government by focus group: it's ''government''.' A senior figure added: 'The idea that we are not making decisions unless a poll says we can is bull****. 'The best evidence for that is that we are opening up and the polling evidence is that the public does not really want to.' T heyre among some of our best-loved television presenters, but nothing could quite prepare Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon for learning just how popular they really are. In what is possibly one of the weirdest stories to have come out of the coronavirus news cycle, the pair were left stunned when Loose Women panellist Solomon somehow ended up being name-checked on Michelle Obamas Instagram. The former First Lady posted a series of handwritten thank you letters to frontline workers around the world, with one in particular featuring a shout out to the always effervescent Solomon, 30, for cheering up a worker following a long shift. Even now, Solomon is still in shock. Stacey Solomon - In pictures 1 /38 Stacey Solomon - In pictures Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon attend the Britain's Got Talent Childline Ball at Old Billingsgate Market in 2017 Dave Benett Stacey Solomon on Loose Women in 2018 Rex Stacey Solomon is seen recording the song "At Last" for the new Royal Air Force Squadronaires album 'In The Mood, The Glenn Miller Songbook' at the Sphere Studios, London in 2010 PA Stacey Solomon takes a shower in the jungle on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2010 ITV/Rex Features Stacey Solomon on the X Factor in 2009 Ken McKay Stacey Solomon with Dermot OLeary on The X-Factor in 2009 Rex Features Stacey Solomon in 2009 Nigel Howard Stacey Solomon on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2010 ITV Stacey Solomon wins I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2010 Stacey Solomon during the 2011 National Television Awards PA Stacey Solomon and Shaun Ryder on stage the 2011 National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London PA Stacey Solomon arrives for the News of The World Children's Champions Awards in 2011 PA Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon attend the opening night of Marvel Universe LIVE! At The O2 in 2016 Getty Images Stacey Solomon arrives for a Gala Screening of "Game of Thrones" Season 5 in 2016 Dave Benett Stacey Solomon attends the National Television Awards cocktail reception in 2017 Dave Benett Stacey Solomon attending the Brit Awards in 2017 PA Stacey Solomon attending The Pride of Britain Awards 2017 PA Stacey Solomon arriving at the ITV Gala held at the London Palladium in 2017 Getty Images Stacey Solomon on The Jump (Series 2) Channel 4 Spencer Matthews, Tom Allen, Andrea McLean, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash on The Celebrity Crystal Maze: Episode 4 Stacey Solomon on The Chase ITV Stacey Solomon, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby at the recording of Celebrity Juice: Halloween Special SplashNews.com Stacey Solomon leaving ITV Loose Women TV Studios after appearing on the show. Splash News Stacey Solomon arrives for the PinkNews awards dinner at One Great George Street, London in 2017 PA Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon at The Pride of Britain Awards 2018 Getty Images Stacey Solomon has collaborated with Primark in 2018 Stacey Solomon attends the British LGBT Awards 2018 Dave Benett Stacey Solomon attending the National Television Awards 2019 PA inthestylestaceysolomon.jpg In The Style Im not going to lie to you, I couldnt believe it! she giggles down the phone. I was like, JoeJoe! Im on Michelle Obamas Instagram! My mum and dad and Joe were all wetting themselves laughing. She doesnt even know who I am. But just the fact it landed on her page what are the chances? And then just the letter itself made me feel really emotional. I dont knowthe thought that you might cheer someone up after a long day. That makes me really happy! Swash also saw the funny side of Solomon's unexpected brush with an American great. Here was us thinking we were going to go to the White House! the 38-year-old jokes. We havent heard from them, but if theyre ever down in London theyre more than welcome to stay with us. Chuckling, Solomon adds: Yeah, they can stay in the shed. Chance would be a fine thing the Obamas will manage to find any space of their own even if they do fly over to the couple's for a coffee one day. Its a very full house for the pair at the moment, with Swashs eldest son Harry, 13, Solomons two boys: Zachary, 12, and Leighton, eight, plus their baby Rex, one (as wella as their dog and their cat) all under one roof. 13 weeks of lockdown has been hard for pretty much everyone, even a couple as strong as Solomon and Swash, who have been together for five years, and the pair do admit to bickering. Theres so much to do throughout the day that were going to get on each others nerves, Swash says. Were not a perfect couple. Were not the Von Trapp family, we are just a normal family that love each other immensely, but we do get on each others nerves. Stacey and Joe have been grateful for lockdown / PA Weve got the kids as well. The boys help so much with little Rex. Theyre so good with him. Which makes it easier! But despite being hunkered down all together for the foreseeable, the pairhave found themselves looking towards the positives in lockdown. Weve actually both been home for things we might not have been home for, and were so grateful to have both been there for Rexs first steps, his first words, just everything, Solomon says. Its actually been a real privilege to be at home. The likelihood is one of us would have been at work for most of those things. Were trying to look at the good and the positive. Its Swashs desire to be as hands-on as possible with Rex (even pausing mid-interview to change the babys nappy) that have seen both himself and Swash promote Pampers #HappyFathersWay campaign, which celebrates dads. Stacey and Joe are working with Pampers for their Happy Father's Way campaign / Pampers When my eldest was growing up, I didnt get to do this as much as I wanted to do, Swash says. Because it is in me, I do love all this. Now weve got baby Rex, I love doing nappies and doing feeds. This is what it means to be a dad. Youve got to help. And youve got to be hands on. I think what it means to be a dad has changed. Men would go to work, women would stay at home and do the dinner, and there was that distinct line in the sand, whereas now, Stacey goes to work, she earns her own money. So, I think our job roles have changed over the years which I am more than happy about. Its your child. I love my kids and Id do anything for them. His success on Dancing on Ice earlier in year stopped him from focusing on parenting as much as he would have liked. It was a good experience, but it was very intense for four months and I missed out of a lot of Rex, he says. With lockdown, its terrible whats happening and were trying to make the best of it, but Ive spent so much time with the baby, its been amazing. Ive made up that time. The couple seem their usual happy and easy-going selves on the phone, but they admit they both have good days and bad days with their pair sometimes being on the receiving end of trolling. Its something most people in the public eye have to contend with, Swash says. You have to learn early on is that youre not going to be liked by everybody all the time. Stacey admits having been hurt by internet trolls / Ken McKay/ITV/Rex There are going to be certain negative things written about you, and its not nice, but it does happen. But for every terrible comment you get, you get 10-15 lovely comments, so you do have to balance it out. I find it quite easy to turn a blind eye. I dont know this person, it doesnt affect me. Im quite black and white about the whole thing. Solomon, however, admits to struggling more. Some days Im really good with it, its water off a ducks back, she says. Sometimes someone might say something that I have a deep-rooted insecurity about it anyway. It might be a day when Im just not feeling 100 per cent able to brush it off. It just depends what day it is sometimes. Mostly I just think people who are being horrible are probably not enjoying their life that much to be able to sit there and say something to somebody you dont even know. And that makes me feel quite sad. But as her children grow up, Solomon adds shes now more restrictive to what she shares online. I definitely think theres a time and a place for certain things, she says. Sometimes it isnt your experience to share. Some people say to me, why is Rex always happy? Why isnt he crying? Honestly, he rarely ever cries unless Im putting him to bed. But even if he did, I wouldnt want to put him under distress or upset. There are certain things I think, if he grows up and sees that, would he be upset? With lockdown stretching out for longer and longer, and with the constant threat of a second wave of coronavirus, the couple are now considering moving to a slightly bigger place especially as the pair are both open to having more children. Joe keeps talking about it! Solomon playfully groans. But as much as they love being parents to their boys, they cant wait to ferry them back to school full-time. We cant wait, Swash laughs. Weve got a bottle of champagne here, and when they go, were going to have an Ocean Beach party! Pampers are encouraging UK parents to show their support for all the Fathers in their life, this Fathers Day, using #HappyFathersWay and tagging @PampersUK_IRE. A meteorite-like object weighing around 2.8 kilograms fell from the sky in Sanchore town of Rajasthan's Jalore district on Friday (June 19). The mysterious object, which is believed to be worth crores of rupees, created a one-foot-deep crater in the ground. A local police officer said that several villagers heard an explosive sound when the object fell from the sky and they rushed to the field to see the meteorite-like object. The locals also alerted the police and local administration about the unusual incident. It is learnt that the explosion was heard as far as two kilometres. The object was hot when local government officials went to check it. It was allowed to cool before being taken to the police station. IANS reported that the mysterious object was tested in a private lab located at the jeweller's shop in Sanchore and after testing it was found that the piece had metallic properties of Germanium, Platinium, Nickel and Iron. Geologists in the Geographical Survey of India's Ahmedabad and Jaipur office have been called to test the object. When I was growing up, celebrating annual Mothers Days and Fathers Days, I used to kid my parents about when we would celebrate Childrens Day. Every day is Childrens Day, my mother would say. She was wrong. I knew she was wrong as soon as I became a father. From that day on, in my mind, every day hasnt been Chidrens Day, it has been Fathers Day. The sheer joy and the unlimited pride I have experienced being the father of two girls (now women) means I have been rewarded day after day, without need of an official time for recognition, or for a new tie, a new book, or a new handmade keychain. For a very long time, that was the only sense in which I recognized that every day was Fathers Day. Lately though, I have started to reflect that theres another way to look at it. Every day is Fathers Day because what we do as fathers has a lasting effect on our children. What we do is important and we dont get a day off. The important word in that last sentence is do. What we tell our children may be instructive or interesting or even profound. But what we do counts for much more. My father, Abe, never told me anything. He was 10 years old when his father died, so he left school to help earn money for his family. That means he was barely literate. He never read a book to me. We didnt have father-son outings. Not once. My two older sisters would provide similar testimony about their relationship with him. Yet, none of us would say we had a bad father. Just the opposite. The one, overriding message I got from my father, never spoken but always demonstrated, was that any pleasure a father derived from life was secondary to the well-being of his family. My father worked hard for us. Physical labour in a sugar refinery. He brought his paycheque home every week to my mother. He didnt spend a dime on himself for alcohol or cigarettes or other non-necessities. If he was offered the chance to work overtime, he took it. We never had a car. He woke up before 6 oclock in the morning to take the bus to work. If there was a transit strike - not uncommon in the Montreal of my youth - he walked to and from the factory, even in the middle of winter. Google Maps informs me that was a 1 hr. 38 min walk each way. I never worried about having a roof over my head or food on the table. I understood my father would never flinch from the role he accepted without complaint. Every day, for him, was Fathers Day. His determination to be a breadwinner meant I got a university education. There are no callouses on my hands because there were callouses on his. So of course Im certainly not the kind of father my father was. I read to my girls, played with them, took them on vacations, talked about issues in the news. But inevitably I am my fathers son. I instinctively knew I had to teach by example. Talking about things was fine, but I had to walk the walk. All this comes to mind in the fraught times we find ourselves mired in right now. I wonder, for example, if fathers who flout the rules of pandemic restrictions understand what their children are learning. Not wearing a mask in a store, or not bothering to stay two metres away from other people may seem like small things, but it says that rules are for other people, not you. And how to teach our children what all the street protests are about? Again, talk is useful and necessary. But our children will always see whats in our hearts. That tasteless joke or thoughtless interaction doesnt go unnoticed. If we want a better tomorrow, fathers have to raise the next generation by blazing a life trail of honesty, fairness, and humanity. On Fathers Day. Every day. The launching ceremony was attended by Politburo member, Secretary of Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCCs Commission for Communications and Education Vo Van Thuong; Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh; Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam; and Chairman of the VJA and Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper Thuan Huu. Speaking at the event, the VJAs Chairman Thuan Huu noted that since it was formed, Vietnamese press has shown its important role in the nations history. The PM signed a decision to establish the Vietnam Press Museum in 2017. Over the past three years, the museums officials and employees have actively studied, collected and preserved the heritages of the press sector for display. The museum will continue to collect, revise and supplement typical artefacts and documents that represent the heroic, humanistic and progressive press of the country. At the ceremony, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh emphasised that Vietnamese revolutionary press, which was formed and led by President Ho Chi Minh, has always contributed to the cause of national liberation and construction. The launching of Vietnam Press Museum expressed the special attention of the Party, State and the whole society to the press. Located in an area of 1,500 square metres, the press has collected over 20,000 documents and objectives that reflect the important events in the history of the Vietnamese press. The exhibits were divided into five categories: 1865-1925, 1925-45, 1945-54, 1954-75, and 1975- the present. A State funeral will take place in Charlestown, Co Mayo later for Detective Garda https://www.irishexaminer.com/maintopics/colm-horkan-4965.html. The officer was Read More: Funeral mass is due to begin at midday, along with a minute silence outside Garda Stations across the country as current and past members of the force pause, along with members of the public. The Taoiseach and President, Michael D Higgins will be in the Phoenix Park where the minutes silence will begin with a ringing of the peace bell. The hearse with the body of Detective Garda Colm Horkan arrives in Ballaghaderreen in Co Roscommon on Friday evening. Picture: Michael McCormack/PA Wire Due to Covid-19 restrictions only immediate family is allowed inside the church, but huge crowds are expected to line the streets of Charlestown to pay their respects. The officer died after Read More: Following the State funeral, Detective Horkans remains will be brought to the nearby cemetery for burial. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 22:16:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YANGON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Myanmar has risen to 290, with three more confirmed cases reported on Sunday, according to a release from the Ministry of Health and Sports. According to the release, the newly confirmed cases are returnees who were under quarantine after their recent arrivals from Qatar. As of Sunday, a total of 62,070 samples were tested for COVID-19 and 5,712 patients are under investigation at present, the ministry's figures showed. According to the ministry's release, 200 patients have recovered from the disease so far. Myanmar reported its first two positive cases of COVID-19 on March 23 and six deaths have been reported so far. Enditem Whats the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the song Lamberghini? A lot of people may say theyre instantly reminded of that gorgeous couple who were captured dancing at a wedding and stole the Internets hearts with their moves. Well, heres your chance to get to know more about this couple. Theyve been featured on the Humans of Bombay Facebook and Instagram page and their love story is as incredible as their dance moves. In the post, the elderly Sikh man, who people now recognise as an amazing dancer explains how he hated dancing as a kid. He eventually enrolled himself in dance classes during college. The classes were great, but Id often look at all the couples enjoying themselves and wished I had a real partner... not a random dance partner! he says. Soon he met his wife at a friends party after college and as fate would have it, she loved dancing as well. He realised he had fallen for her a couple months later after the first time they danced together. He goes on to detail how they got married and about their shared interests. From often being the only ones on the dance floor to working out together to playing boards games with each other, the sheds light on their happy marriage and theyre truly #CoupleGoals. Well just let you read the post below to enjoy it to the fullest. Since being shared last evening, the post has collected over 1.4 lakh likes on Instagram and over 19,000 reactions on Facebook. People, who already love this couple, are showering words of praise for this dancing jodi. They are just so graceful. Every time I look at them my heart feels happy, writes an Instagram user. I was so desperately waiting to hear their story, have been their huge fan after seeing them dance. Loads of love to them, posts another. Best love story till date. Period, comments a third and we absolutely agree. Its always been treat to eyes, to see them dancing! And their story is just too sweet and beautiful to set couple goals. Adorable, writes a Facebook user. Gives you hope to know that you will some day find love like this and a great dancer, says another. What do you think of this dancing couple and their story? Also Read | Fashion advisor and saviour against karela: Meet this awesome dadi poti duo The Government has done a very poor job of keeping the public properly informed about the Covid-19 pandemic, but at last some sanity seems to be emerging from the confusion that has marked policy since the lockdown began. According to media reports, Boris Johnson will halve the social distance rule from two metres to one. He will also set out dates for the reopening of hair salons, restaurants and pubs. Some sanity seems to be emerging from the confusion that has marked policy since lockdown The public have unfortunately been left poorly informed throughout by the government Boris Johnson is set to announce the halving of the two metre social distancing rules I hope fervently he will also use the occasion to reverse the baffling 14-day quarantine rule for travellers to Britain from countries with lower rates of infection than ours. All this will come as a huge relief to those of us who warned back in March that while it was very easy to win popular acclaim for imposing a national lockdown, it would be much harder to lift it. Professor Karol Sikora is insistent that coronavirus cannot continue to control lives There was no point in even talking about reopening the hospitality sector while the two-metre rule still retained its cultish support at the heart of Whitehall. It has also severely curtailed the ability of schools to function in any meaningful way. When the Governments handling of this crisis is properly analysed in due course, I think its insistence on a more restrictive social distancing regime than the one proposed by the World Health Organisation (which has always advised one metre) will be seen as perhaps its greatest single failing. The priority must now be a swift return to the life we once lived, not some dreary state of semi-confinement summed up in the worst lockdown cliche, the New Normal. The problem is that millions of people have got out of the habit of leading a full life built on the twin pillars of work and recreation. The response to the reopening of non-essential shops should alarm the Government, for it has not led to the predicted stampede back to the high street. People even those whose age and health put them at minimum risk are still hunkering down, too timid to venture out or entirely lacking in motivation. The 14-day quarantine for travellers coming into the UK from low-risk places is baffling I have exempt status and as part of my work I have travelled extensively around the UK throughout the lockdown. Often I have had a carriage to myself, sometimes virtually the whole train, even since the travel restrictions were eased. Even as parks fill up on sunny weekends, parts of our cities remain ghost towns. Mainline stations have more staff than passengers. Most troubling to me is the fact that the NHS is currently functioning at only about 40 per cent of capacity. Herein lies the next Covid-19 calamity waiting to happen and there seems little urgency to resolve it. My field is cancer, and large parts of the national diagnostic network have ground to a halt. Patients are unable or unwilling to visit their GP, and even if they do, colonoscopies and CT scans too often are not available. Thousands of people today are carrying early stage cancers which in normal times would be being picked up and dealt with. If this terrible situation is not reversed by August, I predict an extra 50,000 early cancer deaths will follow; if it is still not resolved by December, we would be looking perhaps at 100,000. The same is true in the fields of cardiology and severe mental health disorders where thousands of patients are going undiagnosed and untreated. Waiting lists have grown to between six and eight million, and could be ten million within three months figures unprecedented in my 40 years as a hospital consultant. While millions of people in the private sector are fearful their jobs will not be waiting for them, some in the public sector seem to show no urgency. They remain on full salary, their pension entitlements ticking up nicely through the epidemic. Local government seems to have effectively collapsed with few even going through the motions of working from home. Cambridge University's decision to cancel lectures next year is a crass spasm of over-reaction Now the doomsayers predict a second wave will overwhelm us later in the year. In a crass spasm of over-reaction my old university, Cambridge, has cancelled lectures for the next academic year even though they cannot know what conditions will be like in November or next spring. While we should expect localised spikes, there is no evidence the pandemic will surge back, and certainly European governments are not allowing their policies to be constrained by fears of something that probably wont happen. I say this because there is now compelling evidence most recently from Italy in the past 48 hours that the virus may be losing its virulence. Doctors treating new patients there have noted they carry a lower viral load than those who were first infected. This is not unusual. The Sars virus which is essentially a sibling of Covid-19 initially captivated the epidemiology modellers who predicted hundreds of thousands of deaths. But in fact, the virus just petered out. Viruses often just do this, for reasons we dont fully understand. I cant say whether we will ever develop a Covid-19 vaccine but there is a possibility that it will never be needed. This week is surely the week to start rebuilding national morale and embrace the new freedoms weve been given. Prime Minister Boris Johnson must bring all his boosterism qualities to the fore to be the face of a wider Government campaign to banish the spectre of coronaphobia once and for all. Certainly we need to treat the virus with care, but it cannot be allowed any longer to dictate our lives, destroy our economy and tear out the heart of our social fabric. "Let's make yoga a part of our lifestyle so that it can be the best way to our physical and mental wellbeing," Yediyurappa said. Bengaluru, June 21 (IANS) On the 6th International Yoga Day, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Sunday exhorted people to make yoga a part of their lifestyle for physical and mental well-being. Marking the day, state Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said the International Yoga Day was being celebrated at a time when the world was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, hence the focus on health. "Yoga is the best health insurance as it boosts immunity and enhances overall wellness. Let us make yoga part of our life," said Sudhakar in a tweet. Echoing Sudhakar, state health minister B Sriramulu said yoga was helpful for the overall wellness of the body, mind and soul. "Yoga is useful for a healthy body. Let's practice a new life style through yoga," said the minister in a statement on the occasion. "Yoga is India's greatest contribution to the world. It combines mental and physical thinking, action, restraint and effectiveness. In daily life, yoga can keep the body and mind clear and focused," said Tourism Minister C T Ravi in a statement here. Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah said yoga should not be a one-day show and one should strive for practising it daily as it would help improve the health of all. As performing yoga outdoor is not allowed due to Covid-induced extended lockdown till June 30, hundreds of people practised it with family at their home. However, a section of youth performed yoga feats at the iconic Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat) in City Centre. According to reports from cities and towns across the southern state, hundreds of people celebrated the historic day, practising yoga at their home for healthy life and sound mind. "As yoga exercises are not allowed outdoor, to maintain social distancing and complying with the lockdown norms, the event went online with experts guiding citizens doing various exercises as per the protocol of the Ministry of Ayush in Dakshin Kannada's district on the state's west coast," a health official told IANS here. Yoga expert Gopalakrishna Delampady using the digital media, demonstrating yoga at his residence in Yeyyadi, Mangaluru where he was joined by students and faculty of St Aloysius college, SDM college and others. --IANS fb/khz/sdr/ The Justice Secretary says laws prohibiting the desecration of war memorials are 'inadequate' and has pledged to make sure vandalism is properly punished. Robert Buckland said there is 'no justification' for writing political slogans on the statue of Winston Churchill or climbing atop the Cenotaph to burn the Union Jack - adding that the Government will bring in legislation to allow harsher punishments. Following a campaign by more than 120 Conservative MPs, backbenchers will present the proposed Desecration of War Memorials Bill this week, The Telegraph reports. Mr Buckland said he met with the group earlier this week and 'fully agrees' with the bill's objectives - and he pledged to make sure that acts of vandalism causing 'widespread disgust' are punished. Robert Buckland has pledged to make sure that acts of vandalism causing 'widespread disgust' are punished with the introduction of laws to prevent the violation of memorials, religious headstones and statues - such as that of Winston Churchill Mr Buckland (pictured) said there is ' no justification' for writing political slogans on the statue of Winston Churchill or climbing atop the Cenotaph to burn the Union Jack Ministers have been considering legislating to make desecrating war memorials carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Mr Buckland has said that someone who vandalises headstones can face a sentence of just three months due to maximum terms being largely dependent on the monetary value of the damage - but if it is more than 5,000 the case can go to Crown Court where a sentence of ten years can be handed down. The Justice Secretary writes: 'This means that a vandal who breaks into a cemetery and destroys 9 headstones worth 500 each can only be sentenced to 3 months imprisonment. This cant be right, especially when so many of our war memorials are modest and of little monetary value. 'But they clearly have enormous symbolic value, which is not something that can be measured in pounds, shillings and pence.' He adds: 'Now is an opportune moment to think about memorials more broadly and make sure that all acts of vandalism that cause widespread disgust can be appropriately punished by the courts.' He suggested that plaques to 'heroes like PC Keith Palmer' - a police officer who died trying to halt a terror attack on Parliament - were 'surely deserving of additional protection'. Earlier this week statues dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela emerged once again in Parliament Square after workers removed metal boards covering the leaders Workers take down the boarding and scaffolding around the Nelson Mandela statue on Parliament Square, London, June 18 Statues and monuments have become topics of debate - and in many cases, targets of vandalism - in the wake of global Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd in the United States. Earlier this week statues dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela emerged once again in Parliament Square after workers removed metal boards covering the leaders. Workers also dismantled the covering of Sir Winston Churchill's statue, which was boarded up on June 12 after it was daubed with graffiti accusing him of being a 'racist'. Black Lives Matter protesters have now marched on Britain's cities for the fourth consecutive weekend, with hundreds of demonstrators assembling in Hyde Park before gathering in Parliament Square. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said on June 19 that a bear whose feet were badly burned in the East Canyon Fire in Montezuma County was transferred to a rehab facility to continue its recovery. Firefighters first spotted the bear on June 16 as it walked across a meadow and towards a pond near Cherry Creek Road in Hesperus, and used a tranquilizer dart to sedate it and transfer it to the Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared this update of the bear walking around with bandaged feet, and said it was filmed on June 18. The bear was expected to make a fully recovery at the facility in San Luis Valley and would be released in six to eight weeks, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife via Storyful In a relief to hemophilia patients, the Punjab government on Sunday decided to start treatment by anti-hemophilia factors in 18 integrated care centres across the state. Health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that to provide quality treatment to needy hemophilia patients, the government has established 18 care centres in state. Besides, three centres in government medical colleges, 15 centres have been set up in district hospitals. Soon, four more centres would be opened in other districts of state, he added. At these centres, anti-hemophilia factors 8, 9, 7a & FEIBA are to be provided to patients free of cost so that emergency treatment services are provided to all patients. The minister said that earlier, patients were helpless and had to spend Rs. 18 to 80 lakh annually for the treatment. Now, all expenses are to be borne by the state government. For this purpose, registration of patients is going on. Sidhu said the training has been provided to the staff by specialist doctors from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and other experts through webinars. Grunge rock icon Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' guitar has been bought by an Australian audio magnate at auction for $8.79million AUD ($6.01million USD). The retro acoustic-electric 1959 Martin D-18E was sold by Julien's Auctions on Saturday to RODE Microphones founder Peter Freedman, becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. 'When I heard that this iconic guitar was up for auction I immediately knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure it and use it as a vehicle to spotlight the struggles that those in the performing arts are facing and have always faced,' Freedman said. RODE Microphones founder Peter Freedman has bought Kurt Cobain's iconic 'MTV Unplugged' guitar at auction Cobain played the guitar during his legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance in New York just five months before his tragic suicide at age 27. The starting reserve for the guitar was $1.46million, which was sold off as part of Julien's Auction's 'music icons' sale. The guitar was sold with its case, which Cobain had decorated with a flyer from punk rock band Poison Idea's 1990 album 'Feel the Darkness'. Until now, the most expensive guitar in history was a Fender Stratocaster, dubbed 'Black Strat', used by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. It had been sold by the musician for nearly $4 million during a charity sale in June 2019. Mr Freedman plans to display Cobain's guitar in a worldwide tour, with proceeds going to benefit performing arts. The retro acoustic-electric 1959 Martin D-18E guitar sold for $8.79million, becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction 'The global arts industry has been shattered by the impact of COVID-19, with musicians and artists being amongst the most affected,' he said in a blog post. 'While many industries are gradually returning to normal, it's going to take a long time before this industry can begin functioning as it was. 'I saw buying this guitar as an opportunity to not only share it with music fans, but to do so in a way that raises awareness for the struggles that musicians and artists face every day, and lobby governments for change.' Nirvana's 'MTV Unplugged in New York' album debuted at No.1 on the U.S. Billboard charts on release in 1994 and and has sold more than 8-million copies worldwide. The record is widely considered as one the greatest live albums in history. In October 2019 Cobain's cigarette-singed cardigan worn during the 'Unplugged' performance sold for $334,000. We stood at the Dart tracks, my daughter and I, waiting for the train to go past. I was attempting to calm her on several levels. "The gates won't fall on you. We're not standing too close to the other people waiting. There is no cat." We'd already seen a cat between the house and the tracks, as I took her out for the 'bike-run'. The 'bike-run' is 3km that she cycles and I run; we started doing it every day during lockdown, but now it's only imposed on her on alternate days as life gets busier again. The cat had slinked out from behind the tyre of a car, its black fur concealed by the black tyre. "I saw something and I thought, 'Tyres don't have ears'," my daughter said, once she'd stopped roaring like someone had jumped out to murder her. We stood at the Dart tracks, both of us sweating with stress and only about 300m into our route, and I considered turning around and going home. Surely other surprises might occur out in this big, bad world which, in reality, is a route of quiet, residential roads chosen back in April for the fact that we meet hardly anyone on it. I wasn't sure either of us could cope. On the other side of the road, two girls with their mother and little brother, aged about five, yelped as a SUV pulled up and rolled down its windows. Friends, clearly, whom they hadn't seen for a while. The girls practically scaled the sides of the vehicle and climbed in the windows to see their pals. The little boy jumped into his mother's arms and hid his face in her neck. No amount of cajoling would make him look up and say hello. She made an apologetic face and excuses. It's unlikely she needed to explain. If the mother in the car had a child of similar age, a small kid now being told that everything's fine and they must go back to sort-of normal again, then she understood. There is a cohort of kids who aren't finding this easy. There's a swathe of them, sandwiched between the very small ones who haven't a clue, and the older ones with the more adult 'let's get on with it' attitude, who are struggling. What did we expect? That we could tell them for a prolonged and very weird period that there was something out there, waiting to pounce, and that it would have no effect on their heads? Mid-March, we took away all the reassuring scaffolding of their lives, and locked them indoors with us, their parents, the people who are supposed to have the answers, but didn't. Now, we're saying get out there again, and God knows they want to, and God knows older siblings are mostly managing it, but the mid-range kids are wary. During lockdown, child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor appeared on Newstalk with Susan Keogh. He explained how that period of extreme restriction was "a grief" for children. "We were trying to sell it as a kind of a social responsibility," Noctor explained, "that that's why we were keeping distance. "But far more effective is being motivated by fear, and that's my worry," he continued - "that children are now motivated by fear, that they're acting out of that. "Anything with fear and uncertainty creates anxiety, and the less normal life appears, the more accustomed to the abnormal we become and so the return to normal becomes a source of anxiety." The truth of this is nowhere more so than in the under sevens. There's the kid whose parents paid way over the odds on eBay for a duplicate of her favourite cuddly toy, for fear that the original, clasped in her hand 24/7 since mid-March, might go missing. There's the kid who cries, "Where's mum?" if their mother so much as goes for a shower. There's the kid who just won't leave the house for fear of dying. And there's the child, like mine, age nine and with an intellectual disability, who had channelled a lot of the anxiety into a terror of cats: they lurk, they appear without warning, they are not unlike the virus we were warning the poor children about for months. I went to pet a dog while out the other day and my child shouted at me: "What are you doing? Have you forgotten about the sickness?" And we have forgotten about the sickness, on a certain level. We're still being careful, social distancing, mixing with a small bubble of people, some of us wearing masks in the shops, socialising outdoors. Interestingly, however, at the other end of the scale, those who cocooned could teach all of us a lesson in bouncing back. Maybe it is because they were told that the virus might kill them, but many have a joie de vivre in returning to the world that is unmatched in the other generations. They stared into the face of their mortality, and they had a lot of time - too much time - in which to do it. Now they've got a lot of living to catch up on. Again, they're being careful, but God, they are living. Bloomsday last week was an example of that, as the liberated elders made up the lion's share of those celebrating. It summed up the sense of freedom among the older generation, particularly those of an age to kick against being considered old. On various WhatsApp groups, I saw retirees dancing on their local green, putting on plays, singing, reciting, acting like the joyous escaped. Which they are. The children are, too, of course, but the younger ones will need longer to understand that. They needed the lockdown explained to them, by us, and while it was scary and might have made little sense, there was a sense of security in it. Unless they were a child for whom home is not their safe place, then the kids were all in the safest place they knew, with a certain confidence that nothing bad could get them there. Now, they're out in the world again, and they're not quite convinced that it's a good idea. In fact, for a lot of kids, it seems like the adults have forgotten too quickly the big, bad dangers about which they preached only a matter of weeks ago. The fear is still with a lot of the kids - and they'll need gentle coaxing out of it. The life they grieved for has returned, but their confidence in it has been shaken. Carefree will come again, but maybe more easily to the young at heart than the truly young. A military solution in Libya would be Egypts last resort to safeguard its security, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Sunday, one day after Egypt asserted that it has a legitimate right to intervene in the neighboring country to secure its borders amid growing tensions in the region. In an interview with Saudi owned Al-Arabiya TV, Shoukry said that Egypt has been coordinating with international and regional players in Libya, stressing that a military move would be Cairos last option to preserve its security. We refuse Turkey's attempt to expand in Libya, he said, adding that Ankaras expansion in Syria, Iraq and Libya is in violation of international legitimacy. Shoukrys interview came one day after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that Cairo has a legitimate right to intervene in the war-torn neighboring country to restore security and stability after receiving "direct threats" from "terrorist militias", stressing that Egypt has long been reluctant to take the move. El-Sisi said that any intervention in Libya by Egyptian forces would be led by the Libyan tribes, stressing that the Libyan frontline of Sirte and Al-Jufra is a red line for Egyptian national security. Earlier this month, President El-Sisi, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar, and the speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh announced a peace initiative, dubbed the Cairo Declaration, to end the civil war in Libya through a ceasefire and an elected leadership council. The Cairo plan comes after the collapse of an offensive launched by Haftar in April 2019 to capture the Libyan capital, further extending the rival Government of National Accords (GNA) control over most of northwest Libya. Egypt, the UAE and Russia are backing Haftar in the east, while Turkey supports the Tripoli-based GNA. Shoukry said that Egypt is currently discussing the Libya situation with Tunisia and Algeria, and that the three countries have a shared view on the matter. The minister added that it is time for serious action to achieve stability in the country. On the disputed dam Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, Shoukry said that Egypt wishes to see a "convergence of views" between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. The minister said that Cairo has presented a draft agreement on the mega dam without providing more details, as the growing tensions with Ethiopia have pushed Egypt to ask the UN Security Council to intervene to resolve the dispute. We have resorted to the UNSC after the Ethiopian side refused to [reach] an understanding. They have been persistent in rejecting mediations, he said, describing the UNSC move as a sovereign decision. Shoukrys comments come after El-Sisi stressed on Saturday that Egypt is committed to pursuing a diplomatic path to resolve the dispute over the hydropower dam being built near the Ethiopian border with Sudan. Saturdays statements were the first by the Egyptian president since Egypt officially lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council after Ethiopia said it would start filling the dams reservoir next month regardless of whether a deal is reached. Search Keywords: Short link: A senior official at the University of British Columbia has resigned after he liked a series of Tweets that criticized the Black Lives Matter anti-racism campaign, the university and local media said. Michael Korenberg, chair of the university's board of governors, quit after a "deeply hurtful" incident, UBC vice chair Sandra Cawley said in a statement issued late on Saturday. "His decision comes after information that was publicized last week about his social media interactions that appeared to support regressive voices online and undermine legitimate protest," she said. Korenberg resigned after The Ubyssey, UBC's student newspaper, reported he had liked a series of tweets from U.S. conservative figures disparaging the Black Lives Matter campaign and Antifa, an umbrella term for primarily leftist anti-authoritarians. Many Canadian cities have been the sites of anti-racism rallies in recent weeks, on the heels of similar protests in the United States. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians need to do more to address "systemic racism." Last week he backed the leader of an opposition party who was ejected from the House of Commons for branding a member of another party a racist. Global News said Korenberg had issued a statement saying that "while I do not support violence of any kind, I understand how my actions created questions about who I am and what I believed in." Korenberg, a veteran business executive and lawyer, was appointed to the UBC board in 2016, elected chair in 2018 and was re-appointed in 2019. Janelle Bynum, Lew Frederick and Akasha Lawrence Spence Bynum is the Democratic state representative for District 51-Clackamas. Frederick is the Democratic state senator for District 22-Portland. Lawrence Spence is the Democratic state representative for District 36-Portland. They are writing on behalf of the Oregon Legislatures People of Color Caucus. Historically, the Oregon Legislature has been overwhelmingly white. That dynamic began to shift in 2017, when the Oregon State Legislature ushered in its largest class of freshman legislators of color in history. There were six of us joining a team of two established African American lawmakers. Reps. Teresa Alonso Leon, Diego Hernandez, Janelle Bynum, Mark Meek, and Tawna Sanchez landed in the House. Sen. James Manning, Jr. joined longtime legislators Sen. Jackie Winters and Sen. Lew Frederick in the Senate. Full of hope and optimism, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We passed historic racial equity legislation, most notably a bill to track and hold police accountable for racial profiling. Sadly, we lost Sen. Winters in 2019. She was a force and the matriarch of her caucus. Her voice on criminal justice reform was infinitely powerful, and she left enormous shoes to fill. But weve added two more legislators of color to the list in 2018 and 2020 Rep. Andrea Salinas and Rep. Akasha Lawrence Spence. Now, we make nine very powerful voices working together to shift the status quo in Oregon state politics. United, we are the People of Color Caucus. Our work began on legislation we were personally passionate about. We supported each other in lobbying for bill passage or getting funding for causes we knew would help our communities. We picked up on the police accountability and civil rights work that Sen. Frederick was leading and helped carry some of it across the finish line. Then we branched out and started holding lunch meetings that were open to all who worked in the Capitol. We agreed the building felt cold and almost hostile, true to its roots and focused on policies and procedures that needed to be modernized to make our workplace feel more like a house of the people. Our work is benefitting not just people of color, but all Oregonians. In March, following a session that ended with many of our bipartisan bills being left to die, we employed an enormous spirit of resilience and ensured that our communities would not have to navigate the pandemic alone. We quickly convened to work on a COVID-19 response that sought to meet the needs of the Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islander, African- American and Native communities. We requested that information be available in multiple languages and be communicated in different methods while being culturally responsive. We organized a state-wide conversation with leaders of communities of color on the impacts of COVID-19 among our diverse populations and on the Black Lives Matter movement. We advocated for emergency funding to go toward some of our most vulnerable populations. Our work in pushing our government agencies to expand testing and count cases accurately became and remains a priority. Last week, we called for a special session to address police accountability. Gov. Kate Brown heard our call and the Legislature will meet this week in Salem to discuss six concepts: arbitration, use of force, attorney general oversight of cases, establishing a police discipline database, banning chokeholds and the duty of an officer to intervene. We are being bold on behalf of the generations who will come behind us. Thats the point. Understand that there are forces at play who wish to slow down this work and seek to be in the drivers seat in the process. As examples, we did not have input on the date of the session and were denied the authority to directly request bill language. The crows are circling and embedding themselves in our spaces as missionaries. But we remain steadfast in our resolve to chart our own path forward. As the saying goes, Nothing about us without us. And though we have made significant progress, much, much more needs to be done. Today we find ourselves in a position to continue to push our leadership and colleagues for bolder changes. We seek to harness the tension caused by the voices in the streets crying out for change. In the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored...There is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. To that end, we call for a vote on legislation to ensure the states compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act in the special session. We demand a seat at the table on 2020 budget cuts and as one of the co-chairs in the Ways and Means 2021-2023 budget process. We are looking at who is sitting on our state boards and commissions, as well as who heads our state agencies. We question who gets tapped to run for office and who can afford to serve. We support grassroots organizations in their calls to ensure equal access to programs and initiatives aimed at small businesses. And so much more that will allow all Oregonians to fly with their own wings. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter with links to editorials, op-eds and letters to the editor at oregonlive.com/newsletters. Former national security adviser John Bolton has written a book that has not received pre-publication approval from the government. I was a CIA officer, and I also wrote a book without prepublication approval, though the circumstances were different. The government's prepublication power comes from the Snepp case. In 1977, a former CIA officer named Frank Snepp wrote a book without prepublication approval that criticized the CIA's actions in Vietnam. The government sued him in civil court, won, and took Snepp's book money. The case established the government's ability to take profits from authors who publish without approval. The Snepp case has been effective because government employee memoirs are written to make money. Most CIA directors write books to cash in, and because of Snepp, they are careful to obtain prepublication approval. I have read all of these memoirs and believe they contain secret and confidential information but were approved because they go easy on the intelligence agencies. Even with help from ghostwriters, these bureaucrats' memoirs are boring almost beyond human endurance. Bolton's 592 pages will not be brilliant writing rather, the publisher is selling the promise of secrets and dirt. It certainly diminishes the power of Bolton's message does Bolton seek to improve our government or to get $2 million? I did not profit from my book and gave the proceeds to reliable charities. When the government denied approval for my book, I proceeded anyway because my message about intelligence reform was more important than the threat of criminal charges or civil suits. The CIA had become a lazy, corrupt, bureaucratic mess, with 90% of its vast hordes of employees living their entire careers in the Washington, D.C. area. The CIA should instead be an effective fighter against America's enemies overseas. The book was critical of CIA bureaucracy, but it contained no secrets. The book led to improvements in efficiency and financial accountability within the CIA, according to friends still on duty there. It has been mandatory reading for new CIA recruits, depending on who is running the training courses. I thank publishing editor Roger Kimball and literary agent Lynn Chu for their help in making that happen. As expected, the Department of Justice sued me in a civil case using the Snepp precedent. It quickly won a summary judgment, but there was no penalty. I had given the money away, and the DOJ didn't want it. In hindsight, they were gentle they probably would have resolved it right away had I just picked up the phone and found out what they wanted. I had left the CIA in good standing and sought to improve the organization. Bolton was fired, and he seeks revenge and money. Unfortunately, while people go to jail when they sell secrets in cloak-and-dagger espionage fashion, no one's ever gone to jail for selling secrets to get a book deal. Because most CIA directors have sold secrets via their books, the DOJ probably figures it would be too hard to convince a jury to jail Bolton. The DOJ should easily be able to use the Snepp precedent, however, to confiscate the money that Bolton receives. Ishmael Jones is a former CIA officer and the author of The Human Factor: Inside the CIA's Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. New Delhi, June 21 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held detailed discussions with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and all three service chiefs on the India-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh in the backdrop of the recent clash between troops of the two countries that led to the killing of 20 Indian soldiers. In the over half-hour discussion at his residence, Singh reportedly suggested to the CDS and the three service chiefs to be "fully prepared" to take any unprecedented action as per the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in view of the ongoing situation in Ladakh. It is learnt that the Army has been advised by the Defence Minister to be very cautious during patrol duty and enhance strict vigil at the border with China. The other two forces have been asked to keep proper observation on land and sea lanes. The minister also discussed some critical defence deals which are expected to be inked during his visit to Russia. Singh's meeting took place ahead of his June 24 visit to Russia where he will witness the Victory Day Military Parade being organised in Moscow on the 75th anniversary of the Russia victory in World War II. A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the Victory Parade along with Russian contingent and other invited contingents. The marching contingent taking part in the Victory Day Parade is led by a major rank officer of the gallant Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment had fought with valour in World War II and has a proud distinction of earning four battle honours and two military crosses among other gallantry awards. The visit of the Defence Minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia. The meeting was held a day after India's strong rejection of China's claim of sovereignty over Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh where 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 during a "violent face-off" after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) attacked them. The External Affairs Ministry clarified that China's claim over Galwan Valley was not in accordance with its own position in the past, noting that attempts of transgression by Chinese side were invariably met with appropriate response from the Indian troops. Preparing for her appearance before the UN General Assembly last year, Greta Thunberg found herself constantly interrupted by world leaders, including UN chief Antonio Guterres and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had formed a queue to speak to her and take selfies. "Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, waits in line but doesn't quite make it before it's time for the event to start," Thunberg recalls. Such surreal memories for a teenager form the opening to a 75-minute monologue broadcast on Swedish public radio yesterday that soon shifts to the serious matter of climate change that's at the heart of Thunberg's work. The 17-year-old has become a global figurehead of the youth climate movement since she started her one-woman protests outside the Swedish parliament in 2018. Thunberg's blunt words to presidents and prime ministers, peppered with scientific facts about the need to urgently cut greenhouse gas emissions, have won her praise and awards, but also the occasional pushback and even death threats. To Thunberg's disappointment, her message doesn't seem to be getting through, even to those leaders who applaud her work. The message is certainly stark: Thunberg cites a UN report that estimates the world can only keep emitting the current amount of carbon dioxide for the next seven-and-a-half years. Any longer and it becomes impossible to meet the Paris Climate Agreement's ambitious goal of keeping global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5C this century. Most governments refuse to accept the idea that the world has only a fixed "carbon budget" left, because it implies that a shift away from fossil fuel will need to happen in just a few years. "Do you remember the London Olympics? Gangnam Style or the first Hunger Games movie?" Thunberg asks her audience on Swedish radio station P1. "Those things all happened about seven or eight years ago. That's the amount of time we're talking about." Her months-long journey from Sweden to America's east coast and back, highlighted the impact that global warming is already having, from melting glaciers to fiercer forest fire seasons, Thunberg said. It also opened her eyes to economic and social disparities affecting, in particular, indigenous, black and minority communities, voices she has sought to amplify in the climate debate. "The climate and sustainability crisis is not a fair crisis," Thunberg says. "The ones who'll be hit hardest from its consequences are often the ones who have done the least to cause the problem in the first place." Thunberg blasts governments and businesses that use what she calls "creative accounting" to make their emissions look lower than they are and apply the word "green" to industries that are not. "The emperors are naked. Every single one," she says. "It turns out our whole society is just one big nudist party." Some critics have accused Thunberg of being a doom-monger, but she insists that her message is one of hope, not despair. "There are signs of change, of awakening," she says. "Just take the 'Me Too' movement, 'Black Lives Matter' or the school strike movement (for climate action) for instance," she says. Police officers use pepper spray as they try to disperse people during a protest in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Protests were held in U.S. cities over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) UAE-based developer Arada said it has begun the handover process for homes in Phase Three of Nasma Residences, the developers premier community spread over a 5-million-sq-ft area in the heart of New Sharjah. Phase Three at Nasma Residences contains a wide range of townhouses, semi-detached villas and Signature Villas, as well as the Sama Majlis Villa, a four-bedroom home with an open-air majlis based on an upstairs terrace, which is a new offering for the Sharjah market, said the Emirati developer in a statement. Consisting of 197 villas and townhouses, work on Phase Three of Nasma Residences began in December 2018, with 103 homes in this part of the project already finished. The remaining units will be completed by the month end, it added. Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: "It is a particular source of pride that we have been able to hand over these homes during a challenging period for the real estate industry and the wider community generally." "Arada has worked hard to deliver on our commitments to customers while at the same time maintaining the health and safety of both our employees and our contractors workforces onsite. We are now focused on delivering the remaining two phases in this remarkable community by the end of this year," he noted. According to him, Nasma Residences became Sharjahs fastest-selling community when its first phase sold out within less than a month. Launched in March 2017, the project features 993 townhouses and villas in total, delivered over five phases. Arada began delivering homes in May 2019 and is on track to hand over the remaining two phases in the project by the end of 2020. Spread over a 5-million-sq-ft area in Al Tay suburb, the heart of New Sharjah, Nasma Residences hosts a wealth of amenities, including a GEMS international school and a 13-acre landscaped park. Nasma Central, the projects community and retail hub, features 44,000 sq ft of leasable space and will play host to a range of brands, including Starbucks and leading regional supermarket chain Spinneys when it opens to the public later on this year.-TradeArabia News Service A close adviser to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has begun forming a team to oversee the transition if the Democratic presidential candidate wins November's election and unseats President Donald Trump, according to a statement on Saturday. Longtime Biden aide Ted Kaufman has recruited six people, including several former Obama administration officials, to an initial team that will later be expanded, a person familiar with the transition team said. Major party nominees set up transition teams before a general election to coordinate with the incumbent administration. In a statement, Kaufman said the work would "ensure continuity of government" in the event that Biden must prepare to take over amid the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic crisis. "No one will have taken office facing such daunting obstacles since Franklin Delano Roosevelt," said Kaufman, adding that Biden was ready to begin that work "the day he is sworn in as president." Kaufman, who filled the U.S. Senate seat for Delaware when Biden became vice president in 2009, co-authored a 2015 law that requires initial transition work to begin six months before an election. Yohannes Abraham, who served in Barack Obama's White House, will manage the day-to-day operation of the transition team, which is independent of Biden's presidential campaign. Recruits also include former CIA Deputy Director Avril Haines, another Obama administration alum. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy For many people, college is a rite of passage and an important stepping stone to a successful career. But thats not the case in the Duggar family. Fans of the TLC show Counting On know that the children in this super-sized family generally dont pursue higher education. In doing so, theyre following in the footsteps of their parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, neither of whom attended college. Jim Bob Duggar didnt go to college Jim Bob Duggar | Andrew Burton/Getty Images RELATED: Counting On Critics Think Jinger Duggars Photo Caption Signals a Lack of Education Jim Bob Duggar was born in 1965 and grew up in Springdale, Arkansas. He attended Shiloh Christian School, where he was a member of the schools first graduating class, according to the Duggar Family Fan Blog. On his first date with future wife Michelle Ruark, he took her to the schools junior-senior banquet. Jim Bob graduated from high school in 1983 and got a job working at a grocery store. He also earned his real estate license. In 1984, he and Michelle married just a few days after his 19th birthday and a few months after her high school graduation, as the couple shared in their book The Duggars: 20 and Counting! After they married, neither Jim Bob nor Michelle opted to go to college. Instead, he started out selling used cars while also continuing to work at the grocery store. Later, the couple began operating a towing business. About a decade into their marriage, Jim Bob decided to get involved in real estate, according to Christian Post. That was how the family made most of their money before becoming reality TV stars. The Duggar kids have skipped attending college Michelle and Jim Bob eventually went on to have 19 kids. So far, none of them have earned a four-year college degree. The Duggars homeschooled all their kids (and continue to do so for their younger children). Joseph Duggar did enroll at Crown College in Tennessee. But he only completed one year there before returning home to Arkansas. Several other Duggar kids have reportedly taken college classes online through a program called CollegePlus. But generally, the Duggar kids take a different path in life. The girls tend to marry in their late teens or early 20s (with the exception of Jana Duggar) and then become full-time housewives and mothers. The boys might work for one of the familys businesses. Some of the Duggar in-laws have college degrees While the Duggar kids didnt bother with college, some of their spouses have pursued higher education. Jill Duggars husband Derick Dillard graduated from Oklahoma State University and is now a law school student at the University of Arkansas. Jill Duggars husband Jeremy Vuolo attended Hartwick College and graduated from Syracuse University. Hes now a student at the Masters Seminary in California. Jessa Duggars husband Ben Seewald has a degree from an Arkansas community college. John David Duggars wife Abbie Seewald worked as a nurse before she got married, which means she must have completed some education after high school. Josiah Duggars wife Lauren Swanson took classes at Georgia Military College as part of a dual enrollment program that allowed high school students to take college-level courses. COVID-19 Fears Grow as Refugee Numbers Rise By Lisa Schlein June 20, 2020 U.N. officials, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, are warning the COVID-19 pandemic poses an additional threat to millions of refugees and displaced people, among the most vulnerable in the world. More people live in forced exile than ever before. The U.N. refugee agency says refugees account for nearly 30 million of the record-breaking 79.5 million uprooted by conflict and persecution. An overwhelming majority live in poor countries with fragile economies and health systems. World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says refugees' living conditions put them at particular risk of coronavirus infection. "They often have limited access to adequate shelter, water, nutrition, sanitation and health services ," said Tedros. "WHO is deeply concerned about the very real and present danger of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in refugee camps." U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi agrees with this assessment. However, he notes most refugees are not in camps but in communities with local people. In some places, he says, those communities have been devastated by the pandemic. "I am thinking of Latin America where 17 to18 countries host more than 4 million Venezuelans on the move," said Grandi. "I am thinking of many urban centers in Africa that are host to large refugee populations. I am thinking of Afghans in Pakistan and Iran that share facilities and accommodation with communities that have been impacted very severely by COVID." Grandi says he also is extremely concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods. He says most refugees have lost their jobs because of lockdowns and other measures. He says refugees who have lost their incomes cannot pay for health care. It is of utmost importance, he says for governments to include refugees, displaced people and other people on the move in their national health responses to the pandemic. He says this is key to stopping the pandemic, noting the coronavirus makes no distinction between citizens of a country and those who have been forcibly uprooted from their homes and live within their midst. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, says he has no nightmares over the number of his Owo kinsmen contesting against him both in the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Over 10 aspirants who have purchased nomination and expression of interest forms in the APC and the PDP are from Owo, hometown of Governor Akeredolu. These aspirants have reportedly vowed to stop his re-election bid. Advertisement Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III and other traditional rulers in Ose and Owo Local Government Areas to notify them of his re-election bid, he said the people of Owo would not take chances at the polls with unknown personalities. He stated that his kinsmen who are out to contest against him were on a selfish mission without having the interest of Owo people and the town at heart. According to him, After submitting the nomination form in Abuja, we are duty-bound to come here (Owo) first to get your blessing for the next journey. By the grace of God, we will be successful. That is why we have to come here first. This is my root. Im a bonafide and authentic son of Owo. So, I cannot forget my source. For me, it is not much of a problem that some Owo sons are also willing to contest the election because we already know what will be the outcome. Im not scared. I cant be scared. I have passed that stage. As long as I have the support of the royal fathers and the people, that is enough for me because you are the one that will decide where Owo is going. Read Also: Alleged Looting: Ondo Deputy Governor Prevented From Leaving State House (Video) The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye said the people of Owo and Ose have gained dividends of good governance under the Akeredolus administration and would continue to reap it for another four years. We are solidly behind Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to run for second term in office. As you have all seen, he has ensured development across the state in all facets of life. We have never had it good in Ondo State. Im using this opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to support Akeredolu for a second term in office. N. Korea Preparing to Send Anti-South Leaflets, Denouncing Defectors By VOA News June 20, 2020 North Korea is preparing to send anti-South leaflets to South Korea, the state media of the communist country said Saturday. "Enraged" North Koreans "are actively pushing forward with the preparations for launching a large-scale distribution of leaflets," into the South, KCNA news agency said. "Every action should be met with proper reaction and only when one experiences it oneself, one can feel how offending it is," the North Korean agency said. It is the most recent retaliatory act by the North and prompted harsh criticism from the South as tensions between two Koreas have risen. South Korea's unification ministry said in a statement Saturday that the North's campaign to send leaflets was "extremely regrettable," and urged it to immediately abandon the plan. North Korea has blamed defectors from the country for launching leaflets across the border and has threatened military action. The two Koreas, which are technically at the state of war after the fighting stopped by an armistice in 1953, have engaged in leaflet campaigns for decades. On Tuesday North Korea used explosives to destroy the building on its side, pretending that Pyongyang was angered by South Korean propaganda leaflets and aid supplies crossing the border into the North. Inter-Korean relations had frozen for months after the collapse of a summit in Hanoi between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The actions, language and policies of the current President are reminiscent of many countries in South America in the latter half of the 20th century. by Michael Cooke Views expressed in this article are the author's own Since being granted independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has been burdened with authoritarian and charismatic leaders from the two majority parties (SLFP and the UNP). They have taken power during the political and economic crises created by their rivals. This happened in 1956, 1970, 1977, 1994, 2015 and 2019. What has been the political result? A weakening and in some cases the hollowing out of democratic institutions, something that affects the judiciary, parliament, social harmony and commitments to social justice. At the same time these leaders have enriched their clans and political allies at the expense of the nation, leaving the country even more indebted. The current President was at the heart of his brothers reign between 2005 and 2015. This regime was marred by communal triumphalism, corruption on a grand scale and an escalation of human rights violations. Given that record, the country should be sceptical of the claims made by His Excellency Gotabaya Mahindpala, President of Sri Lanka that what he is doing is for the good of the nation. It is in this political and historical context that I will be looking at the current actions of the President. People in Sri Lanka The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the unsustainable economic model that Sri Lankans have endured for decades. A country where the national question has been exploited by the same political and economic elite who looted the public purse and failed to move the Island from a neo-colonial plantation economy to an economy based on manufacturing and tertiary sectors. The country still needs to import many necessities, including food, cars, televisions and mobile phones. Most of the population, following the example of the political and economic elite, do not pay tax. As a result the country is burdened with a poorly paid and corrupt constabulary, a barely functioning education system, and a moribund health-care sector. Lankas main income generators (tourism, remittances and the garment industry) are contracting at an alarming rate. Lankas indebtedness to world financial markets and the Chinese government is reaching financially unsustainable levels. Yet His Excellency has done nothing to tackle this. Instead a crisis is manufactured to divert our gaze, using ethnic scapegoats something which worked wonderfully in the past and which is sure to work again. Scapegoating and shutting down legitimate debate are the only means presently available to His Excellency to cover the economic and social fissures exposed by the Pandemic. In the end, a putsch could be the only option for the Rajapaksa clan and its cronies, engorged with the wealth of the nation. At the moment the parliament and the executive Presidency are at odds. The courts have ruled that, until new elections take place, the President must bring matters like fiscal expenditure to parliament. He has refused to reconvene parliament. By ignoring this normal procedure, the President is creating confusion and a distrust of democracy. By manufacturing this constitutional impasse he is sending a message that current democratic norms might not be equipped to handle a national crisis. Could this be the prelude to a putsch? The number of human right violations has increased. Most of the victims are civil society activists, protestors, journalists, opposition MPs and government officials. Worrying also is the announcement made on April 1 that those found to be criticising the shortcomings of the government will be arrested. A typical example was a human rights lawyer who had appeared for and had been a vocal supporter of the rights of minority communities; he was arrested on trumped-up terrorism charges. He has been denied access to a lawyer, which is a fundamental right. An officer who was involved in a key corruption investigation suddenly found himself removed from the case, without explanation. An officer being prosecuted for killing protestors in 2013 was promoted. At the same time, noted human rights violator Prasanna de Alwis, an officer credibly accused of torture, has become the new Director of the CID. Currently public servants, such as police officers, public health officers and excise officers, face harassment and reprisals. Their tormentors are never brought to book. All this is done under the baleful eye of the President, whose authoritarian tendencies are well known. He has said that the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, which reduces Presidential power and gives some teeth to oversight bodies, is a hindrance to the nation. A putsch would lead to even more human rights violations and an even greater weakening of the democratic space and militarisation of the public service. On June 2 this year the President appointed a task force led by the Secretary of Defence Major-General Kamal Guneratne to oversee the management of archaeological sites in the Eastern Province. It includes Major General Suresh Sally, the recently appointed Director of Intelligence. There are credible allegations of war crimes committed by Major General Sally during the civil war. One such allegation, never investigated, was that he played a pivotal role in coercing a doctor to give false testimony by illegally detaining and threatening him, a doctor who was treating Tamil civilians attacked by both sides during the civil war. How unbiased can Sallay be when assessing their claims? The task force includes two Buddhist priests, one of whom is chief priest of the northern and eastern provinces. Their bias towards pan-Sinhala ideology seems to be the reason they were appointed, despite their lack of archaeological and historical expertise. The bona fides of many of the task force are questionable and no women were appointed. Tamil-speaking people are the majority community in the area, but given the makeup of the task force their culture and tenure of the land are unlikely to be taken into account. The President has used the paralysis of parliament to appoint a military-heavy task force dedicated to creating a virtuous disciplined and lawful society. The irony would verge on the absurd if the views of some of its members were not so chilling. The Chairperson Major-General Kamal Gooneratnes views on democracy are well known. In a recent speech in the presence of the President, and with his fans openly applauding and laughing, he stated that those who want to change the constitution are traitors. He wants them dead. But that is not enough: he doesnt want to give them a proper burial. Buddhist priests should be banned from blessing them and providing consolation to their grieving families. This is where the mask of civility drops and not even lip-service is given to the key norms to a civilised democratic society the right to dissent, political pluralism, accountability, transparency, social justice and communal harmony. These become the very things that must be extinguished in the name of a lawful society. And those who do it are above the law. The actions, language and policies of the current President are reminiscent of many countries in South America in the latter half of the 20th century. A corrupt and malfunctioning state, riddled with nepotism and with a self-serving elite beholden to a foreign power, gives rise to a charismatic leader with a military background and mindset. He promises to clean the country up and talks of national self-renewal, but the corruption and maladministration worsen, and his family and supporters steal the nations wealth. In time the democratic forces regroup and try to clean up the economic and political mess these despots leave behind. Such leaders can currently be found in Brazil, Hungary, the United States and India. The current Presidents political manoeuvring and rhetoric is eerily similar. They do enormous damage to the social and economic fabric of a nation. Such is Life Demonstrators attempt to topple a statue of Albert Pike during an event to mark Juneteenth, in Washington DC - Reuters Protesters have toppled Washington DC's only statue of a Confederate general and set it on fire, according to US media, an act labeled a "disgrace" by President Donald Trump. The images, broadcast on ABC7 News late on Friday, showed the figure of Albert Pike being pulled down by rope before dozens of demonstrators started chanting "black lives matter" and set fire to it. Mr Trump tweeted shortly afterwards, tagging the city's mayor, that the "D.C. police are not doing their job as they watch a statue be ripped down & burn. These people should be immediately arrested. A disgrace to our Country!" The capital's Democratic mayor Muriel Bowser and Mr Trump have jousted over the use of force in Washington DC, with the president previously calling in the National Guard to quell unrest. The D.C. Police are not doing their job as they watch a statue be ripped down & burn. These people should be immediately arrested. A disgrace to our Country! @MayorBowser Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2020 Marches and rallies were held across the United States on Friday to demand racial justice on the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in the country. Demonstrators had earlier gathered in Washington outside the Lincoln Memorial and near the White House. Rolling protests have roiled the US in recent weeks, fuelled by the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police. Several monuments depicting Confederate figures have been toppled by demonstrators, who have been protesting systemic racism, police brutality and injustice. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tori Otten (Agence France-Presse) Washington Sun, June 21, 2020 15:02 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066072a42 2 People Asian-American,George-Floyd,united-states,#BlackLivesMatter Free As anti-racism protests broke out across the United States, Viet Hoai Tran knew exactly what he wanted to write on his poster -- "Yellow Peril Supports Black Power." "If we are talking about fighting for justice, for liberation, for change... all of us have to be part of this," said the 27-year-old, who was born in Vietnam, but grew up in the US. The death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody sparked nationwide protests -- and a sense of reckoning in the Asian American community, which has historically fraught, even violent, ties with African Americans. In particular, the revelation that one of the officers charged over Floyd's death, Tou Thao, is Hmong has caused many Asian Americans to grapple with their community's complicity. "Yellow peril" is a racial slur articulating the centuries-old Western fear of an East Asian takeover that has been repurposed by Asian Americans in a show of solidarity with the black community. "There's a lot of anti-blackness in the AAPI community,' said Tran, referring to the Asian Americans and the US diaspora of Pacific Islanders. One of the worst examples was during the 1992 protests in Los Angeles over the police killing of Rodney King, a black man. Massive rioting broke out during the demonstrations, most of which occurred in the Koreatown neighborhood. Ethnic Korean store owners, feeling abandoned by the Los Angeles police, shot at black protesters from the rooftops to protect their businesses. "We, Asian Americans, have remained complicit in perpetuating anti-blackness and benefiting from white supremacy," Kevin Quach, who works on policy at the Asian American advocacy group OCA National, told AFP. 'Wedge community' Quach noted the internalization of the model minority myth -- the stereotype that Asians are the "best" minority, thus implying that other minority groups are somehow lesser -- and colorism, or prejudice against darker skin tones, within the Asian community, among other examples. Even using slogans like "Yellow Peril Supports Black Power" or "Asian Americans for Black Lives Matter," Quach said, "ignores and minimizes the harm that the AAPI community has inflicted on the black community within the last 50 years," even if unintentionally. For instance, the "yellow peril" slogan was first used in 1969 by Japanese-American activist Richard Aoki at a protest in support of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton. Aoki was revealed in 2012 to have been an FBI informant on the Black Panthers. Asian Americans have been used "as a wedge community between black community demands and our system," said Bo Thao-Urabe, a co-founder of the Minnesota-based Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL). It's important to ensure "our communities are not used against each other," she added. Groups like CAAL and OCA National, which were already working with black and Latino communities, have made specific pushes to support the current protests. CAAL has provided support for Asian Americans in Minnesota who joined the demonstrations, and OCA has launched several programs explicitly about Asian-black relations, including a workshop on the model minority myth and a virtual summit on Afro-Asian solidarity. Asians 4 Black Lives has supported protests in the San Francisco Bay Area while Equality Labs, a South Asian rights group, has forums and other resources promoting South Asian-black solidarity. Read also: Indonesian-American chefs stay afloat and give back during pandemic Deconstruct the fear Many younger Asian Americans have taken the conversation online, sharing articles on social media about combating anti-blackness. Others have posted lists of key phrases and talking points, translated into languages such as Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, for "talking to Asian parents about institutional and internalized racism." "Anti-blackness is not just something that you can name and it disappears," said Jenny Tam, a 21-year-old student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities who is of Chinese-Vietnamese heritage. "It's a fear, and fear needs to be deconstructed." After Floyd's death, Tam created a Facebook group called "Asian America for Black Power" to connect Asian Minnesotans who wanted to go to protests together. The group quickly morphed into a platform, now with nearly 3,000 members, for sharing resources on where to donate, what to read, where to protest and how to talk with their families about racism. Tam also noted that the coronavirus pandemic had served as a kind of wake-up call for Asian Americans, as it sparked an outpouring of anti-Asian racism, with many blaming China for the virus. Racism "may oppress us differently, but there's a common enemy. We're fighting the same thing," said Tam, whose parents came to Minnesota after the Vietnam War. "We are not white, and so we cannot protect a system that supports white and is harming our black community." 2.29 million samples collected for COVID-19 tests in Beijing Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 19:08:43 Beijing reported 22 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, with the youngest infected being a 1-year-old and the oldest a 56-year-old. The city has sampled a total of 2.29 million people for nucleic acid tests during its screening for COVID-19 cases between June 11 and 20, local authorities said at a regular press conference on Saturday to brief on updates regarding the outbreak in Beijing. Persons who didn't have contact with people at Beijing's Xinfadi seafood market between May 30 and June 12 have a very low risk of being infected with COVID-19. There's no need for them to rush to have nucleic acid tests in droves, medical experts from Beijing's Center for Disease Control and Prevention said at the conference. While no foodstuffs, including seafood, can be infected with coronavirus, it may be possible the products or their packaging materials were contaminated with the virus, Li Fengqin, director of the microbiology laboratory at the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, said. The capital has given priority to large-scale nucleic acid testing among employees in 36 high-risk industries amid the COVID-19 epidemic such as catering, supermarkets, shopping malls, trade markets and food deliveries. Two of the 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beijing on Friday were reported to work at a food factory. Beijing is conducting large-scale nucleic acid testing of food delivery workers and couriers to reduce infection risks amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to officials at the press conference. All residents of 40 sealed-off communities in Beijing have been asked not to leave their homes to avoid cross infection, Zhang Qiang, an official with Beijing's COVID19 prevention team, said at the conference. People under 14-day collective quarantine in Beijing for medical observation can only be released if their nucleic acid test results are negative at the end of quarantine. At present, a total of 474 sample collection sites and 2,083 sample booths have been set up at both urban and rural areas in the capital, with 7,472 workers having been mobilized to participate in the screening across the city, Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Los Angeles: As much as 45 per cent of people infected by the novel coronavirus behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic never show symptoms of the disease, according to a review of studies which suggests that the virus may silently damage the bodies of these asymptotic individuals. Scientists, including Eric Topol from the Scripps Research Translational Institute in the US, analysed public datasets on asymptomatic infections of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The findings, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, suggested that asymptomatic people may account for approximately 40 to 45 per cent of SARS-CoV-2 infections, playing a significant role in the spread of the disease. Based on the study, the scientists highlighted the need for expansive testing and contact tracing of infected individuals to mitigate the pandemic. "The silent spread of the virus makes it all the more challenging to control," said Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and professor of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research. "Our review really highlights the importance of testing. It's clear that with such a high asymptomatic rate, we need to cast a very wide net, otherwise the virus will continue to evade us," he added. In the study, Topol and his team collected information from testing studies on 16 diverse cohorts from around the world. The scientists noted in a statement that these datasets were gathered via keyword searches of PubMed, bioRxiv and medRxiv, as well as Google searches of relevant news reports. They said the analysis included data on nursing home residents, cruise ship passengers, prison inmates and various other groups. "What virtually all of them had in common was that a very large proportion of infected individuals had no symptoms," said Daniel Oran, another co-author of the study. "Among more than 3,000 prison inmates in four states who tested positive for the coronavirus, the figure was astronomical -- 96 percent asymptomatic," Oran said. According to the review research, asymptomatic individuals are able to transmit the virus for an extended period of time, perhaps longer than 14 days. The scientists noted that the viral loads are very similar in people with or without symptoms, but it remains unclear whether their infectiousness is of the same magnitude. To resolve that issue, they said, large-scale studies that include sufficient numbers of asymptomatic people are needed. The absence of symptoms may not imply an absence of harm, the researchers concluded. Citing an example, they said CT scans conducted on asymptomatic individuals on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, appeared to show significant lung abnormalities, raising the possibility of the virus silently impacting lung function. "Although the latter infected persons reported no symptoms, some actually had subclinical changes in their lungs. When computed tomography scans for 76 of these persons were examined, 54 per cent showed lung opacities," the researchers wrote in the study. The scientists believe that further research is needed to confirm the potential significance of this finding. They said the lack of longitudinal data makes distinguishing between asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals difficult. An asymptomatic individual, the researchers said, is someone who is infected with SARS-CoV-2, but never develops symptoms of COVID-19, while a presymptomatic person is similarly infected, but will eventually develop symptoms. According to the scientists, longitudinal testing, which refers to repeated testing of individuals over time, would help differentiate between the two. "Our estimate of 40 to 45 percent asymptomatic means that, if you're unlucky enough to get infected, the probability is almost a flip of a coin on whether you're going to have symptoms," Oran said. "So to protect others, we think that wearing a mask makes a lot of sense," he concluded. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. How does this calendar of Christmas events sound? Family cinema days, a fastest-to-dress-as-Santa competition, a Christmas lunch and Eddie Rocket's on site, Wonka Bars with a golden ticket, lunchtime musical bingo, a DJ and games in the hub. To top it all off, there is an opportunity to win a 1,000 holiday voucher. Now if I told you this was a string of Christmas events organised by a professional events team aimed at customers, you wouldn't be shocked. But what if I told you it was an initiative organised by an in-house HR team for its own people and their families? And all this at a time when this company has its biggest spike in business, starting with Black Friday and continuing all through December? DPD Group is Ireland's largest dedicated parcel delivery company, with 33 depots throughout the country handling in excess of 19 million parcels a year. In 2012, the business added home deliveries to its proposition. Before Covid-19, the split between B2B and B2C was 50/50. Since March, that has swung dramatically but not surprisingly to 90pc B2C. The lockdown has caused a temporary migration to online shopping from home. I also believe that due to social distancing and cautious shoppers, a hybrid shopping model that merges online with physical shopping will see a continuation of home deliveries. So this trend will continue for some time for DPD. In the meantime, it is making the most of the situation. Challenged with the sudden spike, DPD hired an extra 350 people to cater for the demand. Some of their own sales people have switched roles temporarily and the company also collaborated with Europcar at Dublin Airport to get qualified and proven drivers quickly. It strikes me that its very strong employer brand would have eased their recruitment pains in any event. Tips for improving your employer brand in a crisis In my 30 years hopping around the world, consulting with organisations of all sizes and speaking at conferences, I have never come across an organisation with such a strong employee engagement agenda. 1 Activities calendar: Not satisfied with an in-house social committee that might meet only now and then, DPD has created a calendar of activities in advance. It is project managed by Mary Gaffey and it ensures ideas transfer to action. It's apparent budget has been allocated to this but many of their ideas don't cost a cent. So don't let budget stop you. 2 Engagement surveys: If you're a regular reader of this column, you'll know I'm a big fan of conducting annual engagement surveys. Just like a thermometer, they are essential for checking the morale and the specific strengths and weaknesses in a business. During Covid-19, I think it's even more important. Home-working, anxieties about health, loneliness, mental health, finances and the future should all be a concern for every employer. One of my clients is reluctant to do a full-blown survey, so we helped them with a 'pulse survey' instead. We identified a handful of really key questions, asked of teams on a weekly cycle, a different department every week. This enables the employer to be proactive and to respond to emerging issues quickly. 3 Communications: Zoom and other platforms enable us to include our people on a daily basis. Even if we don't have business issues to communicate, it's good to make sure people feel part of the wider community. DPD has all sorts of ideas such as communal coffee breaks for home-workers. Slido is a great app for making your own quizzes. Don't allow a gulf to emerge between top brass and the front-line. Leaders, be seen on Zoom calls and participate. Perhaps you should show your lighter side and let the team see your dog jumping up on your lap. 4 Training: One of my clients is up and running with a culture-refresh programme. Each month, we have a different theme linked to the new values. That also presents opportunities for upskilling the global teams on common business challenges. During May, I conducted several 90-minute bite-sized training sessions embracing the new values. Once again, Zoom was our friend. And I notice people are very forgiving about video-conferencing. We know there are best practices around positioning of the laptop, backdrops and no interruptions from kids or dogs. Well we had all of that in our training, and it still worked very well. I'm quite chilled about it, just during this crisis. The Last Word The concept of engaging your people is not just a theory, nor is it rocket science. But it requires belief from a CEO like DPD's Des Travers and strong leadership from HR leaders like Siobhan Lennon and Mary Gaffey. The impact it has on all business metrics has been shown many times over. This crisis has brought unprecedented changes to our social and business models. Never before have we been challenged so much with the necessity to include our people, those we have had to lay-off temporarily and indeed our contract workers. And never before have we had such a collection of tools to enable us to do it. The only thing stopping you is probably in your own head. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: As many as 142 Odias stranded in Bahrain reached Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here on Saturday night. Many of them are construction workers and were left without any jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the Odisha natives, who visited Bahrain to meet their relatives, are also happy as they returned to the State after over three months, said founder of Bahrain Odia Samaj Arun Kumar Praharaj. He said with the support of Indian Embassy in Bahrain, Centre and Odisha Government, a special Air India flight was arranged to carry the stranded Odias to Bhubaneswar via New Delhi. He thanked Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Ministry of External Affairs officials and others for extending support to the stranded Odias to return to the State. ENS On this day... 1675-Royal Greenwich Observatory established in England by Charles II 1815-Second abdication of Napoleon (after Waterloo) 1847-Doughnut created 1870-Congress creates Department of Justice 1940-France falls to Nazi Germany; armistice signed, France disarmed 1941-Germany declares war on Soviet Union during WW II 1970-Pres Nixon signs 26th amendment (voting age lowered to 18) 1978 -Neo-Nazis call off plans to march in Jewish community of Skokie, Ill 1980-Jim King begins riding Miracle Strip Roller coaster 368 hours 1982-Manhattan institutes bus-only lanes 1983-First time a satellite is retrieved from orbit by Space Shuttle 1983-NHL institutes a 5 minute sudden death overtime period 1991-Underwater volcano, Mount Didicas, erupts in Philippines France's Citizens' Climate Convention (CCC) has voted to reject the proposal to reduce the working week from 35 to 28 hours. The proposal to reduce the working week to 28 hours, with no loss of salary, with the aim of reducing greenhouses gases was always one of the more controversial measures currently being debated in parliament and which could then be put to referendum. After hours of heated debate over the merits of job sharing versus concerns over growing unemployment in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 65 percent of the 150 members of the CCC voted on Saturday to reject it. It's the first of the proposed measures to be rejected by this assembly of randomly chosen 16 to 80-year-olds. Among those who voted against the measure, several told AFP they were concerned over the economic consequences it would have and the negative image it could bring to their otherwise much lauded work at the CCC. It's totally disconnected from reality and can't be defended in the current context, said Melanie, who like all the convention members, goes by her first name. The measure totally discredits the convention, it's providing a stick for us to be beaten with. If it gets proposed it will be rejected and that will simply discredit our work." Sharing is a lovely idea but with the current crisis it's not possible, said Marie-Helene who also rejected the measure. I have worked 50 hours a week all my life, brought up two children on my own. It's always the same who work less and always the same who work more, and for miserable salaries. Lionel meanwhile said the measure fell out of our mandate in relation to reducing greenhouse gases". Others insisted a separate citizens' convention should be created to deal with labour issues. Defending the measure Sylvie highlighted the fact these proposals, if they made it into the referendum, would not be applicable until 2030. The idea of working from home used to be a UFO, no one imagined it, she said. But the measure won't come into effect tomorrow, it's 10 years down the line. We have to look to the future and reflect. The CCC has been tasked by President Emmanuel Macron with defining climate measures that would allow a reduction of at least 40 percent of emissions by 2030in the spirit of social justice. Members will continue voting on issues relating to housing, travel, food, production and work through the weekend. A final report complete with advice on how to finance the measures is to be delivered on Sunday. Follow the debate and voting online As New York City prepares to allow companies to reopen their offices on Monday following a three-month coronavirus lockdown, many workers are fearful about going back in. Real estate brokers and landlords are anticipating that only 10 to 20 percent of Manhattan's office workers will return to their desks this week amid fears of another wave of infection. Though they expect that figure to increase gradually over the coming months, there are growing concerns that many companies will stick with the work-from-home model permanently to save money on expensive office space. Most firms are proceeding with caution as New York City enters Phase 2 of the reopening plan, which allows all of the city's 300,000 office workers to go back to work, as well as outdoor dining at restaurants and service at businesses like hair salons. Some are opening with reduced occupancy and giving employees the option to continue working from home, while others plan to keep offices closed entirely for the foreseeable future. The reluctance to reopen offices could prolong New York City's recovery from crushing economic losses suffered during the pandemic, particularly in neighborhoods like Midtown where businesses depend on week-day traffic. Up to 90 percent of employees may not report to their offices when New York City allows all 300,000 to return on Monday due to fears of new coronavirus outbreaks, experts say. Pictured: Two men in suits walk past a shuttered WeWork office building in May Mary Ann Tighe, chief executive for the tri-state region at CBRE Group Inc, told the Wall Street Journal that many of the real estate services firm's New York City clients don't plan to be fully back in the office until Labor Day - if not later. Tighe said the main concern is having outbreaks strike within offices, where shared spaces like bathrooms and coffee stations could become breeding grounds for the virus. They're also worried about commuting bottlenecks if public transit limits the number of riders on each subway car or bus. NYC PHASE 2 REOPENING Open under Phase II: Outdoor dining at restaurants Retail - in-store shopping, rental, repair and cleaning, barbershops and hair salons with limited service, motor vehicle leasing, rental and sales All office-based jobs - professional services, administrative support, information technology Real estate services - building and property management, leasing, rental and sales services Establishments that must remain closed: Malls, gyms, movie theaters and similar public gathering places Nail salons Indoor dining at restaurants and indoor service at bars Places of public amusement -amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, childrens play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and childrens attractions Advertisement New York state guidelines stipulate that companies can have no more than 50 percent of the maximum occupants present in the office at a time. Employees must maintain six-feet of distance between each other and must use mask when in communal areas. Many landlords are expected to require employees to submit to temperature checks and health evaluations each time they enter the office. Some buildings have installed thermal cameras at entrances as well. Companies are also encouraged to institute their own additional safety guidelines depending on their individual spaces. Still, many firms are in no rush to return, in part because working from home worked better than they anticipated. Twitter Inc, for example, announced last month that its employees can work from home indefinitely. The social media giant is not planning to reopen its New York City office at all on Monday. Ad giant Interpublic Group of Cos, which employees nearly 10,000 people in the Big Apple, told employees they would continue working from home until at least Labor Day. Fellow ad firm Omnicom Group Inc said it would wait up to four weeks to begin bringing people back into the office, and that returning will be voluntary. A recent global survey by trade group CoreNet Global found that just 15 percent of companies said their office occupancy will be back to pre-pandemic levels within six months, while 38 percent said it would take more than a year. The lack of enthusiasm has already been seen in other states that reopened weeks ahead of New York. In Georgia, the first state to begin reopening in April, office occupancy remained at less than 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels in mid-June, according to Openpath Security Inc. A trader walks toward the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan on June 17 after financial employees were allowed to return to work under Phase 1 of the state's reopening plan Real estate firms are showing less reluctance than companies in other industries - which is unsurprising given that they will be hit the hardest if companies stop leasing office space. Brookfield Property Partners is allowing about half of its 700 New York City employees to return to the office on Monday, and expects around 200 to show up. 'We felt it was really important, as the largest office landlord in the world, that we demonstrate leadership in returning to the office,' Brookfield CEO Brian Kingston told WSJ. RFR, located in the Seagram Building on Park Avenue, is likewise encouraging its 60 employees to work from the office four days a week. Empire State Realty Trust, which owns the Empire State Building, expects a third of its employees to return to its offices within a week of reopening on Monday, CEO Anthony Malkin said. Silverstein Properties is implementing a staggered approach wherein employees will be split into three groups, each spending two days in the office. The reluctance to reopen offices could prolong New York City's recovery from crushing economic losses suffered during the pandemic, particularly in neighborhoods like Midtown where businesses depend on week-day traffic. An empty Times Square is seen on June 8 Landlords are hopeful that companies in the Big Apple will surpass bleak projections for workers returning to offices, stressing the importance of population density on the city's economy. 'That human social contract relies on everybody showing up,' Michael Phillips, president of landlord Jamestown LP, told WSJ. Phillips estimated that Jamestown's employees will start returning to its Manhattan office in July. While landlords continued to collect rent even when buildings were empty, surrounding businesses such as restaurants, bars and shops have suffered without office workers frequenting them each day. The New York City Independent Budget Office estimated in April that the city could lose 475,000 jobs over the next 12 months, with sales-tax revenue dropping 36.4 percent in 2021 compared with its pre-pandemic projection. As of Sunday New York City has recorded more than 208,760 coronavirus cases, 17,563 confirmed deaths and 4,681 probable deaths. Kate Beckinsale has paid tribute to her late actor dad, on Father's Day. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the actress, 46, shared a black and white photograph of herself and her late father Richard Beckinsale, who died when she was just 5 years old. The actor was a household name with starring roles in classic sitcoms Rising Damp and Porridge when he died of a heart attack at the family's Berkshire home in 1979, aged just 31. Tribute: Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Kate Beckinsale, 46, shared a black and white photograph of herself and her late father Richard Beckinsale, who died when she was just 5 Writing alongside the heartwarming snap, Kate wrote: 'I had so much fun with you. I love you. Thank you for your dear and lovely heart which was so beautiful it broke. 'Miss you every day and Lily does too. Happy Fathers Day.' Kate also paid tribute to her stepfather Roy Battersby who married Kate's mum Judie 18 years after her father's death in 1997. The shared a photograph of the television director wearing a funny T-shirt, and accompanied the Instagram post with a sweet caption. Remembering her late father: Kate shared a tribute to her late actor dad, on Father's Day Tragic: The actor was a household name with roles in sitcoms Rising Damp and Porridge when he died of a heart attack in 1979, aged just 31 (pictured in 1974) His T-shirt read: 'World's Best Farter - I mean Father,' and Kate wrote: 'My mother has a very competitive nature. 'So sending my stepdad this t shirt really has put him in a very dangerous position as shes been in a full crouch for the title since it arrived and theyve got a gas stove with four hobs. 'Happy Fathers Day Roy. Thank you for giving me the courage to be, literally and figuratively.' Grateful: Kate also paid tribute to her stepfather Roy Battersby who married Kate's mum Judie 18 years after her father's death in 1997 Kate's late father Richard made his acting debut in the much-loved British soap Coronation Street in 1969. He went onto star in the Granada sitcom The Lovers and the much-loved BBC sitcom Porridge. He died in his sleep from a heart attack, which was later revealed to be a congenital defect. Of losing her father, the Hollywood actress said in 2013: 'It was a terrible loss. It's so weird as a five-year-old to look out in the street and see people reading the paper and crying while you're crying and your mum is crying and your granny's crying. Tragic: Of losing her father, in2013 the Hollywood described it as: 'the worst loss that I have experienced' (Pictured in 1972) 'Even though it was the worst loss that I have experienced I was able to share it with people who genuinely, even if they didn't know him, really seemed to love him. 'I feel not many people are in that position to have lost somebody and also to feel like that's something really relevant to other people.' Kate was previously in a long-term romance with fellow actor Michael Sheen, who she began dating in 1995 before breaking up in 2003. They share a daughter Lily, 19. Conewango, N.Y. -- A 5-year-old died after falling off a riding lawn mower at a home in Cattaraugus County, according to New York State police. The child was run over by the lawn mower, police said Friday. The child was on the mower without an adult. Troopers were called at 8:29 p.m. Wednesday to a home on Route 241 in the Town of Conewango, a rural community of 1,857 people 50 miles south of Buffalo. The child was declared dead at the scene, police said. New Mexicos national laboratories would recieve an increase in funding from the 2021 defense spending bill before the U.S. Senate, if approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Los Alamos National Laboratory would receive $3.22 billion, up from $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2020, through the National Nuclear Security Administrations nuclear weapons and security programs, while Sandia National Laboratories would receive $2.6 billion, an increase of $330 million over fiscal year 2020, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced last week. The states military installations and other scientific research facilities will also receive funding through the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which advanced to the Senate floor in a 25-2 vote by the Senate Armed Forces Committee. Heinrich is a member of the committee. The people of New Mexico make tremendous contributions to our national security and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development, Heinrich said in a news release. This bipartisan bill supports our service members and their families, and includes provisions I fought for to strengthen New Mexicos military installations, national laboratories, WIPP, Spaceport America, and leadership in the future of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, directed energy, and space. The bill includes $220 million for soil and water remediation and removal of legacy radioactive waste at LANL, which is $100 million more than what was included in the presidents proposed budget, Heinrich said. Full funding was needed to ensure there were no delays in the cleanup effort, his office said. The bill also includes $1.1 billion for LANLs ongoing plutonium operations and pit production programs. Heinrich supported second-year funding of $36 million for a new emergency operations center at Sandia. The construction project will provide a new 24,000- to 31,000-square-foot facility to improve the labs ability to respond to emergencies and provide emergency assistance so that appropriate response measures and notifications are taken to protect workers, the public, the environment and national security, his office said. Another $390 million would be provided to operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The funding includes $22 million for infrastructure repair and replacement projects and line-item funding for two projects: $50 million for a new utility shaft and $10 million for a project to expand underground hoisting capability. White Sands Missile Range would receive $15 million for infrastructure improvements to accommodate the increase in demand for directed energy testing workloads, and Heinrich said the bill includes language to encourage the Air Force to make improvements to the MQ-9 drone training facility at Holloman Air Force Base. Last year, $85 million for the construction of a new facility was diverted from Department of Defense funds to be used for construction of the wall on the border with Mexico. The NDAA includes $3.5 million in funding for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer telescope array. The array, which will eventually include 10 telescopes, will be one of the worlds largest once complete and will be able to track man-made satellites, missiles and rockets launched into orbit as well as provide a closer look to deep space objects. Another $6 million would be provided for a small satellite manufacturing and innovation center in Albuquerque that would be accessible by government agencies and cleared industry partners, while $3 million would be provided for a small satellite mission operations facility, also in Albuquerque. Scott Turner: sturner@abqjournal.com One Friday afternoon in August of 2018, lawyers for President Trumps longtime fixer, Michael D. Cohen, made a final bid for leniency to federal prosecutors in Manhattan. He was facing charges including that he paid hush money on Mr. Trumps behalf to an adult film star during the 2016 campaign. Audrey Strauss, one of two senior prosecutors in the room, listened silently to the pitch, smiling at the lawyers but letting others do the talking, people familiar with the meeting said. Over the next few days, however, Ms. Strauss played a key role in the momentous decision to proceed against Mr. Cohen, a move that infuriated the White House. Now, Ms. Strauss, a 72-year-old former defense lawyer known for her understated style, has been forced into the spotlight, taking over as the acting U.S. attorney in the storied prosecutors office, which continues to find itself in the presidents cross hairs. She will lead politically sensitive investigations into people in Mr. Trumps orbit in the run-up to a hotly contested election, and her decisions will be scrutinized. Image Audrey Strauss, the new acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Credit... Business Wire Ms. Strausss appointment happened with dizzying speed. In the span of 24 chaotic hours this weekend, President Trump and his attorney general, William P. Barr, had tried to oust her boss, Geoffrey S. Berman, and replace him with one of Mr. Barrs allies. Vice President Mike Pence says the United States is well positioned to handle the "second wave" of coronavirus infections. This is nonsense - not least because much of the U.S. has not yet confronted the first wave. The surge of infections that marked the early pandemic in the Northeast has been delayed elsewhere by some combination of early action (as is plausibly the case in much of California) or because those places are more sparsely populated, more car-dependent and less reliant on public transportation or, bluntly, just luckier. Many places haven't seen a super-spreading event - yet. We epidemiologists do expect places like New York City, where introductions of the virus and contact rates are both high, to be especially vulnerable early on. Elsewhere, though, cases have built at a slower pace. That may also partly be due to human reactions to the situation in the Northeast, or simply to different contacts occurring at different rates in different places with different climates. All in all, not terribly surprising. But sadly, the arithmetic of infection is such that we do expect the pandemic to find its way to most places eventually - and certainly to those places that are not guarding against it. And when it gets there, it will do what it's done elsewhere and transmit as much as it can, whatever the consequences for us. The federal government seems, astonishingly, to have given up the fight. Even after over 116,000 deaths, there is nothing to see here, apparently. A few months back, we despaired at the failures in testing, in messaging, in action while Americans sickened and died. In the spring, the federal pandemic response was akin to bringing a rubber chicken to a gunfight. The attempt to defend against the greatest threat to public health in a century was limp, grudging and delayed. Now it is barely existent. They've taken their rubber chicken to play elsewhere. The lessons left lying unlearned are staggering; citizens are being hit with bills for coronavirus testing, when testing is a pure and simple public good for everyone. (It is not, as President Donald Trump seems to believe, a "double edged sword" that "makes us look bad.") If you take a test and it's positive, then you should isolate and preserve others from the long consequences of the transmission chains you might kick off. If it is negative, you should be confident carrying on in your life - responsibly distanced, of course, in case the test result was wrong or in case you get infected later. But if the test is free, there's no downside to getting it. If this sounds like free testing could get expensive, please look at the cost of not testing. We paid that cost all spring. Look at the reviled shutdowns; they are the consequence of letting unknown amounts of infection build among your people until the only thing you can do to save lives is to call a halt to everything. In some places, even then, people keep dying for months because it happened too late. In others, cases don't climb and deaths remain low, because infection rates were lower when the intervention was made. Somehow both examples become evidence for skeptics to argue that shutdowns don't work, when it is plain that denying the virus opportunities for transmission is our best option. Inaction presents a risk to the economy, and the sooner people accept that, the better. Shutdowns are less likely to be necessary again, and they'll be shorter when they are, if milder steps are adopted early on. If masks significantly reduce transmission, and it looks like they do, then large parts of society could get closer to normal, really soon. It might seem a restriction on your freedom to wear a mask, but it's a far smaller restriction than a shutdown - and in any case, your freedom to choose not to wear a mask conflicts with the freedom of others not to be infected by you. Imagine if the president were to don a mask today, signaling to the whole country that they should follow suit, and the economy came roaring back without a corresponding tidal wave into the ICUs. This is surely a better option for everyone. A slowed economy is better than an utterly halted one. None of this should be political, and yet somehow it is. The hyperpartisan nature of American society has taken a virus and fashioned from it a new battleground for the culture wars. I should not be surprised at the way the pandemic has become politicized, and yet I am. It suggests that I was somehow less cynical than I had thought I was, and I thought I was pretty darned cynical. The politics may have been exacerbated by some of the epidemiology of the early pandemic, which has seen the risk of infection and death track closely with socioeconomic status and race. Exactly how much of these vulnerabilities are down to the existing systemic racism in American society isn't clear, but it surely contributes. We expect vulnerable people to put themselves at risk of severe illness or death while the more fortunate pretend the pandemic does not apply to them. Yet we are early on in the pandemic; there's a long way to go, and middle-class folks likely don't live in communities with much immunity. While the rest of the country can perhaps make up a story in which disease happens in New York, because of whatever excuse confirms their prior beliefs, it's harder to pretend it won't be a problem if you look at the range of places the virus has done its deadly work. Wuhan, China (now a relative success story!), Iran, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and New York. In May, Sweden was posting the highest per capita mortality rates (which have since declined), but now Brazil is surging. But if your community has not experienced infection so far and it's doing nothing to stop it, please ask yourself, do you feel lucky? Rich people living in the right place can imagine the pandemic is a problem for other people - but only for now. The sad thing is that the virus doesn't care about any of this. The virus will carry on infecting, transmitting, devastating organs and futures here and killing there, all without malice. Viruses don't do malice; that's a human trait. Humans are, furthermore, capable of a degree of incompetence which is functionally indistinguishable from malice. In one of the essays he wrote before he found fame with "1984" and "Animal Farm," George Orwell declared that "to see what is in front of your nose requires a constant struggle." There's a pandemic under our nose. It's not going anywhere. - - - Hanage is an associate professor of epidemiology at the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. By Andre Vltchek June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - For almost a decade, I have been covering Color Revolutions in virtually all parts of the world. While making a film for TeleSur, I was facing Egyptian tanks, risking my life under sniper fire, getting roughed-up in the middle of clashes of the supporters of al-Sisi and Morsi. Together with Syrian commanders, I was also facing the terrorists in Idlib; challenged the Ukrainian fascists; encountering Bolivian indigenous elders high in the Altiplano, after the revolution of Evo Morales and MAS was crashed by the U.S.-sponsored coup in 2019. I regularly worked in Venezuela, Lebanon, and Iraq. And of course, again and again, I have been returning to Hong Kong, reporting on systematic Western attempts to radicalize SARs youth and to harm China. I mention all this just in order to establish that I am very well aware of how those Color Revolutions are triggered and implemented. Color Revolutions! Unlike many analysts who are now tossing this term left and right, often without ever experiencing the events first hand, I spoke with the people on the ground, examining dynamics, asking endless questions. On many occasions, I was risking my life to get a philosophical context and the story right. Frankly, I am sick of conspiracy theories, ignorance, cliches, and arrogance of those analysts who, from the comfort of their couch, somewhere in Europe or North America, are passing judgments and conclusions, with that proud look of superiority. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Since the police murdered Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis, since the United States literally exploded, since the African Americans, Native Americans and other appallingly oppressed people went to the streets in hundreds of the cities demanding justice; a substantial group of mainly white we-know-everything analysts began belittling protesters, calling them violent, calling them riots, calling them creations of Soros and the Zionists! And at the end, with dark sarcasm, declaring that the United States itself is now suffering from what it has been spreading all over the world for years from the so-called Color Revolution. Many of those analysts became so aggressive and vocal that they literally managed to monopolize the alternative narrative. Suddenly, there was hardly any space left for those of us who were continuously writing, using traditional internationalist, left-wing perspective. * First of all, even the term itself Color Revolutions became a bad cliche. The Western empire has been destroying the world for some 500+ years, in the most brutal ways imaginable. Hundreds of millions of lives were lost. Entire continents were plundered. People have been enslaved. At the end of the colonial era, in various parts of our planet, at least some semi-independence was achieved. But countless governments in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America were still taking diktat directly from Washington, London, Paris, and other Western capitals. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the situation looked desperate. But with the rise of China and Russia, as well as Iran, great hope returned, and many countries embarked on the second stage of de-colonialization. The process was confused and confusing. Each country was different. There were attempts to trigger real revolutions (Egypt), but there were also some clearly anti-revolutionary and right-wing movements (Syria, Ukraine) born. In many countries where genuine grievances of the people brought masses to the streets, masses which were demanding mainly social and political reforms, the West quickly infiltrated several movements and literally kidnaped the revolutions. This is what happened in Egypt, but also, a few years later, in Lebanon and Iraq. But to claim that Egypt had not attempted a revolution would be insulting, patronizing, and incorrect! Egypt was suffering from the terrible pro-Western regime and from the military. Egyptian people rose. I was working with a group of Marxist doctors during the process; I saw it all, from the ground, so to speak. But the revolution was infiltrated and finally destroyed. In Lebanon, too. For five years, I was based there; in Beirut and Asia. People were fed up with the so-called confessional democracy, of the religions tearing-apart the nation, of savage capitalism, collapsed infrastructure, and non-existent social services. Hezbollah, hated by the West and Israel has been the only solid provider of social services to all deprived Lebanese people, for years and decades. And so, in Lebanon, too, people rose. Late, in 2019, but rose. Sure, a few weeks after, I began spotting clenched fists of Odpor and Canvas on the Martyrs Square (those used in Serbia, when President Milosevich was forced out of power, with full sponsorship of the West). Sure, the West began supporting rebels, because it wanted to get rid of Hezbollah, which has been part of the ruling coalition. But people of Lebanon do have thousands of legitimate grievances; reasons to rebel. However, the West has been skillfully infiltrating and, to some extent manipulating the uprising, which is still going on until this day. And we have no idea where it is all going to lead. Do you see how complex the situation is? It does not fit any of the simplifications, and cliches! And of course, it is even more complicated than how I describe it here. It takes entire books to explain. Syria: another totally different story, and absolutely distinctive specie of Color Revolutions, if it is how you want to call it. Some grievances, yes. But also, a solid pan-Arab socialist state, which the West, Saudis, Qataris, Israelis, and other allies of Washington wanted desperately to destroy; government they were aiming to overthrow. After a relatively mild rebellion in Aleppo and Holms, supported by Gulf states coalition, and the West, Saudis, and Turks began injecting monstrous, murderous combat forces into Syria, from ISIS to Uyghurs, and everything in between. All these cases of interference from the West are totally distinctive, although some patterns can be detected. And we are still in the same cultural and geographical area. Now look further away: Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Hong Kong (China). In all these places, there are direct interventions, clear counter-revolution! It is financed, supported, and coordinated from Washington, London, Berlin, Paris, and other Western capitals. In Bolivia, white, racist, fundamentalist Christian elites overthrew, with the full support of the White House, the legitimate multi-cultural, democratic, and enormously successful government of President Evo Morales. It was done after agitation by a small sector of Bolivians, clearly financed from abroad and by the local elites. One month after the coup, I was working all over the Altiplano, taking down testimonies of indigenous people who were humiliated, tortured, abused, even killed by a new illegitimate regime. Thats quite different scenario, isnt it; different from that in Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt? Is it really legitimate to hide it all under one single Color Revolutions label? Look at Cuba: decades and decades of terror against this marvelous island! Passenger airplanes being blown out of the sky. Countless assassination plots against its leaders. Chemical warfare, biological warfare, the bombing of cafes, restaurants, and hotels. All proven and documented. And constant attempts to recruit, radicalize Cuban citizens to force them against their own government. Venezuela, a nation that offered tremendous hope to the entire divided continent. Venezuela compassionate, brave, built on solidarity. Look what has been done to her. One coup attempts after another. Embargos. Recruitment of treasonous cadres. Attacks from neighboring Colombia. Another Color Revolution? Or merely a campaign of terror? Hong Kong: a city, former British colony, which has been sacrificed by the West, while literally converted into a battleground against the most optimistic country on Earth China. There, the symbol used to be umbrellas, not colors. Now, there seems to be no symbol, whatsoever, just spite and violence and hate. It is easy to understand that somehow the label of Color Revolutions is trivializing everything. I am surprised that some conspiracy theorists did not come up with a scheme, yet, that would say that the very term Color Revolutions has been invented to belittle what has been done to the world by the imperialist West. To throw everything to one bag, and to confuse everything. * Back to the United States. Color Revolution there, too? For heavens sake, really? After the murder of Mr. Floyd, protests are being discredited, again and again, by the people who, one would believe, should be standing by the side of the oppressed. Instead, they call rebellion riots, they claim that they are backed by Soros, Gates, others! The terrible truth emerged: in the United States, there is almost no left anymore. No real left. No internationalist left. Instead, there are tons of conspiracy theory sites. Significantly, on the streets of Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York, black people are not just demanding justice for themselves; they have been shouting internationalist slogans, demanding justice for the world. It is something new, something marvelous, something you hardly hear in Paris or Berlin. But this fact goes unnoticed, hardly reported. The explosion of rage, brave uprising all over the United States, has been targeting those basic foundations of over 200 years long monstrous history, on which the country is based. First, the colonialist invasion by the genocidal Europeans, then extermination of the great majority of native people, and simultaneously the most repulsive slavery which was endorsed and used by the founding fathers. The state of the oppressed people in the U.S.A. today is clearly and directly related, connected to that past. But not only that: the entire state of the world could only be comprehended if viewed in the context of what has been done to the native people and brutalized black slaves in the United States itself. Colonialism, extermination campaigns in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, are inter-connected with the plight of non-white people in the United States. Now, black people in the United States are fighting for themselves and their children, but also for their brothers and sisters in all corners of the world, which is still colonized and plundered by Washington and London. Do all of the protesters know this? Some do, some dont, and many feel it, intuitively. Now, to the point which is made by those who are trying to discredit this uprising: is all this also a power-struggle inside the U.S. establishment? Are Democrats, for instance, trying to manipulate the situation, using it to their advantage? I have no doubt that they are such attempts. Almost everyone in the United States is always using things, looking for advantages. This is what people are taught to do, living in a savage capitalist system. But these are two distinct issues! Even if Gates, Soror, deep state, Democrats, mass media outlets, and who knows who else, wants to kidnap the narrative and derail the uprising, it changes nothing on the fact that the peoples whose lives were, for generations, ruined, are now pissed off no end, and that their rebellion may shake the foundations of the entire country, and the terrible world order! Even now, as this is being written, the uprising in the U.S. already inspired new movement @PapuanLivesMatter, which is referring to an ongoing genocide in West Papua, performed by the Indonesian state on behalf of Western governments and mining companies. And this is just a beginning. Grievances are legitimate. Struggle for justice is legitimate. The essential thing now is to separate the fight against racism, colonialism, and imperialism, from the political interests of the establishment, or part of it. This separation can only happen on the barricades. And since the education has been kidnapped by the regime, there has to be an accelerated injection of the revolutionary education administered to both protesters and the general public. Education about both the past and the present. But we should not give up on the protesters! And calling their uprising Color Revolution is disrespectful and yes: racist! Their rage is legitimate. And of course, the rage of the people all over the world is legitimate, too, without any doubt. CONCLUSION Point one: Blanket term Color Revolutions is wrong. Those who are promoting it are actually confusing the situation. During the last years and decades, the West has been using many different tactics on how to overthrow governments, subvert legitimate movements and revolutions, and deter revolutionary and anti-colonialist struggle. Each has to be examined and exposed separately, individually. Otherwise, it would create indigestible, on purpose confusing mass, and further damage independence struggle. Otherwise, nihilism would be spread, and revolutionary zeal deterred. Point two: in the United States the ongoing struggle against racism, segregation, and imperialism is a legitimate struggle, which is having a tremendous and positive influence on the entire world. If there are political interests that are trying to undermine and derail it, they should be exposed by the people in the United States. But it does not mean at all that the protesters should be discourages, let alone ridiculed. Those who are fighting for justice, and for the entire world, should be embraced and full-heartedly supported! Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Six of his latest books are New Capital of Indonesia , China Belt and Road Initiative, China and Ecological Civilization with John B. Cobb, Jr., Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism, a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire . View his other books here . Watch Rwanda Gambit , his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism . Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and Latin America, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website , his Twitter and his Patreon . Post your comment below 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Sun, June 21, 2020 08:03 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406605b0d0 2 Books Metallica,Book,classic-car,james-hetfield Free The co-founder of Metallica will open the doors of his garage in "Reclaimed Rust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," which will hit bookstores on July 28. Hetfield teased the forthcoming release of the 192-page hardbound book in an announcement video, in which the 56-year-old musician invites fans to dive under the hood of his collection of classic cars. The collection notably features a 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, a 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster and a 1956 Ford F-110, all of which have been restored and customized by Hetfield over the years. Throughout "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," the metal legend documents his lifelong passion for restoring and customizing "classic cars into magnificent pieces of automotive art." "This was another eBay or autobuyer online find. I think it's pretty clear by now that on tour especially I spent a lot of time looking and searching for cool cars and projects to take on, and this immediately fell into that category," Hetfield says of his purple 1956 Ford F-100 pick-up truck, which is affectionately named "Str8edge." The coffee table book also features dynamic photographs by acclaimed automotive photographer Scott Williamson at Photodesign Studios, who was specially commissioned to bring the custom-built cars to life. Aside from being featured in "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," Hetfield's collection of cars is currently on view at the legendary Petersen Automotive museum in Los Angeles. The exhibition, titled "Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection," features automobiles, guitars, memorabilia and photos from the archives of the Metallica frontman. Available in bookstores this summer, "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield" is not Hetfield's first venture into the book industry. The American musician joined forces with his Metallica bandmates for the children's book "The ABCs of Metallica," in which each letter of the alphabet highlights a moment along their musical journey from "Garage Days" to "Master of Puppets." TULSA, Okla. - In the city that bore witness to the Black Wall Street massacre of 1921, the twin epicentres of America's seismic shift on justice, race and social disparity found themselves in close proximity Saturday as President Donald Trump slammed his stalled bid for a second term back into gear. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/6/2020 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A protester stands outside the BOK Center where President Trump will hold a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) TULSA, Okla. - In the city that bore witness to the Black Wall Street massacre of 1921, the twin epicentres of America's seismic shift on justice, race and social disparity found themselves in close proximity Saturday as President Donald Trump slammed his stalled bid for a second term back into gear. They collided, briefly and without incident. Well, except for the earthquake. Supporters, undaunted by either the prospect of contracting COVID-19 or the possibility of clashes with Black Lives Matter protesters, poured into Tulsa's fortified downtown core to see the man himself back in his element: blasting back with both barrels at his legions of political enemies and detractors. But by the time Trump took the stage at the BOK Center, there were still vast tracts of empty seats in the upper deck, despite the president's insistence that demand for tickets to see him kick off the "Great American Comeback" exceeded more than a million requests. It didn't slow him down much, though. Over the course of his nearly two-hour speech, Trump repeatedly pressed down hard on the open wound that has Americans taking to the streets in search of social justice. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments ... tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands," he declared. "This cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear. They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place." Following the president's speech, tensions were high on the streets of Tulsa. As supporters filed out of the building, a large group of several hundred protesters who were gathered not far from the BOK Center clashed briefly with police, who briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd before organizers eventually managed to lead the group out out of the area. They migrated to the Greenwood district, where tensions dissipated into a peaceful celebration to mark Juneteenth, Friday's anniversary of June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas learned two and a half years late that Abraham Lincoln had abolished slavery. Before an eventful night was over, however, Mother Nature decided on a nightcap: the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 4.2-magnitude earthquake that could be felt throughout the downtown core. Trump also lingered, to great effect, on the media speculation about his health following his West Point commencement speech, which featured a tentative-looking, two-handed sip of water and his careful walk down what he described as a slippery ramp from the stage. He was wearing leather-soled shoes and the ramp was treacherous, he insisted, pantomiming his crouched old-man walk for an appreciative crowd. And his arm had been tired from saluting graduates "600 times," he said before quenching his thirst again one-handed this time and lobbing the glass to the ground. The crowd erupted with delight. "I just want him to know that we all still support him, even with all this craziness going around," said Jonathan Johnson, 30, who made the 90-minute drive from Oklahoma City for the chance to see Trump in person. "People need to open their eyes. He's not as bad as people make him out to be, and they've just got to give him a chance. He's gonna get four more years and we're excited about it Trump 2020, baby." Like many other rallygoers milling about the BOK Center, Johnson was unmasked and unconcerned about the prospect of catching COVID-19. So too was Gary Stanislawski, an Oklahoma state senator and devout Republican supporter of the president. "We accomplished what I think the goal was, and that was to flatten the curve," Stanislawski said. "I still want to be smart, protect myself, watch for others if there's people who suddenly start coughing around me or something, we brought our masks, we're ready to go. But no, I'm not concerned." It was clear, however, that the prospect for infection was real: the campaign confirmed Saturday that six members of its advance team in Tulsa had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. None of them, nor anyone who had contact with them, would attend the rally, a spokesman said in a statement. Trump appeared to make light of the crisis when he claimed the U.S. had tested 25 million people, progress that he described as a "double-edged sword" that results in more positive tests. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please'" a remark that officials with Democratic rival Joe Biden's campaign quickly seized upon as "outrageous" evidence of Trump putting politics ahead of public health. The prospect of infection didn't seem to bother Johnson. "I don't think it's as dangerous as what they make it out to be," he said. "Not going to get one of those swabs, that's for sure, I'll tell you that much heck, no." Inside, amid the familiar throb of a classic-rock soundtrack, fans waved signs, danced and erupted into cheers whenever they saw a familiar face: Eric Trump, the tag team known as Diamond and Silk or Mike Lindell, an entrepreneurial devotee of the president known to most Americans as "the MyPillow guy." Before the rally, one small group took up positions right inside the lion's den: a street party where Trump supporters were gathered, clad in and shelling out for the usual assortment of pro-Trump memorabilia, including flags, T-shirts, "Make America Great Again" hats and even face masks and shields. The interlopers silently brandished placards and Black Lives Matter messages as the Trump crowd milled about, largely uninterested. Nearby, a crowd gathered around two men at an Infowars kiosk as they took turns on the mic, insulting Democrats and mocking mask-wearing liberals. "This is important," said one of the protesters a man wearing a Black Lives Matter flag as a cape who identified himself only as Ryan when asked why the group chose such a provocative spot to set up camp. "It's no coincidence that Donald Trump chose the city of the Tulsa massacre to come and do this, on the weekend of Juneteenth, and we wanted to send a message." At one of the entrances, a woman wearing a shirt with the slogan "I Can't Breathe" George Floyd's dying words when he was killed while being arrested on a Minneapolis street last month was arrested by Tulsa police after sitting down in an area inside the security perimeter deemed to be private property. 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. Soldiers and police officers stood guard at every corner, and a two-metre steel barrier, the same used to ring the White House at the height of the protests earlier this month, circled a wide area around the arena. Many downtown streets were closed to vehicles all the more room for Trump-friendly visitors and merchants to mingle. "Shame on you," one woman bellowed from her car window at the scene on the sidewalk. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2020. With files from The Associated Press Follow James McCarten on Twitter @CdnPressStyle Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said Tulsa was in northwest Oklahoma. 'Yoga at home, Yoga with family' remains the key mantra as various chief ministers and union ministers perform yoga indoors. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday performed yoga on the 6th International Yoga Day. The 6th International Yoga Day is being observed with the theme of Yoga at home, Yoga with family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address earlier today had said that Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet and goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and descent. Chief Ministers of various states, several Union Ministers among others, performed Yoga at their residence, along with their family keeping up with the theme of the current year. Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal performs yoga at his residence, on #InternationalYogaDay today. pic.twitter.com/rPFfss9bDE ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020 Also read: Delhi LG pulls back order on home isolation after Kejriwals opposition Also read: PM Modi on Yoga Day 2020: Pranayama may help fight Covid-19 The International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. It is observed on June 21 every year to spread awareness about the importance and effects of yoga on the health of the people. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit which means to join or to unite. Also read: Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah lock horns again over India-China border tensions For all the latest National News, download NewsX App SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 12 June 2020 - With remote working becoming the new normal for organisations worldwide, companies are looking for novel ways to engage and motivate their staff. In response, regional digital employee engagement and wellness expert, Rewardz has launched StayWoW@home, a wholesome wellness program delivered entirely online. At its heart lies a curated selection of virtual fitness classes and wellness talks, designed to provide a whole range of activities to keep employees fit without leaving their homes! This is complemented by a rich digital reward marketplace with deals especially selected for a remote workforce, including telemedicine, food delivery, online groceries and more. Said Sudhanshu Tewari, Co-Founder and CEO of Rewardz, "We pride ourselves on building engagement through relevance. StayWoW@home was born as a natural response to the key concern of employee wellness cited by many of our clients in current times." The program has sparked a lot of interest from its start, with several companies in Singapore and Malaysia joining the bandwagon in a bid to ensure employee wellness and productivity. Existing clients have been keen on staying WOW. Said Joelle Chui, Senior Manager, Human Resources at NTUC First Campus Co-operative Ltd, "We are excited to get on the StayWoW@home program and keep our employees fit during these challenging times. This program is delivered through the events feature and rewards marketplace of the Rewardz@NFC app that we have been using to drive staff referrals internally, making it a seamless experience." New clients such as First Page Digital, a digital marketing agency, have also reported huge success with this employee wellness solution with many employees arranging to attend these classes together. "Keeping a team together is a new challenge in itself," highlighted Shane Liuw, General Manager of First Page Digital. "Thanks to StayWoW@home, we have been able to keep each other motivated even as we all work from home." Story continues You can StayWoW@home through company-exclusive plans or a general subscription package. More info at https://rewardz.sg/staywow/ About Rewardz Headquartered in Singapore, Rewardz is among the largest players and experts in digital engagement and incentives across Asia. It offers both cloud-based mobile and web platforms and plug-in solutions. Having served over 150 clients and 250,000 users in 19 countries, Rewardz remains focused on its vision of building one-stop engagement and wellness platforms (CERRA and Flabuless) and flexible benefits solutions complemented by a rich digital reward marketplace that is relevant across geographies, earning it coveted awards in this space. Be it to engage employees, incentivise sales team or build customer loyalty, Rewardz believes in creating change through positive reinforcement and gamification. Priding itself on building relevance, in May 2020, Rewardz launched StayWoW@home, a wholesome wellness program delivered online to cater to a remote workforce. Cairo, June 21 : The Arab League said that the rights of refugees must be a "central axis" of efforts against the coronavirus pandemic because people uprooted from their homes are especially vulnerable amid a pandemic. Arab countries host nearly half of the world's refugees, including 5.5 million Palestinians, the league said in a statement marking World Refugee Day, reports Efe news. "Refugees are among the most vulnerable to this pandemic, because they are more exposed to diseases due to their living conditions in camps," the League said in a statement on Saturday, calling World Refugee Day an opportunity for the world "to show its support for this group and its commitment to international solidarity". One way for the international community to demonstrate that support would be to "share the burden" with countries that have taken in large numbers of refugees. The Arab League called for international cooperation to provide refugees and other displaced people with the "necessary care" and "the economic and social support". While many of the refugees sheltering in the Arab nations are from some of the league's 22 member-states, people from sub-Saharan Africa have also found haven in the countries represented by the Arab League. Most of the refugees reside in urban centers among the local population and relatively few of them are in purpose-built camps. The governments of the Arab League nations hosting the largest numbers of refugees, notably Lebanon and Jordan, have repeatedly said that they lack the resources to meet the needs of the refugees and ensure their access to basic services. The latest bulletin from the World Health Organization puts the number of COVID-19 cases in what WHO designates as the Eastern Mediterranean region (extending from Morocco to Pakistan) at 878,428, while the death toll stands at 19,560. A York County long-term care facility saw a significant increase in coronavirus cases over the weekend. While it may seem like a spike in cases, officials with ManorCare Health Services York South say the numbers reflect increased testing. Now that testing is finally available for long-term care facilities, we have been able to do whole house testing, HCR ManorCare spokeswoman Julie Beckert said told PennLive in an email Sunday. When you increase testing, you will have more positive cases identified since many individuals have no symptoms. As of Saturday, the York Township skilled nursing and rehabilitation center had 18 patients test positive for the coronavirus and 36 employees, she said. Thats up from three patients and five employees on Friday, she said. The Pennsylvania Department of Health showed no cases at the facility in their latest numbers from June 10. Many of the people who tested positive in the new cases at ManorCare were asymptomatic and the testing may go a long way in helping the facility fight the virus. We have been advocating for testing and support it 100 percent since many individuals are asymptomatic, Beckert said. This way we can manage and contain the virus faster and reduce the spread. She said eight of the patients who tested positive were asymptomatic. The employees who tested positive are all in self quarantine. They would have been in proper personal protective equipment while working and followed proper hygiene protocols, she said. Officials check employees regularly for signs and symptoms of the coronavirus. Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, account for many of the coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the latest numbers show 17,000 resident cases of the coronavirus statewide and 3,034 cases among employees, totaling 20,034 at 658 facilities in 47 counties. As of Saturday, Pennsylvania had 81,266 total positive cases. Out of the states 6,419 total deaths, 4,381 have occurred among residents of nursing or personal care facilities. Beckert said ManorCares facilities have been following the recommended protocols and added enhanced monitoring, screening and communications with employees, patients and families. Our employees are working extremely hard and in a challenging environment, she said. They have had to think outside the box to keep families and patients informed and connected, change how we serve meals, deliver therapy and present activities while maintaining social distancing, hygiene practices and wearing PPE. They are true health care heroes and deserve to be recognized as such. 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sausan Atika and Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 17:32 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40660787dc 1 City capital-city-relocation,#CapitalCityRelocation,Jakarta-Anniversary,#Jakarta,urban-development,#urban,COVID-19,#COVID19 Free Millions have a love-hate relationship with Jakarta, a city that many believe offers a chance at greater fortunes, but that means living with intractable urban issues, from severe traffic congestion to dreadful air pollution and awful flooding. The central government announced last year that it would relocate the capital to East Kalimantan, easing the pressures on the densely populated Jakarta. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with its impacts on the economy threatening to derail the relocation plan as the government struggles to secure financing. Much of the preparatory work has been delayed as the government shifts its focus to tackling the pandemic. While President Joko Jokowi Widodo has yet to make a public statement on the projects continuation, he will announce a decision at the appropriate time, said National Planning Agencys (Bappenas) regional development deputy head Rudy Soeprihadi Prawiradinata, who is part of the team in charge of the project. Regardless of whether Jakarta relinquished its capital status, the home to some 10 million people will remain the countrys business and economic center, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said. Jakarta contributed 17.34 percent to Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, the greatest contribution of all provinces, which highlights its significance to the countrys economy. Jakarta will continue to serve as the center of business and the economy. We arrived at this role from a very long process. So, I think that role will continue. It will not change, Anies told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. In addition, Jakarta was determined to become a resilient city, he said. The pandemic has opened up our eyes about the direction a resilient city needs to head in. [] The good provision of basic services is not enough. What is needed in the future are resilient urban services, Anies said, adding that Jakarta must transform itself into a digital-oriented city. Anies said he believed Jakartans would see their long struggle against the COVID-19 outbreak as an opportunity to advance the citys development. I believe when we come out of this crisis, the public sector, as well as the private sector will be able to utilize opportunities in this city in a better way, he said. Read also: Jokowi's capital relocation dream faces COVID-19 hurdle Before the pandemic hit the city, a series of development projects had been planned to make the city more livable, including a Rp 571 trillion (US$40.5 billion) "urban regeneration" project. The 10-year plan will focus on infrastructure development, including the creation of a better integrated public transit system and the improvement of the citys clean water and wastewater systems, housing and flood control system. The city has sought to pursue the project through private-public partnerships. With the pandemic forcing many countries and businesses into austerity mode, Anies said the city administration would need to seek creative funding options. The agenda [still] stands, but given the fact we are experiencing a significant [economic] contraction, those projects will need alternative financing, he said. Rudy from Bappenas said the capital relocation plan would leave Jakarta unchanged aside from its status as the capital. It will retain its provincial special autonomy status so that the city administration may effectively manage the 661 square kilometer region and its urban regeneration project will continue, Rudy said. Unlike other provinces, regional elections are only held in Jakarta to elect the governor. While in most other provinces, regional elections are held to elect mayors and regents, the Jakarta governor has the sole authority to appoint the citys civil servants as mayors and regents of the citys six administrative areas. We have invested so much in Jakarta, so we want it to return to being a livable city [by addressing] its existing problems such as traffic congestion, land subsidence and sea-level rise. We also want to restore its role as the center of the economy, Rudy said. "Do not let Jakarta, a place where we have invested so much, stop developing." During the first quarter of this year, Jakarta recorded its lowest economic growth rate in a decade of 5.06 percent, according to the Jakarta chapter of Statistics Indonesia (BPS Jakarta). The yearly city budget was also cut in half, leaving many urban development projects in limbo. Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD) executive director Robert Endi Jaweng said Jakarta, which relies heavily on the trade and service sectors, would face an arduous journey to regain its economic capacity. He said Jakartas recovery should be a collective effort involving the city administration, central government and private sector. Yet, he said bringing the COVID-19 outbreak under control should be Jakartas utmost priority. Public health is not merely about protecting human rights. It is also the main factor that will determine whether the economy will make it through the pandemic or not, he said. The economy cannot cope under a lengthy period of uncertainty [created by the pandemic]. T ravel operator Tui will resume short-haul trips in July and has said it has "absolute confidence" that the Government will lift travel restrictions within three weeks. The company said that the plan depends on the Government scrapping the 14-day quarantine for its destination countries, Spain and Greece, and putting an end to the advice against all non-essential travel. Commercial director Richard Sofer said: "Due to the size of our organisation weve been able to have a presence in each of those Government conversations through our aviation team or through the senior members of the UK business. Were well-informed of where those discussions are. A beach in Spain / AFP via Getty Images Obviously many of those conversations are confidential but that gives us great confidence to open up a small programme to a couple of really key countries, eight key gateways for us. We have absolute confidence that were going to be getting a positive result from the Government in time for July. Tui is already taking people from Germany on holiday, with flights to Portugal's Algarve region starting again this week. Mr Sofer said that travel advice from the Foreign Office was "unhelpful" compared to European governments. Flights to certain destinations could restart in July / PA He added: "Our European colleagues have benefited where theyve had clear lines in the sand and dates to be working to. The UK position is effectively just under review, so its uncertain." Mr Sofer said that social distancing measures would be in place in all resorts, but that holidays would remain mostly the same as before the pandemic. It is unclear when Tui will be able to restart long-haul flights. His comments come the day after Spain announced that British tourists would be welcome in the country from Sunday, although holidaymakers would still face a 14-day quarantine when they came back to the UK. A Foreign Office spokesperson said in response to Mr Sofer's comments: We are monitoring the global travel situation closely and keeping our advice against all non-essential travel under continuous review. Jammu and Kashmir: A terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter in the Larkiporaarea of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (June 21, 2020). The dead body of the terrorist has been recovered by the Indian army. A joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search-operation in the area, said a police official. The terrorists were hiding in orchards of the Larkipora area of Kulgam, which is on the border of Shopian-Kulgam. On Saturday, another terrorist was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir and at least two to three terrorists are, reportedly, trapped. The terrorists first were asked to surrender but they refused and fired on the security forces. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter. This is the 11th encounter in south Kashmir and around 36 terrorists have been killed so far including few top commanders. This is a developing story. More details are awaited. By IANS NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the statement he made at the all-party meeting and then on the PMO's clarification on the statement, demanding an explanation from him. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, in a press conference, asked: "Has not the PM in a way endorsed the Chinese position that they never intruded into our territories? PM must explain." The Congress alleged that the Prime Minister has contradicted his own ministers. "It is clear that Prime Minister's statement of June 19, 2020 is in contradiction of the statements made by the Defence Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister and Army Chief," Sibal said. "Until the Chinese retreat and status quo is restored, our Government should not let up or appear to cede any part of these territories to the Chinese," he further said. READ| 'Be fully prepared': Rajnath briefs CDS, service chiefs on LAC Sibal posed five questions to the government -- Isn't the statement of PM an affront to the valour and supreme sacrifice of Colonel B. Santosh Babu? Is it not correct that China had never claimed Galwan Valley as its territory? Is it also not correct that China has now committed brazen transgressions into Galwan Valley? The Congress asked, despite the statement of security experts, army generals & satellite imagery depicting Chinese intrusion into Pangong Tso Lake up to nearly eight km, construction of over 60 permanent structures, including bunkers and boat pads & occupation up to Finger 4, why is the government denying the brazen Chinese transgression? The Congress leader raised the issue of the PM's statement in the all-party meeting that "no one intruded into our territory" and asked "Why did PMO delete these words from the official statement? "And if no one intruded into our territory, how did our 20 soldiers die? How were 85 jawans seriously injured and how were 10 officers and jawans captured by the Chinese? Why does the statement of the External Affairs Ministry dated June 20, 2020, contradict the PM's statement on incursions by the Chinese?" The party asked why the Prime Minister was denying his own Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister's statements that Chinese have sought to "erect structure in the Galwan Valley on our side? "Why is PM refuting the statement of Raksha Mantri on 'Chinese presence in large numbers' and EAM's statement that we seek to restore 'status quo ante'? Didn't the Army Chief clearly state that 'disengagement'is underway? If 'no one has intruded into our territory' and 'no one is occupying our territory', what was being erected by China or what status quo ante or disengagement were we seeking? The Congress said that entire nation stands solidly behind the armed forces and the government on every step that they will take to defend India's territorial integrity. "India's armed forces and the people of India will protect our territorial integrity with all the might. We will never compromise on issues of national security," Sibal said. "Our territorial integrity will not be compromised under any circumstances. We will repulse every sinister design of China to usurp India's territory. Any attempt by China to illegally appropriate India's territory will be repelled. India's forces have in the last 53 years successfully repulsed all attempts by China to foray across the LAC - Be it in 1967 in Nathu La, in 1986 in Sum Dorong Chu Valley, Arunachal Pradesh or in 2013 in the Depsang Valley in Ladakh. Nepal on Sunday claimed that 90 per cent of its coronavirus cases are migrant workers who returned from abroad, mostly from India, as the country's tally inched closer to the 10,000-mark with 421 new cases. The virus has now spread to 75 of the total 77 districts in the country, the Health Ministry said. The confirmation of 421 new cases pushed Nepal's coronavirus infection tally to 9,026. Dr Basudev Pandey, director at Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health said 90 per cent of Nepal's coronavirus cases are migrant workers, who returned from abroad, mostly from India, and 98 per cent of the infected people did not show any symptom. Of the 421 new cases, 64 are female while 357 are male, the Health Ministry said at its daily media briefing. The death toll due to COVID-19 on Sunday increased to 23 following the death of a 69-year old paralysis patient, who recently returned from India after treatment, said the Health Ministry spokesperson. On Sunday, 194 recoveries were reported, eight of them females and 186 males. With this total recovery cases have reached 1,772, of which 149 are females and 1623 males. Currently, 7,231 coronavirus active patients are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. 21.06.2020 LISTEN An Aspirant in the just-ended NPP primaries in Sunyani East, Lawyer Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has congratulated Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh for being elected once again as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the constituents. While congratulating my elder brother, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh for his re-election as our Parliamentary Candidate, I wish to reiterate my unflinching support towards our collective bid to consolidate the party's victory in the 2020 general elections, he said in a Press Release issued in Sunyani on Sunday. Lawyer Tuah-Yeboah expressed his appreciation to delegates, the media and all those who solidarized and supported him during the process. He was happy that he was able to conduct a clean and decent campaign devoid of insults, rancor and acrimony and encouraged others to promote. The mere fact of being able to successfully go through this process by sticking strictly to my cherished principles of clean and insult free campaign is something I will encourage each one of us to promote. The will of God which has been expressed through our delegates is supreme and I wholeheartedly accept it, the Press Release said. Find below the full text of the Press Release issued in Sunyani today Sunday June 21, 2020. PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF LAWYER ALFRED TUAH-YEBOAH, NPP PARLIAMENTARY ASPIRANT, SUNYANI EAST CONSTITUENCY Many thanks to every one of you, especially the NPP delegates in the Sunyani East Constituency and also the media for your solidarity and support toward me in our just-ended Parliamentary primaries and I am extremely grateful to you for your time and energy during this great period of our party. While congratulating my elder brother, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh for his re-election as our Parliamentary Candidate, I wish to reiterate my unflinching support towards our collective bid to consolidate the party's victory in the 2020 general elections. The mere fact of being able to successfully go through this process by sticking strictly to my cherished principles of clean and insult free campaign is something I will encourage each one of us to promote. The will of God which has been expressed through our delegates is supreme and I wholeheartedly accept it. The battle still remains the Lord's. Once again, Congratulations to my elder brother Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh for his victory. God richly bless you all. Long live Ghana Long live Sunyani East constituency and the New Patriotic party Thank you. ....... SIGNED...... LAWYER ALFRED TUAH-YEBOAH Media Contacts: Lawyer Alfred Tuah-Yeboah - 0244601002 Richard Boahen (Special Aide) - 0248693637 Canada has launched an investigation after some 500 puppies -- 38 of them dead -- were found on board a Ukraine International Airlines plane at the Toronto airport, officials said Saturday. The surviving French bulldogs, a popular breed in Canada, were suffering from symptoms including dehydration, weakness and vomiting when they were found on the flight from Ukraine which landed at Toronto Pearson Airport on June 13, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a statement. The agency "will determine next steps once the investigation is complete," it said. A dog handler who was picking up another animal from the airport cargo area where the puppies were discovered last Saturday told the CBC of a "horror scene," adding: "It was a nightmare." UIA offered its "condolences for the tragic loss of animal life on our flight" and said on Facebook that it was working with local authorities. Puppy sales are "lucrative" in Canada, Scott Weese of the University of Guelph told the CBC. Most buyers believe the animals are bred in Canada, but the reality is "we have no idea how many dogs come in, where they go, where they come from," he said, adding that there was "potentially some organized crime component." "You mentioned 500 French bulldogs. If those are going for sale at $3,000 to $4,000 a dog, that's a massive amount of money," he told the broadcaster. NEW YORKThe owner of Eskimo Pie is changing its name and marketing of the nearly century-old chocolate-covered ice-cream bar, the latest brand to reckon with racially charged logos and marketing. We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory, said Elizabell Marquez, head of marketing for Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, the U.S. subsidiary for Froneri, in a statement. This move is part of a larger review to ensure our company and brands reflect our people values. The treat was patented by Christian Kent Nelson of Ohio and his business partner Russell C. Stover in 1922, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Eskimo Pie joins a growing list of brands that are rethinking their marketing in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in recent weeks triggered by the death of George Floyd. Quaker Oats announced Wednesday that it will retire the Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the characters origins are based on a racial stereotype. Other companies are reviewing their name or logo. Geechie Boy Mill, a family-owned operation in South Carolina that makes locally grown and milled white grits, said Wednesday it is listening and reviewing our overall branding, though no decisions have been made. Geechee is a dialect spoken mainly by the descendants of African-American slaves who settled on the Ogeechee River in Georgia, according to Merriam-Webster.com. Mars Inc. said its also reviewing its Uncle Bens rice brand. B&G Foods Inc., which makes Cream of Wheat hot cereal, also said this past week it is initiating an immediate review of its packaging. A smiling Black chef holding a bowl of cereal has appeared on Cream of Wheat packaging and in ads since at least 1918, according to the companys website. Chicago-based Conagra Brands, which makes Mrs. Butterworths syrup, said its bottles which are shaped like a matronly woman are intended to evoke a loving grandmother. But the company said it can understand that the packaging could be misinterpreted. Critics have long claimed that the bottles design is rooted in the mammy stereotype. San Antonio officials reported 382 new coronavirus cases Saturday as the number of confirmed infections continued to climb rapidly. The new cases brought the total for Bexar County since the start of the pandemic to 6,344. No new deaths were reported, leaving the countys COVID-19 death toll at 96. The latest Metro Health data listed 336 people with COVID-19 in San Antonio hospitals, up from 322 on Friday. Of those patients, 111 were in intensive care, up from 101 on Friday, and 49 were on ventilators to help them breathe. Warning indicators show that the stress on the areas health system is still in the medium range; the stress is measured by the availability of staffed hospital beds, ventilators and personal protective equipment in Bexar County. While fewer beds and ventilators are available since the hospitalization numbers have been increasing, the percentages are still good, officials say. Saturday, 27 percent of the San Antonio regions 4,686 staffed hospital beds and 77 percent of its 693 ventilators were available. Another warning indicator carefully watched by city, county and health officials is the percentage of tests that turn out positive, also known as the positivity rate. This, coupled with the increasing number of new cases and hospitalized patients, has been a growing concern for officials. For most of May, the positivity rate hovered at about 3.5 percent. On June 6, it jumped to 4.5 percent. A week later, it had more than doubled to 9.3 percent. With COVID-19 numbers surging, the Freeman Coliseum free testing site has reached capacity through Tuesday, city officials said. Residents seeking a test are encouraged to visit COVID19.sanantonio.gov for a list of other sites throughout Bexar County. Although many testing sites are overwhelmed with demand for COVID-19 tests, we are increasing the capacity to test and expanding access to both no-cost and paid testing sites across Bexar County, Dawn Emerick, director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said in a news release. If you have health insurance, please call a healthcare provider and save the free tests for those who do not have coverage, Emerick said. Everyone with symptoms should self-isolate and wear a mask until they can be tested. The Texas Military Department will be in Bexar County Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. conducting testing at ESD #12, Station 136, at 11800 Hwy 87 E in the town of Adkins. Effective Monday, all public and private testing sites in Bexar County will have the collective capacity to test at least 5,200 people per day, city officials said. Additionally, walk-up testing will be expanded to six days per week, Monday through Saturday. Locations and times of the walk-up events will be posted on the Citys website. On Monday, June 22nd through Wednesday, June 24th, walk-up tests will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jordan Middle School. Area reports Comal County also has seen a significant increase in its COVID-19 cases and positivity rate in recent days. Saturday, officials reported 48 new cases for a countywide total of 346. Of that total, 173 are considered active cases. Eight people with COVID-19 are in the hospital. Most of the new cases occurred in New Braunfels. The positivity rate was at 7.11 percent Saturday, up from 6.27 percent on Friday and 4.77 percent a week ago. It is the highest rate of positive tests since April 23, Comal County officials reported. As of Saturday, 4,869 tests have been conducted. There were no new deaths reported in Comal County on Saturday; the death toll stands at seven. FILE PHOTO: The logo commodities trader Glencore is pictured in Baar By Zandi Shabalala and Helen Reid LONDON/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Switzerland's Attorney General's Office (OAG) has opened a criminal probe into commodity miner and trader Glencore over allegations it failed to have measures in place to prevent corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Swiss-based, London-listed multinational, which is subject to various international inquiries, said it would cooperate with the probe, but declined to comment further. In a statement on Friday, the OAG said it opened the criminal proceedings against Glencore this month, but it was not possible to predict the timeframe or course of the case. Prosecutors began investigations against "unknown perpetrators" after receiving a complaint in 2017 on suspicion of bribery of foreign public officials, the OAG said. Glencore also faces corruption and bribery investigations by several other entities including the U.S. Department of Justice and Britain's Serious Fraud Office. It has said it was cooperating with all proceedings. Canada's regulatory authorities fined a Glencore-controlled subsidiary in 2018 after allegations of inadequate financial disclosures in the DRC. QUESTIONS OVER FORMER ISRAELI PARTNER The numerous probes and exposure to coal have seen Glencore's shares underperform peers. Glencore mines copper and cobalt from Congo, where its links to former partner and Israeli billionaire businessman Dan Gertler have been the subject of scrutiny. Gertler was sanctioned by the United States in 2017 over allegations he used his friendship with former DRC President Joseph Kabila to secure sweetheart mining deals. He denied all allegations of impropriety at the time. Congo Mines Minister Willy Kitobo Samsoni and a spokesman for the presidency were not immediately available to comment. Congo is the world's largest producer of cobalt, used in batteries for electric vehicles, and Africa's biggest miner of copper. Story continues The top brass at Glencore is expected to step down this year after years of leadership under South African CEO Ivan Glasenberg. Glencore's founder Marc Rich was indicted in 1983 for exploiting the U.S. embargo against Iran, tax evasion, fraud and racketeering. He fled to Switzerland, where he remained a fugitive pursued by the Justice Department until he was pardoned by then President Bill Clinton in 2001. (Reporting by Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru, Zandi Shabalala in London, Michael Shields in Zurich, Helen Reid in Johannesburg, and Hereward Holland in Calstock; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) A new goal will be set within weeks to ensure better education for Indigenous children in a national plan to fix a critical failure in the early years of high school. The federal government is close to a deal with the states and territories to lift classroom performance by acting on shocking attrition rates that have seen young children leave school years too early. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra last week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age he wanted local communities to have a voice in the way classes were run to prevent the waste of incredible human capital among the young. The federal government is aiming to reach the deal on July 3 as part of a Closing the Gap plan that will also commit to improvements on health, welfare and Indigenous incarceration. While India lost 20 soldiers in the violent clash at Galwan area, China lost more than 40 soldiers, Union Minister General V K Singh (retired) said. This is the first response from anyone in the government on casualties on the Chinese side in the clash. China has not said anything about any losses in the hand-to-hand combat that took place in the heavily contested Galwan Valley in the western Himalayas, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and at least 76 injured. If 20 were martyred on our (Indian) side, then there would have been at least double the casualties on their (China) side, V K Singh, the minister for roads and transport, was quoted as telling TV News24 in an interview broadcast late on Saturday. Singh did not provide any evidence to support his statement. He said China historically never accepted any war casualties including in the 1962 conflict with India. Chinas state controlled Global Times said earlier there had been casualties on the Chinese side but did not elaborate. Singh said the Indian side had handed over Chinese troops who had strayed into Indian territory after the violent standoff. Different varieties of colorful masks being sold at a street-side shop amid Unlock 1.0 during the fifth phase of the nationwide lockdown imposed to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, in Kolkata on June 19, 2020. (Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS photo) In a release issued on Saturday, June 20, the London Selected Yearling Sale announced that the 2020 edition of the sale would be conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this year, the sale will be rebranded as the London Virtual Yearling Sale and will be conducted in concert with OnGait. Sale manager Ann Straatman told Trot Insider on Saturday afternoon that the plan is currently for horses to sell every 10 minutes during the auction period. Forty horses will close each day, with those horses open for bidding for 48 hours, then start closing noon on the second day and close every 10 minutes after that. Horses will sell virtually from noon until 6:30 p.m. each afternoon. Straatman is also extremely cognizant of the fact that the usual venue for the sale -- the Metroland Media Agriplex in London, Ont. -- is currently being used as a field hospital by the London Health Sciences Centre. "Currently, it's a field hospital and they have asked to extend their lease until the end of September," said Straatman. "Again, preparing for if there is a surge or a second wave in cases. It was a big endeavour for them to turn it into a hospital. They're even using the stalls as dividers for each room." As of right now there are 280 horses entered in the London sale but that number is subject to change if the consignors aren't comfortable with the new format. As the "first one to jump into the pool," Straatman knows the concept may take some people some time to accept. "We have 280 horses entered in the sale. But of course, at the time when I received the applications, we were still hoping to go with Plan A which was a live auction at our facility. But, as I promised when I took the applications, I've had good communication will all the consignors...the future is unknown and certainly our hope and plan was to go with Plan A, but if we couldn't do that and there was a format change, all consignors and owners would have the opportunity to withdraw without penalty if they felt that the new virtual way was not for them. "I have given consignors until June 30th to decide if they would like to stay or if they are going to withdraw, and I'll have a definite number by the end of the month. We're currently at 280 and I hope to keep them all." Trying to keep some semblance of familiarity in this new normal, the sale will still have a traditional printed and mailed sale catalogue and that book will receive its usual distribution. "We are still going to be offering a catalogue, which will be mailed to our currently 2,000 recipients, and we'll have that catalogue distributed around Ontario as we always do to the racetracks, tack shops, training centres, and still make that familiar part of selling yearlings available," stated Straatman. "The catalogue will be hip numbered and will indicate which day each horse will be opening and closing, and at what time their sales will be closing. "All horse will be hip numbered, alphabetically by dam, starting with the letter N, but we still encourage people to inspect the horses, make appointments with the farms, and it will be up to the owners and consignors to set up appointments and physically distance and limit the number of people for their own facilities." What the catalogue won't have is a stall reference. Instead, information will be added to denote the day and time for the horse's auction. The sale is also planning to embrace the virtual element of the auction by providing online maps and locations of the consigned yearlings. "It's something that I use when I'm planning the inspections of the yearlings, and we of course couldn't do inspections this season because of the restrictions due to the pandemic." Knowing how long some people might take to get accustomed to the new sale format and its associated differences, Straatman noted that the sale organizers felt it was important to make this decision in enough time to give people the time they need to adjust and plan for how this yearling season will likely be different in ways they might not have started to consider. "This was the reason we wanted to do it right away, bring it out right away, so people would get used to the new way of doing things this year, and hopefully plan well in advance their inspections, and the time when owners and consignors do their video taping, also do photographs of their horses and even videos of the horses walking as they are often shown at the sale, so that people can have a greater online offering. And hopefully people will feel comfortable by viewing what's available even if they can't see the horse in person. "We're going to try to all what we can to get as much information as we can to the buyers and I think this a greater opportunity than it is a risk. It really does open up our bidding to the onboarders, beyond a single location." Given how much more commonly people are using apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Meet and FaceTime amid the coronavirus pandemic, Straatman is hopeful that consignors also see the opportunity in providing potential buyers with these virtual inspections. "You could even communicate with the owner at that time and ask, 'can I see that hock a little more closely? can you pick up that left front? I'd like to see how that horse is shod'...all those things that you would normally do at the sale, we do have the technology now to do it virtually so I hope that people will take advantage of that opportunity. "And there's lots of time for people to get signed up on OnGait, to plan their inspections, for consignors and owners to decide when they're going to bring their horses in, when they're going to have the horses available for viewing...there's a lot of things that knowing now how they're going to do it there's a big advantage for us, instead of waiting until the fall, finding out we really can't go with a live auction, and then changing the format suddenly for people." The full release from the London Selected Yearling Sale follows: The London Selected Yearling Sale has been tasked with an unprecedented enterprise in 2020: to sell yearlings safely and effectively, while the number of people allowed to gather at an indoor facility has been so severely restricted in Ontario. Without being able to predict how the novel coronavirus will alter our future, we believe it is important to make a plan now, which will not change should COVID-19 continue to change our ability to conduct business, in person, this fall. For this reason, and for the safety of all participants, London Selected Yearling Sale has decided to go totally virtual using the well-known online auction platform, OnGait.com. London Selected Yearling Sale will continue to support consignors and buyers with a traditional yearling sale catalogue and offer enhanced features on our website. You can expect more videos and photos of each yearling both on the sale website and on ongait.com. We will also be providing a new application with Google Maps, which will help buyers find the yearlings they want to inspect prior to the sale. Every farm boarding yearlings in the sale will be marked with a pin on the sale websites Google Maps, allowing buyers to plan their inspections of yearlings in the most efficient way possible. The decision to abandon our traditional live auction format at the Western Fair Agriplex in London, Ont. was a very difficult one; but we believe that this is the right thing to do for everyone involved, said Ann Straatman, sale manager. It is our hope that buyers and consignors will perceive this change to be an opportunity rather than a risk, which will expand our bidding audience without limitations. Malboro Seelster sells at the 2019 London Selected Yearling Sale Malboro Seelster sells at the 2019 London Selected Yearling Sale SARS-CoV-2 has changed the world we live in and no one is immune to its influence, both literally and figuratively. The London sale company will continue to help to bring to you, in the safest way possible, an outstanding group of mostly Ontario-eligible yearlings, from some of the best maternal families available in our sport. The Ontario racing program and product continues to be one of the best in North America and we eagerly look forward to your participation in the London Virtual Yearling Sale this October 18 until October 24 during our virtual auction on OnGait.com. (LSYS) In the wake of the death of 46-year-old African-American George Floyd, several historical figures across the US and Europe who were hitherto revered in history have been called out for who they really were - racist enslavers and slave traders. And now, it seems even institutions carrying the names of racist persona will not be tolerated. The latest big name to be contested is that of Yale University founder Elihu Yale who has not only been revealed to be a slave owner but also a slave trader, despite the Britannica Encyclopedia terming his as a "philanthropist". In wake of the debate, the #CancelYale hashtag movement has been growing in strength on social media with over 50,000 tweets on the microblogging site Twitter by Saturday evening. The Boston-born Yale was the President of the East India Company's Madras (present-day Chennai) settlement in St George, India. An American-born British merchant, Yale has been accused of racism and slavery in India, most famously by two of his paintings that used to hang inside Yale University - both featuring its founder prosperous founder Yale along with a brown boy, seemingly an Indian slave, wearing a collar like an animal. While historians remain mixed about his slave trading links, historical evidence suggests that Yale not only practices in and benefitted from the practice of buying and selling slaves but also mandated that European ships carry back at least ten slaves on board while returning from colonies like India. Wales-based ITV News reported. READ: 'Brutal Enslaver': Twitter Cheers on as BLM Protestors Bring Down Christopher Columbus Statues #CalcelYale With the debate on Yale, Twitter and other social media platforms were filled with criticism for both the Boston-born Elihu Yale as well as institutions that refused to identify racist leaders as who they really were. Author Ann Coulter, known for her right-wing views, also took to Twitter and wrote, "202 years of celebrating a racist, genocidal slave trader is enough. YALE. MUST. CHANGE. ITS. NAME". Several others including TV presenter Jesse Kelly, Yale University was named for Elihu Yale. Not just a man who had slaves. An actual slave trader. I call on @Yale to change its name immediately and strip the name of Yale from every building, piece of paper, and merchandise. Otherwise, they hate black people. #CancelYale Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) June 20, 2020 ATTENTION: The @Yale Center for British Art is currently displaying this painting of Elihu Yale, prominent slave trader. Yale hates black people and thinks they should be traded as commodities. #CancelYale pic.twitter.com/sYa2AvvI0u Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) June 20, 2020 202 years of celebrating a racist, genocidal slave trader is enough. YALE. MUST. CHANGE. ITS. NAME. #CancelYale Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 19, 2020 ATTENTION: The @Yale Center for British Art is currently displaying this painting of Elihu Yale, prominent slave trader. Yale hates black people and thinks they should be traded as commodities. #CancelYale pic.twitter.com/sYa2AvvI0u Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) June 20, 2020 Yale's entire campus is a monument to slavery. #CancelYale Michael Berry (@MichaelBerrySho) June 20, 2020 For those calling #CancelYale a trollMy question is:If you believe in tearing down the monuments to confederate generals due to slaveryHow do you *not* rename a university named after a slave trader, Elihu Yale? Cernovich (@Cernovich) June 20, 2020 There is a very strong case to #CancelYale pic.twitter.com/O0MntS6avR Jon Schwarz (@schwarz) June 21, 2020 This type of systemic racism has to go #CancelYale Stephen Antolin (@stephen_antolin) June 19, 2020 Not the first time Calls for "Cancel Yale" started doing the rounds last week following a petition in Wales, UK, to change the name of a pub in Wrexham called the "The Elihu Yale" pub. This, however, is not the first time that Yale University has had to change names due to racism. In 2017, Yale changed the name of its Calhoun College - named after former US Vice President and Yale graduate John C Calhoun after protesters said the Ivy League school should drop the honor it gave to an alumnus who was a prominent advocate of U.S. slavery. The call for renaming institutions came following the custodial police killing of George Floyd in the American town of Minneapolis in Minnesota in May that sparked a chain of protests across the US. As anti-racism and Black Lives Matter protests spread across the world, protesters took to toppling or defacing busts and statues of historical persons such as Edward Colston who were respected despite their racist and white-supremacist past. READ: Toppling of Slave Trader Edward Colston's Statue by BLM Protesters is a Reminder of 'Poetic Justice' MANZINI While government is scrapping for every penny and channelling it towards the fight against COVID-19, it now has a fresh headache to deal with. This is because thugs have disregarded the safety of the public that will use the E91.7 million Sikhuphe-Hlane freeway as they keep on looting what is meant to protect them. The thieves have stolen large portions of the fence which was put on both sides of the road to prevent stray animals and livestock from walking onto the freeway. They also took some of the gates put up along the fence, which give people and motorists access to the road. It is worth noting that this public road also connects Hlane Royal Residence, which is located in the Lubombo Region, to the state-of-the-art King Mswati III International Airport. Hlane Royal Residence is one of the two royal residences where Their Majesties host the annual Marula (Buganu) Festival, which usually attracts tourists from across the globe. The construction of the road is almost finished and it is about to be handed over to government. According to concerned Sikhuphe community members, it is believed that the thieves started stealing the fence and gates during the partial lockdown and the latest incident took place last Wednesday night. They suppose that the thieves took advantage of the minimal movement of people, which meant that nights had been quiet and ideal for them to conduct their operations. Temperatures During the latest incident (Wednesday), they used the bone-chilling temperatures to their advantage as there was dense fog and drizzle at the same time, which makes it difficult to spot someone, the concerned community members said. They said the actions of the thieves were hindering development and placing peoples lives and livestock in danger. They said in as much it was the responsibility of livestock owners to keep their animals away from the road, it was currently winter and grass was scarce, so the slim opportunity they got, cattle and wild animals go to graze on the overgrown grassland near public roads. Again, they said even though they reported the criminal activities to the police, they had done some investigations with community police members and they were led to believe that the thieves were from neighbouring communities. They said the matter needed to be thoroughly investigated by police as they had the authority to investigate such cases. We cannot do that ourselves because it could be translated as taking the law into our own hands and we might end up in jail, one of the community members said. Meanwhile, Dvokodvweni Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Magagula said he had also seen the damage done by the thieves. He said the fence had been stolen from both sides of the road. The MP said even though during the partial lockdown they had noted that the rate of crime had increased, maybe due to the fact that most people were on unpaid lay-offs and there was no business for small-medium enterprises (SMEs), but the law had not changed. In that regard, he said the thieves needed to be brought to book and face the wrath of the law. This is because peoples lives, including that of the thieves and visitors (tourists), are at risk because wild animals and livestock stray onto the road, the MP said. On another note, he urged contractors to always put unique marks along the fence, like Eswatini Railway, which paints it. He said this would help community members to easily spot any stolen fence and report it to the police. The MP urged community members to contact the police when they see piles of fence similar to the one used to fence the public road. Moreover, he emphasised that such action was condemned in the strongest terms as this hindered development. He said this was because there were ongoing plans by government to construct a multi-million city at Sikhuphe. He said if such criminal activities continued, the proposed city would remain a fairy tale and prospective investors might change their mind. Egypt is planning to allocate EGP 34.5 billion for investments in the countrys agriculture sector in the coming 2020/2021 fiscal year beginning in July, up around 2 percent from the current year, Planning Minister Hala El Saeed said in a statement on Sunday. The water and irrigation ministrys investments in FY2020/2021 are estimated at EGP 8.32 billion, to be mostly provided form state coffers, El Said added. The government is targeting an increase of 14.5 percent in agricultural production in the next fiscal year to reach EGP 10.75 billion, as opposed to EGP 9.38 billion this year. Agriculture sectors share in the countrys gross domestic product (GDP), meanwhile, is planned to rise 14.7 percent to EGP 76.8 billion, to make up 11.8 percent of GDP. Agricultural exports are also projected to rise by 5-10 percent to $2.7 billion, the minister added. Egypts labour-intensive agriculture sector is a key provider of industrial inputs and a main source of job opportunities in rural areas, the minister added. In April, the Egyptian African Businessmens Association (EABA) said Egypts agricultural sector had not been affected by the coronavirus crisis, adding that Egypt had sufficient strategic food reserves expected to last for three months. Search Keywords: Short link: Welcome to our weekly round-up of charity news. If you belong to a local charity and have anything you would like to have included, please email us at fethyetimes2017@gmail.com by 12 noon on Fridays. Fethiye International Group (FIG) charity shop reopens to customers Non-essential retail stores were given the green light to reopen by the government on 11 May after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic since March. Over the weeks the FIG shop was closed, members of the management team have been working very hard to give the shop a fresh new look and implementing vital safety measures to keep their team members and customers safe. The FIG management team are now delighted to be able to announce that shop will reopen on Monday 22 June at 11am. What measures have been implemented? The shop has been decorated, cleaned and professionally sanitised. All team members and customers MUST wear a mask at all times. The temperature of team members and customers will be checked before entering the shop. All customers must sanitize their hands on entry. Social distancing markers have been installed at the pay point. Have a look at our photo gallery Photographs by Norman Clark Professional sanitising Hand sanister on entry Information signs in the shop window Social distance markers For further details of professional sanitizing and products please contact Semih Ozguder via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp 0090 532 155 9605. Shop opening hours For the time being the shop will be open on reduced hours: Monday: 11:00 15:00 Wednesday: 11:00 15:00 Saturday: 11:00 15:00 Please note that due to the curfew on Saturday 27 June, the shop will open on Friday 26 June. This change is for one week only. Click on the Google Maps link below for the location of the shop. https://goo.gl/maps/fJNBCavBi4vzRi2NA A message from the FIG Management Team We are looking forward to getting back to a new normal and working with our team again to raise funds to help children in our local community. We know our customers have been missing us so it will be great to see them again too. FIG two year anniversary financial update It is two years ago today that the new FIG Management Team was formed. They certainly werent expecting the events of the last few months, however, with things starting to tentatively reopen and thoughts turning to safe ways of fundraising again, the team feel its a good time to provide a financial update. For more information about FIG, please visit them on Facebook. An appeal from HAYED Before the Covid 19 pandemic Hayed had to curtail treatments by vets as we had accrued a debt of over 20,000 TL. Although we informed the public we were only able to treat emergencies, there were still animals needing treatment being brought to our attention. This has meant that our debt at our vets has reached 40,000 TL. Our vets have been very patient with us but we cannot expect them to wait indefinitely for payment. Fundraising has been very difficult with no events, our Nearly New shop closed and Paypal account frozen. Hayed are currently looking into new ways of raising funds but they will take time to organize and therefore this is a plea from our hearts. PLEASE if you feel you can donate even 1 pound or 10tl we would be eternally grateful, as will the street animals. You can donate at En Pati or Kent Vet. Your donation will then be subtracted from our bill. You can use transferwise, or make a donation at one of our Turkish bank accounts. You can find details of how to donate on our web site, www.hayed.org. You can also make a donation to Kim Pariera, the manager at our Nearly New shop in Gunlukbas. Alternatively, you can make a donation to Keith Pattison. Hayed does appreciate that all charities whether people or animal related are experiencing huge difficulties with fundraising as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic but unless we can clear at least some of this debt we will have to stop ALL treatments for the foreseeable future. Thank you in anticipation of your support. For more information about HAYED, please visit them on Facebook On the evening of June 15, the Indian 3 Infantry Division Commander with other senior officers was at an Indian post near the Y junction of Shyok and Galwan rivers in the eastern Ladakh sector as talks were to be held between the two countries. The Indian security forces including the 16 Bihar Regiment were asked to ensure that the post was removed by the Chinese after which a small patrol was sent to convey the message, sources told ANI. The Chinese observation post was manned by 10-12 soldiers who were told by the Indian patrol to go away from there as was agreed upon in the senior level military talks between the two armies. The Chinese refused to do so even as the Indian patrol returned to their unit to inform them about the development. This was when the Indian troops with around 50 people and 16 Bihar Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel Santosh Babu in the lead, went on to tell the Chinese to go back further in their territory as they were on Indian soil. Meanwhile, by the time the first Indian patrol returned from the site, the Chinese had called for reinforcements from their rear positions in the Galwan river valley who came with around 300-350 people. As the Indian patrol reached, the sources said, the Chinese had already built up troops on higher ground around the observation post and kept the stones and weapons ready for launching an attack on the Indian troops. As the two sides started talking, the discussion turned into a heated one and the Indian side started uprooting their tents and equipment. The Chinese, who had already prepared themselves for aggression against Indian troops, attacked the Indian side in which their first attack was on the 16 Bihar Regiment CO and Havildar Palani. After the CO went down, the Bihari Regiment soldiers lost control and started attacking the Chinese ferociously despite being heavily outnumbered and stones raining from the higher ground. The fight went on for over three hours till late in the night in which several Chinese troops were either dead or injured seriously. Next morning, when the situation calmed down relatively, the dead bodies of the Chinese troops were lying in the open and was handed over to them by Indian troops, sources said. A total of around 100 troops took part in the operations from the Indian side while the Chinese had over 350 people on the location. However, the Bihar Regiment soldiers had managed to uproot the Chinese position there at the Patrolling Point 14. Soon after the incident, the Chinese reinforced their positions near that location and have their offensive forces ready in the rear locations. Sources said that even though outnumbered, the Bihar Regiment troops managed to remove the Chinese post which was existing there in violation of the agreements between the two sides. Now the Indian and Chinese Lieutenant General level talks are being planned in the next few days in the Eastern Ladakh area to defuse the situation further on PP-14, PP-15 and PP-17A. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/21/2020 ADVERTISEMENT [ spoilers warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Tania and Syngin are still together and married, as well as the latest about the : Happily Ever After? couple's relationship]. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT So are Tania and Syngin still together and married, or has the couple split in light of their differences? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Tania Maduro and Syngin Colchester will soon appear on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, but until then, what's the status of their relationship -- is the couple still married and together?TLC announced last month Tania from Connecticut and Syngin from South Africa will be starring on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, which premiered June 14, in a promo that aired during an episode of : Self-Quarantined."From she shed to big digs, guess who's back!" TLC teased in the promo, before Tania and Syngin were shown arguing."I drink a lot, so for me to say that he drinks a lot, he drinks a lot," Tania said."I don't drink that much!" Syngin argued. "I will have a f-cking beer at 10AM if I feel like having a beer at 10AM.""Exactly," Tania noted.Tania's mother also shared concern that neither her daughter or Syngin were working and making money."All of the responsibility right now falls on [Syngin]," Tania's mother said.Tania and Syngin joined the franchise when they appeared on Season 7, which concluded in February.Tania and Syngin met in South Africa when Tania took a spontaneous trip there to meet another guy whom she had met on a dating app.After her date disappointed, Tania ditched him in the middle of the night and headed to a bar, where she met Syngin, who worked as a bartender at the time.Tania and Syngin left the bar together and spent the night, so Tania decided to extend her trip to South Africa into a two-month stay so she could get to know him better before returning to the United States.Tania and Syngin continued their relationship long distance once Tania got back home, and she eventually visited him in South Africa another time.Once Tania landed back in America following her second trip to South Africa, she applied for Syngin's K-1 visa and waited months until they could reunite at a New York airport.Tania and Syngin then moved into the "she shed" behind her mother's home in Connecticut.Tania and Syngin seemed crazy about each other, but they had a lot of work to do on the shed and disagreed over when to start having children.Tania told Syngin that she'd be willing to wait three years to have their first child, but Syngin wanted to wait 7-10 more years. Tania also said she wanted to pump out one kid after the next, so Syngin had his fair share of doubts about getting married and whether they were really a perfect match.Syngin wanted to travel and have fun before settling down, but Tania seemingly wore the pants in their relationship."I couldn't be with someone who doesn't want to have kids. I live to have kids, but I also know that I get my way," Tania said in a confessional on 's seventh season.Tania said she'd love to do it all with Syngin but she didn't get her way, she'd have to move on."It's almost like you wrote the story and I'm just a character in it," Syngin complained, later pointing out Tania had a "controlling personality."Tania then traveled to Costa Rica for three weeks in order to learn herbalism. She took a month-long course about natural medicine and natural remedies so she could start her own business with Syngin.Syngin was left alone with Tania's mother and found himself incredibly bored while his fiancee was away, and Tania and Syngin often fought about Tania's lack of communication and refusal to call him after a night out of partying.Syngin said he felt "a little abandoned" and didn't think Tania's actions showed that she loved and cared for him, but Tania countered by saying she couldn't meet all of Syngin's demands and needed more breathing room."I came here. I have changed my whole life around. You have not changed much about your life at all," Syngin said over FaceTime. "Do you want a boyfriend who doesn't care?""You're not my father," Tania complained. "I love that you care... but I can't give you everything that you need."Once Tania returned home, she and Syngin fought about how he wasn't actively working to pursue his many goals for a life in the United States.Syngin said he didn't have the money to take classes yet, but Tania wanted the self-proclaimed free spirit to be more focused and responsible considering he had dreamed of being a fireman, policeman or even a woodworker.The pair also later fought when Tania confessed she didn't feel like Syngin was her soul mate. Tania believed her first love was actually her soul mate, unless a person can have more than one, and Syngin was left feeling sad, stressed out and depressed."I don't even really know what I'm doing here right now. I feel bad," Syngin told Tania of being in America, adding that he worried they weren't "compatible."But Tania apologized and was sure of her love for Syngin, so they decided to go through with a wedding in Connecticut by renting an Air BnB with a big backyard decorated with candles and flowers.Since Tania loves "breaking boundaries," she decided to wear a black lace wedding dress over pink satin instead of a traditional white gown, and Syngin said his bride "looked absolutely stunning" and the emotional ceremony felt "surreal."In his handwritten vows, Syngin told Tania that he always knew she was going to be more than just a one-night stand to him when they met in South Africa. Syngin told Tania that he loved and respected her and she brought out the best in him.In reply, Tania promised to call Syngin as often as possible when drunk and tell him how much she loves him.Tania vowed to be patient, softer and more vulnerable, and she said she'd continue breaking down her walls for him.The pair symbolically connected their love through matching tattoos instead of rings. They both had the Sagittarius symbol tattooed on their left hand's ring finger to represent travel and the power of their relationship.Tania's mother said she couldn't have asked for a better man to marry her daughter.And Tania was so happy to start a life with Syngin, who said in a confessional, "It's completely insane to ever think meeting that girl and her sliding her number to me would lead to all of this. We did it! I love you... babe."In a trailer released in late May for : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, Tania is showing telling Syngin, "If we have kids, I definitely want to raise them out here in the states.""You want me to come here and build a family but you don't even recognize me as your soul mate," Syngin replies.Based on Tania and Syngin's Instagram activity, they are still a couple.Tania shared a photo with Syngin as recently as May 25 in which they were camping and dubbed themselves "nature lovers.""After being here for a day, walking around some, no one recognized us and felt kinda good. Then.. late at night we hear 'Good night Tania and Syngin!' We just laughed yelled back good night {insert random names}! So weird, random, and dont think we'll ever get used to it," Tania captioned the picture.Three days earlier, Syngin teased the couple's upcoming appearance on : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, hinting they're still in love by writing hashtags such as "#crazylove" and "#sexycouple.""To all the ups and downs and to the next round hahaha. Here we go season 5 of happily ever after, or is it happily ever after. Are you ready???" Syngin wrote."I can tell you that there has been a lot of changes and soooo much has happend, its kinda crazy so stay tuned to see what happens..14th of june 8pm ET... #crazylove #gingerhair #goodtimes #filming #couples #sexycouple #instagood #love."On April 22, Tania posted photos of herself tubing with Syngin, and they clearly had a great time together."When we went tubing and we... put champagne in a ginger beer bottle, lost each other for a while, I fell off at the drop and thought I was gonna drown, brought my phone in a ziplock bag inside of a travel liquid clear bag that survived being submerged more times than I could count," she recalled in her post."Oh the fun we had that day!!!...#LazyTubing #90dayfiance #Tubing #SummerFun #FunInTheSun #Summertime #LazyRiver #ItWasntLazy #ItWasWork #synginandtania."One week earlier, Tania gushed about her husband when posting throwback, pre-quarantine photos of their time in New York together."One of my favorite things is to watch Syngin experience something for the first time (well really anytime but firsts are special). He doesnt hold back joy, excitement, amazement, or glee!" Tania explained."It brings me so much joy watching him in pure wonder. Him seeing the NY skyline at night like this, was one of those times...#CapturedMoments #MakingMemories #Passion #Love #90dayfiance #Polaroid #taniaandsyngin #NewYorkCity #NYC #TBT #BQ Before Quarantine."Tania also gushed about Syngin on March 6, when she posted a photo of them out to dinner together in New York.Tania added hilarious hashtags such as "#givemeyoursperm" and "#isaid3years" to her post.And back in late February, Tania shared photos from their wedding with a caption that seemingly came straight from her heart."The day my human and I said 'I do.' From other lives to this life, I'm so happy our spirits met. I'm excited to explore this realm and planet with you in these human bodies," Tania gushed."You have brought me so much joy and laughter, adventures and memories, and I couldnt be more greatful for the wonder of it all. I love you alot alot."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday questioned the CPI (M)s silence over Chinese act of aggression killing 20 Indian soldiers last week and said the communist partys ideological baggage makes it soft towards Indias neighbour. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is holding a press briefing every day. He did not utter a single word about the brutal killing of our soldiers. Even party general secretary Sitaram Yechurys words are subdued in this regard. We want the party to explain its position, Chennithala said. He added that the CPI(M)s youth wing usually carries out poster wars all over the state on such issues, but it was silent this time. It seems the party is still soft towards China. We have many examples to cite to prove this point, he said referring to the partys controversial position after the 1962 China attack. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also questioned the left partys silence over the martyrdom of Indian soldiers. If anything happens in any part of the world, the CM reacts immediately, but this time he is totally silent. It shows the partys true allegiance, said BJP state president K Surendran. Amid war of words, the Congress has decided to rally behind PCC president Mullappally Ramachandran who was targeted for his controversial remarks against state health minister K K Shailaja. He had called her Covid Rani and Nipah Rajkumari two days ago inviting intense criticism. The CM had dubbed these remarks anti-women and questioned the Congress Partys silence over them. We dont need a certificate from the CM. People know who uses the most abusive language in the state. The CM is targeting him to deflect attention from expatriates woes, Chennithala said, adding more than 280 people from the state died due to covid-19 in Gulf countries but the CM was blocking their return citing lame excuses. Also Read: Playing the long game with China | Opinion Though the PCC chiefs remarks triggered a controversy, he refused to apologise saying a section of the media had twisted his words and Rani and Rajkumari were not derogatory terms. He had made these remarks on Friday while Inaugurating Ramesh Chennithalas day-long fast in front of the state secretariat demanding the withdrawal of a government circular insisting on Covid-free certificates for expatriates returning to the state. As India and China clash, it is time to heed Chanakya | Opinion Meanwhile, the states virus graph is going up steadily with 133 new cases taking the total to 3,172 positive cases so far. Out of these, 1,490 are active and 1,659 have recovered. The state has reported 22 deaths so far. The difficulty in tracing contacts of fresh cases is worrying the state. On Sunday, it reported the highest single day spike of 133 cases since the outbreak began in the state in January last. THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) recently released a total of P36.5 million in cash assistance to 3,652 displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) due to the global crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Owwa 7 Director Mae Codilla said in an online presser held by the Philippine Information Agency 7 that 4,520 applications were approved while more than 600 applicants were waiting for the release of their cash assistance. They must apply online and they will receive it via cash padala, Codilla said. The Dole released a total of P36,520,000 for the program called the Dole-AKAP Cash Assistance for displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs. Each of the OFWs can receive P10,000 as one-time financial assistance. The program covers regular and documented OFWs who possess a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the receiving country, whose contract of employment has been processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or the Philippine Overseas Labor and Office (Polo). Undocumented OFWs who were originally regular or documented workers but are active Owwa members at the time of availment were also included in the financial aid program. OFWs who were unable to return to the host country in view of the host country lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic can also apply for the program. The other OFWs who are entitled to the financial assitance: * Those who were displaced due to the receiving countrys imposition of lockdown or community quarantine. * Those infected with Covid-19. * Those who are still at overseas jobsites. * Those who were already repatriated to the Philippines. * Those who did not receive any financial support/assistance from the receiving countries/employers. Eligible OFWs can go to http://dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph to apply for the assistance. (JOB) As COVID-19 restrictions ease and businesses carefully reopen, many employers face the difficult task of cutting workers they no longer need. Firms commonly rely on employee layoffs to cut costs and trim their workforce. Voluntary layoffs (also known as voluntary buyouts) allow employees to acknowledge that they are interested in being laid off. Recently, many businesses, such as Boeing, Fiat Chrysler Automotive, Ontario Lottery and Gaming and even the Government of Ontario chose to offer voluntary layoff to reduce their workforce. There are at least three major factors you should consider before volunteering for a layoff: external employment opportunities, severance package considerations and personal factors. Evaluate external employment opportunities Before quitting, people often carefully assess their chance of finding employment elsewhere. The same evaluation should take place during voluntary layoffs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, industries like accommodation, food services, retail and airline transportation have seen significant declines. However, industries like communication and information technology, health care and grocers have all reported growth. Similarly, some fields like supply-chain management, IT, e-learning and security have experienced significant surges in demand. Generally, as an industry or job experiences decline, chances of finding comparable jobs also reduce. Given that these industries or jobs might have higher unemployment levels, you are competing with more people for existing vacancies. Employers often use education, training or accreditation as a measure of skills, and networking is now the best way to find jobs. So how your competencies, network and skills compare to others is important to evaluate when considering voluntary layoffs. Of course, if you are willing to change industries or jobs, this factor might have less importance to you. Severance package considerations Unlike performance-based dismissals or those who quit, employees are given financial support if laid off. Its ultimately intended to help you get back into the workforce. This can include legally mandated reasonable notice (working notice or payment in lieu of notice). Firms might need to give a severance package. In addition, employees who are laid off and meet the minimum eligibility requirements for employment insurance will be paid 55 per cent of previous pay up to a maximum of $573 per week for a maximum of 45 weeks as they search for a new job. Some people use this safety net as a chance to start up a new business. Some use this time to get reskilled, certified, or develop their competencies so that they can increase employment opportunities. Some take the time to explore career changes. Think about how the financial side of a potential layoff might help or hurt you, considering all aspects of compensation, including the value and duration of the severance package, notice period and EI eligibility. Personal factors Outside of the pandemic, human resource research consistently shows that two biggest predictors of quitting intentions are low job satisfaction and low organizational commitment. If you personally are unhappy with your job or company, you are likely to consider leaving. As we faced a global pandemic, many of us are reconsidering our commitment to our employer, how meaningful we find our jobs, the role of work in ours lives, and what is important to us on a fundamental level. If you have changed your personal perspectives on any of these issues, it might trigger you to reconsider your employment options. The pandemic provided an opportunity for many of us to live a simpler life, re-evaluating our needs versus our wants. People also need to think about the impact of job loss at a very personal level. What is your willingness to take on some insecurity as a household unit? How comfortable are you with your debt-to-equity ratio? If you were considering leaving the job due to any of these personal factors, volunteering for a layoff might be a good option for you. What works for one doesnt work for the other Ultimately, there is no broad answer to all employees contemplating a voluntary layoff, if or when the option is presented. Instead, think clearly about your personal factors, external employment opportunities and financial incentives of layoffs. Talk to your loved ones, people who know you best, or human resource experts to help put the puzzle together. This is very different from involuntary layoffs, in which the manager and/or human resource department choose which specific employee will be laid off. Often, the company has no layoff policy in place, so shifting responsibility to the employee helps them speed the process. Voluntary layoffs can be viewed as more legally defensible for the employer, since the employee opts into it. Sometimes companies engage in voluntary layoffs because they want the employee to be part of the decision-making process. It can also help the employer maintain the reputation of being a good employer. Regardless of underlying reason, some companies entice employees to take a voluntary layoff by offering very lucrative severance packages. Nita Chhinzer (MBA, PhD) is an associate professor of human resources at the Department of Management, University of Guelph. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- As the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman sat atop one of the most powerful and independent perches in federal law enforcement. His office has long held dominion over the most significant white-collar crime cases in the country. It has taken on terrorists and organized crime. And sometimes it has investigated or prosecuted people close to the president of the United States. Bermans team took down President Donald Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in 2018 on charges of tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations involving hush money payments to two women who said they had sexual encounters with the president. More recently, Berman has been investigating Rudolph Giuliani, a ubiquitous Trump lawyer and apologist, for possibly violating lobbying laws related to work hes done in Ukraine. (Thats the same Ukraine that Trump tried to strong-arm into smearing former Vice President Joe Biden, leading to Trumps impeachment; Bermans office has already indicted two Giuliani associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, as part of that.) Bermans office has also been investigating whether Deutsche Bank AG complied with laws meant to stop money laundering. Deutsche Bank has longstanding financial ties to Trump and the family of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Ive detailed Trumps links to the bank previously, here and here. Berman has subpoenaed Trumps inaugural committee as part of a probe into how the incoming presidents team spent more than $106 million raised for his inauguration. And John Boltons forthcoming book contends that Trump promised Turkeys president, Recep Erdogan, that he would block investigations into a Turkish state-owned bank, Halkbank. You guessed it; Bermans office is investigating Halkbank, too. And so it came to pass that Attorney General William Barr fired Berman on Saturday afternoon, acting, he said, on Trumps orders. Per the usual carnivalesque doings in Trumplandia, Berman was fired after refusing to resign after Barr announced, incorrectly, late Friday that Berman was stepping down. Story continues To his credit, Berman stood his ground, initially saying he wasnt going anywhere because the Senate had not appointed his successor and he had to look after his offices investigations. To his discredit, Barr noted in the letter he wrote canning Berman that he was surprised and disappointed that Berman had chosen public spectacle over public service. Barr has been around awhile. He surely knows that when someone like Berman learns of his dismissal from a press release distributed into the medias equivalent of a black hole late on a Friday night and the release misrepresents Bermans understanding of the facts, well, Berman might be unlikely to just play ball.Barr also surely knows that Bermans investigations all involve sensitive matters touching Trump, and whatever legitimate reasons he might claim to have for helping Trump remove Berman, the atmospherics are beyond bad. The presidential election is less than five months away and cynics like me can be forgiven for thinking that this looks exactly like a housecleaning. Democrats in Congress think so, too, and are already scheduling hearings and calling for investigations.Trump has chosen Jay Clayton, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to replace Berman. Clayton has never served as a federal prosecutor. Before heading the SEC, he practiced corporate law in the private sector. One of his clients was Deutsche Bank. Trump and Barr may insist that Claytons resume and client list are irrelevant, but, of course, they matter. Clayton faces hurdles getting the job anyhow because Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican overseeing the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would defer to New Yorks senators, both Democrats, when considering who should succeed Berman. Although Barr told Berman that he had asked Trump to fire him, the law is somewhat murky on how much latitude the president has to fire a U.S. attorney. Barr, as is his wont, assumed the most expansive interpretation of presidential authority. The president himself went into bunker mode, however, when reporters asked him at the White House on Saturday if and why he fired Berman. Well, thats all up to the attorney general. Attorney General Barr is working on that, Trump said, trying to distance himself from his administrations latest dogfight. Thats his department, not my department. But we have a very capable attorney general. So thats really up to him. Im not involved. Theres scant reason to trust Barrs take on matters of the law any more. He misrepresented the conclusions of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into ties between Trumps team and Russians trying to sabotage the 2016 election, saying Mueller found no evidence of collusion or obstruction of justice. Hes publicly savaged federal prosecutors who had ample reason to investigate Trump and then launched a witch hunt to discredit them. Hes tried to interfere with or undermine other high-profile cases involving Trump associates or appointees such as Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. His office soft-pedaled its investigation of Trumps maneuvers in Ukraine. He supported the use of force to clear peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters from the streets outside the White House so Trump could pursue a photo op in front of a church and then dissembled about it. In short, Barr has repeatedly turned his office and the Justice Department upside down to protect Trump from the consequences of his own actions. Theres little reason to believe that Bermans firing doesnt fit that pattern. Barr maintains an imperial view of the presidency and, for the most part, sees presidents as existing beyond the rule of law. He also thinks the U.S. suffers from a morality vacuum. Last October, he delivered a speech at Notre Dame Law School in which he emphasized the importance of religion in society. On his way toward blurring the separation of church and state, he also claimed an assault on religion was afoot in the U.S. which, he said, not only threatened individual freedom but the need for a transcendent moral order. If Barr cares so much about morality, he could set an example by acting morally. Telling the truth and upholding the law would be a good start. My father, Arthur OBrien, was a lawyer in Illinois. He once told me he always felt proud whenever clients signed documents he drafted without reading them closely. They trusted him that much. And I remember him asking me over a backyard grill in the summer of 1974, just after Richard Nixon resigned, if I understood how hard it would be for Nixons children to go through life answering for their fathers corruption. Never do anything in your life that would make your kids ashamed to have your last name, he told me. My father would have understood that Trump and Barr have no regard for basic truths about law, morality and honor, as the Berman episode shows. And he would have said that its time for them to answer for that and move on. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Timothy L. O'Brien is a senior columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Melissa Fares and Siddharth Cavale (Reuters) New York and Bangalore Sun, June 21, 2020 09:09 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406605cb37 2 Lifestyle loreal,Unilever,#BlackLivesMatter Free L'Oreal SA, Unilever and other multinationals that acquired personal-care brands founded by Black people are moving to reassure their core customers, some of whom have pledged in the wake of racial-justice protests to direct their spending toward only Black-owned companies. L'Oreal's multicultural beauty brand Carol's Daughter, which was founded by a Black woman in her Brooklyn kitchen in 1993 and named for her mother, said June 10 that it wanted to "clear some things up" when it posted a message to its Instagram page. "Carol's Daughter is Black-founded, and Black-led, and joined the L'Oreal family of brands in 2014," it said. Founder Lisa Price "is still actively involved in all aspects of the business; leading the brand's product development and creative vision," the statement said. Price is senior vice president and creative director at Carol's Daughter, which is part of the Multi-Cultural Beauty Division at L'Oreal USA, and is also part of the Executive Committee at L'Oreal USA. Multinational companies in recent years have snapped up products aimed at Black consumers and marketed those brands as authentically Black, with homemade formulas, personalized offers and feel-good marketing. But in the wake of the protests following the May 25 death of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, many consumers are pledging to purchase more goods from Black-owned businesses as a way to bring greater racial equity. SheaMoisture, a personal care company founded in Harlem by Liberian immigrants in 1991, became part of Unilever in 2017 after the Anglo-Dutch multinational Unilever purchased Sundial Brands, a New York-based beauty firm. Black consumers threatened to boycott its products in June citing its corporate ownership. On June 9, Cara Sabin, CEO of Sundial Brands, which operates as a standalone unit within Unilever, posted a message on Instagram to assuage them. "I am a Black CEO, in White corporate America, leading a brand that exists to serve our Black consumer," Sabin wrote. Black spending power in the United States is expected to rise to $1.5 trillion by 2021, from about $1.3 trillion last year, according to a report by Nielsen, a data analytics firm that tracks consumer purchases. The Black community makes up 13.4 percent of the US population, and outspends in relation to other groups on products such as hair care and beauty, and women's fragrances. In 2017, for example, Black shoppers represented 85 percent of the $63 million total US industry spend on multicultural hair care products. The group also represented 22.4 percent and 21 percent of the total US industry spending on women's fragrances and feminine hygiene products that year, respectively, the report showed. Sales of hair care products targeted at multi-ethnicities were up 50 [percent year-over-year in the month to May 17, according to Strategic Solutions International, a unit of Nielsen. Black-owned hair care companies represented 14 percent of the category, but drove 20 percent of that growth at retail stores. But some consumers say theyre paying closer attention to the ownership of a variety of goods and services aimed at Blacks, including bookstores, restaurants and pharmacies. On fundraising site GoFundMe, there are nearly 2,000 pages set up in support of Black-owned businesses, the majority of which were all created in recent weeks. Read also: US brands Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben's to change amid protests Weve been dealing with these issues with Black people for how long, right? But theres just something about this moment, said Vivian Duker, a Baltimore-based corporate attorney. Earlier this month, she teamed up with a friend to launch a Change.org campaign called #VERIFYBLACK that has garnered more than 7,000 signatures. The petition seeks to get social media platforms to identify Black-owned businesses more clearly. Brands such as Carol's Daughter and SheaMoisture would not qualify as Black-owned businesses, she told Reuters. Unilever and L'Oreal did not respond to requests for comment. Procter & Gamble in 2018 acquired Walker & Co, the parent company of Bevel, a mens grooming line, and Form Beauty, a women's haircare line - both primarily for people of color. Walker & Co Vice President of Marketing Tia Cummings told Reuters that being part of P&G helped widen the availability of its products, making it easier for men and women to find and purchase them. Dana Williams-Johnson, Instructor in the Howard University School of Business Marketing Department said companies "making money off of Black consumers should have leadership that reflects the consumers that purchase the brands." "How diverse are these company's boards? How many Black people are at the top with a seat at the boardroom table? How much do all these brands truly value the Black dollar? Those will be the questions that need answers next," she added. According to Black Enterprise magazine, 187 of the S&P 500 companies did not have a single Black member on their boards in 2019. Haircare company Cantu Beauty faced such questions on Instagram this month, with some shoppers noting it was sold to PDC Brands in 2015 and declaring they would boycott the brand in favor of Black-owned businesses. So the company hosted an Instagram livestream chat "with the people behind the brand" on June 12. "I want to pull back that curtain and let you guys see exactly what is going on behind the scenes," Cantu Beauty's Global Vice President Dametria Mustin said during the livestream. PDC Brands did not respond to requests for comment. Synthea Hairston, 24, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Cantu her "number 1" brand for many years. But she refuses to shop the brand again. "Now my conscious is eating at me... I will literally be keeping a list with me at all times to make sure what Im picking up is Black-owned." 1. Centre for Social Democracy (CSD-Ghana) welcomes a proposal from the Former President John Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress to pay a monthly stipend to Assembly Members if given the opportunity to lead the country in the 7th December 2020 general election. With bipartisan engagements and constructive debate, this idea could help deepen decentralization and accelerate socio-economic development. 2. H.E. John Mahama in a Facebook live on Thursday 18th June 2020 indicated his intent to involve the Assembly Members in capturing the birth and death statistics of their respective electoral areas to enhance the district and national database and also to introduce periodic stipend for the Honorable Assembly Members. CSD-Ghana commends the Former President for such a proposal because we believe that Assembly members are at the centre of any government decentralization programme. Unfortunately, they have been ill-resourced over the years. The proposal is also in line with the social democratic principle of popular participation and empowerment of the grassroots. This CSD-Ghana believes is a major boost to local governance and decentralization. In addition, we suggest the following: (i) Electoral Area Grant: The Former President and his team may consider legislation to set up a small grant program under the District Assemblies Common Fund to support communities undertake self-help projects that will enable them to address basic challenges. (ii) Office Space: An eco-friendly portable office space could be established in the various electoral area to facilitate the work of Assembly Members in the decentralization process. (iii) Activities at the Electoral Area Office: In addition to the documentation of birth and death statistics, the office could also be used for gathering information on sanitation, building permits, security etc. for the district assembly. 3. Ghana somewhat has shown a commitment to decentralization since the introduction of Local Governance in 1988. However, it lacks a comprehensive form of decentralization which entails the transfer of authority and autonomy. 4. We encourage other political parties to prioritize issues of decentralization and propose reforms to deepen the current local government system. 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 June 21, 2020 Ottawa National Defence / Veterans Affairs Canada The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Lawrence A. MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day: Today, we mark National Indigenous Peoples Daya day to recognize and honour the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples of Canada for their vital contribution to the fabric of this nation. The Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada are united in remembering the courage of the many thousands of Indigenous women and men who served during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Gulf War, in Afghanistan, and numerous other military operations. Indigenous peoples have a long and proud history as part of Canadas military. Their contributions to the strength and unity of our armed forces, both past and present, have been instrumental in keeping our country safe and preserving our rights and freedoms. Currently, nearly 2,800 Indigenous people serve with the same passion and pride as those who came before them. Employed in trades across our Canadian Armed Forces, they serve as exceptional leaders from coast to coast to coast. People like Sergeant Donald James Lickers, a member of the Haudensaunee Seneca and of the Canadian Armed Forces since 2002 as well as participating in CAF recruiting initiatives, diversity programs and the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group. Sgt Lickers says he supports and advises command and peers on Indigenous issues in the CAF while balancing his identity as a First Nations person. Sgt Lickers has been gifted the teachings to carry the Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff and to care for the spiritual well-being of the Eagle Staff. The Defence Team is grateful to benefit from someone with as much depth of traditional knowledge and experience as Sgt Lickers. The unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic prevent us from celebrating this day like we have in past years. We encourage all Canadians to safely recognize and honour the unique heritage and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples, by engaging in activities that respect physical distancing such reading a digital copy of one of the books from the #IndigenousReads reading list, or by exploring a virtual exhibit at a museum. Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we thank First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples for their valuable service and immeasurable contribution. They are a source of strength and inspiration for everyone. Meegwetch Marsee Associated Links Web Toolbar by Wibiya TORONTO, June 19, 2020 /CNW/ - Scotiabank announced today the launch of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Mid-Market Financing Program, a new relief measure to provide liquidity support to medium-sized Canadian businesses facing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. Qualifying Scotiabank or Roynat Capital Business Banking clients with annual sales over $100 Million and directly impacted by COVID-19, can apply for a term loan between $12.5 and $60 Million as part of this program. The BDC Mid-Market Financing Program will bring more financing options to eligible businesses whose credit needs exceed what is already available through the Government of Canada's Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP). "Thriving businesses are critical to Canada's economic recovery, and Scotiabank is committed to being there for Canadian businesses when they need it most," said Dan Rees, Group Head of Canadian Banking for Scotiabank. "We're proud to help even more businesses stay on track through the expansion of government programs, reinforcing our commitment to supporting our clients through this challenging time." For more details on eligibility criteria, clients are encouraged to contact their Scotiabank Business Banking or Roynat Relationship Manager. Scotiabank stands behind Canadian businesses Scotiabank was recently rated the leading bank in client satisfaction according to the Bond COVID-19 Canadian Client Impact Study. Relief measures in support of eligible Canadian Business Banking and Small Business clients affected by COVID-19 include: Deferral of payment on small business credit cards and credit lines; Payment deferral on business loans; Online application for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA); Online application for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS); Support through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) financial relief program; Support through the Export Development Canada (EDC) financial relief program; Continued access to Small Business Advisors and Business Banking Relationship Managers for customized advice. For more information on all of our relief programs for individuals and businesses, please visit Scotiabank.com. About Scotiabank Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future," we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of approximately 97,000 employees and assets of over $1.2 trillion (as at April 30, 2020), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews. Egypt and Russia exchanged viewpoints on developments in the region, primarily the Libyan crisis, in a phone call on Sunday, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry. According to the statement, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov the developments in Libya and the Palestinian issue. The two ministers also discussed updates related to the deadlocked negotiations on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The statement added that the two ministers discussed intensifying political consultations and pushing cooperation to serve their countries joint interests. The phone call came one day after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi hinted at the possibility of a direct intervention by the Egyptian army to restore peace in Libya. Egypt, along with the UAE and Russia, backs Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, who has been fighting the forces of the UN-backed government, which is backed by Turkey. Earlier this month, El-Sisi announced a peace initiative dubbed the Cairo Declaration to end the civil war in Libya, proposing a ceasefire and the election of a leadership council. Search Keywords: Short link: A black sergeant who filed a complaint said in an interview that he was in charge of booking on May 29, when Mr. Chauvin was brought to the jail, and that after he had patted Mr. Chauvin down, Mr. Lydon told him not to have more contact with Mr. Chauvin and asked him who could transport the fired officer instead. When the sergeant pointed to two white officers, Mr. Lydon seemed satisfied, said the sergeant, who is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has worked at the jail for more than a decade. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he feared retaliation from other law enforcement officers. The officers said in their complaints that employees quickly realized, after Mr. Chauvin arrived, that many of the jails nonwhite employees had been sent to the third floor. Some began to cry, they said, and the sergeant said some openly questioned whether they should quit and considered walking off the job. He said tensions were already high among employees because people had burned down a Minneapolis police precinct the night before in protest of the killing of Mr. Floyd, who was black. The sergeant and other officers said that, about an hour after Mr. Chauvin was booked into the jail, they were again kept from doing their jobs when an uncooperative inmate needed to be taken to the fifth floor, where Mr. Chauvin was being held. The sergeant said the officers had to wait until there were enough white officers to bring the inmate to the fifth floor, a special housing unit where high-profile, uncooperative and suicidal people are held. Bonnie M. Smith, a lawyer in Minneapolis who is representing the eight officers, said at a news conference in front of the jail on Sunday that Mr. Lydons claim that his order was meant to protect officers of color was absurd, and that it had made the jail less safe. This order didnt help protect anyone, Ms. Smith said. It was a blatantly discriminatory order. She said none of her clients had been interviewed as part of the internal investigation. They are asking the Sheriffs Office to permanently remove Mr. Lydon from overseeing the jail and increase bias training. They are also asking the county to pay them unspecified money for emotional distress and compensation for shifts that some officers said they had missed because they were upset by what had happened. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will investigate the claims. That office had launched a civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department earlier this month. Mr. Chauvin was moved, last month, to the Oak Park Heights state prison just outside of St. Paul. Midland ISD board members will receive a re-entry planning update at todays meeting, which will be the first held at Bowie Fine Arts Academy Auditorium 805 Elk Ave. since February. The district held virtual meetings in March, April and May. The prepared materials for the presentation include the following parameters and assumptions: --maintain current staff while reducing the number of students who occupy the building simultaneously; --maximize the number of students who can be physically at school for face-to-face instruction; --offer innovative opportunities for students who benefit from virtual options; --establish district-wide structures while allowing flexibility to meet the unique needs of campuses and communities. Midland ISD Chief of Staff Katie Atkins told the Reporter-Telegram last week that meetings are being held with interested teachers and parents about re-entry. Meetings with teachers were held last week, and meetings with parents are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Invitations were sent via email to those who expressed interest in the survey that was sent out in late May. The presentation shows overviews to open, hybrid and closed. The open campus plan included: --face-to-face instruction to the extent possible while maintaining social distancing in classrooms; --students and staff encouraged to wear face masks, face shielding for teaching staff and temperature checks taken at entrances; --using wipes and cleaners to clean surfaces between classes and as needed and prioritized cleaning and sanitizing of high-traffic areas; --meals served in the classrooms; --temperature checks before boarding buses; touch surfaces regularly wiped down and maximizing fresh air exchange. The hybrid plan calls for half the school to attend in the morning, half in the afternoon, and asynchronous student learning/teacher planning and professional learning communities (PLCs) on Friday. Other features of the plan include: --students in life skills, pre-K through second grade and English language newcomers attend for a full-school day Monday through Friday; --students participating in extracurricular events may practice into the morning or afternoon; --when students are not physically in school, they will participate in asynchronous learning. The closed plan involves classes performed through a virtual platform. Students will be provided training and future support in learning in a virtual environment. There is more information about the closed plan, but last week Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas students will be returning to public schools in person this fall. It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall. But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely, if the parent so chooses, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said last week in a Texas Tribune report. Adnoc Schools, operated in partnership with Aldar Education, says a record number of the 249 Year 12 students will be going on to higher education at university a total of 95 per cent. Celebrating ground-breaking achievements by its graduating Class of 2020 the schools profited from Aldar Educations innovative approach to distance learning, the students final three months of the academic year have also proven very successful. In separate virtual ceremonies, Mr Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Adnoc Schools Board of Trustees for all campuses, congratulated the Class of 2020 in a personal video message to all graduates. The graduates, their families and school teachers, also heard from Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, who praised them for their outstanding results, efforts and determination during the course of their studies. Aldar Education has supported the three campuses in Abu Dhabi by providing first-class academic curricula and assistance as part of its collaboration with Adnoc Schools. The day of celebration also saw the principals of Sas Al Nakhl (Dr. Kate Sutton Jones), Madinat Zayed (Wendy Birch) and Al Ruwais (Wendy Brock) deliver inspiring messages to their respective students. In total, 170 graduated from Sas Al Nakhl, 23 from Al Ruwais and 56 from Madinat Zayed. During their time at Adnoc Schools, the out-going graduates, who are both Emirati and resident expat students, have been well prepared to reach their highest potential in the future. As part of Adnoc Schools mission to deliver world-class STEM-focused education, all students at Adnoc Schools benefit from academic and extra-curricular activities as well as different partnerships such as the Kumon Learning Programme, Lego Innovation, and Yas in Schools. The Class of 2020 will now embark on the next stage of their life with 95 per cent of students set to continue their education at university. A total of 80 per cent will attend an institution based in the UAE with the remaining graduates studying around the world, including at major institutions such as the University of Sheffield in the UK, Brown University and The University of Arizona in the United States, Dublin College, Ireland as well as the University of Tokyo, Japan. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Adnoc Schools Board of Trustees, said: We are very proud of our Adnoc Schools achievements. Most of our 2020 graduates will go on to study a wide range of STEM programmes at leading universities in more than 17 countries, adding value to the UAEs future development and enriching our national talent pool. In addition to our outstanding academic programmes, we foster an atmosphere where the students can develop leadership and interpersonal skills through an array of extra-curricular activities including entry into competitions, events and awards, as well as special contributions via volunteering and CSR initiatives. Today, we are reaping the fruits of our determination to produce well-rounded graduates and I am sure our students and parents are incredibly appreciative of our continuing efforts and focus on student wellbeing and achievement. Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, said: Graduating is a significant milestone that students will remember for the rest of their lives and I couldnt be prouder of all of them. We are especially delighted to see record numbers of students looking to pursue higher education opportunities at home and overseas. In our partnership, Aldar Education and Adnoc Schools share the same goal of delivering the best possible education opportunities and empowering the next generation. The graduates of the Class of 2020 are an example of what can be achieved through hard work and commitment, and they can now follow in the footsteps of previous alumni who have gone on to have a bright future. -- Tradearabia News Service After the massive cyberattack in Australia, the Government of India has issued a warning against a potential cyberattack in India soon. The governments cybersecurity agency - Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on Sunday issued a detailed advisory reporting that certain 'malicious actors' were planning a large-scale phishing attack against Indian individuals and businesses. The CERT-In in its advisory stated that such an activity was going to be carried out under the garb of spreading 'COVID initiatives' impersonating government agencies and departments. It added that as per intelligence the attack was going to be carried out against 2 million individuals via email which would be sent in the pretext of 'free COVID testing' targetting individuals of Delhi, Mumbai Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad using email IDs such as "ncov2019@gov.in". "The phishing campaign is expected to use malicious emails under the pretext of local authorities in charge of dispensing government-funded Covid-19 support initiatives. Such emails are designed to drive recipients towards fake websites where they are deceived into downloading malicious files or entering personal and financial information," said CERT-In, in the advisory asking the public to refrain from opening unsolicited emails, attachments and sharing private information. Read: Paytm Claims Telecom Firms Not Preventing Phishing; HC Seeks Centre, TRAI Response Read: Be Wary Of Phishing Attacks From Pak, T'gana Officials Told Here is Centre's advisory CERT-In issued advisory on COVID 19-related Phishing Attack Campaign by Malicious Actors. pic.twitter.com/x8WO3TseCM CERT-In (@IndianCERT) June 20, 2020 The advisory comes against the backdrop of the cyber-attacks being witnessed by countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and latest Australia. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the cyberattacks were 95% or more likely to have been launched from China based on their massive scale and intensity. Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has dismissed the speculations around its country's role calling them totally baseless nonsense. Read: Was There A T-Mobile Cyber Attack Today? Details About The Phone Outage Issue Revealed Read: Australia's PM Accuses 'unnamed State' Of Increasing Cyberattacks; Drops Tantalising Hints The construction of five new train stations in Perths north-eastern corridor is expected to create thousands of local jobs to help support the states economic recovery from COVID-19. The state government on Sunday revealed a contract to build the new stations on the Morley-Ellenbrook line would be awarded in November as it announced details for the $1 billion project. Ellenbrook will get one of five new train stations as part of Metronet. The construction of stations at Ellenbrook, Whiteman Park, Malaga, Noranda and Morley will be the states biggest public transport project since construction of the Mandurah line. The new stations will connect 21 kilometres of rail line in the north-eastern corridor to a redeveloped Bayswater station and onto the city. A recovery plan to help bring koala populations back to health is five years overdue, despite warnings from experts that new research shows the species faces fresh challenges to cling on to its remnant habitat. When the status of koalas was changed to vulnerable in 2012, the federal government took the advice of the Threatened Species Commission and committed to create a recovery plan. Environment Minister Sussan Ley warned last year that the status of koalas in various locations may be downgraded to endangered due to bushfires. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Recovery plans are an instrument of national environment laws and come with a three-year deadline to implement and fund. Their purpose is "to maximise the long-term survival" of wildlife. A one-off three-year extension is permitted, which former environment minister Greg Hunt issued for the koala plan in 2015. This is now two years overdue. Australian National University ecologist Kara Youngentob said a recovery plan should "absolutely be a priority", as forestry operations in some areas were damaging koala habitat and contributed to monocultures in forests. Update: Tom Jones, a parishioner of St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Canaan, and resident of the town, was back for a continued discussion about Race in America in a livestream forum titled: Talking About Race in America, via the churchs website with the Rev. Peter Walsh, Sunday, June 28, 2020. They were also joined by Lisa Leist, (pictured), also a parishioner. It began at 9 a.m. and went until 9:47 a.m. It will continue in another form on another date, according to Father Peter. Viewers were asked to submit questions, during the livestream via the St. Marks website. Original story: St. Marks Episcopal Churchs livestream forum, Talking About Race in America, took place from 9 to 9:49 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. The last two weeks have featured Rev. Peter Walsh interviewing parishioner and New Canaan resident Tom Jones. This weekend they were joined by parishioner Lise Leist. They were joined by parishioner Lise Leist, director of Post Secondary Education for Future 5. She is responsible for engagement, development and membership experience for Future 5, which works with Stamford area high school students. She champions Future 5s mission: To unlock the potential of every student, playing a critical role in helping all with his or her college career transition, while developing and providing opportunities for financial support through local and national community organizations. Leist brings 20 years of leadership experience across multiple industries and scales of business. Prior to joining Future 5, she served as dean of Community Affairs for the King School in Stamford. She also teaches Etiquette and Protocol for students, adults and businesses. Leist and her husband of 40 years, Jeff, live in Pound Ridge, N.Y. They are parents of children, Zach and Anya. Leist and her family have been members of St. Marks for 20 years. Jones is author of From Willard Straight to Wall Street, which provides a front row seat to the author's triumphs and struggles as he was twice investigated by the SEC, and emerged unscathed. His searing perspective as an African-American navigating a world dominated by Whites reveals a father, a husband, a trusted colleague, a Cornellian, and a business leader who confronts life with an unwavering resolve that defies cliche and offers a unique perspective on the issues of race in America today, according to a press release. Jones is founder and senior partner of the venture capital investment firm TWJ Capital LLC. He served as chief executive officer of Global Investment Management at Citigroup; vice-chairman, president and chief operating officer at TIAA-CREF; and senior vice president and treasurer at the John Hancock Insurance Company. Jones received masters degrees from Cornell University, and Boston University, and holds honorary doctoral degrees from Howard University, Pepperdine University, and the College of New Rochelle. He is trustee emeritus at Cornell University. He and his wife Addie have been members at St. Marks for over 25 years. Viewers were asked to submit questions during the livestream via the St. Marks website. St. Marks plan to continue this series through the summer. An outdoor 9 a.m. service is scheduled to begin Sunday, July 5. Ghanaians have joined the rest of the world to honour and celebrate fathers for their sacrifice, leadership, mentorship and outstanding roles they have played in communities over the years. The day, which is observed on the third Sunday of June globally,has gradually been embraced in Ghana to complement the widely celebrated Mother's Day event. Largely facilitated by the media and their sponsors, Ghanaian men are now being recognised through the giving of cards, gifts, dining outs, well-wishing messages and other forms of showing appreciation, instead of the hitherto practice of a few media houses, inviting callers to share their disturbing experiences with their fathers. "In Ghana, Father's Day used to be like Father's Bashing Day. You see, the bad nuts made it difficult for us to be admired, but I am glad the trend is taking a positive turn. I'm enjoying the new normal," Mr Arthur Simpson, a father of three adult children told the Ghana News Agency. " Fatherhood is a very important and serious responsibility, requiring a lot of physical, material and emotional investments in the family, community and the nation. Many of us strive to do our best. I love being a father," he concluded. About two weeks ahead of the Day, the Ghana observed citizens sharing their experiences and sending well wishes to their fathers through radio platforms, television programmes and social media platforms. One radio program in Accra urged callers to share some lies they had told their fathers and the confessions ranged from using the buying of books textbooks to extort money to feigning an illness to get more attention. However, many media programmes urged patrons to send in short videos or write-ups sharing their fond memories and heroic stories of their fathers. Frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19, who are fathers, have understandably, been given a special space for commendation. Some newspapers also advertised some events and treats to make the day special, amid the observation of anti Covid-19 hygiene and social distancing protocols. Additionally, online shops, community gifts shops and some malls, have created special packages and displayed gifts for potential customers to celebrate their Fathers. At the end of day, the new normal would surely offer many a father, some smiles and joy that alas their toils and sacrifices are being appreciated by family, community and country. According to a livescience.com account, the observation of Father's Day began in the United States of America when a young woman wanted to honour her dad. According to the narrative: "In May of 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington sat in church listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She decided she wanted to designate a day for her dad, William Jackson Smart. "Dodd's mother had died in childbirth, and Dodd's father, a Civil War veteran, had taken the responsibility of single-handedly raising the newborn and his other five children. "The following year, Dodd wanted to celebrate Father's Day on June 5th, her father's birthday, and petitioned for the holiday to be recognized in her city. "Needing more time to arrange the festivities, Spokane's mayor pushed the date back by two weeks, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, according to the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau. "At the first Father's Day celebration, young women handed out red roses to their fathers during a church service, and large baskets full of roses were passed around, with attendees encouraged to pin on a rose in honor of their fathers red for the living and white in memory of the deceased. "Dodd then brought her infant son along on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city, bringing roses and gifts to home-bound fathers. While Congress was quick to officially declare the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in 1914, after it was first celebrated on May 10, 1908, it took much longer for Father's Day to be legally recognised. But thanks to Dodd's celebration, Father's Day steadily gained popularity. "In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge said that he supported it, in order to establish closer relationships between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations, according to the Library of Congress. "And the holiday gained more traction in 1938 when a trade organization, the National Council for the Promotion of Father's Day, which was formed by men's clothing retailers in New York City, decided to take up the cause, according to Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays (Princeton University Press, 1995). "President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966, but it wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it a permanent holiday. Since then, Father's Day has become a time to recognize the many different father figures in our lives". ---GNA Virus found in Beijing close to European strains: WHO Global Times By Hu Yuwei and Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 13:28:33 The WHO confirmed on Friday that the virus sequences from the new outbreak in Beijing is closely related to the European strain, saying the virus was very likely imported to Beijing from strains circulating in Europe. At a press briefing on Friday, WHO's emergencies director, Dr. Michael Ryan said the evidence shows that the Beijing outbreak appears to be human-to-human transmission, not another cross-species infection. Chinese experts said the virus could have been contaminated during packaging or transporting imported frozen food products to the Beijing wholesale market where it was recently detected. "In regard to the route of virus transmission into Beijing from Europe, if confirmed, it is likely the virus remained in imported frozen food where it lurked in dark and humid environment, and then exposed to local visitors to the market," Yang Zhanqiu, deputy director of the pathogen biology department at Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Saturday. Other possibilities include infected people, who had been from or been to Europe, visited the Xinfadi market and caused human-to-human transmission, said Yang. Chinese health officials said on Friday that it was highly likely the strain of virus is the same as the European virus, but "is older than the virus currently spreading in Europe." Yang said it's possible the virus was transported to China from the current outbreak in Europe, but genetic mutations occurred as it adapted to the Chinese environment and new hosts. Further laboratory tests and genome sequencing are required to learn more about origin of the virus strains, Yang said. Leading virologist, Jin Dongyan, who is a professor at the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, compared the data of three genome sequences of the virus released by Chinese researchers and found that the genetic differences were very small. "That means they likely came from the same place. Worldwide data shows the virus variants that are most genetically similar were found in the Czech Republic, the island of Taiwan and some areas in Europe," Jin told the Global Times on Saturday. Ryan noted that "strains and viruses have moved around the world" throughout the pandemic. He said that many viruses in New York "were of European origin" and "Japan has imported cases from Europe," but this doesn't mean that Europe was necessarily the source of the recent Beijing outbreak. "What it's saying most likely is that the disease was probably imported from outside Beijing at some point," Ryan said, adding that "establishing when that happened and how long the chain of transmission is important." Ryan called for a detailed investigation into the recent coronavirus outbreak in Beijing, where 205 cases have been reported between June 11 and Saturday. National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention is taking the lead in establishing a nationwide virus monitoring and tracing system based on the entire viral genome, so as to deal with the current problems surrounding the traceability of the virus, Chinese health official said on Friday. It only took about a week for China to publish its result of the virus genome sequences analysis in new outbreak in Beijing, much faster than that of the earlier outbreak in Wuhan which took 16 days, as it is a matter deeply related to national security and international reputation, said Yang, adding it also reflects on how China is taking responsibility for health security of global public. The WHO's judgement on the virus strain is basically consistent with that of Chinese scientists, which indicates that the WHO accepts the Chinese conclusion on the sequence analysis of the virus' genome. Ryan praised the intense and efficient investigations going on in Beijing. But he stressed it was essential to understand how the virus spread so quickly and what environments in the market included crowded working conditions, air conditioning and the presence of water allows the disease to spread. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday that the pandemic is "accelerating," as more than 150,000 cases were reported to the WHO on Thursday, the highest single-day number so far reported. Tedros warned countries not to relax their infection control measures too soon as "we are in a new and dangerous phase." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Moon Jae-in, left, and his national security adviser Chung Eui-yong arrive at a ceremony for new Korean ambassadors at Cheong Wa Dae, June 16. The Ministry of Unification announced that North Korea blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in Gaeseong shortly before the ceremony began with them present at 3 p.m. Their participation as planned in the regular diplomatic event fueled criticisms that Cheong Wa Dae may not have been paying due attention to a possible national security emergency. By Do Je-hae The sudden resignation of unification minister Kim Yeon-chul is raising speculation about who will take up the post amid rising tension between the two Koreas, culminating in the destruction on June 16 of the highly symbolic inter-Korean liaison office in Gaeseong. But media attention is focused not on Kim's replacement, but on whether President Moon Jae-in will opt for a more fundamental shakeup of his national security and diplomatic team to salvage his failing peace process on the Korean Peninsula. In this regard, parties are increasingly demanding the replacement of national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, as well as a shakeup of the ministries in charge of foreign affairs and national defense. After the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office, the question that has emerged most often during Cheong Wa Dae's press briefings has been regarding a possible reshuffle at the presidential national security office. Reporters have been hounding key presidential aides about whether the President was considering a replacement for Chung, but the presidential office has avoided going into specifics. "As far as Chung's resignation is concerned, I have not heard anything about it," a senior presidential aide told reporters during a briefing last week. "Regarding personnel matters, we will make an announcement in due course after final decisions are made." A career diplomat with a heavy background in international trade, Chung has faced criticism for lack of expertise since he was appointed as Moon's first national security adviser in May 2017. Shortcomings in NK policy Opposition parties are highlighting that it is more than time to hold the current security and diplomatic team accountable for the shortcomings in Moon's engagement-centered North Korea policy. Moon's approach to North Korea has been criticized for a lack of visible progress in inter-Korean relations and crossing Washington's strict position on sanctions against North Korea, thereby hurting U.S.-South Korea relations as well. In particular, there is a strong sense among the opposition parties that replacing the unification minister is not enough. "We need a complete shakeup in the President's lineup for national security and diplomacy," Rep. Sim Sang-jung, chairwoman of the Justice Party said during a party meeting last week. "The reshuffle should not end with unification minister's resignation." Even the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is calling for a reshuffle of Moon's security and diplomatic team. "It is time to review whether the government is properly supporting Moon's determination for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," DPK floor leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon said at a party meeting on June 18. Changing the mood "Our collective efforts for progress in inter-Korean relations have not produced tangible results. In this sense, a reshuffle could be meaningful for changing the mood," said DPK Rep. Min Hong-chul, head of the Assembly's National Defense Committee. Last week, North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo-jong revealed that Pyongyang had rejected Seoul's offer to send Chung and National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon for urgent negotiations. Some point out that it will be inevitable to replace Chung this time given that Pyongyang has implied it no longer trusts Chung as a negotiating partner by refusing to receive him as a special envoy. But there are also concerns that it will not be easy to find a replacement. Suh is being mentioned as a possible successor, but North Korea also refused to receive him as an envoy, raising doubts about his suitability as a negotiator with North Korea under the current circumstances. Finding a replacement for the unification minister post is also adding to Cheong Wa Dae's woes. Multiple names with special ties to the Moon administration are being mentioned in the media. But regardless of a new minister's political capacity, commitment and expertise, doubts remain as to the role of the unification ministry as long as there are no significant changes in South Korea's limited influence over improving U.S.-North Korea relations. Moon approved the resignation of the former unification minister on June 19, which is seen by many as a result for the collapse of inter-Korean relations following Pyongyang's termination of all communication channels with the South before demolishing the inter-Korean liaison office. The office was set up in 2018 as a result of the April 27 Panmunjeom Declaration signed by Moon and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. The need for a reshuffle in the President's national security and foreign policy team has been highlighted in the media for some time, particularly after Moon marked the third year of his office on May 10. National security adviser Chung Eui-yong, second from right, listens to President Moon deliver a special national address to mark the third anniversary of his inauguration on May 10. Yonhap 34 Shares Share Even before the pandemic, the U.S. health care system needed a significant overhaul. For too long, we have operated in a reactive mode, prioritizing treating illness over ensuring health and wellness. In the post-COVID-19 era, stakes are even higher. Our health care system faces an unprecedented demand surge from millions who put their own care on hold over the past several months. How we approach this impending surge will determine the outcomes for millions of patients and set the stage for the affordability, access, and resilience of our nations health care system for decades to come. Pent-up demand During the first three months, health spending dropped at an 18% annualized rate, and total outpatient visits declined by nearly 60%. Inpatient admissions to Veterans Affairs hospitals, including those for six common emergency conditions, fell 42% from January 29 to March 10 compared to March 11 to April 21. Unfortunately, this change doesnt signify improved health; instead, its the start of even bigger problems as so many postponed care. For the 150 million Americans living with chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, routine care is key for maintaining health and avoiding complications and hospitalizations. But, their care has been on pause, raising serious concerns since these patients account for more than 85% of total health care spending. Danger zone Since early March, data from health care analytics company Prealize shows that visits for coronary atherosclerosis and other heart disease the nations number one killer are down 37%. In fact, 20% fewer patients sought care for a broad range of cardiovascular problems. Sadly, these declines foreshadow an inevitable downstream rise in harmful, high-cost cardiovascular events, with ischemic heart disease episodes alone set to double. Isolation and physical distancing resulting from COVID-19 is exacerbating patients mental health issues. While many still received telehealthcare during the pandemic, data shows that high-cost behavioral health episodes will increase by 53% over the next 12 months. Without intervention, very real consequences will result from delayed care. Fortunately, predictive analytics can power both proactive care and better outcomes by identifying not only health trends, but also the specific individuals at risk and when adverse events will likely occur. A good offense is the best defense Instead of waiting for patients to present with an illness or deteriorate, proactive care approaches preserve and improve health through early outreach and engagement. Next-generation predictive analytics enable organizations to effectively see around the corner, assess patients evolving risk and intervene to mitigate those risks to improve health and reduce spending. Traditional population health tools rely on simple indicators, like historical utilization or a static view of patients comorbidities to make generalized predictions about the future. Proactive health care solutions go much deeper. Using state-of-the-art machine learning methods that train on specific member population data, these tools uncover underlying clinical drivers and patient-specific insights. They enable automated clinical impact assessments and determine a patients individual likeliness to engage before making intervention and prioritization recommendations. Rising to the current challenge The pandemic has presented a once-in-a-lifetime test for health systems worldwide. In the U.S., we are fortunate to have incredibly talented health care workers, population health specialists, actuaries, researchers, and business executives all working to make sure we learn and prepare for the future. We cant be shortsighted in defeating the virus; we must also address the underlying, ongoing health challenges that disproportionately impact the poor and people of color. These challenges have been with us for a long time and will be exacerbated by the pent-up need for critical, cost-effective services and interventions. Only a truly proactive health care model can assess and impact both a patients clinical condition and willingness to engage. From that vantage point, we can optimize new care models, ease the pressure on burned out health care workers, improve consumers health, and ensure that care is affordable for everyone. The opportunity is here lets seize the initiative and change care forever. Ronald A. Paulus is a health care executive. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Second meeting of the Belarusian-Ukrainian Working Group on Interregional and Cross-border Cooperation On June 9, 2020 the second meeting of the Belarusian-Ukrainian Working Group on Interregional and Cross-border Cooperation was held by videoconference (Minsk-Kiev). The Belarusian part of the Working Group was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Evdochenko, the Ukrainian part was headed by the First Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Vasyl Lozynskii. The central topic of discussion was the preparation for the third Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine to be held in Grodno this autumn. Particular attention was paid to the business side of the Forum. The parties discussed the development of Belarusian-Ukrainian interregional and cross-border cooperation, including the extension of the legal framework, coordination of joint activities in the preparation and implementation of new cross-border projects, as well as emergency prevention and response cooperation. print version A Chinese woman who attempted to attempted to burn down an apartment complex in Longford town two years ago causing 1500 of damage, has been fined 105 by Judge Seamus Hughes. Chunli Zhang, 3 Hibernian Court, Longford was given the fine after an incident at Hibernian Court, Longford on March 20 2018. The 44-year-old, who was in court last Tuesday along with an interpreter, was also charged with the possession of a knife on the same date at Tesco Car Park. An up to date report detailing Ms Zhangs psychiatric well being and engagement with probation services was described as good by Judge Hughes with solicitor John Quinn revealing how his client had also paid for the damage caused to the apartment complex. He also asked the court to refrain from issuing any form of criminal conviction in light of Ms Zhangs frequent trips home to her native land. Asked how Ms Zhang was able to afford the luxury of such regular and costly expeditions abroad, Judge Hughes was told it was courtesy of the accused womans husband. Mr Quinn attempted to add further weight to Ms Zhangs defence, saying the incident was not in keeping with her character. This was totally isolated due to her health at the time and she has worked illustriously at getting better, he said, adding Ms Zhang was currently taking prozac, a form of antidepressant to aid her in her recovery. Her motive (for her actions on the day of the incident) was mental illness at the time and was extremely serious, he added. Judge Hughes said despite Ms Zhangs progress over the past two years, he had to make a decision on whether her behaviour and upshot of what had occurred required a criminal conviction. The question is, is justice being served giving a conviction, he said, with Mr Quinn intimating any such move would impair Ms Zhangs ability to travel. China wont allow a Chinese citizen in, is that what you are telling me? Judge Hughes asked Mr Quinn. This was an arson attempt on an apartment complex and it is serious, adding it was important for the general public to see Ms Zhang was not getting away scot free. Mr Quinn replied, saying his client boasted no previous convictions and was solely down to Ms Zhangs ill-health at the time. Judge Hughes, however, stood firm and said given the nature of the charges it was imperative some form of punishment was served on the accused woman. I wont exercise my discretion until I have more support from the prosecution, he commented, before stating the conviction he intended imposing would be of a very minor nature. He consequently fined Ms Zhang 105 on each charge, giving her three months to pay. As Texas grapples with a spike in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus the state now has more than 100,000 and climbing dozens of Houston-area restaurants have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for the illness. The statistics remain a harsh reality for local restaurants that continue to struggle even as Texas allowed for an increase in dining to 75 percent capacity on June 12. That same weekend saw Taste of Texas, Relish, Pappys Cafe in Houston and Yagas Cafe in Galveston temporarily close after staff tested positive for COVID-19. The list is growing, too Daddys Burgers, Rosie Cannonball, Pluckers Wing Bar on Shepherd and MAD at River Oaks District are a few of the latest to clock out underscoring concerns about the safety of dining and how operators are dealing with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The waters are murky: What are the responsibilities for restaurant operators to inform the public if staffers contract the coronavirus? Must a restaurant shut down and who regulates that? And, most importantly, should the dining public be concerned? Our entire business is built around trust, said Paul Miller, who owns seven locations of the Union Kitchen and three Jax Grill restaurants in Houston. If you get caught with your pants down, the guest will never come back. You dont forget things like that. Restaurants that are slow to acknowledge COVID-19 in their operations and fail to protect their staff and the dining public erode trust, he added. Were hanging on by a string as it is, Miller said. It hurts everyone. So far, three months into the most serious public health emergency in over a century, Houstonians have no way to make a timely risk assessment when choosing a restaurant or bar. The public is learning of positive cases and shutdowns primarily through rumor, social media or tips to news organizations not through any state, county or city agency with responsibilities for public health. None of those agencies has stepped forward to address the information gap. The state, under the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, has established reopening dates and occupancy levels for restaurants and bars, and suggested guidelines on proper health procedures. But there are no guidelines about reporting positives to local health agencies. Harris County Public Health typically regulates restaurants through permitting of food establishments, periodic renewal of permits and requiring managers to take the departments training in food handling. Its an internal process, with no public interface other than the training certificates and permits posted on the walls at restaurants and bars. The pandemic has not changed this. The Houston Health Department inspects restaurants for health and sanitation violations, reporting results to the public. There is no similar system of reporting to alert the public to the risk of contagious disease, whether it be hepatitis or COVID-19. Even in a pandemic situation, the public is left in the dark because of federal privacy law. The HIPAA Act of 1996 prohibits health departments from disclosing the name of someone who tests positive. During the contact tracing process for the case, health departments cant alert the public, or the employer, and they are allowed to alert close-contact coworkers only to the fact of the positive test. But to some degree it almost doesnt matter, said Dr. David Persse, Houstons health authority. People who get sick and are having symptoms are infected with something, whether its COVID or not, and they shouldnt be at work in a public-facing position. But with this virus the biggest challenge is that some who are infected show no symptoms. They tend not to get tested, and those are the people who are spreading it, to an extent. Even if HIPAA were changed by Congress tomorrow, Persse added, and if we relied on saying X restaurant has three employees who are COVID positive, it still wouldnt address any infected but asymptomatic coworkers. The two most likely sources of infection are family members and co-workers, he said. Lacking state guidelines, the Texas Restaurant Association has responded by issuing steps on implementing safety practices for restaurants that have confirmed COVID-19 exposures. Those guidelines follow protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for dealing with workers and the workspace. But they do not address if restaurants should be shutting down or informing the public. Dr. Amy McGuire, professor and director of the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, said its important for any businesses, including restaurants and bars, to participate in contact tracing within their workplaces. If somebody is infected, you should try to identify where theyve been and whos been around them and who might have been exposed, McGuire said. I would think that restaurants should inform other employees who were potentially exposed by that particular employee, and customers who had frequented their establishment during the exposure time. She adds that slowing the spread of the virus will require a lot of community cooperation, and that theres a social imperative to inform people of what they know. Last Monday, McIntyres in the Heights posted to its Facebook page, saying they were closing that day to perform a durable electrostatic sanitation service throughout the bar. When reached for comment, owner Kyle Berg said, In accordance with both federal and local privacy laws, we cannot comment on the personal health of our staff. Some restaurant operators told the Chronicle that they cannot disclose positive COVID-19 cases among their employees because of privacy laws. McGuire said its possible for business owners to disclose that there has been an infected individual at a location without naming the person in question or divulging the employees identity in any way. Many restaurants have done so, as has H-E-B, which posts a notice on each store locations page when an employee at that location has tested positive, along with the last day they showed up to work. After a follow-up, Berg admitted McIntyres did indeed have some employees test positive for COVID-19. While we did answer direct inquiries from our customers regarding this matter, in hindsight we understand it wouldve been better to make a public statement about our employees positive tests, Berg said. Going forward, we will do just that. There is no handbook for how to operate during a health pandemic, and we are doing the best we can to provide a safe, sanitary and enjoyable place for all Houstonians. When Aaron Lyons learned that three employees at his Dish Society restaurant at Memorial Green tested positive for COVID-19, he immediately closed the restaurant, cleaned it, instructed employees to be tested and posted on social media to alert the public. Sales fell at all his five Dish Society locations last week even after Memorial Green reopened. But Lyons said that being transparent is the best business practice. I know restaurant owners that have had people test positive who said straight up theyre not going to close down and issue a statement, Lyons said. Restaurants are obligated to do the right thing, but that means different things to different people. Without guidance, it becomes extremely subjective. That subjectivity could be ruinous for restaurants. Whether its workers not telling employers they are sick or employers not disclosing a positive case to staff or customers, the result could be many more temporary closures. And more infections. Mary Leigh Clarkson, the owner of Avondale Food & Wine and a hospitality attorney, said some workers fear calling out their employers. Because of the pandemic, many are the beneficiaries of unemployment or paid time off. For those who are now back at work, speaking out is especially risky, given the current economy. If they get fired from this job, they may not be able to get another job as easily as they would be able to pre-COVID, Clarkson said. As for a restaurants responsibility to disclose cases, Clarkson said restaurateurs are in uncharted territory with the coronavirus and that there are no clear answers as of yet from a legal standpoint. It is her personal opinion that anything short of full disclosure of what you knew and when you knew it, without identifying individuals and violating HIPAA privacy laws, is breaching (the restaurants duty to the customer), she said. That duty prompted the owners of Coltivare in the Heights to close Thursday after an employees partner tested positive. Agricole Hospitality, the restaurant group that owns Coltivare, paid out of pocket to have the entire staff of about 40 tested at an expense of $175 per exam, co-owner Morgan Weber said. We paid for a one-hour turnaround on the tests and have had zero positive test results come back, Weber said. It gives me heartburn to think about how many times we are going to need to do this, but it is the responsible thing to do. I am hoping it doesnt become necessary every two weeks for the next year. The restaurant is being deep cleaned, but no reopening date has been set. We are navigating this day by day. We dont have any experience with this, Weber said. It is our responsibility to keep guests informed on what they are walking into. We cant hide it. We want to do everything in our realm to keep people safe. Marcy de Luna contributed to this report. food@chron.com The White House has said President Donald Trump was joking when he told cheering crowds in Tulsa that he directed his administration to slow down testing for coronavirus, calling it a 'double-edged sword' that led to more cases being discovered. During a comeback campaign rally on Saturday night, Trump said the US has now tested 25 million people, far more than other countries. The 'bad part,' Trump said, is that widespread testing leads to logging more cases of the virus. 'When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please,' he said. A White House official later told reporters that Trump made the comment in jest. 'He was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million + in testing,' the official said. The president also ignited outrage by calling COVID-19 the 'kung flu', a racist term referencing its origins in China. President Trump on Saturday told supporters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he ordered his administration to slow down the pace of coronavirus testing So far, more than 119,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 and more than 2.1 million have been infected. The image above shows Kim Desmond (left) getting swabbed for coronavirus at a testing site in Denver on Saturday Trump opted to hold his first rally in 110 days despite concerns from local health officials that it could lead to further spread of the virus in Tulsa. Most of those in attendance declined to wear a mask. The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis. And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona - states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early - daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June. Rising case numbers can partially be explained by the wider availability of testing. Mild cases, previously undetected because of limits on who could be tested, are now showing up in the numbers. The campaign of Trump's Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, released a statement on Saturday blasting the president for saying his administration slowed testing. 'In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonight's debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that he's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people - even as we just recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work,' campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said. Trump sparked outrage on social media when he referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' 'Trump's catastrophic mismanagement of our nation's response to the worst public health crisis in over 100 years began with ignoring countless warnings from his own officials and selling us out to the Chinese government for a hollow trade deal and that mismanagement continues to this day as he continues to put his own political interests first while many states see spikes in deadly infections.' She added: 'To hear him say tonight that he has ordered testing slowed - a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better - is appalling.' Trump's 'kung flu' reference was also not well received as dozens of people voiced their disgust on social media. 'It has more names than any disease in history,' the president told thousands of his supporters inside the BOK Center on Saturday. 'I can name kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names.' The coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, has been referred to by the president as the 'Wuhan virus' or the 'Chinese virus'. Linking the virus, which has caused a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 119,000 Americans, to China has led to an uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans in recent months. The president has defended his handling of the pandemic, though his administration has been blamed for its response to the virus that has so far infected more than 2 million Americans. In March, the president denied that using the term 'Wuhan virus' or 'Chinese virus' was racist. It's 'not racist at all,' Trump told reporters in March. 'It comes from China. I want to be accurate.' The reaction to Trump's comments on Saturday was fierce, as Twitter users assailed the president for using racist language. Jennifer Taub tweeted: 'Trump is a racist pig. He just called Covid-19 'Kung Flu'.' An organization called Republican Voters Against Trump tweeted: 'Enough of this racist bile. Enough.' Peter Rosenberg tweeted: 'Yo this man just said 'Kung Flu' to describe Coronavirus ... he is unhinged because this rally is empty.' Rabia O'Chaudry tweeted: 'He just said Kung Flu. He's so effing disgusting.' Santiago Mayer tweeted: 'Everytime the President calls it 'Kung Flu' he is belittling the nearly 120,000 Americans who have died of Coronavirus. 'What he is doing is not only not Presidential, but it lacks basic human decency and humility. 'F*** him.' Another Twitter user wrote: 'Not Kung Flu...we HAVE to get 45 out.' On March 17, Weijia Jiang, a White House correspondent for CBS News, reported that a White House official referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' right to her face. 'This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the 'Kung-Flu' to my face,' Jiang tweeted. 'Makes me wonder what they're calling it behind my back.' The next day, Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump aide, said reports that a White House official used the term 'kung flu' were 'highly offensive.' 'I'd like to know who they are,' Conway said when asked to comment about the remark. 'But hold on, you can't just say that and not name them. Tell us who it was. 'Come up here and tell us who it was.' Conway declined to condemn the White House official, though she said 'of course it's wrong.' CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reported in March that a White House official referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' to her face 'But you can't just make an accusation and not tell us who it is,' Conway said. She then turned to Jiang and asked: 'Who is it?' Jiang replied: 'I think you understand how these conversations go. I am also a journalist.' 'I don't know how these conversations go and that's highly offensive,' Conway replied. 'So, you should tell us all who it is. I'd like to know who it is.' Conway continued: 'I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals. I'm married to an Asian.' 'I mean, I'm not engaging in hypotheticals,' she said. 'I'm married to an Asian ... my kids are partly - I'm married to an Asian American, my kids are 25 percent Filipino.' Conway's husband is George Conway, a conservative lawyer who has gained a massive Twitter following after emerging as one of Trump's fiercest critics. George Conway is half Filipino. President Nana Akufo-Addo has addressed Ghanaians for the 12th time on the easing of navel coronavirus related restrictions in the country. The Presidents address among other things touched on measures put in place ahead of the re-opening of Senior High Schools (SHS) for final year and Gold track students on Monday, June 22, 2020. Below are some of his directives on schools as they reopen; Senior High School 3 students will be in school for 6 weeks before sitting for WASSCE over a period of 2 weeks. Gold Track students will be in school for 6 before going on vacation. All SHSs nationwide have been fumigated and disinfected. The government will make pickup vehicles available to senior high schools that did not receive any in 2016. One dormitory block per senior high school should be set aside as an isolation center, in case a student falls sick. No visiting to the schools will be allowed. One dormitory must be used as an isolation center in every school. Every school will be assigned to a nearby health facility. 3/3. Eating in dining halls will be inappropriate numbers No visitors to the schools will be allowed. According to the President, if you are arrested for not wearing the face mask your sanction could be severe. Failure to wear it remains a criminal offense. 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 Ghanas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has apologised to the Nigerian government over an attack on the Nigerian High Commissions building in Accra. Some armed men reportedly invaded the building in the Ghanaian capital, on Friday night, destroying some apartments under construction. Ghanaian media reported that a businessman had earlier accused the high commission of encroaching on his land. This paper said the demolished building was recently acquired by the Nigerian embassy. Angered by the incident, some Nigerians in the country protested the destruction, calling on the Ghanaian authorities to act. PREMIUM TIMES obtained videos of the protesters lamenting how the armed men broke into the building and destroyed it. However, In a press statement, Ghanas foreign affairs ministry said it views the act as a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between countries. It expressed regrets over the demolition, saying; Investigations are ongoing to unravel the facts of the matter and bring perpetrators to book. Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has beefed up security at the said facility and the situation is under control. While expressing regrets over the incident, the Ministry wishes to reassure the diplomatic community in Ghana and the Nigerian High Commission in particular that Ghana remains a law abiding country that upholds the principle of the rule of law. It should be noted that the Nigerian government had vowed to investigate the demolition. Nigerias foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, in a tweet on Sunday condemned the development, describing it as criminal and Outrageous. We are engaging the Ghanaian Government and demand urgent action to find the perpetrators and provide adequate protection for Nigerians and their property in Ghana. In a separate tweet, the Director-General of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured that the agency will reach out to its citizens in Ghana. The Minister of Foreign Affairs @GeoffreyOnyeama will update appropriately . @nidcom_gov is in touch with Nigerians in Ghana, she wrote, replying a social media user who urged that the lives of Nigerians in the country should be secured. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 21, 2020 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 21, 2020 | 12:05 AM | PADUCAH McCracken County School Superintendent Steve Carter commented that everyones cooperation and flexibility since the cancellation of in-person classes on March 13th has been amazing, as he discussed the upcoming school year. He pointed out that over a half-million meals were served, and multiple drive-thru award celebrations were conducted. Carter said that as the 2019-2020 school year was finished, attention quickly shifted to the 2020-2021 school year. He said they are working to develop a re-opening plan that will benefit the needs of the students and community. The superintendent stressed that the schools will not look or operate exactly the same as the day they closed in March. He added that they miss the students and want to be able to see as many as possible in person. He explained that a perfect plan may not exist, however, they are working diligently to provide the best possible solution for returning to school. Currently, there are two task force committees developing options for the return. One group is focused on delivery of instruction and the other on operations. While Carter said not everyone will agree with the plan when finalized, they will do their best to provide the safest learning environment, both physically and emotionally for the students and staff. He said that the health and safety of nearly 7000 students and 1000 staff members is of the utmost importance. Just like everyone else, he said they are trying to navigate and develop plans based around information that changes and evolves weekly. They will continue to follow guidance received from the governors office, Center for Disease Control, as well as both state and local health officials. Also, they will continue to monitor and be active participants moving forward in the coming weeks and months. As of now, the following is known: Nearly 92% of parents who responded to their survey reported they want their children to be in school for in person classes. Parents will have the option to provide remote/virtual instruction or send their child(ren) to school in August. Students and staff will be required to wear masks at certain parts of the day, including when riding a bus and when social distancing may be compromised. They plan on having a finalized plan ready for board approval at the July board meeting. Carter again pointed out that the plans are still in draft form and will be communicated as they are finalized and approved by the Purchase Area Health Department. In closing, he said that he hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer and to stay #McCrackenProud. Well, we dont call it the Sovereign District of New York for nothin There is tumult in the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, where I proudly spent nearly 20 years as a prosecutor. In a nutshell, after the two men met in Manhattan on Friday, Attorney General Bill Barr announced that evening that SDNY U.S. Attorney Geoff Berman was stepping down. Later during the night, Berman issued a statement essentially saying, Like hell I am! Inevitably, President Trump fired Berman on Saturday afternoon, as announced by Barr. That should end the legal dispute over the job, though it may not. And the controversy has only just begun. It would seem strange to accuse the AG of interfering in the work of the Department he is sworn to run; yet, Democrats and the media darkly accuse Barr of impeding SDNY investigations that could negatively impact the presidents reelection bid. That claim seems overwrought, for reasons well come to. Still, the sudden removal of Berman just four months before the election raises questions. Practically speaking, there is no way the presidents nominee to replace Berman, current SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, would be confirmed before Election Day. There was, moreover, a significant issue regarding the legal eligibility of the prosecutor whom Barr initially named as Bermans acting replacement Craig Carpentino, currently the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey (DNJ). Wisely rethinking that plan, the AG announced on Saturday that the SDNY would be run by Bermans deputy, Audrey Strauss, until the Senate confirms a new U.S. Attorney. The SDNY has a richly deserved reputation for independence from Main Justice in Washington. The office has always had a vigorous public-corruption unit, and boasts other units (major crimes, securities fraud, even occasionally organized crime) that sometimes target and sometimes stumble upon officials great and small, tied to both political parties. These characters are zealously prosecuted, without regard to whether their names are followed by R. or D. (By the way, corruption is the most bipartisan of political enterprises, and those enmeshed in it tend to see their party affiliation as more a racket than an indicator of allegiance or ideology.) Story continues True to form, the SDNY has pursued investigations and prosecutions of people associated with the president and his circle. These include former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, and Ukrainian business associates of the presidents personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Before he was Americas Mayor, Rudy, of course, was a legendary United States Attorney for the SDNY (where, it happens, he hired me though he got most things right). This weekends sharp exchanges over Bermans abrupt removal may seem tame compared to the fireworks on Capitol Hill. The House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman is Trump/Barr nemesis Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.), had already scheduled a hearing for this coming Wednesday to probe alleged political interference by the AG in prosecutions of Trump associates Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. Seemingly before the sun rose Saturday morning, Chairman Nadler had invited Berman to join Wednesdays festivities. It is not yet clear whether hell testify. U.S. Attorneys: The Org Chart and the Politics Constitutionally speaking, the Justice Department is a somewhat strangely arranged beast. Thats a vestige of our history: The position of attorney general, as well as executive branch-appointed lawyers, existed long before the Justice Department was established in 1870. The AG is the nations chief federal law enforcement officer. Holding presidential-cabinet rank, the AG runs Main Justice in Washington, with a staff that includes such Senate-confirmed officers as the Deputy AG, the Solicitor General, and the Chiefs of DOJs Criminal, Civil, National Security, and Tax Divisions, among others. Federally speaking, the United States i.e., the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other territories is divided into 94 judicial districts. Some big states (e.g., California and New York) have several districts; other states have only one. Each district has its own top federal prosecutor, the United States Attorney, who runs an office staffed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs). There are over 2,300 AUSAs in the U.S., and big offices, such as the SDNY, may have upwards of 200. The U.S. Attorney is a presidential appointee. Lets pause on that for a moment because its important to what follows. The district U.S. Attorneys are not appointed or hired by the AG. They are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate. You can discern the tension this can cause in terms of the org chart and supervisory authority. In theory, the AG runs the Justice Department, and all district U.S. Attorneys are subordinate to the AG basically, they report to the Deputy AG, who runs DOJ day-to-day and reports to the AG. Nevertheless, it is an overstatement to say that district U.S. Attorneys take their marching orders from the AG. Because they are presidential appointees, district U.S. Attorneys have a direct relationship with the president; and because they best know the conditions and bench in their districts, they tend to have lots of autonomy. Matters are further complicated by the Senate. Under the Constitution (Article II, Section 2), officers of the United States must be confirmed by the Senate. This gives the Senate great influence over the selection of presidentially appointed officials, particularly senators in an appointees the home state. To maximize its influence, the Senate traditionally follows whats known as a blue-slip protocol, in which any appointee has to be acceptable to both the home-state senators or the Senate wont consider the nomination. Consequently, in making nominations, presidents are heavily influenced by the home-state senators, particularly if one (or both) of them is a member of the presidents party. By contrast, things can get difficult if, as in New York, both senators are from the opposition party. Normally, there is horse-trading: Everyone knows top prosecutorial jobs, judgeships, and other federal positions have to be filled if the government is to function properly, so the president has to give senators some of what they want to get the appointees the president wants. Normal politics can break down, however, if there is extreme hostility between the players. To put it mildly, there is no love lost between President Trump and New Yorks Democratic senators, Chuck Schumer (the powerful minority leader) and Kirsten Gillibrand. Removing Interim U.S. Attorney Berman Under Article II of the Constitution, all executive power is reposed in the president. Any Senate-confirmed federal officer may be fired by the president. But only by the president. The AG does not have the power to fire a district U.S. attorney. Again, practically speaking, this usually makes no difference. On DOJ matters, it is to be assumed that the AG speaks for the president. When the AG makes personnel moves, we should presume the president has either ordered or endorsed them. Still, it is technically true that AG Barr lacks the authority to remove a district U.S. Attorney. That is why, when Berman insisted that he was not stepping down, despite Barrs announcement to the contrary, the president promptly fired Berman on Saturday. The position of U.S. Attorney for the SDNY is the premier prosecutors job in the country. In terms of law enforcement overall, it is rivaled only by the AG and the FBI director in terms of national attention. In 1983, Rudy Giuliani held one of the highest-ranking federal law-enforcement offices in the country, criminal-division chief in the Reagan Justice Department. Yet, he left the coveted job in a heartbeat when the chance to be U.S. Attorney for the SDNY arose. The rest is history. Berman, understandably, did not want to give up his prestigious perch. But his hold on it has always been tenuous. He was not a full-fledged appointee. All along, he was in an interim status. Geoff was a solid AUSA in the SDNY (I overlapped with him but did not know him well). He is reportedly a Republican who donated to Trumps campaign, and he was for a time Giulianis law partner. When Trump was elected, the Obama-appointed SDNY U.S. Attorney was Preet Bharara (a former colleague of mine, and deservedly highly regarded). President Trump initially signaled that hed keep Bharara on (perhaps as an olive branch to Senator Schumer, for whom Preet worked on the Judiciary Committee), but there followed the cringe-inducing messy departure that has become a staple of the Trump years. Former AG Jeff Sessions appointed Berman to replace Bharara on an interim basis. This was done under Section 546 of the laws controlling the Justice Department (Chapter 28 of the U.S. Code). That statute authorizes such interim appointments for 120 days. Reportedly, the president himself interviewed Berman, but never formally nominated him. After 120 days, when Bermans interim appointment expired, he was nevertheless retained by the judges of the SDNY. This was done pursuant to Section 546(d). This provision is an important part of the controversy, so Ill quote it, highlighting the key part: If an appointment expires , the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court. This statute verges on unconstitutionality and, as we shall see, it would be unconstitutional if construed in the extravagant manner of Bermans defiant Friday night statement. The Constitution makes the president the chief executive, the sole source of executive power, and the only government official empowered to appoint federal officers, who must be Senate confirmed. A United States Attorney is a federal officer. Therefore, a court may not appoint a U.S. Attorney at least a full-fledged one. What about non-full-fledged? Well, Article II, Section 2, does make provision for the appointment of inferior officers, who need not be Senate confirmed. Congress is authorized to vest the power to appoint inferior officers in the president alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments (emphasis added). Under the statute then, if we deem an interim U.S. attorney to be an inferior officer, a federal court may make the appointment. Friday night, in announcing that he had not resigned, Berman elaborated, I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the [SDNY]. I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate (emphasis added). It thus appeared that he was boldly interpreting Section 546(d) to say that, until a nominee is Senate-confirmed, no one not even the president has the power to remove him. That would be a specious claim, so I hope he does not try to resist his dismissal by the president. To begin with, Section 546(d) does not say no removal can happen until a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. It says an interim appointee gets to stay until the vacancy is filled. As Berman himself exemplifies, vacancies can lawfully be filled, temporarily, by non-confirmed appointees either on an acting or interim basis. Moreover, even if deemed an inferior officer, an interim U.S. attorney wields the power of a superior executive officer. Federal courts may not exercise executive power, nor may they foist on the president an officer to whom the president is unwilling to delegate executive power. It has been settled law for nearly a century since Myers v. United States (1926) that the president may unilaterally remove even Senate-confirmed appointees. A fortiori, the president may remove a mere inferior officer who is exercising the powers of a superior executive officer. Finally, as with every other subordinate official in the Justice Department, Berman is (or was) subject to the Departments guidelines. DOJs Office of Legal Counsel has long been of the (very sound) view that all U.S. attorneys confirmed, acting, or interim serve at the pleasure of the president. Berman is not an independent fourth branch of government. Once the president fired him, he was out, period. It should not have come to this. It petulant for a U.S. Attorney to refuse to step down if the AG directs him to do so. The assumption should be that the AG is acting at least with the endorsement, if not at the direction, of the president. Furthermore, while critics have been all over Barr for purportedly lying when he issued a press release saying Berman was stepping down, this makes a sinister mountain out of a benign molehill. It is a conventional indulgence to the dumped public official to frame the removal as a resignation, or to couch it ambiguously, so it is unclear whether the official decided to leave or was pushed out. As Barr said in Saturdays letter to Berman, I was surprised and quite disappointed by the press statement you released last night. The AG indicated that hed told Berman of the administrations decision to make Clayton the full-fledged U.S. Attorney for the SDNY, and was hoping for [Bermans] cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition. Berman says he did not know he was being removed until he read about Barrs Friday evening press release. Barr says he told Berman what was happening. If you want to say it was Barrs job to get everyone on the same page, which clearly did not happen, thats a fair criticism. But it is catty to say he lied because he tried to soften the impression that Berman was being kicked to the curb. While the AG wanted to keep Clayton in the government, he was not looking to push Berman out of it. Reportedly, Barr offered Berman the recently vacated post of Chief of the Civil Division at Main Justice. I dont blame Berman for turning that down: He is a New York guy, he probably wanted no part of Washington (a common attitude ahem among New York guys), and after being SDNY U.S. Attorney, even on an interim basis, top DOJ positions are not as alluring. But if Barr was predisposed against Berman, why would he offer him a Main Justice job in which theyd be working closely together? Why Now and Why This Way? It cannot be gainsaid, though, that the AG wanted Berman out at SDNY. Otherwise, he could simply have kept Berman in place until Clayton was confirmed. Democrats are going to have lots of questions about that. And in trying to scandalize Bermans removal, they will try to exploit the choice of Clayton and the dubious plan now apparently abandoned to replace Berman with Craig Carpenito, the aforementioned DNJ U.S. Attorney. Lets start with Clayton. As Barr says, the SEC chairman is indeed a distinguished New York lawyer. He has never, however, been a federal prosecutor. At least facially, that makes him a peculiar choice. Nominees to be U.S. Attorney for the SDNY invariably have a few years of prosecutorial experience under their belts almost always federal, and usually as an AUSA in the SDNY (not just because its a clubby club; the senators prefer it, and many SDNY judges were SDNY prosecutors). Barr can rightly counter that Clayton has rich experience in securities law enforcement at the highest level. That closes a lot of the prosecutorial gap. Among the most vital parts of the SDNY gig is Wall Street (which is visible from the U.S. Attorneys corner office). Prior prosecutorial experience is a good thing for a prospective U.S. Attorney to have, but its not a prerequisite. And lets not forget, its not as if Barr and Trump were switching out a confirmed U.S. attorney for an unknown. Berman has good SDNY experience, but he was an interim never even nominated, let alone confirmed. Clayton, by contrast, has been vetted by the Senate and served well in a top post where he gained highly relevant experience. We should note that Barrs Saturday letter does not reaffirm that Clayton will be nominated though it doesnt say he wont. Barr told Berman that he wanted the opportunity to choose Clayton (emphasis added); and he said that Strauss would serve until a permanent successor is in place. It is unclear whether the AG was (a) implying that Clayton may no longer fit in the plan (or may have removed himself from consideration); or (b) just acknowledging that any nominee would have to win Senate confirmation while still anticipating that Clayton will be the nominee. Well see. The Carpenito gambit was more problematic. He is not a full-fledged U.S. attorney, either. Like Berman, Carpenito was appointed by Sessions, never nominated by Trump, and then appointed by the DNJs judges. Barrs plan was for Carpenito to become the SDNYs acting U.S. Attorney until Clayton was confirmed (after the election, if ever); Carpenitos DNJ deputy would take over the U.S. Attorneys duties there until he returned. DOJ was clearly going to argue that these moves were authorized by the so-called Vacancies Act (codified at Section 3345 of Title 5, U.S. Code). That statute instructs that when a vacancy in a confirmation position occurs, it may be temporarily filled by the first deputy of the former official. Or, in the alternative, the president may appoint a person who serves in an office for which presidential appointment and Senate confirmation are required. As a literal matter, Carpenito fits that bill. But the patent purpose of the requirement that the acting official already be serving in a confirmation position is the expectation that he has already been nominated by the president and vetted by the Senate. That is not so in Carpenitos case. It was very likely that Democrats would argue that Carpenito was not eligible. They would also clearly make two other claims. First, the Vacancy Act default would have called for naming Bermans deputy, Strauss. So, why was Barr so determined to pass over the current SDNY leadership that he would disrupt the operation of the DNJ to do it? Second, Carpenito is a protege of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, an informal Trump adviser (he was hired by Christie as a prosecutor when Christie was DNJ U.S. Attorney, and he represented Christie in the Bridge-gate fiasco in which Christie was never charged). So, Trump critics will contend, the plan must have been to decapitate SDNY leadership so a loyalist could be installed to block any prosecutions that could hurt Trump between now and Election Day. To be clear, I am not buying these theories. Knowing the SDNY as I do, I cannot believe it would tolerate political interference. Carpenito has a good reputation; and while I have my political disagreements with Governor Christie, he was a good U.S. Attorney whose office pushed hard on political corruption cases. In the absence of solid evidence of malfeasance, it is unfair to engage in the kind of innuendo were already hearing. That said, it was prudent for Barr to rethink the plan and have Strauss become Bermans replacement. She is clearly eligible under the Vacancies Act. She is a highly-regarded, longtime veteran SDNY prosecutor. She is already overseeing the ongoing work of the office. She also worked on the Iran-Contra independent counsel investigation. No one could credibly accuse her of being in the tank for a Republican president. No Evidence of Political Interference in SDNYs Work Democrats will undoubtedly use Bermans Friday night statement to portray Barrs move as nefarious. Before he was told the president had removed him, Berman said he was determined to stay on so that the SDNYs investigations would move forward without delay or interruption. As they pursue justice without fear or favor, SDNY prosecutors could count on him, he added, to ensure that this Offices important cases continue unimpeded. Note that Berman did not claim anyone had actually tried to impede the cases; he implied that this might happen if he were not there to ward it off. Thats a bit melodramatic. The SDNY, besides its notorious independent streak, staffs its most significant cases with top-notch, strongminded prosecutors, who are backed up by a seasoned, strongminded chain-of-command (here, including Audrey Strauss). The Justice Departments adroit leadership is well aware that they would not be intimidated. No one stopped the SDNY from prosecuting Trump fixer Michael Cohen (or from having Cohen, when he pled guilty, implicate candidate Trump in orchestrating hush money payments to women claiming liaisons with him). No one stopped the SDNY from charging Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, business associates of Giulianis who are tied to his activities in Ukraine. (Rudy has not been accused of any wrongdoing; reports say the investigation is continuing.) The new John Bolton memoir claims that the president was addled by the investigation of a Turkish financial institution, Halkbank, and promised Turkeys strongman, Recep Erdogan, that he would intervene once he got the Obama people out and his own people in at the SDNY. But Bolton says that happened in 2018. In 2019, the SDNY indicted Halkbank. In addition, two Erdogan confidants have already been convicted as a result of the investigation. Personally, I do not approve of our alliance if you insist on calling it that with Turkey. And as Ive said on other occasions, a president should never bad-mouth U.S. officials in front of foreign governments especially jihadist supporters who habitually bad-mouth America. Nevertheless, I am not the president. I was, however, a prosecutor in cases that had foreign-policy implications. I can thus assure you that presidents sometimes must balance other national interests against the Justice Departments interest in enforcing the laws. Turkey (however infuriatingly) is a NATO country, and we (however improvidently) have military assets there of immense strategic importance. Our government, in addition, has been trying to pry Ankara away from its dalliances with Moscow and Tehran. If a president made a decision to halt a criminal case to appease an important country as part of a strategic judgment that doing so was in the best interests of the United States, there would be nothing wrong with that. Democrats who suggest otherwise should think about President Obamas undermining of a terrorism investigation of Hezbollah because it would have complicated his Iran nuclear deal. The chief executive gets to decide whether DOJs enforcement operations must yield to other policy imperatives even if some of us think the presidents policy is ill-conceived. All that said, though, there is currently no reason to believe the SDNYs aggressive Halkbank investigation has been impeded by Main Justice. To sum up, the Justice Department knows the SDNY is not going to be pushed around. Its top prosecutors invariably have lucrative job prospects. They work at the SDNY because the work is good and consequential. They usually dont need the job, though. If someone tried to interfere in their work, they would have no compunction about objecting. And in New York, going public against the Trump administration if there were colorable reasons to allege wrongdoing would be perceived by the legal community and the media as an act of heroism, and rewarded as such. The attorney general, a man of sophistication and deep experience, knows this. I dont know how he interacts with the SDNY. If he has been asking questions about the legal and evidentiary bases for some of the offices cases, that is a perfectly appropriate thing for the head of the Justice Department to do. But there is no reason to believe that Barr has stopped or would stop the SDNY from pursuing valid cases. Even if there were reason to believe he was so inclined, the AG well knows how foolish doing so would be. SDNY prosecutors would take their complaints public. The damage to the president and his administration from that would almost surely be worse than whatever might come out of these prosecutions. Lets take a deep breath. Congress is already demanding answers to the questions raised by Geoff Bermans removal as U.S. Attorney for the SDNY. None of the people involved in this escapade is a shrinking violet. Soon enough, well know why this happened. More from National Review Toronto police are looking for a man accused of making death threats against people in the GTA. Police began to investigate on Saturday, after being informed that a man had allegedly made threats against several people. The alleged threats involved using Molotov cocktails, and other methods to harm people. Police are searching for Jason Atis, 23 of Toronto. He is described as six-foot-two, 215 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3200, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) Raneem Alozzi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @r_alozzi The Assam Pollution Control Board has issued a closure notice to Baghjan Oil field of Oil India Limited (OIL) on Friday on the grounds that the OIL has been operating Baghjan oil field activities without obtaining prior consent to establish and operate from Assam Pollution Control Board. The letter states that Baghjan Oil field in Assams Tinsukia district is located 500 metres to the Maguri-Motapung wetland which is part of the eco-sensitive zone of Dibru Saikhowa National Park which is severely affected by the OILs negligence. The OIL was required to take adequate measures to prevent spillage of hazardous wastes into water bodies through designated drains and treatment facilities. The environment clearance granted to the OIL was also on the condition that the company installs a blow out prevention system to avoid accidents during drilling. But you have failed to do it, the letter stated. Also read: Centre, Assam working on relief for those affected by gas well fire - PM Modi It is observed that you have been operating your production as well as drilling installations without being equipped with proper safety and precautionary measures for which major accidents have occurred at the drilling sites, the letter added. The pollution control board has said that the gas well blowout from gas well 5 and subsequent fire shows negligence and carelessness of M/S OIL India Limited. The board, with powers conferred to it under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, has directed the closure of all installations of OIL in Baghjan oil field. We have ordered complete closure because of their negligent behaviour, said DN Das, member secretary, Assam Pollution Control Board. Also read: As fire at Assam gas well continues, studies under way to assess impact on environment We have applied for consent to operate a number of times and even deposited fee for it with the pollution control board. The consent has come through for certain installations, rest are pending, said Tridiv Hazarika, spokesperson, the OIL. The PCB had mailed us on June 11 asking us for details of various permissions and data. We had asked for time to reply. Its a 15-year-old oil field. We managed to send them a response on June 18 but got a closure notice on June 19. Its not technically possible to close the wells immediately as it will affect reservoirs. Many industries are dependent on the OIL for their operations. We are also considering a legal option for a stay on the closure order, said Hazarika. There are 17 oil wells and 5 gas wells in the Baghjan oil field. A preliminary report on the environmental damage caused due to the Oil India Limiteds gas well blowout found oil has leaked into the mainstream of river Lohit polluting the water and adjoining Maguri-Motapung wetland with toxic pollutants. The report by Wildlife Institute of India drafted earlier this month has recommended that the approved new wells and exploration in the area should be put on hold until the OIL has disaster handling capabilities in place. The toxic fumes and oil coating has universally affected flora and fauna. The contaminants and oil is continuing to be released in the surrounding areas and immediate steps are needed to contain this spillover. The toxins released are known to have long-term persistence in soils and sediments, which will not only affect current life conditions but, due to sustained release over a long period, pose a serious health risk for a long term, the report said. The Delhi government has ordered officials concerned to clear pending applications for pension by senior citizens, widows and differently-abled persons by June end. The order comes after Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam conducted surprise inspections across Delhi "to check the status of pension cases" and found that a large number of online applications for financial assistance were pending. "Applications continue to remain pending for months despite several directions from time to time. The minister has now directed that all pendency be cleared by June end," an official order said. "All district officers are directed to resolve pendencies in all three financial assistance schemes, including all cases pending at the operator level and applications under objection," it said. The officers have been directed to submit a compliance report, stating that applications pending up to June 15 have been disposed of, on July 1. Gautam had earlier ordered an immediate audit of district offices to remove pendency in disbursal of pension to specially-abled persons, widows and the elderly. During a high-level meeting, the minister had also asked officials to issue a login ID and password to him so that he can himself monitor the status of pension and any pendency in each district. "The pendency in pension cases is disappointing. I have ordered an immediate audit of all district offices under Social Welfare and Women and Child Development departments. I have also issued directions to fill all vacancies to ensure smooth functioning of offices," Gautam had said. The minister had also ordered formation of district monitoring committees for both departments which will look after, resolve and monitor all pension cases. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the livelihood of people, the Delhi government had in March doubled the pension amount for five lakh senior citizens, 2.5 lakh widows and 1 lakh differently-abled persons. The pension amount for widows and differently-abled persons was increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000. For senior citizens, it was increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. Six staffers working on US President Donald Trump's upcoming rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for the coronavirus, or COVID-19, a campaign spokesman said. "Per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented," Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump's 2020 campaign, said in a statement on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported. "No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today's rally or near attendees and elected officials," Murtaugh added. The announcement came only hours before the Tulsa rally, the first of its kind for Trump in more than three months, amid warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings, as some states, including Oklahoma, are seeing a surge in confirmed cases, while they are reopening. Attendees of Saturday's rally will receive temperature checks, hand sanitizer, and masks before entering the BOK Center, which can hold 19,000 people, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said earlier this week. They have also been asked to sign a waiver releasing the Trump campaign from responsibility for possible exposure to the Trump, in an interview with Axios on Friday, said that they are "going to have a wild evening" in Tulsa. "We have to get back to business. We have to get back to living our lives. Can't do this any longer," Trump said. "And I do believe it's safe. I do believe it's very safe." ALSO READ: Thousands to pack Trump rally in Tulsa amid fears it could fuel coronavirus But the president stressed that he won't wear a mask. "If people want to wear masks I think that's great," he said. "I won't be. Not as a protest but I don't feel that I'm in danger." The can spread between people interacting in close proximity -- for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing -- even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain," the agency said in the public guidelines. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House task force, has said that he wouldn't personally attend political rallies over health concerns. "I'm in a high risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not," Fauci, 79, told an interview with Daily Beast earlier this week, adding that when it came to Trump's rallies "outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd" and "crowd is better than big crowd." Saturday records the highest single-day increase of more than 15,000 cases, Maharshtra continues to be the worst affected state. With the highest single-day increase of 15,413 COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, Indias coronavirus count stood at 4,10,461 on Sunday, said the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. The death toll has gone up to 13,254 in the country with 306 persons succumbing to the infection. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of cases includes 1,69,451 active cases, 2,27,756 cured/discharged/migrated and 13,254 deaths. Maharashtra with 1,28,205 cases continues to be the worst-affected state in the country with 58,068 active cases while 64,153 patients have been cured and discharged in the state so far. The death toll due to COVID-19 stands at 5,984 in the state. Also read: PM Modi on Yoga Day 2020: Pranayama may help fight Covid-19 Also read: Delhi LG pulls back order on home isolation after Kejriwals opposition The number of confirmed cases in Tamil Nadu stood at 56,845 on Sunday. The national capital is the third-worst affected by the infection in the country with the count reaching 56,746 today. Also read: Despite boycott calls, OnePlus 8 Pro sold within minutes on Amazon For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: Tensions escalated quickly BJP Rajasthan vice president Gyan Dev Ahuja accused Gehlot government of pressurising Balwant Singh, father of injured army soldier Surendra Singh to change his statement given over an interview on the Galwan Valley face-off, that went viral earlier. A video of Balwant Singh was retweeted by Home Minister Amit Shah, in which he asked Rahul Gandhi to not engage in politics over the Galwan incident. "At the time when the entire country is united, Rahul Gandhi should also rise above politics and stand united with national interest," Shah had tweeted with the video. Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi questioned why the soldiers were unarmed at the time of the attack and tweeted a video of Balwant Singh wherein Singh confirmed that the soldiers were without arms and described the events that unfolded at the LAC. "The Ashok Gehlot government had sent police and administration to the house of soldier Surendra Singh due to which his father Balwant Singh is suffering and is under tremendous pressure," alleged the former BJP MLA from Ramgrah, Gyan Dev Ahuja also revealing that Singh was under the protection of BJP at a discreet location. Renu Meena, SDM, Ramgarh, on the other hand has denied that any such pressure is being put on the soldier's parents. Meanwhile, local police confirmed that whereabouts of the soldier's family members are not known. "While patrolling, the policemen went to Surendra Singh's house at Naugawa. His family was not found there. At present, we have no information about where the family is," said Mohan Singh, police station in charge, Naugawa. Last Monday, 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were killed in a violent clash with Chinese soldiers in the Galvan Valley of East Ladakh. Surendra Singh from Alwar was also amongst those who got injured in the attack and is now receiving treatment in the army hospital there. Tourism industry leaders fear Victoria's spike in coronavirus cases will embolden state premiers to keep their borders closed, a move they say threatens Australia's economic recovery. On Saturday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews tightened the state's restrictions on gatherings and postponed planned easing of other restrictions after a surge of positive COVID-19 tests. The state recorded a further 19 cases on Sunday. Queensland's beaches may remain off limits to southerners for even longer unless Victoria controls a new spike in coronavirus cases. Credit:Getty Australian Tourism Industry Council executive director Simon Westaway is worried this will further spook cautious state premiers, including from Queensland and South Australia, who have been reluctant to reopen their borders. "[Saturday] was concerning because it potentially feeds the narrative for parts of Australia that feel artificial borders should remain in place to somehow halt the coronavirus," Mr Westaway said. Riddhima Kapoor has remembered her late father and actor Rishi Kapoor with a touching post on the occasion of Fathers Day. She shared a lovely picture of Rishi with wife Neetu on Instagram along with a message. Sharing the picture on the photo sharing website, Riddhima wrote, Happy Fathers Day papa ! I miss you love you always ! She has disabled the comments section for the post. She shared several pictures of her family members on her Instagram Stories at around midnight, including a note in the memory of her father. She wrote, We celebrate you everyday. Dad, sometimes I wish for you to come back but I dont want you to suffer again. I know you are with me and always and I will always love and miss you with all my heart. Riddhima shared a note for her husband as well as her father on Instagram. Riddhima also shared a few family pictures on her Instagram stories. Riddhima also wrote a note for her husband Bharat Sahni on her daughters behalf. Happy Fathers Day to the most obsessed father in the world, she wrote for Bharat. Riddhima and Neetu have been coping with Rishis death by spending time in each others company. The two play scrabble which was bought by Rishi in New York and have recently welcomed a pug whom they have named Doodle Kapoor. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs last co-star Sanjana Sanghi gets emotional: Whoever said time helps heal all wounds, was lying Rishi Kapoor died at the age of 67 on April 30 at H N Reliance hospital in south Mumbai, after a two-year battle with leukaemia. He was working on his new film Sharmaji Namkeen, the shoot of which was halted due to lockdown. Producer Honey Trehan has assured the film will be completed and released this year. Sadly this is his last project and we are sure we will finish it somehow soon. We will bring it out to his fans. Once things settle down, we will sit with our team and decide what to do, he told PTI. Follow @htshowbiz for more Donald Trump has asked whether his former national security advisor, John Bolton, will be going to jail for releasing his new tell-all book exposing what it was like to work within the Trump administration. Trump, who previously called the book highly inappropriate, is said to have casually asked his advisors, Do you think hes going to go to jail for this? as tensions boil over in the days before the controversial memoir is released, the Daily Beast reported. The president's inquiry comes as federal prosecutors are said to be weighing up whether to criminally charge Bolton for disclosing classified information within the book, which is titled The Room Where It Happened, due for release June 23. Though it's highly unlikely that any prison time will result, that hasn't stopped the president from denouncing his former aid, calling Bolton a 'despicable man' who will be facing some 'criminal problems'. 'I will consider every conversation with me as president highly classified. If he wrote a book and if the book gets out, he's broken the law and I would think you would have criminal problems,' Trump insisted earlier this week. If this guy is writing things about conversations or about anything and maybe he is not telling the truth. He's been known not to tell the truth, a lot, he continued. Trump, who previously called the book highly inappropriate, is said to have casually asked officials within his administration, Do you think hes going to go to jail for this? as tensions boil over in the days before the controversial memoir is released Bolton's memoir claims Trump agreed to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators as part of a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit The Room Where It Happened portrays Trump as a president solely motivated by re-election efforts with a penchant for misconduct - including agreeing to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators that make up a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit. Set to be released on June 23, the book also contains a claim that Trump pleaded with Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost U.S. food purchases, describing it in terms of his own election. Trump regularly touts a deal to pause the China trade war as one of his chief accomplishments. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who in the book is portrayed by Bolton as being disloyal to and dismissive of the president, has also waded in calling Bolton a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people. The Room Where It Happened portrays Trump as a president solely motivated by re-election efforts with a penchant for misconduct - including agreeing to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators that make up a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit In a bid to prevent some of the allegations made by the 71-year-old from seeing the light of day, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block the book from being released in its current form. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC District Court on Saturday morning, who ruled the Justice Departments arguments werent enough to block the books release. Lamberth added that the book had already been widely distributed, and could be distributed further on the internet, even if the court said it couldnt be. For reasons that hardly need to be stated, the Court will not order a nationwide seizure and destruction of a political memoir, Lamberth wrote in his ruling. 'It seems to me, as we used to say in Texas, that the horse is out of the barn. In response, Trump fumed on Twitter that Bolton will have a really big price to pay, and called his former aid a despicable man who has broken the law. 'Wow, I finally agree with failed political consultant Steve Schmidt, who called Wacko John Bolton a despicable man who failed in his duty to protect America.' he tweeted. 'Also stated that he should never be allowed to serve in government again. So true! Plain and simple, John Bolton, who was all washed up until I brought him back and gave him a chance, broke the law by releasing Classified Information (in massive amounts).' Trump added that Bolton must pay a 'very big price': 'He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him. This should never to happen again!!!' Trump slammed the decision on Twitter branding Bolton a 'despicable man' and claimed he was 'all washed up' until he 'brought him back and gave him a chance' EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS MADE IN THE BOOK: Trump agreed to 'back off' criminal probes as 'personal favors' to dictators Told Chinese President Xi Jinping he should go ahead with building camps the regime was constructing for Chinese Uighurs Put Jared Kushner in charge of several foreign policy matters Spent part of Osaka summit 'pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win' reelection by buying US crops' Believed Finland was part of Russia Said invading Venezuala was 'cool' and said the nation was 'really part of the United States' Made it a 'high priority' to get Mike Pompeo to hand a copy of Elton John's 'Rocket Man' to North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-Un Did not know Great Britain was a nuclear power Defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi to distract attention from Ivanka Trump using her personal email Postponed removing the US from the Iran deal so Melania Trump could announce her Be Best campaign Claimed he was going to be nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for his North Korea summit Said he always broke up with women he dated be cause he didn't like being dumped Referred to his former UN.Ambassador Nikki Haley as a 'c***' while Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump wanted her to replace Mike Pence Bolton became Trump's national security adviser in April 2018 and left in September 2019. Trump claims he fired him but Bolton has said he actually stepped because he clashed with the president on several policy issues, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Ukraine. In a September 10 tweet, Trump wrote on Twitter that he had informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. However, just hours later that same day, Bolton tweeted that he offered to resign last night and President Trump said, Let's talk about it tomorrow. Bolton's memoir claims Trump agreed to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators as part of a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit. Bolton describes a 'pattern of fundamentally unacceptable behavior that eroded the very legitimacy of the presidency.' Bolton writes that in cases involving China and Turkey, Trump was willing to 'in effect, give personal favors to dictators he liked.' 'The pattern looked like obstruction of justice as a way of life, which we couldn't accept,' Bolton writes. Bolton became Trump's national security adviser in April 2018 and left in September 2019. Trump claims he fired him but Bolton has said he actually stepped because he clashed with the president on several policy issues, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Ukraine In the case of China, Bolton describes Trump as begging the leader, with whom he regularly touts his good relationship. Trump was 'pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win. He stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome,' according to the book. China agreed to billions in purchases of U.S. agriculture product to end the trade war that began when Trump slapped on tariffs to protest China trade practices. Trump implored Xi during a one-on-one meeting during their summit in Osaka, according to Bolton. Xi complained about China critics in the U.S., and Trump immediately assumed he meant Democrats, according to another excerpt that appeared in the Washington Post. 'He then, stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election, alluding to China's economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns, pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win,' according to Bolton. 'He stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome. I would print Trump's exact words but the government's prepublication review process has decided otherwise. Trump cast the deal as a breakthrough when he described it from Osaka. 'For the time being we won't be lifting tariffs on China,' Trump told reporters. 'We will work with China. They are going to negotiate and start spending money.' 'Cooperation and dialogue are better than friction and confrontation,' said Xi, prompting Trump to say: 'It would be historic if we can do a fair trade deal.' China had imposed retaliatory tariffs in a way that maximized pressure by focusing on key farm states including Iowa. When the 'Phase One' deal was finally inked in January of this year, China agreed to buy $12.5 billion in additional U.S. agriculture products. Bolton describes a meeting in New Jersey in 2019 where Trump tears into journalists amid his ongoing consternation about leaks and says they should be forced to give up their sources. 'These people should be executed. They are scumbags,' Trump said, according to Bolton. Trump fumed on Twitter that Bolton will have a really big price to pay, and called his former aid a despicable man who has broken the law In another episode, Bolton writes, Russian President in May last year compared Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to Hillary Clinton in a gambit to win Trump over. The U.S. recognized Guaido as the legitimate leader amid protests to the rule of Nicolas Maduro. Bolton called it a 'brilliant display of Soviet style propaganda' to boost Maduro that 'largely persuaded Trump.' 'I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that wasn't driven by reelection calculations,' Bolton writes. Trump also believed that Finland was a part of Russia, according to the book. Trump also told Xi: 'You're the greatest Chinese leader in 300 years.' Then later, in a nation that still reveres Mao Tse Tung, Trump called him 'the greatest leader in Chinese history.' One passage depicts Trump showing contempt for a persecuted religious minority that U.S. policy seeks to protect by calling out repression of mostly Muslim Uighurs.' 'Trump asked me at the 2018 White House Christmas dinner why we were considering sanctioning China over its treatment of the Uighurs, a largely Muslim people who live primarily in China's northwest Xinjiang Province,' Bolton writes. 'At the opening dinner of the Osaka G-20 meeting in June 2019, with only interpreters present, Xi had explained to Trump why he was basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang,' he continued. 'According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps, which Trump thought was exactly the right thing to do. The National Security Council's top Asia staffer, Matthew Pottinger, told me that Trump said something very similar during his November 2017 trip to China.' TALKS are under way on a massive residential development which could deliver more than 330 homes on the edge of the city. Developers have earmarked a site just off the Dock Road to build a new multi-million euro housing scheme. DW Raheen Developments, a company with an address in Clonmel, has held meetings with An Bord Pleanala on the project, which councillor Daniel McSweeney has described as being important for the local economy, especially in light of a potential post Covid-19 economic downturn. DW did not return calls from the Limerick Leader. Some 332 units are planned for the development. This would be divided between 221 houses, and 111 apartments, which would be developed on land lying between the Father Russell Road and the Dock Road. The site is bounded by Blackberry Lane which links these two key city routes. City West Cllr McSweeney said: Its important that development continues. We are coming into an economic downturn. I think any development is welcome. But its important the infrastructure is put in for the additional population. Weve already seen Raheen and Dooradoyle lacking infrastructure in terms of a community centre. Its important if housing is put in, the investment is put back into local amenities and strategic infrastructural projects. As part of this development, a creche would be delivered, the developers have stated. Since more than 100 housing units are being delivered, the developer can bypass the local planning authority with the application fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanala. This comes after the last government introduced rules to expedite housing developments to cater for a shortage. While no formal application has yet been submitted, talks have taken place between the developer and the national planning appeals body. This is likely to lead to a formal planning application on the site. Its understood there have been previous applications around the site, with access and other problems raised. Its complex as the land is quite close to a flood zone too, a source with knowledge of the area told the Limerick Leader, There are complexities in terms of the access. A big dispute was had there before. UK set to effectively end lockdown next month Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 6:02 PM After nearly three months of various degrees of lockdown the UK appears set to end it altogether as of early next month. According to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, ministers will announce in the coming week whether the 2 meter social distancing rule in England will be relaxed. Speaking on a visit to shops in North Yorkshire, the Chancellor said the outcome of the review will "make an enormous difference to businesses "keen to see a change". Sunak's announcement comes on the heels of the government's stated plan to re-open the hospitality sector as of early next month, possibly as early as July 04. The re-opening of pubs, restaurants and hotels coupled with the lowering or even abolition of the social distancing rule will effectively spell the end of the UK lockdown. It appears that the Chancellor's announcement is in part a reaction to growing pressure from British business leaders particularly in the hospitality sector to decrease the 2 meter social distancing rule. Addressing business leaders' concerns, the Chancellor said he is "very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants". The effective ending of the lockdown is bound to raise concerns amongst the scientific community in addition to broad swathes of the public. Late last month the government's own scientists appeared to oppose lockdown relaxation on the grounds that it was a "political decision". Furthermore, the effective end of the lockdown in England will exacerbate differences with other UK nations, especially with Scotland. Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has been consistently critical of the British government's management of the coronavirus crisis, particularly over what she has described as the premature relaxation of the lockdown. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address If youre wondering how to get in perfect shape, stay fit and beat the stress of your fast-paced life, look no further. You can manage all these and much more by just adding one activity Yoga, to your daily routine. Its not just ancient scriptures and Baba Ramdev who appreciate the many benefits of Yoga. Many scientists and studies have acknowledged the many holistic advantages of Yoga. Also read: Five asanas working professionals can do at workstations Here are five science-backed benefits of Yoga that are sure to compel you to grab a Yoga mat and take the first step towards a solid physical and mental health on this International Day of Yoga: 1. Reduces anxiety and stress levels In these times of anxiety about the pandemic, its social impact and, in turn, its economic fallout Yoga can help in reliving stress. Many scientific studies have concluded that regular Yoga practice has a significant impact on improving mood and reducing stress levels. Several studies have also found that Yoga may decrease symptoms of depression by regulating the production of stress hormones in the body. The Journal Of Alternative and Complementary Medicine conducted a study called Effects of Yoga versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain Gaba Levels over a 12-week period. Patients either did 60 minutes of Yoga three times per week, or 60 minutes of walking three times per week. The Yoga group proved to have a greater benefit in mood and anxiety versus the walking exercise-only group. 2. Reduces chronic pain A study conducted at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US, found that practicing Yoga reduces pain perception, and it reverses the impact chronic pain has on the brain. Many studies have also reported that Yoga could be a more viable option than pharmaceutical treatment in the long run. 3. Helps improve sleep quality If you have been having sleepless nights, it's time to do Yoga and claim your sleep back. A survey conducted by Harvard University some years back stated that over 55% of people who did Yoga found that it helped them get better sleep. Yoga Asanas like Balasana, Shavasana among others have been proven to induce better sleep. Click here for Moneycontrols full coverage of the International Yoga Day 4. Improves your hearts health A healthy heart is a key to a healthy life. And the key to a healthy heart is Yoga! Studies show that Yoga may help improve heart health and reduce several risk factors for heart disease. One research found that participants over 40 years of age who practiced Yoga for five years had a lower blood pressure level, better heart condition, and a uniform pulse rate better than those who didnt. Incorporating Yoga into a healthy lifestyle could help slow the progression of heart disease. 5. Reduces migraine Many working individuals suffer from migraines, owing to a hectic lifestyle. If youre suffering from such a recurring headache, Yoga is your answer to end it. A 2007 US study divided 72 patients with migraines into either a Yoga therapy or self-care group for three months. Practicing Yoga led to reductions in headache intensity, frequency and pain of the aches. Another study treated 60 patients with migraines using conventional care with or without Yoga. Doing Yoga resulted in a greater decrease in headache frequency and intensity than conventional care alone. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi further sharpened his attack on the government on the face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh region. And in his direct line of fire is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Narendra Modi is actually Surender Modi, Gandhi tweeted on Sunday. He again attached a news article on along with his tweet which looks at Indias policy towards China. Narendra Modi Is actually Surender Modihttps://t.co/PbQ44skm0Z Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 21, 2020 He had attacked the Prime Minister on Saturday too, accusing him of surrendering Indias territory to China. In that tweet, he had used PM Modis quote at the all-party meeting where he had asserted that Chinese troops did not intrude Indian territory. PM has surrendered Indian territory to Chinese aggression. If the land was Chinese: 1. Why were our soldiers killed? 2. Where were they killed? Gandhi had said in his tweet on Saturday. Also Watch | PM Modi contradicted defence, foreign minister: Congress on China clash Union home minister Amit Shah hit back, advising Gandhi to rise above petty politics and stand in solidarity with national interest at a time when the entire country is united. PM Modi had called an all-party meeting on the issue where he said that no intruder was on Indian territory across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and no Indian military post had been captured. Because of the improved patrolling, our vigilance has gone up and the military gets to know what is happening on the borders at the right time, Modi said at the all-party meeting, pointing out that Indian soldiers were able to intercept the Chinese forces who earlier had a free run. If you keep on intercepting them, it is obvious that tensions will rise, he said. But the Congress dubbed it as a lame attempt to obfuscate the truth. First of all, PMO and the Government need to clearly state their position on the Galwan Valley. Is Galwan Valley not part of Indian territory? Why is Government not coming forward and strongly rebutting the Chinese claim over Galwan Valley? If Chinese troops are present there, does it not amount to intrusion into and occupation of Indian territory? Also, why is the Government silent on intrusions in the Pangong Tso area? the Congress party said in a statement. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) then said that PM Modis comments at the all-party meeting were given a mischievous interpretation. Attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation to remarks by the Prime Minister at the all-party meeting yesterday. The Prime Minister was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the LAC, the statement said. The war of words has been going on since 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh on June 15. Advertisement An Islamic organisation, Islahiddini Foundation of Nigeria, on Sunday appealed to Kebbi State and Bunza Local Governments to urgently intervene in the lingering crisis over the selection of Chief Imam of Salwai village, to avert crisis. Addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the organisations National Chairman, Malam Umar Liman-Shagari said crisis erupted when the Chief Imam of the village died about four years ago. He said it had been the tradition of the village over the years that when an Imam was chosen from Hausa extraction his deputy must be from Fulani extraction. During the reign of late Village Head of Salwai, Abdullahi Amiru Salwai, the father of present Village Head, he ensured that the two tribes of Hausa and Fulani were all carried along in the leadership of the mosque. Advertisement When an Imam happened to be a Hausa, his deputy must be a Fulani and in the event the Imam dies, the deputy Imam will automatically becomes the Chief Imam while another deputy will be sourced from the other tribe. However, the present Village Head, Alhaji Mande Amiru Salwai refused to follow the footsteps of his father, instead he decided to impose a Chief Imam contrary to the interest of majority, he said. He said following the lingering crisis, members of Islahiddini pooled out and built another mosque for five daily prayers after following due process. Liman-Shagari added that it was the same mosque they converted to Jumaat mosque. However, to our greatest dismay last week, our members in person of Malam Aliyu Maanko and three others were arrested from Salwai village by the police. They were detained at the state CID office for four days and were asked to stop praying in the mosque they built after following due process, the national chairman said. He alleged a connivance between the Local Government, the District Head and the police right from the beginning of the crisis where his members were being harassed, intimidated, apprehended and arrested. Also speaking, the Chairman of the group in Kebbi State, Malam Muhammadu Akila revealed that three of their members were arrested, detained and later charged to court. We are appealing to Kebbi State and Bunza Local Governments to intervene by calling the aggrieved parties to a negotiation table so that the case can be resolved amicably. We are a peace loving and law abiding organisation, we dont want crisis, we want peace to reign, he stressed. The State Chairman explained that the case had been lingering for close to four years now. We want Kebbi State and Bunza Local Government to intervene by organising an all inclusive round table meeting to effectively address the problem. The security agencies deprived us of our right to prayers especially Jumaat prayer, but I believe with dialogue all disagreement will be addressed, he noted. When contacted, the Council Chairman, Bunza Local Government, Alhaji Bello Mamuda said the council was aware of the crisis and measures were being taken to effectively tackle the matter. Mamuda, who spoke through the Council Secretary, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim-Gazai, said: This is a case under traditional institution and as a council, we set-up a committee and all the parties involved were invited. Even before then, we have a Local Government Standing Committee on religion who were also involved in providing lasting solution to the lingering disagreement. The committee sat twice with these people, as I am talking to you, the last time this committee sat was on June 9, they deliberated on the matter and came up with something tangible. The outcome of this sitting will now be formally forwarded to Gwandu Emirate for implementation, as I have already explained it is a clear case of traditional institution, he said. On allegation of connivance with security agencies to harass, intimidate and arrest the organisations members, the chairman said they were not aware of that. On his part, the Spokesman of Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Nafiu Abubakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to give him time to find out details of the matter. However, up to the time of filing this report, the police image maker, has not responded to several phone calls as well as text message sent to him on his findings. Could the week of June 8 have been any worse for Donald Trump? First, the Supreme Court ruled that LGBT individuals cannot be fired from their jobs based upon their sexual orientation, and the majority opinion in this decisive 6-3 ruling is written by prized, much-touted Trump nominee, conservative Neil Gorsuch. Then, revelations in the new book by respected former Ambassador and National Security Advisor John Bolton assert the president is corrupt to the core. Bolton said the president solicited China to help him win re-election. He also called the president a dunce, having asked Bolton whether Finland is part of Russia. Bolton said the presidents appointees mock him behind his back. Finally, the Supreme Court, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts in a 5-4 majority, ruled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) will stand, at least for now, serving to protect hundreds of thousands of sympathetic figures: individuals who are overwhelmingly in this country honorably, having been brought to the United States by their parents as minors. Sometimes the court comes down on the side of fairness, no matter who is president and no matter who appointed them. Take that, Mr. President, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell! Both of you thought that in denying Barack Obama the opportunity to nominate a justice to the court, which he had every right to fill, the foundation had been laid for a consistently conservative majority on the Court to rule the way you expect But what we have seen is that the president cant always do anything I want, as he has so ludicrously and outrageously suggested. Oren Spiegler, Peters Township Pa. As the Edo and Ondo governorship elections draw closer, Nigerians are being captivated by dramatic events in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). PREMIUM TIMES brings you a round-up of the drama and other political events within the party in the week. Obasekis resignation, defection Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC). He took the decision after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja. He had been disqualified by the APC from participating in its governorship primary slated for June 22 over alleged irregularities in his academic credentials. Shortly after Mr Obaseki announced his resignation from the APC, his deputy, Philip Shaibu, also quit the party. In his resignation letter addressed to the Ward Chairman, APC Ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area, he said: I write pursuant to Article 9.5 (i) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to formally resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress and to inform you of my formal withdrawal from all or any of its proceedings and processes whatsoever. Please note that this resignation takes immediate effect. In addition, the chairpersons of the party in the 18 local government areas of the state reaffirmed their support for the re-election bid of Mr Obaseki, stating that they were fully committed to the progressive ideals of the governor and his battle against godfatherism, thuggery and impunity. On Friday, Mr Obaseki formally joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the partys secretariat in Benin-City and was screened in Abuja on Saturday for the governorship primary of the party. He blames the embattled national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, for his travails in his former party. Oshiomholes suspension On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal upheld the suspension of Mr Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the APC. He was suspended by the APC in Edo State in what is part of his battle with the state governor, Mr Obaseki. An Abuja high court, in March, also ruled that his suspension was legal and ordered Mr Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as APC national chairman. The suspension was initially lifted after the appellate court granted a stay of execution of the high courts order. The appeal court, on Tuesday, however, ruled that Mr Oshiomholes suspension was valid. Meanwhile, the suspension took a new twist on Saturday after Emuakemeh Sule, the secretary of Ward 10, said 17 members out of 26 signed the resolution lifting Mr Oshiomholes suspension. But the ward chairman, Oshawo Stephen, in a swift reaction dismissed the reports that the suspension had been lifted. Acting chairman tussle: Filling the vacancy created by Mr Oshiomholes suspension drew different controversies. While NWC members, in line with Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC Constitution, named Deputy National Chairman (South) and former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, as the interim national chairman, he could not assume the position due to undisclosed illness. In his absence and in line with the APC Constitution, the party asked its National Vice-Chairman (South-south), Hillary Ettah, to act instead. However, Victor Giadom, a former deputy national secretary of the party, kicked against the decision of the NWC, saying going by an earlier court pronouncement, he should be the interim national chairman of the party. Ajimobis death rumour On Thursday, there was a rumour that Mr Ajimobi had died from complications from coronavirus disease. The news was everywhere and was trending on social media. However, his spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, debunked the rumour that Mr Ajimobi had died at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos. I spoke with his family who are with him as of 9:00 p.m. and they said he is still alive, Mr Tunji told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone at 9:07 p.m. Nothing new has since been heard about Mr Ajimobis condition. The report came two days after APC named him its acting national chairman. Advertisements Akeredolu vs Deputy As the states governorship election approaches, the crisis between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, worsened on Saturday evening as the states Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, prevented Mr Ajayi from leaving the government house in a vehicle attached to his office. He was delayed for several hours from leaving the government house for his personal residence within Akure, the state capital. Mr Ajayi had perfected plans to travel to Kiribo, in Eseodo Local Government Area of the state, for his formal defection to the PDP. He later left in his personal vehicle. Mr Ajayi on Sunday formally left the APC and joined the PDP. 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25 Posted on 20 June 2020 by John Hartz A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 14 through Sat, June 20, 2020 Editor's Choice World has six months to avert climate crisis, says energy expert International Energy Agency chief warns of need to prevent post-lockdown surge in emissions The cooling tower of a coal-fired power plant in Datteln, Germany. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images The world has only six months in which to change the course of the climate crisis and prevent a post-lockdown rebound in greenhouse gas emissions that would overwhelm efforts to stave off climate catastrophe, one of the worlds foremost energy experts has warned. This year is the last time we have, if we are not to see a carbon rebound, said Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency. Governments are planning to spend $9tn (7.2tn) globally in the next few months on rescuing their economies from the coronavirus crisis, the IEA has calculated. The stimulus packages created this year will determine the shape of the global economy for the next three years, according to Birol, and within that time emissions must start to fall sharply and permanently, or climate targets will be out of reach. The next three years will determine the course of the next 30 years and beyond, Birol told the Guardian. If we do not [take action] we will surely see a rebound in emissions. If emissions rebound, it is very difficult to see how they will be brought down in future. This is why we are urging governments to have sustainable recovery packages. World has six months to avert climate crisis, says energy expert by Fiona Harvey, Environment, Guardian, June 18, 2020 Click here to access the entire article as originally published on The Guardian website. Articles Linked to on Facebook Sun, June 14, 2020 Mon, June 15, 2020 Tue, June 16, 2020 Wed, June 17, 2020 Thu, June 18, 2020 Fri, June 19, 2020 Sat, June 20, 2020 The Congress-led Chhattisgarh government is locked in a conflict with the Centre over a fresh case registered by the state police over a 2013 ambush by suspected Maoist rebels in which 27 people, including senior Congress leaders, were killed, people familiar with the matter said requesting anonymity. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) wrote a letter to the Chhattisgarh police last week asking it not to proceed with the investigation in a first information report (FIR) registered by Bastar police on May 26 because the central agency was already investigating it, the people quoted above added. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) too has opined that since both the FIRs (registered on May 25, 2013 and May 26, 2020) relate to the same incident , NIA, which investigates acts of terrorism, has the powers to take over the probe related to the fresh FIR too, the documents, accessed by HT, have revealed. On May 25, 2013, around 150 suspected members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacked a cavalcade of Congress leaders in an ambush at Jheerum Ghati in Chhattisgarhs Sukhma district, killing 27 people, including senior leaders Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma, Dinesh Patel and Vidya Charan Shukla. NIA on June 16 approached a special court in Jadgalpur saying that the Chhattisgarh police would be violating the section 6 of the NIA Act, which specifically prohibits the state government from proceeding with any investigation once a case is entrusted to the agency. In a letter to the Bastar superintendent of police on June 10, Amit Singh, NIAs chief investigating officer of the Jheerum Ghati attack, asked that all May 26, 2020 FIR-related documents be transferred to the agency. He asked the police not to proceed with the investigation as it may lead to vexatious and avoidable litigation due to conflict of jurisdiction. HT has reviewed a copy of the letter to the state police. Singh said a charge sheet had already been filed against nine suspects in September 2015 in the case and searches were being carried out for arresting 25 more and the trial too was at an advanced stage. HT has reviewed copies of NIAs letter to the Bastar SP, its petition in the court and MHAs opinion. Bastars inspector general of police Sundarraj P told HT :We are taking a legal opinion on NIAs plea after which a decision will be taken. NIA informed the special court last week that the contents of FIR (registered by Bastar police on May 26, 2020) fall in the definition of terrorist act as well as in the ambit of scheduled offence prescribed in the NIA Act, 2008, while urging the court to give directions to state police not to pursue it. The Chhattisgarh government is in no mood to hand over the probe to the central agency, said the state government officials familiar with the matter. The state government has, over past couple of years, repeatedly questioned NIAs credibility, saying it didnt probe a conspiracy angle. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel himself has said on numerous occasions that the Centre is not allowing a thorough probe by the state government by refusing to transfer the NIA case to it. The Chhattisgarh Congress communications department s Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said We have been saying from day one that it was a political criminal conspiracy, which NIA has failed to unearth. We will do everything to find out what exactly happened in that in 2013 incident in which our beloved Congress leaders were brutally murdered by Naxals. Why is the Centre not investigating the larger conspiracy angle?. The Baghel government, in January, moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the NIA Act, saying it takes away the powers of states enshrined in the constitution to investigate crimes . The NIA is currently empowered to take over any case in states without their consent. Chhattisgarh is the first state ever to challenge the entire NIA Act. The NIA didnt respond to phone calls or an SMS query. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A special flight under 'Vande Bharat' mission carrying 125 Indian medical students who were stuck in Kyrgyzstan due to lockdown in India landed at airport here in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday night, an official said. The Air India flight, which took off from Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek, reached here via Delhi at 8.15 pm, said Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport Director Aryama Sanyal. All the passengers were screened and their luggage was sanitised as per the procedure, she said. A health department official said while 12 of the 125 students belonged to Indore, others hailed from different districts in Madhya Pradesh. They will be quarantined in their respective districts for a period of 14 days as per the guidelines, the official said. New Delhi, June 21 : A high-powered committee, set up for decongestion of prisons in order to control the Covid-19 spread, has rejected former Fortis promoter and Religare scam case accused Malvinder Mohan Singh's representation challenging its criteria for grant of interim bail to under-trial prisoners. Rejecting his representation, the committee held that the Supreme Court, while passing orders on the forming of this committee, gave it a absolute discretion to determine which class/category of prisoners can be released on interim bail or parole. "...the High Powered Committee so constituted was given an absolute discretion to determine which class/category of the prisoners can be released on interim bail or parole depending not only upon the severity of the offence, but also the nature of offence or any other relevant factor," the order read. Thus, no prisoner in whatsoever category/class he falls and whatever nature of offence he is facing trial, can seek or claim to be released from prison as a matter of right, the committee held. "In view thereof, this Committee is of the opinion that the representation is unmerited and the same is accordingly rejected," it held, while adding Malvinder Singh was at liberty to file a bail application before courts concerned, which shall consider the same on merits in accordance with the law. The former Fortis Healthcare promoter approached the High Power Committee after his plea for interim bail was denied by the high court. The court, however, gave him liberty to approach the committee if he was aggrieved by the criteria laid down by it. Singh was arrested in a case relating to the misappropriation of funds from the Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL). FIRs have also been registered against him for the offences of cheating and money laundering. Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL) had filed a complaint against certain individuals who were directors on the Lakshmi Vilas Bank board and certain employees involved in the transactions along with individuals who were directors and officials of the Shivinder and Malvinder Mohan Singh-owned RHC Holdings and Ranchem for alleged breach of trust, cheating and misappropriation of funds. Both Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh earlier owned Religare Enterprises, the parent company of Religare Finvest Ltd. The EOW filed registered a on September 23, 2019, and the EoW filed the charg esheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Saket District Court, on March 23 this year. Religare Finvest filed an FIR with the EoW last year, alleging that Lakshmi Vilas Bank had liquidated four fixed deposits amounting to Rs 791 crore, out of which Rs 750 crore was the principal amount, to adjust for loans which were given to RHC Holdings and its subsidiary, Ranchem, owned by the Singh brothers. These FDs were created by RFL for short-term tenor with the intention of keeping them free from any encumbrance. No documentation was executed by RFL for creation of security and no communication was ever sent to LVB that the FDs were to act as security for any loans taken by RFL or any other company owned and/or controlled by it. At the Sharon Audubon Center, wildlife rehabilitator Sunny Kellner now tends a flock of injured songbirds alone, without volunteers to help. The COVID-19 epidemic has temporarily closed the Audubon center, owned by Audubon Connecticut. Kellner is only person working there. At the same time again, because of the coronavirus there are many more people working from home, many more children studying at home. That means many more pairs of eyes seeing wildlife through their kitchen windows and, in turn, many more calls to Kellner, asking about that flopping fledgling robin. I can have 30 different phone messages on the answering machine, and none of them can be answered simply, Kellner said. So some days, I have to ask: Do I answer calls or do I feed the birds? This is the busy season for wildlife rehabilitators to begin with there are fawns, baby rabbits, fox and raccoon kit, and young birds of many species out there. There are always lots of inquiries about what to do about them. We get 2,000 calls a month in June, said Laurie Fortin, a wildlife biologist at the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Right now, were getting 100 calls a day. Thats on par with what we usually get. But Fortin and others said this year, there are more calls from people noticing wildlife for the first time. Were a million times busier, said Betsy Peyreigne of Weston, who, with her daughter Christine, runs Christines Critters, which rehabilitates birds of prey. I do think theres more people seeing things, said Deborah Galle of Greenwich, who specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating young rabbits. Not all those calls are happy, or even entirely rational. A woman called us and said Theres a cobra in my yard. Despite the DEEPs staff helpful response that Connecticut has no backyard cobras, the woman was unconvinced, Fortin said. People will call and say There a fox in my yard thats going to attack me and my children, said Laura Simon, president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. You have to tell them a 12-pound animal is not going to attack a human. What can be worse, often, is human intervention. It can be a problem, Galle said. Thats because animals have evolved to nurture their young without people intervening. Take fawns and baby rabbits. They have no scent and camouflaging coats. Adult deer and rabbits leave them alone so that predators wont be drawn to the adults, which do have scents. The adults return to their babies during the day to nurse them. Galle said people see a young rabbit, sitting alone, and assume its orphaned. They capture it, bring it home and pet it to reassure it that things are all right. Actually, theyre scaring it to death. Rabbits are prey animals, Galle said. All those people around a baby rabbit look like predators to it. A fox with young isnt watching humans and sizing them up for a meal. Theyre just watching us, Simon said. We watch them. They watch us. On the other hand, Simon said, raccoon mothers are very attentive. If you have a baby raccoon bawling alone in your yard, you should call a wildlife rehabilitator. But if youve got raccoons in your garbage, Simon said, dont trap them, or hire someone to trap them. That only kills the mother and creates a family of abandoned raccoon kits. They make very good raccoon-proof trash cans, Simon said. If theres one message I have, its Dont Trap. There are several websites people can use to learn how to deal with young or injured animals. The DEEPs wildlife divisions is at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Common-Wildlife-Problems. The Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators has a similar site at https://cwrawildlife.org/ There is also a wildlife hotline at http://www.wildlifehotline.org/. The Sharon Audubon Centers website is at https://sharon.audubon.org/ One thing people can do right now is donate money to keep wildlife centers going. Westons Peyreigne said Christines Critters normally earns money by showing birds of prey at nature festivals. Those are all canceled. So is that source of income. Yet, because of the coronavirus outbreak, with more people outdoors, Peyreigne and her daughter are getting more calls to rescue injured hawks, owls, and the occasional bald eagle. These birds do not eat sunflower seeds. Feeding them all is really, really expensive, Peyreigne said. You start the day and think We need another $3,000 for rats and mice. Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.com. Royal enthusiasts have gone wild over Princess Charlotte's striking resemblance to her grandmother the late Princess Diana. Taking to their Kensington Palace Instagram account, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 38, posted a photograph of their daughter, five, with her brothers Prince Louis, two, and Prince George, six, to mark Father's Day and Prince William's birthday today. Fans were quick to point out the similarity between the young royal and Princess Diana, who died in 1997, with many sharing an image of Charlotte's grandmother from when she was aged around 10. 'Princess Charlotte's expression looks the image of her grandmother Diana,' one person wrote on Twitter. Royal fans were quick to point out the similarity between Princess Charlotte, pictured left in a photograph released today, and Princess Diana - with many sharing an image of Charlotte's grandmother from when she was aged around 10 (pictured right) 'Princess Charlotte's expression looks the image of her grandmother Diana,' one person wrote on Twitter (above) Another royal fan said: 'Another instance of Charlotte channelling Diana with her posture and smile!' A third Twitter user added: 'Very cute. I see Charlotte's grandmother in her cute, little face and pose,' while a fourth wrote: 'Princess Charlotte is the spitting image of her grandmother, so precious.' The photograph of Diana is taken from her private family photo album and shows Princes Charles' former wife aged around 10, holding a guinea pig. Prince William and Kate, 38, released new images for the royal's birthday, capturing him with his three children, Prince Louis, two, Prince Charlotte, five, and Prince George, six. The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, a keen and talented photographer, took this picture on Friday in the grounds of their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall Royal enthusiasts (above) went wild over Princess Charlotte's striking resemblance to her grandmother the late Princess Diana The family photographs are the latest to be taken by the Duchess of Cambridge, and were captured on Friday in the grounds of their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall. The first shows the Cambridge children giggling uncontrollably as they pile on to their beaming dad in joyous horseplay. The second captures Prince William cuddling Louis on his knee while Charlotte and George stand beside them on a swing, which was a wedding present from Prince Charles. Elsewhere, this photograph shows the three siblings giggling uncontrollably and piling on to a beaming Prince William Later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released an unseen photo of Prince William embracing Prince Charles as they led royal tributes on Father's Day. Prince William is seen pulling his father, 72, in for a hug in the candid snap taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Sandringham in December last year. The couple also shared a childhood snap of Kate Middleton with her father Michael Middleton. The U.S. Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS 22) June 20. Kansas City is the 11th of the Independence-variant to join the fleet and second ship to be named for Kansas City. The name Kansas City was assigned to a heavy cruiser during World War II. The U.S. Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS 22) June 20. Kansas City is the 11th of the Independence-variant to join the fleet and second ship to be named for Kansas City. The name Kansas City was assigned to a heavy cruiser during World War II. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Official U.S. Navy file photo of The Navy's newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22), arriving at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego on May 24, 2020. (Picture source U.S. Navy) USS Kansas City (LCS-22) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy that was built by the American Company Austal. The ship was christened on 22 September 2018 in Mobile, Alabama and launched 19 October 2018 into the Mobile River. The Independence-class is an aluminum trimaran design originally built by an industry team led by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for LCS 2 and LCS 4. Currently, Independence-variant LCS (LCS 6 and subsequent even-numbered hulls) are constructed by Austal USA in the company's Mobile, Alabama, shipyard. The propulsion systems of Independence-class littoral combat ship consists of two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, two MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, two American VULKAN lightweight multiple-section carbon fiber propulsion shaftlines, two LJ160E and two LJ150E Wartsila waterjets retractable bow-mounted azimuth thruster and four diesel generators. She can reach a maximum speed of about 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph), with a range of 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi). The Raytheon SeaRAM missile defense system is installed on the hangar roof. The SeaRAM combines the sensors of the Phalanx 1B close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, creating an autonomous system. The armament also includes one BAE Systems Mk110 57mm gun, four 12.7mm machine guns, two 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns, and 24 AGM-114L Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. The Independence-class ships also have an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe 3D Radar and SeaStar Safire FLIR. Northrop Grumman has demonstrated sensor fusion of on and off-board systems in the Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) used on the LCS. The world is opening to the need of Yoga, healthier immunity may help fight Coronavirus disease, says Modi as India celebrates the 6th edition of International Yoga Day. Addressing the nation on the occasion of International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the world is realising the need of Yoga, even more, today due to COVID-19 pandemic and Pranayama helps in building a strong respiratory system. Pranayama is a breathing exercise which is usually practised after Yoga asanas. World is realising the need of Yoga, even more, today due to the coronavirus pandemic. If our immunity is strong then it helps in fighting against the disease. There are Yoga practices that boost our immunity and improve metabolism, said Prime Minister Modi. COVID-19 attacks our respiratory system. Pranayama, a breathing exercise is something that helps us the most in making our respiratory system strong, he added Also read: Delhi LG pulls back order on home isolation after Kejriwals opposition Also read: Jharkhand govt moves SC on Centres move to auction coal blocks He congratulated the people of the country on the 6th International Yoga Day and called it a day of solidarity and universal brotherhood. The Prime Minister stressed that Yoga enhances an individuals quest for a healthier planet and it goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and descent. Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate, it goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and descent, he said. The International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. Also read: Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah lock horns again over India-China border tensions For all the latest National News, download NewsX App FAIRBANK Unemployed military veterans will be among the first Iowa farmers to plant a hemp crop this year and eventually will train others on their techniques if Randy Hasstedts plan comes to fruition. As the CEO of U.S. Veterans Alliance a group so new it doesnt yet have a functioning website Hasstedt, who was born in Waverly, has lots of plans to help veterans like himself, a third-generation U.S. Navy Seabee. Those plans, Hasstedt said, include buying an old Las Vegas hotel to house homeless vets and staffing it with a psychologist, as well as helping vets in another capacity in Texas. We have an intricate business plan in which we want to be able to move vets around to places where they feel comfortable, and also establish helping them figure out what they want to do when they come back, he said. One of those plans, now that hes one of the first licensed hemp growers in Iowa, is to come back to Iowa and help transition veterans like himself into employment and entrepreneurship. Eventually those veterans can train other farmers to grow hemp as well. This fell so in line with our business plan, its incredible, he said. Hasstedt and his employees are working with an Oregon-based agronomist via Zoom meetings to learn the ins and outs of preparing the soil and planting hemp seed on 30 acres outside of Fairbank. About a week ago, they loaded up the planter and put those seeds in the ground. In three to four months, the crop should reach maturity, Hasstedt said, at which point the hemp will be sold for flower and biomass. Hasstedt said the final product will be sold to a Washington-based CBD company, Everyday Natural Products, and likely be used in CBD elixirs or oils. Im learning this as I go, because Im new to this, too, he said. Ultimately, he wants to use hemp farming as one way unemployed vets can find meaningful work and eventually pass on their knowledge to other farmers looking to transition some of their own acres to hemp. Having roots in Iowa and knowing people in Iowa made it a lot easier, Hasstedt said. Seeing it grow and develop is really solidifying the purpose we started. Hopefully, this is going to provide a change for everybody. Love 10 Funny 4 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 5 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. An Armenian court has rejected a petition by investigators to arrest the leader of the countrys main opposition party, who faces charges of making election bribes and vote buying. The court's June 21 decision came five days after parliament stripped Gagik Tsarukian of his immunity, opening the door for his prosecution and arrest. A wealthy businessman, Tsarukian heads the Prosperous Armenia Party, the largest opposition faction in the National Assembly, holding 25 of the chamber's 132 seats. The case stems from allegations of vote buying in the 2017 general elections, allegations that Tsarukian and members of his political team have called politically motivated. The prosecutor-general's office said it would appeal the court's decision. Photo: Getty Investors will be watching to see what UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces regarding guidelines for the hospitality sector including pubs and restaurants to reopen in July. He is expected to halve the two-metre social distancing rule which the industry has heavily criticised. This would give the economy a much needed boost and will follow from positive news that the UK's virus alert level has been downgraded from four to three. However in the US, new daily cases on Friday exceeded 30,000 for the first time in seven weeks. Analysts at ING have said second COVID-19 waves are set to keep hitting investor sentiment worldwide while IHS Markit said upcoming data will be scrutinised eagerly for clues as to the length and depth of recessions caused by the pandemic, most notably the flash PMI updates for the US and Europe. Other news investors will be keeping an eye on: Britain: New rules for restaurants Despite no guidelines coming from the government on how pubs, restaurants, hotels, and cafes should re-open, many are still pushing ahead to welcome customers back on July 4th 2020. The UK service industry went in to lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic on March 23rd 2020. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images The two-metre social distancing rule in England looks likely to be relaxed after Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the prime ministers review will make an enormous difference to businesses. Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next week on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels with their reopening in England an ambition from 4 July to start reviving the economy. Shops have already opened. Manufacturing, composite and services PMI data for June is expected June 23. Europe: EU-China summit Asia, China, Hong Kong, elevated view of the skyline and Victoria Bay at dawn, showing the financial district. Photo: Getty Hong Kong is sure to be top priority at the EU-China summit on 22 June, to be held via video conference. The European Parliament has said it recommends that EU file a case before the International Court of Justice, if the new national security law for Hong Kong is applied. The law has been criticised by pro-democracy politicians, who believe it will tighten Beijings hold on the city. Story continues Key PMI data for June is expected 23 June and Germanys GfK consumer confidence for July is set to be out 25 June. US: Jobless claims Weekly jobless claims data will be published 25 June. ING analysts said our team notes a slight slowing in improvement in the employment situation thus Thursdays initial and continued claims will still be scrutinised. A slew of key data including May existing home sales, (22 June) new home sales (23 June) May durable goods orders (25 June) and a final reading of June consumer sentiment (26 June). The second week of the 2020 Harrington Raceway meet will feature nine divisions of Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) action for three-year-olds as they complete the first of two $20,000 preliminary legs. The $100,000 finals will be contested the week of July 6-8. Pacing colts and geldings get underway in two divisions Monday (June 22). George Teague Jr. and K&R Racings All About Lynx (2-1, Montrell Teague) heads the first division. The Southwind Lynx gelding is the only horse in the field who has raced this year, after campaigning in five starts this winter and taking a mark of 1:53.3 at Dover Downs. The Clyde Francis trainee was unraced as a two-year-old. The second division features Debbie and Brendan Cooks Bebop On The Block (5-2, Tony Morgan), who swept his eliminations and final at Dover last fall for trainer Josh Green. The Gamblers Dream gelding will renew his rivalry with American Nitro (8-5, Victor Kirby), who made $118,160 as a freshman last season for the Les Givens stable. Pacing fillies will go to post in three splits Tuesday (June 23). Bag Of Jewels (7-5, Kirby) heads the group after a solid season as a freshman for trainer Les Givens and owners Henry Farragalli, Al Feeney, Bay Pond Racing and Bonuccelli Racing. The Roddys Bags Again filly banked more than $71,000 and won five of her 10 races as a two-year-old. Legacy Racing of Delawares Cinder Rock (7-5, Allan Davis) is certainly the one to beat in the second division after winning six of seven last year for trainer Wayne Givens. Like many of her counterparts, the Rockabillie filly has not raced yet this year, but is fresh off an adequate 1:58.3 qualifying effort on June 10. She banked more than $135,000 as a two-year-old. A six-horse field comprises the last division, which appears wide open with first-time starter Sweet Lil (5-2, Morgan) a daughter of Art Director - the morning line favourite for trainer Sheldon Powell and owner George Minner. Trotters will have their turn Wednesday (June 24), with two divisions apiece for males and females. Jane Dunavants Chauffeur (Art Stafford Jr.) and Breakaway Racings Touch Of White (Corey Callahan) both had solid seasons at two, and will renew their rivalry in the first divisions for colts and geldings. The first filly division will see two-year-old DSBF champ Orabelle (Morgan) back in action for trainer Don Wiest, who shares ownership with Ed Kimmel. The Keystone Activator filly banked $111,000 last season. Dunavants Air Time (Stafford), a Dusty Winner gelding who made nearly $75,000 last season, will battle familiar foes in the second male division, which includes Rod Allens Zulu (Allen), who won half his starts as a freshman. Zulu (CR Commando) is the only horse in the field with a race this year, which was a 2:01 win at Harrington on June 17. The final filly division saw Eric Fosters Emmys Mayflower (Russell Foster) draw post 8 after a terrific season at two, which was capped with her sweeping the eliminations and final at Dover Downs. Post time at Harrington Raceway is 4:30 p.m. nightly. (Harrington Raceway) Sharing is caring! 139 shares Share 138 Tweet Pin 1 This is a guest post by Y.A. contributor Sydney, an avid traveler who has studied French since high school and practiced it everywhere from France to Morocco to Canada and, more recently, used learning a language during lockdown to keep her sanity during COVID 19. Many people are taking on a variety of pastimes these days. It helps to prevent them from going crazy during this stay-at-home-until-further-notice period. Maybe youre reading books you dont usually have time for, cooking new recipes, or perhaps learning a new language (or returning to one youve already studied). Stuck in the Greater Seattle Area with my parents and brother in our family home, but far from my Canadian boyfriend, the lockdown has been a mix of paradoxes for me. Ive enjoyed the flexibility and freedom of working from home but miss my coworkers and feel as though life is on hold indefinitely. Id been working on moving abroad to either Luxembourg or Montreal later this year, but both look less and less likely the longer the U.S. continues to struggle with its COVID response. All of this uncertainty has not been great for my mental health. I decided to dig into my French studies actively. I was pleasantly surprised by the mental and emotional benefits. Its been a friendly, productive lockdown activity. However, what I wasnt expecting was how much the daily practice would help me maintain my sanity. Learning a language during lockdown is fantastic. Research shows that learning a new language has many benefits for your brain. While its never easy (French has about three exceptions for every rule, and most of the time you only pronounce half the word), it is keeping me mentally and emotionally in check during this difficult time. Here are five reasons how learning a language during lockdown is helping me survive this wild lockdown ride. 1. Learning French gives me a goal to work toward While I love a good Netflix binge or fall into an internet rabbit hole, I think we can all agree its not exactly productive nor great for mental health (especially these days!). I do better with clear objectives (i.e., Journal one page a day) rather than vague goals I hope to achieve in the future (i.e., Write more! Read more! Become fluent in 3 new languages!). Also, science says goal-oriented people are more successful. So if you want to improve your foreign language skills, it would help to have a clear plan. While I studied French all through high school and college, then traveled, volunteered, and aupair-ed throughout Francophone Europe and Morocco post-grad, its not as easy to maintain my skills back here in the very monolingual USA. Ive done my best, practiced a bit each day, obtained a B2 score last fall on the Test de francais international. This recently granted me admission to graduate school in Luxembourg. It also offered me a job offer in Montreal (my currently across-a-closed-border boyfriends hometown). As the pandemic worsened here in the U.S. and closed borders make either option less and less likelymy morale was falling hard and fast. I woke up one day and decided this was no way to live life, nor get through le lockdown, and decided to set specific goals to increase my proficiency for when I am finally able to move abroad. Learning a language during lockdown is helping a lot. My personal language practice recipe has included; Listen to a podcast (personal favorites are Grand Reportage Affaires etrangeres , and Coffee Break French ). Watch an episode of Netflix (lately Ive been loving Plan Coeur and Call My Agent) in French every day (Netflix binges are productive if theyre for language practice! Nice loophole, huh?) Write one page of French in my quarantine journal every other day. I set a goal of writing every day to have a personal record of what will become a historic time. The entries vary from simple recounts of my day to musings on the state of the world, my life, and how the two intertwine, to rants about how unfair life is. Riveting stuff, let me tell you. My French entries are sometimes similar-but-different versions of English ones (if Im feeling lazy), and sometimes they take on a life of their own, and I go on a completely different tangent. Almost like Im a different person while writing French (more on that in a minute). Read a French book every week/every other depending on length. Recent Favorites include: Lappartement Oublie by Michelle Gable (A must for any French language learner an antique appraiser, romance, and a forgotten Parisien apartment? Yes please!) Alger Ville Blanche by Regine Deforges (Im a sucker for anything historical fiction and Deforges, but his books about Lea and Francois speak to my soul. Want to start at the beginning of their story? Check out La Bicyclette Bleue). Petit Pays by Gael Faye (a heartwrenching story about the Burundian Civil War) Up Next: Peau Noire, Masques Blancs by Franz Fanon The recent protests and spotlight on police brutality and racism in my home country have me (and Im sure many of you) wondering, but what can I do? I think where all of us White and Non-Black POCs can start with basic education. Over the past few weeks, Ive picked up a few books on institutional racism and what it means to be black in America and was thrilled when I came across Fanons text. It allows me to practice French while educating myself on racism from an international perspective. I urge all language learners to seek out diverse voices, and if your ability is high enough, try reading a foreign language book about this critical and vital topic. Setting these goals gives me clear activities to do once Ive finished work during the day. Making it less likely that Ill just veg out on the couch and drink wine (not a wrong choice, but doing this every day while stuck at home would get old and depressing). Plus, youll come out of quarantine with a VERY useful new skill and bragging rights, while your friends and colleagues became moderately decent at new hobbies. Oh, you learned to knit? You made sourdough? I learned how to flirt with Parisian waiters in their language (okay jk I have a cute French-speaking partner alreadymore on that in a bit), but you get the point. With all of this uncertainty of doom and gloom, we must create meaning in our days. Working toward any goal is very important for your mental health; for some people, thats cooking or crafts, for me, its practicing French. Whatever youre choosing, as long as you have something with a clear product at the end (bread loaf, hat, flirting skills), youll feel much more accomplished at the end of all this, and in the meantime, have a much healthier headspace. 2. Language learning provides escapism when we cant travel I know were amid a pandemic with new information coming out daily, but damn. I dont want reminders. Every. Five. Minutes. I work in international education with students from around the world. My days consist of discussions about the situation, the global fallout, how its impacting our students, and various doomsday scenarios. During my COVID-heavy workday, Im continually receiving news notifications (I KNOW I should turn them off). Coronavirus stories dominate the background because my family INSISTS on watching the news every day. At some point, we all need a break from the chaos, and while I love running and hiking, my mind is still able to wander during these activities. Thus I continue to play the what if and worst-case game not a fun time let me tell you! Im sure Im not alone in needing a break. Practicing French ensures my mind is occupied with something else for at least 30-60 minutes a day. I highly recommend it. Its an excellent stand-in for the escapism travel usually provides from life, since none of us are going very far, anytime soon. You can watch a foreign film and escape to your favorite city, or explore one youve meant to get to. Or perhaps daydream about lavender fields in Provence and bistros in Paris while conjugating verbs. Anything is better than reading another article about a new set of COVID symptoms or the daily death count in your area. Since we cant travel right now, language learning is a great way to prepare for when borders reopen, and travel is once again on the agenda. 3. I can pretend to be someone else for a little while There have been studies done that show you (to a certain extent) develop another personality while learning and speaking another language. Maybe youre more eloquent in a foreign language or talk with your hands more. Currently, Im pretending French me exists in a parallel universe where there is no pandemic, and my biggest issue is what to have for dessert tonight and when the hell to use le subjonctif. I mentioned above how my French journal entries often take on a life of their own. Its as if Im expressing completely different thoughts than I would in English. Im not sure exactly why. Perhaps since were forced to think differently in another language (new vocab and grammar rules), our reflections also change. Often when learning a language, youll become frustrated because there wont be an exact translation of what youre trying to say, it forces you to think and express yourself differently. This often leads to a few epiphanies and new world views in my experience. 4. It keeps me dreaming of past and future travel. When I first started learning French back in high school, it was just a random elective to fulfill graduation requirements. However, at some point during University and after I realized the power of learning other languages. And while were all stuck at home (Seattle for me) and unable to travel, my daily French practice allows me to reminisce on some of my favorite travel memories. Every day Im transported to happier times, such as the first time I ever visited France on a trip with my dad or at that time I had to give a police statement in French. Now learning a language during lockdown keeps my travel dreams alive. Reflecting on past trips is something we often dont have time to do. We get back from a trip, show our friends a few photos, are jetlagged for a few days, and then it gets filed in the back of our brain. We often dont actively think about how it affected us or impacted our life, just chalking travel up to escapism or a great time, when reminiscing is so powerful. It can inspire us to take another trip, move abroad, or just remind ourselves anything is possible. It also reminds me that we wont be stuck at home forever, and I can still plan trips for the future. Lately, Ive been daydreaming of finally visiting my boyfriends home province of Quebec, road tripping through Southwestern France, and exploring Tunisia. 5. Allows my boyfriend & I privacy If you havent figured it out by my comment above, I have a boyfriend. And no, its not the picture above. Thats my Dad, weirdos! Unfortunately, we are currently separated by a closed border (international long-distance relationships, amirite?). We are also living in houses packed with people. Im with my family in Seattle. Hes with roommates in Vancouver. I think we can all agree that no matter how much we love the people were stuck at home with, eventually, theyre going to drive you crazy. Sometimes you just dont want to be overheard, or you want to escape into a different reality. Learning a language during lockdown helps with this. So naturally, when we chat, we want to rant about our inhabitants. Sometimes just be assured no one eavesdropping; having another language to do it ensures us some privacy. French is the first language for him, and Im fluent enough where we can have conversations, even if sometimes it leads to (usually silly) arguments and misunderstandings. Him: What are you saying? Me: *repeats* Him:Oh you mean OKAY my pronunciation is not always spot on you know what Im saying! Also Him: Thats not a word. Me: YES IT IS! You just dont know it because youre from Quebec and speak weird French sometimes! Him:*Google translates* Oh I guess youre right. Me: I KNOW I AM!! I guess my French alter-ego likes all-caps? To be fair, this often happens to us while conversing in English as well. Perhaps its because Im American and hes Canadian. Or maybe its because Im from the West Coast and hes from the East. Its probably a mix of both. I knew learning another language would be useful, whether in my travels or with landing a job. Id never dreamed it would help me cope during a global catastrophe. I suppose its just another reason everyone should try and learn a language in their lifetime! At the beginning of lockdown, daily French practice was more about skill maintenance. It helped to keep my mind occupied during a tumultuous time. As the months have continued to pass, its become more about hope. I hope my plans to move abroad will eventually happen. I hope that we will travel again. I dream that well all come out of this a little more understanding of each other. How about you? Are you up for learning a language during lockdown? Have you used lockdown to learn a new language or pick up a new hobby? How is it helping you cope? 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. China has issued temporary biosafety guidelines for Chinese pharmaceutical firms racing to come up with a vaccine for the pandemic coronavirus. The emergency standards apply to all facilities using pathogenic organisms to make vaccines but the five government agencies that issued the guidelines on Thursday stressed their application to coronavirus vaccine production plants. Safe and effective vaccines are important guarantees for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus, the agencies said. There is a level of biosafety risk when using pathogenic microorganisms to produce vaccines. [We] should ensure the quality of vaccines and the biosafety of places in which they are made. The agencies said the rules were based on domestic and international regulations and covered facilities, equipment and procedures. At least one member of staff should be responsible for biosafety at each company but this should not be the person in charge of production, they said. Clinical studies are under way on five vaccine candidates in China and although it will be months at least before they can go into production, some vaccine makers have already started building manufacturing plants. Neil Wang, greater China president of the market consultancy Frost & Sullivan, said that previously there had been no state-level detailed requirement regarding vaccine makers facilities, equipment and safety management. Compared with previous sporadic regulations, the current one has got detailed requirements on risk management, protection grades, facilities, equipment, assessments, document management and security management, Wang said. He said the authorities had been trying to raise standards in the industry since a scandal two years ago in which Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology supplied ineffective DPT (diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus) vaccines to be used on young babies, and forging data in its rabies vaccine production procedures. Since the 2018 Changchun incident, the government has been beefing up the vaccine sectors full industry chain supervision, Wang said. Story continues Yu Xuejie, dean of Wuhan Universitys school of health sciences, said authorities needed to establish biosafety rules for vaccine producers so that there was zero risk of the virus being released from these facilities. This requirement shows the state authorities attach high importance to vaccine manufacturers biosafety. It has raised the management on this aspect to a higher level, Yu said. In 2004, nine people were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, in Beijing and Anhui province after a viral leak from a Beijing laboratory of the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention. According to the official China Science Daily, the leak occurred after a researcher broke protocol and moved a container of Sars strains from a secure laboratory to a regular one nearby. Sign up now for a 50% early bird discount on the 100+ page China Internet Report 2020 Pro Edition, which includes deep-dive analysis, trends, and case studies on the 10 most important internet sectors. Now in its 3rd year, this go-to source for understanding China tech also comes with exclusive access to 6 webinars with C-level executives. Offer valid until 30 June 2020. This article China sets biosafety standards for coronavirus vaccine makers first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Hong Kong: 2m register for cash payout The Government announced that about two million people submitted electronic registrations through 21 participating banks on the first day of registration for the Cash Payout Scheme. It added about 8,000 people submitted electronic forms for the scheme through the Hongkong Post website and that the process went smoothly. The Government explained that a special arrangement has been made under which 1,000 bank branches and 120 post offices over the city opened from 9am to 5pm today to facilitate the submission of paper registration forms. Registration by paper form will be conducted in three batches according to date of birth. The first batch, people born in 1955 or before, may submit registration immediately. People may put completed paper registration forms into drop-in boxes at banks and post offices or mail them to GPO Box No. 182020. The Government noted that people registering in the first two weeks will receive payment or notification for cheque collection simultaneously from around July 20. It also stated that there is no need to rush to register in the first days or submit registrations in person. The Government stressed that registering electronically through banks is the quickest and most convenient way to receive payment. For electronic registrations submitted through banks before the end of this month, payment will be deposited simultaneously into bank accounts specified by the registrants from around July 8. For electronic registrations submitted on or after July 1, registrants will receive payment around one week after registration. Registration for the scheme is open until December 31, 2021. The public may visit the schemes website or call 18 2020 for detailed information. This story has been published on: 2020-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. MBABANE The non-construction of a sewer has resulted in about 100 plot owners waiting over three years to develop their land at Tubungu, Extension 4. A sewer is an underground pipe or tunnel system for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings to treatment facilities or for disposal. A majority of the plot owners bought the land back in 2017 when it was advertised, with 1 000 square metre land going for E250 000. At the time, the Tubungu Estate wanted to develop Extension 4 by tarring the road, availing electricity and supplying water, among other things. However, having bought the land, the plot owners were advised by the Matsapha Town Council (MTC) not to develop their plots because there was no sewer. Tubungu Estate agents, Sun Star Properties General Manager Mlamuli Maseko confirmed that the plot owners were frustrated in that they could not build structures or develop their land because of the sewer issue. Stakeholders He said the issue revolved around the stakeholders involved, being Eswatini Environmental Authority, Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC), the Matsapha Town Council and the developer. He said one of the stakeholders was failing to take responsibility in the matter and the blame was shifted from one stakeholder to the other. Maseko said before an area was developed, the developer makes a proposal which is approved or declined by the stakeholders. So when the developer made the proposal for Extension 4, there was a provision that there should be a sewer system. The developer did its part, availing water and electricity and tarred the road and also piped the whole area in preparation for the sewer that was supposed to be constructed by one of the other stakeholders, because a sewer is a public infrastructure that is supposed to be owned by the government, not the developer, he submitted. He said the clash was caused by the fact that a private developer could not construct a public sewer because even the sewer charge was not administered by the developer but it was under the control of EWSC. The delay in developing the land by its owners has been caused by failure from one of the stakeholders to own up and construct the sewer and the plot owners are always calling the agent to inquire on this matter because they want to develop their land, he said. Maseko said what frustrated the land owners more was the fact that they were made to pay rates yet they were not developing or building structures on their land. One of the plot owners, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she eventually lost hope and gave up on developing the land because MTC kept on postponing the approval of developing the land, citing different things which include that the developer should complete tarring the road, which they have done. I havent been following the developments there because I gave up on developing my plot due to the issues with the stakeholders. As far as the rates are concerned, its been a long time since I checked if I owed them, she submitted. Approve MTC Public Relations Officer Babhekile Dlamini said they could not approve any construction as MTC because there was no adequate or required infrastructure such as a sewer system, to develop phase 4 of Tubungu. On the issue of paying rates, Dlamini said rates were collected because the property was within urban boundaries and according to the Rating Act of 1995 Section 4-9, rates were to be collected unless exempted. Rates are triggered by owning a property which has value as per the valuation roll. Building permits are required terms of services among other things which is why approval from utility companies is required, Dlamini said. Another Iranian ship approaching Venezuela in defiance of US bans Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 7:39 AM Another Iranian ship has sailed into Venezuela's territorial waters and is expected to dock in the Latin American country's ports over the next couple of days, the American media say. According to a report by the Associated Press on Saturday, the Iranian-flagged freighter Golsan left Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran's southern city of Bandar Abbas in mid-May and is heading in the direction of Venezuelan shores. Russ Dallen, head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets, said the cargo ship "is carrying parts to continue repairing Venezuela's collapsed refineries." Dallen added that the Iranian vessel sailing at a speed of about 13.1 knots is expected to anchor in Venezuelan ports on Sunday or Monday. The ship approached Caribbean waters on Friday following a high-seas journey from Iran. Earlier in the month, five Iranian oil tankers carrying millions of barrels of gasoline and components entered the ports of the fuel-starved South American country and are now on their way back to Iran. Caracas says its deep gasoline shortages have eased since the Iranian tankers delivered fuel. The Reuters news agency reported that Iran may continue to ship fuel to sanctions-hit Venezuela at a rate of about two to three cargoes per month. "Tehran plans to keep up the shipments, according to five trading and industry sources close to the Oil Ministry," the news agency said. Venezuela is grappling with shortages of gasoline due to sanctions unilaterally imposed by the United States not only on Caracas but also on Iran. Mexico has also expressed willingness to sell gasoline to Venezuela on "humanitarian" grounds if asked, defying United States sanctions against the South American country. The fuel shipments to Venezuela's ports and refineries drew the ire of the Trump administration in Washington, which had previously threatened to block new oil tankers between Tehran and Caracas to prevent them from reaching the Venezuelan coast. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had warned of retaliatory measures against the United States should Washington cause problems for tankers carrying Iranian fuel to gasoline-starved Venezuela. Venezuela sits on the world's largest oil reserves. The country's refineries can produce more than 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of fuel, but they are working at less than 20% of their capacity mainly due to power outages and lack of spare parts amid the US sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW DELHI: Nathuram Vinayak Godse assassinated Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on . He shot Gandhi in the chest three times at point blank range. As per some documents written by Godse the primary reason behind his assassination of Gandhi was the latters adherence to the unjustified demand by Jinnah for issuing Rs. 55 crore for Pakistan. He was sentenced to death after executing Bapu. Things to know about Nathuram Godse: Nathuram Godse was one of the strongest supporters of Gandhi during his youth days and even worshipped him for his ideologies related to life and nation. He bred no personal hatred against Gandhi and even bowed before the Mahatma during the morning prayers, just before he fired shots at him. He was among the very few who believed in the ideology of Vir Savarkar in a real way and moulded his thinking accordingly. Though he followed writings of Gandhi too, he was more influenced by Savarkars works Nathuram Godse even ran a newspaper named Agrani along with his partner in crime Apte. He was the editor of the newspaper and wrote articles for it. Nathuram Godse has been branded as a Hindu fanatic by successive governments of the country. Godse joined a Hindu political outfit and left it because he did not find it militant enough and entered the Hindu Mahasabha. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. When Fredrick Miller bought a former Virginia plantation house, he never considered that its past had anything to do with him. But its history had everything to do with Miller. YSR Congress party MP K Raghurama Krishnam Raju on Sunday revolted against his own party by lodging a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla citing threat to life from his partys leaders in his native district West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. In his letter written to the Speaker on June 18, which was released to the media on Sunday, Raju requested that he be provided security by central police forces in the wake of increased threats. He also sent a copy of the letter to Union home minister Amit Shah. I have also written separate letters to the top police officials stating that I have been receiving calls from the YSRC leaders threatening to kill me if I entered my parliamentary constituency Narasapuram. But no action was taken till date. So, I had to write to the Centre seeking security from central police forces, Raju told Hindustan Times. He currently has a security cover of two policemen. In the letter, the MP brought to the notice of the Speaker that he had strongly objected to the recent proposal of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) trust board to sell a few properties of the temple, as it would hurt the sentiments of Hindu devotees of Lord Balaji. He said he could not get the appointment of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy so that he could personally appraise him of the consequences of the decision. I also brought to the notice of the chief minister through the media a few more issues like steep increase in the price of sand by nearly 600 per cent, which paralyzed the construction activity, he said. Raju said following his statements, his own party MLAs from Narasapuram had started attacking him by burning his effigies and openly threatening that he would also be burnt to death if he visited his constituency. Because of these threatening calls from YSRC MLAs and cadre without any action from the police, I am frightened to go to the constituency without protection. I felt it is not safe to move with the security provided to me by the state government with two constables. Hence, I request you to provide me with armed security, he appealed to the Speaker. For the last few days, the Narasapuram MP had been making serious comments against the YSRC government. He alleged that caste politics had reached its peak in YSRC, while corruption and illegal sand and land sale had been rampant in the YSRC government. Raju, who previously was with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), also said he had joined the YSRC before the 2019 general elections only after repeated requests from the party leadership. It was because I contested from Narasapuram, the YSRC had won the seat with a slender margin. People had not voted for me on seeing Jagans photograph but because of my image, he told HT. Raju alleged that the YSRC leadership had instigated attack on him from his own community (Kshatriya) leaders. This is very bad. I request the party not to create differences within my community, he said. Asked what his next step would be, Raju said if Jagan gave him an audience, he would meet him and explain the factual position as to how the party leaders were indulging in various irregularities and corruption. It is up to him to take action, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON FRANKFORT Frankfort High School's decision to postpone its graduation ceremony paid off, as the school was able to honor its seniors with an in-person ceremony on June 21 at Lockhart Field. Graduation had originally been set for May 31, but after speaking with the seniors and their families, school administration elected to postpone the ceremony four three weeks. During that three-week span, state guidelines were relaxed to the point where Frankfort was able to have a socially-distanced outdoor ceremony with limited attendance. In his introductory speech district superintendent Jeff Tousley asked graduates to look toward the future, not at what they had lost during the shutdown. "We are not here today to dwell on the past. We are here today to honor and celebrate all of our graduates as they focus on what's in front of them, not what's behind them," Tousley said. "Graduates, today is the time to look forward, and not backward." Guest speaker Jacqueline (Jackie) Luedtke Borozan urged graduates to make service a big part of their future. "Serving others and tapping into that greater good is one of the single most important things you can learn in life ... What matters most is that you think deeply about what you care about, and you try," Borozan said. "I promise, your life will be better for it." While the first two speakers urged graduates to look the future, salutatorian Jane Turner placed on emphasis on gratitude, recognizing her family, community and school for all they have done support her and her fellow graduates, especially during the past three months. "Throughout the past few months, their have been a lot of uncertainties. Questions pertaining to graduation were certainly no exception. Our teachers, administrators, and really the entire staff at Frankfort High School have done a phenomenal job navigating such uncharted waters," Turner said. "It's almost overwhelming. They have accomplished this by doing what they have always done making us the students, and especially the seniors, feel so loved and cared for ... The compassion that they have shown for us is overwhelming, and it means so much to us." Valedictorian Haley Myers also expressed gratitude to all who have supported the class of 2020 before ending her speech with the promise of a bright future beyond the chaotic times she and her fellow seniors have lived through the past three months. "It wasn't what we wanted, but in the long run, our high school graduation is just a small even in comparison to the huge lives we have in front of us ... I am pleased to say that our class is going places," Myers said. "No matter the path any of us choose to take after high school, we've all set big expectations for ourselves in the future. COVID might have taken away the last of our senior year, but nothing can take away our fight to succeed in the future." A mother has revealed how she welcomed a 11lb 6oz baby at home with just hypnobirthing techniques and a 'couple of puffs' of gas and air. Emma Fearon, 34, from Thornton-le-Moor, Cheshire, welcomed 11lb 6oz Atticus James Fearon last month. She delivered the baby in 150 minutes with the assistance of two independent midwives - and required no stitches following Atticus's arrival. Emma Fearon, 34, from Thornton-le-Moor, Cheshire, welcomed 11lb 6oz Atticus, last month Atticus was delivered in 150 minutes with the assistance of two independent midwives - and weighs the same as a bowling ball Emma planned to have her third baby at home in a pool (left). Atticus is breastfeeding which Emma describes as a 'round the clock job' And Atticus is not the only heavy baby in the family after her firstborn Aria, three, weighed 10lb 8oz at birth and her second child Amelia, two, was 9lb. Emma, who used hypnobirthing techniques, said: 'I birthed him in a pool with the midwife arriving with only half an hour to spare. 'I only had a couple of puffs of gas and air and got away with no stitches. 'It just goes to show what women's bodies are capable of and a nice reassurance for those that are predicted to have big babies. 'The birth went amazingly - I used hypnobirthing to calm and ground me and the labour was only two and a half hours long start to finish.' Emma (pictured with Atticus) said the midwives were very supportive and not concerned about his size Speaking about her decision to have Atticus at home, she said: 'I'm really pleased that I got to give birth at home as I would have had to go alone to the hospital if not with my husband staying at home with the girls. WHAT IS HYPNOBIRTHING? Hypnobirthing is described as a complete antenatal education which teaches the expectant mother breathing techniques and self hypnosis for a natural birth, free of pain relief. The method teaches women how to relax their bodies to reduce pain and avoid releasing adrenaline caused by stress, which can prolong labour. The method has many celebrity fans including Angelina Jolie, and reportedly Kate Middleton. Source: Hypnobirthing.co.uk Advertisement 'I had planned to have a home birth from the start and was concerned when NHS trusts started to close down the home birth service as I was so dead set on it. 'I researched unassisted birthing and then ended up hiring two independent midwives so that I could definitely have the birth that I wanted and felt this was the safest. 'The midwives were very supportive and weren't concerned about his size. 'They both felt that your body would not produce a baby that you can't give birth to and were very encouraging of my plans, although none of us thought he'd turn out quite so big.' Baby Aria was born in hospital after a long delivery that required forcep assistance and resulted in a big tear and an episiotomy. Second baby Amelia was also born in hospital but without any issues which led Emma to have a home birth with a birthing pool for her third baby. Emma is now doing well at home and is exclusively breastfeeding Atticus while still feeding his 27-month-old sister Amelia at the same time. She said: 'I am now exclusively breastfeeding Atticus which is a full on round the clock job because of his size and maintaining his glucose levels, as well as breastfeeding his sister Amelia still.' Emma is now doing well at home and is exclusively breastfeeding Atticus (pictured) while still feeding his 27-month-old sister Amelia The first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series is complete after racing at MGM Northfield Park on June 20. The series began with six divisions of the three-year-old colt trot at MGM Northfield Park on June 15. Rose Run Vindicate, a gelded son of And Away We Go, held off a late charge to win the first division for driver Dan Noble and trainer Mike Polhamus in 1:56.4. It was Rose Run Vindicates second win of the year, and it upped his career earnings to $48,559 for owner Donald Roberts. In the second $17,500 BSS division for trotters, Dontyousayit, a son of Dontyouforgetit, went wire-to-wire from post 1 for his third win of the year. Kurt Sugg drove the Edward Miller-trained colt to a 1:58.1 win for owners Ivan and Duke Sugg. Parked at the three-quarter pole, Chris Page grabbed the lead down the stretch with 14-1 Westfiftythird win the third division in 1:56.1 for trainer Ron Steck and the Heres To Us Stable. It was the second win of the year for the son of My MVP. Next up, Luckey Stormin edged favourite Exhibit Class at the wire. Co-owner Josh Slater drove the Stormin Normand colt to his third win this year in as many starts, a lifetime best 1:57.1 mile for trainer and co-owner Elpidio Bernardi Jr. The best time BSS time of the night went to Team Jesse, as the son of Team Six rallied down the stretch to claim a second consecutive victory in 1:54.3. Cameron McCown drove for trainer Brian Georges, who shares ownership with Mary Ann Georges and Kent Walker. Enforce the Law, a son of Triumphant Caviar, wrapped up the first night in the Buckeye Stallion Series as he grabbed the lead in the stretch to claim his first win of the year in 1:56.1. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. had the drive for owner-trainer Joseph Kramp. The following night (June 16), three-year-old fillies and colts took the track at Eldorado Scioto Downs for five divisions each in the filly and colt pace. On the filly side, Big Bad Mosa, the daughter of Big Bad John, went off as the favourite and didnt disappoint. Jeremy Smith drove Big Bad Mosa to victory in 1:53.1 for trainer Ronnie Roberts and the Watson Stable. It was her fifth win in nine starts this year. In the second division, the favourite again came out on top as Narina Hanover covered the mile in a lifetime best of 1:52.3 for Tyler Smith. The win was the first of the year for the Yankee Cruiser filly trained by Clarence Foulk and owned by the Foulk Stables and William Hartt. Rockin Farrari made it three favourites in a row to see the winners circle. The daughter of Rockin Amadeus got up at the line to win by a neck in 1:53.2 for driver Brett Miller, owner-trainer Isaiah Shrake and co-owner Terrie Shrake. It was the fillys third win in as many starts this year. Jeremy Smith picked up his second win of the night in the series when Princess Rockette snapped the string of favourites winning. The Pet Rock filly went wire-to-wire in a lifetime best 1:53.1 for her second win of the year. She is trained by Parker Smith and owned by George Hensley Jr. Corner Pocket, a daughter of Art Official, hung on to win the final division by a nose in 1:54.4. Dan Noble drove for trainer Christi Noble and owner Stephen Sexton. In the first division for colts, Miller rallied Aim For Glory, a gelded son of Rockin Amadeus, down the stretch to capture his racing debut in 1:53.3. Aim For Glory is owned by Emerald Highland Farms and trained by Kelly ODonnell. Noble was also a winner in the colt pace, as he guided Bargain Shopper to an easy win. The Big Bad John gelding won for the first time this year in 1:53 for trainer Christi Noble and owner Chuck Grubbs. Dragon Roars Again roared home in an evening best of 1:52 to win the third division. The son of Dragon Again led the entire way as Miller picked up his second BSS win of the night. Dragon Roars Again is trained by ODonnell for Emerald Highland Farms. Chris Presley took Medoland Bosa to the lead and never relented, posting a career best mile of 1:53.4. Medoland Bosa, a gelded son of The Panderosa, won for the sixth time in his career for trainer Mike Medors and owners Tamara Hoovler and Hutchison Harness. Sectionlineronnie, a We Will See gelding, wrapped up the night shocking the field to win for the first time in 2020. Josh Sutton drove the 21-1 long shot to a lifetime best of 1:54.1 for trainer Steve Bauder and owner Harold Bauder. The final day of action for the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series was the three-year-old filly trot from Northfield Park on Saturday (June 20). In the first division, Lightning Belle, a daughter of Dejarmbro, took the lead at the half-mile mark and held on for driver Ryan Stahl is 1:56. It was the fillys first win of the year for trainer Scott Cox and owner G Peters. Greg Grismore and Dream Change battled the entire way with Evita, but was first to the line to capture the second division. The Pamela Young-trained Winning Fireworks filly won for the first time this year, upping her career earnings to $87,681 for owners Big Dog Racing. Susie D and driver Hunter Myers took the lead at the top of the stretch to give trainer Bryan Weaver and owner Donna Anderson the win. The daughter of Uncle Peter picked up career win number 10 in 1:55.3. It took until the fourth division for a favourite to find the winners circle in the BSS. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. guided Manofmanymissions filly Bange Bi to a narrow victory for trainer Trent Stohler. It was the fillys first win of the year for the ownership group of Stohler Stables, Stately Gaits Stable, James Bafia and Hen Shaut Stable. In the final BSS race of the first leg, Kurt Sugg went wire-to-wire with Myco, a daughter of Broadway Hall, in 1:55.1 for trainer Dan Ater and owner Paul Stolfo. Leg two of the Buckeye Stallion Series begins June 30 with the three-year-old colt trot from Eldorado Scioto Downs. The Buckeye Stallion Series is open to foals sired by a Standardbred stallion registered with the Ohio State Racing Commission during the year of conception. (Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association) Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 05:09:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. Attorney General William Barr speaks at a press conference on law enforcement actions related to elder fraud, in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning. I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a letter to Geoffrey Berman. WASHINGTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on Saturday that President Donald Trump has fired Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman, who refused to step down over unfinished investigations. In a letter to Berman, Barr accused of him choosing "public spectacle over public service." "Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning. I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr wrote. Trump announced late Friday night his intention to nominate Jay Clayton, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to replace Berman. In a stunning response, Berman, who ran the probe that sent Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to prison and is reportedly investigating his current personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said that he has not resigned and that he has "no intention of resigning." "I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight I was 'stepping down' as United States Attorney," Berman said on Fright night. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption." Besides Cohen and Giuliani, Berman's office also subpoenaed Trump's inaugural committee over an investigation into potential illegal contributions from foreigners and charged former Congressman Chris Collins, a Trump ally, with insider trading. Barr said Saturday that he was "surprised and quite disappointed" by Berman's statement and that he was "hoping for your cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition." "Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately," the attorney general wrote in the letter. "I fully expect that the office will continue to handle all cases in the normal course and pursuant to the Department's applicable standards, policies, and guidance." House Democrats will not impeach attorney general William Barr because "corrupt" Republicans in the Senate would prevent his removal from office, judiciary chairman Jerry Nadler suggested on Sunday. Democrats have sounded alarms over Mr Barr's decision to remove a federal prosecutor in New York overseeing multiple investigative inquiries into Donald Trump's associates, including his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Mr Nadler, who chairs the House panel that authored impeachment articles against Mr Trump for abusing the power of his office in foreign policy with Ukraine, told CNN's Anderson Cooper Democratic lawmakers would be justified in trying to impeach the attorney general, but that the fight is not worth their time. No, I don't think calls for his impeachment are premature any more than calls for the president's impeachment were premature, Mr Nadler said. But they are a waste of time at this point, because we know that we have a corrupt Republican majority in the Senate which will not consider an impeachment no matter what the evidence and no matter what the facts, he added. Were instead going to do what we have to do without that. Mr Tapper then asked Mr Nadler whether he believed every Senate Republican who voted to acquit Mr Trump in February's impeachment trial was corrupt. I think in the sense of being corrupt against the interest of the country, yes, Mr Nadler said. Mr Nadler, whose committee oversees the Justice Department, has launched an all-out offensive against Mr Barr this summer. The chairman has called a hearing for next week where two DOJ whistleblowers will testify about unprecedented politicization and corruption at the department. Mr Nadler has also proposed legislation to slash the budget of Mr Barrs personal office at the DOJ by $50m, he announced earlier this month. Earlier this month, Mr Barr was excoriated for ordering law enforcement to use violent means rubber bullets, chemical gas agents, and flash bang grenades to clear peaceful protesters who gathered at Lafayette Square just north of the White House to demonstrate against police brutality. Shortly after the street clearance, Mr Barr, Mr Trump, and others walked to nearby St Johns Episcopal Church, where the president held up a Bible as photojournalists snapped pictures and TV crews captured video footage. Mr Nadler has said his committee will investigate the DOJ's sudden firing of the New York prosecutor, Geoff Berman, over concerns of corruption. "The whole thing smacks of corruption and incompetence, which is what we have come to expect from this President and his Attorney General," Mr Nadler said in a statement over the weekend. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday posed five questions for the Centre to answer on governments position on the Indo-China border conflict over the past 6 weeks that peaked with a deadly clash in eastern Ladakhs Galwan Valley along the LAC on June 15, resulting in 20 casualties among Indian Army soldiers and an unverified number of deaths on the Chinese side . Among other questions, Sibal alleged that the government was in denial of Chinese intrusions as confirmed by army generals and satellite imagery and sought to know the reason for the denials. Despite statements of experts, army generals & satellite imagery depicting Chinese intrusion into Pangong Tso Lake up to 8 kms, construction of 60 permanent structures & occupation up to Finger4, why is the Govt denying Chinese transgression?, Sibal asked in of the five questions. Also read: In fresh jibe at PM Modi on India-China face-off, Rahul Gandhi again accuses govt of surrendering Indian territory Sibals question alleging India was in denial of Chinese transgressions come a day after the government issued a clarification on the controversy and said Prime Minister Narendra Modis assertion that no one has entered our territory, no one is at present within our territory and no one has occupied our posts, referred to the situation after Indian Armys brave action to thwart Chinese attempts to erect a structure on the Indian side of the LAC on June 15. The governments clarification was necessitated after some commentators in general and opposition leaders in particular claimed that PMs above mentioned statement, given during the all party meet called on the issue, amounted to a surrender to China and was tantamount to appeasement of the communist countrys leadership. Sibal said several security experts, retired army generals and veterans, along with satellite imagery have spoken about Chinese-designed incursions into our territories along the LAC. He also cited statements made by the defence and external affairs minister along with statements by the external affairs ministry on June 17 and 20, to say that government had itself referred to the Chinese incursions on multiple occasions between April-May 2020 till date in Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso Lake Area and Hot Springs. Sibal said that the government should not even appear to have ceded any part of these territories to the Chinese. Also read | No restrictions on using firearms: India gives soldiers freedom along LAC in extraordinary times Until the Chinese retreat and status quo ante is restored, our Government should not let up or appear to cede any part of these territories to the Chinese, he said, before adding that Chinas brazen transgressions into Indias territory cannot be accepted and Indias territorial integrity cannot be allowed to be compromised in any circumstances. In one of his other four questions directed at the government and the prime minister, Sibal asked, Isnt the statement of the PM an affront to the valour & supreme sacrifice of Col B.Santosh Babu and 19 Jawans who sought to evict the Chinese from our territory in Galwan Valley? Does the Govt mean that their sacrifice was in vain? In his next question he wanted to know why China had now advanced its claim on the Galwan Valley after having never made a similar claim in the past. Is it not correct that China has never claimed Galwan Valley as its territory? Is it also not correct that China has now committed brazen transgressions into Galwan Valley, Sibal asked In his penultimate question, he wanted to know from PM Modi that if no one entered Indian territory, then how did Indias 20 soldiers die? Why did the PM tell the All-Party Meeting that no one intruded into our territory? Why did PMO delete these words from the official statement? And if no one intruded into our territory, how did our 20 soldiers die? he asked. The governments clarification on the matter had answered some of these issues on Saturday and said that the PM statement was being misinterpreted and that it didnt amount to a denial of Chinese incursions. It also referred to MEAs statements over the past few days accusing China of attempting to change the status quo at the LAC as the primary cause for the violent clash between soldiers of the two sides. Also Read: Ladakh face-off a turning point, India will have to change its China policy: General VP Malik Sibals last question wanted to know the reason for an alleged contradiction between PM Modi and external affairs ministrys statement dated June 20. Kapil Sibal also asked the prime minister why US president Donald Trump had not come out in Indias support despite the friendship the PM enjoys with the US president. An expert has revealed the five simple steps to detoxing your bedroom - and how promoting good 'sleep hygiene' will mean you get better quality rest and relaxation in your space. Genevieve Rosen-Billen is the brains behind the linen bedding company Bed Threads, and she told FEMAIL that while you might not realise it, there are myriad different things preventing us from getting good rest in our bedroom - and almost all of them relate to our environment. 'There's a good chance you're not meeting the standards of good "sleep hygiene",' Genevieve told Daily Mail Australia. 'You might be doing everything right with your bedtime routine, but your environment is all wrong - so you'll never get those necessary eight hours.' An expert has revealed the five simple steps to detoxing your bedroom - and how promoting good 'sleep hygiene' will mean you get better quality rest and relaxation (pictured) 1. Go screen-free Genevieve Rosen-Billen (pictured) is the brains behind the linen bedding company Bed Threads, and she said your environment is key to good sleep The first and most important step to detoxing your bedroom is going screen-free (including your phone) in this room. 'Binge-watching Netflix in bed, scrolling through Instagram while wrapped up in the sheets or replying to emails before you doze off is a recipe for disaster as far as sleep is concerned,' Genevieve said. This is primarily due to the fact that all of our screens - from our laptops to our iPads, phones and TVs - emit artificial blue light, which delays the release of melatonin, the hormone that produces sleep. 'Screens are stimulants: they keep your brain fizzing and whirring long into the evening, blocking any chance you might have of dozing off naturally,' Genevieve said. She recommends you set yourself an alarm for when you should get off your phone (ideally an hour before sleep), and charge your device outside of your bedroom. Genevieve recommends you get rid of anything that emits blue light and instead buy an alarm clock to wake you up in the bedroom (pictured) 2. Buy an alarm clock If you're not going to rely on your smartphone to get you up in the morning, chances are you're going to need to invest in some sort of alarm. 'Remember alarm clocks? Those little gadgets that buzzed and chimed of a morning, rousing you from slumber?' Genevieve said. 'Most of us did away with them entirely with the advent of smartphones, which often came with inbuilt alarm clocks.' But, she said, they have their advantages. One of the advantages of an alarm clock over a phone alarm is that many of them come with lights - so if you wake up in the middle of the night and want to know the time, you can find out without having to look at the stimulating blue light on your phone. 'The bed frame, mattress and pillows should all be switched out for high quality, non-toxic alternatives where possible,' Genevieve said of the bedroom (pictured) 3. Upgrade your bed Thirdly, Genevieve said if you're serious about detoxing your bedroom, you need to upgrade your bed. 'The bed frame, mattress and pillows should all be switched out for high quality, non-toxic alternatives where possible,' she said. 'When it comes to the frame, think about one made from sustainable materials such as recycled steel and without volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which could be negatively impacting the air quality in your room.' The Bed Threads founder said you should put similar thought into both your mattress and pillow choice: 'The cheapest mattresses might be made from a material high in VOCs, like polyurethane foam,' Genevieve said. 'What you should be looking for is a mattress that uses natural materials such as padding, whether that's wool, organic cotton or natural latex.' 4. Change your sheets You could also change your sheets - as these will hugely impact the quality of rest you are able to get. 'As a general rule of thumb, you should be sleeping in natural fibres like flax linen, as these help to regulate your sleeping temperature by encouraging air flow around the body,' Genevieve explained. They also don't have any harsh chemicals 'which could irritate or impact your skin'. 'Linen is the best fabric to sleep in as it is hypo-allergenic, temperature regulating, moisture wicking, bio-degradable and low impact,' Genevieve said. Thousands of reviewers have said that sleeping on Bed Threads' linen sheet sets is 'like sleeping on a cloud'. You need to get rid of both physical and mental clutter in your bedroom if you want a truly detoxed space (pictured) 5. De-clutter Finally, no detox is complete without a de-clutter. 'Detoxing isn't just about removing physical toxins from your bedroom, it's also about cleansing away the mental ones too,' Genevieve said. 'The best way to do this is get rid of all the mess, especially around your bed. Clear away the mess on your bedside table and pare it back to the essentials like your alarm clock, lamp, a moisturiser and a book. 'Try and keep the area around your bed neat and tidy as well, ensuring that you reduce the visual stress crowding your bed and impacting you in subconscious ways right before you crawl under the covers,' she added. Then, turn your attention to your scented candles and find out whether they are made from 'harmful substances like paraffin, which emit toxic fumes', and replace them with beeswax or vegetable-based oils. You should also limit clutter, whether that's from piles of magazines or books - as this can contribute to making you feel disorganised and stressed in your space. Words are powerful. They can incite and divide. They can calm and unite. Most of all, they can lead to better understanding. Better understanding of a person, a cause, a concern, a conflict. I often tell young people who seek advice on pursuing careers in journalism to remember that each and every person has a story. Its part of what makes this job interesting and, at turns, rewarding. Everyones story is different, based on experiences and beliefs. The important thing, I feel, is to respect everyones story, everyones words. Read more from this series >> Today, The Republican launches a new initiative, One People, One House. The title is drawn from words spoken by U.S. Rep. John Lewis, of Georgia, a living legend of our nations civil rights movement, in the days after the May 25 killing of George Floyd and the massive protests which ensued. Lewis told CBS News, It is my hope that we are on our way to greater change. To respect the dignity and the worth of every human being, and it doesnt matter the color or their background or whether theyre male or female, gay or straight. We have come to a point, and (say) We are one people. Were one family. We all live in the same house not just American house, but the world house. In this series, we plan to share the perspectives of a diverse and wide range of people, black and white, men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. Some may be familiar to readers, while others may not. We are inviting some contributors to share personal commentaries on where we are today on the issues of racism and policing across the country and here at home, whats been accomplished and what still needs to be done to achieve lasting change. We invite all readers to share their perspectives in letters to the editor. There is no time frame, no end date for this effort. We have no agenda and ask only that writers show respect. We hope this initiative will promote broader understanding of the issues and can contribute to an on-going discussion of race and policing that will help lead to changes and reforms in communities across the region as well as at the state and national level. Serbia's president and leader of the ruling Progressive Party, Aleksandar Vucic, cast his ballot at a Belgrade polling station on Sunday. The nation-s ruling populists looked set to tighten their hold on power Sunday in a parliamentary election held despite concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the Balkan country and a partial boycott by the opposition. Nearly 6.6 million voters were eligible to cast ballots for Serbia's 250-member parliament and local authorities in the first national vote in Europe amid the virus outbreak. The election - initially planned for April but postponed because of the pandemic - comes as Serbia is still reporting dozens of new cases daily after completely relaxing its strict lockdown rules. Citing lack of free and fair conditions and danger to public health, several main opposition groups are boycotting the vote. But a number of smaller parties have decided to run, saying the boycott would only sideline an already marginalised opposition. A former extreme nationalist, Vucic briefly served as information minister in the government of late strongman Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s wars in the Balkans. While Vucic now says he seeks European Union entry for Serbia, critics warn that democratic freedoms have eroded since his party came to power in 2012. The autocratic president has called on his supporters to vote in large numbers to get a strong mandate for internationally mediated peace negotiations on the future of Serbia's breakaway former province of Kosovo. A US-brokered Kosovo-Serbia summit is to he held in Washington on June 27, while EU officials have announced plans to restart Brussels-mediated negotiations. Serbia has refused to recognise Western-backed independence of Kosovo and has the support of Russia and China in the dispute. A mother swan is said to have died from a 'broken heart' after heartless vandals smashed her unhatched eggs with bricks. A group of teenage boys killed the unborn cygnets after hurling rocks and bricks at them last month in Bolton, Greater Manchester. The mother was found dead earlier this week, not long after the father swan disappeared, Manchester Evening News reported. The yobs were spotted throwing rocks and bricks at the swans's nest along Manchester Canal in Kearsley on May 20. A mother swan (pictured) died of a 'broken heart' earlier this week, after three of her six eggs were killed and more were lost in recent weeks, leaving just one unborn cygnet remaining A group of teenage boys smashed the unhatched eggs after throwing rocks and bricks at the swans's nest (left) across from Manchester Canal on May 20 Witnesses said they were aiming for the island where the swans had made a nest and three of the six eggs were left smashed. Wildlife activists, who were monitoring the swans, said more eggs were lost in recent weeks, leaving just one surviving egg. They added that the father swan was driven away from the nest due to stress two weeks ago and has not returned since. The female swan has been harassed by moor hens, ducks and a dog since her unhatched eggs were first attacked. The heartbroken activists sadly found the female swan dead in her nest earlier this week. Activist Sam Woodrow said: 'There's not much I can say really. 'She probably died of a broken heart as she had a partner for life and he was driven away by stress.' According to Swan Lifeline, it has been known for swans to die of a broken heart if they lose their partners, as swans generally mate for life. Posting on Facebook, Michael Mason said: 'Her mate left her on her own and sadly I was informed this morning she was found slumped in her nest dead. I just feel like crying.' The male swan was driven away from the nest by stress two weeks ago, leaving the female swan alone after the attack Swan Sanctuary said if a swan's mate is killed or disappears, the surviving bird goes through a similar grieving process to humans, the Mirror reported. Then the swan either finds a new stretch of water to live in, flies off to join another flock or stays where it is. A spokesman for the RSPCA said: 'This is a really sad development and it is very upsetting to hear about the death of this poor swan. 'We are investigating the previous distressing incident and we would urge anyone with information to contact our appeals line on 0300 123 8018. 'Swans, their nests and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.' This comes soon after the Met Police launched a hunt for a jogger who allegedly booted a cygnet in Richmond Park in south-west London, on June 8. Police suspected the jogger kicked the newly-hatched cygnet, leaving the tiny bird with brain damage. It died two days later at a sanctuary in Shepperton, Surrey. The suspect is a white male around 60 years old, is 5ft 6in and is balding. He was wearing black running shorts, a vest and a running top with a logo on it at the time. Wildlife activists, who were monitoring the swans, found the female swan dead in her nest earlier this week Last week, a swan and her three cygnets were killed near Eisey Footbridge in Wiltshire by teenagers armed with catapults. The news was posted on a Facebook community page, The Only Way is Cricklade, on June 13 and was shared more than 1,700 times. The post said: 'We have had some awful reports of teenagers with catapults attacking swans. 'One witness advised us that they killed three cygnets and a mother swan last night. They may have killed others as well. 'This is awful news. A cash reward has been offered for information that leads to a conviction.' Hundreds of people commented on the Facebook page, describing the incident as 'heartbreaking' and 'sickening'. Victoria Keville said: 'In these sad times it is such a joy to see these beautiful birds with their young. 'This is a criminal offence and the law needs to come down on those responsible. This is not acceptable it's murder.' The Nigerian government has asked bursars of federal universities to list the problems they have noticed in the payment of salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform so that they could be immediately addressed. The government spoke after receiving a strike notice from the non-teaching staff unions of the universities who said their initial support for the payment platform had been eroded by the problems. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who said this in Abuja on Sunday, explained that his office is planning to apply for a special pass from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for a physical meeting with the unions to discuss and resolve the contentious issues. The IPPIS is the governments accountability software that has been made compulsory for all public institutions, mainly for personnel payroll. Universities workers have opposed the implementation of the IPPIS, arguing that it does not take into consideration the unique operations of the institutions. This has led to confrontations between the unions and the government over the last few months. Last month, the federal government said it was deliberately misled by the managements of some Nigerian universities into paying salaries to some deceased members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) through the IPPIS. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) had initially supported the IPPIS initiative, but later said its trust in the system was eroded by irregularities noticed in the payment of their February salaries. Matters Arising Mr Ngige said one of the grievances the non-teaching staff of universities pointed out is that IPPIS is overtaxing them and that IPPIS skipped some of their people who have taken leave of absence and the rest of them all. These are matters that can be easily adjusted. The IPPIS office informed me that immediately the lockdowns are down, these bursars are to come up, but before then that they should by e-system try to give them additional information on some of those shortcomings and that they will try as much as possible to correct them, he said. Mr Ngige said Zoom meeting will not be able to correct some of the problems that had been discovered. We decided that we have to do a physical meeting and we will do that as soon as possible. My office is working with the IPPIS office to arrange that meeting, the minister said. We are on top of the situation, we have received their letter. Their letter borders on shortcomings of the IPPIS system and I have spoken with the Finance Minister and the Accountant-General of the Federation and they said that they are in touch with the university bursars to correct certain peculiarities and send back to them to treat, he said. SSANU reacts Speaking on the planned meeting with the government in a phone interview, the Chairman of Joint Action Committee(JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU), Samson Ugwoke, said the non-teaching staff members in the universities have been passing through hardship since they enrolled into the IPPIS platform. He said the government does not need to call for a meeting before it pays members their full salaries and release their payment slips. In the past four months, members have not received full salaries, while deductions made for the servicing of bank loans which members took have not been remitted to the banks and cooperative societies, he said. Up till now, the other deductions that are meant for our members and their welfare are being withheld by the IPPIS and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. They deducted tax and paid to the federal government, they deducted welfare money, they deducted cooperative society funds, they deducted loans and withheld them since that time. The implication is that salaries have not been paid in full since the inception of the IPPIS, he said. According to Mr Ugwoke, the Labour Act says no organisation or employer should deduct check-off dues and withhold for over two weeks, it is contrary to the Labour Act. The actual thing is that when it is deducted, its then remitted to the office of that union. But for four months now, the Accountant-General Office via the Office of IPPIS has deducted money and withheld the money without remitting to the unions, the Cooperative Society, to the Welfare scheme or to the banks that people borrowed money from, he said New problem Mr Ugwoke said a new problem brewing is that IPPIS is saying that the salaries of doctors and health workers in the universities who have reached 60 years will be stopped. It appears that the man in IPPIS seems to be power-drunk or seems not to be well informed or guided because the retirement age matter is an Act of the National Assembly and it is not joined with salary. The National Assembly passed this law that all non-teaching staff of the universities should retire at 65, he said. We have written to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, we are yet to get a reply even though they are talking about calling us for a meeting but we insist you dont need to call a meeting to pay us full salary or release payslips. We have made it clear to the Honourable Minister that they should do the needful, he said. He said the unions have made it clear that if the irregularities by IPPIS are not rectified, we are going to embark on a total strike. We have written to notify them that we will commence a 14-day warning strike in the first instance and thereafter it will be total and indefinite. JAC has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to correct all the problems associated with the payment of salary through the IPPIS platform and release their Earned Allowances before the easing of the lockdown, if not members will not resume duty when schools resume, he concluded. Advertisements TULSA, Okla. - President Donald Trump promoted his rally here on Saturday as an opportunity to reignite his reelection campaign and move past the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 120,000 Americans and devastated the economy. He claimed that nearly 1 million people had requested tickets and boasted, "We've never had an empty seat, and we certainly won't in Oklahoma." Instead, he addressed his supporters, most of them unmasked, in a 19,000-seat arena with many spots unfilled, hours after his campaign had announced that six members of the advance team staffing the event had tested positive for the virus. Minneapolis: One man is dead and 11 people suffered non-life-threatening wounds after a shooting in an uptown district of the city, police said. Minneapolis police had first said 10 people had been shot with "various severity levels of injuries," but revised their total upward in a tweet posted just after 3am (6pm AEST) on Sunday. The man died at the hospital, not at the scene, according to the police daily media briefing sheet. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting as of 4am local time, according to a police release that said preliminary investigation indicated that "individuals on foot" started shooting around 12:30am and later fled the scene. An initial tweet from Minneapolis police advised the public to avoid the area in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial district that includes several bars and restaurants. Minnesota began allowing bars and restaurants to reopen with limited service on June 1 after some six weeks of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Deputy Director General of Xinjiang Public Security Department Yalqun Yaqup talked about the necessity of stepping up security measures in this far-western region of China. This is one of many human stories in our exclusive documentary 'Tianshan Still Standing: Memories of fighting terrorism in Xinjiang.' You can watch the full documentary here. Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. No reasonable person can think otherwise. For eight minutes and forty-six seconds, Chauvin pushed Floyds face into the asphalt by placing his knee on the neck of a man in handcuffs. The mainstream media would like you to know that Chauvin was white, and Floyd was black. Was it a racially motivated killing? Perhaps, but we may never know. What we do know, however, is that Derek Chauvin used his position of power as a police officer to murder someone. We cannot, however, jump to the conclusion that Derek Chauvin exemplifies every police officer in America. We also cannot take from the killing of a black man by a white police officer that every police force in the United States is systemically racist. People on the Left are doing just that in an attempt to hijack the outrage caused by Floyds death to push a radical agenda that would fundamentally change the way we live and work in the U.S. One of the radical changes those on the Left have pushed for in the days since Floyds murder is the defunding of the police. To put it simply, to defund the police would be to give a death sentence to thousands of Americansespecially African-Americansevery year. The Black Lives Matters organization claims to want to protect every single black life. If thats the case, then defunding the police is antithetical to their goal. Blacks make up 53% of the homicide offenders in the country while only making up 13% of the population. And they are not killing white people; they are overwhelmingly killing other black people. Blacks are also incarcerated at a rate five times that of whites. Without the cops, you now have all of those criminals roaming the streets without fear of being caught by law enforcement. The Ferguson effect is real. Basically, the Ferguson effect says that when law enforcement becomes disengaged, and they leave an area due to increased public outcry (such as after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown), crime goes up. Many different studies have proven this. In June 2016, a study done by the University of Missouri found that homicides increased 16.8% in 2015. The lead scientist on the study, Richard Rosenfeld, said that the only explanation that gets the timing right is a version of the Ferguson effect. Also, does the defunding of the police mean a defunding of 911 call centers? Imagine this scenario: youre home alone at night when you hear someone rattle your front door. A few seconds later, you see the silhouette of a person. A few seconds later, that person smashes through your window and enters your house. You retreat to your bedroom, barricade the door, and dial 911. Youre met with a busy signal. Or worse, there is no 911 anymore. Some have suggested completely replacing police officers with social workers. I have a question; do you want an unarmed social worker who has no experience in combat or firearms to be responding to your house when that burglar or rapist invades your home? All of this does not mean that we cannot take a look at serious police reform propositions. One such reform would be a reduction in power that police unions have. Derek Chauvin had seventeen misconduct complaints against him in the eighteen years he was on the force. Yet, he was only disciplined once after dragging a woman out of her car and frisking her after she exceeded the speed limit by ten miles per hour. The discipline was a letter of reprimand. Powerful police unions make it difficult for police forces to weed out and fire bad police officers, and until the unions are weakened, it will be challenging to pass any real police reform. Another reasonable proposition would be more transparency in the form of mandatory body cameras. Many police departments already require their officers to wear body cams when interacting with the public. Technically, Congress cannot force state and local police departments to require their officers to wear body cameras. However, there is precedent for Congress to offer federal funding in exchange for action. (See South Dakota v. Dole). It is also time that police departments review their use of force guidelines. The knee-on-neck restraint is something police officers in some departments are taught to use in certain situations. Of course, no department would ever approve the use of the method for over eight minutes. Earlier in the piece, I mentioned social workers. There is room for social workers to be involved in police work. Perhaps, when responding to a call about a homeless loiterer, the department could begin to send a social worker along with a cop instead of two squad cars. Social workers are more adept at dealing with people like the homeless on a personal level, and it decreases the chance of a violent incident. The murder of George Floyd has opened a window of opportunity within which everyone is ready and willing to enact common sense police reform. Democrats, dont spoil it by calling to defund and disband the police. 19272014 Dad passed away on Memorial Day, at home here in Napa, with his children. To the end his vitals were perfect but his cartilage was gone, too fragile to continue. In the morning he was alert and thanked his caregivers; by afternoon he fell deeply asleep after a long and quiet life. He felt lucky to marry Teresa in 1949, enjoying 65 years until she passed in Oct 2014. His three brothers all departed decades ago; now Fritz leaves behind four children, two grandsons and their families. Fritz was born in Willard Ohio, a Baltimore & Ohio rail town named after Uncle Dan Willard, the Railroad president. Dads early memories were packed with a wild 1927 mix of cheers for Lindberghs stunning flight in May, followed by endless summer rains and woe. Storms from Idaho to Appalachia kept coming, pouring up to a foot per week into the Great Ohio-Mississippi Flood of 1927 .. still the worst natural disaster in US history. The Mississippi ran up to 80 miles wide with no high ground in sight; every radio played Bessie Smiths lament Back Water Blues. Millions straggled north; commerce died and the B&O sent its president Dan Willard right to tiny Willard OH. Dad recalled that flags were flying as Mr Willard announced the company would celebrate its 100th year 18271927, with gift passes for railroad families on any route west! But as rain fell, it was also Willards job to say farewell to B&O railroaders as their jobs drowned in floods. MidAmericas Great Depression had begun, two years before Wall Street fell. When a distant aunt in California offered to take in Dads family, they used those B&O passes to board a train, leaving behind a swampy mess. Two days later they were in Santa Monica, and six months after his ragged arrival, Fritz was invited to join a school-family for July at Echo Lake above Tahoe. Little Fritz was happy beyond any dream as he learned to swim, read maps and row at sunrise to fish for trout in a blue blue snowmelt lake. From that summer on through the years, Fritz felt lucky to live. When an earthquake rattled Venice High, Fritz felt lucky to attend class in tents. When a dozen students transferred in from Hawaii, Dad made friends with a Japanese-Hawaiian family who helped him make a surfboard in wood shop. He felt lucky when their daughter taught him to count in Japanese, lucky to earn a bicycle with his paper route, and lucky to heft his surfboard to the beach and catch waves like Duke.. Pearl Harbor launched the Army draft, and Fritz felt lucky to pass the pilot test for the Army Air Corps. He never saw his friends Midori and Zumi again, but a few months after riding his bike to work at Douglas Aircraft, he was a fighter pilot in North Africa for General Pattons campaign vs Rommel. When Patton transferred to a British base, Fritz was assigned to General Jimmy Doolittles new U.S. Air Force in Italy, flying the new P-47 fighter from the same airfield as Redtail pilots trained by Doolittle. He logged 115 missions to halt all supplies to Nazi armies in Italy, by destroying ships in Genoa and trains in the Alps. Doolittles new strategy forced Nazi retreats from Sicily to Naples to Genoa to Marseilles and north of Lyon into the Alps. Fritz felt lucky to ship home from Marseilles, alive. Dad was always cautious of those describing the war with excitement; he just felt lucky to do his job for good leaders. He admired Eisenhowers citizen-soldier rule requiring civilian handshakes, not salutes, when service time ends .. to let Life bloom. We got to bloom in care of a fireman who was pleased to see us thrive in school, on sailboats and in National Parks all over the west. Fritz and Teresa retired from the fire department to enjoy a sailing life, until settling into Napa closer to family. Their grandchildren loved to join Grandpa Fritz at his workbench, and to sing with Grammy Teresa on bike rides to Model Bakery. A family memorial will be held Fathers Day weekend, near the Veterans Home in Yountville. Covid19 rules are strict at the Veterans Cemetery so please join us in spirit, as quietly as Fritz would have liked. The Trump campaign on Sunday sought to blame concerns about protesters for the lower-than-expected turnout at the president's rally in Tulsa, Okla., even though the campaign itself had raised expectations about attendance by touting the number of people who had signed up for tickets online. Reporters on site also saw little evidence of attendees being blocked from going to the event. In the days leading up to Saturday night's rally - President Donald Trump's first since March - the president's re-election campaign repeatedly touted figures suggesting that as many as 1 million people had signed up to attend. But the crowd did not fill the 19,000-seat BOK Center, with swaths of upper-level seating empty, and plans for a presidential speech in an outdoor overflow area were abruptly canceled as few attendees filled the space. There were just under 6,200 people in the arena, the Tulsa Fire Marshal's Office said Sunday. Trump's campaign rallies have typically attracted more than 10,000 people, and some have drawn two or three times that many - although the president has a habit of inflating his crowd numbers to cast his popularity as even greater. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp argued that turnout was lower than expected because Trump supporters were afraid of protests outside the venue turning violent. People were concerned about the demonstrations, Schlapp said, "and so, we saw that have an impact in terms of people coming to the rally." Pressed by host Chris Wallace on the fact that the Trump campaign itself had raised expectations about high attendance numbers, Schlapp replied, "There were people and families that couldn't bring their children because of concerns of the protesters." Schlapp also emphasized that the online reach of the event was "far and wide," saying that more than 5.3 million people viewed it on the campaign's digital media channels. The White House similarly fell back on claims about online viewership in January 2017 when faced with questions about the low crowd numbers for Trump's inauguration. Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford Trump's 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, issued a statement Sunday morning pushing back against reports that some TikTok users and K-pop fans had sought to sabotage the rally by reserving tickets they didn't plan to use. The campaign had weeded out "tens of thousands" of bogus cellphone numbers ahead of the rally, Parscale said, but "these phony ticket requests never factor into our thinking" for possible crowd size. "The fact is that a week's worth of the fake news media warning people away from the rally because of COVID and protestors, coupled with recent images of American cities on fire, had a real impact on people bringing their families and children to the rally," Parscale said. He added that the episode "makes us wonder why we bother credentialing media for events when they don't do their full jobs as professionals." Outside the rally venue Saturday night, one group of protesters blocked one of three entrances for about 15 minutes - but by that point, most people had already entered the arena's outer perimeter. By the time Trump took the stage, there had been tense verbal confrontations outside but no reports of violence. Civilians carrying military-style rifles and pistols wandered amid the crowds, claiming they wanted to keep people safe, while Tulsa police and National Guard troops restrained and separated opposing sides. On the flight to Tulsa, Trump was unhappy with television images of the sparse crowds and vacant seats. He continued to fume aboard Air Force One on the way back to Washington and on Sunday, according to officials with knowledge of the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The president complained that his aides should have known about the efforts to embarrass him, and he argued that potential attendees were further scared away by his campaign's public confirmation that six members of the advance team tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the officials said. Parscale encouraged Trump aides and allies to push back hard against the crowd size narrative late Saturday and early Sunday. But several advisers blamed Parscale for setting up such high expectations for the rally, and some Republicans mused about the campaign manager's future. Said one Republican with direct knowledge of the president's thinking: "We won't really know how safe Brad is until we see how long this goes on for in the news cycle." Democrats on Sunday criticized the Trump campaign's decision to hold the rally amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some noted that the sign-up page for the rally contained a disclaimer noting that attendees "voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19" and agree not to hold the campaign or venue liable should they get sick. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to former vice president Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, said Trump's "debacle of a rally last night will long be remembered." Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates also skewered the president over his rally turnout. "Donald Trump has abdicated leadership and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him," Bates said in a statement. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, accused the Trump campaign Sunday of showing "no concern for what it means for people to be gathering in large numbers." In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," she called the rally an embarrassment and said she hoped the lower-than-expected turnout was a "preview for November." "Finally, people are recognizing that this man is a danger to our country, a danger to our democracy and that he should not be the president of the United States of America. . . . I just hope that this is a good sign that the country is moving on from him," Bottoms said. Some administration officials on Sunday defended the Trump campaign's decision to hold a rally during the pandemic. "I think what we saw, particularly in Tulsa, when you talk about the president's rally, is a state in a Phase 3 reopening. And so activities like this are allowed," acting secretary of homeland security Chad Wolf said during an interview on NBC News's "Meet the Press." Wolf added that it was "a personal choice that people are making on the face coverings and where you are within that phase." Oklahoma has recorded a rising number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks, with more than 10,000 cases and at least 368 deaths as of Sunday morning. There had also been a spike in cases in Tulsa, which led the local health department director to initially ask that the rally be postponed. The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied a request that everyone attending the indoor rally wear a mask, and few at the event in the evening appeared to be wearing them. The lackluster showing undercuts one of Trump's favorite lines and political strengths: that he gets the biggest crowds of any politician. Explaining why he would not accept a socially distanced Republican National Convention, Trump told North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, last month: "Since the day I came down the escalator, I've never had an empty seat." - - - The Washington Post's Robert Klemko and Adam Taylor contributed to this report. Safeguarding national security is the constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKSAR government will fully support the enactment of national security legislation and fulfill its duty to ensure the implementation of the relevant law in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Saturday night. Lam's remarks came after China's top legislature reviewed a draft law earlier Saturday on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, which was submitted for deliberation at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) from Thursday to Saturday. Taking into consideration the practical situation in Hong Kong, the enactment at the state level of the legislation to safeguard national security in the HKSAR is a significant decision by the central authorities at a critical moment to enhance the "one country, two systems" institutional system, thus ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, Lam said in a statement. Lam said she and principal officials of the HKSAR government have expressed their views to the central authorities after the NPC adopted the decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security. The SAR government notes with appreciation that the relevant parties had seriously studied the views reflected by the SAR government, considered the actual situation of Hong Kong and enhanced the draft legislation through multiple reviews under the spirit of absorbing opinions as much as possible, Lam said. In particular, the drafting process leverages, follows and reflects an important principle, which is, taking into account the difference between the mainland and Hong Kong and making every effort in ensuring the compatibility and complementarity of the said national security law with the relevant national laws and the local laws in the HKSAR, Lam said. The draft specifies that the HKSAR must establish and improve institutions and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security to strengthen enforcement power and the enforcement work on national security. Lam said the the HKSAR government agrees that Hong Kong should establish a commission for safeguarding national security to be chaired by the chief executive, and will set up dedicated units in the Hong Kong Police Force and the Department of Justice which will shoulder the major responsibilities in implementing the relevant enforcement work. The HKSAR government is undertaking the necessary preparatory work, Lam said. The enactment of legislation for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is to prevent, curb and sanction four types of criminal acts, namely acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security, Lam said. Therefore the legislation will only target an extremely small minority of people who have breached the law on those offences, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents will be protected, she stressed. 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. Modern-day warfare is fought as much in the fields and valleys as on the information superhighways. China, which has been flexing its muscles against the world, has continued making extensive use of different online mediums to alter the views of individual internet users as well as that of governments. China's favoured targets for such psyops has primarily been the United States and Taiwan, and recently the Hong Kong protests. The recent tension and violence between India and China in Galwan Valley appears to be bringing Indians in the cross-hairs of the well-oiled Chinese psyops machinery. Internet access makes such psychological operations much easier and more effective than it was ever in the Cold War era. The popularity of Chinese-owned social media services in China's target countries also help take forward the Chinese agenda. Such online psychological operations target internet users with selective massaging which include altered facts and disinformation which then influences the targeted users' emotions and objective reasoning. A recent example of a Twitter user, claiming to be from China, tweeted a video (the tweet was later deleted) and said that 10 Indian soldiers were administered hyperbaric oxygen treatment by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). The tweet also claimed that there were no PLA casualties in the clash with the Indian Army in Galwan Valley. This tweet from an unverified Twitter user received hundreds of retweets and likes. The attached video was also viewed over a hundred thousand times. Some journalists also fell for the trap and spread the message further, quote tweeting the original tweet. Their tweets also got hundreds and thousands of retweets and likes. Fact-checking websites found the video that carried a CNTV logo to be from 2017 and the video is still available on theChinese video-sharing website. CNTV (China Network Television) is a Chinese state-owned national web-based TV broadcaster. The Twitter account @evazhengll's profile mentions the user's location as China. However, the user's tweets regularly mention activities in Pakistan. The account also frequently tweets anti-India and pro-Pakistan messages. The above example appears to be only a sample of what to expect in the near future as China ups its psyops against India. Chinese social media apps have been growing in India. Many of the most popular apps in India are owned by Chinese companies which appear to follow Chinese censorship laws that are intolerant of any criticism of China even when operating in other countries. WeChat, a popular messaging app owned by China's Tencent, was found censoring political messages posted by Americans and also banning American accounts for discussing events in Hong Kong. Something similar is also happening here in India. Users have pointed out that WeChat had deleted a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the India-China border situation. Chinese-owned news aggregation services are known to restrict or downrank content critical of China even for Indian users. The reach of a recent online poll by News18 on China was also similarly found to be restricted. Recently, Twitter removed 23,750 Twitter accounts along with approximately 150,000 more accounts connected to China for misusing the platform to spread propaganda and misinformation. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Twitter represents only a small minority of global internet users and its base is even smaller in India. Even though Twitter's influence in shaping the news narrative could be bigger than many other platforms with more users, a vast majority of Indian users communicate in an internet that is unindexed by search engines. That is where the danger of the Dragon lurks. When relatively well-informed journalists can fall prey to such misinformation in a public platform such as Twitter, in the netherworlds of instant messaging we do not know what falsehoods are flooding the timelines. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held a high-level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs on the situation in Ladakh. During the meeting, the top military brass was told to ensure strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes, sources said as reported by news agency PTI. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. The Armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any aggressive behaviour by Chinas PLA along the LAC, PTI reported citing sources. Also read: Lets hurt them economically - General VK Singh on India-China border row Top military brass told to ensure strict vigil on Chinese activities around land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes: Sources Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2020 This comes a day after HT reported a significant change in Rules of Engagement (ROE) by the Indian Army following in the backdrop of the Galwan Valley face-off between India and China which killed 20 Indian Army soldiers on June 15. Also Watch | Can India fight war on two fronts with China & Pakistan? Gen VP Malik answers The amendment gives complete freedom of action to commanders deployed along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) to handle situations at the tactical level, two senior officers said on Saturday on condition of anonymity. India to adopt a different tactical approach in guarding border with China henceforth: Sources after defence minister's review meeting Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2020 With the changes in the ROE, theres nothing that limits the ability of Indian commanders to take whatever action they deem necessary on the LAC. ROE have been amended to address the brutal tactics being employed by Chinese troops, an officer said. During an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, PM Modi discussed the situation along the India-China border. The prime minister had said that the armed forces at the LAC border were given full freedom for taking any appropriate action necessary, adding that neither the Chinese troops intruded Indian border, nor were any post been taken over by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Swimmers on a beach in Palma during the first day of Phase 2, when it is possible to access beaches in the same province, island or territorial unit of reference established in the de-climbing plan, and when the town halls may establish limitations on access, which in any case will be free, and on capacity to ensure that the interpersonal distance of at least two meters between swimmers is respected. Spain reopened its borders to British tourists on Sunday in a bid to kickstart its economy while Brazil and South Africa struggled with rising levels of coronavirus infections. At a campaign rally, President Donald Trump said he told his government to reduce U.S. testing for the virus, an apparent attempt to avoid unflattering statistics. The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the virus's global spread is accelerating after a daily high of 150,000 new cases was reported last week. The new coronavirus has infected nearly 8.8 million people and killed more than 464,000, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The true number is thought to be much higher because many cases go untested. At a campaign rally in Tulsa Oklahoma, Trump said Saturday he has told his administration to slow down virus testing. He said the United States has tested 25 million people, but the "bad part" is that it found more cases. "When you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people, you're going to find more cases," Trump said. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.' The infections would still exist, of course, but Trump's campaign would not have to be embarrassed at how many infections and deaths were actually occurring in the United States, which tops the world by far in both categories. Health experts say not knowing about coronavirus cases should increase the overall number of cases because infected people won't know that they should quarantine themselves to protect their loved ones. The outbreak has infected 2.2 million people in the United States, killing nearly 120,000, according to Johns Hopkins. The campaign of Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic rival in November's presidential election, accused Trump of "putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people." As European governments eased more lockdown restrictions, virus case numbers are rising in South Africa, Brazil, the United States and other countries. Brazil's Health Ministry said Saturday the total number of cases had risen by more than 50,000 from the previous day. President Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the risks despite nearly 50,000 fatalities in three months, the second-highest death toll in the world after the United States. South Africa reported a one-day high of 4,966 new cases on Saturday and 46 deaths. Despite the increase, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a further loosening of one of the world's strictest lockdowns. Casinos, beauty salons and sit-down restaurant service will be allowed to reopen. ALBANY An unprecedented surge in absentee ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic will likely delay primary election results for at least a week, election officials and experts said. Local, state, congressional and Democratic presidential primaries are all slated for Tuesday, but many New Yorkers won't turn out to the physical ballot box. Fearing large crowds at polling sites amid the pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in April ordered all registered voters to receive an absentee ballot application. The state has received more than 1.6 million requests for mail-in ballots, said state Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin. The growth in absentee ballots could put several close local races in limbo for weeks, as elections commissioners cannot finish tallying absentee ballots until at least a week after Election Day, and questions over paper ballots often spur litigation between candidates. "The voters, the candidates and the media should all understand that we will probably not know winners in most cases on election night," state Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin said in an interview with The Capitol Pressroom on Thursday. " ... We'll have to wait for the canvassing and counting of all the absentee ballots, so that could easily take a week or more." The 1.6 million figure refers to absentee applications for all elections taking place on Tuesday, which marks the first time that all primaries have been combined in June partially because of the pandemic and partially because of recent changes in election law. The Democratic presidential primary had been scheduled to take place on April 28, but was pushed back amid coronavirus fears; this year is also the first that state legislative primaries are taking place in June instead of September. The Legislature voted to combine the state and congressional primary dates last year. The closest comparable absentee data, from the presidential primaries in 2016, identifies just 115,178 mail-in ballots counted statewide roughly a tenth of the applications received so far. More than 7.5 million absentee ballot applications were sent to voters in total. "This pandemic has really turned everything on its ear," said Jefferson County Board of Elections commissioner Jude Seymour. "We are way more focused on the mail than we have been in previous years." In Albany, the county received 29,957 absentee ballot applications, with 12,562 returned as of Thursday. That's already more than the 9,287 total number of absentee ballots received in the general election in 2016, said county Board of Elections commissioner Rachel Bledi. In-person voting results, both from Election Day and the nine-day early voting period beforehand, will be available on the county Board of Election's website on Tuesday night, she said. But the tally of absentee ballots won't be available at least until a week later, as commissioners are required by law to wait to certify results for a minimum of seven days after Election Day to allow ballots postmarked by June 23 to trickle in. Albany County has two high-profile Democratic primaries: the district attorney's race and the contest for the 108th Assembly District. Depending on physical voter turnout and the difference in votes cast in person, those races could depend on absentees, Bledi said. Some contests like the Democratic presidential primary, where former Vice President Joe Biden is the presumptive nominee will be easier to call on Tuesday night, said Rensselaer County Board of Elections commissioner Jason Schofield. Elections officials will count close races first and then tally absentees from other contests, he said. Rensselaer elections officials had distributed nearly 10,000 absentee ballots as of Thursday, compared to the roughly 1,000 mail-in ballots cast in the 2016 presidential primary. In Saratoga County, officials had dispersed more than 18,000 ballots; in 2016, the number was almost 2,000 returned for the presidential primary, according to state elections data. RELATED: FAQ: How to vote in Tuesday's primary election Lori Van Buren/Times Union In Schenectady, commissioners have sent out more than 12,000 ballots three times the number for the 2016 November general election, local officials said. More Information Here are some of the key primaries that Capital Region-area residents enrolled in a political party will see on their ballots. Congressional District 19. Republican. Ola Hawatmeh versus Kyle Van De Water. (Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, parts of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery and Rensselaer counties) State Senate 49. Democrat. Thearse McCalmon versus Donovan McRae. (Fulton, Hamilton, parts of Herkimer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties) State Assembly 108. Democrat. John T. McDonald III versus Sam Fein. (Parts of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties) State Assembly 111. Conservative. Angelo Santabarbara versus Paul DeLorenzo. (Montgomery, parts of Albany and Schenectady) Albany County District Attorney: Democrat. Matthew A. Toporowski versus P. David Soares. Albany Common Council Ward 1. Democrat. John O. Williamson versus Sonia Frederick. U.S. President. Eleven candidates are on the Democratic ballot, although former Vice President Joe Biden has attained the needed delegates to secure the nomination. Boards of election have been accepting absentee ballots; early voting continues into Sunday. Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. as the third of the voting options. See your county's board of elections for more details. See More Collapse The numbers are similarly large in every county statewide and it will be a feat unlike any previous effort to verify signatures and accurately count absentee ballots in a timely fashion, elections officials said. I have no idea how were going to do that, said Greg Campbell, an elections commissioner in Clinton County. We wont even be opening those ballots until a week after (Tuesday). I cant even imagine, for some of the larger counties, how they are going to be able to handle it. Its something that is way beyond the scope of anything anybody has experienced before. Some close races might not be settled until late summer, as paper ballots are also most likely to spur legal challenges, said Jim Long, an Albany attorney who specializes in election law. "Lawsuits will start to fly from candidates who think they're in a close race, seeking judicial intervention," said Long, a longtime Democrat. Voters, meanwhile, have encountered their own challenges as the demand for absentee ballots increases. In New York City where nearly 500,000 applications were submitted the surge has created a backlog at the Board of Elections, leaving thousands of voters without ballots in the week preceding the primary. Statewide, there have been scattered reports of envelope shortages and mad dashes to send out absentee ballot applications after Democratic officials attempted to cancel the presidential primary in late April; a federal judge reinstated the contest days later. There have also been some more specific issues: In Saratoga County, voter Ken Taub of Greenfield Center said he received the wrong ballot in the mail one for the 20th Congressional District instead of the 21st, where he lives. He called the county Board of Elections, which mailed him the correct ballot. I was ready to send it back in when I spotted the district number in very small type, Taub said. No one has any reason to look at that. If I didnt and sent it back, it would have been completely invalid. Voter Doug Wheeler of Delmar said he opened his absentee ballot this week to find both envelopes already sealed. As a first-time mail-in voter, he wasn't sure how to handle the problem. Wheeler decided to instead cast his ballot in person on Thursday, during the state's early-voting window. "I saw no information saying what would happen, but I assume if I tore it open, that would invalidate the ballot because it would have been tampered with," Wheeler said. Commissioners in both Saratoga and Albany counties said those incidents do not represent widespread problems, and anyone who has an issue with their ballot can call their local board to receive a proper one. And, of course, there is also the potential for user error: "We cant count your ballot without a signature," said Seymour, the Jefferson County elections commissioner, who added that some first-time absentee voters had forgotten to sign their oath envelope. But even with some hiccups, the results of this year's primary could set the tone for mail-in ballots for years to come. Typically, voters can only receive an absentee ballot if they temporarily live outside their county of residence or they have an illness preventing them from going to the polls, according to state law. Cuomo, when ordering an absentee ballot application to every registered voter in April, had included the threat of the coronavirus as an illness warranting a mail-in option. Commissioners and experts said this directive could continue through the November general election, as public health officials brace for a possible second wave of COVID-19 cases, and possibly for future elections as well. If increased access to absentee ballots also greatly improves voter turnout, the state Legislature could move to permit mail-in ballots permanently without requiring voters to submit a reason. "Theyll embrace it, urge that we move to a mail-in system that encourages this kind of turnout," said Long, the Albany elections attorney. "Those who are trying to hang on by a thin rope will say that its fraud (but) they're going to be totally unfounded." Wendy Liberatore and Amanda Fries contributed reporting. Bay of Plenty We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz After an awful start to 2020, oil is finally showing some spark, which is just what they need over at ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM). Now sure, Exxon Mobil stock is till down 32% year-to-date, but crude oil prices have recovered from their bizarre run below $0, and hit $40 per barrel recently. Exxon Mobil Stock Is on the Way Back, but It Will Take Some Time Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com Natural gas has firmed up as well. And the Feds extraordinary liquidity measures have pumped some crucial funds into the credit market, helping struggling energy producers. XOM stock was off more than 50% at one point, but the money is flowing back into the sector now. InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips Im a long-term bull on Exxon and its a sizable position in my portfolio. That said, the recent rally has been rather swift dont be surprised if Exxon consolidates here around the $50 range for a while. Heres why. No V-Shaped Recovery for Exxon Mobil Stock While the stock market as a whole has recovered most of its March losses already, this hasnt and wont happen for integrated oil companies. So for traders playing short-term momentum in the energy stocks, be aware that the January 2020 levels are not realistic price targets for oil companies such as Exxon. Why is that? Simply put, theres a huge downturn across all parts of the energy supply chain. An integrated oil company has many ways to make money. Theres exploration and production, where they extract the oil and gas. Theres midstream, where they deliver raw products to refineries. And theres the refineries and chemicals division. In the case of Exxon, they have branded gas stations as well. In general, as one part of this network makes less money, it comes back somewhere else. Historically, low oil prices, for example, would be offset by high chemical prices. A polyethylene chemical plant, for example, should make a lot more money when oil prices are low, as oil is its main input cost, after all. Story continues With this economic crisis, however, thats not happening. Both chemical and refined products (gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, etc.) have plummeted to a multi-decade low. Thus, Exxon Mobil stock is suffering from both low oil prices and low demand for finished products from its chemical and refining plants. This is putting an historic squeeze on their profit margins. Exxon is reacting to this with cutbacks they just pushed back an expansion to their pivotal Beaumont refinery out to 2023. Dividend Questions The most pressing issue around Exxon Mobil stock is the dividend. The company is a Dividend Aristocrat, as it has raised its dividend every year dating back to the early 1980s. Its a mark of pride for the company, and its consistency has made it a core holding for a whole generation of growth and income investors. And, historically, Exxon hasnt had trouble covering that dividend. For decades, the company had a triple-AAA rated balance sheet and earned far in excess of its dividend. But trouble struck in 2015 when oil price crashed and Exxon started having to borrow to afford its dividend. Over the past five years or so, Exxon has gradually taken on more debt to concurrently support its dividend and growth plans. Now, however, with profits plummeting, many investors bailed on Exxon afraid that the dividend will be on the chopping block. If the economic recovery continues at a decent pace, Exxon will probably be able to maintain its dividend. That said, they spent tens of billions of dollars on growth initiatives at a difficult moment. Investors arent going to give them the credit for massive projects such as Guyana that are coming online now until oil prices are sharply higher. Given Exxons weak cash flow generation at the moment, expect investors to doubt the stability of Exxons dividend well into 2021. Exxon Stock Verdict Given the high market volatility, its not that appealing to buy Exxon Mobil stock outright today. To be clear, I own a lot of Exxon myself, but Im not looking to add more yet given the concerns above. That said, if you trade options, you might want to look into harnessing that volatility to your advantage by selling cash-covered puts. As of this writing, with Exxon at $46, January 2021 $45 puts are going for $5.25. Thus, if Exxon stays above $45 through next January, youd earn a more than 10% yield on your capital in seven months. That beats the dividend yield on the stock nicely. And if Exxon drops again and the stock is put to you, youd have a cost basis in the $39s as opposed to $48. If Exxon soars, itd be preferable to buy more shares outright. But given the challenges to both the macroeconomic outlook in general and the oil market in particular, its hard to see Exxon shares blasting off from here. Thus, its a good time to consider strategic ways to hold Exxon until the economic picture gets clearer. Ian Bezek has written more than 1,000 articles for InvestorPlace.com and Seeking Alpha. He also worked as a Junior Analyst for Kerrisdale Capital, a $300 million New York City-based hedge fund. You can reach him on Twitter at @irbezek. At the time of this writing, he owned XOM stock. More From InvestorPlace The post Exxon Mobil Stock Is on the Way Back, but It Will Take Some Time appeared first on InvestorPlace. Britain's Business Secretary Alok Sharma arrives in Downing Street. Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images The UK government wants to up the scrutiny of foreign takeovers of businesses that are directly involved in the COVID-19 response via changes to the Enterprise Act 2002, which will be presented to parliament on Monday (22 June). This comes amid concerns regarding China buying high-tech companies in the country. The proposal is to ensure these takeovers do not threaten the UKs ability to combat a public health emergency such as coronavirus the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said in a statement. The statement noted that some businesses are more susceptible to takeovers, either from outwardly hostile approaches, or financially distressed companies being sold to malicious parties. The government wants to protect companies that, for instance, are working on vaccine research or manufacturing personal protective equipment. The plan also applies to three sectors of the economy that the government believes are central to national security: artificial intelligence, cryptographic authentication technology and advanced materials Secretary of State for Business, Alok Sharma said: To better protect the countrys resilience to COVID-19 we are taking steps now to mitigate against public health emergencies. These powers will send an important signal to those seeking to take advantage of those struggling as a result of the pandemic that the UK government is prepared to act where necessary to protect our national security. READ MORE: Huawei expected to get approval for UK R&D centre Currently, the business secretary can intervene only if the targeted business has a UK turnover of more than 1m ($1.23m). This figure was cut down from 70m in 2018. The concern about China comes in part from the purchase of Imagination Technologies, a Hertfordshire-based semi-conductor company by Canyon Bridge Partners, in 2017. BBC reported that 99% of the funds for the deal came from China Reform, which is backed by the Chinese government. "This is just part of an incremental process where technology is being moved out of the UK, and out of the West, and towards China," the report quoted Tom Tugendhat MP, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, as saying. All-New Mazda BT-50 (Double Cab, Australian spec) HIROSHIMA, Japan, Jun 17, 2020; Mazda Motor Corporation today hosted the world premiere of our all-new Mazda BT-50 pickup truck.* Fully redesigned for the first time in nine years, the all-new BT-50 is supplied by Isuzu Motor Limited on an OEM basis, and the vehicle will go on sale under the Mazda brand name starting in the Australian market in the latter half of 2020.Since its debut in 2006, the BT-50 has been sold mainly in regions including Oceania, ASEAN, Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa. Its sporty and powerful design, exceptional driving performance capable of taking on all kinds of driving situations, and functionality have all been highly regarded by drivers who actively drive pickup trucks.The second fully-redesigned model aims to bring customers pleasure and enjoyment. Based on Isuzu pickup trucks, special care went into the vehicle's design, ease of use and into creating peace of mind for the occupants.The all-new BT-50 design expresses the unique beauty of Mazda's Kodo--Soul of Motion design theme with power, toughness and utilitarian functionality suited to a pickup truck. Mazda developed the BT-50 with the intention of making travel and the time spent inside the vehicle exceptionally pleasant. The vehicle's driving performance, functionality and safety meet the active needs of the wide range of situations in which customers may use pickup trucks.Mazda aims to become a brand that can create strong bonds with customers by focusing on the pure essence of cars -- the joy of driving -- and committing ourselves to preserve our beautiful earth, enrich people's lives and make a bountiful society that lifts everybody's spirits.*Visit Mazda Australia's official website to watch the premiere: www.mazda.com.au/something-huge Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session in Strasbourg, France, Nov. 28, 2019. Reuters By Emanuel Pastreich Mizoram was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale at 4:16 pm on Sunday. The epicentre of the quake was 25 km east-northeast of Aizawl, National Centre for Seismology said. Further details are awaited. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Manipur at around the same time, according to the Earth Science Department of Manipur University, reports PTI. The news agency quoted the DGP Control Room in Manipur as saying that there was no report of any casualty or damage of property in Manipur so far Earlier this week on June 18, Mizoram was hit by another earthquake of magnitude 5.0 on Richter scale at 7:29 pm, about 98 km south-east of Champhai. The Northeast falls in a high seismic zone and earthquakes are frequent in the region. Over the past two months, several mild earthquakes have been recorded in Delhi -NCR and Gujarat. There have been no damages in any of the quakes so far. HT had reported on June 4 that Delhi-NCR witnessed at least 14 earthquakes in around two months (March 24 to June 3). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Ghazala Ahmad, TwoCircles.net In December last year, the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to introduce a nationwide registry of citizens known as National Registry of Citizens (NRC). The BJP also unveiled their plans to expand citizenship tests by introducing the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which after getting passed in both houses of the Parliament, became Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA laid out that it will provide Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains living in the Muslim majority neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Support TwoCircles Soon after the citizenship law was introduced, massive protests broke out across the country led by students in universities. They took the streets reclaiming their right to existence and condemning the anti-Muslim and anti-minority policies brought out by the ruling BJP. However, the government has been maintaining that the CAA has been framed to bring back the persecuted minorities and Hindus in the neighbouring Muslim majority countries and it has nothing to with Muslims residing in India. There was a clear contradiction on the citizenship policies of the Modi government but it was very clear that NRC was completely meant to target a particular community out of the Indian lineage. The anti-CAA protests initially took place in the state of Assam where BJP paved out the National Register of Citizens under the orders of Supreme Court in 2015, which was billed as a way to identify unauthorized immigrants, forcing residents of Assam (both Hindu and Muslims) to either prove their Indian lineage or get rid of citizenship. But the act proved to be targeting Muslims only as the major proportion of the population that was carved out during NRC in Assam were Muslims and around 2 million residents were stripped off. On December 15, 2019, students at Aligarh Muslim University started protesting against the anti-Muslim and anti-minority NRC and CAA and took to the streets followed by Jamia Millia Islamia. These two central universities are the only Muslim majority universities in the country which led to the nationwide protests including the famous Shaheen Bagh sit-in at the national capital. As soon as they began to protest the police unleashed force on them in the form of tear gas, batons, water cannons, canisters, shelling, lathi charge and mass detentions. These protests resulted in the huge turnout of masses from almost every community to condemn the government for its policies and acts. Due to the unprecedented global pandemic caused by COVID-19, the anti-CAA protests came to an end in late March 2020. However online campaigns are still active on social media platforms. Meanwhile, the Indian authorities are committed to muzzle the anti-CAA voices by arresting and booking Muslim students activists, human rights influencers and protesters. Many Muslim protesters have been arrested on the attempt of severe crimes such as murder. The governments communal agenda, anti-minority nature targetting Muslim activists, charging them under the anti-terror law for protesting against citizenship law amid COVID-19 lockdown is accelerating day by day. On April 1, police arrested two students Meeran Haider and Safoora Zargar from Jamia Millia Islamia for their alleged role in inciting violence in Northeast Delhi pogrom. On April 16, Amir Mintoee, a student activist at Aligarh Muslim University was arrested. He has also taken part in anti-CAA protests. Farhan Zuberi, an activist and former cabinet member at AMUSU was also arrested on May 28, 2020, for merely being an active voice against the government and Citizenship Amendment Act. Several other activists have claimed to be targeted by BJP and the right-wing forces. One such voice is M Salman Imtiyaz, former president of Aligarh Muslim University Students Union and an active anti-CAA protestor. Imtiyaz is a research scholar in social work and he has strongly called out the actions of the government and actively participated in anti-CAA protests. The authorities have booked him under various charges even if there is no evidence to prove these charges. While talking to TwoCircles.net, Imtiyaz said state machinery is working with force and misusing the law to muzzle the voices who constantly questioned the present regime during the anti-CAA movement. The current government doesnt have any strong opposition to criticize or question them and they enjoy this position of not being questioned at all, but as they see youth, activists and especially a minority or Muslim activists emerging out of their shells and questioning them they find it a threat to their position. The BJP government is trying to threaten us by putting us behind the bars saying that if we will call out their actions, we will eventually face the consequences, he said, and added, The state is working systematically to serve their communal agenda. We can see that most of the CAA detainees, be it Safoora, Meeran or Farhan have one thing in common that is their identity, they all are Muslims. So it is very clear that they are targeting a particular community. The universities that were hounded with the police force brutality on the night of December 15, 2019, were also both minority institutions like Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia have a majority of Muslim students. Moreover, many of them are framed with fake cases under severe laws such as UAPA, NSA, etc. Government is misusing such laws against students and activists. Imtiyaz said that he has also been charged with several cases over activism in protest against CAA. In most of the cases I was not even present at the place physically and I have been booked with an FIR. I believe that no student believes in violence or criminal activity but the authorities are unlawfully handling the students and activists. We were protesting peacefully to claim our democratic rights and this is not wrong in any way. We were only doing what our constitution allows. And we will continue doing so if not physically but on different platforms by writing and speaking, as far as arrests are concerned we are not afraid of any such thing because we all have faith in our constitution, he said. We can sometimes overcomplicate investing. But it can -- and should -- be pretty simple. Find a well-run company with great growth prospects. Buy the stock. And sit back while it appreciates over the long run. Investors looking for income only have to add one more step: Make sure the stock pays a solid dividend. You don't have to have a ton of money to invest for this approach to work wonders. If you've got $3,000 or so, there's a high-yield dividend stock that you can buy right now and let the money roll in. That stock is Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE:BEP). Family tradition Brookfield Renewable Partners is a member of a family of limited partnerships (LPs) that are managed by Brookfield Asset Managers. Its sister companies include Brookfield Business Partners, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, and Brookfield Property Partners. Each of these companies focus on owning and managing assets in their respective niche markets that can generate strong recurring cash flow and distribute cash back to unitholders (the LP equivalent to shareholders). Brookfield Renewable Partners appears to be in great shape to keep up this family tradition. The company owns hydroelectric, wind, solar and storage facilities spanning four continents. In total, Brookfield Renewable can generate over 19,000 megawatts of electric power. It also has a pipeline with 13,000 megawatts of capacity. Around three-quarters of Brookfield Renewable's funds from operations (FFO) come from its hydroelectric facilities. Most of the rest of its FFO stems from the company's solar and wind facilities. A pending acquisition of TerraForm will boost these businesses. Brookfield Renewable's business is about as steady as they come. Its single largest non-government customer contributes only 2% of its total cash flow. Around 95% of its total cash flow is contracted over a long duration. The company's weighted-average remaining contract length is 14 years. This solid cash flow enables Brookfield Renewable Partners to reward investors with great distributions. Its yield currently stands at nearly 4.5%. The company has increased its distribution by 31% over the past five years. A renewable future Brookfield Renewable told investors last year that it's "one of the few future-proof stocks" on the market. I don't think that's an exaggeration. It's no secret that energy production in the future will increasingly rely on renewable sources. There are two main reasons why this trend is unstoppable. First, wind and solar are already more cost-effective energy sources than natural gas. And their costs are likely to become even more attractive over the next decade. Second, many countries across the world are eager to reduce their carbon footprints. The United Kingdom, for example, set a goal of 55% renewable energy production by 2030. China's goal is 50% within the same period, while India seeks to generate 40% of its energy through renewable sources by the end of the decade. The U.S. hasn't established a national goal, but several large states have, notably including California and New York. Each of these countries and U.S. states are tracking well below their 2030 targets right now. That presents a significant growth opportunity for renewable energy stocks (and Brookfield Renewable Partners, in particular) over the next 10 years and beyond. What you can realistically expect How much money could you make with a $3,000 investment in Brookfield Renewable Partners? There are some variable factors that could impact your returns, of course. But you can realistically expect to rake in some serious cash. The company's investment objective is to deliver annualized total returns of between 12% and 15% over the long term. This goal includes yearly distribution increases of between 5% and 9%. Can Brookfield Renewable achieve these goals? I think so. It's beaten the upper end of that range over the last five years. If the company delivers an average annual total return of 15%, an initial investment of $3,000 today would double within the next five years. If Brookfield Renewable only meets the lower end of its projected range, it would take a little over six years to double. Either way, buying this high-yield stock now appears to be a simple and smart move to make money over the long run. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 03:59:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Security workers wearing face masks and face shields are seen at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on June 20, 2020. Egypt confirmed on Saturday 1,547 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total infections registered in the country to 53,758, according to Egyptian Health Ministry. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Egypt confirmed on Saturday 1,547 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total infections registered in the country to 53,758, according to Egyptian Health Ministry. Death toll from the disease rose to 2,106 after 89 fatalities were added in the past 24 hours, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement. The spokesman said that 399 patients on Saturday were fully cured, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 14,327. Since March 25, the Egyptian government has been imposing a night time curfew as a key precautionary measure in combating the highly infectious virus. The current eight-hour curfew in Egypt will continue until the end of the month, amid the government's coexistence plan to maintain anti-coronavirus precautionary measures while resuming economic activities. Egypt plans to resume air traffic in all Egyptian airports from July 1 as the country prepares for the return of foreign tourism, after more than three months of international flight suspension over the coronavirus concerns. The most populous Arab country has already started gradual reopening of services and offices, and allowed operation of over 230 hotels for local tourists with 50-percent capacity after they were given hygiene safety certificates. Egypt and China have been cooperating closely in fighting the pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise. In early February, Egypt provided aid to China in its fight against the coronavirus outbreak. China, after having largely controlled the pandemic, returned favor by sending three batches of medical aid to Egypt. On April 16, May 10 and May 16, Chinese doctors held video conferences with Egyptian counterparts to share their experience in prevention and treatment of the virus. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 04:45:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Police officers monitor a protest over the death of George Floyd in New York, the United States, June 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) The incidents happened on the first weekend since the NYPD disbanded its undercover anti-crime unit. NEW YORK, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 shootings have happened across New York City since early Saturday, injuring at least 19 people, local media reported. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said on Saturday afternoon that it is investigating 13 separate shootings since midnight, with six in the borough of the Bronx, two in Queens, four in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan, NBC New York cited an NYPD spokesperson as saying. At least one of the injured is in critical condition. The victims' ages range from 16 to 47, the report said. Other details, including possible motives, were not provided by the NYPD. Police officers monitor a protest over the death of George Floyd in New York, the United States, June 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) The incidents happened on the first weekend since the NYPD disbanded its undercover anti-crime unit. On June 15, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said the department would immediately transition some 600 plainclothes anti-crime officers to other assignments including neighborhood policing and detective work. Earlier this week, the department announced citywide crime statistics for May, showing there were 100 shooting incidents, a 64-percent increase compared to the same period last year. Police officers stand guard at Times Square after curfew in New York City, the United States, June 1, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) Meanwhile, the number of murders saw a 79-percent increase, the crime of auto theft increased by 68 percent, and burglary increased by 34 percent, according to a press release. The NYPD said its summer All-Out initiative, which has been successful in prior years, is in effect again this year. Hundreds of uniformed officers will fan out across some 10 neighborhoods that have experienced upticks in crime. China's ruling Communist Party looks set to ratify a new national security law for Hong Kong by the end of this month, giving it the power to install a new police agency in the city to prosecute political crimes and to override its judicial system. After releasing details of the new law over the weekend, the National People's Congress Standing Committee has scheduled another session on an unusually quick timetable, beginning another three-day meeting on June 28. Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's sole delegate on the Standing Committee, told local media that "it's not surprising that they would want another meeting to complete this task sooner." The draft law, which runs to 66 articles, confirms the international community's worst fears about Beijing's rapid encroachment onto Hong Kong, which is supposed to enjoy a measure of autonomy for 50 years under the handover agreement signed by Britain and China in 1997. Lawyers, human rights activists and many Western governments have expressed concern that the vague and broad provisions of the law would give the Beijing-backed authorities new legal tools to target activities like the protests that erupted in Hong Kong a year ago. Those protests started as demonstrations against an extradition bill but morphed into a broad pro-democracy movement that surprised and alarmed Beijing. They have also voiced concern that the new law will allow mainland Chinese security agencies to operate in Hong Kong, despite the "one country, two systems" framework agreed at the handover. Similar national security laws in mainland China have been invoked by the state in recent years to sentence dissidents including labor organizers, peasants resisting land grabs, bloggers and lawyers. In Macao, a Chinese territory adjacent to Hong Kong where similar laws have been in place since 2009, public displays of dissent are extremely rare, and politically sensitive protests, including vigils marking the 1989 massacre of students at Tiananmen Square, are banned. Beijing did not release the text of the "Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," instead publishing an outline through the official Xinhua News Agency. The outline said the law would declare that the central government in Beijing bears the "ultimate responsibility" for the national security affairs of Hong Kong, and that it would cover secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and colluding with foreign forces. The new law would establish a Commission for Safeguarding National Security, which will bear the "primary responsibility" for protecting Hong Kong's security and will answer to the central government. The chief executive of Hong Kong, a position that has increasingly come under Beijing's control and is currently filled by Carrie Lam, will chair the commission. In a development viewed with alarm both inside and outside Hong Kong, she will have the power to appoint judges to hear national security cases. The commission will also have a national security adviser, to be appointed by the central government, according to the NPC Observer blog. Under the law, new police and prosecution departments will established to investigate and to enforce the new statutes. The media of the Chinese state urged people to back the law. "If we want Hong Kong to have long-lasting peace and security, we should support the law without worrying," the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, wrote in a commentary Sunday. "If we want 'one country, two systems' to be sustainable and stable, we should support rather than oppose it," it wrote, calling the legislation a "touchstone" for Hong Kong. But pro-democracy lawmakers and legal analysts were alarmed by the broad nature of the law. The Hong Kong Bar Association said it was "deeply concerned" about the details published to date and called on Beijing to release the law so lawyers could properly analyze its provisions. Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer and author, said he was "struck by how deeply it intervenes in the government and legal system, creating a whole new government body and departments." The details as released, he said, undermine any notion of an independent judiciary in the city and separation of powers. Having an entire infrastructure to apply the new legislation in Hong Kong also undermines reassurances from officials that the national security laws will only be used against a "very small minority" in the city, he said. During the protests of 2019, Beijing repeatedly accused the demonstrations of being fomented by the "black hands" of the United States who want to encourage Hong Kong to secede from China. The party's media repeated that message Sunday. "Radical forces in Hong Kong and their main supporter, the U.S., will continue stirring up trouble for some time. But the draft law on national security for Hong Kong stands firm on morality and justice," wrote the Global Times, a hawkish tabloid that often espouses the foreign policy views of the party. "Most Hongkongers will understand the goodwill of the central government. Those fighting against the law will be bound to find themselves ever more isolated. They are fighting with no chance of victory," it continued. The national security law - and the future of Hong Kong - has become a central point of friction between the United States and China, with U.S. lawmakers and the Trump administration in recent weeks threatening sanctions if Beijing were to follow through. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday reiterated that the administration would make good on its threat to strip Hong Kong of its special trading status, effectively treating its people and its companies the same as mainland Chinese, if Beijing encroached further on the city's independence. "When you ask, will Hong Kong be treated as any other Chinese city, it will be to the extent that the Chinese choose to treat it that way," Pompeo said in a video address to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit Friday. "President Trump has made very, very clear to the extent that the Chinese Communist Party treats Hong Kong as it does Shenzhen and Shanghai, we will treat them the same," he said. The Group of Seven countries, including Britain, Germany and Japan, called on China this week to drop the new national security law. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that if the law were to pass, his government would open a pathway to citizenship for almost 3 million Hong Kong people eligible for British National (Overseas) passports, a legacy of colonial rule. Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China claims as its territory, has said it will set up an office to help Hong Kong people fleeing to the island to escape increasing repression. In the eyes of China's leaders, Hong Kong is an unruly city where anti-government sentiment must be stamped out at all costs. Most protesters, though, have not sought independence from China but rather demanded the preservation of their freedoms and the right to directly elect their political leaders without interference from Beijing. Much of the public anger during the early months of the protests - sparked by plans to send criminal suspects for trial in mainland China's opaque court system - was also targeted toward the Hong Kong leadership and the use of force by its police, rather than toward Beijing. - - - Shih reported from Seoul and Mahtani from Hong Kong. Wang Yuan in Beijing and Tiffany Liang in Hong Kong contributed to this article. Note: This story has been amended from the original to fix a factual error. The State Police investigators who heard Laura Gallaghers story believed her. She told them she spent the night drinking at Boomers Place in Newton, talking with a man she knew back in high school, and that he walked her to her car after last call at 2 a.m. Then, she said, he attacked her, pressing her against the car, grabbing what he wanted, his hand in her pants. It ended, she said, only after she managed to heave him off and run, despite his being 6-foot-7, more than a foot taller than her. She ran to her car and took off, then got a text from him: Sorry I got carried away. State Police interrogated the man she accused, Ian Schweizer, and concluded that he was lying when he claimed this encounter was consensual. They locked him up, and after a few hours, called prosecutors. It was February 2017. And that was the last normal thing to happen in this case. Schweizer was released several hours later, after Sussex County prosecutors intervened, furious that State Police neglected to consult them in advance. The troopers, outraged at the release of a man they considered to be dangerous, fired back with a formal request for a corruption investigation into the prosecutors office. Instead, the boom came down on them. At least five troopers were transferred in the months that followed, none were promoted, and all have since filed whistleblower lawsuits. As for that corruption investigation, it apparently never happened, as reported by Newsweek on Tuesday. None of the troopers were questioned. Neither was Gallagher. As for the merits of that corruption charge, both prosecutors and more senior State Police commanders say it was farcical, nothing but retaliation against prosecutors in this turf war. Its based on a wild guess, they say, that Schweitzers father, Glenn, the former executive director of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, somehow intervened. No one knows him or knows who he is, says Seana Pappas, the assistant prosecutor who handled the case. I asked them. To believe this tale of political corruption, you have to believewe would all compromise our careers and let a rapist go free for some guys weve never met. Its the most far-fetched story Ive ever heard. There is corruption, but its on the part of the State Police. So, we have two narratives, black and white. If you ask the troopers, the problem in this case is that a sex crime victim told the truth and did not get justice. If you ask prosecutors -- or Callahan, the troopers boss -- the problem is that these troopers went rogue, breaking every rule. And heres one more explanation, the one I lean to myself: Its possible they are both right. * * * Gallagher is a single mom who says she remains terrified of encountering Schweitzer around town, and traumatized by what she considers abusive treatment by Sussex prosecutors. I get triggered, she says. Every time I pass by a courthouse, every time I see a state trooper cara simple drive to the grocery store, Id drive around the lot looking at each car to make sure he wasnt there. Whats striking is that prosecutors had good reason to question Schweitzers credibility. He spent 14 months in San Quentin prison for drunk driving that caused bodily harm, according to transcripts of his state police interviews. His former girlfriend, the mother of his child, won orders of protection that Schweitzer violated repeatedly, and she told me that Schweitzer had attacked her in precisely the same way as Gallagher said he attacked her. Schweitzer, in his interview with State Police, conceded he had a severe drinking problem, that he was drunk that night, and that he did indeed go too far, as he conceded in the text to Gallagher. At one point, he ruminated that perhaps he was a monster. But prosecutors doubted Gallaghers story. One low point, Gallagher said, came after prosecutors had secured Schweitzers release, and asked her to come in for an interview, which was led by Pappas. They were just digging into me, saying the most awful things, Gallagher says. When I was done, I was crying and shaking so badly I had to pull over and throw up. They told me, If he wanted to rape you he could have held you down, stuck his penis in you, and done a lot worse. They said how sorry he was, and that maybe he could just write me a letter of apology. But the real outrage, she said, was that prosecutors accused her of lying about the entire incident as part of a plot, in cahoots with Schweitzers former girlfriend. Their goal, prosecutors said, was to discredit Schweitzer so that his girlfriend could win sole custody of their child. Gallagher regards that as insane, and notes that the two just met a few weeks earlier, after a bartender at Boomers heard of the parking lot incident and arranged for them to meet. Schweitzers girlfriend told me she regarded it as insane as well. It has been more than three years since Laura Gallagher's allegation of sexual assault was deemed credible by State Police, triggering a too-familiar tale of coverup, political turf, and justice deferred. I called Pappas the prosecutor, and asked why Gallagher would risk jail making a false report to help a woman she barely knew win custody of a child she had never seen. She said it was based on text messages between the two, which she cannot release since the case remains open. It was apparent to us she was doing this to assist that woman, Pappas said. It seems bizarre, yes. But when Gallagher tried to win an order of protection against Schweitzer, the judge reviewed those texts and denied the request. And Pappas is known as a meticulously fair prosecutor, according to Richard Pompelio, head of the New Jersey Crime Victims Law Center, who studied this case when Gallagher asked for his help. He turned her down. I didnt think she would prevail in court, Pompelio said. I told (Pappas) Be careful, the State Police are looking to make you the bad guy. Its perplexing, as these cases often are. The pity is that no jury, and not even a grand jury, had a chance to weigh the evidence. * * * As for the troopers, are they the principled defenders of Gallagher, or a rogue agency where cops play by their own rules? Or, again, maybe both. This case unfolded a month after the bail reform championed by former Gov. Chris Christie and approved by voters took effect on Jan. 1, 2017. That reform explicitly required State Police to get permission from prosecutors before arresting a suspect in a case like this. The reason is the reform also contained a speedy trial provision that starts the clock ticking after a suspect is held. So, if police jump the gun, it can endanger the prosecution. In this case, according to Pappas, the State Police blew the investigation, failing to offer a proper Miranda warning to Schweitzer, or even to obtain critical evidence, like the phones of the key players. And when prosecutors freed Schweitzer, convinced this was an illegal arrest, troopers defied her by going to a local judge to get a fresh arrest warrant, which was granted. Prosecutors had to get that reversed, too. She said she spoke with the lead investigator, Trooper Justin DeLorenzo, and told him to release Schweitzer and spend a few more days gathering evidence. Another day or two is not going to hurt. Let him go, and lets get everything we need. He would not do that. He was going to go to the municipal judge. The case is still technically open, but prosecutors say they may officially close it next week. At this stage, only the lawsuit and recriminations are left standing. Gallagher has been invited to testify on July 1 before the special working group on the mistreatment of women in New Jersey, organized and led by Sen. Loretta Weinberg. * * * Add one final dash of political hot sauce to this brew: The man in charge of slapping down these troopers was none other than acting State Police Superintendent Pat Callahan, then a lieutenant colonel, and now awaiting confirmation in the Senate. In an affidavit connected to the civil suits this episode spawned, first reported by Newsweek, Callahan admits that he told Sussex prosecutors about the call for a corruption investigation during a meeting at Golden Corner Diner in Bound Brook, as reported by Newsweek, and assured them it would come to nothing. Callahan then launched an internal affairs investigation of the troopers. Thats way out of line, says Wayne Blanchard, head of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Organization.He informed the targets of the investigation that they were targets, Blanchard says This case is almost certain to doom Callahans stalled appointment once and for all, leaving him in an acting capacity. Senate President Steve Sweeney, whose consent would be required, now suggests that federal prosecutors should take a look at this whole mess. These things are troubling, Sweeney says. It really, really makes it difficult to move forward. Gov. Phil Murphy, asked about the case after the Newsweek story appeared on Tuesday, said he stood by Callahan and that the refusal to confirm his appointment was a stain on the Senate. That infuriated Julie Roginsky, a senior advisor to Murphys 2017 campaign, who has charged that Murphy allowed that campaign to be a toxic workplace for women, including herself. She heard an echo of the governors neglectful response to Katie Brennans charge that she was raped by a Murphy campaign staffer. Gov. Murphy, in typical fashion, immediately jumped to the defense of the powerful men who allegedly worked to quash this rape investigation, without having a public word of sympathy to spare for the female survivor, she wrote in a Star-Ledger column. He seems to have a pathological tic in always always dismissing the concerns of women and unequivocally siding with the men accused of wrongdoing. To that, I have nothing to add. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. MBABANE Chances are high that a proposal by the Eswatini Dairy Board to introduce a 40 per cent levy on imported dairy products might not kick in at the beginning of July 2020 as earlier scheduled. This is because stakeholders have reportedly raised concerns that the timing of introducing the levy could be bad due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Board has proposed that the import levy be charged on all dairy products which are sufficiently produced locally, such as emasi (sour milk), yoghurt, fresh milk and fresh cream. REMARKABLE IMPROVEMENTS In a correspondence that Tony Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini Dairy Board, sent to stakeholders on February 26, 2020, he explained that the countrys dairy industry had realised remarkable improvements in its value chain, particularly in milk production and processing. However, he said the industry was still at an infancy stage and needed protection against competitive pressure from mature and developed economies. He said it was on this basis that the Board sought to use one tool of protecting an infant industry by invoking Section 25 of the Dairy Act ,which proposes a review of levy for all imported dairy products. This industry protection measure will further lead to greater investment opportunities within the country, Dlamini said in the correspondence. It is proposed that once the 40 per cent levy kicks in, any new products added on the listed emasi, yoghurt, fresh milk and fresh cream, which will be sufficiently produced locally, will also automatically attract the proposed charge. For all other dairy products that are not sufficiently produced in the country, they will be charged at 13 per cent on the invoice value. Talking to the Times SUNDAY, Dlamini said they would soon be writing to the stakeholders regarding the decision of the Board on the proposed levy. He said the coronavirus pandemic had caused a lot of negative effects on the industry and they did not want to overburden importers and consumers alike. He said since the proposal was a Board resolution, there was a need to go back to them to report contributions that have been made by stakeholders. It is after the Board has heard what the stakeholders have to say that a new resolution will be taken, Dlamini said. The products are a daily necessity in peoples lives and we cannot increase their cost at a challenging time like the present. We cant have people being laid off work on the one hand and also increase the cost of the dairy products on the other, the CEO said. He re-emphasised that the intention of the 40 per cent was for it to kick in once a product was sufficiently produced in the country. This is to attract investors who will be guaranteed of protection and they would see their investments as being viable. We have to protect investors who will produce these products locally at a sufficient level. But if we get to July but there is no one who is meeting the local production, then the 40 per cent wont apply, he said. He made an example of the chicken business where he said the same principle was applied after it was seen that locally produced birds were not being bought. He said It was then proposed that if there is enough local production, a levy should be charged on imported chickens, which then saw the emergence of major local players because they knew they were protected. We align ourselves with this sentiment because even our investors are complaining that they are not protected. They are saying the imported products are sold at cheap prices locally compared to theirs, Dlamini said. He said in the current economic situation, this is the kind of protection that is needed for investors. We worked with the Competition Commission to ensure that investors do not abuse the protection such that they begin charging consumers exorbitant prices for their products. The regulator will have fixed prices for all the products to protect consumers from inflated pricing, he added. Meanwhile, in the February correspondence, Dlamini had urged importers to help support the local dairy industry by making use of local processes by engaging them with specifics of their brands to produce and pack for them as opposed to importing products which can be sourced in the country thus developing the dairy industry. He gave the boards commitment to creating an enabling environment for all dairy stakeholders in order to promote industry interaction and to further uplift the economic position of the country. He also assured the stakeholders that all necessary legal procedures and processes would be followed carefully in the implementation of the proposal. The mandate of Eswatini Dairy Board, as the regulator and developmental body of the dairy industry, is to develop the industry; this development being aimed at promoting milk production, processing, distribution, consumption, investment in all phases of the industry as per Section 12 of the Dairy Act of 1968. See Full Image Gallery >> Toyota sold plenty of small pickups prior to the Hilux's introduction in 1968, including the old-timey Stout and cartrucks based on the Crown and the Corona. The Hilux ended up being one of Toyota's all-time most legendary vehicles in company history, if not the most legendary, in large part due to its reputation for durability in low-intensity conflicts around the globe. You can still buy a brand-new Hilux, though not in North America; the commute-friendlier Tacoma replaced the commercial-grade Hilux starting with the 1995 model year here. While the first-generation Hiluxes could be purchased on our shores (and some were), the 1973-1978 second-gen trucks were the ones that really established Toyota as a major truck player in the American market. Here's one of those trucks, a very worn-out '78 in a Denver-area car graveyard. Toyota stuck with the Hilux/Hylux name in North America into the 1973 model year, at which point the name of this truck became, simply, the Toyota Truck. Just as most American owners of Volvo Amazons no longer use the official North American name (the 122S) for their cars, so do most owners of Toyota Trucks now deploy the Hilux name for their trucks. We can feel confident that final owner of this Truck called it a Hilux, if we are to judge by this sticker on the rear glass. At the Truck's heart, the amazingly reliable (unless you try to race it) 20R 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. 90 horsepower, available at truck-like low revs. This engine also went into the Celicas of the era, where it seemed out of place in a sporty car. I keep hearing that owners of Trucks with later 22Rs clean out all of the 20R cylinder heads from junkyards (because you get better flow and higher compression with that swap), but I see plenty of 20R heads during my junkyard travels. 5-speeds weren't particularly exotic by 1978, but Toyota was proud that Truck buyers could get them that year. Story continues Did it still run when it took that final tow-truck ride to this place? I'll bet it did. The biggest problem with the Truck, as with most Japanese vehicles of the 1970s, was its susceptibility to corrosion. The Rust Monster doesn't work as quickly in Colorado as it does in, say, New Hampshire or Wisconsin, but it will consume a Truck if given enough time. At some point in the recent past, someone tried to fix the rot with patch panels and body filler, which never buys much time. How many miles on it? No way to tell with this 5-digit odometer. Someone personalized the cab ceiling with many stickers. Surprisingly for a Denver-area junkyard vehicle, I didn't find any stickers from breweries or cannabis dispensaries. Hugs not drugs! If you can find a better-built truck, buy it. Hey, didn't Lee Iacocca say something similar, a few years later? It's strange to see the second-gen Trucks looking so shiny and new, since just about every single example you see now has been working hard for at least 42 years. This New Zealand Hilux commercial is for the following generation, but it's worth watching regardless. AnalitikaUA.net reports that the chartered flight to and from Kyiv and Yerevan was carried out yesterday. The Embassy of Ukraine in Armenia stated that on June 20, 140 passengers traveled from Yerevan to Kyiv (including 10 citizens of Ukraine), as well as 130 citizens of Armenia who are entitled to enter into the territory of Ukraine. The Embassy adds that citizens of Iran were the main passengers aboard the plane flying from Kyiv to Yerevan. Upon their arrival, the passengers temperatures were taken, nobody had a fever or complaints, and all the passengers will self-isolate. As reported earlier, during a conference held in Odessa, the Union of Armenians of Ukraine had considered possible options to help Armenia in the fight against the coronavirus. It was also reported that the Union of Armenians of Ukraine will establish the Union of Armenian Doctors of Ukraine (UADU). ljubaphoto Travel insurer Seven Corners has started two new products tailored to vacations in the age of coronavirus: one policy specifically covers medical expenses incurred due to Covid-19 infection while traveling overseas, and another helps motorists as road trips replace flights and cruises as the preferred means of summer and fall travel. "Travel trends, in general, have changed," said Jeremy Murchland, president of the Indianapolis-based company, which sells both comprehensive travel insurance policies and medical coverage-only plans. "A lot of people are electing to take road trips for the summer as opposed to air travel," he added. "We also took the opportunity [of the pandemic] to develop a 'plus' line of travel insurance that provides a specific coverage for Covid-19." When pandemic lockdowns brought worldwide travel largely to a halt this spring, many travelers who had purchased trip insurance whether itinerary cancellation coverage, a medical plan or a policy including both found themselves unable get paid on Covid-19 claims. More from Personal Finance: Most travelers not opting to insure their trips, survey finds The top 10 U.S. cities for summer staycations Law would guarantee refunds for coronavirus flight cancellations "Some people bought insurance thinking they knew what it was, but then went to file a claim and realized they don't have coverage," said Murchland. In fact, online trip insurance marketplace Squaremouth.com found that many providers stopped covering coronavirus-related losses as early as Jan. 21, when the Centers for Disease Control issued its first alert, according to spokesperson Kasara Barto. (Squaremouth.com offers policies from 31 providers, including Seven Corners.) Seven Corners, for its part, continued to sell medical coverage plans for overseas travel and comprehensive trip-cancellation insurance policies, the latter with some restrictions, as the pandemic unfolded. In fact, a total of seven providers on Squaremouth.com still offer at least some medical benefits for Covid-19 on new travel policies purchased, according to Barto. Seven Corners' new Liaison Travel Plus plan, however, is the only policy specifically designed to protect travelers from coronavirus-related issues, according to Murchland. "We're the only ones out there I've seen, to this point, that have 'named' Covid-19 coverage," he said, noting that competitors may hedge by, for example, including or not specifically excluding coronavirus-related coverage except when national, state or local governments issue a travel warning. That, in effect, Murchland said, means such claims are not covered right now. "That can confuse consumers," he said. "We're doing our best to put something in front of consumers that's simple to understand and very specific, and I believe we're the first to market with that." Barto at Squaremouth.com said that she, too, is "not aware of any other providers that offer medical plans specific to Covid-19." Some people appear to be starting to book travel again whatever travel they can. Jeremy Murchland president, Seven Corners Liaison Travel Plus includes a benefit that will cover medical expenses if a policyholder becomes ill with Covid-19 while traveling outside their home country. "Essentially, if you happen to get sick with Covid-19 overseas once overseas travel resumes this provides coverage for any medical care you need up to $100,000," Murchland said. The benefit covers medical expenses for "Covid-19, SARS-Cov-2 and any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2," according to Seven Corners. There's an additional $500,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage, when medically necessary. "There's no other exclusions for other pandemics or travel warnings," Murchland said. "For a little extra cost, somebody can ensure they've got coverage and these type of things aren't excluded when they travel." An online quote search at Sevencorners.com for Liaison Travel Plus coverage abroad in January 2021 for a traveler aged 45 turned up a price of $33.10. Meanwhile, Seven Corners' new insurance plan for road trips within North America, called ARMOR, does not include coronavirus coverage at all. That's because the bulk of Covid-19 treatment is conducted on an outpatient basis and most domestic travelers ill with the virus would be able to return home relatively easily for such care, according to Murchland. "This is more for major accidents or medical events, such as when someone has a heart attack or they break a leg or another major injury that prevents them getting home," he said. ARMOR, valid for road trips of up to 30 days more than 100 miles from a policyholder's home within the U.S., Canada and Mexico, does provide for emergency medical evacuation from remote destinations such as national parks. Its other major benefit is the return home of passengers, pets and/or vehicles in the event of driver injury. An online quote search for an August trip within the U.S. by a single driver aged 45 revealed a $50 premium. The product debuts as interest in road trips rises. A recent "sentiment survey" by Seven Corners found road trips score highest for comfort right now among travelers, more than half of whom say they plan to use motor vehicles for their next journey. Going domestic The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security asserted Sunday he and Donald Trump will find a way to end protections for those part of the DACA program even after the Supreme Court ruled against the administration's attempt. Chad Wolf admitted that 'we need to find a solution for this population' after the Supreme Court rejected the administration's bid to dismantle the program in a ruling Thursday. 'We're continuing to look at the opinion that the court produced this week, making sure that we adhere to that,' Wolf assured in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press Sunday morning. 'But we are going to end an unlawful program.' 'As the acting secretary of Homeland Security, I don't have the luxury to ignore the law. The program's unlawful. We need to solve it,' he continued. While the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-to-4 decision that Chief Justice John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote his opinion based on a technicality in the language of the case, claiming the administration did not provide proper legal justification for ending the program. 'The dispute before the court is not whether DHS may rescind DACA. All parties agree that it may. The dispute is instead primarily about the procedure the agency followed in doing so,' he wrote in his opinion. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf claimed Sunday that the Trump administration will find a way to end the DACA program 'We are going to end an unlawful program,' Wolf said of DACA, claiming he doesn't have the 'luxury' of ignoring the law and allowing people protected under the program to stay int he U.S. The comments come after the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,' could not be dismantled He was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan with the other four justices joining in a dissenting opinion. 'We address only whether the [Department of Homeland Security] complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action. Here the agency failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients,' Roberts continued. 'That dual failure raises doubts about whether the agency appreciated the scope of its discretion or exercised that discretion in a reasonable manner.' About 650,000 people are protected under DACA program, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which Barack Obama created eight years ago to give legal status to children brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents. The protections allow these individuals to work, study and remain in the U.S. on a renewable permit. 'We know is the program is clearly unlawful. And I would point you back to the Supreme Court decision. At no point in that decision did they say that the program was lawful,' Wolf reiterated. 'They simply didn't like the rationale and the procedures that we used,' he continued. 'And I find that a little troubling.' 'What we know is the Obama Administration created this program out of thin air,' Wolf told NBC's Chuck Todd. 'They haven't really been held to task on why they didn't put this out for public comment and notice. It's such a large decision on a program, really the American people needed to have some comment into that.' Wolf said Trump wants to work with Congress to create a better solution for those protected under DACA. 'The president's begging Congress, has been for the last two and a half years to solve this problem,' he insisted. 'We're willing to sit down at the table and negotiate with them.' Wolf also praised the Trump administration for the work it has done in reopening the country as lockdowns lift following the nationwide coronavirus outbreak. 'We took a number of dramatic steps, the President did, in limiting the spread or the seeding of that virus here in the U.S.,' Wolf lauded. 'And what we've seen since then is a White House Coronavirus Task Force working day in and night to make sure that we have the resources, the testing, the PPE, as well as the guidance to state and local to governors to make sure we can open this economy in a safe and reasonable way.' 'We're seeing a number of states throughout the country in different phases from phase one to phase three, trying to get this economy, trying to get the country back up and running, and we're doing a great job at that,' he told NBC. While the country begins to reopen, infections have continued to spike in some key states. In a separate interview with CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday morning, Wolf said the White House task force was 'on top of all of these outbreaks within state by state, county by county, whether it's Arizona, Texas, Florida, a number of these states that are having hotspots.' He said the Trump administration was surging medical equipment and staff, as well as individuals from the Department of Homeland Security, into areas that were seeing an uptick in infections, to better understand the causes of those outbreaks and support the state-led reopening efforts. The United States has reported 2.26 million cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, which comprises nearly 26% of the global total of 8.81 million cases, according to a Reuters tally. Over 119,600 deaths have been reported in the United States. He defended President Donald Trump's decision to hold an indoor campaign rally in Oklahoma, where infections have also been rising but many attendees did not wear face masks. 'The president's rally is a state in a phase three reopening, and so activities like this are allowed,' Wolf said in the NBC interview, adding, 'It's also a personal choice that people are making on the face coverings.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation on the sixth International Yoga Day where he said this is the day of unity as yoga binds everyone together. It is a day of universal brotherhood. Watch: Pranayam key in fighting Covid-19, says PM Modi on International Yoga Day The theme of International Day of Yoga this year is Yoga at home, Yoga with family. Today, we will stay away from all social gatherings and do yoga with our family. When family members come together in practising the yoga, it spreads energy in the entire house, said PM Modi. Also read: On International Yoga Day, PM Modi stresses on pranayama The world is taking the need to practice yoga more seriously in the wake of Covid-19. Yoga has many asanas (poses) to boost our immunity. These asanas strengthens our muscles and metabolism. Coronavirus attacks our respiratory system, and pranayama (breathing exercise) is the best exercise to keep ourselves safe, the Prime Minister said, urging people to include pranayama in their daily routine. He also said that yoga teaches us never to give up and lead a balanced life. Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It does not discriminate, goes beyond colour, race, faith and nations. Anyone can embrace yoga - all you need is some time and space, PM Modi said. In pics: India celebrates International Yoga Day 2020 amid Covid-19 pandemic He ended the address with Sankrit verse: Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu (may all beings be happy and free). For the first time since June 21, 2015, Yoga Day is being celebrated digitally. This years theme is Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly had declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga, months after PM Modi had proposed the idea. PM Modi had urged people, in a video message on Thursday, to observe the day from the confines of their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian Army's mountain warfare experience and strategies make its troops the 'most skilled in the area'. From the northern borders in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern-most part of the country, a large number of Indian soldiers are deployed in the mountains and have mastered the art of fighting in the snowy landscape as well as the harsh barren vastness of Ladakh, the region where they are currently in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation with the soldiers of China's Peoples Liberation Army. "At present, the worlds largest and experienced country with plateau and mountain troops is neither the US, Russia, nor any European powerhouse, but India," read an article by Huang Guozhi, a senior editor of Modern Weaponry magazine and a Chinese expert. Huang stated that since the 1970s, the Indian military has established and expanded in size and has personnel trained for fighting in the mountains on a large-scale. India also plans to create a mountain strike force of more than 50,000 troops. The Indian Army is the best practitioner of mountain warfare with maximum experience because its officers and personnel spend a major part of their service in the mountains. The Indian Army is the largest mountain fighting force across the world with more than 2,00,000 troops in 12 divisions. India also maintains a large number of military and paramilitary troops along the various plateaus, mountain passes, and valleys that provide the most obvious potential points of trans-Himalayan ingress. One of the prime examples of the Indian Army's mountain warfare prowess is the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, which is at an altitude of more than 5,000 metres above the sea-level and where the temperature dips as low as minus 60 degrees. The Indian Army is protecting the nation at a region that separates Pakistan from China and has been successfully holding its grounds amid the constant threat of avalanches and high-speed winds. There are around 6,000 to 7,000 personnel guarding the region with the highest post being stationed at a height of 6,749 metres above sea-level in Siachen. Troops are also equipped with a large number of weapons adapted to the highland and mountain operating environment. The Indian Army also has a High Altitude Mountain Warfare School (HAWS) near Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir that is highly regarded around the world for its elite and specialised training. HAWS is routinely visited by Special Operation Teams from the US, UK and Russia. The HAWS produces some of the world's finest soldiers who are considered among the very best in high altitude and mountain warfare. HAWS-trained soldiers are supremely confident with immense stamina. The soldiers are also taught to integrate with the environment so that they can guard the Himalayan frontiers effectively. The Indian Army has also set up a Kargil Battle School in the Dras sector of Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir, which trains soldiers in mountain warfare. The Indian Army has defeated Pakistan for decades on the elevated ground of Kashmir and proved its mettle. By Murtaza Ali Khan A nindya Chatterjees La Patrie Homeland, which is currently streaming on Netflix, strongly espouses the idea of global citizenship. Even though we live in a world thats strictly defined by political boundaries, the virtual distance between people is constantly decreasing. Today, we have more and more cosmopolitan cities and multilingual people. La Patrie Homeland, co-written by Somrita Bhattacharyya and Chatterjee himself, examines the human yearning for discovering ones true roots. The multilingual film has received accolades such as winning the Honorary Jury Award in Indian World Film Festival, Hyderabad in 2020 and Special Festival Mention Award in Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival in 2019. The film, produced by M K Media, stars Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ani Hovhannisyan, and Jonathan Dumontier in pivotal roles. La Patrie Homeland is essentially a tale of two individuals from totally different backgrounds in search of their roots. On one hand we have Ani, a girl from Armenia, who comes to France in search of her roots. Her parents were from France, but they moved to Armenia years ago. She has grown up listening to their stories about how they met each other and fall in love. So, she has a strong desire to revisit all those places in France that her parents had told her about. On her arrival in France, she crosses paths with Jonathan, an English boy living in France. She then meets Varzu, a Spain-born girl living in France, whose mother is Dutch and dad is German. She finally meets a wanderer named Ganga (essayed by Parambrata Chattopadhyay), an Indian who he has travelled extensively. From India he traveled to Bangadesh, then Australia, New Zealand, and finally ended up in France. Named after the Holy Ganges, he doesnt believe in geographical boundaries. A river never remains still. It never lies. It always flows. Thats what I do. I flow, he tells Ani. Gangas worldview has a profound influence on Ani which forces her to question her idea of homeland and roots. Anindya Chatterjee, who made his first feature Jhumura, a movie tracing the journey of Jhumur performers of Bengal in 2015, got the idea for La Patrie Homeland during a trip to Africa which he took for a documentary shoot. La Patrie Homeland is a meditation on the concept of being a global citizen. The film is shot by the team of Isaac Tudilu Paulo, Nicolas Vert and Alam Khan in the heavenly landscapes of Paris and Commercy. The beautiful vistas and soothing music make La Patrie Homeland a sensory cinematic experience. But it is not meant for casual viewing. Take the plunge only if you are prepared to invest yourself in it. Rating: 7.5/10 A version of this review was first published in The Sunday Guardian Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your valuable thoughts are highly appreciated! President Donald Trump held his first campaign rally in three months Saturday. Here are the takeaways from it. A day before the rally, he tweeted this: "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" The White House tried to say Trump was making threats only about violent protesters, but the tweet clearly includes "protesters." As the rally was getting started and it was clear that the campaign's expected crowd size fell short by thousands, the campaign sent out a statement blaming, in part, a few hundred protesters outside the convention center for blocking or intimidating rally goers from coming in. (Reporters on the ground before the rally said they saw no indication that was the case.) At the rally, Trump threatened protesters again, this time with his own supporters: "We had a bunch of maniacs come and sort of attack our city," Trump said of what had been nonviolent protests outside his rally. "The mayor and the governor did a great job, but they were very violent people. And our people are not nearly as violent. But if they ever were, it would be a terrible, terrible day for the other side, because I know our people," he said to cheers. "I know our people. We will never submit to their threats, and we will never let them destroy our nation." At the end of the rally he threw this in: "When you see those lunatics all over the streets, it's damn nice to have arms." Trump has demonstrated little patience with those who protest his policies and, most recently, with Black Lives Matter protesters. When the two causes converged at his campaign rally, which was held in the city of the nation's worst racial massacres in the 20th century and in the middle of a nationwide reckoning on race, Trump made a point to scapegoat them. 2. 'Kung Flu,' a testing slowdown and other flippant comments about the coronavirus Trump's decision to hold a rally in a state where coronavirus cases are rising, ignoring local health officials who asked him to postpone, already demonstrated his lack of concern for spreading it. But his comments Saturday underscored that Trump sees political strength in downplaying the virus's threat - and using language one of his own advisers described as offensive to describe it. "I said to my people, slow down the testing," Trump said, making the connection to increased testing for a rise in cases - though in states with rising cases, such as Arizona and Texas, hospitalizations are also increasing. (A White House official told The Washington Post Trump was joking.) He recalled hearing of a child who was infected with the coronavirus and brushing it off as a 10-year-old "with sniffles." He said, to cheers, that he shook U.S. Military Academy cadets' hands. He also described the coronavirus, which emanated from China, as "Kung Flu" - one of "19 or 20 names" for the virus, he said. When White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway was asked in March about reports that someone in the White House used that term to a reporter, here's how she responded: "That's highly offensive. So, you should tell us all who it is. I'd like to know who it is." Trump has spent weeks launching a culture war against wearing masks. (Masks were certainly not prevalent among rally attendees, even though the Trump campaign handed them out.) It seems as if he wants to launch one against the very existence of the virus that has killed 120,000 Americans. 3. No attempt to salve racial tensions Trump had delayed the rally in Tulsa after uproar over its originally scheduled date of Friday, which was Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of slaves. He rescheduled, but the backdrop remained the past few weeks of a national reckoning on racial injustice. Trump focused on protesters taking down statues of the Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington and bashed those who "want to demolish our heritage." He made no mention of Black Lives Matter or police brutality, and said how he'll defend law enforcement. He brought up Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., American citizens who he tweeted in the past year should "go home." Using racially inflammatory and offensive language is nothing new for Trump. But the protests in the wake of George Floyd's killing have broad approval, including among a majority of Republicans, according to a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll. 4. Explaining 'the ramp and the water' At Trump's commencement speech at the U.S. Military Academy a week ago, he used two hands to raise his water glass to his mouth then walked very cautiously down a ramp to get off the stage. Ever sensitive to media coverage, Trump gave a lengthy explanation of the incident. He had been tired after spending all day in the sun and saluting hundreds of graduating cadets. After his speech was done, he said he found that he has to walk down a ramp with leather-soled shoes. "General, I've got myself a problem," Trump recalled saying to the general guiding him where to go. "General, because I'm wearing leather bottom shoes, which is good if you're walking on flat surfaces. It's not good for ramps. And if I fall down, look at all those press back here." On the glass of water, he indicated his arms were tired from saluting cadets, which he compared to lifting weights, and said he didn't want to risk getting water on his red tie: "I just saluted. Six hundred times like this." He then drank water at his podium in Tulsa, with one hand, and the crowd cheered. 5. Weaving old with the new for a 2020 campaign pitch Much of Trump's re-election pitch is the same as when he was trying to get into the White House: Describing violence by the MS-13 gang, opposing abortion, casting Washington as out of touch and promising economic prosperity to America's central regions and an even more conservative Supreme Court. There are some notable updates, now that he knows his opponent will be former vice president Joe Biden. He spent considerable time attacking Biden, including on: - Biden's health: "There's something wrong with Biden," Trump said, wrapping up his water and ramp explanation by pointing back to him. - Biden's lack of campaigning in crowds during the pandemic: "Biden remains silent in his basement in the face of this brutal assault on our nation and the values of our nation." - Biden's record on China, a subject on which the Trump campaign put together a hugely misleading ad in April: "Biden is a puppet for China." - Attempting to recast the Democratic Party as being led by politicians more liberal than Biden: "Joe Biden is not the leader of his party. Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left." A US judge denied on Saturday a request by the Trump administration for an injunction to block publication of a book by Donald Trump`s former national security adviser John Bolton that alleges the president sought China`s help to win re-election. "While Bolton`s unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," US District Judge Royce Lamberth said in his ruling. The administration had sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the publication of "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir," saying it contained classified information and threatened national security. The book, scheduled to hit store shelves on Tuesday, is already in the hands of media organizations. "Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States. He has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability," the judge wrote. But he said an injunction would be too late to stem the harm. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe many in newsrooms the damage is done," Lamberth said. Lamberth also said Bolton had acted unilaterally by proceeding to publish without waiting for prepublication review by the government. A civil suit is pending against Bolton that seeks to force him to give the United States the right to all of the profits from the book. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House to fly to a campaign rally in Oklahoma, Trump again charged that Bolton had released classified information and lauded the judge`s rebuke of Bolton as "a great ruling.""The judge was very powerful in his statement on classified information and very powerful also on the fact that the country will get the money, any money he makes," Trump said. "Whatever he makes, he`s going to be giving back." In a later interview with Fox News Channel, Trump called what Bolton did "treasonous." "He should go to jail for that for many, many years," he said. Publishers Simon & Schuster and Bolton`s lawyer Charles Cooper welcomed the ruling. "We respectfully take issue, however, with the Court`s preliminary conclusion at this early stage of the case that Ambassador Bolton did not comply fully with his contractual prepublication obligation to the government," Cooper said in a statement. Bolton`s book has drawn wide attention for its withering portrayal of Trump. Bolton describes Trump as imploring Chinese President Xi Jinping for help in winning his 2020 re-election bid, and details alleged improprieties not addressed in Trump`s impeachment trial. Trump ousted Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, last September after 17 months as national security adviser. Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, BJP on Sunday said the former Congress President through his Surender jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called him lord of the Gods. You say Narendra Modi is Surender Modi that means you are saying that Modi is not only the leader of humans but also of Gods, BJP President J P Nadda said addressing the digital rally. In Hinduism, Surender or Surendra is Lord of the Gods, Karnataka Minister C T Ravi said responding to Rahul surrender jibe at Modi. Rahuls play of words was countered by Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as well. Mr Rahul Gandhi you are so exasperated you cannot even spell correctly and surrendering has been hallmark of Gandhi-Nehru family. In 1962, Assam was almost given away by Pt Nehru. When Chinese Army had captured Bomdila, Nehru said, My heart goes out to the people of Assam. Shame, Sarma, a Congressman-turned-BJP leader said. Savage was behind the wheel of a blue 2019 Hyundai Kona on Friday when a white SUV pulled up in front of him and blocked the street, police said. The gunman then got out, approached Savage and fired one to two shots, hitting Savage in the neck and shoulder, police said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 10:39:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- North China's Hebei Province reported three new confirmed domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the provincial health commission said Sunday. One of the patients worked in Beijing's currently closed Xinfadi wholesale farm produce market, which most of the recent domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases were related to. The other two were close contacts with previously confirmed cases in Beijing. Hebei reported no new asymptomatic cases on Saturday, the commission said. By Saturday, 537 people who had close contact with confirmed cases were under medical observation in the province. There were also 10 asymptomatic cases under medical observation, among which five were imported cases. By Saturday, Hebei had registered a total of 334 confirmed domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases and 10 imported cases. Enditem An Italian collective brought dozens of migrants to safety Saturday in the country's first such arrival by a charity rescue ship since the coronavirus pandemic eased. The arrival of the Mare Ionio ship in Pozzallo, Sicily, on World Refugee Day, was hailed by human rights organisations who noted the unusual speed with which Italy assigned the Mediterranea charity group a port. "For once, the international law obliging the offer of a safe port, in a short time, has been respected," the group's head Alessandra Sciurba said in a statement. The Mare Ionio rescued 67 people Friday after their boat ran into difficulty some 40 nautical miles (70km) off Lampedusa. The group said the migrants had been without water for two days. "For the first time for years, a 'place of safety' has been assigned in less than 24 hours. It should be automatic," Italian journalist and migrant specialist Nello Scavo tweeted. Mediterranea called for a port of safety to be extended also to the crew and migrants aboard the German Sea Watch 3 vessel, which took onboard around 100 people off the coast of Libya earlier this week. The Pozzallo arrival was the first by a charity vessel since April, when Rome said it was closing its ports owing to the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted a nationwide lockdown in March, IOM said. The Italian group said it was patrolling the central Mediterranean because European governments were failing to fulfil their responsibility "to safeguard human lives". The International Organization for Migration's spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo said at least 227 people had died while attempting the perilous crossing since the start of the year. "It remains dangerous, with two shipwrecks last week and one today," he told AFP. The last few days in particular in the central Mediterranean "have been some of the most frantic this year", Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Twitter. "At least 800 people tried to escape (from) Libya," MSF Sea said. German authorities expressed shock Sunday over a rampage of an "unprecedented scale" overnight in the city centre of Stuttgart, where hundreds of party-goers ran riot, attacking police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows. Two dozen people, half of them German nationals, were arrested provisionally, as police reported 19 colleagues hurt. "They were unbelievable scenes that have left me speechless. In my 46 years of police service, I have never experienced this," said Stuttgart police chief Frank Lutz. Tensions built up shortly after midnight when officers carried out checks on a 17-year-old German man suspected of using drugs, said Stuttgart deputy police chief Thomas Berger. Crowds who were milling around at the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz, immediately rallied around the young man and began flinging stones and bottles at police. The groups of mostly men also used sticks or poles to smash windows of police vehicles parked in the area. "I sharply condemn this brutal outbreak of violence, these acts against people and things are criminal action that must be forcefully prosecuted and condemned," Baden-Wuerttemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann said in a statement. At the height of the clashes, some 400 to 500 people joined in the battle against police officers and rescue workers. As officers pushed back against the crowd, they broke up into small groups, carrying on their rampage around the city centre, smashing shop windows and looting stores along nearby Koenigstrasse, a major shopping street. - 'Party scene' - Videos posted on Twitter showed people breaking shop windows, leaving goods strewn on the streets. A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked, according to regional broadcaster SWR. In all, nine shops were looted while 14 others suffered damage such as broken windows. As smaller scale clashes had already broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people, officers had already bulked up their deployment overnight with an extra 100-strong team. But the scale of the violence overwhelmed the officers, forcing them to call in reinforcements from other parts of the state. Only four and a half hours later were they able to quell the violence that has been described as "civil war-like scenes" by Social Democrat regional MP Sascha Binder. Police on Sunday ruled out any political motives for the rampage, describing the perpetrators as people from the "party scene or events scene". An unusually large number of people were in the city centre to enjoy the summer's night because discos and clubs are still shut over he coronavirus pandemic, said Stuttgart mayor Fritz Kuhn. Some of the rioters were charged up by alcohol, he said, adding that others may have been driven by "the addiction of putting a little film on social media." Asked about the nationalities of the 12 non-Germans who were detailed, Berger said they stemmed from a range of countries from Croatia and Portugal to Afghanistan and Somalia. Calling the riots of "an unprecedented nature," interior minister for the region Thomas Strobl vowed to "use all available means available under the rule of law to go after the rioters." Cobain played the acoustic guitar at MTV Unplugged five months before he died. The guitar used by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain during the band's famous MTV Unplugged concert in New York has sold for $6m (4.85m) at auction. The 1959 Martin D-18E featured in the grunge group's acclaimed acoustic performance in November 1993, five months before Cobain's death at the age of 27. There had been fevered interest in the guitar in the weeks leading up to the sale. It was sold to Australian Peter Freedman, owner of Rode Microphones, at the Music Icons event run by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Cobain also used the guitar on the band's Unplugged live album, and songs including About A Girl and All Apologies. Last year, the cardigan Cobain wore during the Unplugged performance was sold by Julien's Auctions for a record $334,000 (260,000). Items that belonged to other iconic musicians were also sold at the auction, including a blue guitar played by Prince at the height of his fame in the 1980s and 1990s. The custom-made instrument had previously been thought to have been lost during the four years since his death from an overdose at age 57 in 2016. :: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A macrame belt worn by Elvis Presley and an ivory gown worn by Madonna in her 1990 Vogue video were also snapped up by fans. Lucknow, June 21 : The states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana have taken a joint decision of not allowing the annual 'kanwar' yatra that was scheduled to begin from July 6. The annual pilgrimage of Shiva devotees was a major event that had assumed even larger proportions in the Yogi regime with state helicopter showering petals on the devotees. In 2019, over 4 crore devotees visited Haridwar alone during the auspicious month of Saawan. According to a government spokesman, the decision to not allow the 'kanwar' yatra came after a video-conference between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand and Haryana -- Trivendra Singh Rawat and Manohar Lal Khattar respectively, late on Saturday night. Yogi also directed senior police officials and divisional commissioners to inform religious leaders, kanwar associations and peace committees about the decision. The government spokesperson said, "The Chief Minister has said that religious leaders and kanwar associations should, in turn, appeal to devotees not to take out the yatra this year in view of the pandemic. It has also been decided to strictly implement COVID-19 protocols during the Shiva temples in the month of 'Saawan'. The Shiva temples attract huge number of devotees during the month of 'Saawan' and the state government has decided not to allow more then five devotees in the temple at a time. A large number of Shiva devotees visit Shiva temples in Haridwar, Gaumukh and Garhmukhteshwar to take a holy dip in Ganga and they fill pots with Ganga Jal, which they then carry back to temples near their homes. The ban on 'kanwar' yatra is the fourth major decision in the COVID-19 times that has impacted festivals. All temples had remained shut during Navratri in April and then congregation of Muslims was disallowed during Eid. The Bada Mangal festival was also put off due to the pandemic. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: In view of the intense lockdown in Chennai and three neighboring districts, the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board on Sunday appealed to the authorities concerned to allow animal shelters and pet shops to remain operational. In a letter, A Gnanesekaran, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AJD&VS) and Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, said all veterinary institutions, including both government and private hospitals, clinics, veterinary dispensaries and sub centres, should be permitted to operate. He sought relaxations to these facilities from the lockdown, and requested for passing such an order to all the subordinate offices in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts. "I am reiterating that the many letters from the joint secretary of Government of India, principal secretary AHD&F of Tamil Nadu government and the Animal Welfare Board of India have been sent to all related departments stating that animal husbandry and other veterinary services-related activities are considered as essential services and shall be permitted to function with observance of government regulations," he said. All animal shelters are to be kept operational as they offer protection and other health services to animals on a regular basis. Their staff with suitable ID may be permitted to attend to their duties in the shelters. Community dog feeders who observe COVID-19 precautions shall be permitted to feed homeless dogs. "Besides, pet shops selling feed and shops selling cattle and poultry feed should also be allowed to operate their business," Gnanesekaran said. Many animal welfare activists have expressed difficulties in serving the wounded homeless animals due to lockdown restrictions. Searching online for a quality regatta to attend, brothers Henry and Finn Ciszuwski went down the checklist. They needed good weather, solid winds and strong competition. Thats why the two, and their mom, made the seven-hour drive from Deltaville, Va., to Charleston to take part in the James Island Yacht Club Regatta. Traveling to different areas and finding new people to compete against makes you better, said Henry Ciszuwski, 17, as he and his 14-year-old brother stood next to their Laser sailboat. So its exciting to be here for the first time. Despite concerns of the coronavirus pandemic, the James Island Yacht Club regatta saw close to its regular attendance over Fathers Day weekend. Roughly 120 boats hit the water, with sailors using the race as a way to take their minds off of the problems back on land. Many of the usual faces attended the event. But much like the Ciszuwskis, several other out-of-towners made the trip to the Lowcountry for a weekend of racing. Andrey Siletskiy, and his son, Kirill, are members of the South Carolina Yacht Club and drove from Bluffton so Kirill could compete. The 10-year-old first started sailing three years ago when they lived in Austria and kept up with the sport once they came to the states. The junior racer recently advanced from a Green Fleet sailor to a White Fleet, and he was excited to compete against some of the more experienced sailors in the higher level. His dad said its important for him to gain that experience while staying safe, as COVID-19 case numbers across the state continue to spike. The Department of Health and Environmental Control announced another 907 confirmed cases on Sunday. Were following the protocols, washing our hands and keeping the boat clean, Andrey Siletskiy said. Since the quarantine, we dont take these opportunities for granted. We want to stay safe and make the most of these experiences. Like every other year, the regatta saw its usual array of boats in the Charleston harbor, including Lasers, Optimists and Sea Island One Designs, which originated in the Lowcountry. Sunfish, Y Flyer and Lightning boats also competed over the weekend. Local resident Mike Miller raced in the Sea Island One Design class. As a longtime competitor and sailing enthusiast, Miller was glad the pandemic didnt put an anchor in the regatta. We do this so that we can put all of that aside and have a singular focus that relieves us from whats going on, he said. Thats why we race in general. Youre in the moment in a sailboat race. You dont have to worry about anything else, and so its wonderful that were able to continue that tradition. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the nation Friday that Australian organisations are currently suffering a sophisticated cyber attack from another country, which he declined to name. The attack has been ongoing for several months, he said, targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers, and operators of other critical infrastructure. Morrison also urged a significant defence against cyber attacks, two months after a 2016 Department of Homeland Security strategy lapsed in April 2020, with a replacement strategy effort that began in September 2019 remaining incomplete. He criticised the current home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, strongly for the lack of action, and praised the previous effort as forward-thinking but said that effort must be expanded and renewed. [ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through CSO Onlines newsletters. ] The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASCS) has published detailed about the attack methods, noting they rely on open source techniques. The most prevalent being the exploitation of public-facing infrastructureprimarily through the use of remote code execution vulnerability in unpatched versions of Telerik UI, it said. Other vulnerabilities in public-facing infrastructure leveraged by the actor include exploitation of a deserialisation vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), a 2019 SharePoint vulnerability, and the 2019 Citrix vulnerability. The ACSC also said the attacker has used spearfish methods, such as linking to credential-harvesting websites, linking to malicious files, attaching malicious files to emails, and using spoofed links that prompt users to grant Microsoft Office 365 OAuth tokens to the attacker. Some security experts said the cyber attacks are not as sophisticated as Morrison claimed, but still serve as a warning to Australian organisationsand perhaps gave Morrison an opportunity to warn the attacking country that its efforts are known and to stand down. Speculation as to which country is behind the attacks centres on China, which has been alleged to be behind many such attacks across many countries over many years, largely for espionage. Reports recently claimed that China reactivated one cyber attack group last year targeting multiple countries and that China had stolen attack methods from the US National Security Agency. China denied involvement in the current attacks. As for Australia, there has been a lot of sword rattling against Australia recently given pressure around a COVID-19 investigation [on Chinas alleged withholding of crucial inforrmation early in the pandemic]. China recently described Australia as gum on its shoe so its not a far stretch to suspect China in the recent attacks, notes CSO Australia contributor David Braue. (Natural News) California residents are now required to don face masks and other types of face coverings as the state reopens, according to new measures filed by the California Department of Public Health. According to California governor Gavin Newsom, residents, with the exception of children, hearing-impaired individuals and those with certain medical conditions, must now cover their mouths and noses in most indoor and outdoor settings whenever social distancing isnt possible. The new mandate, which was released Thursday, carries the same weight as any other state order, officials said, noting that residents committing violations may face penalties. Science shows that face coverings and masks work, Newsom said in a statement, stressing that the coverings are critical tools that must be used to keep people safe from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the Wuhan coronavirus. (Related: Coronavirus masks? Theyre helpful because asymptomatic people dont even know theyre spreading it) They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy, the governor said. Newsom repeated the announcement on his Twitter account, noting that Californians compliance with the order can help slow down the spread of the infectious disease. NEW: Californians are now REQUIRED to wear face coverings in public spaces. Together we can slow the spread. Do your part. Wear a mask. LEARN MORE: https://t.co/xtXFwVeWc2 Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 18, 2020 In an interview with ABC, Newsom noted that the decision to enforce the new ruling stemmed from the steady increase in new COVID-19 infections. Our numbers are going up, not going down. Hospitalization numbers are just starting to creep back up, and Im very concerned by what were seeing, Newsom said in his interview, adding that the most impactful thing they can think of to slow the spread of the pandemic without enforcing another lockdown, is to wear face coverings. Over 4,000 new positive cases were recorded on June 18, bringing Californias total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 161,000. The states daily death rate, however, as reported by Mercury News, has been relatively stable, with state authorities logging a steady rate of 60 and 70 daily deaths for all of June a slight dip compared to the 70 to 80 daily deaths recorded from April 18 to May 24. Californias strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations. That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands and practicing physical distancing, Newsom said. Newsons order to require masks and facial coverings in both indoor and outdoor settings also came after the state authorized establishments such as restaurants, bars, malls, hair salons, parks, beaches, hotels, and gyms to reopen. Nightclubs and movie theaters will still remain closed, however. Other states such as Michigan, New York, Maine, Delaware and Maryland have also enforced statewide mask orders in order to curb the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, which has infected over 2.2 million and killed 119,131 Americans as of press time. As reported by National Public Radio, Newsoms new order is likely to be met with resistance by several individuals who see them as an infringement on their rights and liberties. This could be in reference to Florida and North Carolina, where directives pertaining to mandatory mask-wearing were met with protests and mask-burning events. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chairman of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, shared a similar sentiment, noting in an interview with USA Today that throughout history, mandates surrounding public health have always been challenged by individuals who see them as matters that threaten individual liberties. But people do need to be realistic. Were in the middle of a pandemic and not close to the end, well be co-existing with it for at least 18 months. So measures need to be taken. For similar stories about the Wuhan coronavirus and the global COVID-19 pandemic, head over to Pandemic.news. Sources include: WSJ.com Breitbart.com ABC7.com MercuryNews.com NPR.org CBS17.com USAToday.com "to Reign Thirty years after the reunification: in the Federal Republic of Germany" was the title of a meeting of the German Association for political science, to the Marion Reiser, in Jena, Chair for the political System of the Federal Republic of Germany, in their University had been invited. As the participants in the 14. February in Jena arrived, had won the topic of unexpected relevance. On the same day, the Federal Council met in Berlin, and Thuringia was not represented. Of the votes of the AfD selected, is now managing, without the Minister acting Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich stayed away from the meeting. In Thuringia, it is observed as if under a burning glass, the Disappearance of the old Federal Republic of Germany. For the first time a left party politician as Prime Minister in 2014 in Erfurt, Germany with Bodo Ramelow, followed in 2020 by the first Prime Minister of the grace of the AfD. The recent Premiere, it was on 4. March: The left head of government returned to office, thanks to a deal with the CDU. Franziska Carstensen (Hagen) spoke about the institutions transfer on the basis of the country-tags-by-laws of the Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. Mainz rules of procedure was adopted for Erfurt completely. Not back to the own constitutional tradition, but to the West in 1990, the glance was directed. There were some language discrepancies in the case of offices, designations, references had to be in the Constitution differently. Because Thuringia was at this time no Constitution. This, the Parliament decided only in 1993 at the Wartburg. The only eight of the ten paragraphs of the "Preliminary land Statute", which was proclaimed in accordance with their final determination by posting a notice in the state Parliament and the "district authorities", relics from the times of the GDR, "as well as Read out to the radio" were considered. The Details are regulated in "the rules of procedure of the Landtag." And: "at the latest" by the end of 1992 should be repealed. Updated Date: 21 June 2020, 07:20 Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images There have been so many reasons to feel embarrassed about Donald Trump. Related: John Bolton: judge declines to block tell-all Trump book There was the time he paid off a porn star. There was the time he lied about the size of his inauguration crowd. The time he talked about the big water around Puerto Rico. The time he thought you could kill the coronavirus by injecting yourself with bleach. But nothing truly comes close to the embarrassment of his so-called comeback rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. It was so toe-curlingly cringeworthy, such a crushing humiliation. There are 80s pop bands who have enjoyed greater comebacks than Donald Trump. To understand how much of his insides will always melt at the thought of that Tulsa rally, its worth quoting Trumps fine words just before he boarded Marine One at the White House. The event in Oklahoma is unbelievable, he boasted. The crowds are unbelievable. They havent seen anything like it. And we will go there now. Well give a, hopefully, good speech. Were going to see a lot of great people, a lot of great friends. And pretty much, thats it. OK? Trump got punked by several hundred thousand TikTok users, organized by a grandmother in Fort Dodge, Iowa We really havent seen anything like that. For a man who loves peddling superlatives, this was the worst measure of his oh-so-sad popularity. The lowest point in electoral incompetence. The saddest campaign fiasco. The event in Oklahoma was literally unbelievable if you believe that the Trump campaign is competent, and that Trump himself is actually popular. Thats the weird thing about our populist president: his approval ratings have never cracked 50% and are now stuck firmly in the low 40s. Perhaps thats why hes trailing Joe Biden by double-digits in recent polls. As Trump likes to say: Pretty much, thats it. At least it is for everyone grifting at the Trump campaign. Especially Brad Parscale, the Ferrari-driving manager who went from website builder to social media genius in 2016 but who now faces an imminent return to his website-building career, after predicting a monster rally in Tulsa. Story continues Parscale bragged about over 1m ticket requests earlier this week, a number he was so confident about that he built an outdoor event stage for Trump to talk to the massive overflow crowd. That was the day after Parscale tweeted about the biggest data haul and rally signup of all time by 10x. Saturday is going to be amazing! Brad, it was indeed amazing. You got punked by several hundred thousand TikTok users, organized by a grandmother in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Mary Jo Laupp was apparently so upset by the original date and place of Trumps rally the city where one of Americas worst racist massacres took place, in 1921 that she asked people to sign up for the rally and not show up. Laupp only joined TikTok earlier this year, but her call connected with thousands of K-Pop fans who are what Trump might call a silent majority. Trump knows as much about Korean pop as he does about the Tulsa massacre and Juneteenth, the original date of his epic comeback rally. Of course he had to ask a black Secret Service agent to explain the meaning of Juneteenth, the holiday marking the emancipation of enslaved people. I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous, he told the Wall Street Journal. Its actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it. As it happened, nobody has ever heard of Trumps comeback either. Thats in Oklahoma, a state he won by 36 points in 2016. A state no Democratic presidential nominee has won since 1964. Perhaps the Secret Service could do Trump another favor by explaining how his official excuse for the miserable crowds is even more laughable than all that bragging about MAGA fans. Sadly protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally, said Tim Murtaugh, a campaign spokesman who should urgently seek alternative employment. CNN reporters estimated there were around 175 protesters in Tulsa, so few, in fact, that the sidewalks were clear. Pool reporters traveling with the presidential motorcade said they saw no protesters or supporters en route. This is the second time in one week that Trump has blown up his own campaign. If the geniuses running his train-wreck of a re-election had any argument against Biden it was this: Biden was soft on China and too unpopular to build a crowd. But then came John Boltons book, revealing Trumps bootlicking approach to being tough on China. Trump told Xi Jinping he was the greatest leader in Chinese history, which is quite a long time, according to the Secret Service. Then the campaign was readying the most awesome contrast between the Tulsa rally and Bidens socially-distanced campaigning. Barely There Biden was supposed to be the sequel to Beijing Biden. Theres something else thats barely there: Trump supporters. Supporters listen to Trump speak. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP To be fair, if they werent discouraged by the many dozens of protesters, Trumps multitude of Maga-heads might have been discouraged by the pandemic that is now surging in, um, Tulsa. The Trump White House and campaign would love its fans to pretend the pandemic has disappeared, like a miracle, just as Trump said it would. Sadly six of their own staffers tested positive for the virus on the day of the Tulsa rally, so this is a miracle that is moving as quickly as a president shuffling down a ramp. Trump told the crowd at great length why he couldnt possibly walk down a ramp unaided. He even re-enacted his walk down the deadly incline. He also treated them to a long excuse about why he couldnt hold a glass of water with one hand. It apparently has something to do with protecting his expensive silk tie. Man of the people, that Trump guy. Just as well he didnt try to heal the nations racial divide. He might have tried to re-enact something far worse. For the half-filled arena (capacity 19,000), it was hardly worth risking infection for this mask-free, fact-free and momentum-free event. I wish they would spread out a bit, said CNNs doctor-in-chief Sanjay Gupta. It looks like they have the space to do so. Soon there will be even more space freed up at Trumps campaign headquarters. Team Trump: dont bother planning another rally. You are about to lose your job. : President Donald Trump has made yet another foray into the ongoing India-China conflict, saying the Asian neighbours are dealing with a big problem and the United States will try to help them out. Though Trump did not repeat his earlier offer of mediation, which has been firmly turned down by both India and China, he did say the United States is talking to them. The President, in a short reply to a reporters question before departing the White House for his election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday evening, said: Its a very tough situation... Were talking to India. Were talking to China. He added: Theyve got a big problem there. Theyve come to blows, and well see what happens. Well try and help them out. On May 29, the US President made an explicit offer of mediation and had gone on to claim that he had discussed the situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They had not till then, but did later in a June 2 call. Trump did not pursue his offer after being turned down. Trump has been keen to intercede in that part of Asia one way or another for months now. He first offered to mediate the India-Pakistan tensions last summer in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack. Though the first offer, elicited from him by the visiting Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, was swiftly rejected by New Delhi, the President persisted, using a range of synonyms even as the offers were firmly rejected by India. In the India-China conflict, while Trump has not clearly picked sides, his secretary of state Michael Pompeo has been explicit on who is to blame. The PLA has escalated border tensions we see it today in India, the worlds most popular, populous democracy, Pompeo said, referring to the Chinese military in a virtual conference of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday. He went on to call China a rogue actor, not only to its Asian neighbourhood but far beyond to the rest of the world. The top American diplomat also conveyed his condolences on the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in deadly June 15 clashes that marked the first fatalities on the India-China border in 45 years. He made no mention of the Chinese casualties. The Chinese have not declared their fatalities, but they are estimated to have lost more than 40 soldiers, according to Indian officials. US lawmakers have also been clear about their view of the face-off that have been on for weeks. I am extremely concerned by the ongoing Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control on the India-China border, Eliot Engel, a Democrat who heads the powerful House foreign affairs committee, said in a statement earlier in the month. China is demonstrating once again that it is willing to bully its neighbours rather than resolve conflicts according to international law. In a shocking admission during his Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally on Saturday night, US President Donald Trump said he had told officials in his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because of the rising number of cases in America, and used a racist term to describe the coronavirus. "You know testing is a double-edged sword," Trump said while complaining about media coverage of his handling of the virus. He said that the US has now tested some 25 million people. "Here's the bad part... when you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people; you're going to find more cases. So I said to my people, slow the testing down please." At another point during the rally, he said Covid-19 has more names than any other disease: "I can name Kung Flu," he said using the racist term, "I can name 19 different versions of them." Trump's revelation was shocking given that nearly 120,000 people have died in the United States from the coronavirus and medical experts have long said that testing is critical to identifying cases, tracing them and stopping the spread of the virus. After Trump made the comment about testing, an administration official told CNN that the president was "obviously kidding" when he said that he asked for a slowdown. The president, basking in cheers from the crowd -- which was smaller than expected, did not seem to realise the weight of the words that he had uttered, continuing on through a rambling speech where he spoke at length about a slick ramp that he had to walk down after his speech at West Point. His grievance-laden speech, however, centered on what he views as America's need for a law-and-order president to push back the radical left, and his argument that former Vice President Joe Biden is not mentally fit for the job. Trump touted the accomplishments of his administration while vilifying protesters, whom he referred to as "left-wing radicals, who have taken to the streets to protest racism in the days since George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Suggesting that protesters had kept away the crowds away from his rally, Trump called the attendees at the Tulsa arena "warriors" and said there were "some very bad people outside, although CNN reporters on the ground saw no evidence of that interference. Ignoring the coronavirus raging in the state, he quickly turned to his campaign message touting his appointments of conservative judges, his efforts to rebuild the American military, the tax cuts that he championed and his vow to be the president of law and order. "Republicans are the party of liberty, equality and justice for all," Trump said shortly after taking the stage. "We are the party of Abraham Lincoln and we are the party of law and order." "Five months from now we're going to defeat Sleepy Joe Biden," he said, before mocking Biden by suggesting that he often doesn't know what state he's campaigning in. Trump criticised the media for failing to give him credit for the number of Americans who have now been tested for Covid-19 and played up the harm that the "radical left" has inflicted on police. Trump argued that his administration's "incredible success in rebuilding America" stands in stark contrast to "the extremism, and destruction, and violence of the radical left." He argued that he sent in the National Guard after watching the protests in Minneapolis. "You saw these thugs that came along -- these people call them protesters," he said, singling out the protesters in Seattle. "Americans have watched left wing radicals burn down buildings loot businesses, destroy private property, injure hundreds of dedicated police officers." He charged that Democrats are trying to "demolish our heritage" -- referring to the tearing down of Confederate monuments -- and replace it with their "oppressive regime." And he railed against the calls by some protesters to defund the police, claiming at one point that Americans will call 911 and the number will be out of service. "These people are stone-cold crazy," Trump said. Smaller-Than-Expected Crowd In the days leading up to Trump's Saturday rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he and his allies ginned up expectations for a massive crowd with campaign officials telling CNN that more than a million people had registered to attend, and one local official stating they expected 100,000 to show up near the arena. But those crowds didn't appear as large as expected Saturday afternoon, leading to an abrupt change of plans by the campaign. A campaign source told CNN that the team was abandoning plans for the President to speak to an "overflow" area outside the arena in Tulsa where only a couple dozen people were standing near the outdoor stage less than two hours before the rally. The campaign had been leaning toward cancelling Trump's remarks to the overflow crowd for fear of angering the president if there aren't as many people there as he expected when he lands. Shortly before the rally began, a CNN producer who signed up for rally tickets received a text from the Trump campaign telling people to come inside: "The Great American Comeback Celebration's almost here! Doors are OPEN at the BOK Center. Pres. Trump can't wait. There's still space!" On Saturday, Trump's campaign communications director asserted that the smaller-than-expected crowds were partially a result of interference by protesters -- though none of the many CNN reporters and producers on the ground in Tulsa saw any incident with protesters trying to block supporters from attending. The President had hoped that the Tulsa rally would mark a triumphant return to the campaign trail more than 100 days after the coronavirus shut down the country and halted all in-person campaigning. Recent national polls have shown Trump falling far behind Biden, in head-to-head matchups. By trying to resume the massive gatherings that fuelled his 2016 bid, Trump is hoping to reinvigorate his re-election bid in the midst of a pandemic, a recession and a national debate over racism. Still, for Trump, the quick trip to Tulsa is a welcome respite from the controversy over yet another firing that looks like it's meant to protect him -- this time of a powerful prosecutor investigating his associates. A Rally Amid Controversy Though many medical experts, including top health officials within his administration, have warned against large gatherings at a time when coronavirus cases are rising in Oklahoma, Trump is holding this evening's event at the indoor Bank of Oklahoma Center arena, creating the potential for what medical professionals refer to as a "super spreader" event. Few rallygoers were wearing masks as they entered the venue to take seats that were right next to one another. The crowd standing near the stage was already tightly packed as people without face coverings stood face-to-face talking to one another as loud music played in the background. Trump initially was scheduled to hold the rally on Friday, which would have fallen on Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. That decision angered many progressive leaders and protesters who have been in the streets demonstrating against racism in the weeks since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The decision was particularly fraught because of Tulsa's history as the site of one of the worst racially-motivated massacres in US history in 1921 when a White mob attacked Black residents and business owners in the Tulsa neighbourhood known as Greenwood. The President changed the rally date to Saturday in what he described as a gesture of respect to the observance of Juneteenth, but he has continued to antagonize protesters. On Friday, he warned in a tweet that protesters could be roughly handled. "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" he tweeted. This weekend, the Trump administration was engulfed in a new controversy after Attorney General William Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, was stepping down. Berman said in a statement Friday night that he had no intention of leaving his office. That led Barr to write a letter to Berman stating that he had asked the President to remove him, "and he has now done so," Barr wrote. As he departed from the White House Saturday for Oklahoma, Trump said he is "not involved" in the attempted firing of Berman, and that the decision was up to Barr. Earlier in the day, a federal judge denied the administration's attempts to block the upcoming publication of a book by former national security adviser John Bolton. Trump spent much of Saturday upset because he believes the coverage of Berman and the campaign staffers who have tested for coronavirus are overshadowing what he'd hoped would be his triumphant return to the campaign trail, one person familiar with the matter told CNN. He was frustrated about the coverage of Berman's ouster and the six staffers because he hoped to see the cable news covering the crowd outside the rally arena, the person said. Trump was also irritated at having to do the rally on a Saturday night instead of Friday because he believes fewer people will tune in, another person familiar said. The New York Times first reported Trump's frustration. A Public Health Gamble The Trump campaign's gamble in holding a big rally at a time when Covid-19 cases are rising in nearly half the states across the country was already apparent Saturday when CNN confirmed that six members of the campaign's advance team tested positive (out of hundreds of tests that were performed, the campaign said). Tulsa County reported a new record of daily coronavirus cases on Saturday -- the fifth record-setting day this week. Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was in the arena ahead of the rally wearing a mask, but Trump's son Eric Trump was not wearing a mask. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford is in the crowd wearing a mask, but his colleague, Sen. Jim Inhofe, whose age puts him in a high risk category, is not. The President, who has never worn a mask in front of the media, told The Wall Street Journal earlier this week that he was comfortable with his supporters wearing masks. "They can wear them or not," he told the newspaper. "I want them to be happy." Campaign aides are tested before events, per the Trump campaign's safety protocols. The campaign says it is taking extra steps to keep rallygoers safe. "As previously announced, all rally attendees are given temperature checks before going through security, at which point they are given wristbands, facemasks and hand sanitizer," campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told CNN in a statement Saturday. But face masks -- which Trump's own public health experts recommend to slow the spread of the virus -- are not required inside in the rally. While the Trump campaign created an overflow area for the Tulsa rally outdoors -- an environment that epidemiologists say is safer than in an indoor venue -- most of the crowd appeared to be centered in the arena. "The set-up for the rally is currently a confluence of conditions that lead to thriving of the virus," Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, told CNN's Ana Cabrera on CNN's "Newsroom" Saturday afternoon. "People are inside; they're close to one another; they're (not) wearing masks; they're yelling. This is exactly the condition in which the virus can really spread quickly from one to another, that leads to super-spreader events." SOUTH HAVEN, MI Clementines, a popular South Haven restaurant, is temporarily closed after a kitchen fire broke out Saturday afternoon. Firefighters responded to the fire at 1:30 p.m. June 20, at the 500 Phoenix St. restaurant, according to a South Haven Area Emergency Services news release After employees reportedly smelled smoke, the fire was discovered in a first-floor kitchen wall behind a broiler, authorities said. Employees and customers were safely evacuated from the business and the fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters, according to the release. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The restaurant announced the kitchen fire in a Facebook post. Everyone was safely evacuated and the small smolder was contained, the post reads. However, our kitchen took a little beating in the process. Because of the fire, the restaurant will be closed for the remainder of the weekend and will later announce a reopening date, according to the post. The temporary closure comes the same week that the restaurant had reopened after being closed for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Clementines had opened June 15 at 50 percent capacity, according to its Facebook page. A South Haven firefighter was treated at the scene of the kitchen fire for heat exhaustion, according to the release. The outdoor temperature at the time was 91 degrees, authorities said. More on MLive: Fire ravages home near South Haven Fire damages Norton Shores home, shuts road temporarily Portage house fire causes an estimated $50K in damage Melbourne's Channel 31 and some of the country's best-known entertainers have asked the federal government to back down on its plan to boot community television off the airwaves at the end of the month. But the government is so far holding firm, arguing the community TV industry has had several deadline extensions and years to adapt to an online-only business model. C31 general manager Shane Dunlop. Credit:Justin McManus C31's general manager, Shane Dunlop, says his station has been trying to go completely digital for years but the process has been long and arduous due to the need to test different platforms and revenue models. The COVID-19 pandemic, he says, has wrecked any chance of C31 meeting the upcoming June 30 deadline. "What was a challenging scenario three months ago has become an impossible task at the hands of the pandemic," he said. "If there's no alternative use for the spectrum, why wouldn't the government want to support community television to be able to make a successful transition at a future date when it's actually possible?" Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A former friend of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner said the German laughed at jokes about keeping the missing girl in his cellar. He said Brueckner, 43, waved around a police summons about Madeleine's disappearance when he was living in Braunschweig, near Hanover, in 2013. Brueckner laughed when friends joked about him keeping her in his basement and boasted the police had no evidence on him, the former friend claimed. A former friend of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Bruckner (left) says the German laughed at jokes he was hiding the missing girl in his basement. He said Brueckner, 43, waved around a police summons about Madeleine's (right) disappearance when he was living in Braunschweig, near Hanover, Germany Brueckner was living in Braunschweig, Germany, when he was summoned for questioning by German police in 2013 The former friend who now says he is 'disgusted' by Brueckner recalled the German waving around a legal document sent by German police. He said: 'He laughed about it and said it was a summons. He was just waving this piece of paper about. I felt like it was like a little trophy to him. 'After a couple of weeks we started winding him up about it saying "Maddies downstairs in the cellar. Come on Christian get Maddie out of the cellar". 'Hed smirk and laugh and then say "leave me alone, leave me alone",' the friend told The Mirror. A former friend who now says he is 'disgusted' by Brueckner recalled the German boasting German police had no evidence when they summoned him for questioning The former friend said Brueckner appeared to have rehearsed what he was saying while denying his involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. He said it now feels like the German police did not take the case seriously enough at the time. Police revealed they told the suspect he was being investigated in relation to the case before interviewing him, giving him the chance to dispose of evidence. Serafim Vieira (pictured) Portuguese lawyer of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, branded his client a psychopath The revelations come after Brueckner's former lawyer branded his client a psychopath who may be behind the youngsters disappearance. Serafim Vieira represented the German drifter when he was arrested for stealing diesel from trucks in 2006 the year before the youngster vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. The respected advocate was appointed by the Portuguese state to represent Brueckner at the Portimao Criminal Court because he could not afford to pay for a lawyer. The German who revealed his past crimes of the sexual assault and abuse of children and burglary to the judge - was found guilty of theft and fined and served eight months in jail. Speaking to MailOnline Mr Vieira said: I will not surprised if Christian Brueckner is found guilty of the murder of Madeleine McCann. If it was Brueckner that kidnapped her I hope he will be made an example of. He must pay for what he did. I believe it could have been Brueckner because of the circumstances and what I learned about him. Egypt warns Turkey, orders army to be ready for intervention in Libya Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 9:31 PM Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has warned of direct military intervention in Libya if Turkish-backed forces continue their advance. Sisi said on Saturday the Libyan cities of Sirte and Jufra, which the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) is pushing to capture, are a red line for Egypt, warning the internationally recognized GNA not to cross the current front line with renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). "If some people think that they can cross the Sirte-Jufra front line, this is a red line for us," he said before an audience that included some Libyan tribal leaders. "If the Libyan people moved through you and asked us to intervene, this would be a signal to the world that Egypt and Libya are one country, one interest," he added. During a tour of an airbase near Egypt's 1,200km-long (746 miles) western border with Libya, Sisi ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission inside or outside the country to protect its national security amid tensions over Turkey's intervention in Libya. "Be prepared to carry out any mission, here inside our borders - or if necessary, outside our borders," he told air force pilots and special forces personnel at the base, according to Al Jazeera. He said the Egyptian army was "one of the strongest in the region", adding, "It is a rational army; an army that protects and does not threaten ... this is our strategy, our beliefs and our principles that we will never change." Sisi's remarks a 'war declaration' In reaction to the Egyptian president's comments, the Libyan army said Sisi's comments were "a clear declaration of war and a blatant interference" in Libyan affairs. "[Abdel] al-Sisi's statements that Sirte and Jufra are a red line, according to his description, is a blatant interference in our country's affairs, and we consider it a clear declaration of a war on Libya," Abdel-Hadi Darah, a military spokesman of Path of Victory operation, said in a statement. "Our heroic forces are determined to complete the journey and liberate the entire region from terrorist militias [loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar], their mercenaries as well as their supporters," he added. Earlier, Turkey had urged that forces loyal to General Haftar pull out of the strategic city of Sirte for a lasting ceasefire. Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin made the remarks on Saturday, reiterating that Ankara fully supports Libya's UN-backed government and that Sirte and al-Jufra should be cleared of the presence of Haftar's forces for a "sustainable ceasefire." Turkey supports the GNA, which, with Turkish support, has reversed a 14-month assault on the capital by the LNA. The LNA is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address History is moving at lightning speed right now. After the May 25 killing of African American George Floyd by Minneapolis police, the Black Lives Matter movement has quickly pushed racial issues to the forefront of national debate. Not since the 1960s civil rights movement has race in America drawn such focus. The debate over racism and treatment of people of color in the present day has spilled over to revitalized criticism of Americas original colonizers, some of whom have been proudly called conquistadors, or conquerors, in the past. Christopher Columbus statues around the country are being taken down, and one in Boston was beheaded. In our neighborhood, the focus has been on Spanish conquistador Don Juan de Onate, including huge statues of him in Albuquerque and Alcalde. Onates troops killed 800 people in Acoma Pueblo and ordered his men to cut off the foot of at least 24 native combatants. Spanish authorities years later convicted him on charges of use of excessive force and exiled him from New Mexico. But Onate paved the way for European civilization here and the Spanish settlers who are the ancestors of many in the state. He and Don Diego de Vargas, who led the re-occupation of Santa Fe 12 years after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, became revered icons of Spanish culture, a status possibly enhanced as Anglos and the outside world began to erode the influence of Hispanic tradition. The Onate sculptures were controversial before they were ever erected, with Native Americans raising objections to the glorification of a violent conqueror, and debate over them has never stopped. Famously, someone cut off the foot of Alcaldes Onate statue in 1998. Now, less than a month after George Floyds death, both Onate statues suddenly have been removed and placed in storage. Rio Arriba County Manager Tomas Campos deserves credit for having the Alcalde Onate statue taken down on Monday, ahead of any confrontational and potentially dangerous protests. Albuquerque waited, and an anti-Onate protester was shot by a defender of his statue during a melee later Monday. Whether or where the statues will be reinstalled isnt known. The speedy currents of change also charged through Santa Fe City Hall last week. In a just matter of a few days, city government went from taking a non-committal stance on various monuments to the mayors strong call for taking down three of them considered offensive to Native Americans. One statue is now gone. When first asked if there would be any follow-up on former Mayor Javier Gonzales inventory of historical monuments in Santa Fe and plans for discussion about what to do about them, Mayor Alan Webbers administration issued a statement to the Journal North saying the monuments can be a vehicle for dialogue and that erasure of history without conversation serves no one. But, on Wednesday, Webber changed course after the shooting in Albuquerque and plans were announced for a protest on the Santa Fe Plaza. He called for removal of a de Vargas statue in Cathedral Park, and yes, things really are moving fast it was gone by early Thursday morning. He also supported taking out an obelisk honoring Indian fighter Kit Carson in front of the federal courthouse and, probably most significantly, the obelisk at the center of the Plaza. It honors Civil War veterans who fought on the Union side and therefore against slavery but who also were soldiers fighting against what the monument originally described as savage Indians during the Indian Wars. The word savage famously was chiseled out by a righteous vandal in the 1970s and the damage was never repaired. Like the Onate statues, the Plaza spire has long been a focus of Native American anger as glorifying genocide. In 1973, the City Council voted to remove it, but that never happened, apparently because of complications over the Plazas national and state listings as a historic landmark. Despite that, the city made an unsuccessful effort to remove the obelisk in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Theres a good argument that removing the de Vargas statue and trying to pull out the Plaza obelisk were efforts to avoid damage to the monuments and dangerous scenes amid protests. Still, Webber went from urging dialogue to action in no time, leaving opponents of monument removal wondering when they get a chance to weigh in on the conversation. In the case of the de Vargas statue, Webber said it could be stored until a proper home for it is found. That may be a viable way forward for these monuments to the past not destruction, but preservation somewhere for that dialogue the city first promoted. And could the Plaza obelisk be saved with simply a change of text to honor a broader spectrum of New Mexico cultures and history? Some things are untenable and will simply continue to fester. Native Americans and others arent going to give up on their protests about statues and markers about conquest, particularly with the energy generated over the past several weeks. Webber helped negotiate the end of another long-simmering cultural sore spot, the Entrada pageant on the Plaza that commemorated de Vargas retaking of Santa Fe. Regarding the monuments, hes right when he said last week that simply leaving things as they are is not an option. New Delhi: The armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given full freedom in giving a befitting reply to any Chinese aggressive behaviour, government sources said on Sunday (June 20). The sources added that the Army, as well as the Indian Air Forces, have been ramping up their operational capabilities along the LAC to effectively deal with any Chinese misadventure. According to sources, the decision was taken in the high-level meeting held today between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top military brass on the situation in eastern Ladakh. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. According to sources, Rajnath told the top military brass to maintain strict vigil on Chinese activities around land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes, and asked them to adopt a tough approach in dealing with any misadventure by Chinese forces. Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in several areas of eastern Ladakh. The ties between the two countries came under severe strain after Chinese military killed 20 Indian Army personnel and injured around 76 in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15. The sources today also claimed that at least 45-50 Chinese troops were also killed during the violent confrontation, that went for almost 4 hours at Galwan valley on the intervening night of June 15-16. Notably, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has not talked about the number of casualties it suffered in the face-off. Because of the risk they can pose to birds, turbine projects such as Icebreaker often face stiff head winds, roiling even some groups that generally favor renewable energy. President Trump, whose administration is not among them, has repeatedly jumped into the fray. In a speech in Florida last December to young conservatives, he described the area under windmills as a bird graveyard. A 43-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of an Irish police detective in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on Wednesday night. Stephen Silver, from Aughaward, Foxford, in Co Mayo, was charged on Friday evening before a brief late appearance at Castlerea District Court. He is accused of shooting dead Colm Horkan, a detective with the Irish police force in Castlerea, a town of just 2,000 people 155km (95 miles) northwest of Dublin. Police said the incident happened just before midnight on Wednesday. Silver, dressed in black and with a glove on his right hand, was granted free legal aid and the court, in a special sitting, heard he is to receive a medical evaluation. He told the court: "I had no firearm on me." He was remanded in custody to appear again in court next Friday. As Silver appeared in court, hundreds of people lined the streets of Castlerea for a vigil for Detective Garda Horkan. The 49-year-old was from Co Mayo and had been a member of the police for 24 years. The Garda Representative Association said he is survived by his father, sister and four brothers. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris paid tribute to the shot officer. "I am deeply saddened by the death of my colleague, Detective Garda Colm Horkan," he said. "My thoughts, and the thoughts of all personnel in An Garda Siochana, are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea Garda Station and the detective unit he served in. "Colm served the communities he worked in with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Siochana." In a statement, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar extended his sympathies. "Every day our Gardai put themselves on the front line of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us," he said. "This requires regular acts of bravery and courage. Sometimes the outcome is tragic and a Garda makes the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties. Story continues "Our thoughts today are with all those grieving as a result of this tragic incident." He is the 89th member of the force to be killed in the line of duty. Anyone with information on this incident or who witnessed this incident should contact Castlerea Garda Station at 094 962 1635. Chicago Police officers outside of the Chicago Mercy Hospital in a file photo. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images) 9 Dead, 56 Shot in Chicago Fathers Day Weekend Violence; Toddler Killed Nine people have been killed, including four under the age of 18, and 47 more were injured in shootings across Chicago on Fathers Day weekend, police said. Two teenage boys, a 3-year-old, and a 13-year-old girl are among those who were killed, officials told ABC7 in Chicago. The 3-year-olds death was also confirmed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who wrote that our citys collective heart breaks to hear the unfathomable news of a 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed tonight on Chicagos West Side. There are simply no words to describe such a heinous, unconscionable act of cowardice to shoot at a toddler, Lightfoot wrote. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, officials said the toddler was identified as Mekay James, who was struck in the back when a suspect approached his fathers black SUV before firing several rounds. Our citys collective heart breaks to hear the unfathomable news of a 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed tonight on Chicagos West Side. There are simply no words to describe such a heinous, unconscionable act of cowardice to shoot at a toddler. Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2020 In one incident in the Austin neighborhood, two teenage boys were sitting on a porch when one noticed a laser being pointed at him, according to police. Gunshots then erupted, injuring the two boys, who are in good condition. However, a 13-year-old girl who was inside the home was shot in the neck during the incident and later died. The Chicago Sun-Times, citing the Cook County medical examiners office, identified the teen girl as Amaria Jones. Officials said that in a separate incident, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old male were killed in an alley in South Chicagos South Luella Avenue. A male suspect approached the two and opened fire. A running tally compiled by the Chicago Tribune says that 227 more people have been shot across Chicago this year, compared with the figures in 2019. So far, nearly 1,300 people have been shot. On Memorial Day weekend, which saw violent unrest in the wake of George Floyds death, more than 50 people were injured in shootings across the city. Ten people were fatally shot, marking the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in five years. The weekend violence came as Chicago aldermen announced a plan last week to remove police officers from city schools amid growing outcry for police reforms. Protesters take to the streets of Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2020. (Natasha Moustache/Getty Images) The proposal ending the citys $33 million deal with the Chicago Police Department follows similar action in Minneapolis and Seattle. Proponents say police in schools can be intimidating to students and criminalize student behavior in Chicagos public schools. Alderman Roderick Sawyer, a sponsor, said historically police were called to schools to protect from outside threats. Now our students are being criminalized for being students at CPS and thats not right, he said at a news conference. We want to make sure that our children have every opportunity to learn and grow from children to young adults and police officers in schools is not the answer. The plan, to be introduced Wednesday for a vote next month, requires the police chief to end the contract within 75 days. The Associated Press contributed to this report. By PTI CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday appealed to the Centre to change its policy to allow soldiers at the borders to open fire in their defence and for protecting the nation's territorial integrity. His remarks comes against the backdrop of killings of 20 Indian Army personnel in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff in the region. Singh, who himself is an Army veteran, said in his Facebook Live edition of 'AskCaptain' that the Government of India's policy should be that "if they kill one of ours, we should kill 5 of theirs." It was absolutely wrong to send soldiers unarmed or not to allow them to defend themselves, he said, adding that when he and his Army colleagues used to go on patrols during his posting along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for two years, they carried all kinds of weapons. "We are in the nuclear era and we are carrying and being beaten by dandas!" quipped the chief minister, expressing shock at the fact that 20 Indian soldiers, including four from Punjab, had lost their lives in an attack by 'lathi' wielding and stone throwing Chinese, who he asserted simply could not be trusted. Lamenting the death of four Punjabi soldiers in the Galwan Valley clash, the chief minister said it was extremely unfortunate, even though "as army men we are always prepared to take the bullet." Besides increasing the compensation for their next of kin from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, his government has decided to name schools after the martyrs, said Singh, adding that he had spoken to two of the families so far. On the issue of pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannu extending support to China, the chief minister in an official release here said he was not only propagating but actively involved in promoting separatism and terrorism in India. Asserting that he would not allow Pannu to succeed in his divisive agenda and disturb the state's peace at any cost, Singh dared the ""pro-Khalistani propagandist to come to Punjab instead of hiding out in other countries to spread his vicious campaign". Declaring his commitment to sustaining Punjab's peace "at all costs", the chief minister said, "In the absence of peace, no industry will come to the state, and there will be no jobs for our children." The state's economy will be in shambles if forces inimical to peace are allowed to spread their fangs, he added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina A. Loasana and Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, June 22 2020 A decision made by the Education and Culture Ministry to collaborate with streaming platform Netflix has been met with criticism. A member of the House of Representatives, Willy Aditya of the NasDem Party, said the collaboration was unethical even though it did not violate any regulations. "Although the collaboration did not violate any regulations, on an ethical level it's still questionable. Rather than Netflix, the Education and Culture Ministry should collaborate with other state-owned enterprises," Willy said on Thursday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login By Associated Press WASHINGTON: San Francisco chef Dominique Crenn was huddled with staff one day in mid-March when she learned that coronavirus restrictions would close the dining room at her celebrated restaurant, Atelier Crenn. Immediately, everyone started brainstorming. "We said, 'OK, who are we? We are people at the service of people, always here to feed the community," Crenn said. Since then, Crenn and a skeleton crew, 20 of the 70 people she usually employs, have made hundreds of meals for medical workers and firefighters. They've sent meals to a nearby domestic violence shelter. They've started a takeout business, selling multi-course tasting menus, a seven-course luxury kit is USD 145, and even a wine tasting kit. Crenn is in good company. Chefs at many of the world's best restaurants are making quick pivots to weather the coronavirus. Some say carryout has been so popular that they'll continue when dining rooms reopen. Others stayed closed but made meals for their furloughed staff. Alinea in Chicago used to welcome guests with a USD 365, 18-course tasting menu; it's now cooking up a six-course to-go feast for USD 49.95. Copenhagen's Noma, which usually requires reservations months ahead, opened an outdoor burger and wine bar. Les Amis in Singapore is selling grocery items like artisanal butter and caviar. Restaurants were hit hard by the new coronavirus. In the US alone, the industry lost 6 million jobs in March and April. But fine dining was hit hardest of all, says David Portalatin, an industry adviser with The NPD Group. At the low point, in April, US fine dining transactions were down 82 per cent from a year ago, he said. Fourteen US restaurants, including Atelier Crenn and Alinea, have earned the highest rating of three stars from the Michelin Guide. Of those, just one The Inn at Little Washington in rural Virginia has reopened its dining room at half capacity. The restaurant put mannequins at its empty tables to make the space look more inviting. Some three-star restaurants, like The French Laundry in Yountville, California, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsey in London, have temporarily closed, saying that was the best way to protect guests and staff. Others aren't offering carryout but are still cooking. Eleven Madison Park in New York is making 3,000 meals per day for frontline workers. In Paris, renowned chef Alain Ducasse started Ducasse Chez Moi, offering delivery of meals like salmon ceviche for $14 and foie gras baked in a crust for USD 28. Delivery has been so popular it will continue when Ducasse's restaurants reopen. Alinea shifted to carryout on March 17. Since then, it has served 82,000 meals, said Nick Kokonas, the restaurant's co-owner. It started with USD 35 entrees like beef wellington, which sold out every night, and moved on to tasting menus. Kokonas said carryout was so successful that Alinea hired all its employees back by the end of April at 80 per cent of their former pay and benefits. He thinks to-go meals will remain even after the restaurant reopens its dining room later this summer. Toshi Szpyra, a behavioral analyst in Chicago, was looking forward to celebrating her wedding anniversary at Alinea earlier this month. Instead, she and her husband ordered a six-course spring tasting menu. Each dish came prepared with instructions for how to reheat and plate the meal, she said. The highlight? Scallops with ham and peas on fennel with a white wine vermouth cream sauce. "This is a great way for them to bring the experience to people who may not have had the chance to get there yet," she said. Szpyra plans to order takeout from Alinea again. Some fine dining restaurants are using the closure to redesign their interiors or retool their menus, said David Mitroff, a restaurant consultant and founder of Piedmont Avenue Consulting. Restaurants of this caliber need to keep things fresh and interesting, he said. Others are rethinking the experience entirely. Quince, a three-star restaurant in San Francisco, will likely be closed until fall. But starting in July, co-owner Lindsay Tusk is planning to offer lunches and dinners at the Marin County farm that grows the restaurant's produce. "It serves a higher purpose right now. Fine dining is not what we need. Connecting over nature and food in a beautiful setting and providing a genuine experience "that's what we need," she said. Tusk usually employs 170 people at three restaurants: Quince, the less formal sibling Cotogna and wine bar Verjus. Most are furloughed, but she's been able to hire back around 25 people to help at the farm. More will come back soon. "It's tough right now, but we're hoping we get to a break-even point in the next few months," she said. High-end restaurants have some things going for them. Landlords like the prestige they convey, so they're more likely to give them a break on the rent, Mitroff said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 19:20:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday adopted a consensus resolution strongly condemning the continuing racially discriminatory and violent practices perpetrated by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent. The resolution, in particular, denounced police brutality that led to the deaths of U.S. citizen George Floyd in Minneapolis and other people of African descent. It is ironic that the United States, which has an ingrained habit of finger-pointing at other countries over so-called human rights issues, is now in the hot seat. For the first time in history, the UNHRC held an urgent debate regarding racism and called an urgent meeting to discuss the human rights issue in the United States. Many participants believe Floyd's tragic killing has crossed the bottom line of humanity and exposed chronic and deeply-rooted racial discrimination in the United States. The nationwide protests over Floyd's death demonstrate that more and more people cannot brush aside the growing social injustice in the United States and are crying for change. However, Washington has been quite unwilling to face up to this human rights issue and cure the malady in a systematic fashion. In 2016, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent from the UNHRC said in its U.S. country report that killings of unarmed African Americans by police were "only the tip of the iceberg in what is a pervasive racial bias in the justice system." In two universal periodic reviews -- a process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states -- of the United States over the past decade, concerns have been expressed about racial discrimination, impunity, disregard for life and brutality. However, Uncle Sam turned a deaf ear to such criticisms while the situation worsened in the country. "The anger we have seen in the U.S., erupting as COVID-19 exposes glaring inequalities in society, shows why far-reaching reforms and inclusive dialogue are needed there to break the cycle of impunity for unlawful killings by police and racial bias in policing," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said earlier in June. The frustration and discontent of the American public stem from increasing social fragmentation in the country. Americans are becoming more divided economically, socially and racially, but Washington is doing little to change things and meet the basic needs of its citizens. The United States likes to lecture other countries on human rights issues, but regrettably fails to address its disturbing human rights problems at home. What has happened in the past month in the United States has further exposed the hypocrisy of U.S. politicians over human rights issues. They call violent demonstrations elsewhere "a beautiful sight to behold" and normal law enforcement as "abuse of power," nevertheless turning a blind eye to its own problems. Their double standards on human rights have been laid bare. George Floyd's tragic death has sparked anger, disappointment and protests across the United States and around the world. It is high time that Washington listened to the calls of the people and the international community, reflected on its double standards, and took action to address its own problems. Enditem O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. India on Saturday rejected Chinese claims of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley saying the position with regard to the area has been historically clear and attempts by China to make exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to Line of Actual Control (LAC) are not acceptable. And, it added, They are not in accordance with Chinas own position in the past. Rejecting Chinas statement that India was unilaterally changing the status quo, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that, in fact, it was India that was maintaining status quo. India also dismissed Chinese claims that its soldiers violated the LAC in May and alleged that it was the Chinese side that has been attempting to transgress the LAC and that these attempts were met with an appropriate response by Indian soldiers. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to LAC there (Galwan Valley) are not acceptable. They are not in accordance with Chinas own position in the past. Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas, including in the Galwan Valley. They abide by it scrupulously here, as they do elsewhere. The Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC. In fact, they have been patrolling this area for a long time without any incident. All infrastructure built by the Indian side is naturally on its own side of the LAC, said Anurag Srivastava, MEA spokesperson. Responding sharply to the statement by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Friday on the events in the Galwan Valley area, Mr Srivastava gave a detailed account of the incident. The MEA official said that since early May 2020, the Chinese side has been hindering India's normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area which had resulted in a face-off that was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols. Subsequently in mid-May, the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in other areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from us. Thereafter, the two sides were engaged in discussions through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation arising out of Chinese activities on the LACWe do not accept the contention that India was unilaterally changing the status quo. On the contrary, we were maintaining it, the MEA spokesperson said. He added that the senior commanders met on June 6, 2020, and agreed on a process for de-escalation and disengagement along the LAC that involved reciprocal actions. However, the Chinese side departed from these understandings in respect of the LAC in the Galwan Valley area and sought to erect structures just across the LAC. When this attempt was foiled, Chinese troops took violent actions on June 15, 2020, that directly resulted in casualties, he added. On Friday, Mr Zhao had said that the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the LAC. He accused India of violating the agreement the two countries had reached on June 6 regarding the LAC, calling it a "deliberate provocation" on New Delhi's part. "The rights and wrongs... are very clear and the responsibility rests entirely with the Indian side". Religious and political organisations in Kashmir have opposed a reported move to open liquor vends in the Valley, prompting the government to clarify on Sunday that it was not considering any such move. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of socio-religious organisations, headed by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said any move by the administration to open liquor shops across the length and breadth of the Valley will be strongly opposed and resisted. "The government order which is widely circulating on social media clearly stating governments plan to set up liquor shops at 67 locations in Kashmir valley is causing grave concern and anguish among the Muslims of the valley," the MMU said in a statement. It asked the government to immediately withdraw this "immoral and anti-Islam order". Kashmir is a predominantly Muslim region. The Finance department of the Union territory, however, said it has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licences in unserved areas. "No list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved. No decision will be taken without participation of stakeholders and the due process," it said. It was reported that the Jammu and Kashmir administration planned to open new liquor shops in the Union territory. The Apni Party, headed by Altaf Bukhari, also slammed the government over the issue. "The government proposal to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K, including 67 in the Kashmir Valley, is totally unacceptable as the decision is bound to have disastrous consequences for peace in the region," Apni Party leader Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said. "Such decisions are highly condemnable. Kashmir is a land of sufis and saints, and such obnoxious proposals are mooted to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere," he added. An 88-year-old woman was stabbed to death at her house in south Delhis Safdarjung Enclave on Saturday evening during a robbery attempted by a security guard she had hired about a fortnight ago. The womans husband, 94, a retired officer from the Ministry of External Affairs was also attacked by the guard and his two associates who made away with valuables and cash from the house. However, by Sunday afternoon, a police team arrested the trio and a fourth associate from Gauriphanta in UP (near the Indo-Nepal border) while they were on their way to Nepal. The men had hired a taxi two days in advance to escape after the planned heist, the police said. Four accused have been arrested connection with the murder of an 88-year-old woman in Safdarjung area yesterday. With their arrest, robbed cash of 55,000, jewellery and knife used in the commission of crime have been recovered. Further investigation is in progress:, the Delhi Police said in a statement. One of the arrested men has been identified as Rajesh alias Dimu, 19, the security guard who hails from a village in Nepal. The police said Rajesh had been working in the neighbourhood for the past year and the couple was familiar with him. They had hired him on the recommendation of their maid, who also hails from Nepal. The maid, however, is not involved in the crime, the police clarified. The other three arrested men are Gyanender, 23, Om Singh, 18, and Pramod Pragya, 26, all from Bajhang district in Nepal. All the men worked as security guards in Delhi. Om is Rajeshs cousin, the others are friends. None of them have a criminal record, the police confirmed. According to the police, the incident took place between 8.20pm and 8.45pm. The CCTV camera footage from the area established that Om and Gyanender, led by Rajesh, entered the upper ground floor of the four-storey residential building roughly around 8.25pm. As they rang the call bell, Kanta Chawla opened the door. As soon as she let Rajesh into the living room, the other two men followed. The trio overpowered the couple, an investigator, who did not wish to be named, said. The officer said that when the trio headed for the wardrobe in the bedroom, Kanta Chawla objected and tried to raise an alarm. This triggered a scuffle and the three men stabbed the elderly woman in the throat. She died on the spot. The men picked up all the cash and valuables from the couples bedroom and fled the house, the officer said. He said the husband somehow alerted those living on the upper floors. They alerted their neighbours and informed the police. Deputy commissioner of police (south-west) Devender Arya said a police team that reached the spot sent the womans body to a hospital for an autopsy. A forensics team was called in to inspect the crime scene. The womans husband is 94 years old, he cannot speak much. The house has no CCTV cameras, but footage from a CCTV camera nearby showed three men entering the house around 8.25pm and leaving at 8.47pm. Preliminary probe shows the entry was not forced. But because all of them were wearing surgical masks, we couldnt identify them, Arya said. The DCP said that during initial questioning, neighbours told them that the couple had recently hired a security guard on June 5 for round-the-clock assistance. The guard was missing. His phone was also switched off. Technical surveillance revealed that he had switched his phone off around 6.30pm. We also found that he was of Nepali origin and was hired about a fortnight ago on the recommendation of the couples househelp, who also belongs to Nepal, he said. Arya said that when they interrogated the domestic help, she revealed the details of Rajeshs hometown and his family. Meanwhile, a team that was surveilling Rajeshs phone found that he was in regular touch with one Gyanender, who had also switched off his phone at the same time, he said. The DCP said this brought Gyanender also on their radar and a team immediately rushed to Tanakpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP), a route usually taken to escape to Nepal. They sent other teams to ISBTs and railway stations to look for the suspects. Meanwhile, we also alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police. All routes that led to Nepal were put on high alert and vehicles were thoroughly checked. We had also picked up one of Rajeshs friends who lives in RK Puram to help us identify him. Around 4pm we had a breakthrough when a joint team comprising the UP Police and Delhi Police arrested the foursome from Gauriphanta, the officer said. He said that during initial questioning, Rajesh and others confessed to have killed Kanta Chawla. They said they had planned the heist in advance and had also contacted a taxi driver on Thursday. They had told him they want to go to Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday and that theyd meet him at Safdarjung Hospital. Pramod was not at the crime scene, instead, he was at Safdarjung Hospital coordinating with the hired taxi driver. The driver was paid 12,000 with the robbed cash. The driver, who was unaware of their involvement in the crime, dropped them at Lakhimpur Kheri and from there they planned to escape to Rajeshs village in Nepal, Arya said. 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 The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Serbian voters cast ballots in parliamentary elections on June 21. Voting was postponed from the originally scheduled date, April 26, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Tight hygiene measures were required at polling stations, including a face mask given to each voter. RFE/RL filmed early voters in a school building in Belgrade. Former Gov. Chris Christie said Sunday that President Donald Trump was within his rights to oust the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, as he did over the weekend. Christie, a former U.S. attorney himself, said the president did nothing wrong in replacing Geoffrey Berman, who had been investigating former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other associates of Trump in addition to the presidents inaugural committee. You serve at the pleasure of the president who appointed you, Christie said on ABCs This Week. This is not a situation where the president did anything other than say he was no longer content with the service of the person that he appointed. Bermans dismissal set off a 24-hour frenzy of controversy, with Attorney General William Barr initially claiming on Firiday that Berman was stepping down and would be replaced on an interim basis by Craig Carpenito, U.S. attorney for New Jersey. But Berman initially refused to leave, claiming that since he was named to his position by a panel of federal judges and not the president, only those judges could dismiss him until a successor was confirmed. Barr rejected that assertion Saturday, saying he recommended that Trump fire Berman and the president then did so. But rather than Carpenito, Trump named the top deputy in the Southern District, Audrey Strauss, to take over. Berman then agreed to leave office immediately, saying Barr decided to respect the normal operation of law. Christie said Trumps appointment of Strauss showed that he followed proper procedures. The proof of the matter is that he appointed that persons first assistant to succeed him, Christie said. Theyre going to continue to be independent, theyre going to continue to do the investigations that need to be done, and everything that Ive heard about Audrey Strauss I dont know her personally, but I know a lot of very talented lawyers who know her is that she will be an independent, smart, tough voice leading the office of the Southern District of New York, and thats what really matters, Christie said. That will uphold the independence of the Southern District, which those of us over in New Jersey and the other 93 districts call the sovereign district of New York, because they dont really listen to anybody anyway usually, he said. Trump also has fired several inspectors general investigating allegations of corruption among administration officials. I cant accept that explanation given the pattern and practice of both the president in seeking to use the justice system to reward friends, punish enemies, protect people he likes, and Bill Barrs willingness to carry that water for the president, said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and one of the House impeachment managers. You really have to question whats really at the basis of this Friday night attempted massacre and now, a completed one, Schiff said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Schiff said he hoped Berman would be called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, as did House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York, another impeachment manager. I think he has a lot to say about a continuing pattern of chaos, crisis and corruption that we have seen from the Trump administration from the very beginning until this very day, Jeffries said on ABC. Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York already has said he would investigate Bermans dismissal. Trump, though, insisted Saturday that he was not involved in the decision to get rid of Berman. Attorney General Barr is working on that, Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a political rally in Oklahoma. Thats his department, not my department. But we have a very capable attorney general. So thats really up to him. Im not involved. Berman, a Trenton native, had worked as a lawyer in the Southern Districts U.S. attorneys office, and later for the same law firm as Giuliani. While in private practice, he represented the family of Megan Kanka, the 7-year-old girl from Hamilton who was raped and murdered by a repeat sex offender in 1994. That led to passage of legislation that bears her name, Megans Law, which requires residents to be told when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Osborne said he had heard from about three dozen people in advance of Thursdays meeting, and that all of them were opposed to the proposal. Students live here, and they often live together, Osborne said. To try to reengineer this to deny or revise the history of these places is to deny the very character of the community in which we live. I think imposing this type of restriction would upend the entire community. Several commission members said they felt that further discussion should happen in person because the topic was drawing widespread attention and passion. Planning and Zoning Commission member Joe Guerra Jr. noted in his comments that in some cases, rental properties had contributed to gentrification and made property tax payments more difficult for some families. We have different points of view, Guerra said. I do think that the grandfathering needs to be looked at, and I think we should look into expanding what we consider a family. Christiansen, the commissions chair, noted that because the ordinance would allow, and not require, neighborhoods to adopt such an ordinance with a vote, only some parts of College Station would be impacted. Thousands of public servants are slowly returning to city offices under strict guidelines that include getting their temperature checked before starting work. Australian Bureau of Statistics data has found the vast majority (86 per cent) of working Australians are at least "somewhat comfortable" in returning to their workplaces. Carrie Boshoff works in the icare office hot desk she booked from 7.40am. Credit:Kate Geraghty Most (59 per cent) were uncomfortable with returning by public transport, according to the latest ABS household impacts of COVID-19 survey conducted at the end of May. Having worked from home during lockdown, Carrie Boshoff is looking forward to leaving her home in Hornsby at 6.40am one day a week to take a bus and train to the city, where she works at a desk joined to two others that are kept unoccupied. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:06:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HELSINKI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- One Finnish Coast Guard sailor died as a cutter ran aground and sank in the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish Coast Guard announced on Sunday. The incident took place late Saturday night. The cutter had been launched from a Finnish surveillance ship named Turva. Two of the three sailors had got out, but one could not be rescued early enough. He was later flown to a hospital in Helsinki and was then pronounced dead, the Coast Guard local command reported. The Coast Guard said the location was near the island of Lindholmen, off the town of Loviisa, southeastern Finland. The Coast Guard did not specify the nature of the operation being carried out when the incident took place. Local media says Turva is the largest surveillance ship in Finland. It has three ten-meter cutters that are routinely lowered to the sea for control duties. The Finnish Safety Investigation Authority told media it has carried out an initial investigation. The cause of death is investigated by the police. Enditem Describing 26/11 convict Tahawwur Rana, a Pak-origin Canadian businessman as a flight risk, the United States has opposed his release on bail, arguing that if he were to flee to Canada, he may escape the possibility of death sentence in India. Given the stakes, allowance of bail in any amount would not guarantee Rana's presence in court. Granting bail would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs, straining its relationship with India, Assistant United States Attorney John J Lulejian told a federal court in Los Angeles last week. Rana, 59, was ordered to be released from jail on compassionate ground after he told a US court that he has tested positive for the COVID-19. He was rearrested in Los Angeles on June 10 following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive. On Friday, US District Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the Central District of California, scheduled his bond hearing for June 30. His attorney has been asked to submit his plea by June 22 and the federal government's response is due by June 26. In his submission on behalf of the US Government, Lulejian urged the Los Angeles court that Rana be not released pending resolution of the extradition proceeding against him to India. Moreover, to protect the US ability to meet its treaty obligations to India, the US attorney also requested the court to notify the parties within a reasonable time in advance of any contemplated release order. Asserting that Rana is a flight risk, and arguing that his escape to Canada would jeopardize his extradition to India, the US attorney said the court should detain him without bond. India seeks his provisional arrest on a number of offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder in violation of sections 120B and 302 of the IPC, murder in violation of section 302 of the Indial Penal Code and conspiracy to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating in violation of sections 120B and 468 of the IPC. He is also sought by India for conspiracy to use as genuine a forged document or electronic record in violation of sections 120B and 471 of the IPC. Rana, the US attorney said, is sought for his role in 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The complaint details how Rana and his co-conspirator, David Headley (Headley), conspired with Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds more. Lulejian argued that if Rana is extradited to India and the Indian courts convict him of the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and/or murder, he faces the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment. In light of these serious penalties, Rana has every incentive to flee the US to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with India or a country that may not extradite him without assurances from India that it will not to seek the death penalty, he told the court. For example, if Rana returns to Canada, his country of citizenship, and India seeks to extradite him pursuant the extradition treaty between the two nations, the later scenario may occur, the US attorney feared. According to the extradition treaty between Canada and India, extradition may be refused when the offence for which extradition is requested is punishable with death under the laws of the requesting state and the laws of the requested state do not provide such punishment for the conduct constituting the offence, unless India assures Canada that the death penalty shall not be executed, if imposed. Thus, if Rana were to flee to Canada, he may escape the possibility of being sentenced to death for his alleged role in facilitating the murder of 166 men, women and children. Rana should not be given the opportunity to potentially create such a result, which would be an affront to the victims and their families, as well as the Indian legal system, said the US attorney. In addition to being a flight risk, Rana, a convicted terrorist, poses a danger to the community, the US attorney said. As detailed above, a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The fact that Rana conspired with Headley and members of a terrorist organization, knowing what would happen, demonstrates his lack of respect for human life, Lulejian argued. At Rana's trial in Chicago, the US presented evidence that but for the intervention of law enforcement aganecies, attackers were planning to storm the Jyllands Posten facility in Copenhagen, take hostages, behead innocent employees of the newspaper, throw their heads to the street below, and set up a stronghold fight to the death with Danish forces. Further, Headley testified at trial that after Rana, who provided him the cover to conduct surveillance of Mumbai, learned that Lashkar-e-Taiba mercilessly slaughtered approximately 166 men, women and children in that city, he praised the attacks, stating that the victims deserved it, he informed the Los Angeles court. If India convicts Rana of the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and/or murder, he does not face a sentence of years, but instead a potential life sentence or the death penalty. Thus, the justification used for shortening Rana's sentence is not applicable in the instant case where the penalties are more significant, the attorney said. Asserting that Rana poses threat to the community if released on bail, the US attorney said in the years since the attacks in Mumbai and the plans to attack the Danish newspaper, he has never publicly expressed remorse for his conduct, disavowed his actions, or his association with Lashkar-e-Taiba, which remains an active terrorist organization. Rana's lack of empathy and his callous and wanton disregard for human life demonstrates that he continues to pose a danger to the community today as he did 11 years ago, said the US attorney. John Hickenlooper has stumbled in the closing weeks of Colorados Senate primary, creating openings for his opponent and Republicans that have unsettled a critical race for Democrats in their bid to recapture the Senate. Democrats acknowledge Hickenlooper has made serious mistakes on what was supposed to be a glide path to the Democratic nomination. After being cited for contempt this month for initially failing to appear before Colorados Independent Ethics Commission, Hickenlooper was fined $2,750 for two violations dating back to his second term as governor. Hes also apologized for comments about race, including responding to a question about the Black Lives Matter protests in a recent forum by saying the phrase means "every life matters," echoing a common refrain among conservatives. Republicans launched TV ads last week aiming to press the advantage, attacking Hickenlooper and hoping to either drag him down before next week's primary or weaken him as he emerges as the nominee. Hickenlooper who was recruited and immediately endorsed by national Democrats after dropping his presidential bid remains the favorite in the tighter-than-expected June 30 primary against Andrew Romanoff, the former state House speaker, according to interviews with a dozen Democrats in Colorado and Washington last week, many of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Additionally, they say he maintains an advantage in the general election against GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, especially with President Donald Trump's falling poll numbers over the past few months, and in a state where the electorate tilts increasingly blue. But Democrats' nominating contest has become much more competitive and fraught in the final stretch. Romanoff launched the first attack ad of the primary Friday, and a new super PAC created only last week immediately released a negative counterattack battering the lesser-known challenger. After his slip-ups, Hickenlooper has rolled out new local and national endorsements aiming to re-establish his pole position. Story continues Every mistake you make, every stumble, however magnified it is and however many [advertising] points get put behind it, always potentially makes things closer, said Alan Salazar, who was a strategist in Hickenlooper's gubernatorial office and is now chief of staff to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. I can't imagine any of John's mistakes however magnified they might be being of such magnitude that they erase the dead weight that Donald Trump is around Cory Gardner. Colorado is a must-win state for Democrats as they attempt to seize control of the chamber in this falls elections. Democrats hope the race alters course after the primary to focus on Trump and Gardner, who are both underwater in polls. But the recent string of bad news has kept the focus squarely on Hickenlooper and given Romanoff and Republicans ammunition to strike. One Democratic consultant in the state, who requested anonymity to share a candid assessment, described the errors as a s---show. The consultant predicted Hickenlooper would prevail and be favored against Gardner, but said its just going to be a lot harder than it should have been. Hickenlooper apologized after comments recently resurfaced where he compared political schedulers to slave masters with whips. And he also said he tripped over his words after saying that Black Lives Matter meant every life matters during an online forum in late May. In particular, some Democrats questioned the handling of the Independent Ethics Commission case against him. The hearing was delayed in March because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Hickenlooper offered to testify in person later this year, but the commission went forward with a virtual format over his objection. The commission issued a subpoena for him to appear and held him in contempt when he did not. Hickenlooper testified the next day, and the commission found that he had violated the states ethics laws in two of six charges brought against him. Democrats have called it a partisan smear because a former Republican lawmaker runs the nonprofit organization that made the allegations, which have been featured in dark-money attack ads. But some Democrats say his campaign should have fought more aggressively. This whole thing was a setup from the beginning, and they should have gone after it sooner, said Laura Chapin, a veteran strategist in the state. She said the ethics ruling was in the grand scheme of things not that big a deal, compared to the Trump administration. FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2014, file photo, Andrew Romanoff, who was the Democratic challenger for Colorado's 6th congressional district seat, makes a point against Republican incumbent Mike Coffman as they debate in Spanish in the studio of a television station in Denver. Romanoff, the former Colorado house speaker, is entering the race for the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Sen. Cory Gardner. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) By dragging it out, Hickenlooper people made it last longer, she said. One Democrat close to Hickenlooper, who requested anonymity to speak frankly, said he had a rough couple of weeks but predicted the ethics headlines would be a bump in the road. The general election should tighten, and Hickenlooper needs to do more than just successfully raise money," this Democrat said. "He needs to improve his messaging and debate skills, which could become a significant liability for him." Hickenlooper has focused his bid on his success as governor, pointing to Colorados booming economy under his leadership and other successes, including the states implementation of all-mail elections, which have become a national flashpoint. His latest TV ad calls the race a moment for big change, citing a bevy of success during his tenure. The former governor has made a discernible effort to demonstrate his fervor for the election, a pushback against his own previous comments about not wanting to serve in the Senate. His campaign declined an interview request for this story. Theres no question that I have badmouthed the U.S. Senate as a place thats broken and, for people that want to get things done, a difficult challenge, Hickenlooper said in the most recent debate. But at a certain point you have to decide whether youre going to be content to sit on the sidelines, or you want to get in the ring with the mud and the sweat, as Teddy Roosevelt said, and be part of the change. But Romanoff appeals to primary voters eager for his message of more radical change, including the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. He argues a middle of the road approach doesnt meet the moment and has said Hickenloopers ethics issue is a problem. "If you break the law, defy a subpoena and get held in contempt, you jeopardize our chances to hold the seat," Romanoff said in a interview. His campaign released an internal poll from mid-June showing him down 12 percentage points. That is a tighter race than many expected but a challenging margin to overcome in a short period of time particularly given the poll came after Hickenlooper's struggles and the negative ads against him, and after ballots had already been mailed. Romanoff launched a TV ad attacking Hickenlooper on Friday, which drew condemnation from numerous Democrats including Gov. Jared Polis and Sen. Michael Bennet, who argued it played into Republicans' hands. Within hours of Romanoff's spot going on the air, a super PAC formed earlier in the week launched its first ad, slamming Romanoff for working with then-GOP Gov. Bill Owens on a restrictive state immigration law. Because the group formed so close to the primary, it won't have to disclose its donors until after the votes are tallied. Additionally, Senate Majority PAC, which is aligned with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is spending $1 million running an ad pushing back against Republican attacks. And Hickenlooper rolled out endorsements on Saturday from Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Warren's backing is especially notable: She's trusted by many progressive voters, and she just bucked the DSCC's preferred candidate in Kentucky, endorsing a liberal opponent instead in a race far less important to Democrats' efforts to reclaim the Senate. Republicans would clearly prefer to run against Romanoff given his fundraising disadvantage and more liberal positions. As of June 10, Hickenlooper had $5.9 million in cash on hand, more than seven times Romanoff's $792,000; Gardner had $9.3 million. "We're running a retail campaign because we don't have the resources the other team has got," Romanoff said. "But I'm sure if and when we win the primary we'll find ourselves with a lot more friends and a lot more cash on our hands." Republicans remain focused on hitting Hickenlooper. Gardners campaign is running an ad highlighting the number of times he said he wasnt cut out for the Senate or didn't want the job. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is running ads highlighting the ethics scandal. The Democrats are in disarray, said Rep. Ken Buck, the state GOP chairman, who called Hickenloopers ethics issues a pattern of violations. This is the first time that John Hickenlooper has been tested in politics, Buck added. This is really the first time where he will face an opponent who has the wherewithal to do research on the governor and bring out the governors record, and there are a number of things that will be revealed in the future that will be very interesting to voters. His allies expressed confidence Hickenlooper can right the ship and still has enduring favorability from voters who elected him twice. People understand who John is and mistakes that he makes, fumbles here and there, said Salazar, the former aide. John is many things. Corrupt is not one of them, and I don't think people are going to believe that about him. Detectives have called for gang members to come clean about the stabbing death of Melbourne teenager Solomone Taufeulungaki. The 15-year-old died at Deer Park on June 16 after he and his cousin were allegedly approached by a group of 8 to 10 youths armed with knives near Brimbank Shopping Centre. Six boys, aged between 13 and 16, have charged with violent disorder and affray but no one has yet been charged with Solomones death. Detectives believe the fatal affray was as a result of tensions between two youth gangs in the western suburbs and have identified the gangs involved, Victoria Police said in a statement calling for public help on June 21. Detectives have been told of other incidents over the past few weeks, including a significant altercation in Warringa Crescent, Hoppers Crossing on May 23, police said. Investigators are also looking at an assault that occurred at the Brimbank Shopping Centre the day before Solomone was killed. Detective Inspector Tim Day called on members of the groups involved to speak up for Solomone. This is an act of senseless, cowardly and extreme violence in public and in daylight hours, he said in the statement. We know there are members of the groups involved in Solomones death who are uncomfortable with what has happened and that the actions of a few have gone too far, and this is their time to speak up for him. Detectives believe some people have mobile phone footage of the fatal attack and are appealing for them to contact police. Officers also want to hear from drivers in the area between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on June 16 who may have captured dashcam footage of the incident. The Delhi University has asked various school boards across the country to share the links of their class 12 examination results with it so that the documents can be verified online without having to ask students to visit the varsity as a forensic examination of certificates and mark sheets is not feasible due to the coronavirus pandemic. Delhi University already has access to CBSE results. However, since some results are yet to be held, the final results of the CBSE board exams are yet to be declared while many state boards have announced their results. We did this exercise in May. We have sent a request letter to various boards across the country to share their links with the university so that verification of documents can happen online. Two boards have shared the links with us and we are hopeful that others will also do so, said Shobha Bagai, Dean (Admissions). Apart from CBSE, the two boards that have agreed to share their link with the university are NIOS and Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE). DU had last year made it mandatory for all its departments to carry out forensic checking of certificates and mark sheets submitted by students seeking admission to its courses. The decision was taken in view of the Ankiv Baisoya controversy. The university had in 2018 cancelled the admission of Baisoya, a former president of DU Students Union (DUSU), after his documents were found to be forged. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) provides the university direct access to its class 12 results. This enables the university to directly check the authenticity of marksheets of the applicants claiming to have passed out from a CBSE-affiliated school. The admission process for undergraduate courses which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic began on Saturday. TDT | Manama Beginning July 1, a twomonth ban on outdoor afternoon work will be in effect in all the four governorates of the Kingdom despite ongoing restriction in place to prevent Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The ban prohibits outdoor work from midday until 4 pm during July and August to protect workers from heat stroke and other conditions. Those flouting the rule will attract a jail term not exceeding three months or a BD500- BD1000 fine or both, said Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan. Now with also social distancing and other Coronavirus preventive measures already in place, this years ban is expected to bring more challenges to labour inspectors whose hand are already tied due to the outbreak. The minister also warned that the penalty will be doubled for repeat offenders. As of now, preparations are in full swing to begin the implementation of ministerial edict 39/ 2013, on banning outdoor afternoon work. According to Bahrains Labour Market indicators, foreign workers employment reached 594,944 workers by the end of the second quarter of 2019. In the construction sector, Bahrain reportedly has around 150,000 labourers spread at over more than 30,000 construction sites. Reports also indicate that there are an estimated 55,000 illegal foreign workers in the Kingdom, which has declined following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Introduced in 2007 Bahrain introduced summer work ban in 2007 to shield workers from heat exhaustion, sunstroke and summer-related diseases and enhance productivity. That year, in July and August, following the implementation of the rule-based on a Cabinet decision, the Kingdom reported a 50 per cent drop in workplace incidents, compared to a year ago. The ban, initially limited to construction workers, was later expanded to include labourers in all other sectors. The plan Labour ministry said the summer ban aims at safeguarding workers health, ensuring their safety against heat exhaustion and sunstroke, prevent summer-related diseases and reduce occupational incidents from increasing temperatures and humidity. The Ministry said it is running an awareness-raising campaign to help employers and workers comply with the provisions of the work ban and has distributed multilingual brochures and leaflets detailing the harmful effects of working under high temperature. Virtual workshops promoting workers safety and health at worksites in summer were also held. 98pc compliance In a statement, Minister Humaidan affirmed that Bahrain, a leader in ensuring a safe work environment for workers, is keen on implementing the ban in its best means. On an average 98 per cent of private sector companies had complied with the ban in the past years, the minister said adding that the figure proves the commitment of employers here in ensuring a safe and decent work environment for employees. Indigenous families are missing out on disability support amid fear of child removals despite Aboriginal children being twice as likely to have a disability as non-Indigenous children, a leading Aboriginal welfare expert says. Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency chief executive Muriel Bamblett said Australia's history of institutional racism, the complexity of disability services and a fear of being branded a "bad parent" for seeking help were impeding access to support. Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency chief executive Muriel Bamblett says Indigenous families need more support to navigate the disability sector. Credit:Justin McManus "Non-Aboriginal people believe they have a right to a service," Ms Bamblett, an adjunct professor at La Trobe University's School of Social Work and Social Policy, told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. "Aboriginal people don't believe they have the same right as everyone else ... They are concerned that someone will see them as not a good parent." International Yoga Day 2020 is just round the corner and we all might be looking forward to performing some of the best poses to mark the occasion. While it is absolutely rejuvenating to try some of the yoga poses for humans, do you know that animals also share a special bond with yoga? Most of the yoga poses are named after animals, owing to their bodys flexibility and their ability to perform different tasks. However, apart from giving some of their names to the yoga postures, a few animals also love to perform some yoga poses every now and then. If you dont believe us, heres a look at some of the furry companies you can have by your side this International Yoga Day: Cat Yoga For their flexible body and quick responses, felines are considered as one of the best yoga partners you are looking for. You can perform asanas like downward-facing dog, child pose, and mountain pose with them. Dog Yoga Dogs are also amazing when it comes to performing yoga. Interestingly, yoga classes with dogs are popularly known as doga. Goat Yoga Joining the list is goat yoga, which is performed in the presence of goats. This form of yoga is in vogue these days as it helps in stress therapy. Bunny yoga Though, yoga with rabbits sounds a bit much but in reality there is such a thing called bunny yoga classes. So if you have a bunny at home then what are you waiting for? Pull out yoga mats and be a part of the celebration. As of now, the bunny yoga classes are only conducted in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Seal yoga: While we will not advise you to go on a beach and look for a seal to give you a company, it is inspiring to watch over seals doing yoga with ease and flexibility. She became legally emancipated from her parents when she was just 14, and never had any significant relationship with her father, the late actor, John Barrymore, who left her mother, Jaid, when she was just nine-years-old. And Drew Barrymore has now opened up about her relationship with her father and claimed although they weren't close, she hasn't been left with any 'daddy issues.' The 45-year-old actress took to social media on Sunday to honor the late actor on Father's Day. Full circle love: Drew Barrymore has opened up about growing up with her late actor father, John Barrymore, who she was estranged and emancipated from when she was 14 'My mom chose a wild card for my dad. He was a mad poet hedonist man child! But I understood that as a kid,' she began, adding, 'Somehow I have zero baggage or dad issues.' 'I think I would have liked to have a dad who didnt look so out there. Or who stayed. Or was capable of anything really. But his wildness runs through me. His gifts are here. His demons to overcome are mine to break!' Drew went on to explain that she has now come to a stage where she loves him for who he was. Child star: The 50 First Dates actress was thrown into the spotlight by age seven when she appeared in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (pictured with her mom, Jaid) Memories: 'I love him not for who I wanted him to be, but for who he was. And as I look at all the photos of dads today, doing their dad job, sure, there is my tiny self that wished for him to fit in. But he never did. And Im not sure I did either,' she added (John pictured in 1952) 'I love him not for who I wanted him to be, but for who he was. And as I look at all the photos of dads today, doing their dad job, sure, there is my tiny self that wished for him to fit in. But he never did. And Im not sure I did either,' she added. 'And Im not sure what anything is supposed to look like, or what it really is beyond the images?! But I do know this... both my parents have played a major role in who i am as a parent. And none of it looks perfect. But it functions with so much love. And togetherness. And availability.' Drew ended the lengthy Father's Day post with: 'I dont have a picture of a dad today to show how great everything was. I have a picture to show what it was.' 'And that is my story. And that is perfect in itself. My dad gave me the gift of life! A wicked sense of humor! And that wildness that I truly do cherish.' Siblings: Drew was regularly pictured with her elder half-brother, John Blyth Barrymore Cool mom: 'She [mom] was like, "Do you want to go to school and get bullied all day, or do you want to go to Studio 54?" And I was like, "Yes, absolutely! I don't want to spend the day with these little f**kers who are just awful." Kids are so mean' (pictured with Jaid in 1982) Drew had an estranged relationship with her parents, emancipating from them at the age of 14. The 50 First Dates actress was thrown into the spotlight by age seven when she appeared in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Following her sudden stardom, Drew endured bullying at school, leading her to choose to rather go to the studio than elementary school. 'I had a mom, but she was more like my best friend,' she told Norm Macdonald on his Netflix special, Norm Macdonald Has a Show, in 2018. 'She was like, "Do you want to go to school and get bullied all day, or do you want to go to Studio 54?" And I was like, "Yes, absolutely! I don't want to spend the day with these little f**kers who are just awful." Kids are so mean.' Alone: Drew had an estranged relationship with her parents, emancipating from them at the age of 14 Mom: Drew now spends her time raising her daughters, Olive, seven, and Frankie, six (pictured 2018) But her underage stardom left her surrounded by drugs and alcohol - leading her to be placed in rehab at the age of just 13. She also spent 18-months in an institution for the mentally ill, and returned to rehab at 14 following a suicide attempt. Drew went on to be emancipated from her parents at 14 and move out into her own place. 'It really is a recipe for disaster,' she said of becoming famous so young in the Netflix interview. 'But you know what's exciting? I got my s*** over with at, like, 14. Like, midlife crisis, institutionalized, blacklisted, no family, like, got it done, and then got into the cycle of being my own parent, figuring it out.' Drew now spends her time raising her daughters, Olive, seven, and Frankie, six. She shares the girls with her ex-husband, Will Kopelman - the son of former Chanel CEO, Arie Kopelman. The pair married in 2012 before announcing their separation with the intention to divorce in July 2016. By August it had been finalized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Sunday (June 21) to mark International Yoga Day. Earlier, PM Modi had urged people, in a video message, to observe the day from the confines of their homes due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Several digital events have been organised across the world by Indian missions to mark the day. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga', months after PM Modi had proposed the idea. Here are live and latest updates from International Yoga Day: - Yoga is a medium that establishes harmony between body and mind, action and thought, between man and nature. Modi ji's efforts led to global acceptance of Yoga, which is a precious gift of Indian culture to the entire humanity, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah. - Coronavirus specifically attacks our respiratory system, which gets strengthened by pranayama or breathing exercise. Yoga helps us to improve immunity. The asanas help the strength of our body and the metabolism of our body: PM Modi - Make yoga at home, with family a party of your life. We can make it successful if we give it a try: PM Modi - If we can fine tune our chords of health and hope, the day is not far away when world will witness the success of healthy and happy humanity. Yoga can definitely help us make this happen, says PM Modi - Yoga keeps you calm, it has successfully helped COVID patients across global, says PM. - Pranayam helps in improving the immunity for our respiratory system that will be useful in fighting COVID19 virus, says PM Modi - Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate. It goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations. Anybody can embrace Yoga: PM Modi - Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 02:13:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus opened its airports to travel from 18 "low risk" countries on Saturday, with experts wary about a possible recurrence of coronavirus infections. Transport, Communications and Works Minister Yiannis Karousos wrote on Twitter that the eastern Mediterranean island has expanded its connectivity with more countries. "We are continuing our efforts with our main concern, public health," Karousos added. Hermes Airports Senior Communications Manager Maria Kouroupi told the official Cyprus News Agency that flights got under way to a slow start, with only nine arrivals and nine departures on the first day from Athens, Salonica, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Zurich. Though travelers from 18 countries categorized as being of low risk were not required to present a certificate of negative COVID-19 test, the number of passengers on each plane was small. Four more countries will be added to the low-risk list of countries on Monday, with another nine being added to the list of "relatively low risk" countries, from where travelers will be required to present a negative coronavirus test before boarding a plane. In both cases, authorities will sample about 300 passengers each day so as to have an accurate picture of the epidemiological situation in the countries of origin. Karousos said that he expected air travel to pick up, with about 500 flights per week as of mid July, when tourists are expected to arrive in large numbers. Air travel resumed on June 9 in Cyprus, with only 7,000 passengers arriving by June 15 aboard 85 flights. The lifting of travel restrictions raised concern among scientists advising the Health Ministry on the pandemic. Maria Koliou, an infectious diseases expert at the University Of Cyprus Medical School, said she was worried that some people carrying the virus will slip through the net of security measures and cause new infections among the local population. "Infections are currently down to zero, but this does not mean the virus has been eradicated. It is still out there, albeit at a very low frequency," Koliou warned. Enditem Human Remains Found Believed to Be Missing Oregon Woman: Sheriff Officials said that human remains discovered near Portland likely belong to those of a woman who was reported missing late last year. The Washington County Sheriffs Office in Oregon said in a news release (pdf) that deputies were called to investigate the discovery of the remains on a property located at Northwest Corey Road in North Plains, which is about 23 miles west of Portland. Based on the location of the remains and evidence found at the scene, detectives suspect the remains are those of Allyson Watterson, the sheriffs office said, referring to the 20-year-old woman who disappeared in December 2019. Watterson was reported missing about 30 hours after she was last seen in North Plains and was with her boyfriend, 21-year-old Benjamin Hunter Garland, the sheriffs office said. Garland was the one who reported her missing. Garland in April was sentenced to prison on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card, and second-degree theft in cases unrelated to Wattersons disappearance, officials told Fox12. Wattersons mother said they were visiting friends in the area when Garlands truck broke down. The two then went to look for help but got separated, and Watterson hasnt been seen since. Garland hasnt been named as a suspect in her disappearance. The Washington County Medical Examiners Office will work to identify the remains. The family of Ms. Watterson has been notified of the discovery and are asking for privacy. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release, the news release said. By PTI NEW DELHI: A 94-year-old retired External Affairs Ministry official was attacked and his 88-year-old wife stabbed to death during a robbery, allegedly by their personal security guard, at their home in south Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave, police said on Sunday. Baldev Raj Chawla and his wife Kanta Chawla lived in the upper ground floor of a building in the area, they said. Police said they lost their children a few years ago, and for their security had hired a personal guard recently through a domestic help. Their personal guard Rajesh (18) and his associates Gyanender (22), Om (18) and Pramod (26) have been arrested in connection with the case, they said, adding that they were apprehended from Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh. Pramod is a resident of Nepal's Dhangarhi district and the rest of Bajang district of the Himalayan nation. Police were informed about the robbery around 9 pm on Saturday. Rajesh along with Gyanender and Om barged into the house wearing masks, while Pramod waited outside to help them escape, police said. They tied Baldev's hands and legs, but Kanta resisted. They stabbed the woman in her neck and she fell on a sofa unconscious, a senior police officer said. The men went to the bedroom and took away cash and jewellery kept in cupboards, he said. Baldev managed to go outside the house and alert neighbours, who informed the residents welfare association (RWA), the officer said. When a police team reached the house, it found a man sitting in a room and the woman lying on a bed with stab injuries, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Devender Arya said. Baldev and Kanta were taken to the Safdarjung Hospital where she was declared brought dead, he said, adding that the woman was stabbed as she resisted robbery. In CCTV camera footage, it was seen that the accused entered the house around 8:25 pm and left at 8:47 pm, police said. During investigation, it was learnt that Rajesh was a security guard for the building for a year and was hired by the couple as their guard on June 5 with the help of a domestic help, who was not found involved in the crime, police said After the identity of the accused persons was established, a police team was sent to the Indo-Nepal border to catch the culprits, the DCP said. Footage from CCTV cameras in surrounding areas was checked. Footage showed three of the accused leaving in a taxi from AIIMS, Arya said. The taxi was traced as most people going to Nepal used a particular service. The taxi was hired by Rajesh and his associates two to three days ago, he said. They had paid the taxi driver Rs 12,000 from the robbed amount. The driver was not aware about the crime. Police traced the taxi to Lakhimpur Kheri near the Indo-Nepal border, the DCP said. Two teams were dispatched and the local police in Lakhimpur Kheri were infomed, the DCP said, adding they were eventually caught. Those involved in the crime used to work as guards and domestic helps in Delhi-NCR. Rajesh and Gyanendra had planned to rob the couple four to five days back, he said. Gyanendra was armed with a knife and had screwdriver when he attacked the couple, Arya said, adding that a case has been registered. Police claimed to have recovered Rs 55,000, jewellery and the knife used in commission of crime. Jitendra Kumar, who works as a guard at the building where the Chawlas lived, said this is for the first time that such an incident has taken place. Kumar said when he received information he rushed to the house and saw the woman lying injured on the floor. RWA president V K Malhotra, who lives in the adjacent building of the Chawlas, said the couple was registered with Delhi Police''s Senior Citizen Scheme. "We have a security guard here 24 hours, one in the morning while another in night hours. The couple had also hired a separate guard recently," he said. The couple's personal guard was not verified by police, he said. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Deputy Director General of Xinjiang Public Security Department Yalqun Yaqup talked about the necessity of stepping up security measures in this far-western region of China. This is one of many human stories in our exclusive documentary 'Tianshan Still Standing: Memories of fighting terrorism in Xinjiang.' You can watch the full documentary here. The Michigan rapper who filmed his brother pummeling a white Macys store employee claims he clearly heard the man utter a racial slur and that the violent reaction was spur of the moment. I just want people to know the real story of really what happened and whats in the description of me and my brother just walking into Macys just minding our own business, FT Quay, the 22-year-old rapper, told the New York Post. And, yes, we made a petty joke and asked the guy Was the shirt too little? when he couldve asked me. He was just being funny, said Quay, who declined to identify his brother by name. And just the fact of the remark that he said that we all heard. FT Quay (left), a 22-year-old rapper from Michigan, filmed the viral video showing his brother (right) pummel a white Macy's employee on Monday in Flint Township Quay posted this photograph on his Facebook page on the same day that the incident took place. This picture was likely taken moments before the filmed attack And just, what else were we supposed to do? In this age and time, he didnt know what else to do. That was just his instinct. The viral video which surfaced on Monday shows the white Macy's employee being beaten down by a black man for allegedly calling him the n-word in the middle of the Macy's location at Genesee Valley Center in Flint Township, Michigan. Macy's issued a statement Friday in which the company claimed the attack was 'unprovoked' as police hunt for the two other men involved who fled the scene. Quay shared the video on Facebook and claimed that he and a 'bro' went to the mall and asked a man on the phone about a shirt size. He said the employee answered them and returned to his phone call, where he allegedly told someone on the phone 'no one just some n****r,' which resulted in the black man pouncing on him. The moment the employee allegedly used the racial slur is not shown in the short clip. But Quay maintained that he heard the employee utter the racial slur. 'At the moment, it was surprising,' Quay said. 'I was just like, whatever. Let me get this down (on video). Let me just let people see.' The shocking video was filmed at the Macy's store at the Genesee Valley Center in Flint Township and has circulated around social media. The man attacked was a store employee 'Im behind my brother fully, because with everything else going on, what else can we do at this point?' Quay said. 'All the hate and everything is not needed because nothing works. 'It was spur of the moment. That was his instinct.' Macy's claimed that the attack was 'unprovoked' and said they are helping authorities in identifying the man shown punching the employee in the video and the man filming it. FT Quay's social media was taken offline as of Friday. 'We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday (June 15) at Macy's Genesee Valley as the safety of Macy's customers and colleagues is our top priority,' Andrea Schwartz, senior director of media relations for Macy's, told MLive-The Flint Journal. 'Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable. All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. 'We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation, and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy.' The company did not mention that the man seen being punched in the video was an employee but this was later revealed by local law enforcement. Police confirmed they were investigating the video on Friday after it was widely circulated on social media. 'We are looking for them as we speak,' township police Lt. Brad Wangler told MLive. Quay shared the video on Facebook and claimed the attack began after the employee allegedly told someone on the phone 'no one just some n****r' when hey asked him a question. Macy's claimed in a statement Friday, however, that the attack had been unprovoked 'It's not something that's been put on the back burner. We want to find out what happened.' Police said they were called to the scene at around 5.45pm on Monday. 'Officers learned an employee of the store was assaulted by a young black male who fled the scene with a second individual after the assault,' they said in a statement Friday. 'Store surveillance video confirmed the assault against the employee. Investigators also learned the assault was recorded by the second individual and shared on social media.' Local rapper FT Quay took to Facebook shared the video on Monday and claimed that the clip was not the entire video. The alleged racial slur used by the employee is not heard Flint Township Lt. Brad Wangler said that they are investigating the incident but no one is currently in custody. The police responded to reports of an assault at 5.45 pm Monday The brief video shared by Quay shows the man punching the other in the face, with the unsuspecting man immediately asking, 'What are you doing that for?' As the man on the ground extends his arm to keep the angered man away, the assailant punches him again and tells him not to touch him. At this point, the employee tells the black man 'I didn't touch you... I'm sorry' as the assailant punches him a few more times. Flint Township Lt. Brad Wangler said that they are investigating the incident but no one is currently in custody. A Macy's spokesperson added that they have beefed up security at the store following the incident. Police urge anyone with information to contact Detective Hart at 810-600-3250, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245) or go to www.crimestoppersoffint.com. Investigators believe the gunman behind Aprils deadly massacre in northern Nova Scotia withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars prior to the killings because he thought his assets were safer under his control during the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior RCMP official told the Star this weekend. Supt. Darren Campbell pushed back on a media report that suggested Gabriel Wortmans massive cash withdrawal in late March may have been related to undercover work as a police informant or agent. We can confirm that the gunman withdrew a substantial amount of cash prior to the shootings. We were aware of this very early into the investigation, Campbell said. I can also confirm that the RCMP was not the source of those funds as incorrectly assumed in recent media articles. Earlier this week, Macleans magazine reported that on March 30, a few weeks before Wortman killed 22 people while dressed in a Mountie uniform and driving a replica RCMP car, he withdrew $475,000 from a Brinks depot in Dartmouth, N.S. Macleans, which obtained videos showing Wortman at the facility, reported that the 51-year-old denturist had the cash transferred to Brinks, which specializes in cash management services, from an account at a major Canadian bank. In a followup story, Macleans reported that the money came from CIBC Intria, a subsidiary of the chartered bank, and cited sources who said the money transaction was consistent with how the RCMP funnels money to its confidential informants and agents, and is not an option available to private banking customers. Campbell dismissed the idea there was a secret relationship with Wortman. Repeating what he had stated at a previous news conference, Campbell said, The gunman had no special relationship with the RCMP whatsoever. Asked if Wortman who was shot and killed by police at a gas station after a 13-hour rampage had any kind of relationship with the RCMP or any other law-enforcement agency, Campbell said, The investigation has not uncovered any relationship between the gunman and the RCMP outside of an estranged familial relationship between the gunman and two retired RCMP members. He said the gunman was known to associate with a police officer from another local police agency, but it was purely personal and not connected to policing. It is our understanding that the relationship was based on business and mutual interests, he said. Campbell said the reason for Wortmans large cash withdrawal, which he confirmed was hundreds of thousands of dollars, was not fully known, however, there are indications that near the time of the withdrawal, the gunman believed that due to the worldwide pandemic, that his financial assets were safer under his control. Previously released court records stemming from the investigation have cited witnesses who described Wortman as controlling and paranoid, paranoid about the pandemic and someone who had a mental breakdown. Investigators are in the midst of carrying out a financial audit of the gunmans accounts and transactions, Campbell said. What I can confirm at this point is that it appears that the gunman liquidated personal investments from his own bank accounts and converted them to cash prior to the shootings. At this time, I cannot comment on what he did with the money as that component remains under investigation. Jessica Davis, a former senior strategic analyst at CSIS and president and principal consultant at Insight Threat Intelligence, told the Star that the withdrawal of money fits a pattern shes seen in terrorist cases. In the lead-up to terrorist attacks, people do withdraw large sums of money to prepare for the attack or to give it to someone else like making final preparations, she said. Perhaps Wortman anticipated going on the run and didnt want to leave behind a trail with credit or debit cards, she said. Davis said she was curious to know more about why Wortman chose to withdraw the cash through the Brinks depot, calling it unusual. Campbell also said investigators were not aware of any ties between Wortman and members of organized crime groups. Macleans had reported Wortman often spent time with Hells Angels and had at least one associate with links to a Mexican drug cartel. Earlier this month, Campbell told reporters that investigators believe Wortman may have been an injustice collector, someone who felt slighted or cheated by others and held on to those grievances until they boiled over. Some of his victims may have been targeted for that reason, while others were random targets. Campbell declined this weekend to elaborate on what else investigators have learned, other than to say they have made significant progress. Whatever progress has been made has been accompanied by a barrage of criticism about the RCMPs actions before and after the killings. A recently filed proposed class-action lawsuit alleges that the RCMP failed to investigate reports prior to the shootings that the gunman possessed illegal weapons and that he was physically abusive to women; did not adequately secure the perimeter of the scene of the initial shooting in Portapique, allowing the gunman to escape; and failed to alert the public adequately by choosing to use Twitter rather than the provincial Alert Ready system. These allegations, which have not been proven in court, have been accompanied by calls for a public inquiry into the mass killing. Campbell said he would welcome any form of review or inquiry as it would provide an opportunity for all the facts to become known. In response to a passage in one of the Macleans articles that said the RCMPs operations manual permits members to mislead all but the courts in order to shield the identities of confidential informants and agents, Campbell said: Everything Ive said to the families, everything Ive said in the media, everything that I said was true. I have not embellished anything. I have not fabricated anything. Ive told the truth. With files from Steve McKinley Read more about: President Donald Trumps campaign promised huge crowds at his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, but it failed to deliver. Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say theyre at least partially responsible. Brad Parscale, the chairman of Trumps re-election campaign, posted on Twitter on Monday that the campaign had fielded more than 1 million ticket requests, but reporters at the event noted the attendance was lower than expected. The campaign also canceled planned events outside the rally for an overflow crowd that did not materialize. Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaigns spokesman, said protesters stopped supporters from entering the rally, held at the BOK Center, which has a 19,000-seat capacity. Reporters present said there were few protests. TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music groups claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets for Trumps rally as a prank. After @TeamTrump tweeted asking supporters to register for free tickets using their phones June 11, K-pop fan accounts began sharing the information with followers, encouraging them to register for the rally and then not show. The trend quickly spread on TikTok, where videos with millions of views instructed viewers to do the same, as CNN reported Tuesday. Oh no. I signed up for a Trump rally, and I cant go, one woman joked, along with a fake cough, in a TikTok posted June 15. Thousands of other users posted similar tweets and videos to TikTok that racked up millions of views. Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It spread mostly through Alt TikTok we kept it on the quiet side where people do pranks and a lot of activism, said YouTuber Elijah Daniel, 26, who participated in the campaign. K-pop, Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly. They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos to get where they want. Many users deleted their posts after 24 to 48 hours in order to conceal their plan. The majority of people who made them deleted them after the first day because we didnt want the Trump campaign to catch wind, Daniel said. These kids are smart, and they thought of everything. Twitter users Saturday night were quick to declare the social media campaigns victory. Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted in response to Parscale, who had tweeted that radical protestors had interfered with attendance. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump, added Steve Schmidt, a longtime Republican strategist. Mary Jo Laupp, a 51-year-old from Fort Dodge, Iowa, said she had been watching Black TikTok users express their frustration about Trump hosting his rally on Juneteenth. (The rally was later moved to June 20.) She vented her own anger in a late-night TikTok video June 11 and provided a call to action. She recommended that people who want to see this 19,000-seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing there alone on the stage, Laupp said in the video. When she checked her phone the next morning, Laupp said, the video was starting to go viral. It has more than 700,000 likes, she added, and more than 2 million views. She said she believed that at least 17,000 tickets were accounted for based on comments she received on her TikTok videos but added that people reaching out to her said tens of thousands more had been reserved. Laupp said she was overwhelmed and stunned by the possibility that she and the effort she helped inspire might have contributed to the low rally attendance. There are teenagers in this country who participated in this little no-show protest, who believe that they can have an impact in their country in the political system even though theyre not old enough to vote right now, she said. The effort to deprive Trump of a large crowd spread from Twitter and TikTok across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat. Erin Hoffman, an 18-year-old from upstate New York, said she heard from a friend on Instagram about the campaign. She then spread it herself via her Snapchat story and said friends who saw her post told her they were reserving tickets. Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of Americans in so many ways, and to me, this was the protest I was able to perform, said Hoffman, who reserved two tickets herself and persuaded one of her parents to nab two more. He doesnt deserve the platform he has been given. Laupp said that many of the people who shared her video added commentary encouraging people to procure the tickets with fake names and phone numbers. In the comment section under her own video, TikTok users exchanged advice on how to acquire a Google Voice number or another internet-connected phone line. We all know the Trump campaign feeds on data; they are constantly mining these rallies for data, said Laupp, who worked on several rallies for Pete Buttigiegs campaign for president. Feeding them false data was a bonus. The data they think they have, the data they are collecting from this rally, isnt accurate. She added that several people who took part in her campaign complained that once they signed up for the rally with their real phone numbers, they couldnt get the Trump campaign to stop texting them and sending them messages. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Mary Garcia, a 19-year-old student from California, said that she used a Google Voice number to sign up for the rally but that two of her friends who also signed up used their real numbers and had been inundated with texts from the Trump campaign. Garcia said she decided to sign up on a whim after seeing Laupps video, but after she saw the Trump campaign boasting about its record-setting ticket numbers she regretted what she had done. I feel like it doesnt even matter if the rally is full or not, Garcia said. They are going to boast about a million tickets being registered, and then theyll just lie or whatever about how big the audience was. K-pop stans have been getting increasingly involved in American politics in recent months. After the Trump campaign solicited messages for the presidents birthday June 8, K-pop stans submitted a stream of prank messages. And earlier in June, when the Dallas Police Department asked citizens to submit videos of suspicious or illegal activity through a dedicated app, K-pop Twitter claimed credit for crashing the app by uploading thousands of fancam videos. They also reclaimed the #WhiteLivesMatter hashtag in May by spamming it with endless K-pop videos in hopes to make it harder for white supremacists and sympathizers to find one another and communicate their messaging. Whether or not the prank to call in false tickets was the reason for the empty upper rafters at Trumps rally, teenagers online celebrated. On Twitter, several accounts tweeted, best senior prank ever. The national tally stays at 349, including 209 imported cases that were quarantined upon arrival. A total of 10,500 people in close contact with infected people or returning from pandemic-hit countries are under medical monitoring or quarantine, including 162 at hospitals, 9,387 at State-designated facilities, and 952 at home. Up to 326 patients have recovered, accounting for 93.4 percent of the total cases while the remaining 23 are being treated at provincial and central hospitals and in stable health condition. Among the active patients, four have tested negative for the coronavirus at least twice. Most recently, a Vietnam Airlines flight brought 309 Vietnamese citizens home from Angola thanks to joint efforts. Passengers on the flight included children, the elderly, sick people, pregnant women, workers with expired visas and contracts. The Vietnamese Embassy in Angola sent officers to the airport to assist citizens in making check-in procedures and solve arising issues. Vietnamese citizen in Luanda, Angola waiting to board the plane home on June 18. Immediately after the flight landed in Van Don, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, all passengers and crew members were given health check and quarantined in line with regulations. Earlier, the flight brought face masks and protective gear as gifts of the Vietnamese government to Angola. Following instructions of the Prime Minister, Vietnamese agencies will continue to coordinate with representative agencies abroad to arrange more flights to take Vietnamese citizens back home based on citizens wish and domestic quarantine capacity. Country to go digital through decade of all-purpose action, photo Shutterstock Over a week ago, the Politburo enacted Conclusion No.77-KL/TW on overcoming impacts of COVID-19 for national economic recovery and development. The conclusion underlined the need for Vietnam to develop a digital government, economy, and society with renovations and applications of science and technology. Resources are gathered to develop a number of shared technological platforms and national key database systems, reads the conclusion. It is necessary to boost the formulation of policy frameworks and complete these for new business models and for digital transformation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc last week approved a national programme on digital transformation until 2025, with a vision to 2030. Together with the Politburos hallmark Resolution No.52-NQ/TW released last September on a number of guidelines and policies to actively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Conclusion 77, this programme is a big addition to Vietnams effort to showcase its strong determination to become a digital economy, in which new products, services, solutions, and business models are accepted in tandem with the countrys gradual completion of legal frameworks. The government will create new policies to stand ready to accept and pilot new technological solutions controllably. There must be a culture of accepting and piloting new things, stated PM Phuc. Vietnams technological businesses are the key developers of infrastructure, platforms, services, and solutions of the digital transformation. They will have to master core technology and then expand their presence to the global markets. Vietnamese enterprises are to be facilitated to co-operate with global technological giants to research, develop, transfer, and apply new technologies and models in Vietnam. In its digital economy development programme, the government will aim to develop four types of digital businesses, namely major trade and service groups focusing on digital technology investment and core technologies, IT firms focusing on research and development (R&D) and production, and digital startups that create innovative products. Notably, Vietnam plans to shift from assembly and processing towards creating Make in Vietnam products, meaning creating, designing, and producing products in Vietnam. Moreover, the country will research, develop, and master all technologies, and produce digital equipment such as smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and Internet-of-Things equipment, while meeting all technical standards on ensuring cybersecurity. Jeff Paine, managing director of the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), told VIR that Vietnam is full of potential to become a digital economy. In recent years, the country has taken steps to attract overseas Vietnamese to come back home. This has enabled a burgeoning entrepreneurial scene, where startups and small businesses that leverage technologies have emerged. With the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, Vietnam also is well poised to meet the demand of companies shifting their production capacity out of China into Southeast Asian economies like Vietnam, Paine said. The opportunities from these developments are enormous, as the availability of local tech talents in a country with almost 100 million people will create a foundation upon which global tech companies can invest and develop innovative products and services for both local and regional markets. Grab, which opened an R&D centre in Ho Chi Minh City in 2017, is an example. According to Dang Hoang Hai, general director of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, currently in Vietnam, one of the firm foundations for developing a digital economy is the boom of e-commerce. Success in e-commerce development will also help Vietnam soon reach its goals and successfully develop its own digital economy, Hai said. He estimated that currently there are about 24,250 websites with e-commerce applications in Vietnam, 143.3 million mobile phone subscribers, and 62 million social network users and internet users. All these stats show great potential for Vietnam to develop its e-commerce industry, which is now considered the biggest highlight in Vietnams drive to develop its digital economy, Hai said. Vietnams open policies have enabled it to attract leading global technology companies who have chosen the country as a place to build major manufacturing facilities that supply equipment and products to the world, creating more jobs and developing human capital. Today, we are seeing a shift higher up the technology value chain, to software development and digital application-based services. These foreign investments are critical to Vietnam, especially for transfer of knowledge and international best practices, which will support the development of a local ICT industry that is globally competitive, Paine said. According to financial and accounting consultancy firm Deloitte, amidst the proliferation of physical channels, digital platforms are also emerging in the retail market, which is part of a digital economy, with players such as Adayroi, Lazada, Shopee, and Tiki leading the pack. The growth potential of Vietnams digital retail market has also captured the attention of several e-commerce giants, with Amazon launching an initiative together with the Vietnam e-Commerce Association to provide digital services to a group of 140 local businesses. Targets for Vietnams digital economy over the next decade Basic targets until 2025 - Vietnam will be among the 70 nations taking the lead in e-government in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs E-Government Development Index (EGDI); - The digital economy will account for 20 per cent of GDP; - The ratio of the digital economy in each industry will reach at least 10 per cent; - Annual labour productivity will increase at least 7 per cent; - Vietnam will be among the 50 nations taking the lead in global competition; - Vietnam will be among the 35 nations taking the lead in innovation. Basic targets until 2030 - Vietnam will be among the 50 nations taking the lead in e-government in EGDI; - The digital economy will account for 30 per cent of GDP; - The ratio of the digital economy in each industry will reach at least 20 per cent; - Annual labour productivity will increase at least 8 per cent; - Vietnam will be among the 30 nations taking the lead in global competition; - Vietnam will be among the 30 nations taking the lead in innovation. Source: National programme on digital transformation until 2025, with a vision to 2030 In another case, founded in 2010 as a web-based book retail business, Tiki has since then expanded its offerings to a wider range of products, including home appliances, electronics products, and healthcare products. In March 2017, Tiki announced that it would be transforming its business model from a business-to-customer platform to a business-to-business-to-consumer platform. This strategic shift appeared to be well-received by investors, following a $50 million investment from JD.com at the end of 2017 and another $10 million from STIC Investments in early 2018. Vietnam has become an attractive spot for e-commerce development, with many types of firms, said Tran Hai Linh, CEO of Sendo Technology, which has over 10,000 buyers nationwide. E-commerce development is laying a firm groundwork for Vietnam to successfully develop its digital economy. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, one of the key factors for the successful construction of a digital economy and the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 is that the government will issue special incentives for foreign firms to establish R&D centres in Vietnam. Currently, many foreign businesses are already operating R&D centres in the country, such as Singapores Grab, South Koreas Samsung, Swedens ABB, and Germanys Bosch. The US telecommunications giant Qualcomm is also considering founding such a centre in Vietnam. Pushkar Banakar By NEW DELHI: India on Saturday issued a point-by-point rebuttal to the Chinese claim made earlier in the day on the Galwan Valley, rejecting allegations that it was the Indian side that triggered the violent face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on June 15.The position with regard to the Galwan Valley area has been historically clear. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to Line of Actual Control (LAC) there are not acceptable. They are not in accordance with Chinas own position in the past, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. In a series of tweets in the morning, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian had claimed that the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the LAC in the Western section of the Sino-Indian boundary. For many years, the Chinese border troops have been patrolling and on duty in this region, he claimed.Zhao accused Indian troops of unilaterally and continuously built roads, bridges and other facilities at the LAC in Galwan Valley. China lodged representations and protests on multiple occasions but India went even further to cross the LAC and made provocations, he argued. India has never undertaken any actions across LAC Rejecting Zhaos allegations, Srivastava said Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors, including Galwan Valley. The Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC. In fact, they have been patrolling this area for a long time without any incident. All infrastructure built by the Indian side is naturally on its own side of the LAC, he underscored. On May 6, Indian border troops crossed LAC, trespassed into Chinas territory, built fortification & barricades, which impeded the patrol of Chinese border troops. They deliberately made provocations in an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo of control and management, Zhao had claimed. Srivastava also dismissed Zhaos allegations that the Indian side was unilaterally trying to alter status quo and said the Chinese side had transgressed the LAC. We do not accept the contention that India was unilaterally changing the status quo. On the contrary, we were maintaining it. Subsequently in May, the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in other areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from us, he said. Zhaos accusations that the Indian troops had violated the June 6 commander-level agreement and attacked Chinese soldiers, was also rebutted, with the spokesperson pointing out that the Chinese side had departed from these understandings in respect of the LAC in the Galwan Valley area and sought to erect structures just across the LAC. When this attempt was foiled, Chinese troops took to violence on June 15. Srivastava reiterated that MEA, in a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart had conveyed New Delhis protest in the strongest terms. By Mohammed Mukhashaf ADEN (Reuters) - Southern separatists have seized control of Yemen's island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea, deposing its governor and driving out forces of the Saudi-backed government which condemned the action as coup. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self rule in the south in April, complicating U.N. efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire in a war that has separatists and the government fighting as nominal allies in a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi group, who control the north. On Saturday, the STC announced it had seized government facilities and military bases on the main island of Socotra, a sparsely populated archipelago which sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The government which is led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi condemned the action as a "full-fledged" coup on the island and accused STC forces of attacking government buildings in "gang-style behaviour". Socotra governor Ramzi Mahroos accused coalition leaders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of turning a blind eye. The UAE has previously backed STC forces with air strikes in fighting against the government in the south. The coalition's Saudi spokesman and the UAE foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Sources told Reuters last week that Saudi Arabia, which has tried to broker a deal between the STC and Hadi's government, had presented a proposal to end the separatist stand-off, but the STC subsequently denied receiving it. Riyadh wants to prevent another front developing in Yemen's multifaceted war, which has been locked in military stalemate for years. The coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Iran-aligned Houthis ousted the Saudi-backed government for power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system. Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique fauna and flora, is located in the shipping lane linking Asia to the Europe via the Red sea and Suez Canal. (Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) If expert opinion is anything to go by, social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic is here to stay for the near future. And this restricted social interaction only makes way for more restlessness to crop up in daily life. In such a challenging and uncertain time, it's a need to not let your mental health affect your physical immunity and vice versa. And how do you do it? By hitting the mat and embracing the ancient science of healing Yoga. On this International Yoga Day, 26-year-old Soumya Pathak, a yoga practitioner and tutor, expounds on the tools of yoga that allows one "to release the toxic emotions and energy we keep collecting within our mind and bodies." Why is yoga needed during a time like pandemic for the mind and body? We all have been very quick at collectively picking up on anxiety in this stressful time. Due to lack of physical activity and social interaction, physical and mental health is taking a huge toll on us. In times like these, Yoga provides tools to manage both. Through the practice of asanas and pranayama, one can help himself by keeping the body healthy. Meditative techniques can take care of mental health. When did you take up yoga and how has it helped you? My journey with Yoga started in August 2017. To put in the simplest of words, in every aspect possible, I am no longer the person I used to be before I stepped into The Yoga Institute, Mumbai for my training. Physically I am healthier at 28 than I ever was. But most importantly the change has been significant in my mental health. I wouldn't say I am all saintly now, however, I am much more aware of my thoughts and how to deal with them without allowing myself to fall into the spiral of negative thoughts. How did you rise up to become a yoga influencer? Honestly, I somehow don't like the term "influencer". I started my page with the intention to share my journey with people. It was never my intention to become an "influencer" of any sort. Although it always felt rewarding when there were immense appreciation and support from people for my content. My husband, who I was dating then, has motivated me from the beginning and always given me insights on how I can grow my profile in a better way. I think, consistency and posting good quality content really helped me grow myself on social media. How effective is yoga in managing stress and anxiety? It is one of the best tools one can have to manage these two. The contemporary time has brought with it a lot of lifestyle-induced ailments, stress and anxiety being the biggest ones. Yoga gives the tools to release the toxic emotions and energy we keep on collecting within our mind and bodies. The asana practice not just makes the body healthy, it provides a safe space for the person to be who they are without any judgments. The experiences on gains from the yoga practice are a huge support to deal with day to day stressful chores. What is that one message you have for people on the International Yoga Day? The more you surrender to Yoga, the more you rise. Yoga practice requires and demands a lot of surrendering, letting go and faith. But once you have given it your all, you can see your life transform in front of your eyes. Have faith both in your practice and in yoga. Tips for our readers who are new to yoga? For those who want to start their journey of practising there is no substitute for a teacher. Just as you learnt to read and write full sentences by learning the alphabets first from a teacher, consider yoga to be the same. If you want a long term, safe and strong practice, find a teacher who you can connect with and let him/her guide you through the journey. For those who are just starting to teach start small. Keep on studying constantly. There is no shame in accepting that you don't know something. That's how you will grow. By accepting that there is something you have to study for and work on. And most importantly, always find time for your self-practice. We as teachers, don't have the right to teach if we don't practice. WASHINGTON - The test kits for detecting the nation's earliest cases of the novel coronavirus failed because of "likely" contamination at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose scientists did not thoroughly check the kits despite "anomalies" during manufacturing, according to a new federal review. The review, conducted by two Department of Health and Human Services lawyers, also said there was "time pressure'' at the CDC to launch testing, and "lab practices that may have been insufficient to prevent the risk of contamination.'' The lawyers, from the department's general counsel's office, were not named. Neither the review, released late Friday, nor an accompanying statement from President Donald Trump's chief spokesman at HHS assigned blame to any CDC scientist or official by name. The review is the first confirmation by the Trump administration that the original test kits were likely contaminated, and that the problem appeared to have occurred in late January within the CDC's headquarters in Atlanta. In general, HHS has defended the administration's efforts to counter the pandemic. The three-page review also acknowledged that, after weeks of delay, the likely contamination ultimately prompted the CDC to jettison a problematic component of the test kit. The component was intended to detect coronavirus strains other than the one that causes covid-19, the disease that has killed more than 117,000 Americans. The Washington Post reported on April 18 that the test kits had generated false-positive results - caused by the CDC's contamination - at 24 of the first 26 public health labs that tried them out before analyzing samples from actual patients. The Post also reported that an examination by the Food and Drug Administration had concluded that the tests failed because of substandard manufacturing practices and that the CDC violated its own laboratory protocol in making the kits. The false positives arose during testing of "negative control'' samples that contained highly purified water and no genetic material. That aspect of testing was essential to confirm that results would be reliable and not skewed by contamination. A spokesman for the CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the HHS review. The review was first reported Friday by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The CDC's failure with the test added many weeks of delays to the rollout of widespread testing and hampered efforts by state and local public health labs to minimize harm before the coronavirus became widely established in the United States. The review was based on the HHS lawyers' interviews "with nine CDC employees and contractors who were involved in the production of the test kits.'' The lawyers also spoke with Timothy Stenzel, a top FDA official regulating diagnostic devices used for medical treatment, and "one other FDA scientist in a consulting capacity,'' according to the review. The review identified several CDC labs involved with making the test kits. It said it was "possible'' that contamination occurred during production of materials for the kits performed by the Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, known as the core lab. But the review noted that the core lab "took extreme precautionary measures . . . to minimize any risk of contamination.'' The contamination "most likely'' occurred in CDC's Respiratory Virus Diagnostic Lab, during its processing and testing of the materials produced by the core lab,the review said. "It was at this stage of the manufacture, when the bulk reagent materials for the test kits were processed and tested at [the respiratory virus lab], that they were most likely exposed to positive control material,'' the review said. According to the review, the respiratory lab "had already made multiple uses of positive control material at the time bulk test kit reagents were being handled, increasing the opportunities for contamination.'' The review also said that "a number of CDC interviewees and Dr. Stenzel of FDA described lab practices that may have been insufficient to prevent the risk of contamination, though it is likely that time pressure also contributed.'' There were signs of trouble before the tests were sent to the public health labs, the review found. Before they were shipped out, the test kits "began showing issues with negative controls showing positive results,"the review said. However, the kits were not vetted in advance with standard quality control and quality assurance, or "QC/QA,'' procedures, according to the review. "It appears that time pressure to ship test kits out quickly - and before QC had been conducted on them - might have compromised sufficient QC/QA to identify certain anomalies in data and realize the possibility of contamination before shipment,'' the review said. Asked by email if disciplinary action has been taken or is contemplated against any CDC employee involved with the test kits, an HHS spokeswoman declined to comment. Present and former federal scientists experienced with infectious-disease testing and a congressman who has sought answers about what went wrong at the CDC said in interviews that sending out the test kits without adequate quality control was indefensible. "They should have waited,'' said Stephen Morse, a retired senior CDC microbiologist. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., who has praised coronavirus testing efforts in South Korea, Taiwan and other countries, said, "We have to look back at those weeks in February as having been the critical period in which the [U.S.] government's response totally failed.'' The top HHS spokesman, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo, said in his statement that "we never had a backlog of tests in this country.'' In subsequent responses to The Post on Saturday, HHS touted "the Trump Administration's historic coronavirus response.'' A separate audit of the CDC's handling of the test kits remains underway by the HHS Office of Inspector General and is not expected to be completed until 2021. The witness does not need to look in the direction of the man in the red T-Shirt. "Do you know him?" the presiding judge asks. "Yes." "Who is that?" "Abu Muawia." Even later, when the Chairman asks you again and asks you to look carefully, it stays there: He is there. The murderer of their daughter. The man to recognize the witness as Abu Muawia says, is Taha Al-J. He is the Iraqis and the U.S. attorney's office accused as IS-trailer 2015 the witness and their five-year-old daughter at a slave market and bought. Anna-Sophia Lang editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung. F. A. Z. One day, he should have the small jesidische girl to the penalty of the scorching sun on a window, chained until they died of thirst. Al-J. is the husband of the German IS a supporter of Jennifer W., you will be made in respect of the same events for months of the process at the higher regional court of Munich. The counterpart in Frankfurt has special significance: For the first Time in front of a law court, a representative of the terrorist organization could be condemned on behalf of the stated goal IS to destroy the people of the Yazidis. The witness, who will appear on Friday for the first Time before the court, is a key witness. 48 years old, a young voice, but a face and a bent body, where you look at what they had to suffer. When she speaks of her daughter, not called the jesidischen name. You referred to it as the "Rania" so the slave to the named holder of the five-year-old, because her real Name is that of a disbeliever. In the head of the mother shapes the. It is a small wonder, then, that the investigators came to your statement. Randomly 2018 heard a staff member of the organization "Yazda" that, in Germany, an indictment was charged in the death of a girl in the sun. She noticed that she had only told recently in Iraq, a woman this story. The lawyers of the organization registered with the office of the attorney General. no, the feet hung in the air for Many days the witness has been told since your time IS and the death of the daughter. She's been by the investigators to be heard. In the process against Jennifer W. she had to appear eleven times, until all questions were answered. And now Frankfurt. The court has scheduled three days for the hearing. Whether that's enough, is not in sight. That questioning is uncomfortable and complicated as it was in Munich, is. On Friday, the judges ask for the Details that bring the witness to cry. How exactly is Abu Muawia has tied the girl to the window? The mother makes it with your hands. Could you stand yourself? No, the feet hung in the air. How long she hung there? More than a half hour. Many of the questions does not understand the witness right off the bat. Tedious the Chairman feels its way with the help of the interpreter. He must know, in the end, it comes down to Details. For example, if Abu Muawia wanted to give the baby water after he had unchained; the witness it presents. Or, whether the child lived there, how stiff the body is, how tense the jaw was, what could be the sign of your death. Updated Date: 21 June 2020, 03:20 Your browser does not support the audio element. A womans reappearance has shaken her family to the core as she was believed to have been killed in the war 50 years ago. For the last 50 years, her brother Pham Sung has consistently commemorated his sisters alleged death anniversary and sent prayers to her, following the Vietnamese tradition of honoring a deceased loved one. He could not have dreamt of this day when his sister, Pham Thi Sau, would re-emerge in flesh and bones and be reunited with the rest of the family. The unlikely reunion was made possible by the work of a police officer from Da Nang, a beach city in central Vietnam, who asked to remain anonymous. Fifty years in mourning after a living person Though the news has been out for several weeks, Sung and Sau, aged 80 and 78 respectively, are still the names on everybodys lips in Thi Lai Village of Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, which borders Da Nang. People are still dropping by Sungs house to clear up the details after he returned from Soc Trang, a province in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam, to meet his sister for the first time in five decades. Nguyen Thi Cuc, Sungs daughter-in-law, said that Pham Thi Sau had been mentioned in the family as Sungs sister. She went missing in the 1970s and was never heard of again. The last update from Sau that Sung received was when she moved to the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, carrying the child of a man named Dung. The man vanished after their locale of Quang Dien District was under attack in wartime, leaving Sau and the little child to depart southbound. As she spoke, Cuc pointed to the shrubbery in front of the house, where Sung had been preserving the tradition of 'collective death anniversary' where he lights incense sticks and sends prayers to the spirits of all dead family members every May 11 at noon for the last 50 years. Among the incense sticks, there is always one designated to the person that Sung called 'sister Sau.' My father-in-law was always reduced to tears whenever Sau was mentioned, Cuc recounted. He claimed Sau was only around 18-20 when she died, and she would have come home had she been alive. Saus homecoming journey Sungs claims seem to have been spoken into reality as Sau found her way home, well and alive, exactly 50 years from the day she was gone. Tran Thi Hong Gam, Saus grandchild, said that her grandmother spent her past years building her family in Soc Trang Province. However, the yearning for her hometown never waned in Sau. As her health gradually deteriorated, the imagery of the old village popped up more and more in her conversations with family members. Gam gathered the scattered bits of information and strung them together: from her childhood home at the Han Market in Da Nang to her father Pham Sung to the street named Hoang Dieu where she lived yet they were still having trouble locating her family. The turning point of Gams quest to find her grandmothers roots came from a piece of paper with Saus old home address together with her parents name on it, which she found lying among Saus belongings. In April 2020, she posted the information on Facebook in the hope of finding new leads, only to be disappointed. Gam then used Facebook to seek help from Da Nang police, after which one police officer decided to start an investigation. He even spent time scanning through the police archive which unfortunately yielded little advancement. Finally in May 2020, a police missing person notice was seen by a relative of Sungs in Duy Xuyen District on social media. Once they found the two siblings, the relationship between Sung and Sau was not up to question for long since every timeline and detail between the two matched. Pham Thi Sau (left) and her brother Pham Sung sit in a meal after being separated for 50 years in this photo supplied by the family. The monumental reunion In late May, Pham Sung greeted a seemingly married couple from Da Nang to visit his home. He was shocked to hear the two strangers alluding to his long-lost sister after 50 years of separation, even implying that Sau is alive and will return home soon. Little did he know the couple were actually undercover police officers from Da Nang, who responded to Gams request on Facebook and had pursued the case for months. After visiting Sung, the officers planned to bring Sau to Quang Nam for a heartfelt family reunion. But as Saus health changed for the worse, it was decided that Sung would visit his sister in Soc Trang instead. According to Quy, the sixth child of Sung, one of the police officers planned to participate in the reunion in Soc Trang, but he had to pull out at the last minute to do a major criminal crackdown. Using the address provided, Sung navigated his way to Saus house. He saw his sister, once a little girl, now as a 78-year-old lady. As they hugged, both burst into tears. This reunion had also been Saus dream for years, yet she had pushed it to the back of her mind to deal with the hustle of daily life. Thankfully, her grandchild went to great lengths to make her dream come true in the last days of her life. More reunion to come? Both Sau and Sungs family claimed they wanted to meet the benevolent police officer from Da Nang to thank him for the dedication that led to the reunion, but they had trouble reaching him. On phone calls, the officer declined the meeting, claiming he was already fulfilled to see the reunion between the two siblings. Though we only had the chance to talk to [the officer] via phone call, we are eternally grateful for the favor he has done to us, Gam said. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has also attempted to get in touch with the officer in Da Nang. In response, he said what he did was simply his responsibility as an officer. I dont want to talk too much about myself, but besides the story of Sung and Sau, I also linked and discovered another [missing] person from Saus family. When Dung the first husband of Sau was mentioned by your correspondent as the missing person in question, he said he could not be sure but the anecdotes are 99% matched. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Disabled veteran Kevin Rast has nothing but positive things to say about his military service. I think it was a really good experience for me, to come from the small town of Bowman and to be able to get through and progress in rank, Rast said. He entered the S.C. National Guard while still in high school. I started my service in 1988 that was between my junior and senior year. I did the National Guard split op went to basic training at Fort Jackson. When Rast graduated from high school, he went to Fort Gordon, Georgia for training. He served in the National Guard for another year before deciding to go to active duty in the Army after Operation Desert Storm. His first duty station was at Fort Stewart, Ga., where he deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Southern Watch. That was basically us going over there as a show of force, as part of the brigade that participated in training exercises with the Kuwaitis, Rast said. He followed that with a tour of duty at Camp Castle, Republic of South Korea, from December 1993 to December 1994. He was then assigned to Fort Benning, Ga., where he deployed to Amman, Jordan, as part of Operation Eager Light from March 1995 to June 1995. Rast was then assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was a paratrooper for eight years. That was when I was a lot younger, Rast said, laughing. It was a lot of fun. It was good times. Rast did a lot training and support for the 82nd Airborne Division. I ended up making a total of 52 jumps, and I was also a jumpmaster at that time, he said. Rast did a lot of training, but none of his jumps were combat related, he said. Rast deployed to Muscat, Oman, for humanitarian demining operations from February to April of 2001, and then to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo from November 2001 to May 2002. My job in the Army was a combat engineer, which dealt with explosives, demolitions and landmines and things of that nature, he said. Later Rast went to Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2003 to August 2003, and to Forward Operation Station Carlson, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom from April 2004 to December 2004. Rast was then selected for drill sergeant duty and assigned to Fort Benning from March 2006 to March 2009. After drill sergeant duty, Rast was assigned to Fort Drum, New York, where he deployed to Forward Operating Station Gary Owen, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from June 2009 to May 2010, and to Coalition Operating Station Shank, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from November 2013 to March 2014. He has held every enlisted leadership position, from team leader to first sergeant. Rast retired at Fort Drum in September 2015 and returned to Bowman in January 2016. Rast's awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal (Forth Award), the Meritorious Service Medal (Third Award), the Army Commendation Medal (Third Award), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (Sixth Award), National Defense Service Medal (Second Award), the Kosovo Campaign Medal (One Campaign Star), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Two Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (One Campaign Star), Liberation of Kuwait Medal, NATO Medal (Second Award), the Korea Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (One Campaign Star), the Volunteer Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Second Award), the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the Bronze DeFlury Medal (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 20-year honorable service award) and the Sgt. Audie Murphy Medallion. In addition, he received the Key to the City of Binghamton, New York, for his extensive community service to the Greater Fort Drum area. Ive got a total of around 26 years of service, Rast said. His most memorable experience was during his last deployment to Afghanistan in 2013. We got selected to be a part of a new system that we were trying out. Our job after all the stuff started with the global war on terrorism there was a problem with IEDs and stuff and our job was to go out and clear the IEDs, and that way, reduce the casualties, Rast said. Im proud of that deployment because I was in charge of about 96 people, all under my command, and all of our missions we went on countless missions nobody ever got injured, nobody got killed and everybody got back home in one piece, he said. Rast is married to Dawn N. Rast and resides in Bowman with daughter Makayla Rast and grandsons Malachi Rowe and Maison Rowe. He has five adult children who reside outside the home. Love 9 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 The meeting looked into the situation in Haiti and the report of the UN Secretary General on the operation of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). Both Vietnam and Indonesia expressed their concern over difficulties and uncertainties regarding the situation in Haiti, especially the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They said they back the electoral process and the intensification of womens participation. The two countries also lauded the BINUH for its measures in support of Haiti over the recent past, and urged the office and the UN working group to identify concrete measures to help Haiti deal with pressing issues. Other UNSC member countries praised the offices supporting role in the political transformation and stressed the need for Haiti to step up political dialogues and constitutional reform. They voiced their concern over activities of armed criminal gangs, and appealed to the international community and other countries to continue their support to Haiti in handling these challenges. Nepals FM radio channels close to the border with India are broadcasting propaganda to back Kathmandus claim on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, residents in Indias border villages said. Nepalese parliament recently adopted a new political map of the country showing these areas as part of its own territory, a move strongly opposed by India. Some Nepalese FM channels have of late started playing anti-India speeches in between Nepali songs, said Shalu Datal, a resident of Dantu village in Pithoragarhs Dharchula sub-division. As people on both sides of the border listen to Nepali songs, they also hear the anti-India speeches delivered by Nepalese leaders in between them, she said. The main FM stations playing anti-India content between songs are Naya Nepal and Kalapani Radio, Datal said. Some old channels like Mallikarjun Radio and a website named annapurna.online are also broadcasting reports depicting Kalapani as Nepalese territory, she said. The FM stations are situated at Chabrigar near the district headquarters in Nepals Dharchula. The stations have a range of about three kilometers and can be heard in Dharchula, Baluakot, Jauljibi and Kalika on the Indian side of the border. These radio stations have also started giving weather reports on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, treating them as Nepalese territory, Krishna Garbiyal, a Rang community leader based in Dharchula said. However, the district administration and police said they have no information about any anti-India propaganda launched by Nepal through its FM radio channels. We have no feedback from our intelligence units on the subject, Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Preeti Priyadarshini said. Dharchula Circle Officer V K Acharya also expressed ignorance. Our intelligence units have not yet spoken about any such anti-India propaganda by Nepal, he said. Ashok Nabiyal, a leader from Vyas Valley, said Indian intelligence agencies active on the border need to take cognizance of the situation to be able to counter the propaganda. CERN, the European research organisation that currently operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, has decided to take up another mammoth scientific project under its wings. The new project is a 100-kilometre long machine that will possibly uncover the secrets of the universe, specifically those of Higgs Boson. The CERN Council unanimously endorsed the decision for a super-collider on 19 June. The super machine is meant to collide electrons with their antimatter partners, positrons. To be built in an underground tunnel near CERNs headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the super-collider is expected to be operational by the middle of the century. Once completed, the super-collider will be a successor to the CERNs world famous scientific project - the Large Hadron Collider. If you recall, this is the same collider that raised the false fear of the earth being destroyed upon conducting experiments in it. The Earth is still intact and thanks to the collider, Francois Englert and Peter Higgs now have a Nobel Prize in physics. Unified decision Large Hadron Collider (Image: CERN) Till now, there had been varying ideas at CERN for the successor of the Large Hadron Collider. With the decision zeroed down to the super-collider, CERN Council has now made a unanimous statement. This is a major step, to get the countries of Europe to say Yes, this is what we would like to happen, says Llewellyn-Smith, a physicist at the University of Oxford, UK, as quoted in a report by Nature. Though the approval does not mean a final go-ahead for the project, it certainly does narrow down the efforts to be made next. CERN can now singularly focus on designing the planned collider and researching its feasibility. Meanwhile, all alternative options as possible projects can now be discarded. I think its a historic day for CERN and particle physics, in Europe and beyond, CERN director-general Fabiola Gianotti said after the council vote. The plan Large Hadron Collider (LHC) tunnel during the second long shutdown (LS2). (Image: CERN) European Strategy for Particle Physics Update, the document highlighting the approval for the project, also mentions the two stages of development of the collider. First, CERN would build an electron-positron collider to understand the Higgs Boson in detail. In the latter half of the century, the machine would be dismantled and a proton-proton collider would be built instead. The new machine thus built, is projected to reach collision energies of 100 teraelectronvolts (TeV). In comparison, the Large Hadron Collider, currently the most powerful accelerator in the world, attains 16 TeV of collision energy while colliding protons. The goal There are two broad goals to be achieved through the experiment. In its first phase, the collider is meant to smash electrons with positrons. For this, the collision energies will be tuned as such to maximize the production of Higgs Bosons. With such a production of Higgs Boson, the collider will operate as a "Higgs Factory". Scientists will then be able to study the elusive Higgs Boson particle in detail. British scientist Peter Higgs poses in front of a photographic image of the Atlas detector at the Science Museum in London (Image: Reuters) For those unaware, Higgs Boson is an elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics. The particle is associated with the Higgs field, which is an energy field responsible for providing mass to the things that travel through it. Back in 1964, Peter Higgs, Francois Englert and their team theorised the Higgs field. The theory was an instant missing link for the known Standard Model of particle physics. While the Standard Model was able to explain the existence of photon and the W and Z bosons, it never had an answer to why these particles (and eventually everything they conjoin to form) have masses. The Higgs field explained this, both for the rudimentary particles as well as for the entire universe stars, planets and everything in the observable universe. The theory even fit in with the Big Bang Theory and is the most widely regarded explanation of the origin of the universe. So it is no wonder that when the Large Hadron Collider was able to discover Higgs Boson, it came to be the biggest scientific discovery of the century! As for the second goal, a proton-proton collider would be built to search for new particles or forces of nature that humans do not know of yet, possibly expanding or replacing the current standard model of particle physics. The technology for such a machine is yet to be studied though. Worth the bill? The ALICE experiment detector being renovated for the next run of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) (Image: CERN) CERN plans to begin the construction of the supercollider by 2038. But the project would not be possible with the existing sources of funds for CERN. Expected to cost at least 21 billion (Rs 1.8 lakh crore), CERN will need global help to fund the project. Such an exorbitant cost always raises the question of the viability and potential of the project. Even within the physics community, not all scientists are supporting the project. Sabine Hossenfelder, a theoretical physicist at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Germany, is quoted by Nature, saying I still think its not a good idea. Were talking about tens of billions. I just think there is not enough scientific potential in doing that kind of study right now. We dont have an equivalent, rock-solid prediction now and that makes knowing where and how to look for answers more challenging and higher risk, says Tara Shears, a physicist at the University of Liverpool, UK. Both the scientists have valid concerns around the project. What is to be discovered through the super-collider is nothing but more properties of a particle that still eludes physicists. Even if the scientists are able to do so, how would the resulting knowledge benefit our understanding of the universe is a matter yet unknown. Then again, what is yet unknown will remain so if not for such never-seen-before experiments. So even though the results are not guaranteed to be monumental (at least yet), we know the super-collider to be the only way to increase our knowledge of particle physics. In this pursuit, who knows if we might actually stumble upon something substantial? It is Fathers Day today and many South African celebs are celebrating in one way or another. Father's are special people who sacrifice the most for their d families little ones and deserve a day that is all about them. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Our father is generally our first love and our biggest hero. A father is a role that is earned and can never be replaced. Briefly.co.za has seen all the beautiful Fathers Day posts flooding social media. Our celebs are celebrating their fathers, being a father, the father of their children and just fathers in general. We have some of the most dedicated celeb fathers in Mzansi. From our Springbok captain Siya Kolis to rapper Emtee, they all take their role as a father very seriously. Becoming a father comes with many challenges and a lot of responsibility, but it is a title that is something to be proud of. Seeing celebs honour their late fathers, present fathers and fathers in general, has been truly heart-warming. Here are just a few of the beautiful Fathers Day posts our celebs, politicians and sportsmen have posted on social media in honour of the men who raised us, are raising us and are yet to raise us. Happy Fathers Day to all! READ ALSO: Reebok responds to AKAs serious and public SneAKA accusations Shona Ferguson remembered his late father and all that he taught him. He is the man he is today because of him. Thando Thabethe wished her father, remembering all the amazing memories they shared. Thando couldn't have asked for a better father. DJ Shimza wished all the father out there with the cutest snap of him and his mini-me. Cassper Nyovest wished DJ Shomza and others. He couldn't believe the resemblance between Shimza and his little girl. Zola Nombona wished Thomas Gumede on his 1st Father's Day, a moment he will never forget. Mmusi Maimane thanked the fathers of Mzansi for setting the example and always being there for their children. He also thanked his own father for all his support and endless love. The Sharks rugby team shared memories of their fathers, being a father and wished all the fathers out there. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly News They can be your neighbors, friends and even your teachers. Recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are spread throughout the community. Although there are no clear numbers of how many DACA recipients reside in Laredo and Webb County, the state of Texas reportedly has more than 100,000 of the 700,000-plus DACA recipients in the country, according to figures presented by Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28). Two of these individuals are Emilia Almanza, who likes to be called Janeth, and Jose Luis Saldana Cortes, who likes to be called Joe. As young women, DACA has helped them tremendously. DACA means that Im able to provide for my son and my family in a way I couldnt before. It means an opportunity to fulfill my dreams and it keeps me safe in a way, said Almanza, who is a teacher. It has helped tremendously because it allows me to work and it protects me from deportation. Almanza points out that she anxiously waited to know what decision the Supreme Court would make this past week as she knew that her entire way of life was on the line. Before the decision I was extremely vulnerable and sentimental, Almanza said. The day of the decision I was in a training for summer school at that time, and I love my language, so as the Supreme Court was making the decision I was told I was going to be teaching in Spanish and I felt a lot of happiness in my heart. After the training, I checked my phone and I saw that the decision was ruled in favor and I started crying of happiness, because I felt saved and as if I could breathe again. READ MORE: Cuellar and DACA recipients share views Her sister felt a similar sigh of relief when she heard the news. However, Cortes hopes this temporary fix does not make lawmakers stop looking for a permanent solution as she knows that another struggle is bound to happen. I could go on forever as to what my hopes for DACA are, Cortes said. Just like our parents or guardians that brought us into this country might have never seen the end to their sacrifices, I will not see the end of my hopes for DACA to continue opening doors not only for equality but also equity that is well deserved for us. I hope DACA one day does become permanent but with more freedoms and rights given to us. I hope one day our parents will get some type of justice relief for themselves as well not only for their children. Just as Dreamers have experienced a sense of protection under this roller coaster government, I hope our parents will too. According to Almanza, going to college was hard due to her having to do so in the shadows. She paid much of the tuition and fees that universities charge because she counted as a foreign student and she could not apply for financial aid. Nevertheless, DACA provided her with a chance to capitalize on what she learned throughout her college career with a job here in Laredo while also supporting her son that was born while she was still a student. Im currently an elementary teacher, and I started college when I was still in the shadows and I decided to apply and get into college because I found out I was pregnant my senior year in high school, Almanza said. So even though I was illegal, I wanted to get my education because in my eyes everything can be taken away except your education. I knew that if one day I was not able to work here in the United States, I could always go back to Mexico and work over there, so school has always been very important to me. When President (Barack) Obama signed the DACA back in 2012, I was in my last semester to graduate with my associates degree. DACA was my green light to get a job legally and further my education as well as to provide for my son. Almanza shared her story on how she was brought into the country at a young age. She does not remember anything that happened before coming to the United Sates since she was brought into the country before turning 2 years old. READ MORE: Laredo confirms 20 coronavirus cases, ending record week of positives Cortes also offered an in-depth look into her story about how she came into the country and into the hands of people she did not know. However, she said it was hard finding out in high school that she was undocumented as it limited her aspirations and opportunities. I was brought to the United States at the age of four without me knowing I would be waking up to complete strangers in a complete unknown home, Cortes said. My mother, who I didn't know much of, came for me later that day. I didn't know much about her since my grandmother raised me since birth. After giving birth to me, my mother left to work in the United States to provide for her parents and, of course, her own child. She did so because of financial problems. I didn't know English at all and had to learn it as I went through my educational journey. By fifth grade, I spoke perfect English. I graduated from elementary, middle school and high school with many achievements on my belt along the way. I didn't know I was undocumented until the ninth grade. After knowing that I knew that many doors would eventually close but kept on with my studies anyway. However, both believe they have made their mother proud. Cortes believes she shares major similarities with what her mother went through as DACA allowed her some sense of security in working and being in the country. But it is only temporary and could be taken away, whichs President Donald J. Trump expressed a desire to do in the past. I was raised by a single mother, and now that Im a single mother myself I can see what she went through trying to raise not one but two children on her own in a country that its not hers, Almanza said. My mother did everything she could as best as she could so my sister and I were able to succeed, and shes more than happy with what we have become. However, it makes me feel guilty in a way because I have privileges that she does not. It breaks my heart that she has to work so much and so hard for so little. As for the future, both Almanza and Cortes hope that a solution for DACA recipients is found. They hope they are allowed to find a pathway to permanent residency along with a solution for people that do not qualify for DACA such as their mother and others that could not apply for or attend college at the time in efforts to finally feel completely safe and not just for the time being. For their futures, Almanza hopes she can continue progressing as a teacher and provide an education for her child that continues to excel in every single way in school like she once did. As for her sister, Cortes hopes she can follow in the footsteps of her sister who was the first in the family to graduate from college, and she also wants to get a career like hers. We love this country. We have lived here for so long, Almanza said. We have proved that all we want to do is work. However, we still have a long way to go and we will be resilient. Police look at bullet holes on an SUV wherein a 3-year-old boy was fatally shot while riding in the vehicle with his father, outside West Suburban Medical Center on June 20, 2020, in Oak Park. The boy was struck in the 5600 block of West Huron Street in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, and his father drove to the hospital, where the boy was pronounced dead. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) While there are rumours about Sadak 2 going to OTT, Bhatt denies the news As director Mahesh Bhatt makes a comeback with Sadak 2 after a long hiatus of 21 years, rumours of its OTT release has been making news for some time. The film has Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt, along with Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapoor. When we got in touch with the films producer Mukesh Bhatt, he revealed that the film is yet to be completed. Everyone has been calling me to ask if we have sold the film to Disney Hotstar. How can we when we have an outdoor schedule of four-five days pending? Well complete the shoot as soon as things become normal, says Bhatt who also reveals that the film is indeed a sequel to the 1991 film. Its a franchise with a big star cast. Would anyone make such a film for a digital platform? So lets first complete the film and then only we can confirm. We have sold the rights of our film to Fox Studios and music rights to Sony Music, he adds. Speaking about the leftover shoot, Bhatt says that until the situation is normal, it wont be possible to shoot. We have to shoot a street scene and will have to engage a crowd. How will that be possible? Also, rains are here so we will have to erect a set to shoot the scene, he says adding that the climax scene has already been canned. After that, we will get on with the post-production which again will take time. We have made Sadak 2 for theatrical release though the big question is when the theatres will re-open. We can only wait and watch, he concludes. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Drawing direct comparisons to the death of George Floyd, a civil rights lawyer said he's filing suit against a Florida police department in the death of a 36-year-old white man who collapsed with an officer's knee on his neck. Timothy Coffman died four days after four South Daytona police officers struggled to control him during an arrest in July 2018, attorney Benjamin Crump said Thursday at a news conference where he appeared with Coffman's mother. It was the knee of the South Daytona Police Department that killed Timothy Coffman, Crump said. The death of Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody has sparked global protests against police killings. A black man, Floyd pleaded for air while offering little resistance to his arrest on May 25. Crump also represents the Floyd family. Like George Floyd, Timothy Coffman has a police officers knee on his back until he lost consciousness, Crump said. The South Daytona Police Department declined to comment, citing pending legal action. Coffman was violent as officers tried to subdue him, according to body cam video. His autopsy listed the cause of death as complications of methamphetamine toxicity and the contributory condition as physical restraint. No charges were filed against the officers. Seventh Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza said in October 2018 that his office reviewed all the reports and statements in the case, and that no further action is warranted, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Crump is calling for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate. In addition to methamphetamine, the toxicology report listed other drugs in Coffman's system, including amphetamines, morphine, fentanyl and norfentanyl. Crump and attorney Jasmine Rand represent Coffmans mother, Kimberly Mitchell. She told the news conference that her son was mentally ill and she had tried to get help for him. Court records show Coffman had prior arrests before police were called to respond to a suspicious person who seemed off, the newspaper reported. Story continues A police report said Coffman fled when the first officer to arrive asked to speak to him. The officer fired a stun gun at him, and Coffman ripped out the barbs and kept running. The officer sprayed Coffman with pepper spray. Coffman then grabbed a bottle of insecticide and sprayed the officer. The officer said he knew he couldn't physically restrain Coffman, who weighed 244 pounds, so he stalled until help arrived. Four officers then struggled with Coffman before finally getting him in handcuffs and leg restraints. Body cam video shows one of the officers putting his knee on the neck, shoulder and back of the face-down Coffman, who yelled Get off me. Coffman struggled for a few minutes, then stopped. The officers rolled him over and put him in a sitting position, the video shows. By then, his head and neck appeared limp. Paramedics took him to a hospital where he died four days later. What he needed was a helping hand, Crump said of Coffman. What he got was a deadly knee. General view of Spanish-French border as Spain reopens its borders to most European visitors after the CCP virus lockdown coinciding with the end of the state of emergency in the country, in La Jonquera, north of Girona, Spain, on June 21, 2020. (Albert Gea/Reuters) Spain Reopens Its Borders as State of Emergency Comes to an End MADRIDPassengers wearing masks and wheeling suitcases arrived at Madrids main airport and French people crossed the border to buy bargain alcohol and tobacco on Sunday as Spain opened its borders to most European countries and ended a state of emergency imposed to contain COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus. Passengers, wearing protective face masks, walk upon arrival from Paris at Adolfo Suarez Barajas airport as Spain reopens its borders to most European visitors after the CCP virus lockdown, in Madrid, Spain, June 21, 2020. (Sergio Perez/Reuters) Spains borders are now open to all European Union countries except Portugal, as well as Schengen area members outside the bloc and Britain in a much-needed boost to the countrys tourism industry which accounts for more than 12 percent of the economy. British tourists will be allowed in without having to quarantine, Spain said on Saturday, even though they will still be subject to 14 days isolation upon their return. Spaniards were also allowed to move freely around the country from Sunday and many were expected to visit friends, relatives, and second homes in other regions. Since March 14, people have had to remain in their own provinces. People will still have to wear masks in public when social distancing measures cannot be observed. A passenger arrives at Madrids main airport on June 20, 2020. (Emer McCarthy/Reuters). At Madrids international Adolfo Suarez-Barajas airport there was a sense of relief for passengers, many of whom were traveling to see loved ones after months apart. My situation is a little complicated because my wife lives in Italy and I live in Spain so we havent seen each other for four months, said Alberto Bos, who was flying to Milan. All arriving passengers will have their temperature taken, submit information about where they have come from, and provide their whereabouts in Spain in case they need to be traced. Spains border with neighboring Portugal will reopen on July 1 at Lisbons request. Stickers on the floor of the arrivals hall made sure those waiting for passengers complied with social distancing measures. Back to Normal People with suitcases boarded trains at Madrids Atocha station heading for coastal Valencia, after months confined to Madrid, over 186.4 miles from the seaside. General view of the highway AP7 near the Spanish-French border as Spain reopens its borders to most European visitors after the CCP virus lockdown coinciding with the end of the state of emergency in the country, in La Jonquera, north of Girona, Spain June 21, 2020. (Albert Gea/Reuters) Meanwhile, French people crossed the border to queue for relatively cheaper tobacco and alcohol in the northern city of Irun. Today its all getting a bit back to normal. Its good for the shops, for the economy, for everything, said shop owner Luis Mancho. Some 1,500 German tourists touched down in Mallorca early last week as part of a pilot scheme to establish a travel corridor between the two areas, ahead of the lifting of restrictions on Sunday. We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen area from 21 June freely and without the need for the quarantine, foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told BBC News on Saturday. But Britains own quarantine measures, requiring a two-week period of self-isolation for most people entering the country, could put off potential travelers. Britain is due to review its quarantine rule on June 29, three weeks after it was introduced. Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said Spain was ready to welcome tourists in an interview with newspaper ABC on Sunday, but added the country has to work to get that message out. We have to build trust, she said. Translate to travelers, Spaniards and foreigners, that the country is a safe destination. Spain, which has recorded more than 245,000 CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases and over 28,000 deaths, has been easing its lockdown restrictions in recent weeks. By Elena Rodriguez Epoch Times staff contributed to this report Victorias coronavirus hotspots have been revealed as the state of emergency was extended by four weeks. On Sunday, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 in Victoria. It follows 25 reported on Saturday. In comparison South Australia had none on Saturday while NSW only had a single case. Premier Daniel Andrews on Saturday would not rule out locking down local government areas with a lot of cases and deferred a number of eased restrictions for three weeks including the maximum number of people allowed in pubs, cafes and places of worship. The worst-hit spots include local government areas of Melbourne, which had 183 cases and 23 active; Brimbank in the northwest, which has nine active cases and 84 historically; and both Casey and Hume, which have seven and eight active cases respectively. Stonnington was also listed with 96 but only two of its cases are active. A woman sits in Melbourne's Botanical Gardens. Source: Getty Images "I am not announcing any changes for those geographical areas right now. But I cannot rule that out," Mr Andrews said, adding the lockdown strategy had been discussed with the national cabinet. Minister for Police Lisa Neville said on Sunday police would continue to monitor areas with higher rates of infection. The key focus, the strengthening of enforcement, will be particularly firstly in those hotspot areas as they are now, and potentially in the future, she told reporters. The virus caused the closure of a daycare centre and three Melbourne primary schools last week. Such has been the angst felt in Victoria, the health minister on Sunday announced the extension of the state of emergency by four weeks. It will now end on July 19. A rower enjoys the sun while travelling on the Yarra River. Source: Getty Images Ms Mikakos said there were concerns by the spike in coronavirus cases in the state. It is still a very serious situation, she said. We have had particular concerns around family gatherings and extended family members across many households visiting each other. Saturdays 25 new cases were the most Victoria recorded in more than a month. Story continues Victorias Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said while the states made some great progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus transmission is still being seen in households. Weve had more than 100 new cases in the past seven days and the main cause for this increase has been through cases in families where people have not followed our advice around physical distancing, hygiene and limiting the number of people you invite into your home, he said on Saturday. From midnight, Victorians will only be allowed five visitors into their homes. More than half of the new Victorian cases since the end of April have come from family members spreading it to their relatives. People at Albert Park Lake as restrictions eased. Source: Getty Images Mr Andrews has voiced his disappointment over people flouting the rules. "It is unacceptable that families anywhere in our state can, just because they want this to be over, pretend that it is," the premier said. He said a number of people who tested positive have ignored health advice and transmitted the virus. The health minister added a Coburg family, in Melbournes north, was linked to 14 cases of coronavirus over a number of households. Another outbreak in Keilor Downs has been spread across nine households now, Ms Mikakos said. 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. ALBANY U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the North Country's most prominent Republican, joined President Donald Trump on Saturday for a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla. the first the president has held since the coronavirus pandemic began. Stefanik has increasingly tied her own re-election to Trump's, as she was catapulted into the spotlight late last year for staunchly defending the president during impeachment hearings. Trump has singled her out as "a new Republican star" and, over the past six months, she campaigned for him in Iowa and was named a co-chair of his re-election bid in New York. "I am so excited to be here in Tulsa, Okla. as we restart off the rallies heading towards November," Stefanik said in a video posted to Twitter Saturday. "There is so much energy and enthusiasm and over 1 million RVSPs truly amazing not just Republicans, but a huge amount of Democrats who want to support this president's record of results." Turnout for the rally was lower than expected, leaving large chunks of the arena's upper level empty. Neither Stefanik, nor other campaign surrogates, spoke at the event but her appearance prompted thousands of dollars in donations to both her own campaign and that of her Democratic opponent, Tedra Cobb, who actively tweeted during the event. Stefanik tied the event to a "48-hour moneybomb" fundraiser, in which she promised that all donations would be quadrupled and split with the Trump re-election campaign. Stefanik campaign spokeswoman Maddie Anderson said the campaign raised more than $150,000 during the fundraising push, with an average donation of $25. Anderson attributed the number to "the overwhelming enthusiasm of supporters in her district who were excited to see her participate (in the rally)." Cobb also held a fundraiser linked to the rally, urging her supporters on social media Saturday at noon to help reach a goal of $25,000 before the event ended. By 10:30 p.m., Cobb announced that "we blew our #TulsaRally goal out of the water," but a campaign spokesman did not respond to a request for comment seeking exactly how much money was raised. Cobb had tweeted often in the hours leading up to and during the rally, capitalizing on Trump's mispronunciation of the congresswoman's last name and lower-than-expected turnout at the event. "OUCH," Cobb captioned a video of the faux pas. And on a photo showing small groups heading into the rally: "They risked thousands of lives for an audience of one. Was it worth it, @EliseStefanik?" The president has also been criticized for hosting such an event as the threat of coronavirus persists. Many rally-goers did not wear masks and did not abide by social distancing guidelines. For her part, Stefanik wore a mask for at least part of the rally as many of her congressional colleagues did not though her compliance was intermittent. "The president knows her as Elise," Anderson said, when asked for comment on the pronunciation error and associated Cobb tweet. "Voters also know her as Elise and her opponent as Taxin Tedra. No amount of Taxin Tedras Far Left Twitter meltdown is going to take away from the fact that North Country voters know Elise has a strong and effective working relationship with the president, whereas Taxin Tedra supports raising taxes, banning guns and impeaching President Trump." The online back-and-forth, as well as high fundraising numbers, indicate continued interest in the race for New York's 21st Congressional District as Stefanik's profile has grown nationally. The election is a rematch, following Cobb's loss to Stefanik in 2018. The year was 1995 last elections of undivided Bihar, where the newly-formed Samta Party projected Nitish Kumar as the next Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time. At the peak of Lalu Raj, all such claims were swept away. But, the month leading up to the elections was marked with festivities competitive Helicopter spotting and election rallies being camouflaged into village fairs replete with balloon sellers, jalebi hawkers and peanut joints. I not a voter then was extra well-behaved at home to make sure father took me to see the chopper fair. Elections in India has been much more than a mechanical process of using the Universal Adult Franchise. Rather, it is seen as the celebration of people-to-people contact, and hence often called the Dance of Democracy with car and bike rallies, long marches and public meetings where lakhs gather to listen to their leaders. It also gives the economy a boost, with two-wheelers, festoon, merchandise sales and event management demand surging. The upcoming Bihar elections, where Nitish Kumar is vying for a record fourth term, was promising much of the same. Then, the Coronavirus pandemic made its pervasive impact felt. The very people-to-people contact, which was cherished during the polls, have now become the biggest villain. With our Election Commission making it clear that as of now they have no plans to postpone the elections, technology is set to take on a greater role. Not just in voter awareness and the polling process for the first time probably, election campaigns would go majorly digital-first. Naresh Arora, political strategist and founder of Designboxed, says that technology was anyway playing a major role in electioneering, and the pandemic has now made it all the more imperative for political parties. With this, while the festival flavour will go out of electioneering, it would also make the process less interfering with other walks of life. Favourite Campaign Tool India has over 400 million smartphone users and more than 450 million feature phone users, according to the International Data Corporation. This market has seen a significant jump away from feature phones in the past three years. So, what in digital would be the best medium to cash in and reach more Indians? According to Gopa Kumar, COO, Isobar India, a global digital marketing agency, All Social Platforms will play a major role and will help to bridge the gap between voters and candidates. Facebook, TikTok, Helo, ShareChat, WhatsApp all of these are popular platforms where the people engage and spend time. But given the fact that WhatsApp is the only communication platform which is available in both smartphones and some feature phones, it would undoubtedly emerge as the biggest tool for communication. Advertisement spends are likely to rise, too. Money that would have been used in other campaigns will instead be poured in on digital spends. Arora says, Twitter and Google will also have to reconsider their policy of not allowing political advertisement. If ads on TV and newspapers are allowed, why restrict social media advertisements? Until they reconsider this, Facebook will dominate the ad spends. Case in point is the high-voltage West Bengal polls, likely to be held in April-May next year. Prashant Kishore-led Ipac, which is managing the elections for Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, has already mapped the digital penetration of the state and moved a number of campaigns to digital. Sources in the team say one such success is Didi Ke Bolo (Tell Didi). Even during lockdown, this team was active, getting daily calls about difficulties faced by the people and trying to connect them to the correct authorities. The team also got MLAs and party leaders to conduct virtual press conferences in all districts of the state. This, they claim, will help the party stay in touch with the public in these trying times. BJP too held a massive digital rally in the state, which was addressed by the former party president and Home Minister, Amit Shah. As WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube have the highest penetration in the state with 3 crore, 2.5 crore and 2.65 crore active users respectively, these would be the obvious chosen platform for campaigning in West Bengal, which has a population of 9.7 crore. Bihar Elections While Bihar has traditionally been considered a backward state, it saw the highest percentage of internet growth in India in 2019. Explaining this, Kumar says, Ever Since Jio happened, it has helped democratise the internet and made it mainstream for all. Also, many reports suggest that Bihar registered the highest growth in internet users across both urban and rural areas, registering a growth of 35 percent over last year. This ICUBE report also says that the internet usage is more gender-balanced than ever before with women comprising 42 percent of total internet users. All this makes digital a very credible and impactful medium for these elections. No wonder, then, that political parties have already begun digital campaigns. BJP, which in alliance with Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) was the first one off the block, with Home Minister Amit Shah holding a virtual Bihar rally from Delhi. But will it have the same impact as physical rallies? Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJPs Information Technology department, feels, Digital rallies can never replace the physical ones, and even in the wake of the pandemic, there is scope for small, personalised meetings while maintaining social distancing. He feels that BJP being a cadre-based party has the maximum advantage. According to a news report from April, published by The Guardian, millions of people in South Korea, wearing masks and standing at least one metre apart, moved slowly between lines of duct tape at polling stations. This was probably the first national election post Coronavirus. Before casting a vote, everybody underwent mandatory temperature check, sanitised their hands and used disposable plastic gloves. The election officials too were in masks and maintained social distancing norms. About 13,000 people under self-quarantine due to the virus were allowed to cast ballots immediately after the polls closed, provided they had no symptoms. This shows that digital campaigning can also urge individuals to come out and vote. On this note, BJPs Malviya points out that the immense following that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on various social platforms will be of great help to the party. He points out the response that the country gave to PM Modis televised speech during the Coronavirus induced lockdown, to show how support can be galvanised digitally. Professor Manoj Jha, member of Rajya Sabha from Bihars main opposition party RJD, believes the success of this election will have to be in a decentralised campaign, and RJD is already doing that to reach the most basic unit level. Jha says, The campaign would go mobile, with WhatsApp and TikTok being the main campaign tools. Facebook and YouTube videos would also be used to communicate with people. He too maintains that the old methods of campaigning, like door-to-door outreach and small gatherings, would play a rather important role, at least for now. All said and done, the rise in digital campaigning will also see a rise in fake news. So far, efforts of global tech giants and the Election Commission have been minimal when compared to the might of the fake news factory. Will a more pronounced digital campaign create a greater post-truth machinery, then? With inputs from Payal Mehta. A close friend and former cellmate of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner declared yesterday: 'I know he did it.' Michael Tatschl, who lived with Brueckner in a ramshackle farmhouse near the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz, described him as a pervert who was 'more than capable of snatching a child'. The Austrian carpenter said his friend bragged about making money by trafficking drugs and burgling apartments, and once talked about 'selling children to Morocco'. Michael Tatschl (pictured), who lived with Brueckner in a ramshackle farmhouse near the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz, described him as a pervert He thinks Brueckner probably sold Madeleine to another individual possibly a sex ring. The pair spent eight months in the same prison after they were caught stealing 320 litres of diesel from lorries in Portugal. Both were released in December 2006 five months before three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. Mr Tatschl became convinced of his friend's involvement after watching an eight-part Netflix documentary on the case last year. Michael Tatschl (not pictured), a close friend and former cellmate of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner (pictured with dog) claims the German was responsible for the toddler's disappearance Mr Taschl, 46, believes Brueckner may have sold Madeleine (pictured), who was snatched from Praia da Luiz in Portugal in 2007, to another individual or a sex ring Does drug deal contact 'Julia' hold vital clues? Police in Germany have appealed for a woman known as 'Julia' to come forward with information on Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner. They believe the drug dealer, who was in contact with the German drifter in the weeks after Maddie vanished, could hold vital news about the case. Stephanie Gropp, from the public prosecutor's office in Flensburg, northern Germany, said there was 'a lot of speculation' but that 'it cannot be ruled out' Brueckner spoke to Julia about his time in Portugal. Shortly after Maddie vanished from Praia da Luz in 2007, Brueckner moved back to Germany. He planned to smuggle drugs to the island of Sylt and, say court papers, bought large amounts of marijuana from Julia in the summer of 2007. Brueckner was sentenced to more than a year for drug trafficking on the North Sea island. Police could not find Julia and are now urging her to come forward. Advertisement In one episode, a tourist describes how a man fitting Brueckner's description started acting strangely around her child in Praia da Luz in the days before Madeleine vanished. Speaking for the first time yesterday, Mr Tatschl revealed that he was grilled for two days about Brueckner last year by police investigating Madeleine's disappearance. The father-of-one, who has returned to his homeland, was interviewed for 14 hours by four detectives at a police station in Graz, southern Austria. Mr Tatschl, 46, said: 'The detectives were very clear with me from the first minute. 'They said, 'We are investigating Maddie McCann and Christian Brueckner', and I told them I knew why they were here. I was convinced it was him. I know he did it. I was living with him at the time. 'He was my best friend and he was definitely a pervert and more than capable of snatching a child, for sexual kicks or money.' He thought Brueckner would be arrested shortly after his police interview and said he 'cannot believe' Portuguese detectives have not yet searched the farmhouse they once shared. 'When I saw the Netflix documentary I knew immediately that he was guilty,' he said. 'It was when the female tourist talked about the man turning up at her door where her child was playing, that I knew it was Christian for sure. 'She described him as a creepy guy with acne and blond hair, which fits his description.' Mr Tatschl said he decided against calling the authorities after watching the documentary because of his dislike of the police and his criminal past. Speaking for the first time yesterday, Mr Tatschl (pictured) revealed that he was grilled for two days about Brueckner last year by police investigating Madeleine's disappearance He said Brueckner, now 43, was 'definitely quite a strange character' who 'liked to brag about the crimes he had done and planned to do'. His aim was to steal as much money as he could until he reached his dream of having a million euros. 'It was rich pickings in Praia da Luz,' he said. 'He was always breaking into apartments in the area and bragging about it to me. He was a very good burglar and would easily climb up to first floor apartments when tourists were out. 'He would steal lots of money, valuables and so many passports. In fact hundreds of passports and lots of Rolexes and other expensive watches.' Mr Tatschl said Brueckner hid his stolen loot in the rafters of his farmhouse, which overlooks Praia da Luz. Mr Tatschl admitted Brueckner (pictured) was always on the dark web and the Austrian carpenter claimed he saw a video of the German raping and beating an older woman chained to a post While he was in prison, the convicted sex offender asked a German friend to remove the haul from the rafters and keep it in a safe place so the police would not find it. But the friend decided to keep the stolen valuables, Mr Tatschl said. The friend also found a video of Brueckner raping and beating an older woman while she was chained to a post. Mr Tatschl said: 'That's how I found out he was sick. I told the police all about that. Christian was always on the dark web. I don't know exactly what he did but I suspect it involved drugs and pornography. 'He was always bragging about making money. He even talked about selling kids maybe to Morocco, and I think he probably sold Maddie to someone maybe a sex ring. 'There have been some sex crimes around the area over the last decade and it wouldn't be surprising if he was involved.' Brueckner is in prison in Germany for drugs offences. He has denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. Mr Tatschl added that he had returned to Praia da Luz in February 2007 to find Brueckner camping near the town. He said: 'He was going to raves and I think selling drugs. I stuck around for a bit and then went back to Spain.' Just weeks after the abduction of Madeleine McCann Brueckner also travelled to Spain where Mr Tatschl was living in Orgiva, Andalucia. Tatschl said: 'In late May or early June he arrived in Spain with his big American camper van. He knew I had connections to the marijuana world and could help him make money. 'We just thought he was a pervert but didnt think he liked young children.' Maddie McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner is a scapegoat says Portuguese detective who led the original probe into her disappearance Goncalo Amaral described 43-year-old German as an 'almost perfect suspect' The former Portuguese police officer said Christian Brueckner is a 'scapegoat'In 2008 Amaral claimed Madeleine's parents had covered up their daughter's accidental death in their Algarve apartment By Nick Fagge and Gerard Couzens for MailOnline A disgraced former Portuguese police officer has branded the new Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner a 'scapegoat.' Goncalo Amaral described the 43-year-old German as an 'almost perfect suspect.' Amaral, who first claimed last April a German paedophile who was in prison would be accused over Maddie's disappearance, told a Portuguese TV interviewer on Sunday night: 'When I spoke last year I was talking about the situation that's happening now. 'It matters little who the paedophile is.' Disgraced former Portuguese police officer Goncalo Amaral (pictured) described the 43-year-old German Christian Brueckner as an 'almost perfect suspect' He added: 'He's an almost perfect suspect. All that's lacking for him to become the perfect suspect is that he's dead.' Asked if he believed Brueckner was the man responsible for Madeleine's disappearance, he added: 'To answer that question it has to be proven first that an abduction took place.' The ex-cop, who claimed in a 2008 controversial book Madeleine's parents had covered up their daughter's accidental death in their Algarve apartment, went on to repeat his well-known criticism of the British youngster's parents and their Tapas Seven holiday friends. He accused them of abandoning their children to eat out at night and lying to Portuguese police, and said Madeleine had been left crying for around an hour the night before she vanished on May 3 2007. Gerry and Kate McCann, the parents of Madeleine McCann, talking to the press after attending the libel case against Goncalo Amaral at Lisbon's Palace of Justice, Portugal, June 2014 A lengthy legal battle with the McCanns ensued after the publication of the book, The Truth of The Lie. The couple sued Amaral for defamation but lost the case. But during his half-hour-long interview with Portuguese broadcaster TVI, he also accused the authorities of altering photos of the two-tone VW camper van Brueckner was using around the time Madeleine disappeared. New Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, 43 The former PJ chief, who was removed as head of the Madeleine McCann inquiry in 2008 after criticising British police officers, showed interviewer Jose Alberto Carvalho photos he said were taken in Portugal of the same vehicle. One of the photos he produced showed a series of very distinctive Minion-style characters painted on the front and back of the camper van, which in the picture put out by police had no markings on it. He said: 'It's the same vehicle flagged up in the police appeal. 'I think it's important to ask why the photo put out by the authorities of the van was altered. Would that vehicle have gone unnoticed in Praia da Luz with those markings on it? I don't think so.' Suggesting the van could have looked very different in 2007 to the way it appeared in the photo put out by British police, he added: 'Is it that the German authorities reached the conclusion that the van wasn't like that when it was being driven in Praia da Luz in 2007? Who said that? Pressed on what Portuguese police knew about Brueckner's past around the time Madeleine disappeared, he appeared to admit Algarve authorities were aware of his 1994 teenage sexual conviction for molesting a six-year-old girl by confessing: 'At the time all we knew was that this man was a paedophile.' Madeleine McCann, a 3-year-old British girl who disappeared 13 years ago while on a family holiday in Portugal He also claimed German authorities wanted to re-examine all the DNA evidence taken from the McCanns' hire car and holiday apartment. Rubbishing reports a saliva sample had been found on Madeleine's bedspread and could prove key to a conviction now Brueckner had been identified as a new suspect, he said it had been proven it belonged to a baby being fed mother's milk staying in the apartment before the McCanns arrived. Asked why he thought the German authorities might have interest in coming up with new information which had no real value, Amaral claimed: 'Because it enables them to have jurisdiction over this case. 'I think the Portuguese police and the authorities can do anything here in laboratories that they can do in Germany. ' Amaral's interview was his first since Brueckner's name was made public - and the first time he has spoken about the case since last December when he appeared on Spanish TV. P eople may have to register their names and contact details before going into pubs when they reopen to help slow the spread of coronavirus, Matt Hancock has said. The health secretary added that the move would enable contact tracers to find people who had been in the same pub if someone tested positive. The new policy could form part of the Government's plan to allow hospitality businesses like pubs, bars and restaurants to reopen from July 4. Mr Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge programme on Sunday morning:I wouldnt rule that it out, it isnt a decision weve taken yet, but there are other countries in the world that take that approach..." "Thats the sort of thing were looking at for how do you make it safe to open things. And things like wearing a face mask which reduces the transmission clearly, about how the seating is arranged because face to face is much more dangerous than back to back and theres more transmission than side to side. Mr Hancock added that the Government is also considering telling people to order drinks through apps rather than at the bar. The health secretary's comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak both hinted that the two-metre social distancing rule could be dropped soon, to help struggling businesses stay afloat. Mr Johnson is set to announce a new rule next week permitting people to remain a metre away from others if they take additional measures to protect themselves, such as wearing a face mask or meeting outdoors, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Meanwhile Mr Sunak told reporters on Saturday that he is "very understanding of the calls for action" on reviewing the two-metre rule. TULSA, Okla., June 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday told thousands of cheering supporters he had asked U.S. officials to slow down testing for the novel coronavirus, calling it a "double-edged sword" that led to more cases being discovered. Trump said the United States had now tested 25 million people, far more than other countries. "When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please," Trump told a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where many supporters were not wearing face masks. A White House official said Trump was joking about his call for a slowdown in testing. "He was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million + in testing," the official said. Trump said his actions in blocking travelers from China and Europe had helped save "hundreds of thousands of lives." But he said the "radical fake news" media had not given him credit for doing what he called "a phenomenal job" responding to the outbreak. In fact, several U.S. states are reporting troubling spikes in coronavirus infection rates, mainly in the South and West, as Trump addressed America's largest indoor gathering in months. Health experts say expanded diagnostic testing accounts for some, but not all, of the growth in cases. They also call it a key tool in fighting the spread of the disease, which had been detected in at least 2.23 million people across the United States as of Saturday. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has killed more than 119,000 Americans to date, according to Reuters' running tally. A mounting volume of infections is elevating hospitalizations in some places. In his remarks, Trump used terms such as "Kung Flu" virus and "Chinese virus" to refer to COVID-19. "That name gets further and further away from China, as opposed to calling it the Chinese virus," he said. Trump's response to the outbreak has sapped his popularity. The U.S. president initially dismissed the threat of the coronavirus, and sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread. His approval ratings have dropped in recent weeks, and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden now has a 13-point lead over Trump. Seventy-six percent of Americans remain concerned about the spread of COVID-19, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Tom Brown) Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:24:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed its concern about recent deliberate attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission said in a statement on Sunday. A new special report released by UNAMA presents the findings of its monitoring of all incidents of the armed conflict affecting healthcare from March 11, the date on which the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic, to May 23, the start of a three-day ceasefire between the Taliban and the Government of Afghanistan. "At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," Deborah Lyons, special UN envoy and head of UN mission, was quoted in a UNAMA statement as saying. "There is no excuse for such actions; the safety and well-being of the civilian population must be a priority," Lyons said. The report documented 15 incidents affecting healthcare provision during the period of time, where 12 were deliberate attacks and the remaining incidents involved incidental harm. "Most of these healthcare-related incidents - eight of the targeted attacks and two of the incidents with incidental harm - were attributed to the Taliban," the statement said. The report emphasized that deliberate acts of violence against healthcare facilities, including hospitals and related personnel, are prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes. The United Nations condemns all deliberate attacks, threats, abductions and other intentional acts against healthcare facilities and personnel, as outlined in the report, the statement added. Enditem Press Release June 21, 2020 Gatchalian warns of surge in child labor; calls for strict enforcement of children protection laws Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the National Council Against Child Labor (NCLC) to intensify its crackdown on child labor as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to put millions of children and their families in poverty. Gatchalian made this call after the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could reverse the global decline in child labor. In the last two decades, there were 94 million fewer children in child labor but the two agencies warned that the gain is now at risk. According to Gatchalian, the NCLC should ensure that Republic Act (RA) No. 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act" remains in full force. He added that RA 9231, which amends RA No. 7610 to cover the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and protection of children from labor exploitation, should be fully enforced. Gatchalian reiterated that before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, child labor in the Philippines was already a challenge. According to the United States Department of Labor's 2018 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, 3.2 million children in the Philippines aged five to 17 engage in child labor, approximately 3 million of whom engage in hazardous work. The same report from the US Labor Department showed that children in the Philippines are engaged in dangerous tasks in both agriculture and mining. The worst forms of child labor affecting children in the Philippines include the recruitment of children in armed conflict and commercial sexual exploitation. The lawmaker also warned that with 7.3 million Filipinos losing their jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some children would end up dropping out of school and finding a job to help their families survive. He cited the example of Brazil, where parental unemployment due to economic shocks led children to step in and provide temporary support. Similar trends were observed in Guatemala, India, Mexico and the United Republic of Tanzania. "Ang ating mga kabataan ay dapat nag-aaral at hindi napipilitang maghanapbuhay upang malagpasan ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. Kung hindi natin mapipigilan ang pagdami ng mga kabataang napipilitang maghanapbuhay, mas nanganganib silang makaranas ng iba't ibang uri ng pang-aabuso," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture. Gatchalian also emphasized the role of subsidies to provide income security for workers and families, which could help spare children from taking on jobs. According to Gatchalian, this adds urgency to passing the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Senate Bill No. 1564) or Bayanihan 2.0 to continuously provide relief for affected families. Bayanihan 2.0 contains provisions that would provide tuition subsidies to students facing financial difficulties but are not covered by government educational subsidies or voucher programs. ### Gatchalian: child labor sa bansa posibleng lumala dahil sa COVID-19 Habang milyong-milyong mga kabataan at kanilang mga pamilya ang nanganganib na lumubog sa kahirapan dahil sa pandemya ng COVID-19, hinimok ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang National Council Against Child Labor o NCLC na paigtingin ang pagsugpo nito sa child labor. Ito ay matapos magbabala ang United Nation's Children's Fund o UNICEF at ang International Labour Organization o ILO na baka muling umakyat ang bilang ng mga kabataang biktima ng child labor. Bumaba sa siyamnapu't apat (94) na milyon ang bilang ng mga kabataang dumaranas ng child labor nitong nakaraang dalawang dekada ngunit ayon sa dalawang ahensya, nanganganib na muling umakyat ang bilang na ito. Ayon kay Gatchalian, dapat siguruhin ng NCLC ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng Republic Act No. 7610 o ang "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act." Inamyendahan ang batas na ito ng Republic Act No. 9231 upang lalong mapigilan ang mga tinuturing na worst forms of child labor at paigtingin ang proteksyon ng mga kabataan. Sabi ni Gatchalian, isang suliranin na sa bansa ang child labor bago pa nagkaroon ng COVID-19. Ayon sa 2018 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor ng United States Department of Labor, mahigit tatlong milyong (3.2) kabataan ang dumaranas ng child labor at karamihan (3 milyon) sa mga ito ang nagtatrabaho sa gitna ng mga mapanganib na kalagayan. Ayon pa sa naturang ulat, ilan sa mga mapanganib na gawaing kinasasangkutan ng mga kabataan ay sa mga sektor ng agrikultura at pagmimina. Nasasangkot din ang ibang kabataan sa mga armadong tunggalian at sa commercial sexual exploitation. Nagbabala din si Gatchalian na dahil mahigit pitong (7.3) milyong mga Pilipino ang nawalan ng trabaho sa gitna ng pandemya sa COVID-19, maraming mga kabataan ang nanganganib na huminto sa pag-aaral at mapilitang maghanapbuhay. Ginawang halimbawa ni Gatchalian ang mga bansang Brazil, Guatemala, India, Mexico, at Tanzania, kung saan maraming mga kabataan ang napilitang maghanapbuhay sa panahon ng krisis sa ekonomiya. "Ang ating mga kabataan ay dapat nag-aaral at hindi napipilitang maghanapbuhay upang malagpasan ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. Kung hindi natin mapipigilan ang pagdami ng mga kabataang napipilitang maghanapbuhay, mas nanganganib silang makaranas ng iba't ibang uri ng pang-aabuso," ani Gatchalian na siyang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture. Ayon pa kay Gatchalian, mahalaga ang patuloy na pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga pamilyang apektado upang hindi mapilitan ang mga kabataang maghanapbuhay. Aniya, makatutulong ang Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Senate Bill No. 1564) o Bayanihan 2.0 upang patuloy na mabigyan ng ayuda ang mga apektadong pamilya. Kabilang din sa mga probisyon ng Bayanihan 2.0 ang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga mag-aaral na hindi kasalukuyang bahagi ng mga government educational subsidies at voucher programs. ### Mob storms oil company The Persian oil crisis is moving to a climax. Persian mobs have rioted in Teheran. Exhorted by slowly-moving cars fitted with loudspeakers, the mob stormed the Anglo-Iranian head office and tore down the huge electric sign on top of the building. British employees were not molested, but had to stand by helpless. So far there has been no attempt to take over the oilfields or refineries. MPs gave a vote of confidence in the oil nationalisation policy today. Snow in Sydney? Snow was reported in the Sydney suburbs of Pymble, Kingsgrove and Liverpool yesterday, but weather bureau officials doubt whether it was true snow. If it was snow, the bureau said, it was the first reported in the metropolitan area this century. At Pymble, the railway stationmaster said he saw light snow at about 11.00am. Several of us distinctly saw the snow, he said. It was very fine and the flakes did not seem to reach the ground. Suburban stoush A northeastern Siberian town is likely to have set a record for the highest temperature documented in the Arctic Circle, with a reading of 100.4 degrees (38 Celsius) recorded Saturday in Verkhoyansk, north of the Arctic Circle and about 3,000 miles east of Moscow. Records at that location have been kept since 1885. If verified, this would be the northernmost 100-degree reading ever observed, and the hottest temperature on record in the Arctic, a region that is warming at more than twice the rate of the rest of the globe. On Sunday, the same location recorded a high temperature of 95.3 degrees (35.2 Celsius), showing the Saturday reading was not a fluke. The average June high temperature in Verkhoyansk is just 68 degrees (20 Celsius). Verkhoyansk is located at 67.5 degrees north latitude, whereas the Arctic Circle begins at 66.5 degrees. The town of about 1,300 is located farther north than Fairbanks, Alaska, and is known for having an unusually wide temperature range. During the winter, Verkhoyansk is one of the coldest spots in the world, with temperatures frequently dipping well below minus-50 degrees. Temperatures in Chersky, about 700 miles to the northeast of Verkhoyansk, reached 86 degrees (30 Celsius) in the past week, which is also unusual and caused by the large area of high pressure, or heat dome, that remains parked over it. In 2020, Siberia has stood out for its above-extreme temperatures, which has accelerated the melting of snow and ice; contributed to permafrost melt, which led to a major oil spill; and got the Siberian wildfire season off to an unusually early and severe start. The oil spill in Norilsk - above the Arctic Circle in north-central Russia - leaked at least 20,000 tons of diesel fuel into the nearby Ambarnaya River and is thought to be the worst spill in the Russian Arctic's history. While some questions remain about the accuracy of the Verkhoyansk temperature measurement, data from a Saturday weather balloon launch at that location supports the 100-degree reading. Temperatures in the lower atmosphere, at about 5,000 feet, also were unusually warm at 70 degrees (21 Celsius), a sign of extreme heat at the surface. Such a reading makes the record high "even more legitimate," meteorologist Etienne Kapikian of Meteo France said on Twitter. Randy Cerveny, the professor at Arizona State University who leads the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) weather and climate extremes team, said in an email that the U.N. agency is "preliminarily accepting the observation as a new extreme, pending further detailed review." The preliminary finding, Cerveny said, is based in part on observations that bolster the surface temperature measurement. The WMO verifies global temperature records, though it does not yet recognize the polar regions as a separate region for the WMO extremes archive. During the spring, stubborn and sprawling areas of high pressure parked over the region resulted in parts of Siberia recording temperature departures from average that reached a staggering 18 degrees (10 degrees Celsius), according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which is an initiative of the European Union. In western Siberia in particular, it was "by far" the warmest May on record, a Copernicus special report states. For example, on May 22, the town of Khatanga, Siberia, located well north of the Arctic Circle, recorded a temperature of 78 degrees, about 46 degrees above normal. The typical maximum temperature for the day at that location is 32 degrees. The town obliterated its previous record high for the date of 54 by about 24 degrees and its monthly record of 68 by about 10 degrees. According to the report on recent Siberian temperatures, the persistence of the warm anomalies stands out from the historical record. The recent trends are likely to continue, too, with computer models showing continued extreme warmth in northern Siberia in the next 10 days, spilling over into parts of Canada, Scandinavia and, eventually, most of the Lower 48 states. In addition to the May record, the average temperatures in the December-May period were the warmest recorded, dating to 1979. By pairing the data with NASA's surface records going back to 1880, Copernicus scientists found that this most recent six-month period is probably unprecedented since at least 1880. The Siberian Arctic, like the Arctic as a whole, is seeing rapidly increasing temperatures as a result of human-caused global warming. This is in part because of accelerating feedback loops between melting snow and ice and air and ground temperatures, as well as other features of the region's climate. Large wildfires are proliferating from Siberia to Alaska and Scandinavia; permafrost is melting, which releases even more planet-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; and sea ice extent and thickness are plummeting, among other changes. - - - The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan in Moscow contributed to this report. Organizers of a major Indigenous festival in Ottawa considered postponing or cancelling it entirely after COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn't gather in person. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/6/2020 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Organizers of a major Indigenous festival in Ottawa considered postponing or cancelling it entirely after COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn't gather in person. But as an anti-racism movement swept the country, bolstered by news of Indigenous deaths during police interactions, Trina Simard said it only affirmed their decision to take the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival online. Belle Bailey, seen in an undated handout photo, is among hundreds of performers who participated in the Social Distancing Powwow, one of many ways Indigenous communities are adapting celebrations of culture to online amid pandemic restrictions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-PJ Leroux, *MANDATORY CREDIT* "I can't speak for everybody but for me it's part of what drives me about this education," the festival producer and executive director of Indigenous Experiences said. "It's more than a festival, it's our cultural and community connection and it's really that one time of year where we get to share and celebrate with our neighbours who we are. I think that's the first step in reconciliation." The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival wraps up three weeks of events and activities Sunday on National Indigenous Peoples Day. It's among many Indigenous organizations across the country finding ways to celebrate amid restrictions at a time when they say it's especially important to do so. Adaptation has meant mailing food kits to participants in a virtual traditional cooking workshop, Simard said. And the festival has partnered with the Social Distancing Powwow Facebook group to host its performers and others, with finalists competing Sunday. The Facebook group has almost 200,000 members since its creation in mid-March as a platform for dancers to dance, vendors to recoup their losses and recreate a sense of community online. Virtual powwow participants this week have posted videos in full regalia in front of backdrops of oceans, mountains and fields across North America. Belle Bailey, 19, posted her dance from Meath, Ont. She is an Alongquin from the First Nation of Pikwakanagan. In her video, she wears her favourite regalia honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and has a hand print across her mouth, painted in red, the colour believed to be visible from the spirit world. "My hope is that their spirits find peace dancing with me," she says in her post. "Since I can't dance in the Sacred Circle of my home traditional Powwow this year, I'm still dancing with my moccasins on the grass where I can smell the cedars and pines." Bailey's mother Holly John said in an interview the celebration of Indigenous culture shouldn't be limited to National Indigenous Peoples Day. "We do celebrate the one day but it should be integrated into Canadian history, not just a one-day celebration," John said. Bailey recently spoke in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement at a rally this month. "I felt like I knew where they were coming from because as an Indigenous woman you have gone through what they've gone through and you know how they're feeling," she said. In Montreal, Land In Sights is still organizing a fire ceremony for National Indigenous Peoples Day. Beginning at sunrise, a Mohawk elder will preside over the ceremonial, which will be webcast, a release says. "Montrealers are invited, at that time, to open their computer and their window and to burn some tobacco in order to participate in this propitietary rite which is intended to herald better times," the release says. Artists and personalities from Aboriginal communities will share recorded messages of hope and healing addressed to Montreal and the country. Programs shot during the 2019 Montreal First Peoples Festival will also be broadcast. On the east coast of Vancouver Island, more than a dozen dancers and musicians gathered on a sandy stretch of beach under the sun. The Kumugwe Cultural Society and Dance Group recorded a video circulated this weekend in honour of the day. 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. Hereditary chief Negedzi, whose English name is Rob Everson, said the song was passed on to his younger brother in the early 80s by his late grandfather, Chief Andy Frank of the K'omoks First Nation. "We'll use that dance to cleanse or bless the place that we're dancing," he said. This is the first time in 20 years since the group's formation that they haven't spent the day performing in the local big house for hundreds of people and sharing traditional meals. "This is totally different," Negedzi said. Although the group won't be able to share their culture together locally Sunday, he said the video may mean the group reaches new audiences in its efforts to promote a better understanding of Indigenous ways. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2020. KIGALI Rwandas government is undertaking a series of measures to help stamp out automatic promotion and any teacher who acts contrary to the directives will be held to account, Education minister Valentine Uwamariya told a news conference Friday. She said one of the measures is construction of more classrooms, which will reduce congestion in classroom units, and recruitment of additional teachers. This, the minister said, is expected to improve student learning and boost quality education. We were initially supposed to construct 22,000 classrooms in two years but we will now do it in a matter of months, she said, adding that the target is to complete the exercise before schools reopen in September. Schools were forced to close in March as government embarked on fighting Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities said later that all public and private schools that follow national curriculum would resume classes in September. Uwamariya said fewer students in a classroom will allow teachers to better understand individual learners and help them accordingly. If a teacher has a class they can manage and the necessary teaching materials, then they will have to explain how a student gets promoted without the required knowledge, she said. Automatic promotion had been adopted as a policy back in 2001 as government sought to curb student dropout and deliver on its promise of universal education before the policy was terminated in February this year. The ministry says some 29,000 new teachers will be recruited to cater for the planned classrooms. TVET schools have been contracted to produce and deliver additional 517,500 desks, the minister said. The minister added that every classroom will have 23 desks and about 40 students. Currently, there is an average of 75-100 children per classroom in primary schools, well above the 46-50 students recommended internationally. Government will meet the cost of construction of half of the proposed 22,000 classrooms while the World Bank will fund the others. At least 31, 932 latrines will also be constructed. The exercise is expected to cost a combined Rwf218 billion, officials said. Related George Martin was producing records in 1950. He worked his way up the corporate ladder, and in 1962 he was acting as a sort of Principal over a small number of recording studios. One morning he popped into a booth and asked how the audition session went. The engineer said he hated the drummer; he was unrecordable and the songs were only so-so. Martin listened to the tape and then, like a good Principal, stepped into the studio to chat with the prospective students. He asked them if there was anything at all they didnt like and George Harrison immediately said Well, I dont like your tie. We all know what ensued, and Martin was charmed. Lets face it, they were charmers all; young and on a romp. Having established a working relationship immediately meant there was time for Martin to recognize these interesting peoples musical strengths. I think he decided the guitar work was incredible. It always was. The drummer was immediately cut and a boy with a remarkable sense of steady time replaced him. He was already a whimsical sort; he fit right in. Remember, John said the Beatles were bastards. This might be the moment he was pointing to. I like to think George Martin recognized George Harrison as by far the most fluent guitarist he had yet to work with. He goes after and captures Georges smooth consistent and effortless flow. Paul once said that George Martin was the only man who should ever be regarded as the fifth Beatle. How quickly those shimmering guitar parts began to be caught in their full glory on tape. By the time the American album Something New came out the sound was rich and full of possibility. They were all swept up in a learning curve, the teacher too. Martin invested himself in all of it. He must have loved it when the Beatles were scheduled to be in the studio. He contributed as much as anyone; he was always there in mind and spirit with a little obbligato he had scored out last night for piccolo trumpet. Acoustic guitars are difficult to record. When the Beatles headed in that direction Martin mastered the technique; all this time Martins own stereophonic world was expanding. As the music demanded more Martin provided more. Imagine what time and effort it took just to find the exact right tape of crowd noise in a swell to start Sergeant Peppers, one of those very rare moments when an album immediately rises up and begins to tell its story. It was a total team effort. Thats how we got to the moon and thats how the Beatles managed to produce music that could land us there from the scenic route. When George Martin was producing Jeff Becks Wired he mustered all of his George Harrison wisdom to seek out that guitarists lair and take a vivid musical portrait of him. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat remains a mastery of live sound; Beck roaming and stalking something in a perfectly blue setting. George Martin was always in the moment, and putting you there as well. Michael James has been a professional guitarist and Public School music educator for over forty years Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor has been facing flak for her Fathers' Day post on Twitter in which she thanked her father Anil Kapoor and tried to defend her privilege as "karma". In a response to social media abuse amid the 'outsider versus insider' debate in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput's death, Kapoor on Sunday said though she acknowledges her privilege as a star child, her identity is a matter of pride for her. The statement did not go down well on twitter with many mocking the actress for trying to defend her privilege. Read: Yes Im Privileged, Thats Not an Insult, Says Sonam Kapoor Anti-caste scholar Tejas Harad slammed the actress' logic. "So it is your good karma from past life? Are superstition and wealth proportional to each other?" So it is your good karma from past life? Are superstition and wealth proportional to each other? Tejas Harad (@h_tejas) June 21, 2020 Yet another user said that with the "tone-deaf" comment, Kapoor just redefined the "caste system". She gave a very modern yet true definition of casteism and classism, Tejas. Nikita (@nikitanikitata) June 21, 2020 You are proud of being born privileged? LOL Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 21, 2020 Sorry but also isnt all birth entirely accidental ? Why shd privileges not earned on ones own account be worn like a badge. Karma is perhaps more the work we do not what our parents did ! Trust me throwing the privileged badge about is the last thing this country needs . Richa Lakhera (@RICHA_LAKHERA) June 21, 2020 This tweet coming from you in these times proves once again that you're really really dumb. Privilege isn't anything to be proud of. DeepuPapu (@DeepikaBhardwaj) June 21, 2020 Coming at a time when the industry is riven with debate regarding nepotism and mental health, Kapoor's post appears insensitive and trigerring. While the bullying of actors on social media by way of blaming them for Rajput's death has been widely criticised, defending "privilege" in the name of karma is tone-deaf at best. HAMILTON Former lawmaker Paul Kramer, a longtime Hamilton resident who dedicated his life to public service, died Tuesday of natural causes. He was 86. The late Kramer, a U.S. Air Force veteran who previously operated a popular bagel shop, built a solid career serving his community, state and nation. Saddened by the loss of a lifelong public servant, Assemblyman Paul Kramer, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday on social media. He was the sponsor of Megans Law, which became a national model for protecting kids. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends, family, and loved ones. Kramers resume lists an extensive record of public service: He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956; served as a Mercer County freeholder from 1985 to 1992; served as a Republican state assemblyman from 1992 to 2000; and served as Hamilton Townships finance director for 24 years under former GOP mayor Jack Rafferty, who famously led the township from 1976 to 2000. New Mayor Jeff Martin, a fellow Air Force veteran who became Hamiltons chief political leader on Jan. 1, described Kramer as a great and well-respected man who was never afraid to work across the aisle. Martin, a Democrat, highlighted Kramers political career in a statement posted on the townships Facebook page. Today, as Mayor of Hamilton Township, and on behalf of our entire community, Martin said Thursday, I wish to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the entire Kramer family during this difficult time. I trust his family, friends and loved ones will find comfort in knowing Pauls legacy of service and dedication to our community will live on throughout Hamilton Township, Mercer County and New Jersey. Former Republican Gov. Christine Todd Whitman signed the Kramer-sponsored Megans Law on Oct. 31, 1994, establishing a sex offender registration and notification system. Kramer represented New Jerseys 14th Legislative District covering parts of Mercer and Middlesex counties. One of his biggest political rivals was former Democratic assemblywoman and current State Sen. Linda Greenstein of Plainsboro. I was saddened to hear about the death of former Assemblyman Paul Kramer, and I send my sincere condolences to his family, Greenstein said Friday in a press statement. Paul led a life of service that will always be remembered. He was responsible for major legislation, including Megans Law. A small businessman from Hamilton Township, he was loved throughout the community. He will be missed. Kramer used to serve as chairman of the powerful Mercer County Improvement Authority, and he previously served as a member of Hamiltons Redevelopment Agency and Zoning Board of Adjustment. After former Republican Mayor John Bencivengo appointed Kramer to the zoning board in 2009, the Air Force veteran in 2012 received a summons to testify before a federal grand jury investigating Bencivengos alleged corruption. I frankly dont know why I was called there, Kramer said in a June 2012 interview with The Trentonian not long after he left the federal courthouse. I had a grand jury summons, no secret about that. And they asked me questions about my relationship with John Bencivengo and the cooperating witness. I dont know why my name was even there, you know? A trial jury in November 2012 found Bencivengo guilty of each count in the indictment, including money laundering on allegations he accepted $12,400 in bribes from a cooperating witness, Marliese Ljuba, the former health insurance broker for the Hamilton Township School District. Many area residents expressed their condolences on Facebook upon learning of Kramers passing, including Trenton Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson, former Ewing GOP Mayor Jack Ball and Democratic Freeholder Nina Melker of Hamilton. Paul was a great man. Best known for his bagels, Robin Multop Melone said on Hamiltons Facebook page. Kramers Bagels on Tyler St. 2 am waiting outside in Trenton, NJ. Pushkar Banakar and Mayank Singh By NEW DELHI: The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) on Saturday in a clarification said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks at the all-party meeting that there was no Chinese intrusion into India was a consequence of action taken by the Indian Army, including the 20 soldiers who were killed in the violent face off at Galwan Valley. The government will not allow China to make unilateral changes at the LAC. What is Indian territory is clear from the map of India. This government is strongly and resolutely committed to that, the statement read. Saturdays clarification came after a furore that Modis remarks were seemingly in contrast to the stand taken by the external affairs ministry over the issue. Neither anyone has intruded into our territory nor taken over any post. Our forces are doing what they have to do to protect the country. Our patrolling capacity has increased due to newly built infrastructure, especially along LAC, Modi had said at the all party meeting. Military and diplomatic experts however say the prime ministers statement has caused confusion and shows Indias weak stand against the Chinese. A senior officer, on the condition of anonymity said, I dont know what to say as this has obscured the actions going on at the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. He was not needed to say all this. With the clarifications things can get even more complicated and the MEA regarding the PLAs desire to raise a structure on the Indian side of LAC was already there. A former diplomat, who did not wish to be named, said that the confusion over Modis statement has handed China an advantage. They can now parrot their narrative of not entering Indian territory with ease. The prime ministers words have only created confusion among Indians and also given credence to the Chinese narrative, he said. An expert at the Institute of Chinese Studies Debashis Chaudhari said that though it feels like both sides want de-escalation but the damage has already been done. Statements from both sides show that escalation is not an option. However, the damage was done on June 15 and the following two days. Instead of solving the issue at hand, the faceoff has given rise to a new dispute over the Galwan Valley. China, which hitherto did not claim the Galwan Valley is now claiming it. Military level talks are fine but the solution to this escalation can come only through diplomatic channels, he said. People participate in an abortion rights rally outside of the Supreme Court as the justices hear oral arguments in the June Medical Services v. Russo case on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court delivered surprising wins to liberals this week in a pair of blockbuster decisions that forbade businesses from firing workers base on their sexual orientation or gender identity and halted the Trump administration's efforts to end the Obama-era DACA program, which shields the young migrants known as "Dreamers." But those on the left still see potential danger ahead. In the coming days, the top court is expected to hand down a decision in a high-profile abortion dispute that could provide signals about how the panel, which counts two appointees of President Donald Trump in its conservative majority, will treat reproductive rights in the years to come. "Kind of feels like we're being softened up for the blow, huh?" Sasha Samberg-Champion, a liberal civil rights lawyer and former Justice Department attorney, wrote in a representative post on Twitter on Thursday, after the DACA decision was released. "Progressives must keep their guard up," Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, a Supreme Court activist group, said in a statement. Meanwhile, the decisions have unsettled those on the right, who have criticized even the Republican-appointed justices for their votes. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called it the "most disappointing week at #SCOTUS in years." hawley tweet The fight over abortion has animated clashes over the Supreme Court for decades, and continues to be a battleground in the 2020 presidential race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The case, June Medical Services v. Russo, No. 18-1323, concerns a Louisiana law that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic. A federal district court found that it would limit Louisiana, a state of nearly five million people, to just one doctor providing abortions. June Medical Services was the subject of outsized political attention even before the top court handed down its opinions in the LGBT worker and DACA cases. As a result of those decisions, though, the case has gained even more weight as a loose barometer of the court's conservatism during a high-stakes election year in which Trump has sought to make both abortion and his right-leaning court picks major elements of his campaign. The case is the first abortion case to be argued at the court since Trump's nominees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, joined the bench. As a candidate, Trump pledged to nominate justices who would "automatically" overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade. Among the reasons that the case has caused so much alarm among reproductive rights activists is that the law in question is nearly identical to a Texas abortion measure that the Supreme Court struck down just four years ago. The fact that the court agreed to hear a case involving a law so similar to the one it struck down in 2016 suggests that the court, with its new conservative majority, could be ready to pare back abortion precedents set when the top court was more liberal. It's quite possible, though, that the court hands another win to liberals. During oral arguments in March, Chief Justice John Roberts signaled that he was open to striking down the law, though such questions are not always predictive of how a justice will vote. Gorsuch and Kavanaugh provided few clues about their thinking at the time. In an unusual move, Gorsuch asked no questions at all. A decision in the case will likely be handed down by the end of June, though it could be delayed as a result of precautions taken in response to Covid-19. The unpredictability of the high court showcases the difficulty of Trump's efforts to make his Supreme Court nominees a campaign talking point. While Trump often boasts of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh at speeches and campaign rallies, his tone was far more sour this week. "These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter shortly after the DACA decision was released on Thursday. "The recent Supreme Court decisions, not only on DACA, Sanctuary Cities, Census, and others, tell you only one thing, we need NEW JUSTICES of the Supreme Court," he wrote in another. "If the Radical Left Democrats assume power, your Second Amendment, Right to Life, Secure Borders, and Religious Liberty, among many other things, are OVER and GONE!" To some extent, Trump's attacks on the court are in line with his tangles, dating back years, against Roberts, an establishment Republican who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush. Carrie Severino, who leads the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, an influential activist organization, said in an interview that decisions like the DACA decision, written by Roberts, "are part of the reason that we have President Trump." "The chief justice has created a real pattern of being complicit in efforts to weaponize the court as a tool against the Trump administration," Severino said. Complicating Trump's maneuvering, however, is the role played by his own justices in the legal defeats. While both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were in the minority in the DACA dispute, Gorsuch was the author of the court's Monday decision applying Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act to LGBT workers. The vote in that case was 6-3, with Roberts joining Gorsuch and the court's liberals, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. In the sanctuary case the president appeared to cite, the administration failed to garner even four votes to have the court review the administration's challenge to a California law limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Likewise, it only would have taken four votes for the court to agree to hear any of 10 Second Amendment cases that the court rejected on Monday, in a move that disappointed gun-rights activists. Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the most conservative judges on the top court, dissented from his colleagues' decision not to hear one of the cases. While the vote tallies were not published in those disputes, it would not have required Roberts or any of the court's liberals to vote to take them up in the court's next term. Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and the co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, called Trump's messaging around the Supreme Court "a little idiosyncratic and perhaps incoherent." "There is at once some dissatisfaction that his conservative majority isn't acting in the way he wants, but also a realization that judges helped get him elected," she said. Of the most recent week at the Supreme Court, Murray pointed out that the legal issues at play in June Medical Services are distinct from those that were argued in the LGBT rights and DACA cases. But, she said, "one thing you might glean from this week is that the chief justice remains very much an institutional steward of the court and its legacy." In that sense, it is possible that Roberts' shepherding of the court's reputation could play some role in all three cases. "He might be concerned with the perception that the court is in the pocket of the Trump administration," Murray said. The Judson Independent School Districts Kick Off To Summer Food Drive certainly lived up to its summer moniker, as JLEAP volunteers manned stations at three schools June 8 in the searing afternoon heat in order to get much-needed food items to their students families. Members of the Judson Leadership and Educational Administration Program donned JLEAP Food Drive T-shirts, a far cry from the dress suits and business styles they hope to wear in their future careers as assistant principals, principals and administrators. Food drive pre-registration closed the preceding Friday for 250 spots at each of Judson High School, Wagner High School and Kitty Hawk Middle School. The San Antonio Food Bank showed up early in the morning to begin the roll-out and sorting of food for the drive boxes. Combined with some food items donated and purchased by community members and surrounding businesses, motorists drove away with a large box-full of meal ideas and additions. Pamela Arevalo-Thompson, JISD lead librarian, was on hand with JLEAP to hand out boxes. We are feeding our families here in the community, Arevalo-Thompson said. Those who maybe have lost their jobs because of COVID, we want to make sure they have plenty to eat during the summer months. The focus of JLEAP changed as did everything else about the school year once the novel coronavirus shutdown went into place just after spring break. Everything kind of changed when COVID-19 hit us, so we had to change with the times, Arevalo-Thompson said. (Judson Superintendent Jeanette) Ball thought this would be a great idea for (JLEAP) to put this together for our families, considering the circumstances. A large box of frozen chicken went home with every family. The food boxes contained onions, celery, potatoes, other fresh produce, raisin boxes, cereal, crackers, juice boxes and more. Gallons of milk and plastic-wrapped water bottles were handed out. Beverly Broom, Kitty Hawk principal, said she couldnt be happier than to be serving the families of her students. Its awesome to be able to serve our community this way, especially right now, and to see so many of the familiar faces we havent seen since spring break, said Broom, in her fourth year as Kitty Hawk principal. As with other schools, Kitty Hawk serves breakfasts and lunches to the vast majority of its students. Broom said she understood the stress that households may be under, having to provide those meals daily during the shutdown. Job layoffs and terminations only compounded the problem. I know we have a lot of families in need, and we have a lot of students we havent seen in a long time, Broom said. Its really good to be able to get this food out into the community and help them. Motorists checked in with a crew of JLEAP volunteers who manned the drive-up lane off of Old Cimarron Trail. The line wound up in front of Kitty Hawk classrooms, where volunteers waited to place the heavy boxes into trunks and back seats. One of volunteers standing in the near-100-degree heat was Judson School Board President Renee Paschall. This could not be a better day, Paschall said, from under the large floppy hat protecting her from the sun. We can deal with the heat because weve got folks that are in need, and Im better off helping folks than worrying about being out in the heat. She thanked Superintendent Ball and the others who were instrumental in formulating the drive, and for reaching out to the San Antonio Food Bank, which delivered the food to all three sites. JLEP is orchestrating this along with Dr. Ball, and word filtered out to the families, she said. When she arrived at 1 p.m., she began filling boxes. They told us how much stuff to put in a box, and we followed directions and just got busy, she added. Fellow Board Trustee Debra Eaton was at Wagner High School along with Ball, while Milton Rob Fields, deputy superintendent of administration and operations, was staked out at his alma mater, Judson High School. All food drive participants had to pre-register online during the week prior to the event. We were all booked solid by (June 5), so were hoping we reached 750 families, Broom added. jflinn@express-news.net Symptoms and diagnosis Pets infected with Lyme disease may not show any signs for 2-5 months. After that time, typical symptoms include: Fever Loss of appetite Lameness/painful joints Joint swelling Decreased activity Recurrent lameness may cause the affected limb to be tender. Inflammation of the joint can last from days to weeks and may move from one limb to another. Symptomatically, Lyme disease can be difficult to distinguish from another disease carried by ticks, anaplasmosis, because the signs of the diseases are similar, and the diseases occur in essentially the same areas of the country. Lyme disease is diagnosed through a blood test that shows whether an animal has been exposed to the bacterium. Treatment Antibiotics usually provide effective treatment. However, its important to follow your veterinarians advice regarding follow-up care after your pet has been diagnosed with and treated for the disease. Lyme disease is not communicable from one animal to another, except through tick bites. The federal government framed its sweeping changes to university funding as a reprioritisation from arts to sciences to support the "jobs of the future". But the details tell a very different story. While the package punishes arts students, it also deprives universities of the resources they need to teach STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The government has been rightly criticised for undervaluing the contribution of humanities and social sciences (HASS) to the modern workforce. This HASS v STEM debate played into the Coalition governments hands because it meant the wider impact of the changes was missed. It is not about HASS v STEM. There are in fact few winners in the governments package. The plan only makes sense as an attempt to shift the overall cost of university education from governments to students. A closer look at the numbers may suggest an unhappier equation for STEM students. Most university students will either pay more, or the universities they study at will receive less money for teaching them. The biggest fee hikes will be felt by HASS students. However, despite the rhetoric from federal Education Minister Dan Tehan, per-student revenue for universities in key STEM disciplines will actually decrease. Billionaire investor Howard Marks, in his recent memo, said the market's rise has been built on optimism but the odds are not in investors' favour. "The fundamental outlook may be positive on balance, but with listed security prices where they are, the odds are not in investors' favour," Marks said. Marks further said that the powerful rally we have seen, has been built on optimism; has incorporated positive expectations and overlooked potential negatives and has been driven largely by the Fed's injections of liquidity and the Treasury's stimulus payments, which investors assume will bridge to a fundamental recovery and be free from highly negative second-order consequences. "A bounce from the depressed levels of late March was warranted at some point, but it came surprisingly early and quickly went incredibly far," Marks pointed out. "As such, it seems to me that the potential for further gains from thing turning out better than expected or valuations continuing to expand does not fully compensate for the risk of decline from events disappointing or multiples contracting," Marks added. He said even though there is no way to determine for sure whether an advance has been appropriate or irrational and whether markets are too high or too low, there are questions to be asked which can assist in that assessment. 1. Are investors weighing both the positives and the negatives dispassionately?2. What is the probability that the positive factors driving the market prove valid or the negatives will gain in strength?3. Are the positives fundamental or largely technical, relating to inflows of liquidity? If the latter, is their salutary influence likely to prove temporary or permanent?4. Is the market being lifted by rampant optimism?5. Is that optimism causing investors to ignore valid counter-arguments? 6. How do valuations based on things like earnings, sales and asset values stack up against historical norms? Marks said questions like these cannot tell us for a fact whether an advance has been reasonable and current asset prices are justified, but they can assist in that assessment. "Thus far in 2020, the swing from flawless to hopeless and back has taken place in record time. The challenge is to figure out what was justified and what was an aberration," said Marks. The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Photo credit: Spencer Platt - Getty Images From Esquire Photo credit: Spencer Platt - Getty Images Update: Original article: Since being acquitted in his impeachment trial, Donald Trump has undertaken a slow-moving purge of officials deemed insufficiently loyal to him and his administration. There was intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, who alerted Congress of the whistleblower complaint about Trump's call with the president of Ukraine, and was ousted on a Friday night in April. And State Department inspector general Steve Linick, who was at the time investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was given the axe on a Friday evening last month. Then, late Friday, Attorney General William Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman, one of the nation's most powerful federal prosecutors, would be stepping down from his rolebut Berman isn't going quietly. Barr's office issued a press release announcing that Berman would be "stepping down after two-and-a-half years of service as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York," and that SEC chairman Jay Clayton, who's never before served as a prosecutor, will be nominated as as Berman's replacement. But Berman released a statement in turn, vowing to stay in his job, at least for now. "I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position," wrote Berman. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption." CBS reports that Berman and Barr met in New York Friday, and that the Attorney General asked for Berman's resignation. Berman reportedly refused to quit. Berman has long attracted the ire of the Trump administration with his office's investigations of the president and his associates. The Southern District of New York subpoenaed Trump's inaugural committee as part of what ProPublica called "a wide-ranging investigation into possible money laundering, illegal contributions and cash-for-access schemes." Berman is a Republican and a Trump administration appointee, but his office is so well-known for its political independence that it's earned the nickname the "Sovereign District of New York." Story continues Last fall, Berman's office indicted Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, associates of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, for violations of campaign finance law, and prosecuted another Trump lawyer, Michael Cohen, for charges that included lying to Congress. After being indicted, both Parnas and Cohen flipped, with Parnas giving Congress documents supporting the impeachment inquiry's allegations of Trump administration quid pro quo with Ukraine, and Cohen testifying about his role as the president's fixer. In response to the attempted ouster, House Judiciary chair Larry Nadler tweeted that he will invite Berman to testify during the committee's investigation into the politicization of Barr's Justice Department. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Clayton to his withdraw his nomination. "This late Friday night dismissal reeks of potential corruption of the legal process," Schumer tweeted. "What is angering President Trump? A previous action by this U.S. Attorney or one that is ongoing?" You Might Also Like Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 15:24:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Protesters take part in a demonstration in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the United States, on June 20, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa on Saturday evening, amid COVID-19 concerns and a national reckoning over racism. There were multiple groups of demonstrators with varying viewpoints in the area adjacent to the rally. (Photo by Alan Chin/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday evening, amid coronavirus concerns and a national reckoning over racism. Speaking to a crowd of supporters inside the BOK Center, Trump touted his policies and judicial nominees, tore into Democrats and media, and touched upon a series of national issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 2.2 million people and taken nearly 120,000 lives in the United States. The president blamed the numbers on testing, a claim that has been widely disputed. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," he said. "They test and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on." Trump made the remarks only hours after his campaign spokesman revealed that six staffers helping organizing the Tulsa rally have tested positive for the coronavirus. A White House official told reporters later that Trump was joking about slowing down testing. Attendees of the rally, who have been asked to sign a waiver releasing the Trump campaign from responsibility for possible exposure to the coronavirus, received a mask from organizers before entering the event, but most of them didn't wear it inside the arena, which can hold 19,000 people. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, has said that he wouldn't personally attend rallies. "I'm in a high risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not," Fauci told an interview with Daily Beast earlier this week, adding that when it came to Trump's rallies "outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd" and "crowd is better than big crowd." The Saturday rally also came as U.S. states and cities have begun removing statues of Confederate figures amid a national reckoning over police brutality and racism sparked by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, who died on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd's death has triggered weeks-long demonstrations across the country, as well as calls from lawmakers and activists for the removal of monuments in memory of figures believed to be symbols of racism, while some Confederate statues have already been toppled by protesters. During his nearly two-hour remarks on Saturday, Trump slammed the movement. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming," he said. Trump also spoke at length complaining about media coverage of his slow walk down a ramp after giving the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy, also known as West Point, last week, which has fueled questions about his health. He explained that he was wearing "leather-bottom shoes" and that the ramp "was like an ice-skating rink," stressing that "I can't fall with the fake news watching." There were multiple groups of demonstrators with varying viewpoints in the area adjacent to the rally, but the Tulsa Police Department tweeted Saturday night, "Overwhelmingly these encounters have been peaceful." The rally was previously scheduled on Friday, the Juneteenth, a day that memorializes the end of slavery in the United States, but Trump rescheduled it for Saturday after strong pushback, as Tulsa was home to one of the worst incidents of racial violence in the nation's history, where dozens of African Americans were massacred 99 years ago. Trump's last rally was held in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 2. Enditem An extraordinary standoff between the Justice Department and Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman ended Saturday when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that his investigations into allies of President Donald Trump would not be disturbed. The announcement capped two days of conflicting statements, allegations of political interference in prosecutions, and defiance from Berman. On Saturday, Attorney General William Barr said Bermans refusal to resign under pressure prompted Trump to fire him. Trump tried to distance himself from the dispute, telling reporters the decision was all up to the attorney general. This episode deepened tensions between the Justice Department and congressional Democrats, who have accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trumps personal lawyer than the countrys chief law enforcement officer. It also raised questions about ongoing investigations in the Southern District of New York, most notably a probe into Rudy Giuliani, the presidents personal attorney. Barr set off the whirlwind chain of events on Friday night with a surprise announcement that Berman was resigning, without explanation. But Berman insisted he had not resigned, was not stepping down and his investigations would continue. On Saturday morning, he showed up to work, telling reporters, Im just here to do my job. Hours later, Barr announced Bermans firing. Unfortunately, with your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service, Barr wrote in a letter released by the Justice Department. He said the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was false. Although Barr said Trump had removed Berman, the president told reporters: Thats all up to the attorney general. Attorney General Barr is working on that. Thats his department, not my department. Trump added: I wasnt involved. The administrations push to cast aside Berman amounted to a political and constitutional clash between the Justice Department and one of the nations top districts, which has tried major mob, financial crimes and terrorism cases over the years. Only days ago, allegations surfaced from former Trump national security adviser John Bolton that the president sought to interfere in an investigation by Bermans office into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Berman initially vowed to stay on the job until a replacement was confirmed. He changed his mind late Saturday after Barr said he would allow Bermans second in command, Deputy US Attorney Audrey Strauss, to become acting US attorney. Berman said Strauss appointment signaled that Barr had decided to respect the normal operation of law. He said he was stepping down immediately. The administrations efforts to replace Berman with a handpicked replacement, however, were already running into roadblocks before Barr agreed to install Strauss. After announcing Bermans resignation, the White House said it was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor, for the job. But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a close Trump ally, said he was unlikely to proceed with Claytons nomination unless New Yorks senators, Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, gave their consent to the pick. Schumer said the bid to oust Berman reeks of potential corruption of the legal process, and Gillibrand said she would not be complicit in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption. Both lawmakers called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration. Schumer also called for the departments inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Bermans ouster. And the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said Berman has an open invitation to testify before his panel. Berman, a Republican who contributed to the presidents election campaign, worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was personally interviewed by Trump before being tapped as US attorney. But he won over some skeptics after overseeing numerous prosecutions and investigations with ties to Trump. Though Berman is said to be unclear about the exact reason he was fired, people familiar with his thinking said his job had always seemed in jeopardy and he never had the sense it was secure. Among the most high profile investigations he was overseeing was into Giulianis business dealings, including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent. Charges in the case do not appear imminent, according to people familiar with the matter. They were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Southern District has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes. Cohen was recently released from a federal prison to continue serving his sentence on home confinement over coronavirus concerns. Berman has overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation. The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations, including hiding the origin of a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trumps reelection. Under Bermans tenure, his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump. Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nikes reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $25 million. Jalandhar: Taking potshots at the Centre over its black money compliance window, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today alleged IT department is targeting traders across the country to meet its target while big businessmen like Vijay Malya were going scot-free. Reaching out to the business community in Punjab, traditionally considered BJP supporters, he said if AAP forms next government it would end raid raj and bring business-friendly policies in the state as it has done in Delhi. Kejriwal said the trader community has complained to him of unnecessary IT department raids. Instead of conducting such raids, IT sleuths should be raiding Vijay Malya and Im sure their target of at least Rs 7000 crore could have been met, he said in an apparent reference to Centres Income Declaration Scheme which gives citizens time till September 30 to declare undisclosed income. Giant corporate houses are being allowed to go scot free with the loot, which indicates the governments intention on the issue of black money, the Delhi CM said. He claimed the AAP government in Delhi reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on many items from 12.5% to 5% even without the traders even asking for it. Speaking on the occasion of Maharaja Agarsen Jayanti here, Kejriwal, who attended the programme as chief guest, vowed to end raid raj in Punjab if his party comes to power after the 2017 Assembly poll in the state. It is our observation that raid raj instead of curbing corruption encourages it among corrupt bureaucrats and inspectors, he said. Therefore, its very important governments must discourage raid raj in any state, he said, adding corrupt officers fill their own pockets instead of governments coffer through such activities. When we came to power in Delhi, about 150 raids were being conducted per month, which we stopped and now raids are allowed only in cases the department has ample evidence against whom the raid to be conducted, he said. On the drug menace in Punjab, Kejriwal said, We have to curb this menace and once it is done there would be a dire need of employment for rehabilitating youths. He said the business community could help by giving jobs to such youths so that they dont get astray again. Earlier, on his visit to Jalandhar by road from Amritsar, Congress women wing protested against him showing placards and black flags. The protesters were whisked away by police from the venue. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Two of the greatest celebrity and otherwise interviewers of all time, Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey are known for drawing their subjects out of themselves. For getting even the most reticent interviewee to become more transparent. Walters one of Oprah Winfreys idols shared a revelation of her own in her memoir, Audition, about the day that Winfrey literally saved her life. Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey | Virginia Sherwood/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images RELATED: Seth MacFarlane Calls Out Oprah Winfrey For Promoting Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz and Other Purveyors of Pseudoscience Barbara Walters inspired Oprah Winfrey to become . . . Oprah Winfrey Its partly thanks to the former 20/20 star that Oprah Winfrey became bitten by the journalism bug. Winfrey cites Walters as one of her biggest inspirations to push ahead with her dream to become a newswoman. When I was 17, Winfrey wrote on her website, I entered the local Miss Fire Prevention Contest. I knew the judges would ask what I hoped to do with my life, and Id planned to say, I want to become a fourth-grade teacher. Baltmore, Maryland Eyewitness News co-anchor Oprah Winfrey in 1978 | Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images RELATED: Why Barbara Walters Lied About Firing Elisabeth Hasselbeck From The View But Id seen the Today show that morning, and it popped into my head to say my goal was to be a TV journalist. What kind of journalist? one of the judges pressed. Ive never forgotten my answer: I want to be like Barbara Walters. Clearly, the former daytime talk show host never forgot her answer, or her drive. She became not only a journalist, but indisputably one of the biggest names in television of all time. What Walters revealed to Winfrey on the other side of the interview table Incredibly, in 2004, the Mississippi-born Winfrey got to do what shed never imagined: she was able to interview her idol, Barbara Walters. In the interview between the two greats, Walters opened up, speaking about her regrets, her great accomplishments, and more. The creator of The View revealed that she feels inadequate in areas of her life where others might not give it a second thought. For instance, in speaking with a dictator on his turf, she wasnt the least bit nervous, as she explained to Winfrey about her now-famous interview with Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in 1977. Barbara Walters with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, 1977 | Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives via Getty Images RELATED: Greys Anatomy Creator Shonda Rhimes Shares How She Was Inspired by Oprah Winfrey I was concerned that it might be a boring interview, Walters said of her chat with the Caribbean leader, but I wasnt nervous. However, put me on a dance floor, and if I have to dance by myself, I cant do it. I also dont drive. . . Walters honestly shared her feelings of incompetence about the small things others do effortlessly and how they were magnified by an innocent remark her daughter made at one time. Years ago I heard my daughter on the phone saying, My mommy doesnt drive. My mommy burns the meat loaf. My mommy doesnt do anything except television, Walters said. There are whole areas in which I feel very inadequate. Who doesnt drive except me? How Winfrey saved the newswomans life Walters relates in her 2008 memoir, Audition, about the day Oprah Winfrey played a role in saving her from what she felt was certain death, or at the very least, a life-altering injury. This is what happened, Walters wrote. In 1995, I was at a luncheon honoring top women in communications. The lunch was supposed to be over by 2:00 so we could all get back to work, but the event went long, and Oprah was forced to go overtime in her presentation to author Toni Morrison. Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey | Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic It was close to 3:00 when I got back to my office, where I was startled to be greeted by my terrified assistants in tears, by the then president and COO of ABC, Robert Iger, and by the police. Walters realized at that moment that Winfreys longer presentation at the luncheon had spared her. Seems that while I was listening to Oprah, a freak windstorm had blown a beam off the construction site across the street from my office and sent it crashing through my windows. My desk, which was glass, was shattered by the beam, and my whole office was covered in shards. I dont want to think what would have happened if Id been at my desk at the time. RELATED: Does Oprah Winfrey Believe in Marriage? Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 22:18:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIEV, June 21 (Xinhua) -- At least two people have been killed following an explosion here in a ten-storey residential building. The bodies of the two dead were found in the rubble after several floors of the building were destroyed, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs in a statement on Sunday. Three people were pulled from the rubble and 21 evacuated from the building. Over 60 pieces of equipment and 420 rescuers are working at the scene. Local authorities will provide tents and food for the evacuees, it said. Local media reported that three residents in the building remain missing, adding the Prosecutor's Office of Kiev has launched a criminal investigation. Enditem Some delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday threw caution to the wind and forgot that the country is in a fierce battle against an invisible but dangerous force, CORONAVIRUS. There were fights, groups gathered and mass jubilation which if God does not intervene can increase the already ballooned COVID-19 figures in the country. Some were even hugging out of excitement when their preferred candidates won. Ghana is currently the fourth highest in Africa and already people have even forgotten that there is a virus lurking in the corner. NPP Primaries The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its Parliamentary primaries on Saturday, June 20, ahead of the 2020 general elections. Reports from Peace FM correspondents across the country indicated that most of the polling centres had put in place measures to ensure delegates washed their hands. At all the centres, officials there insisted that no mask no entry. Social distancing Social or physical distancing means keeping 1m space between each other. However, a lot of people in Ghana are not adhering to this protocol and it was evident during the primaries. Even though most of them were wearing their nose masks, there was no social distancing, same attitude as shown in our markets and other public places. This raises a lot of questions and fears especially as Ghana edges closer to election 2020. There is a saying now, should life come to a standstill because of COVID? Well. Using the NPP primaries as a case study; Ghana needs to up its game in the fight against Coronavirus. Meanwhile, Ghana is going to witness another mass exercise, the compilation of a new voters register, beginning June 30. Some have expressed misgivings about the exercise suggesting that it can escalate the number of infections. Looking at how delegates amassed at polling centres during the recently held primaries; do they have a point? Is it really safe to conduct the voters registration exercise looking at our inability to control crowds and emotions? Per the constitution of Ghana, the December 7 election will have to come on at all cost . . . but how are we going to control peoples emotions, avoid fights and confrontations between anxious political agents? The questions can go on and on... Below are some pictures from the primaries: Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmoline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video So, we have arrived at the great day. Phase 3 is at an end. The state of alarm is over. The borders are being opened, and there will be a flood of German tourism industry leaders having their temperatures taken at the airport today before being whisked off to Playa de Palma for an Iberostar-organised gathering of representatives of Majorca's most important tourism market. Building bridges And how often we were being reminded of this German hegemony, not least because of the constant drip-drip of ifs, buts and maybes regarding air bridges (some say corridors) with the second most important market. Prime Minister Sanchez sprang a surprise by announcing that the borders will be opening today but failed to mention anything about the UK, which therefore demanded some clarification be given. It was. The UK was included, but there was a but. The foreign affairs minister, citing possible "reciprocity", told the BBC that a fourteen-day quarantine could await UK travellers making their way to Magalluf or Benidorm, only to then say that they wouldn't have to quarantine. But where were the flights anyway? Were there to be air bridges between the UK and Spain? Who could possibly say, but this naturally enough didn't prevent the speculation as to whether there were and when: American Independence Day, the fourth of July, was suddenly acquiring a very different significance. Dynamiting the pilot plan The Sanchez announcement did make the much-celebrated Balearic tourism pilot plan appear rather less purposeful than it was supposed to be. In effect reduced to a week, opposition parties in the Balearics suggested that this was another example of a Madrid lack of appreciation for all that the Balearics contribute to the nation's well-being. The plan had been "dynamited", it was said. President Armengol disagreed. The plan had placed the Balearics "at the centre of the world". As tourism promotional slogans go, this was powerful stuff, or would have been, had it actually been a slogan. Applauding the test tourists The test tourists duly arrived, and lamentably there was no grand ceremony at the airport to pipe them in. Instead, it was left to hotel staff to line up on steps at suitable social distance, applaud them and compare face coverings. In Alcudia, added late on to the pilot scheme, a mighty total of twelve tourists turned up on Monday. There would have been more on Tuesday, but there was a cock-up involving the authorisation of flights. This was perhaps understandable. The travel industry is more used to ensuring that Aena lists arrival times and that flight price comparison sites have the information rather than worrying about the Spanish government and its Official Bulletin of State. Stimulus and ERTE Sanchez and ministers, lambasted by the tourism industry because of perceived failure to take any notice of the industry, produced the tourism stimulus plan. This was greeted with initial grudging statements of the diplomatic variety before the entire industry launched into the government for dragging its heels over the extension to ERTE. The clock is ticking, as the current arrangements expire at the end of this month. The industry wants an extension to end-December, something that the government appears reluctant to go along with. Restricting nightlife The Balearic government, now able to call the new normal shots, looked as if it was condemning the whole of the nightlife sector to painful termination. One report suggested that there would be no reopening until a vaccine is found. As things turned out, establishments will be able to open with maximum capacities of 300 people, with dance floors not to be used and with a closing time of no later than 2am. However, this won't apply to Magalluf or Playa de Palma, where nightlife places of a disco sort will not be allowed to open, although it seems as if terraces can be. The government was thus using the health crisis new normal to reinforce its tourism of excesses decree. Oh, and party boats were banned as well. Johannesburg, 21 June 2020 (SPS) - South African activist for climate and human rights defender Catherine Constantinides stressed the need for an international solidarity action with the Sahrawi refugees, reiterating her support to the Sahrawi peoples inalienable right for self-determination. Little has been written on the Sahrawi refugees, however this situation is one of the most prolonged conflicts in the world, she said in a contribution published on the occasion of the World Refugee Day, celebrated on 20 June of each year, underlining that the Sahrawi refugees endure their 45th year of displacement. With the reduced financial aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Western Sahara over the years, access to food and nutrition has become more critical for the displaced populations of Africas last colony, she stressed. The crisis of Western Sahara is a representation of a global crisis that must be broached if the sustainable development goal 2 of Zero Hunger in the world has to be achieved, she said. She also broached the lack of infrastructures, shortage of medicines and the lack of appropriate medical equipment are challenges met by the medical staff in charge of running health centers in the refugee camps sheltering the population of the displaced refugee population of Western Sahara who are living in these temporary camps since 1975. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS Shortly before President Donald Trump appeared on stage at his much-anticipated rally in Tulsa, it was plainly evident that the campaign had completely oversold the event. Days ahead of the event, Brad Parscale, the chairman of the presidents reelection campaign, and even Trump himself had taken to Twitter to boast about the number of ticket requests they had received for the Saturday night rally. Almost One Million people, boasted Trump on Twitter as he publicly said his campaign expected the 19,000-capacity arena to be packed. Expectations were so high that Trump planned to speak to an overflow crowd outside. But the outside portion ended up being canceled as there were lots of empty seats inside. According to the Tulsa Fire Department even saying that the arena was half-empty was an overstatement as turnout at the rally was under 6,200 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im still unclear. Reporters there were estimating that the joint was 2/3 full. Fire marshall says it was 1/3 full. Was it like even the reporters couldnt believe how few people there were? Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 21, 2020 TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music groups claimed they were at least partly responsible for creating the outsized expectations for the rally. They claimed to have registered for as many as hundreds of thousands of tickets as a prank after Trumps campaign called for supporters to register for tickets. It seems K-pop fan accounts, which have been starring in unusually high-profile political actions lately, were the first to pick up the baton, reports the New York Times. The highly active accounts dedicated to honoring Korean pop called on followers to register for the rally and not show up. That call then spread on TikTok, where many made videos that quickly went viral instructing people how to go about requesting tickets. Advertisement Advertisement This is what happened tonight. Im dead serious when I say this. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump. All across America teens ordered tickets to this event. The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets. lol. @ProjectLincoln. Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) June 20, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Although many are referring to TikTok teens the truth is that at least some of the people who were calling to carry out what was effectively a trolling campaign were decidedly older than teenagers. One of them, for example, was a 51-year-old grandmother who posted a video calling on people to register for the event and not show up. Mary Jo Laupp had around 1,000 followers then, but the video quickly blew up, reports CNN. Many others posted similar posts, often deleting them after a day or two to try to prevent the videos from spreading to other corners of the internet. Still, the trend spread to other social networks, including Twitter and Instagram, although to a much smaller degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan to register for Trump's Tulsa rally as a prank was spread by TikTok teens, K-pop stans on Twitter, countless more ppl on Insta and Snapchat. Even Facebook moms apparently got involved! https://t.co/OSVdWIWeQj pic.twitter.com/3rMDieIEuh Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) June 21, 2020 Many were quick to praise the online activists for their actions after the low attendance became the main story out of Trumps first rally since March. Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted in response to Parscale blaming protesters and apocalyptic media coverage for the low turnout. KPop allies, we see and appreciate your contributions in the fight for justice too, Ocasio-Cortez added in a subsequent tweet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID Shout out to Zoomers. Yall make me so proud. https://t.co/jGrp5bSZ9T Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 21, 2020 The move to request lots of tickets for Trumps rally marks the latest example of how internet-savvy K-Pop fans are taking a high-profile involvement in American politics recently. Earlier this month, for example, they answered a call from Trumps campaign for birthday greetings for the president with a bunch of prank messages. K-pop accounts have also taken part in the Black Lives Matter protests by drowning out opponents of the movement while also flooding police apps with videos of Korean pop. Advertisement thread of how many tickets you requested to the failed #TrumpTulsaRally to troll them i got 20 btw sry trump that we couldnt fill the crowd!!!! we fell asleep. https://t.co/nbfyReS0Xy elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) June 21, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign dismissed the importance of any fake ticket request. Leftists always fool themselves into thinking theyre being clever, said Tim Murtaugh, a campaign spokesman. Registering for a rally only means youve RSVPed with a cell phone number. Every rally is general admission and entry is first-come-first served. But we thank them for their contact information. And it is true that while the K-Pop fans and TikTok users may have helped contribute to the huge expectations for the event but the prank ticket requests dont actually explain why the presidents much-anticipated rally was not full in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Choe Chong-dae Laureates of the Nobel Prize in Literature such as Rabindranath Tagore, Jean-Marie Le Clezio and Pearl S. Buck have showed much affection for Korean literature. They have written poetry and fiction based on Korea. Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Bengali Indian 1913 Nobel laureate in Literature, visited Japan a few times when Korea was its colonial vassal. While there, he met many Korean students who wanted to discuss Korea's independence. Tagore had great empathy for Korea that was experiencing political subordination by Japan, just as India was by the British crown. Although he had intended to visit Korea, it never came to pass. His sympathy for Korea remained, however, and in 1929 he composed what became a famous poem, "Light of the East'' (Dongbang-eui-deungbul), offering great hope to the Korean people. This poem was even featured in the Korean daily newspaper Dong-A Ilbo in 1929 which drew a great deal of attention at the time. More recently, J.M.G. Le Clezio, the French laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2008, lived in Korea from 2007 to 2008, teaching at Ewha Womans University's Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation. He first visited Korea in 2001. His affection for Korea led to two novels. One titled "Storm: Two Novellas" was inspired by the "haenyeo," or female divers of Jeju Island, and another "Bitna: Under the Sky of Seoul" is a story on the city of Seoul in 2017. Pearl S. Buck, the American 1938 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, spent approximately four decades in Asia, mainly in China. She visited 50 countries during her lifetime. Her unique experiences were expressed in a bestselling novel, "The Good Earth," that contributed to her winning the Nobel Prize. Among the countries she visited, she felt Korea was perhaps the most interesting. In 1963, she wrote "The Living Reed," a historical novel which portrays Korea's turbulent history from the 1850s to 1945 through the eyes of four generations of men in the Andong Kim clan. She paints a distinctive portrait of Korea that allows readers to empathize with Korea's struggle for sovereignty through her sophisticated characters. Buck's concern for Korea intensified with a 1967 visit. She was appalled by the grim circumstances confronting mixed-race children in Korea who were not eligible for adoption. Consequently, she established the Pearl S. Buck Foundation and opened its Sosa Opportunity Center in Bucheon in 1967 to provide basic care and education to mixed-race orphans. Buck's lifelong devotion to literature, and her compassion, humanity and philanthropy for children have been illuminated recently by Choi Chong-ko, professor emeritus of Seoul National University and chairman of the Pearl S. Buck Research Institute in Korea. Professor Choi has given many lectures on Buck at international conferences at home and abroad. Venues include West Virginia Wesleyan College, in conjunction with West Virginia University, the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation, and Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia. Buck was not only an eminent writer but also a true friend of the Korean people. She took pioneering steps to improve the welfare of underprivileged children who suffered neglect because they were born outside mainstream Korean society. The insightful literature on Korea by the diverse trio of Nobel laureates mentioned above has influenced me profoundly and given me deeper understanding of my own country. Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International, and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. Addressing the annual session of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on June 2 via video conferencing, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi spoke of getting growth back. He emphatically stated that We will get our growth back once Unlock 1.0 commenced and greater relaxations kicked in. It seems he had in mind a V-shaped, ie, a quick recovery. He explained that his confidence was based on his trust in the capabilities and intellect of India, and the fact that the reforms undertaken recently by his government were systemic. At a time of national dejection, if not despair, the words of a leader have a role in instilling self-belief in the population. But unless they are accompanied by concrete action, they will not amount to much. The sparkling speeches of Winston Churchill may have encouraged his people when Britain was attacked during World War II. But they were unlikely to have sufficed had the United States not intervened. Presumably, the analogy will not be lost on the PM as he uses the metaphor of war when characterising the necessary response to Covid-19. In this context, it is his government that would be expected to act, not the industrialists whom he had exhorted to do so in his address. One can go further and state that, right now, the private sector cannot do much on its own to get growth back. To appreciate why the government is central, it needs to be understood that in an economy with excess capacity, income is determined by the expenditure on goods or aggregate demand. When an economy has been shocked into a lower level of activity, it could well remain there, unless aggregate demand revives. For aggregate demand to revive, there has to be investment. To understand this, think of demand as having two parts, namely consumption and investment. Consumption is largely determined by income, and cannot rise unless the latter does so first. Right now, in India, income is depressed due to the economic shock. On the other hand, investment is not constrained by income and can be fuelled by credit. With greater investment, aggregate demand rises, and as a consequence so does production or income. But private investment, though based on expectation of the future, is at least partly driven by its current state. So, with output depressed by a 68-day-long lockdown, private investment, and thus growth, could be held back even after the lockdown is lifted. The PM is optimistic when he expresses confidence that we will get our growth back. Fortunately, economic reasoning shows a way out of the present situation. This is that the government should raise aggregate demand, preferably through investment, to take the economy back to where it was in late March. Again, in his address to the members of CII, the PM spoke of the growth potential of the reforms implemented by his government, especially in agriculture. These are needed and significant but they are aimed at the supply side of the economy while the problem today is a demand shortfall. We see this all around us in the economy when shopkeepers in Mumbai speak of how their daily sales are, on average, a quarter of what they were before the lockdown, and when migrant workers, having reached their homes in Odisha by sea, speak of returning to Chennai in search of work. So, a shortage of demand for goods and labour is what is at stake, and a stimulus alone can address it. The economic package announced by the finance minister in mid-May was not a stimulus, as it does not inject demand into the economy. Greater public spending alone can do that at the present juncture. But, for some reason the government has shied away from undertaking it. Finally, the PM stressed that getting growth back is not so difficult as now Indian industry has a clearly defined goal in Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This is intriguing. Of what help can a declaration of independence can be to Indian industry is not clear. The point is that self-reliance is often neither possible nor desirable to a firm. In a modern economy, one firm is dependent on others for its inputs. Some of these are unavailable on the market. These are the producer services vital for efficient production. We may term these collectively as infrastructure. Physical infrastructure encompasses electricity, water supply, roads, and industrial waste management among other inputs. The huge initial investment necessary to supply these producer services and the fact that some of them are public goods, and therefore, unlikely to be provided by the private sector, leaves it to the government to provide them if we are to have an economy that generates wealth and creates jobs while doing so. For Indias producers, Atmanirbhar Bharat will remain just another slogan as long as a supportive eco-system does not exist. A recovery post-lockdown would require the government to pull out all stops. For this, the PM would have rethink his maxims. There are times when maximum governance means maximum government. It is not too late to stimulate Indias economy. Pulapre Balakrishnan is professor of Ashoka University, Sonipat The views expressed are personal 21.06.2020 LISTEN It is an indisputable fact that the outcome of the just ended NPP parliamentary primaries illustrates a clear case of abysmal failure, disappointment, lack of confidence, unprecedented corruption and utter incompetence on the part of the Nana Akufo Addo/Bawumia led-administration. The recent rating of the performance of Nana Akufo Addo government by the NDC has been attacked and rejected by the NPP as political and untrue. The NDC in its feasibility study of the promises of the NPP discovered that the NPP had promised the people of Ghana 631 promises or projects in their 2016 manifesto. Interestingly, the NDC fact-finding team has uncovered that the NPP dishonestly scored itself 78% instead of 14% in order to deceive the good people of Ghana once again into believing that they are doing well in terms of development. But discerning Ghanaians will agree with NDC that, the NPP as a party is not oblivious of the fact that they offered Ghanaians 631 promises and that their recent action of understating the promises is not only an insult to the intelligence of Ghanaians but an exposure of the intellectual dishonesty on the part of Dr. Bawumia and his cohorts in their insatiable quest to deceive Ghanaians and hang on to power. The NPP nicodemously gave itself 78% performance rating against the background of 388 promises instead of 631. This, to many, is an illustration of intellectual dishonesty, reflection of incompetence and deception at the highest level. It is enlightening to state that when the NDC meticulously conducted a performance appraisal of NPP manifesto, it surprisingly came to light that only 85 of the overly ambitious 631promises were partially or fully fulfilled, which mathematically represents 14% score of the overall achievement of the NPP over their full term as rightly awarded by the NDC. This, to the NDC, is equivalent to a fail or F. The discovery by the NDC comes days before the NPP carried out their said primaries. It is quite instructive to state that the outcome of their parliamentary primaries has vindicated and confirmed the NDC findings and ratings that the NPP has not been able to fulfil even a quarter of its promises to good the people of Ghana. The failed promises meant that the NPP voluminous promises were born out of a grand deception and insatiable desire to win political power for their own parochial interest and not for the ultimate good of Ghanaians. The NPP promised heaven and earth without utter regard to the economic prospects of the country. Their failed promises is amply demonstrated by the unprecedented lack of confidence on the part of the NPP delegates themselves to retain a good chunk of the MPs who formed a significant component of the Nana Akufo Addo/Bawumia led-administration. The results of the parliamentary primaries where not less than 40 incumbent MPs losing their seats is not only a great source of worry to the government of Nana Akufo Addo but a signal to the presidency that all is not well with his government and administration at large. For over 40 incumbent MPs to fall flat suggests that the NPP themselves have no mercy for their representatives because they have not been satisfied with the performance of the government of Nana Akufo Addo in terms of its promises, fighting corruption and competent management of the economy. Again, it is significant to mention that not less than nine incumbent MPs who are chairmen and deputy chairs of parliamentary committees have been booted out in the just ended primaries. What does this mean? Your guest could be as good as mine! For such big wigs to lose their seats, you need no prophet to tell you that it is a reflection of a failed government led by Nana Akufo Addo. Besides the fact that a lot of MPs lost their seats it is equally worth stating that not less than six-seven MPs were imposed on their respective constituencies by Nana Akufo Addo himself. This suggests that had it not that he(president Nana Akufo Addo) had imposed them the actual number of incumbent MPs who would have lost their seats would have been actually more than 40. Why do I say so? If you take the percentage of MPs who stood and lost, you can then deduce that all the imposed MPs could not actually have gone through the race successfully. The disqualification of aspirants that had characterized the NPP parliamentary primaries suggests that the actual candidates of the people were being prevented from contesting the primaries. And this is a reflection of the undemocratic practices that pertain to the NPP and Nana Akufo Addo. President Nana Akufo Addo, though a legal luminary by profession, his posture with regards to the developments in this country and indeed the happenings in NPP suggest that he has not lived up to expectation as far as his profession is concerned. The blatant closure of media houses, arbitrary arrest and murder of journalists, disregard for civil society organisation, and other important actors of the state, suggest that the rule of law is only on paper in Ghana rather than an operationalized or practised principle. The defeat of the NPP MPs in the just ended primaries of the NPP is hugely reflecting the total dia appointment and failure if the Nana Akufo Addo government. It means that if Nana Akufo Addo himself had subjected himself to be contested he would have equally lost abysmally because he cannot be insulated from the blame that accounted for their loss because he is the head of the government, and uneasy, they say lies the head that wears the crown. By implication, Nana Akufo Addo would have lost his candidature as a flag bearer if he had allowed himself to be contested. This is because the same delegates would have determined his faith and his faith could not have been different from the incumbent MPs who lost abysmally. Yentik Gariba [email protected] Northeast Region Nalerigu Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 12:32 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066067022 1 National Communications-and-Information-Ministry,President-Jokowi,PTUN,internet-shutdown,Papua,West-Papua Free The government has decided to drop its appeal against a court ruling that found it had violated the law for blocking internet access in Papua and West Papua amid tensions caused by a string of antiracism protests in the two provinces last year. Presidential expert staff member Dini Shanti Purwono confirmed the government had decided to retract its appeal. From what I have gathered, the Communications and Information Ministry issued a retraction letter on Thursday. The President is set to issue [a retraction letter] on Monday, Dini told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) had previously sent letters notifying civil society groups that the two defendants in the case, Jokowi and Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate, had filed appeals against the court ruling. The first defendant [Jokowi] filed an appeal against the court ruling on June 12, 2020, states the notification letter from the PTUN to the plaintiffs, a copy of which was obtained by the Post on Saturday. Another letter informed the plaintiffs that the second defendant, the communications and information minister, had filed an appeal as well. The PTUN previously ruled on June 2 in favor of civil society organizations that filed a lawsuit against the government on the matter, accusing it of having violated the 1959 State Emergency Law when it imposed an internet blackout in the provinces. The judges argued the government failed to prove during the court hearing that the country was in a state of emergency that required authorities to shut down the internet. The bench also argued that any policy that limited peoples right to information should be made in accordance with the law and not merely based on the governments discretion. Read also: Papua protests continue amid internet blackout The plaintiff was a coalition of civil groups including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) and the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM). While expressing their disappointment at the news of the governments appeal, the plaintiffs said they were ready to face the government in the courtroom once again, believing the higher courts would not change the initial ruling. Antiracism protests occurred in the countrys easternmost provinces from August to September last year, prompted by racial abuse toward a Papuan student in Surabaya. The government started imposing internet restrictions in Papua and West Papua on Aug. 21, 2019, on the pretext of maintaining security, with a partial ban in several regions that lasted until early September. (rfa) Southern states are starting to see a growing number of positive coronavirus cases in young people, according to a report from CNN. Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas, among others, have started to seeing rising cases of the virus in younger people, with officials attributing the rise to both the increased number of tests that are being done as well as the lack of social distancing taking place in some states. The report said that in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said people under 30 made up a majority of the new cases that were reported in several counties last week, attributing the rise to people going out to Memorial Day parties, bars and other gatherings. Similar issues were reported in Florida where Gov. Ron DeSantis said 62% of new cases came in people under 45 years old for the week of June 7, and over the past week, the median age for a new diagnosis was 37. CNN reported that in South Carolina, about 18% of the states positive cases have come from people between 21 and 30 years old. Despite the younger populations being impacted by the virus more, DeSantis said that a lot of the younger cases are asymptomatic and that they havent required serious medical attention. Were also seeing that not only are they testing positive because theyre testing more, theyre also testing positive at a higher rate increasingly over the last week, DeSantis said according to CNN. Australian Politician: Scrap the Belt and Road Initiative Deal Honest News Straight to Your Home. Try the Epoch Times yourself, and get a free gift. On June 11, NTDTV interviewed Victoria Shadow Attorney-General of Australia, Edward ODonohue on some issues, such as the current situation in Hong Kong, the June 4th Tiananmen Square massacre, and Victoria signing the belt and road agreement. ODonohue said that signing the belt and road agreement brought risks to Australian national security. In October of 2019, the Premier of Victoria, Australia Daniel Andrews, signed a framework agreement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative, which goes against the position of the federal government and security agencies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his shock and stated in an interview with Voice of Vietnam Radio on June 11 that the state of Victoria should scrap the Belt and Road Initiative deal because it goes against the countrys national interests. resource Consumer spending has returned to relative normality after months of turmoil triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. A real-time spending tracker which monitors the consumption patterns of hundreds of thousands of Australians shows both essential and discretionary purchases during the week ending June 14 were close to the weekly average before the crisis. Consumer spending has returned to relative normality after months of turmoil. Credit:Getty Images The result follows a period of wild fluctuations including a panic buying spree on food and groceries in late March and a collapse in discretionary spending in April amid border closures and other restrictions introduced to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. In mid-April overall weekly spending had slumped to be 20 per cent below the pre-pandemic norm but over the past two weeks it had been down by 2-3 per cent. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) in Assam on Friday, issued a closure notice to Oil India Limited (OIL) to 'shut down' all production and drilling operations of all the installations of Baghjan oilfield in Assam's Tinsukia district. The pollution body informed that Oil India Limited has been allegedly operating the Baghjan oilfield activities without obtaining prior consent and clearance from the board. The development comes 24 days after OIL experienced a gas blowout at well number 5 in Baghjan Oilfield, in close vicinity of Dibru Saikhowa National Park and Maguri Motapung Beel leaving natural gas and condensate oil gushing out in the open. The incident left thousands of families displaced and had an adverse impact on the biodiversity of the region. Subsequently, the well caught fire on June 9. READ | Tinsukia Gas Tragedy: Petroleum Min forms three member committee to investigate lapses "The state Pollution Control Board has observed that Oil India Limited has been operating the Baghjan oilfied activities without obtaining prior consent to Establish / consent to operate from PCB, Assam, which is a serious violation of the provisions of Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 as well as Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," the closure order addressed to the Resident Chief Engineer of OIL stated. The PCB order further states that it is mandatory to obtain prior permission/clearance from MoEF & CC as well as state PCB for production, drilling, pumping of crude oil, and laying pipeline activities as per EIA notification, 2006 and various provisions under the Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention of Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 21 of the Air (Prevention of Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and Authorization under the Hazardous & other waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 as amended up to date. READ | Pradhan assures 'adequate' compensation for the victims of Tinsukia gas tragedy The PCB order further levelled the series of charges against the OIL including operation of Baghjan oilfield without Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), operating drilling, and production operations without being equipped with proper safety and precautionary measures for which often major accidents have occurred at the drill sites. The order said that Baghjan oilfield is located just 500 metres to the Maguri Motapung wetland which is part of the eco-sensitive zone of Dibru Saikhowa National Park which is affected severely due to negligence on OIL's part. READ | Tinsukia Gas Tragedy: Petroleum Min forms three member committee to investigate lapses READ | Tinsukia Gas Tragedy: Petroleum Min Dharmendra Pradhan meets Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's last apartheid president, F.W. de Klerk, has withdrawn from a U.S. seminar about minority rights because he did not want to embarrass himself or his hosts in the current charged racial climate, his foundation said on Sunday. De Klerk, who was the head of South Africa's white minority government until 1994, was scheduled to speak on July 1 at an American Bar Association (ABA) virtual event on issues such as minority rights, racism and the rule of law. But his participation unleashed a barrage of criticism from South African opposition parties and activists who called on ABA to cancel De Klerk's attendance given his role in the apartheid-era security apparatus. "The allegation that De Klerk was involved in gross violations of human rights is baseless," the F.W. de Klerk foundation said in a statement. "However, it appears unacceptable in the current super-heated racial climate that any leader from South Africa's troubled past should be permitted to retain the slightest vestige of honour," it said. ABA confirmed De Klerk would no longer speak at the event. The death of Black man George Floyd under the knee of a U.S. police officer last month has triggered a wave of anti-racism protests around the world. "At a time like this where the whole world is crying out for recognition and demanding that value be placed on our lives, on Black lives, we think that ABA erred in inviting someone like De Klerk," said Lukhanyo Calata. He is the son of Fort Calata, who was killed along with three other anti-apartheid activists by South African police in 1985 in an incident known as "The Cradock Four". De Klerk's foundation defended his legacy of helping South Africa's transition from white minority rule to non-racial constitutional democracy and for being the only world leader to dismantle an existing nuclear arsenal. But, almost thirty years after apartheid's demise, De Klerk's role remains highly contested in South Africa, one of the world's most unequal societies where class and race issues constantly bubble under the surface. Earlier this year De Klerk, an octogenarian who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with South Africa's first democratically elected president Nelson Mandela, also faced a backlash when he told the national broadcaster he did not believe apartheid was a crime against humanity, as declared by the United Nations. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by David Clarke) NSW cabinet minister David Elliott has taken an extraordinary swipe at one of his government's key planning policies, warning he will not allow development to be rushed in his Sydney electorate. The Police Minister is demanding that all new medium and high-density development in his electorate of Baulkham Hills be postponed until key infrastructure, including schools and roads, is built. Senior cabinet minister David Elliott says he will not allow development to be fast-tracked in his electorate. Credit:Joel Carrett It comes as the Berejiklian government identified an extra 19 planning projects that will be fast-tracked under a program to help the NSW economy rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The planning acceleration program has seen assessments for 48 major projects finalised, which the government says will potentially create more than 25,000 jobs and $13 billion in economic benefit. Camper fire claims the life of two people in Marshall County TDT | Manama Renowned and respected doctor, Dr Solomon Vinay Kumar, aged 64, succumbed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Healthcare workers are in the front line of the fight against the pandemic and he has become the first physician in Bahrain who has succumbed to it. Dr Solomon worked as a primary care physician at the American Mission Hospital (AMH) over the last 14 years. The late doctor, highly qualified with various certifications over his long medical career, has also contributed actively towards global clinical research in Immunology. He is survived by his wife Indira and two sons, their families and two grandchildren. AMH CEO, Dr George Cheriyan announced with deep sorrow and regret in his statement that Dr Solomon had been fighting the infection at the Bahrain Defence Force hospitals intensive care unit over the last four weeks. He was a dedicated physician who served the mission of the hospital in putting patients before self. He leaves behind over 600 colleagues at AMH who grieve alongside his family at this loss, Dr Cheriyan told Tribune. The history of AMH is scripted by the loss of several physicians that served through the last 120 years. The first female Physician in Bahrain Marion Wells Thoms died of Cholera including her two children in 1904. On her grave-stone is engraved- unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it cannot produce rich fruit, added Dr Cheriyan. Expressing his condolences to the doctors family, he added that Dr Solomon will be dearly missed. Moments after he dumped the All Progressives Congress, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, says he is still the deputy governor of ... It was earlier reported that Ajayi decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday.Tendering his resignation letter at the APC Secretariat in Apoi Ward 2, Ese Odo Local Government, Ajayi said everybody knew why he left the APC.He said, I am here to officially announce to you that as from today, I ceased to be a member of the APC. I came to tender my resignation letter to the ward chairman.It is a painful thing that Im leaving the APC but there is time for everything. As a Nigerian, I have the fundamental freedom to belong to any party or groupThe people who voted me did not ask me to resign, so I remain the deputy governor of this state. I was duly elected as a deputy governor. Ramu Patil By Express News Service BENGALURU: The State Governments decision to amend the Karnataka Land Reforms Act has come under fire from opposition parties and farmer associations that are threatening to protest against the proposed changes that will allow non-agriculturists to buy agriculture land. Defending the decision, Revenue Minister R Ashoka said the government is committed to protecting farmers interests and ensuring development of industries at the same time. There is no need for any apprehension and the government will reach out to the opposition to take them into confidence, he told The New Sunday Express. Why has the government decided to make changes in the Land Reforms Act? We decided to amend the Act to ensure growth of agricultureal and industrial sectors of the state. The earlier provision that prohibited non-agriculturalists from buying agriculture land was not helping people in anyway and was only used by Revenue Department officials to harass people. In the last 45 years, many cases were registered for violation, but no action was taken. It had become irrelevant. Agriculture and employment generation are among the governments top priorities. How will the proposed changes help? Once the Act is changed, agro-processing industries, warehouses and cold storage facilities in rural areas can come up. We need to have mango juice factories, tomato processing plants, sugar factories, coconut processing units and many other agro-processing units in rural areas. That will help reduce transportation cost, which is a big burden on farmers. That is the model followed in many countries, including Taiwan. The changes will also help reduce wastage of agriculture produce. In many developed countries, the wastage is around 3-4 percent, but here it is around 30 percent as we do not have cold storage facilities and warehouses in rural areas. Once we have these facilities, our farmers will get a good price for their produce and their incomes will increase. It will also help generate employment opportunities in rural areas and those graduating from agriculture universities too can take up farming. What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the proposed changes are not misused? We have put an upper ceiling of 108 acres per family. Let me assure people that we will have enough mechanisms in place to ensure that it will not be misused. Why is government contemplating an ordinance route instead of getting it passed in the Assembly? We may not have an Assembly session soon due to the Covid pandemic and even if we implement it through an ordinance, we will discuss it in the assembly when the session is convened. We are still discussing all these aspects. Opposition parties accuse the government of amending the Act to help corporates and are planning a statewide agitation. Will you reach out to them? The Congress is opposing only because the Act was implemented when the party was in power. However, we have to make changes depending on the current requirements. What was relevant at that time is irrelevant now. With the changes, we can put an end to peoples harassment. We will reach out to the opposition and try to explain the advantages of these amendments. But we cannot help if they are opposing only for political reasons. The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act too was amended recently and a well-established system has been opened up for the private sector. How will it impact farmers? It will help farmers as they can now sell their produce either at APMC yards or outside. It will also create competition and protect farmers from middlemen. Our focus is to help farmers and overall development of the state. Iran: 22-y-o woman killed by father in 3rd 'honor killing' this month Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In a third honor killing in less than a month, a 22-year-old woman bled to death after her father hit her with an iron bar, leading to widespread demand for justice in Iran where a father killing his child is not considered a murder. The victim, identified as Rayhaneh Ameri from Kerman province, was killed by her father last Sunday night because she had returned home late, according to Radio Farda. The following morning, Reyhanehs mother and sister found her garments soaked in blood, and police found traces of blood leading to her fathers car. After being caught, the father confessed to killing his daughter. The father, who reportedly regrets having murdered daughter, put her body in the trunk of his car and disposed of her body in a nearby village. "[B]ased on a forensic report, Rayhaneh was alive two hours before police discovered what had happened but had died of profuse bleeding," Radio Farda added. Honor killings are prevalent in some hardline Muslim societies, as well as in some Asian countries, where relatives kill family members who they believe have disgraced the family in some way. Irans law doesnt treat a father who kills his child as a murderer, nor does it make him liable for the death penalty. In May, a 14-year-old Iranian girl, Romina Ashrafi, was beheaded by her father in Gilan province after she ran away with an older man who had groomed her. According to Gilkhabar.ir, Ashrafi was brutally dismembered with a sickle, a tool with a curved blade that is generally used to harvest crops. Following the crime, the girl's father confessed to the crime with the sickle in his hand outside of the house. Citing local media, the BBC reports that Ashrafi ran away from her home in Irans Gilan province with the 34-year-old man, Bahamn Khavari, after her father objected to their marriage. The couple was found by police five days later. Although Romina reportedly warned police that her life would be in danger if she returned home, they escorted her back to her family. Also in May, an 18-year-old girl was killed when her brother set fire to the house she was in, in retaliation for her marrying an older man, according to The Jerusalem Post. After Ashrafis beheading, Iran President Hassan Rouhani called on his cabinet to swiftly enact stricter laws on honor killings. Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans vice president of family affairs, told The Associated Press at the time that he hoped a bill creating harsher punishments for honor killings would make it through its final stages of approval. The U.N.s Childrens Fund also issued a statement condemning Ashrafis murder. At a time when families all over the world are staying home to protect themselves from COVID-19, its particularly devastating that a child loses her life in such a brutal act of violence. Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad wrote on Twitter that Ashrafi wasnt the first and wouldnt be the last victim of honor killings in Iran if laws aren't changed. Years ago, Atefeh Navidi, a young girl from Iran, had her head chopped off by her father as well because she had a boyfriend. As you can hear from the interview I had with the mom, shes hesitant to defend her daughter, Alinejad wrote. For as long as the current laws discriminating against girls and empowering abusive parents exist, unfortunately, the cycle of violence will continue. Iran will see more Ruminas and Atefehs tragically killed by their fathers. This cycle of violence needs to end. National Assembly deputies have agreed to the Ministry of Education and Trainings (MOET) proposal on not acting as a compiler of textbooks for general education. Under the National Assemblys Resolution 88, MOET would be in charge of compiling one set of textbooks. The textbooks would be reviewed and assessed together with the textbooks to be compiled by other authors to determine whether they could be used. However, MOET Minister Phung Xuan Nha has asked for the National Assemblys permission to discontinue compiling the textbooks. He said MOET organized bids to select experts to compile textbooks, but it could not find enough authors for many reasons. The MOET decision to withdraw from the textbook compilation project has been applauded. Luu Binh Nhuong, a National Assembly deputy from Ben Tre province, said he strongly supportd socialization in education and training, and health care. Socialization is a term used by Vietnamese government officials about implementation of projects, plans or strategies with resources from the whole society or all people. The National Assembly in Resolution 88 assigned MOET to compile a set of textbooks because it feared that no one would come forward to compile textbooks under the socialization program or that textbooks would not have high quality. The projects developed under the socialization mode are understood as those developed by different economic sectors in society, not funded by the State. Nhuong said the policy on socializing the compilation of textbooks has succeeded with five sets of textbooks for first graders, examined and approved for publishing. The socialization has attracted the intelligence of educators. Leading scientists and experienced teachers have compiled the textbooks, Nhuong said. If MOET also compiles textbooks, the quality of the textbooks and the authors of the textbooks will be unclear. All leading experts gathered their strength on compiling their textbooks. Who will compile textbooks for MOET then? he asked. Ho Thi Minh, a National Assembly Deputy from Quang Tri, also thinks that the socialization policy has brought initial achievements. The healthy competition among organizations and individuals in compiling textbooks will lead to improvement in textbook quality. The National Assembly in Resolution 88 assigned MOET to compile a set of textbooks because it feared that no one would come forward to compile textbooks under the socialization program or that textbooks would not have high quality. However, as five sets of textbooks are available, MOET does not need to compile textbooks. Duong Trung Quoc, a National Assembly Deputy from Dong Nai, said the state needs to set up a reasonable policy to encourage authors and publishing houses to produce textbooks with high quality and low costs. Le Ha Ho Chi Minh City trains teachers who going to teach new textbooks In its report to the municipal Peoples Committee, the Department of Education and Training said that it is going to train primary teachers who are going to teach new textbooks. The protestors raised issues of continuous discrimination against Christians and other religious minorities in the country, including the draconian blasphemy law, forced conversions and marriages, and relegation to a status of second-class citizens. A silent demonstration was held on Saturday in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva alongside Broken Chair to raise a voice in solidarity to eradicate the malicious blasphemy law and forced conversions in Pakistan. The ongoing mistreatment of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan is an issue of immense importance that nevertheless still receives scant attention from the UN or international human rights organisations. Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan have been treated as second-class citizens, their constitution legally bars religious minorities from high government offices. The countrys Christian community continues to suffer discrimination, intolerance and instances of outright persecution. Religious places like churches have become an easy target for Christian persecution. According to the protesters, Christians, Hindus and other religious minorities in the Islamic Republic are routinely subjected to multiple forms of discrimination and harassment. Also read: Uighur Imams most vulnerable to persecution in China, says report Also read: Paks clergy enjoys uninterrupted power over state, religion In 2020, Pakistan has ranked fifth on the Open Doors USA World Watch List of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. A 22-year-old Pakistani Christian, was severely tortured by a Muslim landlord in Pakistans Kasur District because he used the landlords tube-well to bathe. Three days later, he died due to the severity of his injuries. Abduction, sexual assault, forced marriage, and forced conversion has also continued to negatively affect Pakistans Christian community. The countrys anti-blasphemy laws are disproportionately applied against the Christian minoritymaking it difficult and dangerous to live out ones faith in public. The message conveyed through the demonstration was loud and clear. It urged United Nations, which is currently holding 43rd session of Human Rights Council, to pray for protection of Christian women and girls who are often raped and then forcefully married to Muslim men in the community; pray for Christians accused under blasphemy laws will not have to face violence; pray that the Pakistani government passes laws that will protect the Christians and other religious minorities in the country. Also read: Top ISI officer succumbs to Covid-19 in Balochistan For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Samsung Vina has officially announced the relocation of most of the Samsung computer monitor lines from China to the Samsung Electronics Ho Chi Minh Complex (SEHC) in the Saigon Hi-tech Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 9 in 2020. The transfer of the computer monitor production lines to SEHC in Vietnam is of great significance to the company. According to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), Samsung computer monitors of 24 inches or above in Vietnam accounted for the largest market share in Q1 2020 at 34%. With its position as an important gateway to Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam is expected to help Samsung strengthen the presence of its computer monitor products in the region. According to Samsung, the relocation of production lines from China to Vietnam will help Vietnamese consumers get new computer monitor products faster than in other markets. Samsung is committed to boosting production in Vietnam, expecting that the country will continue to be an important link in Samsungs global supply chain. Work started on the SEHC in mid-2015 and the complex was put into operation in 2016. It is the second largest manufacturer of Samsungs TV screens and household electronic devices in the world, after the factory in Mexico. The 94-hectare complex has seen a total investment of US$2 billion, including US$989 million for basic construction and equipment procurement. Your browser does not support the video tag. Judge Royce Lamberth, a federal district court judge in Washington, D.C., has denied the Trump administrations request to block publication of John Boltons book. Judge Lamberth, a conservative appointed by Ronald Reagan, found that publication risks U.S. national security by disclosing classified information. However, he concluded that, as he said at oral argument, the horse is already out of the barn. Lamberth explained that the books details are now publicly available thanks to media reports, and that the whole thing could be be distributed via the internet even if he ruled that it cant be published. Thus, he decided that for reasons that hardly need to be stated, the Court will not order a nationwide seizure and destruction of a political memoir. Lamberth had harsh words for Bolton, however. He wrote: [Bolton] opted out of the [national security] review process before its conclusion. Unilateral fast-tracking carried the benefit of publicity and sales, and the cost of substantial risk exposure. This was Boltons bet: If he is right and the book does not contain classified information, he keeps the upside mentioned above; but if he is wrong, he stands to lose his profits from the book deal, exposes himself to criminal liability, and imperils national security. Bolton was wrong. (Emphasis added) Bolton was also dishonorable, in my view. Unlike some of Boltons conservative critics, I dont have a problem with him writing a kiss-and-tell memoir, provided the account is truthful and he fully complies with the procedural requirements that exist to protect our national security. But Judge Lamberth, a respected jurist, has concluded that Bolton did not fully comply. Boltons dishonorable behavior should color our view of the veracity of his account an account that, if press reports of it are accurate was already subject to question in my view. NOTE: I have revised this post slightly from the original. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s National President JP Nadda, on June 20, attacked the Indian National Congress for "raising questions" at the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Nadda, while addressing party workers from Rajasthan and Telangana via virtual platforms, also accused Congress of "demoralising" the nation and soldiers, according to a report in The Indian Express. "In the all-party meeting, everyone unanimously stood with the Prime Minister. But the Congress wanted to know how did it happen, why did it happen where did it happen You have been in power, dont you know how statements are made by the government on such issues," Nadda said. He also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for using negative language over the Galwan Valley issue. Gandhi had raised questions on whether "unarmed soldiers" had to fight the Chinese troops and had alleged that the prime minister had surrendered Indian territory. Nadda said the BJP has always stood with the government of of the day, even when the party was in the opposition. To bolster his view, he cited instances of the wars fought in 1962, 1965 and 1971. A number of non-BJP chief ministers who participated in the all-party meeting, too, tweeted against the "manufactured" controversy surrounding the developments. "The time is not for politics We may have our differences in politics but we are united by our patriotismwere very happy with the all party meeting," Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao tweeted. "This is the time to showcase our unity and solidarity with our armed forces and not the time to point fingers Honble PM and other Ministers gave very convincing answers at the APM" Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said. About 100 people rallied to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement on Main Street in Fleetwood on Saturday. The crowd lined the south side of the street between South Richmond and South Franklin streets for the two-hour demonstration. On the opposite side, between five and 10 people held a counter protest. Fleetwood police patrolled the area in cars and on bikes as some drivers passing by honked in appreciation. A few pickup trucks festooned with flags passed by, revving engines while occupants expressed opposition to the rally. The Rev. Kimberly Berenotto, an assistant pastor at Good Shepherd UCC in Boyertown, lives a few houses away from where the rally was held. She has attended Black Lives Matter marches in Boyertown and Pottstown. She said she attended the rally because I truly believe we need to end the system of racism that treats people of color differently. Until everyone believes Black Lives Matter we cant really make all lives matter, she said. Co-organizer Annalise McDowell, Reading, returned to her hometown for the rally. She said the area does not have a lot of people of color and she wanted to show support for African Americans and any person of color. I want to show them they can be comfortable and feel safe in this community, McDowell said. Organizer Caitlin Smoker said that prior to the event, she sat down with Police Chief Steve Stinsky to assure him everything would be peaceful. I feel like we had a pretty good turnout, said Smoker, who estimated about 100 people attended. Smoker, who grew up in Twin Valley, said it was important to show support in small towns and start a conversation about race. Im just here to educate myself and everybody around me, Smoker said. As the country approaches the November election, Smoker said she hoped to reach out to younger people about issues that matter. Smoker said she welcomed a conversation with those who disagreed with the rally. I think its a lot of misunderstanding, really, Smoker said. I think thats why its important for us to be here. I do think its important especially for the very few racially diverse families that we have in these small towns to understand that, yes, those voices are loud, but were trying to be louder than they are and let you know that you are supported and welcomed here. 21.06.2020 LISTEN Come January 2021, the 8th Parliament of Ghana will witness a considerable number of first term lawmakers following the outcome of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary primary elections held yesterday June 20. Provisional results indicate that over thirty (30) sitting Members of Parliament on the ticket of the governing NPP lost their bids to retain the tickets on behalf of the party. This development is likely to render the 8th Parliament one of the youngest in the history of Ghana's Parliamentary democracy since the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution. Delegates of the NPP in over 100 Constituencies across the country went to the polls on June 20, 2020 to elect new Parliamentary candidates to represent the party in the 2020 General elections. Very notable talents including Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Constitutional Committee of Parliament, Ben Abdallah who is also incumbent MP for Offinso South in the Ashanti Region, Chairman of the Finance Committee and MP, New Juaben South, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah and Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, MP for Mpraeso, Seth Kwame Acheampong have lost their re-election bids. Civil Society and Leadership of Parliament have on numerous occasions complained about the attrition rate of Members of Parliament over the years. This, they claim was not good enough in helping build Ghana's fledging Parliamentary democracy hence the urgent need for political parties to protect incumbent Members of Parliament. Almost every Parliament of the fourth Republic since 1993 has witnessed the election of barely new members into the Legislature, where much resource is expended in training them for their legislative work. The inability of political parties to protect incumbent Members of Parliament have always been a talking point for watchers, a phenomenon described as injurious to efforts to the development of technical competences of lawmakers. Some sitting members of Parliament on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also lost their bids to represent the party during its primaries last year. McDermott was mayor of Northwest Indianas largest city, a job he had won in five consecutive elections. He could boast that Hammonds civic improvements, a college tuition aid program for city homeowners children and a low crime rate showed he could govern well. But McDermotts high visibility as mayor and as the Lake County Democratic Party boss in past years also put him in the position to have to impose tough decisions on some in and around Hammond, and irritating voters and rival political leaders, particularly those in Gary. Nevertheless, McDermotts political fund-raising powers were at full strength. He mustered a campaign war chest of at least $587,000 and outspent Mrvan and the others by a factor of more than three to one. But Mrvan had a superpower of his own Visclosky. A long animosity between McDermott and Visclosky assured Mrvan that he had the support of the popular and long-served congressman. Dominguez said Viscloskys endorsement further assured Mrvan he had the support of power unions, like the United Steelworkers and Democratic precinct organizations in Gary, Schererville, St. John and Dyer. State agriculture minister Dadaji Bhuse on Sunday raided a fertiliser shop posing as a farmer. As the shopkeeper refused to give him fertiliser despite having stock, Bhuse ordered action against him. He also sent the local quality control officer on compulsory leave with immediate effect. Following complaints from farmers that they were not getting fertiliser despite shopkeepers having stock, Bhuse went to Navbharat Fertilizer, a shop in Aurangabad, to verify the plaints. When the minister, posing as a farmer, asked for ten bags of urea the shopkeeper denied having stock despite the notice at the shop which mentioned urea was available there. Bhuse then asked for the stock register but the shopkeeper said he left it at home. The minister then called the district superintendent agriculture officer and ordered a panchnama, following which the officer found 1,387 bags of urea from the shop. Bhuse also said that quality control officers need to work efficiently so that farmers dont face such difficulties. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed concerns over the test launch of a nuclear ballistic missile by France, official IRNA news agency reported, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi described the launch of a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by the French Navy as "incompatible with Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and France's commitment to nuclear disarmament treaty." Mousavi urged Paris to "fully comply with its international obligations in the field of nuclear disarmament." On Friday, the French Navy announced a test launch of ballistic missile M51 SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ) from "Le Temeraire" (S617), a Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarine. The Temeraire is one of the four SSBN (Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear) submarine of the French Navy. Criminal cases have been launched over smuggled tobacco in Russia in connection with the Cransodar and Voronezh case, said Armenian ex-envoy to the Vatican Mikael Minasyan. Commenting on the export of diamonds, the former Armenian ambassador to the Vatican noted that the police recently refuted his story. "Dear people, what do you deny? You deny something I did not say. I did not say that it was exported illegally. There are no 1,400 diamond cutters in Armenia that could process diamonds worth 20 billion, and you do not deny this," he added. Mikael Minasyan also commented on the construction of customs in Gyumri. For a long time, I tried to understand the political benefit of this. I sincerely did not understand it," he added. Earlier, Minasyan noted that "the masks of Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and his so-called elite have been torn." "I'm talking about the political masks that the Prime Minister and his entourage are wearing to deceive and play on the hopes and emotions of the Armenian people, but so far we can see who they are and specifically who Nikol Pashinyan is," he noted adding that PM "barks and bites everyone he fears, and he is afraid of everyone, the number of those people is increasing day by day." "The biggest thing that Nikol Pashinyan is afraid of is the responsibility and the future," he noted. According to Minasyan, the PM is afraid of the future because he has realized that the Armenian people will not forgive him and constant lies. YPSILANTI, MI Two Ypsilanti city council members called on Mayor Beth Bashert to resign during a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest attended by approximately 500 people in downtown Ypsilanti Saturday afternoon. Before protesters began a march through town on June 20, council members Nicole Brown and Annie Somerville stepped up to a microphone and told the crowd they wouldnt participate in another city council meeting until Bashert resigns. I want to apologize to everyone in the city of Ypsi because we knew that there was a pattern of this behavior and we never called it out in a council meeting before, Somerville said. Im sorry it took me so long to call her out. She engaged in behavior that is unforgivable. During a June 16 meeting, the Ypsilanti City Council was discussing whether to reappoint KaRon Gaines to the Human Relations Commission when Bashert commented she would be crucified if I vote against any black person on a commission. Ypsilanti mayor said she would be crucified for not supporting a black commissioner. Her colleagues on council called her racist. The comment drew immediate criticism from others on the council. Some asked for an immediate apology, but Bashert did not apologize then. She eventually apologized after Mayor Pro-Tem Lois Richardson called the incident a very explicit display of racism. Bashert cannot learn and grow from the seat that is representing everyone in the city of Ypsilanti, Brown said. It is time for someone else to move into that role who is representative of everyone, and again, who is not arrogant and centering themselves and their growth over the plight and the pain that youre causing the Black community, Brown said. After hearing from speakers, the protesters marched to the Ypsilanti Police Department building, but organizer Ayanna Bennett said they dont want to talk to YPD but rather Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton regarding an incident involving a white sheriffs deputy punching Ypsilanti resident ShaTeine Grady El, a Black woman, in the head during an arrest. The shooting, punching & arrests: 45 minutes of bodycam footage of altercation between deputy, Ypsilanti woman released Ypsilanti Police Chief Tony DeGiusti spoke with several representatives of the group on the street outside the station. Another protest calling for Bashert to resign is being planned for 4 p.m. Monday, June 22, outside city hall, the councilmembers said. Dozens gathered in Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto for a peaceful rally on Saturday to demand that the federal government let asylum seekers stay permanently in Canada as the pandemic continues. Protesters said they want the government to grant permanent status to all refugees across Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Saturday is World Refugee Day. Some held signs that said: "Refugees are the future of Canada" and "Refugees need their Canadian identity." Wahab Khan, an organizer of the rally, said many jobs being done by refugees across the country are considered essential. At the same time, however, he said refugees face an uncertain future they are waiting for their status, and they are in a desperate situation. "All refugees, they are suffering in this pandemic," Khan told reporters at the rally. Khan said refugees are working hard during the COVID-19 crisis and the government should grant them permanent status regardless of their trades or professions. Michael Charles Cole/CBC "They are Uber drivers, they work in construction, they are working in retail, they are working all over," Khan said. "We request, give them a full status, give them permanent residence, give them a home, give them a chance to contribute in the Canadian economy. This is the time." For many who came from developing countries, going back to their homes is next to impossible, he said. People are worried that if they were deported to their home countries, they would not likely be able to find work because of the pandemic, he said. Sally Atta, a shelter worker and a refugee claimant, says it weighs heavily on her that she doesn't know whether her refugee claim will be accepted. Atta came to Canada from Nigeria in January 2019 in the hopes of finding a new home. "We are asking the Canadian government, please, have mercy. It doesn't matter the sector we are working in," Atta said. "I work six days a week. And I am sure this is the same for a lot of refugees claimants out there. We have put our life on the line during this COVID pandemic and we are praying," she said. Story continues If she were to receive permanent residency status, Atta said: "I don't think words can describe the feeling that's the truth. It would be the end of a struggle for me and it would the beginning of a new life for me here in Canada." Michael Charles Cole/CBC Firoj Shah, an accounting analyst and a refugee claimant, said refugees have legal fees to pay on top of their bills. The pandemic has made life more stressful because many refugees do not have access to proper health care, he said. "It's a really stressful time. Not only me, all of the refugees are really working hard for the Canadian economy," Shah said. About 30,000 asylum seekers who crossed into Canada between February 2017 and March 2020 are still waiting for their refugee claims to be heard, according to the latest figures from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. PM says Canada to do its part to help refugees In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will continue to do its part to support refugees and forcibly displaced people. "This year, our world has changed significantly. As the COVID-19 pandemic has plunged us into uncertain times, Canada remains committed to its humanitarian tradition, and to an asylum system that is fair and efficient," Trudeau said. "We will continue to work closely with international partners to find ways to support people seeking refuge from persecution, violence, and insecurity as we navigate the unprecedented challenges we are facing as a global community during this crisis," he continued. "Canada's reputation as a welcoming place of refuge has led many to look to our country to create a better future for themselves and their families. When refugees and forcibly displaced people rebuild their lives in our communities, they also contribute to building a better Canada." Day celebrates courage of those who flee to escape conflict According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the UN to honour refugees. The UNCHR said the day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. Chile nearly doubled its reported coronavirus death toll Saturday to more than 7,000 under a new tallying method that includes probable fatalities from COVID-19. The toll thus increased by 3,069, Rafael Araos of the heath ministry said as he explained the new government counting methodology. The larger number underscored the fact that Chile, despite taking early measures against the spread of the deadly virus, has become a regional hotspot. Capital city Santiago now has the fourth-largest number of confirmed cases of any city in the world, following only New York, Moscow and Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to a running tally from Johns Hopkins University. Reports that the government was announcing one virus tally in Chile while providing a larger number to the World Health Organization prompted the resignation of health minister Jaime Manalich. Araos' announcement was meant to end weeks of controversy and confusion over the true death toll. As of Saturday the death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases in the South American country was 4,075, or 7,144 when suspected cases are included. Going forward, the government will release a daily tally of confirmed cases and then a weekly total on Friday that includes suspected cases, said Araos. "The daily record will not be altered," Araos added, "because we want to maintain the trajectory and trends so people can have a sense of reality." The new health minister, Enrique Paris, insisted that the government never meant to deceive people. "No data has ever been hidden," he said. Infections have risen steadily in Chile even though it began taking emergency measures in February -- including widespread testing and the closure of borders and schools -- that made it one of the first Latin American countries to do so. But Chile at first resisted imposing a mandatory quarantine. Santiago and its seven million people were not placed under a full lockdown until just over a month ago, followed recently by the cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. A lack of economic assistance for those hit hardest by the virus and by an economic slowdown meant many poorer Chileans felt compelled to continue working. Only this week, in a desperate attempt to slow the advance of contagion, did the government impose penalties of up to five years in prison for those defying lockdown rules. The Covid-19 tally in Himachal Pradesh has climbed to 673 as 17 more people were tested positive for the virus on Sunday. Eleven cases were reported from Kangra, three from Solan, two from Sirmaur, and one from Chamba. Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said that a Delhi returned 30-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter, residents of Thakurdwara; a 42-year-old man from Dehra area, who travelled back from Ghaziabad; and a 19-year-old Delhi returnee girl are among the patients tested positive for the virus. Apart from this, three men from Rakh village near Palampur town were tested positive. One of them had returned from Pathankot and two from Delhi. Two cases have been reported from Lambagaon area. Both men had returned from Delhi. Among other patients are a 37-year-old woman and her 11-year-old daughter who were under institutional quarantine. All patients have been shifted to covid care centres at Baijnath and Dadh. Among three cases detected in Solan district, one is a Kuwait-returned man of Nalagarh town. He was in institutional quarantine. Two cases were detected in late evening. Two people have tested positive in Dhaulakuan and Pachhad area of Sirmaur. One has a travel history to Ahmedabad and the other has returned from Delhi. Sirmaur DC RK Pruthi said that the administration has started their contact mapping. In Chamba district, a Faridabad-returned man has tested positive. He was also under institutional quarantine. 237 ACTIVE CASES IN STATE At present, there are 237 active cases in state; 417 have recovered; eleven have migrated to other states, and six have succumbed to the disease. Till date, Himachal has recorded 673 cases. As many as 343 cases have been recorded in June. Kangra is the worst-hit district with 181 cases, followed by Hamirpur with 166 cases. Una has recorded a total of 80 cases, Solan 77 cases, Chamba 44, Bilaspur and Sirmaur 32 each, Shimla 30, Mandi 23, Kullu five, and Kinnaur three cases. Eleven of the 12 districts in Himachal are affected by Covid-19. Lahaul-Spiti is the only corona-free district so far. Advertisement An enormous plume of dust from the Sahara Desert has reached the Caribbean Sea on Sunday after traveling more than 3,000 miles as it edges closer to the American South. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first announced the Saharan Air Layer, or SAL, on June 7 as it appeared in satellite images over Africa. The colossal cloud of dust was formed by powerful winds lifting small sand and mineral particles off the surface of the Sahara Desert and into the air. It most likely took shape in recent weeks when strong updrafts sent sandy surface winds blowing across the desert higher into the atmosphere. A massive cloud of dust known as a Saharan Air Layer, or SAL, has reached the Caribbean Sea on Sunday after traveling more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa The Saharan Air Layer (pictured) is a phenomenon where dust and mineral particles are formed into a massive cloud that is then pushed westward across the Atlantic Ocean SAL is typically found between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above ground level. The phenomenon usually forms between late spring and early fall each year, during which time it will travel westwards over the Atlantic Ocean. This most recent SAL has now traveled more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean as it reached part of the Caribbean Sea. Saharan Air Layers, pictured here above Africa , are typically found between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above ground level A new map from the NOAA shows the Saharan Air Layer inching closer to the US as it entered the Caribbean Sea on Sunday. The densest parts are still floating above the Atlantic Ocean while small pockets drift over nearby islands and prepare to enter Florida The dust cloud can cause problems for those with respiratory issues like asthma as it passes over regions with its dry and sandy air quality A photo shared by the National Hurricane Center shows areas of dense SAL crossing over into the Caribbean Sea as smaller pocket gearing towards Florida. Small parts of the SAL can also been seen near Georgia, South Carolina and what appears to be the part of southern Mexico. The agency added that a second plume formed in the Sahara Desert and has already reached the east side of the Atlantic. Meteorologist predict that the SAL could reach other southern US states as early as Tuesday and bring along beautiful sunsets. #GOES16/#GOESeast Split Window Difference and Dust RGB images indicate that the leading edge of the latest major pulse of Saharan Air Layer #dust has nearly reached the Lesser Antilles: https://t.co/6Y0S6ZJPJd pic.twitter.com/50O9X23STD Scott Bachmeier (@CIMSS_Satellite) June 20, 2020 Saharan Air Layers are known for causing several ecological changes, including beautiful sunsets because of the orange hue of Saharan Desert sand With its elevated status thousands of feet in the are, the SAL can cause gorgeous sunsets due to its elevation and the color of Saharan dust. 'One unique aspect of the dust will be our sunsets being incredibly vivid,' National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Davis told Tampa Bay Times. 'Saharan dust is orange and red, so as the sun sets through the haze youll get bright, brilliant sunsets.' He expects the SAL to reach Florida, Texas and Mexico before evaporating in the Pacific Ocean. The dust cloud's dry make-up sucks the moisture from the air, meaning it can stop tropical cyclones and hurricanes from forming while it crosses over a region Chad Myers: 'It is the dry air and additional vertical wind shear along with the dust that are the driving factors in limiting tropical storm development' with Saharan Air Layers Although beautiful, the dust cloud can cause problems for those with respiratory issues. In fact, the island of Lesser Antilles already reported air quality as 'unhealthy' on Sunday morning. Experts said the larger than average plume also has a number of ecological and climate impacts. The SAL can cause toxic algae to bloom in the Gulf of Mexico, but it is also considered crucial in fertilizing the Amazonian soil and sustain Caribbean beaches. The island of Lesser Antilles already reported air quality as 'unhealthy' on Sunday morning as the Saharan Air Layer reached the Caribbean Sea Pictured: Part of the Lesser Antilles region in the Caribbean Sea where the sky has become hazy with the Saharan Air Layer The dust cloud's dry make-up also sucks the moisture from the air, meaning it can stop tropical cyclones and hurricanes from forming amid this year's Atlantic hurricane season. As of Sunday, forecasts from the National Hurricane Center show no activity in the Atlantic Basin for the next week. Meteorologist Chad Myers told CNN : The dust is the visible part of the reduced tropical development potential area. 'It is the dry air and additional vertical wind shear along with the dust that are the driving factors in limiting tropical storm development. FLORISSANT Protesters prepared on Saturday night for another clash with police here, even after a day of peaceful marches. The two sides came into brief but violent conflict late Friday and early Saturday, with police, at one point, using pepper spray on several protesters and later arresting some, several there said. Im extremely upset and agitated that this keeps happening, said Bishop Derrick Robinson of Kingdom Church, who was at the protest and said the crowd wasnt warned before police used the spray. Florissant police did not respond to requests for comment. Tony Rice, an activist who goes by Search4Swag on Twitter, took and posted a video just after midnight showing a line of police in helmets and riot shields pushing against a line of protesters, who themselves pushed back on the shields, and some were knocked down. One protester then threw a clear liquid at police, and, immediately after, an officer sprayed an orange liquid, with velocity and at close-range, at protesters faces. If you got maced, come to me! a voice is heard yelling, as protesters scream, cover their eyes, and run away from the line of police. Rice said on Saturday that police were pushing protesters out of the departments driveway on Lindbergh Boulevard. He said at least three were arrested. David Bright, 30, lives in Florissant, and said tensions in the community have been rising for days. On Friday night, before he left the protests around 8 p.m., he described seeing a driver in a blue SUV drive up a curb, onto the sidewalk and right into people. One person flew off the hood, Bright said. It was nuts. Protesters have alleged a few such incidents during recent actions, in which drivers stopped or blocked by protests hit or knocked down protesters. Protesters have rallied at the police department headquarters for several nights this month, following first the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, and then the release of a video showing a Florissant police SUV striking a man attempting to flee from officers on June 2. The detective driving the SUV, Joshua L. Smith, has been fired from the department and charged by a special prosecutor with assault. Still, protests on Saturday were largely peaceful. At 11 a.m. in St. Louis, Muslim residents gathered to march from one mosque to another in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Between 75 and 100 people marched a mile and a half from Masjid Bilal, 3843 West Pine Street, to Masjid Al-Muminun, 1435 North Grand Boulevard. The march was organized by the Muslims of Greater St. Louis. Marilyn Aleem-Shamikh, one of the marchs organizers, said various Muslim communities were planning individual protests here and there, and the group wanted to bring them all together. Asif Umar, imam of Daar-Ul-Islam mosque in Manchester, was one of the speakers featured before the march began. He talked about America living with a pandemic not COVID-19, but one that started 400 years ago the pandemic of police brutality, Umar said. And theres still no vaccine. We cannot give up this fight, he said. Marissa Putnam, 27, and her sister, Teresa Adams, 53, both white, were out marching with the group. One of Putnams friends helped organize the march. Both said they felt a push recently to educate themselves about racism. I think just showing up shows support, Putnam said. To be here, standing next to them, and listening. Saturday afternoon, more than 50 protesters gathered across from the fountain in the center of Belleville Square. Organizer Arkayla Tenney-Howard, with the activist group Respect Us STL, stressed that though the one-mile march would not be violent, it would also not be peaceful. Were out here today for all the names we dont know, she said. If that means interrupting lunch for Becky and Tom, thats what were going to (expletive) do. Many of the demonstrators said they were veterans of the movement, marching in Ferguson in 2014 after the death of Michael Brown. The magnitude of our movement has multiplied by millions, said J.D. Dixon of Belleville, who was at his second march in two days. The goal is to bring sustained change to America. By 7 p.m. on Saturday, however, protesters had again gathered at the Florissant police department, and worried the night would be tense. Request from organizers, one wrote on Twitter. Florissant police already acting foolish and making threats. Request for as many folks as possible to come out right now-we need people ASAP. By 8:20, at least 100 had arrived, on both sides of Lindbergh in front of the station, chanting with a bullhorn. About 30 cars got stuck. Some drivers turned around. At 8:45 p.m., police gave protesters five minutes to clear the street, or they would be subject to arrest and other actions, up to and including chemical munitions, one officer said from his squad car. Brian Carthans, of Swansea, marched in Belleville on Saturday and was in Florissant that night. He wants accountability for the officers with Smith when he allegedly hit the fleeing suspect. We didnt learn anything, Carthans said, after they killed George Floyd. 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. Janelle O'Dea Janelle O'Dea is a data specialist and reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Janelle O'Dea 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 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) Two party-list representatives are calling on several government offices to look into the alleged abuse of an act providing for discounts for persons with disabilities (PWDs). In a statement on Sunday, Congressmen Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list and Eric Yap of ACT-CIS called on the Department of Health, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Council on Disability Affairs for a review of the implementation of Republic Act 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability and take action against people pretending to be PWDs. Both lawmakers said the unauthorized use of PWD cards to get discounts will push businesses which are already struggling due to the COVID-19 crisis to the brink. "Under the law, PWDs are given an automatic 20 percent direct discount and are VAT exempt on purchases of certain goods and services from all establishments for their exclusive use, among many other privileges," the statement said. Ong said he was supportive of RA 10754, but the statement said it had "very little safeguard against impersonating a PWD and there is not even a uniform specification on the proof of entitlement which makes it very easy for people to make fake PWD identification cards." He suggested the recall of all old PWD cards and have either the DOH of NCDA to fully verify before new ones are issued. The creation of a national database and unique codes for each PWD should also be issued for verification when claiming discounts. Yap was in favor of Ong's suggestions. The key is to develop an automated system. Through this, it will be easier to store and manage data. This system will contain all the PWDs information, which will make it easier to verify whether an individual is indeed a PWD. All LGUs (local government unit) report to one centralized system so verification is easier, Yap said. Yap said he has received complaints against people who did not have disabilities but were using PWD cards. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry said it was investigating reports of alleged abuse of PWD cards after a post on social media where an entire family had them. "Abuse of privilege in any law ruins the spirit behind it. Such discount is solely meant for actual persons with disability. DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), is currently investigating the matter," Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a separate statement from the DTI on Sunday. Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Ruth Castelo added, "We are currently dealing with the matter and will file appropriate action against those found having fake PWD cards." Mangaluru, June 21 : In yet another sensational case in Karnataka, a local court found serial killer Mohan Kumar guilty of raping and murdering a woman, who was allegedly his 20th victim, a police official said on Sunday. "The 6th additional and sessions court judge Sayeedunnisa on Saturday found Mohan Kumar (57) guilty of murdering the woman by giving her a cyanide pill after raping her at a lodge in Bengaluru in July 2009," Sullia police inspector M.R. Harish told IANS on phone. The judge will pronounce the quantum of punishment in the case against Mohan under section 302 of the IPC on June 24. The 25-year-old victim, who hailed from Sullia, about 90 km southwest of this port city in Dakshina Kannada district, was a cook in a ladies hostel at Kasargod in Kerala across the state border, when she got acquainted with Kumar, a teacher then, who promised to marry her. Kumar is lodged at Hindalga central jail at Belagavi in the state's northwest region, after he was convicted and sentenced to death in 4 murder cases and life imprisonment in 15 similar cases over the last decade. Kumar was arrested in this case in October 2009 after the victim's family recognised him when his photo was published in a local newspaper following a missing complaint her younger sister filed in the Sullia police station over a decade ago. According to the charge-sheet, the victim left Kasargod on July 8, 2009 to visit a temple at her home town Sullia from where Mohan took her to Bengaluru on the pretext of marrying her and had physical relationship with her in a city lodge where he kept her for three days. "When the family members enquired about the victim three days later, Mohan told them that they both were married and would return to Sullia soon. He did not, however, allow them to speak to the victim," the charge-sheet said. "Kumar took the victim to the bus stand for returning to Sullia and gave her a cyanide tablet saying it was a contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy. She collapsed in a toilet near the bus stand soon after consuming it while Kumar vanished from the spot. A constable rushed her to a state-run hospital where she was declared brought dead," Harish recalled. Autopsy of the victim revealed traces of cyanide in her body. In earlier cases too, Kumar was convicted of luring women who were unable to pay dowry or find compatible husbands to marry. "Kumar's modus operandi was to kill them by giving cyanide pills, claiming they were contraceptives, and rob them of their jewellery," added Harish. Armed men on Saturday killed at least ten people when they attacked Ruwan-Tofa community in Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, residents have said. Maru is the same local government, alongside Talata Marafa, attacked by the armed men on June 2 and 3, during which 21 people were killed. The latest attack was confirmed by the police in Zamfara. The police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, told PREMIUM TIMES that 10 people were killed in the attack. He also said security agencies are working with the state government to maintain peace in the state. Residents said the attackers numbering about 200 stormed the community on over 100 motorcycles shooting sporadically and killing people at will. They also stole hundreds of livestock, the residents said asking not to be named for security reasons. The Saturday attack occurred around 6 p.m. The gunmen faced no challenge from security operatives during the attack after which the injured were taken to Dansadau hospital within the local governemnt, a resident said. Some of the victims died at the hospital and were part of the 10 deaths recorded from the attack. The attack occured few hours after the police in Zamfara circulated a statement promising increased security in Maru local government and other parts of the state. Read the police statement as sent to PREMIUM TIMES Saturday afternoon. In an effort to stem the tide of criminal activities especially unrepentant bandits who refused to embrace the culture of peace in the state, the Zamfara State government in concert with Zamfara State Police Command under the leadership CP Usman Nagogo psc+ and 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army Gusau headed by Brigadier General O. M. Bello have constituted and deployed a joint operational squad compromising of the Police, Army and Civil Defence to BINDIN district of Maru LGA. The deployment of the operational team was aimed at complementing the existing security emplacement in the area. The eighty (80) man joint squad was unvieled today by the Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander respectively. While briefing officers and men deployed for the operation, CP Usman Nagogo urged them to discharge their duty with all sense of professionalism and commitement. He called on them to set aside issue of inter agency rivalry, instead they should work as a team. He appreciates the state government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohammed Bello Matawalle for providing logistical support such as operational vehicles and welfare of the security agents deployed to carry out the operation. The Brigade Commander on the other hand, called on the operatives to be more conscious of their personal safety and security, work as one family and avoid issue of rivalry. Communities of the area who turned out en mass to receive the security personnel thanked the state government and the security agencies especially the Commissioner of Police for their commitement of their safety and security. They promised to contribute to the success of the operation. SP Mohammed shehu PPRO For:- Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Police Command Gusau At least one person was killed in a gas explosion that rocked a multi-story apartment in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, international media reported citing rescue officials on June 21. The State Emergency service, later revealed that four out of the total nine floors have been obliterated by the explosion adding that several people could be trapped inside. It also reported that the explosion was of a gas-air mixture. indicating that it happened due to gas leak. 21 evacuated "As of 11:00, one person was found dead. 21 people were evacuated. Three people have been released and further evacuation of the house's residents is underway," the statement by the department said. A total of 21 people have been evacuated as of now as the authorities continue to find out the total of people present inside the building at the time of the explosion. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko while speaking to international media reporters said that a woman has been injured and had now been admitted to a hospital. According to reports, all the residents of the building would be relocated to a boarding house near Kyiv. Read: Ukraine President's Wife Hospitalized With Virus Read: Ukraine Reports 656 New Coronavirus Cases In 24 Hours, Tally Rises To 31,810 This is the second tragic incident to stun Ukraine within a week. Earlier on June 17, a light aeroplane crash-landed in the nation's southern city of Odesa, killing one person and injuring another one, local police said in a statement. Photos of the crash site released by the Odesa police department showed a damaged plane lying on a road without its landing wheels. Police say they are investigating the cause of the crash. Read: Light Plane Crashes In Ukraine City Where Model Made; 1 Dead Read: Pentagon Official Who Questioned Donald Trump's Ukraine Aid Freeze Resigns (Image credits: dsns.gov.ua) (With inputs from agencies) Haiti - Diaspora : Passing of Dr. Adeline Jocelyn Verly "The Embassy of Haiti in Canada regrets to announce the passing away of Dr. Adeline Jocelyn Verly (94) on June 14 in Ottawa. Ms. Jocelyn Verly came to Canada in 2004 after the death of her husband, Dr. Jean Verly, after a career of almost 50 years in obstetrics and gynecology. In 1955, she created the Foundation for Reproductive Health and Family Education, better known by the acronym FOSREF, which aims to promote reproductive health and family education. In June 1983, she was found as Director of the Coordination Unit of the Regional Directorates. After a brief stint as Secretary of State for Public Health, she is attached as a consultant to the Executive Directorate of the Ministrys Execution and Coordination Unit. She remained there until her retirement in April 1986. Ms. Adeline Jocelyn Verly was cremated on June 17, 2020 in Ottawa. Only ten family members were allowed to see her one last time and say a short prayer for the rest of her soul at the Heritage funeral home in Orleans. Frantz Liautaud, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Canada, and the members of the diplomatic mission offer their sincere condolences to the family members and relatives of the deceased." HL/ HaitiLibre Nineteen police officers were injured during riots and looting in Stuttgart last night after checks over suspected drug dealing sparked a 500-strong revolt. Twenty-four people were arrested after gangs of thugs kicked officers, broke into shops, smashed up vehicles and marauded through the German city until the small hours of the morning. At least 500 were involved, with officials describing the carnage as 'completely out of control' and that it had devolved 'into real riots.' The unrest was sparked after officers searched a 17-year-old for drugs as youths partied in a central park. Groups of young men threatened the officers who were 'confronted in an extremely aggressive manner, attacked and injured,' a police report said. Around 200 took up against the officers, hurling bottles and stones at them in the central Schlossplatz, an iconic parade ground which is bordered by lawns. Goods lie on the floor after people break into a shop on Marienstrasse in Stuttgart on Saturday night. At least 500 were involved, with officials describing the carnage as 'completely out of control' and that it had devolved 'into real riots.' Footage showed people wearing hoods and masks rushing in and out of broken store fronts. Clothing shops, a jewellers and a phone shop were among those targeted.Forty stores were smashed into, with at least nine of those being looted. Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, has a population of more than 600,000 Numbers swelled as others started attacking storefronts on a nearby shopping street, tearing paving stones out of the ground and hurling them through windows. Videos filmed by youths on the anarchic front lines were shared widely on social media, some with rap music accompaniments. One clip showed a lone officer being kicked to the ground as he attempted to arrest another man while being surrounded by a baying mob. The rioters took up bats and threw projectiles at police vans, leaving at least 12 vehicles badly damaged. Other footage showed people wearing hoods and masks rushing in and out of broken store fronts. Clothing shops, a jewellers and a phone shop were among those targeted. Forty stores were smashed into, with at least nine of those being looted. Dutzende gewalttatige Kleingruppen haben in der Nacht zum Sonntag in der Innenstadt von #Stuttgart randaliert und mehrere Polizisten verletzt. Inzwischen hat sich die Lage beruhigt. Die Hintergrunde der Auseinandersetzung sind noch unklar. https://t.co/LZMQ1v1e01 pic.twitter.com/JJEMj2td5a SWR Aktuell BW (@SWRAktuellBW) June 21, 2020 Goods lie on the floor after people broke into a shop on Marienstrasse in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, June 21, 2020 The display window of a shop stands smashed following violent clashes between rioters and police that also led to looting Workers repair damage to a display window of a shop following violent clashes between rioters and police that also led to looting the night before he display window of a McDonalds restaurant stands smashed following violent clashes between rioters and police Around 280 heavily armoured officers were deployed to quell the violence and investigations are ongoing as to precisely what motivated the chaos. Stuttgart Police Vice President Thomas Berger told Bild: 'I have been a police officer for 30 years and have experienced a lot, but there have never been scenes like this in Stuttgart. 'I am shocked. I've never seen anything like it. The level of violence is unprecedented.' On Sunday, Mayor Fritz Kuhn tweeted that he was 'shocked about the violent outbreak,' called it a 'sad Sunday for Stuttgart' and pledged it would be investigated 'thoroughly.' Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, has a population of more than 600,000. Glasses are seen on the floor as a display window of a shop stands smashed following violent clashes between rioters and police that also led to looting The display window of a shop stands smashed following violent clashes with police The display window of a shop stands smashed following violent clashes with officers in Stuttgart last night Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 12:29:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Two people (L) protest before a campaign rally of Donald Trump in Tulsa of Oklahoma, the United States, June 20, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump Saturday evening held his first rally in more than three months, despite warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings amid a surge in COVID-19 cases after reopening in some states. (Photo by Alan Chin/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday evening, despite warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings amid a surge in coronavirus cases after reopening in some states. Speaking to a crowd of supporters inside the BOK Center, Trump touted his policies and judicial nominees, tore into Democrats and media, and touched upon a series of national issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 2.2 million people and taken nearly 120,000 lives in the United States. The president blamed the numbers on testing, a claim that has been widely disputed. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," he said. "They test and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on." Trump made the remarks only hours after his campaign spokesman revealed that six staffers helping organizing the Tulsa rally have tested positive for the coronavirus. Attendees of the rally received a mask from organizers before entering the event, but most of them did not wear it inside the arena, which can hold 19,000 people. In his remarks on Saturday, Trump also spoke at length complaining about media coverage of his slow walk down a ramp after giving the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy, also known as West Point, last week, which has fueled questions about his health. He explained that he was wearing "leather-bottom shoes" and that the ramp "was like an ice-skating rink," stressing that "I can't fall with the fake news watching." There are multiple groups of demonstrators with varying viewpoints in the area adjacent to the rally, the Tulsa Police Department tweeted Saturday night. "Overwhelmingly these encounters have been peaceful." Trump's last rally was held in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 2. Enditem Hyderabad, June 21 : With each passing day, the number of COVID-19 cases in Telangana is reaching a new high and sending the alarm bells ringing in the top echelons of the state administration. The first COVID-19 case in the state was reported on March 2 and since then there has been a steady increase in numbers. It was after 57 days, that is on April 26 that the state crossed 1,000 cases mark. It took another month for the next 1,000 cases but within a week the state added 1,000. It was on June 3 that the state crossed 3,000 mark but such has been the surge since then that this figure doubled in a matter of 15 days. The state added 1,045 cases in the last two days -- 499 on Friday and 546 on Saturday. As many as 1,859 people tested positive since Tuesday. Telangana also crossed 200 fatalities on Saturday, making it the ninth state in the country to pass that figure. It is at 13th position among states in total number of COVID-19 caes. While the authorities have been claiming that Telangana is in much better position compared to states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and others, the massive surge over the last one week and huge jump in daily cases has sparked apprehensions that it may overtake some states in the coming days. Telangana was one of the first states to impose the lockdown and kept things largely under control with strict enforcement. However, the surge after the relaxation in the lockdown upset all its calculations. The officials in the health department point out that every time the government felt that it had contained the spread, a new problem cropped up. In the initial phase, it was the arrival of people from abroad which kept the authorities on tenterhooks. By screening the passengers at the airport, testing those with suspected symptoms and by sending others to quarantine, the authorities were able to keep things under control. The next wave came towards the end of March when returnees from Tablighi Jamaat conclave in Delhi were found infected. Health Minister Eatala Rajender had stated on April 16 that 640 out of 700 tested positive so far had Tablighi link. Even in the beginning of May, the average daily jump was 20-30 cases. However, the surge began with relaxations in the lockdown. The number of infections rose with the return of migrant workers from other states and those who were evacuated/deported from abroad. As the cases were largely confined to Greater Hyderabad, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao was still confident of containing the spread. However, the intra-state and inter-state movement of people and the greater mobility with the resumption of some economic activity led to the spread in the districts as well. Under attack from the opposition for low testing, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government blamed the relaxations given by the Centre for the upsurge. "The BJP leaders, who were shouting that the state government has failed in containing the spread of coronavirus, should go and ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi why relaxations were being given," said Telangana minister Srinivas Yadav. The latest surge began with the launch of 50,000 tests in Greater Hyderabad, the biggest hotspot and surrounding districts from Tuesday. The government on June 14 announced that 50,000 tests will be conducted in 30 Assembly constituencies in Greater Hyderabad and surrounding districts over the next week to 10 days. The process began on Tuesday with authorities collecting samples from containment zones and high risk groups. In the words of Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, the objective was to give confidence to people in view of apprehensions voiced in some quarters that because of low number of tests being conducted the real situation is not coming out. "We want to give confidence to people that there is no problem," the top bureaucrat had said. Following some critical observations made by the High Court, the state government this week also allowed the private hospitals and labs to conduct COVID-19 tests. With every passing day setting a new record of the steepest jump in number of cases, the worst fears being voiced by opposition parties and a section of activists and NGOs may be coming true. Facing criticism for not being transparent in sharing information with regard to tests, the government stated releasing daily figures of the test conducted. According to the director of public health, 3,185 tests were conducted on Saturday. While no figures were available for Friday, 2,477 tests were conducted the previous day. The state has so far conducted 53,757 cases which critics say is low compared to many other states of the equal population. The Opposition believes that it stands vindicated over the issue. Main opposition Congress has even demanded the government to declare a health emergency in Hyderabad and surrounding districts. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) A silent march has been held in Nantes in memory of Steve Canico, a 24-year old who died a year ago after disappearing during a police charge at a Fete de la Musique party. The exact circumstances of his death have still not been determined but some point to excessive use of violence by the police. Canico went missing exactly a year ago on the night of 21 June, after officers moved in to disperse techno music fans at a free Fete de la Musique concert near the Loire river in Nantes. During the clashes, Steve and 13 others, fell into the river. He didn't know how to swim. His body was retrieved five weeks later on 29 July. Since his death, the young music fan and youth leader has become a symbol for the town of Nantes, with several protests held in his memory. The slogan "Justice for Steve" has regularly featured in local "Yellow Vest" demonstrations. Canico's family and friends have always maintained his death was linked to the heavy-handed police charge during which tear gas and projectiles were fired. His brother and sister spoke about life without Steve in a video, in French, on Loopsider. In late July Prime Minister Edouard Philippe promised total transparency" after an internal police enquiry left unanswered questions. The Interior Ministry launched its own enquiry and in September 2019 concluded there had been a lack of judgement on the part of the police. The police chief responsible for regional operations was demoted as a result. To date, and to the family's frustration, no one has been found responsible for Canico's death and the investigation continues. Three investigations underway Three judicial enquiries against X are underway in Rennes where the case was transferred for reasons of impartiality. The first is for "involuntary homicide" and the second for involuntary injuries, failure to assist a person in danger and endangering the life of others. The third relates to willful violence against a person holding public authority and concerns partygoers who threw projectiles at the police. Ten police officers injured on that evening have filed a complaint. Canico's phone The latest technical expertise focuses in particular on Canico's mobile phone. As no one witnessed Canico falling into the river, the phone's GPS could yield crucial information on his last moments. "If it is established that when the tear gas was fired my brother was very close to the river then it will be difficult to dispute the link between the intervention of the police and the fall that led to Steve's death, said Canico's sister, interviewed by Le Monde. According to the Canico family's lawyer, Cecile de Oliveira, they could have elements in early summer which will, hopefully tip the file towards charges. Nantes 'still suffering' On Friday, the mayor of Nantes, Johanna Rolland, met Canico's family. She said the town was still suffering. I told them I stood with them, that Nantes remained at their side during this ordeal, she said in a statement. "The circumstances of Canico's death, the motivations and methods used during the police officer's intervention during that tragic night had to be brought to light," adding that while it could take a long time for the truth to be revealed "justice would prevail. For lawyer Cecile de Oliveira, a trial could be held in the next three to four years which would be a normal timeline for such a complex case. LONDON, June 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pura is a UK based, family-run company on a mission: to democratise eco-friendly baby products for all. They launch today, Sunday, June 21st, with the first product in their range, 100% plastic free baby wipes, with nappies to follow in Autumn. The brand's ambassador, TV presenter and leader of dance group Diversity, Ashley Banjo, will celebrate Father's Day by reading the Pura created book 'Lily and the Wipe monster' on Pura's IGTV. The TV presenter and choreographer filmed the reading in the nursery of his two children, Rose Adura and Micah Grace. The family also star in an adorable post on his Instagram, celebrating his first Father's Day as a dad of two, On the post, Ashley shares with his fans his reasons for working with Pura baby wipes, which combine high quality, eco-friendly credentials with a more affordable price point. The Diversity star's caption reads: " 2020 has been an interesting year so far! A It's literally changed my perspective and made me think differently about things. I've decided that I'm going to start making small changes in my life to work towards a better future for them. So as part of this new mindset I've partnered with @mypura and their brand new 100% plastic free and 100% biodegradable wipes." Pura also launches with celebrity parent endorsement from former Strictlya star, actress and radio presenterA Gemma Atkinson. Pura is working to address the problem posed by traditional wipes and disposable nappies.A A massive 90% of the wipes currently sold in the UK contain plasticA - meaning they can last over 100 years in landfill. And yet the vast majority of consumers are not aware that the wipes they are using are made from plastic. Enter Pura.A Pura baby wipes are 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable and are made from biodegradable plant fibres. They are available in flushable and non-flushable versions. Pura is the most accredited baby care brand on the market.A So, parents can be sure they're protecting their family's skin as well as their future.A Pura. It's time for a change. Available from June 2020 atA www.mypura.com About Pura:A Pura is a UK based, family-run company on a mission: to democratise eco-friendly baby products for all.A A The brand combines high quality, eco-friendly credentials with a more affordable price point, and launched with 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable baby wipes in June with nappies to follow later this year. Pura, 100% plastic-free baby wipes, available with free next day delivery from mypura.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193843/Pura_Ashley_Banjo.jpg Photo -A https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193844/Lily_and_the_Wipe_Monster.jpg Sudan on Sunday warned against escalation and urged further negotiations with Egypt and Ethiopia over Addis Ababa's controversial dam on the Nile. Tensions are running high between the three countries after recent talks failed to produce a deal on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. "We do not want escalation. Negotiations are the only solution," Sudan's irrigation and water resources minister, Yasser Abbas, told reporters on Sunday. "Signing an agreement is a prerequisite for us before filling the dam. Sudan has the right to demand it," he said. Ethiopia has declared plans to start filling the dam next month, regardless of whether a deal has been reached. Egypt, which views the massive hydro-electric barrage as an existential threat, on Friday urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene in the dispute, citing Ethiopia's "non-positive stances". On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a televised address that his country had remained committed to a political solution. "When we resorted to the Security Council... it stemmed from our keenness to take the diplomatic and political path until the end," he said. Cairo fears the dam could severely reduce its water supply from the Nile, which provides nearly 97 percent of Egypt's freshwater needs. Addis Ababa says the dam is indispensable for its development and insists Egypt's water share will not be affected. The Nile is a lifeline supplying both water and electricity to the 10 countries it traverses. Egypt says the dam threatens the Nile's flow, most of which originates in the Blue Nile, with damaging implications for its food supply and economy. Search Keywords: Short link: Lu Yongmei dries the indigo dyeing cloth [China Tourism News] Indigo dyeing, a craft inherited through generations among the Dong ethnic group in southwest China's Guizhou Province, was listed the intangible cultural heritage of Guizhou Province in 2012. Lu Yongmei is an inheritor of indigo dyeing in Zhaoxing Dong Village, Liping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in Guizhou. Lu began to learn spinning and cultivate plants for dyeing from her mother and study the skills of indigo dyeing at her grandfather's indigo dyeing workshop when she was 6. She was skilled at spinning, weaving cloth, indigo dyeing, and making embroidery and sachets when she graduated from the middle school. When she worked in a local kindergarten in 2014, Lu found most children there were left behind with grandparents by their parents who migrated to other places for work. Driven by the love for indigo dyeing, she and some women in the village established a traditional crafts' company in 2015, to help the locals get jobs at their doorsteps and be able to accompany their children to grow up. To expand the marketing, Lu made great efforts to develop and bring forth new ideas in embroideries. She combined the Dong embroidering techniques with those of the Miao ethnic group. The innovative embroideries are popular with customers. The handmade fabric products, including indigo dyeing scarves, homespun cloth, beddings and sachets, have been sold to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen cities. In 2019, the output value of the company reached more than 4.9 million yuan (US $691,241). Since its establishment, a poverty alleviation workshop under Lu's company, has obtained one invention patent and seven appearance patents. It has also won more than 80 honorary titles, including the prefecture-level intangible cultural heritage productive protection demonstration base, and the teaching experiment base of the Talents Training Project of Guizhou Ethnic Minorities' Embroidery and Derivative Designing supported by the National Arts Fund. To allow tourists to better experience the indigo dyeing techniques, Lu also established an indigo dyeing culture experience center, which promotes the traditional dyeing techniques to tourists for free while training local young people with indigo dyeing skills. The experience center received more than 6,000 experts, scholars, teachers and students and more than 200 tour groups composed of more than 120,000 travelers, from 2014 to 2019. More than 30 free training sessions of craft skills were held for more than 1,500 people, which helped over 600 impoverished households master skills of making crafts and increase income. Lu will continue to develop and innovate the intangible cultural and creative products, and offer more opportunities for visitors to experience the folk culture. At the same time, she will boost sales of products via WeChat, livestreaming platforms and online shops, to bring fortune to local people. An exterior view of Lu's poverty alleviation workshop [China Tourism News] An exhibition room of the products made by workers in Lu's poverty alleviation workshop [China Tourism News] A pair of dyed pillows with embroidery patterns [China Tourism News] Handmade dyed bag with embroidery patterns [China Tourism News] A dyed scarf with embroidery patterns [China Tourism News] A dyed tie [China Tourism News] A dyed cheongsam [China Tourism News] An armed man seen on top of a building near the Robert E. Lee Memorial in Richmond was arrested this morning (June 20). Police urged people to leave the area after an armed man was spotted on top of a building near the memorial during a protest demanding its removal. "Protesters have been camping out at the memorial for over a week demanding its removal, and counter-protesters have been threatening them on social media and defending the statue. There were unconfirmed reports that at least two rifles were found in the suspect's car," the filmer told Newsflare. Edwin Rodriguez has hauled in all manner of oddities in his 17 years as a fisherman for Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk. So it was a shock when, in December, he pulled up an oyster grate in the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford to find something totally new: a crab about the size of a human palm with long, skinny legs and furry mittens on its claws. Ive been fishing all over Long Island Sound and Ive never seen one of those crabs, Rodriquez said. I took a picture and sent it to my boss. I said, Ive never seen one like this. What is it? It was weird for me. Dick Harris, a marine scientist for Copps Island, identified the crab as the highly invasive Chinese mitten crab named for those furry claws and immediately sounded the alarm. The crabs are native to China, where they are considered a delicacy in Asian cuisines, but for nearly a century theyve occupied other locations as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world. They migrate up freshwater rivers from saltwater bays and burrow into the banks destabilizing shores, weakening dams and levees, clogging screens, pumps and water intake structures and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure damage. The crabs have destroyed riverbanks in Germany and parts of the United States already. Theyre also resilient like rats, with a proven ability to survive even in polluted waters. Theyve wreaked havoc on recreational fishing industries by consuming bait, damaging fishing nets and devouring catch. And to top it off, theyre a threat to human health, carrying a number of harmful bacteria and a parasite that attacks human lungs if the crabs are eaten raw or undercooked. Now, suddenly, theyre threatening Connecticuts shores. They burrow in by the millions and turn the bank into jelly, Harris said. Its potentially a huge problem and we should be really worried about it. Rodriquez has found six crabs five males and one female, all of reproductive size since December. Most recently, he pulled up three on June 2. A single female can release up to 1 million eggs. I would probably now call this an invasion rather than an introduction, said Dave Hudson, a research scientist at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. We need to have our eyes on the water when it comes to these things. An animal like this can be pretty devastating economically. Operation Hidden Mitten Usually enjoyed steamed, with a light dipping sauce of minced ginger and garlic, mitten crabs are in highest demand in the fall, when theyre easiest to catch. While you can get them live from a vending machine in China, the crabs are illegal to possess and illegal to serve in restaurants in the U.S., and it is illegal under the Lacey Act to import mitten crabs into the United States. But that hasnt stopped smugglers from bringing thousands to the U.S. every year for Chinese New Year and other cultural events. In January, officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced theyd intercepted illegal shipments of approximately 15,000 live Chinese mitten crabs as part of a code-named operation called Hidden Mitten. Operation Hidden Mitten was the first international inspection operation initiated by the newly formed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Inspection Interdiction Team, the agency said in a release in January. With the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, wildlife inspectors found the crabs in boxes falsely marked as shipments of T-shirts, jeans, auto part samples, shopping bags, photo albums and other commercial products, the agency said. Investigators seized the crabs at hubs and major international airports, and intercepted more than 3,400 pounds in Cincinnati alone. The shipments originated in China and Hong Kong and were destined for residences and businesses in multiple U.S. states. Most were headed to New York, federal officials said. The U.S. Department of the Interior is committed to protecting our nations natural resources for the continued benefit of the American people. Chinese mitten crabs pose a significant threat to humans, the environment and our economy, said Rob Wallace, assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the U.S. Department of the Interior, in a prepared statement. Connecticut has crabs It is unclear how the crabs ended up in Connecticut though there are several theories. Often, the thrifty critters are scooped up in the ballast water of ships and released when the ship reaches the next port. In many places, the crabs are illegally imported and then intentionally released to create a local supply for seafood markets. And theres always a risk that one of those boxes of T-shirts could fall off a ship during transport. Mitten crabs also arent the first out-of-towners to turn up in Connecticut waters. Fishermen from Copps Island found four Dungeness crabs in 2017, though they tossed three back. They took the fourth, a 2.5 pounder, to the Maritime Aquarium, where it was identified as one of the crustaceans made famous by the Discovery Channels Deadliest Catch. They are native to the icy waters of the Pacific and none have been found in Long Island Sound since, so its unlikely theyve survived or taken hold here. In 2018, a single mitten crab was found in New Haven, but when no more were pulled up it was thought to be an isolated incident. Now, though, mitten crabs are more likely to take hold, Harris said, and that could be costly for the state both in the damage they can cause and the expense of fighting them. Recent studies estimate the economic cost of combating invasive species in the United States is approximately $120 billion per year. Master escape artists In the United States, mitten crabs have already spread to several California waterways, the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, and the Hudson River, according to the fish and wildlife agency. The crabs can migrate up to 11 miles per day on land and water, have been found as far as 8 miles upstream in some areas and are capable of climbing even the steepest walls something Harris found out the hard way. He placed the three most recent stowaways in a glass tank at the lab he keeps at Copps Island Oysters. The next day, he came in to find an empty tank. The crabs had escaped. He found them crawling around the house, scooped them up, placed them back in the tank and covered it with a board. Even that didnt work. They were gone again the next day. One made it all the way to the basement. He didnt find the crabs in time, and now he keeps them in the freezer. So the master escape artists have already proved they wont be easy to contain if they multiply in Connecticuts rivers, Harris said. Harris and Hudson said recreational and commercial fishermen should be on the lookout for crabs with furry claws, and if you find one, contact them immediately, as well as the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Harris is working with the department to gain approval to set a trap for the crabs. Both Harris and Hudson were clear: If you catch one, do not put it back in the water. If it looks like it has hairs on its claws, it is not native, Hudson said. If it has hairy claws, I want to see it. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Lawyers and opposition politicians have described it as unusual that Hong Kongs leader will have the power to appoint judges to hear trials under the national security legislation Beijing is creating for the city, questioning whether there will still be impartiality in such cases. But some academics and politicians described the proposal as a compromise amid mounting voices from the pro-establishment bloc that foreign judges in Hong Kong should be banned from handling national security cases that could involve other countries. During the latest three-day meeting of Chinas top legislative body, the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, which ended on Saturday, members further discussed the draft legislation to prohibit secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with external forces in Hong Kong. Among the most controversial details of the impending law that emerged on Saturday was a new power to be given to the Hong Kong leader to designate incumbent or former judges to handle national security cases. Philip Dykes, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, said a new rule that would allow the citys chief executive to select judges for national security cases was unusual. Photo: Nora Tam Hong Kong Bar Association chairman Philip Dykes said such a rule was unusual. Dykes was concerned about the complicated role of the city leader in relevant lawsuits, as she was directly accountable to the central government. It is very odd for a person [who has] a stake in the prosecution to select the judges, he told the Post. He urged authorities to give detailed definitions of the four crimes and an exhaustive list of what actions may be seen as criminal as soon as possible. Professor Fu Hualing, law dean of the University of Hong Kong, said the chief executive might not have knowledge about which judges were capable of presiding over national security trials. The draft legislation should state that the chief executive would make the appointments after consulting the chief justice, who is in a better position to determine which judges are qualified for handling such cases, he said. Story continues Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, leader of the opposition Civic Party, also questioned the impartiality of judges appointed by the chief executive, as a new mainland adviser would sit on a top-level national security commission to be set up to give orders to Hong Kong authorities. A signboard near the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central touts the new national security law Beijing is tailor-making for the city. Photo: Jonathan Wong Ling Bing, a law professor at Sydney University, also warned the proposal might violate judicial independence in Hong Kong and undermine the credibility of such proceedings. Since Hong Kong will carry out the constitutional duty to safeguard national security, Beijing should allow Hong Kongs judiciary to conduct trials in accordance with normal procedures, Ling said. On the mainland, judges presiding over national security trials are not chosen by governors or mayors. On the mainland, judges presiding over national security trials are not chosen by governors or mayors Ling Bing, law professor at Sydney University Basic Law Committee member Albert Chen Hung-yee, however, described the draft legislation as a moderate version of the law, because it allowed the Hong Kong government and courts to handle most of the enforcement work and trials. Still, he believed there was some room for improvement. It would be better for the law to state that the chief executive would appoint the designated judges to preside over national security trials based on the recommendation of the chief justice and the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, he said. The chief executive may not be able to determine which judges are capable of handling such cases. Tam Yiu-chung, the citys sole delegate to the Standing Committee, also described the proposal as a compromise. Albert Chen, a member of Hong Kongs Basic Law Committee, described the draft national security legislation as moderate but conceded the citys chief executive may not be best equipped to select judges capable of handling such cases. Photo: David Wong He said cases concerning national security were special and might involve different countries, so it was only reasonable to find judges who specialised in the matter to handle them. In an outline unveiled on Saturday, Beijing also set out a clear bottom line by suggesting the impending legislation would override Hong Kong laws that were not in line with it. The Standing Committee would also enjoy the right to interpret the new legislation. HKU legal academic Simon Young Ngai-man said the most worrying part was that the power of interpretation would lie with the Standing Committee. It is unclear whether Hong Kong courts will be allowed to interpret this law or whether it will need to seek an interpretation from the Standing Committee when there is an ambiguity, he said. Young also described the supremacy clause as surprising, saying he had previously believed that all promulgated laws through Annex III of the Basic Law, the citys mini-constitution, were subordinated to the same status as all other legislation in force. The superior status of the national security law implied that not only existing legislation which was inconsistent was inapplicable, but that all future laws enacted by the legislature could not be inconsistent with it. Effectively, it means the Legislative Council cannot amend or repeal this law, Young said. Meanwhile, activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung poured scorn on Beijings reassurance that the human rights safeguards to which Hongkongers have been entitled would not be jeopardised. These protections would vanish into thin air in view of the poor track record of the Chinese judicial system, said Wong, who regarded himself as one of the prime targets under the new law. Once Beijing intervenes, offenders can be sent to the mainland for trial and prison I will probably be subject to secret trial, black jails, televised confession and torture, Wong, of the activist group Demosisto, said. Additional reporting by Gary Cheung and Sum Lok-kei Rebel City: Hong Kongs Year of Water and Fire is a new book of essays that chronicles the political confrontation that has gripped the city since June 2019. Edited by the South China Morning Post's Zuraidah Ibrahim and Jeffie Lam, the book draws on work from the Post's newsrooms across Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington and Singapore, with unmatched insights into all sides of the conflict. Buy directly from SCMP today and get a 15% discount (regular price HKD$198). It is available at major bookshops worldwide or online through Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, and eBooks.com. More from South China Morning Post: This article Hong Kong leaders unusual power to choose judges in national security law cases sparks concern among lawyers, lawmakers first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Saudi Arabias Ministry of Tourism has announced the formation of the Tourism Development Fund to boost growth across the sector. The fund will launch a range of equity and debt investment vehicles, with an initial $4 billion (SR 15 billion) capital and $45 billion (SR 165 billion) in memoranda of understanding already signed with private banks. The Tourism Development Fund, which has been approved by Saudi Arabias Council of Ministers, will collaborate with private and investment banks to support private-sector developments and incentivise further investment across the industry. The Tourism Development Fund will play a critical role in developing outstanding tourism experiences and unlocking the full potential of Saudi Arabia as a destination, said Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism. The launch of the fund at this time, as the tourism sector faces unprecedented global challenges, is testament to investor and private-sector confidence in the long-term outlook for tourism in Saudi Arabia. The social and economic importance of the sector cannot be understated: it drives growth and diversification, attracts international investment, creates job opportunities and enhances quality of life for millions of Saudis. The National Development Fund, chaired by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, has approved the appointment of five board members, who will bring a wealth of experience and investment expertise to the Tourism Development Fund. Board members are: Her Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Strategy and Investment at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism; Ihsan Bafakih, Governor of the Real Estate General Authority; Stephen Groff, Governor of the National Development Fund; Mohammed Omran AlOmran, Member of the Board of Directors at Saudi British Bank; and Mohammed Al-Hokal, Member of the Board of Directors at the National Commercial bank (NCB). The Tourism Development Funds launch is part of the first phase of the National Tourism Strategy, which focuses on developing and enhancing 38 sites across seven destinations by 2022. Funding will be deployed to support mixed-use destinations, to address gaps in the tourism value chain, and to enable technologically-enhanced tourism. Projects supported by the fund will include flagship mixed-use and hospitality developments by leading international operators and investors with the aim of enhancing Saudi Arabias tourism offering, supporting growth across domestic and international tourism, attracting foreign direct investment and driving job creation. Following the opening of Saudi Arabia to international tourism in 2019, tourism has become one of the countrys highest growth potential sectors. It is expected to contribute more than 10 per cent of annual GDP, compared to 3 per cent today, and to create more than one million new jobs by 2030. The announcement of the fund follows confirmation earlier this year of the Ministry of Tourism as a distinct ministry with overarching strategic and regulatory control of tourism in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Tourism Authority, which is responsible for destination promotion and tourist experience. Together, the three entities will collaborate to evolve and enhance Saudi Arabias tourism eco-system. - TradeArabia News Service About a year ago, I attended a hearing in Havertown about the firing of a volunteer firefighter (which essentially wasnt a firing in the truest sense since they werent paying the poor kid anything in the first place). There was a lot of sound and fury, due to the fact that the young man in question had made the mistake of going to a few Proud Boy meetings. I spoke out in defense of the firefighter, who I dont know personally but who I thought was being unfairly treated by an uber-progressive group of male and female Karens. A lot of people, not just in Delco, think that anyone who would go to a Proud Boy meeting (even without joining) is a racist. Those same people think that a columnist (hint: this columnist) who would speak out in defense of the fired firefighter is a Neo Nazi Racist White Trash Right Wing Bigot. After I wrote a column explaining how the volunteer firefighters rights had been violated, I became the target of a hate campaign. A local political activist who has her own legal problems started harassing me with social media posts. Others left messages at my place of business threatening to do things you usually see in the first five minutes of a Law and Order episode. Others created fake social media sites that had photoshops of me giving the Nazi salute. To this day, if you google my name, somewhere down there on the first page will be a reference to white supremacy. Except for the negative impact on family and friends, I can deal with the blowback. It comes with the mine-filled territory of contemporary punditry. If you have strong opinions, expect to elicit the same in return. But today, social media has given everyone with an opinion the power of both anonymity and number. Whereas before, you could clutch your pearls in one hand and write a scathingly brilliant Letter to the Editor in another, now you can join forces with like-minded people you never met, light your torches and set out to kill the monster in the castle. Of course, you first have to create the monster. Over Memorial Day weekend, one such monster was created and destroyed within a matter of hours. We all remember Amy Cooper, the New York City woman who, when confronted about letting her dog roam unleashed, called the police and made a false report about an African American man threatening her life. She was lying. We know she was lying because her alleged abuser, a mild-mannered bird watcher named Christopher Cooper, got her on film. Thank God he did. A few reasons: The Scottsboro Boys. Emmett Till. Susan Smith. This time, this particular white woman lied on tape. So, thank God. There is very little to defend about Amy Cooper. She tried to use her privileged position in society to do real-time damage to an innocent man. The outrage was justified, and even seems quaint in those pre-George Floyd moments before the potential harm to a man in Central Park was violently displaced by the fatal harm to a man in Minneapolis. At the time, those weeks that feel like years ago, I said that Cooper should go to jail. She endangered the life of a man who posed no threat, because she could. But: Amy Cooper did not deserve to be destroyed by the torch-bearing mobs. She is a human being who made a horrible mistake. Id even concede that mistake is too kind a description. She committed a crime. This, however, did not make her a monster, despite the gleeful campaign of the social media mobs to twist her into that caricature. She did not deserve to have her name and private information doxxed, her livelihood stripped from her, strangers calling for her to be raped or killed, all sorts of vile things being said that will reverberate forever on the internet. If you think that this is okay, and that we can define a person by one vile act, one captured moment, one unjustified, nauseating, selfish and yes racist act, then please be prepared to live each moment of your own lives as if a film crew were following you around. And thats not an idle threat, or empty suggestion. People are now walking around with their iPhones and other portable recording devices, playing gotcha with philosophical enemies. Im not talking about folks filming instances of criminal activity, or even trying to document what they think is a bad arrest or brutality on the part of the police (which, more times than not, is not). Im talking about private citizens using their cameras to capture other private citizens at their worst moments, or doing things that the pseudo Steven Spielbergs think are wrong. And then, these photographic storm troopers, these paragons of civic virtue, post their recordings to the internet, and they go viral, and then people lose their jobs, their friends, their reputations and their privacy. It is a very effective, 21st century version of throwing suspected witches in the river, and hoping that they sink as proof of their innocence. Only with those viral gotchas, innocence is impossible to establish because the damage to reputation is already done. This past week, a city worker was filmed removing Black Lives Matter posters from a playground, and lost his job because he was not deferential enough to the movement. A beloved police captain in South Philadelphia lost his job because some irate freelance journalist made a video complaint about how he was being mistreated by the so-called vigilantes at Marconi Plaza. Others have lost livelihoods, had to close their stores, been kicked out of schools, removed from faculty positions, and probably even had their engagement rings returned to them. The electronic Stasi, the digital KGB, are roaming the streets, waiting to catch you at your weakest moments. The social justice warriors need nothing more than a fully charged battery to help destroy you, if you let them. Dont let them. Christine Flowers is an attorney and a resident of Delaware County. Her column usually appears Sunday. Email her at cflowers1961@gmail.com. Abdurrahman Shater, official with UN-recognised GNA, warns Egypt to stop its intervention and backing of Khalifa Haftar. Libyas internationally recognised government has denounced Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis threats of military intervention, saying his comments were akin to beating the drums of war. El-Sisi on Saturday warned forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli not to cross the current front line between them and forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, whom Cairo backs. The Egyptian president, who visited an airbase in Matrouh near the Libyan border, alluded to the possibility of sending external military missions if required adding that any direct intervention in Libya has already become legitimate internationally. Abdurrahman Shater, a member of the GNA-allied Libyan High Council of State, said his countrys security and democracy have been in danger since el-Sisi insisted on bringing in military troops that Libyans did not accept. Take your hands off us, do not repeat the tragedy in Yemen, he tweeted. Shater also said Egypt has intervened in Libyas internal affairs for four years. 4 # . . . . Abdurrahman Shater (@alshater1939) June 20, 2020 Translation: El-Sisis speech in front of a crowd of his army near the border is beating the drums of war. Egypt has intervened for four years, which he denied and claimed his concern for Libyas security. Libyas security has been in danger since Egypts insistence on undermining democracy and installing a military man whose master we have previously rejected and brought down. Take your hands off us. And do not repeat your tragedy in Yemen. El-Sisi told his army to be prepared to carry out any mission here within our borders, or if necessary outside our borders. Sirte and Jufra are a red line, he said. Forces loyal to the GNA, which is headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, have driven Haftars self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) from large swaths of territory in the west of the country as well as strategic towns near the capital, Tripoli. GNA forces have now launched a campaign, moving eastwards, to capture the Mediterranean city of Sirte from forces loyal to Haftar, who was forced to offer a ceasefire after facing a string of defeats in recent weeks. The ceasefire, backed by Cairo, has been rejected by the GNA and its backer Ankara, which on Saturday demanded that the LNA withdraw from Sirte. The Egyptian president stressed any direct interference from Egypt [in Libya] has now acquired international legitimacy, either with the right to self-defence or at the request of the only legitimate elected authority in Libya, which is the House of Representatives [Tobruk]. Al Jazeeras Malik Traina, reporting from the Libyan city of Misrata, said el-Sisis remarks on Saturday were largely ignored by the GNA and its forces. A GNA military commander we spoke to earlier said their forces are adamant and that they will enter Sirte. Its important to note that these are forces know the territory well, Traina said. In 2011, forces primarily from Misrata were responsible for entering Sirte and killing longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Meanwhile, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday told the Saudi-based Al Arabiya TV his country prioritised a political solution to the conflict, adding that the GNA misinterpreted el-Sisis comments. With Turkish support, the GNA has reversed a 14-month assault on the capital by the forces loyal to Haftar, who is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed their support for the Egyptian presidents statements. Saudi Arabia stands by and supports Egypt on the right to protect its borders and people, Saudi Arabia official news agency said in a statement. Additionally, the UAE foreign ministry said it supports all actions by Egypt to ensure its stability and security. The LNA still controls eastern and southern Libya, including most of the countrys oil facilities, and the city of Sirte, at the centre of a recent military escalation. By Sanjeev Miglani and Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI, June 19 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to downplay a clash with Chinese troops in a disputed Himalayan region that left 20 Indian soldiers dead and more than 70 injured, saying on Friday there had been no intrusion across his country's borders. "Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured," Modi said, referring to Ladakh's Galwan valley, where hand-to-hand fighting between soldiers from the nuclear-armed neighbours took place earlier this week. India and China are attempting to cool tensions after the deadliest clash in at least five decades, with military-level talks taking place in an attempt to deescalate the confrontation. But Modi's comments, made in a televised statement at the end of an all-party meeting to discuss the incident, contrasted with his government's earlier stance. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had told a senior Chinese diplomat that the dispute was triggered after "the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC," according to a ministry statement. The LAC refers to the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border that has been a constant source of friction in the region where India and China fought a brief war in 1962. With his nation in shock over the loss its soldiers lives, Modi faces one of the most difficult foreign policy challenges since he came to power in 2014. On Friday evening, some opposition parties questioned why the government was not better prepared. "Does the government not receive, on a regular basis, satellite pictures of the borders of our country? Did our external intelligence agencies not report any unusual activity along the LAC?" said Sonia Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party. SOLDIERS RETURNED Earlier on Friday, an Indian government source said that China had returned 10 Indian soldiers captured during the battle. Story continues In a briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denied any Indian troops had been in its custody. "As far as I know China hasn't seized any Indian personnel," Zhao said. The Indian army did not comment on the release, which according to the source took place on Thursday evening, instead referring to a government statement that said all of its soldiers were accounted for. India has said the Chinese side also suffered casualties in the clash, but China has not disclosed any. Military officials have since held talks, but there is no sign of a breakthrough. "The situation remains as it was, there is no disengagement, but there is also no further build up of forces," said a second Indian government source, who is aware of the ground situation. The official said at least 76 Indian troops were wounded during the clash, and had been hospitalised. "No one is critical as of now," he said. U.S. SYMPATHY The United States offered condolences to India on Friday. "We extend our deepest condolences to the people of India for the lives lost as a result of the recent confrontation with China," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a message posted on Twitter. "We will remember the soldiers' families, loved ones, and communities as they grieve." Having actively sought greater economic engagement with China, Modi is compelled to review the state of those ties, just at a time when Sino-U.S. relations have also deteriorated. As a non-aligned nation, India has always sought to balance the influence of super-powers. But in the past two decades, New Delhi has built closer political and defence ties with Washington, and the United States has become one of India's top arms suppliers. (Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani and Devjyot Ghoshal in NEW DELHI; Additional reporting by Cate Cadell in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Alex Richardson) Drilling work has been halted on a controversial New Jersey Natural Gas pipeline project, after a mishap Friday leaked sludge into a nearby stream and damaged a house in Monmouth County that had to be evacuated, the gas company and an environmental group opposed to the project said. The incident occurred Friday morning in Upper Freehold Township, where a crew was doing horizontal drilling for New Jersey Natural Gas Southern Reliability Link, an underground pipeline that would run for 30 miles through Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, intended to provide an alternate delivery route for gas used by NJNG customers. The $180 million project has been opposed by environmentalists, homeowners and some local governments, but has been approved by multiple agencies, including the Pinelands Commission, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the state Board of Public Utilities. A lawsuit to overturn the approvals by the PBU and Pinelands Commission is now pending in the Appellate Division of State Superior Court after being filed jointly by the New Jersey Sierra Club, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Burlington County townships of Bordentown and Chesterfield. Jeff Tittel, the Sierra Clubs executive director, said Fridays incident was indicative of the environmental and safety hazards posed by the pipeline project, which he called a nightmare. Tittel faulted the DEP and Gov. Phil Murphy for having allowed the project to move forward. What we have been warning against has now happened, Tittel said. They destroyed somebodys house and polluted wetlands and a stream. A New Jersey Natural Gas spokesman said on Saturday that the drilling mud that leaked on Friday was a non-toxic mix of water and naturally occurring clay. The drilling was halted immediately, the DEP was notified and responded to the scene, and the incident was under investigation, he said. Those drilling operations remain halted, and will remain so while the investigation takes place, said the spokesman, Kevin Roberts. Roberts said NJNG halted drilling voluntarily. Spokespeople for the DEP did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday. Drilling mud, a mixture of water and clay, flowed from underground into a stream in Upper Freehold Township on Friday, after a drilling mishap during work on New Jersey Natural Gas' Southern Reliability Link pipeline project.New Jersey Sierra Club Fridays mishap involved what is known as an inadvertent return, or the unintended discharge of drilling mud to the surface through a natural crack or fissure in the bedrock being drilled. In the horizontal drilling process used to lay the pipeline, drilling mud made from natural clay and water is used to lubricate the drill bit and otherwise facilitate the process. In Fridays case, an inadvertent return not only sent the sludgy drilling mud to the surface, where it flowed into a small stream, it also sent the mud into a fissure leading to the foundation of a house on Hutchinson Road, about 100 feet from the entry point of the horizontal drilling off Provinceline Road, damaging the homes foundation and flooding its basement, Roberts said. The homeowner, Barbara Fox-Cooper, could not be reached for comment. But Fox-Cooper, who Tittel said was an opponent of the project, issued a statement through the Sierra Club describing her reaction to what happened and its aftermath. I was almost too terrified to investigate after what had felt like an explosion in my house, Fox-Cooper stated. I discovered huge cracks in my foundation, my basement floor, and even my walls. As I watched in horror water and sludge came pouring in through the cracks, I ran to the construction site and begged them to stop. Roberts said the gas company offered to pay for Coopers accommodations while local officials assessed whether she could return to the house, but that she refused. It was unclear where she was staying. Barring further delays or a reversal by the courts, the 18-month pipeline is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, Roberts said. Fridays mishap occurred near the end of first phase of the project, an approximately 22-mile stretch through Monmouth and Ocean counties, which will be followed by a stretch of about 9 miles through Burlington. Much of the pipeline is laid by digging surface trenches, and Roberts said only some of the remaining nine miles would involve horizontal drilling, a technique employed in part to avoid disturbing wetlands. He said the company had been prepared for Fridays mishap. Its unexpected when it happens, but it is common to drilling operations, so we do have mitigation plans in place to manage and contain these when they do occur, said Roberts, who rejected an assertion by Tittel that the pipeline project represented a toxic nightmare, in a statement condemning Fridays incident. This isnt a broader public health issue as result of the release because of the nature of whats used, again it is organic, non-toxic, naturally occurring, Roberts said. And as long as a mitigation plan is put into place that we follow, there is not a longer lasting impact. And, again, thats why DEP is there, to sort of guide and monitor the cleanup effort and be aware of it. And again, we notified them immediately. Still, Tittel said it would be a very real threat to the plant life, fish and other creatures that had been living in the stream it flowed into, which would surely perish upon being coated with the gooey muck. Whether the gas company was ready for Fridays incident or not, Tittel said the characterization of inadvertent returns of drilling mud as common, was anything but reassuring with more pipe left to lay. The basement of Barbara Fox Cooper's house in Upper Freehold Township was flooded with drilling mud after a mishap Friday during work on New Jersey Natural Gas' Southern Reliability Link pipeline project.Sierra Club Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Nearly 35 members of the transgender community joined an online yoga session conducted from Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, and prayed to God for the eradication of COVID-19 from the world. Transgenders from places like Indore, Bhopal (in Madhya Pradesh), Pune, Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru performed different yoga asanas while joining the session, said city-based yoga trainer Krishnakant Mishra, who conducted the special session. "The session lasted for about an hour and in the end, the participants prayed to God to eradicate coronavirus for the world," he said. The participants adhered to the physical distancing guidelines while performing yoga, said Mishra, a clerk with the LIC, who in 2018 held a yoga session with 40 people at Hilsa, a mountainous region located at an altitude of 11,940 feet near Nepal-China border. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the arrest and alleged beating of its Spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, by security agencies with a call on the global community to closely monitor dictatorship in Nigeria. The organisation vowed that the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot intimidate the opposition into submission. The CUPP in a statement issued in Abuja by its Co-Spokesperson, Otunba Mark Adebayo, said the arrest as announced by his lawyers, Chibuzo C. Ezike and Co, was an affront on democracy and rule of law. He said, The arrest and alleged manhandling of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere is a villainous and reprehensible attack on our democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law in the light of the fact that there is a subsisting Court order against his arrest, detention, interrogation or otherwise by any security agency in Nigeria. The persistent disregard for Court orders by this government is an unmitigated disaster for Nigerias democracy. This government has consistently shown its disdain for the judiciary by sheer use of the mechanisms of intimidation against judges which seems to be compromising the integrity of the judiciary as the last hope of the vulnerable and less-privileged members of society. We call for his immediate release and that no harm must befall him in the custody of the police. We wish to assure this government that the opposition will not be neither intimidated nor cowed into submission. At a time that the countrys security has collapsed under this government, it has resorted to targeting soft spots among the citizens that it has failed to protect rather than confront the desperate security situations in the land. This government has again reinforced its lack of democratic credentials and incapacity to operate a free society through tolerance of opposition. We call on the international community to closely monitor the unfolding dictatorial regime in Nigeria with a view to calling this APC government to order not to supplant and bury our democracy. We call on all Nigerians with a voice to stand against these repressive tendencies and for all members of the opposition to rise up in unison against this malady. An injury to one is an injury to all the statement concluded. John Bolton insists he decided not to testify before the House Intelligence Committee as part of its impeachment investigation into Donald Trump because he didn't think he would 'make a difference' in the proceedings. ABC News' Martha Raddatz revealed Sunday morning that she pushed the former national security adviser on the matter, but 'he through it [impeachment] was too politicized.' Raddatz was the first to interview Bolton on the details of his upcoming book, 'The Room Where it Happened: a White House memoir,' and the full hour-long special will air Sunday night as clips and snippets have been released all week. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff called Bolton to testify in the impeachment proceedings following his contentious exit from the White House. Bolton refused and threatened to sue if he was subpoenaed and is now claiming he did so in order to avoid getting mixed up in the debacle, which ultimately ended in trump's acquittal in the Senate. John Bolton told ABC in an interview that will air Sunday night that he did not testify in Donald Trump's impeachment hearing because he 'wouldn't make a difference' Bolton told ABC News' Martha Raddatz that he felt the proceedings were 'too politicized' even though he claimed in several accounts in his book that Trump obstructed justice House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff claimed that Bolton's decision not to testify was actually 'greedy' because he wanted to sell the information in a book rather than give it freely to Congress The 557-page book will hit shelves on Tuesday and details Bolton's 17 months as Donald Trump's national security adviser Lawmakers, however, insist Bolton's decision was purely selfish, 'greedy' and financial as he prepares to release his tell-all book on Tuesday detailing his 17 months in Trump's White House. Schiff said Sunday morning in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press: 'It was only the greed that made him come forward in this book.' To the length and degree that [Bolton] indicts Donald Trump, he also indicts himself, for cowardice and for greed. Because there were people who did come forward... who risked their careers,' Schiff told NBC's Chuck Todd. Republican Senator Tim Scott was also critical of the former Trump aide. 'I do wish that Mr. Bolton would have come into the House under oath and testified,' Scott told ABC's This Week Sunday morning. 'The problem is that when you're selling it in a book, you're not putting yourself in a position to be cross-examined,' the South Carolina senator claimed. The bombshell book includes several revelations of Trump's actions and strategy on foreign affairs and international policy. The president has claimed that the book includes 'highly classified' information and should be blocked from publication, but has also insisted that it is filled with 'lies' and is a work of 'fiction.' The contradiction comes as his Justice Department failed in seeking a stop order to prevent classified information from being leaked by the book's release. While the order was denied, the Reagan-appointed judge claimed that Bolton has threatened national security interests. Bolton will begin a book tour, including several media appearances, this week after the Justice Department was denied in its attempt to block the book from publication in claiming in revealed 'highly classified' information U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth insisted in the 10-page ruling in favor of Bolton that the 'damage is done' after 200,000 copies of the book have already circulated and some have been leaked to the media. 'Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States. He has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability. But these facts do not control the motion before the Court. The government has failed to establish that an injunction will prevent irreparable harm. Its motion is accordingly DENIED,' he wrote. Bolton largely claims in his 557-page memoir that the president's sole focus when making decisions is on getting reelected. He will launch a book tour this week, which includes several more network interviews. Pakistani troops on Sunday opened fire and lobbed mortars at forward posts and villages along the Line of Control and International Border in Poonch and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. There was no report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side, the officials said. At about 6:15 am, Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelled mortars along LoC in Balakote sector of Poonch district. Indian Army is retaliating befittingly, a defence spokesman said. A police official said the cross-border firing between the two sides triggered panic among border residents. The Pakistani Rangers also fired on forward posts and villages in Karol Matrai area along the International Border in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, drawing strong retaliation from the Border Security Force, he said. The official said the firing and mortar shelling from the Pakistani side started around 1 am and continued for over four-and-a-half hours. There has been a spurt in Pakistani shelling along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir this year, with over 2,027 ceasefire violations reported till June 10. Three army personnel have been killed in the Pakistani firing in the twin sectors of Rajouri and Poonch this month. TikTok users and K-pop fans claim they reserved hundreds of tickets for Donald Trump's Tulsa rally on Saturday night with no intention of attending. Political strategist Steve Schmidt, an outspoken critic of Trump, tweeted on Saturday night: 'My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been rolled by America's teens. '@realDonaldTrump you have been failed by your team. You have been deserted by your faithful. No one likes to root for the losing team.' He then added: 'This is what happened tonight. I'm dead serious when I say this. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump. All across America teens ordered tickets to this event. The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets. lol.' US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised the Zoomers and K-pop allies involved in reserving tickets. The Oklahoma rally was intended to be the largest indoor gathering in the world during the coronavirus pandemic that has killed almost 120,000 Americans, put 40 million more out of work and upended Trump's reelection bid. Trump's campaign, for its part, declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. But in the hours before the event, crowds seemed significantly lighter than expected at the 19,000 seat BOK Center. Campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space. The arena is seen just seven minutes before the doors were scheduled to close on Saturday There were many empty seats at Saturday's rally. Trump's campaign declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center Political strategist Steve Schmidt tweeted on Saturday night: 'My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been rolled by America's teens' Brad Parscale, campaign manager for Trump's 2020 campaign tweeted that 'radical protestors... interfered with @realDonaldTrump supporters at the rally'. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, responded: 'Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID Shout out to Zoomers. Y'all make me so proud' The prank by TikTok users and K-pop fans came after the Trump campaign tweeted to ask the President's supporters to register for the free tickets earlier this month. The plan to sabotage the rally quickly went viral and videos telling viewers to reserve tickets and then not show up to began racking up millions of views. Many of the videos were then deleted in an attempt to keep the plan a secret, although in one which is still live, a TikTok user says sarcastically: 'Oh no, I signed up for a Trump rally and I can't go, I'm sick.' The plan then spread across multiple social media platforms. Brad Parscale, campaign manager for Trump's 2020 campaign, tweeted Saturday night: 'Radical protestors, fueled by a week of apocalyptic media coverage, interfered with @realDonaldTrump supporters at the rally. 'They even blocked access to the metal detectors, preventing people from entering. Thanks to the 1,000s who made it anyway!' Ocasio-Cortez responded: 'Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID Shout out to Zoomers. Y'all make me so proud.' She added: 'KPop allies, we see and appreciate your contributions in the fight for justice too.' Zoomer is a nickname for a member of Generation Z. Roberto Quinlan tweeted on Saturday night: 'So my teen daughter, who has Snapchat and TikTok accounts, walked in and said to me "So did it work? Did the teens get all the tickets to the Trump rally?" She's known about this ALL WEEK and I just learned this an hour ago...' He added: 'There's an element to this that is terrifying. I consume A LOT of political twitter and I had zero inkling that this was coming down the pipeline. ' MsDee replied to Schmidt: 'My 18 yr old granddaughter and everyone she knows did the same :)' PennyMoxie added: 'My 15-year old and her friends in Denver also purchased an obscene amount of tickets. I knew teens were smarter than Trump, but I had no idea they could outwit his campaign staff.' Political scientist Alyssa R. Williams wrote: 'My 17 yr old daughter & friends did the same. I thought she was kidding me on how many teens were on board. Amazing!' Teresa Moore replied: 'It wasn't just teenagers. I'm 60 and I've got 300 tickets. And I'm an Oklahoma Democrat.' On Saturday, Trump tried to explain away the crowd size, blaming it on the media for declaring 'don't go, don't come, don't do anything' while insisting there were protesters outside 'doing bad things,' though the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful. 'We begin our campaign,' Trump thundered. 'The silent majority is stronger than ever before.' But huge swaths of empty seats remained in the downtown arena before Trump was to take the stage. And that came on the heels of the campaign revealing that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the virus. Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said that 'quarantine procedures were immediately implemented,' and that neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event. News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma, and the president raged to aides that it was made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. In the minutes before the president arrived at the downtown arena, Trump supporters who signed up for tickets received a text urging them to show up, declaring, 'Theres still space!' City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. Earlier this month, fans of K-pop flooded right-wing hashtags with posts about Korean pop music. Hashtags for MAGA and Blue Lives Matter on Twitter and Instagram were co-opted by the music fans. As a result of the effort, hashtags designed to promote conservative and sometimes outright racist content were almost entirely populated with memes and 'fancams' that depict K-pop groups and their members singing and performing. The tactic showed similar success when K-pop fans, also known as K-pop stans, swarmed an app being pushed by the Dallas police that was designed to collect people's videos of 'llegal activity from the protests.' Instead, the app was inundated with K-pop videos and was eventually taken down as a result. Rasheena Phinisee raises her fist next to her daughter, Assiah Phinisee, 12, before a march in honor of Breonna Taylor, Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells and other Black women victims of violence at 56th and Chestnut streets in West Philadelphia on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Taylor, an EMT, was shot and killed by Louisville, Ken., police March 13. Fells, a transgender woman, was found murdered along the Schuylkill on June 8. Read more Demonstrations large and small took place across Philadelphia on Saturday, the 22nd consecutive day of protests since the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. But even as about 25 protesters gathered in the evening at City Hall, where they spoke in support of Black lives, eyes focused on far-off Oklahoma, where President Trump fueled his re-election campaign with a rally inside a 19,000-seat indoor arena. Health officials had urged him not to go forward as cases of the coronavirus mount in Tulsa. Masks were not required, and video and photographs showed few in the relatively sparse crowd wearing them. If youre with Trump, Shawna Williams, 28, said at City Hall, theres no way you could be for social justice. The Southwest Philadelphia woman said she came to the event, sponsored by Refuse Fascism, because she was upset over how she was treated by Trump supporters gathered in South Philadelphia to guard a statue of Christopher Columbus, which protesters want taken down. Williams, who is Black, said statue supporters poured beer on her, encouraged by a president whose words and actions show he doesnt fight for Black lives. Jacqueline Guy came with her husband and son, from Morton, Delaware County, to use my white privilege to help every Black and brown person until their life is as respected as mine. Her husband and son are Black, and she feels a special responsibility to speak. Her son, Gabe, 14, said he wanted to come to a Black Lives Matter protest because hes sick of being looked at like Im suspicious and weary of hearing the pro-police slogan, Blue Lives Matter. Blue isnt a life. You can take your uniform off. I cant take my skin off, he said. . Earlier on Saturday, a blocks-long march by about 500 protesters wove through West Philadelphia, honoring Breonna Taylor, Dominique Remmie Fells, and other Black and transgender women and girls who were victims of racial, homophobic, and transphobic violence. The protest was led by family members and friends of Fells, a Black trans woman who was recently slain in Philadelphia, and billed as the #SayHerName March for Justice. We cant wait on anyone to dismantle the patriarchy, said LaTasha D. Mayes, president of New Voices for Reproductive Justice, which organized the march. We cant wait on anyone to dismantle white supremacy. Whatever injustices are ahead, the only way that we will win is if we win together. Protesters held signs that said, Trans Lives Matter, Justice for Breonna and 99 Days is Too Long, referencing the passage of time since Taylor, a Louisville EMT, was shot to death by police who broke through the door of her apartment in what they said was a drug sting. The fact that we have to come here and march in the streets of Philadelphia and others are doing the same across the country and around the world is disheartening to us, said Fells mother, Terri Edmonds. Tolerance and acceptance should be a natural, common way of life. YahNe Ndgo, an organizer with Black Lives Matter Philly, spoke to the crowd when the march stopped at 52nd and Sansom Streets, an area where police and protesters violently clashed days after Floyds death. Ndgo cried as an organizer read the names of victims. Its too many names, Ndgo said. I wouldnt exist without all the diversity of [the Black] community, and I wouldnt want to. A different demonstration moved along Taney Street in the citys Fitler Square neighborhood, calling for the route to be renamed. The street honors former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, principal author of the infamous Dred Scott v. Sanford decision, which held in 1857 that Black people, enslaved or free, had no legal standing because they were not and could not be U.S. citizens. Fitler Square Neighbors collected more than 470 signatures on petitions even before the demonstration began at the Markward Playground. Statues of Taney have been removed in Baltimore and Annapolis. After boarding up the Christopher Columbus monument at Penns Landing this week, the Delaware River Waterfront Corp. asked visitors to leave chalk messages to answer the question, What are your hopes for the future of Philadelphia? By Saturday afternoon the chalkboard was full of responses: Justice. Truth. Defund the police. The nonprofit group said the monument was boarded up to ensure public safety and reduce continued pain as the discussion of its fate goes forward. Though closed to the public by the pandemic, the Barnes opened an outdoor Fathers Day program to recognize and honor African American fathers. The installation by West Phillybased photographer Ken McFarlane, From the Root to the Fruit: Portraits of Black Fathers and Their Children, is being projected on the institutions exterior walls, aiming to counter narratives of absent fathers. Staff writers Rita Giordano and Heather Khalifa contributed to this article, as did wire service from the Washington Post. KLJ adds two KLJ announced the addition of two regional production directors, Jon Markusen and George Petrescu. Markusen will serve as the engineering firms Midwest regional production director. He is a registered professional engineer in North Dakota and has served in numerous roles with the company for more than 20 years. Petrescu will serve as the firms west regional production director. He joins KLJ with a background in various roles in the engineering industry, most recently serving in engineering leadership roles for an international oil and gas company. Bianco Reality hires Pam Schafer is the newest Realtor to join the real estate team at Bianco Realty in Bismarck. Apex adds to transportation group Caleb Weisgarber joins Apex Engineering as a graduate engineer in the Bismarck transportation group. Weisgarber is a recent graduate from the University of Mary with a bachelors degree in civil engineering. He has prior experience working as an intern with two engineering firms. Hensel receives new position North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley announced Jeff Hensel as the Information Technology agencys first chief customer success officer, a position aligned with elevating the department's focus on driving value for customers through a holistic strategy focused on people, process and technology to achieve business needs. Hensel brings more than 20 years of experience in various IT leadership roles. NDSC recognizes area residents The North Dakota Safety Council distributed 46 Safety & Health Awards, including some to area residents. The program is designed to promote incident prevention by honoring companies with outstanding safety programs, employees with superior safety records, and North Dakota citizens who have excelled in improving the safety and health environments communities. Scott Steckler, Mandan, and Richelle Beckett-Condon, Bismarck, have received the Lifesaver Award for going above and beyond the call of duty to assist and/or rescue another individual. Duane Bergeson, Robin Stephens, and Mark Verke, all of Bismarck, has received the Outstanding Safety Instructor Award for teaching a significant number of courses for the NDSC and showing dedication to improving safety in North Dakota. Monthly awards Shirley Thomas, Amber Sandness, Darcy Fettig, Judy Maslowski, Justin Sackman and Brenda Foster have been named Bianco Realty's Realtors of the Month for May based on their total closed sales. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Advertisement Unions have angrily dismissed calls for teachers to give up part of their summer holidays amid desperate efforts to get schools up and running and shore up the prospects of millions of children. The proposals are being pushed by former education secretaries from across parties, amid mounting alarm at the damage being done by the failure to get all pupils back in classrooms. They emerged amid claims Gavin Williamson's own job is on the line, after he was seen in Downing Street as having bungled the effort to bring schools back up to now. Boris Johnson's top team are 'livid' at Mr Williamson for being outflanked by unions, resulting in the government humiliatingly having to drop a pledge for all primary children to come back for at least four weeks before the summer break. The PM has now staked his personal credibility on a vow to have all schools fully up and running by September, with the two-metre rule set to be eased and 'bubbles' extended to full classes. Five ex-education secretaries have set out ideas for how the situation can be improved, including demanding that teachers give up a slice of their six-week holiday. In other developments in the continuing coronavirus crisis today: Boris Johnson is set to unveil a new 'one metre plus' rule within days and give Britons the green light for holidays and haircuts as he tries to breathe life back into the economy; Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested that drinkers will need to register to go to pubs and order using an app when they reopen from July 4; Mr Hancock has renewed his attack on Apple for blocking the failed NHS version of the contact tracing app, and refused to give a date for when the new 'hybrid' software will be up and running; The Government is planning new laws to protect British companies hit by the pandemic from takeovers by foreign companies; A Mail on Sunday investigation has uncovered the chaos within the Government's 'test and trace' programme; It has emerged that two rival vaccines being developed by British universities could be used together to provide lasting immunity to coronavirus. Boris Johnson (pictured visiting a school in Hemel Hempstead on Friday) has solemnly promised that schools will return fully in September and hinted at an imminent shift on the two-metre rule People might need to register for pubs People might need to register before going to the pub and order drinks using an app, Matt Hancock said today. The Health Secretary confirmed the options are being considered as ways to make it 'safe' to reopen the hospitality industry. Mr Hancock insisted that the government is 'on plan' to get more sectors of the economy up and running on July 4. Boris Johnson is expected to announce this week that the two-metre social distancing rule is being halved. But he made clear that there is little chance of bars and restaurants getting back to business as usual any time soon. Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme whether drinkers will need to register before going to the pub, and order using an app, Mr Hancock said: 'That is the sort of thing that we are looking at for how do you make it safe to open things... I wouldn't rule it out.' The step - previously taken in countries such as New Zealand - would allow for easier tracing of customers if someone who went to the venue is found to have been infected. Advertisement Drawn up by Labour's Lord Adonis, a former schools minister, the blueprint urges ministers confirm a loosening of social distancing rules, appoint a national director of school operations and bring back teachers in August to start preparing. An army of retired supply teachers to fill in the gaps when teachers need to self-isolate, hiring church halls to provide more space and the stockpiling of hand sanitiser, masks and thermometers for classrooms. Lord Adonis told The Times: 'I see no reason why we cannot have a complete return of schools in September subject to proper organisation and leadership by the government. 'We did this king of planning in the Second World War; we should be able to do it in 2020.' The plan is supported by David Laws, a Lib Dem in charge of education as part of David Cameron's coalition, former Labour education secretaries Alan Johnson and David Blunkett and former Tory education secretary Lord Baker. Kevin Courtney, co-general secretary of the National Education Union, said he supported much of the plan. But in a sign of the resistance the government faces he added: 'I do not think that it is sensible asking people to give up their contractual holiday. Teachers have been working really hard in this period.' Most children have not been able to attend school since lockdown started in March and have instead had online classes. A senior source told The Times that Mr Williamson's soft approach with the teachers' unions had damaged his reputation. 'Gavin played nicely with the unions in the hope that they would sign up, and they didn't. People in there [Downing Street] know how you take on the teaching unions and beat them,' they said. the swipe is a reference to No10 chief Dominic Cummings' previous role as an adviser to Michael Gove at the Department for Education, when he branded the teaching establishment 'The Blob' and forced through reforms. Mr Williamson hinted at Friday's coronavirus briefing that the current 15-child limit on class sizes will be abandoned as he underlined the government's determination to have 'every child back in every year group in every school' after the summer holidays. Gavin Williamson (left) is said to be facing the chop in a reshuffle expected this Autumn, amid anger at the bungled reopening of schools. General secretary of the National Education Union Kevin Courtney said teachers had been 'working hard' and should not be told to give up their holidays Pupils work on a task to produce artwork that depicts life during lockdown with social distancing practices in place at Greenacres Primary Academy in Oldham He said the 'bubbles' would in future be expanded to 'include the whole class' - which would be around 30 pupils. But he refused to give more details, saying full guidance for schools will be published over the next fortnight. 'There are still going to have to be protective measures put in place to make sure children are safe,' he said. Earlier, Mr Johnson solemnly promised that schools will return fully in September and hinted at an imminent shift on the two-metre rule - something that would delight business and Tory MPs. An ebullient PM hailed news that the coronavirus alert level has finally been reduced from four to three, meaning the Joint Biosecurity Centre has concluded there is no longer 'high transmission'. Asked on a visit to a primary in Hemel Hempstead whether the restriction will be eased, Mr Johnson said: 'Watch this space.' Holidays and haircuts from July 4: Boris Johnson to reveal new 'one-metre plus' rule this week Boris Johnson is set to unveil a new 'one metre plus' rule within days and give Britons the green light for holidays and haircuts as he tries to breathe life back into the economy. The PM looks certain to halve the social distance - as long as other protections such as face coverings are used - in a crucial moment for the coronavirus battle on Tuesday. This next phase of lockdown loosening from July 4 will also permit hairdressers to roll up the shutters in a boost for thousands of barbers and millions of shaggy-haired Britons in need of a trim. The UK holiday season will start within a fortnight when the Prime Minister gives the green light to hotels and vacation parks to reopen. People meet up in King's Cross, London, yesterday, where a number of bars have already opened offering continental-style outdoor seating The reproduction rate - the average number of people each Covid-19 patient infects - is still between 0.7 and 0.9 across the UK, meaning the virus is firmly in retreat. Separate data released for the first time also claimed the UK's current growth rate - how the number of new daily cases is changing day-by-day - could be as low as minus 4 per cent. If the rate becomes greater than zero, the disease could once again spiral out of control How could the 'one metre plus' rule work? An announcement of the two-metre social distancing rule is expected to be relaxed this week. UK Hospitality has suggested that halving the minimum gap could double the capacity of businesses to operate, while a loosening will also be welcomed by aviation and the tourism industry. But the government has made clear that other precautions will be needed, with inside spaces required to be well ventilated and thoroughly cleaned. Although few hard details are known, here is how the new arrangements could work in difference settings. PUBS Drinkers would be expected to give their contact details in a register, so that they can be traced if it emerges later that someone infected was in the venue. Customers could be advised to order using an app, stand as far apart as possible, face away from each other where they can, and prefer outside spaces. RESTAURANTS Tables could be closer together than two metres as long as people can face away from each other, and there may be advice for 'side-sitting' when people are dining together. Rules could be slacker for those who dine outside. Disposable cutlery might be needed in many restaurants, and there will be thorough cleaning in between guests. Booking is likely to be compulsory in formal settings. TRAINS AND PLANES Face coverings have already been made compulsory on public transport, with passengers who break the rules risking fines. Reducing the minimum distance will increase the potential for trains, Tube and buses to run at higher capacity - allowing more people to go back to work. Airlines will also benefit from lowering the spacing requirement, which they had warned could make it economically impossible to run flights. Face coverings will again be relied on to help reduce the risk of transmission, along with temperature checks. There is the possibility that some seating could be reconfigured to limit how many people face each other, and screens could also be deployed. SHOPS Perspex screens, face coverings and 'quarantine' for goods handled by customers are already being used to reduce the potential for spread. But cutting the social distancing will benefit smaller shops in particular, and help boost footfall. More people will be allowed in shops at once. It is also possible that browsing could be time limited to curb the length of exposure - which along with distance is a key component in spreading the virus. Advertisement Although Downing Street insisted no final decision has yet been taken on restarting the 130billion-a-year domestic tourism industry, The Mail on Sunday has been told an announcement could come along with the other changes. New advice is then likely to be sent to British tourism chiefs by the end of the week. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing another huge package of tax cuts and spending to revive UK plc after lockdown. VAT is set to be slashed as part of efforts to prop up struggling businesses and stave off mass unemployment. As the rate of infection continues to wane, scientists have rubber-stamped the reopening salons as safe, in a change of tack cheered by the nation's 30,000 hairdressers. 'There'll be a big rush to get an appointment when this is formally announced,' a Whitehall source told the Sun, while cautioning that it will not herald a return to 'normal' as face coverings will be mandatory. The move comes after Britain yesterday reported 128 new coronavirus deaths, the lowest Saturday figure since lockdown was imposed in March, bringing the total to 42,589. The UK's threat level was downgraded on Friday after scientists confirmed that the epidemic is shrinking by four per cent every day, and the reproduction R rate remained below one. Britain can also now test everyone showing symptoms. As ministers' attention turns from wrestling down the virus to rescuing the economy, they are poised to revise the two-metre rule down to 'one-metre-plus'. The halving permits people to keep just one metre apart as long as they take precautions such as meeting outside and with a face covering, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Mr Johnson's relaxation of the draconian restrictions will provide a lifeline to the beleaguered holiday industry, which will open for business also on July 4 - America's Independence Day. But it is understood that while hotels and bed and breakfasts will be allowed to open then, tourist sites with shared facilities, such as campsites, will have to wait longer before being given the green light. The encouraging signs have fed a growing clamour from the tourism industry for a clear date from which it can start accepting bookings again and clear guidance about how it will have to operate. Millions of families are desperately waiting to find out whether they will be able to enjoy a summer holiday after spending three months in lockdown, while holiday bosses say that the limbo has cost them billions of pounds in lost revenue. Ministers are also negotiating 'air bridges' with up ten countries, including France and Spain, to allow Britons to go abroad without being subject to the Government's controversial 14-day quarantine when they return. A scheme to test arrivals at airports for the virus is also being piloted, which could also help end blanket restrictions. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said Labour would support the end of the two-metre rule if other safety measures are put in place. He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'Yes, under certain circumstances. 'But we also need to see a greater use of face masks, I would've thought. 'As I've said, certain staff, workers who are very public-facing in their day-to-day action, perhaps greater use of face shielding, let's get testing and tracing up and running.' Mr Hancock insisted that the government is 'on plan' to get more sectors of the economy up and running on July 4. But he made clear that there is little chance of bars and restaurants getting back to business as usual any time soon. Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme whether drinkers will need to register before going to the pub, and order using an app, Mr Hancock said: 'That is the sort of thing that we are looking at for how do you make it safe to open things... I wouldn't rule it out.' The step - previously taken in countries such as New Zealand - would allow for easier tracing of customers if someone who went to the venue is found to have been infected. New KC exhibit showcases brutality of racism KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - As Kansas Citians honor the end of slavery in the U.S. with Juneteenth, one way to celebrate is learning more about history. A new exhibit at the Black Archives of Mid-America in the Jazz District called "The Story's in the Soil" examines the horrors of racial discrimination and terror many black people experience following the war. During the streetcar "creative class" epoch of former Mayor Sly James . . . Public art was mostly frivolous and had very little social impact . . . In the past few weeks, the art scene has focused on diversity and amplified protests on the street. Take a look: Happy International Yoga Day Images, Wallpapers, HD Pics & Photos for World Yoga Day: Like every year people has been gathered in large numbers to celebrate Yoga Day. This year the event is taking place in Ranchi and the theme will be Yoga for the Heart. Happy International Yoga Day Images, Wallpapers, HD Pics & Photos for World Yoga Day: June 21 is observed as International yoga Day since its inception in 2015. This year the main event is taking place in Ranchi. A total of 50000 participants are expected for the event. The theme will be Yoga for the heart. With yoga, we aim to develop our body. Yoga is practiced in Indian culture since ages. It was Lord Shiva who introduced this beautiful art. However, Patanjali is accepted as the father of modern yoga. Yoga is a Sanskrit word which originated from the root word Yuja, it means to bind, to hold or to align. Yoga holds the body and soul together. It has the power to heal our inner souls. The revered Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Damodar Das Modi proposed the idea of International Yoga during his speech at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014. He claimed yoga as an invaluable gift of Indias ancient tradition which embodies the unity of mind and body. He later proposed 21 June to be observed as World Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and has a great significance in many parts of the World. Here are some images, wallpapers, HD pics & photos for World Yoga Day 2019: Last weekend, The Oregonian/OregonLives photographer Beth Nakamura was struck from behind by a police baton as she was covering downtown Portland protests. Nakamura was moving north as police had directed and had identified herself as a member of the press. The officer replied with a profanity that he didnt care who she was. He should. While covering protests I was slammed by a baton from behind by police. Just before that I was shoved hard. I'd made it clear I was press (both hands up, ID in left hand, camera in right). This happened sometime between 12-1 Friday night. Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) June 15, 2020 The independent press plays an important role in reporting on these historic protests across the country. We are the eyes and ears of the public and monitor the actions of both police and protesters. I join journalists around the country in strongly objecting to police aggression against the media. It is appalling and unacceptable. In the past few weeks, there are many examples of police arresting or physically confronting working journalists. As I mentioned recently, a photographer for Syracuse.com, like us part of Advance Local, was shoved to the ground and injured by police. Another Advance Local newsroom, al.com, reported two of its journalists were detained by law enforcement while covering protests in Birmingham. Nakamura was not injured but she was shaken when she was shoved and then struck from behind. I was repeatedly identifying myself, hands up, press ID in left hand, camera in right, she said. She also was wearing clothing with The Oregonian/OregonLives logo printed on it. She acknowledged the incident occurred in the midst of mayhem, shortly after midnight early Saturday, but said she was moving north as the police had instructed via loudspeaker. Other journalists also have reported incidents where Portland police dismissed the fact they were members of the press, sometimes profanely. Brooke Herbert, a videographer for The Oregonian/OregonLive, reported she was kept from going to her car to leave the area even after she showed her press credentials. Zane Sparling, a reporter for the Portland Tribune, was shoved in an incident captured on video. Portland Police charge protesters tonight. Officer: Move! Me: MEDIA! Officer: I dont give a shit! Go! I was shoved into the wall, then hit in the heel by some sort of crowd control munition. Im fine pic.twitter.com/daPElkEb6J Zane Sparling (@PDXzane) June 14, 2020 Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted last Monday that he found the reports extremely concerning. The Oregonian/OregonLive has formally complained to the Independent Police Review arm of the city Auditors Office, and Sparlings employer Pamplin Media Group has also complained to the city. Wheeler, who is police commissioner, and new police chief Chuck Lovell said they will conduct a review of police tactics in these cases. They released an open letter to the media that said, Members of the media, not just in Portland but around the country, should not be targeted, hurt, or arrested while reporting on demonstrations. On that, we agree. Among other things, the First Amendment gives the press the right to freely cover protests and record police activities. Photographs of protests over the years have provided powerful testimony to what occurred and at times have changed history. Think about photos from Kent State or those showing dogs attacking civil rights protesters in Birmingham in 1963. We dont know how long protests in the streets of Portland will continue, but we will continue to be there as well, as the independent, watchful eyes on behalf of the public. Council explain reason they were not eligible to apply for this funding was because we had no eligible scheme This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jun 21st, 2020 Clarification has been given on whether Wrexham Council was eligible for a Welsh Government road grant after almost 7m was awarded to other North Wales authorities. Last week Wrexham.com reported how the council had received no money out of a grant allocation of 16m, known as the Resilient Roads Fund. The article prompted a response from both the council and government. The Welsh Government statement announcing the funding given was slightly unusual as it mentioned all local authorities were invited to submit applications for funding and 21 applications were received from 13 local authorities. We noted that Wrexham did not appear on the successful bid list, although 13 local authorities did, the implication being they did not submit an application. The council claimed they were not eligible to apply for this funding, while the government pointed out almost 7m of the money is being spent in North Wales. Many people replied to the councils tweet in response to our story (pictured above), asking why it couldnt apply. It prompted local Senedd Member Lesley Griffiths to issue the following reply: We were later made aware that the council was unhappy with the article, so asked the government a set of clear questions to get to the bottom of the difference of opinion . It included whether their statement that all councils were invited to submit applications was correct, and whether Wrexham submitted one, or if they were told they were not eligible. A Welsh Government spokesperson said, All local authorities were invited on 9 January to apply for funding for 2020-21 from the Resilient Roads Fund, Local Transport Fund, Local Transport Network Fund and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Transformation Fund. Invitations were issued to chief executives and copied to existing local transport grant project managers in technical departments. The information was also placed on the Welsh Government website. Applications had to be submitted by 14 February. The objectives of the Resilient Roads Fund were set out in the guidance issued to authorities with the invitation and are as follows: Address disruptions caused by severe weather to the highway network Improve the performance of the highway network through better journey reliability and journey times to encourage people to switch to sustainable transport We understand the council did not have candidate schemes which would fit with the objectives of the Resilient Roads Fund on this occasion, however we have received bids from Wrexham Council for our other road funds, which we will be announcing shortly. We followed up after noting the council specifically mentioned eligibility and asked for a blunt yes/no on these two questions: Wrexham Council have said they were not eligible to apply for this funding, were they eligible to apply? If the council had candidate schemes and had been submitted, would they have been considered alongside the other authorities bids? The Welsh Government spokesperson replied: Yes and yes. We shared the above response with the council and asked a range of questions (posted below) to hopefully get their viewpoint. In light of the MS and Welsh Government position, does Wrexham Council maintain you were not eligible to apply? If that position has changed, how did incorrect information get put into the public domain and will it be corrected in a similar manner? If Wrexham Council maintains you were not eligible, can that be clarified if that means you would have been unable to apply even if you had a perfect bid application ready to go? Did Wrexham Council have any candidate schemes that fitted the criteria for this funding? Did Welsh Government decline or dissuade any Wrexham Council proposals at any stage related to the Fund, and if so what was the reason given? If Wrexham Council had no schemes that would have met the criteria for funding, why was that, when 13 other local authorities did? We also asked if there was any rejection letters or similar on the proposed schemes from the council, or similarly no feedback from the government. The response, in full, from the council was from Darren Williams, Chief Officer Environment and Technical, who said: We have an excellent record of securing funding for projects of all types for Wrexham but can only bid for schemes if we have an eligible scheme to apply for. We had no eligible scheme for the Resilient Roads Fund. We have however applied for funding for flooding schemes with the Welsh Government to the value of 370k and we are awaiting their response. Our transport plan is well documented and we have been successful securing funds relating to many of these projects, for example, Active Travel, Mold Road Gateway, Road safety projects, public transport Improvements, etc. We will continue to apply for further funding as opportunities arise and as we have appropriate schemes to submit. We also questioned Ken Skates Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales about the issue as he announced the grant last week. We asked him if he thought the councils tweet reflected the reality of the situation to the public. We also posed a wider question on the several local authorities who apparently did not apply for the funding, and if it was frustrating when the government gets the blame for not supplying money despite applications not being received. The Minister told us: It is really difficult this, because I know that people in any local authority area want investment from Welsh Government and were always coming under pressure to to explain why one local authority got more money than the other, and it always comes down to the same reason, which is that not all councils can apply for all of the funds on every occasion. On this occasion Wrexham Council didnt have what we call a candidate project that was shovel ready and could attract funding. I think the explanation probably could have been clearer. Eligibility versus criteria. Its largely semantics. What we are keen to do is to make sure that we we invest in schemes that can be taken forward as soon as possible, that are that are viable, and will demonstrate value for money. On this particular fund I think 13 local authorities applied for project funding from that. That particular fund is only one of four local road funds that amounts to more than 50 million pounds. I believe every local authority has applied for at least one of the funds, some local authorities have applied for funding from each of the funds. Itll be very rare for a local authority to apply and to be successful for every single fund. It does happen, but it all depends on whether they have appropriate projects that can be taken forward. The next round of funds that are going to be announced will concern active travel projects and also reprioritising road space for for active travel, so they are yet to be announced. I know that Wrexham Council have made a pretty significant bid for the active travel reprioritisation fund. Well be making an announcement about that very soon. The Resilient Roads Fund will support 18 schemes across 13 local authorities, and will be spent on projects to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, including addressing disruption caused on the highway network by severe weather. The full list of grants awarded is on this PDF on the Welsh Government website. Projects listed include flood resilience/alleviation, highway drainage, work to stop carriageway flooding. From Armani to Gucci, top fashion houses are slowing the rate at which they hold fashion shows and launch new lines of clothing. The move comes as the coronavirus health crisis forces the fashion industry to re-think the way it operates. High-end designers are reducing the number of collections they show at fashion weeks throughout the year in London, Paris, Milan, and New York City. It has been more than two months since health officials around the world announced stay-at-home orders to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Since then, many stores have been closed, and fashion houses have suspended work at factories that manufacture their products. Bain & Company, a business advisory service, estimates the $310 billion luxury goods industry will report a drop in sales this year of up to 35 percent. Fashion houses are struggling with lots of unsold products. And the possibility of price cuts on high-end goods could damage their public image as well as harm profits. Designer Michael Kors was the latest to call for a post-virus slowdown in the fashion calendar. His business pulled out of New Yorks fashion shows in September. Kors said he would only make two collections a year one for spring and summer, and one for autumn and winter. This means no longer producing resort and pre-fall collections. These collections offer holiday wear for foreign travel. They have added to the number of designers creations that critics say do not meet peoples needs, especially in a recession. Robert Burke is founder of Robert Burke Associates, a service that advises luxury sales businesses. He told the Reuters news agency the move towards fewer collections is linked to the publics move away from disposable fashion. The debate about the nature of the fashion industry pre-dates the coronavirus. But it has been given a sense of urgency by the health crisis, which is pressuring companies to cut costs and sell products without losing too much money. Kors said shipments of his products would from now on arrive in stores slowly over the spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons. This more closely represents how customers actually live and shop, representatives of his company said. Armani, in an open letter to fashion industry publication WWD, said luxury businesses should stop following fast fashion delivery calendars. It makes no sense for one of my jackets or suits to live in the shop for three weeks before becoming replaced by new goods that are not too different, he wrote. Alessandro Michele, who made Gucci highly profitable for French owner Kering, has said he would cut the companys yearly shows from five to two. And in its end-May earnings presentation, Ralph Lauren said it was working on less seasonal products, and more clothing that has all-around use. Laurens chief financial officer Jane Nielsen said the summer collection would stay in stores through August. Companies like Gucci and LVMHs Dior have used more frequent collections and costly events in untraditional places to appeal to wealthy buyers, especially in China. With luxury spending hit by the crisis, some industry insiders say it no longer makes sense to have a huge advertising budget. A fashion show can cost well over $1 million. The move towards showing and producing less also is evidence of a changing relationship between fashion companies and big department stores in the United States. The stores owners long controlled the timing of product releases to keep their products looking fresh. Ron Frasch, former president of Saks Fifth Avenue, said the health crisis has sped up the collapse of Neiman Marcus and other top U.S. stores. The old method of doing business is now increasingly being called into question, he noted. Yet some fashion designers are resisting the call for a lighter fashion calendar. Chanel, which in a show of strength increased prices in May, said it would still release six collections a year. Im Pete Musto. Silvia Aloisi and Melissa Fares reported on this story for the Reuters news agency. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fashion n. the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles line(s) n. a group of related products that are sold by one company luxury goods n. something that is expensive and not necessary post- pref. after or later than calendar n. a list or schedule of events or activities that occur at different times throughout the year disposable adj. made to be used once or only a few times shop v. to visit places where goods are sold in order to look at and buy things delivery n. the act of taking something to a person or place frequent adj. happening often department store(s) n. a large store that has separate areas in which different kinds of products are sold BADEN Red paint was dumped on the head of the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald near Castle Kilbride some time over the weekend. Waterloo Regional Police say they were informed of the incident in Wilmot Township around 7 a.m. Sunday morning by a passerby. Thick, red paint had dripped down the face and jacket of the bronze statue of Canadas first Prime Minister, and pooled at his feet. Mayor Les Armstrong expressed frustration that people do things without thinking, he said Sunday morning near the statue. A handful of volunteers had already gathered to clean it by mid-morning. The monument is part of a display called Prime Ministers Path on the grounds of the historic home and museum, which also holds the township offices. Entitled A Canadian Conversation the statue of Macdonald was sculpted by Ruth Abernethy and unveiled in 2016, ahead of the Canadas sesquicentennial celebration in 2017. Its one of five statues of Canadian prime ministers on the property, but police said Sunday it was the only one targeted. Police are asking the community for help and canvassing the area for possible surveillance footage. Armstrong said the statue project is aimed at increasing the historical knowledge of the 23 individuals who have been elected to the position since 1867 good and bad. Macdonald has been criticized for racist acts, including helping to establish the residential school system that sought to assimilate Indigenous children for more than a century. Sunday also marked National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. It was a completely different world when he was prime minister, Armstrong said. We have to recognize that. This isnt the first time the statue in Baden has been vandalized, the mayor added, but this is among the worst hes seen. Its the latest in a series of similar acts across Canada that have seen statues of historical figures with connections to racist aspects of Canadas history vandalized. Last week a similar statue of Macdonald was also covered in red paint in Charlottetown. The local statue project had trouble even finding a home when it was first proposed in 2013. Initially planned for Victoria Park in Kitchener, the idea was rejected after receiving backlash from the community. Wilfrid Laurier University agreed to allow the statues to be placed on campus in 2015, but that decision was also later reversed following considerable outcry and a lack of consultation. A special committee formed to review the statues inclusion on campus wrote, it is possible that the Prime Minister Statues Project can be read as contributing to a visible narrative of political power and colonialism that makes invisible a diverse range of parallel and intersecting narratives including the often forgotten stories of those harmed and marginalized through Canada's history. As June 21, 2020, is over and several doomsday prophecies which had claimed the world will come to an end, as per a prediction by the mythical Mayan Calendar, have proven to be wrong. With the coronavirus pandemic raging across the world infecting millions and killing several lakhs, the Mayan Calendar's so called "world will end" had generated a lot of interest. But with June 21 coming to an end, the Mayan Calendar has, just like its 2012 prediction, once again proven to be nothing but just a hoax. The Mayan calendar came into existence in 1582 and people used different calendars to keep a track of dates before this. At the time, the two of the most popular calendars were the Mayan and Julian calendars. It is to be noted that Gregorian calendar is now use by majority of people across the world. As per a bizarre theory, as many as 11 days were lost from the calendar year while a shift was being made from the Julian calendar. And now over time those lost days have been added up and it is belived that we should actually be in the year 2012, not 2020. Scientist Paolo Tagaloguin explained the theory on social media like this: Following the Julian Calendar, we are technically in 2012. The number of days lost in a year due to the shift into Gregorian Calendar is 11 days. For 268 years using the Gregorian Calendar (1752-2020) times 11 days = 2,948 days. 2,948 days / 365 days (per year) = 8 years. So, following this theory, June 21, 2020 would actually be December 21, 2012. The social media post has since been deleted. It may be recalled that in 2012, December 21 was proposed by some as the end of the world by conspiracy theorists. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a mother-of-three was stabbed to death beside the ruins of an old Victorian mental hospital. Gemma Cowey, 38, was attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew's Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk on Friday. Ms Cowey from Norwich, Norfolk, was walking with a man before she was murdered and police were called at around 12.45pm. Paramedics battled to save her life after emergency services, including an air ambulance attended, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Gemma Cowey, 38, was stabbed to death beside the ruins of St Andrew's Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk on Friday The mother-of-three who was also known as Gemma Marjoram, was described as 'a beautiful girl' and 'devoted' mother by her heartbroken family Ms Cowey, who was also known as Gemma Marjoram, was described as 'a beautiful girl' and 'devoted' mother by her heartbroken family. Her family said in a statement: 'Our beautiful girl, Gemma Lynne Marjoram, was cruelly taken from our lives on Friday 19th June. 'Gemma, a devoted Mummy to three children, Kacie, Callum and Abigail. Loving big sister to Joanne and Kimberley. We are beyond heartbroken. We have no more words.' A man aged in his 40s and from Norwich was arrested more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area on suspicion of murder just over three hours later at around 4pm on Friday. The victim is thought to have been attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew's Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk An officer sets up a cordon, pictured left and right, following the attack at around 12.45pm on Friday Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site He was brought back to Norfolk for questioning on Saturday afternoon and is still being quizzed by detectives at the Wymondham Police Investigation Centre. Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Gray, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Unit, said: 'A number of police resources, including armed units and a helicopter, were deployed to the scene to help in the search for the suspect.' Detective Inspector Lewis Craske, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: 'Our thoughts are with Gemma's family and friends at this time. 'Officers have established that Gemma and the suspect were known to each other and whilst we do believe this is an isolated incident, our investigations are ongoing to identify the exact circumstances leading up to her death. 'I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the old hospital in Thorpe St Andrew between 11am and 1pm on Friday 19 June, particularly anyone who may have seen a male and female walking near to the site. 'We know this incident will have caused concern among local residents. Officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to them.' The derelict hospital site is next door to the current Northside House mental health clinic run by the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust. But sources suggested that the killing of the woman was not linked to the clinic. The St Andrew's Hospital which was originally known as the Norfolk County Asylum dates back to the early 19th century. Police, pictured at the scene, arrested a suspect more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area at around 4pm The site was closed as an NHS hospital in April 1998 and some of the original grade II listed buildings from 1814 on the south of the site were later converted into private housing. The main building St Andrews House was used as offices by the Norfolk Primary Care Trust until 2007, but later put up for sale in January 2011 Plans have been mooted to turn the site into a business park, but it has been left to slowly decay in recent years. The area is close to the St Andrew's Business Park and next to the print works of the Archant local newspaper group. It is a popular spot for joggers and dog walkers. The main derelict redbrick building has also been targeted in recent years by urban explorers looking around inside. Anyone with information should contact the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team on 101. TELEMMGLPICT000232722197.jpeg The early freeing from jail of the suspect at the centre of the Reading terror stabbing is likely to raise concerns over the continued use of automatic release on licence at the halfway point in sentences. Khairi Saadallah, 25, had been jailed in October last year for minor, non-terrorist offences, for which it is understood he would have served half before being released earlier this month. The Government has already moved to end early release for more serious crimes including terrorism but the vast majority of sentences continue to operate under rules introduced by Labour in 2004 for automatic release halfway through. It could lead to the resurrection of proposals in the Conservatives 2010 manifesto for honest sentencing. This would mean criminals could receive minimum and maximum terms, with the timing of release dependent on their good behaviour. This would remove automatic release on licence, which was introduced as a way of reintegrating offenders into the community because they knew they would be returned to prison if they breached it. It bring lesser offences in line with laws, introduced this year, to end automatic early release for terrorist offenders and require them to serve two thirds of their sentence before a parole board decides if they are safe to free into the community. Similar changes have been introduced for serious violent and sex offenders jailed for seven or more years. This is expected to be extended to offenders sentenced to four or more years in a White Paper due later this year - which could provide a vehicle for a wider overhaul. Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is also planning to crackdown on bogus asylum seekers and speed up the deportation of foreign national offenders. She is due to visit the scene of the attack today with the Thames Valley Chief Constable John Campbell. The four point asylum plan will speed up removals of foreign criminals, ensure only authorised migrants can access services, "swiftly dismiss" bogus claims and crack down on false claims for citizenship. It follows evidence that the number of serious offenders deported from the UK has dropped by 40 per cent in the last four years from 5,218 in 2015 to 3,225 last year. Changing of guard at top German court signals de-escalation for ECB FILE PHOTO: President of Germany's Constitutional Court Vosskuhle arrives for the verdict of the court about the attempt by the country's 16 federal states to ban the far-right NPD in Karlsruhe By Madeline Chambers and Thomas Escritt BERLIN (Reuters) - Changes to the composition of Germany's top court are likely to make it less confrontational towards the European Central Bank following a ruling about bond purchases that sent shockwaves around Europe, according to two sources close to the court. In its ruling last month, the Constitutional Court gave the ECB three months to justify bond purchases under its flagship stimulus programme or lose the Bundesbank as a participant, raising questions about the future of the euro. While Berlin is likely to have the final say on whether the ECB's justification is sufficient, the plaintiffs behind the case have signalled they could bring fresh legal action against new ECB stimulus plans, which could lead to more market turmoil. However, there will be a changing of the guard at the German court in Karlsruhe on Monday. A key change will be a new judge joining a bench widely seen to have a narrow Eurosceptic majority: Astrid Wallrabenstein, who was nominated by the pro-European Greens and has suggested there should be a thaw in relations with the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which cleared the ECB's plan. She will take the place on the bench vacated by Andreas Vosskuhle, president of the court whose term has expired and is leaving. His role as president will go to Stephan Harbarth, a conservative lawmaker from 2009-2018. "She is a lot more Europe-friendly than Vosskuhle," said the first source, a constitutional law professor who is well connected at the court and knows Wallrabenstein. "So my forecast is that in future, such decisions like that on the ECB will no longer be taken." Wallrabenstein's appointment could help pave the way towards a more conciliatory tone from the court, which experts say has a history of provoking crises before softening its stance. "Typically what happens is the court does something that make people think it's overreached and then they back off a bit," said Justin Collings, historian of the German constitutional court at Brigham Young University in Utah. Story continues A spokesman for the court said he could not speculate on the direction of forthcoming decisions from the court in view of the personnel changes and each decision was taken on its own merit and by a group of eight judges in confidence. 'MORE THAN A MATCH' The constitutional court is divided into two senates, each with eight judges, which handle different cases. Wallrabenstein will join the second senate, which made the May 5 ruling on the ECB's bond purchases. Although the second senate voted 7-1 to pass the ruling, they aim for consensus. The arrival of Wallrabenstein promises to shift the balance, at least over time, said the second source, who is close to the court, noting that she is the first judge on the second senate to be nominated by the Greens. "Every new justice changes something. In a group of eight people, one new person will make a difference," said the source. "There may well be more vigorous discussions." The law professor who knows the Karlsruhe judges said the dynamic on the second senate "has been strongly shaped by the interplay of Vosskuhle and (Peter) Huber", a conservative who described the May 5 ruling as "imperative". Of Wallrabenstein, the professor added: "She won't go looking for open conflict, but she has good arguments and is more than a match for Huber." Wallrabenstein has shown she is prepared to take a stand. In 2014, as a lawyer, she represented a - failed - case at the Karlsruhe court to have former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden heard by an investigating committee in Berlin. She has already suggested a softer approach in relations with the ECJ, which cleared the ECB's stimulus plan in 2018. The Karlsruhe judges decided they were not bound by that ruling, saying the European court had failed to scrutinise the ECB's actions to the point of making its own verdict "meaningless". "The tone has become harsher lately," Wallrabenstein said late last month of relations between the courts. "Just carrying on like this perhaps becomes a bit difficult now." Contacted by Reuters at the weekend, Wallrabenstein declined to comment further. However, she was quoted by Germany's Frankfurter Sonntagszeitung weekly as saying she hoped that "things would move in the right direction", adding it was now about how to carry on after an argument and say: "Forget it, let's move on". CONUNDRUM FOR BERLIN The German court has said its May ruling did not apply to new ECB measures, leaving room for a fresh challenge. However, while the plaintiffs behind the original case have signalled they could bring new legal action, the second source told Reuters that the Karlsruhe court felt it had made its point with the May 5 ruling. Nonetheless, the May 5 decision still poses a conundrum for Berlin, which is bound to respect the Karlsruhe court, but at the same time, does not want to erode the independence of the ECB, whose unprecedented stimulus has kept the euro zone intact. ECB watchers see two potential exit routes: either the Bundesbank or the European Parliament, which has the right to question the ECB, seeks a clarification about the bond purchases from the euro zone central bank. Berlin must then either accept or reject the justification. Rejection would require the Bundesbank to pull out of the scheme, and put a question mark over Germany's role in the euro. (Additional reporting by Ursula Knapp; Writing by Paul Carrel and Madeline Chambers; Editing by Pravin Char) By IANS NEW DELHI: The government has warned of a major upcoming phishing attack which promises free Covid-19 testing across India. A large-scale cyber attack has been planned by cyber crooks where they may use Covid-19 as bait to steal personal and financial information. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued an advisory warning that the potential phishing attacks could impersonate government agencies, departments and trade bodies. It stated, "Phishing campaign is expected to impersonate government agencies, departments and trade associations who have been tasked to oversee the disbursement of the government fiscal aid." It further said, "Spoofed email ID which could be used for the phishing email is expected to be ncov2019@gov.in." The CERT-In warning advisory added that there would be a phishing email subject line like free Covid-19 testing for all residents of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad. "The malicious group claims to have 2 million individual email addresses and the attack campaign is expected to start on June 21," the Indian government stated. "Such emails are designed to drive recipients towards fake websites where they are deceived into downloading malicious les or entering personal and nancial information," CERT-In said in the latest advisory dated June 19. "It has been reported that these malicious actors are planning to spoof or create fake email Ids impersonating various authorities," it cautioned. CERT-In, in its advisory, outlined a list of steps for users to protect themselves, including not opening attachments in unsolicited emails even if it comes from people who are in the contact list. It has asked users to encrypt and protect their sensitive document to avoid potential leakage. It also urged people to use anti-virus tools, rewalls and filtering services and asked them to report any unusual activity or attack immediately to CERT-In. The government also issued preventive measures where it stated that not to open or click on attachment in un-solicited email, sms or messages through social media. It further directed to exercise caution in opening attachments, even if the sender appears to be known. "Beware of email addresses, spelling errors in emails, websites and unfamiliar email senders," stated the advisory, warning every citizen not to submit personal financial details on unfamiliar or unknown websites or links. "Beware of emails, links providing special offers like Covid-19 testing, aid, winning prize, rewards, cashback offers," the government advisory stated. Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 21 (ANI): Senior BJP leader and Union Petroleum Minister on Sunday in an indirect reference to Congress party said that those who question India's military power and called Aksai Chin as the useless ground where only grass grew, are now questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pradhan further said that the Congress party never stands with the mood of the country. "This party wants to see the country weak," he added. He further said that Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal are important parts of East India, which have a common cultural heritage. "Atal Ji fulfilled the dream of building Jharkhand and Modi Ji is connecting Eastern India including Jharkhand with the mainstream of development. The development of infrastructure is fast. Sindri factory has been re-commissioned. Historical works have been done in all areas of education, health, roads," he added. The Union Minister said that Jharkhand is the land of heroes. "In the security of the border, the soldiers of Jharkhand are martyred," he added. Pradhan further said that even in the Corona crisis, India set a benchmark which the World Health Organization is also praising. "The countries that had lost out on their knowledge base have succumbed to the epidemic. In this situation, India has also vigorously protected itself and sent medicines to 150 countries," he said. He said that the resolve of self-reliant India is going to advance the country. A package of Rs 20 lakh crores will set up a network of small cottage industries, which will cost Rs 3 lakh crores, strengthen 1 lakh crores farmers, a poor welfare employment scheme of Rs 50 thousand crores will connect the poor with employment in the village. He further said that the responsibility of the development of Jharkhand is as much as that of the central government as of the state government. "But the Hemant government reverses its responsibility repeatedly. In the Corona crisis, the state government continued to run away from the responsibility of the poor and the workers," he added. Pradhan said that in the Corona crisis, the central government provided food grains and pulses to 70 per cent of the poor population of the country. Money was sent to the 20 crore Jan Dhan accounts and 8 crore sisters got three months free gas cylinders, he added. He said that the facility of water from the house to house through the pipeline will also be completed soon. On the coal block auction, the Union Minister said that those who were involved in the Coal gate scam are questioning the reform process today. The state government does not want the welfare of the poor, while the maximum benefit of minerals will go to the state exchequer, he added. (ANI) Several thousand people have turned out for a silent march in Nantes, western France, in memory of Steve Canico, a 24-year old who died a year ago after disappearing during a police charge at a Fete de la Musique party. The exact circumstances of his death have still not been determined but some point to excessive use of violence by the police. Canico went missing exactly a year ago on the night of 21 June, after officers moved in to disperse techno music fans at a free Fete de la Musique concert near the Loire river in Nantes. During the clashes, Steve and 13 others, fell into the river. He didnt know how to swim. His body was retrieved five weeks later on 29 July. Since his death, the young music fan and youth leader has become a symbol for the town of Nantes, with several protests held in his memory. The slogan "Justice for Steve" has regularly featured in local "Yellow Vest" demonstrations. Canico's family and friends have always maintained his death was linked to the heavy-handed police charge during which tear gas and projectiles were fired. His brother and sister spoke about life without Steve in a video, in French, on Loopsider. In late July Prime Minister Edouard Philippe promised total transparency" after an internal police enquiry left unanswered questions. The Interior Ministry launched its own enquiry and in September 2019 concluded there had been a lack of judgement on the part of the police. The police chief responsible for regional operations was demoted as a result. To date, and to the familys frustration, no one has been found responsible for Canicos death and the investigation continues. Three investigations underway Three judicial enquiries against X are underway in Rennes where the case was transferred for reasons of impartiality. Story continues The first is for "involuntary homicide" and the second for involuntary injuries, failure to assist a person in danger and endangering the life of others. The third relates to willful violence against a person holding public authority and concerns partygoers who threw projectiles at the police. Ten police officers injured on that evening have filed a complaint. Canico's phone The latest technical expertise focuses in particular on Canicos mobile phone. As no one witnessed Canico falling into the river, the phones GPS could yield crucial information on his last moments. "If it is established that when the tear gas was fired my brother was very close to the river then it will be difficult to dispute the link between the intervention of the police and the fall that led to Steve's death, said Canicos sister, interviewed by Le Monde. According to the Canico familys lawyer, Cecile de Oliveira, they could have elements in early summer which will, hopefully tip the file towards charges. Nantes 'still suffering' On Friday, the mayor of Nantes, Johanna Rolland, met Canicos family. She said the town was still suffering. I told them I stood with them, that Nantes remained at their side during this ordeal, she said in a statement. "The circumstances of Canicos death, the motivations and methods used during the police officers intervention during that tragic night had to be brought to light," adding that while it could take a long time for the truth to be revealed "justice would prevail. For lawyer Cecile de Oliveira, a trial could be held in the next three to four years which would be a normal timeline for such a complex case. The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene its 20th session from June 28 to 30 in Beijing. The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee Saturday, which was presided over by Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. Nana Aba Anamoah, General Manager of EIB Networks GHOne TV, on her 42nd birthday on June 19, 2020, was caught in multiple videos incautiously defying the social distancing and several other COVID-19 related protocols. This was done in spite of President Akufo-Addos law about observing the restrictions put in place to manage the spread of the virus: maintaining social distancing; wearing nose masks, use of sanitizers and tissues. Leaving our homes without a face mask or face covering on is an offence. The Police have been instructed to enforce this directive, which is the subject of an Executive Instrument, the President said in his last address to the nation. The prolific, iconic journalist, who has graced our TV screen with her intelligence for years, this time, must have been unconscious of her role in our fight against the virus. In a couple of videos sighted by RazzNews.com on social media, especially the one when she was being presented with a Range Rover as a birthday gift, the celebrated female broadcaster is seen with other known personalities like Serwaa Amihere of GHOne, having fun and partying; flouting the protocols that have been put in place by the government for the safety of Ghanaians. The Police in Ghana has done immensely well to indict deviant people who refuse to observe the stated protocols. And since the case of the popular News Anchor is no exception, she and her colleagues must also face the consequences of their negligence. Kindly watch one of the videos below! Source:RazzNews.com One terrorist has been eliminated in a joint operation in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir. Weapons were recovered and the operation in progress, News Agency ANI quoted Northern Command, Indian Army as saying. This is a breaking news story. More details awaited... Inman meeting Ada for the second time. She is taken by his humility: Above. The Reverend Monroe and devoted daughter, Ada: Bel Whenever I am drawn into a discussion about whether the film, "Cold Mountain," is better than the novel byCharles Frazier, the film always loses. That's understandable, considering that Frazier's Cold Mountain is one of the very best examples of great American Literature from the 20th Century, and let's be clear about this one thing: the United States was no slouch in this time period. The prose in this fabulous novel is some of the best ever written as it measures the absolute devotion, that drives one man to the brink of his own demise, as he struggles to rejoin his one true love.It is a tale of devoted passion, and to what extent the animal instinctual urge to procreate will drive a man to consummate that insatiable need. W.P. Inman, perfectly portrayed by Jude Law, knew he would love Ada Monroe, passionately played by Nicole Kidman, from the first time he knew of her existence in the Cold Mountain community. Ada slowly realizes that she is drawn to the quiet, purposeful Inman, and all seems right in their budding relationship until the War Between the States intervenes."Three cheers for North Carolina! Three cheers for the South," could be heard all about the grounds of the community's chapel as their service was interrupted by the announcement of North Carolina's secession from the Union. The ecstatic pronouncements of "We have our war!", and "It will be over in a few months.", would be replaced by the agony of death upon the battlefields and the desperation of want for the many and the neglect of the farms for everyone else. It was the South's darkest hour after over three years of war, and very few of the incredibly ecstatic young men who left the fictional town of Cold Mountain for the adventure of war would not be coming home.ow.Inman is shot through the neck in a skirmish with Union soldiers, seeking to infiltrate the Southern lines, in theaftermath of the Battle of the Crater during the long siege of Petersburg, Virginia. He nearly dies from his wounds, but, remarkably heals in a Confederate hospital in the tidewater area of southeast Virginia. While convalescing, a long dated letter reaches Inman from Ada explaining her dire predicament after her minister father, played by the versatile Donald Southerland, passes and her life too is as ramshackle a mess as her broken down farm in the gentle valley along the slopes of Cold Mountain. "Come back to me," Ada begs in her letter, and it is as if a long lost key is found to unlock the better part of Inman's battered soul, he takes up his few possessions, turns his back on over three years of service with the Army of Northern Virginia, and walks for Cold Mountain.Inman crosses into North Carolina and walks nearly the entire length it's coastal plain, from north to south, untilhe reaches the mouth of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, and at that point, follows its waters from the Atlantic coast, northwest into the heart of his home state, eventually making his way to the Haw River and into the piedmont. Along the way, while avoiding the Home Guard (government sanctioned militia to protect those back home and later to round up and kill, if necessary, deserters), Inman found adversity, hardship, but never detoured from his mission to comfort his one true love.Along the way in his Odysseus like journey to his home, Inman encounters a disgraced minister, a white trash hill family of low scruples that sells him into captivity to the Home Guard, an earthy gypsy woman possessing a crude kindness, a war widow that gives help and whom depends on reciprocation, and eventually the tall snow swept mountains standing shoulder to shoulder with Cold Mountain. Actor Jude Law, as the determined Inman, shares scenes with some of the more accomplished actors in the business with: Philip Seymour Hoffman as the disgraced minister, Giovanni Ribisi as the "White Trash Judas," Natalie Portman as the bereaved war widow and Ray Winstone as Captain Teague, leader of the Cold Mountain Home Guard.The late director, Anthony Minghella, also wrote the screenplay and wisely kept a measure of Frasier's lyrical prose asthe actors' collective voice, while using the power of his cinematography and one of the most outstanding soundtracks in cinematographic history; featuring the sound of the mountains, coupled with original compositions of Gabriel Yarad, Sting and arrangements of traditional mountain songs by the legendary T. Bone Burnett. Lead vocals include Allison Krause, Jack White and Tim Eriksen. Even Nicole Kidman does her own piano work on "Ada's Song" and Bendan Gleeson as Stobrod, the estranged fiddle playing father of Ruby Thewes, actually plays the fiddle but did not play on the soundtrack.Director Minghella was wise to choose images and music to present the tale of Inman and Ada's profound love story, against the backdrop of the desperation of a war ravaged south, rather than compete in screen verse with the prose of Charles Frasier. It was a wise move; however, filming much of the film in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania was not. A film that is so ingrained in the culture of such a distinct region and pivotal point in the history of any nation should be filmed as close to where the story would have occurred. The actual Cold Mountain in the Pisgah National Forest would have been a more realistic location. If that general area was good enough for the classic film "Last of the Mohicans," it should work well for a film of the same title.Back at Cold Mountain during Inman's military service, the aforementioned Ruby Thewes, at the urging of Sally Swanger,played veteran actor Kathy Baker, becomes Ada's salvation as she manages the degraded farm and Ada herself to a survivable level of productivity. Ruby Thewes is played by the mercurial Rene Zellweger, who also won the Oscar for best Supporting Actor in a female role. It is a fabulous role for any actress, and Rene nailed the no nonsense Ruby, as did every actor hired on for this period story of some of North Carolina's darkest days.The film, at 154 minutes of runtime, is a short symphony of the South, before a devastating war, during that war and when it was finally over for Inman. Inman was a man that quietly, and with great determination, always did his duty. In the film version of "Cold Mountain," he did not disappoint in this lyrical love story told in song and moving images.Rated R. Released on DVD June 29, 2003http: This article is provided coutesy of our sister site: Better Angels Now. Turkey on Saturday said Khalifa Haftar's forces in Libya need to withdraw from the strategic city of Sirte for a ceasefire agreement to be reached and accused France of "jeopardising" NATO security by backing him. Ankara's support for the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has turned the tide in the conflict in Libya which has been mired in fighting between rival groups since a 2011 uprising toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Haftar, a former Kadhafi army commander who is supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has been battling to take the capital Tripoli since last year. Ibrahim Kalin, the Turkish presidential spokesman, said that Turkey supports the GNA position that Sirte and Al-Jufra should be evacuated by Haftar's LNA forces for a "sustainable ceasefire." "It should be a sustainable ceasefire, meaning that the other side, the LNA (Libyan National Army), should not be in a position to launch another attack on the legitimate Libyan government any time it wants," Kalin told AFP in an interview in Istanbul. Kalin said a ceasefire in Libya would be possible if everybody went back to their positions in 2015, referring to a political agreement reached that year in Morocco. That would mean Haftar withdrawing from Sirte and Al-Jufra. "This is the position of the GNA and we support it because right now the Haftar forces are using these strategic locations as their launching pad," he said. Turkish-backed GNA forces, which regained control of the whole of northwest Libya early this month, remain hampered in their advance toward Sirte, a coastal city and a gateway to major oil fields in the east. The hometown of Kadhafi, Sirte, located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, was a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, before being taken over in 2016 by the GNA. It fell last January into the hands of Haftar's camp. Turkey has forged strong ties with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, sending drones and air defence systems that helped him repel Haftar's recent offensive. A high-level Turkish delegation including Kalin, the foreign minister and intelligence chief visited Tripoli on Wednesday. - 'Jeopardising NATO security'- Kalin also accused France of "jeopardising" NATO's security by supporting Haftar. "In Libya we are supporting the legitimate government and the French government is supporting an illegitimate warlord and jeopardising NATO security, Mediterranean security, North African security and Libya's political stability," Kalin said. "Given all this they still blame us, they still criticise us ... We are working with the legitimate actors here. It is France that is intervening in all of those areas, working with the wrong actors, supporting illegitimate players and then turning and accusing us." Tensions have increased between Turkey and France, which has long been suspected of favouring Haftar until his recent battlefield setbacks. NATO has launched an official investigation into a naval incident in the Mediterranean between the alliance members after France denounced an "extremely aggressive" act by Turkish frigates against a French navy vessel. Paris has complained that one of its ships was subjected to radar targeting by Turkish frigates while trying to inspect a cargo vessel believed to be carrying arms to Libya. But Ankara dismissed the allegations as "groundless". "France for us is an important NATO ally. It is an important country in Europe. We don't want to have any tensions with France or any other country," Kalin said. - 'Unreliable'- Eastern based Haftar -- a 76-year-old former Kadhafi loyalist turned defector who spent years living in the United States -- has been backed by powers including Russia, the UAE and Egypt with aircraft, weapons and mercenaries. Turkey sees no role for Haftar in Libya's future. "He has been unreliable from the very beginning. He has spoiled every single ceasefire agreement, every attempt at de-escalation and the GNA will not support any talks that will involve Haftar. This is what we are gathering from their analysis and we support that," Kalin said. Kalin accused the UAE of "financing this war" in Libya and called "foolish" its attempts to attack Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their role in the Arab-Muslim world. On Egypt, Kalin said Ankara understands Cairo's "legitimate" security concerns over the Egyptian-Libyan border but supporting Haftar is a "wrong policy". "They should support the GNA, they should support a Libyan-led political process." Asked about Turkey's future in Libya, Kalin said: "We will be there as long as we are requested by the Libyan government to be there." Victoria had 19 new COVID-19 cases reported on Sunday and 138 over the past 10 days, while other states continue to report no or very low numbers. This then begs the question: are border closures between Victoria and all other states, including NSW, on the cards? Cleaners get to work at Essendon Football Club on Sunday after the Essendon v Melbourne AFL match was postponed because Bombers player Conor McKenna had contracted coronavirus. Credit:AAP So what do we know about the new cases in Victoria? The proportion that are returned travellers remains a factor, but a diminishing one, comprising only 25 per cent of new cases last week. The increase is being seen in locally acquired cases resulting from community transmission. Herein lies the potential for a second wave if local transmission becomes wide spread and the number of cases and size of clusters requiring follow-up exceeds the capacity of the Public Health Department, then the epidemic in Victoria could quickly escalate. Whenever people test positive, either through routine testing or as symptomatic cases unlinked to outbreaks seek testing, it tells us that community transmission is active. Where the source of infection is unknown, this also signals other invisible cases remain in the community. Nomad Homes, a digital real estate platform designed to streamline buying and renting residential real estate, has announced the launch of its services in Dubai. Set to transform one of the emirates largest industries, Nomad is the first technology platform to exclusively serve buyers and renters - a key differentiator from traditional brokerages and portals. A further differentiator is the companys technology-first approach: Home seekers are equipped with search tools, virtual tours, digital document signing and more, all of which are aimed at providing customers with an online experience from start to finish. The company partners with local real estate brokerages to provide a growing inventory of unique, curated properties, said the statement from Nomad Homes. Nomad's machine learning algorithm then uses each customer's unique requirements to suggest homes on its platform along with available matches throughout Dubai. All properties are carefully reviewed for quality and accuracy to prevent any fake or duplicate information, it stated. Nomad is co-founded by Helen Chen, a former investor from Blackstone and Goldman Sachs, who left Stanfords MBA program to set up the company. On its Dubai launch, Chen said: "The city is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the world with a massive real estate market representing over $60 billion in transactions every year." "Our teams experience across Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Dubai has shown us the power of technology. We saw the opportunity to digitize the buying and renting experience," he noted. While Nomads mission is to bring real estate online, the company recognizes that a human touch can still make all the difference. Each customer is matched with a dedicated Nomad Advisor to provide a hassle-free, concierge experience. The Nomad Advisor becomes a customers single point of contact, removing the need to schedule and coordinate with multiple real estate agents, explained Chen. "In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no better time to introduce a fully digital experience to find your home. Were reinventing the entire journey for our customers and are 100% dedicated to making the experience the way it should be - online, seamless, and enjoyable," she added.-TradeArabia News Service The suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has forced social media to unleash war on the Bollywood elite. No one knows the exact reason for the suicide but it is undeniable that industry insiders view outsiders with a mixture of insecurity and scorn. It will be naive to view this as an inflection moment for introspection and change within the industry. Bollywood is easily the best managed cartel in India. The real estate sector shares a few peculiar traits to the movie industry. Low credibility, weak planning and shoddy execution have been the hallmark of the two industries. However, these are only symptoms of a much larger problem for both the industries. That problem is the inability or resistance to attract quality talent or adopt a superior set of practices. Its not as if there is a shortage of players in the housing industry. One of the real estate associations alone boasts of over 20,000 members. There is near unanimity in the view that most of them will not survive the next five years. COVID-19 will probably accelerate that trend. No one will complain. A substantial chunk of the developers are only part-time builders who will return back to their original core business or are the ones who only specialize in optimal utilization of regulations. The real problem The problem however in real estate is not the outflow of uncommitted players. Thats necessary as most were beneficiaries of an environment that had low barrier to entry and even lower accountability. The real problem is the lack of inflow of committed players. Only an outflow of uncommitted and weak players will eventually leave a small niche dominating the market. Evidence so far suggests that many players in this small club display an arrogance that is as bad as the sort one witnessed when real estate was a wild beast. The premise for their arrogance in front of the customer is broadly this interpretation: I will surely complete the project unlike most others whom you cant trust. For that solid guarantee I will charge you 25-30 percent more than every other project. If the quality isnt up to the mark for the steep premium one has paid it is well, the problem of the buyer. This attitude is not limited only to buyers. Its even to the stock market community. I am repulsed by the practice of a leading listed player who often refuses to name their joint venture partner while announcing a joint venture to the exchanges. Its a shame that the regulator and the stock market community has permitted this to continue for so long. Heres the challenge that has existed in attracting talent and players for the industry: premium talent has largely considered the real estate business as intellectually inferior or professionally exasperating. Besides, most of them previously perceived it as an industry dominated by unscrupulous entrepreneurs. That has had consequences for the lack of innovation and upgradation in the industry as old hands still lead the way. Their historical success has convinced them that their way of doing business is the only right way of doing it. When challenged in a debate, their argument often ends with real estate is very different from every other business. On highlighting global comparisons within real estate, the retort then diffuses to Indian real estate is very different from real estate elsewhere. Some hard truths The sector has often lamented, with some justification that it has improved amidst the disruption over the past five years. Yet it must be pointed out that all of it has been imposed by external factors like RERA, GST, demonetization etc. There has been minimal disruption that has been brought by an insider who is challenging the existing framework of doing business. Unfortunately, its not as if the younger generation in the industry is a beacon of light. Based on my interactions the thought process of most of them appears almost stuck in a time-warp with few exceptions. That leaves an industry where a majority of the players lack the imagination or boldness and the dominant minority dont care. Yet housing is an industry that should never be written off even if today it is on a weak structural footing. In this framework the light can come from outsiders. And here is the most important difference between real estate and Bollywood that spells optimism for the future of the construction industry. Bollywood can block outsiders and shun them because it remains lucrative even without them. The cinema quality may be poor, performances may be mediocre and scripts may be stolen it yet works commercially. The real estate business does not anymore. It will now need to attract new talent to revive the industry from the quagmire it finds itself in. It will need true disruptors who can change the landscape of the real estate business be it in cutting construction cost and time as we move to an era where ready products are preferred, marketing strategies that revolve around story-telling of projects, innovative designs and structures etc. All of this is likely to need the support of the ecosystem. When that will happen is impossible to forecast but the conditions are ripe. Sushant Singh Rajput battled a hostile industry in Bollywood. His real estate equivalent should not face the same challenge. When not busy with his newstoon platform Snapnews, Vishal Bhargava is a real estate enthusiast who views and reviews new projects. Views expressed here are personal. The decision comes in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand after religious leaders urged CMs to postpone the annual pilgrimage. Discussions with Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab to follow. The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand on Sunday announced the postponement of annual Kanwar Yatra in the view of COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was taken in a virtual meeting held between Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand, Yogi Adityanath, Manohar Lal Khattar and Trivendra Singh Rawat, respectively on Saturday. The chief Ministers decided to postpone the Kanwar Yatra as suggested by religious leaders and Kanwar organisations amid the pandemic. It was agreed in the meeting that to stop the spread of COVID-19, it is very important to stop large gatherings at one place. Soon a discussion will be held regarding this with Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab. The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of Lord Shivas devotees. This time every year during the Hindu calendar month of Saavan, thousands of devotees from across India, undertake the pilgrimage called Kanwar Yatra. Also read: Rahul Gandhi trolled for addressing PM Modi as Surender Modi Also read: PM Modi on Yoga Day 2020: Pranayama may help fight Covid-19 These pilgrims visit Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch waters of river Ganga. Later, the holy water is dispensed as offerings to Lord Shiva in temples. Also read: Delhi LG pulls back order on home isolation after Kejriwals opposition For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Some friends and compatriots have wondered if government have given me a share of the booty ($50,000) to silence my activism as they believe other silencers have been paid to either keep quiet or be Pro this agenda. Close friends and Business follows have called my phone continuously as far as I can remember since January this year on this subject. I have remained resolute and absolute on my decision to let this one go without comment and rather let government spokespersons, anti-agencies and paid persons to do the talking. I, therefore, find it appropriate today to make a preliminary comment on this very subject. This has been necessitated by a text I just received from a very close compatriot in this Trade, Finance and Logistics advocacy thing cum the several misinformation a Think Tank in Ghana (Imani) have been running around with. Let's not forget that Think Tanks just like any other advocacy platforms are hired and paid to either stand for or oppose policy agenda of ruling governments, agencies, firms et almost especially and sometimes against oppositions governments. Once you are paid, your main job is to win the fight for your paymasters no matter how inept, rediculous and obscure your argument is before the general public. My basic understanding about Think Tanks across the world is that they operate in a special area of interest and knowledge and therefore are known to be masters of that particular interest/knowledge or subject matter especially in terms of policy issues. Imani seems to have gross speciality in all aspects of governance systems and in all topics and subjects and in so doing allocates to themselves superior authorities and powers. I guess Imani have in place departments and Ministries covering all sectors of our economies and employs the very best to head these offices hence their always-posture as PROFESSIONALS! They have for the past years attached a particular media house (name withheld) to their paid-advocacy work hence their relevance in that aspect! This media house will grant them all the interviews including taking their views on any advocacy project in the mornings, midday news, prime time news, late-night news, Socio-Political Programs et al. Can the Person in Charge of Logistics within the structures of Imani come to face me on a one on one on this subject? I mean, Imani's minister of Trade and Industry / Transport and Logistics who probably has a PhD in this related field! Perhaps Imani's GPHA Director General! --- On UNIPASS - GCNet Brouhaha 1. The decision by this current government to abrogate a non-existing contract (contract ended and was not renewed) with the Ghana Community Network (GCNet) was largely a political decision and a perfect one at such in my candid opinion. This practice is not new or peculiar to our jurisdiction. Solidify your checks on what happens in the Western world including Asia and you will come to appreciate the decision of this current administration. 2. It is of no doubt that our Ports and any other Port across the world is a main source of revenue (before natural resources) therefore a government's inability to enforce adequate and proper collection systems will deprive that government the needed revenue! 3. The Rawlings administration under the leadership of Hon. Dan Abodakpui contracted the Ghana Community Network and they have been in operation since then. One would have asked why they were still at post under President Kufuor's government? Well, have me answer this question another day, please. 4. The decision to assign and abrogate is solely in the domain of any government and in this case, this current government saw the need to abrogate and reassign to a new company they deem efficient and competent to help collect and properly account for at our Ports. 5. The origin of UNIPASS supports the action of this current government as Korea operates the 3rd busiest Port in the world thus; Busan. 6. One can clearly tell that the abrogated operator will certainly not be happy therefore will engage the services of loud talkers to fight for them and this, unfortunately '' may'' include the Ghana Association of Freight Forwarders among others. The stands by GIFF in this entire brouhaha has been disgraceful, appalling and distasteful. i. This same GCNet deprived GIFF of the 3 cedis declaration revenue about 2yrs ago by taking GIFF off their revenue allocation system. The main source of revenue which supported the day to day running of the Association which led to the now-famous sham (GIFF Enterprise Resource Planner) which was meant to adequately collect revenue from all declaration to support the sustenance of the Association. The posture of GIFF in all these have been a failure and from close source; when GIFF realised their advocacy failure, they now run to the current Trade Minister for talks. Am sure the Trade Minister saw the hypocrisy in them as they were in their two separate meetings with him in an attempt to talk him in. How do you curse, make noise, oppose and later run for inclusion of revenue? Even so, if this was not borne out of some parochial interest (personal pockets)! 6. As far back as 2018, the late Hon. Ebenezer Adjirackor (Director of Policy, Planing and Evaluation) of the Trade Ministry (A Board Member and two times speaker at GITFIC) in one of his trips to Korea on this same subject said to me in his office that, UNIPASS was a done deal and if GIFF wanted an inclusion, their posture should be sober and responsible and more on a dialogue gesture than this partisan and parochial showmanship which will land them nowhere. I remember relating this to GIFF as far back as 2018/2019. 7. A government is voted to power because the majority believes and have sole confidence in them. If at any point in time the government feels the Ports could do better in terms of revenue collection and mobilization, it is right to take steps to advance this thinking regardless of the marginal finger-pointers and anti-comments like; actors securing kickbacks for the future when they go on pension and enrichment. Can we apply same to the NDC under former President Rawlings? as being the reason why they brought in the Ghana Community Network??? I will conclude by echoing what my revered late friend as quoted above said to me in one of his trips; UNIPASS HAS COME TO STAY. We believe it will support the system to stabilize and deliver better revenue to the state. The current petty challenges are bound to happen just as it happened when GCNet took over in the late 90s. No amount of noise, paid-oppositions and propaganda will make government reverse this brilliant idea especially in this COViD era where economies and governments around the world are crumbling. We heard the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority reveal last week that, 17 days of migrating to UNIPASS have resulted in almost 90 Million USD. I dare say; our revenues will Ballon to expectations if global ports and trade resume in the coming weeks because this marginal figure is pre-COViD19. Results like this could have only be achieved under a competent government. Juxtapose this result with financial statistics and operational qualities during the BLACK Star Line era under Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and you will appreciate the similarity on this subject matter! Let's rather rally behind the Minister of Finance, Senior Minister, Trade n Industry Minister, Transport Minister, Ghana Revenue Authority and the GHANA Ports and Harbours Authority to run this new system effectively and efficiently for the benefit of Ghana! Long Live Ghana our Homeland! Selasi Koffi Ackom An Nkrumahist [email protected] Several officials across California's state have lashed out after Governor Gavin Newsom started requiring the use of face masks as the COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Several high-ranking officials, including a mayor and sheriffs, refused to enforce the mandate, claiming the order was not legitimate. In a Facebook post, Nevada City Mayor Reinette Senum claimed there "is no law" that orders residents to wear a mask, the Sacramento Bee reports. She also said officers could not cite offenders "because the law does not exist." Sheriff's departments in Orange, Sacramento, Tulare, Fresno, and Calaveras also refused to enforce the order, citing a lack of resources and the minor nature of the offense. O.C. Sheriff Don Barnes claimed it was not the responsibility of law enforcement officials to impose the order. Mask Mandate On Thursday, California health officials reported a dramatic increase in coronavirus infection with 4,804 newly confirmed cases, surpassing a previous record-high single-day growth. The announcements brought the total too of confirmed infection to 161,099, and at least 5,290 deaths. According to a CNBC report, most of the new cases came from Los Angeles County, where the authorities recorded over 2,115 cases. The state noted that the single-day record stemmed from the 600 positive test results from earlier tests. The recent numbers led Governor Gavin Newsom to require people across the state to wear face masks in indoor settings and public places, especially when social distancing is not possible. The state order requires residents to wear masks when queueing for indoor public places and transportation. The rule also applies to workplaces where employees interact with the public, prepare food, and share common spaces, the New York Times reports. The order came as California is restarting its economy. In most counties, residents are allowed to shop, eat at restaurants, and attend religious services. In Los Angeles County, nail salons, massage parlors, bars, and card rooms were allowed to resume operations on Friday. Racetracks were also allowed to reopen but without spectators. However, the easing of restrictions led to an increase in cases, with health officials recorded 3,400 hospitalizations as of Wednesday, the state has seen since April. Kate Folmar, a spokesperson for California's health and human services, said those who do not obey the orders could be charged for a misdemeanor, or receive other penalties. However, the agency's secretary, Mark Ghaly, said the department refused to enforce the orders, saying it expects most residents to follow the mandate. A study conducted by two professors for the University of Iowa showed requiring face masks could prevent at least 230,000 COVID-19 cases. The peer-reviewed report estimated that 21 days after requiring the use of face masks in public could reduce the daily cases of COVID-19 by two or 230,000 and 450,000 cases, MarketWatch reported. "As countries worldwide and states begin to relax social distancing restrictions and considering the high likelihood of a second COVID-19 wave in the fall/winter, requiring the use of face masks in public might help reduce COVID-19 spread," the study concludes. Want to read more? Check these out: Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:19:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Staff of the China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group (CRECGZ) pose for a group photo at the entrance to the Ban Nakok Tunnel in northern Laos' Oudomxay Province, on June 21, 2020. China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group (CRECGZ) drilled through the Ban Nakok Tunnel, the second longest tunnel along the China-Laos railway, on Sunday. (CRECGZ/Handout via Xinhua) VIENTIANE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group (CRECGZ) drilled through the Ban Nakok Tunnel, the second longest tunnel along the China-Laos railway, on Sunday. The 9,296-meter Ban Nakok Tunnel, in northern Laos' Oudomxay Province, some 400 km north of the Lao capital Vientiane, went through harsh geological conditions which made its construction a key bottleneck of the railway. The Ban Nakok Tunnel past through four fault zones and complex geological situation which brought huge difficulties to the construction and the safety control. Since the start of its construction in May 2017, the CRECGZ project department has actively carried out scientific and technological innovations to overcome the difficulties, and bore scientific research results such as "key technologies for soft rock tunnel construction in Southeast Asia's rainforest" to effectively accelerate construction. Since the beginning of this year, to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project department simultaneously carried out epidemic precaution and construction, especially making full use of the advantages of localization, purchasing large quantities of local construction materials such as sand, gravel and cement and recruiting more local workers to promote cooperation with localities. The China-Laos Railway is a strategic docking project between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub. The 414-km railway will run from Boten border gate in northern Laos, bordering China, to Vientiane with an operating speed of 160 km per hour. The electrified passenger and cargo railway is built with the full application of Chinese management and technical standards. The project started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be completed and open to traffic in December 2021. " " A man holds up an iPhone displaying a 'No Entry' image as part of a rally in front of an Apple Store in support of the company's privacy policy. Ultimately, the FBI unlocked the San Bernardino terrorists phone without help from Apple. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty The FBI and Apple spent weeks yelling and screaming at each other over a cell phone, mimicking parents and teenagers everywhere. But the showdown between the government and the maker of iPhones went a lot deeper than some teen Snapchatting at the dinner table. It brought up topics like privacy rights, government overreach and the very real threat of terrorism. In the end or at least the end of this chapter the FBI won, cracking the iPhone (with the help of some real hackers) belonging to one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attack and gaining access to its data. Advertisement The successful break-in brought up even more questions. Who was right? What did the G-men find on the phone? What are they going to do with it? Will they share their break-in methods with anyone else? What's Apple's next move? "With every technology, whether its Microsoft, Android, Apples iPhone heck it could be your car, its your friggin toaster, your refrigerator, Siciliano says, with every technology, theres a way to game it. Theres always a way to game it." Robert Siciliano, Identity Theft and Mobile Phone Security Expert The most pressing question, though, might be this: How the heck did they do it? "Technically ...," says Robert Siciliano, an identity theft expert with BestIDTheftCompanys.com and an expert on mobile phone security, "I don't know. More than likely, we will know. Eventually. And that's the problem. That's the issue that Apple has had with this whole process." An NBC News report says that an Israeli firm called Cellebrite helped crack the phone for the FBI. And even though its methodology is still secret, the secret is now out: It can be done. And sooner or later, as Siciliano suggests, the word on how to do it will leak out. The FBI already has said it'll help other law enforcement agencies with locked phones. None of this should be particularly surprising. It's a way of life in the tech world. Engineers build. Hackers break in. It's just that, usually, it's not the government trying to bust in or demanding someone else open it. "With every technology, whether it's Microsoft, Android, Apple's iPhone heck it could be your car, it's your friggin' toaster, your refrigerator, Siciliano says, "with every technology, there's a way to game it. There's always a way to game it." And that, of course, may be the moral to this whole 21st-century fable: No matter how secure you think your phone is or your computer, or your tablet, or your autonomous car some bad guy somewhere will be looking for a way to make it unsecure. "The chase is always on, Siciliano says. It's never NOT been on." Technically, the best way to get into any locked tech device is to, well, unlock it. That is, to key in the proper passcode. There are ways to bypass the passcode, to find a flaw in the operating system. They're all over the Interwebs. Some of them may even work. But the first try is finding the right passcode. Whether that's a matter of coming up with some arcane algorithm that does the job or just making a really good guess hardly matters. Getting there is the thing. Being savvy 21st-century consumers, though you know, the kind who have downloaded a game featuring hacked-off birds billions of times we know how to secure our deepest, darkest secrets, too. Password protect everything. Use good passwords. Stay off unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Keep your home network safe with good passwords. Don't click on that link from that Saudi princess looking for your help. Don't flash your new tech all over the train. Get security software if you feel you need it. Keep your stuff away from the FBI. Importantly, don't put anything on your phone or other device that is so sensitive that you never want anyone to see it. Assume worst-case scenario. Assume it will be compromised. And, more than anything, keep on your toes. Be aware. Make sure your stuff is as safe as can be. That's about all you can do. "Safety is a process," Siciliano says. "Working in a factory, you don't just all the sudden be safe and take your safety glasses off and your hardhat off. You're in a factory. It's an ongoing process of being safe. "It's the same thing with technology. There's always going to be someone that wants more access, for whatever reason. Because they're just curious or inventive or they're a criminal or they just want to be able to profit. There's no such thing as 100 percent safety or security, ever. And there never will be." So it's time to change-up that passcode again and get rid of those embarrassing selfies. And do it quickly. Before the FBI shows up. Now Thats Interesting No one knows yet how Cellebrite, at the behest of the FBI, got into San Bernardino shooter Syed Farooks iPhone. The most likely way may have been exploiting a hole in the phones operating system, as many online videos purport to show. But there are physical ways, too, including re-setting memory chips so a hacker can have several tries to find the right passcode. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which touts itself as the worlds largest technical professional society, suggests five ways it might have been done. "Nepal should not get carried away by certain neighbours like Chinese who are having problems with India," Bhadoria said New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria on Sunday slammed Nepal for amendments made in their citizenship law for Indians, saying that Kathmandu should not get carried away by China's influence and continue its friendly ties with New Delhi. "I must underline this fact that Nepal should not get carried away by certain neighbours like Chinese who are having problems with India for quite some time and recently as well. Therefore, I think Nepal should resist from taking a partisan role. It should continue with friendly relations with India," Bhadoria told ANI. "As far as the Indo-Nepal relations are concerned. Our countries have a good relationship for a long time. I think Nepal and India should both sit down and resolve the issues," Bhadoria added. Hours before issuing a diplomatic statement on India-China border dispute, Nepal on Saturday changed its citizenship laws for Indians. While confirming the news, Nepal's Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa went on to cite India's citizenship rules to justify the amendments the Nepalese govt has brought. Thapa announced that as per the new rule, any Indian girl marrying a Nepalese citizen will have to wait for a minimum seven years to get citizenship. Bang Ji-hwan, right, head of the National Medical Center, speaks during a press briefing at the medical center building in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap Gov't to restrict visas, flights from Pakistan, Bangladesh By Bahk Eun-ji Medical experts recommended on Sunday that health authorities consider reducing the isolation period for COVID-19 patients because the virus is found to be highly contagious only in the early stages. "The risk of transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was greatest usually during the second week of illness. However, transmission of COVID-19 is greatly reduced after a few days of the onset. It means COVID-19 patients do not have to be isolated for a long period like MERS patients," said Bang Ji-hwan, head of the National Medical Center's central clinical committee which is composed of medical attendants who have been treating COVID-19 patients. The committee also announced revised health guidelines for COVID-19, and said the authorities could save hospital beds and other resources by doing so. For a virus patient to be released, they currently should test negative for the virus twice in a row after symptoms stop. The committee said the World Health Organization (WHO) is also allowing patients to be released from hospital if they do not show symptoms for more than three days after being treated for more than 10 days after the onset. Considering that domestic patients have been quarantined for nearly four weeks on average, the length of hospitalization can be reduced by one-third just by easing the criteria for disconnection, Bang recommended. Des combattants separatistes archives Armed rebel, general Obi Wilfred Obi who led the Manyu Ghost Warriors was reportedly killed Friday, June 19. According to open sources, the one who led his peers to fight for a breakaway state called Ambazonia was crushed by soldiers in Mkpot village, a precinct in Eyumojock Subdivision. General Obi Wilfred Obi of Mkpot Village, Commander of Manyu Ghost Warriors, was hit by a CARINA E vehicle belonging to soldiers on Friday, June 19, 2020, Cameroon News Agency reported. He was being followed after he attended a funeral. He left on a motorbike; eight of the soldiers were inside two of the cars. One car hit him around a hill called Eyang, Ashum village in Manyu division. They stepped down and hit him severally before he gave up the ghost. His bike was set on fire. There was no exchange of gunshots. Obi is said to be the second Ambazonia General killed after attending a funeral ceremony, the first being General Amigo in Boyo Division neutralised on his way from a funeral. Obi is believed to have been behind the killing of one of the drivers of late Mamfe Mayor Ashu Prisley Ojong. The driver was shot and killed at Eyang by armed men, Wednesday May 6, 2020. On May 10, armed separatists shot a bullet through the head of Mamfe Mayor Ojong. Authorities said he was murdered in cold blood by a group of secessionist terrorists in an ambush laid by these criminals, surprisingly at a time when they are rather expected to be laying down their weapons as it has been announced persistently by numerous facilitators. Indeed, the now late Mayor was on his way to a scheduled meeting at Eshobi village, some eight kilometers from Mamfe town. He received a bullet on the head fired by the enemy using an automatic weapon of the AK47 brand and died on the spot. In the same vein, two elements of the defense forces who were escorting the Mayor were also severely wounded and immediately rushed to the Mamfe District Hospital for emergency medical assistance, said Bernard Okalia Bilai, Governor of the South-West region. It is not known if Obi was the one who led the assassination. But in the wake of the murder of the Mayor, traditionalists in the area activated their magical powers against the armed groups. They warned that armed separatists and their accomplices were going to die if they failed to repent. License plates from U.S. states like Nevada and Colorado were spotted near Banff National Park over the past week. RCMP have issued seven tickets to U.S. residents over the past week. There are legitimate reasons for the presence of a U.S. resident or a U.S.-plated vehicle in Canada amidst the pandemic, but stopping to see sights is not one of them. (Submitted/Helen Pike/CBC) Alberta RCMP issued seven tickets to Americans who stopped in Banff National Park to see the sights last week despite rules observed by the Canada Border Services Agency. "If individuals have been allowed to enter Canada for an essential purpose, they have to abide by the requirements provided to them by the CBSA," said RCMP Cpl. Deanna Fontaine. Non-essential travel between Canada and the United States is currently prohibited. The closure is currently scheduled to end July 21, though that date could be extended. Under current rules, Americans may come through Canada to get home or get to work in Alaska, but they must travel along a direct path. When they need to stop for food or rest stops, they must maintain distance away from the public as much as possible. Seven tickets Fontaine said at least six of the seven tickets issued last week were related to Americans who had stopped for long periods of time to go hiking in Banff National Park. Each of the tickets was issued under the Alberta Health Act at a rate of $1,200 each. RCMP have received other complaints from residents after seeing U.S. plates in the area, Fontaine said, but noted that it is up to the discretion of each individual officer to determine whether a stop in Canada is appropriate along their route of transit. There are also legitimate reasons for the presence of a U.S. resident or a U.S.-plated vehicle in Canada amidst the pandemic, Fontaine said. "In the park, we do have U.S. citizens who have been there since before the pandemic started," Fontaine said. "And that's not an issue. People have a right to live in peace." CBSA rules According to a CBSA representative, travellers seeking to transit through Canada to Alaska will be required to substantiate their purpose for travel. Should their trip be deemed unnecessary, or purely discretionary, they will be denied entry. "Should an officer have any doubts with regards to the traveller's intended purpose, the traveller will be required to prove/substantiate their purpose of travel," said Louis-Carl Brissette Lesage, a spokesperson with the CBSA, in an email to CBC News. Story continues Brissette Lesage said providing false information to officers upon entry is considered misrepresentation and has consequences, including possibly being denied entry or being banned from returning to Canada. Failure to comply with restrictions could lead to up to $750,000 in fines and imprisonment of up to six months, Brissette Lesage said. Asked about the reports of tourists showing up in Banff National Park on June 12, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said a number of measures are in place and officials will continue to spot check. Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press "There will be cases where people do not do it and we believe that that's an irresponsible thing to do. We're largely satisfied that most people follow the requirements that are put in place," he said. "We cannot guarantee 100 per cent that everybody is going to do it and we are to some extent assuming good faith on the part of people at this point in time." Fontaine said the priority of RCMP was to educate travellers and ensure that those who need to quarantine are aware of the requirements. "I'm not confident in saying that this is a trend," Fontaine said. "This is not something that is being dealt with proactively, it's something that's being dealt with reactively." The death of several black men have raises suspicions that there was foul play, but the family of Malcolm Harsch accepts he committed suicide. Recently, two black men were found hanging on trees, about 50 miles from each other. They were hung 10 days apart in the state of California with speculations foul play. One of the families on Friday, the family of Harsch has accepted that he was killed in suicide, reported in CNN. However, some protestors are interpreting the death as something more, despite the family's desire to keep quiet. A spokesman of the family members of Malcolm Harsch spoke to CNN, adding that he committed suicide, according to Najee Ali, who represented them. He said that the Victorville Police Department officials have new evidence regarding his case, adding that the family wants to thank the public for their support. Cases of Malcolm Harsch and Robert L. Fuller were subject to the investigation by the Department of Justice and the FBI. These agencies are looking for other loopholes and connections that can link their deaths on the dates, when Fuller was found after the Harsch hanging. Another is when Harsch was hanging on May 31 in Victorville, and the other at Palmdale about 10 days apart. One protestor makes an unverified and nonsensical conclusion that both deaths are connected to the protest. Unfortunately, the protestor's claims are unfound and biased, confirmed Time. Fears of foul play or claims by parties to subvert these separate hangings were negated. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said that no foul play was found with Harsch's death. This was further proven by a video obtained by detectives from video in a vacant building, near where he committed suicide. These were shown to the family of Malcolm at their request. Also read: NYPD Cops Strike on July 4 to Let NYC Be 'Cop-Free' for Independence Day But the forensic pathologist has checked for any more indicators of foul play, the toxicology tests are getting checked to see if there is zero foul play to support the footage, according to the department's report, cited in Kten. Circumstances of Harsch Hanging According to dispatchers, a call from an unknown female was answered on May 31 at exactly 7:07 a.m. She said her boyfriend Harsh had hung himself. They added that Harsch was in a homeless camp when he took his own life. When emergency personnel got there, they tried for 20 minutes to resuscitate Malcolm according to the procedure but he died on the spot. This was verified by Victorville police spokeswoman Sue Jones when the incident happened. All attempts to save his life did not succeed. Furthermore, all the investigators were unified in declaring no foul play in the Harsh's passing. On June 12, an autopsy cleared no foul play. Robert Fuller hang himself He was found hanging on June 10 and it was tagged as an alleged suicide. Despite it, the LA Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas recommended to check if suicide is consistent with autopsy results. He added that hanging as suicide is common, and in public, the Friday autopsy will reveal everything. More evidence is needed to rule suicide, verified in KMOV4. All evidence for the case of Malcolm Harsch points to suicide. They want privacyas they mourn his passing. Related article: Half-Brother of Robert Fuller Who Was Found Hanging on Tree, Shot Dead by a Deputy @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Guest books at pubs and restaurants that may help trace customers if there is a coronavirus outbreak linked to a premises are a possibility in Northern Ireland. But until final guidance is crafted by the Executive, likely following the lead from London this week, it is not something that is definite, said Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Sunday said the use of guest books is being considered in England. Guidelines for bars to reopen here, initially on July 3 for those serving food and for outside table service for drinks only, are likely to be revealed early this week after the UK Government announces its plans. One of the guidelines most keenly anticipated by the hospitality industry is over the decision on whether there will be a one or two-metre distancing requirement within bars and restaurants. Pub owners argue it will be impossible for many operators to stay open under a two-metre policy. Drinkers at pubs and bars in England may have to leave their names and contact details in a guest book so they can be swiftly traced if they come into contact with a punter who tests positive for coronavirus, according to reports. Mr Neill said that is a possibility here, but it is not something that is included in his organisation's proposed guidelines, which are at an advanced stage. "It is something that could be done," Mr Neill added. The industry representative said whatever the UK Government lays down, either today or tomorrow, will likely inform the guidance from the Executive. Apart from the social distancing rule, the industry is also keen for a date to be set to reopen non-food bars, which may be as early as July 4 in England and Wales. The Republic has pencilled in July 20 for the opening of all premises. Officials in England are understood to be looking at the guest book measure in order to fulfil the ambition of reopening the hospitality sector as early as July 4 and to aid the NHS test and trace programme. Diners leaving their contact details at restaurants when making reservations could also play a role in helping tracers track down possible cases so they can self-isolate for 14 days. Mr Hancock also said customers will be encouraged to order drinks through apps. Bars are already preparing for reopening ahead of receiving any detailed advice and guidance from the Executive and health agencies. Paul Blaney, owner of the Parador Lodge on the Ormeau Road in Belfast, has installed screens between tables among other measures, including non-touch hand sanitiser dispensers and a one-way system throughout the bar, including to and from the toilets. Mr Blaney said he particularly wants his older customers, some of them isolated in care homes or sheltered housing for months, to be comfortable and feel safe to return. Other bar owners have questioned the wisdom of increased table service as staff will be moving constantly from the bar to tables, and between customers. They are also wondering about the decision to open again on a Friday rather than on a Monday or other weekday, which it is argued would allow staff to prepare better instead of being thrown in to a potential weekend rush. Fifty-five percent of likely voters believe presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden is in the early stages of dementia, according to a Zogby poll released Wednesday. President Donald Trump has consistently ridiculed Biden over his verbal gaffes and memory lapses and portrayed him as an old man who would be committed to a retirement home if he were to be elected. "They are going to put him in a home and other people are going to be running the country," Trump said in early March during a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Sleepy Joe," Trump added, "he doesn't even know where he is or what he's doing or what office he's running for. Honestly, I don't think he knows what office he's running for." Biden's age, 77, has been a consistent source of discussion during the 2020 campaign. The Zogby poll found majorities of Republicans and independents thought Biden had early onset dementia, while nearly a third of Democrats thought this was the case. The voters most likely to believe Biden was having cognitive issues were staunch Trump supporters. Zogby conducted polling at shopping checkout and found that the results on the topic of Biden being more or less likely to have dementia were as follows; weekly Walmart Shoppers (64% more likely/36% less likely), weekly Amazon shoppers (67% more likely/34% less likely), and union voters (71% more likely/29% less likely). MBABANE Technically, the lockdown ended on Friday. However, Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini announced last night in a press statement that the partial lockdown remained in force. He said a declaration in accordance with Section 29 of the Disaster Management Act, 2006, has been re-issued. He did not attach the Declaration to the press release. Instead, the prime minister mentioned that details would be released in due course. He then appealed to the public to continue observing all the partial lockdown measures and to adhere to health guidelines and protocols provided by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO). Government wishes to announce that the partial lockdown aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 remains in force, stated the prime minister. Sipho Gumedze, a senior human rights and constitutional attorney, said the premier should have issued a Gazette to extend the partial lockdown. We dont work with press releases, he advised. He advised that Dlaminis announcement on the extension of the partial lockdown should be informed by an instrument. The attorney pointed out that the Disaster Management Act should have been read carefully and applied on time, to avoid a situation whereby emaSwati would punch holes in the manner in which the partial lockdown was being extended to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Henry du Pont, the President of the Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC), called for respect of social partners whenever regulations on Covid-19 were made. not understandable Du Pont said some of the regulations were not understandable yet they had the mandate to operate businesses that contribute to the economy of the country and livelihood of emaSwati. We respect the prime minister, but we also ask him to respect us, he said. He said businesspeople did not exist by mistake, but were part and parcel of the beautiful Kingdom of Eswatini. Bheki Mamba, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) said the prime minister appeared uncertain and fearing to come out to declare governments position on the rising numbers of people with the coronavirus. He said Dlamini should make a comprehensive statement on the numbers is government incapable of handling them in the face of limited resources or the public should calm down as everything is under control? Mamba pointed out that Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre and Lubombo Referral Hospital would need additional human resource that would stretch the already strained health system. He said Eswatini did not have enough medicine, personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits. country lacks capacity to test all people At worse, he said the country lacked capacity to test all people. Due to limited resources, the president mentioned that nurses were of the view that the nation should revert to lockdown so that government and stakeholders could re-strategise for purposes of flattening the curve. As it stands, the public is alarmed at the rising cases of the coronavirus, he said. By 8pm yesterday, the country had recorded 627 cases of the coronavirus, 285 recoveries and five deaths. According to Section 29 which the premier cited in his press release, when a disaster event is threatening, the prime minister may determine whether the event qualifies as a disaster in terms of this Act. consultation If it does qualify, the prime minister in consultation with the minister responsible for disaster management (Deputy Prime Minister) shall - (a) Assess the magnitude and severity or potential magnitude and severity of the disaster and (b) Classify the disaster as a national or regional disaster and declare a national or regional emergency in accordance with subsections (4); (2) When assessing the magnitude and severity or potential magnitude and severity of a disaster, the prime minister may enlist the assistance of an independent assessor to evaluate the disaster on site; (3) A disaster classified in terms of subsection (1) (b) as a national or regional disaster may at any time be reclassified by the prime minister if the magnitude and severity of potential magnitude and severity of the disaster is greater or lesser than the initial assessment. (4) A disaster is a regional disaster if it affects any region and the region concerned is able to deal with it effectively. Those in the know said the premier was likely to invoke section 29 (3) and (7) to extend the partial lockdown. Reads subsection 7: the duration of a national emergency may be extended by declaration under subsection (1) for further period not exceeding one month in each case. It is mentioned in subsection 6 that a declaration of a national emergency shall come into force immediately it is made on unless earlier revoked, shall continue in force for a period specified in the declaration, not exceeding two months. Four terrorists, including a Pakistani national, were killed in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and Kulgam districts during the past 24 hours, a senior police official said on Sunday. Among the slain terrorists was Shakoor Farooq Langoo who, according to police records, was involved in the killing of two Border Security Force personnel in Soura area on May 20 this year. An AK rifle snatched from one of the BSF jawans was recovered from the site of the encounter. Acting on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in Zoonimar area of district Srinagar, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and CRPF, the official said. "During the search operation, repeated appeals to surrender were made to the hiding terrorists through their families and community members of the area, but they started firing indiscriminately upon the search party, which retaliated leading to an encounter," he said. The official said in the ensuing gunfight, three terrorists were killed and their bodies retrieved from the site of the encounter. "Two of the slain terrorists have been identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo from Barthana in Srinagar and Shahid Ahmad Bhat of Semthan in Bijbehara. The identification of the other slain terrorist is yet to be ascertained," he said. Mobile internet services have been suspended in view of the operation. The official said the three slain terrorists were affiliated to proscribed terror outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir. Security force have eliminated 31 terrorists in June while 105 ultras have been been killed this year so far. The official said the Srinagar operation came within 24 hours of the killing of a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist in Kulgam district on Saturday. "The killed terrorist was identified as Tayab Waleed @ Imran Bhai @ Gazi Baba, a Pakistani national affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM," he added. According to police records, the slain ultra was an "operational commander" of the JeM and an expert in making IEDs besides being a sharpshooter. All photographs: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com TDT |Manama Bahrains decision to dedicate a day to honour the often unsung heroes in the society, the doctors, is being cheered worldwide. Congratulating HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the move yesterday was the Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The WHO supremo in a tweet expressed his pride in joining Bahrains celebration to honour doctors who are very much on the frontline in fighting the pandemic. He wrote, Congratulations HRH PM Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the initiative to mark annually Bahraini Doctors Day in November. @WHO welcomes Bahrains appreciation of #healthworkers & efforts to fight #COVID19. Dr Ghebreyesus said the decision to honour and recognise health professionals and their strenuous efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will herald a better future for humanity. As decided earlier, HRH the Prime Minister, each year, on the first Wednesday of November, will award outstanding Bahraini practitioners in the medical therapeutic and research fields for their precious care to the humanity. The decision announced during a Cabinet meeting said the award will carry the name of HRH the Prime Minister. Bahrains move to honour doctors was also hailed by WHOs Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari. In a statement, Dr Al-Mandhari called the initiative a generous gesture reflecting the Premiers great appreciation of the sacrifices of medical professionals and health workers in the service of humanity. The decision, he said, will yield positive results in Bahrain and serve as a catalyst for the entire region. WHO supports the initiative considering the positive impact it will have on doctors and health professionals and in the development of the therapeutic and medical research fields, he said adding, HRH the PMs support to the initiative is of particular importance, especially as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic. On this note, Dr Al-Mandhari also commended Bahrains support to the World Health Organisation (WHO), particularly in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. He said Bahrain is known for its successes in the medical and health care field thanks to the commendable efforts the government is exerting to strengthen the health and treatment system. Dr Al-Mandhari further expressed confidence that the move will contribute to enhancing confidence in doctors of Bahrain, motivate and encourage them to bring more excellence in their noble mission. Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) Employees of the Quezon City government who worked during the city's enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period will be prioritized for COVID-19 testing, the mayor said Sunday. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that while the city government wanted to test all of its employees for the disease, the amended guidelines of the inter-agency task force have discouraged it to avoid the depletion of available test kits and testing resources. We will maximize all available resources within the bounds of the guidelines issued by the national government, Belmonte said. Uunahin muna natin ang ating mga tauhan na pumasok noong ECQ dahil mas malaki ang tsansa na silay maaring na-expose sa virus, she added. [Translation: We will first test our staff who went to work during ECQ because there is a greater chance they were exposed to the virus.] Quezon City officials said they will test their employees from June 22 to 26 in a site within the city hall compound. Based on the guidelines released by the citys COVID-19 community-based testing, employees who were involved in social amelioration program payouts and packing of relief goods will be prioritized for testing. They said staff members who were physically present during the ECQ, including personnel from the Office of the City Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, Business Permits Licensing Department, City Treasurers Office, Tourism, Assessors Office, City Architects Department, Department of Building Official and Engineering Department, will also be given priority. Others who will be given priority include employees of the City Health Department (CHD), Quezon City Medical Center, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD), Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD), Transport and Traffic Management Taskforce, Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), General Services Department (GSD), Social Services and Development Department (SSDD), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), and Radio Communications Service. Meanwhile, employees of other departments who were not on duty during the enhanced community quarantine will be tested depending on the availability of test kits. According to the Quezon City government, employees covered by the guidelines will be required to submit a digital Self-Assessment Form from its health department through email to avoid close contact and ensure ease of processing. The CHD, headed by Dr. Esperanza Arias, will review and assess the forms submitted by the employees. Employees must ensure that their declared mobile number on the form is reachable, in case of clarifying matters and follow-up assessment, Arias said in a statement. Arias said employees who test positive for IgM anti-bodies through the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) will be required to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for confirmation. "All personnel tested positive to IgM+ on RDT and symptomatic must undergo mandatory quarantine, either through home isolation or in one of the HOPE Community Caring Facilities, while waiting for the PCR result," Arias said. Symptomatic employees will immediately undergo RT-PCR testing without RDT, she added. Belmonte assured government employees that time spent under quarantine of personnel will not be deducted from their sick leave. Arunkumar Huralimath By Express News Service KUMTA: If you dare disturb a leaf or a blade of grass or take a small twig from this forest, you will face the wrath of the villagers guarding it.Halkar, a small village near Kumta town of Uttara Kannada district, is surrounded by the forest. The villagers manage the forest. The community generates income from the designated forest from its products like timber and non-timber. At the same time they conserve the ecosystem, soil, stream and other things in the forest. After realising the importance of locals in protecting the forest, the forest department supported it. Interestingly, when compared to other forest patches which are protected by the forest department, Halkar forest is very thick and green. There are varieties of trees from firewood to precious wood to fruits in the forest. The Village Forest Panchayat (VFP) of Halkar, comprising nine elected members from different castes apart from four nominated women members, fiercely guards the forest. Villagers cleaning the forest path in Halakar Though the revenue land of the village comes under Holanagadde Gram Panchayat limits, the 219 acres of forest comes under VFP.Shantaram B Harikantra, VFP secretary, says, In 1924, the British Government made the VFP and gave power to the villagers to manage and conserve the forest. A British colonel visited Uttara Kannada and he saw the villagers fetching fodder for their livestock and collecting firewood. At the same time, he also saw that the villagers had taken the responsibility of protecting the same forest. He recommended an act to invest powers in the VFP. Under the Indian Forest Act, 165 VFPs were formed in Uttara Kannada district. Of these, 13 are in Kumta taluk. They have been following the Bombay Forest Act till date. But in the 1980s the forest department overruled it and closed all VFPs. Questioning the government decision, Halkar and Murur VFPs went to court, and after a 10-year-legal battle, villagers were successful in getting back their powers over the forests. In the recent years, Murur VFP failed to operate successfully and the forest department is taking care of their forest. But Halkar VFP has been successfully managing, maintaining and conserving the forest. Only authenticated villagers can access the forest to get fodder. The VFP will provide firewood to the villagers annually by charging a minimum amount. Old trees, cashew, mango and other fruits are auctioned every year. There is a rule that only persons from that village can participate in the tender. The one who bags the contract can supply to other village and towns. To access the forest, villagers have to obtain a pass from the panchayat by paying Rs 30 annual fee.The annual fee and the auction of forest byproducts are the main revenue source to the panchayat and the money is deposited in a bank. The villagers have made big trenches around the 219 acres of forest so that thieves cannot cut and carry trees. The trenches also act as rainwater conservation units. Water can be seen in the trenches till February. Nagappa Harikantra, a villager, said, Compared to other villages who live on the fringes of the forest, we are happy to be part of the forest. To study Halkars success story, researchers and scholars from various states in the country and also from Denmark and Japan visited the village. Keeping the trees safe The villagers have made big trenches around the 219 acres of forest so that thieves cannot cut and carry trees. The trenches also act as rainwater conservation units. Water can be seen in the trenches till February Security forces have been accused of disrupting the economy through the chaotic implementation of Covid-19 lockdown regulations after they forced the closure of Bulawayo businesses without notice last week. Armed soldiers and police last Tuesday forced people out of Bulawayos central business district (CBD). The following day they restricted entry into Kwekwes CBD, amid claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwas spokesperson George Charamba that a decision had been made to restrict peoples movement after authorities received intelligence that the opposition was plotting protests. There were also reports of police and soldiers manning roadblocks restricting entry into Harare CBD, even for people that had authorisation letters. On June 17, the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) wrote to Labour minister Paul Mavima complaining about the conduct of the police and soldiers deployed to enforce the lockdown. This letter serves to express our concern as business with respect to the disruption that is being caused to operations as a result of actions of security forces at roadblocks and checkpoints particularly in urban centres, read the letter. The letter, signed by Emcoz president Israel Murefu, claimed police and soldiers had been turning away workers at roadblocks, forcing business to close down. We wish to put it on record that the conduct of security forces, which prima facie, do not appear to be in accordance with known Covid-19 lockdown regulations, is causing serious disruptions to business operations, read the letter. A recent survey by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic is weighing down on Zimbabwes productive sector, amid warnings that some manufacturing companies are on the brink of collapse. Low production and over-reliance on imports are haunting the countrys economy and weighed down the local currency. Murefu said the continued disruptions would have a negative effect on the economy. You would be aware that both the minister of Finance (Muthuli Ncube) and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor (John Mangudya) are on record making the observation that our biggest problem leading to the current poor economic performance is lack of production or low utilisation, the letter added. The failure of workers to report for duty as well as the failure of business to open in some urban centres as a result of workers failing to report for duty is actually exacerbating the problem. Nearly 30 years ago, video coverage of the violent beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers was the first such incident to go viral, clearly showing those who took an oath to protect and serve abusing that oath in plain view for the entire world to see. The video highlighted how black men are often treated by white police officers, bringing national attention, once again, to race relations in this country. Back then, many in government, the legal profession, and throughout other areas of American society, pledged to look at police reform and the racial disparities that exist between blacks and whites in America. Since that time, we have seen similar videos and countless stories of police brutality: Samuel DuBose, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Breonna Taylor, Keith Scott, Aiyana Jones, Philando Castile, Botham Jean, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, George Floyd, to name only a few. These deaths have spurred memorials, rallies and other community actions, yet have only captured the publics attention for as long as the media cover them. Prior to most of these deaths being captured on video, there were too many pictures to count showing black people (mostly black men) being lynched by whites, often with crowds of whites as onlookers. In 1963, Bull Connor, a Birmingham, Ala., public safety commissioner, ordered police dogs released on 2,000 black high school children peacefully marching for civil and equal rights, and then jailed them. In 1921 in Tulsa, Okla., an entire black community was destroyed by white mobs, simply because this was an independent and thriving black community. In 1619, the first blacks were held captive and shipped from Africa to the Jamestown colony in Virginia, commencing the North American slave trade. Traveling in the bottom of slave ships, these human beings were forced to live for months crammed together, shackled, without adequate food. Many became sick, died, and were thrown overboard to be fed to sharks. Once in America, those who survived the voyage and their descendants endured four centuries of slavery and oppression, being treated as anything but human, often beaten in public, separated from and not allowed to have families, forced into unpaid, and now, underpaid labor. This barbaric and unequal treatment of blacks was allowed to flourish, protected and promoted by law and policy. Institutionalized racism is not caught on video, but it has persisted and is evident in the daily actions of individuals, institutions, businesses and, most importantly, by our government. These laws and policies pertain to every area of our existence, and have and continued to oppress black people and other people of color (as well as women). Federal, state and local laws institutionalize racism, especially in housing, education, employment and access to capital. These laws and policies not only allow government to structurally sanction white dominance; these laws support the private sector in its established way of operating, which leads to and supports structural racism in government. The bylaws, practices and principles of the private sector give cover to its lack of hiring blacks, gives discretion to job mobility and covers up unequal firing of blacks. Historical data and statistics prove these points when you overlay race with structural, institutionalized racism in the laws of this country and the bylaws upon which the private sector operates. Data from the past 50 years show the small number of black elected officials, lawyers, educators, union executives, private business owners and executives, CEOs of organizations, decision makers of every segment within our society. Conversely, data from the past 50 years show disparate health care, incarceration rates, home and property ownership, access to capital/loan ratios, dropout rates in schools and admission rates to institutions of higher education for black Americans. All this information is regularly updated, and yet the numbers do not improve year over year. Jungho Kim / Special to The Chronicle While all this information is not captured by way of photo or video daily, it is documented. We all know it, we witness it, we participate in protecting it, and continue the institutionalization of structural racism in this country. Black people are waiting to see how the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minnesota is really going to make a difference this time with respect to relations in this country between whites and blacks. We must prove this is not just another short-lived news story. All have heard the phrase if you see something, say something. Now is the time to shine a light on the everyday instances of racism. In this moment, as people, we must reach out to each other across race and spend time listening, hearing and learning the stories of people who dont look like us; the history of how blacks came to be here, how we live now; and use this time to reflect on how, personally, we must change the way we live together in this country when the cameras are not rolling. Black America continues to wait and see if things will be different this time. Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson represents the Fifth District, which includes Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont and parts of Oakland (North Oakland, Rockridge, Grand Lake, Fruitvale and Dimond District neighborhoods). He currently serves as vice president of the Board of Supervisors. Photo: Getty Images B.C.s government is handing COVID-19 border screening work over to Ottawa, effective Saturday (June 20). The measures, which were begun in April, helped ensure British Columbians returning from international trips had support needed to manage self-isolation plans while working to halt infection spread. While B.C. implemented screening measures for those arriving from abroad early in the pandemic, Ottawa has been refining its own enhanced screening measures for those arriving from international destinations, including the United States, to a B.C. port of entry. From April 10 to June 15, B.C. processed more than 72,400 passengers arriving at the Vancouver Airport or at 17 land border crossings into B.C. More than 26,100 follow-up calls have been completed to check in on progress with those self-isolating. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said June 16 limits would remain on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States will continue until at least July 21. Efforts have been made to allow reunification of families separated by the border. Since provincial screening began, B.C. has quarantined 142 people for a two-week period, or until their self-isolation plan was deemed adequate, the government said. Anyone arriving in Canada must now document their self-isolation plans, for example through the ArriveCan app, a provincial government news release said. The federal government will continue to ensure those arriving in B.C. with or without symptoms are self-isolating for 14 days, per the federal Quarantine Act. Said Premier John Horgan, The work to put these processes in place in such a short amount of time has been extraordinary, and this would not have been possible if it weren't for the co-operation and collaboration of the federal government, the Vancouver Airport Authority and our network of public safety partners. The evolution of federally led border measures has allowed the B.C. public service to step back from border screenings and redeploy our resources to best limit the spread of COVID-19 in British Columbia, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said. While Ottawa takes over generally, B.C. will continue measures for temporary foreign workers arriving for seasonal farm work. They will be required to self-isolate in government-funded accommodations near the airport for 14 days prior to being transported to farms throughout B.C. During their self-isolation period, the province conducts screening for symptoms, and Service BC conducts check-in calls with each worker during their stay. All temporary foreign workers will be screened prior to leaving self-isolation to go to worksites. Once on the farms, workers continue to self-monitor and are monitored for symptoms by their employer. Ottawa took an active role in repatriating Canadians abroad at the pandemics start, transporting many to a central quarantine site at CFB Trenton. That included Canadians from Wuhan, China and the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The Department of Health and Human Services has neither spent nor detailed how it plans to spend $8 billion out of a $25 billion pot to be used for stemming the viruss spread through diagnostic and antibody testing and contact tracing, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) charge. The funds were provided as part of the fourth pandemic relief bill passed by Congress at the end of April. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned overseas aid officials to expect their budget to be slashed by 3 billion, The Mail on Sunday understands. Mr Raab, set to take over responsibility for aid in a controversial Government shake-up, issued the budget warning in a private conversation last week. Government sources last night blamed the pandemic for the forecast cut, pointing out that the aid budget was automatically linked to the size of the economy. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned overseas aid officials to expect their budget to be slashed by 3 billion But the move comes amid anger from some leading Tories at Boris Johnsons surprise announcement last week that he was merging the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Prime Minister coupled his announcement with the claim that for too long frankly UK overseas aid has been treated as some giant cashpoint in the sky that arrives without any reference to UK interests. Mr Raab is understood to have seen projections suggesting a huge 20 per cent contraction in the UK economy as a result of the pandemic. Aid spending is fixed at 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) and currently runs at about 15 billion a year. But the Foreign Secretary is understood to have warned colleagues that would fall to 12 billion on existing projections. The move comes amid anger from some leading Tories at Boris Johnsons surprise announcement last week that he was merging the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office The departmental shake-up was met with protests from former Tory PM David Cameron and Andrew Mitchell, an ex-International Development Minister. Mr Mitchell told The Times yesterday: Ive had messages from people all over the world who are shaking their heads in disbelief at this utterly self-inflicted act of vandalism. All their comments are in sorrow not in anger at the huge damage to our influence in the world this is going to do. I am quite certain that this is a very regressive and retrograde step. A Government spokesman said last night: The UK is committed to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on development. This means the aid budget increases when the UK economy grows and decreases if the economy shrinks. Nigel Farage, the U.K. Brexit Party leader, was photographed attending President Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday despite a ban on people from Britain entering the U.S. due to the coronavirus pandemic. The big picture: A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the Independent Farage was initially denied boarding of his flight to the U.S., but he was permitted after a review because his visit was deemed to be "in the national interest" of the U.S. Trump and Farage are friends and the president said last year the Brexit Party leader should be negotiating with the European Union on the U.K. exit from Europe because he's "very smart." Farage did not respond to Axios' request for comment. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Flashback: Trump makes big pro-Brexit intervention to Nigel Farage in U.K. election President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on H-1B and L1 visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. "We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas," he told Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. "You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very ... China has sent another batch of medical supplies and equipment to Armenia, as reported on the Facebook page of Commandant for the state of emergency in Armenia Tigran Avinyan. On June 20, another batch of the following medical supplies and equipment was sent from China to Armenia via the fourth flight organized by the Commandants Office: Oxygen delivery devices and concentrators Ventilators Clean air supply devices Face masks and medical outerwear Coronavirus diagnosis tests Pulse oximeters Most items of the batch were obtained at the expense of state funds of the Republic of Armenia. VIR acts as a powerful bridge between the business community and policymakers Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc required the Ministry of Industry and Trade to find ways to accelerate the construction of power plants in the country. Interestingly, PM Phuc made the order after he read a story in Dau tu, the Vietnamese-language sister to VIR. The story was about difficulties in implementing power projects in Vietnam, especially in the context that the whole country is suffering from power shortages impacting peoples livelihoods and businesses performance. Last week, PM Phuc also asked a number of ministries to find solutions to deal with a rise in waterway accidents, after he read about the situation in the first five months of the year in local media. In the governments Resolution No.84/NQ-CP released two weeks ago on tasks and solutions to remove enterprises difficulties, boost public investment, and ensure social order, the prime minister highlighted the role of the press in socio-economic development. Accordingly, he asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to combine with the Party Central Committees Information and Education Commission and other ministries to direct press agencies to distribute more information on the national fight against COVID-19 and the protection of peoples health. The press has also been required to publish information about the government and the prime ministers solutions on supporting enterprises and people, ensuring social order, and beefing up public investment disbursement. Moreover, press agencies will also be supported by the state budget in 2020 to do this task, according to Resolution 84. Over the past 95 years, the press has contributed to socio-economic development, with a particularly strong development of the business community. For example, Do Van Ve, deputy general director of Huong Sen Group in the northern province of Thai Binh, pointed out that Vietnams doi moi had been made possible partly by journalists. In 1981, after Ve and his friends established a private company in Thai Binh, the companys success was mentioned in some newspapers. Such articles made our company well-known nationwide, because at that time the private sector had not yet been developed. Then, my company was visited by thousands of people who wanted to learn from our experience so that they could establish their own companies, he said. After that, many private enterprises were established in Thai Binh and in other localities. Without journalists, Huong Sen should not have been able to develop into the group it is now, he stressed. The year 1990 saw the promulgation of the Law on Companies and the Law on Private-owned Enterprises, which were the first legal documents permitting establishment of private economic organisations, including limited liability and joint-stock companies, as well as privately-owned companies. Ves story is typical example for the strong connection between the media and enterprises in Vietnam. The media has been playing a great role in transporting information from enterprises to the government and policy makers, and vice versa, said Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Vu Tien Loc. In recent years, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has annually issued its Whitebook, with hundreds of pages covering the chambers policy proposals to the Vietnamese government, ministries, and agencies in a bid to help improve the countrys business and investment climate and protect the benefits of investors and enterprises. In order to be able to make such proposals, EuroCham has sourced different information not only from its hundreds of member companies, but also from other sources, such as reports from ministries, localities, and most importantly from the media. VIR is also among the newspapers that not only EuroCham but also many other domestic and foreign business associations have always been reading and using as a reliable source of information. Along with enterprises, the media is one of the official information channels for the government to conduct its socio-economic monitoring. Therefore, the media is acknowledged by the Vietnamese government as a critical tool showcasing the views of businesses on various issues, including the implementation of policies and guidelines, thus helping to improve state management quality. The media has also played an important part in helping the government in contributing to the governments adjustment of policies for state-owned enterprises and the acceleration of their equitisation and restructuring. In the National Assembly, many deputies have also used articles as part of their policy proposals to the legislature and the government. Moreover, the media has featured its pro-business voices, contributing to creating a more business-friendly climate in line with the Vietnamese governments great efforts to support the business community, in a bid to further enhance the economys growth and the nations international prestige. Who Benefits From The Death Of Fugitive Iran Judge Reza Haqiqatnezhad June 20, 2020 Judge Gholamreza Mansuri is now the prime figure in one of Iran's biggest ongoing financial corruption cases after he mysteriously fell from the 6th floor of a hotel in Bucharest and died on Friday June 19. He was defendant number nine in a corruption and bribery case in which the prime suspect is former deputy chief justice Akbar Tabari, with over twenty other suspects, eight of whom have fled Iran after Tabari's arrest. The case reached the upper echelons of the Islamic republic top officials. Mansouri was accused of taking a 500,000-euro bribe. In the meantime, lawyers working on behalf of press freedom watchdogs in Europe were trying to bring him to justice for illegally arresting, torturing and jailing dozens of Iranian journalists. But all that aside and regardless of the economic and security aspects of the case, the first question after Mansouri's death as the result of a likely murder or an unlikely suicide, is that who benefits most from his death? When the prosecutor in Iran said during the first session of Tabari's trial that Mansouri has left Iran after Tabari's arrest last year, it was clear that his exit from the country had been a coordinated escape. It appears that those who had spirited him out of Iran or those who benefitted from his exit, later encouraged Mansouri to give away some misleading information about his whereabouts and his willingness to return. They were trying to buy time so that they could direct events and the trial in the right direction in their own interest. But Mansouri's death makes it clear that they probably realized the best way to buy time was to eliminate the insider who knew too much. A Fugitive Linked to Mansouri Among the 20 or so suspects named in the case, the first one who has been linked to Mansouri is Hassan Najafi, the man who gave the 500,000 euros bribe. Najafi's whereabouts is also not known. Najafi is a well-known billionaire in Iran who is active in the petrochemical industry and construction business. Some of the controversy surrounding the case is about a major construction project he was running in the posh Lavasan region near Tehran. The project was estimated to be worth billions of dollars five years ago, encompassing at least one million square meters (247 acres) of land with residential zoning. Just the land was estimated to be worth $1.7 billion in 2016 by local officials; before the imposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018 which devalued Iran's currency. According to the Internet broadcaster Net TV, Najafi is a relative of Ali Akbar Nateq Nuri, a former Chief Inspector at the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Net TV has revealed that at one point the huge project was suspended by Vahid Haqanian, deputy for special affairs at Khamenei's office. However, work was resumed on the project upon intervention by - then - judiciary chief Sadeq Larijani. The names reveal that some senior regime managers are involved with and are linked to the corruption case. With the death of Mansouri, who was the Judge in Lavasan district and was in charge of making legal rulings in the real estate case according to the prosecutor, this part of the current corruption case will remain largely inconclusive in the eternal absence of the witness. Tabari, the Prime Suspect During the third session of the trial, one of the suspects said that he saw Judge Mansouri for the first time at Tabari's office. According to Iranian Judiciary officials, at Tabari's order, Mansouri followed the case of Lavasan real estate in a way that would benefit Hassan Najafi, suspect number 2 in this case. The ties between Mansouri and Tabari show that he was not only a link in the real estate corruption case. He was a judge in a significant position to further various cases as Tabari wanted them to be handled. Mansouri's death, effectively buries many of these cases. Sadeq Larijani, A Side Show So far, in the trial the role of former head of Judiciary, Sadeq Larijani has not been mentioned. However, during recent days, as Mansouri's name surfaced in the media, there have been many reports about the link between Larijani and Mansouri. The most important case in this connection is the one that is about Larijani's brother, Fazel, when he attempted to take a bribe in 2010. According to Iranian media reports, when the case was revealed, Sadeq Larijani appointed Mansouri as the judge in charge of the case. Mansouri cleared Fazel Larijani in the case. His appointment as the man in charge of his brother's case shows the extent of Larijani's trust in him. Meanwhile, in a 17 June report, Ensaf News website wrote that although Judge Mansouri was suspended in 2005 for two years on charges of financial corruption and land grabbing, when Sadeq Larijani became the chief justice, he appointed him as a Supreme Court Judge. Mansouri's death will also bury all the questions in this area. Intelligence Apparatus, the Suspect Behind the Scene After Mansouri's name and picture were published, dozens of Iran-based journalists revealed his involvement in the illegal arrests and persecution of dozens of Iranian journalists. Meanwhile, family members of Saeed Karimian, the manager of Iranian Gem TV in Turkey who was assassinated in Istanbul in 2012 said Mansouri had for some time taken them hostage and kept them under harsh conditions in a security prison." These cases show that Mansouri was not only a reliable insider in economic and financial cases, but he was also offering his loyal services to his superiors in security and intelligence cases inside and outside Iran. Iranian human rights activists and Reporters Without Borders were demanding his arrest and trial in Europe for rights violations. Now, with Mansouri's death, these cases cannot be investigated any further. His death has rid the Iranian intelligence and the regime of a widespread scandal. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/who -benefits-from-the-death-of- fugitive-iran-judge/30681467.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Having a lot more debt to deal with is likely to make the coming bankruptcies a bruising experience for unsecured creditors, who may include retirees with pensions or health benefits, vendors waiting to be paid, tort plaintiffs whose lawsuits are cut short and sometimes even current workers. If a company goes into bankruptcy with more secured debts than the value of its assets, the secured creditors including vulture investors who bought up the debt for a song can walk away with virtually everything. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired a review meeting to discuss the Covid-19 crisis in Delhi, a week after he held a series of meetings with top Delhi government officials, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and L-G Anil Baijal. After the meeting, the Aam Aadmi Party said that the state government is closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation in Delhi, following chief minister Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodias discussions on key strategies with the Union home minister this evening. Among other measures, contact tracing is likely to be scaled up in Delhi and medical infrastructure will also be strengthened in areas which have been badly hit by the coronavirus infection. Shah has been regularly holding meetings over the coronavirus health crisis in the national capital amid a sudden spike in the number of Covid-19 positive cases. Delhi on Saturday witnessed the highest single-day spike of 3,630 Covid-19 cases. The numbers, however, dipped a little with the capital city reporting 3,000 fresh Covid-19 cases on Sunday, according to latest health department data. ALSO READ | Amit Shah holds another crucial meeting on Delhis Covid-19 situation The health bulletin issued by the Delhi government indicated that there are 59,746 positive cases in the national capital. The Delhi chief minister, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, LG Anil Baijal and other health department officials attended the meeting via video conferencing. Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and health secretary Priti Sudan also participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal a day earlier said that treatment of Covid-19 patients have been made affordable in the national capital under the guidance of home minister Amit Shah. The home minister had earlier in the week visited LNJP Hospital to see for himself the treatment options being provided to coronavirus patients in the nation capital. He had also interacted with doctors at the facility and other healthcare workers. On Saturday, L-G Baijal also announced the rollback of the compulsory 5-day institutional quarantine for every Covid-19 positive patient in Delhi, reversing an earlier order. Unnao, June 21 : Three migrant workers from Hyderabad, quarantined in a primary school at Narainpur village in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, spent their time in painting and ended up giving a complete makeover to the facility premises. Their initiative found a mention in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the launch of the 'Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana' on Saturday. The three workers, Vinod, Arun and Kamlesh, (belonging to nearby villages) worked as painters in Hyderabad and returned to their home state on April 22 amidst the lockdown. "We were bored with the routine of just eating and sleeping. We asked the village head if we could do some work in the quarantine centre itself. However, he denied permission because making us work would have been a violation of quarantine protocols," the workers said. After considerable persuasion, the village head Raju Yadav gave them some paint and other raw material and allowed them to paint the school where they had been quarantined. The three painted the school in vibrant colours and were felicitated by the local people when their quarantine ended. They have already returned to their respective villages. Talking to IANS, village head Raju Yadav said, "We are very happy at the new look that the school has been given. I am sure that children are waiting to return to their classes when schools reopen. I am also thankful to the three workers for helping Unnao get a positive report. The district has already earned a bad name in recent years for criminal incidents." Unnao has been in the news for all wrong reasons, including the Unnao rape case in which former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar has been convicted. Then last year, a rape victim was set ablaze by the rape accused and she died due to burn injuries. Washington: Donald Trump has told thousands of cheering supporters he had asked US officials to slow down testing for the novel coronavirus, calling it a "double-edged sword" that led to more cases being discovered. The US President ignored health warnings to go through with his first rally in 110 days - one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during the outbreak. It was meant to restart his re-election effort less than five months before the President faces voters again. Trump told supporters at the event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where many were not wearing face masks, that the US had tested 25 million people, far more than other countries. President Donald Trump at the campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Credit:AP "When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please," he said. The Trump administration is trying to hinder Cubas efforts to tackle the coronavirus emergency at home and abroad. As soon as the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in Cuba, our country mobilised all its resources to contain the spread of the virus. Our healthcare workers go door to door checking people for possible symptoms. Those with symptoms are transferred to specially designated centres to receive treatment, mostly with medication developed by Cubas own pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The medical examinations and treatments are all provided free of charge. As of June 20, 85 people have died of COVID-19 in Cuba. Our mortality rate of 3.9 percent is very low compared to the rest of the world. We reached the peak of the disease on April 24, but we are still encouraging people to respect physical distancing, isolation and sanitary measures. Internationally, Cuba has responded to requests for collaboration from more than 20 countries, mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean, but also in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Cuba has a long history and tradition of international solidarity with other countries in the health sector that dates back to the 1960s, when we started sending healthcare workers to help other countries. From then on, more than 400,000 Cuban doctors and health professionals have provided services in 164 countries. We have helped strengthen local healthcare systems, provided services in remote areas and trained doctors. Based on this long experience, in 2005 Cuba decided to create the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade to respond to natural disasters and serious epidemics across the world. Since then, this brigade of over 7,000 doctors, nurses and other health specialists has provided services in more than 20 countries. We sent doctors and nurses to staff 32 field hospitals after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. We sent a medical team to Indonesia in 2006 after the devastating tsunami. We sent more than 1,700 health workers to Haiti in 2010 after the catastrophic earthquake and the ensuing cholera epidemic. In 2014, we sent brigades to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to combat Ebola. Even Samantha Power, former US President Barack Obamas UN Ambassador, praised Cuba for its outstanding role in the fight against Ebola. We even had brigades ready to assist Louisiana after New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina but the US government rejected our cooperation. Assisting others has always been part of who we are as a country and part of the ethical training Cuban doctors and health professionals receive. In response to the current pandemic, Cuba has dispatched 28 contingents of the Henry Reeve Brigade to help 26 countries. This is in addition to the more than 28,000 Cuban doctors, nurses and health professionals who were already overseas before the pandemic. Unfortunately, Cuban doctors and the Henry Reeve Brigade, in particular, have come under increasing attacks by the Trump administration, which has gone so far as to falsely accuse Cuba of human trafficking through its doctor programme. It is a shame that the United States government has been trying to discredit Cubas international assistance, including using pressure and threats against countries to force them to cancel these medical cooperation agreements. They have even tried to pressure governments to reject Cubas help during the coronavirus pandemic. They claim the Cuban government is exploiting these doctors because in the case of countries that can afford to provide monetary compensation, a portion of it is kept by the Cuban government. However, working overseas is completely voluntary, and the portion the Cuban government keeps goes to pay for Cubas universal health system. It goes to purchasing medical supplies, equipment and medication for Cubas 11 million people, including for the families of the doctors who are providing their services abroad. This is how we are able to provide free, high-quality healthcare for the Cuban people. Instead of exacerbating conflict during a pandemic, our countries need to work together to find solutions. For years, Cuba has been developing pharmaceuticals and vaccines to treat different diseases, from psoriasis and cancer to heart attacks. Now we are helping patients recover from COVID-19 with Interferon Alfa2b Recombinant, one of 19 medications being developed or under clinical trial in Cuba by our biotech and pharmaceutical industries to treat different stages of COVID-19. Globally, we have received more than 70 requests for pharmaceuticals developed by Cuba. This would be a clear avenue for Cuba-US cooperation but unfortunately, the Trump administration is wasting this opportunity by dismantling the limited progress made by Cuba and the US during the Obama administration. President Trump strengthened the 60-year US blockade against my country, implementing 90 economic measures against Cuba between January 2019 and March 2020 alone. These measures have targeted the main sectors of the Cuban economy, including our financial transactions, tourism industry, energy sector, foreign investments which are key for the development of the Cuban economy and the medical cooperation programmes with other countries. These unilateral coercive measures are unprecedented in their level of aggression and scope. They are deliberately trying to deprive Cuba of resources, sources of revenue and income needed for the development of the Cuban economy. The effects of these measures are being felt in Cuba, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The blockade is stopping Cuba from getting much-needed medical supplies. For example, if more than 10 percent of the components in the medical equipment or medications we want to buy are of US origin, then Cuba is not allowed to purchase them. In addition, the US has imposed restrictions on banks, airlines and shipping companies to stop Cuba from receiving materials that other countries are donating or sending to Cuba. In April, the Alibaba Foundation of China tried to donate masks, rapid diagnostic kits and ventilators to Cuba, but the airline contracted by Alibaba to transport those items to Cuba refused to take the goods because they were afraid the US would sanction them. A ship recently arrived in Cuba with raw materials to produce medications but it decided not to unload because the bank involved in the transaction decided not to make the payment out of fear it would be sanctioned by the US government. So this is why we say we are suffering from two pandemics: COVID-19 and the US blockade. For that reason, it is so important that people of goodwill around the world continue to raise the demand to end the blockade of Cuba and to forcefully assert that these are times for solidarity and cooperation, not sanctions and blockades. In the meantime, Cuba, as a country that understands the value of solidarity, will continue to do our best to stop the spread of coronavirus at home and globally. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images WASHINGTON President Donald Trump returned to one of his favorite pastimes on Saturday night: Headlining a big, brash Trump campaign rally. After three months without a major campaign event, Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma was billed as a sort of reunion for the president and his most ardent supporters, some of whom had been waiting in line for days to be sure they got a seat. For Trump and his inner circle, the promise of a raucous, jam-packed MAGA rally in a deep red state was seen as an opportunity for the president to put the calamitous spring of 2020 behind him, to fire up his army of loyal supporters, and to give his flagging reelection campaign a shot in the arm. Talking up the rally last week, Trump said nearly a million people had requested tickets to attend. "We have a 22,000-seat arena, but I think we're going to also take the convention hall next door, and that's going to hold 40,000 ... We expect to have a record-setting crowd. We've never had an empty seat, and we certainly won't in Oklahoma." But they did have empty seats. Approximately 13,000 of them, according to the Tulsa Fire Marshal, who counted slightly less than 6,200 attendees at the 19,000-seat Bank of Oklahoma Arena on Saturday night. A supporter sits in the upper seats during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images Shortly before Trump took the stage, construction crews dismantled the outdoor "overflow" space near the arena, after it was clear there wouldn't be enough people to fill it. Trump and his campaign were quick to blame protesters outside the arena for scaring away prospective rally goers. They also blamed the media for reporting extensively on the risks associated with attending a massive indoor gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, especially one where neither masks nor social distancing are required. Early Sunday morning, it was still unclear precisely what had accounted for the massive discrepancy between the number of ticket requests the Trump campaign said it received, and the number of people who showed up in Tulsa. But several reports suggest that a loose network of young people on TikTok may have reserved thousands of tickets they never planned to use, and encouraged their friends to do the same. If this is what actually happened, it would amount to a jaw-dropping 21st century political prank. Supporters listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaksat a campaign rally at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images The theme of dangerous protesters who pose a threat to law-abiding Americans ran throughout Trump's nearly two hours on stage, and served as a thread weaving together and blurring various culture war issues that seemed to animate Trump more than talking about traditional issues like immigration and jobs. "The unhinged left wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control, we're not conforming," Trump said during an extended defense of Confederate monuments. National Guard stand before anti-Trump protestors in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty images "That's why we're here actually. This cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans. They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place." Trump spent relatively little time on the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 120,000 Americans over the past five months. Nor did he acknowledge the fact that six members of his campaign advance team had just tested positive for coronavirus. The few times Trump did bring up the pandemic, it was usually to downplay the virus' risk, or defend his administration's slow response and monthslong testing shortages. Coronavirus "testing is a double-edged sword," Trump said. "We have tested 25 million people by now, which is probably 20 million people more than anybody else. Germany has done a lot; South Korea has done a lot. But here's the bad part: when you do testing to that extent, you will find more cases!" "So I said to my people, slow the testing down, please. They test and they test." The suggestion that the president told his aides to slow down testing in order to keep infection statistics low quickly drew condemnation from Democrats and from people watching the rally on social media. A healthcare worker takes a patient's test at a new COVID-19 drive through testing center at 1 Canal Street in Lawrence, MA on May 22, 2020. Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at the center. John Tlumacki | Boston Globe | Getty Images White House officials, however, insisted that the president had been "clearly speaking in jest." This was Trump's first rally since Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic primary, leaving Biden the party's presumptive nominee. In Tulsa, Trump appeared to be testing several lines of attack against the former vice president, including that Biden is a "helpless puppet of the radical left." "Joe Biden has surrendered to his party and to the left-wing mob," Trump said, using a term he employs to lump together peaceful protesters, looters and progressive members of Congress. "He has no control. Does anybody honestly think he controls these maniacs? ... He has absolutely no control." Trump continued: "If the Democrats gain power, the rioters will be in charge, and no one will be safe. No one will have control. Joe Biden is not the leader of his party. Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left." These attacks on Biden were clearly designed to rile up Trump's supporters the same way that his attacks on Hillary Clinton had prompted crowds to chant "Lock Her Up!" in 2016. But time and again, Trump's mention of Biden's name failed to fire up the crowds in Tulsa. This hints at a broader problem Trump is facing as he mounts a campaign against the former vice president: For a candidate like Trump, who fares better when voters are angry than when they're not, Biden may not arouse enough anger in Trump's supporters to really mobilize them. Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden listens as he meets with local residents at the sports bar Carlette?s Hideaway during a campaign stop in Yeadon, Pennsylvania U.S., June 17, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters This observation is supported by polling, which consistently shows that the majority of Americans have a favorable view of Biden, something that was not true for Clinton four years ago. The most recent Fox News survey of the 2020 race, released last week, found that Biden's favorability ratings are net positive 9 points, with 53% of respondents saying they hold a favorable view of him, versus 44% who view him unfavorably. That same poll, however, found that Trump's favorability was net negative 13 points, with 43% reporting a favorable view of the president and 56% an unfavorable one. Taken together, this means Biden has a 22 point lead over Trump in favorability. Some candidates might see this gap and take it as a sign to focus more energy on expanding their support among different groups. But judging from the president's speech on Saturday, Trump has no plans to temper his grievance-driven, divisive campaign rhetoric in an attempt to broaden his appeal. At a time when much of the country is working to identify and address systemic racism, Trump repeatedly boasted that he had helped Black Americans during his presidency. And he accused Biden, who receives overwhelming support among Black voters, of having backed policies that hurt African Americans. "Virtually every policy that has hurt Black Americans for the last half a century, Joe Biden has supported or enacted," Trump claimed during one such riff. "I have done more for the Black community in four years then Joe Biden has done in 47 years." Delano Frazir a "Black Lives Matter" protestor holds a sign in front of National Guards in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images President Donald Trump, addressing a less-than-full arena for his first political rally in months, blasted anti-racism protests and defended his handling of the coronavirus on Saturday in a bid to reinvigorate his re-election campaign. The president, who revels in large crowds and had predicted that his first rally in months would be epic, blamed the media for discouraging attendees and cited bad behavior by demonstrators outside, but did not specifically acknowledge that many seats in the 19,000-seat BOK Center arena were empty. Trump sought to use the event to bring momentum back to his campaign after coming under fire for his responses to the coronavirus and to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police. The smaller-than-expected crowd robbed him, at least for now, of the ability to highlight enthusiasm for his candidacy as an advantage over his expected Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, who has eschewed large campaign events. Trump has brushed aside criticism for his decision to hold his first rally since March 2 in Tulsa, the site of the country's bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence against Black Americans some 100 years ago. The president, who has encouraged a militaristic response to the nationwide demonstrations while being accused of showing a lack of empathy for the plight of Black Americans, used his speech to take aim at some of the protesters. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments - our beautiful monuments - tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming," Trump told cheering supporters. Ahead of the Nov. 3 election the Republican president is trailing in opinion polls to Biden, who has hammered Trump for his response to the protests and the pandemic. Trump defended his response to COVID-19, saying more testing had led to identifying more cases, seemingly to his chagrin. "When you do testing to that extent, you're going to ... find more cases," he said. "So, I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.'" A White House official said he was "obviously kidding" with that remark. Hours before the rally, Trump's campaign announced six members of its advance team had tested positive for COVID-19. Only a handful of attendees wore masks inside the arena. 'MOSTLY A HOAX' Oklahoma has reported a surge in new coronavirus cases in recent days, and the state's department of health warned that attendees face an increased risk of catching the virus. "I'm not concerned about it. I think it's mostly a hoax," attendee Will Williams, 46, said of the coronavirus, questioning why Democrats were not more concerned about people who die from drug overdoses. Williams did not wear a mask. The president, unusually, suggested that his own speech to the partially empty arena was not his best. "So far tonight, I'm average," Trump said. While Trump campaign officials said prior to the event that demand far outstripped the capacity of the venue, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence canceled speeches to an expected "overflow" crowd after a few dozen supporters showed up to a space prepared for thousands. Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said protesters had "interfered with supporters" trying to enter the rally. There were some shouting matches and scuffles outside the event between around 30 Black Lives Matter demonstrators and some Trump supporters waiting to enter. A Reuters reporter saw no sign any Trump supporters were prevented from entering the arena or overflow area. Trump warned that, unless he was re-elected, all Americans would endure the "chaos you're seeing in our Democratic-run cities." "When you see those lunatics all over the streets, its damn nice to have arms," he said, vowing to protect Americans' rights to bear arms. "Our people are not nearly as violent, but if they ever were it would be a terrible, terrible day for the other side." Tulsa Police reported one arrest of a woman wearing a T-shirt reading "I can't breathe" after she refused to leave a private event area. "Overwhelmingly these encounters have been peaceful with everyone attempting to share their views," Tulsa Police wrote on Twitter. A small group of armed civilian men were outside the arena during the rally. One of them told reporters they were there in case "antifa" protesters turned violent. The country's racial divide remains a political vulnerability for Trump. His "law and order" reaction to the protests triggered by Floyd's death has put him at odds with the views of most Americans. After intense criticism, Trump postponed the rally by a day so that it did not coincide with the anniversary of the June 19 commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Liverpool could reportedly be set to lose key man Sadio Mane this summer, with the forward showing no indication he will sign a new contract at Anfield. Although Mane's current deal ties him down until 2023, he has not put pen to paper on a new deal which has been on the table for nine months. According to The Sun, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are now weighing up a move which could be around 150million for Mane should he decide to leave Merseyside. Sadio Mane has yet to commit to a new contract offer from Premier League leaders Liverpool The report also claims Jurgen Klopp is so worried over the situation, that he wants to know instantly from the clubs's hierarchy if Mane wants to remain at the club. The current offer over a new deal is around 220,000 per week which will be a similar amount team-mate Virgil van Dijk, who is also in contract negotiations, is nearing to agreeing to. At 28 years old, it could potentially be Mane's last big money contract and if he agrees the deal he has been offered he would become one of the club's highest earners. Jurgen Klopp is concerned about Mane's future and is keen for the forward to stay at the Reds One of Klopp's priorities is to keep Mane at the club, who along with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino has helped form a devastating front three that has taken Liverpool to Champions League glory and within touching distance of a first league title in 30 years. But the German is also keen to add big names to his side to build competition and should Mane be tempted by a switch to PSG, a swap deal involving Kylian Mbappe has been sounded as a possibility. Mane has enjoyed a fine campaign this term as Liverpool prepare to head back into action on Sunday for the first time in three months following the coronavirus outbreak, as they take on Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. In all competitions he has played 38 times, scoring 18 goals and laying off 12 assists. Attorney General William Barr speaks from behind a teleprompter as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens during a joint briefing June 11 at the State Department in Washington on an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at the International Criminal Court. Read more Aboard a Trump Train that is hurtling out of control toward its inevitable fate and which in June 2020 feels more like Agatha Christies Orient Express with its warped passenger list of muddled motives and evil intent the mysterious midnight ouster of Manhattans U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman reads as the ultimate Whydunnit? Everybody knows WHO wielded the ax late Friday night in a botched, messy political hit job that took nearly 24 hours to complete. That would be Attorney General William Barr, whos taken on the role of President Trumps Roy Cohn and over-the-top defender with such a zeal that even Cohn himself is looking up from the eternal fiery abyss saying, Whoa, buddy ... slow down! Yet, incredibly, Barr might be able to get away with this dirty deed because the laundry list of potential Trump scandals that he could have been hoping to squelch by firing the top federal prosecutor in the presidents former home jurisdiction in other words, the WHY of Bermans sudden departure is so long it couldnt fit onto a CVS receipt. Consider the possibilities. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter Was Bermans ouster somehow tied to his ongoing investigation that already resulted in indictments of two key figures in Trumps 2019 impeachment the Ukrainian-American businessmen Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman and seemed to be moving toward criminal charges against their business associate, the presidents personal attorney Rudy Giuliani? Or was there lingering anxiety over the child-sex and trafficking charges that Bermans office brought last year against disgraced financier and one-time Trump pal Jeffrey Epstein, who then allegedly committed suicide in his federal jail cell? Thered been recent reports that Team Berman was looking at Epsteins close pal, Britains Prince Andrew, whom Trump claims not to know even though they recently had breakfast together. Or and this is perhaps most tantalizing to the legion of Trump scandal buffs was Berman whacked because his prosecutors were flying too close to the sun with an ongoing money laundering probe of Deutsche Bank AG, which provided hundreds of millions of dollars in dubious loans that kept Trumps tottering business empire from collapse in the shaky 2000s and which also propped up the real estate deals of his son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner? (Barr and Trump wanted to replace Berman in New Yorks Southern District with a lawyer who once represented Deutsche Bank ... what a coincidence, huh?) Obstructing any of those probes would appear to be a high crime or misdemeanor ... but wait, theres even more! What about the various probes into Trump-related criminality that sprung from the ashes of the Mueller investigation, including an investigation of large and prima facie illegal foreign donations to the presidents overstuffed 2017 inauguration fund? Or Trumps promise to his dictator pal Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey that he would kill a probe by Bermans team into a Turkish bank, Halkbank? READ MORE: There is no justice in AG Barr and Trumps insane, paranoid world of political vendettas | Will Bunch Confused? Who wouldnt be? Distracted? Well, yeah, what with a coronavirus thats killed nearly 120,000 as Trump admits he stalled badly needed testing to avoid bad headlines, eight-hour unemployment lines, and thousands in the streets demanding racial justice. But if America is to survive as a functioning democracy on the other side of this mess, we have to squeeze out some time for preserving whats left of the rule of law in our increasingly authoritarian nation, and then start to rebuild it. Since taking office for his second stint as attorney general in early 2019 (even if it feels like seven or eight years ago), Barr has politicized the U.S. Department of Justice beyond recognition, making a mockery of any and all notions of impartial justice and converting the department into a Trump-fueled engine of revenge lying frequently along the way. Investigating and impeaching Barr ahead of the November election would be a powerful sign that the work of restoring the rule of law in America is well underway, even before the first presidential ballot is cast. The House Judiciary Committee and its probably exhausted chair, Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, is vowing a hearing as early as Wednesday on Barrs latest actions, including the ouster of Berman (who, after balking at his boss efforts to transfer him out of New York and then correctly noting there were legal issues around firing him and unilaterally installing a replacement, agreed to resign Saturday night with a trusted deputy taking his place.) Nadler also told CNN that impeaching Barr over his misconduct would be a waste of time. I strongly beg to differ. Barr has left the House with an almost Nixonian laundry list of impeachable offenses. In the Berman matter, we may not yet know exactly why he wanted the Manhattan prosecutor (who, it should be noted, was once Giulianis law partner and Trump supporter who himself got the job in irregular circumstances) out. But we know Barrs actions are of one piece with his willingness to interfere in shocking and unprecedented ways in the criminal cases against Trump allies like Roger Stone and Michael Flynn actions that caused hundreds of ex-prosecutors from both parties to call for Barrs resignation. Oh, and have I mentioned that Barr ordered the tear-gassing and assault on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square to clear the area for a cheesy presidential photo op, and that he blatantly lied about his actions on national television? Using tear gas which treaties have banned in warfare on citizens exercising their rights of free speech and free assembly is the kind of thing we might expect from banana-republic dictatorships, not the United States. Should we really let that go unpunished? In fact, Barrs 16-month tenure has been marked by other episodes that would have been a major scandal during any normal administration, except that this is not a normal administration. For example, just last month it was reported that the U.S. attorney for eastern Texas was resigning after senior officials in Barrs Justice Department had thwarted that prosecutors criminal probe into opioid prescription practices by Walmart, a major GOP donor. Enough! Congress may have some important issues on its plate topped by the desperate need to aid the millions of Americans wholl still be unemployed as summer turns toward fall, and by the massive holes in state and local budgets but with 435 House members there is also the ability to multitask. The House did the absolute right thing last year in taking a stand around our democratic principles and impeaching Trump, even if as John Bolton of all people has pointed out the two articles did not go nearly far enough. In 2020, the House can reaffirm its vows that no one is above the law especially Americas top law-enforcement officer by impeaching Barr. Good government is good politics. A Senate trial on the eve of the fall political season one in which control of the upper chamber is very much up for grabs would put Republican lawmakers on the spot. Do they want to cast a vote in favor of Barr that would, in essence, also be in favor of government attacks on law-abiding protesters and political interference in ongoing criminal probes? Do they want to go home and defend that to the voters? Look, I watched Trumps embarrassing rally in Tulsa Saturday night (or at least I tried until his endless droning about Sleepy Joe Biden managed to put me to sleep instead). The smell of political death surrounds the Trump presidency illustrated by both the tiny crowd that was less than one-third of a 19,000-seat arena, and by the hysterical foolishness of Team Trump getting punked by teen K-Pop stars and thinking that 1 million people (!!) were coming. Ever since the debacle in Lafayette Square, more and more former and hoping-to-be again respectable Republicans are breaking free from the worst of Trumpism even the conservative chief justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts. Yet the danger of overconfidence going into Novembers election is all too real, and so is the risk of assuming that the growing odds of a Trump blowout defeat will eliminate the hard work thats required to restore the values of the American Experiment. We need to rebuild the shattered guardrails of our democracy, and that includes punishing the wrongdoers and shaming their names for the history books. Impeaching William Barr isnt worth the time? Really? America cant afford not to. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter 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. The post 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider-Man, and Stephen King appeared first on Consequence of Sound. I love the idea that you can go into a house and your grip on reality starts to loosen, says director and screenwriter David Koepp, who confesses, I feel like Ive been telling that story for 25 years, but what can you do? You like what you like. Over Zoom, the Hollywood veteran weighs in on the parallels between his latest film You Should Have Left and his previous directorial efforts, particularly 1999s Stir of Echoes and 2004s Secret Window. Hes not wrong: All three films revolve around troubled male protagonists left to their own devices as they dig deeper holes for themselves. But Koepp is also being modest. After all, you dont become one of the most successful screenwriters of all time by telling the same damn story again and again and, to be frank, he hasnt. For 30 years and counting, Koepp has amassed one of the most enviable resumes in the industry, having delivered one box office smash after another. He shattered Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn to pieces in Death Becomes Her, he cloned dinosaurs twice in both Jurassic Park and The Lost World, he designed Tom Cruises inaugural Mission: Impossible, he spun Marvels first cinematic web with Spider-Man, and, yes, he even managed to whip Indiana Jones out of development hell. Those are just a few of the highlights, which is why this installment of 10 Years and 10 Questions proved so difficult. With Koepp, its both the years and the mileage, to paraphrase the aforementioned archaeologist, and youll see why below. From Apartment Zero to his latest thriller You Should Have Left, we tried to cover it all so much so that we had to kick it up to 11. 1989 apartment zero 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Apartment Zero (Union Station Media) Lets start at the beginning with Apartment Zero. How did you get involved with Martin Donovan? Story continues I was working for Morrie Eisenman, whos a producers representative and a distributors representative. This was my internship in college, and then it became a slightly-paying job when I got out of college. He would represent an independent film that was trying to find distribution in the US or foreign video distributors that were looking for US films to put on video in their country, typically horror. A lot of horror. Martin had written and directed a very small movie in England and was looking for an American writer, who would help him with a new script, because Martins Argentinian and he didnt feel like he had the American vernacular down. Ironically, it turned out to be a movie that was set in Argentina, but with an American character. So, we hit it off. I was, I think, 24 at the time, Martin was probably in his late 30s, and we loved a lot of the same kinds of movies. I certainly learned an enormous amount from him because hed seen, as far as I can tell, every movie ever made to that point, and he exposed me to a lot of great cinema. Our ideas bounced off each other nicely, and our styles complemented each other pretty well. We put that movie together in the way that you do independent movies when youre young: We borrowed money. We told lies to people. We convinced a couple actors to be in it Colin Firth and Hart Bochner when we had no financing. And then we went out and sold foreign video rights to the movie with Morries help and borrowed against the contract. We entered production with only about two-thirds of the money that we needed to complete the film. Its not an experience I was ever eager to repeat, but it was an exciting way to get started. 1992 willis death becomes her 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Death Becomes Her (Universal) The two of you re-teamed on Death Becomes Her. Would you ever collaborate again? We kept writing stuff together. We wrote another script in between there that was never made. But Death Becomes Her I had this idea that I wanted to do a quartet of movies set in an apartment building in Los Angeles. There were four units in the building, and each unit would have a horrible thing happen in it. The first story was about a guy who kills his wife. Ive always loved Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and I thought a comedic horror movie that has a Virginia Woolf-type relationship in it would be a lot of fun. He kills her, but shes a witch and doesnt die. So I just thought, God, you know, imagine the thing she has to hold over his head now hes actually killed her. We thought that was pretty funny, and we started writing, and we quickly bagged the idea of the three other stories because we liked that story so much. And we wrote what we assumed would be an independent movie maybe slightly bigger than Apartment Zero, maybe a $5 million budget if we were lucky and then it became something completely other. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine the director and cast that we would get. Martin and I have stayed in touch over the years, but I think the wildly divergent nature of our personalities and our styles made it work for a couple of movies, but not for much more. I think our differences creatively were best summed up in one argument where I insisted on outlining something and Martin said, How can I possibly decide what happens next if I hadnt written what happens first? And I said, Well, how can I possibly write what happens first if I dont know what happens next? And there was no resolving that argument. 1993 t rex jurassic park 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Jurassic Park (Universal) What was the collaborative process like with Michael Crichton on Jurassic Park? Are there any set pieces you still wish you could see on screen? Given how well the movie did and how much people embraced it, its hard to go back and say, Ah, we should have done this If only we would have done that So, I feel pretty happy with the way it ended up. But, I never met Crichton. Nope. Never once. That is often the case in Hollywood. He had written a draft of the screenplay before I got there, and then I think one or two other writers had taken a shot at it. I think, like a lot of novelists, he was less interested in pursuing a script than he was in pursuing his next book. So, I just never met him. The number of set pieces were made by Steven [Spielberg] before I got there. He didnt have a script, but he knew which sequences he wanted to shoot. Then we made up some more, swapped up this for that, and, you know, the normal process. So, my primary really, my only collaboration with that script was with Steven and it was pretty thrilling. But that tends to be even to this day how things go on his movies. It tends to be just you and him, and he will seek other opinions from those he respects, but its really just the two of you in a room, which I find great. Theres an old expression: No one of us is dumb as all of us. I think if you get a bunch of people in the room together, we can make some pretty boneheaded decisions. But movies, I think, are better when theyre told from a more restricted point of view. spielberg triceratops viral 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Jurassic Park (Universal) Whats it like working with Spielberg one on one? Do you feel the movie magic? Theres a profound love of popcorn that he has as an audience member. Ive never worked with him on an historical drama; Ive worked with him on more popcorn movies. When he feels like theres an idea, that he can really picture himself sitting there in the audience eating popcorn and loving that movie, there is a great twinkle in his eye. I still think theres nothing he enjoys as much as making them up, and thats good because thats the part I like, too, and its the part thats the most fun and the most pure because its the least hampered by reality. Or money. Or trying to get people to do stuff and the weather not screwing you over and all of those millions of things that can go wrong on a movie. But like anybody, theres ideas he has that dont fly, and hell immediately turn on them and say, No, thats dumb. Whats nice is the atmosphere around him. Its a safe space where creatively you can feel free to say anything, and if it doesnt work, then it doesnt work. But I think he understands that without making that place where people can feel free to create and succeed or fail, youre not gonna get their best ideas. 1994 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King The Paper (Universal) You wrote The Paper with your brother Stephen. How was that collaboration different than, say, with Martin Donovan? Have you two flirted with the idea of a followup in the age of New Media? Thats an interesting idea. We have. What was great about [The Paper] is Steve is and has been a journalist his whole adult life, so I was really going into his world. He had the knowledge and expertise and the contacts to get us into all these press rooms around town, and I had a reasonable command of the craft of screenwriting. So, our duties were pretty separate, which was great because where screenwriting teams often conflict and collide and eventually break apart is when youre both trying to do the same thing and youre both trying to have your own way. But our responsibilities were fairly different, our abilities were different, and that was wonderful. We talked on and off over the years about another movie, and we also talked about how we unknowingly made a time capsule movie because the world changed so drastically and journalism changed so drastically. You look at that movie, which is 94 within two years, the Internet would really have taken hold in mass culture and in most homes. Journalism was about to go through profound changes, which it has, so it would be interesting to try it a follow up. The only thing is, I hope in that follow up you could still get the three oclock meeting, which was the whole reason to do the movie. Those groups of witty people witty, unhealthy people jammed into a room together, being smart asses those scenes to me were the whole reason to do the movie. We hung out at The Post a lot, and then The Post was bought and sold a couple times, and everybody got fired at one point. Then the people we had been working with moved on to The Daily News, so we started hanging out there. A lot of the best lines, moments, situations, or character beats were things that happened right in front of us, and we just wrote it down on the side of our leg, hoping nobody noticed, and put it in the script. 1996 mission impossible 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Mission: Impossible (Paramount Pictures) Mission: Impossible still remains the most complex screenplay in the franchise. Was that always intended or was it a result of working through so many writers like Steven Zaillian and Robert Towne. It was designed to be complex, yes. I dont if it was designed to be perhaps quite as complex as it turned out [Laughs.] But We meant it to be complicated. Its a spy story. Its supposed to have twists and turns, so there was a lot of emphasis on that and we worked very hard on that. I think that the somewhat tortured development and production history of the movie, which has been chronicled elsewhere, contributed to that complexity. There was a point in the few weeks leading up to production where I was in London in one hotel, and Robert Towne was in London in another hotel, I was writing for Brian [De Palma], Towne was writing for [Tom] Cruise, they were waving pages at each other, arguing over what to shoot, and, you know, thats gonna make it a little more complicated. But, out of it, they persevered and made a really terrific movie, and I think sometimes the creative strain is great for a movie. Theres the old expression: great experience, bad film. I think sometimes the opposite is also true: rough experience, good film. Not always, though. Sometimes its rough experience, shitty film, which is very discouraging. [Laughs.] Were there ever discussions for you and De Palma to continue with M:I2? No, it was a tough experience, so I think Tom was eager to try somebody new. 1999 stir of echoes 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, and Stephen King Stir of Echoes (Artisan) Stir of Echoes arrived three years after your directorial debut in The Trigger Effect. Did your approach towards the screenplay change now that you had experience behind the camera? I was more determined to think of interesting visuals. Everybody says writing scripts is about, yes, nice characters and dialogue, but its also about writing cinema, writing visuals, and you dont get that fully until you have to edit what youve shot. And when what youve shot is three people sitting around a room in overs and close ups, you think, Gee, it would have been nice to have some interesting shots in here. With Stir of Echoes, certainly, I was trying to create more compelling visuals, and the hypnosis sequences were a big part of that. And also trying to come up with ways to shoot people in rooms talking that wasnt just overs and singles, so I think that there was a leap. I also had really good source material to work with. Stir of Echoes is based on a Richard Matheson novel, and Matheson, of course, is the fantastic fantasy writer who wrote most of everybodys favorite Twilight Zones, and What Dreams May Come, and tons of other stuff. This was a somewhat neglected book of his from the 1950s that I had gotten the rights to, and its easy to think of good visuals and good ways of telling a story as a director when you have a really solid story to work from and thats a really solid story. Click ahead into the new millennium with stories on Spider-Man, Indiana Jones, and Stephen King 10 Years, 10 Questions With David Koepp: On Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Spider-Man, and Stephen King Michael Roffman Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequence of Sounds email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. To set the matter straight, the Prime Ministers Office on Saturday, in a statement, said that the Prime Minister was crystal clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He specifically emphasised that in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges, Indian forces now decisively counter any violations of LAC, the statement further said. As PM Modi said, because we have better infrastructure in place at LAC, we are to patrol more, and hence we tend to meet more and confront more. To put things in the right perspective, the increased strategic infrastructure has rattled China to no end as the Dragon is facing resounding Indian military might, not the relatively docile India it used to deal with, before 2014. DECODING THE LAC CONFLICT In the last few years, there have been frequent face-offs in certain sensitive areas in Eastern Ladakh. It has been a direct outcome of Indias ability of increased patrolling in the area due to vastly improved infrastructure readiness. In fact, the more frequent face-offs are not necessarily a sign of weakness, or due to deteriorating relations, but indicate greater ability on the part of Indian Army to monitor, detect and respond to Chinese PLA patrolling. As infrastructure keeps improving, these possibilities will only increase. There is a long history of Indias dealings with China, and almost all of the reverses that India has suffered have been during the previous rule, particularly of Congress regimes. It all started with the Tibets annexation by China which India accepted quietly in 1959. In 1962, the loss of large chunk of territory, and the then Indian Prime Minister interpreting it by saying that not a blade of grass grows there, sums up the attitude towards border issues. During the 1980s and 1990s, when China started taking lead over India economically, militarily, and in infrastructure construction, India was not able to respond and match up in equal measure. In the 1990s, boundary management agreements were signed that further limited Indias manoeuvring ability, particularly the 1993 Accord. The United Progressive Alliance era (2004 to 2014) allowed multiple transgression of Indian land through deceptive salami-slicing methods of the Chinese, and even lost lands in Demjok areas of Ladakh during the period of 2008 to 2012. AK Antony, the then defence minister, conceded in Parliament that we have lost the infrastructure race with China. It was in this era, that the serving army chiefs repeatedly pointed out how our armed forces were facing shortfall of critical ammunition and border infrastructure woes to counter enemies. The policy paralysis was reversed following the regime change in 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed decades of drift in Indias policy towards China by bridging the infrastructure gaps in border areas by constructing roads and bridges with faster pace. It was PM Modi who dared China on several fronts and foiled its bids in Doklam, stopped RCEP, and strongly opposed Chinese dream project OBOR. BIG INFRA PUSH WORRYING CHINA The genesis of the building up of faster strategic infrastructure can be traced back to 2014, when the Modi government gave it a big push. One of the first decision of the government was to issue a general approval in July 2014 for the creation of road network by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) within 100km of aerial distance from LAC. This general approval ensured that requirement of prior central government and other bureaucratic process were done away with. Subsequently, this exception has been extended to all border security related infrastructure such as border outposts, floodlights, fencing etc, and all projects executed by the Central paramilitary organisations of the ministry of Home Affairs. This was in stark contrast to the approach taken by the UPA government where blocking of such sensitive infrastructure projects under various reasons was the norm. Often the delays were due to flip flops on environmental clearances. Similarly, the Modi government delegated powers to DG, BRO, clearing the way for construction of 66 operationally critical Indo-China borders roads. Earlier, every approval came to the ministry of defence. These powers were subsequently delegated to officers up to chief engineer level in BRO. The government also took crucial steps like the procurement of modern construction on a massive scale during 2017-2020. It also enhanced airlift of construction equipment and material from 2017 onwards, often using Chinhook helicopters. The proactive shift in the policymaking resulted in massive infrastructure creation. According to BRO statistics, between 2008 and 2017, the formation cutting of about 230km of roads were done annually, but this has now been increased to 470km per year between 2017 and 2020 along the India-China border. Similarly, between 2008 and 2017, the speed of surfacing of roads was 170km per year, but it has been increased to 380km per year between 2017 and 2020. Only one tunnel was constructed between 2008 and 2014, while six tunnels have been made during 2014 to 2020. The construction of about 19 tunnels is also under progress. During 2008 to 2014, 7270 metres long bridges were built, while 14,450 metres of bridges were built between 2014 and 2020. In the period between 2008 and 2014, roads of 3,610km were constructed on the border while 4,764kms of roads were built between 2014 and 2020. For about five decades after 1962 war, the construction of these roads which were neglected has now been taken care of and it has been constructed in record period of time along the LAC. Undoubtedly, Indias push to build and upgrade infrastructure along the LAC is behind Chinas aggression and recent border skirmishes. (The writer is the former secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing. The views expressed are personal) The High Commission of India in Wellington, New Zealand, recently took to Twitter to share images of Kiwis celebrating International Yoga Day on June 21. The High Commission in association with Art of Living Foundation, Auckland Indian Association, Wellington Indian Association, Christchurch Indian Association and Waitakere Indian Association commemorated the event to mark the occasion. According to an international media outlet, several dignitaries including parliamentarians Ginny Anderson and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi also joined the event. READ: Caked In Mud, BJP MP Jaunapuria Performs Yoga In Ring Of Fire On International Yoga Day While speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner of Indian Muktesh Pardeshi first reportedly acknowledged the success of New Zealand citizens and the government in containing the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Pardeshi reportedly said that it is uplifting to see people in a physical setting while several countries around the globe still remain in lockdown. He hailed the citizens for showing leadership and collective resilience in dealing with the global pandemic. The International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21 in order to spread awareness about the significance and benefits of Yoga. It was first suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his United National General Assembly (UNGA) speech in 2014. Followed by the propositions, the UNGA drafted a resolution that was titled 'International Yoga Day' on October 14, 2014. READ: International Yoga Day 2020 LIVE Updates: PM Modi Shares This Year's Theme - Yoga At Home PM Modi addresses the Nation In a bid to extend his greetings, Modi also addressed the Nation on Sunday virtually, on the occasion of sixth International Yoga Day. During the address, he said that it is a "day of solidarity and universal brotherhood." According to him, "Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet." He also stressed on the benefits of Yoga as he elaborated on the theme 'Yoga at home, Yoga with family'. According to PM Modi, this year's Yoga Day theme is to stay away from social gatherings owing to the dangers of the COVID pandemic and urged the citizens to perform yoga from home with their family. (Image: @IndiainNZ/Twitter) READ: Coronavirus Live Updates: PM Shares Benefit Of Yoga To Boost Immunity; Total Cases 410,461 READ: Karnataka Governor, CM Stress Importance On Performing Yoga Mumbai: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has congratulated Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on her graduation from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Priyanka took to her Instagram Stories, where she posted a picture of herself along with Malala, who became of the face of Taliban brutality when she was shot in the head for going to school in the Swat valley. She captioned it: "Happy Graduation, @malala! Your philosophy, political and economic degree from Oxford is such an achievement. I'm so proud!" On June 19, Malala had shared her excitement on Twitter by posting a happy picture with her family, cutting a cake. "Hard to express my joy and gratitude right now as I completed my Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at Oxford. I don't know what's ahead. For now, it will be Netflix, reading and sleep," she wrote. Malala first shared the news of her graduation on June 8 when she participated in the YouTube special, #DearClassof2020. Malala had shared then that she still had "four more exams to go". Officers from the Los Angeles School Police Department at a morning roll call at King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in 2015. (Los Angeles Times) Parents concerns about fights among students and other safety issues have led to a growing police presence at public schools, whether the officers are hired as school employees or are provided by the local police department. Their numbers grew further after a series of high-profile tragedies in which a disturbed student or outsider brought guns to a school and killed multiple students and teachers. Although rare, these incidents created a misguided sense that campuses needed to be well-armed in self-defense. Now, however, the nationwide protests against police killings of Black people have prompted some to question the armed presence at schools that was embraced after the Newtown and Parkland shootings. As protesters call for shifting funds from police departments to unarmed social service specialists, the question is natural: Why not do the same for kids? The leadership of United Teachers Los Angeles is calling for defunding L.A. Unified School Districts police department and spending the money on more counselors (who would be members of UTLA). Similar demands are being made across the nation. School leaders should be open-minded yet cautious about their next moves. L.A. Unified was wise to hire and prepare its own police, who are trained in how to break up fights and intervene in other problems, generally with less use of force. Contracting with municipal police departments is more problematic; officers trained to respond to hardened criminals are seldom the right fit for kids. Even so, any armed, uniformed police can be an intimidating sight on campus and make some students feel as though they are constantly under suspicion, even if the officers dont treat them that way. Their visible presence can unfairly imply that schools, especially urban campuses with many Black and Latino students, are hotbeds of crime. That said, some students like the security; its not uncommon to hear them say that they feel safer at school than on the path home. Story continues Beyond dueling perceptions are the data. With close to half a million students and tens of thousands of employees, L.A. Unified has about the same size population of Albuquerque. Over the past two years, there have been more than 900 cases of battery, 130 cases of assault with a deadly weapon and nearly 190 threats of mass shootings, according to district figures. Counselors alone cant cope with these and other violent or threatening incidents. On a handful of occasions, L.A. Unified school police have used pepper spray on students; Superintendent Austin Beutner now says he favors ending the practice as well as banning choke holds. School personnel say they cannot remember a time when a school police officer has drawn a gun on campus. But if pepper spray has been unnecessary, L.A. Unified should have stopped its use earlier, and chokeholds on students never should have been allowed. Beyond that, if school police have done their jobs without drawing a gun, maybe the district never needed hundreds of armed officers. Mass shootings, horrific as they are, do not justify regular armed police presence. They are extraordinarily rare; kids are more likely to die in drownings or bicycle accidents, according to a report from Northeastern University. Such an infrequent threat must be weighed against the environment on campus when students more routinely see a police officer at school than a counselor or nurse. Although completely dismantling school police forces could be a mistake, L.A. Unified should examine whether it needs all of its 344 armed and 95 unarmed officers, or whether a smaller number of roving officers would do, with the money used toward more counselors and social services. Three proposals on the subject are expected to come before the board Tuesday. One deserves to pass. Monica Garcias resolution is rash, simplistic and poorly thought out. It would almost eliminate the district police force over the next few years, cutting it to 10% of its current budget. Maybe this ultimately will be the way to go, but that is unknowable without better information and full public debate that gives voice to both sides. George McKenna would direct a committee to examine whether school police guidelines or training should be overhauled. Examining the issue before making massive permanent change is a good idea, but the focus here is too narrow. Jackie Goldberg has introduced by far the most thoughtful approach: Immediately but temporarily suspend use of pepper spray and police dogs; place police on the perimeters of schools, where they are a less intrusive presence; and have them wear civilian-style clothing. In the meantime, a panel would study a broad range of topics, including whether L.A. Unified needs a police force and if so, how it would best operate. One particularly intriguing question the panel would ask is whether school police might be better deployed toward helping students with safe passage to and from school than policing them on campus. This has been a persistent safety problem that has been virtually ignored for far too long. WATERLOO A proposed policy change would allow many city workers to live farther away from town. Waterloo City Council members will be asked Monday to ease the current policy requiring critical municipal employees to live within 10 miles of City Hall. The proposed policy would require police officers, public works employees, and forestry staff to live within 30 miles of City Hall. Firefighters have already been exempted from the restrictions. A majority of council members last week indicated they favored expanding the residency zone at the request of department heads, who said the current limit is more restrictive than Iowas other large cities and hurts recruitment efforts. A policy adopted in 1981 required workers deemed as critical essentially those who may need to be recalled in emergency situations to live within a 30-minute drive of the city. It was revised in 2003 to a 20-mile radius of City Hall. The current policy, with a 10-mile radius, was adopted in September 2006 and stands as one of the most restrictive in the state. It is illegal under Iowa law for cities to force civil service employees to live in the city where they are employed. But the courts have agreed cities can set reasonable residency requirements for critical workers. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of City Hall. Some council members will be attending electronically and residents wishing to comment on items are encouraged to do so via email to the City Clerks Office or contact the clerk to get log-in information to participate in the meeting by phone or Zoom meeting. Other scheduled council business includes a 4:10 p.m. work session to discuss a racial equity and social justice took-kit to review city policies, resolutions and ordinances for potential adverse effects on certain groups in the community. That will be followed by a 4:40 p.m. work session to discuss a Ridgeway Avenue traffic study. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Cyprus has started reopening the checkpoints between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides as the island nation successfully flattened the coronavirus curve with no new cases reported in the past few days. The crossings were shut after the country started witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, restricting the movement of people between the divided Mediterranean. The internationally recognised government which control the southern part of the island reportedly said that permit to cross the checkpoint would be given to only those who will be able to produce negative test results for COVID-19. While Turkish Cypriot authorities have also decided to ease the restrictions, only certain groups of individuals will be allowed to cross, that too with negative COVID-19 test. Northern Cyprus is a de-facto sovereign state but has only been recognised by Turkey since the international community considers it to be part of the Republic of Cyprus. According to media reports, different rules for two sides could create confusion and chaos at the checkpoints. Read: Cyprus To Launch SMS Campaign To Stem Migrant Arrivals WHO warns of dangerous phase Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of a "new and dangerous phase" of the pandemic. During a media briefing on June 19, the WHO Director-General said that the pandemic still poses a major threat even countries are eager to open up their societies and economies. But the virus is still spreading fast, its still deadly & most people are still susceptible," said the top WHO official. According to the latest report, nearly nine million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide with more than 467,000 deaths, overwhelming the health care facilities across the globe. The United States, Brazil, and Russia are the worst-hit countries while India reporting a sharp rise in the coronavirus cases. On June 18, more than 150,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported globally, the highest single-day number so far. Tedros said that nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East. He called on all countries and all people to exercise extreme vigilance and continue maintaining distance from others. Read: Cyprus Government Pledges To Cover Costs For Virus-hit Tourists In The Nation (Image: AP) Adds North American capability in product and process development, manufacturing and packaging of solid oral dosage forms, liquids, creams, and ointments Piramal Enterprises Limiteds (PEL) Pharma Solutions business, a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has announced that the Company has entered into an agreement with G&W Laboratories Inc. to acquire its solid oral dosage drug (SODD) product manufacturing facility located in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. The transaction closure is subject to customary pre-closing conditions. According to the terms of the agreement, PEL, through one of its Affiliates, would acquire at closing a 100% stake in the entity that operates the facility and owns the related real estate. This acquisition broadens the offering of Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) by adding solid oral dosage form capabilities (tablets and capsules) in North America. Until now, PPS capabilities in solid oral dosage forms were all located in the UK and India. The Sellersville site can also produce liquids, creams, and ointments, further expanding the PPS portfolio. The site also can support product and process development for solid oral dosage and oral liquids, including immediate release, modified release, chewable & sublingual solid oral dosage forms, solutions and suspensions in liquids. The site has received certifications from the FDA and EMA. Many of our customers are looking for US-based manufacturing partners to expand and support their pipeline. This acquisition strengthens our ability to partner with them on best-in-class drug products. It enhances our market-leading integrated services offering by adding a solid oral dosage capability in the US. We now offer solid oral drug product development and commercial manufacturing in all our major geographies, addressing a previously unmet customer need and strengthening our ability to work globally with customers to reduce the burden of disease on patients, said Peter DeYoung, Chief Executive Officer, Piramal Pharma Solutions The Sellersville site covers 31.5 acres of land with over 221,000 square feet of manufacturing space, including 195,000 square feet of GMP area. The site features dedicated manufacturing and packaging technologies for solid oral dosage forms, liquids, creams, and ointments; QC and microbiology labs; state-of-the-art preformulation and analytical development infrastructure coupled with a pilot lab for research and development; and a temperature-controlled warehouse. The site currently has the necessary controls to support manufacturing of potent solid oral dosage forms. PPS intends to offer high potency drug manufacturing capabilities at the site, complementing the Companys global strength in highly potent compounds. The site employs a highly knowledgeable and experienced workforce of ~100, with an average of 19 years of service with the site. PPS expects to further grow the sites current strength to support development services as well as any COVID-19 management drug opportunities. Expanding the PPS service offerings directly supports the Companys philosophy of Patient Centricity. Understanding the needs of patients and building an organization that is dedicated to addressing those needs is the foundation of Patient Centricity. By putting patients first, PPS is aligning its mission with that of its customers, becoming better partners who share a common goal. Four long months after Senate Republicans craven vote to acquit President Trump of impeachment articles they hardly considered, that all-consuming political battle seems quaint and diminished. For all his betrayal of duty unearthed by the House, Trump is displaying his gross unfitness for office in public and at far greater cost as he presides over a deadly pandemic and nationwide protests over racism and police violence. Former national security adviser and current bestselling author John Bolton refuses to be deterred from his payday by a precipitous fall from relevance or his failure to provide his account back when it mattered. To hear Bolton tell it, the impeachment was an understatement in its own time. According to advance excerpts of Boltons too-long-awaited tell-all, The Room Where It Happened, President Trump didnt just try to bully Ukraines president into smearing presidential contender Joe Biden, as the House impeachment inquiry detailed. He also told Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he would interfere with a federal investigation of a state-owned bank. And he implored Chinas Xi Jinping to help him win a second term. In fact, Bolton writes, I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasnt driven by re-election calculations. While Bolton is a careful, intelligent and experienced narrator, he is not an invariably reliable one. More than one reviewer has noted that the only major character in The Room who is spared his withering criticism is Bolton himself. And given his acrimonious break with Trump, he has every reason to exact revenge at this late date, served not just cold but positively frigid. But his account is in keeping with what we know about not just the Ukraine affair but also Trumps embrace of Russian election meddling. As for China, the president urged it to investigate Biden in front of cameras on the White House lawn. Moreover, Bolton, despite his bellicose foreign policy and facial hair, has until now erred on the side of appeasement with respect to Trump and the Republican establishment that has enabled the president. Bolton did, after all, work for him for nearly a year and a half, enough to make him his longest-serving national security adviser to date. And when the time came for Bolton to tell America what he knew, he balked, refusing to willingly cooperate with House Democrats impeachment inquiry and vowing to fight a subpoena in court. In the end, Bolton seemed to want to have it both ways by testifying against Trump without alienating fellow Republicans by appearing too eager to do so. By the time he belatedly offered to spill it to the Senate, the process was in the Republicans hands and it was too late. It takes a remarkable degree of self-regard to emerge from this dereliction and accuse Democrats of impeachment malpractice, which Bolton does on the grounds that they should have examined Trumps other inappropriate interactions with foreign leaders. Anyone can wish the inquiry had been broader or more effective, but few have possessed Boltons wasted power to single-handedly make it so. The presidents response to Boltons account, a probably vain attempt to block its publication, bolsters Boltons allegations and echoes the impeachment articles. Instead of refuting his estranged adviser, Trump followed his abiding instinct: obstruction. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. North Penn School District parents take board to task over mask-taping incident OTTAWAA sector chief with Ottawa Fire Services is being credited with a heroic rescue after a vehicle plunged into the Ottawa River. Just after midnight the fire service says it was alerted by Ottawa police about a vehicle having driven into the river. The female driver was trapped, but was able to stay on the phone with police as her vehicle began filling with water. The fire service say the chief could still see the headlights of the vehicle when he arrived on scene, and based on information he was getting from police about the womans condition was able to devise a rescue plan. The service says he grabbed a personal flotation device and entered the river where he was able to break the rear window of the vehicle and pull the woman out. Both made it safely back to shore where emergency services personnel were waiting to offer further assistance. No names were released. Read more about: Dear Editor, Much ink has been spilled recently about the statues in Kingston, so heres my two cents: Memorials are erected to honor people who made a positive impact on their age and on local history. Digging too deeply into the past will likely reveal flaws that all humans possess, and if we held everyone to an impossible standard of exemplary behavior, there would never be any statues at all especially if we hold 17th-century figures to 21st-century social and ethical norms. I propose that we decide the fate of monuments based on the reason they were erected. Henry Hudson, George Clinton, and Peter Stuyvesant, for all their flaws, made significant contributions to American history. Thats why their statues stand in Kingston. Like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, they operated within the moral framework of their time. On the other hand, the monuments to Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and their traitorous confederates stand specifically because of their spirited defense of slavery and their opposition to the United States of America. Their actions should not be celebrated. I think its wrong to try to sanitize history by excluding everyone who doesnt meet current standards. With luck, those standards will continue to rise and in another hundred years people we celebrate today may no longer be worthy of our adulation. Should all statues be removed from public spaces? Who among us is capable of casting the first stone? Steve Massardo Saugerties, N.Y. Ahead of its primary election scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 25, the PDP on Saturday screened Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, a new entrant vying for the partys ticket to contest the September 19 governorship poll. Mr Obaseki was screened at the partys headquarters in Abuja. Speaking with reporters shortly after he was screened by the Kingsley Chinda-led screening committee, Mr Obaseki commended the party for the exercise, and expressed optimism that he would secure the PDP ticket. The screening exercise was fair and professional; I saw objectivity in it, he said. Mr Obaseki said he was not a divisive candidate, adding that he was speaking with all the aspirants. My hope and purpose for the PDP is to have a united and very strong party. Party primary should not be divisive because we, as a party, are focused on the same objective, but because we are individuals, our approaches may be different. So, party primary, in my view, should not be acrimonious and destructive. There are common grounds, common interests and I am very hopeful that I will get it even as there are quite a number of delegates for the exercise, he said. Credentials Asked of the credentials he presented to the committee, Mr Obaseki said: I presented all my certificates, my secondary school, higher school, university and my National Youth Service certificate, so that they can look at them and see if there are inconsistencies. You can ask the screening committee if there are any inconsistencies in any of them, Mr Obaseki said. Also asked if he still enjoyed the sympathy of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, Mr Obaseki said he enjoyed national support, not just support from his colleagues from the APC. There are elder statesmen who are apolitical; there are traditional rulers; I have people from different spectrums of the society who come around on solidarity with me. I think Nigerians are generally fair-minded people. They are people who do not accept injustice. From what I have seen over the past several weeks and months, the support is just across the board. It is not just from APC governors alone, he said. Mr Obaseki, however, urged political parties, who were wooing him to their parties, to support his aspiration under the PDP platform. I believe they made overtures to me because they believe that we share something in common; that there is something I can offer their platform. So, my message is that those hopes and aspirations which they were hoping for, which was the reasons they wanted me to join their parties, can still be realised under the platform of the PDP. I will encourage them and woo them to join me in the PDP, he said. Assurances Mr Chinda, speaking earlier, assured Nigerians that the screening committee would be fair, transparent and would do justice to whoever appears before it. We are not unaware that he is a serving governor, but that has nothing to do with us as members of the screening committee. We want to assure everyone that whatever our findings are, we shall report to the party. But rest assured that we will be fair as human beings, Mr Chinda said. The party, on June 5, conducted a screening exercise for three aspirants Kenneth Imansuangbon, Omoregie-Ogbeide Ihama and Gideon Ikhine. Advertisements The party on Friday granted waiver to Mr Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, to enable them seek reelection under its platform, while it also shifted its primary election from June 23 to June 25. Adams Oshiomhole, former APC National Chairman. Mr Obaseki left the ruling party after months of acrimonious political tussle with his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, the now-suspended chairman of the APC. (NAN) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump drew fire from critics Saturday for sprinkling racially divisive stereotypes throughout his remarks at a high-profile campaign rally in Tulsa as the nation grapples with racism and police misconduct. Speaking after protests and unrest broke out in cities across the nation following the death of George Floyd last month, Trump described violent protesters he claimed had forced the cancellation of a separate outdoor campaign event in Tulsa as "thugs." He used the term "kung flu" to describe the coronavirus. And he blasted the removal of Confederate statues, arguing that a "left-wing mob" wanted to "vandalize our history." At one point during his remarks, as he sought to brush aside calls from some on the left to defund police departments, Trump painted a scene of a "tough hombre" who he described as "breaking into the window of a young woman whose husband is away." "And you call 911 and they say, 'I'm sorry, this number is no longer working,'" Trump said. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. The president's remarks came as demonstrators continued to gather in many cities to protest the death of Floyd, a Black man whose neck was pinned under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer for nearly nine minutes. Violence erupted in cities after Floyd's death, but protests were largely peaceful nationwide. Tulsa rally: Trump said he wanted to 'slow the testing down' on coronavirus Trump's gamble: Tulsa rally is aimed at rebooting but it holds huge risks "Trump just completed the racism trifecta in a three-minute span," a Democratic National Committee social media account posted during the rally, the president's first return to the campaign trail since the coronavirus struck the nation in force this spring. "121,000 Americans are dead," Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., tweeted after the rally. "Donald Trumps response is to make racist jokes." Story continues The rally ran into trouble on racial issues before it even began. The campaign had to reschedule after it initially set the event for Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. Trump has also faced a backlash for holding the rally in a city that was home to one of the worst racial attacks in U.S. history. He then claimed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that "nobody had ever heard" of the Juneteenth holiday before the controversy erupted. Trump never mentioned Floyd's name during his remarks Saturday night. Nor did he mention the Juneteenth holiday on Friday that prompted his campaign to reschedule its initial date for the rally. He also did not mention the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, in which a white mob killed an estimated 300 Black Americans while destroying homes and businesses in a once-thriving district known as the Black Wall Street. Trump has drawn fire for many past comments on race, including when he said there were "fine people on both sides" at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when he described members of the violent MS-13 gang as "animals" or reportedly called Haiti, El Salvador and African nations "shithole countries." But Trump's remarks Saturday fell at a particularly sensitive moment in the USA, when the Floyd killing has forced a reexamination not only of police use of force practices but also charges of underlying racism in the nation's criminal justice system. Polls suggest the perception of police has fallen in recent weeks. Among white Americans a group from which Trump enjoyed broad support in 2016 those who had a very favorable or somewhat favorable view of police dropped to 61% from 72% the previous week in a survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project. People wait for the arrival of President Donald Trump during a rally at the BOK in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. On the one hand, Trump argued Saturday that he is better positioned than presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden to pick up support from Black voters opening up a new line of attack he is almost certain to repeat on the campaign trail. Trump said Americans should "not take lectures of racial justice" from Biden, adding that the former vice president "praised and partnered with segregationists," a reference to a controversy centered on other lawmakers with whom Biden worked with in Congress. On the other hand, Trump offered little in the way of concrete policies he would pursue in a second term to benefit Black voters. And he repeatedly embraced language and themes that groups advocating for racial justice have decried. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrating our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control, we're not conforming," Trump said Saturday about protesters forcibly removing statues and other symbols of the Confederacy. Democrats and other critics on social media also blasted Trump for using the term "kung flu" to describe the coronavirus. White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway disputed reports this year that the term was used inside the West Wing. A CBS News reporter said an unnamed official used the phrase in her presence. At the time, Conway described the term as "highly offensive," said "of course it's wrong" and asked reporters to identify who the official was. "I'd like to know who they are," Conway told reporters outside the White House in March. "You can't just say that and not name them. Tell us who it was." Public health officials have discouraged terms that associate a pandemic with a place. Trump had frequently called the coronavirus the "Chinese virus" in the early weeks of the pandemic as a way to blame Beijing for its handling of the crisis there. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrats, critics slam Trump for 'racist' remarks at Tulsa rally WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr said Saturday that President Donald Trump had fired the top federal prosecutor in New York, ending an unprecedented standoff between Barr and U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, who had resisted being removed from his post. Barr informed Berman of the president's move in a sharply worded letter, explaining that Berman's deputy, Audrey Strauss, will serve as the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan until the Senate can confirm a permanent replacement. Under Berman, the office managed a number of sensitive investigations involving people close to Trump, including his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Barr wrote that he had hoped for Berman's "cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition" in the office as Trump nominates the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jay Clayton, to take over the job. Instead, the attorney general wrote, Berman had chosen "public spectacle." "Because you have declared you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr wrote. In a statement Saturday evening, Berman said that because Barr had respected "the normal operation of law" by appointing his deputy to lead the office, he would step aside. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as this District's U.S. Attorney and a custodian of its proud legacy, but I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey's," he said. The extraordinary day-long fight between Barr and the nation's most powerful U.S. attorney deepened alarm among Democrats over Barr's management of the Justice Department, generating fresh accusations the attorney general is placing the president's interests above those of the public. Outside the White House on Saturday, Trump told reporters that Berman's ouster was "all up to the attorney general" and that, despite Barr's contention otherwise, he hadn't become involved in the matter. "That's his department, not my department," the president said. "But we have a very capable attorney general, so that's really up to him." In a tweet, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote that both Trump and Barr are liars. "There's not a single word either man says that we can trust. We must get to the bottom of this," he said. Offering little explanation, Barr announced in a news release late Friday night that Berman would be replaced on an acting basis by the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, and that Trump would nominate Clayton for the position. Berman issued a remarkable statement in response, insisting he had not resigned and had no intention of stepping aside until the Senate confirms his replacement. Overnight, in an email sent to employees, a copy of which was read to The Washington Post, Berman wrote that his only concern was "protecting this office and your work." On Saturday, Berman reported to work at his office in Manhattan. While U.S. attorneys are typically nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, Berman was appointed to his job by the federal court in New York because the Trump administration had left the job without a Senate-confirmed appointee for so long. Some legal experts said they believed that, as a result, only the court could replace Berman before a nominee is confirmed. In his letter Saturday, Barr appeared to change course from his original plan to bring in Craig Carpenito, the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, to lead the New York office - a move that legal experts had said was on especially shaky ground. The shift allows for Berman's deputy to take over. Strauss is well respected in the office but, during a time when she was working in the private sector, made numerous campaign contributions to Democratic political candidates. In his letter, Barr bristled at the statement from Berman late Friday in which he vowed to ensure that the office's "important cases continue unimpeded." Though Berman did not say so specifically, observers interpreted that to mean the investigations of those close to Trump or his interests. "Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately. This is obviously false," Barr wrote. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Gerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said his panel would open an investigation into the episode and seek to secure Berman's testimony. Meanwhile, in Washington, it was far from clear that Clayton, who was confirmed to his SEC position in May 2017, could clear the Republican-controlled Senate. In a statement, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a close Trump ally whose panel oversees U.S. attorney nominations, said he had not been consulted by the move and would follow Senate tradition by essentially giving New York's two home state senators veto power over the nomination. The two Democrats, Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both said Saturday that Clayton shouldn't even be considered for the job. It remains unclear why Barr moved against Berman on Friday - just five months before the presidential election. An official familiar with the events, who said he was disturbed by Barr's move, said he did not believe it was intended to head off any particular investigation. Instead, three people familiar with matter said they believed Barr could have been spurred by long-standing tensions between the New York office and Main Justice in Washington, moving to rein in a prosecutor perceived as too independent. Berman's ouster sparked deep unease among rank-and-file Justice Department employees, particularly given that Clayton has never worked in the office or served as a federal prosecutor. "The message is incredibly clear - they just want a loyalist," the official said, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to be candid. Joon Kim, who served as the interim U.S. attorney in New York before Berman's appointment in January 2018, said that "when actions are taken that can undermine the independence and the integrity of the office, it can only be disheartening." On Friday, Barr met with Berman in New York, offering him a new position as head of the Justice Department's Civil Division, a person familiar the matter said. Berman declined. The person said the offer might have been interpreted as a request to resign but that Berman was under the impression there would be additional discussion. Then, Friday evening, the Justice Department issued the news release announcing his departure. A spokeswoman for Barr declined to discuss Berman's firing or offer an explanation for its timing. A Justice Department official who would speak only on the condition of anonymity described the move as an effort to accommodate Clayton's interest in the job as he anticipates his departure from the SEC. Barr has known Clayton for years and sees the move as a "good idea," the official said. Clayton has never served as a prosecutor. Prosecutors in U.S. attorney's offices around the country have complained privately for months that the Justice Department under Barr has tried to insert itself in their work, with the deputy attorney general's office making what they consider to be far more inquiries than normal, particularly in politically charged cases. That has been especially true for the Southern District of New York, which historically prides itself on trying to operate independently of the leadership at Main Justice and is sometimes referred to in jest as the "Sovereign District of New York." Trump, meanwhile, had long griped to aides about the New York office, complaining that it was filled with Democrats out to get him. It was the Manhattan office that charged his former attorney Michael Cohen with campaign finance violations, noting during Cohen's legal proceedings that he had acted at the direction of a candidate of public office - Trump. Trump has complained, according to a person who spoke with him about it in late 2019, about the investigation of Giuliani and saw it as an attack on him. Berman had sought to rigorously maintain the office's autonomy, people familiar with the matter said, sometimes rankling those at the Justice Department. That was particularly true as the office investigated a Turkish financial institution, Halkbank, that has close ties to Turkey's president, for undermining U.S. sanctions against Iran. In his forthcoming White House memoir, former national security adviser John Bolton writes that Trump repeatedly tried to intervene in the criminal investigation, including telling Turkish President Recip Erdogan, who had complained about the investigation, that he would "take care of things." He also explained "that the Southern District prosecutors were not his people, but were Obama people, a problem that would be fixed when they were replaced by his people." For months, the Justice Department leadership blocked Southern District prosecutors from bringing charges, which greatly frustrated prosecutors in the office, according to two people familiar with the matter. The department relented only after Turkey invaded northeastern Syria in October 2019 to dislodge U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State, angering Washington. Having gotten the green light, prosecutors rushed to bring charges fearing the department would have second thoughts. The office ultimately charged Halkbank with sanctions violations in October; a Justice Department official said Barr supported bringing that indictment. There had been discussion around that time that Berman might be removed and replaced with Ed O'Callaghan, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan who served as then-deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein's top assistant. The rumors grew so loud that Berman hired a lawyer to research the law governing his removal, a person familiar with the episode said. But the talk of replacing Berman essentially ceased last year, after the office charged two of Giuliani's associates with campaign finance violations, as such a development may have appeared retaliatory. It was not clear Saturday how long Barr intends to leave Strauss on the job. She is not considered a Trump ally and has a long history with the office and many supporters among its famously independent employees and alumni. She was an assistant U.S. attorney there from 1976 to 1983 and served on the staff of the independent counsel for the Iran Contra matter, along with Berman. "She is a complete 'no fear or favor,' no political influence type of prosecutor. It's where do the facts lead me? What does the law say? That's Audrey Strauss," said Michael Ferrara, a former prosecutor who left the Southern District in January to join the firm of Kaplan Hecker & Fink. The future of Clayton's nomination is not clear either. Graham called Clayton a "fine man and accomplished lawyer" - and said that he believes the president has the power to remove U.S. attorneys. But he said he would honor the so-called blue-slip rule for the seat, which means that if either home state senator opposes a nominee, it does not move forward. "As chairman, I have honored that policy and will continue to do so," he said. Schumer on Saturday called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration. "Jay Clayton has a similar choice today: He can allow himself to be used in the brazen Trump-Barr scheme to interfere in investigations by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York," he said. "Or he can stand up to this corruption, withdraw his name from consideration, and save his own reputation from overnight ruin. It was Gillibrand who in 2018 threatened to block Berman's confirmation by not returning her blue slip, a move that prompted an interim appointment eventually made permanent by the judges. In a statement, she echoed Schumer's call for Clayton to withdraw from consideration. "I will not be complicit in helping President Trump and Attorney General Barr fire a U.S. attorney who is reportedly investigating corruption in this administration," she said. "... President Trump cannot be allowed to desecrate our nominations process further." - - - The Washington Post's Shayna Jacobs in New York, and Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey and Julie Tate in Washington contributed to this report. As you read this, keep in mind three cardinal rules of national conduct. One, nations dont get richer by printing more money, even though they have the power to do so. Two, nations dont become more socially cohesive by discriminating against their own citizens, even though they have the power to do so. Three, nations dont become more secure by selectively applying the rule of law, for or against either citizen or foreigner, even though they have the power to do so. Many Nigerians are hurting. They feel they have been duped by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration. It has maliciously violated the second and third of those iron clad rules and is on the verge of breaching the first. You see I was nearly duped myself. No sooner was he declared winner of the 2015 elections than President Buhari discarded his borrowed robes of gentility and docility. Even as President-elect he immediately revealed his congenital plumage of Fulani ethnic chauvinism, feudal expansionism, clannish nepotism, and traces of treasonable conduct. I took it upon myself as a patriotic duty to advise him to mend his ways. I tried to alert and warn Nigerians of the grievous danger the incoming Buhari Administration portends to their well-being and safety. This was a full month before he was officially sworn-in as President in 2015. You can imagine the hurt and shame felt by people who have been duped not just once in 2015, but twice in 2019 also, as many of Buharis supporters have been. Many are still living in denial to this day. The giant coalition of supporters that stood behind Buhari in 2015 in a pan-Nigerian show of support for his Presidency has been whittled down dramatically by his incompetence, hypocrisy, and malicious spitefulness to almost zero. All that is left now are the direct or potential beneficiaries of his nepotism, the party faithful and prisoners of ego. The pro-Buhari confederacy of 2015 had many tendencies with disparate agendas. To understand what is happening to Buhari today, it is interesting to enumerate these tendencies and to highlight how their hopes of realizing their separate agendas were raised and then brutally dashed in a manner befitting of a Ponzi scheme. First there were irredentist Yoruba ethnic nationalists, alarmed at the sudden rise of their Igbo ethnic competitors into positions of political reckoning, economic dominance and military significance under former President Goodluck Jonathan. By supporting President Buhari they thought they were killing two birds with one stone. They saw in Buhari an opportunity to cut the rampant Igbo down to size. By supporting Buhari, they also saw an opportunity to provide a Yoruba successor to President Buhari after his tenure. All in the spirit of one good turn, deserving another. Then there were northerners led by the Fulani establishment. They were smarting from the derivation quota of national income from petroleum sales, reserved for mostly oil producing southern minority states. Again, they were extremely fearful of the resurgence of Ndigbo in the national space. Recall that the Igbo, were once defeated militarily by the rest of Nigeria during the Nigerian-Biafra war. The northerners saw in Buhari an opportunity to rearrange the national space and reestablish northern if not Fulani control of Nigerias destiny, using jackboot tactics. Then there were other minority Southerners as well as a handful of Igbo supporters, many flying with the prevailing wind, who were simply tired of corruption rampant under President Jonathan. They were equally frightened by the rise of an Ijaw political hegemony in the South-South political region, not to mention the seeming rise of their Igbo neighbors. They saw in Buhari, a savior who could stamp out corruption, restore justice and fair-play into the body politic. The Yoruba in the pro-Buhari political confederacy, were not frightened by the above stated goals of their Fulani-led northern coalition partners. They felt their mutual interests were complementary and not conflicting. Afterall the Yoruba homeland was largely non-oil bearing. Secondly, they felt it had been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the North needed Yoruba support to secure electoral victory. So, their political marriage with the North was a match made in heaven. Besides the Yoruba controlled corporate Nigeria. Barring the Fulani, all the pro-Buhari coalition partners did not envisage or failed to take one thing into account. What they missed was that there was a secret Fulani resolve championed by Buhari himself. This exclusively Fulani agenda saw in his rise an opportunity to settle the role of the Fulani at the apex of the Nigerian State once and for all. Driven by the morbid Fulani fear of the dismemberment of Nigeria, their goal was to forestall this eventuality by implanting and establishing permanent Fulani ethnic settlements all over Nigeria. Thereafter, to progressively, and perpetually, subdue and subjugate other Nigerians. To many people including otherwise intelligent Nigerians, this expansionist reasoning sounds ludicrous and rather far-fetched. But it is real nevertheless. The Fulani to be re-settled in various places were intended to become indigenous co-owners and not simply sojourning residents of their various resettlement localities. They were to gradually seize the political control of their areas of resettlement and make the original indigenes of those areas subservient to Fulani overlord-ship and other interests. With Fulani in Nigeria, lacking the numbers to man and maintain their proposed ethnic settlements in Southern Nigeria and the Middle-Belt, Buhari eventually openly invited foreigners, essentially armed non-Nigerian ethnic Fulani insurgents from Guinea, Senegal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to come over to Nigeria and help the Fulani seize and control territory. Being himself of dual Fulani and Kanuri parentage, he tried to carry along his maternal Kanuri relatives by giving them prominent positions in his administration, sometimes to the chagrin of Fulani. But it must be stressed that although they are at the very least as violent and as brutal as the Fulani, the Kanuri are not expansionist by nature. They have a well-defined homeland. Something the Fulani alone among all the African tribes do not enjoy. Buharis nepotism, a clear violation of the second rule of national conduct mentioned at the beginning of this piece, is totally in furtherance of expansionist Fulani agenda. Indeed, all of Buharis actions in office have been perpetrated exclusively in pursuit of expansionist goals. For instance Nigerias military, security and judicial muscle has been treasonably subordinated by Buhari in service of Fulani expansionist agenda. A couple of years ago, registered gun owners barring the nomadic Fulani, were irrationally obliged by the security agencies to turn in their weapons in the face of repeated violent Fulani onslaught. Many of President Buharis actions appear capricious and totally lack rationality and coherence until you view them with the lens of Fulani expansionism. Only then do they make sense and appear coherent and carefully thought out. Nigerias security forces have frequently intervened to rescue violent non-Nigerian Fulani terrorists caught in battle while attempting to seize ancestral lands from natives, only for them to be released later. Nigerian military helicopters have been sighted by natives ferrying supplies to Fulani bandit-terrorists embedded in the forests of Southern Nigeria. A retired northern military chieftain in the Federal Ministry of the Interior once revealed that much of the weapons used by non-Nigerian Fulani bandit-terrorists in their operations are traceable to Nigerian military armories. This shielding and open support of criminal foreign Fulani activity in Nigeria at the expense of indigenous Nigerians is in clear violation of the third rule of national conduct mentioned earlier. Therefore, baring a miracle of Lazarific proportions, the Buhari Administration is basically doomed to failure. If you doubt it, take a look at the groupings who have withdrawn their support from the Buhari Presidency. First of all, the majority Igbo were always hostile to this Administration, being the prime targets of its planned emasculation and annihilation. They are even more so today. Second of all, belatedly realizing Buharis expansionist agenda is antithetical to their cultural existence, the majority Yoruba have withdrawn their support all but in name. Third of all, so too have the Middle Belt and all the Southern Minorities. Fourth of all, so too have the northern minorities, including the majority ethnic Hausa, long held captive under minority Fulani subjugation. Under pressure and unable to hold down any of the proposed settlements promised them in Southern Nigeria or the Middle Belt, the foreign Fulani bandit-terrorists invited into Nigeria have turned their guns inwards in Northern Nigeria. So fifth of all, faced with a threat to their lives and homestead properties in Northern Nigeria, by their foreign bandit-terrorist cousins, instead of the permanent settlements they were promised in Southern Nigeria, the Fulani establishment is rapidly withdrawing its support for President Buhari. Failure is indeed an orphan. Even indigenous people (read ethnic Hausas) in Katsina State, Buharis home state are organizing themselves to resist the Fulani bandit-terrorists onslaught. Sixth of all Buharis political party the APC is in disarray at this moment. Everything Buhari has touched is crumbling right before his eyes. This is hardly surprising because the entire edifice of the Buhari Administration is held together by mere spittle of lies, obfuscation, deceit, and propaganda. The bandit-terrorists wreaking havoc in Northern Nigeria are ethnic Fulani, period. Many of them are members of the terrorist group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM). From Senegal to La Republique du Guinee, to Mali, to Burkina Faso to Niger, they are active. And they are moving southwards. Buhari openly invited them to Nigeria when he declared that Nigeria is open to Foreigners. These bandit-terrorists have no learning, other than violence, and no assets, other than weapons. They are the same people Buhari intended to patrol and defend the RUGA settlements he proposed for ethnic Fulani in Southern Nigeria. This is why they are in Nigeria. With no RUGA in sight, these nomadic, expansionist, Fulani foot-soldiers have vented their frustrations and impatience on indigenous Hausa farmers as well as town Fulani in Northern Nigeria. Nigerians should ask themselves this question. Why does the Buhari Administration demur to label these thugs as terrorists? Other than blood being thicker than water, what does he stand to gain by shielding them even at the cost of his presidency and legacy? The rational answer can only be that this Administration are their sponsors and instigators, and they believe they could still be useful in future. This is not rocket science. It is logical deduction. In the interim, do not be deceived by Buhari's charge to the military to eliminate the bandit-terrorists. It is an empty boast, a balloon of hot air and a gimmick designed to buy time. The military and police have been conditioned to regard Nigerian or non- Nigerian Fulani as untouchable. They will not risk their lives in an unprofitable military venture against bandit-terrorists whose success is likely to draw the ire of the President rather than commendation. The sole card left in Buharis hands now is to secretly blackmail Southern Governors to cede their lands for RUGA settlements in their domains. That pressure is currently being applied by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Not too long ago they reminded State Governors that they are still under probe. But eternal woe betide any governor in Southern Nigeria or the Middle Belt who cedes land in his state for the resettlement of Nigerian Fulani and their protectors, the foreign Fulani bandit-terrorists. Yet the greatest losers in all of these developments are the Fulani establishment in Nigeria. They stood idly by and quietly nudged Buhari forwards as he embarked on his malicious journey to dominate Southern Nigeria on their behalf. Now they realize they have unwittingly released a nest of rattlesnakes in their homestead. As the Psalmist observed, wily people are entrapped in the devilish snares they intended for the innocent. It was true in biblical times, it is still true to this day. We wait and watch as Buharis expansionist plot unravels with unintended consequences for the plotters. This is easily the worst Presidency, Nigeria has ever known. They represent everything reprehensible and repugnant in multi-ethnic state Administration. They will retire at the end of their tenure in total disgrace and ignominy. And History shall judge this Presidency as a total waste of time, space, and scarce resources. To round things up we penned this ode. Ode to a Failed Presidency . What a disgraceful end yet awaits. Chorus: Yet awaits! Yet awaits!! A Presidency with no benefits. Chorus: Zero benefits, we daresay! On Security it scores zero. Chorus: Nothing but zero! Everything zero!! On the Economy it scores zero. Chorus: Negative it is, on each count! Plunged Nigeria into irreparable debt. Chorus: Yes they have! Yes they have!! On corruption, all bark, seldom bite. Chorus: Jail the enemy! Slaughter the innocent!! Squander mania everywhere. Chorus: Under their noses! Right under their noses!! Rule of law, they score zero, Chorus: Tyrant here! Dictator there!! Selective application of justice. Chorus: Justice lost! Justice misplaced!! Nation building, they score zero. Chorus: Nepotism here! Tribalism there!! Propaganda, the only excellence. Chorus: Born liars all! Sworn deceivers!! Administrative illiterates, what they are. Chorus: Born to rule! Lives to misrule!! Let them go rule themselves first. Chorus: No they cant! Sure they wont!! God Willing, we shall see how it will end. Chorus: So shall we! So shall we!! Anthony Chuka Konwea, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, MNSE, FNIStructE, MNICE. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, My family is white, and we live in a predominately white neighborhood. However, our kids (twin boys) went to a local public charter elementary and middle school that was very diverse. When it was time for high school, our twins were lucky enough to have their closest friends from elementary and middle school attend the same school. Each of the boys had a diverse group of friends, and they were taken aback, as freshmen in high school, by the way other kids sat at tables in same-race clusters. The kids whod gone to our (small) middle school, where tables were assigned by grade, continued to hang out at lunch together as a mixed group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now my sons have graduated, and their closest friends are still a mix of black, Hispanic, and white kids. I have never been concerned about the kids having any issues around race. But one of our sons mentioned recently how irritated he is by the form he has to fill out regarding a college roommate. He has to specify his race, and all of the profiles of potential roommates he views also include race. He says all he cares about is if they are male or female and what their interests arehe doesnt care about race. With everything going on in the U.S. now, Im doing more reading on racism, and if Im understanding correctly, not caring about race is almost as bad as focusing only on race. Should he care what race his friends are? Or is it OK for him to not even care/notice? Is there something we should be doing or talking to our kids about before they go to college, or is it too late? Are they just as racist as someone who only has white friends, or am I worrying about nothing? Advertisement Advertisement Making a Mountain Out of an Anthill? Advertisement Dear MaMOoaA, I dont believe for a second that you think your kids are racist, so this feels like a disingenuous questionone that means to challenge the idea that not caring about or not noticing race is itself racist. So I will say this: Not caring about or noticing race is a privilege reserved for people who are white. Black and brown people in the U.S. do not have that luxuryand not just with everything going on right now, but ever. And thats the thing you should be talking to your kids aboutfor starters. As the sociologist Megan R. Underhill, who studies race and family, has said, White people arent outside of racetheyre at the top of the racial hierarchy. Dismissing or downplaying this reality only perpetuates inequity and violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not caring about or noticing race is a privilege reserved for people who are white. In last Sundays column, I made lots of suggestions about resources for self-education, so I wont repeat them here, but I will note that your kids are old enough to begin to educate themselves too, soall of youstart reading and start talking. It is most certainly not too late. Its great that your kids have grown up with a diverse group of friendsit ought to be the norm. And as to their part in contributing to the goal of a nonracist lunchroom in high schoolgood for them! But nonracism is only the first step toward a more just society. Anti-racism requires more of us. I trust that your sonsgiven their experience, their friendships, their sense of what injustice looks likewould embrace the opportunity to learn how to take next steps. I urge you to take them right along with your kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you missed Fridays Care and Feeding column, read it here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, I am the single mother to two politically engaged daughters. My youngest, a rising senior in high school, is president of her schools Young Democrats club and is spending her summer virtually organizing for Joe Biden. My eldestwho is home from her sophomore year of collegeis a Marxist involved in her campus Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter. Im sure you can see where this is going. Our house is dominated by talk of politics, ranging from spirited, respectful (albeit LONG) conversations to high-octane arguments. I am sick of all of it. We cant get through a meal without the conversation devolving into a political argument. Our condo is tiny, so even when Im not in eyesight, Im in earshot and can hear the girls going after each other. Advertisement Advertisement I have tried explaining that this endless back-and-forth clearly isnt moving the needle on anyones opinion, so it would serve their causes better to redirect their energy to more volunteering, protesting, etc. (whichto be fairboth of them are already heavily involved in). But each time, I get hard-line pushback from both girls that the other is basically endorsing Trump or supports the bombing of innocent children as justification for this ceaseless cycle of conflict. Still, I want to ensure that my daughters know the value of civic engagement, defending their opinions, and sticking up for what they believe in. To that end, am I doomed to bear witness to months of political talk, so long as they keep things respectful? Or would it be reasonable to ban political argumentation from the home? Advertisement Advertisement Sick of Politics at Home Dear SoPaH, Oh, dear, I can imagine that being trapped in a tiny condo 24 hours a day with two young people with an inexhaustible appetite for political discourse would be maddening. I appreciate that you would be grateful for some peace and quiet. Through my teaching, I spend a lot of time around people the age of your daughters, and Ive observed more apathy than passioneven an allergy to strongly held political stances and big ideas about the world. So I think its worth saying that from what youve told me, I am mostly in awe of your kids. I hope you can appreciate how truly wonderful it is that they care so much (and that its not all talk, eitherthat they both take action too). Of course they are going to argue, and probably more heatedly than they would with anyone else who doesnt agree with them, because when your own sister doesnt see that youre right, it must feel like a profoundly personal affront (not to mention that it probably slides right into the slot of ordinary sibling bickering)so what youre seeing is a swirling mass of serious commitment to ideas about the right way to fix the world and old-fashioned sibling I-know-better battles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt ban political talk, if I were you. I suspect that the more you complain about it, the harder theyll dig intheyre both still at that you-are-not-the-boss-of-me age, after all. And honestly, if I were one of your daughters, Id be outraged if you told me I couldnt argue about politics at home. Right now, arguing politics is their lifeblood. If I were you, Id try to concentrate on being proud of themand invest in a pair of good noise-canceling headphones. Slate needs your support right now. Sign up for Slate Plus to keep reading the advice you crave every week. Dear Care and Feeding, Advertisement I have a toddler. While of course weve made mistakes already, my husband and I feel like largely weve made the right decisions for our family (switching to formula when I had a low milk supply, sleep training, me staying at home with him, etc.), but I have trouble sometimes worrying about what other parents think of my decisions and parenting in general. Last fall, I had a very unpleasant conversation with a friend when she came to hang out at my house in the evening. My kid, who had just been put to bed, was crying when she arrived, and she proceeded to tell me (among other things) that any version of letting a child cry it out is pretty much child abuse. I think that talk did some lingering damage to my burgeoning confidence as a parent. How did you develop confidence as a parent and stop worrying about what other people think? I always want to be willing to listen to other peoples perspectives and learn and grow as a parent, but I dont want to use up too much headspace with thoughts like What would X or Y think about this? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developing Confidence Dear DC, So I have good news and bad news. The good news is that if youre already feeling that largely youve made the right decisions for your family, you are well on your way to developing confidence. When youre challenged about a decision youve made, it will help if you remind yourself of why you made it in the first place. The fact is your parenting decisions are going to be questioned (and sometimes outright countermanded) by others. You will repeatedly be called upon to revisit what you have decided. So one tool in your confidence toolkit should be for you to keep in mind that youve made your choices thoughtfully and carefully. (Im not suggesting, by the way, that this means that you shouldnt let in fresh ideas from perspectives you may not have thought through. Its that balance between thoughtful decision-making and an open mind that leads to true confidence, as opposed to surface-level certainty.) Advertisement It also helps to have the support of your partner, to seek out friends who share your values, to choose day care, sitters, and eventually schools in which you wont have to keep exhaustingly explaining yourself or fighting the same battles again and again. And you might think about whats behind the criticism that you feel undermines you. Sometimes it comes from a place of deeply held different ideas about what is best for children (though it seems to me that no matter how deeply held someones beliefs are, unless a child is in fact being abused, people should hold their tongues when it comes to other peoples childrenand while I know that thats not always easy, that doesnt mean it isnt right). Sometimes people are just busybodies (I remember very welland still a little bitterlythe comments one of my grandmothers-in-law made about my extended nursing). And when it comes to other parents, criticism of your choices may stem from their own insecurity. Anyone who has even the slightest doubts about decisions theyve made (and who doesnt have at least a tiny bit of doubt when it comes to something as important as how to raise a child?) is going to suffer a little flare-up of anxiety when faced with someone whos made precisely the opposite choice. And that anxiety often expresses itself as disapproval, particularly in people who have a lot at stake in seeming super knowledgeable and utterly confident (see surface-level confidence, above). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bad news, Im afraid, is that youll never feel completely confident. But Im not sure thats really such bad news. While its absolutely counterproductive (and draining) to worry about what other people think, I believe that its good to be in touch with your own doubts. For one thing, it means you wont be one of those jerks telling other parents they have got it wrong, because awareness and acceptance of your doubts will allow you to experience them without that kind of desperation. For another, it helps you keep an open mind: As time passes, you may tinker with some of your plans; as your child gets older and his temperament becomes ever clearer, you will want to be nimble enough to figure out what works best for him. Advertisement So I guess the truth is that theres no bad news after all. Unless you count the fact that even now, as the mother of a 27-year-old, I still sometimes feel less than perfectly confident. And while I do my best to think of this as healthyand that it suggests a willingness to learn and changeIll grant you that its sometimes quite uncomfortable. Dear Care and Feeding, My wife and I are expecting our first baby. Were discussing names a lot and are having trouble coming up with even a shortlist that we can both agree on. My question is about the concept of name stealing. I dont think this is a thing. My wife does. She doesnt want our baby to share a name with anyone in either of our families. This is an issue because her family is big and very close. This takes a ton of perfectly good names off the table. One name that I keep coming back to is Jordanbut one of my wifes cousins had a son last year, and his name is Jordan. My wife admits that she loves the name too, but she says we cant pick it because its already been taken. I asked her if she could just talk to her cousin about our using the same name, but she refuses to even broach the topic. Shes firm that she will veto any name that is already in use in either of our families and says well just have to keep brainstorming. I think this false limitation on which names we can choose is ridiculous and frustrating. Whos right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naming Quandary Dear NQ, If I stipulate that in this debatewhich is itself ridiculousI would vote for no limits on naming, will you enjoy the satisfaction of an advice columnist having (irrelevantly) sided with you and stop this argument immediately? It doesnt matter whos right. Veto power when it comes to naming a child belongs to both parents. Youre frustrated by her insistence that the two of you find a name that no one in your families already has? So what? There are plenty of names to choose from. It makes no difference why either one of you strikes a name the other has proposed, and it makes no difference if one of you thinks the reason is silly. Advertisement This letter makes me suddenly nostalgic, arriving as it does right around my daughters 27th birthday, for the crazy, sweet (and, yes, kind of ridiculous) discussions her father and I had about her name when I was pregnant with her: when he struck names from my list because they ended with an Awhich he had an inexplicable aversion toor because they were the names of his ex-girlfriends (I remember parting very sadly with the name Rose, which I loved). For my part, I wanted to avoid a name that was already popularand then, ironically, the name we chose, which had not appeared in the top 100 names for decades, suddenly became popular. Still, that namethe only one, it turned out, that we could agree on in the endwas the perfect name for her. Advertisement Advertisement Keep crossing out names that one of you says no to. Make it a game, for Gods sake. If you cant make this essentially fun task enjoyable, youre going to have a hell of a time when it comes to decisions about feeding, sleep, crying, and potty training. Michelle More Advice From Slate My husband and I recently had our second child. We struggled with thinking of a name the baby and went to the hospital each with a first-choice name and no agreement between us. He very much wanted to name our child a name I strongly dislike, so I said no repeatedly through the pregnancy. He asked me again shortly after the baby was born, and in a haze of hormones and drugs, I agreed. I hate it. What should I do? Thunderstorms, some of them severe, continued to roll across parts of north and central Alabama on Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued several severe thunderstorm warnings as of 3 p.m. Sunday, and more storms will be possible through the evening hours. The strongest storms could bring damaging winds, small hail and lots of lightning. The weather service in Birmingham has gotten a report of one fatality blamed on this afternoons storms. Birmingham Fire and Rescue reported one person was killed when a tree fell onto a house just before 1 p.m. near the Cloverdale area in Jefferson County. The Birmingham International Airport has reported a wind gust of 44 mph with storms that moved through the metro area this afternoon. NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has areas in Alabama roughly north of the Intestate 59 corridor in a marginal risk for severe weather today. A marginal risk is Level 1 out of 5 and means isolated severe storms will be possible. North and central Alabama arent the only ones with active weather on Sunday. Several waterspouts were spotted off the Alabama coast earlier this morning. The chance for storms will continue into the first part of the work week as well. Just the northwest corner of Alabama will have a marginal risk on Monday: Storms will be possible statewide on Monday but a few could be severe in the area in dark green, which will have a marginal risk. And north and part of central Alabama will have another marginal risk for severe storms on Tuesday: A serial child sex offender infected a 14-year-old girl with chlamydia while on a suspended sentence for infecting another underage girl with an STI. The 21-year-old man didn't wear a condom when he had sex with his second victim in a remote community in the Northern Territory in September last year. His own mother is related to the victim's mother, according to NT News. The perpetrator, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the act in the NT Supreme Court on Friday. At the time of the offence, the man was on a suspended sentence for having sex with another 14-year-old girl and giving her an STD. A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old girl in a remote community in the Northern Territory in September last year while serving a suspended sentence for a strikingly-similar crime (file image) The 21-year-old man began texting the underage girl, asking her to come to his house, while the two were living in the same remote community last year. At first, the girl said she could not come over as she was looking after her cousin but eventually gave in to the man's demands. She went over to the man's house, where he asked her to have sex with him. She agreed under the condition they use a condom to prevent a pregnancy or STI. The man refused to use a condom when he had sex with the 14-year-old girl. 'Having known full well that previously he'd had STD's he didn't want to wear (a condom),' Crown Prosecutor Stephen Geary said. '(He showed) a reckless disregard for her health, let alone her age.' After they had sex, the girl pushed the man off of her and walked home. A chemical test strip used to test for STIs such as chlamydia. The girl tested positive for chlamydia after having unprotected sex with the man, who refused to wear a condom A remote community in the NT. The offending man's mother agreed to move away from her community to stop her son from reoffending or accessing social media She tested positive for chlamydia a month later. The assault took place while the man was serving a suspended sentence for a strikingly-similar offence - he had sex with another 14-year-old girl and gave her an STD when he was 17. The man was never convicted and given a fully suspended sentence, which Mr Geary said possibly sent the wrong message. 'He's probably thinking, your honour: ''Well I've been scolded with a feather duster'' well there's no feather dusters here,' Mr Geary said, according to NT News. Mr Geary urged the judge to impose a harsher sentence to leave no doubt in the offender's mind that his behaviour was illegal. The man's defence lawyer Jalal Rizi said the offender's mother is related to the girl's mother. The mothers had spoken and agreed for the offending man's family to move away from the community to stop him from reoffending or accessing social media. He will return to be sentenced for his crime next week. New Delhi: The Rashtriya Rifles, a force which was created in 1990 to fight terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, has complemented the security forces operating in the state to the hilt. The counter insurgency force is made up of soldiers from other parts of the Indian army. It can also be described as a crack force whose main job is to neutralize terrorists at high altitudes. Further, RR works under the authority of Ministry of Defence. The last decade of the 20th century, the 1990s was brutal for Jammu and Kashmir as separatists and terrorists had gained ground in the state. Insurgency had gripped the countryside as Pakistan backed terror groups wreaked havoc in the valley. In such a situation, Rashtriya Rifles played a huge role in counter insurgency operations and was instrumental in breaking the backbone of militancy. An attack on 46 Rashtriya Rifles by Pak terrorists on Sunday (October 2) is likely to elicit a stern response from India, especially as it came exactly a fortnight after the Uri terror attacks and only four days after Indian Army conducted surgical strikes against seven terror launchpads in Pakistan ocupied Kashmir. In Sunday's attack two terrorists were killed while one BSF jawan losts his life. Watch: Suicide attack on BSF, army camp in Baramullah, one jawan killed, 2 terrorists shot dead Sepoy Chandu Babula Chavan, who served with 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control after surgical strikes by India in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. He is still being held captive by the Pakistan army due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Indian government is trying its best to bring the soldier back. Bring Back Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan Safe: News Nation launches campaign for his speedy rescue Do you think Govt is doing enough to bring captured Indian soldier back safely from Pakistan? For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Robert Price is a journalist for KGET-TV. His column appears here Sundays. Reach him at RobertPrice@KGET.com or via Twitter: @stubblebuzz. The opinions expressed are his own. ALBANY An unprecedented surge in absentee ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic will likely delay primary election results for at least a week, election officials and experts said. Local, state, congressional and Democratic presidential primaries are all slated for Tuesday, but many New Yorkers won't turn out to the physical ballot box. Fearing large crowds at polling sites amid the pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in April ordered all registered voters to receive an absentee ballot application. The state has received more than 1.6 million requests for mail-in ballots, said state Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin. The growth in absentee ballots could put several close local races in limbo for weeks, as elections commissioners cannot finish tallying absentee ballots until at least a week after Election Day, and questions over paper ballots often spur litigation between candidates. "The voters, the candidates and the media should all understand that we will probably not know winners in most cases on election night," state Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin said in an interview with The Capitol Pressroom on Thursday. " ... We'll have to wait for the canvassing and counting of all the absentee ballots, so that could easily take a week or more." The 1.6 million figure refers to absentee applications for all elections taking place on Tuesday, which marks the first time that all primaries have been combined in June partially because of the pandemic and partially because of recent changes in election law. The Democratic presidential primary had been scheduled to take place on April 28, but was pushed back amid coronavirus fears; this year is also the first that state legislative primaries are taking place in June instead of September. The Legislature voted to combine the state and congressional primary dates last year. The closest comparable absentee data, from the presidential primaries in 2016, identifies just 115,178 mail-in ballots counted statewide roughly a tenth of the applications received so far. More than 7.5 million absentee ballot applications were sent to voters in total. "This pandemic has really turned everything on its ear," said Jefferson County Board of Elections commissioner Jude Seymour. "We are way more focused on the mail than we have been in previous years." In Albany, the county received 29,957 absentee ballot applications, with 12,562 returned as of Thursday. That's already more than the 9,287 total number of absentee ballots received in the general election in 2016, said county Board of Elections commissioner Rachel Bledi. In-person voting results, both from Election Day and the nine-day early voting period beforehand, will be available on the county Board of Election's website on Tuesday night, she said. But the tally of absentee ballots won't be available at least until a week later, as commissioners are required by law to wait to certify results for a minimum of seven days after Election Day to allow ballots postmarked by June 23 to trickle in. Albany County has two high-profile Democratic primaries: the district attorney's race and the contest for the 108th Assembly District. Depending on physical voter turnout and the difference in votes cast in person, those races could depend on absentees, Bledi said. Some contests like the Democratic presidential primary, where former Vice President Joe Biden is the presumptive nominee will be easier to call on Tuesday night, said Rensselaer County Board of Elections commissioner Jason Schofield. Elections officials will count close races first and then tally absentees from other contests, he said. Rensselaer elections officials had distributed nearly 10,000 absentee ballots as of Thursday, compared to the roughly 1,000 mail-in ballots cast in the 2016 presidential primary. In Saratoga County, officials had dispersed more than 18,000 ballots; in 2016, the number was almost 2,000 returned for the presidential primary, according to state elections data. RELATED: FAQ: How to vote in Tuesday's primary election Lori Van Buren/Times Union In Schenectady, commissioners have sent out more than 12,000 ballots three times the number for the 2016 November general election, local officials said. The numbers are similarly large in every county statewide and it will be a feat unlike any previous effort to verify signatures and accurately count absentee ballots in a timely fashion, elections officials said. I have no idea how were going to do that, said Greg Campbell, an elections commissioner in Clinton County. We wont even be opening those ballots until a week after (Tuesday). I cant even imagine, for some of the larger counties, how they are going to be able to handle it. Its something that is way beyond the scope of anything anybody has experienced before. Some close races might not be settled until late summer, as paper ballots are also most likely to spur legal challenges, said Jim Long, an Albany attorney who specializes in election law. "Lawsuits will start to fly from candidates who think they're in a close race, seeking judicial intervention," said Long, a longtime Democrat. Voters, meanwhile, have encountered their own challenges as the demand for absentee ballots increases. In New York City where nearly 500,000 applications were submitted the surge has created a backlog at the Board of Elections, leaving thousands of voters without ballots in the week preceding the primary. Statewide, there have been scattered reports of envelope shortages and mad dashes to send out absentee ballot applications after Democratic officials attempted to cancel the presidential primary in late April; a federal judge reinstated the contest days later. Nominate your favorite people and places now Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Nominate your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. There have also been some more specific issues: In Saratoga County, voter Ken Taub of Greenfield Center said he received the wrong ballot in the mail one for the 20th Congressional District instead of the 21st, where he lives. He called the county Board of Elections, which mailed him the correct ballot. I was ready to send it back in when I spotted the district number in very small type, Taub said. No one has any reason to look at that. If I didnt and sent it back, it would have been completely invalid. Voter Doug Wheeler of Delmar said he opened his absentee ballot this week to find both envelopes already sealed. As a first-time mail-in voter, he wasn't sure how to handle the problem. Wheeler decided to instead cast his ballot in person on Thursday, during the state's early-voting window. "I saw no information saying what would happen, but I assume if I tore it open, that would invalidate the ballot because it would have been tampered with," Wheeler said. Commissioners in both Saratoga and Albany counties said those incidents do not represent widespread problems, and anyone who has an issue with their ballot can call their local board to receive a proper one. And, of course, there is also the potential for user error: "We cant count your ballot without a signature," said Seymour, the Jefferson County elections commissioner, who added that some first-time absentee voters had forgotten to sign their oath envelope. But even with some hiccups, the results of this year's primary could set the tone for mail-in ballots for years to come. Typically, voters can only receive an absentee ballot if they temporarily live outside their county of residence or they have an illness preventing them from going to the polls, according to state law. Cuomo, when ordering an absentee ballot application to every registered voter in April, had included the threat of the coronavirus as an illness warranting a mail-in option. Commissioners and experts said this directive could continue through the November general election, as public health officials brace for a possible second wave of COVID-19 cases, and possibly for future elections as well. If increased access to absentee ballots also greatly improves voter turnout, the state Legislature could move to permit mail-in ballots permanently without requiring voters to submit a reason. "Theyll embrace it, urge that we move to a mail-in system that encourages this kind of turnout," said Long, the Albany elections attorney. "Those who are trying to hang on by a thin rope will say that its fraud (but) they're going to be totally unfounded." Wendy Liberatore and Amanda Fries contributed reporting. Victims of the notorious judge and prosecutor who was found dead in suspicious circumstances at a Bucharest hotel on Friday have begun speaking up. Azam Jangravi, one of the women activists against compulsory hijab was a victim who has told Radio Farda about her ordeal. Judge Gholamreza Mansouri put many Iranians, both men and women, behind bars after arbitrary trials, took huge bribes -- 500,000 euro in one case -- and fled the country only to be found dead while Iran claimed it wanted to extradite him. On December 27, 2017 during anti-government protests in Iran a young woman climbed on an electricity transformer box on Tehran's Revolution (Enghelab) Avenue, removed her white headscarf, tied it to a stick and started waving it at the crowd that gathered in protest to compulsory dress code for women (hijab). She was immediately arrested by the police but her civil action was the starting point of a movement known as the Girls of Enghelab Avenue. Azam Jangravi was one of the dozens of women arrested for re-enacting what Vida Movahed started on December 27 and posting photos of their protest action on social media. She worked as a researcher at Tehran University's Center for Women's Studies and was studying for a master's degree in artificial intelligence and robotics. The police dragged her down from when she also climbed on an electricity transformer box and took her to a police station, put her in solitary confinement and left her there for four days. She was then taken to see the prosecutor in the case. After waiting for a while, a husky man walked in. It was Mansouri. Azam says the he first called her names and told her she was an agent of the United States and Israel and, threatened her with jail when he did not succeed in persuading her to write a letter of repentance. "I told him what I did was in protest to the unfair compulsory hijab law and had nothing to do with espionage. The officer who was taking me to the court told me not to protest because Judge Mansouri could easily send me to prison, " Azam told Radio Farda. "Judge Mansouri shouted at me rudely to get up from the chair as soon as he entered the room. Then he looked me in the eye, called me a prostitute and a nutcase and threatened to ruin my life," Azam says. "He threatened to take away my driving license, have me fired from work and from the university where I studied to get a master's degree," she adds. Judge Mansouri made all his threats come true. Azam's car was confiscated so she couldn't drive any more, her boss was forced to fire her, and she was kicked out of the university. But the worst was the threat to take away her daughter. "I got divorced from my husband in absentia and had full custody of my daughter. He threatened to take away my daughter and hand her over to social services," she says. Judge Mansouri threatened to send Azam to the notorious Qarchak prison where hygiene and security standards are appalling. She was, however, taken to another notorious prison, Evin. She was put on trial twice, once for protesting against the compulsory hijab and again to deprive her of the custody of her daughter "because, he said, I was a nutcase and wasn't fit to look after my daughter", Azam says. Azam knew that courts had no power, in theory, to build a case against her to take away her daughter because her divorce was legal but Mansouri was omnipotent and had a lot of influence and his command would be carried out. The hearing for depriving Azam of her daughter's custody was held an hour after the trial for protesting hijab which ended up in a three-year jail term. In the hearing they said the divorce had to be annulled "due to insufficiency of evidence and documents" and the child's custody had to be given to her husband who had never visited the child in five years. They claimed that the documents and evidence she had offered to get her divorce were lost. Eventually, the judge ruled that the child had to be handed over to her father within ten days. That was when she decided to flee the country. "I had a few very hard months in Turkey and was worried all the time that Mansouri could locate us". Azam eventually moved to Canada where she lives happily with her daughter now but hearing that Judge Mansouri was dead came as a shock. "I can't say I'm happy about his death. I really wished he would be put on a fair and transparent trial. I wasn't his only victim. He had tens or maybe even hundreds of other victims who still live in Iran and can't do anything to get justice," she says and adds: "There are still many others like him in the system that need to be brought to justice". The armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given "full freedom" to give a "befitting" response to any Chinese misadventure, government sources said after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in eastern Ladakh at a meeting with the top military brass on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. India has already mobilised fighter jets and sent thousands of additional army troops to forward locations along the border with China after 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in a brutal attack by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15. The clash in Galwan Valley, the worst cross-border violence in 45 years, significantly frayed ties between the two countries, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a strong message to China that India wants peace but if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply. In the meeting on Sunday, Singh told the top military officers to maintain a strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, the airspace and in strategic sea lanes, the sources said. Following the Galwan incident, military sources said Indian troops will no longer be bound by the long-held practice of not using firearms in faceoffs. The armed forces were told to be fully ready to give a befitting reply to any Chinese misadventure, the sources said, adding a "tough" approach is being adopted to guard the border. Seventy-six Indian soldiers were also injured in the Galwan Valley clash. China's People's Liberation Army has not yet talked about the number of casualties it suffered. The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries. The two armies had mutually decided not to resort to use firearms during face-offs in sync with provisions of two agreements on border management. The agreements were signed in 1996 and 2005. "Henceforth, our approach will be different. The ground commanders have been given full freedom to take decisions depending on the situation," a top military official said on the condition of anonymity. The Indian Air Force has already moved a sizeable number of its frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters to several key air bases including Leh and Srinagar in the last five days. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria on Saturday said the IAF is "well prepared" and "suitably deployed" to counter any security challenge along the border with China and even hinted that his force has flown combat air patrols in the Ladakh region as part of heightened preparedness. Under combat air patrols, fully armed fighter jets can be scrambled at short notices for specific missions. The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5 when their troops clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on May 5 and 6. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. Prior to the clashes, both sides had been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it was necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Singh's review of the situation in eastern Ladakh came a day before he embarks on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. Donald Trump on Saturday used the racist term 'kung flu' to describe COVID-19, sparking outrage online. The president, speaking in Tulsa, Oklahoma at his first rally in three months, said of the virus: 'It has more names than any disease in history. I can name kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names.' His own adviser, Kellyanne Conway, in March called the term 'wrong and highly offensive' when it was suggested a White House official had used it in front of a Chinese American CBS reporter. But by Saturday night Trump was using the term to laughter and cheers from his supporters. Among those outraged by the comments was Captain America actor Chris Evans. He tweeted: 'Did the president of the United States just say Kung flu at his rally? He made a racist joke. He made. A racist. Joke. To applause. Im speechless.' Scroll down for video Donald Trump on Saturday used the racist term 'kung flu' to describe COVID-19 Among those outraged by the comments was Captain America actor Chris Evans Law professor Jennifer Taub wrote: 'Trump is a racist pig. He just called Covid-19 Kung Flu.' The coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, has been referred to by the president as the 'Wuhan virus' or the 'Chinese virus' The reference was not well received as dozens of people voiced their disgust on social media The coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, has been referred to by the president as the 'Wuhan virus' or the 'Chinese virus'. Linking the virus, which has caused a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 119,000 Americans, to China has led to an uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans in recent months. And the reference was not well received as dozens of people voiced their disgust on social media Saturday night and into Sunday. Journalist Aaron Rupar said: ''Trump calls the coronavirus 'Kung flu' and then says, 'many call it a flu.' (Nobody with a working brain says that.)' Law professor Jennifer Taub wrote: 'Trump is a racist pig. He just called Covid-19 Kung Flu.' Reporter Marc Caputo noted adviser Conway's comment in March, adding: 'Trump advisor @KellyannePolls said in March that 'Kung Flu' is offensive & called out @weijia for saying a WH official used the term with her: "you cant just say that and not name them. Tell us who it was. Come up here and tell us who it was".' The reaction to Trump's comments on Saturday was fierce, as Twitter users assailed the president for using racist language Trump's own adviser, Kellyanne Conway, in March called the term 'highly offensive' The reaction to Trump's comments on Saturday was fierce, as Twitter users assailed the president for using racist language. Trump has repeatedly criticized China and its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. A photo of his notes from a March press briefing shows his script had been amended so the term 'corona virus' read 'Chinese virus'. Trump told reporters at the White House then that he used the description because the virus originated in the Wuhan province of China. 'It's not racist at all. It comes from China, that's why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate,' he said during a press briefing. Weijia Jiang, a reporter for CBS News, claimed in March that a White House official referred to coronavirus as the 'Kung Flu' right to her face. Jiang was born in China and raised in West Virginia. She did not identify the official, but Jiang mentioned the remark Wednesday morning to Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president. 'Of course it's wrong,' said Conway, who wanted to know the identity of the official. She called the reference 'highly offensive' and noted that she was married to an Asian American and that her children were 25 per cent Filipino. 'Why don't we go to the source and tell them that's very hurtful and unhelpful.' On Saturday the president tried to defend his handling of the pandemic, even as cases continue to surge in many states, including Oklahoma. The president also complained that robust testing was making his record look bad and suggested the testing effort should slow down. 'Heres the bad part. When you do testing to that extent, youre going to find more cases,' Trump said. 'So I said to my people, `Slow the testing down. They test and they test.' CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reported in March that a White House official referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' to her face The White House had promised the much-hyped event - Trump's first rally in three months - would be flooded with up to 100,000 people, but television images showed large sections of empty seating in the 19,000-capacity BOK Center. A outdoor event for the overflow crowd was canceled because no one showed up, despite the campaign hyping huge interest ahead of time, with more than a million ticket requests. Trump had claimed 'thugs' blocked his supporters from filling the noticeably vacant seats at his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Reports have been circulating in the last week that teen users of social media platform TikTok were block-booking tickets in a bid to embarrass the campaign. Former Republican strategist and Trump critic Steve Schmidt said teenagers nationwide had ordered tickets without intending to turn up to ensure there would be empty seats. He looked fatigued as he returned to the White House early Sunday following his first campaign rally in nearly four months. Saturday night marked Trump's first rally since campaigning was sidelined by the coronavirus crisis and since Joe Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Polls show Biden leading Trump in their match up as voters give the president low marks for his handling of the pandemic and for his response to race relations after the death of George Floyd. In his nearly one hour and 41 minute speech, Trump railed against his rival 'Sleepy Joe' and claimed he was controlled by the 'radical left.' The White House had promised the much-hyped event - Trump's first rally in three months - would be flooded with up to 100,000 people, but television images showed large sections of empty seating in the 19,000-capacity BOK Center His speech painted a fearful picture of life in America under a President Joe Biden, where people wouldn't be able to own a gun or go to church, and where mob rule would be a way of life. His speech also contained the kind of political red meat his supporters like to hear: his support for a strong military, his criticism of protesters tearing down statues of Confederate Army officers, his demand that other nations stop 'ripping off' the United States, and his call for people who burn the American flag to serve one year in jail. Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus. The Tulsa event was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spiked in many states. The choice of host city and date - originally Friday, Juneteenth, in a city where a 1921 racist attack killed as many as 300 people - prompted anger and protests against racial injustice. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath was trolled on social media and came in for sharp criticism from the BJP when his office posted his one-year-old photo in a Yoga posture on its Twitter handle on International Yoga Day on Sunday. Best wishes on International Yoga Day. We can work with more agility, attention and concentration, being full of positive energy and in good health by practising Yoga. Pls practise yoga every day and be healthy was the message posted with the photo on Kamal Naths twitter handle @OfficeOfKNath. The same photo was posted on International Yoga Day last year when he was the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. Did you not practise yoga this year? You posted last years photo, commented a Twitter user @yashsheopur in his reaction. Another Twitter user said, It means Kamal Nath ji is busy in Yoga since last one year. The HT Guide to Coronavirus COVID-19 BJP didnt lose time in taking a dig at the state Congress president. In his satirical comment, state BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said, Perhaps Kamal Nath couldnt get his photograph snapped this year. Thats why he posted his photo from last year. State Congress presidents media coordinator Narendra Saluja said, The photo posted on Kamal Nath jis offices Twitter handle, to congratulate people in the state and also the country on the International Yoga Day on Sunday, was symbolic. It was not mentioned anywhere that the photo was taken on Sunday. But BJP leaders, who are expert in fake news and dirty politics, began the smear campaign to mislead people. Central govt to handle special natl security cases while HKSAR to deal with 'normal' ones, showing clear division of authority under draft Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 23:50:13 China's central government assumes fundamental responsibilities for the national security affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) while the SAR has constitutional responsibilities and should perform its duties, according to the newly unveiled draft of the national security law for Hong Kong, which also clearly stipulates case jurisdiction, law application and related procedures. The HKSAR shall exercise jurisdiction over criminal cases endangering national security from investigation, prosecution to trial and punishment, unless in special circumstances, according to the provisions of the draft law released after the three-day meeting of the 19th session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee which concluded on Saturday. All these procedures would be carried out under the legal system of the HKSAR, in line with local laws and the national security law for Hong Kong, the draft said. From the aspect of law enforcement, when the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is handling cases which endanger national security, it could adopt various means empowered by the existing law in Hong Kong as well as provisions of the national security law for Hong Kong, the draft showed. The chief executive of the HKSAR government shall appoint a number of judges from current or qualified former magistrates, district court judges, judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, judges of the Court of Appeal, and judges of the Court of Final Appeal. The judges are responsible for handling crimes that endanger national security. Under the draft law, the HKSAR government will set up a special commission chaired by the chief executive to protect national security. The provision has copied the successful experience in Macao for safeguarding national security under the "one country two systems" framework, said Li Xiaobing, a Hong Kong affairs expert at Nankai University in Tianjin. On the decision to allow the chief executive to appoint judges to handle national security cases, Lawrence Tang Fei, a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said that the move does not mean the central government lacks trust in the chief justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal but it is a legally and politically reasonable move to make the chief executive take responsibility for national security matters under the basic law. "If it was not the chief executive but judges of the Court of Final Appeal to designate judges, it would be unclear who assumes the chief responsibility for maintaining national security in Hong Kong," Tang told the Global Times on Saturday, adding that the move which does not exclude foreign judges is a "scientific, rational and fact-based" decision because there is no evidence that foreign judges have "loyalty issues." By authorizing the chief executive to appoint the judges, it will allow the chief executive to have more authority while his/her responsibility will be heavier, more significant and play a more important constitutional role, Li told the Global Times on Saturday. The draft law also stipulates that the commissioner's office for national security affairs in Hong Kong and relevant national authorities exercise jurisdiction over a very small number of crimes against national security under special circumstances. The proposal to set up a commissioner's office of the central government for national security affairs in Hong Kong is not a move that will undermine the "one country, two systems" but is a sound one that will address problems such as riots which pose serious threats to national security and some opposition groups challenging the supervision power of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong. The new central government agency will not interfere with HKPF operations, as there will be a clear division of rank and work, where the commissioner's office will handle complex national security cases which are not able to be handled by the police force, observers said. The office's relationship with the Hong Kong police is akin to that of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation with local police and that of the UK's MI5 Security Service with local police, according to Tang. "That shows that the central government has considered international examples rather than simply bringing the mainland's national security system to Hong Kong. It highlights the advantage of the 'one country, two system,'" Tang said. The upcoming national security law for Hong Kong is conducive to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, avoiding the possibility of leading to a state of emergency in the HKSAR. Tian Feilong, a Hong Kong affairs and legal expert at Beihang University in Beijing, told the Global Times that the draft law showed that it will thoroughly activate and use the existing forces within the HKSAR government to execute law-enforcement missions regarding national security affairs and will highly respect the human rights and legal standards that already exist in Hong Kong. "It also covered and considered the uniqueness of national security cases, so that the central government will establish an agency in Hong Kong to ensure the jurisdictional power of the central government in special situations," he said. On one hand, this could meet the demand of the country to safeguard national security; on the other, the central government has tried its best to maintain the high-level autonomy and judicial independence of the HKSAR, Tian noted, in other words, this would make the new law have a "minimum impact on the one country and two systems but maximize the effectiveness" to safeguard national security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1. Yes. Too many kids are staying home. They need a virtual learning option to keep up. 2. Yes. Teachers are out sick and subs cant handle the load. Online learning is needed. 3. No. Its too late in the school year to make a wholesale switch in teaching platforms. 4.No. Many parents arent in a position to stay home while their kids learn virtually. 5. Unsure. It may seem like a good idea from a health standpoint, but it has shortcomings. Vote View Results Canada welcomed 67,000 new international students between January and April 2020 from 156 different countries. Where are Canadas international students arriving from? Where are Canadas international students arriving from? Canada welcomed 67,000 new international students between January and April 2020 from 156 different countries. Where are Canadas international students arriving from? Canada welcomed 67,000 new international students between January and April 2020 from 156 different countries. Where are Canadas international students arriving from? Canada welcomed 67,000 new international students between January and April 2020 from 156 different countries. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Pour lire cet article en francais, cliquez ici. Canadas international student population has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2019, Canada had over 640,000 international students which means its foreign student population has tripled over the past decade. International students are attracted to Canadas high quality of education, diversity, safety, affordability, work opportunities, and immigration pathways. As such, Canada is now welcoming international students from around 175 countries each year. An early look at Canadas 2020 international student data shows that many students were still coming to the country up until coronavirus lockdowns were imposed around the world. See if you are eligible to study in Canada in fall 2020 Top 15 international student countries in 2020 New data by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that Canada welcomed 67,000 students from 156 countries between January and April 2020. India remains the top source country with the other leading source countries remaining largely the same as in 2019. So far in 2020, the top 15 source countries are: India China South Korea Vietnam Brazil Iran France Nigeria Colombia Japan Mexico Philippines Bangladesh Morocco United States Impact of the coronavirus pandemic Canadas international student intake in the first four months of 2020 has been weaker than during the same period last year. During the first four months of 2019, Canada welcomed over 95,000 new international students. The obvious reason for the nearly 30 per cent decline in new students is the global coronavirus pandemic. The number of Chinese students arriving in early 2020 has been weaker than last year, with COVID-19 lockdown measures imposed by China playing a factor. Similar measures were adopted by Canada and other countries in March when the coronavirus began to spread more widely. By March 18, Canada introduced travel restrictions which have since prevented anyone that did not hold a study permit as of March 16 from entering the country unless there is another exemption that allows them to come to Canada. What will happen in the summer and fall of 2020? Canada will make an announcement later this month on its travel guidelines in July 2020 and beyond. Given that IRCC has said it will continue to process study permits to the best of its ability, new international students should expect to be allowed to enter Canada later in 2020. Currently, Canadian colleges and universities are issuing letters of acceptance to international students. A recent survey found that international students remain determined to study in Canada despite the pandemic. Canada has introduced a variety of special measures to help such students study. For example, it announced a major reform that will allow students to begin their programs online and remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. The PGWP can help international students gain Canadian work experience after completing their program which they can go on to use to support their eligibility for a Canadian immigration program. Recognizing the importance of international students to Canadas economic and social vibrancy, we can expect IRCC to consider further temporary reforms to help students begin their programs in the second half of 2020. See if you are eligible to study in Canada in fall 2020 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat (The Jakarta Post) The Conversation Sun, June 21, 2020 12:52 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066068dd9 3 News COVID-19,coronavirus,health,traveling,Airport,pandemic Free COVID-19 has changed the international security paradigm. Almost two decades ago, security forces around the world focused on how to deal with terrorist threats following the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Governments invested resources and effort in counter-terrorism tactics, including surveillance, detention, enhanced interrogation, the gathering of personal data and the prosecution of terrorist suspects in military tribunals. Some of these measures also created controversies, among them violations of individuals privacy. People could be suspected, monitored and detained for the sake of national security. Yet, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the global fear and efforts to counter it might move the focus from terrorism and terrorists towards diseases and those infected by it. COVID-19 has taken about 400,000 lives to date. By comparison, terrorism has killed about 21,000 people a year over the past decade. Unlike terrorists, COVID-19 does not choose its victims; anyone with varying degrees of vulnerability can be infected. It is like a wild ball released in an open space. It will hit anything that comes into contact with it indiscriminately, triggering a new global security concern. Same tools, different purpose In the post-9/11 era, nations were preoccupied with how to identify and track potential terrorists But now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, government will extend their targets for security measures. Governments will prioritize spotting the spread of any virus and understanding and controlling the movement of people to prevent further spread. For policymakers, intelligence or security officers, the priority will perhaps be less about stopping certain individuals from potentially carrying out terrorist attacks, and more about checking whether individuals are sick or not. Their focus of attention will be on our bodies temperature and blood pressure. For agencies that intercept communications, there may also be changes in what they probe. Intelligence-sharing between nations will shift to revolving around new diseases. In addition, the same technology used to hunt down terrorists will be used to identify those who are sick and to track the spread of disease. This has started to happen in various countries. China and Russia have used CCTV cameras to track people during the pandemic. Drones are being deployed to warn people to wear their masks. South Korea, Singapore and Israel track credit card transactions, phone location data and CCTV video as well as conversations with people, to create a system where confirmed cases can be tracked. Intelligence agencies may still collect meta-data from phones, online searches or other forms of online activity. But it may no longer be about whether individuals search for how to make a bomb online, but about whether they search online about certain diseases or drugs. Similar to after the 9/11 attack, the COVID-19 pandemic will also lead to increased security at points of entry such as airports, stations and ports. But the difference is those measures will aim to ensure that people traveling in and out the country are not infected by any disease. People might be stopped because they look sick and interrogated about their medical histories. Such steps have gradually become apparent today. For instance, India is beginning to stamp the hands of people suspected of having COVID-19 on arrival at airports. Reservation data from airlines and trains are being monitored to ensure those people didnt travel. Countries may also close their borders to other countries with a high number of cases of certain diseases. Many countries, including Egypt and Qatar, have closed their borders due to coronavirus. Who will be the most affected? The 9/11 attacks led to racial profiling direct at certain communities. Since the perpetrators were identified as Arabs and Muslims, collateral damage led to innocent Arabs and Muslims worldwide being swept up in the discriminatory profiling. They have been subject to prejudice, discrimination and bias. COVID-19, however, may expand this. Racial profiling may still be relevant as today there is a prejudice against China where COVID-19 originated. But, as viruses can infect anyone, targets of increased security measures will also widen. If someone looks sick or coughs or sneezes in a public place, that may be enough to get them hostile glares, or additional checks at airports. Today, sick individuals are seen as health hazards and people have increased their vigilance when meeting a sick person. As with Muslims after 9/11, the sick person faces discrimination and violations of privacy, ranging from receiving a look of fear, having their temperature or health conditions tested, to being quarantined and spied on as a necessary means to achieve greater national security. While the targets of post-9/11 security measures are guilty until proven innocent, we might now enter an era where people are considered sick until proven healthy. In the post-pandemic age, it is possible countries with the most COVID-19 cases will be greatly affected by health-related measures taken by more vigilant countries. Moreover, the reality on the ground shows Western countries such as the US and Europe are the least prepared and have the highest numbers of cases in the world. It should not be surprising then if, for example, US citizens have to go through additional checks and interrogations when landing in a developing country such as Vietnam in Southeast Asia. --- Dikanaya Tarahita, an Indonesian journalist, co-authored this article. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Lecturer in International Relations, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 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. Tina Montgomery, of West Philadelphia, marched to the Art Museum with a protest that began at LOVE Park on Sunday. Members of the local Black and LGBTQ communities marched in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Read more More than 500 demonstrators gathered in LOVE Park on a stiflingly hot Fathers Day to support the Philly Queer March for Black Lives, calling for justice and fairness and denouncing the racism that permeates American life. Sunday marked the 23rd straight day of protest in the city since the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. There are plenty of people in this crowd who are tired of this, marching, screaming, crying, begging other people to stop killing them, said Madelyn Morrison, the director of the Bryson Institute at the Attic Youth Center, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ youth. Protesters came dressed for the weather tank tops and short shorts and ready to show off their personalities through glittery makeup and platform sneakers with rainbow socks. Parents brought their children. Organizers handed out bottles of water and voter-registration forms. READ MORE: Heres live coverage of whats happening June 21 One demonstrator came with her Shiba Inu dog, which wore a sign that said, Shibas for Black Lives Matter. The fight to be free of the cage is never-ending, said Miyanna Brooks, a longtime advocate in the Philadelphia trans community. This is the time to break free and soar as high as we can. The protesters marched to the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum in an event organized by the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club, Galaei, William Way LGBT Community Center, Philadelphia Family Pride, and Philadelphia March. Most people wore protective masks, and tried to stay distanced from one another, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sicken and kill. So far 119,868 Americans have died and more than 2.2 million are infected. But weeks of protest in Philadelphia, where at times thousands of people crowded together, has so far not resulted in a huge spike in cases. On Friday, 12 counties including Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery will officially move into the final, less-restrictive green stage of reopening. Hard-hit Philadelphia will go green the same day, but city officials will keep some restrictions in place until July 3 or later. New Jersey hair salons, spas, tattoo parlors and barbershops will be allowed to reopen on Monday, though masks and social distancing are a must. On Sunday morning, several dozen protesters gathered at the Octavius Catto statue near City Hall, then marched to the Constitution Center to protest Floyds killing. The demonstration was organized by the Urban League of Philadelphia to celebrate Black fatherhood, but also to mourn those fathers who have died in what should have been routine encounters with police. This is the first Fathers Day George Floyd will not celebrate with his family, said State Rep. Morgan Cephas, (D., Phila.). Its important, she said, that the urgent national conversation about systemic racism goes beyond the issue of police brutality. Right now we are standing up for police reform, but we recognize the knee on our neck when it comes to economic progress, education, she said. We recognize there are injustices across the entire system. State Rep. Jordan A. Harris, (D., Phila.), said that often in the Black community, the importance of fathers is negated. He stressed that spending time with young Black men who need love and caring is also an act of activism. Fathering our community is part of being the resistance, Harris said. And racism is not a gray area for me. You are either with us or against us. You either value our humanity or you dont value our humanity. Jim Dey, a member of The News-Gazette staff, can be reached by email at jdey@news-gazette.com or by phone at 217-351-5369. Bengaluru, June 21 : On the 6th International Yoga Day, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Sunday exhorted people to make yoga a part of their lifestyle for physical and mental well-being. "Let's make yoga a part of our lifestyle so that it can be the best way to our physical and mental wellbeing," Yediyurappa said. Marking the day, state Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said the International Yoga Day was being celebrated at a time when the world was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, hence the focus on health. "Yoga is the best health insurance as it boosts immunity and enhances overall wellness. Let us make yoga part of our life," said Sudhakar in a tweet. Echoing Sudhakar, state health minister B Sriramulu said yoga was helpful for the overall wellness of the body, mind and soul. "Yoga is useful for a healthy body. Let's practice a new life style through yoga," said the minister in a statement on the occasion. "Yoga is India's greatest contribution to the world. It combines mental and physical thinking, action, restraint and effectiveness. In daily life, yoga can keep the body and mind clear and focused," said Tourism Minister C T Ravi in a statement here. Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah said yoga should not be a one-day show and one should strive for practising it daily as it would help improve the health of all. As performing yoga outdoor is not allowed due to Covid-induced extended lockdown till June 30, hundreds of people practised it with family at their home. However, a section of youth performed yoga feats at the iconic Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat) in City Centre. According to reports from cities and towns across the southern state, hundreds of people celebrated the historic day, practising yoga at their home for healthy life and sound mind. "As yoga exercises are not allowed outdoor, to maintain social distancing and complying with the lockdown norms, the event went online with experts guiding citizens doing various exercises as per the protocol of the Ministry of Ayush in Dakshin Kannada's district on the state's west coast," a health official told IANS here. Yoga expert Gopalakrishna Delampady using the digital media, demonstrating yoga at his residence in Yeyyadi, Mangaluru where he was joined by students and faculty of St Aloysius college, SDM college and others. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, June 22 2020 PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE) might delay the completion of the Rp 22 trillion (US$1.5 billion) Batang Toru hydropower plant (PLTA) in North Sumatra because of manpower issues. The power plant developer has submitted a request to the plants offtaker, state-owned electricity company PLN, to push the facilitys launch of commercial operations back from 2022 to 2025. We are currently in talks, NHSE spokesman Firman Taufick told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The point is, we will always follow PLN policies and orders." 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 Of those new cases, one is a close contact of a Keilor Downs family, taking the total number linked to that outbreak to 11 spread across nine households. Another new case is linked to a Coburg family, taking that outbreak to 14, and three are linked to the Stamford Plaza Hotel, bringing that outbreak to 13. Six schools were forced to close on the weekend after positive cases were reported. St Mary's Primary School in Hampton, St Monica's College in Epping and Keilor Downs College remain closed. Albanvale Primary School, Springside Primary School and Camberwell Grammar School are expected to reopen tomorrow. The AHPPC does not have powers to enforce a lockdown but the recommendation has been made to the Victorian government. There are now 210 cases believed to be related to community transmission, an increase of 10 from Saturday's figures. "The AHPPC notes that while these Victorian outbreaks are of immediate concern, it remains probable that Australia will experience periodic outbreaks," said the AHPPC, which is made up of the state and federal health officers. "It is critical that we are able to continue to control transmission. The AHPPC recognised the importance of the measures taken by the Victorian government yesterday, which seek to reduce further spread and the development of new outbreaks." A government spokesperson said on Sunday night that residents of Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin should be "particularly vigilant" in adhering to limits on visitors in their homes, avoid unnecessary travel, and practise good hygiene and social distancing. "If we keep seeing high case numbers each day, we will have to consider returning whole suburbs back to Stay At Home directions. We have not reached that stage yet," the spokesperson said. "Our message to every Victorian remains clear if you can work from home, you must work from home. Minimising the number of people on public transport and in common areas is the best thing we can do to reduce our levels of community transmission and get case numbers down." Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said authorities were extremely concerned about family gatherings, which have contributed to the uptick in coronavirus cases following a period of relative stability. "Just because you can do something does not you mean you should do it," Ms Mikakos said. "Yes, you have been able to go to local shopping centres, you have been able to go to cafes, you have been able to do many things in recent weeks ... but it's important to understand that in Melbourne, in particular parts of Melbourne, we have many confirmed cases. "Therefore moving about, having interactions with other members of the community does present you with the risk and presents a risk to your loved ones." The Victorian government announced on Saturday it was scrapping plans to further ease restrictions amid a double-digit growth in cases for five days in a row, making the state "absolutely at risk of a second peak". Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Sunday officers would once again begin cracking down and issuing fines to Victorians who "deliberately, obviously and blatantly" breached the restrictions. Police will flood holiday hotspots, as they did over the Easter long weekend in April, to ensure Victorians are complying with the new orders, which have seen household gatherings reducedto five guests and outdoor gatherings halved from 20 to 10. Authorities, including police, community leaders, faith-based groups and local councils, would also go door-knocking in coronavirus hotspots to educate people about the new restrictions and the importance of heeding them, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said. Loading "There's fatigue about this globally," Professor Sutton said. "This has been going on since the beginning of the year and it is incredibly hard to sustain behaviours that are not natural to us. "We all want to see friends, we all want to see family, we all want a psychological break of doing things that are normal, and so, yes, there has been a drop-off in the kind of constraints people have put on their lives that's happened across the world. "But as the [World Health Organisation] warned this week, that is a danger ... this is a tipping point and we need to bear that in mind." Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton speaks to the media on Sunday. Credit:Chris Hopkins Professor Sutton urged Victorians to adopt a "tempered" approach to travelling over the school holidays, and warned people from mingling with other families interstate. He said he was "open to the idea" of mandating masks in public, but did not believe it was necessary in Victoria, where the surge in cases had been driven by family transmission. He said masks could give people a false sense of security. He has also ruled out allowing crowds at AFL games for the near future as the state grapples with trying to suppress the spread of coronavirus. This comes after Essendon player Conor McKenna tested positive to COVID-19, and a "small group" of his colleagues identified as close contacts were forced to self-isolate. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said while he knew it was difficult for people to avoid hugging or kissing friends and family, social distancing needed to be maintained. It is a hard thing to remember. You have to catch yourself now when you see your friends and family who you have not seen for a long time," he said. "These things are nonetheless important and, arguably, far more important than, say, wearing a face mask." The Victorian Opposition has blamed the Andrews government for the recent growth in the number of coronavirus cases and what it said had been the "double standard" from the Premier in enforcing restrictions while not stopping thousands gathering at the recent Black Lives Matter protest. "Daniel Andrews needs to explain why he's so keen on fining families now when he refused to take action against 10,000 people who were gathering [for the Black Lives Matter protest] in direct breach of the Chief Health Officer's directions," Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said. Kolkata: The CPI(M) urged the Center to continue with the "diplomatic and political" moves to defuse tension and eliminate cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and hoped that there would not be any further escalation of conflict between the two countries in the near future. The party's general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, also urged the Center to ensure the safety and security of the people from cross-border terrorism. "We have been following the operation of the Indian Army. We hope that now, incidents like the one at Pathankot and the recent one at Uri will not recur. We feel that the government should ensure the safety and security of our people from cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan," he told reporters here. "We hope that there is no further escalation of conflict henceforth. We urge upon the Government of India, from its position of strength, to continue with the diplomatic and political moves to defuse tension and eliminate the scorch of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan," Yechury said. India, on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launchpads across the LoC with the Army inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It happened days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning that the Uri terror attack would not go unpunished. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Neste has launched a new research project which aims at developing sustainable and globally scalable raw materials and technology solutions for transportation fuels and the production of chemicals and polymers. These new solutions decrease the use of crude oil and tackle climate change. The new technologies will be based on scalable renewable and circular raw materials that have been difficult to utilise so far, such as forestry or agricultural residues, municipal waste, algae, waste plastics and carbon dioxide. The commercialization of these raw materials requires long-term research and development of novel value chains with partners. Neste receives support for the project from Business Finland and works closely with companies, research institutes and universities. Nestes target is to become a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. Innovation is an important enabler to strengthen our ambitious growth strategy. Our innovation activities focus on renewing the existing businesses and developing new raw materials and technology solutions for transportation fuels as well as chemicals and polymers, says Lars Peter Lindfors, Senior Vice President, Innovation at Neste. In the next few years, Neste will increase its investments in research and development as well as create new jobs in innovation in Finland to secure the companys long-term growth targets. Increasing innovation promotes the competitiveness of Finnish research institutes and industry, and creates opportunities for new start ups. We are developing waste carbon sources to substitute crude oil with a 5, 10 or 20 year horizon for significant commercial scale. Lignocellulosics could potentially provide a large pool of sustainable feedstock from agricultural and forestry waste and residues. Municipal solid waste and waste plastic are also interesting raw material sources, and could be a relatively short-term solution, says Lindfors. Further down the road are algae-based solutions, renewable hydrogen and Power-to-X, which use CO2 and renewable electricity as raw material sources. The new raw materials have high potential globally and could replace a significant amount of the worlds crude oil use for transportation fuels by 2040. Neste creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Its wide range of renewable products enable customers to reduce climate emissions. Neste is the world's largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. It is also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. -Tradearabia News Service STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- William Trapani, 54, said he feels helpless. He said he feels he cant help his son, Rocco, or his daughter-in-law, Kimberly, deal with the incredible, debilitating pain they feel from the loss of their daughter, Emma Riley Trapani, just moments after she was born. The baby died last week after her mother underwent an emergency c-section following a devastating crash in Princes Bay. Words cant express how I feel. I want to do everything I can for them. But theres nothing I can do that can replace what theyve lost. Watching your kids go through something like this is something no parent should have to do. ...No one should see their kids in so much pain, said Trapani. Theres no way you can console them. Theres nothing you can do. You try to do as much as you can for them. Its just an impossible situation. ...They are very angry, upset and devastated, he added. ARRAIGNMENT IN CRIMINAL COURT Alexander Iacone, 21, was arraigned Sunday in Criminal Court in St. George on charges that include second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, court records show. I was driving, I got cut off by an Audi, Iacone told police at the time of his arrest, according to an account in the criminal complaint. I knew I was speeding. The defendants license had been suspended or revoked four times leading up to the incident, which he told police he was aware of at the time, the complaint alleges. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Sunday. A pending autopsy from the city medical examiner will determine if the child had taken her first breath at the hospital, which then based on New York State law could lead to homicide charges, a source said. MOTHER RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL Trapani said his son and daughter-in-law are still both emotionally and psychically bruised and banged up, but grateful to be alive. His daughter-in-law was released from Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze on Thursday. I cant even say my daughter-in-law is black and blue. She is purple from below her chest to below her legs, said Trapani, noting that in addition to losing the baby, she suffered severe bruising and intestinal damage. My son is bruised across his entire body. He had the imprint of the steering wheel across his chest. ...He hurt his back and neck, he added. STATEN ISLANDERS SHOW SUPPORT Trapani said his family was flooded with an outpouring of support, especially on social media. You can not imagine the outpouring of support from the people of Staten Island who have helped me and my kids. The police officers of the 123rd Police Precinct and Highway 2 have been outstanding, he said. The Knights of Columbus of Staten Island has been amazing. And several generous donations have been given to the family so the baby can have a wake and funeral, Trapani said. John Vincent Scalia Homes for Funerals in Eltingville is providing a wake and funeral and all arrangements for free for the family, he said. And Supreme Memorials donated the headstone. The response on Facebook has been tremendous. I cant thank John Scalia and Supreme Memorials enough. ...People who witnessed the accident are coming forth, and that has been tremendous. This is a day and age when people are afraid to help other people. And there was just an outpouring on Facebook of people who saw the accident and stepped up and helped, said Trapani. I am also thankful for the great care my kids received at Staten island University Hospital. I cant say enough about all the people who helped my family in their time of need, he added. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Viewing will be held on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at John Vincent Scalia Homes for Funerals. A 10:30 a.m. graveside mass will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Pleasant Plains on Tuesday. Emma Riley Trapani is survived by her parents: Rocco and Kimberly Trapani; paternal grandparents, William and Marianne Trapani, and maternal grandparents, Brian Charnovesky and Cynthia Beamud. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Bindi Irwin has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her late father, Steve Irwin, on Father's Day. The 21-year-old conservationist marked the American version of the celebration on Sunday by sharing a sweet photo of herself as a baby sitting on the The Crocodile Hunter's lap. Bindi - who lost her father in a tragic stingray accident on September 4, 2006 - captioned the image: 'You will always be my superhero .' 'Always my superhero': Bindi Irwin, 21, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her late father Steve Irwin on Father's Day Father's Day in Australia falls in September - but because her husband, Chandler Powell, and her mother, Terri Irwin, are U.S. citizens, Bindi usually celebrates the American version of the holiday as well. This comes after Bindi - who was only eight years old when she lost her father - shared a previously-unseen photo from her March wedding to Chandler at Australia Zoo. Bindi posted an image to Instagram that showed her in her wedding dress while holding out her hand and feeding a giraffe. Celebration: Father's Day in Australia falls in September - but because her husband, Chandler Powell, and her mother, Terri Irwin, are U.S. citizens, Bindi (pictured) usually celebrates the American version of the holiday as well Remembering him: Bindi was only eight years old when she lost her father to a tragic stingray accident on September 4, 2006. Steve is pictured here on June 26, 2002 The wildlife warrior explained that it was no ordinary giraffe, but the world's tallest living giraffe, named Forest. Bindi wrote in the caption beside the photo: 'Meet Forest. This sweetheart is officially the tallest living giraffe measuring in at 5.7m tall (18 ft 8 in). 'He has a heart of gold and we love him dearly.' It comes after Bindi blasted Australia's major television networks for ruining her 'dream wedding'. Sweet! This comes after Bindi shared a previously-unseen photo from her March wedding to Chandler at Australia Zoo, in which she posed with the world's tallest living giraffe Happy day! Bindi married Chandler Powell (left) at Australia Zoo in March She claimed news helicopters flying overhead had forced the couple to change the venue from the 'African savannah' section of Australia Zoo to a nearby barn. Bindi shared a photo from her nuptials to Instagram, alongside the caption: 'This isn't the fairytale image capturing the "perfect" wedding day feeling. In fact, it's quite the opposite.' Bindi explained that she and Chandler had hoped to say 'I do' in the African savannah, but things didn't go to plan when someone tipped off the media. Oh dear: Bindi recently blasted Australia's major TV networks for ruining her 'dream wedding' - claiming news helicopters flying overhead had forced the couple to change the venue from the 'African savannah' section of Australia Zoo to a nearby barn 'On our wedding day we were finally about to get married and the paparazzi flew over us in a helicopter scaring our wildlife,' she wrote. 'We had to leave our stunning wedding venue on the African savannah for their safety. I said goodbye to the place I had dreamed of getting married for so many years,' she added. Bindi and Chandler had moved their original wedding date of April 4 forward to March 25 due to the rapidly escalating COVID-19 pandemic. G oals from Luka Milivojevic and Jordan Ayew gave Crystal Palace a comfortable 2-0 victory over struggling Bournemouth on their return to Premier League action. Bournemouth were boosted by the return of winger David Brooks making his first start for 14 months after a long-term ankle injury. Crystal Palace were left without Martin Kelly, James Tomkins and Jeffrey Schlupp, but had captain Milivojevic back following suspension. The Eagles made a steady start to the match without troubling Bournemouth, with Wilfried Zaha firing over from an acute angle early on. But the game-changing moment came when Milivojevic - from about 25 yards out - whipped a stunning free-kick up and over the wall which nestled into the top corner, leaving Aaron Ramsdale with no chance. That goal helped Roy Hodgson's men settle in the game and invite Bournemouth onto them and it played perfectly into the Eagles' hands as the Cherries struggled to break down their sturdy backline. After just 23 minutes, Palace doubled their advantage and in some style too. Zaha delayed the pass to the overlapping Patrick van Aanholt, who pulled it back to Ayew and he finished smartly into the corner. Bournemouth dominated possession without ever breaching the Palace backline, with Gary Cahill and Scott forming an inpenetrable centre-back partnership. The Cherries improved after the break but lost Josh King to injury after a heavy challenge from Cahill and rarely troubled Vicente Guaita. The visitors cruised to a fourth consecutive victory without conceding as Palace move up to ninth. Relive the action as it happened! Can't see the blog? Click here for the desktop version. New Delhi: India is all set to ratify the Paris climate deal on Sunday, with President Pranab Mukherjee giving his assent to a proposal approved earlier by the government, making India one of the key countries to help bring the pact into force. We will ratify the Paris deal in the UN tomorrow (October 2). The President has signed it. The Union Cabinet has already approved it, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave told reporters in New Delhi. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on September 25 that India will ratify it on October 2 on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This (decision) was taken after a lot of deliberations and with a view to give the world a message...India is fast becoming a super power, Dave said. Call it international pressure or a sort of competition, this morning European Union has also decided to ratify it, which is a good thing, Dave said. The Union Cabinet had given its nod to ratifying the Paris climate deal on September 28, days after Modi announced this at BJPs National Council meet in Kozhikode. The move is expected to give momentum to the implementation of measures at the international level to control global warming. Indias ratification on Sunday will further underline its responsive leadership, which is committed to global cause of environment. The pact will come into force after it has been ratified by at least 55 countries which account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. So far, 61 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval accounting in total for 47.79 per cent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. Indias decision to ratify the agreement will take the number of cumulative level of emission of countries that have ratified the agreement so far to 51.89 per cent as its total emissions is 4.1 per cent of the global emissions. Dave said after EU has decided to ratify it, the total emissions amongst countries which have ratified the agreement will go up to 61 per cent. Paris Agreement was adopted by 185 nations last year on December 12 and India signed it in New York on April 22 this year. A total of 191 countries have signed the Paris Agreement so far. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. China's top legislature reviews draft law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR PLA Daily Source: Xinhuanet Editor: Li Jiayao 2020-06-21 01:10:43 BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature reviewed a draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China. The draft law was submitted for deliberation at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) from Thursday to Saturday. Entrusted by the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, an official with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee explained the draft law to the session Thursday. With 66 articles, the draft law has six chapters, namely the general principles; the HKSAR's duties and institutions of safeguarding national security; crimes and penalties; jurisdiction over national security cases, application of laws and procedures; institutions of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR for safeguarding national security; and supplementary provisions. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, HKSAR The Central People's Government shoulders the fundamental responsibility for national security affairs related to the HKSAR, while the HKSAR bears the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security and shall fulfill its obligations, according to the draft. The executive organs, legislature and judiciary of the HKSAR shall, in accordance with relevant laws, effectively prevent, stop and punish acts and activities that endanger national security, says the draft. Safeguarding China's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, it says. Any institution, organization, or individual in the HKSAR shall abide by this law and other HKSAR laws on safeguarding national security, and shall not engage in any activity that jeopardizes national security, the draft reads. Any HKSAR resident standing for election or taking up any position of public office shall sign documents to confirm or swear to uphold the HKSAR Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the HKSAR, it says. The HKSAR is required to step up efforts to safeguard national security and prevent terrorist activities. In safeguarding national security, the HKSAR shall uphold the principle of the rule of law, according to which the HKSAR shall respect and protect human rights, and anyone shall be presumed innocent until convicted by the judicial organs, according to the draft law. HKSAR TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION The draft requires the HKSAR to establish a commission of safeguarding national security which shall be supervised by and accountable to the Central People's Government. The HKSAR commission of safeguarding national security shall be chaired by the Chief Executive and establish the post of the national security adviser, who shall be appointed by the Central People's Government, it says. The draft makes stipulations on what constitutes four categories of crimes that threaten national security and their corresponding penalties, including secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. Except in specific circumstances, the HKSAR shall exercise jurisdiction over criminal cases stipulated in this law, the draft says. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO SET UP NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICE IN HKSAR The draft law provides that the Central People's Government shall establish an office of safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The office is obligated to analyze and appraise national security situation in the HKSAR, and provide comments and suggestions for major strategies and policies in this regard. The office is required to supervise, guide, coordinate with and support the HKSAR in performing its duties on safeguarding national security. It shall also collect and analyze intelligence information concerning national security, and deal with criminal cases concerning national security in accordance with the law. The office and related organs of the central authorities may exercise jurisdiction over a tiny number of criminal cases that jeopardize national security under specific circumstances, which is an important manifestation of the central government's overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR, the official explained while briefing lawmakers. The provisions of this law shall prevail when local laws of the HKSAR are inconsistent with this law, the draft says, adding the power of interpretation of this law shall be vested in the NPC Standing Committee. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A persistent New York City inmate attempted to escape Rikers Island on Sunday by climbing to the rooftop, just three days after he tried to swim to freedom. Arthur L. Brown, 37, of Brooklyn, made a second attempt to flee massive penitentiary during an early morning recreation session around 9am. New York Daily News reports that Brown scaled a fence at the North Infirmary Command building and managed to climb his way onto the roof. Arthur L. Brown, 37, of Brooklyn, made a second attempt to flee massive penitentiary during an early morning recreation session around 9am. He is seen sitting on the edge of the roof of a building Brown was reportedly left on the roof for 30 minutes as jail staff attempted to apprehend him A number of guards surrounded the building after spotting Brown on the rooftop Brown was eventually seized by authorities, tied into a stokes basket stretcher and lowered onto the ground He was reportedly left on the roof for 30 minutes as jail staff attempted to apprehend him. 'We have eyes on him... we have units attempting to help the perp,' a police unit reportedly said on the radio. A number of guards surrounded the building after spotting Brown on the rooftop. Photos obtained by Spectrum News NY1 show Brown shirtless as he sits on the roof and looks over the guards. Brown was eventually seized by authorities, tied into a stokes basket stretcher and lowered onto the ground. 'The incident is under investigation and there will be immediate staff suspensions if warranted,' according to Peter Thorne, the Department of Corrections top spokesman. Brown has been at Rikers Island since May 29 over assault charges that took place in Staten Island and the Manhattan criminal courthouse 'This detainee was quickly apprehended and returned to custody.' Brown was arrested on May 7, 2019, after allegedly attacking a man at the Staten Island Ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan. He was subsequently charged in two other assaults committed in Central Booking at the Manhattan criminal courthouse on May 9 and May 11, 2019. The latter incident involved an attack in which Brown is said to have put his arm around the neck of a court officer and attempted to choke him, the outlet reported. Brown has been arrested 31 times. Most of the offenses are for petty crimes. He was charged with second and third-degree assault, as well as bail jumping. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 21. This is Brown's second attempt to escape Rikers Island after trying to swim away from the jail on Thursday. Authorities were alerted just after 12:30pm that inmate Brown was missing during a prisoner headcount. Exclusive image shows correction officers apprehending inmate who tried to escape rikers island today. @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/B2Bx9W4lf6 Dan Mannarino (@DanMannarino) June 18, 2020 Brown, who was housed at the George R. Vierno center at the facility, escaped after scaling a recreational yard fence and running towards the East River that surrounds the notorious jail, situated between Manhattan and Queens. Brown was a few feet into the Rikers Island Channel when he was spotted by authorities. Two correction officers assigned to the K-9 unit, Larry McCardle and Gregory Braska, ran into the water after him and pulled him out immediately. The correction officers were not seriously injured, but did receive treatment for minor injuries to their legs. Two correction officers assigned to the K-9 unit, Larry McCardle and Gregory Braska (above), ran into the water after him and pulled him out Brown, meanwhile, was taken to a local hospital to be medically evaluated but had no known injuries, the NYPD said. It was initially reported that two inmates had escaped from the facility, with one said to be spotted swimming towards the runway of the nearby LaGuardia Airport. However, corrections staff conducted a headcount at the facility and determined that nobody else was missing. A search of the surrounding waters was also conducted by police. 'Around 12:30 p.m. today on Rikers Island, a detainee climbed a recreation yard fence and ran to the shoreline,' Deputy Commissioner of Public Information for the Department of Corrections, Peter Thorne, told DailyMail.com. 'That individual was promptly apprehended by DOC staff. An investigation is ongoing.' Update: Police say Rosalia Penalbert has been found safe. -------------- The Springfield Police Department seeks the publics help in finding a missing elderly woman. Rosalia Penalbert was reported missing by her family Saturday morning. She was last seen at her home on Clyde Street in the citys Brightwood neighborhood Friday night. Her family says she suffers from dementia and takes medication she may not have on her. She is an 81-year-old old Latina woman, about 5-foot, 2-inches and 170 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, jeans and beige shoes with velcro straps. If you see her or have any information on her whereabouts please call Springfield police at 413-787-6300. United States Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau wrote last night to add to our chronicle of the tear down all the things phase of the leftist mob violence: Im a loyal reader of your site and, needless to say, have been following you with even greater intensity lately given the recent rash of insanity in our beloved country. In reference to John Hinderakers post Grant, Too I just wanted to bring to your attention that the same radical San Francisco mob also toppled and vandalized a statue of Junipero Serra, founder of the original California missions and a revered figure in both Mexico and Spain. The Spanish Embassy in DC (@SpainInThe USA) posted a series of tweets today in English on the issue, including one saying that they were expressing our deep concern regarding these attacks to federal, state, and local authorities, asking that the memory of our rich shared history be protected. The vandalism is also being condemned here in Mexico, as you can see from a Twitter thread on this issue today by a popular Mexican historian, Enrique Ortiz (@Cuauhtemoc_1521) to which I responded all in Spanish, but translated (sort of) by Google Translate upon the push of a button. I suspect this attack on an important Hispanic figure in US history will not endear this mob, or those who support it, to the many Americans who really care about Hispanic heritage in our country. Respectfully yours, Chris Landau People stand around and take pictures with the statue of Confederate general Albert Pike after it was toppled by protesters at Judiciary square in Washington on late June 19, 2020. (ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Denounces Wave of Statue Toppling Statues of American historical figures including two of its Founding Fathers, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, are being forcefully toppled across the countrya recent escalation President Donald Trump has explicitly denounced. Though its unclear who exactly is behind each monuments desecration, Attorney General William Barr said recently that the Department of Justice has evidence that Antifa and other similar groups have hijacked initially peaceful protests triggered recently by the death of George Floyd. At his first reelection campaign rally in months at Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump linked the recent wave of statue toppling to an attempted communist-style revolution. This cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans, the president said on June 20. They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), meanwhile, called protesters tearing down a Christopher Columbus statue in Minnesota an American Taliban. The president said at the rally that an unhinged left-wing mob is attempting to vandalize our history tear down our statues, and punish, cancel, and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. Were not conforming, he said. Statues have been torn down across multiple states. In Portland, Oregon, protesters tore down a statue of Washington on June 18; some of them wrapped the head of the statue in an American flag and then lit the flag on fire. A Jefferson statue was also toppled in Portland. Protesters in California toppled a statue of Junipero Serra, a Roman Catholic Spanish priest widely regarded as a founder of the religious California Missions. In response, the Spanish Embassy in Washington issued a series of Twitter posts stating they deeply regret the destruction of the statue and would like to offer a reminder of his great efforts in support of indigenous communities. We are also expressing our deep concern regarding these attacks to federal, state, and local authorities, asking that the memory of our rich shared history be protected, always with the utmost respect for the debates currently taking place, embassy officials added. Vandals in California have taken down statues of Francis Scott Key, who penned the national anthem, and Ulysses S. Grant, the famed general who helped win the Civil War, bringing an end to slavery in the U.S. One video taken at the scene shows a group of people dressed in black and cheering as they use a cord to pull the Key statue down. Grant was an abolitionist who helped win a slew of battles against the Confederacy during the Civil War, forcing Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to surrender in 1865. Grant went on to serve as the nations 18th president and used federal troops to prosecute the Ku Klux Klan. He worked to enforce civil rights for blacks and appointed them to prominent positions in his administration. Grant, accused by some activists of being a slave owner, acquired one slave through marriage into a slave-owning family but freed him about a year later. A statue of Mohandas Gandhi was vandalized in New Yorks Central Park, as well as a statue of Miguel de Cervantes in San Francisco, a Spanish writer who was a slave himself for five years. Its very sad. It makes me feel its totally out of hand and it has nothing to do with civil rights, one local bystander told CBS SF. In Washington, protesters toppled a memorial to Albert Pike, a former Confederate soldier. Using multiple sets of ropes, vandals pulled down the 11-foot statue of Pike and set it on fire, chanting No justice, no peace! and No racist police! Capitol Hill police are reported to have stood by and watched as the statue was taken down. While Albert Pike was a Confederate general, the statue actually was erected to honor his service as a Freemason, according to WUSA. Amid the unrest, a June 19 ABC News/Ipsos poll found that more than half56 percentare opposed to changing U.S. military bases named after Confederate leaders. In 2017, Trump predicted that statues honoring Washington and Jefferson would be eventually targeted. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), meanwhile, on June 18 ordered the removal from the Capitol of the portraits of four Speakers who had served in the Confederacy. She also called for the removal of 11 statues, nine of whom were Democrats, from the National Statuary Hall Collection, saying they pay homage to hate. Pelosi, in a June 10 letter to the Joint Committee on the Library Chairman Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the committees vice chairwoman, says statues in the Capitol should embody our highest ideals as Americans, expressing who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation. Communism expert and author Trevor Loudon called the tearing down of statues a Maoist tactic of erasing the form of culture. Maoism is about building a new man, a new society, Loudon told The Epoch Times. You have to destroy all remnants of the old society. You have to destroy memorials and the former culture so you can build a new society. According to Loudon, Marxist organizations such as Liberation Road and the Workers World Party have both been involved in the recent escalations. They are following the line of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, said Loudon, who is also a contributor to The Epoch Times. The Cultural Revolution wiped out the previous Chinese culture; they toppled statues and desecrated monuments. The endgame, Loudon says, is to usher in an American revolution that involves the destroying of the U.S. Constitution and the destruction of U.S. history. All of this is linked; all of this is revolutionary activity to destroy the old culture and build a new socialist society in its wake. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Sino-Indian relations will not return to normal for a long time. Diplomatic and military efforts to restore status quo ante at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) will continue. But there is a widespread consensus that Sino-Indian rivalry will ultimately be decided in the realm of economics. Chinas economic rise is associated with its export-led growth. This is why every time we have a conflict with China; there are calls for a boycott of Chinese goods. Those championing such ideas believe that our boycott will hurt China economically. Such views are, at best, half-baked. Economic competition between countries, especially ones as big as India and China, is far more nuanced. It requires long-term strategic vision. Foreign trade, at best, can only be one aspect of it. Also, military and diplomatic allies might not be willing to help when it comes to the economy. Any serious discussion on Sino-Indian economic competition requires looking at the US-China gap and China-India gap. The former is what is driving Chinas larger ambitions. The latter matters because it tells us about our ability to catch up. China might overtake the US in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), but it will not achieve US living standards. Chinas economic growth since the 1980s is unparalleled. Between 1960 and 1980, its share of global GDP increased from 1.1% to 1.2%. By 2018, Chinas share of global GDP had increased to 13%. Chinas GDP was just 5% of US GDP in 1980. This increased to more than 60% by 2018. Indias gains have been more modest on this front. The growing convergence in Chinese and American GDP has not translated itself proportionately in terms of living standards. Because Chinas population is significantly more than that of the US, Chinese per capita incomes are much lower. Even though China is ranked second in terms of size of GDP, it is not even a high-income country today. The World Bank classifies China as an Upper Middle Income country. High Income countries have a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $12,376 or more. Upper-Middle Income countries have a GNI per capita between $3,996 and $12,375. India is among Lower Middle Income countries, which have GNI per capita of between $1,026 and $3,995. Of the 218 countries for which this classification is available, 80 are in the High Income Group. (See Chart 1 and 2) Demographic shift will force China to recalibrate its economic strategy. Unlike what is commonly believed in India, high population need not be an unmitigated curse for economic growth. A large population can actually create tail-winds for economic activity. This is because it also brings more working hands. Two factors determine whether this happens or not. One is the age composition of the population. This determines what share of it can actually work. The other is whether or not there are enough resources to work with. Chinas high-growth phase coincides with a favourable age composition of its population. World Bank data shows that the share of population aged between 15 and 64 years started rising sharply in China after the 1980s. This ratio was significantly higher than the US or India. It stagnated at very high levels in the last decade and has finally started declining now. This ratio followed similar trajectory for China and India until the 1970s. It was only after China announced the One Child Policy in 1980 that the share of population below 15 years started falling and that of the 15-64 age group started rising. The strategy brought gains to China in the past. It had more workers and fewer dependents in its population. But it will extract a cost now. Thanks to the One Child Policy, the Chinese economy has been adding fewer young workers to its economy. This means that there will be more dependents and fewer workers going forward. Because India did not control its birth rates, it has a larger share of young workers and will continue to see a rise in the share of working population ratio. Developed countries like the US have a stable ratio because they are characterized by low birth and low death rates. (See Chart 3) A falling share of working population means that China will have to keep increasing its value added per worker in order to maintain growth and improve living standards. This will require a move towards more skill-oriented jobs. For example, assembling car parts will entail a lower value added per worker than making a car engine. Where does China stand vis-a-vis the US and India on this count? World Bank gives data on sector-wise value added per worker. Even until 2000, value added per worker in China and India, when compared to the US, was almost similar. China has made rapid advances in manufacturing since then and surged ahead of India. (See Chart 4) The sharp rise in Chinas value added per worker in manufacturing is the biggest evidence of its growing technological prowess. Not all of this has come from scrupulous means. Intellectual Property Right and technology theft-related disputes have emerged as one of the biggest sources of conflict between China and the US today. If China manages to catch up with the innovation curve of the US and other high income countries, it can make rapid economic and strategic advances. What explains Chinas ability to ambush developed countries such as the US on the technology frontier? It has built a robust research and development ecosystem within its country. This can be seen in the sharp rise of patent applications filed in China, which are not only way more than India, but also the US. As can be seen, India is in no position to influence this competition at the moment. Any significant advance on this count will require a big boost to education spending in India. (See Chart 5) Will Boycott China help? Any strategy to even partly severe trade ties with China must carefully evaluate the pros and cons. Such a move will hurt China by taking away a small share of its export earnings. But it will also require finding alternative sources of such imports, either domestically or internationally. An HT analysis by Vineet Sachdev using World Bank data shows that more than 50% of Indias imports from China are either capital or intermediate goods. Consumer goods, which are more likely to bear a Made in China label, have a share of less than 20%. While public opinion might be driven by the idea of boycotting consumer goods, any knee-jerk reaction can end up disrupting capital goods and intermediate goods supplies and therefore domestic value chains. To be sure, this does not mean that India should not strive for reducing its import dependence on China. However, any such policy should work via a simultaneous development of domestic capabilities which can satisfy the import demand. This will require access to funds, technology as well as export markets. Can India hope to get the support of the anti-China bloc in such endeavours? Let us take the example of the US. The Indo-US strategic alliance is stronger than ever today. Concerns about Chinas growing power have been an important driver of this alliance. This strategic concurrence, however, has not led to a convergence on economic matters. The biggest proof of this is the continuing impasse over an Indo-US trade agreement. Indias counter-strategising against China will only succeed if we make sure that our bilateral and multilateral reactions to the recent developments maximise our gains while minimising any concessions we make for strategic support. India is a democracy unlike China. Domestic political pressures of achieving quick and radical gains will only complicate the pursuit of this objective SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 01:22:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 4,469 after 399 new COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed on Saturday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health said. This is so far the highest daily increase in the Horn of Africa country. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in a statement issued on Saturday, revealed that from the total of 4,848 medical tests that were conducted within the last 24 hours, some 399 of them have been tested positive for COVID-19, eventually bringing the total number of cases in the country to 4,469. The ministry further indicated that 398 of the latest confirmed cases are Ethiopian nationals and the other patient is said to be a foreign national, with an age range of four to 85. A total of 1,122 patients who were tested positive for COVID-19 have so far recovered from the virus, in which 95 of the patients recovered during the past 24-hours period, it said. The ministry had previously disclosed that the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the East African country has reached 72. Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation with about 107 million people, confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 13, which has so far conducted about 211,871 COVID-19 medical tests. The Ethiopian government has instituted a wide range of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. In April, the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives announced a five-month state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Enditem New Delhi, June 21 : Amid tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi again targeted the Prime Minister, saying that satellite images show that China has intruded into Indian territory. In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, Prime Minister said no body intruded and no body has occupied our territory, but the satellite images show clearly that China near Pangong lake has occupied the holy land of Bharat Mata." Rahul Gandhi used an image with the tweet shown by one of the TV channels. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying, "Narendra Modi is actually Surender Modi." This was in continuation of his attack on Saturday when he said, "Prime Minister has surrendered Indian territory to Chinese aggression." The barb came a day after the Prime Minister asserted in the all party meeting that Chinese troops did not intrude into Indian territory. The war of words started after 20 Indian soldiers, including an officer, were killed in an unprecedented violent clash with Chinese PLA troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15. However, Prime Minister Office om Saturday clarified and countered opposition's attack, saying "attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation" to his remark at the All-Party Meeting held on Friday on Galwan stand-off. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, the PM specifically emphasized Indian forces now decisively counter any violations on LAC (unhe rokte hain, unhe tokte hain) in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges. MBABANE Did dagga growers influence MPs? The withdrawal of the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs (Amendment) Bill No.06 of 2020 in the House of Assembly last week, has raised more questions than answers. The Bill was withdrawn following a motion that was moved by Hosea MP Bacede Mabuza and his fellow members voted for it. The motion was that the minister of Health should withdraw the Bill to allow for further consultations for a period of not more than six months. It was also moved that subsequently, the minister may repilot the Bill. Motion While a majority of the MPs supported the motion and eventually voted for it, questions have been raised on whether the people who motivated them to make such a decision did the right thing or simply misled them out of ignorance. This publication has in the past few days been inundated with calls from concerned and interested parties, who decried that perhaps the people who motivated the withdrawal might have done so without having properly understood what the actual aim of the Bill was. One of the concerned people, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was unfortunate to learn of such a twist. He mentioned that perhaps emaSwati were rational or had profound ignorance on issues. Explaining his point, the concerned citizen said it was perplexing that some of the MPs were calling for a broader inclusion of stakeholders such as dagga growers, which he said made him think there seemed to be resistance and possibly fear of the unknown. He mentioned that it was important to consider that there were two models or separate business focuses and that there was no readily visible competition or threat between them as their markets were different. The Bill focuses on the formal medicinal market while the current local dagga farmers are focusing on the recreational market, which is not the focus of the Bill and therefore no threat to either business line, notwithstanding that they are both using the cannabis plant but for different markets. Secondly, as far as I am concerned, the Bill does not seek to limit the number of licences issued to a few selected individuals or companies and the other good thing is that the international market for medicinal use is currently big, such that even the whole of Eswatinis arable land could be used to grow medicinal cannabis because it will be a while before the market saturates, he said. Momentous He said it was obvious that the market prices might fluctuate but that the market was momentous for anyone to worry at this point. Its quite clear that some of the MPs have been lobbied by growers who are ignorant of this law, so much that they fail to understand that the committee of MPs was merely doing its parliamentary duty which is farfetched from being captured, he alleged. Another concerned citizen claimed that dagga growers might have misled the MPs in fear that the Bill would put their businesses in jeopardy. This citizen admitted to being one of those who made presentations to the select committee that was handling the whole process. During our presentation, we also highlighted that the international companies have an exciting holistic approach. So local dagga growers should just relax and only worry about the usual police invasions and not the medicinal Bill amendments as there is absolutely zero risk to their current business, he said. This publication made an effort to speak to some dagga farmers on the issue and they indeed admitted that they have been mobilising some MPs. The farmers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that they were not happy with the idea of legalising dagga in the kingdom and had always urged parliamentarians not to legalise it. One of the growers said they were happy with the withdrawal of the Bill because the value of the illicit herb will continue to be high. They should leave it as it is because many people are benefitting, including the MPs, said the farmer. He said many MPs, especially in the Hhohho Region, were being pressured by their communities not to legalise dagga. They were advised that should they legalise it, they would have to feed members of the constituencies from their pockets because it would mean there would be no source of income, he alleged. He said the fact that it was illegal to cultivate or be found in possession of dagga created value for the illicit herb. The dagga farmer further said the destruction of the herb by police officers also increased its value. When police officers destroy dagga, it then becomes scarce and the value goes up, he said. He also said when dagga is scarce, a kilogramme could fetch between E5 000 to E10 000 yet this is not the case when it is in surplus. However, when there is plenty of supply of the illicit herb, according to the dagga grower, the same can fetch as little as E1 500. Withdraw Another farmer was asked if MPs were pressured by dagga growers to withdraw the Bill and he responded to the affirmative. He alleged that not only did the farmers pressure the MPs but even the people who worked in dagga fields. He also revealed that legalising dagga would affect many businesses including car dealerships. The farmer said buying a car was easier because even the dealerships did not ask for bank statements. If you convince them that you cultivate dagga, they will give you a vehicle which you can pay off later, said the farmer. This publication gathered that thousands of emaSwati were employed in dagga fields. For dagga harvesting, workers earn as much as E100 or more per bucket of dagga. This is a very high income considering that labourers in the forestry industry earn the same amount having worked hard for nearly 10 hours. *Jama, whose specialises in special grade dagga, also revealed that the industry did not just benefit emaSwati but Mozambicans as well, who worked in the dagga fields to cultivate it. He revealed that in about three months, one could earn as much as E20 000. This is a lot of money, he said. Jama said he would continue advocating that dagga should not be legalised and that members of the Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) should continue destroying it but not all of it. By destroying the dagga, the police control the price of dagga from dropping further, said Jama. Another dagga grower, *Musa, also said he was pleased that the Bill had been withdrawn. He said this was good because it meant that the value of the dagga would continue to be high. Musa said the MPs who supported the legalisation of dagga were those who did not understand how the economy of the country worked. The dagga industry drives the economy. The MPs know for a fact that legalising dagga would reduce its value. There are MPs who are not involved in any dagga dealing but they benefit from it in one way or the other. Dagga growing is not just unique to northern Hhohho but throughout the country. Even in places like Lavumisa where they complain of water, you will find dagga being cultivated, said Musa. It should be noted that when making their submissions leading to the withdrawal of the Bill last week, most of the MPs emphasised that they had been sent by the people who elected them. FANFARE AND MELODIES 1/2 MSO livestream from Iwaki Auditorium, June 18 Emerging from musical lockdown is worth heralding with a fanfare. As the Melbourne Symphony embarked on its new series of fortnightly livestreams, Aaron Coplands Fanfare for the Common Man was an apt curtain-raiser. Beneath its stark solemnity lay a current of hope that resonated with this encouraging initiative. Another encouraging aspect of this program, bookended by Copland works, was its focus on Australian composers. MSO players perform Fanfare for the Common Man in the June 18 Fanfare and Melodies concert. Peter Sculthorpes popular Djilile, based on an Arnhem Land melody evoking a whistling duck on a billabong, was sensitively rendered in its chamber orchestra version under conductor Benjamin Northey. While physical distancing limited the cohesion of string sound, the ensemble still powerfully communicated the scores tender melancholy. Christopher Moores dark, burnished viola tone contributed an important element to the overall soundscape. YAKIMA Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will order Yakima County residents to wear masks while in public places in an effort to halt the spike of coronavirus cases. Inslee said Saturday his proclamation will come in the next several days and will be a legal requirement that businesses not sell products to customer who dont wear face coverings. Essentially this means, no masks no services. No masks, no goods, Inslee said. We are going to be swamped with a tidal wave of COVID-19 if we do not act now. Inslee added, While I hear some voices saying that this is overblown, the facts are otherwise. A customer, wearing a mask because of the coronavirus outbreak, puts in an order at a bakery Wednesday in Yakima. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)AP Officials at Virginia Mason Memorial hospital in Yakima, which holds more than 200 beds, said Saturday the facility has no available beds and that 22 patients, some with the coronavirus, have been sent to Seattle for care. Yakima Countys southern border lies just 20 miles north of Oregon, across the Columbia River. The total positive case count in Yakima County, as of Friday, was 6,270, The Seattle Times reported. The county has seen 118 deaths from the virus, according to the Yakima Health District. Inslee said cases could double in the next two weeks unless dramatic actions are taken and said hes considering a similar order for other counties. Nearby Benton and Franklin counties are also feeling the strain on their health care systems, but Yakima County remains Washington states hot spot for the virus. Inslee said 19% of the hospital beds in Yakima have COVID-19 patients in them while that percentage is about 2.5 elsewhere in the state. -- The Associated Press An audit of Covid-19 deaths done by Madhya Pradeshs health department has shown that four fatalities in the state were caused due to delayed referral or management in treatment. Following the audit, states principal secretary, health, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, in a letter dated June 18, asked all the district collectors and chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) to take effective measures to check such lapses. The official gave details of all the four cases in his letter, the first of which was reported from Shajapur district. The patient from Shajapur was 40-year-old. He was having fever and respiratory problems for 2- 3 days. He consulted the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) who gave him some medicines and asked him to go home whereas the patient should have been immediately sent to the district hospital Covid centre for a medical examination. In the district hospital later, the medical specialist didnt follow the protocols in letter and spirit. Hence, when the patient was referred to Indore two days later , his condition had worsened. The patient died, the letter stated. The second death was of a 40-year-old from Bhopal who was examined in the outpatient department (OPD) of the district hospital and then sent back home with supportive and symptomatic treatment but without measuring his blood pressure and temperature. The patient returned to the same hospital five days later in a serious condition. He was referred to the medical college in Bhopal but declared brought dead. Later, the test of the sample suggested he was Covid-19 positive. Had the Covid test and medical examination been done in the district hospital on time, proper treatment could have perhaps been ensured in this case, the principal secretary said. In the other two cases, while one patient died in Indore due to lack of adequate surveillance at community level, the other patient passed away for want of proper monitoring at a quarantine centre, said Kidwais letter. Kidwai pointed out that the case studies suggest deaths due to Covid-19 can be minimised with proper testing and referrals. These case studies suggest that if medical examination, test and referrals of the patients are done on time, the number of deaths caused due to complications arising from Covid-19 can be minimised, said the principal secretary. A public health expert, too, reiterated the need for proper monitoring and referral. We have been repeatedly pointing out from the day one as to where the problem lay. The health department has ultimately realised it now. There is no denying the fact that if survey, screening, medical examination, testing and treatment are done in an effective and professional manner, many such deaths could have been avoided and Madhya Pradesh would not have registered such a high death rate, said public health expert Amulya Nidhi. However, Kidwai said that the situation in the state has vastly improved and the death rate has reduced. These case studies have been suggested to all the districts to avoid recurrence of such delay in management and referrals. However, the situation in Madhya Pradesh has vastly improved which is reflected in the tremendous recovery rate of over 71% and considerably reduced death rate, he said. As per the state health departments bulletin released on Sunday night, Madhya Pradeshs Covid-19 case count climbed to 11, 903 on Sunday , with 179 new infections reported in the last 24 hours. Of these, 9,015 have recovered from the disease and discharged from hospitals while 515 have died from the disease. Eight days after recording three lakh COVID-19 cases, India went past the four lakh-mark on Sunday with the biggest single-day spike of 15,413 new infections, while the death toll rose to 13,254 with 306 new fatalities, according to Union health ministry data. IMAGE: Relatives mourn a man who died due to the coronavirus disease at a crematorium in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters India took 64 days to cross the 1 lakh-mark from 100 cases, another fortnight to reach the grim milestone of two lakh cases and then in another ten days it went past the 3-lakh mark. India has been registering record single-day spikes for the past four days. The jump of 15,413 cases took India's case load to 4,10,461. The number of recoveries also continued to surge with 2,27,755 patients cured so far, while there were 1,69,451 active cases, according to the updated official figures at 8 am. One patient has migrated. "Thus, around 55.48 per cent of the patients have recovered so far," an official said. The total number of confirmed cases includes foreigners. India registered over 10,000 cases for the tenth day in a row. The country has witnessed a surge of 2,19,926 infections from June 1 till 21 with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh among the top five states that have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. IMAGE: A medic takes a sample of a woman for COVID-19 test via Rapid Antigen at Govt school, in New Delhi. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo Of the 306 new deaths reported till Sunday morning, 91 were from Maharashtra, 77 from Delhi, 38 from Tamil Nadu, 20 from Gujarat, 19 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from West Bengal, eight from Karnataka, six from Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, five from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, four from Rajasthan, two from Bihar, and one each from Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. India is the fourth worst-hit nation by the pandemic after the United States, Brazil and Russia. According to the Johns Hopkins University, which has been compiling COVID-19 data from all over the world, India is at the eighth position in terms of the death toll. Of the total 13,254 deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest 5,984 fatalities, followed by Delhi with 2,112 deaths, Gujarat with 1,638, Tamil Nadu with 704, West Bengal with 540, Madhya Pradesh with 501, Uttar Pradesh with 507, Rajasthan with 337 and Telangana with 203 deaths. The COVID-19 death toll reached 149 in Haryana, 132 in Karnataka, 101 in Andhra Pradesh, 98 in Punjab, 81 in Jammu and Kashmir, 52 in Bihar, 27 in Uttarakhand, 21 in Kerala and 12 in Odisha. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have also registered 11 deaths, Assam nine, Himachal Pradesh eight, Puducherry seven, Chandigarh six, while Meghalaya, Tripura and Ladakh have reported one fatality each, according to the health ministry. More than 70 per cent deaths took place due to comorbidities, the ministry said. IMAGE: A woman watches as healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment check the temperature of residents of a slum during a check-up camp for the coronavirus disease in Mumbai. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of cases at 1,28,205, followed by Tamil Nadu at 56,845, Delhi at 56,746, Gujarat at 26,680, Uttar Pradesh at 16,594, Rajasthan at 14,536 and West Bengal at 13,531, according to the health ministry's data. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 11,724 in Madhya Pradesh, 10,223 in Haryana, 8,697 in Karnataka, 8,452 in Andhra Pradesh and 7,533 in Bihar. It has risen to 7,072 in Telangana, 5,834 in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,904 in Assam and 4,856 in Odisha. Punjab has reported 3,952 novel coronavirus cases so far, while Kerala has 3,039 cases. A total of 2,301 people have been infected by the virus in Uttarakhand, 2,041 in Chhattisgarh, 1,965 in Jharkhand, 1,186 in Tripura, 754 in Goa, 836 in Ladakh, 777 in Manipur and 656 in Himachal Pradesh. IMAGE: Suspected COVID-19 patients arrive at LNJP hospital, during the ongoing nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo Chandigarh has registered 404 COVID-19 cases, Puducherry has 286 cases, Nagaland has 201, Mizoram has 140, Arunachal Pradesh has 135 and Sikkim has 70. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 68 COVID-19 cases. Andaman and Nicobar Islands has registered 47 infections so far while Meghalaya has recorded 44 cases. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said, adding 9,127 cases are being reassigned to states. State-wise distribution is subject to further verification and reconciliation, it added. Around 150 people marched together for peace in times of COVID-19, following an appeal that was made by fifteen different organisations. Saturday saw the second edition of the peace march in Luxembourg. Although participation numbers suffered (due to coronavirus) compared to last year, a considerable number of people still showed up to demonstrate. "Building bridges instead of walls" was the message of the day. An overall appeal was made to people to not limit their protests to social media, but show the same commitment in the real world. OGBL president Nora Back commented on the peaceful march: "We are experiencing the repercussions of economic wars on a daily basis, which risk damaging our way of life in an irrevocable manner. International cooperation is ever so often turning into confrontation lately, as we have seen with the closing of borders. The situation becomes even more dangerous if communication between fractions stops working, which can lead to unintended developments." Wars, injustice, nuclear arms, refugees, COVID-19, climate change. All themes that moved the protestors to come out and march together. A final plea was made to the Luxembourgish administration to not invest into NATO's armament, but rather in a sustainable future. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 02:50:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Yemen's government-controlled provinces increased to 941 on Sunday after 19 new cases were added. The Yemeni Health Ministry said in a brief statement that during the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries in the government-controlled areas has risen to 347 since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus on April 10. The government also announced that the death toll from the deadly respiratory disease climbed to 256 in different areas under its control, including the southern port city of Aden. The Yemeni government has taken several measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, including imposing a partial overnight curfew in Aden and other major cities under its control. The government called on donors and relevant international humanitarian organizations to provide support to help contain the pandemic. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of capital Sanaa. Enditem Worried their patients may be needlessly putting off important checkups and cleanings, local dentists are trying to clear up confusion about c Three rookie candidates will be on the ballot Tuesday for Republicans to nominate to face incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner in November. Alissa Baldwin, teacher, Victoria Alissa Baldwin never envisioned becoming a teacher. She wanted to be a lawyer since the second grade, aligning her dreams and actions with what she felt would result in acceptance to law school. During her senior year at the University of Richmond, however, she got rejected. I was very intentional so everything would build me up for pre-law and serving others through supporting the judicial branch of government and the legal system, she said. To have that kind of setback became an opportunity to rise above an obstacle. It set me on a very different path. Baldwin stayed in the Richmond region, working as a paralegal and law firm administrator before getting burned out from work. Unsure of what to do next, she got an unsolicited job offer from Lunenburg County Public Schools in Southside Virginia where she grew up. She accepted the job to teach history at Central High School, with her first day of work coming on the first day of school. I issued [the students] a textbook and then I issued myself a textbook, Baldwin said. Sixteen years later, Baldwin, 41, remains in the classroom, now teaching middle school civics in nearby Nottoway County. She gives her students a pocket Constitution at the end of the school year, highlighting her favorite words in the founding documents preamble: We the People. Those words have inspired her run for U.S. Senate. Weve lost sight of that with having so many career politicians, she said. For me, entering this race is about a return to our roots. Our Constitution of then is still our great Constitution of today. Baldwin, who was born in Prince William County before her parents moved the family to southern Virginia, said she hopes to expand school choice, limit access to abortions and make health care more affordable, among other issues. If elected, Baldwin would be the first female U.S. senator from Virginia. Daniel Gade, professor, Alexandria As Daniel Gade bled out in 2005 after being wounded in combat for the second time, a call went out in the mess hall of the U.S. Navy ship where he was being treated: If anyone had A-positive blood, they needed it. Gades injuries, the result of an explosion in Iraq as Gade rode in a Humvee, had already exhausted the medical units blood supply. Without hesitation, 25 sailors and Marines answered the call and donated. I have the blood of heroes in my veins, says Gade, whose right leg was amputated. That blood saved my life. The people who saved my life taught me and hopefully everybody else an important lesson that day, which is that, when we have a hard problem to solve, like one of our friends is bleeding to death, we ought to come together to solve the problem, even if we have things that divide us. Gade wants to unify the Republican Party and he sees his run as an extension of his more than two decades of military service. As a soldier for 25 years, I was supporting and defending the Constitution. Thats the oath a soldier takes, Gade said. The oath that a senator takes is the same oath. I feel as though our political class, not just Mark Warner, but many, many others, have failed in their oath to support and defend the Constitution and its time to return to a system in which the Constitution is respected. The 45-year-old grew up in North Dakota before attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His military service earned him two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. Even after the second combat injury, Gade declined to be discharged from the military. Instead he served in the Bush and Trump administrations, focusing on helping veterans get jobs. In 2017 he retired from the Army and now teaches at American University, living in Alexandria with his wife and three children. Gade said key issues for his campaign are limiting the size of government, maintaining a strong national defense and protecting individual rights, including the Second Amendment. Gade, who has received the endorsement of several state senators, said that if he is elected his first bill would be the Stop Insider Trading (SIT) Act. The bill would require members of Congress to put their investments in a blind trust and forbid them from using for personal benefit information they receive because theyre in Congress. The issue has gained more prominence in recent months after several members of Congress, including Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), sold stocks before the coronavirus epidemic spread in the U.S. Thomas Speciale(tncms-asset)fe03a1aa-42ad-5298-b492-db62db9be1f1[2](/tncms-asset) Army reservist Thomas Speciale remembers driving to work in June 2016, the day after a gunman in Orlando, Florida, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others inside a gay nightclub. He listened as Democrats called for more gun control and felt a grip of fear and that they were right. That didnt last long. Then I remembered that thats a lie, he said. We do not have a gun violence problem. We have a mental health problem. Speciale, who runs a small gun safety training company, attended Januarys mass rally in Richmond in support of gun rights. He was one of the 16,000 people who stayed outside Capitol Square, where an estimated 6,000 more had gathered, because he didnt want to give up his ability to carry a gun. (Gov. Ralph Northam banned guns inside Capitol Square during the rally, citing safety threats.) As a candidate Speciale has vowed to work to abolish and remove current gun laws, upset over what he describes as a socialist agenda to disenfranchise people from their liberty. Our Constitution is being dismantled right before our very eyes, he said. If you take away guns, theres no way to stop the government from controlling your life because the Second Amendment protects our liberty. He also wants to reform the immigration and criminal justice systems, and promote school choice. Speciale, 51, entered the military in 1987, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfathers. The Illinois State University alumnus is a chief warrant officer in the Army Reserves. Hes married and has three children and one step-son. His oldest son serves in the U.S. Navy. He hopes to parlay the activism around gun rights and gun control Democrats passed seven of the eight gun control measures Northam proposed this session into a primary victory and an upset election over Warner. For me its been a lifelong fight to protect our country and to protect our allies abroad and those who love liberty and freedom from tyranny and oppression, he said. RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH Those charged with making decisions about engagement have put our officers in the impossible situation of protecting the rights of conflicting protestors while not intervening to prevent the inevitable conflicts. At its core, policing is about protecting life and property. By that standard, the city failed on both counts. City Councilor Pat Davis In events last night and a few weekends ago, the city failed to plan for or respond quickly enough as the dynamics evolved. There is now an unfortunate perception that the city has been willing to stand aside as destruction occurs. That perception must be changed. City Councilor Isaac Benton Thats harsh, and warranted, criticism of how the Albuquerque Police Department responded to emotionally charged protests of racial injustices in Tiguex Park last week and Downtown earlier this month. And it shows nothing was learned from the Downtown protests, or the departments poor handling of an emotionally charged political protest at the Convention Center four years ago. The Journals front-page image last week of protesters and counterprotesters grappling over a pickax at the base of the La Jornada sculpture is riveting. The grainy cellphone videos criss-crossing social media showing a man shoving down women, getting chased and struck by a man wielding a skateboard and then shooting one of the protesters in the torso several times are harrowing. And images of an armed militia group surrounding and protecting shooter and former City Council candidate Steven Ray Baca are bewildering. Because whats discernibly absent in all this from Monday nights melee is the complete lack of any uniformed police officer as chaos erupted again in Albuquerque. It isnt as if tensions erupted suddenly. For nearly half an hour, there was yelling and pushing as individuals attacked the Onate sculpture. Then, for a few minutes, there was anarchy and mob rule in broad daylight outside the Albuquerque Museum a troubling glimpse into urban life in the absence of police. Mayor Tim Keller and his top aides have adopted a passive approach to ongoing protests, not wanting to escalate tensions, putting people before property. But as Council President Davis notes and the world witnessed last week, APD failed to protect both. APD officers were stationed at the museum, out of sight of protesters, while at least one undercover officer mixed with the crowd. Keller says he worried uniformed officers at the protest would fuel tensions and spark confrontations. City leaders told Journal editors and reporters Wednesday that protesters had told them earlier they wanted to have a dialogue at the sculpture and city officials were worried posting police would be counter-productive to public discourse. But high emotions require a steady, not a heavy or an absent, hand. On Monday, APD once again created a crowd-control vacuum that quickly filled with foul language, crude gestures, physical altercations and finally gunfire. Into that vaccum stepped the heavily armed, self-appointed New Mexico Civil Guard members who stationed themselves around La Jornada and its statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate. There is little doubt the Onate piece of the 100-foot-long bronze would soon have been gone, as the museum board recommended its removal days before the protest. But unprotected by police or any barriers, it became the focal point of Monday nights demonstration and unchecked violence. Not segregating protesters and counterprotesters to protect First Amendment rights as well as public safety was a fundamental error of crowd control APD should have learned from the Donald Trump rally in May 2016. That, too, began as a calm protest then erupted into fiery violence outside the Albuquerque Convention Center as protesters jumped on police cars, smashed windows and fought with Trump supporters and police. When Trump supporters started walking along a sidewalk adjacent to the protest area, it turned into what one police officer called the gauntlet of hate as protesters threw water and water bottles and waved signs while yelling profanity and aggressive taunts. Police eventually re-routed Trump supporters, but protesters broke through two barriers and rushed the mounted horse unit and the Convention Center entrance, with some grabbing merchandise and setting it on fire. Fast forward to just around midnight May 31, when rioters shattered business windows and damaged other property across multiple Central Avenue blocks and broke into the historic KiMo Theatre. Thirty-three fires were set in the area, and police say shots were fired at them. Police Chief Michael Geier concedes police were caught off guard by the violence. It followed a peaceful candlelight vigil attended by thousands of people outraged by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a vigil where police were present blocking off streets for the protesters safety. Many officers had been sent home before the violence erupted. Asked if police, when they did arrive, had been too lenient, Keller said they intervened as soon as they could in a safe way that would not lead to serious injury. By that measure, because there was no serious injury, I am absolutely grateful. Asked about Monday nights slow police response, APD Commander Art Sanchez said as tensions rose between armed men and protesters, officers had to evaluate the situation and decide whether sending in police would escalate things. He said the response team deployed once Baca used pepper spray but didnt arrive until minutes after the shooting. City officials did acknowledge a thorough review of the police response is underway, and have been criticized for actions once they did respond. District Attorney Raul Torrez has said the investigation was mishandled, and protesters have decried the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to force them out of the way. Once again police failed to maintain physical boundaries, necessary when protesters and counterprotesters exercise their constitutional right to peaceably assemble in the same area. And behavioral boundaries must also be enforced. When folks show up with chains, pickaxes and weapons, thats no time for feckless policing. Policing is a dangerous and difficult task, and as we applaud the men and women courageous and caring enough to enter and stay in the profession, we expect their leaders to set them, and the public, up for success. Again, APD doesnt need to be heavy-handed. It needs to be steady-handed. Instead it seems paralyzed and unengaged as city and police leaders fear having our officers join the images of force used on crowds. When they do respond, they resort to heavy-handed force. Theres a middle ground that protects all and keeps the peace. And Albuquerque and APD have failed to find it on three occasions. As calls for social change escalate across the country, its past time they get it right. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. A new five square kilometer dense swarm of desert locust entered Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan on Sunday and breeding of locusts has been reported in Bikaner district amid even as the Rajasthan government augmented the means to control the invasion. These included 411 tractor-mounted power sprayers and 53,000 litres of plant protection chemical, procured under a World Bank-funded project for locust control activities, multiple officials said. Officials of Locust Warning Office, an Agriculture ministry wing, said a new swarm from Pakistan entered Rajasthans Anupgarh town in Sriganganagar district on Sunday. It was 5km-by-5km and very dense. Earlier, on Saturday, four swarms entered Jaipur from Nagaur and after control operation in the evening, were reported to have moved towards Tonk on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Agricultural Competitiveness Project (RACP), a World Bank-funded project, has issued work order for 211 tractor-mounted power sprayer for locust management in Bikaner and Jalore districts, and 200 for Barmer and Jaisalmer. The budget for these sprayers is Rs 1.56 crore. Work orders were also issued for supply of two pesticides Lambda Cyhalothrin 5% EC and Deltamethrin 2.8% EC in 13 districts. The state government had earlier sanctioned Rs 1.47 crore from the state disaster relief fund (SDRF) for hiring vehicles, tractor-mounted sprayers and pesticides. RACP project director Alok Ranjan said pesticides worth Rs 1.39 crore have been ordered from a Jaipur supplier. The two pesticides will be supplied in packing of one litre and will be sent directly to the deputy directors of the agriculture department in the respective districts before June 30, he said. The pesticides will be supplied to Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jalore, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Pali, Churu, Ajmer, Jaipur and Sirohi. The biggest supply will be made to Barmer 3,000 litres each of Lambda and Deltamethrin. Sirohi gets the smallest supply 1,000 litres of Lambda and 500 litres of Deltamethrin. Ranjan said under the integrated locust (pest) control plan of RACP, small and marginal farmers will also be provided the pesticides for use in a maximum area of two hectares. They will be made aware about their safety and the precautions to take while using the pesticides, he added. Locust outbreak was reported in Rajasthan in May 2019 after a gap of 26 years. The attack continued until February this year and the pests devoured crops on at least 670,000 hectares across 12 districts, causing a loss of around Rs 1,000 crore, according to the state agriculture department. The second wave of locust invasion began on April 11 this year when locust swarms entered Rajasthan from Hindumalkot in Sriganganagar and Babla in Jaisalmer. Joint director of plant protection division in state agriculture department, Dr Suwa Lal Jat said until Sunday, more than 200,000 hectares in 29 districts had been affected by the crop-munching pests. Control operations have been done in around 180,000 hectares. Meanwhile, according to a bulletin by the locust warning organization (LWO), breeding of locusts has been reported in Bikaner district amid frequent outbreaks in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In the areas of Bikaner where breeding was reported, this week (the third week of June), hopper emergence may be reported. According to bulletin, immature, maturing and mature adult groups/swarms were observed at various districts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Tri Community CERT is looking for volunteer members with a desire to serve their fellow residents, and people interested in working as volunteers during an upcoming day most all hope will eventually take place. Tri Community CERT -- CERT is an acronym for Community Emergency Response Team -- serves the communities of Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights and Mayfield in times of trouble, when things go wrong at an otherwise fun community event, and when local authorities need a helping hand. The program, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Paul Berne, a Highland Heights resident who serves as Tri Community CERTs executive director, said the team is always seeking new members to add to its current list of 70 volunteers. We are constantly looking for members, Berne said. People do not have to have a special skill. And, we accept people of all ages. We have several people with mobility limitations. We have many, many roles. There are roles where people are sedentary. They could be working at a table doing registration and check-in kind of things. And we have other roles that are very active. One of them is, at community events, helping out fire (departments) with first aid. So we kind of wander around at these events and administer first aid whenever necessary. Well have walkie-talkies and well contact our base and get EMS to the scene if its a critical injury. The first aid work makes those with medical backgrounds valuable members. To become a CERT volunteer, Berne said, The easiest thing to do is to go to the website, tricommunitycert.com, and download the application and mail it back to us, or email it to us. CERT members might be called out if there are emergencies, such as a gas line explosion where evacuation is necessary, or to work at regularly scheduled community events. As Berne notes, however, during this year of COVID-19, that list of events, due to cancellations, has dwindled to a few. With Mayfield Village canceling its annual July Fourth celebration, and Mayfield Heights its Unity Days, two big events have been scratched off the list. Highland Heights Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr. has rescheduled that citys Community Day from its original July date to Sept. 26 and -- Tri Community CERT plans to be there. When it is on the scene, members will be stationed at a new trailer the CERT recently purchased. Berne thanks Highland Heights Fire Chief William Turner for helping the CERT acquire the trailer, and Turner and Brunello for allowing it to be stored at the Highland Heights City Hall complex. It is not exactly known when that 7-by-10-foot trailer will see its first action. But, it is hoped that the trailer may be part of another project for which Tri Community CERT is seeking volunteers -- a MIPOD, or Mass Inoculation Point of Dispensing. We hope that that day comes as soon as possible, Berne said of the MIPOD. Thats because that would be the day when a COVID-19 vaccine is developed and is ready for inoculation. Most needed for the MIPOD are people who can direct traffic. Others are need to direct people, hand out clipboards and forms, and aid supply distribution to first responders. We need a lot of volunteers for MIPOD, Berne said. Those who do not want to work in close contact with others during the MIPOD, due to age and health concerns, do not have to do so. The CERT website makes clear that, We may never have a POD. We may have one or more PODs. The POD could be a year from now, maybe sooner, maybe later. It also states, So, why are we asking for volunteers now? Because there is enormous planning and preparation for a MIPOD, and we must know well ahead of time how many volunteers we have in the event that we are deployed. The MIPOD would be set up at Mayfield High School and would serve those living within the Mayfield School District, which also includes Gates Mills residents. MIPOD volunteers do not have to be CERT volunteers. Berne said that when he gets 10 to 15 new CERT volunteers to sign up, a training session for those new members will be held. People from any community may sign up as a Tri Community CERT member. Read more from the Sun Messenger. The government yesterday cancelled a meeting with unions representing health workers following Health minister Obadiah Moyos arrest on corruption charges. Moyo, who was arrested on Friday, was freed on bail after he appeared at the Harare magistrates court yesterday charged with criminal abuse of office. The charges are linked to a $60 million medical equipment supply deals given to a company known as Drax International, which is fronted by a controversial businessman Delish Nguwaya, who allegedly has links with President Emmerson Mnangagwas children. The cancelled meeting was aimed at persuading the health workers, who went on strike last Thursday demanding salaries in foreign currency, to return to work. Checks at the countrys major hospitals that include Mpilo Central, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Parirenyatwa Hospital, showed that the majority of nurses did not report for work yesterday, leaving patients stranded. At some of the hospitals seriously ill patients were being discharged prematurely due to the shortage of nurses. At provincial hospitals in Marondera, Masvingo, Mutare, Kwekwe and Gweru, more nurses had joined the strike yesterday. Robert Chiduku, the Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union president, said government had requested a meeting with the unions, which was cancelled because of Moyos unavailability. The government had called for the meeting, Chiduku said. They wanted to see us. Today (yesterday) we had more health workers joining the strike except for a few, who are either related to bosses or were corruptly employed, reporting for work. But generally in the whole country the majority of the health workers are on strike. Chiduku said the health workers would only go back to work when their demands for salaries pegged in United States dollars and improved working conditions are met. Meanwhile, nurses at the Victoria Chitepo Hospital in Mutare said they were still traumatised by their arrest last week after they protested against poor working conditions. On Friday, most of the nurses and general staff at the hospital were arrested for joining the nationwide strike by health workers. They were taken to Mutare Central Police Station where they were detained before being released without charge. I am still traumatised because l was arrested, said one nurse. I thought we were doing what other nurses where doing in other parts of the country, but we were arrested. We are now traumatised and we fear going to work because we might be arrested again. Other nurses vowed to continue with the strike until their grievances are addressed. Health workers went on strike a day after the government increased salaries of civil servants by 50% and introduced a US$75 temporary monthly allowance. SKY News has signed retired radio broadcaster Alan Jones to a new weeknight show. Alan Jones will air Live four nights a week, Monday Thursday from early July. Its a privilege to be asked to work with such a strong and committed team. I am sure that through the engagement with my viewing audience, we will be able to make a difference. There are real issues facing Australians today. We will be addressing them, he said. CEO Paul Whittaker said: With a connection to his audience like no other, we are delighted Alan joins SKY News Australia exclusively as anchor of new weeknight primetime program Alan Jones, the only place to watch and listen to Australias most successful broadcaster. Jones first joined SKY News in 2013 as co-anchor of Richo & Jones. He then went on to host Jones & Co, followed by Jones & Credlin. SKY News is yet to announce its new broadcast times for Kenny on Media, Chris Smith Tonight, and Richo & Smith. Each Monday Thursday Alan will share his unique take on the events and issues facing the nation, provide informed discussion with regular guests, surprising interviews and a look at the issues mainstream media ignore. He will continue to back the battlers in the bush to ensure their voice is heard. Monday 6 July at 8pm on SKY News. DES MOINES Two Iowa men have been arrested in connection to the assault of a 22-year-old Black man that the victim, Darquan Jones, his family and the NAACP of Des Moines say was racially motivated. Dale Lee Millard was arrested Thursday morning and charged with willful injury causing serious injury. Millard, 28, "made admissions" to the May assault, which began near his property on the 100 block of E Titus Avenue and ended in a nearby creek bed, according to police reports. During a Friday morning news conference, Des Moines police said an arrest warrant had been issued for a second suspect in the case. Jesse James Downs, 27, turned himself in a few hours later, at 1 p.m., and was charged with willful injury causing serious injury. The willful injury charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Dale Lee Millard Jones, 22, suffered multiple facial fractures, a broken wrist and other injuries that required 10 stitches during the assault. He said he was choked, punched multiple times and dragged to the creek where his head was held underwater. Jones told the Register he was on his way to his girlfriend's house around 3:25 a.m. May 16 when at least two white men attacked him, thinking he was trying to break into a nearby home. Jones gave the men his name, he said, but they attacked. He tried to run away from them but they caught up to him in a nearby field, he recalled, where he was choked and punched multiple times. Related Video: What Systemic Racism Means and How It Can Be Dismantled "I couldn't breathe, I just kept blacking out," he said. "I could see my whole life just going in and out, in and out." The men dragged him to a nearby body of water Jones described it as a creek and held his head under the water in an attempt to drown him, he said. Darquan Jones said he heard the cock of a gun before two women, who had heard his screams from an apartment nearby, went outside to see what was going on. He said once the women got there, the suspects yelled racial slurs at them and ran off. Story continues One of the women, Tyia Campbell, 40, told the Register the suspects were yelling that they "need to get out of our area, we're going to get all of you out of here." Police arrived at the scene and discovered Jones, lying on the ground with significant injuries. Jones has expressed lingering trauma from the assault, claiming he'll never be the same man after what happened to him. But now that arrests are being made, his father, Daryl Jones Jr., said his son is smiling again. "It's a blessing," he said. "Quan is really getting back to Quan." Punishment for hate crimes in Iowa a 'slap on the wrist,' Jones' father says Jones' father, Daryl Jones Jr., and the NAACP of Des Moines said in a news conference a day after the assault that they'd expect hate crime charges to be filed if detectives determine the motive of the assault was fueled by racism. "After speaking with Quan, his family, and the witnesses that have come forward, if the story is as they state it is, then what occurred yesterday should be nothing less than a hate crime," Kameron Middlebrooks, president of the NAACP in Des Moines, said in the May 17 news conference. During Friday's news conference, Jones Jr., Middlebrooks, and House Representative Ako Abdul-Samad pointed to flaws in Iowa's hate crime statute. Justice is all I ever wanted, Jones Jr. said. He described the punishment in Iowa for hate crime charges as "a slap on the wrist." Our hate crime laws in Iowa dont have any teeth in it, said Abdul-Samad, who is drafting legislation that would increase penalties for hate crime assaults from a misdemeanor to a Class C or D felony, depending on the severity of the case. Police initially said they would not call the assault racially motivated until the suspects were found and their motives determined. Parizek said at Friday's news conference they still cannot call the assault racially motivated, pointing to the way Iowa laws are written. The way that hate crime laws are written, you have to establish motive, Parizek said, adding that most crimes do not require motive to file charges. Its pretty obvious to all of us the suspects show a lot of ignorance out there, but that doesnt meet the standard to file the charge, Parizek said. Ignorant statements dont translate into charges under Iowa law. Darquan Jones (right) speaks during a press conference with his father, Daryl Jones Jr., at a family residence on May 19, 2020. Jones, 22, was assaulted by three white men in the early morning of May 16 in an attack he and his family have said was racially motivated, resulting in five facial fractures and a broken wrist. Jones said there was an attempt to drown him in a nearby creek, and at least one attacker repeatedly used racial slurs. Downs' history of assault In August 2019, Downs was charged with disorderly conduct including fighting or violent behavior and consumption of alcohol in a public space at the Iowa State Fairgrounds after he was was observed by officers as "the primary aggressor in a physical altercation that resulted in gates being knocked over, as well as a trash can and a female ... being thrown to the ground," according to police reports. That same female victim recently filed a petition of relief of domestic abuse against Downs on June 8, claiming he has threatened, punched, strangled and dragged her by her hair in the past. Jesse James Downs In June 2017, Downs was one of two people charged with assault causing bodily injury and disorderly conduct after a fight with a McDonald's employee over long wait times. Follow Andrea Sahouri on Twitter: @andreamsahouri. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines men arrested in racially motivated assault of Darquan Jones Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 01:25:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KITWE, Zambia June 20 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese firm, AVIC International, has completed construction of 2,350 housing units in six provinces in Zambia, a company official has said. And on the Copperbelt, the organization has so far handed over 550 housing units out of the 601 allocated to the province. Lei Yingqi, senior consultant for AVIC International, said this when the company handed over 207 among the 550 completed houses to the Zambian government on the Copperbelt province. AVIC was allocated an initial 2,350 housing units to be constructed in the first phase of the project to improve the residential environment and upgrading the living standards of the civil servants in Zambia and all works had been completed. Lei said the contract contains 50 sites in six provinces in the landlocked Southern Africa nation. He said that 207 were being handed over to the government in Chililabobwe, Kitwe's and Kalulushi districts on the Copperbelt. "We want to thank the Zambian government for trusting us with this project to construct housing units for the Zambia police, we sincerely believe in quality as it is the first priority of the project," he said. Stephen Kampyongo, who is Home Affairs Minister officiated at the handover ceremony, thanked the company for the quality works. He said the Zambian government was committed to partnering with the Chinese government to foster development in Zambia that will uplift the living standards of the local people. Enditem Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action on June 20, another one sustained injuries on June 21. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 28 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday, June 20. "The enemy fired at our positions, using proscribed 152mm and 122mm artillery systems along with 120mm and 82mm mortars, as well as unguided air-to-air missiles, weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns, and rifles," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on June 21. Read alsoTwo Ukrainian soldiers injured in landmine blast in Donbas Three members of the Joint Forces were wounded in action as a result of the attacks. Ukrainian servicemen fired back to suppress the enemy's fire. According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, one member of Russia-led forces was wounded on that day. What is more, another four attacks on Ukrainian positions were reported from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on June 21. Enemy troops opened fire from 120mm and 82mm mortars twice near the village of Shumy in the Pivnich (North) sector. Two more attacks were reported near the village of Zalizne, where enemy troops used 120mm mortars, and near the village Krymske, where banned 120mm and 82mm mortars were used along with anti-tank grenade launchers. Ukraine's military fired back, using available weapons. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded on June 21. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia-led forces attacked Ukrainian positions in Donbas 20 times; two members of Ukraine's Joint Forces were wounded in action on that day. Minister of state for road transport and highways and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General VK Singh said the latest transgression by China into Indian territory has created a trust deficit. He also said war is the last resort, but there are many ways, including an economic boycott that can be an apt response to China. Here are the excerpts of Singhs conversation with HT Q: As an ex-army chief what is your reading of the ground situation? A: It is firmly in control of the Indian troops. There are no intrusions. There are transgressions, not intrusions. Where PP 14 is concerned, there is no intrusion whatsoever. Where PP 15 area is concerned, every year they have been trying to transgress and every year we push them to go back. Where Pangong Tso is concerned, this is not just a yearly feature, but happens in the summer and sometimes in the winter also. These have been happening, the only difference this time is that the transgression has involved a certain amount of stealth in the Pangong Tso area, theyve done things which they have never done earlier. Q: Like what? A: Trying to land some troops behind Finger 4, this they did for the first time. And the aim is clear - they want to push us from Finger 4. Our people, however, will take care of that. Also read: No restrictions on using firearms - India gives soldiers freedom along LAC Q: Is that what the negotiation and talks were about? A: The talks were about wherever there have been transgression - like at PP 14 where they said the LAC is not this way but is a different way. They have been told that weve been sitting here on this for decades now, where is the doubt. Same is true for other regions including Chumar. They try and come to the Heights opposite the DBO. All this is very old its not new. What is new is as the infrastructure becomes better they try to overawe us by more strength or vehicles. Also Watch | Can India fight war on two fronts with China & Pakistan? Gen VP Malik answers Q: There are questions about why there was ambiguity about the Chinese being on our territory and now them claiming the Galwan. A: They are not on our territory. The LAC is an interpretation from a map given in 1959 and the Chinese keep advancing some claim or the other. The LAC is not marked on the ground, there is no agreement on it. There is a certain amount of flexibility that exists out there. But there are places where both sides know their sides and ensure these are protected. Where there is no mans land, which comes up because of these perceptional differences, is where these patrol face-offs take place. Q: What details do we have of the casualties on the Chinese side? Did we detain any PLA soldiers and how many? A: In the 1962 war, they never told anybody how many casualties they suffered. It was sometime in the 2000s when they said we suffered a few hundred (casualties), but people who fought know exactly how much they had suffered. They are good at deception because they dont want the people to get anti-government or raise objections. Im quite sure they must be disposing of the dead also in a manner that others dont come to know. There was talk of 43 persons in the beginning, in the media. I would say whoever put out that figure, based on what the troops had said, is the minimum. There may be more. Since we did not cross the Line of Actual Control, they were on one side of the river near PP 14. So, most of the things were on each side, it was not something that was on our side. What happened was that people got separated. In the melee, where there are over 600 people just jostling, scuffling, pushing and hitting each other and in a dark night some people got separated; their people on our side and our people on their side. But in the morning they were exchanged. I was told that one of their chaps said we have treated your people well and our chaps said we have also treated your people well. Matter ended there with no brouhaha about it. Q: Do we have a number? A: As per my information we had some people. Q: On Friday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the all-party meeting asked if this was an intelligence failure. A: I am not in a position to respond because intelligence is a domain that is looked after by the R&AW. What I can refute is that it is a military intelligence failure, because they have been debarred from looking across the LoC and the LAC. This happened in 2012 and Sonia Gandhi should have known about it. Q: There are questions about the policy of using arms at LAC too. A: In the dark of the night you are among 600 people carrying weapons, you dont know where your people are. What happens if somebody fires breaking the agreement? These agreements have been there and both sides are adhering to it, if one side breaks it then the other side will also break it. So far, we havent had any problems. That is why this pushing and jostling took place, otherwise firing wouldve taken place. Just like what happened on the Line of Control that we dont have an agreement of a similar nature but other agreements. There are protocols that have come into being over a period of time after negotiations of the border peace and treaty agreement and unfortunately, you have to follow them. [If] You want to break them, then somebody should take a decision. If Congress is so concerned about it, they should have broken it and not gotten into it. As a military man, I can say, I dont think the military wanted it and I dont think the military was even consulted on it. Q: What has changed after Mondays conflict? A: The only thing that has changed is that we knew they were deceitful but they will engineer such a big deceit on us... it leads to loss of confidence. And we will think 10 times before believing them that they will do a particular thing. We will be more prepared for any eventuality that will follow. Q: You also said China did this to deflect attention. Would you explain? A: Why would China try to do things at the border, it is there any reason? In China nothing happens at the local level, it all comes from the top and who is the head of the military commission, Xi Jinping. So this is not like India where broad instructions are there and commanders do their own things. What is it that they want to divert attention from? They are in the firing line of all the countries in the world because of Covid-19, they are having problems in Hong Kong, they have problems in the South China Sea, they have trade problems with the United States, everybody is blaming them for everything. It means they want to divert attention from something. Q: The PM said the sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain. What do you think will be an apt response to China? A: If youre going to tell about the response now then the response is of no use whatsoever. I am sure the required people have been tasked to think of what can be done, what cannot be done and what all measures have to be taken. The first thing that has been given out is to boycott Chinese goods, lets start with this. Lets hurt them economically other things will follow. War and use of force is the last resort always and every time. When all other means fail then you resort to this. There are many means available. Spains borders now open to EU countries except Portugal, as well as Schengen Area members outside the bloc and the UK. Passengers wearing masks and wheeling suitcases arrived at Madrids main airport and French people crossed the border to buy bargain alcohol and tobacco on Sunday as Spain opened its borders to most European countries and ended a state of emergency imposed to contain COVID-19. Spains borders are now open to all European Union countries except Portugal, as well as Schengen Area members outside the bloc and the United Kingdom in a much-needed boost to the countrys tourism industry which accounts for more than 12 percent of the economy. British tourists will be allowed in without having to quarantine, Spain said on Saturday, even though they will still be subject to 14-day isolation upon their return. Spaniards were also allowed to move freely around the country from Sunday and many were expected to visit friends, relatives and second homes in other regions. Since March 14, people have had to remain in their own provinces. People will still have to wear masks in public when social distancing measures cannot be observed. At Madrids International Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport there was a sense of relief for passengers, many of whom were travelling to see loved ones after months apart. {articleGUID} My situation is a little complicated because my wife lives in Italy and I live in Spain so we havent seen each other for four months, said Alberto Bos, who was flying to Milan. All arriving passengers will have their temperature taken, submit information about where they have come from, and provide their whereabouts in Spain in case they need to be traced. Spains border with neighbouring Portugal will reopen on July 1 at Lisbons request. Stickers on the floor of the arrivals hall made sure those waiting for passengers complied with social distancing measures. All arriving passengers will have their temperature taken and submit information about where they have come from [Enrique Calvo/Reuters] Back to normal People with suitcases boarded trains at Madrids Atocha station heading for coastal Valencia, after being confined to Madrid for months, more than 300km (186 miles) from the seaside. Meanwhile, French people crossed the border to queue for relatively cheaper tobacco and alcohol in the northern city of Irun. Today its all getting a bit back to normal. Its good for the shops, for the economy, for everything, said shop owner Luis Mancho. Some 1,500 German tourists touched down in Mallorca early last week as part of a pilot scheme to establish a travel corridor between the two areas, before the lifting of restrictions on Sunday. We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen area from 21 June freely and without the need for the quarantine, Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told BBC News on Saturday. But the UKs quarantine measures, requiring a two-week self-isolation for most people entering the country, could put off potential travellers. The UK is due to review its quarantine rule on June 29, three weeks after it was introduced. Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said Spain was ready to welcome tourists in an interview with the ABC newspaper on Sunday, but added the country has to work to get that message out. We have to build trust, she said. Translate to travellers, Spaniards and foreigners, that the country is a safe destination. Spain, which has recorded about 246,000 coronavirus cases and more than 28,000 deaths, has been easing its lockdown restrictions in recent weeks. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. 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Browse our full report with Table of Content : http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/saudi-arabia-perfume-market-prospects-trends-analysis-market-size-and-forecasts-up-to-2025/2055630 About Us Market Reports on Saudi Arabia provides you with an in-depth industry reports focusing on various economic, political and operational risk environment, complemented by detailed sector analysis. We have an exhaustive coverage on variety of industries -ranging from energy and chemicals to transportation, communications, constructions and mining to Food and Beverage and education. Our collection includes over 2000 up-to-date reports all researched, analyses and published by top-notch international research firms. Contact us at: Market Reports On Saudi Arabia Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773 Email: info@marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com Website: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 05:29:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte addresses a press conference in Rome, Italy, on June 21, 2020. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday said Italy is mulling a reduction in the country's value-added tax, part of a wider set of ideas he said would help hasten gross domestic product growth in the country hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alberto Lingria/Pool via Xinhua) ROME, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday said Italy is mulling a reduction in the country's value-added tax, part of a wider set of ideas he said would help hasten gross domestic product growth in the country hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conte spoke at Rome's Villa Doria Pamphili at the end of eight days of States General consultations with government ministers, European Union officials, economists, and representatives from the corporations, the financial sector, and trade unions. "We have reopened Italy" in the wake of the coronavirus, Conte said, "now we have to reinvent Italy." Some of the consultations took place in person at the 17th-century Roman villa, with others taking place via video hookup. The measures that emerged from the talks were painted with broad strokes, with Conte stating they'd be finalized during high-level talks set to take place in September. On Sunday, Conte called for Italy to "pull together" to limit the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy. He said Italians "have it in (their) hands" to determine how quickly the country returns to normal after weeks of coronavirus lockdown and nearly 35,000 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Among the specific measures is a plan unveiled by Conte to provide women with vouchers for up to 500 euros (555 U.S. dollars) to help them move up corporate ladders. That is one of the three pillars Conte announced at the start of the talks on June 13. The other two pillars are "modernization and innovation" and "sustainable development." Enditem Published on 2020/06/21 | Source The campaign to send propaganda leaflets across the border to North Korea dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War, when the U.S. military dropped hundreds of millions of them from bombers and fighter planes. Advertisement North Korea also disseminated them by the truckload. Lee Yoon-kyu at the Joint Forces Military University recalled, "At that time, propaganda leaflets were focused on slandering the other side so they weren't that convincing, but they had a huge impact on the morale of the enemy and that's why both sides went all out". This year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, but the leaflets, which ought to be museum pieces, have emerged once again as a major sticking point in cross-border relations. Nowadays they are attached to helium balloons by North Korean defectors and floated across the demilitarized zone, or sealed in PET bottles and entrusted to the currents. Sometimes drones drop them over the border region. North Korea at least claimed that they were the reason it severed all communication channels with South Korea. The South Korean government obligingly called the police and tried to find some reason why they might be illegal, alighting in the end on health-and-safety regulations and the small print of cross-border exchange laws. It also threatened to strip the activist groups of their charitable status. Tables Turned According to one former officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff who used to participate the production of the leaflets, in the 1960s-80s North Korean-made propaganda leaflets outnumbered South Korean ones by 4:1. That was due to the North's confidence in its economic superiority. Especially in the early years, North Korean leaflets boasted that its people live in an earthly paradise devoid of unemployment, beggars, taxes and educational and medical expenses. The North even attached U.S. dollar bills to them. But the tables turned when South Korea's economy achieved stellar growth. South Korea shifted the contents from slander to more factual information. There might be photos of large shopping malls as well as images of then-President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il embracing each other at their summit in 2000. One person who worked at the Defense Ministry at that time said, "The ideological war pretty much ended in the 1990s, so we decided it was far more effective to just state the facts and provide news to North Koreans". The amount of propaganda leaflets sent over by the North decreased markedly after the reclusive state determined they were no longer effective. The South Korean government officially stopped sending leaflets to North Korea in 2004 after the two Koreas agreed to prevent armed clashes on the West Sea. That was when activist groups consisting mainly of defectors took over. Their main focus was criticizing then-leader Kim Jong-il and later his son Kim Jong-un. The leaflets stated historical facts that are usually kept from North Koreans, for example that North Korea started the Korean War, that Kim Jong-un's mother was an ethnic Korean from Japan, and that South Korea's economy leaves North Korea's in the dust. They have also focused on the escape of North Koreans to South Korea. Sometimes they included dollar bills and North Korean won, instant noodles and even rice. Information Vacuum Experts think propaganda leaflets are effective because there is such a news vacuum in the North that any outside information is being devoured. Due to the indoctrination of young North Koreans, some innocuous facts can also have an explosive impact. Lee said, "The fact that Kim Jong-un's mother is from Japan is the Achilles heel of the North Korean leader and the only way North Korean people can find out about that is from propaganda leaflets sent by the South. That's why North Korea is reacting so intensely". The North Korean regime has an intense obsession with the purity of the leaders' bloodline and its fictitious origins on Mt. Baekdu. In the late 1990s, the regime tried to prevent people from looking at the leaflets by claiming that the instant noodles and other edibles sent with them were contaminated and any physical contact could trigger skin cancer. Lee Min-bok, a North Korean defector who has been flying leaflets into the North, said, "North Korea deifies its leader, while its people have been taught that the Korean War was a war of liberation, but all of these teachings have been challenged and that's why the North is causing such a fuss". Park Sang-hak, the most prominent leaflet campaigner and head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, said, "North Koreans found out through our leaflets that they can defect through China. Many North Koreans in Wonsan were motivated in their defection by the leaflets during the 1990s". Whether the leaflets really have a destabilizing impact is debatable. All that is known is that the North is annoyed enough about them to have used them as a pretext for its latest histrionics. In a rush for Fulton County district attorney Paul Howard to distract from the investigation of his own wrongdoings regarding a missing $140,000, Howard quickly charged former police officer Garrett Rolfe with eleven felonies before an investigation could be properly done into a police shooting. Not only is Howard under investigation, but he is in a hotly contested primary in August. Howard did not take the case to the Grand Jury and, in an apparent political move, immediately charged Rolfe. On June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks, 27, fought with two police officers and grabbed one of their taser guns. As he ran away, he turned to try to shoot Rolfe, and Rolfe shot him in self-defense. Brooks had, among other things, four previous charges of obstructing a police officer, cruelty to children, and domestic violence. It made no sense why Brooks would fight the police until you look at his criminal history. The following are interactions he had with law enforcement. On 08/22/2016, he was sentenced to twelve months in jail and to three years' probation on each of the five felony counts, which were to be served concurrently. On 12/20/2018, an arrest warrant was issued for him regarding his last arrest. The police were called when Brooks was drunk and fell asleep in his car, blocking traffic at a drive-through restaurant. Being drunk would have been another probation violation. If he had been arrested, he could have been sent back to jail. The following are all recorded in Georgia courts. 10/22/2010 Obstruction of Officer 10/10/2010 Obstruction of Officer 01/19/2011 Battery Family Violence 03/15/2011 Battery Family Violence 11/18/2011 Receiving Stolen Property 01/12/2012 Possession of Marijuana 01/12/2012 Possession of Marijuana 01/12/2012 Weapon Possession 04/12/2012 Possession of Marijuana 03/02/2013 Receiving Stolen Property 03/02/2013 Criminal Interference with Govt. Property 03/02/2013 Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer 03/03/2013 False Imprisonment 03/03/2013 Obstructing an Officer 03/03/2013 Felony Cruelty 03/03/2013 Receiving Stolen Property 02/31/2014 Simple Battery 03/31/2014 Cruelty to Children 03/31/2014 False Imprisonment 03/31/2014 Family Violence Battery 05/22/2014 Simple Battery Family Violence 05/22/2014 Obstruction Officer 05/30/2014 Felony Cruelty 12/14/2014 Criminal Interference with Govt. Property 10/30/2015 Theft by Taking 03/03/2016 Taking by Theft 07/13/2016 Theft of Financial Transaction (5 counts) It appears that Rolfe was railroaded while the district attorney uses him to try to save his job. Susan Daniels has been a licensed private investigator in Ohio for twenty-seven years. She uncovered the stolen Connecticut social security number that Barack Obama has used for the past thirty years. A 13-month-old girl has been airlifted to hospital after falling into a fire pit at an outdoor event. The incident happened at a property in South Maroota, north west of Sydney, at 2pm on Sunday. The girl's mother suffered serious burns to her hands after desperately pulling her daughter from the fire. The CareFlight helicopter specialist doctor treated the child for burns to her leg after she fell into a fire pit South Maroota, north west of Sydney (stock image) The CareFlight helicopter specialist doctor treated the child for burns to her leg. She was flown to the Childrens Hospital at Westmead in stable condition. The mother was also taken to hospital in a stable condition. More to come. A leading Canadian microbiologist is sounding an alarm about overuse of precious antibiotics among the world's more than 8.7 million cases of COVID-19. So many people have been seriously sickened by COVID-19 that they need to be cared for in hospital, such as with oxygen. Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics for people with COVID-19 in hospital. Eric Brown, a professor at the McMaster University's Institute of Infectious Disease Research, has concerns about how COVID-19 could drive up antibiotic resistance in bacteria that aren't killed by standard drugs. "The biggest concern is for those who have COVID-19 who maybe don't need an antibiotic," he said. Canadian infectious disease physicians say guidelines suggest a limited role for antibiotics in COVID-19 cases. Once it's clear that the person has COVID and there's no bacterial infection, then the antibiotic treatments should be stopped to avoid encouraging another infection in the same patient. Bacterial resistance rates could lead to more deaths Earlier this month, the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also expressed similar concerns. "The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased use of antibiotics, which ultimately will lead to higher bacterial resistance rates that will impact the burden of disease and deaths during the pandemic and beyond," he said. Brown said the long-term ramifications of the increase are unknown. They could jeopardize use of antimicrobials to prevent infections after surgeries like hip replacements, C-sections and organ transplants if bacteria in patients are resistant to them, he said. The solution has two parts, he said: Stewardship that is, only using antibiotics when needed and discovering new antibiotics. Yet scientists have not discovered any truly new classes of antibiotics in more than 50 years. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases The Canada Council for the Arts recently awarded Brown a prestigious Killam Fellowship worth $70,000 a year for two years, which will allow the scientist to devote himself full time to a laboratory research project studying superbugs. Story continues Brown hopes to change that by finding new antibiotics for what he called the top three dreaded superbugs on WHO's list. All three are classified as Gram-negative bacteria, which are characterized by having surfaces that are difficult for antibiotics to penetrate. "There are a lot of clever approaches superbugs have to avoid antibiotics, and some of them are encoded by genes that are shared among pathogens," he said. "That's why antibiotic resistance can spread so widely." Designer drug innovation A biochemist by training, Brown is looking for a needle in a haystack among half a million chemicals that could crack the nut of the dreaded bacteria. Then, designer drugs could either kill the bacteria directly or slow them in their tracks. "No one's really taken this approach," he said. Brown is not daunted by how a new drug typically takes about 10 to 15 years from the discovery phase through clinical trials for safety and efficacy and on to the market. His lab plans a series of experiments on screened compounds followed by chemical tinkering to improve potency of leading candidates for preclinical testing to decide whether an experimental drug, if found, should be tested in people. Even then, challenges await. "There isn't another therapeutic area in medicine where you would come up with what we call a designer drug and everybody would say, 'OK, that's fantastic. Let's almost never use it,'" Brown said. Normally, pharmaceutical companies want to sell as much of their product as possible. But that's not necessarily the best model for antibiotics. CBC Instead, physicians in North America want to conserve antibiotics of last resort for increasingly resistant infections. Dangerous trend needs to be countered As the pandemic unfolds, doctors are still generally overprescribing antibiotics in many parts of the world. But in low- and middle-income countries in Asia, Africa and South America, much less is known about how many antibiotics are prescribed by family physicians and why. To start filling the gap, Dr. Giorgia Sulis, an infectious disease physician and doctoral candidate in epidemiology at McGill University, reviewed 10,000 studies with her team. They whittled that down to just 16 studies with enough prescription details to gain a glimpse into the overuse problem with antibiotics. Their findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine last week. Sulis and her co-authors said they found the proportion of primary care patients seeking care for any reason who were prescribed antibiotics often exceeded 50 per cent, compared with the WHO's recommendation of less than 30 per cent for such patients. When critical antibiotics are held reserve in Canada, they're used with caution in hospitals only, Sulis said. Aleksandra Sagan/The Canadian Press Brown, who was not involved in the review, said it's "terrifying" to think about the "suspiciously high number" of antibiotics that were flagged. Both Brown and Sulis recognize another consideration: the infectious disease burden in other parts of the world is also much higher than in Canada. 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 U.S., Russia To Hold Arms Talks Next Week In Move To Preserve New START By RFE/RL June 20, 2020 The United States says disarmament talks between its top arms control negotiator and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will take place next week in Austria. U.S. envoy Marshall Billingslea will travel to Austria on June 22-23 to meet with Ryabkov "on mutually agreed topics related to the future of arms control," the State Department said in a statement on June 19. The statement also said the United States has extended an invitation to China to join the discussions, "and has made clear the need for all three countries to pursue arms control negotiations in good faith." U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for China to join the United States and Russia in talks on a nuclear arms control agreement to replace the 2010 New START accord (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). New START, which imposes limits on U.S. and Russian deployments of strategic nuclear arms to no more than 1,550 each, expires in February. China, estimated to have about 300 nuclear weapons, has repeatedly rejected Trump's proposal, most recently on June 10. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said then that Beijing hadn't changed its previous stance that it was not going to join the talks. While China has been expanding its nuclear arsenal, is still far smaller than the U.S. and Russian programs. The United States had voiced hopes that Russia could convince China to join the negotiations. But Ryabkov said on June 9 that his answer to the question of whether it would be possible to bring China to the table "would be a flat and straightforward no." Trump has pulled out of a number of international agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Iran nuclear deal. The Trump administration, however, voiced a general interest in preserving New START. Russia has called on the United States to make a "positive" proposal ahead of the meeting. "We need to hear loudly and clearly what this administration wants, how it believes it would be possible to do something positive and not just to dismantle one arms control treaty or arrangement after another," Ryabkov said on June 9. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s- russia-disarmament/30681015.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Irelands Green Party leader has rejected a call from his Northern Ireland counterpart to renegotiate the draft programme for government. Eamon Ryan said it would not be possible to change the terms of the blueprint. Clare Bailey, the party leader north of the border, is one of several prominent members who have come out in opposition to the proposed deal that would see the Greens enter government in the Irish Republic along with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. On Sunday, she said the principles of climate justice and social justice were not reflected in the draft programme for government. She said the few environmental wins agreed by negotiating teams from Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens were not enough for her to endorse it. Ms Bailey and party chair Hazel Chu were among eight prominent party members who have issued a joint statement opposing the programme that, if approved by the parties respective memberships, would see a new Irish government formed. The statement, which was also signed by Green TDs Francis Duffy, Patrick Costello, Neasa Hourigan, said the plan would deliver an unjust recovery. Ms Bailey, who said the most vulnerable would worst hit by the deal, urged her party to try to push for changes. What I believe at the minute is that we can build back a better deal, she told BBC NIs Sunday Politics show. I dont think thats its this deal or nothing. I think there are other options that need to be explored. So we can have another deal, we can review this deal, we can push it a wee bit further, we can talk to other parties. So its not one or the other. Responding to the suggestion, Mr Ryan said there was no room to secure changes at this stage. He told RTE Radio One: I dont believe it would be possible or in the national interest to go into another prolonged negotiation process. The outcome of the membership votes among the three parties will be announced on Friday. The Green Party has the highest threshold of the three parties to secure the approval of its membership. Two-thirds of members registered to vote on the proposals must back the deal. The party is constituted on an all-island basis so members on both sides of the border can have their say. But just 195 of the Greens 800 members in Northern Ireland have registered to vote on the draft programme for government. Ms Bailey denied this was due to a feeling that it was not the business of northern members to get involved in politics south of the border. She said she would support the party whatever the result of the vote. If its ratified and if we do go into government, I am 100% committed to the Green Party and I will stand by my party, she said. And I will support them and we will move forward together because this should not break us as a party. We need to be stronger than that. The eight people to sign the statement of opposition were Ms Bailey, Mr Duffy, Mr Costello, Ms Hourigan, Ms Chu, councillor Lorna Brogue and 2020 general election candidates Sean McCabe and Saoirse McHugh. 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. Pueblo protesters celebrate the removal of a statue of conquistador and Spanish colonial governor Juan de Onate in Alcalde, N.M. (Molly Montgomery / Rio Grande Sun) In these troubled times, it was a moment of pure poetry. On Monday, a 19-year-old Pueblo Native American man named Than Tsideh jumped up on a pedestal and started dancing. The space had just been vacated by a 3-ton bronze statue of Juan de Onate, which had stood there for nearly 30 years in the small northern New Mexican town of Alcalde, just outside Espanola. Onate (1550-1626) was a Spanish conquistador who established the colony of New Mexico for Spain and became its first governor in 1598. He is remembered for the Acoma War of October 1598, when his men demanded supplies from the Acoma Pueblo. The pueblo, needing provisions to survive the coming winter, refused, and in the ensuing conflict 11 Spaniards, including Onates nephew, were killed. Furious, Onate ordered the pueblo destroyed in what became known as the Acoma Massacre; 800 to 1,000 Pueblos died in the siege. The survivors, approximately 500, were put on trial, and Onate rendered the sentence: All men and women older than 12 would be enslaved for 20 years, and Spanish soldiers were instructed to chop off one foot of every man over 25 years old. In all, 24 men lost one of their feet, condemned to totter on a stump for the remainder of their lives. Onate was recalled to Mexico City in 1606 to account for his conduct, where he was convicted of cruelty to both natives and colonists and banished from New Mexico for life. Except for that statue. The conquistador on a steed, wearing military regalia, looming over New Mexico Highway 68 at the Onate Monument and Resource Center. In December 1997, on the eve of the 400th anniversary of Onates arrival in the region, someone sawed off the monument's right foot and left a note saying, Fair is fair. It should be said that not everyone in northern New Mexico opposed the statue. Some residents, many of whom claim to be descendants of Onate, pointed to it as a source of pride. County workers remove the statue of Juan de Onate from its pedestal at the Onate Monument and Resource Center in Alcalde, N.M. (Molly Montgomery / Rio Grande Sun) But in the midst of an awakening of the nations conscience after the killing of George Floyd on May 25, Onates brutality was once again up for discussion. A petition to remove the Alcalde statue circulated, noting that Onate perpetuated cruel and inhumane violence against the Pueblos and was prosecuted and exiled by the Spanish for war crimes. Story continues Red Nation, a Native American social justice organization, called for a demonstration at the statue on Monday. In the meantime, however, a Rio Arriba County official ordered the statue removed to storage for safekeeping, its ultimate fate still to be decided. (A similar fate befell another, newer Onate bronze removed for its own protection from outside the Albuquerque Museum on Tuesday.) For the first time in many years, we dont have to stare at Onate, Elena Ortiz, a Red Nation leader, told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The presence of that statue was an act of violence upon Pueblo people from the moment it was put up and now, finally, it's gone. The states governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, in what was either a brilliant pun or an egregious malapropism, tweeted that the Alcalde statues removal was a step in the right direction. When Than Tsideh, whose name means Sun Bird in the Tewa language, arrived at the Onate monument, ready to protest, the statue of the Pueblos tormentor was gone. I started to sing, he explained, his long hair flowing in the breeze, in honor of my ancestors who I know were slaughtered by this man. And then Than Tsideh did what his long-ago ancestors, because of Onates cynical brutality, could not. He danced. Randall Balmer, currently working from Santa Fe, teaches religion at Dartmouth College. Around 100 million coronavirus-related protection products, including facemasks, gloves and hand sanitisers have been delivered to schools where the exams are being held More than 650,000 Egyptian students started the final high school exams, known as Thanaweya Amma, nationwide on Sunday amid heightened precautionary measures to rein in the spread of the coronavirus. Egypts cabinet has said that 100 million coronavirus-related protection products, including 33 million facemasks, gloves and hand sanitisers have been delivered to schools where the exams are being held. Sanitising walk-through gates and temperature-reading devices have also been sent to exam venues, Education Minister Tarek Shawky said. Special medical teams have been tasked with monitoring students temperatures and ensuring that physical distancing rules are observed and protective facemasks are worn by all students, he added. The health ministry was stationing 2,500 ambulances outside schools nationwide to transport any suspected coronavirus cases to special hospitals. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Education Minister Tarek Shawky and Health Minister Hala Zayed visited a school complex in Cairos northeastern district of Nasr City earlier on Sunday to inspect safety procedures adopted during the exams to limit the risk of virus transmission. The Thanaweya Amma qualification, which determines university prospects based on grades obtained, has long been a source of panic for students and family alike, as they can in large part determine a pupils future. Photos showing crowds of students and parents gathered outside schools seemingly not adhering to social distancing circulated on social media on Sunday. Many parents as well as the Egyptian Doctors Syndicate have called for postponing the exams until the country sees a reduction in the number of new coronavirus infections. Others called for replacing the exams with an online research system adopted for other school grades. The education minister had repeatedly said that the major exams cannot be postponed further, asserting that authorities are taking necessary precautions and offering students the option to delay the exams to the next school year if they wish to. Students who show symptoms before or during the exams can retake them in the second round scheduled in August. The exams had already been delayed by two weeks amid restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. Egypt has suspended school and university classes since March as part of the sweeping anti-virus measures, and introduced a new research paper system as an alternative to the final exams in most other school grades. As of Saturday, Egypt had registered 53,758 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 2,106 fatalities. Also on Sunday, two university students were arrested on charges of leaking Sundays exam on social media websites five hours ahead of its start, a security source told Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: In these uncertain times, everyone is feeling the uncertainty. Stock prices are extremely volatile, and sometimes its hard to know where to turn. Have you thought about turning to a high-yielding bank stock? One has been around since 1867, and it survived the 2008 crisis and came out at the other end better for it. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) stock is yielding 6.22% today! I say, stick to the plan. Find those stocks that have risk mitigating factors in their favour. Close your eyes and hold your breath. Then take the plunge. In the long run, you will be thankful for finding this strength. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock is yielding a juicy 6.22% The world is not ending, despite the many problems we are facing today. This is true. Every crisis passes, economies and societies recover, and things move forward again. Wouldnt you prefer to buy when the market is reflecting maximum fear? The answer is yes, because it is in these times that you get the best deals. In the 2008 crisis, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock fell 43% over the period of nine months. This time, due to the instantaneous closure of economies because of the coronavirus, the stock fell 35% in less than a month. The stock remains vulnerable but also attractive. There are two major differences compared to the 2008 crisis. First, the government is providing a significant amount of stimulus. Second, Canadian banks today are even more prepared to maintain their financial health and liquidity. This is partly due to regulations that were enacted after the 2008 crisis. Its also due to the banks themselves. For its part, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce really transformed itself, moving away from its more risk-taking past. Today, this bank stock is still tainted a bit by its past, which has meant that this bank stock usually trades at a discount to the other big bank stocks. CIBC stock is also the highest-yielding bank. It is now a well-capitalized bank that is financially sound. Story continues Prudent growth means a steady future Today, in this new crisis, CIBC is seeing the fruits of its labour from so many years ago. While provisions spiked up significantly in the second quarter, the make-up of its loans is different. The risks inherent in its clients is lower. Provision losses will likely not come anywhere near the 7-8% hit in the 2008 crisis. CIBC remains more exposed than its peers to the Canadian consumer and to personal/mortgage lending. This was already a cause for concern, and with the crisis today, it is even more so. On the bright side, the banks U.S. acquisition PrivateBancorp, is delivering strong results. The only problem there is that it only accounts for 10% of total revenue. There are no simple answers. Yes, the Canadian banks are in for a rough ride. But they are also the backbone of the economy, and they have government support to get through this. Foolish bottom line It is worthwhile to add to positions in top institutions that have risk-mitigating qualities. CIBC stock is a bank stock that has some good ones, including its generous dividend yield. Investors who buy today will be richer for it in the long run. The post Attention Investors: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) Is Yielding Over 6%! appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tom Barfield (Agence France-Presse) Gelsenkirchen, Germany Sun, June 21, 2020 12:15 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066065dd6 2 World communism,statue,Germany,Vladimir-Lenin Free A divisive new monument to Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin was unveiled in Germany on Saturday, in the middle of a global row over the controversial background of historical figures immortalised as statues. More than 30 years after the post-World War II communist experiment on German soil ended, the tiny Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD) installed Lenin's likeness in the western city of Gelsenkirchen. A few hundred gathered for the ceremony, marked by fluttering red flags and the smell of grilled sausages. "Criticism of capitalism and the search for social alternatives is everywhere. We're criticising that there's no public discussion of socialism as an alternative," MLPD chair Gabi Fechtner said. A Lenin monument was unveiled today in Gelsenkirchen, Germany by the DE Marxist-Leninist Party. I want to know why this was even allowed. DE has strict laws banning Nazi symbols. If they are allowing Lenin to go up, may as well allow Hitler, too. At least there were protestors. pic.twitter.com/z3ZNX3ooTB ArianaGic/ (@GicAriana) June 20, 2020 The MLPD says it is the first such statue ever to be erected on the territory of the former West Germany, decades after the eastern German Democratic Republic communist state collapsed along with its deadly Berlin Wall and Stasi secret police. "The time for monuments to racists, anti-Semites, fascists, anti-communists and other relics of the past has clearly passed," said Fechtner in an earlier statement. "Lenin was an ahead-of-his-time thinker of world-historical importance, an early fighter for freedom and democracy." Not everyone in Gelsenkirchen, a centre of the former industrial and mining powerhouse Ruhr region, has welcomed the over two-metre (6.5 feet) likeness, produced in former Czechoslovakia in 1957. "Lenin stands for violence, repression, terrorism and horrific human suffering," representatives from mainstream parties on the district council in Gelsenkirchen-West said in a resolution passed in early March. The council "will not tolerate such an anti-democratic symbol in its district," it added, urging "all legal means" be used to block its installation. But later in March the upper state court in Muenster rejected an attempt to stop the statue that it argued would impact a historic building on the same site. The MLPD trumpeted interest from as far away as Russia, but urged guests to maintain social distancing and wear nose and mouth coverings against coronavirus infection. Paint-splattered Bismarck The worldwide Black Lives Matter movement following the death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis on May 25 has found some echo in Germany. Unknown people splattered red paint on a statue of Otto von Bismarck in Hamburg's Altona district this week. The "Iron Chancellor" behind Germany's unification in 1871 is also known for hosting the Berlin Conference of 1884, which became a byword for the carving up of Africa between European colonial powers. Berlin itself has been a hub of activism against commemorations in public space of colonialists, with much ire directed at street names honouring 19th-Century figures in the so-called "African Quarter". But political decisions to rename roads named after figures like Adolf Luederitz, a merchant who played a key role in colonising Namibia, or Carl Peters, a colonialist behind German expansion in eastern Africa, have met with resistance from locals. In decades of experience addressing the country's Nazi and communist pasts, "things have always been done properly, it all seems very German" with official applications to local authorities and orderly dismantling of monuments, said Urte Evert, head of Berlin's Spandau Citadel museum where many old statues are on display. "We haven't made so much progress with colonialism, something the USA, Britain and France too have been confronting for much longer," Evert added. While the United States, Britain and Belgium have seen statues of Christopher Columbus, slave trader Edward Colston and King Leopold II, brutal ruler of the Congo, attacked or removed, in Germany, only a handful of monuments have been splattered by paint. She recently returned back from a trip to Georgia with her boyfriend, Ben Affleck, his mom, Christine, and three children. And things appear to be better than ever for Ana de Armas and her man following the family vacation, spotted out for lunch together in Los Angeles on Saturday. The duo were seen deep in conversation with the 47-year-old using animated gestures while leaving the eatery. Walking and talking: Ben Affleck was spotted being very animated n Saturday following a lunch date with his girlfriend, Ana de Armas Ana opted for a black singlet top underneath a green sweater. She teamed the look with high-waisted mom jeans and a pair of sneakers for the lunch date. The actress accessorized with a cross-body bag and sported some aviator style shades. Cool for the summer: Ana opted for a black singlet top underneath a green sweater Gorgeous: Ana styled her brunette hair back into a ponytail and appeared to be wearing a natural amount of makeup Ana styled her brunette hair back into a ponytail and appeared to be wearing a natural amount of makeup. Ben kept things simple to a black sweater and a pair of jeans while walking beside his lady love. Their outing comes after they spent last week together with Ben's kids, Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, eight. 'Everyone gets along great,' a source told People earlier in the week. 'They are spending a few days in Georgia with Ben's kids. It's a low-key vacation.' Casual: Ben kept things simple to a black sweater and a pair of jeans while walking beside his lady love Getaway: Ana recently shared a photo to Instagram from their Georgia stay Friendly exes: Ben and Jen split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage (pictured 2014) They continued: 'Ana seems to love being around his kids. Everyone has been getting along great. Ana is making an effort to get to know his kids.' Ben shares the three children with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. The Hollywood stars have subsequently worked hard to maintain a good relationship with each other for the sake of their children. According to an Us Weekly insider, the beauty is 'happy' Ben is dating again. 'Although it's sad in a way to see him move on and be so happy, she is ultimately happy that he is happy and in a good and healthy place with his life,' the source shared. 'That's what she ultimately wants for the father of her kids.' The source added that Jennifer is 'always polite and trusts Ben and lets him do what he wants when he's with the kids'. The scene we all hope to see in early September is one we've taken for granted every summer until this one students returning to school buildings for another year of learning. But as Cayuga County-area residents look ahead to socially distanced high school graduation ceremonies next weekend, no reasonable person can claim to know what the fall will look like. Yes, the coronavirus curve in New York has been bent, not just flattened like we've seen for the nation as a whole. But as we're starting to see in many parts of the nation, there's real danger that a careless return to the old normalcy ahead of a COVID-19 vaccine could lead to a new upswing in cases. And that would put everyone, especially older residents and those with serious underlying health conditions, at risk. So one thing we all can reasonably conclude is that even if New York continues to progress well in coronavirus management and students do return to the school buildings for indoor, in-person instruction, there will still be some changes. Will masks be required, and if so, when and where? Will students be spaced apart, and if so, how will that work? What type of hygiene and sanitization protocols will be in place? If they're smart, school district leaders have already been starting those conversations, and they've been turning to the state and federal government for guidance. But a key to a successful return in the fall will be communication and involvement with school families and staff that starts early and is maintained throughout the summer. New York state is telling school districts to get plans ready for review and approval in July. We urge districts to involve the school community in the process, keep them updated on what's in the plan and seek feedback before turning it in. Once it goes to the state, be sure the public has access to the plan so students, parents, faculty and staff have a good sense of what to expect. And the state needs to expedite these reviews and get decisions and/or revision requirements back to the districts so they have time to prepare. We've seen far too many examples of New York state government missing its own deadlines for reports and decisions. It's crucial that this one doesn't fall into that category. The Citizen editorial board includes publisher Michelle Bowers, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd. Toyota Engineering & Material Handling has honoured Ebrahim K Kanoo, the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles in Bahrain, with the prestigious Presidents Award for outstanding sales performance. Toyota Material Handling is the industrial equipment arm of Toyota, and Ebrahim K Kanoo has been recognised as the top distributor in sales and customer support categories, taking into consideration equipment sales, service and parts performance and overall business profitability, a statement said. The company has been awarded the distinguished Platinum Premier Club Award for achieving over 25 per cent market share in sales for five consecutive years and the Silver Presidents Award for 40 per cent market share in 2019. Executive General Manager of Sales, Ismail Akbar received the awards with Assistant General Manager of Toyota Engineering & Material Handling, Hisham Andraos who attributed the win to the exceptional quality of Toyotas products and the extraordinary dedication of the sales and support teams. Toyota Material Handling develops, manufactures, and markets industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks, warehousing equipment and other material handling solution and systems related to transportation, racking / storage, cleaning machines and the sorting of goods. Toyota Industries material handling umbrella organisation, Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG), is the worlds leading manufacturer of lift trucks with a global reach. A wide variety of Toyota Industries commercial range is available at Ebrahim K Kanoos Toyota Industrial Equipment Showroom in Salmabad.TradeArabia News Service Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the Vysarn Limited (ASX:VYS) CEO, MD & Director, James Clement, recently bought AU$76k worth of stock, for AU$0.048 per share. Even though that isn't a massive buy, it did increase their holding by 52%, which is arguably a good sign. See our latest analysis for Vysarn Vysarn Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In fact, the recent purchase by James Clement was the biggest purchase of Vysarn shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That implies that an insider found the current price of AU$0.048 per share to be enticing. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. While we always like to see insider buying, it's less meaningful if the purchases were made at much lower prices, as the opportunity they saw may have passed. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices. In the last twelve months Vysarn insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! ASX:VYS Recent Insider Trading June 20th 2020 There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Insider Ownership For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 25% of Vysarn shares, worth about AU$3.6m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Vysarn Tell Us? Story continues The recent insider purchases are heartening. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Vysarn insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Our analysis shows 4 warning signs for Vysarn (3 are potentially serious!) and we strongly recommend you look at them before investing. 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. Love or hate this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email 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. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Taking a dog for a walk gets fatal for a woman after getting shot over the dog pooping on a man's law. According to reports, the woman and her partner was walking their dog when it stopped on a lawn to defecate. However, the homeowner wasn't pleased by such action. This incident leads to the most unlikely shooting merely because of dog poop as wel, Crazy America reports. Death over poop and the silliest things. According to reports, before the fatal shooting by a Denver man, it was noted that the couple argued of the poop their dog left, right outside his apartment. Michael R. Close, aged 36, is charged with murder and some other charges. Last June 10, the shooting occurred in Denver's Ballpark, because the homeowner was triggered when the dog pooped on his lawn. Both of the victims were Isabella Thallas, age 21, and Darian Simon, aged 26. Close got angry when he heard one of them give the command for their dog to poop, said the Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, as stated in Denver DA. Thalas was shot and was killed on the spot after Close's over-reaction about the dog pooping on the front area of his house. Thallas was subjected to an autopsy that determined a gunshot caused her death. It was then ruled as homicide by the local coroner as well. Her partner, Darian Simon, was luckier because he was hit in the leg and butt. He was brought to the hospital where he was recuperating from the wounds. Also read: Couple Who Starved Foster Kids, Left Dead Body of a Girl in Basement, Also Hid Skeletal Remains of Their Own Son The official police statement In the official police report, the suspect Close was angry at Simon who commanded the dog to poop while he was walking the dog with his girlfriend Thallas. Police mentioned that Close was too frustrated which moved him to shoot Thallas and Simon at a distance from his apartment. But, despite the death of Thallas, and Simon only acquired injuries the dog remain unhurt in the incident, confirmed Oxygen. By the time, police did file charges against Close, he was given two instances of first-degree murder, which includes assault in the first degree, and owning an illegal magazine that has many rounds when the crime was committed. High capacity magazines are not allowed to be in possession. KUSA confirmed that Close was not convicted of any crime in Colorado. He was caught and brought to custody when believed to be on his way to nearby mountain areas, confirmed in 9News. Later in Denver, there was a memorial service on Wednesday for the victim Thallas. On the spot that she died, a hundred-people held a vigil and left flowers as a remembrance. Relatives of the slain woman are hoping the place will be transformed into a dog park. Her father said that his heart was broken with Thallas' death, and said he was suffering from utmost regret. Related article: Suspect Who Dumped Bodies of Two Sisters With Bags on Their Head Arrested @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 21 June 2020 Type Media Article Research in Johnstown Castle has shown that increasing soil pH by liming resulted in significant reduction of N2O emissions and increased grassland productivity compared to the un-limed plots under the same management and fertiliser regime. Researchers Ognjen Zurovec and Karl Richards have more information The benefits of liming as an agronomic measure to ameliorate acidic soils and maintain soil pH at the optimum level for high crop productivity have been known for centuries. Lime is a natural and cost-effective soil conditioner which neutralises soil acidity and reduces the availability of harmful heavy metals to plants in acidic soils. Liming increases the activity of soil microbes and the availability of nutrients, most notably phosphorus (P), leading to improved plant growth. Soil samples analysed by Teagasc in 2015 showed that 65% and 55% of grassland and tillage soils are below the optimum pH, with up to 80% of soils in some counties having a lime requirement. Agriculture in Ireland releases about 90% of total nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions, which is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Recent studies have indicated that N 2 O emissions are higher in acidic soils. We assessed the effect of liming on N 2 O emissions and grassland productivity in a long-term lime and phosphorus grassland trial at Johnstown Castle (Figure 1). The experiment was carried out as part of the EU ERA-GAS funded project "Mitigating Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions by improved pH management of soils (MAGGE-pH) which investigated the effect of soil pH on N 2 O emissions across Europe. Figure 1. Aerial and close-up view of the experimental plots and greenhouse gas measurement chambers The soil at our site was classified as acidic, with a pH of 5, but liming over 10 years resulted in soil pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.9. Our results showed that increasing soil pH by liming resulted in significant reduction of N 2 O emissions and increased grassland productivity compared to the un-limed plots under the same management and fertiliser regime. The degree of reduction in N 2 O emissions mainly depended on the amount of lime applied across the experimental period. When soil pH was increased to 6.9, N 2 O emissions were reduced by 39% compared to control soil pH of 5.0 (Figure 2). The long-term results in terms of grass yield showed that the highest yields were achieved when liming was combined with regular P application. Plots limed to pH higher than 6 had 0.5 t/ha higher dry-matter yields, while the yields in limed plots with optimal P content (P Index 3) had 1.5 t/ha higher yields on average compared to un-limed soils with P Index 1. Figure 2. N 2 O emissions expressed as % when un-limed soil is compared with the limed soils (L1, L2, L3). Soil pH values in limed soils differed based on the frequency and the amount of lime applied over 10 years. Our results clearly show that liming of soil to increase soil pH is a win-win solution for farmers through increasing grass yield and reducing N 2 O emissions. There is a potential that N 2 O emissions could be further reduced if the soil pH is increased above the agronomic optimum for most plants. However, this needs to be assessed further. Given that at least half of Irish soils are acidic, this solution has wide application and could contribute significantly to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from Irish agriculture while maintaining or enhancing production. To read more about soil pH and liming, visit Soil pH & Liming or consult your Teagasc advisor. Many companies are acutely aware of the potential misuse of their technology in light of protests against police violence and racism, and Nextdoor is no exception. The neighborhood-focused service has pulled the Forward to Police feature that let you send safety posts or urgent alerts to cops. This was both part of anti-racism work and an acknowledgment that only a small percentage of law enforcement used the tool, according to Nextdoor. As Bloomberg observed, there have been long-running concerns that Forward to Police made it too easy for prejudiced users to report non-White people for being suspicious. It could also lead to needless escalation of concerns that may be trivial at most. Nextdoor said in a statement that it had already cut problematic posts by 75 percent through changing the flow of safety posts to teach people about bias and prevent knee-jerk posting. Only 0.001 percent of posts were related to racial profiling, the company added, and there were efforts to lower that volume further. There are still ways to get in touch with police through Nextdoors app, including direct messages. The company isnt completely against facilitating those conversations. This is more of an acknowledgment that where and how Nextdoor users contacted the police could feed into biases. Dhaka: Bangladesh's national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed international flights on Sunday (June 21) after a gap of three months due to the coronavirus outbreak. The maiden flight of BG001 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for London with 187 passengers on board, airline's Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) Tahera Khandaker told The Daily Star. Passengers from Dhaka to London route do not require health certificates declaring that they are not infected with COVID-19, said Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). But they will have to fill-up a health declaration form as per the International Civil Aviation Organization's guidelines, he added. The CAAB chief also said that all London-bound passengers will have to stay in quarantine for 14 days as per the policy of that country. The national carrier will primarily operate one weekly flight - on Sundays - on the Dhaka-London-Dhaka route, the report said. The passengers were provided hand sanitiser, gloves and masks, said Tahera. Instead of usual in-flight dishes, passengers were provided dry meals in food boxes, in line with guidelines provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization following the global COVID-19 pandemic, she said, adding that passengers were also not served any cold drinks. Since mid-February, the airline gradually suspended flight operations on all 18 international routes due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. On March 30, Biman operated its last official flight on the London-Dhaka route, the report said. Earlier, on March 21, the CAAB shut down all domestic and international flights in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. On June 1, CAAB permitted operation of all domestic flights maintaining social distancing and following health guidelines. The death toll from the novel coronavirus infection in Bangladesh has climbed to 1,464 after 39 fatalities were registered across the country on Sunday, bdnews24.Com reported. Another 3,531 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the 24 hours, raising the tally of infections to 112,306, according to the health directorate. Valerie Pecresse, a French presidential hopeful from the Republican party, who had the egregious audacity to illegally visit the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on December 22, 2021, is now allegedly "infuriated" at the French government's "deafening silence" at Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's remarks that she would not have been permitted to leave the country, had Baku been informed about her illegal trip. The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 20 took to Twitter and said that the United Nations Human Rights Council vote condemning racism amounted to hypocrisy. Pompeos statement comes after the council took a vote after a debate prompted by the raging anti-racism protests in the US. While calling it a new low, the secretary of state said that the US was right to leave the joke of a human rights forum. The @UN_HRC debate on policing and race in the U.S. marks a new low for that body. Our vigorous, ongoing civic discourse is a sign of our democracys strength and maturity. We were right to leave this joke of a human rights forum comprised of Venezuela & recently, Cuba & China. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 20, 2020 READ: Mike Pompeo Says US Treatment Of Hong Kong Depends On How China Does Americans work through difficult societal problems openly, knowing their freedoms are protected by the Constitution and a strong rule of law. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 20, 2020 The recent anti-racism protests were triggered by the death of an African American George Floyd by the hands of a police officer. Even with raging demonstrations, the rights group noted that specific mention of racism and police brutality in the US was removed. The UNHRC reportedly accused Washington and its allies of lobbying heavily to revise the text. READ: Mike Pompeo Slams China's Aggressive Behaviour, Uses Galwan Valley Face-off As Reference Pompeo points to racial disparities around the globe While the United States, which had complained of being singled out in the initial text, did not attend the meeting on Friday, Pompeo even defended the country and said that the discussion about race following the death of Floyd is a sign of the countrys democracys strength and maturity. While pointing out the racial disparities in China, Cuba and Iran, the Secretary of State also said that if the UN agency was serious then it should pay attention to the aforementioned countries. Furthermore, Pompeo added that if the council were honest, it would recognise the strengths of American democracy and urge authoritarian regimes around the world to model American democracy and to hold nations to same high standards of accountability and transparency that Americans apply to themselves. (Image: AP) READ: Pompeo: China Uses Distortions To Split Allies READ: US Official Says China Not Forthcoming In Talks With Pompeo The current state of rhetoric is deeply troubling considering all thats at stake. We clearly need police reform. It may be time to rethink some laws. We need to reexamine aspects of crime, punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation. There is progress to pursue and George Floyds unjust, atrocious killing has ushered its urgency front and center. But real progress is impossible if discussions we have, and decisions we make, are detached from reality and shaped by fear. Many once-credible professionals from journalists to academics to CEOs are eagerly showing support for an organization calling for policies that most would privately admit would be catastrophic for all people, such as the absurd idea that we should defund police departments. Even epidemiologists have lost credibility by saying that gathering to protest in large groups during a pandemic is tantamount to mass murder one week, but just fine even morally mandatory the next. One rightly wonders how, within a span of weeks, we went from shaming people for being out in the streets to shaming those who wont join the crowd, wrote Anthony Dimauro in The American Conservative. The virus is either unmanageable or manageable. Thats it. Id like to assume the best -- that scientists who changed their tune arent politically motivated or alarmingly hypocritical. More likely, perhaps theyre afraid to publicly challenge any message of the current movement, however harmful, considering the fate that has befallen many who have. Their fear would be well-warranted. In just one recent example of financial and reputational destruction, a politically progressive data scientist named David Shor lost his job with a research firm after tweeting the 2017 research of an African-American Princeton scholar whose work explored the electoral implications of peaceful protest vs. violence. The offending tweet? Post-MLK-assasination race riots reduced Democratic vote share in surrounding counties by 2%, which was enough to tip the 1968 election to Nixon. Non-violent protests *increase* Dem vote, mainly by encouraging warm elite discourse and media coverage. Those are academic findings. And the principle conclusion one could draw from such research isnt that surprising or all that controversial its incorporated into the heart of the strategies employed by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. But apparently, mentioning such research is wrong these days, and college presidents, editors, CEOs and a host of other industry leaders are taking the easy way out giving social media its next victim rather than standing up for free speech or believing the best about their employees attempts to add to the discussion. In this case, it didnt matter that the fired scientist is a social democrat who worked for President Obamas reelection campaign, according to New York Magazines Jonathan Chait or that the research he shared was conducted by someone who ...majored in Race & Ethnic Relations, co-founded BlackPlanet, got a Ph.D in African-American studies, and is black, according to the scholars wife who tweeted her astonishment that Shor was accused of anti-blackness. This reckoning seems happy to destroy anyone even members of its own political party and would-be allies who clearly arent racists. It is fairly disorienting out there, said Sam Harris, a liberal atheist philosopher and neuroscientist whose podcast Making Sense is one of the last bastions of intellectual honesty, free speech and reason I know of, and my go-to for understanding complex problems, regardless of my disagreement with Harris on some issues. All information has been weaponized, Harris said in his latest episode about current social unrest that should be required listening for anyone who cares about fact-based reform. All communication has become performative, and on the most important topics, it now seems to be fury and sanctimony and bad faith almost all of the time. We appear to be driving ourselves actually crazy. As in, incapable of coming into contact with reality, unable to distinguish fact from fiction. And then becoming totally destabilized by our own powers of imagination and confirmation bias and then lashing out at one another on that basis. We want justice -- and truth -- to prevail, right? Or do we? Rachel Bryars is an opinion columnist for AL.com. Joe Biden's campaign slammed President Donald Trump as 'outrageous' after he said during his Oklahoma rally last night that he wants the country to slow down coronavirus testing to reduce the number of reported infection cases. Trump held his first political rally in four months on Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but despite his high anticipation, rows upon rows of seats were noticeably empty. The president said 'testing is a double-edged sword' when speaking on the coronavirus crisis that has infected over two million and killed over 119,000 in the US. But Trump shocked his political opponent when he said that he asked his administration to 'slow the testing down please' to lower the number of reported cases. Biden's campaign manager hit back in a statement saying: 'To hear him say tonight that he has ordered testing slowed a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better is appalling.' White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN Sunday morning that Trump's claim at the rally was in jest and 'tongue in cheek'. Joe Biden's campaign is slamming President Donald Trump as 'outrageous' after he said during his Oklahoma rally last night that he wants the country to slow down coronavirus testing to reduce the number of infection cases 'Heres the bad part. When you test to that extent, you are going to find more people, find more cases. So I said to my people, "Slow the testing down please." They test and they test,' Trump said at the Saturday rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma In response Biden's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield released this statement Saturday evening Trump said: 'We have tested now 25 million people. It is probably 20 million people more than anybody else.' 'Heres the bad part. When you test to that extent, you are going to find more people, find more cases. So I said to my people, "Slow the testing down please." They test and they test,' he said. Biden's campaign was quick to hit back, accusing the president of putting his politics above the nation's health and wellbeing. 'Trump just admitted that hes putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people even as we just recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work,' Kate Bedingfield, Bidens deputy campaign manager said in a statement late Saturday. 'More than three months ago, Donald Trump claimed that "anbody that wants a test can get a test." This was a lie one that cost thousands of lives. Tonight in Tulsa, the President explained why America lagged so many other nations in testing: because he "said to my people slow the test down please,"' the statement added. She warned that his incendiary statements at the rally would linger 'long after tonights debacle of a rally'. Biden tweeted Saturday night 'Speed up testing' in a direct jab to the president Biden's campaign said that the loss of nearly 120,000 Americans to the virus and skyrocketing unemployment is blamed in a large part on Trump's leadership and failure to quickly mobilize mass testing. 'Americans deserve a president who will not make excuses in a crisis. They deserve a president who will lead, and thats exactly what Joe Biden will do,' the statement said. Speaking on the coronavirus pandemic at the rally, Trump said he's done a 'phenomenal job' in office in curbing the pandemic. 'Despite the fact that we, I have done a phenomenal job. I shut down the United States to heavily infected people from China in late January which is months earlier than the other people would have done it if they would have done it at all. I saved hundreds of thousands of lives,' Trump bragged. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN Sunday morning that Trump's claim at the rally was in jest and 'tongue in cheek' Peter Navarro dismisses criticism of Trump's comments in Tulsa about how he asked his people to slow coronavirus testing down to limit the number of cases: "Come on. It was a light moment ... a tongue in cheek thing." pic.twitter.com/9XfjQEO7xc Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2020 Still, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro justified Trump's comments as lighthearted. He was asked about Trump's troubling words during an interview on CNN's Jake Tapper on State of the Union Sunday morning. Navarro said: 'Come on now, Jake. You know it was tongue in cheek. Come on now. That was tongue in cheek.' 'I don't know that it was tongue in cheek at all,' Tapper said. 'That's news for you, tongue in cheek,' Navarro said. 'Come on. It was a light moment,' he added. Trump's comments came as states have seen a resurgance in COVID-19 cases after opening up. In Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona - states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early - daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June. Rising case numbers can partially be explained by the wider availability of testing. Mild cases, previously undetected because of limits on who could be tested, are now showing up in the numbers. Paedophile Jeffrey Epstein took advantage of different states' rules on sex offender registry: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images A top US federal prosecutor investigating Donald Trumps personal lawyer is refusing to step down after William Barr, the attorney general, attempted to fire him. The extraordinary standoff between Geoffrey Berman, the US Attorney in Manhattan, and the Trump administration is just the latest in a series of actions by Mr Barr that critics say are attempts to benefit the US president politically. Late on Friday, Mr Barr in a surprise announcement said Mr Berman was stepping down and that he would nominate the Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Jay Clayton to fill the vacancy. Mr Berman, who leads a powerful office known for prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases, Wall Street financial crimes and government corruption, said he first learned of the move from Mr Barrs press release and would not go quietly. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning my position, Mr Berman said in a statement released on Twitter. I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. A Justice Department official, asked about Mr Bermans refusal to leave the post until a successor is confirmed, told Reuters the timeline remains the same as Mr Barr laid out in announcing the replacement. The move to fire Mr Berman comes as Mr Trump seeks to purge officials perceived as not fully supporting him. In recent weeks he has fired a series of agency watchdogs, including one who played a key role in his impeachment earlier this year. Since being appointed in January 2018, Mr Berman has not shied from taking on figures in Mr Trumps orbit. His office oversaw the prosecution of Michael Cohen, Mr Trumps former personal lawyer, indicted two associates of Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps current lawyer, and launched a probe into Mr Giuliani in connection with his efforts to dig up dirt on Mr Trumps political adversaries in Ukraine. Story continues Prosecutors have not accused Mr Giuliani of wrongdoing. Mr Bermans attempted dismissal came as the Justice Department asks a federal court to block publication of a book by former national security adviser John Bolton, whose claims include an allegation Mr Trump tried to interfere with a probe overseen by Mr Bermans office. This late Friday night dismissal reeks of potential corruption of the legal process, senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the top Democrat in the US Senate, wrote on Twitter. What is angering President Trump? A previous action by this US Attorney or one that is ongoing? House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler, also a Democrat, said he intends to invite Mr Berman to testify. Mr Berman replaced Preet Bharara, who was himself fired as US Attorney in early 2017 soon after Mr Trump became president. Mr Bharara, an outspoken critic of the president, said the timing of the push to replace his successor was strange. Why does a president get rid of his own hand-picked US Attorney in SDNY on a Friday night, less than 5 months before the election? Mr Bharara wrote on Twitter, referring to the upcoming US presidential election in November. While the Senate considers Claytons nomination, Mr Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, as the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr Barr said in his statement. But it was not clear whether Mr Barr can force Mr Berman out. Mr Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, the usual process for appointing US Attorneys, and was instead appointed by the judges of the district in accordance with a US law that says he can serve until the vacancy is filled. Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, said the vacancy needs to be filled by someone who is Senate-confirmed or chosen by a judge. Mr Carpenito, Mr Vladeck wrote on Twitter, is neither of those. But, Mr Vladeck also cited a conflicting law that gives the president the authority to remove US Attorneys. Before Mr Clayton joined the SEC, he was a lawyer specialising in mergers and acquisitions at Sullivan & Cromwell. He is seen as a bipartisan consensus-builder for his time leading the SEC. The Justice Department official said Mr Clayton, who had been planning to leave the administration and return to New York, expressed interest in the US Attorney role in New York, and Mr Barr thought it was a good idea. Mr Barrs announcement comes less than a week before Mr Nadlers committee is set to hold a hearing in which Justice Department officials are set to testify about political interference at the department. Earlier this year, Mr Barr intervened to scale back the sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, prompting all four career prosecutors to withdraw from the case in protest. Additional reporting by Reuters Read more Trump attacks Fauci and threatens Tulsa protesters ahead of rally Trump video that earned Twitter warning removed for copyright Trump wraps arguably one of worst weeks of presidency | Analysis Bahrain's Labour and Social Development Ministry has announced that all preparations have been made to begin supervision of implementation of ministerial edict 39/ 2013, on banning outdoor afternoon work in July and August reported BNA. The annual ban, prohibiting outdoor work from midday until 4pm during July and August months, aims to safeguard workers health, ensure their safety against heat exhaustion and sunstroke as well as prevent summer-related diseases and to reduce occupational incidents in view of the increasing temperatures and humidity, in line with the kingdoms commitment to human rights principles, especially regarding the need to provide secure and healthy work environment. The Labour Ministry has launched an awareness-raising campaign, urging employers and workers to comply with the provisions of the edict, it stated. In this regard, the Ministry distributed multilingual brochures, leaflets and posts including information about the negative effects of high temperatures on workers safety and health, as well as on their productivity. It has also conducted virtual workshops aimed at promoting the culture of protecting workers safety and health at work sites in summer. In a statement, Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that Bahrain is a leader in ensuring secure and safe work environment for workers, out of its keenness on their safety and health at various production sites, noting that the implementation of outdoor afternoon work ban is the best means to achieve that goal. The minister pointed out that an average of 98 per cent of private sector companies had complied with the ban in the past years, which "proves the employers commitment to ensuring a safe and decent work environment for employees." Under Edict 39/2013, a jail term not exceeding three months, and/or a BD500-BD1000 ($1318 to $2636) fine, is the penalty for violators. Ali Humaidan pledged zero tolerance against violators, noting that in case the violation is repeated, the penalty will be doubled, as stipulated by the ministerial edict. Government officials allegedly put pressure on police to release Health minister Obadiah Moyo after his detention on Friday over the $60 million Covid-19 medical supply scandal amid fears his case will collapse due to interference. The were alleged attempts to take Moyo out of Harares Rhodesville Police Station on Friday night as some unnamed government officials wanted him to spend the night at home before his court appearance yesterday. According to officials close to the case, the minister was arrested in the evening by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), but was only booked into the cells at 2am. He only went into detention after his family brought a mattress and blankets, the sources said. Moyo only slept for about five hours before he was taken to Zacc offices at around 8am. The sources said there was haggling between the police and Zacc with the anti-graft body insisting that Moyo should be detained overnight. Moyo used his official vehicles to go the Harare magistrates court. Ryanair, SWISS resume regular flights to Kyiv on June 21 23:29, 21.06.20 3836 Before booking tickets, passengers should take into account a possible change in the flight schedule, as well as existing or potential restrictions. Three youths posed as potential buyers of a car before allegedly attacking the owner and trying to steal it from the street in broad daylight. The trio arrived at a house belonging to Mina Soliman and his family on Heywood Grove in Endeavour Hills in Melbourne's southeast about 3.15pm on Saturday. Mr and Mrs Soliman immediately came out and allowed them to inspect the Audi, which they'd listed for sale on Facebook. One of the accused allegedly punched 39-year-old Mr Soliman in the head and attempted to flee with the car. He fell to the ground and was kicked and stomped on in front of his screaming wife and children, 7News reported. They allegedly managed to steal the man's wallet and phone, and also took his 34-year-old wife's phone before fleeing in a grey BMW which police believe was also stolen. In the photos taken at the incident, one of the boys was wearing a red crew neck top, while another was in a black jumper with a hood. A third person appeared to be wearing a puffer jacket and loose tracksuit pants. He was also only wearing one shoe 'My family and kids are feeling unsafe,' Mr Soliman said. 'They see their dad on the ground getting kicked in the face.' He was taken to hospital with head injuries on Saturday night. Neighbours who witnessed the alleged ordeal later said the man had $800 in his wallet at the time. They also took off with the key to the car, the neighbour said. The couple did attempt to fight back, as did other family members who came from the house during the scuffle. According to the neighbour, and pictures they took at the scene, another man punched the rear window of a grey getaway BMW the youths were driving. He told the publication he 'couldn't manage to get the boys... but did get a punch through the back window.' The couple did attempt to fight back, as did other family members who came from the house during the scuffle The trio arrived at a house belonging to the Solomon family on Heywood Grove in Endeavour Hills in Melbourne 's southeast about 3.15pm on Saturday Mr Soliman (pictured) was taken to hospital with head injuries on Saturday night He said he hoped to tell the boys to 'pull their heads in.' 'Find a job, do better,' he said. He and another man attempted to chase after the car, but it got away. In the photos taken at the incident, one of the boys was wearing a red crew neck top, while another was in a black jumper with a hood. A third person appeared to be wearing a puffer jacket and loose tracksuit pants. He was also only wearing one shoe. A spokeswoman for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they were investigating an assault and robbery. No arrests have been made. Anybody with further information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A spokeswoman for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they were investigating an assault and robbery. No arrests have been made Pune: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said that India may start getting Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed-upon 36 months. As per terms of the deal it is 36 months (during which the delivery has to start), but it may come slightly earlier. We have requested them to (deliver it) as fast as possible, he said. On September 23, India and France signed the Euro 7.87-billion (Rs 59,000 crore approx) deal for Rafale fighter jets, equipped with latest missiles and weapon system besides multiple India-specific modifications that will give the IAF greater potency over arch rival Pakistan. The vanila price (just of the aircraft alone) will cost about 91 million Euros each for a single seater and about 94 million Euros for a two seater trainer aircraft. Parrikar also said that a 12-member committee to suggest structural changes in the military on cutting down flab and reducing revenue (maintenance) expenditure will soon submit its report. The committee is headed by Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A Randolph County man died today during a one-vehicle car accident, Alabama State Troopers said. Timothy Andrew Holliday, 37, of Roanoke, was driving on U.S. 431 when the 2008 Nissan Altima he was driving went off the road and struck a tree at the 175 mile marker at 6:25 a.m. Troopers said Holliday was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers did not release additional details about the wreck. Published on 2020/06/21 | Source Korea rose five notches to 23rd place in global competitiveness rankings by the Institute for Management Development. Advertisement The Swiss business school issues an annual report that ranks 63 countries. Korea ranked 22nd, the highest so far, from 2011 through 2013 but fell to 29th in 2016 and had been unable to make noticeable progress until last year. Singapore came top for the second year running, while Denmark and Switzerland rose to second and third place. In Asia, Hong Kong ranked fifth, Taiwan 11th, Australia 18th and China 20th, while Japan's ranking plunged four notches to a poor 34th. Countries are assessed in four categories -- economic performance, government and business efficiency, and infrastructure. Korea improved in the last three but not the first. Its strengths were a low rate of long-term unemployment, start-up procedures, digital transformation in companies and research and development spending. But Korea still needs to improve in relocations threats of business, tariff barriers, corporate boards' effectiveness and multilateral environment agreements, IMD said. Montreal Quebec, June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montreal, Quebec, June 19, 2020 - SRG Mining Inc. (TSXV: SRG) (SRG or the Company) is pleased to announce that all resolutions as set out in the Companys notice of meeting and information circular dated May 15, 2020, were passed by the requisite majority at its annual general meeting held in Mont-Royal Quebec on June 19, 2020 (the AGM) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants were re-appointed as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and shareholders approved the Companys 2020 10% rolling stock option plan and DSU Plan. The following seven incumbent directors were re-elected: Benoit La Salle FCPA, FCA; Marc-Antoine Audet; Marc Filion; Yves Grou; Rene Lessard; Yacouba Sare; and Abdoul Aziz Nassa Company is also pleased to announce that at the AGM, shareholders approved the appointment of Dr. Alhamdou Diagne to the Board of Directors. Alhamdou Diagne, an officer of the French Legion of Honor is a veterinary doctor, specialist in reproductive pathology and animal production in hot countries and tropical pathology. Dr. Diagne is a graduate of the Veterinary Academy of Ukraine (gynecological-obstetrics department), the ENVA of Maisons-Alfort in France (reproductive pathology and animal production and tropical veterinary medicine), the IEMVT (Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Tropical Countries for Tropical Pathology and Animal Production of Hot Countries), of the CES of Epidemiology (Institut Pasteur France), the London School of English and the Paris Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies in International Relations and expert in international investments). Dr. Diagne acts as President of D.A.-Consulting in Paris in the search for financing, business development, international investments and follow-up of consulting files. He is also an advisor to several Heads of State and governments, thanks to his strong experience and extensive relationship network in Africa. He is also a member of the Africa, Asia and Latin America committees of the Medef International of French employers. He collaborates in the opening of banks in Africa as well as in the mobilization of financing funds and investors for the energy mining infrastructure sectors Following the AGM, the Board of Directors re-appointed Benoit LaSalle FCPA FCA as Executive Chairman of the Board, Ugo Landry-Tolszczuk as President, COO and CFO, Elias J. Elias as Vice-President Legal and Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary and Raphael Beaudoin as Vice President Operations, Metallurgy and Process Design. STOCK OPTION GRANT The Company is pleased to announce that, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan and subject to regulatory acceptance, it has granted an aggregate total of 950,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company, subject to certain vesting provisions. These options will be exercisable at a price of $0.51 per common share and will expire on June 18, 2030. DSU GRANT The Company is pleased to announce that, pursuant to its DSU Plan and subject to regulatory acceptance, it has granted an aggregate total of 171,570 Deferred Share Units (DSUs) to directors. The DSUs were priced based on the closing price of the common shares on the TSXV the day before the date of the grant of the DSUs. The DSUs may not be exercised until a director ceases to serve on the Board. ABOUT SRG SRG is a Canadian-based company focused on developing mineral deposits located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. SRG is committed to operating in a socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner. For additional information, please visit SRGs website at www.srggraphite.com. About SRG Mining SRG Mining is a Canadian-based mining company focused on developing the Lola graphite deposit located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. SRG is committed to operating in a socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner. For additional information, please visit SRGs website at www.srgmining.com. Or contact: Ugo Landry-Tolszczuk Email: ugo.landry.tolszczuk@srgmining.com Benoit La Salle, FCPA FCA Email: benoit.lasalle@srgmining.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as firm, anticipated, potential, will, continue, demonstrate, deliver, believe, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "might". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits and mine plans for the Companys mining operations; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets including permitting, development, operations and production from the Companys operations being consistent with expectations and projections; (vi) fluctuations in commodity prices, finding offtake takers and potential clients or enforcing such agreements against same and other risks and factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the MD&A of the Company and which is available at www.sedar.com, all of which should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Did Suki Waterhouse forget to pack enough clothes before heading into lockdown with boyfriend Robert Pattinson? I only ask because judging from my picture, it looks as if the 28-year-old model had to help herself to one of his shirts before leaving the house, despite it being several sizes too big for her. The couple have been isolating together in West London since coronavirus halted filming on The Batman, in which R-Patz dons the Caped Crusaders mask for the first time. Suki and Robert, who were first linked in July 2018, were spotted sharing jokes as they grabbed a takeaway coffee during last weeks excursion. Twilight star Pattinson, 34, this month admitted he had to watch a YouTube video on how to microwave pasta. I wonder if hell now have to watch one on how to fit a lock on his wardrobe? Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson, who were first linked in July 2018, were spotted sharing jokes as they grabbed a takeaway coffee during last weeks excursion The actress pictured posing for photographers upon arrival at the World Premiere of 'Misbehaviour' at a central London hotel on March 9 this year Lady V accused in Insta race storm She was a notorious wild child of the 1990s but it seems that Lady Victoria Hervey may have found herself in her biggest scrape yet. The former It Girl is at the centre of a race storm amid the Black Lives Matter protests after an image of a defaced statue was posted on her Instagram account with the caption: F*** BLM. The post prompted a huge backlash led by Team GB heptathlon star Louise Hazel, while Lady V insists she never wrote the explosive comment and claims that her social media account was hacked. The photograph featured a 130-year-old statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, which has become a focal point for anti-racism protesters in recent weeks. The caption on Lady Vs Insta page read: Dont ever tell me this is acceptable behaviour. F*** BLM. Lady Victoria Hervey, pictured in February this year, is at the centre of a race storm after an Instagram post prompted a huge backlash led by Team GB heptathlon star Louise Hazel The former Christian Dior model, the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Bristol, was quick to take down the post but not before an exchange of private messages with Commonwealth gold medal-winner Louise, who then shared the conversation with her 57,000 followers. In the exchange, Louise said: Statues can be replaced lives cant. The 43-year-old socialite, who now lives in Los Angeles, protested with: Honey I got hacked!!! Would never have put that up. It said f*** BLM? Crazy. But so far, Lady V, who once dated Prince Andrew, has refused to publicly lay the blame on hackers and has instead blocked people from commenting on her Instagram account because of the abuse she was receiving. Her spokesman said: She was hacked and because she did not write this, she did not feel there was any reason to write a statement [saying she had been hacked]. Victoria is a supporter of Black Lives Matter and her friends know that. Anna Marie Bresnan, who lives at Philadelphia Protestant Home, a retirement community in Northeast Philadelphia, is 84 and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. John and Kitty Stagliano, of Exton, are both 82 and have diabetes and high blood pressure. Norma Cammisa is 93, has dementia, takes medicine for high cholesterol, and lives in a nursing home in Collingswood. All of them caught the coronavirus. All of them survived. Why they did so well when thousands of other people over 80 have succumbed to the new disease is a mystery that intrigues and heartens physicians and aging experts. In New Jersey, 47% of the more than 12,000 people who have died of coronavirus were 80 and older. As of June 5, 58% of Pennsylvanias 5,886 deaths were in that age group. Age, plus chronic health problems such as heart and lung disease or diabetes, greatly increases the odds that people with COVID-19 will get very sick or die. Even in nursing homes, which are populated by frail elders who need hands-on care, a high percentage of residents who test positive for the virus have had no symptoms or mild ones. Most survive. Joshua Uy, a Penn Medicine geriatrician who is medical director of a West Philadelphia nursing home that had the citys first coronavirus outbreak, said about a third of the 22 residents there with confirmed coronavirus were asymptomatic, a third had mild symptoms, and the remainder got very sick. Five died. We had a 96-year-old guy who never had a symptom, Uy said. Some with mild symptoms have recovered and its like nothing ever happened to them. Uy couldnt predict which residents at Renaissance Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center would be fine and which would crump, or go into rapid respiratory failure. Patients with obesity another big risk factor and frailty sometimes lived. One resident with serious lung disease survived. Its really amazing to me, he said. It blows my mind. Early in his centers two-week outbreak, he felt hopeless. On my worst day, I was worried that they were all going to die, to be honest. Then widespread testing revealed how many residents were asymptomatic. Some with symptoms began getting better. When you look at the numbers, he said, I think most people will survive it. It just doesnt feel like it at the moment. Other nursing home medical directors described similar proportions of residents with mild illness and equally surprising survivors. Nina OConnor, chief of the University of Pennsylvania Health Systems palliative care program, cared for a 101-year-old coronavirus patient with no symptoms. Jim Wright, medical director of Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center near Richmond, Va., where 136 residents tested positive and 56 died, said one 91-year-old had poor oxygenation for a long time and kept removing her oxygen mask. Shes in our memory center now, Wright said in wonderment. Her favorite thing to say is, I love you. She says it every time. Jim Clancy, executive director of United Methodist Communities of Collingswood, where Cammisa lives, said a 91-year-old who was already on oxygen for advanced lung disease survived while the virus wiped out people who were not as sick. This is such a strange, random, and devastating virus. ... I dont think any two residents have been affected the same way, he said. Asked what was different about survivors, he said: This is the thing. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Wright has started analyzing the numbers at his facility and found no clear trends. He said patients there for rehabilitation, who tend to be younger and stronger than full-time nursing home residents, were more likely to survive. There were no racial differences. There was nothing I could put my finger on that determined your course, he said. Doctor have theories about why some survive and some dont. Theyre waiting for science. Scientists will sort this out eventually. In the meantime, speculation focuses on differences in the immune system, genetics, and possibly medications that could alter response to the virus. One doctor suspects that hydration and even sleeping position could be important. Coronavirus often does not announce itself loudly in the elderly, a fact that allowed it to take hold in many nursing homes before anyone knew it was there. Instead of the classic symptoms we were all initially told to look for fever, cough, and shortness of breath people over 80 often lose their appetites, develop diarrhea, or become confused, agitated, or more subdued. Fevers over 99 are rare. Sabine von Preyss Friedman, medical director of 50 facilities in Seattle, including one with an early and large outbreak, has learned to look for very subtle changes. People look at you sideways and they dont look right, youre doing a test, she said. Doctors said some patients never have more than mild symptoms. Wright said some can go from no symptoms to death in a few hours. Others develop what appears to be an overreaction of the immune system, or cytokine storm, a few days into the infection. In all age groups, this is a hallmark of very serious illness. Elderly people who get this sick typically do not do well, doctors said. George Anesi, a pulmonary and critical care doctor at Penn Medicine who sees only hospitalized patients, said the virus is harder on people the older they are. Those with low blood-oxygen levels and high inflammation levels do the worst. Those whose problems are confined to their lungs fare much better than those with multi-organ failure. But that doesnt explain why people have such different reactions to the disease, a question at all ages. It likely has to do with idiosyncrasies in their immune system and their genetics, said Amesh Adalja, a Johns Hopkins infectious-disease specialist and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Thats part of the bigger puzzle with this virus. The immune system wanes and becomes less efficient with age. These changes could affect both the initial response to the new virus and the more sustained response, experts said. With aging, underlying inflammation tends to increase and cells may not clear waste products as effectively. All of these things can affect the way older people respond to disease. Chronic illness can accelerate aging. When it comes to fighting infection, chronological age is less important than biological age. An 80-year-old still living independently is more likely to survive than an 80-year-old who is sick enough to be in a nursing home. But the body can also age unevenly. They might have Alzheimers, but their immunity is pretty good, said Nir Barzilai, director of the Einstein Institute for Aging and scientific director of the American Federation for Aging Research. Their liver can be younger than their brain. Barzilai thinks certain common medications, including the diabetes drug metformin, may improve immune functioning. Nicole Osevala, a Penn State geriatric medicine specialist, wonders about angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which recently were shown to decrease the risk of hospitalization in older people with COVID-19. Because COVID-19 can increase blood clotting, Stefan Gravenstein, director of geriatrics and palliative care at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, wonders whether people on blood thinners could be protected. Viral load, or how much virus a patient was exposed to, may also be a factor, Barzilai said. Because reflux can bring the virus up from the digestive system and lead to aspiration into the lungs, Gravenstein also said older people who go to sleep immediately after a meal this increases reflux could be at higher risk. Sleeping with the head elevated could be protective, although thats hard to test. He is among many who think that maintaining hydration is crucial for elders with this disease. Nursing-home survivors may have been better at drinking enough liquids, he said. Providence and gratitude When Gus Cammisa heard that his mother, who will turn 94 later this month, had the disease late in April, he wondered whether this is whats going to take her. She was in relatively good health, although she had had a small stroke and sometimes had blood pressure fluctuations. Shed lived a clean life. With COVID-19, she had fevers, needed oxygen, and stopped eating. The staff at United Methodist Communities gave her intravenous fluids. She has very slowly returned to baseline. Cammisa credits good care and Providence. God decided, Not yet. John Stagliano was still delivering auto parts part time when he got sick March 23. While waiting for test results, he felt weak and feverish. He isolated in his man cave. Its not a hardship, believe me, he said. His wife, Catherine everyone calls her Kitty took care of him. He admits he was worried. Im damned scared the first week and Im thinking, Is this the way its going to end? His son, John Stagliano Jr., said his fathers doctors at Penn Medicine Home Health urged him to go to the hospital, but he resisted. Meanwhile, the son, who is a cancer survivor, worried about the fatigue he heard in his mothers voice. He and a brother insisted she go to the hospital. When they arrived to meet her ambulance, she passed out. I was just so exhausted, she remembered. I thought it was from climbing up and down the stairs. ... It was the most exhausted Ive ever been. She never had much of a fever or cough. Doctors said the virus may have attacked her heart. Her husband never went to the hospital. She went twice. Shes getting better but is still tired. He feels fine. I cant wait to get back to work, he said. Bresnan, who lives in independent living with her husband, tested positive on April 14, but shed already been sick for quite a while. She lost her appetite, along with her sense of taste and smell. She had severe diarrhea and terrible chills. Even though she has COPD, her oxygen levels were always normal and she never had a cough or shortness of breath. She was hospitalized for dehydration and her lungs showed signs of pneumonia. She wasnt frightened until she saw all the protective garb that nurses were wearing. I just felt so terrible, I didnt even care. After a week in the hospital, she came home to the rehab unit at Protestant Home. Her energy is back now, but not her appetite. She has no idea why she lived and so many others didnt. Flash A federal judge on Saturday denied the Trump administration's request to block the publication of former national security adviser John Bolton's memoir. "While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," Royce Lamberth, district judge for the District of Columbia, said in a memorandum order. The order came days before the release of Bolton's book, "The Room Where It Happened," on Tuesday, which, according to Lamberth, "has been printed, bound, and shipped across the country." "In the Internet age, even a handful of copies in circulation could irrevocably destroy confidentiality. A single dedicated individual with a book in hand could publish its contents far and wide from his local coffee shop," the judge wrote. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe -- many in newsrooms -- the damage is done. There is no restoring the status quo." Charles Cooper, Bolton's attorney, said in a statement that they hailed the decision. "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book," Cooper said. "The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told -- but it will be." The Department of Justice filed an emergency order earlier this week, seeking to prevent Bolton's book from becoming public. The manuscript "still contains classified information, as confirmed by some of the Government's most senior national-security and intelligence officials," read a memo by the Department of Justice supporting the argument. "Disclosure of the manuscript will damage the national security of the United States," it continued. A foreign policy hawk who served as President Donald Trump's third national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, Bolton was ousted over disagreements with the White House on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters Saturday afternoon at the White House before leaving for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump said "we had a very good decision" in the Bolton book case. "I think the judge was very smart and very indignant at what Bolton did. I think it was a great ruling," Trump said. "Obviously, the book was already out; it leaked and everything else. But he leaked classified information, so he's got a big problem." In a separate statement, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the government "intends to hold Bolton to the further requirements of his agreements and to ensure that he receives no profits" from his book. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) La Jonquera, Spain Sun, June 21, 2020 15:44 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406607369b 2 News Spain,France,lockdown,travel,tourism,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free Traffic flowed again across Spain's border with France on Sunday as the last of the strict Spanish coronavirus restrictions introduced in March were eased. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced earlier this month that Madrid would remove border checks with most of its EU member partner states from June 21 as efforts to control the pandemic appeared to be working. Spain has been one of the worst affected countries, suffering more than 28,000 deaths and nearly 300,000 cases, with its economy and especially the key tourist industry devastated. Madrid, the capital, and the Barcelona and the Catalan region, were very badly hit and remained longer under tighter restrictions than elsewhere. On Sunday, AFP reporters at the Perthus crossing near the eastern end of the border saw cars crossing both ways every two or three minutes, with more going from Spain into France. There were no checks from midnight and the traffic flowed freely. The Spanish government announced Saturday that from Sunday EU member state citizens and those from the passport-free Schengen zone would be allowed freely into Spain, with no 14-day quarantines required. Read also: Spain to allow Britons to visit from Sunday without quarantine Portugal has however said it will keep its border with Spain closed until July 1. In Madrid's main Atocha railway station, Laura Garcia waited impatiently for the train taking her to Barcelona to see her fiance. "It has been a long time since I last saw him, obviously, that is three months, a 100 days. I bought the very first ticket available so as to get there as quick as possibly," said Garcia, who was wearing a mask for travel. In the "new normal", Spaniards will have to wear masks in enclosed spaces, maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres (five feet) while access to pools, beaches, hotels and restaurants will be limited accordingly. About 600 health ministry staff meanwhile will monitor airports to check the personal details and temperature of arriving foreign passengers. Doctors will examine any suspected cases. From July 1, Spain will fully open all its borders. 21/06/20 Gardai at the scene of a fatal assault at a house in Willow Wood Blanchardstown Dublin 15.Pic Stephen Collins/ Collins Photos A mother-of-two has died in a violent attack in her west Dublin home this morning. The shocking incident happened at the Willow Wood Grove estate in Clonsilla at around 11am. Gardai are currently at the scene as shocked neighbours try to come to terms with the news. Saddened neighbours said the peace of their mature estate was shattered at around 11am when the womans son, who is in his 20s, ran from the house shouting for help and for someone to call gardai. Moments later armed gardai arrived at the house and a confrontation took place with an older man. Neighbours described the sequence of events. There were armed gardai at the door shouting who they were and telling him to open the door, but the man inside was shouting at them put down your weapons, theres nobody coming in here and so there was a bit of a standoff, said one woman. Then the gardai broke a pane of glass in the living room window and threw in two flash grenades, and when they went off there was two bangs and flashes and then the gardai burst into the house, she added. A short while later they came out with a man in handcuffs with blood on his head. Nobody could believe what was going on, she explained. We are all in shock, said a man. Gardai and members of the technical bureau were at the scene this afternoon. Gardai in Blanchardstown confirmed a woman (57) received fatal injuries as a result of the incident and that her body remained at the scene. A man (60) has been arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Blanchardstown Garda Station, said a garda spokeswoman. The scene remains sealed off. The house where the incident happened is a semi-detached dormer bungalow on the corner of the quiet road in the estate. Fine Gael Councillor Kieran Dennison said: We dont know what has happened but its a very upsetting day for this community. This is a quiet area and the community is in shock. While Fianna Fail Councillor Tom Kitt added: I was on my way to a minutes silence in Blanchardstown Garda Station for Garda Horkan and saw a couple of garda cars on the way, rushing to the scene. Its a very sad time, its tough on the people left behind, no matter what you say or do an incident like that it affects the whole community. As part of efforts to drive youth entrepreneurship among Ghanaians, Season Three of the Presidential Pitch Competition, a business idea contest which is an initiative of the Ministry of Business Development (MoBD) has been launched in Accra. About ten successful entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-35 years irrespective of their educational background are set to benefit from a GHC1,000,000 (One Million Ghana Cedi) grant according to the Minister for Business Development, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. The Presidential Pitch Competition is aimed at realizing the governments ambition of helping to unleash an entrepreneurial revolution in the country. "It is meant to support young people who have business ideas but do not have the money to execute those ventures. The Akufo-Addo government is dealing with this challenge by providing funding for those kinds of entrepreneurs," Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal stated. The project falls in line with the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos, vision of assisting young entrepreneurs to incubate their business ideas and further improve livelihoods. The Presidential Pitch competition is another initiative by the current administration to curb the unemployment rate in the country by supporting young entrepreneurs with funding for free. The minister lamented that Ghana as a nation has a largely youthful population with over 200,000 graduates which out of this number, only 10% of them get employed into the public sector with the rest struggling to get a job. The President, therefore, decided that entrepreneurship is the way out to solve youth unemployment and thats why he created this ministry. Our mandate is to deepen entrepreneurship culture and build entrepreneurs out of young people, Dr. Awal disclosed. The only way we can tap into this big market and opportunity is to prepare our young people to be entrepreneurs so that their products will not only meet local requirements but global standards; hence the idea of the presidential pitch, he added. Young entrepreneurs are to log on to the Ministrys website at www.mobd.gov.gh and fill in the application form or download and fill the forms and deliver it by hand to the Ministry's office. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 00:21:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Migrants chant slogans at their windows during a protest at the Hal Far detention center in Birzebbuga, Malta, April, 16, 2020. Additional police officers were called in on Thursday afternoon to quell a protest by migrants inside one of Malta's detention centers. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) A police spokesman said on Sunday that so far none of the 21 migrants had been found and confirmed that police are stationed in various points to apprehend the migrants who should be in detention. VALLETTA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Police in Malta have mounted a nationwide search for 21 migrants who went missing from one of the detention centers on the island, a government spokesman confirmed on Sunday. The spokesman said the migrants were not found during a routine check on Saturday. The spokesman said the authorities believe that the migrants escaped from the Hal Far detention center on Saturday morning, shortly before the routine check. However, investigations are under way to establish when the escape actually happened since it could have happened on Friday night, the spokesman said. A police spokesman said on Sunday that so far none of the 21 migrants had been found and confirmed that police are stationed in various points to apprehend the migrants who should be in detention. In line with Malta's immigration policy, migrants are held in detention until they are interviewed and their identity and papers are confirmed and regularized. A good number of migrants who were brought to Malta after being rescued during a boat crossing from Libya or Tunisia towards Europe have applied for some form of protection or asylum. The last time migrants entered Malta was on June 6 when the country accepted over 425 migrants. China registered a spike in domestic tourism with 6 billion trips in 2019, up 8.4 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Overseas travels from China surged 3.3 percent year on year to 154.6 million in 2019, while overseas tourists paid 145.3 million visits to China last year, an increase of 2.9 percent, said a report released by the ministry. Last year, the country's tourism industry earned 6.63 trillion yuan (about 935 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, registering an annual growth of 11.1 percent, according to the report. The state education department is all set to rope in the Bihar state electronics development corporation limited (Beltron) to facilitate the re-examination of state teachers eligibility test (STET) online. Secondary education director Giriwar Dayal Singh on Friday evening gave his nod to the proposal sent by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) for assigning Beltrons capabilities for conducting the cancelled exam. Altogether 2.47 lakh students took the STET exam held across 317 centres on January 28 this year. However, the examination was cancelled after a four-member investigation committee headed by chief vigilance officer Nilkamal probed into various cases of irregularities and paper leak during the exam. On May 17, BSEB informed that the STET exam was declared void citing the report submitted by the investigating committee which confirmed that question paper was leaked and circulated through mobile phone. The committee also stated that questions of social science papers were not divided into separate groups. Moreover, many candidates had created chaos in the exam centre and vandalised the property. Considering these irregularities, the board has cancelled the examination. STET exam was held after a gap of eight years for recruitment of higher and higher secondary schools teachers. According to education department, the re-examination is likely to be held in August or September this year. However, the candidates are not required to apply again or pay the exam fee for appearing in the re-exam. Meanwhile, the Bihar Police Service Commission announced that 65th combined competitive exam (Mains) will be held on July 25, 26 and 28. More than 4 lakh candidates appeared in the prelims exam held on October 15 last year. More than two-thirds of Canadians say the effects of the novel coronavirus are worse on refugees and displaced people in camps than on people in Canada. Eighty-eight per cent agree: Our world is so interconnected that an outbreak of COVID-19 in another part of the world could impact Canadians again. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/6/2020 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. More than two-thirds of Canadians say the effects of the novel coronavirus are worse on refugees and displaced people in camps than on people in Canada. Eighty-eight per cent agree: "Our world is so interconnected that an outbreak of COVID-19 in another part of the world could impact Canadians again." A national poll of 2,087 Canadians conducted by Abacus Data in mid-May in advance of World Refugee Day on June 20 also found 80 per cent agree even if Canada flattens the COVID-19 curve, normal life cant return if spikes in the virus continue in other parts of the world. Meanwhile, 71 per cent worry an outbreak in a refugee camp could spread to Canada. The poll results were reported in a webinar by World Vision Canada last week. The event included presentations by World Vision Canada president Michael Messenger, Bob Rae (Canadas special envoy on humanitarian and refugee issues), and David Coletto, chief executive officer of Abacus Data. Messenger noted there are 79.5 million refugees or displaced people in the world, the highest number since the Second World War. As many as 34 million are children. As a result of the huge need, World Vision has launched its largest humanitarian response in 70 years. "People are already vulnerable, and COVID-19 is making it worse," Messenger said. Rae said the Canadian government needs to provide more humanitarian assistance for refugees and others in the developing world, since the virus affects those countries more severely. "Its not easy for some countries to absorb all this," the former Liberal MP and Ontario premier said. "We need responses on a scale never seen before." At the same time, Rae acknowledged it could be hard for Ottawa to increase aid when Canadians are preoccupied with their own challenges. There is a temptation, he said, "to think we should solve our own problems first before solving others." However, we have to do both at the same time, Rae said, noting: "The world is connected. Having the virus in other parts of the world is a threat to Canada, too." There wont be a complete recovery from the pandemic in Canada "until other countries recover." Coletto said the poll results show Canadians "clearly understand" the greater impact of the virus on refugees in the developing world. He agreed it could be hard to convince people Canada should provide more aid, noting only about 30 per cent of Canadians express support for the idea. If aid groups such as World Vision Canada are to convince Canadians to support more foreign aid during the pandemic, they need to "explain why more aid is in our self-interest." They need to help Canadians connect the dots, Coletto said, adding "recovery (from the pandemic) in Canada is tied to recovery in other countries." 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. If the Canadian government and non-governmental organizations made that connection, he believes people would support increases in aid. While support for aid is greater among Liberal, Green and NDP supporters, "the pandemic has not been politicized in Canada," Coletto said. "All are concerned about it. We can find common ground." If the federal government wanted to increase aid to help those suffering from the pandemic in the developing world, "Canadians would follow," he said. "Canadians are united. This would be a great platform." Canadians would be supportive as long as funds werent being taken "from domestic needs to give to someone else," Rae said. The Abacus surveys margin of error is plus or minus 2.12 per cent, 19 times out of 20. faith@freepress.mb.ca The Albuquerque Journal front-page headline, City faces new calls to remove Onate La Jornada sculpture June 13 begs for some historical perspective. The Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees claims the removal of the monument is long overdue on the basis it is disrespectful to Native Americans. As a quintessential son of New Mexico, I am a native Mestizo, born to Hispanic parents in Santa Fe and lifelong resident in communities all over New Mexico as well as Indian Country. My 23&Me DNA profile identifies my Native American ancestry at 20%. Specifically, I am a direct descendant of many of the 560 original Spanish colonists who arrived in 1598 with Gov. Juan El Mozode Onate y Salazar. Onate is my uncle 14 generations back. Through New Mexico, these original Spanish colonists brought to what is now the United States our Western culture and an improved quality of life to Native Americans. To Indian crops like corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, chili and melons, my Spanish grandparents added oats, wheat, Spanish grapes, brewers yeast to make beer and wine, Spanish brandy, pisco, American brandy, grappa, cheese, eau-de-vie, hornos to make bread, which required the use of Spanish yeast, and all kinds of fruit trees as well as European livestock such as the horse, cows, sheep, pigs and poultry. Cowboy spirit, culture, the wheel, iron long guns/gunpowder for hunting and self-defense, and ranching technology were adopted and embraced to this day by rural Native Americans far more than their pre-Columbian ways. Today, when they come to town they pay great homage to Onate, donning western hats, cowboy tack, boots, driving modern trucks with their European horses and other livestock in tow. These Spanish colonists are my family, and I profoundly resent the many unilateral false, libelous and slanderous accusations which started with the Black Legend of the 16th Century and persist today. On the issue of monuments, memorials and sculptures, Onate and my other antecedents have the same rights to be honored for their significant accomplishments in memorials, written and statuary, as does Pope, the Tewa Pueblo Indian whose statue occupies the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., leader of the 1680 massacre of 400 Spanish men, women and children. To listen to these whiners, you would get the impression that Native American history commenced on the day the Spanish arrived in 1492, because prior to 1598 you hear nary a word of history. That is the trouble with oral history. In fact, if you read Onates military journal, he writes that the punishment for Acomas unprovoked act of war was to remove las puntas de los pies; i.e., their toes, not their feet. The other part of their punishment was to serve as laborers to Spanish families. So it makes no sense those Acoma male laborers, needing to carry water and firewood, would be disabled to the point of walking around on a bloody stump. Wiser words were never spoken than when Maya Angelou said, I have great respect for the past. If you dont know where youve come from, you dont know where youre going. To sanitize history is to be learning disabled. What I can say with 100% certainty is that whatever happens to the Onate monument, so objectionable to certain Indians, is of little importance in light of the great Spanish culture of the Western cowboy he contributed to these United States of America and huge message of acceptance, love, and veneration Onate and his party are paid every day by millions of Indians and everyone else in the world who has ever put on a cowboy hat, boots or anything of a Western ranching nature. Keep the focus on actual history rather than giving credence and sway to a few hypocrite malcontent dissidents who whine, distort the truth and are not a representative sample of the vast majority of both Indian and non-Indian fans of Don Juan de Onate, inventor of the American cowboy. She founded her brand Inamorata in 2017. And Emily Ratajkowski was busy expertly promoting it on Insta Stories this Sunday, posing up a storm in a couple of its skimpy bikinis. The 29-year-old shot a smoldering stare at the camera in one photograph, accessorizing her look with hoop earrings. When you got it: Emily Ratajkowski was busy expertly promoting it on Insta Stories this Sunday, posing up a storm in a couple of its skimpy bikinis In another she modeled a pair of sky-high stilettos with her swimsuit, leaning in a doorway as sunlight streamed around her. Emily, her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard and their dog Colombo are currently hunkering down at her parents' home in Los Angeles. This Sunday she wished a happy Father's Day both to her own 'Papa' John David Ratajkowski and to Sebastian, 'Colombo's Dad.' She posted a string of Insta Stories throwback snaps that showed herself with her father, including one of her sitting on his shoulders in a picturesque alleyway. Sensational: In another she modeled a pair of sky-high stilettos with her swimsuit, leaning in a doorway as sunlight streamed around her Another snap from Emily's childhood showed her and her father in Halloween costumes - with him apparently dressed as Michael Myers from the film Halloween. Emily also included a more current snap of John sitting on his sofa at home with Colombo lounging comfortably next to him. She made sure to post a picture of Sebastian looking hunky as ever as he lay shirtless in bed alongside their dog. Throwback: This Sunday she wished a happy Father's Day both to her own 'Papa' John David Ratajkowski (pictured) and to Sebastian, 'Colombo's Dad' Having a laugh: Another snap from Emily's childhood showed her and her father in Halloween costumes - with him apparently dressed as Michael Myers from the film Halloween So sweet: Emily also included a more current snap of John sitting on his sofa at home with Colombo lounging comfortably next to him Emily said her husband, a producer whose credits include Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler, is 'the absolute best to our baby.' Although the couple were initially hunkering down in New York City, then the American epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, they flew to Los Angeles on April 15. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention had issued an advisory on March 28 asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.' Two of the absconding accused, who had been declared proclaimed offenders in the murder of a realtor and a Congress worker nine months ago, have been booked for not appearing before the police in response to a proclamation. The realtor was killed during a birthday party at the Castles Barbeque, a restaurant and bar, on the fourth floor of the Pavilion Mall here. Key accused in the case Jaswinder Singh alias Bindi of Sahibana village was arrested immediately after the crime, while Karamjit Singh of Sangowal village and Jagdeep Singh of Bulara village had managed to escape. The court had declared them as proclaimed offenders in April. The two have also now been booked under Section 174-A (non-appearance in response to a proclamation under Section 82 of Act 2 of 1974) of the IPC. (A written proclamation under Section 174-A requires an accused on the run to appear at a specified place and at a specified time not less than thirty days from the date of publishing such proclamation.) Realtor Manjit Singh, 42, of Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, had been gunned down in a birthday party at Castles Barbeque, near the Old Session Chowk, following a brawl on the intervening night of September 13 and 14, 2019. A case under sections 302 (murder) and 34 of the IPC was registered against the accused. 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. A farmer shows locusts at Deori village on the outskirts of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh earlier in June 2020. (PTI) Adilabad: There is an overwhelming concern that there could be locust attacks on agriculture fields between June 27 and July 15. The state government is worried that the attack by locust swarms could have an adverse effect on the standing crops during the kharif season and result in a massive loss to both crops and farmers. This is more so as this time the government is encouraging commercial crops like cotton, soya, paddy and red gram under its controlled agriculture initiative. It is said that loss would be higher if locust swarms enter when standing crops have grown to significant levels. The Adilabad district administration is making efforts to face the locust menace through various methods. Taking serious note of the impending danger, the government has alerted authorities of districts sharing a border with Maharashtra. Minister for forest and endowment A Indrakaran Reddy said they fear that the locust may attack after entering from Maharashtra from around June 27. He said officials have been asked to make arrangements to tackle the situation, particularly in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal and Khammam districts. Indrakaran Reddy said that as locust swarms move by wind direction, officials are assessing their direction frequently and alerting the authorities concerned. Recalling a childhood memory, he spoke about how locust swarms entered their native village Yellapalli in Nirmal and how villagers chased them away with drum beats and loud sounds. He said that chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will launch Hairtha Haram on June 25 and saplings are ready in nurseries under Telanganaku Haritha Haram. Department of Health and Social Care undated handout photo of of the NHS contact tracing app on a mobile phone. Large numbers of the public downloading and using the NHS contact tracing app will help save lives and get the UK out of lockdown, health service chiefs have said (PA) The head of Englands largest hospital trust has said it is disgraceful that Apple and Google will not share platforms with the Government on a contact-tracing app. Dr David Rosser, the chief executive of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust suggested the Government should not be blamed for the U-turn and said the tech giants should be ashamed of themselves. On Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government was abandoning plans to develop its own NHSX app and would instead look to software created by Apple and Google to build it. The UK had been an outlier in not using the Apple/Google model, with a number of other nations, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, all using the software built by the tech giants. Mr Hancock said developers had been working on both the NHSX app and the design offered by Apple and Google since May, but the NHSX app had hit a technical barrier during testing on the Isle of Wight. He said the NHSX app could not be used effectively for contact tracing on an iPhone without using Apples technology. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) The move to use Apple and Googles software to build the app was welcomed by groups such as Amnesty International and cybersecurity experts, who said it would improve user privacy. But when asked about the Governments decision, Dr Rosser said: My understanding, and I deal quite a lot in the digital health space, my understanding of the fundamental reason the app wont work is the big tech companies wont share platforms. I think thats a pretty disgraceful position to be honest. My understanding is you can get it (the NHS app) to work on an Apple platform or an Android platform. But because those two big companies wont work together, you cant look at anything that will work across those platforms. Frankly I find it slightly difficult to blame the Government for that. He added: I think the tech companies should be pretty profoundly ashamed of themselves, is my personal view on that. Apple and Googles software, which and was made publicly available last month, allows apps created by public health authorities to work more accurately across both Android phones and iPhone handsets. The companies said at the time they had come together to build their software in order to respond to challenges around interoperability, battery life and privacy in contact-tracing apps. It is built on what is known as a decentralised model, where contact matching is done on a users smartphone rather than on a central server. In contrast, the Governments NHSX app was built on a centralised principle, with contact-matching data leaving user devices to be processed on a server run by the NHS, which raised privacy concerns. The Governments initial approach also did not have the guarantee of success across different devices, with compatibility issues with some phones and concerns over the accuracy of Bluetooth as a measuring reported throughout testing. When acknowledging the technical issues in the Isle of Wight trial, the Government revealed their app was highly inaccurate when used on iPhones, only identifying around 4% of contacts. 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. FLINT TWP, MI -- Police are looking for two persons of interest in connection with an assault at the Macys store in Flint Township. An 18-year-old Mt. Morris man and 22-year-old Flint Township man are being sought by Flint Township police after an assault complaint was made around 5:45 p.m. Monday, June 15, at the store located in the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road. It was learned by officers that a store employee had been assaulted by a man who fled the scene with a second man after the incident, police said. Police investigating video of beating inside Genesee Valley mall Store video surveillance confirmed the assault on the stores employee, police said. The incident was recorded by the second man and widely shared on social media. Macys released a statement that called the assault unprovoked. We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday (June 15) at Macys Genesee Valley as the safety of Macys customers and colleagues is our top priority, Andrea Schwartz, Macys senior director of media relations, said in an email. Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable. All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation, and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy. Macys says attack on employee in Flint Township store was unprovoked The man who originally posted the video, who used the name FT Quay, has posted comments online that the assault on the man was triggered by the man having used a racial slur. Watch the YouTube video here. FT Quay reiterated to the New York Post over the weekend that a slur was used and the incident took place in the spur of the moment. Police have asked anyone who has seen the video on social media and knows the identity and whereabouts of the persons of interest to contact Flint Township Police Detective Doug Hart at 810-600-3250, or report a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), on the P3 Tips app, or online at crimestoppersoffint.com. By Neil Michael and Cormac OKeeffe The windswept town of Charlestown said goodbye today to a good man and one of natures gentlemen. Moments before he was carried by colleagues up Chapel Street to St James Church for his funeral mass, his body was carried part of the way by friends and family past his familys Dew Drop Inn where he grew up, and over Chapel Street Bridge and then up past the Chapel Street home where he was born. The bridge is where, a young boy, he would throw sticks into the river below, with other lads from the town his age. Little did any of them ever believe they would all gather again all those years later in such heart-wrenching circumstances. All along the route people stood in silence behind lines on either side of hundreds of Gardai, standing two metres apart. They stood firmly to attention as he passed slowly by this part of a town he would have left each day for the 26 years he served as a guard for his work in Ballaghaderreen Garda Station in neighbouring Co Roscommon and in the last few weeks of his life, in Castlerea where he died. At exactly 12 noon, everybody in the church was asked to stand for a minutes silence . Gardai across the country also observed one minutes silence at their stations. Picture: PA Also at the same time, President Michael D Higgins held a memorial service on the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain in Dublins Phoenix Park. The national flag was flown at half-mast and President Higgins observed one minutes silence at the Peace Bell in the grounds. Sergeant Sinead Riley, Sergeant-in-Charge at Aras an Uachtarain, rang the Peace Bell at the start and end of the memorial ceremony. As the service got underway, symbols of his life were laid at the foot of the altar. Garda Tommy Sullivan brought up a notebook to symbolise the 26 years of exemplary service to the gardai. Matthew Horkan brought up his green and white Sarsfield Charlestown GAA jersey that he always wore with pride. Emma and Barbara Horkan brought up his car keys. Mourners heard he loved his Audi and it shone just like him. Det Garda Colm Horkan Cian Casey brought up a CD to symbolise his love of music. He was always first in the queue for Ticketmaster, mourners were told. Aiden Horkan brought up a photo to symbolise the strong bond he had with his family. Grainne Marren brought up one of his Tommy Hilfiger shirts. His lived for fashion and was always looking his best, mourners were told. Finally, a tie pin from his beloved Liverpool was brought up. Mourners heard: The Liverpool motto summed him up perfectly: Youll never walk alone He never let any of family or friends walk alone. The chief celebrant of the Mass, Monsignor Tommy Johnston, Parish Priest of Charlestown, in the homily later told of how he heard a news reporter on an early morning bulletin say how the community of Castlerea was shocked and deeply saddened by the death of a detective garda in the town.. The name has not yet been released but he said he knew he was from Mayo. And so, another community will be shocked and saddened by this death, and I thought, I pity the priest who has to do that funeral, he recalled. Little did I think I would be that priest and that the Detective Garda was Colm. Picture: Collins Of his death, he said: The gunshots that rang out in the early hours of Wednesday morning echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life of a Detective Garda. Service is such an apt word for Colm for he truly was a man of service, dedicated and diligent. Colm loved his life as a guard and gave it his complete commitment. He added: Death brings sadness and grief and loneliness and loss, and it also brings questions, questions that may take us beyond ourselves in our search for answers. In the case of Colm, questions have us wonder why did this tragedy happen, why did Colm die, why was this life which had so much to offer taken away so soon. I cannot answer those questions, but it seems when God takes the young he takes only the very best. Why? Has God some special task for them? Has God some special task for Colm? Gardai in Cork pay tribute to Det Garda Colm Horkan. Picture: Dan Linehan He incorporated a tribute to Detective Garda Horkan at the end of his homily from one of his closest childhood friends - one of the boys that would have thrown sticks into the river from the Chapel Street Bridge. He wrote: Colm was a cherished member of our community, a brother to everyone, young and old. We grew up together, played together and performed in school plays together. Now we are in shock and deep mourning. We are heartbroken for Colms family, colleagues and many, many friends. They added: It will take a long, long time for our community to come to terms with this senseless act of violence against our brother, Colm. Bishop-elect Paul Dempsey, Father Dermot Meehan, Diocesan Administrator,Monsignor John Doherty and Father Joe Kennedy CP, Garda Chaplain, Co-celebrated the mass. Detective Garda Horkan, who was shot dead on Wednesday night in Castlerea in Co Roscommon just moments before his shift was due to end, Before it started, after lunch, he had watched a race meeting with his father Marty. He would later tell neighbours how proud he was as he waved goodbye to his son, never imaging for one second that it would be the last time he would ever again see him alive. He was killed after he responded to a call about an incident on the Main Street in Castlerea. The 49-year-old had only recently been stationed in the town and transferred to the detective unit. Before the move, he had been based at the garda station in Ballaghaderreen. Stephen Silver, 43, from Aughaward, Foxford in Co Mayo was remanded in custody on Friday night charged with the gardas murder. Welcome to our weekly round-up of community news and events. If there is anything you would like to have included, please email us at fethyetimes2017@gmail.com. The deadline is 12 noon every Friday for inclusion in the Sunday round-up. Clean-up group tackle littering in Hisaronu Sedge Seckin, owner of Legends Karaoke Bar in Hisaronu is a well known face in the area, but Sedge is more than just a local businessman, hes a lover of the environment and spends his time when hes not working, walking the many trails around Hisaronu. Organiser Sedge with his wife, Gulnara The ongoing issue with rubbish has been pushed onto the back burner with the event of the coronavirus pandemic, but with things starting to get back to the new normal, Sedge decided it was time to start to do something about it and, with the help of Mahmut Bayraktar, department manager from the Directorate of the Environment and Fethiye Municipality, organised a clean up to take place on Friday afternoon (19 June). Around 30 people turned up at the Municipality building in Hisaronu to take part in the clean up. The group was split and tackled two areas, the road leading to the start of the Lycian way and the stretch of the Kayakoy road from Hisaronu. The clean up was also attended by Mick Scarsbrook, aka Mick Amca, whose video about the rubbish problem went viral a few years ago. Mick did some filming and well be bringing you his video later in the week. Sedge and Mick easily spotted with his trademark cowboy hat Music while you pick up Mahmut managed to surprise organiser Sedge by arranging for members of Fethiye Municipality Band to come along and provide some music while the group picked up. Only in Turkey A surprise performance from members of Fethiye Municipality band in their civvies The group collected a total of 150 bags of rubbish, including empty bottles and cans, plastic, discarded food packaging and masks! A discarded mask! One of three truckloads of bags amounting to a total of 150. Photo by Mahmut Bayraktar Take a look at the rest of our photographs from the day. Photo by Mahmut Bayraktar Mahmut Bayraktar, Lyn Ward and Mick Amca the end of our part in a great afternoon. Sedge would like to thank everyone who came along and supported the clean up. Watch out for details of the next one. Turkiyeyi Temiz Tutalm! Actor Salman Khan wrote an appeal to his fans on social media to support the fans and family of actor Sushant Singh Rajput who died last Sunday. There has been an outrage on social media against several people from the film industry, including Salman, since the actors death. Salman said that his fans to support the actors friends and family. A request to all my fans to stand with Sushants fans n not to go by the language n the curses used but to go with the emotion behind it. Pls support n stand by his family n fans as the loss of a loved one is extremely painful, he wrote. A request to all my fans to stand with sushant's fans n not to go by the language n the curses used but to go with the emotion behind it. Pls support n stand by his family n fans as the loss of a loved one is extremely painful. Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) June 20, 2020 Hashtags such as #JusticeForSushantSinghRajput, #BoycottSalmanKhan, #BoycottStarKids and #BoycottBollywood have been trending on social media since Sushants death. The fans of the Dabangg star had trended #WeStandWithSalmanKhan in his defence. Also Watch | Sushant Singh Rajputs ashes immersed in Ganga, family bids tearful adieu Mumbai Police confirmed Sushants death by suicide and further investigations are going on. Many have alleged that the actor was being isolated by influential people in the industry as he was an outsider. Police have said that as per protocol they have recorded the statements of 14 persons and an inquiry is ongoing. An official added that the department has spoken to Rajputs father, his two sisters, his friend and creative manager Siddharth Pithani, manager Sandeep Sawant, friend and actor Mahesh Shetty, casting director Mukesh Chabbra, business manager Shruti Modi, public relations manager Ankita Tehlani, actor Rhea Chakraborty, a key maker and two house staff. None of the family members or friends has levelled any allegation, an investigating officer said requesting anonymity said. Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap had written in a social media post last week had claimed that his career was sabotaged by Salman Khan and his family. All my projects and creative endeavours have been sabotaged and I have been repeatedly threatened with life and rape threats given to/for the female members of my family. The sustained gaslighting and bullying destroyed my mental health and that of my family and led to my divorce and breaking up of my family in 2017, he wrote. Salmans brother Arbaaz told Hindustan Times that they have started legal proceedings against Abhinav. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Army has been given "full freedom" in dealing with China and protecting India's territory and its men in the backdrop of the border faceoff in Ladakh, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. Speaking after meeting family members of slain Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who along with 19 other soldiers were killed in the recent fierce clash in Galwan Valley, he also said a deep anti-China sentiment was on the rise in the country and there was a need to voluntarily boycott Chinese products to the extent possible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already held an all-party meeting on the issue and efforts were on to find a solution to the issue, he told reporters after the visit to the house of Col. Santosh Babu in Suryapet district where he consoled the bereaved family members. "Taking into consideration the local situation, the government has given full freedom to the Indian Army on how to deal with China while protecting the Indian territory and the lives of the army personnel," he told reporters. "There is a deep anti-China sentiment on the rise in the country. The Public are expressing anti-China opinion all over the country by holding protests and also paying homage to the martyrs. There is a need to voluntarily boycott Chinese products to the extent possible. Public in the country wants that," the Minister said. The government and the Indian Army will support the families of the martyrs and the purpose of him meeting Col Santosh's relatives was to convey the message, he said. Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week-long standoff in the eastern Ladakh and a violent clash left 20 Indian Army personnel and injured around 76 in Galwan Valley on June 15 Chinas insects and other invertebrates are spoilt for choice with the countrys array of deserts, rainforests, mountains and tropical coastlines. The winning photographs of the Wild China Biodiversity Photography Contest hosted by Wild China Film present the countrys sweeping lands and rare plants from unexpected perspectives. Here is a pick of the crop Jan 21, 2022 06:20 PM By Allison Lampert MONTREAL (Reuters) - Canadian National Railway Co , the country's biggest railroad, is banking on growth in consumer products and supply-chain diversification in Asia, to revive traffic on its underutilized eastern Canadian rail lines, the company's chief executive told Reuters on Friday. Coronavirus, which hit China's industrial production, along with U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, are further leading suppliers to eye alternative manufacturing sites in Asia. "The tariff war and coronavirus have intensified and accelerated these trends," CN CEO Jean-Jacques Ruest said. "I think, therefore, we are even more bullish today than two years ago." He sees a shift in the business mix, combined with container expansion projects planned for ports in Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax - three main eastern Canadian ports - as key to reviving CN's underutilized eastern network, which lost capacity as manufacturing dwindled. "CN is very focused to repurpose that network, which is in great shape and only running at 50% capacity," Ruest said. CN, which has access to 15 port operations overall, is a partner in a C$775 million ($570 million) joint venture for a new container terminal at Quebec City's port, but has not disclosed its specific investment. Montreal-based CN is betting on more freight generated by consumer spending being shipped through the Suez Canal to North America's east coast, even as the pandemic fuels demand for e-commerce. CN figures show 30% of 2018 revenues were from consumer products, compared with 65% for commodities like chemicals, grain and fertilizer, that the railway moves on its densely-trafficked line in western Canada. But revenues for CN's consumer franchise grew nearly 28% between 2014 and 2018, around double the rise in the company's commodity and resource business during those years. CN figures show overall twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), a measurement for cargo capacity, are expected to grow by around 70% at the three ports in 2024. Plans for the two Quebec ports, however, still require permits. Story continues CN's strategy is to connect more cities with the port access through acquisitions, joint ventures, or strategic partners that would help it access markets in the U.S. midwest and central Canada. Ruest said what CN needs to fully capitalize on the unused capacity on the mainline between Halifax and Chicago is increased access to highly-populated areas. CN withdrew its full-year 2020 forecast following the pandemic and expects a tough second quarter for its energy unit. (Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Denny Thomas and Nick Zieminski) The mayor of Nevada City suggested citizens do not need to follow California Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide mask mandate in a Facebook post Saturday. "As you go about your day today, KNOW there is NO LAW that Orders you to Wear a Mask. Our Governor does NOT have that unilateral power to make such orders. While I know the HEADLINES over the last couple days have stated something entirely different, that is because journalism is dead," Reinette Senum wrote. "Again, THERE IS NO LAW THAT STATES YOU MUST WEAR A MASK. Ask our local Police chief or officers. They will not, and cannot, cite ANYBODY for not wearing a mask because the law does not exist. When you come across Newsom's orders' online, you will see it's linked to a page that does not lead you to his Executive Order, BUT to the California Department of Public Health GUIDELINES! Again, NOBODY can be forced to wear a mask outside, in a business, or as an employee or customer." Senum then linked to the California Department of Public Health page, which reads: "This document updates existing CDPH guidance for the use of cloth face coverings by the general public when outside the home. It mandates that face coverings be worn state-wide." An earlier executive order issued by Newsom gave the state the ability to enforce regulations from the CDPH, and the recent mask order does have an enforcement component. Violating the order could result in a misdemeanor and/or a fine, according to the California Department of Public Health, although most enforcement has come in the form of educating the violator. In addition, although an order is not technically a law, legal experts believe it carries the same weight as legislation. Per PolitiFact: "James G. Hodge Jr., director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University, called it 'entirely accurate' to consider an executive order to be a law. Laws can be derived from a constitution, a statute, a regulation, case law, 'or orders implemented through legal means, including emergency powers invoked by governors.'" The vast majority of public health experts believe that face coverings can significantly curb the spread of the coronavirus, particularly right now when there are few other options to prevent it. Newsom's order requires Californians wear a face covering in public when they are unable to maintain six feet of distance away from others. There are a number of exemptions, including for small children or individuals with disabilities. According to the Sacramento Bee, Nevada City has steadily seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. "Between April 28 and June 1, Nevada Countys total infections remained static, at 41 total cases. So far this month, health officials have reported an increase in cases of nearly 83 percent," the Bee reported. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. The remains of Det Garda Colm Horkan remains are carried through the town. Picture; Gerry Mooney The village of Charlestown comes together as the remains of Det Garda Colm Horkan remains are carried through the town. Picture; Gerry Mooney A Garda salute for Det Garda Colm Horkan as his remains are removed through the town of Charlestown Co. Mayo Picture; Gerry Mooney The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren Detective Garda Colm Horkan has been remembered as one of natures gentlemen at his funeral mass in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Hundreds of Gardai from Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon divisions gathered in the town today to pay their last respects to the Detective, who was killed on Wednesday night in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. The funeral mass is being held at St James Church in Charlestown, the same church Detective Garda Horkan made his First Communion and Confirmation. Detective Horkans coffin was draped in a tricolour and was carried by his four brothers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig up to St James' Church. A picture of the murdered garda was displayed on a screen close to the altar. With limits on the number allowed inside, people gathered outside the church for the service. Among symbols left at the altar to represent Colm Horkan's life were his garda notebook, a GAA jersey from his home team in Charlestown and a Liverpool FC tie pin. Read More His brother Dermot explained the significance of each. Delivering a personal tribute, Mr Horkan's brother Brendan said the outpouring of tributes from across the community had given the family strength. "Our community has lost a pillar in the true sense of the word," he told mourners. Expand Close Colm Horkan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Colm Horkan "Colin was a gem, he was a son and brother like no other. "He had all the values you would associate with a good and decent human being." Mr Horkan said his brother was "loyal to the core". "He was the rock in our family, the man who was the glue that held it all together," he said. Applause broke out across the church as Mr Horkan concluded his remarks. Among those present were Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Addressing mourners, Commissioner Harris said Mr Horkan's Garda service was marked by his "hard work and diligence". The commissioner said his "determination and courage" was on show in the moments before his death on Wednesday night. "The manner of Colm's death should not eclipse Colm's life," he added. He told Mr Horkan's family that the garda would always be remembered within the force. "I want to assure you that Colm's name will live on and he will be remembered within An Garda Siochana in the years to come," he said. Ahead of the funeral, a minute's silence was observed and matched with similar tributes at Garda stations around the country at the same time. In his homily, parish priest Monsignor Tommy Johnston said that the gunshots that rang out in the early hours of Wednesday morning echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life of a Detective Garda. Colm Horkan was a good man, one of natures gentlemen, that and more. Expand Close The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren One of the good things that have emerged from Covid-19 is that it has helped us to recognise the importance of our frontline workers and up there, very much to the fore, are our guards helping to keep the nation safe. He said that questions have arisen following his death, including why this tragedy took place. In the case of Colm, questions have us wonder why did this tragedy happen, why did Colm die, why was this life which had so much to offer taken away so soon. I cannot answer those questions, but it seems when God takes the young he takes only the very best. Fr Johnston also included a tribute written by one of the Detectives friends in his homily, who called him a cherished member of the community. Colm was a cherished member of our community, a brother to everyone, young and old. We grew up together, played together and performed in school plays together." He said that the community is in deep mourning. Expand Close The remains of Det Garda Colm Horkan remains are carried through the town. Picture; Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The remains of Det Garda Colm Horkan remains are carried through the town. Picture; Gerry Mooney Now we are in shock and deep mourning. We are heartbroken for Colms family, colleagues and many, many friends. It will take a long, long time for our community to come to terms with this senseless act of violence against our brother, Colm. The friend wrote that Det Gda Horkan is Gods right hand man. Now Colm is Gods right-hand-man, his very best wingman. Now we ask God, surrounded by all the saints and angels in heaven, to wrap Colm in His arms, to comfort and console Colms family, colleagues and many, many friends, near and far. May Colms gentle, gentle soul Rest in Eternal Peace with his mother Delores and sister Colette, the letter concluded. Expand Close The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The funeral mass of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Charlestown, Co Mayo. Photo: Mark Condren Gda Det Horkans coffin was carried up Chapel St by his four brothers and was then taken over by members of An Garda Siochana Screens were set up in the nearby GAA pitch for the public to observe and the funeral is live-streamed online and broadcast on Midwest Radio. A one minute silence across the nation commenced at midday to commemorate this death by An Garda Siochana, where every station in Ireland will hold a minute's silence. Castlerea Garda Station Supt Goretti Sheridan announced the nationwide minutes silence at the altar at noon. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took part at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park, while President Michael D Higgins held a vigil at Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan as well as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris attended the funeral. A Bondi cafe at the centre of a racism row have refused to confirm whether they sacked a manager who caused outrage by firing a black barista. Ayo Lana, who came to Australia from the UK, said he was working at XS Espresso Cafe in Bondi, in Sydney's east on Thursday when the manager told him he no longer had a job. In a video uploaded to his Instagram, Mr Lana claimed the manager said the locals were 'a bit racist' and preferred to be served by the other barista 'who's a white guy.' Despite issuing a grovelling apology for the incident, the cafe still would not confirm what action had been taken against the manager involved. When responding to dozens of questions about the manager's employment status, the business released a statement claiming to 'understand everyone's frustrations and concerns. 'The individual who was involved will experience appropriate consequences and their fate at the company is yet to be determined,' the company said. Cafe pictured 'We want to emphasise that we cannot disclose any further information about this employee due to legalities,' a spokesman said. 'We have never tolerated discrimination, and the individual has been subject to consequences accordingly.' Daily Mail Australia has attempted to contact the cafe to clarify whether or not the manager is still employed. In spite of the public outrage over the incident, Mr Lana said he hasn't been able to share in the public's anger. 'I wish I could be angry but for some reason, I can't find that switch to be able to turn it on,' he said, while acknowledging he was 'shocked' at the public reception. 'I'm moving on and I'm happy to put a pin in it, to move on and to not waste any more time on this situation,' he said. 'I am surprisingly not sad or angry, but more so pleased and proud of the response shown, that gives me faith in the world in these current times.' In the now viral video, Mr Lana said the manager pulled him aside and claimed the cafe had received 'complaints' about his coffee, before admitting it was really about his race. Mr Lana said that was 'a bit of a shame,' which the manager responded with the locals of Bondi 'like their coffee a certain way' Ayo Lana (pictured), who came to Australia from the UK, said he was working at the XS Espresso Cafe in Bondi, Sydney on Thursday when the manager told him he was fired 'I'm like oh that's very surprising because I've only had good things... I've only got compliments about it,' Mr Lana said in his video. 'Then he goes, well you know how Bondi, the locals, they're a bit racist. 'So I'm like ''oh so then that's the real reason'',' he said. 'He's like yeah they like their coffee made by the people that are there already, by the barista that's already there, who's a white guy. Mr Lana said that was 'a bit of a shame,' and the manager simply said Bondi locals 'like their coffee a certain way.' The cafe has apologised both publicly and privately for the actions of the manager, but customers claim more needs to be done. 'Did you fire him or not?' one person asked, while another seemingly confirmed the manager was still employed. The cafe is well known around Bondi, but many costumers have vowed to boycott the brand In a video uploaded to his Instagram, Mr Lana said the manager believed the locals were 'a bit racist' and said he had to be let go because they preferred to be served by someone 'who's a white guy' 'Fire the manager. I know you haven't because my friend works there. So why haven't you?' 'How many more apologies are you going to write until this employee's contract is terminated?' Others described the apology as 'half-assed' and said it simply wasn't good enough. The cafe promised to update Mr Lana on any corrective action taken. XS Espresso Cafe released a statement on their Facebook page which was accompanied by a picture with text that read: 'As a brand, we stand in solidarity against systemic racism.' 'We were deeply saddened to learn of an incident that took place at our Bondi location yesterday,' the statement said. 'When we were made aware of the incident, our foremost concern was towards the gentleman who had been mistreated by a manager at our Bondi location. 'We are terribly remorseful for the treatment he received.' After Mr Lana released the video, he was contacted by the cafe's founder who apologised for the incident XS Espresso Cafe released a statement on their Facebook page which was accompanied by a picture with text that read: 'As a brand, we stand in solidarity against systemic racism' The cafe said it was an 'isolated incident' and racist behaviour has never been welcomed at any of their establishments. 'We in no way tolerate racism of any form and will do all in our power to ensure we learn from this incident and to never allow it to exist amongst our brand's culture.' They said the cafe will re-educate their staff on anti-discrimination and will revise their policies to ensure the discrimination would never happen again. 'The individual who was involved will experience appropriate consequences and their fate at the company is yet to be determined,' the company said. 'We want to apologise for what occurred yesterday; To Ayo especially, to those who have experienced racism and to anyone who has messaged us with concerns.' The cafe said they 'hold ourselves accountable' and are determined to create an inclusive and safe environment for all of their staff and customers. Daily Mail Australia has made several attempts to contact XS Espresso Cafe in Bondi by phone and email but have yet to receive a response. By contrast, the youth-led protests unfolding now in response to the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer are much more diverse. There are large numbers of African Americans who have supported the Black Lives Matter movement since its 2014 founding and many native-born black and white newcomers whose lives have often differed dramatically from their parents. But there is also an unprecedentedly large segment of protesters from other backgrounds. Some are descended from immigrants who moved to the United States generations ago, while many others come from the families that have arrived in great waves since the civil rights movement spurred passage of the landmark Immigration and Naturalization Act in 1965. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 21:39:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 204,952 on Sunday after an overnight registration of 2,368 new infections, state-run IRNA news agency reported. Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said at the daily briefing that out of the new cases in the past 24 hours, 1,114 have been hospitalized. The pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 9,623 Iranians, up by 116 in the past 24 hours. Besides, 163,591 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 2,887 remain in critical condition. According to Lari, 1,422,407 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran as of Sunday. The Iranian health official said five provinces are still in high-risk condition. Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19. Iran and China have offered mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-February, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China. In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On Feb. 29, a five-member Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic. Enditem A group of yoga enthusiasts gathered on an Afghanistan hilltop on Sunday to mark International Yoga Day. In the peace and quiet of the hillside in western Kabul, Afghan women took part in a special yoga session led by instructor Fakhria Momtaz. Momtaz, who organised the event, said the session was a good chance for the women to come out and have a good time. This year's International Yoga Day comes as countries around the world are battling COVID-19. In Afghanistan alone the country's health ministry has recorded more than 28,000 positive cases of the virus and over 550 deaths. Yoga is not very popular in Afghanistan, but those who follow it believe that it is a good way to cure depression, anxiety or stress. Various yoga sessions are taking place around the world, including India to mark International Yoga Day. New Zealand is one of Vietnams most important trade partners. Bilateral economic ties have seen outstanding progress, he said on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the relations, since the two established their comprehensive partnership in 2009 and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement was signed in 2010. He cited data from Statistics New Zealand that two-way trade reached NZD2.04 billion (US$1.3 billion) in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 13%. New Zealand has implemented a range of activities to support Vietnam in fields which it has strengths, such as agriculture, e-government, education, and natural disaster prevention, the ambassador added. The seventh meeting of the Vietnam-New Zealand joint committee on economic and trade cooperation is slated for this year, which is an important mechanism for the two sides to seek measures to further promote the partnership in fields of potential such as trade, aviation services, tourism, and education and training. People-to-people and cultural exchanges, the ambassador said, are also priorities in bilateral relations. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in central Da Nang city this year. The two countries are expected to issue a joint statement during the visit on elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership with a new action plan, Thong said. Based on the bilateral friendship and mutual trust, the two countries have been closely coordinating at multilateral forums such as the UN, the APEC Forum, and the WTO, as well as in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he noted. As New Zealand will be the APEC Chair in 2021, Vietnam is committed to strengthening coordination with the country to ensure success, the diplomat affirmed. North America is expected to be the frontrunner in global LNG liquefaction capacity growth through new-build (planned and announced) and expansion projects during the outlook period 2020 to 2024. The region is likely to contribute about 75% of the total growth across the globe by 2024, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The companys report, Global Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook for LNG Liquefaction Terminals, 2020 US and Russia Lead Global Liquefaction Capacity Additions, reveals that North America is expected to have a new build and expansion LNG liquefaction capacity of nearly 148.1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2024. Haseeb Ahmed, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, says: Planned projects with identifiable development plans account for most of the new-build capacity addtions in the region with nearly 72% or 106.6mtpa, while expansion and early-stage announced projects account for the remaining capacity. In North America, 16 new-build and three expansion projects are expected to start operations by 2024. Of these, the Plaquemines terminal in Louisiana has the highest LNG liquefaction capacity additions by 2024 with 20mtpa. Ahmed continues: The Former Soviet Union is the second-highest region, in terms of global LNG liquefaction capacity growth, with expected capacity additions of 31.2mtpa by 2024. All of the capacity additions in the region are from the new-build projects. The Arctic-2 Floating and Baltic terminals account for most of the capacity additions with capacities of 13.2mtpa and 13mtpa, respectively, by 2024. Africa stands third globally with new-build LNG liquefaction capacity additions of 10.1mtpa by 2024. The Coral Floating terminal in Mozambique is the largest upcoming liquefaction project in the region with a new-build capacity of 3.4mtpa by 2024. -- Tradearabia News Service Dr. Leahy and Michael Plodwick, Monmouths board chair, announced the change in a letter on Friday, which noted that it was Juneteenth, which honors the end of slavery. As such, they said, they were seeking ways to foster a genuinely fair, inclusive and supportive community for all. The formal vote came on Thursday as trustees gave Woodrow Wilson Hall a new name: the Great Hall at Shadow Lawn. The building, Dr. Leahy noted, had only a tenuous connection to Wilson. It was built in 1929, five years after Wilsons death and two years after another mansion on the same site burned down. That mansion had been lent to Wilson during his 1916 re-election campaign and had been used as a presidential summer home, according to the university. Monmouth, a private university with about 6,000 students in West Long Branch, N.J., was founded in 1933. The current mansion was known as Shadow Lawn and the Great Hall before it was named for Wilson in 1966. Wilson was a controversial politician, who never actually set foot in the current building, Dr. Leahy and Mr. Plodwick wrote. Removing his name, and incorporating these earlier names, connects the centerpiece of our campus more accurately to our historical roots and eliminates a symbolic barrier to the important work of creating a truly welcoming and inclusive space in the Great Hall. Dr. Leahy and Mr. Plodwick said the board had also directed the administration to honor Julian Abele, an African-American architect who was the lead designer of Great Hall. Chyna Walker, a Monmouth student, called the renaming long overdue. It does seem that President Leahy is committing himself to making campus a more inclusive space, said Ms. Walker, the president of a group called Students Advocating Girls Education. The renaming of Wilson Hall was just the start. We have so much work to do. Amid an increasing number of coronavirus cases globally, Chinese researchers have begun the second phase human trial of a possible coronavirus vaccine. It follows an ongoing phase-1 study which has recruited about 200 participants since May, the Institute of Medical Biology at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (IMBCAMS) said on Sunday. The phase-2 trial will evaluate the shot's dose and continue to determine whether the potential vaccine can safely trigger immune responses in healthy people. There is no approved drug for treatment of coronavirus patients as of now. Over 100 experimental COVID-19 vaccines are in various stages of development, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO). From US-based Moderna Inc to China's CanSino Pharmaceuticals Inc, some of the world's biggest companies are in the race to develop the coronavirus vaccine. Germany and partner countries in the European Union recently pledged funds for the production of an experimental vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca. Britain and the United States had previously made commitments to secure hundreds of millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is based on so-called viral vector technology, as developers across the world prepare to produce even before their candidates are shown to work in trials. Brazil recently announced that Instituto Butantan has signed a deal with Sinovac to produce an experimental coronavirus vaccine. The tests for the same would begin in July and would include around 9,000 Brazilians. Israeli researchers have identified molecules that may lead to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Chinese pharma company Sinopharm has cleared the animal trials. Even though initial trials by many of these candidate vaccines show encouraging results, a clearer picture can only emerge when a diverse population gets tested. Also read: Coronavirus cure: Gilead signs pacts with 4 more firms for manufacturing of remdesivir Also Read: RIL share hits all-time high after firm becomes net debt-free ahead of target Thousands of people marched in Paris and across France on Saturday in a string of protests against racism, alleged police violence and other social injustices, including undocumented migrants. Hundreds turned out in the capital to remember black men who died following encounters with French police or under suspicious circumstances. They made their way to the former home of Lamine Dieng, a 25-year-old French-Senegalese man arrested in 2007 who died in a police van. They also marched in support of Adama Traore, a young black man who died in police custody in 2016. His sister, Assa Traore, has become a figurehead of the racial justice movement, and has protested for the past four weekends. Thousands of other protesters marched in Paris and cities around France in support of undocumented migrants. I hope, that this is not just a moment of brief awareness," Dieng's sister Ramata Dieng told The Associated Press. We have dreamed for a long time of seeing this many people mobilising on this issue. This cant stop at indignation. Its fine to be indignant but we must move to the next step and the next step is to put implement the tools, have laws voted on so that police are no longer above the law, she said. The French government agreed earlier this month to pay 145,000 euros ($162,000) to Diengs relatives in a settlement via the European Court of Human Rights, after the family tried for more than a decade to hold police accountable for his death. Many at Saturdays protest linked it with the case of of George Floyd, an African American man whose death on May 25 in the U.S. city of Minneapolis galvanised protesters around the globe to rally against racism and police brutality. George Floyd was the hair that broke the camels back in the United States, but its not just George Floyd, demonstrator Lylia Boukerrouche. Story continues In France, though its different, its a similar situation. It was a colonial state, and we see that today police violence occurs against back and Arabs, the descendants of immigrants, Boukerrouche added. Some demonstrators carried placards bearing the words Justice For Ibo, a reference to Ibrahima Bah, 22, who died in an October motorbike crash in the Paris suburbs of Villiers-le-Bel wile allegedly trying to escape a police check. Bahs family blames the police for his death. The protests Saturday in Paris for Dieng and undocumented migrants were authorised by French authorities, who have been exercising caution over protests in recent weeks as the country emerges from coronavirus restrictions. Other protests on Saturday in the French capital were banned, including an anti-racism demonstration near the U.S. Embassy by the Black African Defense League, and another protest linked to recent violence involving Chechens in the French city of Dijon. Activists gathered anyway. Separately, a small group of activists staged a flash protest Saturday outside the French Health Ministry in support of state medical workers, who are demanding higher pay and more hospital staff after Frances once-renowned health care system struggled to cope with the virus crisis following years of cost cuts. The protesters sprayed red paint on the ministry building, symbolising blood, and on a mock medal. (with AP) Broken glass lies on the pavement in front of a mobile phone shop in a pedestrian area in Stuttgart, southern Germany - THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP Rioting in Stuttgart spun completely out of control in the early hours of Sunday after police carrying out a routine drug were attacked by a mob of several hundred men. Up to 500 young men joined the violence, described by one local politician as being resembling a civil war. Officers are reported to have stopped and searched a person in the inner city on suspicion of dealing narcotics. People who had been hanging around nearby, mainly young men, then showed solidarity with the suspect and began attacking police cars and officers. Metal bars and wooden poles were used to attack police vehicles and smas in their windows, a spokesperson said. Around a dozen officers were injured as rioters threw projectiles at them including large stones. Smaller groups of young men then roamed the city centre smashing shop windows and looting goods. A jewelry store was left empty while eight other stores were looted. By the early hours of Sunday morning reinforcements had arrived from across the region and the situation had calmed down. Goods lie on the floor after people broke into a shop on Marienstrasse in Stuttgart, Germany, - Simon Adomat/DPA "They were unbelievable scenes that have left me speechless. In my 46 years of police service, I have never experienced this," said Stuttgart police chief Frank Lutz. This is a sad Sunday for Stuttgart. Im shocked at the outbreak of violence and at the attacks on police and the destruction in our city, said Stuttgart major Fritz Kuhn. While Hamburg and Berlin are known as centres of anti-police violence due to their deeply embedded left-wing scenes, Stuttgart is a solidly middle class town built on the success of Daimler and the renowned Swabian Mittelstand. Rioting and violence is almost unheard of in the city even during the yearly May 1st clashes between anarchist and police. Authorities have said they do not believe Sunday's violence had a political motive but that it emerged from the city's party scene. A New York man is accused of pretending to be another shopper at a Sams Club in Lower Nazareth Township. At about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Colonial Regional police were patrolling the parking lot of the store along Route 248. An officer spotted 23-year-old Saul Almonte, of the Bronx, walking around in a lost manner and stretching in the parking lot, police said. A Sams Club manager reported Almonte refused to show identification for an online pickup order. Investigators discovered the package was placed under the identification of a Sams Club member living in Illinois. The member told investigators she did not place the order in Pennsylvania and did not authorize anyone to use her account. Almonte was arrested. He later was arraigned on charges of access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and identity theft. Almonte was taken to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $7,500, according to police. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A 21-year-old man has died after being stabbed outside a hotel in Melbourne's CBD, as his attackers remain on the run. Police were called to The Oaks on Market Street just after 5am following reports the man had been stabbed in the arm. He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious upper body injuries and later died. Officers were called to The Oaks on Market Street just after 5am following reports the man in his 20s had been stabbed A pair of scissors is seen at a crime scene on Market Street in Melbourne's CBD on Monday morning The offenders fled the scene before police arrived but a pair of scissors remained on the footpath on Monday morning. A spokesperson from Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites told Daily Mail Australia the stabbing incident happened outside the hotel on Market Street. But they said the victim had not been a guest of the hotel. 'The individual was not a guest of the hotel, nor was he on the premises at any stage,' the spokesperson said. 'The team at Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel is assisting authorities with their enquiries in every way possible.' 'Oaks remains committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all its guests and has a zero-tolerance policy to any criminal activity or violence taking place on its premises.' Police questioned friends of the victim following the attack and it is not yet known how many people were involved. The Homicide squad is now leading the investigation with detectives looking into whether those involved are known to each other. A witness, who had been staying at the hotel, told the Herald Sun he noticed commotion from a group of men as he was smoking outside. A man is suffering life-threatening injuries after he was stabbed in Melbourne 's CBD Victoria Police officers speak to someone at the crime scene outside the hotel in Melbourne 'They were boisterous, asking around for cigarettes,' the witness said. He said an argument then broke out among the group and described it as 'freaky'. 'They were out of order. Young, stupid, and acting out of order,' he said. Market Street was closed on Monday morning as police remain on the scene to piece together the events that lead to the stabbing. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The UK has had at least 3.5million coronavirus cases and the virus 'will be with us for a very long time', Britain's top statistics expert says. Sir Ian Diamond, the UK's National Statistician, made the comments on the Andrew Marr Show this morning. He said that blood testing to look for antibodies that prove someone has had Covid-19 suggests between five and seven per cent of people in England have had the virus. This means between 2.75million and 3.85million people have had Covid-19 already, with the vast majority of them recovering and not ever getting diagnosed. His statistic, however, does not align exactly with earlier data from Public Health England's estimate, which suggests more people have had the illness. PHE, using a bigger sample size, put it at 8.5 per cent at the beginning of this month, suggesting around 4.6million people in England have had the coronavirus already. The UK's chief statistician, Professor Ian Diamond, said this morning: 'My own belief is that this virus is going to be with us for a very long time' Speaking to the BBC today Professor Diamond said: 'What we're finding is between five and seven per cent of the population - more in London - have had it. 'And that suggests to me that around 3.5million people in England have either had the virus or have natural antibodies to it.' Antibody testing is the most accurate way to work out how many people have had a disease already and it relies on testing the blood of a sample of people. In the blood the tests look for antibodies, which are substances made by the immune system when someone is infected with a specific disease. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of people testing positive for current infection with Covid-19 has tumbled in England since April WHAT IS AN ANTIBODY TEST AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR? Antibody tests are ones which look for signs of past infection in someone's blood. Antibodies are substances produced by the immune system which store memories of how to fight off a specific virus. They can only be created if the body is exposed to the virus by getting infected for real, or through a vaccine or other type of specialist immune therapy. Generally speaking, antibodies produce immunity to a virus because they are redeployed if it enters the body for a second time, defeating the bug faster than it can take hold and cause an illness. An antibody test, which involves analysis of someone's blood sample, has two purposes: to reveal whether an individual has been infected in the past and may therefore be protected against the virus, and to count those people. Knowing you are immune to a virus - although whether people actually develop immunity to Covid-19 is still unknown - can affect how you act in the future. Someone may need to protect themselves less if they know they have been infected, for example, or medical staff may be able to return to work in the knowledge they are not at risk. Counting the numbers of people who have antibodies is the most accurate way of calculating how many people in a population have had the virus already. This can be done on a small sample of the population and the figures scaled up to give a picture of the country as a whole. In turn, this can inform scientists and politicians how devastating a second outbreak might be, and how close the country is to herd immunity - a situation in which so many people have had the virus already that it would not be able to spread quickly a second time. Experts believe that around 60 per cent exposure would be required for herd immunity from Covid-19, but the UK does not appear to be anywhere close to that. Early estimates suggest 17 per cent of Londoners have had the virus, along with five per cent of the rest of the country about 4.83million people. This means the virus might spread slightly slower in future but the risk of second outbreak and hundreds or thousands more deaths remains very real. Advertisement If someone gets Covid-19 they develop antibodies which react with it, and these store the body's memory of how to fight off the virus if it gets into the body again. The presence of them in the blood indicates that someone has had Covid-19 already. Professor Diamond referenced the results of tests done on 1,757 people since April 26, which found that 5.4 per cent of them had had the virus. The possible range of this was between 4.3 per cent and 6.5 per cent - meaning the true figure could be somewhere between 2.36m and 3.57m people. Meanwhile, a Public Health England report published at the start of this month suggested, from the results of around 8,000 people - a bigger sample - that the rate of past infection was 8.5 per cent, and potentially as high as 10 per cent. PHE's data was based on blood tests taken from 7,694 people across England in May, of whom around 654 tested positive. Public Health England's best estimate was that 8.5 per cent of people in England had already had the coronavirus - 4.76million people. But this, it admitted, could be as high as 10 per cent (5.6m) or as low as 6.9 per cent (3.864m). Regional variations showed at the time that the rate of infection had been considerably higher in London, with 15.6 per cent of the city's population already affected. And it had been lowest in the South West, where only 2.6 per cent of people were thought to have had the virus. More recent reports from PHE do not appear to have substantially changed the estimates, although they have come down in some areas where testing numbers have increased. An earlier report from the Office for National Statistics had put the national level of past infection at 6.78 per cent - around 4.5million people in the UK - but this was based on fewer than 900 tests. As the ONS has increased the number of test it is doing, the proportion of the population thought to have been infected has fallen. On its website the organisation said: 'This is lower than the percentage presented in our previous publication, but compatible with the previous estimates of uncertainty. 'It is important to note that this change does not represent a trend over time, but relates to a change in our available sample of blood tests. 'The analysis in this bulletin is based on blood test results from 1,757 individuals since the start of the study on 26 April 2020, compared with 885 individuals tested in the previous bulletin.' Asked how he thought the UK's current outbreak would progress, Professor Diamond admitted he did not think Britain was close to the end. He said: 'The virus hasn't gone away and we need to move into a period of surveillance and real vigilance to identify any outbreaks and move to get on top of them really, really quickly.' He said the current estimates of around 3,000 to 4,000 new cases of Covid-19 each day were 'relatively low' but added: 'My own belief is that this virus is going to be with us for a very long time and we are going to have to be absolutely vigilant to check we are on top of the outbreaks which will come'. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, bottom right, holds roundtable talks with semiconductor researchers during his visit to the company's semiconductor research center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Outside experts to issue decision on possible indictment Friday By Kim Hyun-bin Lee Jae-yong has been busy trying to indirectly appeal how crucial his role as de facto leader of Samsung Group is to a citizen panel committee by visiting the conglomerate's key semiconductor R&D plants around the country, as the panel is just days away from making its decision whether to deem it reasonable for the courts to accept an indictment of Lee over his alleged involvement in merger and accounting fraud. His move comes as the panel is scheduled to issue its decision on June 26 at the Supreme Prosecutor's Office in Seoul. Amid the growing uncertainties from the legal battle, prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. - China trade disputes, Lee has been trying to highlight his leadership role in the company by visiting two of its semiconductor R&D plants in the last 10 days. "The vice chairman has been busy trying to enhance company businesses through on-site visits," a Samsung official said. During his visit, Lee stressed the company faces "severe risks" and emphasized that the company's survival depends on how fast it could secure innovative future technologies. The vice chairman claimed the month of June was a "roller-coaster" starting from his request on June 2 to form an external panel to review the validity of the prosecutors' investigation, which industry watchers believe was requested to pressure the prosecution to conduct a more fair and transparent investigation. However, two days later the prosecution filed a request for an arrest warrant against Lee, which the Seoul Central District Court rejected on June 9. Legal circles believe the court's rejection of the arrest warrant will have a significant impact on the outside expert panel's decision, which many experts believe will be in favor of the vice chairman. Although the panel's conclusion is not legally binding, many experts believe the outcome may influence the prosecution's move to indict Lee to some degree, a vital reason for Samsung's hope for a favorable outcome. "The expert panel committee will be convened in the next few days and our legal team is doing everything to prepare for the case," a Samsung official said. "We are just hoping the results come out positive from the panel." The committee created an independent expert panel consisting of 15 members to look into the validity of the probe. The Samsung chief is under investigation in connection with the controversial merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015, an apparent key process to take over control of the group from his ailing father, Lee Kun-hee. The system for a review of a state prosecutors' investigation by an external panel was introduced in 2018 to enhance neutrality and fairness of its investigations into cases that are of great public interest. Many experts claim the prosecution should respect the decision to be issued by the panel as it was established by the prosecution as a means of self-reform. "The outside expert panel was established by the prosecution as a self-reform measure, so they should respect and consider the decision made by the panel," an industry official said. "From Samsung's perspective, favorable results from the panel will help the conglomerate to normalize operations and reduce uncertainties." Supporters of a vacancy tax argue that new, luxury apartments are sitting empty during a housing crisis. (Los Angeles Times) When Los Angeles City Council members floated the idea last year of a vacancy tax to discourage property owners from holding empty units or lots off the market, the idea seemed worthy of further study. Now the studies are back and the council is considering putting the empty homes penalty on the November ballot. But the case for the vacancy tax being considered is, well, unpersuasive. The theory behind the penalty makes sense. The tax could push vacant units onto the market and reduce the shortage of homes. It could also nudge property owners to build housing on their vacant lots or sell them so someone else could develop the land. For those who pay the tax, the money could help fund the construction of more affordable housing. The problem is that despite months of research, the city still doesnt have a solid understanding of how many units or vacant lots are being held off the market or, more important, why. The city estimated that 1 in 10 high-end units is vacant at the moment. Thats about 1% of the homes in buildings with five or more units in the city, according to real estate data firm CoStar. Is there indeed a glut of empty luxury apartments because speculative investors dont want to lower their prices? Or are there more vacancies because these are newly built units just waiting to be rented or sold, or sold but not yet occupied? Are wealthy buyers snapping up real estate to park their money without the hassle of tenancy? The reports didnt answer these questions, so its difficult to predict whether the tax will improve the housing market or change property owners behavior. Few cities in the U.S. have enacted vacancy taxes, so its hard to gauge their effectiveness. L.A. would model its tax on the one that Oaklands voters approved in November 2018, but that city hasnt reported how much the tax is raising yet. Westside Councilman Mike Bonin, who proposed L.A.s tax, predicts it could provide a huge revenue stream for the city. But would it? Story continues One study estimated the city had between 85,000 and 100,000 empty residential units, but didn't assess how many of those would qualify for the tax. Another analysis calculated that the city has about 19,000 empty units and 2,900 vacant lots that could be subject to the tax. The proposal calls for an annual tax of $5,000 per residential property and between $5,000 and $40,000 per vacant lot. Reports put the potential revenue at $100 million to $150 million a year, but that was before the City Council carved out numerous exemptions that shrink the number of taxable properties. For example, the tax would apply only to homes or residential lots that were vacant for more than 10 months of the year. The council also excluded nonresidential commercial properties, properties owned by nonprofits or low-income or disabled people, and properties in the process of being developed, marketed or sold. In addition, the City Council voted to exempt single-family homes from the tax unless the house is owned by a corporation. And under the Oakland model the council is currently following, multi-family buildings would be exempt if at least one unit in the complex is occupied exempting all the half-rented luxury buildings that proponents say they want to target. With all these exclusions, how many vacant units will be left to tax? OK, you might ask, perhaps this tax proposal wont have a huge effect on the housing market, but whats the harm in trying it? The harm is the possibility that L.A. will squander money and time on a proposal that wont deliver the housing reform that the city truly needs. It will cost $12 million to put the tax on the November ballot, require a hard-to-reach 66% of the vote to pass, and even if it does pass, may deliver modest revenue and benefit. L.A.s major housing problem is not the small number of homes sitting empty. Its the shortage of housing affordable to middle- and low-income Angelenos. Council members could make a bigger impact if they focused on streamlining the development process and creating programs that incentivize developers to build housing at all income levels. AICC Telangana secretary and senior Telangana Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao popularly known as VH in political circles tested positive for coronavirus. He was rushed to a private hospital in Hyderabad for treatment on Sunday. VH volunteered for COVID-19 test after experiencing virus symptoms and the results turned positive. The senior Congress leader had been into relief activities ever since the pandemic. During the lockdown period, he was seen distributing ration, sanitisation kits to frontline health workers and the needy. V Hanumantha Rao had also conducted COVID awareness programme for the general public. VH was also part of the recent protests organised against the Telangana government over irrigation projects. He was even spotted at Rahul Gandhi birthday celebrations. Speculation is rife that VH contracted the infection when he visited the Gandhi hospital to stand by the junior doctors who were protesting against lack of security and safety equipments at the Hospital. After VH tested positive for coronavirus, those who were in touch with him have gone into self-quarantine. Bhopal: At a time when farmers in Madhya Pradesh are struggling to sell their wheat at the minimum support price (MSP), several farmers are turning to a hybrid variety of wheat which carries significant medicinal value and also promises two to four times the return compared to the normal wheat crop. However, with the lack of awareness for this variety and unavailability of government support, the farmers who have stocks of this special black wheat are finding it hard to locate buyers. Developed at National Agri Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali (Punjab), this black wheat 'NABI MG has been patented by the government of India. From Punjab, the variety reached Haryana from where several Madhya Pradesh farmers sourced it and are cultivating it over the past one year or so. One of the Haryana farmers, Ravindar Kajal, told News18 that his father has high blood sugar, and after he started consuming rotis made out of this wheat, he no longer needed diabetic medicines. There are several progressive farmers in Madhya Pradesh, who sourced seeds from their counterparts in Haryana. One such farmer, Virendra Singh Parmar, who has studied MSc in agriculture, and hails from Kannod in Dewas, has produced 28 quintals of the wheat this year. According to Parmar, researchers say the variety, also available in blue and violet colours, is beneficial for humans with its anti-cancer, anti-diabetes properties and is also good for the heart. The young farmer said he is selling the wheat for Rs 40-50 a kg, maintaining that there are farmers who sell it for up to Rs 100 per kg. With proper marketing facilities and government support, this variety could be a good option for loss-making farmers in the state, said Parmar. Maintaining that Dewas alone has stock of around 200-250 quintals of wheat, Parmar rued that finding buyers is still a hassle for growers of black wheat, adding that some of the farmers tried selling it in the local mandi but could not find any takers. Several farmers in Dewas, Indore, Dhar and nearby districts have started growing this unique variety of wheat. Another farmer, Vinod Bagri from village Kathodia in Dhar district, said that this wheat grown through organic methods is fetching as much as Rs 5,000 Rs 6,000 per quintal. He added that still there is no mechanism to market this crop and farmers like him rely on social media to find buyers. This year, the wheat was selling at Rs 1,925 per quintal at government procurement centres, but as private buying had dried up amid the coronavirus scare, the prices in open markets were hovering around Rs 1,700 per quintal. In retail markets, the wheat is selling at Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,700 per quintal in Madhya Pradesh. There are also farmers in the state who are receiving returns of as much as Rs 7,000-Rs 8,000 per quintal for this wheat. Besides its stated medicinal qualities, the black wheat puts no extra financial burden on the farmer when it comes to production, Vijendra Parmar from Gadarwara in Narsinghpur district said. "Personally I not only grow this wheat but also eat it at home and it tastes great," he said. The farmer said that this variety gives productivity of around 15-18 quintal per bigha. Given a proper marketing mechanism, this wheat could bail out loss-making farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Parmar said. According to researchers, the amount of anthocyanins is very high in NABI MG and, like blueberries, it helps in ridding the human body of free radicals, which helps in fighting cancer, diabetes, heart ailments, obesity and other diseases. Yellow police tape -- a familiar sight across Italy since the coronavirus began sweeping the country in March -- reappeared at the weekend outside a Rome squat where around 15 new cases have emerged. Health workers insist the outbreak among squatters including a Peruvian family is under control, at a time when Italy is cautiously relaxing measures to contain the disease that has claimed more than 34,000 lives. A second outbreak was far bigger and occurred at a hospital on the western edge of Rome, with 109 cases and five deaths. Rome's regional COVID-19 crisis centre said all those who tested positive for the virus at the illegally occupied building had been transferred. All their contacts were identified and 108 tests were carried out. After the uproar of blaring ambulances to handle the new cluster of cases, the southern working-class district of Garbatella returned to normal on Sunday, apart from the police tape and a squad car outside the building, as well as a posse of journalists. Mask-wearing shoppers could be seen buying groceries, a man walking his dog, another throwing garbage into an overflowing bin. "Occupants who are still in the building are confined there," a police officer told AFP, adding that the Red Cross was delivering food to them. Many of the windows were shuttered in the orange brick block of flats, typical of the buildings that sprang up in the outskirts of Rome during the 1970s. The squatters also receive aid from an NGO. An employee at a nearby grocery store who gave his name only as Ion said the inhabitants were both South American and Italian, "working people, mainly families". He added that some of the flats share toilets. "This doesn't worry us very much," he said. "We're wearing masks and being careful." But Raffaele, a 77-year-old who lives nearby, complained that "there is absolutely no check (on) constant comings and goings of people from all over the world." He said he feared that such transience could help spread the coronavirus. "Let's say we are being very careful, we are disinfecting non-stop." - 'No illusions' - Meanwhile two army vehicles were stationed outside the San Raffaele Pisana hospital on Sunday, but the situation appeared under control. Health officials said rigorous contact tracing was under way, with some 200 recent patients being tested. The two new outbreaks of COVID-19 came as Italy was re-emerging from lockdown in a phased process that began in early May. The epidemic appeared under control even in its epicentre in the northern Lombardy region. "No one had any illusions that the problems were over," WHO deputy director Ranieri Guerra told Italian journalists. "It means the virus hasn't lost its infectiousness, it isn't weakening... we shouldnt let down our guard." However, the Italian immunologist added: "Such micro-outbreaks were inevitable, but they are limited in time and space. And today we have the tools to intercept them and confine them." Italy, which went under nationwide quarantine on March 10, has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the world by COVID-19, mostly in the north. Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Mumbai on Sunday recorded 1,242 new coronavirus positive cases and 41 deaths, taking the total positive cases to 66,507 and toll to 3,669. Auto refresh feeds This comes a day after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), considering the emergency and unmet need for medicines in light of the coronavirus outbreak, granted domestic firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals the permission to manufacture and market favipiravir for "restricted emergency use" in mild to moderate cases. "The approval to Hetero and Cipla was given on Saturday," a source said. India's Drug Regulator on Saturday gave permission to Hetero and Cipla to manufacture and market antiviral drug remdesivir for "restricted emergency use" on hospitalised COVID-19 patients, official sources said. This means that of the total number of beds in any private hospital here a maximum of 60 per cent will be dedicated for COVID-19 patients and all of these coronavirus beds will be provided to patients at subsidised rates. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted that however, it has been decided that "100% COVID beds shall be subsidised upto an upper limit of 60% of total hospital capacity". The Delhi government on Saturday issued an order fixing the cost of a COVID-19 isolation bed in any private hospital in Delhi in the range of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 and an ICU bed with ventilator at Rs 15,000-Rs 18,000 per day. Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate. It goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations. Anybody can embrace Yoga, the prime minister said. If our immunity is strong, it is of great help in defeating this disease. For boosting immunity, there are several techniques in Yoga, various asanas' are there, he said. COVID-19 specifically attacks our respiratory system which gets strengthened on doing 'Pranayama' or breathing exercise, Modi said. In his message on the sixth International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for Yoga more than ever. In an order issued on June 9, the government had directed medical directors of all the designated COVID hospitals under Delhi government to arrange oxygen supply for all the hospital beds. However, the government, in supercession of its earlier order, said hospitals may now not procure oxygen concentrators or oxygen cylinders. Delhi government on Saturday said it is in the process of procuring oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders and directed hospitals under it to not procure them for COVID-19 patients, according to an official order issued on Saturday. Trump said the United States had now tested 25 million people, far more than other countries. "When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please," Trump told a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where many supporters were not wearing face masks. US President Donald Trump yesterday told thousands of cheering supporters he had asked US officials to slow down testing for the novel coronavirus, calling it a "double-edged sword" that led to more cases being discovered, reports Reuters. The campaign's communications director, Tim Murtaugh, said in a statement that quarantine procedures were immediately initiated and no staff member who tested positive would attend the event. He said no one who had immediate contact with those staffers would attend, either. Murtaugh said campaign staff members are tested for COVID-19 as part of the campaign's safety protocols. President Donald Trump's campaign says six staff members helping set up for his Saturday night rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for coronavirus. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a video conference with his counterparts of Haryana and Uttarakhand, M L Khattar and Trivendra Singh Rawat , respectively, and discussed the issue of annual Kanwar yatra in Shravan, an official release issued here said. Kanwar yatra during the auspicious month of 'Shravan' will remain suspended this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official release issued on Saturday. Assam now has 2,041 active cases, while three persons have migrated out of the state. Nine people have so far died of the viral disease, the minister said. With 136 more coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals on Saturday, the number of recoveries climbed to 3,202, he said. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Assam rose to 5,255 on Saturday with 249 new instances of the viral infection, while the death toll in the state stayed at nine, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. South Korea has reported 48 new cases of COVID-19 as health authorities struggle to contain a resurgence that's erasing some of the country's hard-won gains against the virus. Figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today brought the national caseload to 12,421 confirmed infections including 280 deaths, reports AP. Delhi on Saturday reported its highest single-day increase of 3,630 new coronavirus cases. With this, the states tally rose to 56,746. The toll rose to 2,112 with 77 deaths. As many as 7,725 people recovered, taking the total recoveries to 31,294. The number of discharged patients was 661 and of them 39 were relieved form hospitals in a 24-hour period till 3 pm on Saturday, the data shared by the district administration said. So far, 18 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in the district, it stated. Forty-one new COVID-19 patients were recorded in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Saturday and the number of active cases reached 690, according to official data, even as discrepancies emerged in the statistics. Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 4,10,461, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. The toll in India due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 13,254 with 1,69,451 reported active cases and 2,27,755 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far. The total number of global COVID-19 cases surge to over 87 lakh, while the deaths near 4,63,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University. As of now, the total number of cases stand at 87,68,285, while the fatalities increased to 4,63,999. With 22,54,630 cases and 1,19,714 deaths, the US continues with the world's highest number of Covid-19 infections and fatalities. Brazil comes in the second place with 10,32,913 infections and 49,976 deaths. With 1,28,205 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (56,845) and Delhi (56,746). India reports 15,413 new cases and 306 deaths in 24 hours. This is the highest single-day rise in infections so far. The country now has 4,10,461 cases and the toll stood at 13,254. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 68,07,226 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the country till 9.00 am today. Of these, 1,90,730 were tested in the last 24 hours. 136 deaths and 1,197 new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Mumbai on Saturday, taking the total number of such cases to 65,265. The toll is at 3,559, reports ANI quoting the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The Ministry of Civil Aviation says the government-imposed cap on airfares may be extended beyond 24 August. Addressing a press conference along with Kharola, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said the government will start thinking on resumption of international passenger flights in mid-July when it expects the domestic air traffic to reach 50-55 percent of pre-COVID levels. Rajasthan on Sunday records 154 new coronavirus cases and four deaths. The states total rises to 14,691 and the toll reaches 341, ANI reports. The Trump administration officials have described it as Wuhan virus due to its origin. Trump has repeatedly blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year and accused Beijing of suppressing the details of the contagion. US President Donald Trump has once again blamed China for the global spread of the deadly coronavirus which has killed over 450,000 people and infected more than 8.5 million others, terming the disease as Kung flu . Pune reported its highest single-day rise in cases on Sunday, with 823 new infection. The total number of positive cases in Pune is now 15,004, while the toll is 584, ANI reports. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held discussion via video conferencing with Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The three Chief Ministers have decided to postpone this year's Kanwar Yatra in the wake of COVID19 pandemic, as suggested by religious leaders & kanwar org, reports ANI. Odisha today recorded 304 fresh cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of cases to 5,160 including 1,607 active cases, according to the state health department. Over the past 24 hours, Andhra Pradesh saw 477 new COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths. There are 8,929 cases, including 4,516 active cases. in Andhra Pradesh, as per the state health department. As per the Government of India, the recovery rate has improved to 55.49 percent among COVID-19 patients across the country with 13,925 being cured over the past 24 hours. In all, 2,27,755 patients have been cured. President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said practicing yoga can help keep the body fit and mind serene amid the coronavirus pandemic. Extending greetings on the International Day of Yoga, he said the ancient science of yoga is Indias great gift to the world. Glad to see more and more people adopting it, he tweeted and shared some of his pictures in which he is seen performing yoga. Amid stress and strife, especially with COVID-19, practicing yoga can help keep the body fit and mind serene, the president said in another tweet. Yoga practitioners have less chances of getting infected by coronavirus, Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik said on Sunday. Talking to PTI on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Mr Naik also said the propagation of yoga across the country and the world during the Narendra Modi-led regime has helped in the fight against COVID-19. As many as 1,788 swab samples were tested in the district in the last 24 hours and out of these, 41 came out positive for coronavirus, Indores Chief Medical and Health Officer M P Sharma said. Four more deaths due to the disease were also reported in the district, taking the toll to 197, he said. The number of COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district rose to 4,329 on Sunday after 41 more people tested positive for the disease, a health official said. With over 1,000 new cases reported Saturday, the number of positive cases in the financial capital stands at 65,329. For the second consecutive day, Mumbai recorded over 100 deaths due to the novel coronavirus. On Saturday, 136 people succumbed to the infection, which also the highest single-day toll in the city, reports The Indian Express. The total death toll in Mumbai now stands at 3,561. On Friday, too, the city had registered 114 deaths. The 57-year-old stand-up artiste collapsed in the middle of his set at Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville on Friday night. Actor-comedian DL Hughley has revealed that he has tested positive for novel coronavirus. The comic and activist, who was admitted to a Nashville hospital on Friday night after he passed out during a stand-up set, said he was asymptomatic. Rest will have to continue to stay in COVID care centres as per MoHFW guidelines. Those in home isolation must follow home isolation guidelines by MoHFW and stay in touch with health care providers so if their condition deteriorates, they can be moved to COVID hospitals, orders Delhi Govt. Individuals who test positive will be referred to COVID care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, the severity of illness and co-morbities. Physical assessment to be done for adequate facilities for home isolation so that cluster of cases doesn't develop in locality. If the adequate facility for home isolation exists, and person on clinical assessment is found to have no co-morbidities and doesn't require hospitalisation, he would be offered to either continue to stay in COVID centre/paid isolation facility or can opt for home isolation. Of the 133 fresh cases, 73 are from Kamrup (Metro), 31 from Nagaon, 18 from Jorhat, five from Udalguri, two each from Golaghat and Majuli and one each from Dhemaji and Tinsukia, the minister said. Assam currently has 2,174 active cases. Nine people have died due to the disease so far, and three have migrated out of the state, reports PTI. A total of 133 more people tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, taking the tally in the state to 5,388, Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Till now, 140 patients had been treated and discharged from the hospitals in the Union Territory. The number of active cases was 218 in the whole Union Territory. Of them 209 were being treated in Puducherry, eight in Karaikal and one in Yanam. He had been under ventilator support for nearly a week, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar told reporters on Sunday. Thirty-one fresh cases of COVID-19were reported in Puducherry during the last 24 hours. A 64-year-old man from neighbouring Krimambakkam village died of the infection in JIPMER hospital on Sunday. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Pakistan reported 4,951 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the nation's tally to 176,617 on Sunday. Wahab, whose tests results came back positive on Saturday, has put himself under quarantine. The News International quoted Wahab saying that he has no symptoms currently and is feeling alright. Sindh provincial government's spokesperson Murtaza Wahab has tested positive for the coronavirus, adding to the list of politicians who have contracted the virus that has killed over 3,500 people in Pakistan. BOCI, which claims to represent 20,000 operators with 15 lakh buses and maxi-cabs and 11 lakh tourist taxis providing direct employment to 1 crore people, said these private operators need government support in the form of waiver of taxes and interest on loans as many of them are facing closure. Around 20 lakh people have lost employment and an equal number are staring at job loses as private bus and tourist taxi operators have been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, according to the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). One death and 88 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours in the police force, taking the total number of confirmed cases and deaths in the department to 4,048 and 47 deaths, respectively. Satyendar Jains condition has improved after being administered plasma therapy, reports ANI citing the Office of Delhi Health Minister. The officer said, "His fever has subsided and oxygen level has improved. Doctors say that he can be shifted to the general ward by tomorrow. " Telangana Health Minister E Rajender on Sunday hit back at BJP chief J P Nadda for criticising the state's handling of COVID-19, saying he made baseless allegations and asked the national party not to indulge in "cheap politics". Seeking to turn the tables, he accused the Centre of diverting testing kits meant for the state and giving only two lakh N95 masks and 'some' PPE kits as if "it gave alms" while the state on its own procured the necessary gadgets to battle the coronavirus. In a strongly worded reaction a day after Nadda questioned "low" testing in Telangana, Rajender asked him to look at the situation in BJP-ruled states before criticising others. Rajasthan reports 393 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths till 8.30 pm today. Total number of cases rise to 14,930 including 2,984 active cases, 349 deaths and 11,355 discharges reports ANI quoting the state health department. Of the new cases, 112 were recorded in Dholpur district and 60 in Jaipur, which also reported four deaths. The Mizoram government on Sunday extended the ongoing total lockdown in state capital Aizawl, 10 other district headquarters and containment areas for another eight days till 30 June to contain further spread of coronavirus infection. The total lockdown was imposed on 9 June after the number of coronavirus cases in the Northeastern state jumped from 1 to 42 in a week. The measure was scheduled to be in force till Monday. Telangana on Sunday reported 730 new cases, seven deaths and 225 recoveries, taking the total cases to 7,802, toll to 210 and active cases to 3,861. Of the 730 new patients, 659 were found in GHMC, according to a state health department bulletin. Thirteen employees of the National Human Rights Commission, including some senior officials, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past ten days, sources told PTI on Sunday.The NHRC office is located in the six-storeyed Manavadhikar Bhawan in INA area in south Delhi. "Thirteen employees have tested positive for COVID-19, including some senior officials. We have informed the surveillance team of the government. Many people have gone into home isolation already and full contacting-tracing is being done," a source told PTI. Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 3,870 new cases of the novel coronavirus infection and 101 deaths, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1,32,075, reports News18. The death toll stands at 6,170. A high-level committee set up by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday recommended mapping of all containment zones in Delhi again for better management of the COVID-19 situation and vigorous contact tracing positive cases. The home minister advised the Delhi government to implement the recommendations of VK Paul Committee.The committee has recommended mapping of containment zones in Delhi again and a strict vigil on activities inside such areas, the home ministry said in a statement. Mumbai on Sunday recorded 1,242 new coronavirus positive cases and 41 deaths, taking the total positive cases to 66,507 and toll to 3,669. A total of 33,491 have been discharged till date and the city now has 29,347 active cases, reports ANI quoting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The number of COVID-19 deaths in Bihar increased to 51 on Sunday after two fatalities were reported, while coronavirus cases in the state rose to 7,665 with 162 people testing positive for the disease, the health department said. One death each was reported from Begusarai and Gaya districts. The health department, however, did not provide details like age, sex and travel history of the two deceased and whether they died before or after testing positive. Out of the 51 COVID-19 deaths across the state, Darbhanga has reported highest number of five fatalities. to 2,089, a government bulletin said. Now, the total number of active cases in the state is 672. Sixty-two more people tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Jharkhand on Sunday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Mumbai on Sunday recorded 1,242 new coronavirus positive cases and 41 deaths, taking the total positive cases to 66,507 and toll to 3,669. A total of 33,491 have been discharged till date and the city now has 29,347 active cases. Telangana on Sunday reported 730 new cases, seven deaths and 225 recoveries, taking the total cases to 7,802, toll to 210 and active cases to 3,861. Of the 730 new patients, 659 were found in GHMC, according to a state health department bulletin. Telangana Health Minister E Rajender on Sunday hit back at BJP chief J P Nadda for criticising the state's handling of COVID-19, saying he made baseless allegations and asked the national party not to indulge in 'cheap politics'. Seeking to turn the tables, he accused the Centre of diverting testing kits meant for the state and giving only two lakh N95 masks and 'some' PPE kits. Delhi reported 3,000 new cases on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to 59,746. The COVID-19 toll has risen to 2,175 after 63 deaths were reported today. Tamil Nadu reports the highest single-day spike of 2,532 of new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state total to 59,377, reports ANI quoting the state health department. 53 deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours. There are 25,863 active cases now in the state while the toll has risen to 757. The Delhi government has issued a revised order stating that the novel coronavirus patients who do not have comorbidities or require hospitalisation could opt for home isolation following withdrawal of the decision on five-day mandatory institutional quarantine, reports PTI. Spain's national state of emergency has ended after three months of restrictions on movement to rein in its COVID-19 outbreak. One death and 88 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours in the police force, taking the total number of confirmed cases and deaths in the department to 4,048 and 47 deaths, respectively. For the second consecutive day, Mumbai recorded over 100 deaths due to the novel coronavirus. On Saturday, 136 people succumbed to the infection, which also the highest single-day toll in the city, reports The Indian Express. The total death toll in Mumbai now stands at 3,561 with 65,329 total cases. As per the Government of India, the recovery rate has improved to 55.49 percent among COVID-19 patients across the country with 13,925 being cured over the past 24 hours. In all, 2,27,755 patients have been cured Pune reported its highest single-day rise in cases on Sunday, with 823 new infection. The total number of positive cases in Pune is now 15,004, while the toll is 584, ANI reports. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 68,07,226 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the country till 9.00 am today. Of these, 1,90,730 were tested in the last 24 hours. India reports 15,413 new cases and 306 deaths in 24 hours. This is the highest single-day rise in infections so far. The country now has 4,10,461 cases and the toll stood at 13,254. As many as 2,27,755 people have recovered. In his message on the sixth International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for Yoga more than ever. US President Donald Trump yesterday told thousands of cheering supporters he had asked US officials to slow down testing for the novel coronavirus, calling it a "double-edged sword" that led to more cases being discovered India on Saturday reported a record single-day spike of 14,516 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 3,95,048. The toll from the COVID-19 outbreak rose to 12,948 with 375 new fatalities, according to Union health ministry data. The number of recoveries also continued to rise with 2,13,830 patients cured so far, while there were 1,68,269 active cases, according to the official figures updated at 8 am. With this, around 54.13 percent of patients have recovered while one patient has migrated, said the health ministry. According to news agency PTI, India registered over 10,000 cases for the ninth day in a row. The country has witnessed a surge of over two lakh infections from 1 June, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh among the top five states that have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, a 1,000-bed temporary hospital is being set up at Byculla in light of the growing number of infections. The hospital will be equipped with 300 ICU beds with oxygen supply and other facilities and will be ready by the end of this month, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in a statement. India is the fourth worst-hit nation by the pandemic after the US, Brazil and Russia. According to the Johns Hopkins University, which has been compiling COVID-19 data from all over the world, India is at the eighth position in terms of the toll. According to the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 dashboard, the virus has infected 85,25,042 persons and has claimed 4,56,973 lives across the globe. Maharashtra accounts for most deaths, infections Of the 375 new deaths reported since Friday morning, 142 were from Maharashtra, 66 from Delhi, 41 from Tamil Nadu, 27 from Gujarat, 23 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from West Bengal, 10 each from Rajasthan, Karnataka and Haryana, nine each from Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, six from Bihar, four each from Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and three from Telangana. Of the total 12,948 deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest with 5,893 fatalities, followed by Delhi with 2,035 deaths, Gujarat with 1,618, Tamil Nadu with 666, West Bengal with 529, Madhya Pradesh with 495, Uttar Pradesh with 488, Rajasthan with 333 and Telangana with 198 deaths. Maharashtra has also reported the maximum number of cases so far at 1,24,331 followed by Tamil Nadu at 54,449, Delhi at 53,116, Gujarat at 26,141, Uttar Pradesh at 15,785, Rajasthan at 14,156 and West Bengal at 13,090, according to the health ministry's morning update. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 11,582 in Madhya Pradesh, 9,743 in Haryana, 8,281 in Karnataka, 7,961 in Andhra Pradesh and 7,181 in Bihar. "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said, adding 9,265 cases are being reassigned to states. Centre asks states to ensure implementation of home quarantine guidelines The health ministry also said that the number of testing labs has gone up to 974, including 715 government labs and 259 private labs. In the last 24 hours, 1,89,869 samples were tested. The total number of samples tested thus far is 66,16,496. The Centre asked states to ensure implementation of its guidelines on home isolation issued on 10 May "in letter and spirit" to effectively contain the spread of the coronavirus, after taking note of instances of laxity. "We have collectively been following the policy of test, trace, track and isolate and the same may not be feasible if the guidelines issued are not implemented in letter and spirit," Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said in his letter to states. "It is again reiterated that the urban congested settlements exercising the option of home isolation may result in patient spreading the infection to family members and in the neighbourhood. In this context, it is requested to ensure strict implementation of the guidelines on home isolation at the field level," he said. Institutional quarantine only for those who don't have facilities at home, clarifies Delhi L-G In Delhi, facing stiff opposition from the state government, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said that only those COVID-19 positive patients who don't require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and don't have adequate facilities for home isolation will need to undergo institutional isolation Regarding institutional isolation, only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment & do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institutional isolation. LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) June 20, 2020 Baijal had on Friday issued orders making five-day institutional quarantine mandatory for COVID-19 patients in the National Capital, sparking off criticism from the AAP government. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh called the decision "very unfair", saying that ICMR guidelines allow patients with mild symptoms to be home quarantined but a different order has been issued for Delhi. AAP MLA Raghav Chadha said many people will not get tested in fear of being whisked away to quarantine centres. Chadha also said Delhi would need 15,000 beds by 30 June, but after this order 90,000 beds will be required. "From where will we get these beds?" he asked. Saturday's orders came after Baijal met with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and officials of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. During the meeting, the DDMA also approved the recommendations of High-Level Expert Committee for fixing subsidised rates for treatment in private hospitals Delhi. The committee had recommended Rs 8,000-10,000 for isolation beds, Rs 13,000-15,000 for ICUs without ventilator and Rs 15,000-18,000 including PPE costs for ICUs with ventilator. Additionally, the meeting also decided that a maximum of 60 percent beds of private hospitals will be used for COVID-19 patients and of those, 100 percent coronavirus beds will be subsidised, said Sisodia. 60% . . 100% . Decision - 100% COVID beds shall be subsidized upto an upper limit of 60% of total hospital capacity. 3/N Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 20, 2020 As the number of cases continued to rise, the Delhi government also issued an order cancelling leaves of all the staff working in its hospitals and medical institutions with immediate effect. The order issued on 19 June also said that leaves of any kind will be granted to anyone under "most compelling circumstances". Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launches Favipiravir, to cost Rs 103 a tablet In an important development, drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet. The drug will be available as a 200 mg tablet at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 3,500 for a strip of 34 tablets through hospitals as well as retail channels, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said. Tamil Nadu, Kerala report highest daily spikes Meanwhile, many states and Union territories continued reporting an increase in both cases and deaths. Tamil Nadu reported a record single-day spike of 2,396 fresh COVID-19 cases, registering over 2,000 infections for a fourth straight day as the overall case count rose to 56,845 in the state, the Health department said. Also, 38 people succumbed to the virus in the state, taking the toll to 704. Kerala also reported its highest single-day jump in cases with 127 new infections taking the count to 3,039. Coronavirus cases went past 8,000 in Andhra Pradesh as 491 were added anew, taking the total to 8,452, even as the toll rose to 101 with five fresh casualties. The state government also announced its decision to cancel the AP SSC (Class 10) public examinations and promote the students in order to safeguard their health. The Gujarat High Court ordered stay on holding the annual Rath Yatra procession in the name of Lord Jagannath due to concerns over the mounting number of infections. Gujarat reported 539 new coronavirus patients on Saturday which took the aggregate number of cases in the state to 26,737, the health department said. With 20 COVID-19 patients dying during the day, the toll due to the pandemic rose to 1,639 in Gujarat, it said. Ahmedabad reported 306 new coronavirus cases during the day. The district has reported 18,564 cases so far. Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday recorded 154 fresh COVID-19 cases, including a policeman and 14 CRPF personnel, taking the total number of infected people in the Union Territory to 5,834. The UT has witnessed the death of 81 people due to COVID-19. Five coronavirus deaths were reported from Haryana on Saturday, all from the worst-affected Gurgaon and Faridabad districts, while the virus count rose to 10,223 with 480 fresh cases, according to a state government bulletin. Among others, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan and West Bengal too added new infections to their case count. Narendra Modi launches 'Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan' Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an employment scheme with an outlay of Rs 50,000 crore for migrant workers who returned to their home states during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The 'Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan' will be implemented on a mission mode in 125 days in 116 districts of six states Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha that received the maximum numbers of migrant workers back. Under the scheme, a wide variety of works will ensure that each migrant worker is able to get an opportunity of employment according to his skill in the coming 125 days, said the Ministry for Rural Development in a statement, adding that the programme will also prepare for expansion and development of livelihoods over a longer term. Underlining that migrant workers were always in the Centre's thoughts during the lockdown, the prime minister said it is an endeavour of his government that workers get jobs near their home and help in the development of villages. With inputs from PTI SPRINGFIELD The Strong Young Minds Youth Development Program hosted a community graduation ceremony on Saturday afternoon, June 20. High school students were cheered by family and loved ones at School Street Park in Agawam. Local educators, along with Springrfield City Councilor Adam Gomez, were among those who acknowledged the graduates. As with other graduation events in recent weeks, mask use and social distancing guidelines were not always followed. Coronavirus Outbreak Updates:Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, on Saturday recorded 160 deaths and the highest single-day rise of 3,874 new infections, pushing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1,28,205 and the toll to 5,984., said the state health department. Auto refresh feeds At least 3,066 patients have been discharged taking the COVID-19 recovery rate to 61.25 percent in the state. Of the total, there are 1,928 active cases while, nine deaths have been reported so far, said Sarma. At least 102 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Assam, taking the total number of infections to 5,006 on Saturday, ANI quoted health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as saying. The toll climbed to 2,035 after 66 more people succumbed to the viral disease in the past 24 hours. With 3,137 new positive cases, Delhi reported the highest number of COVID-19 infections in a single day taking the total in the National Capital to 53,116 on Saturday. At least nine patients have recovered so far. With 10 more people testing positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, the total number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 140, informed the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram on Saturday. Of the total, there are 131 active coronavirus cases. He has been asked to respond to the notice within three days, reported ANI. Director of Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Maharashtra, issues show-cause notice to the Dean of a government hospital in Latur district for allegedly asking a COVID-19 patient to buy medicines from the market. "Delhi is reviewed regularly in the Ministry of Home Affairs and it was observed that 'home isolation' without physical contact to monitor the patients may be a reason for increase in spread of increase in COVID-19 infections in Delhi," Baijal said in a letter to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and top officials of the Delhi government. Blaming lack of "physical contact to monitor patients" during home isolation for the spurt of coronavirus cases in the National Capital, Baijal directed the authorities to conduct physical surveillance of those in self-quarantine. No COVID-19 patient must be allowed to undergo home isolation before mandatory five-day institutional quarantine, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said in an order, prompting a sharp response from the Delhi government, which has been grappling with an acute shortage of hospital beds. While the COVID-19 toll in the city reached 3,423 after 114 patients succumbed ot the disease. Of 114 deaths, 55 deaths were recorded between 16-18 June and the remaining 59 were recorded before 15 June. Mumbai registered a total of 64,068 COVID-19 infections on Saturday after 1,269 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). After 41 more individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Jharkhand, the state's total confirmed cases reached 1,961 on Saturday. Of the total, there are 615 active coronavirus cases in the state. One more policeman died of COVID-19 in Mumbai on Friday, taking the number of casualties in Mumbai Police to 31. A total of 2,349 police personnel have contracted the disease so far in the city, ANI quoted Mumbai Police PRO, Pranay Ashok, as saying. With 375 more deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll across the nation jumped to 12,948. India registered 14,516 new COVID-19 infections for the first in a single day, taking the total confirmed cases over 3.9 lakh on Saturday, according to the latest data of the health ministry. Of the total 3,95,048 COVID-19 infections, there are 1,68,269 active cases across the nation, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday. As many as 12948 deaths were recorded so far, taking the COVID-19 mortality rate to 3.3 percent. While, there are 1,68,269 active cases in the country of the total 3.95 lakh cases. The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in India was more than the active cases on Saturday. After 2,13,831 patients were cured of the viral infection, the COVID-19 recovery rate across the nation climbed to 54.13 percent. Modi will launch the scheme worth Rs 50,000 crore through video conference in presence of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a massive rural public works scheme, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, on Saturday to create jobs for millions of migrant workers who returned home during the coronavirus pandemic. The programme will cover 116 districts across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha. All these districts have received more than 25,000 migrant workers during the lockdown. The campaign of 125 days across 116 districts in six states, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, aims to work in mission mode to help migrant workers. "His latest CT scan report shows that the pneumonia patches in his lungs have increased. He experienced increased giddiness and tiredness today. The advice of doctors will be followed," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. The minister is experiencing difficulty in breathing and is running high fever. He has also developed pneumonia. Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, who tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, has been shifted to a private hospital and will be given plasma therapy, doctors said. "As per our calculation, Delhi needs 15,000 beds by 30 June but after this order, now we need 90,000 beds by the end of the month. From where will we get 90,000 beds?" said AAP MLA Raghav Chadha after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal ordered to make five-day institutional quarantine mandatory for COVID-19 patients. The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, a rural public works scheme, will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide jobs and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country with a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore. Rajasthan reported 158 COVID-19 cases till 10.30 am on Saturday, taking total number of cases to 14,314 out of which 2,860 cases are active. Number of deaths due to the disease stood at 333, said the state health department. Migrant workers who have returned to Bihar are now wiling to stay back in their native places hence, it is important to create employment opportunities for them, said Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said during the launch of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on Saturday. More than 20 lakh people came to Bihar via trains and we made arrangements for them in quarantine centres in every district, said Kumar. During the lockdown, I interacted through video conference with labourers in different districts after they returned to Bihar. I felt that they don't want to go to other states for work, said Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during the launch of 'Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan' on Saturday. The nation is proud of the sacrifice made by the Indian Army soldiers in Ladakh. Today when I am speaking to people of Bihar, I will say the valour was of Bihar Regiment, every Bihari is proud of it. I pay tributes to those who laid down their lives for the nation, said Narendra Modi during the launch of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on Saturday. Of the total, there are 1,543 active cases in the state. With 179 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Odisha, the total number of confirmed cases climbed to 4,856 on Saturday, said the state health department. "Ending home isolation is against ICMR guidelines and will create chaos in Delhi," said Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The Delhi government will oppose Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's order to end home isolation of COVID-19 patients in the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting scheduled for 12 pm on Saturday. After the death of a 60-year-old COVID-19 patient in Puri district, the toll in Odisha climbed to 12 on Saturday, said state health department. 179 more people tested positive for the viral disease, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 4,856. "COVID-19 is a huge menace, the whole world has been shaken by it but you stood tall. The way India's villages have fought coronavirus, it has taught a lesson even to the cities," said Modi. During the launch of the Rs 50,000-crore employment scheme for migrant workers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the efforts of the villages in its attempt to curb the fast-spreading novel coronavirus. Under the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, for the development of villages, Rs 50,000 crores will be spent to give you employment. With this amount, about 25 work areas have been identified for employment in villages, for development works, said Narendra Modi on Saturday. The whole world was affected by Corona, but you stood firm. The way coronavirus has been fought in the villages of India, it has also given a big lesson to the cities, said the prime minister. In a country with more than 6 lakh villages, which is over two-thirds of India's population, you have effectively prevented the infection of coronavirus in rural India, said Narendra Modi on Saturday. "It is our endeavour that workers get jobs near home; till now you were developing cities, now you will help your village," he said. Talking about the role of rural India in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The way villages have fought coronavirus has taught big lesson to cities. Whether someone acknowledges your work or not, I hail your contribution in fighting coronavirus." He said this will make people evade testing which will further increase the spread of infection, ANI quoted sources as saying. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday opposed L-G Anil Baijal's decision of five-day compulsory institutional quarantine for COVID-19 patients at the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) meeting. "There is already a shortage of healthcare staff, how will it be possible to arrange doctors and nurses for thousands of patients at quarantine centres," said Kejriwal. Opposing Lt Governor Anil Baijal's order to "scrap" home isolation, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said when the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is allowing home-isolation for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases across the country, then why different rules are being implemented in Delhi. As many as 131 COVID-19 patients were cured of the viral infection. Puducherry recorded 52 fresh cases of COVID-19, taking total number of infections to 338 on Saturday, said the health department. So far, seven deaths have been recorded in the Union Territory. Another meeting will be held at 5 pm on Saturday to further discuss the issue, said Sisodia. A consensus could not be reached at the SDMA meeting on rates of beds at private hospitals and Delhi L-G's order of ending home isolation, said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday. With this, the state added highest single-day deaths in the state till date. Punjab recorded 217 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, pushing the total to 3,832, and reported nine more death, taking the toll to 92, according to an official statement. Of the 217 fresh cases, Jalandhar recorded 79 cases and Amritsar 35. The state health department said 2,636 patients had so far recovered, and the number of active cases stood at 1,104. The COVID-19 patients who died in Punjab were from Amritsar, Moga, Barnala, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Patiala and Tarn Taran districts. "Currently, there are more than 10,000 people under home isolation and there are only 6,000 beds at quarantine centres, where will we accommodate all the people?," said Manish Sisodia, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that if home isolation ended in the National Capital for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 cases then there will be chaos. Each tablet is priced at Rs 103. It will be available at hospitals and at chemist shops and will be sold under medical prescription. Glenmark Pharma's antiviral drug Favipiravir (branded as FabiFlu) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in India is expected to be available from Saturday evening. The fresh cases raised the virus count in the northeastern state to 135 on Friday, the official said. Arunachal Pradesh registered its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases as 32 more people tested positive for it, a senior health official said on Saturday. Most of the 27 COVID-19 patients in Daman are factory workers who cross the border to work in industrial units at Vapi in neighbouring Gujarat and vice versa, the officials said. The number of COVID-19 positive patients in Daman district of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu has gone up to 27 with eight fresh cases, following which the administration has sealed the districts border with Gujarat border for a few days, officials said on Saturday. According to the report , Shenashishs mother-in-law and father-in-law were also diagnosed with the virus last week. Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly's family members have tested positive for Coronavirus. Snehashish Ganguly, the secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and Souravs elder brother, has been infected by COVID-19, the health state department said on Friday. Also, Snehashish's wife has been infected with the virus. Odisha also recorded 179 new cases of the respiratory ailment, including 18 disaster response personnel, he said. "Regret to report the death of a 60-year-old COVID positive male of Puri district while under treatment at hospital," the Health and Family Welfare Department said in a statement. "The deceased was also suffering for long from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," it said. A 60-year-old man from Puri district became the latest COVID-19 fatality in Odisha, raising the death toll due to the contagion in the state to 12, a health department official said on Saturday. With another death, the COVID-19 toll in the police force climbed to 46. So far, 2,925 cops have been cured of the infectious disease. In the past 48 hours, at least 140 fresh coronavirus cases were reported among police personnel, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 3,960 on Saturday, ANI quoted Maharashtra Police as saying. Close to 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreign countries, have been brought back to the country in flights and ships during the lockdown, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday. "Any suggestion that international traffic has opened up and we are the only one not to open up needs reality check. The exact time when we will resume international flight depends on the other countries to be open to receive flights," said the aviation minister. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said that repatriation flights under managed and controlled conditions will continue until there's an absence of decision in resuming international flights by other countries. In the third and fourth phases of Vande Bharat Mission, 750 repatriation flights will be operated by domestic private carriers to bring back stranded Indians from foreign countries, said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday. "Out of 1000 beds, 300 are ICU beds with oxygen supply and other facilities. It will be operational by the end of June," BMC said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up a special COVID-19 hospital with 1,000 beds in Richardson and Cruddas (engineering company) premises in Mumbai's Byculla. Tamil Nadu reports 2,396 fresh COVID19 cases and 38 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 56,845, reports ANI quoting the state health department. According to the latest update, there are 24,822 active cases now in the state while the toll has touched 704. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has approved recommendations of the high-level expert committee to fix rates of beds for COVID-19 patients. Rates for isolation beds,ICUs without and with ventilator in hospitals are capped at Rs 8000-10000,13000-15000 and15000-18000,respectively, ANI quotes Delhi LG Anil Baijal as saying. 136 deaths and 1,197 new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Mumbai today, taking the total number of such cases to 65,265. The death toll is at 3,559, reports ANI quoting the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. A stenographer in Delhi cabinet minister Rajendra Pal Gautam's office died due to coronavirus, an official told PTI on Saturday.. Ashok Kumar (48), a resident of Ashok Vihar breathed his last at Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital on Friday afternoon, the official said. Kumar had a fever and was put on a ventilator two days ago. His younger brother had died of the deadly infection on June 7, the official said. Kumar's wife and son have also tested positive for coronavirus. Telangana reports 546 new cases, taking the total number of cases to 7,072. Death count stands at 203 after five more fatalities reported today, reports ANI quoting the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Telangana. The number of COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh increased to 2,076 after 49 people, including four ITBP and three CRPF troopers, tested positive for novel coronavirus on Saturday, a health official said. An elderly COVID-19 patient died due to comorbidity at a hospital \, taking the number of coronavirus fatalities in the state to 11, he said. As many as 63 patients were discharged as well during the day, he added. The Punjab government will cap the hospitalisation and treatment charges for coronavirus patients in private hospitals and those not adhering to it will be shut down, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Saturday. The fee structure for private hospitals and clinics is expected to be finalised by Monday, he said during his #AskCaptain session on Facebook. Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, on Saturday recorded 160 deaths and the highest single-day rise of 3,874 new infections, pushing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1,28,205 and the toll to 5,984, reports ANI quoting the state health department. The Karnataka government on Saturday issued an order notifying private empaneled hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, reports PTI, Pointing out that a total of 518 private medical colleges or hospitals throughout the state are empaneled under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme (ABArK), a note by the state health department said they are permitted to admit and treat COVID-19 patients as per the government protocol and criteria. Bengaluru has 44 such medical colleges or hospitals. The US National Institutes of Health said on Saturday it has halted a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study found that hydroxychloroquine, which President Donald Trump has frequently touted a possible treatment, did not provide any benefit to the patients, even though it did no harm, NIH said in a statement. Delhi reports highest single-day spike of 3,630 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of such infections in the National Capital to 56,746. Death toll rises to 2,112 with 77 deaths today, reports ANI. the highest rise in a single day, a health official said on Saturday. The number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 15,004, while the death toll reached 584 after 15 people lost their lives to the infection during this period, he added. The number of coronavirus positive cases in Pune district in Maharashtra crossed the 15,000- mark after 823 people tested positive in the last 24 hours, Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, on Saturday recorded 160 deaths and the highest single-day rise of 3,874 new infections, pushing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1,28,205 and the toll to 5,984., said the state health department. 136 deaths and 1,197 new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Mumbai today, taking the total number of such cases to 65,265. The death toll is at 3,559, reports ANI quoting the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Gujarat High Court has ordered that the Jagannath Rath Yatra that was scheduled to take place on 23 June in Ahmedabad will not be held in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The state reported 539 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Saturday, taking the case count to 26,737 and fatalities to 1,639. During the last 24 hours, a total of 9,120 COVID-19 patients have been cured, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,13,830, stated a PIB release quoting updates from the Union health ministry. The recovery rate is 54.13 percent, it said, adding that there are 1,68,269 active cases and all are under active medical supervision. Tamil Nadu reports 2,396 fresh COVID19 cases and 38 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 56,845, reports ANI quoting the state health department. Delhi LG Anil Baijal has withdrawn the order mandating five-days institutional quarantine for COVID-19 patients in the National Capital, said reports. "Regarding institutional isolation, only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institutional isolation," he said on Twitter. The Andhra Pradesh government has decided not to conduct 10 class exams in the wake of COVID-19, ANI quotes State Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh as saying. The exams were scheduled to be held from 10 July. Close to 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreign countries, have been brought back to the country in flights and ships during the lockdown, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday. In the past 48 hours, at least 140 fresh coronavirus cases were reported among police personnel, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 3,960 on Saturday, ANI quoted Maharashtra Police as saying. With another death, the COVID-19 toll in the police force climbed to 46. So far, 2,925 cops have been cured of the infectious disease. Glenmark Pharma's antiviral drug favipiravir (branded as FabiFlu) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in India is expected to be available from Saturday evening. Each tablet is priced at Rs 103. It will be available at hospitals and at chemist shops and will be sold under medical prescription. Punjab recorded 217 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, pushing the total to 3,832, and reported nine more death, taking the toll to 92, according to an official statement. With this, the state added highest single-day deaths in the state till date. A consensus could not be reached at the SDMA meeting on rates of beds at private hospitals and Delhi L-G's order of ending home isolation, said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday. Another meeting will be held at 5 pm on Saturday to further discuss the issue, said Sisodia. Opposing Lt Governor Anil Baijal's order to "scrap" home isolation, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said when the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is allowing home-isolation for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases across the country, then why different rules are being implemented in Delhi. "There is already a shortage of healthcare staff, how will it be possible to arrange doctors and nurses for thousands of patients at quarantine centres," said Kejriwal. Under the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, for the development of villages, Rs 50,000 crores will be spent to give you employment. With this amount, about 25 work areas have been identified for employment in villages, for development works, said Narendra Modi on Saturday. During the lockdown, I interacted through video conference with labourers in different districts after they returned to Bihar. I felt that they don't want to go to other states for work, said Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during the launch of 'Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan' on Saturday. More than 20 lakh people came to Bihar via trains and we made arrangements for them in quarantine centres in every district, said Kumar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a massive rural public works scheme, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, on Saturday to create jobs for millions of migrant workers who returned home during the coronavirus pandemic. Modi will launch the scheme worth Rs 50,000 crore through video conference in presence of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in India was more than the active cases on Saturday. After 2,13,831 patients were cured of the viral infection, the COVID-19 recovery rate across the nation climbed to 54.13 percent. While, there are 1,68,269 active cases in the country of the total 3.95 lakh cases. India registered 14,516 new COVID-19 infections for the first in a single day, taking the total confirmed cases over 3.9 lakh on Saturday, according to the latest data of the health ministry. With 375 more deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll across the nation jumped to 12,948. One more policeman died of COVID-19 in Mumbai on Friday, taking the number of casualties in Mumbai Police to 31. A total of 2,349 police personnel have contracted the disease so far in the city, ANI quoted Mumbai Police PRO, Pranay Ashok, as saying. No COVID-19 patient must be allowed to undergo home isolation before mandatory five-day institutional quarantine, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said in an order, prompting a sharp response from the Delhi government, which has been grappling with an acute shortage of hospital beds. Blaming lack of "physical contact to monitor patients" during home isolation for the spurt of coronavirus cases in the National Capital, Baijal directed the authorities to conduct physical surveillance of those in self-quarantine. "Delhi is reviewed regularly in the Ministry of Home Affairs and it was observed that 'home isolation' without physical contact to monitor the patients may be a reason for increase in spread of increase in COVID-19 infections in Delhi," Baijal said in a letter to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and top officials of the Delhi government. The number of coronavirus cases in India rose by 13,586 pushing the nationwide tally to 3,80,532, while the toll rose to 12,573 with 336 new fatalities, according to the Union health ministry data. On the other hand, the number of recoveries reached 2,04,710, while there are a total of 1,63,248 active cases, according to the updated official figure at 8 am. "Thus, around 53.79 percent patients have recovered so far," an official was quoted as saying by PTI. India is the fourth worst-hit nation by the pandemic after the US, Brazil and Russia. According to the Johns Hopkins University, which has been compiling COVID-19 data from all over the world, India is at the eighth position in terms of the death toll. According to health ministry's data, of the 336 new deaths reported till Friday morning, 100 were in Maharashtra, 65 in Delhi, 49 in Tamil Nadu, 31 in Gujarat, 30 in Uttar Pradesh, 12 each in Karnataka and West Bengal, 10 in Rajasthan, six in Jammu and Kashmir, five in Punjab, four each in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, three in Telangana, two in Andhra Pradesh and one each in Assam, Jharkhand and Kerala. Of the total 12,573 deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest 5,751 fatalities followed by Delhi with 1,969 deaths, Gujarat with 1,591, Tamil Nadu with 625, West Bengal with 518, Madhya Pradesh with 486, Uttar Pradesh with 465, Rajasthan with 323 and Telangana with 195 deaths. The COVID-19 death toll reached 134 in Haryana, 114 in Karnataka, 92 in Andhra Pradesh, 83 in Punjab, 71 in Jammu and Kashmir, 44 in Bihar, 26 in Uttarakhand, 21 in Kerala and 11 in Odisha. Jharkhand has registered 11 deaths, Chhattisgarh 10, Assam 9, Himachal Pradesh 8, Puducherry 7, Chandigarh 6 while Meghalaya, Tripura and Ladakh have reported 1 fatality each, according to the Health Ministry. More than 70 percent deaths took place due to comorbidities, the ministry said. India has witnessed a surge of 1,89,997 infections from 1 to 19 June with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh among the top five states that have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra has reported maximum number of cases at 1,20,504 followed by Tamil Nadu at 52,334, Delhi at 49,979, Gujarat at 25,601, Uttar Pradesh at 15,181, Rajasthan at 13,857 and West Bengal at 12,735, according to the Health Ministry's data. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 11,426 in Madhya Pradesh, 9,218 in Haryana, 7,944 in Karnataka, 7,518 in Andhra Pradesh and 7,025 in Bihar. It has risen to 6,027 in Telangana, 5,555 in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,777 in Assam and 4,512 in Odisha. Punjab has reported 3,615 novel coronavirus cases so far, while Kerala has 2,794 cases. A total of 2,102 people have been infected by the virus in Uttarakhand, 1,946 in Chhattisgarh, 1,920 in Jharkhand, 1,155 in Tripura, 705 in Goa, 687 in Ladakh, 606 in Manipur and 595 in Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh has registered 374 COVID-19 cases, Puducherry has 271 cases, Nagaland has 193, Mizoram has 130, Arunachal Pradesh has 103, Sikkim has 70, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 58 COVID-19 cases. Meghalaya and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have registered 44 infections each so far. "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said, adding 8,927 cases are being reassigned to states. State-wise distribution is subject to further verification and reconciliation, it added. Delhi health minister's condition deteriorates Additionally, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain was admitted to the ICU after being diagnosed with pneumonia. He had tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday along with AAP MLA Atishi and two senior functionaries in the Delhi government. An official statement was quoted by News18 as saying that Jain "has been put on oxygen support after his lung infection worsened". "Jain has been shifted to Saket's Max Hospital, where he will be administered plasma therapy for COVID-19," the report added. MHA caps cost of isolation beds in Delhi pvt hospitals Meanwhile, a high-powered committee set up by Home Minister Amit Shah recommended fixing the cost of an COVID-19 isolation bed in private hospitals in Delhi in the range of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and an ICU bed with ventilator at Rs 15,000-Rs 18,000 per day, the Home Ministry said on Friday. The committee, under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member VK Paul, was constituted on Sunday to ensure the availability of 60 percent beds by private hospitals at lower rates and fix the rate of coronavirus testing and treatment. "The committee has recommended Rs 8,000-10,000, Rs 13,000-15,000 and Rs 15,000-18,000 including PPE costs for isolation bed, ICUs without and with ventilator, respectively, to all hospitals as compared to the current charges of Rs 24,000-25,000, 34,000-43,000 and 44,000-54,000 (excluding PPE cost)," the spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs tweeted. The spokesperson said the committee was set up by Shah to provide relief to the common man in the national capital and to fix rates charged by private hospitals in Delhi for isolation beds, ICUs without ventilator support and ICUs with ventilator support. The Delhi government has also capped the rate of COVID-19 RT-PCR test at Rs 2,400 with the city witnessing an alarming spurt in coronavirus cases. SC asks Centre to fix uniform testing rate in all states The Supreme Court Friday took note of the differences in COVID-19 testing charges in various states and asked the Centre to decide on the issue, and said all states should set up panel of experts to inspect hospitals to ensure proper care of the patients. A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah, which would pass the order later, observed during the hearing that there should be uniformity in COVID-19 testing charge in all states. It indicated, however, that the court will not venture into the fixation of the charges which will be taken care of by the Centre. It said the court may also consider passing an order for installation of CCTVs in hospitals to ensure monitoring of patient care. Additionally, the apex court also directed the Centre to ensure that migrant workers wanting to return to their home states before the deadline of 24 June. The court reiterated that those travelling should not be asked to pay any part of the fare. DGCI approves restricted use of antiviral drug Favipiravir In the meantime, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Friday approved restricted use of antiviral drug Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment. According to News18, the DCGI's directions for the use of Favipiravir stipulate that it "can be used only in case of emergency and family consent will be mandatory. Course duration is 14 days and conditions of the first 1,000 patients will be monitored". Glenmark will conduct phase 3 clinical trials of Favipiravir with 150 patients, the report added. WHO says COVID-19 vaccine likely by year-end The World Health Organisation's chief scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, on Thursday said that the agency is optimistic and hopeful that the COVID-19 vaccines could be available before the end of this year. Addressing a press briefing from Geneva on the latest coronavirus drug trial findings, the top WHO scientist also said that clinical trials have now definitively shown that anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine does not have an impact on preventing deaths from COVID-19. "I'm hopeful, I'm optimistic, but vaccine development is a complex undertaking and comes with a lot of uncertainty. The good thing is we have many different vaccine candidates and platforms," she said, adding that WHO's focus is also on accelerating and scaling up a potential vaccine. "If we are lucky, there will be one or two successful candidates before the end of this year," she said. There are about 10 candidates which are in human testing phase and at least three of them are entering the new promising phase-three stage which proves a vaccine's efficacy. Global scenario on COVID-19 Globally, the pandemic is waxing and waning in many places, with numbers of cases soaring in Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico (besides India) but appearing to be under control or contained in Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and New Zealand. On Friday, Britain, which has Europes highest pandemic toll with more than 42,000 virus-related deaths and over 300,000 confirmed cases, lowered its coronavirus threat level one notch Friday, becoming the latest country to claim it's getting a national outbreak under control. Meanwhile, Germany reported the country's highest daily increase in virus cases in a month after managing to contain its outbreak better than comparable large European nations. The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's disease control center, listed 770 new confirmed cases, taking the country's total to 188,534. Japan released an app Friday, using technology developed by Apple and Google, to help trace people who may have been exposed to the virus. Officials say data will only be recorded and stored in individual users' phones and deleted after 14 days to protect their privacy. Singaporeans were able to wine and dine at restaurants, work out at the gym and socialise with up to five people at a time as of Friday, after the city-state removed most of its pandemic lockdown restrictions. China declared a fresh outbreak in Beijing under control after confirming 25 new cases among some 360,000 people tested. That was up by just four from a day earlier. In South Korea, outbreaks have inspired second-guessing on whether officials were too quick to ease social distancing guidelines in April after a first wave of infections waned. Officials reported 49 cases of COVID-19 on Friday as the virus continues to spread in the densely populated capital area of Seoul, where half of its 51 million people live. About 30 to 50 new cases have been confirmed per day since late May. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 85 lakh people worldwide and killed more than 4,54,000, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The actual number is thought to be much higher because many cases are asymptomatic or go untested. In the United States, which has reported the most confirmed cases at nearly 22 lakh, states have pushed ahead with emerging from full or partial pandemic shutdowns despite surges in new cases in many places, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and California. Aid group Doctors without Borders said Friday that at least 10 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at one of the worlds largest refugee camps, the sprawling Dadaab complex in Kenya. With inputs from agencies Father's Day 2020 is finally here. Along with the rest of the world, the Telugu film industry too is celebrating this special occasion. The popular Tollywood celebs including Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, joined the father's day celebrations on social media and wished their superheroes with some adorable pictures and touching notes. The posts made by the actors have truly impressed both their respective fans and cine-goers and have been going viral on social media platforms. Here is how the Tollywood celebs including Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, and so on wished their personal superheroes... Mahesh Babu, the Tollywood superstar took to his to share a throwback picture with his father, the veteran actor-filmmaker Krishna. 'Strong, compassionate, loving, gentle, kind, caring are some of the words I could describe my relationship with my father and I can go on and on... He is all that I am and all that I'm trying to be to my kids!! Happy Father's Day NannaHeart suitHeart suit You are my way forward always', wrote Mahesh in his post. Strong, compassionate, loving, gentle, kind, caring are some of the words I could describe my relationship with my father and I can go on and on... He is all that I am and all that I'm trying to be to my kids!! Happy Fathers Day Nanna You are my way forward always pic.twitter.com/qaEvXRBhEf Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) June 21, 2020 Ram Charan, the young actor-producer wished his dear father, the megastar Chiranjeevi by posting two special pictures along with a sweet note on his social media pages. 'There is no need to define few bonds!! Happy Father's Day!!', read's Charan's post. There is no need to define few bonds!! Happy Fathers Day!! pic.twitter.com/QXotQkzDy0 Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) June 21, 2020 Allu Arjun, the crowd-puller wished his father, the popular film producer Allu Aravind by sharing a candid click on his official Instagram page. He captioned the picture 'The man who never ceases to amaze me. Happy Father's Day'. Kajal Aggarwal, the popular actress wished her father Vinay Aggarwal, by posting an adorable picture with him and her younger sister Nisha Aggarwal, on her official Insta handle. '#happyfathersday my amazing papa', wrote Kajal on her post. Also Read: Nithiin & Shalini's Wedding Preponed; Bheeshma Star To Tie The Knot Next Month? #HappyBirthdayKajal Tops The Trend List Leaving Behind Samantha Akkineni And Anushka Shetty Nepal on Saturday said it was confident that both its "friendly neighbours" India and China will resolve their border stand-off at the Line of Actual Control through peaceful means, keeping in mind the stability of the region and world peace. The Himalayan nation, sandwiched between the two Asian giants, said it has always stood firmly for regional and world peace and expressed confidence that the differences between India and China will be resolved in the "spirit of good neighbourliness". "Nepal maintains that disputes between the countries should be resolved through peaceful means," the foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement comes days after the Nepal government completed the process of redrawing the country's political map through a Constitutional amendment, incorporating three strategically important Indian areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in a move that could severely jolt bilateral relations with New Delhi. "In the context of recent developments in the Galwan Valley area between our friendly neighbours India and China, Nepal is confident that both the neighbouring countries will resolve, in the spirit of good neighbourliness, their mutual differences through peaceful means in favour of bilateral, regional and world peace and stability," it said. Nepal's statement comes in the backdrop of clashes that have taken place between the forces of two countries in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a Colonel, were killed in the clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff between the two countries. The sixth International Yoga Day is being observed across the world. Yoga unites, spreads brotherhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who played an instrumental role in popularising yoga in the world after coming to power in 2014, said in his message on Sunday. Since 2015, International Yoga Day, is a United Nations designated day. Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family, is the focus this year as experts advised people to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IMAGE: Youngsters perform yoga on the occasion of International Yoga Day, at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: People practice yoga on the bank of the Ganga River on the occasion of the international Day of Yoga, in Varanasi. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel practice yoga on the occasion of the 6th International Day of Yoga, at Khardung La in Ladakh. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: A woman performs yoga in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Youngsters perform yoga at a lawn near Vijay Chowk on the 6th International Day of Yoga, in New Delhi. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo IMAGE: A woman takes a picture of two kids at a promenade by the Arabian Sea on International Day of Yoga, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Mumbai. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters IMAGE: People, wearing protective face masks against the coronavirus disease outbreak, perform yoga on International Yoga Day in a park in Kolkata. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters IMAGE: People practice 'yoga asanas' in the Palk Strait on International Yoga Day, in Rameswaram. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: ITBP personnel practice yoga near Khardung La to mark the 6th International Day of Yoga, in Ladakh. Photograph: PTI Photo The General Administration of Customs said on its website it had decided on the suspension after the company confirmed a cluster of coronavirus cases at the plant, which is located in Springdale, Arkansas. China's customs authority said on Sunday it had suspended imports of poultry products from a plant owned by U.S.-based meat processor Tyson that has been hit by the novel coronavirus. Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said the company was looking into the issue, adding Tyson works closely with U.S. authorities to ensure its food is produced in full compliance with government safety requirements. "It is important to note that the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, USDA and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration agree that there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food," he told Reuters in an email. China also suspended pork products from German pork processor Toennies last week following a coronavirus outbreak among hundreds of its workers. China has stepped up its oversight of imported foods after a new cluster of coronavirus cases were linked to a sprawling wholesale food market in the capital just over a week ago. Beijing began testing meat, seafood and fresh produce for the coronavirus last week and some ports were opening all containers of meat to carry out coronavirus tests. On Friday, customs asked food exporters to sign a declaration that their produce is not contaminated by the virus. Imports of U.S. poultry have surged since China ended an almost five-year ban on the trade in November 2019. Correction: Reuters issued a correction to accurately reflect that the cluster of coronavirus cases was confirmed at the plant located in Springdale, Arkansas, and not in Arizona. SEOUL, June 21 (Reuters) - North Korea pledged to push ahead with its campaign to send propaganda leaflets into South Korea, saying it is not bound to any inter-Korean agreements, state media said on Sunday. Tension has been rising after North Korea blew up a joint liaison office and threatened military action over defectors in the South sending anti-North leaflets across the border. As state media reported angry North Koreans gearing up for their own "large-scale" leaflet campaign, Seoul's Unification Ministry handling cross-border affairs on Saturday urged the plan to be scrapped citing a violation of peace agreements. The United Front Department of the North's ruling party, in charge of inter-Korean affairs, rejected the ministry's calls as an "absurd nonsense." "Given their own wrongdoings, how dare they utter such words as regret and violation?" the department's spokesman said in a statement carried by state media KCNA. "When they are put in our shoes, the South Korean authorities will be able to understand even a bit how disgustedly we looked at them and how offending it was for us." The two Koreas, which are still technically at war as their 1950-53 conflict ended without a peace treaty, have waged leaflet campaigns for decades but agreed to cease "all hostile acts" in a 2018 peace accord. Several defector-led groups have regularly sent back flyers, together with food, $1 bills, mini radios and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and news, usually by balloon over the border or in bottles in rivers. One of the groups dropped a plan to float hundreds of plastic bottles stuffed with rice, medicine and face masks into the sea near the border on Sunday. Pyongyang has also used balloons and drones to fly its anti-South leaflets, which in South Korea in the past have been rewarded with stationery if reported to police. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Sandra Maler) P olice have launched a murder probe after a man died following reports of an assault in Bexley. Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service to The Parade in Crayford shortly after 4pm on Friday amid reports a man had been assaulted. Those attending the scene found an unresponsive 41-year-old man, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Sunday. The man was rushed to hospital by London's Air Ambulance in a critical condition. He died on Saturday afternoon, with his family present. A post-mortem examination into his death will be held in due course, the Met said, with homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command investigating. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police via 101, quoting reference CAD 5028/19June. Section 214 of the constitution deals with political accountability for deployment of Defence Forces and reads: When the Defence Forces are deployed (a) in Zimbabwe to assist in the maintenance of public order; or (b) outside Zimbabwe; the president must cause Parliament to be informed, promptly and in appropriate detail, of the reasons for their deployment and (i) where they are deployed in Zimbabwe, the place where they are deployed; (ii) where they are deployed outside Zimbabwe, the country in which they are deployed. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Dozens of activists from across the state gathered Saturday in front of Lakeside Academy to demand justice for a Kalamazoo teen who went into cardiac arrest after being restrained by staff and died days later. Oak Park resident Marcina Cole, founder of Reclaim Your Right to Help, a health rights advocacy group, organized the June 20 protest for 16-year-old Cornelius Frederick, who died on May 1 after experiencing a heart-attack on April 29. Police said the teen was restrained by staff after throwing a sandwich. Saturdays event outside the residential youth facility on Oakland Drive aimed to shed light on abuse in health care facilities, an issue Cole said has gone under the radar in the state and throughout the country. We want to bring awareness to Fredericks death and others like him because these facilities need to be held accountable, Cole said. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced June 18 that it has begun the legal process to revoke Lakeside for Childrens license as a result of an investigation into Fredericks death. Until it is revoked, the facilitys license has been suspended. On Saturday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement supporting the action. Protecting our most vulnerable is a top priority of my administration, and the senseless death of youth at Lakeside for Children in Kalamazoo is intolerable and heartbreaking. We will take steps to prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future and make sure there is accountability, Whitmer said. Today I directed MDHHS Director Robert Gordon to take every step necessary to ensure Sequel Youth and Family Services -- the company that provided staffing for Lakeside for Children where the 16-year-old died -- no longer provides services for facilities licensed by the department. Whitmers statement comes after MDHHS changed its policy to eliminate the use of restraints against youth in its care. The actions taken by the state are not enough, Cole said. She and nearly 50 others stood outside the facility on Saturday, demanding it be shut down. The kids that are in that home are at risk children, theres no reason why what happened to Cornelius needed to happen and what happened to him is happening all over the country, Cole said. Cole said the teens death was the result of a failed system, the same system she feels failed her teenage son, who she said died in 2017 as a result of procedural complications. My heart is close to the people who are dealing with this system, these facilities are nothing more than a way for private companies to make money and we need to be protecting children, Cole said. Also on MLive: Criminal investigation into student death at Kalamazoo youth facility nears conclusion State suspends license of Kalamazoo youth academy where 16-year-old died after being restrained Family of Lakeside Academy student seek answers about his death Ressa, who is a citizen of both the United States and the Philippines, has a personal slogan: Hold the line. She elaborated on it after the judges ruling: Are we going to lose freedom of the press? Will it be death by a thousand cuts, or are we going to hold the line so that we protect the rights that are enshrined in our constitution? Skywatchers along a narrow band from West Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, India and southern China witnessed a dramatic ring of fire solar eclipse on Sunday. Annular eclipses occur when the Moon, passing between Earth and the Sun, is not quite close enough to our planet to completely obscure sunlight, leaving a thin ring of the solar disc visible. They happen every year or two, and can only be seen from a narrow pathway across the planet. Remarkably, the eclipse arrived on the northern hemispheres longest day of the year the summer solstice when Earths North Pole is tilted most directly towards the Sun. The annular eclipse is visible from only about 2 percent of Earths surface, Florent Delefie, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, told AFP news agency. Its a bit like switching from a 500-watt to a 30-watt light bulb, he added. Its a cold light, and you dont see as well. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, June 22 2020 Indonesia urged the international community to speak up and take decisive action against racial violence at a United Nations forum in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday. However, Indonesias call comes amid concerns of racial discrimination at home. The UN Human Rights Council held on Wednesday an urgent debate on racial violence, the forum of which was requested by several African countries in response to the rise of racial violence, particularly in relation to the murder of African American George Floyd that has attracted global attention and given greater prominence to the antiracism movement Black Lives Matter. 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 President Donald Trump told the Islamic Republic during his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma June 20 that if they wait to make a deal with the United States after he gets reelected, they will pay a much higher price. Trump who was speaking about his ability to make important deals with other countries, criticized his predecessor for giving Iran $150 billion for nothing. He was referring to the 2015 nuclear deal when the U.S. and Western countries agreed to lift many sanctions they had imposed on Iran for its pursuit of an ambitious nuclear program. Although the $150 billion amount has been often mentioned in the past, it is not clear if the nuclear deal brought such a big cash reward for Iran. Trump also criticized the Obama administration for sending cash money to Iran in 2016 in what appeared to be payment for the release of four hostages. And almost more incredible, he gave [them] 1.8 billion in green cash. Beautiful cash, Trump retorted. Although Trump did not directly mention his policy of maximum pressure against the Islamic Republic to force concessions, he seemed to be taking credit for the economic crisis gripping Iran. And now theyre not doing so well, are they? They are not doing so well. Someday, were going to get credit for this, someday, but they are waiting. The president claimed Iran "badly" wants to make a deal but is advised by Kerry and others to wait until the U.S. elections when Trump might lose. He was referring to former Secretary of State John Kerry, who some have accused of maintaining contact with Iranian officials. Kerry has denied the allegations. The president at this point made a reference to the Logan Act, a 1799 law that criminalizes negotiation by unauthorized American citizens with foreign governments having a dispute with the United States. Trump alleged that Kerry and others tell Iran, Wait, because if Trump loses, youll own America, youre going to own it. The president then repeated a message to Iran that the U.S. can wait, but when I win, youre going to pay a much higher price than if you made a deal now. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexa, a business growth agency with offices in Dubai, Manchester and New York, has acquired a stake in UAE-based outbound lead generation specialist Pipeline Business Growth Services (Pipeline), creating a partnership that will help enterprise clients source sales qualified leads. This strategic investment by Nexa into Pipeline will create a unique service offering allowing enterprise companies to outsource their entire lead generation process. By pooling the expertise of both businesses, the combined teams will provide a seamless end-to-end solution through a comprehensive 6 step process. Services range from undertaking initial research, strategy creation and data sourcing through to telesales in order to identify and qualify sales-ready leads. Understanding that each business faces unique sales challenges, multiple packages are available to create a solution bespoke to each client. In addition, by engaging with an outsourced provider, business leaders can mitigate the risks of employment-related costs, whilst being assured that all leads meet International BANTC standards. Amit Vyas, CEO of Nexa said: "Being a growth-focused agency, Nexa provides its clients with a comprehensive portfolio of services focused on delivering effective and measurable digital marketing campaigns. This direct investment into Pipeline allows both companies to combine our core service offering, allowing us to provide clients with best-in-class marketing and sales prospecting services. Pipeline's expertise in converting marketing qualified leads into sales-ready opportunities means that we can shorten the sales cycle for companies and drive further efficiencies, allowing sales teams to focus all of their efforts on converting hot prospects into new clients. This is an unmatched service offering and we're incredibly excited to offer this to clients located in the GCC, Europe and North America." James Gosling, Partner at Pipeline Business Growth Services, added: "With Pipeline offering the last mile in the sales process, this partnership with Nexa is an unparalleled opportunity for us to remove the headache from the sales process for our clients. From creating a lead all the way through to a fully qualified BANTC sales opportunity we can now provide a complete outsourced solution. The coming together of the two business enables us to offer something unique in the current market. We are excited by this next step in the Pipeline journey and look forward to creating a new and innovative approach to the sales journey that delivers tangible ROI and drives business growth for both large Enterprise businesses and the SME market." Notes to editors - About Nexa Established in Dubai in 2005, and with additional offices in Manchester and New York, Nexa is an award-winning growth marketing agency, providing high quality, effective and measurable growth marketing campaigns. Nexa has built a strong track record and has the in-house capabilities to support clients through a comprehensive portfolio of digital transformation services including digital marketing, lead generation, account based marketing, sales and CRM services and customer service measurement. The company provides complete, full-scale digital services from opportunity identification through to delivery, implementation and support of the final technology. This is packaged and delivered by Nexa's in-house experts, providing 24/7 support for all the company's clients. Nexa clients include some of the best-known companies in the automotive, education, travel, hospitality and other industry sectors. Nexa is a Diamond-tiered HubSpot Implementation Partner and Premier Google Partner. www.digitalnexa.com About Pipeline Business Growth Services Established in 2018 in Dubai, Pipeline Business Growth Services provides a range of affordable outsourced sales services driven by talented, passionate and experienced experts within their fields. The company has developed a modular system that delivers an end-to-end service; from sales strategy, prospect research and lead generation through to sales, contracting, customer relations, customer feedback and monthly reporting. All leads generated by Pipeline Business Growth Services adhere to the BANTC international standard for qualifying B2B leads. https://www.pipelinebdsolutions.com/ SOURCE Nexa Related Links http://www.digitalnexa.com Amazon.com Inc has secured clearance to deliver alcohol in West Bengal. (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: Amazon.com Inc has secured clearance to deliver alcohol in West Bengal, according to a document seen by Reuters, signalling the U.S. e-commerce giants first foray into the countrys multi-billion-dollar sector. In a notice on Friday, West Bengal State Beverages Corp, the authorised agency to carry out online retail of liquor trade in the state, said Amazon was among the companies found to be eligible for registration with authorities. Alibaba-backed Indian grocery venture BigBasket has also won approval to deliver alcohol in the state, the notice said. West Bengal is Indias fourth most populous state, with a population of more than 90 million people. Amazon has been invited to sign a memorandum of understanding with the state, said the notice, which has not previously been reported. Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. BigBasket also did not respond to a request for comment. Amazons interest in delivering alcohol in West Bengal marks a bold move to make inroads into a market that is worth $27.2 billion, according to estimates by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. Over the years, Amazon has expanded its e-commere operations in India as more and more people go online to shop for everything from groceries to electronics. The company has committed $6.5 billion in investments in India, one of its key growth markets. Indias top two food-delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, started delivering alcohol in some cities last month, as they looked to cash in on the high demand for booze as many states come out of a lockdown aimed at tackling the coronavirus. India restricted liquor sales when it announced a nationwide lockdown in March. Hundreds of people queued up at liquor stores in May when some restrictions were eased, and the liquor industry had been lobbying with many states to allow online deliveries. Each state sets its own alcohol sales policy. West Bengal last month invited companies to express interest for handling electronic ordering, purchase, sale and home delivery of alcoholic liquors from licensed retail outlets to eligible legal-age consumers in the state. By Orooj Hakimi and Abdul Qadir Sediqi KABUL (Reuters) - Taliban militants kidnapped about 60 civilians in central Afghanistan over the past week, officials said on Sunday, with more than half still being held amid efforts by the United States and other foreign powers to start peace talks. The Taliban took the hostages in the central province of Daikundi after a women escaped a Taliban-controlled village in a neighbouring province, according to the provincial deputy governor, Mohammad Ali Uruzgani. Some 26, including women and children, had been released and tribal elders were mediating to free the remaining civilians, Uruzgani added. A Taliban spokesman denied kidnapping the civilians. The militants, fighting to re-introduce strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster from power, signed a troop withdrawal agreement with the United States in February, which was designed to pave the way for peace talks with the Afghan government. But violence has ramped up since the agreement and discord over the release of Taliban prisoners has hampered progress on formal talks. Underscoring the tension, a spokesman for the national security council said the Taliban had killed more than 40 civilians around the country in the past week. "The Taliban have failed to deliver on promises of reducing violence against the Afghan people and working for peace," spokesman Javid Faisal said on Twitter. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan released a report on Sunday raising concerns about 15 attacks on health workers and health care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic, attributing responsibility for the majority of them to the Taliban. The Taliban rejected both the U.N. and government allegations and accused the government of causing civilian casualties in the last week. (Reporting by Orooj Hakimi and Abdul Qadir Sediqi; writing by Charlotte Greenfield; editing by Nick Macfie) Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 06:57:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HOUSTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Harris County, U.S. state of Texas, has neared 20,000 amid worries over a shortage of testing. According to figures released by the Texas Health and Human Services, there are 19,739 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Harris County as of Saturday, with 311 deaths. Texas has seen increasing confirmed cases and hospitalized patients in the past week as people are worried that the testing capacity cannot meet people's needs. Local media reported that people waited for as long as seven hours to be tested for COVID-19 in the Houston area on Friday. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Friday signed an order mandating businesses to require wearing of face coverings for all employees and customers over 10 years old inside businesses. According to the order, businesses may refuse service to a customer who does not wear face covering. Businesses that do not comply with the order will face a fine up to 1,000 U.S. dollars. The order will be in effect from June 22 till June 30. Enditem Alarm bells should really go off when the head of a major building company says there will be a construction recession next year. He didn't say a recession this year, which has seen construction sites closed for weeks. He didn't say a gradual return next year as things return to normal. Sisk chief executive Steve Bowcott is so sure construction will contract next year, he told the Sunday Independent he was just keeping an eye on how much it will contract by. Given that Sisk has about 5,000 people working on construction sites in Ireland and employs about 800 staff directly, people will take notice - not least in government departments such as finance or enterprise. The construction sector never got back to contributing its disproportionate boom-era levels of employment and taxes to the Exchequer, but a recession in the sector would have implications for both. Bowcott's prediction comes despite the Programme for Government's commitments on big infrastructure and other spending. A slowdown in the rate of new house builds would have an impact on house prices but, equally, a sustained higher rate of unemployment would prove to be a drag on house prices. The big question is around office buildings. A survey from the Institute of Directors found that only 12pc of business leaders think their entire staff will revert to working from the office when restrictions are lifted. One in three of those surveyed are either planning to downsize their office space or are considering it. While this might appear to spell a sort of Armageddon for the office sector, at least for rents and valuations, it might not all be quite so bad. Only 5pc of those surveyed believe all of their staff will work remotely in the future. Along with all other contractors, Sisk has lost time on projects because of the lockdown and, more recently, the social distancing restrictions. The company is working on projects such as the construction of Fibonacci Square on the site of the former AIB headquarters in Dublin. The offices are being developed by Johnny Ronan and Colony Capital as part of Facebook's new campus. Hard to imagine Facebook will decide not to use the building once it has been finished. But a downturn in construction in 2021 would affect a lot of people. Airline travel reopening flies into further worldwide confusion To fly or not to fly, that is the question this summer. Before making their minds up, people have to first decide whether to book or not. The situation around international travel this summer appears ever more confusing as different countries and airlines are taking completely different approaches. Ryanair has said it plans to operate at 40pc capacity from mid-July. Chief executive Michael O'Leary has been out beating the marketing drum about cheapest fares ever. But will the numbers stack up when it comes to airfares? I spoke to aviation leasing executive Domhnall Slattery recently and he was of the view that, in general, air fares will go up. If airlines are not carrying anything near full capacity on planes they will just lose money. We were told going into the crisis that Ryanair and IAG, owner of Aer Lingus and BA, were best-placed to ride out this storm. IAG has now announced a major strategic review of costs and isn't ruling out additional debt or a fundraising of new equity as it seek to shed thousands of jobs. Indeed, on Friday news broke that Aer Lingus was set to cut 500 jobs. Spain will reopen to Irish tourists from next Sunday, but our two-week quarantine rules on returning will remain until at least July 9. Seats on several international European routes appeared to get snapped up quite quickly in recent weeks for July and August. And, yes, there appeared to be some bargains around. However, according to UBS figures derived from screen-scraped fares, prices are up around 20pc overall for July and August compared with last year at Ryanair. The approach couldn't be any more different in Australia where Qantas has had to cancel almost all of its international flights until late October, after the government there indicated its border closure was likely to extend into 2021. Meanwhile, as Irish retailers try to return to some kind of normality, the National Transport Authority has encouraged people to only use public transport for essential journeys while the two-metre social distancing guideline remains in place. CEO Anne Graham said that as demand grows people are occasionally being left behind at bus stops. So, don't take the bus or Dart if you want to head off shopping for non-essentials, despite non-essential retailers being allowed to reopen. It might be essential for a retail worker to get the bus to work, but if there isn't any room on the bus for customers, he or she won't be going to work for much longer. It shows how difficult it is proving to open up the economy, especially while the two-metre rule continues. Banks brace for Covid-19 pain Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf struck an ominous note last week with his warnings about the "unprecedented" shock facing the economy and the financial sector. We know about the economic shock but there had been a narrative around the banks that it would not be easy but manageable. Makhlouf spelled out just how serious things could become given that 80pc of businesses covering 70pc of all employment are affected either directly or indirectly by the containment measures. The Central Bank also pointed out that half of SMEs hold less than 5pc of their annual sales in cash reserves. So with indebted businesses and indebted workers so heavily exposed to the coronavirus, naturally it feeds back into the banks that they owe money to. With that in mind, it was strange that, in the same week, there were reports about a strong surge in the share prices of AIB and Bank of Ireland. AIB rose by 11pc and Bank of Ireland shares were up 9pc on Tuesday. It was attributed to the success of political parties in completing talks on a Programme for Government - less political uncertainty so bank share prices go up. But a closer look at the surge shows the volumes of shares traded were tiny. AIB opened on Tuesday at 1.10 and at 5.30pm there was a one million share trade at 1.18. At Bank of Ireland the share price peaked during the day at 1.94 on a trade of just 5,485 shares. Again just at 5.30pm in the evening there was a one million share trade at 1.84. Whoever bought the stock was down money by the next day. It was a very short surge. In a quiet street on the outskirts of Ostrava in Communist Czechoslovakia, a British secret agent carefully unearths a package containing highly classified documents. Working with practised ease, he replaces it with cash, which he puts in a food tin, along with instructions for his contact, and buries it in the pre-arranged spot. It is just after 7pm on December 13, 1951, and he is conducting what should be a routine dead drop. But then, from the shadows, armed soldiers appear. Did they stumble across him by chance or, more likely, was the mission compromised? The BBC correspondent Frank Gardner's father served as an MI6 spy during the Cold War Slipping the documents inside his coat, the MI6 man, 29-year-old Robert Gardner, ignores the soldiers repeated warnings and makes a dash for his car where his female assistant, Daphne Maines, 26, waits shivering at the wheel, engine running. They speed off through a series of roadblocks but a spray of gunfire brings the car to an abrupt halt and a bullet lodges in Daphnes upper thigh. The intelligence officer is unscathed, save for wounded pride and a bruised forehead. Later there are howls of outrage from Czech officials, who announce the couple were caught red-handed in an act of espionage and give Gardner 24 hours to leave the country. The incident made headlines around the world and would not have escaped the notice of Ian Fleming, who began writing his first James Bond novel three weeks later, or, for that matter, a young John Le Carre, then an intelligence officer in neighbouring Austria. Robert Gardner's assistant Daphne Maines was wounded during one incident And though he would only learn of it many years later, the story has long been of interest to the BBCs much-admired security correspondent, Frank Gardner. For The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Robert Gardner was none other than Franks father, operating under the cover of Second Secretary at the British Embassy in Prague. Frank, who has written two spy thriller novels about an MI6 operative and is one of the countrys most recognisable and distinguished journalists, has never spoken of the incident or his fathers past. Even when Frank appeared on the BBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2015 it was never mentioned. But now, 68 years on, Daphnes daughter, Fiona Macleod, has been in touch with Frank to compare notes about the Ostrava episode. Frank, left paralysed after Al Qaeda terrorists shot him in Saudi Arabia in 2004, asked: Do you think your mother forgave my father? It would put my mind at rest. From what Fiona says of her mother, she would not have blamed him in the least. Accompanying a dashing spy on secret missions was all rather thrilling for Daphne, though her family believe she would have balked at being called a prototype Bond girl. When she wasnt helping Robert, she was personal assistant to the British Ambassador. Robert Gardner carried out a number of missions as part of his clandestine role In her letters home from the time, Daphne alludes to other missions with Gardner and important meetings, and describes a whirl of embassy cocktail parties, imploring her mother to send silk stockings and linen gloves. When her children were young, Daphne who later married a GCHQ codebreaker made light of her ill-fated mission, joking that she received the bullet wound on a tiger shoot in India. Even when they were older and she could no longer conceal the whole truth, she remained circumspect about the details, though she conceded there had been a chase adding: They thought I was a spy, you know. Fiona, a consultant microbiologist, believes her mother was used as cover by Robert. It was easier for them to be seen as a couple rather than him being out on his own, she says. I did sometimes wonder whether she too was a spy or whether they were having a relationship. But I think they were simply professionals doing a job. Three years before the shooting, Soviet control in the East had hardened when, with Moscow backing, the Czech Communist Party seized power, spurring Britain to intensify its intelligence-gathering operation in the region. Against this background, Robert Gardner was posted to Prague in the spring of 1951, and assiduously cultivated a network of informants, who were apparently rounded up after he was caught in Ostrava. Once the embarrassment passed, the incident might have proved an entertaining anecdote for future years but for a distressing postscript that weighed heavily on both Robert and Daphne. In February 1953, the Czech authorities announced nine spies had been put on trial in Ostrava. All were said to have worked under Gardners direction, though the court proceedings were secret. Days later Prague Radio reported that two of the traitors and spies in the service of British Intelligence had been found guilty of high treason and espionage and sentenced to death. Two others were jailed for life and the others got sentences of between 12 and 25 years. The two men facing execution were Bohumir Micek and Josef Kohout. According to state radio, Micek told the court he had close links with the Gestapo when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia during the war. Micek added that he was asked to set up a spy network in Ostrava and to supply economic, military and political information. He said he managed to procure material on Ostravas heavy industry and the Czech security services. Kohout meanwhile said he was trained at an espionage training centre under the command of a British officer. The court heard he returned to Czechoslovakia as an agent of British Intelligence but was arrested before he was able to send his first report. Another recruit, Stanislav Ptacek, gathered information on a Bratislava munitions factory while Stanislav Pejsek, a doctor, was claimed to have betrayed both his country and his calling though it was not specified how. Prosecutor Vladimir Benes told the court that among the British aims in sending agents to the Ostrava region was to secure intelligence on targets to be bombed in a future war. Of the Ostrava incident itself, it was reported that Gardner placed 40,000 Czech crowns in bank notes the equivalent of 9,000 in todays money at the dead drop. Prague Radio said that when he was searched it was found that the package which he had dug up and put in his pocket contained the originals of secret documents of importance to the security of the Czech Republic. It added that some of the material was dated three days earlier. As the circumstances indicated, far-reaching, thoroughly organised and executed espionage activities were being carried out. Arriving back at Heathrow, Gardner was pictured with a plaster over his forehead and the left side of his face was scarred as if by splintered glass. Speaking to waiting reporters he said: I think I want a nights sleep. I cannot in my official position say anything. Of his later career, little is known beyond diplomatic posting to The Hague and Singapore. He married in 1958. Daphne, meanwhile, remained in hospital for ten days after the shooting, had two operations to remove the bullet and was interrogated for 36 hours. She had a guard outside her room in hospital and she couldnt go to the toilet without the guard present, said Fiona. She would have to leave the door open in case she supposedly flushed secret documents away. When she started the Prague job she stayed in digs with a family called Hoch. It was a huge house with maids and my mother and a colleague lived in a self-contained flat within it. Mother believed her maid was going through her things and obviously the maid could have been a Czech spy. For whatever reason mother later moved into a cottage in the grounds of the embassy. She added: Outside work she led the high life. It seems to have been one long round of cocktail parties. After being discharged from hospital she was given 24 hours to leave. Eventually she was driven out through East Germany, but even that wasnt without incident because the car crashed on ice. Back in England there were all these reporters on the doorstep wanting an interview, but of course she wasnt allowed to say anything. Even her family didnt know what she was doing. She always said she was just a secretary. The shooting happened just before Daphnes year-long posting was due to end. Fiona added: My mother and Robert Gardner certainly did a lot of driving around together in Czechoslovakia. In her letters she would mention going out for a run with Neil she always used Roberts middle name. No embassy girl would go out jogging this referred to trips away in his car. But she told me she was never encouraged to ask questions. In one letter home, dated July 30, 1951, Daphne writes: Tomorrow evening its the square dancing but I dont know if Ill have time to go because Neil is coming for breakfast at 6am. Born in Timperley near Altrincham in 1925, the eldest of two daughters, Daphne was clever, fluent in French, and described as highly resilient. After first working for the Treasury she was a secretary at the British High Commission in Delhi before being posted to Prague. After the Ostrava affair she was posted to Washington and in 1954 met and fell in love with her future husband, the GCHQ codebreaker Norman Macleod, who was then working with Americas fledgling National Security Agency. They married the following year and settled in Cheltenham. In later life, Daphne taught Pitmans shorthand and typing. She died in 2008 aged 83. Robert Gardner died two years later. His Times obituary detailed his achievements as musician and composer. Fiona added: She hated fuss but would secretly have loved all this attention, because in married life it was all about Dad and how he was a maths genius and a codebreaker. She was not someone who liked outward shows of emotion. My sister and I had no doubt we were loved, but at home she was very strict and proper with strict protocols. You always had to use a butter knife and have tea from bone china cups that kind of thing. Last week, Frank Gardner politely declined to discuss his fathers secret career. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday two years ago, he revealed that as a young man he was approached by MI6 and passed the initial vetting exam. He decided against spying after the interviewer said he would not be able to claim any public credit for successes. I am far too vain, he said. I still get people who think I am a spy or a mouthpiece for MI6, but thats ridiculous. I live my life in the open. headline news: The Daily Mails front page report of the incident in 1951 UNDER COVER: Spy Robert Gardner, top, with injured face after the incident and, above, BBC man Frank. Left: Daphne Maines in Prague in 1952 Its the gripping tale Frank Gardners never told and it ended with two of his dads informants executed and his glamorous assistant shot in the thigh This would not have escaped the notice of 007 author Ian Fleming An Post delivered 90% of mail items on the next working day last year which was an improvement on 2018 but still 4% below the regulatory standard. Delivery of mail within three working days stands at 99.1% for 2019, this measure is marginally below the target of 99.5%. Regulator ComReg has published two reports on the quality of the postal deliveries. Ipsos MRBI was commissioned by the regulator to monitor the service and reported improvements in most areas. Collection from business, post box performance, delivery of large envelopes and packets all improved last year compared to 2018. Post Office performance also improved from 89% to 91%, the highest performance level recorded. ComReg first introduced monitoring of the quality of the universal postal service in 2003. At that time just 71% of single piece priority mail was being delivered on the next working day. In 2015 and 2016 the rate of nextday delivery climbed to 91%, the highest annual performance to date. Following two consecutive declines of 1% in each of the years 2017 and 2018, in 2019 the rate of next-day delivery improved to 90%. "However, this is still below the rate of 91% achieved in 2015 and 2016, and is 4% below the 94% regulatory standard," the report notes. Improvements were recorded across almost all regional mail flows during 2019 when compared to 2018. The most significant changes in performance versus 2018, were recorded for mail delivery to Dublin; with the performance for Anywhere to Dublin County and Outside Dublin County to Dublin County both improving by two percentage points since 2018, reaching 90% and 89% respectively. The performance of mail originating from Dublin has also significantly improved versus 2018, with the Dublin County to Anywhere and Dublin County to Dublin County (Local) flows demonstrating an increase of two percentage points, both standing at 90% for 2019. It was just three days after the horrific violence in Tulsa, where hundreds of African Americans had been killed and the city's segregated black neighborhood - including 35 square blocks of prosperous businesses - had been destroyed by rampaging whites. Some buildings had even been firebombed from planes. President Warren Harding spent the weekend worrying over how to respond to the massacre. Finally, he decided to accept a commencement invitation from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, the nation's first degree-granting historically black institution. He would use that moment in 1921 to seek healing and harmony - and several months later in Alabama, he would go much further with daring remarks about equality. That was how a Republican president addressed racially fraught events nearly a century ago. "Despite the demagogues, the idea of our oneness as Americans has risen superior to every appeal to mere class and group," Harding declared. "And so, I wish it might be in this matter of our national problem of races." Few people could have missed the symbolism of Harding's June 6 visit to Lincoln, Pa., near the small town of Oxford, about five miles north of the Maryland border. The university had been founded as the Ashmun Institute in 1854 but changed its name after the Civil War in tribute to the assassinated president. Early on, it was known as "the Black Princeton." Harding wanted to acknowledge the searing anguish of Tulsa - the city where President Donald Trump held a controversial rally Saturday night - not just for African Americans there but also across the nation. He also wanted to praise and honor Lincoln alumni who had been among the more than 367,000 black servicemen to fight in the Great War. One Lincoln graduate led the 370th U.S. Infantry, the "Black Devils." Col. F.A. Denison was the sole black commander of a regiment in France. The return of so many black veterans from the First World War was in fact one of the catalysts for the country's increasing racial tensions from 1919 to 1921, with many whites threatened by the black veterans' newfound status and authority, to say nothing of the competition they posed in the job market. In Tulsa, Army veterans were among the African Americans who sought to protect their homes and businesses from the white mobs - although newspaper accounts largely and falsely blamed the city's black population for the upheaval. It would be decades before the true scope and causes of the massacre were analyzed and understood. Harding and his four-car caravan set off before dawn on that Monday, heading southwest from Valley Forge, Pa., where he and the first lady had been guests at a farmhouse owned by Sen. Philander Knox. When the entourage arrived at the campus, it stopped in front of a granite arch that had recently been erected in memory of "Lincoln men" who had fought and died in the war. According to the university newspaper, the visit represented "the high-water mark in the history of the institution." Harding spoke extemporaneously in the sun-dappled setting, addressing the graduating class as "my fellow countrymen." He was there not just for their commencement but also to help dedicate the arch, and his words reflected a theme he sounded repeatedly during his presidency: that African American servicemen had paid through service and sacrifice for the nation to "make the world safe for democracy." They were due. Then he turned to two of the day's most controversial subjects. He called education critical to solving the issues of racial inequality, but he challenged the students to shoulder their shared responsibility to advance freedom. The government alone, he said, could not magically "take a race from bondage to citizenship in half a century." He also spoke briefly about Tulsa and offered up a simple prayer: "God grant that, in the soberness, the fairness, and the justice of this country, we never see another spectacle like it." The fact that Harding chose a black university to make his only comments about the catastrophe spoke volumes about his intentions. After he concluded, eyewitnesses reported, he congratulated every graduate individually "and shook hands with each one of them." That fall Harding became the first president to go into the Deep South since the Civil War. And in a speech that the city of Birmingham, Ala., thought would help celebrate its semicentennial, he instead veered dramatically. Before a crowd of 100,000 - blacks and whites separated by a fence - he made a full-throated case for political, economic and educational equality among the races. He only stopped short of advocating for social equality. "Let the black man vote when he is fit to vote; and prohibit the white man voting when he is unfit to vote," Harding proclaimed. Half of his audience erupted in cheers. The other half was thunderstruck. Some whites openly booed and hissed. A Mississippi congressman in attendance denounced Harding's words as "a blow to the white civilization of America." The nation's 29th president died less than two years later, collapsing with a heart attack after a grueling speaking tour through the West and up into the Alaska Territory. For decades, his record on racial equality - a core belief - remained largely unexplored. "No majority shall abridge the rights of a minority," he stressed when accepting his party's nomination in 1920. "I believe the Negro citizens of America should be guaranteed the enjoyment of all their rights, that they have earned their full measure of citizenship bestowed, that their sacrifices in blood on the battlefields of the republic have entitled them to all of freedom and opportunity, all of sympathy and aid that the American spirit of fairness and justice demands." But America was not ready then, and today's protests and counterprotests reveal the progress still to be made. Almost a century ago, Harding asked Congress to pass an anti-lynching bill. The latest attempt just weeks ago was thwarted by another Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. - - - Robenalt is the author of "The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage During the Great War"and "Ballots and Bullets: Black Power Politics and Urban Guerrilla Warfare in 1968 Cleveland." Georgian youth movements held a protest on June 20 to mark the first anniversary of Russian lawmaker Sergei Gavrilov's controversial visit to the country. Opposition politicians joined the crowd in downtown Tbilisi. Social-distancing marks on the pavement bore the portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A year ago, protests broke out in Tbilisi after Gavrilov came to the city and addressed a meeting of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy from the Georgian parliament speaker's seat. New Delhi, June 21 : Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain is responding to treatment after plasma therapy and his body temperature has also come down though he remains in the ICU, sources at the Max Hospital here said on Sunday. The sources said Jain -- who had tested coronavirus positive -- will be kept under observation for the next 24 hours. If he doesn't develop respiratory trouble or fever again, he may be shifted out of the intensive care unit on Monday. Even on Saturday, Jain was on oxygen support, though his health parameters began to improve. On Friday, the 55-year-old Aam Aadmi Party leader's health had deteriorated after he developed pneumonia during treatment for coronavirus at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital here. He was then shifted to the Max Hospital in Saket. AAP MLA Somnath Bharti earlier tweeted that Jain's health was stable. "Just spoke to the hospital and was relieved to know that the Delhi Health Minister and my close colleague Satyendar Jain ji is stable now. Wish him quick recovery," he said. Jain was tested twice this week after he developed symptoms of coronavirus, including high fever and breathing difficulty. He tested positive the second time on Wednesday. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Atishi, Delhi government adviser Abhinandita Mathur and AAP media panelist Akshay Marathe have also tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine. Serbias parliamentary elections that appear to have given President Aleksandar Vucic's ruling party a landslide victory were administered fairly but media coverage was largely one-sided, monitors of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says. Vucics government benefited from extensive coverage on TV editorial programs and on broadcasters websites, the OSCE said in a June 22 statement, a day after the vote. However, opponents were provided with free airtime and equal access to regular election programming as required by law. Most major TV channels and newspapers promoted the policies of the government and gave it extensive editorial coverage, limiting the diversity of views, the OSCE statement said. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was leading with around 61 percent of the vote, followed by his ally, the Socialist Party, with around 10 percent, based on results published by election authorities with nearly two-thirds of the ballots counted. The vote had been tarnished by a boycott from parts of the opposition and concerns about the coronavirus. Urszula Gacek, head of the mission of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said the dominance of the ruling party "risks the neutrality of the countrys democratic institutions, and dialogue is needed to bridge the deep political divisions and protect pluralism. Vucic's victory over the weekend strengthens his position as he heads into internationally mediated peace negotiations on the future of Serbias former province of Kosovo. The Serbian president met with EU Special Representative for the Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak on June 22, pledging support for the EU-mediated effort to reach an agreement in the long-standing dispute. "I expect that EU-facilitated dialogue resumes in July in Brussels," said Lajcak, who is a former Slovak foreign minister. A U.S.-brokered Serbia-Kosovo meeting is set for June 27 in Washington. Projections showed the right-wing Serbian Patriotic Alliance in third place, tentatively with about 4 percent of the vote. Other groupings failed to reach the minimum 3 percent threshold to gain places in the 250-seat legislature. I have been in politics for a long time, but I have never experienced a moment like this, Vucic said. Tonight we gained the great trust of the people, the greatest ever in Serbia, in conditions when few believed in it." At the same time, he added, the SNS received a warning from the people that the party must "be even more responsible and serious and that we have to work harder and make the best possible results for the citizens." The new four-year mandate comes amid intensified international efforts to restart dialogue with Kosovo, which used to be an ethnic Albanian-majority province of Serbia. In 1998-99, an armed uprising by ethnic Albanians triggered a Serbian crackdown in Kosovo that caused numerous deaths among civilians and triggered a wave of refugees. In March 1999, NATO launched a 78-day bombing campaign to force Serbian troops out of Kosovo and protect the civilian population. In 2008, Kosovo declared independence, a move recognized by the United States and the majority of the international community, but not by Serbia, Russia, and a handful of EU states. Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo negotiations, said on June 15 that he had received commitments from Vucic and his Kosovar counterpart, Hashim Thaci, to meet at the White House on June 27. Vucics trip to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to begin three days before the planned White House meeting. Early this month, Avdullah Hoti became prime minister of Kosovo after winning a vote in parliament by a razor-thin margin. The new government moved swiftly to scrap all trade sanctions against Serbia, opening the door to restart normalization talks with Belgrade. Serbia has sought European Union membership for years, but talks with the bloc stalled in 2018. Its membership bid is contingent on settling its disputes with Kosovo. The EU's enlargement commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, welcomed the SNS's victory in a message on Twitter, saying he was ready to work with Belgrade on reforms needed to advance Serbia's EU aspirations. "Looking forward to working with new government on #EU-related reforms. Committed to help Serbia move forward quickly towards EU accession and to support economic recovery in the wake of #COVID-19 crisis," Varhelyi wrote. With reporting by Maja Zivanovic of RFE/RL's Balkan Service A U.S. college professor who allegedly told a Vietnamese student she should anglicize her name because he thinks it sounds offensive in English has been placed on leave. Matthew Hubbard, a mathematics instructor at Laney College in Oakland, told the student in an undated email exchange that she should anglicize her name, Phuc Bui Diem Nguyen, as it sounds like an insult in English, according to screenshots of the emails posted on social media. In her first email response, Nguyen stated Hubbards request feels discriminatory and warned the professor that she would file a complaint if he refused to refer to her by her given birth name. Despite the students warning, Hubbard doubled down and repeated the request. The professor said her name in English sounds like [censored] Boy, he wrote, using a profane English word referring to the act of sexual intercourse. Phuc Bui is pronounced in a similar fashion to Fook Buoy in Vietnamese. If I lived in Vietnam and my name in your language sounded like Eat a [censored], I would change it to avoid embarrassment both on my part and on the part of the people who had to say it, the professor continued, using an English word referring to the male genitalia. I understand you are offended, but you need to understand your name is an offensive sound in my language, he added. The series of emails was posted by a person who identified herself as the students sister, Diem Quynh, on the social networking site Instagram. So Im disgusted and disappointed. Honestly, I really liked Laney College but this teacher had the ignorance and audacity to tell my sister to anglicize her name is disgusting, she wrote. As a professor, he should be trying to learn her name and culture and not try to white wash her name, she wrote. I love that my parents want to keep my culture alive by keeping our Vietnamese name. If you cant say it then ask. The sister also posted a video in which the professor appears to be addressing the student only as P Nguyen during a Zoom call. The screenshots were also posted on social networking site Twitter by another user claiming to be an old high school friend of Phuc Bui Diem Nguyen. The post has since been retweeted more than 47,000 times on the platform. Diem Quynhs Instagram post, meanwhile, has garnered more than 33,000 likes.' Screenshots of an email exchange between Phuc Bui Diem Nguyen and her mathematics instructor Matthew Hubbard at Laney College in Oakland, the United States, regarding her Vietnamese name were posted by a Twitter user claiming to be Nguyens high school friend on the social networking site on June 19, 2020. Since the screenshots have gone viral, the colleges president, Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, said in a statement posted to its official website that the school administration is aware of the allegations of racist and xenophobic messages from a faculty member. We take these allegations seriously and immediately placed the faculty member on administrative leave pending an investigation, the statement reads. The president said Laney College has long stood as both a partner and a leader in the fight for social justice and equity in its communities. We have been firm and outspoken about our mission to educate, support and inspire students to excel in an inclusive and diverse learning environment rooted in social justice, he added. He stressed, We want our students to feel safe and know that we honor their backgrounds, their experiences and everything that makes them unique. They are everything that is beautiful about our college. We do not tolerate racism, discrimination or oppression of any kind. Hubbard, who has been placed on leave after the incident, told the American weekly news magazine Newsweek that he will wait until the conclusion of the investigation before making his comment. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The government has rejected a viral social media report that claimed there has been a prohibition of certain Chinese apps from being made available on app stores in India. The viral message claimed that the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and IT has instructed both Apple and Google to "restrict the functioning of Chinese applications from the respective stores with immediate effect". The apps mentioned in the report are TikTok, VMate, Vigo Video, LiveMe, Bigo Live, Beauty Plus, CamScanner, Club Factory, Shein, Romwe, and AppLock. The list also includes games like Mobile Legends, Clash of Kings, and Gale of Sultans. "These apps are alleged to hold the privacy of the user at risk, and could compromise the sovereignty of the country," the report claimed. However, the PIB Fact Check which is the government's official fact-checker flatly rejected the claim and called it fake. Furthermore, the PIB Face Checker also went on to say that neither the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) nor the National Informatics Centre has given such instruction regarding the Chinese applications. The claim made is false. No such instruction has been given by @GoI_MeitY or NIC," the PIB Fact Check clarified. Claim: A viral message of an order allegedly from NIC claims that @GoI_Meity has prohibited some apps from being made available on App Stores. #PIBFactCheck: The Order is #Fake. No such instruction has been given by @GoI_MeitY or NIC. pic.twitter.com/Dt7rMR7nIz PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 19, 2020 The fake report comes amid the mounting tensions at the LAC in Ladakh between India and China and there has been a massive social media uproar over the ban of Chinese apps and products in the country. New Delhi, June 21 : A careless comment on Facebook in reaction to hate posts on her community, and Jivan is accused of a terrorist attack on a train. The 'PT Sir', a physical education teacher who is completely drawn in by the right wing ideology. And then, there is 'Lovely', a transgender dreaming with her eyes open to become a star. It may have taken years for Megha Majumdar to write 'A Burning', (Penguin Hamish Hamilton), considered the biggest literary debut of the year, earning ravishing praises by authors like Amitav Ghosh and Yaa Gyasi and rave reviews by publications like Time, New York Times and others, but the moment you start reading it, what jolts is the fact that the situations depicted are so stunningly similar to what is being experienced today in India and the US -- ascent of the right wing, and the massive 'Black Lives Matter' protests in the west. She admits, "Yes, it feels rather eerie considering the book is launching during protests in the US." Originally from Kolkata, Megha, moved to the United States to attend college at Harvard University, followed by graduate school in social anthropology at Johns Hopkins University and is presently based in New York. As one discusses the multiple voices in the book, she asserts that doing the same was important to her. "I wanted to write a book with complexity and fullness, and these three voices held some truth for me." Image Source: IANS News As far as the people who share their lives in 'A Burning' being complex, making them hard to 'box', the author insists, "Complexity is important to me in a narrative-flat and simplistic characters are neither capable of holding truth nor interesting for a reader. Especially for the character of PT Sir, I wanted to write about somebody who wants to do the right thing, who wants to contribute to society in a meaningful way, and finds himself confronting difficult moral choices." Talking about how the three major characters in the book were conceived, Megha says that she wanted to see how individuals living under oppressive and discriminatory systems still chase big dreams, still hold on to laughter and humour, still try to act from a place of free will. "Of course they face different moral reckonings and in some cases have to take matters into their own hands." For anyone reading the book, it would not really be tough to draw parallels between contemporary social and political situations in the country. The author admits that some of the scenes in the book do feel drawn from the news-slum demolition, police brutality, an unreliable water supply, and so on. "Specific correspondences don't come to mind right away as I was drawing on the accumulation of reading such news reports over years. And at the end of the day this is a novel, about fictional characters moving through a place with significant fictional aspects, so I'll let readers make their own connections as they read." She goes on to add, "I was reading a while ago about the women-led protests around the country last fall, and how many of the women participating were seeing themselves as citizens with a public voice for the first time. There's great hope in that." An associate editor at Catapult, this debut writer feels that being an editor has made her a sharper reader and she knows the kind of movement, surprise, and complexity that appeals to her. "As an editor, you are your writers' biggest fan-so being close to their work and collaborating with them feels like a dream. It's very energizing. In my editorial work, for instance, I've been lucky to work with Vikram Paralkar, Jayant Kaikini and Tejaswini Niranjana." 'A Burning' was written slowly , over a period of several years. As somebody with a full time job, she was able to work on the book in short bursts on weekdays before going to work, and weekends. "I think any writers reading this will know that the process is all about discipline-you have to come back to a project you're struggling with every day, or as often as you can, and face that struggle, and try to find a way forward." -- Syndicated from IANS LOS ANGELES - For nearly three years, Melina Abdullah has led dozens of demonstrators once a week outside the Hall of Justice to call for the ouster of Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey for failing to prosecute killings by police officers. Thousands more joined Abdullah after George Floyds death. Chants of Jackie Lacey must go! echoed between the courthouses downtown several days this month. Demonstrators hoisted signs saying, Prosecute Killer Cops and Bye Jackie! and read the names of some of the more than 340 people killed by LA County law enforcement officers during the eight years Lacey has been DA. In every case but one Lacey has found a shooting justified or decided not to bring charges because she concluded the officer could win an acquittal at trial. Everybody is utterly shocked when they think about the number of people who have been killed by police or while in custody since Lacey took office, said Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter-LA. She criticized Laceys substantial financial support from law enforcement organizations for appearing to be a quid pro quo. Lacey is the first Black person and woman to serve as Los Angeles district attorney. She is seeking a third term in November and has taken note of the recent crowds, saying the weight of them and the number of people is substantial, to say the least. But she is less concerned about the impact of demonstrations than about being misunderstood. I dont want people thinking Im biased or racist or afraid, or any of these very unflattering things that are said, Lacey told The Associated Press. We shouldnt assume that everyone who says Black lives matter isnt concerned also about public safety. Thats a false choice that those are mutually exclusive. Lacey fell just shy of getting the majority of votes needed to get re-elected in a March primary against two contenders running to the left of her on platforms to reform the criminal justice system. She faces a runoff against George Gascon, the former San Francisco district attorney and longtime Los Angeles police commander, who was a distant second. The death of Floyd, a Black man who cried out that he couldnt breathe as a white Minneapolis officer pressed a knee to his neck for over eight minutes, has ignited protests across LA for more than three weeks. Protesters want dramatic reforms to the criminal justice system, and that demand could shape the DAs campaign. Lacey, who grew up in South Los Angeles and worked her way up through the ranks in the nations largest local prosecutors office, is seen as the institutional law-and-order candidate. Gascon, who immigrated to LA from Cuba as a teen, has billed himself as a progressive reformer. Gascon has not joined the protests, but quickly condemned the death of Floyd and police abuses. He has tweeted and issued press releases supporting rights of protesters and denouncing their arrests for curfew violations while calling on Lacey to continue not seeking bail in low-level, nonviolent criminal cases after a statewide order imposed during the coronavirus pandemic was rescinded. Lacey didnt issue a statement until six days after Floyd was killed and has been a step behind Gascon in announcing she wont prosecute curfew violators and will continue to not seek bail for less serious offences. She is so obviously reacting to the political pressure of the election, Gascon said. But the motivation behind that is not driven by her concerns and her desire to be thoughtful and humane but theyre really motivated by campaign politics which tells me that if she were to be re-elected she would go back very quickly to being who shes always been. Gascons campaign, which was largely funded in the primary by outside contributions from a pair of wealthy Northern California donors, has seen a spike of interest since the protests started. Hes got 200 new volunteers and raised over $160,000, mostly in donations averaging $20, according to his campaign. Lacey, who got most of her primary support indirectly from police unions, has criticized Gascon for not prosecuting police for shootings during his time as San Francisco DA, though his spokesman, Max Szabo, said none of those cases involved unarmed suspects. The union representing Los Angeles Police Department officers spent $1 million to torpedo Gascon in the primary as a con man and failed leader who fled San Francisco before his term expired. Hes been criticized for authoring a law that reduced some felonies to misdemeanours, not charging enough misdemeanour cases and for a steep rise in San Francisco property crimes, mostly car break-ins. Violent crime in San Francisco during his tenure rose 15%, though it jumped 31% in Los Angeles County during most of Laceys time in office, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. Lacey points to her record prosecuting two dozen officers for unlawful use of force and for currently being the only DA in the state to have a case pending against an officer in a killing a manslaughter charge against a sheriffs deputy. Having law enforcement support at a time when protesters are calling for defunding police could hurt Lacey, said Eric J. Miller, a criminal law professor at Loyola Law School. Before it used to be a net positive in the days of law and order, and by that I mean two months ago, Miller said. But now, Im supported by the police union or more possibly Black Lives Matter saying, The police union supports Lacey, is a very different signal. Lacey has been criticized for not bringing charges in several high-profile police killings of unarmed suspects, including one involving Brendon Glenn, a Black homeless man who had accosted patrons of a bar in Venice and was shot as he struggled with officers who were trying to handcuff him. Then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck had called for criminal charges in the case, but Lacey said she didnt think she could win a conviction. Tyrone Howard, an education professor who heads the Black Male Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that given the long ugly history LAPD has had with Black and Latino communities, there was hope Lacey would be different from her predecessor, who never charged an officer with an on-duty shooting. From the standpoint of holding police accountable, he said: I think theres been widespread disappointment that with her as an African-American, the first who has been in that seat, that that has not happened to the degree that people think that it should have, Lacey said Floyds death has forced her to consider dusting off an idea she shelved to remove police departments from investigating their own officers in shootings, though she knows that will not be popular with chiefs. Lacey said shes tried to have discussions with Black Lives Matter, but the members want to meet in larger forums, where she has been heckled and shouted down. Protesters even showed up at her doorstep before dawn the day before the March primary, prompting Laceys husband to pull a gun on Abdullah and threaten to shoot. The incident is under investigation by the state attorney general. Black Lives Matter does not endorse candidates and Abdullah wont say she will support Gascon. We cant say that because were going to have to protest him too, Im sure, Abdullah said. I just know that its impossible to be worse than Lacey. On the occasion of yoga day, Taapsee Pannu is one of the first Bollywood celebrities to underline the importance of yog. She also stressed the significance of eclipse and its connection with spirituality. As International Yoga day coincides with solar eclipse 2020, actor Taapsee Pannu while sharing her picture of practising Yoga on social media on Sunday said that an eclipse is the best time to deepen your spiritual practice. The Thappad actor put out a post on Instagram wherein she is seen meditating while sitting on a mat. An incredible stroke of luck is that International Yoga Day today coincides with the Solar Eclipse. An eclipse is one of the best time to deepen our spiritual practice, so make sure you meditate today for a few minutes at least. If you are thinking how to start . @munmun.ganeriwal says, the best way to begin a meditation practice is to begin! she wrote. The Judwaa 2 actor further shared her experience of indulging in Yoga and said that she always thought that yoga is just about twisting the body into complicated contortions and about being a human pretzel. Also Read: International Yoga Day 2020: 5 Bollywood celebrities inspiring people to practice yoga Also Read: Happy Fathers Day 2020: Twinkle Khanna remembers Rajesh Khanna, shares throwback photo Pannu emphasised that sitting on the mat every day for a few minutes, trying to tune in even when infinite thoughts might interfere, offers as much benefits to the body and mind. The act of meditating is actually classified as Upasana Yoga in Yogic scriptures, she added. The International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. It is observed on June 21 every year to spread awareness about the importance and effects of yoga on the health of the people. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit which means to join or to unite. Also Read: Abhay Deols hard-hitting post on boycotting award functions creates a stir online For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has alleged presence of a well-orchestrated plan to stall the world famous Puri Rath Yatra this year using coronavirus pandemic as a ruse, even as attempts to get the Supreme Court to allow the age old ritual to take place on June 23 continues, reported PTI. BJP leader Sambit Patra is the latest to move the Supreme Court seeking permission to hold the Jagannath Yatra. His petition offers an assurance that congregation of devotees will not be allowed during the procession mitigating the risk of spreading coronavirus. The Supreme Court had stayed the holding of the yatra for the first time in over two centuries over fears that congregation of lakhs of devotees during on the occasion could prove to be a fertile ground for spreading Covid-19 infection. However, after the decision led to an outrage in Odisha, several petitions were filed requesting the court to reconsider its decision. On Saturday, Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb, who heads the management of the 12th century Jagannath temple, had requested Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik to approach the Supreme Court with a request for partial modification of its order and to allow the Rath Yatra only at Puri. Also Read: Puri King asks Naveen Patnaik to move SC to modify order stopping Rath Yatra The cancellation of Rath Yatra is not correct. SC can allow the deities to get on the chariots. However, the congregation of the devotees should be banned and the festival be organised with limited servitors and police. The festival can be telecast live, Saraswati had said a day after the SC judgement. A three-judge bench, headed by chief justice SA Bobde, had stayed the Rath Yatra on Thursday, a decision accepted by the state cabinet and rejected by various religious bodies. At least 4 intervention petitions have been filed in the matter. Chhatisa Nijoga, the apex body of priests of the Jagannath temple has filed two intervention petitions seeking recall of the order and allowing Rath Yatra at Puri to be held while adhering to all guidelines of Covid-19. Also Read:Plea in SC against Rath Yatra order Among the arguments presented to allow the Rath Yatra, the petitioners allege that it is a unique festival with an unbroken tradition for over 280 years. Another argument cites a 1964 order by the Supreme Court which allegedly termed the Puri Rath Yatra to be a unique event which requires special treatment by the state government. Another point seeks to highlight the huge expenses incurred in the preparation for the Yatra including construction of the chariots and Covid-19 testing of hundreds of servitors to seek its restoration. Petitions also mention an alternative way of holding the yatra sans the crowd of devotees by using the police force to pull the chariots while another suggests using either machinery or elephants for the purpose. Temple priests and other religious bodies in favour of holding the yatra had accused the Naveen Patnaik government for allegedly not presenting a convincing argument in the Supreme Court for holding the Yatra, with some even alleging that it was a deliberate tactic to stall the Yatra. PAUL HIGGINS WATERLOO -- Regarding the disturbing police activities in Minnesota, we're inundated in unbridled scrutiny of a singular topic -- policing. That prompts my curiosity. The broader landscape invites, begs for holistic scrutiny. Much can be gleaned by considering many black American lifestyles -- including family structure, education levels, disturbingly disproportionate crime statistics, skill levels and work ethics. We hear of few false arrests, segregated schools, qualified job applicants unjustly denied, so this "left behind" mantra logically boils down to personal responsibility. Innocents are rarely cuffed, resist, run or shoot back. Observed behaviors create police intervention, for which we should be grateful. Behaviors are best taught in father/mother households of responsible adults. When discipline and responsibility aren't taught, alternative and often misguided role models lead to lawlessness. I'm curious, given substantial statistical data, (yet meager progress) what exactly is NAACP doing to inspire more aspiration, education and personal responsibility for especially their young folks? Mr. Floyd's manner of death was a travesty. However, had Mr. Floyd respected our laws, a police encounter of any kind was improbable. Minnesota's spineless politicians' delayed responses failed thousands, spawning devastating death and destruction. Please remember, police officers are true public servants. Embrace them, don't defund them. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Three local terrorists were killed by security forces in Zadibal area of Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar in a gun battle, the second in the just over a month in the city, officials said on Sunday. Vijay Kumar, inspector general of police in Kashmir, said they were involved in the killing of two personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) near Pandach Chowk on May 20 during Ramzan. The encounter between terrorists and security forces had erupted after a cordon and search operation was launched in the morning in Zadibal and Zoonimar Pozwalpora localities following inputs about their presence in the areas. Police said parents of the trapped terrorists were brought to the encounter site and asked to surrender but they refused to do so. Through our sources, we go to know of their identity and called their parents who appealed to them to surrender. But they didnt relent, Vijay Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI earlier in the day. Two of them are active since 2019. One was involved in attack on two BSF (Border Security Force) jawans last month, Kumar added. In May, security forces had gunned two terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen, including the son of a Kashmiri separatist leader, after an hours-long gunbattle on in Nawa Kadal locality of Srinagar. More than a dozen houses were also damaged in the blaze that erupted after several blasts and exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces during a 12-hour encounter in Nawa Kadal area on May 19. The gunbattle had started the previous day. Three personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a policeman were also injured during the encounter. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Serbians go to polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europes first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect some three months ago, with the ruling conservatives seen winning a comfortable majority. Polling stations will be equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for the use of the countrys 5.5 million voters, many of whom are expected to skip voting - partly due to fears of becoming infected. Turnout could also be hit by the boycott campaign of some opposition parties, who say the vote will not be free or fair due to President Aleksandar Vucics firm grip over the media. According to the latest opinion polls, Vucics conservative Serbian Peoples Party (SNS) is set to garner about 50% of the vote, boosted by widespread public approval over the governments handling of the pandemic. Vucics coalition partner, the Socialist Party, is expected to come second with about 10%, while an opposition centre-right party led by Aleksandar Sapic, the mayor of a Belgrade municipality, is tipped to come third. Vucic himself is not up for re-election, but the opposition parties that are boycotting the poll accuse him of using his position as president to promote his party. Serbia, which has a population of 7.2 million, has so far reported 12,803 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 260 deaths. It was among the first European countries to start opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted. Still, persistent health concerns will keep some voters at home, especially among higher-risk groups. A number of voters above 65 will not vote because they are afraid they could get infected, Bojan Klacar, executive director of the CESID pollster told Reuters. Voters largely back efforts by Vucics ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the European Union while maintaining strong ties with Russia and China. But the future government will face increasing EU and U.S. pressure to recognise the independence of Serbias former province of Kosovo, a move seen as key for regional stability. (Editing by Helen Popper) Armenian-American Organizations Slam Turkey's Renewed Genocide Denial Attempts The Armenian National Committee of America -- Western Region (ANCA-WR) and coalition partners slammed Turkish President Erdogan and his government's renewed attemts to deny the veracity of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government against the indigenous Christian Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian nations from 1915-1923, whereby over 3 million innocent people were massacred or deported. Republic of Turkey, the legal heir to the Ottoman Empire and its Turkic proxy Azerbaijan, are the only two countries to actively deny this crime against all of humanity. On June 16, 2020 the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey issued a statement sharing details from a five-hour closed-door meeting of the High Advisory Board chaired by President Recep Tayyip ErdoAan, where they discussed the next steps of Ankara's century-old genocide denial policy. "The recent 5-hour closed door meeting chaired by President Erdogan on a new strategy to deny the Armenian Genocide firstly speaks to the overwhleming success our community and our partners have been able to achieve worldwide, with the most recent addition of the unanimous passage of genocide affirmation resolutions by both chambers of U.S. Congress," remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. "This also highlights the importance of our work ahead aimed at rejecting denialism as well as unequivocally affirming the historical truth and seeking full justice for this crime." The following national organizations joined the ANCA Western Region in endorsing the statement, immediately following the reports emerging of the infamous meeting in Ankara: A Demand For Action American Hellenic Council Assyrian American Association of Southern California Assyrian Genocide and Research (SEYFO Center) Genocide Watch Greek Genocide Resource Center Hellenic American Leadership Council In Defense of Christians Israeli-American Civic Action Network Israeli-American Civic Education Institute Jewish World Watch Philos Project Together We Remember Full text of the statement is provided below: On June 16, 2020 the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey issued a statement sharing details from a five-hour closed-door meeting of the High Advisory Board chaired by President Recep Tayyip ErdoAan, where they discussed the next steps of Ankara's century-old genocide denial policy. The first modern case of genocide perpetrated against the indigenous Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian nations was a centrally planned and systematically executed deportation and murder of over 3 million innocent people by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923. The Armenian Genocide is fully documented in the U.S. archives and through an overwhelming body of first-hand, governmental, and diplomatic evidence as well as thousands of real-time maintream media reports. Aside from Turkey and its Turkic ally Azerbaijan, no other country actively denies the veracity of this international crime against humanity. Despite overwhelming documentation by historians and condemnation by over 30 countries worldwide, an unrepentant Turkey seeks to both enforce an international gag-rule against truthful affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and to obstruct a just international resolution of this still unpunished crime. Recognizing that silence and denial of genocide creates a veil of impunity by which states avoid responsibility for not only their historic crimes, but contemporary human rights abuses, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued genocide denial policy by the Turkish government and its proxies, calling on all who are committed to upholding and ensuring the protection of universal human rights to fight against genocide denial and commit to exposing genocide, confronting denialism wherever it occurs, deny a public platform for hate, and empower communities that have experienced or are suffering genocide. Understanding that denial is the final stage of genocide, enforcing the erasure of a peoples' history and suffering, we call on people of good conscience to bring awareness to the plight of the victims of genocide both past and present, to hold accountable those who seek to distort historical truth, and ensure that never again will the world watch on in silence while genocide is perpetrated. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday reports of an impending suspension of non-immigrant work visas such as H-1B and L-1, which impact Indian companies operating in the US and Indians hoping to work in that country the most, and said an announcement was expected tomorrow or the next day. Were going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas, Trump said to a Fox News interviewer when asked about his plans to suspend these visas, which have been reported widely, including by Hindustan Times. And I think its going to make a lot of people happy. And its common sense, to be honest with you. He refused to preview the details of the order, but linked it to the state of the economy, which is struggling with record unemployment numbers caused by the lockdown in large parts of the US to fight off the coronavirus pandemic. We have plenty of people looking for jobs, he said. Asked if there will be exclusions, or exemptions, the President said there will be some to protect the flow of workers for big businesses. He did not specify. President Trump had suspended most categories of immigration in April, exempting relatives of US citizens and health care professionals, to ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens. Non-immigrants visas were spared at the time, but they are due any day now. The United States grants 85,000 H-1B short-term work visas to highly skilled foreign professionals every year. More than 70% go to Indians hired either from among those enrolled in the US for higher studies or those brought from India. They are recruited both by US companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, and Indian IT services majors such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro. And L-1 visas are used for intra-company transfers. These visas, especially H-1Bs, have been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration for a long time, going way beyond the unemployment crisis brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak. Increased scrutiny, tighter rules and qualification standards started just weeks after Trump took office with the issuance of the April 18, 2017 executive order rolling out his Buy American, Hire American vision. Rejection rates of H-1B visas have been going up steadily since, as has been demands for additional information that make the programme prohibitively tiresome and expensive by piling up the paperwork and costs, companies say. Many Indian companies have recalibrated their business models and ramped up local hiring. The Indian government continues to raise these increasing restrictions with the Trump administration, but with few positive outcomes. L ondon City Airport is reopening to the public today after being closed to commercial flights for nearly three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The airport has introduced a series of new safety and hygiene measures as part of efforts to curtail the Covid-19 crisis, including enhanced cleaning, limiting terminal access to those with a ticket and mandatory face coverings. Its first flight following the restart will be operated by Loganair on behalf of BA CityFlyer from the Isle of Man and is due to land shortly after 6pm. Initial routes will mainly be restricted to those within the UK and Ireland, with services to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin expected to return next month. New routes to Teesside and Dundee will be launched on July 6 while flights to sunshine destinations such as Ibiza, Florence, Malaga and Palma are likely to resume in the coming weeks. A Department for Transport spokesman said: It is hugely encouraging to see new flight routes connecting Dundee and Teesside to the heart of the UKs financial sector. UK airlines launch legal action against 14-day quarantine policy The resumption of operations comes after London Citys runway was closed to commercial and private flights on March 25 due to the collapse in demand and travel restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The airport has been available to Government agencies and the military during the crisis, however. The results of a survey of 4,700 London City customers published earlier this week suggested that 79 per cent are very likely or quite likely to fly when they are told by the Government and airports or airlines that it is safe to do so again. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the airport, said the poll shows passengers have a desire to not only enjoy a holiday soon after nearly three months of lockdown, but to get back to business travel as well. Last year it was the UKs 12th busiest airport, handling 5.1m passengers. Its location in east London, close to the capital's financial district, means the airport is particularly popular with business travellers. On This Day The Day the British Sentenced Folk Hero Maung Thant to Death British troops in colonial-era Burma. YANGONOn this day in 1911, Maung Thant, a farmer turned folk hero who many Myanmar people hoped would restore the monarchy and lead a rebellion against the British, was sentenced to death by the British colonial government. A few decades earlier, the British government had implemented a violent crackdown on Myanmar resistance fighters that included the beheading of Bo Min Yaung, a cousin of one of the grandmothers of Myanmars independence hero General Aung San. After rumors spread that Maung Thant, a poor farmer from Myinmu (in what is now Sagaing Region) had supernatural powers, the 20-year-old became the hope of many in Myanmar, whose people were desperate for any relief from high taxes and economic hardship. Believing they could not be harmed by bullets if they were with Maung Thant, thousands of people joined him in a raid on Myinmu police station, but were repulsed by Indian colonial police. Maung Thant went into hiding, but was eventually arrested at Rangoon (now Yangon) Central Railway Station. He was hanged in Mandalay Prison. Four others were hanged along with Maung Thant and 29 others were sentenced to life imprisonment. Villagers who supported the rebellion were fined and jailed. Though his image as the new king of Myanmar was scorned by the government and the urban educated class, he was popular among rural people in both Upper and Lower Myanmar. Many children, including a boy born in the Irrawaddy Delta, were named after him. That boy would later become known around the world as U Thant, the third United Nations secretary-general. Twenty years after Maung Thants hanging, Saya San led an armed peasant rebellion. Saya San was himself hanged at the age of 52. Around 3,000 rebels who fought alongside him were killed or injured. Over 8,000 were arrested, with 78 hanged and 270 sentenced to life imprisonment. British troops displayed the heads of peasants who died in the rebellion in Prome (now Pyay). Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Transatlantic Tensions Rise Over Digital Taxes WASHINGTONThe dispute over digital services taxes has increased after Washington pulled out of global negotiations last week, triggering fears of a new trade war between the United States and Europe. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin withdrew the United States from negotiations that seek to rewrite cross-border tax rules for digital trade. We were making no headway, and the Secretary made the decision that rather than have them go off on their own, he would just say were no longer involved in the negotiations, Lighthizer said June 17, during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee. Mnuchin sent a letter dated June 12 to his peers in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, the Financial Times reported. In the letter, he expressed concern that the talks had reached an impasse. This is a time when governments around the world should focus their attention on dealing with the economic issues resulting from COVID-19, he wrote, urging countries not to rush difficult negotiations. He also warned that the United States would retaliate if countries take unilateral measures on digital services taxes. Lighthizer announced on June 2 a probe into digital services taxes that are being implemented or considered by a number of U.S. trading partners, including the European Union, the UK, Spain, and Italy. The United States vowed to take all appropriate action to protect U.S. companies and workers against tax discrimination, Lighthizer said in a statement. The rapid growth in online sales around the world forced governments to determine how to tax transactions online in a country where companies sell goods and services without having a physical presence. These companies include e-commerce marketplaces, social media, cloud services, and other web-based services platforms. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has stepped in to coordinate talks among more than 130 member countries. The negotiations have been going for months to rewrite tax laws with a goal of reaching a solution by the end of the year. The objective of these talks is to prevent conflicting policies that have arisen unilaterally in consumption and digital services taxes. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called Mnuchins letter a provocation. Its a provocation towards all the partners at the OECD, when we were centimeters away from a deal on the taxation of digital giants, he told France Inter radio. In January, the French government suspended its plans to implement digital taxes until the end of the year. In May, however, Le Maire said that Paris would go ahead with digital taxes this year, regardless of progress toward an international deal. Individual countries have been implementing their own digital services taxes (DSTs), which are applied to revenues rather than profits. These taxes only focus on companies that have significant global and domestic earnings, so they mainly affect large American firms such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, according to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a U.S. think tank. Although on the surface, DSTs offer equal treatment to all firms, distinguishing only according to their size and business model, most of the burden falls on a small set of foreign companies, mostly based in the United States, ITIF stated in a report, calling it bad policy. A 3 percent tax on revenues equates to a 23 percent tax on profits for a company with a margin of 15 percent, but a 63 percent tax for one with a margin of 5 percent. In response to Mnuchins letter, European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said that the EU would go ahead with taxing digital services if theres no global deal, according to Reuters. I very much regret the U.S. move to put the brakes on international talks on taxation of the digital economy. I hope that this will be a temporary setback rather than a definitive stop, Gentiloni said. And if a deal proves impossible this year, he said, we have been clear that we will come forward with a new proposal at the EU level. According to a report by the Tax Foundation, countries rely on novel, but distortive and discriminatory, approaches to taxing digital businesses. These policies have the potential to lead to an economically harmful tax and trade war and should be avoided. After the death of African-American man George Floyd, an innocent man allegedly accused of holding a fake $20 bill, America and the world saw several Black Lives Matter protests break out. Now, in a new development, historical figures across the US and Europe are being called out for who they really were: racists. The statues of such people were reportedly vandalised with people demanding we stop celebrating these figures. Simply put, historical figure or not, if the person in question was a racist, they were 'cancelled.' The latest addition to this is the founder of Yale University, Elihu Yale. Apparently, he was not only a slave owner but also a slave trader as some pointed out online. Also read: More Protests In US As Another Black Man Killed By Cops Amid Outrage Over George Floyd's Death Yale University Since then, the hashtag #CancelYale has been trending on Twitter and the micro-blogging website is flooded with people demanding that we stop celebrating the man. Elihu Yale was born in Boston and was the President of the East India Company's Madras settlement in St George, India. He was an American-born British merchant and has now been accused of racism and slavery in India, mostly by two of his paintings that used to hang in the University. Both paintings featured Yale along with a brown boy who had a collar around his neck. Also see: George Floyd Death: 19 Powerful Photos From The Black Lives Matter Protests In United States Twitter Historians have still not firmly confirmed Yale's slave trade links but there is reportedly evidence that he not only practiced buying and selling slaves but also made it compulsory for European ships carry at least ten slaves onboard while returning from colonies like India. Social media is now flooded with people saying one simple thing: Cancel Yale. Also read: Google Docs Is Used Heavily In George Floyd Protests And Black Lives Matter Yale University was named for Elihu Yale. Not just a man who had slaves. An actual slave trader. I call on @Yale to change its name immediately and strip the name of Yale from every building, piece of paper, and merchandise. Otherwise, they hate black people. #CancelYale Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) June 20, 2020 Yale's entire campus is a monument to slavery. #CancelYale Michael Berry (@MichaelBerrySho) June 20, 2020 202 years of celebrating a racist, genocidal slave trader is enough. YALE. MUST. CHANGE. ITS. NAME. #CancelYale Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 19, 2020 For those calling #CancelYale a troll My question is: If you believe in tearing down the monuments to confederate generals due to slavery How do you *not* rename a university named after a slave trader, Elihu Yale? Cernovich (@Cernovich) June 20, 2020 If you havent been keeping up with my boy @JesseKellyDC tweets today follow him. Hes slaying the SJW pussies! Fighting fire with fire! #CancelYale https://t.co/QBptAwx3jY Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) June 20, 2020 I never knew this about Yale ....#CancelYale pic.twitter.com/SznreC25At Joel Baker (@SRLobo12) June 20, 2020 This is extremely important during times when people are still discriminated against based on who they are. Security forces shot dead three terrorists in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar after they refused to surrender on Sunday, officials said. This was the second such operation in the city in just over a month. Vijay Kumar, Kashmir inspector general of police, said one of the militants a local resident was involved in the killing of two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel near the citys Pandach Chowk during Ramzan May 20. He was identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo of Bharthana near Srinagar. The second militant, Shahid Ahmad Bhat, was a resident of Semthan Bijbehara in South Kashmir, while the third person was yet to be identified. They were affiliated to the Hizbul Mujahideen, a banned local group, and the Kashmir unit of the Islamic State, according to the police, who said the terrorists were working jointly. Security personnel launched the operation after receiving intelligence inputs about their presence in a house in the densely populated Zadibal in downtown Srinagar late on Saturday night. Subsequently, the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search operation in the areas Zoonimar. Through our sources, we go to know of their identity and called their parents who appealed to them to surrender. But they didnt relent...after that, an operation was launched to neutralize them, he said. The house owner and people from nearby houses were evacuated successfully, and the terrorists cornered during the operation. Your mother is suffering from a heart ailment. Come out and surrender. They will help you, the uncle of one of the terrorists said. The mother of one of them, with tears in her eyes, urged her son to lay down his arms, according to news agency PTI. A police spokesperson said security forces showed patience and restraint, and ensured a clean operation with no collateral damage in a highly congested and densely populated area of Srinagar. Mobile internet services were suspended in the city view of the operation. The operation came less than 24 hours of security forces killing a terrorist, a Pakistani national, at Likhdipora village in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. The police spokesperson said he was identified as Tayab Waleed, alias Imran Bhai, alias Gazi Baba, who was affiliated to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. According to police records, he was the operational commander of the JeM and an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDS), besides being a sharp shooter. One AK rifle, one M-4 Carbine, and a pistol, among others, were recovered from the encounter. Security personnel have stepped up the offensive in the Kashmir Valley, killing over 100 terrorists in operations since the beginning of the year. Several of these encounters have taken place in south Kashmir, considered the hotbed of militancy. Among the major successes of security forces this year was the killing of Riyaz Naikoo, a top commander of the Hizbul, in an operation in Beighpora last month. On May 19, two top Hizbul terrorists were killed in the Safakdal area in Srinagar. People wearing protective masks prepare their mobile phone for Safe Entry check-in as they queue to enter a shopping mall at Orchard Road in Singapore. (PHOTO: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images) SINGAPORE The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 262 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore as of Sunday (21 June) noon, bringing the total to 42,095. There are 10 community cases, with two Singaporeans and one permanent resident among them. The remaining seven cases are holders of work passes or work permits. Among the Singaporean cases is a 22-year-old male student (Case 41884) who was tested as part of the ministrys proactive screening of students at Institutes of Higher Learning who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection (ARI) at first presentation to a doctor. He is a student at Nanyang Technological University, but has not gone to the university since early April 2020, the MOH said. The remaining Singaporean case (Case 42115), a 58-year-old man, and the permanent resident one (Case 41956), a 33-year-old man, were detected due to the MOHs proactive surveillance of persons working or living at dormitories. They were asymptomatic. All seven work pass or work permit holders were tested even though they are asymptomatic, the ministry said. Among them, two (Cases 42003 and 42100) had been identified as contacts of previously confirmed cases, and had already been quarantined at government quarantine facilities. They were swabbed during quarantine to verify their status, the MOH said. Another three cases (Cases 42098, 42112 and 42116) were tested as part of our efforts to screen workers in essential services. The remaining two cases (Cases 42113 and 42114) were detected through our proactive screening of persons working at dormitories. One new cluster was announced a dormitory at 242 Woodlands Industrial Park E5. Dozens of clusters linked to foreign worker dorms have been identified thus far, including Singapores largest cluster of 2,766 cases linked to S11 Dormitory@Punggol, followed by Sungei Tengah Lodge with 2,044 cases, Jurong Penjuru Dormitory with 1,771 cases, Cassia @ Penjuru with 1,464 cases, and Tuas View Dormitory with 1,407 cases. Story continues These dorms, the top five clusters with the highest number of cases here, account for some 24 per cent of the total 39,439 infected workers living in dorms. Some 400,000 such workers live in dorms here. Cases on 21 June (Table: Ministry of Health) Over 34,900 patients have recovered With 718 more patients discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities on Sunday, 34,942 cases have fully recovered from the infection. Most of the 179 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while one is in critical condition in the intensive care unit. A total of 6,948 patients with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive are isolated and cared for at community facilities. Apart from 26 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 10 others who tested positive for the virus have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another three, including the 44-year-old male Indian national who died on 8 June, whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease. Only cases where the attending doctor or pathologist attributes the primary or underlying cause of death as due to COVID-19 infection will be added to the COVID-19 death count, said the MOH in previous press releases, adding that the method of assessment is consistent with international practices for classifying deaths. As of 15 June, the ministry has conducted 576,189 swab tests, of which 340,894 were done on unique individuals. This translates to around 101,100 swabs conducted per 1 million total population, and about 59,800 unique individuals swabbed per 1 million total population. Singapore has entered Phase 2 of its reopening with various safe distancing measures still in place on Friday. This phase is expected to last up to six months or longer, according to authorities. With more returning to workplaces, the MOH said on Thursday that it will extend testing to all individuals aged 45 and above who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection from later next week. It will be progressively be extended to more groups, it added. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: Partnerships important in forging Singapore's future: Heng Swee Keat Holland Village restaurant ordered to close after allowing crowds to mingle outside Four arrested for suspected drug trafficking using unmanned aircraft SDP chief Chee Soon Juan to contest in Bukit Batok SMC for upcoming GE Kathmandu: SAARC Chair Nepal on Saturday said it will hold talks with member states to press for holding the groupings summit which has been postponed following a pull-out by five countries, including India. Nepal would take necessary initiatives and hold discussions with member countries to press for holding the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit (SAARC Summit), Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat said. The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled to take place in Pakistani capital Islamabad from November 9 to 10 but was postponed yesterday following the pull-out by five countries -- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The SAARC member states must be sensitive towards holding the Summit by ensuring the participation of every member, Mahat said while talking to media persons upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport here. SAARC is an important forum for advancing regional cooperation and development, said the Minister, landed in Kathmandu after leading the Nepali delegation to the 71st United National General Assembly (UNGA). Harmonious relations between the member states would enhance utilisation of the association and encourage regional development, he was quoted as saying by Himalayan Times. Besides India, three other SAARC membersBangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistanpulled out of the summit, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet. Sri Lanka also pulled out of the SAARC Summit, becoming the fifth country to do so. Citing continuous cross border terrorism by Pakistan, India had announced earlier this week that in the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad. SAARC member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Security researchers at threat intelligence firm Cyble discovered over 230.000 Indonesian COVID-19 patients records leaked in the darknet. As part of a regular Deepweb and Darkweb monitoring activity, researchers at threat intelligence firm Cyble identified a credible threat actor who was selling the database of COVID-19 patients of Indonesia. The threat actor is offering around 230,000+ patients records in one of the dark web markets. The leaked dump includes name, address, present address, telephone number, citizenship, diagnosis date, result, result date, and many more. Cyble has analyzed the data and confirmed its authenticity, it also indexed the record in its data breach monitoring and notification service AmiBreached.com. Cyble has acquired, validated and, indexed the leak on their data breach monitoring and notification platform, AmiBreached.com people whore concerned about their information exposure can register on the platform to ascertain the risks. reads the post published by Cyble. The company recommends people to: Never share personal information, including financial information over the phone, email or SMSs Use strong passwords and enforce multi-factor authentication where possible Regularly monitor your financial transaction, if you notice any suspicious transaction, contact your bank immediately. Turn-on automatic software update feature on your computer, mobile and other connected devices where possible and pragmatic Use a reputed anti-virus and internet security software package on your connected devices including PC, Laptop, Mobile People who are concerned about their exposure in darkweb can register at AmiBreached.com to ascertain their exposure. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs hacking, Indonesian COVID-19 patients) A man has been charged after he was caught by police making a weapon and explosives in his home. Officers found Pascal Knorr-Gulde, 47, making the devices during a raid of his home in Southampton, Hampshire. Neighbouring homes on Bond Road were evacuated following the discovery and the entire area was searched as a precaution A man has been charged with manufacturing a weapon, device or ammunition and making of/possession of explosive under suspicious circumstances in Southampton. Pascal Knorr-Gulde was caught by police with the neighbouring houses evacuated after the discovery Mr Knorr-Gulde was charged with manufacturing a weapon, device or ammunition and making of/possession of explosive under suspicious circumstances. He has been remanded to custody and will appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Monday (June 22). A Hampshire police spokesman said: 'The explosive ordnance disposal team assisted a search of the property and two neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution. 'The people that were evacuated have since returned home and the area has been made safe. 'We do not believe there is any wider risk to public at this time.' A 40-year-old has also been interrogated by police and was released on bail until July 17. The Chief Medical Officer is warning that the "widespread community transmission" of Covid-19 we saw here in April could easily return. Dr Tony Holohan was commenting on the release of the latest data on the pandemic here, as Kristal Walker could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she held the letter gingerly in her hands. After searching for the truth for twelve years her question was about to be answered but she couldn't ignore the impending feeling of dread. Ms Walker was just 18 years old when a family member blurted out that 'something bad' had happened to her as a child on the porch of her Adelaide home. Despite begging everyone and anyone to tell her what it was, the incident remained a dark family secret for more than a decade. Kristal Walker (pictured), 33, applied for documents under the Freedom of Information Act from the Department of Family and Community Services in 2017 after spending 12 years trying to unearth the truth about what happened to her during her childhood A doctor's report warned 'further damage to this child is inevitable' if the legal system did not take action In a desperate bid to find out the truth Ms Walker used Freedom of Information laws to obtain documents from the Department of Family and Community Service (FACS) in October 2017. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Kristal said she knew she was about to find out something terrible when she got a phone call from a public servant almost a year later. 'The woman [from FACS] called me the day before they arrived to give me a heads up,' Ms Walker told Daily Mail Australia. 'She said,"be prepared, it's pretty graphic".' In February 2018, the papers finally landed in the mailbox of her Perth home, where she has lived the past eight years. Inside were horrific photos showing Ms Walker at 22 months, beaten black and blue, with her eyes swollen shut. The photographs had been taken at Maitland Hospital, in NSW, just minute away from her then home. Documents unearthed under Freedom of Information laws (F0I) included horrific images of Kristal aged 22 months brutally bashed with blackened eyes in Maitland Hospital, in the NSW Hunter Valley A relative let slip to Ms Walker in 2006, when she was 18-years-old, that 'something bad happened' when she was a child (pictured aged two, in 1989) The relative had alluded to a violent altercation but had stopped short of providing solid details. Ms Walker had no idea what to expect. 'My partner opened it first and looked at the pictures and I saw his eyes tearing up,' she said. 'I went and had a look myself 30 minutes later. It wasn't what was I was expecting, but I guess I didn't know what to expect. 'I felt quite numb. But after a while, once I had read over it a few times, it started to become real.' Hospital records indicated Ms Walker was too distraught that night for doctors to complete a full physical examination The horrendous images were accompanied by doctors' reports warning 'further damage to this child is inevitable' if the legal system did not take action. 'There are absolutely no doubt these injuries were inflicted by an adult,' the report read. 'I am most concerned that the legal system does not see it's primary responsibility as protecting this child from further injury and fear that despite all of our best efforts that further damage to this child is almost inevitable'. A follow up medical completed four days after the initial hospital visit concluded her injuries were potentially fatal, but she had luckily escaped brain damage. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Ms Walker's mother or her mother's then boyfriend committed the attack. Ms Walker pictured with Santa at seven-months-old in December, 1987 A doctor's report noted Ms Walker's injuries were potentially fatal and she had fortunately escaped brain damage While mediation can be fast tracked if certain procedures are met, several sections of Ms Walker's freedom of information documents have been redacted, or are not included, leaving huge chunks of missing details in the timeline of events. She still does not know what processes occurred that allowed the care plan to be terminated early. 'Sometimes they create more questions than answers,' Ms Walker said of the papers. Ms Walker pictured at five years old, while living in Victoria 'There is just a black gap there in the process that I don't know.' Ms Walker wants the matter re-investigated but has been told that the initial police report is required. She has contacted Maitland and Raymond Terrace Police, but both stations told her they can not find a report on the attack in their systems. 'I can't even find out if it was investigated, because I was shut down and told I didn't exist,' she said. Ms Walker, who did not come to terms with the seriousness of the reports right away, still has bouts of emotions while reflecting on what happened to her as a child. 'I'll still have moments you know, while I'm getting on with life, like washing the dishes, that I get teary and upset because I had shut my emotions out for so long,' she said. Shortly after the discovery, she battled with alcoholism as a coping mechanism, but pulled herself out of the dark place early last year. After already completing a diploma of counselling, she is now studying criminology and criminal justice and is looking forward to marrying her fiance Michael Kurgan, 43, later this year. 'I have gone through difficult things in life, but now they make sense,' she said. Ms Walker met Michael Kurgan, 43, after moving to Perth in 2010. The couple plan to marry later this year 'Id never take it any of it back though, because its made me who I am.' Ms Walker is still searching for answers and urges anyone who may know anything about the incident or details about her early childhood to come forward. Authorities were unable to ascertain who committed the vile attack and, to this day, no one has been charged. She hopes speaking out will encourage those who know about incidents of child abuse and domestic violence to report it to authorities. 'People don't talk about child abuse and it's not okay to sit on it and hide it.' 'Evil is harming children and Australians need to know.' 'If you see you something say something. It is as simple as that.' Edwin Rodriguez has hauled in all manner of oddities in his 17 years as a fisherman for Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk. So it was a shock when, in December, he pulled up an oyster grate in the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford to find something totally new: a crab about the size of a human palm with long, skinny legs and furry mittens on its claws. Ive been fishing all over Long Island Sound and Ive never seen one of those crabs, Rodriquez said. I took a picture and sent it to my boss. I said, Ive never seen one like this. What is it? It was weird for me. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Dick Harris, a marine scientist for Copps Island, identified the crab as the highly invasive Chinese mitten crab named for those furry claws and immediately sounded the alarm. The crabs are native to China, where they are considered a delicacy in Asian cuisines, but for nearly a century theyve occupied other locations as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world. They migrate up freshwater rivers from saltwater bays and burrow into the banks destabilizing shores, weakening dams and levees, clogging screens, pumps and water intake structures and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure damage. The crabs have destroyed riverbanks in Germany and parts of the United States already. Theyre also resilient like rats, with a proven ability to survive even in polluted waters. Theyve wreaked havoc on recreational fishing industries by consuming bait, damaging fishing nets and devouring catch. And to top it off, theyre a threat to human health, carrying a number of harmful bacteria and a parasite that attacks human lungs if the crabs are eaten raw or undercooked. Now, suddenly, theyre threatening Connecticuts shores. They burrow in by the millions and turn the bank into jelly, Harris said. Its potentially a huge problem and we should be really worried about it. Rodriquez has found six crabs five males and one female, all of reproductive size since December. Most recently, he pulled up three on June 2. A single female can release up to 1 million eggs. I would probably now call this an invasion rather than an introduction, said Dave Hudson, a research scientist at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. We need to have our eyes on the water when it comes to these things. An animal like this can be pretty devastating economically. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Operation Hidden Mitten Usually enjoyed steamed, with a light dipping sauce of minced ginger and garlic, mitten crabs are in highest demand in the fall, when theyre easiest to catch. While you can get them live from a vending machine in China, the crabs are illegal to possess and illegal to serve in restaurants in the U.S., and it is illegal under the Lacey Act to import mitten crabs into the United States. But that hasnt stopped smugglers from bringing thousands to the U.S. every year for Chinese New Year and other cultural events. In January, officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced theyd intercepted illegal shipments of approximately 15,000 live Chinese mitten crabs as part of a code-named operation called Hidden Mitten. Operation Hidden Mitten was the first international inspection operation initiated by the newly formed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Inspection Interdiction Team, the agency said in a release in January. With the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, wildlife inspectors found the crabs in boxes falsely marked as shipments of T-shirts, jeans, auto part samples, shopping bags, photo albums and other commercial products, the agency said. Investigators seized the crabs at hubs and major international airports, and intercepted more than 3,400 pounds in Cincinnati alone. The shipments originated in China and Hong Kong and were destined for residences and businesses in multiple U.S. states. Most were headed to New York, federal officials said. The U.S. Department of the Interior is committed to protecting our nations natural resources for the continued benefit of the American people. Chinese mitten crabs pose a significant threat to humans, the environment and our economy, said Rob Wallace, assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the U.S. Department of the Interior, in a prepared statement. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut has crabs It is unclear how the crabs ended up in Connecticut though there are several theories. Often, the thrifty critters are scooped up in the ballast water of ships and released when the ship reaches the next port. In many places, the crabs are illegally imported and then intentionally released to create a local supply for seafood markets. And theres always a risk that one of those boxes of T-shirts could fall off a ship during transport. Mitten crabs also arent the first out-of-towners to turn up in Connecticut waters. Fishermen from Copps Island found four Dungeness crabs in 2017, though they tossed three back. They took the fourth, a 2.5 pounder, to the Maritime Aquarium, where it was identified as one of the crustaceans made famous by the Discovery Channels Deadliest Catch. They are native to the icy waters of the Pacific and none have been found in Long Island Sound since, so its unlikely theyve survived or taken hold here. In 2018, a single mitten crab was found in New Haven, but when no more were pulled up it was thought to be an isolated incident. Now, though, mitten crabs are more likely to take hold, Harris said, and that could be costly for the state both in the damage they can cause and the expense of fighting them. Recent studies estimate the economic cost of combating invasive species in the United States is approximately $120 billion per year. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Master escape artists In the United States, mitten crabs have already spread to several California waterways, the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, and the Hudson River, according to the fish and wildlife agency. The crabs can migrate up to 11 miles per day on land and water, have been found as far as 8 miles upstream in some areas and are capable of climbing even the steepest walls something Harris found out the hard way. He placed the three most recent stowaways in a glass tank at the lab he keeps at Copps Island Oysters. The next day, he came in to find an empty tank. The crabs had escaped. He found them crawling around the house, scooped them up, placed them back in the tank and covered it with a board. Even that didnt work. They were gone again the next day. One made it all the way to the basement. He didnt find the crabs in time, and now he keeps them in the freezer. So the master escape artists have already proved they wont be easy to contain if they multiply in Connecticuts rivers, Harris said. Harris and Hudson said recreational and commercial fishermen should be on the lookout for crabs with furry claws, and if you find one, contact them immediately, as well as the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Harris is working with the department to gain approval to set a trap for the crabs. Both Harris and Hudson were clear: If you catch one, do not put it back in the water. If it looks like it has hairs on its claws, it is not native, Hudson said. If it has hairy claws, I want to see it. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt India has the capability to fight war on two fronts with China and Pakistan, former army chief General VP Malik has said. General Malik was speaking to Hindustan Times sister publication Hindustan. We can easily fight the war at two fronts. We should not worry too much, our forces have the capability, General Malik said. He also said that Indian Armys skill, determination and ability to fight mountain warfare is better than Chinas. The former army chief made these remarks while discussing the stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakhs Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Also Watch | Can India fight war on two fronts with China & Pakistan? Gen VP Malik answers What happened on June 15 is a turning point. India will now have to changes its China policy, not just on the military front but economic and political fronts too, General Malik said. When asked about the possibility of a war with China, the former army chief said, We now have the capabilities. And if this indeed happens, we can fight. We can even take offensive action in some areas. We may have lesser weapons, our forces can efficiently defend Indias borders. The stand-off in Galwan Valley began after a unit of Indian soldiers saw Chinese army personnel in the area in violation of the set protocols between the two countries. When the Indian side confronted the Chinese, it resulted in a skirmish and both sides attacked each other with fists and sticks, people aware of the development said. A Colonel, who was leading the patrol unit, was among those killed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong statement after the incident and said that though India is a peace-loving country, it is capable of giving befitting reply if provoked. He reiterated the firm stance while chairing an all-party meeting on the issue where the prime minister said that Indian territory is intact and that no intruder was on Indian territory across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had mourned the death of the 20 soldiers, and said that the nation will nevr forget their supreme sacrifice. Both sides are engaged in the rounds of talsk to defuse the tension in the area. They may be 11,000 kilometres apart, but the Australian founder of an African school for the disadvantaged has made a big impression on the artist painting her portrait. Working from her Melbourne studio, Anna Minardo has been conducting sittings by Zoom video with Gemma Sisia, the founder of a free school for the poor in Tanzania. Anna Minardo works of the portrait of Gemma Sisia who established the School of St Jude in Tanzania. Credit:Penny Stephens In six sessions over two months, Ms Minardo has crafted an image of Ms Sisia with three students, the initial enrolment when The School of St Jude opened in the city of Arusha in 2002. St Jude now has 1800 students, from years 1 to 12, and recently started a transition-to-university program. Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the senior most defence officials to take stock of the situation at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Ladakh. This meeting is right before Defence ministers visit to Russia. At the meeting, Singh carried out a comprehensive review of the entire security situation in eastern Ladakh and all other sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the sources said. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. The meeting went off for about an hour. Apart from the current situation the powers of taking independent decision to deal with belligerence of the Chinese troops was again discussed and re-emphasised, said a source. The incident of Chinese attacking the Indian soldiers in Galwan, Patrolling Point 14, with rods and bamboo stick studded with nails with PLA troops attired in riot gears came as a rude shock to the soldiers bound by protocols. Indian Armys discipline and commitment towards the protocols was misused by the Chinese troops who ambushed them in a planned manner which led to loss of 20 lives including the Commanding Officer of the local Unit. Now the Commanders are free to improvise their reactions befitting the Chinese actions and to reply them in their own language. told a senior officer. They said the ground commanders of the Army have even been allowed to use firearms in rare cases, in a departure from the decades-old understanding between the two militaries to not resort to gun power in face-offs. India has already mobilised fighter jets and sent thousands of additional troops to forward locations along the border with China after June 15. The clash in Galwan Valley, the worst cross-border violence in 45 years, significantly frayed ties between the two countries, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a strong message to China that "India wants peace but if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply". In the meeting on Sunday, Singh told the top military officers to maintain a strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, the airspace and in strategic sea lanes, the sources said. Following the Galwan incident, the sources said, Indian troops will no longer be bound by the long-held practice of not using firearms in faceoffs. Indian Army is likely to convey to the Chinese military about the decision soon. An important indication comes from Finger 4 which has been the most complicated standoff. Sources informed that Indian Army has now decided to change tactics at Finger 4. We have been asked to not hold ourselves but to show strength at Finger-4 after Galwan incident. said the source. The two armies had mutually decided not to resort to use firearms during face-offs in sync with provisions of two agreements on border management. The agreements were signed in 1996 and 2005. ALSO READ | Sino-India border situation 'very tough', US talking to India, China to help them out: US President Donald Trump The IAF has already moved a sizeable number of its frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters to several key air bases including Leh and Srinagar in the last five days. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria on Saturday said the IAF is "well prepared" and "suitably deployed" to counter any security challenge along the border with China and even hinted that his force has flown combat air patrols in the Ladakh region as part of heightened preparedness. Under combat air patrols, fully armed fighter jets can be scrambled at short notices for specific missions. The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5 when their troops clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on May 5 and 6. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. Prior to the clashes, both sides had been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it was necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. The standoff between the two armies is at two points in Galwan Valley, Patrolling Point 14 and Patrolling Point 15, at Gogra Post (Patrolling Point 17A) in Hot Spring Sector and Finger-4 lying on the Northern Flank of the Pangong Tso Lake. The soldiers are on both sides of the Patrolling Point 14 in equal numbers told the sources. The Clash on Monday took place at this point. The standoff remains at other points also, confirmed the sources. ALSO READ | Government seeks product-wise details from industry to curb imports from China: Sources General VK Singh said on Saturday that if we lost 20, soldiers, more than double the number were killed on their side This is first statement from a minister of the present Government. The Defence Ministers meeting was important as the military to military meetings between the Indian and Chinese officers in the Eastern Ladakh have halted after the three days continuous meeting from Tuesday as on Monday evening there was a brutal clash which took Place at Patrolling Point 14 in which soldiers from both the sides lost lives. Thursday was the last meeting when the 10 Indian soldiers were released by the Chinese side. The government has also granted the three services additional financial powers of up to Rs 500 crore per procurement project to buy ammunition and weapons in view of the tense border standoff with China. Defence Minister is to leave for Moscow on Monday to attend the Victory Parade on June 24, 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War. The Parade is organised to honour the heroism and sacrifices made by the Russian and other friendly people. Separately, a Tri-Service 75- Member Indian Military Contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the Victory Parade along with Russian contingent. (With PTI Inputs) Authorities are investigating a sudden string of hangings involving black and Hispanic Americans after a sixth person of color was found hanging from a tree in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minnesota last month. Since May 27, one woman, four men and a teenage boy have been found dead from separate hangings in Portland, Southern California, Houston and New York City. So far officials have ruled every case a suicide, but each of the incidents have fuelled fears and suspicions about the possibility of lynchings as racial tensions continue to fester nationwide. People are on edge. They are nervous. This is a troubling, a challenging time for us. It is shocking in our community, and no death in that form should go uninvestigated, Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) told Fox26 this week after a Hispanic man was found hanging from a tree in Houston on Monday. In that case, officials say they found no evidence of foul play after the mans body was found in the community of Shady Acres. Authorities have not identified the man and are still awaiting autopsy results from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Since May 27, one woman, four men and a teenage boy have been found dead from separate hangings in Portland, Southern California, Houston and New York City. Malcolm Harsch (left), 38, was found in dead in a tree near a homeless encampment in Victorville on May 31 - just 10 days before the body of another black man, 24-year-old Robert Fuller (right), was found in suspiciously similar circumstances about 45 miles So far officials have ruled every case a suicide, but each of the incidents have fuelled fears and suspicions about the possibility of lynchings as racial tensions continue to fester nationwide (pictured: Multiple 'nooses' were spotted hanging in a Bronx, NYC, park which police have dismissed as pinata string) Two days later, police reported finding a black 17-year-old boy hanged outside of Ehrhardt Elementary School in nearby neighborhood of Spring on Wednesday morning. Local law enforcement said their investigation so far points toward suicide. Deputies were called to the parking area of a school in the 6600 block of Rosebrook, where a teenage black male was found deceased, the Harris County Sheriffs Office confirmed in a statement. Based on security video, witnesses and other evidence, preliminary indications are the male hanged himself. The sheriffs office said the boy had a history of suicide attempts, with one attempted as recently as a few weeks ago. Congresswoman Jackson, however, believes there could be to the story after an eerie pattern of recent suicides where black men were found hanging from trees. Members of the surrounding community also voiced their concern, as reported by KRIV. Were talking about multiple people hanging from trees across America in the middle of a race war thats going, said resident Anthony Scott. With everything thats been transpiring, with all of the hangings that have been taking place within the last two weeks, why wouldnt you automatically assume foul play? No one is hanging themselves from a tree, added another, who spoke on grounds of anonymity. Police reported finding a black 17-year-old boy hanged outside of Ehrhardt Elementary School (above) in nearby neighborhood of Spring on Wednesday morning A Hispanic man was also found hanging from a tree in Houston on Monday. In that case, officials say they found no evidence of foul play after the mans body was found in the community of Shady Acres (above) The first of the six hangings came in Portland, Oregon on May 27, when Otis Titi Gulley, a 31-year-old a homeless black transgender woman was found hanging from a tree in Rocky Butte Park. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Gulley's death a suicide, but Gulleys family are not convinced, fearing instead she was killed for her gender identity. You didnt ask any questions, Kenya Robinson, Gulleys mother, told the Portland Mercury, referring to the Portland Police Bureau. You saw a Black man in a tree who was in a homeless camp, and you wrote him off as being a transient homeless, and wrote it off as a suicide. Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found in dead in a tree near a homeless encampment in Victorville on May 31 - just 10 days before the body of another black man, 24-year-old Robert Fuller, was found in suspiciously similar circumstances about 45 miles away in another California town. The families of both victims have cast doubts on the manner of their deaths, insisting neither of the two men were suicidal and both ordering an independent investigation. In the case of Harsch, family members have since said he died of suicide and not a lynching, after they were shown video evidence of the lead-up to his death. On behalf of the family of Malcolm Harsch unfortunately it seems he did take his own life,' Najee Ali, a community activist and spokesman for Harsch's family, said in a statement Friday. The first of the six hangings came in Portland, Oregon on May 27, when Otis Titi Gulley (above), a 31-year-old a homeless black transgender woman was found hanging from a tree in Rocky Butte Park 'The Victorville Police Department officials released new video evidence to family members.' Ali said detectives had also met with Harsch's family and handed over evidence per their request. However, in the case of Fuller, uncertainty still looms. The 24-year-old was found hanging from a tree on June 10 in a park near Palmdale City Hall. Authorities immediately ruled his death a suicide and city officials attributed it to the emotional despair caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, concerned residents and family members have voiced scepticism regarding the hasty conclusion. The Department of Justice and the FBI are now reviewing Fullers death, after Los Angeles County officials this week walked back their original statements about the case. Chief medical examiner-coroner, Jonathan Lucas, said Monday that Fullers death was listed a suicide after his office found no immediate indications of a homicide. Initially, there wasnt any evidence or information that lead us to believe that there was anything other than a suicide, he said, before continuing he now thought it was necessary to roll back those findings and continue their probe. We felt better that we should look into it a little bit more deeply and carefully, just considering all the circumstances at play, he said. Fullers surviving family members, who have repeatedly stressed the 24-year-old was not suicidal, are also seeking an independent investigation and autopsy. To rush to the conclusion that this was a suicide and not a homicide is extremely disturbing, Hicks, the familys lawyer said in a statement. Especially given the manner by which Mr. Fuller was foundhanging from a tree. 'For African-Americans in America, hanging from a tree is a lynching,' he continued. 'Why was this cavalierly dismissed as a suicide and not investigated as a murder?' The families of both Fuller (left) and Harsch (right) have cast doubts on the manner of their deaths, insisting neither of the two men were suicidal and both ordering an independent investigation. On Wednesday, Fullers half-brother, Terron J. Boone, was fatally shot when he opened fire on Los Angeles County major crimes bureau deputies in the Mojave Desert community of Rosamond, authorities said. A warrant had been issued for the arrest of Boone, 31, on charges that he allegedly beat his girlfriend and held her captive for nearly a week. Nearly 3,000 miles away in the New York borough of the Bronx, and a day before Fullers body was found, 27-year-old Dominique Alexander was discovered hanging from a tree at Fort Tryon Park on June 9. The city's medical examiner said on Tuesday that Alexander's cause of death was ruled to be a suicide by hanging. However, a spokesperson for the NYPD told Gothamist than investigation into his death remains ongoing. We are just trying to grieve, Alexander's brother, Keats Alexander, told the Daily News. He was definitely loved by his family and his community. Its just so much. Ropes tied into nooses, a terrorizing symbol of lynchings commonly carried out in the Jim Crow era, have been placed in several places around the country in recent days. Ropes tied into nooses, a terrorizing symbol of lynchings commonly carried out in the Jim Crow era, have been placed in several places around the country in recent days (Deer Island, Maine shown above) NYPD were investigating reports of a noose hanging in Harlems Marcus Garvey Park earlier this week. Multiple apparent nooses were also found in the Bronxs Van Cortlandt Park on Thursday night (above) NYPD were investigating reports of a noose hanging in Harlems Marcus Garvey Park earlier this week. Multiple apparent nooses were also found in the Bronxs Van Cortlandt Park on Thursday night. Residents have voiced unrest regarding local police, insisting that when they reported the disturbing sight, officers insisted the hanging knots were nothing more than harmless string, and declined to open an investigation. On Wednesday, Fullers half-brother, Terron J. Boone, was fatally shot when he opened fire on Los Angeles County major crimes bureau deputies in the Mojave Desert community of Rosamond, authorities said I looked up and saw a noose hanging, Haridopolos, a 26-year-old Bronx public school teacher told Gothamist. It felt like it was meant to be seen. The other two were right by a walkway, in very good lighting. I've lived in the Bronx all my life and I've never seen something like this, a second resident said. It felt like a message, especially with Juneteenth being today. NYPD spokesman Sgt. Vincent Marchese said a commanding officer believed the apparent nooses were actually a nylon type string to hold a pinata. He noted they were found in a popular part of the park where people have gatherings and parties. Also on Juneteeth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States, a noose was found dangling from a power line in Deer Isle, Maine. A large White Lives Matter sign was found next to it, and Black Lives Matter signs vandalized and torn down. The Hancock County Sheriffs Office said they are investigating the matter. New Delhi, June 21 : A high power committee constituted for taking steps to decongest prisons in the national capital in the wake of Coronavirus has asked the Director General (DG) Prisons for "rapid testing" of jail staff and new inmates in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside jail premises. "Committee opined that 'Rapid Tests' need to be conducted to tackle the situation and to prevent the inmates already in Jail from catching the infection. On directions of the Chair, D.G. (Prisons) readily agreed to check the feasibility of getting these 'Rapid Tests' conducted as per the ICMR guidelines," an order of the high powered committee said. The Committee headed by Delhi High Court judge Justice Hima Kohli and also comprising Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goyal, Principal Secretary (Home) Satya Gopal and Kanwaljit Arora was set up pursuant to the orders of the Supreme Court in order to decongest the prisons. In order to present the spread of the virus inside the jail premises, the Committee directed the Jail Staff to continue to conduct Thermal Screening and Medical Examination of any suspected case. Jail Administration is also conducting CT-PCR test in cases of any medical necessity. It also directed DG (Prisons) for having regular medical checkup of the entire Jail Staff and inmates through Jail Doctors and to strictly follow the advisory and guidelines issued by ICMR and Delhi government's health department. "Directions have been given to DG (Prisons) for creation of separate isolation ward for the fresh inmates so that they be not permitted to intermingle with other inmates immediately on their arrival in the Jail," the order read. In view of the prevailing situation and to prevent Covid-19 spread in jail, the Committee opined that criteria for grant of interim bail/parole shall be further relaxed. The committee has now included various new categories for this relief including Under trial prisoners (UTPs) (who are related as spouse of the deceased) facing trial for a case under Section 498A and 304B IPC and are in jail for more than two years with no involvement in any other case. Under trial prisoners (UTPs) (who are related as father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law of the deceased) facing trial for offence under Section 498A and 304B IPC and are in jail for more than one year with no involvement in any other case will also be considered for the relief. "Delhi still has prison population of 13,677 as on June 19, 2020 against the combined holding capacity of 10,026 of 16 Jails of the national capital," the order read. Earlier on Friday, a senior official of the of Tihar Central Jail - Asia's largest prison - tested positive for Covid-19. According to the jail officials, the officer was the Superintendent of Jail Number 4. He had complained of fever on June 4 and was on leave since then before getting tested for Covid-19 on June 11. The report, which came on June 13, showed he was positive. "He is currently fine and has recovered but will continue home quarantine till next Saturday (June 27)," Director General, Prisons, Sandeep Goyal said. With this, a total of 56 persons -- 37 staffers and 19 inmates -- at the Tihar Central Jail have tested positive so far. India: Religious conversion ban threatening Christians may expand to 9th state Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Hindu nationalist government of the northern state of Haryana has pledged to enact a law to regulate religious conversions that would lead to the arrest of Christians who share their faith, talk about Heaven or Hell, or perform charity work for lower caste Hindus. The draconian "anti-conversion" laws, termed as Freedom of Religion Acts, presume that Christian workers "force" or give financial benefits to Hindus to convert them to Christianity. Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana's chief minister, said this week his administration would introduce a bill against religious conversion by force, marriages, or through inducement for the specific purpose of adopting a religion, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said, quoting Indian newspapers. Eight other states in India have already enacted this law. "While one has the right to adopt any religion, conversion by force, inducement, etc. are not tolerable. The Right to Freedom of Religion Bill will be brought in, in which there will be provisions against conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marriage, or any fraudulent means," Khattar was quoted as saying. "Strict actions are being considered to be taken against those involved in forced conversions," the official, belonging to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, added. While these laws have been in place for decades in some states, no Christian has been convicted of "forcibly" converting anyone to Christianity. However, these laws allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion. "Although similar laws exist in eight other states in India, those governments have not defined the terms' inducement,' 'coercion,' 'force,' or 'fraud' in the context of religious conversions," ICC said. "Due to this legal ambiguity, these laws have been widely abused and empowers radical Hindu nationalist groups to attack and intimidate Christian minorities claiming to be acting under the state law." Some of these laws state that no one is allowed to use the "threat" of "divine displeasure," meaning Christians cannot talk about Heaven or Hell, as that would be seen as "forcing" someone to convert. And if snacks or meals are served to Hindus after an evangelistic meeting, that could be seen as "inducement." The ICC previously noted that India's own population data proves that the conspiracy of mass conversions to Christianity is a false claim. "In 1951, the first census after independence, Christians made up only 2.3% of India's overall population. According to the 2011 census, the most recent census data available, Christians still only make up 2.3% of the population." Attacks and curbs on Christians have been on the rise since the BJP won India's 2014 general election. "Since the current ruling party took power in 2014, incidents against Christians have increased, and Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences," noted Open Doors' World Watch List, which ranked India as the 10th worst country for Christians. "The view of the Hindu nationalists is that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so any other faith including Christianity is viewed as non-Indian. Also, converts to Christianity from Hindu backgrounds or tribal religions are often extremely persecuted by their family members and communities," Open Doors added. According to Delhi-based Evangelical Fellowship of India, at least 147 violent attacks on India's Christian community were reported in 2014, and the number increased to 366 in 2019. India recently denied entry visas to representatives of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom who had planned to investigate reports of persecution of Muslims and Christians following the release of its report that designates India as a "Country of Particular Concern." Southeast Asian countries have become Chinas biggest trading partner this year. At the same time, economic activity in wealthier nations has slowed because of the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Trade between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China reached $240 billion in the first five months of 2020. That is an increase of 4.2 percent over the same period in 2019, Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency said. Chinese trade with ASEAN is about 15 percent of its total trade worldwide. China began easing restrictions related to COVID-19 in March. Vietnam and Malaysia eased their restrictions soon after. Many countries in other parts of the world are still struggling with shutdowns, supply system reductions and a lack of people buying products. Jonathan Ravelas is the chief market strategist with Banco de Oro UniBank in the Philippine capital Manila. He said that Asian countries followed COVID-19 shutdown restrictions more closely than Western nations. Ravelas told VOA, The way we do thingsits better to deal with your peers. And thats the reason (for) the potential bounce back in Asia. The European Union (EU) was Chinas top trading partner last year after pushing out the United States. But anti-coronavirus closures limited EU-China trade in the first three months of 2020, business advising group Dezan Shira & Associates says. Rajiv Biswas is Asia-Pacific chief economist with IHS Markit in Singapore. He said factories in Europe bought fewer parts from China and shipped fewer finished goods, such as cars, back to China. The United States has a weaker trade partnership with China because of increased import tariffs. A sharp decrease in consumer buying during shutdowns across the United States further reduced trade. Biswas added, the trade war, and lockdowns this year have affected China-U.S. trade. And also, with the EU, since March, April and most of May, most of Europe was heavily affected and in lockdown. Becoming top trading partner ASEAN member countries and China had also reduced each others costs with a no-tariff trade deal that took effect in 2010. ASEAN and China are expected to sign another deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, to improve trade further later this year. Rising wages among Southeast Asias 640 million people permit growing numbers of Chinese goods, such as smartphones, to do well in the market. Industrialization of ASEAN member countries has created factories that buy materials from China to make finished goods. The products are then often sold in China. Chinese imports from Vietnam rose 24 percent in the first three months of 2020 compared to the same time period of 2019. The value of goods from Indonesia rose 13 percent. The Dezan Shira group says that increase is because of increasingly integrated supply chains. Chinese imports of parts for electronic devices rose about 26 percent early this year. Biswas said that factories in Malaysia and Thailand were still able to produce them when European suppliers had problems. China still looked to Southeast Asia for palm oil, rubber and processed food, said Song Seng Wun. He is an economist with the bank CIMB in Singapore. He said, Gradually, with economies stepping out from the lockdown and getting back on their feet, these things are starting to see economic activities picking up. Im Jonathan Evans. Ralph Jennings reported on this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story integrated adj. having different parts working together as a unit potential adj. capable of becoming real supply chain n. a system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in supplying a product or service to a consumer tariff n. a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country America's top law enforcement official told a federal prosecutor known for probing allies of President Donald Trump that he was fired Saturday -- sparking uproar and triggering an inquiry by Democratic lawmakers. Geoffrey Berman, head of the Southern District of New York attorney's office since 2018, discovered his job was in jeopardy via a press release late Friday from Attorney General Bill Barr saying the prosecutor was stepping down. Berman responded that he had "no intention" of quitting, and that his office's "investigations will move forward without interruption." But Barr sent him a letter Saturday saying Trump had agreed to fire the official "as of today." The fast-intensifying crisis has pitted the government against much of Washington's legal community -- and has apparently set Barr against Trump, who denied any involvement in the case. In his letter, circulated widely by US media, Barr accused Berman of having "chosen public spectacle over public service" through his defiance. Berman -- who later confirmed in a statement he would be leaving "immediately" -- finds himself at the center of the latest controversy in what Democrats have characterized as the politicization of the Justice Department under Barr. The veteran prosecutor had overseen the prosecution of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and probed advisor Rudy Giuliani's efforts to discredit the president's political opponents. But Trump, speaking to reporters ahead of a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, denied sacking Berman -- further adding to the confused messaging coming from the administration. "That's all up to the attorney general... He's working on that, that's his department, not my department," Trump said. "I'm not involved." Berman, a Republican who held a position in Trump's transition team and was once a law partner of Giuliani, has pursued cases against tycoon sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell last year. He has also investigated two associates of Giuliani accused of campaign finance violations and helping dig up dirt on Trump's election challenger Joe Biden as part of the Ukraine scandal over which Trump was impeached. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Justice Department's inspector general to launch an investigation into "blatantly corrupt DOJ interference." Meanwhile Jerry Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Barr of repeatedly interfering in "criminal investigations on Trump's behalf." The committee said in a statement it would "immediately open an investigation into this incident, as part of our broader investigation into Barr's unacceptable politicization of the Department of Justice." Two whistleblowers are scheduled to testify Wednesday on "why Barr's attempt to fire Mr Berman is part of a larger, ongoing, and wholly unacceptable pattern of conduct," the statement added. - Berman testimony 'welcome' - The Trump administration has in recent months fired or demoted inspectors general for the Pentagon, the intelligence community and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as a senior health official who questioned Trump's promotion of unproven drug therapies for COVID-19. State Department inspector general Steve Linick was removed last month after running a misconduct probe into Washington's top diplomat and steadfast Trump ally Mike Pompeo. Meanwhile Barr has been accused of repeatedly acting as Trump's personal lawyer instead of in the interests of the public following the Justice Department's intervention in several cases involving Trump allies. More than 1,000 former department officials signed a statement calling for Barr's resignation over his interference to get a lighter sentence for longtime Trump friend Roger Stone. Since then Barr has been berated for his department's decision to drop the case against Trump's first national security advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying about his Russia contacts to the FBI. Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University, argued however that Barr's move may have had nothing to do with investigations of Trump allies. "Barr needs to be clear as to why he wanted to remove Berman and, most importantly, to guarantee that the underlying investigations will not be impacted by this change in leadership," Turley told AFP. After taking a breather, buying in equity markets resumed in the week that ended on June 19 with the Nifty50 and BSE Sensex gaining nearly 3 percent despite India-China border tensions and rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. The rally, which indicated that the market could be focusing on economic growth after the novel coronavirus-triggered nationwide lockdown, was majorly led by banking and financials, and Reliance Industries (RIL) which lifted sentiment after becoming net debt-free through rights issue and stake sale in Jio Platforms. Watch: Business Insight | How Reliance Industries became net debt-free Given last week's rally, experts predict some consolidation in absence of major events this week. They are also expecting volatility due to expiry of June derivative contracts. Traders will monitor the escalating tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 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 "Any increase in tensions and indication of drying up of liquidity can have an immediate impact on the markets. Considering the volatility and the unknowns, this seems to be a sell-on-rise market and investors would do well to keep booking their profits," Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services told Moneycontrol. Here are 10 key factors that will keep traders busy this week: India-China border tensions Investors and traders will continue to monitor the situation along the India-China border in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, though both sides have agreed that the situation would be handled in a responsible manner. India expects the Chinese side to sincerely follow the understanding reached between the foreign ministers, to ensure peace at the border essential for stability in bilateral relations. FII flow Overall, foreign investors do not expect the geopolitical situation between India and China to worsen significantly. However, they will continue to monitor it as it remains a matter of concern. FIIs turned net sellers for last week, partially due to this issue as they net sold Rs 4,925 crore worth of shares in first three days of the week. However, they made a buying of Rs 1,603 crore in last two trading sessions later. "I don't think as yet it has any implications. It has been a long standing issue. Thankfully, geographically distant from centre. If it can escalate, I think it is a worry for the people. But still I think hoping for the things will passed at the moment, it is a slight concern but not affecting any our decision making our investments in either India or China," Hugh Young, Managing Director at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia told CNBC-TV18 during the week. COVID-19 pandemic remains a worry Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have seen a significant rise in June as the Centre and state governments eased lockdown measures. India reported over 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 on each day last week. This remains a matter of concern for the market to some extent. Experts feel that this may be limiting the market upside. India has reported nearly four lakh COVID-19 cases, including almost 13,000 deaths, so far. In terms of the total number of reported cases, India is only behind the United States, Brazil and Russia. Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic A positive factor, however, is that India's recovery rate now stands at 54 percent and is increasing further. Globally too, there are concerns of a second wave. The global COVID-19 tally stands at 87.6 lakh, including 4.6 lakh deaths. Click here for Moneycontrols full coverage of the novel coronavirus pandemic Hope of economic recovery The hope of economic recovery has also been one of the major factors supporting the market. The Centre and state governments, having eased lockdown measures in June, have indicated that they want to reopen the economy further in most parts of the country. Thus, the market will be waiting for details of the next phase of 'unlock', which will give direction, experts feel. "Across the world, markets are trying to decode how the easing of lockdown restrictions will help revive economic demand. However, the current response seems to be a mixed bag across the world and foresight remains blurry as to how quickly the revival in economies pan out. It insinuates a long drawn journey which ultimately will be reflected in the stock prices. Prices are expected to just drag around for some time till clarity in the real economy emerges," Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO at SAMCO Securities & StockNote told Moneycontrol. Earnings More than 600 companies will release their quarterly earnings scorecard this week, which include majority of midcap and smallcaps, besides a few largecaps. Hence, there could be more stock-specific action. ITC, Asian Paints, GAIL India, Coal India, IOC, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Berger Paints, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Info Edge, Skipper, Aster DM Healthcare, DB Corp, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, Future Consumer, General Insurance Corporation, India Cements, Indoco Remedies, PFC, Prestige Estates Projects, Sobha, United Breweries, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Ashok Leyland, Container Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics, IDFC, Emami, Glenmark Pharma, HUDCO, IRCTC, Kajaria Ceramics, NALCO, Oil India, Ruchi Soya Industries, Sun TV Network, Avanti Feeds, BEML and NHPC, among others, are some of the stocks to watch out for. Oil prices Oil prices gained for last seven out of eight consecutive weeks and have been around $38-42 levels for couple of weeks given the optimism over re-opening of economies globally and supply cuts, but experts feel the upside is unlikely to continue amid fear that continuous spread of coronavirus could dampen the global recovery hope. Oil hovering around these levels remains a favourable thing for India as the country imports 85 percent of requirement, and hence that has also been supporting the market. International benchmark Brent crude futures ended at $42.19 a barrel on June 19. Technical view The Nifty50 gained 2.7 percent for the week and 1.5 percent on June 19, forming bullish candle on weekly as well as daily charts which indicated that bulls still have upper hand at Dalal Street. The index has not only closed above crucial resistance of 10,200 but also has managed to trade above 100 DMA. Hence experts feel the index could move above 10,300 in the coming week but whether it could sustain above or not would be key to watch out for given the rally last week. On the downside, key support would remain at 10,000. "The positive sequential movement like higher tops and bottoms is intact and currently, Nifty is on the way towards new higher top above 10,330 levels. A sustainable move above this area could pull towards 10,550-10,600 levels by next week," Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities said. F&O expiry The June futures & options contracts will expire on coming June 25 and traders will roll over their positions to next month. Hence, there could be volatility around this event. The options data indicates that the maximum open interest on the Put side is still placed at 9,500 strike. Fresh Put writing was seen at 10,000 strike which has the second-highest open interest and also likely to act as a major support this week. The maximum open interest on the Call side is placed at 10,500 strike followed by 11,000. "So the overall option data indicates that the bulls are having the upper hand and Nifty may trade in a broader range of 10,000-10,500," Nilesh Ramesh Jain, Derivative and Technical Analyst at Anand Rathi said. Corporate action and macro data Here are key corporate actions taking place this week: On the macro front, foreign exchange reserves for the week that ended on June 19 and current account data for Q4FY20 will be released on June 26. Global cues Here are key global data points to watch out for this week: : Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Moneycontrol. Moving 9,500 troops, along with their families and equipment is a logistical headache, even without decisions about where they would go. The U.S. mission there is not to defend Germany but to provide a forward presence for U.S. troops in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to house the militarys Africa Command, Africom, and other regional headquarters, as well as major U.S. military medical facilities. The expensive, long-standing infrastructure that supports those missions in Germany does not exist in Poland. Chinas first satellite dedicated to polar observation has begun sending back images from the Arctic, according to scientists working on the project. The Ice Pathfinder was launched in September and is the first of 24 probes that will form a polar observation satellite constellation. It had earlier been used to send back more than 1,000 photographs of the southern polar region, according to a report by China Science Daily. Chen Zhuoqi, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou and team leader on the project, said the aim of the latest mission was to test the Ice Pathfinders observation capabilities. He said he hoped it would be able to provide full photographic coverage of the Arctic region within seven days. Cheng Xiao, another scientist on the team, was quoted as saying that after more than a month of in-orbit debugging and testing, the satellite platforms and sensors were in good operating condition. Developed by scientists from Sun Yat-sen University and Beijing Normal University, Ice Pathfinder weighs just 10kg (22lbs) but is equipped with high-resolution cameras and is capable of providing full coverage of both the Earths poles. Once all 24 satellites are in orbit, the network will operate around the clock, delivering hourly tracking data about iceberg drifts and the collapse of ice shelves. Ice Pathfinder is also fitted with an automatic identification system receiver, meaning it could be used to monitor ships transiting or operating in the region and provide them with information about possible navigational risks. Beijing said earlier that any information collected by the satellite network about polar climates and environmental changes would be made available to the international research community. China has steadily increased its investment in scientific research in the polar regions, particularly in the Arctic under its Polar Silk Road part of the wider Belt and Road Initiative, President Xi Jinpings flagship plan to boost infrastructure links across Asia, Africa and Europe. Story continues But its research activities have also caused concern among other countries over their true purpose, experts say. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies based in Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said that the information Beijing promised to make available to the global scientific community could also be used for other things. These space-based capabilities will augment other terrestrial sensors and enhance Beijings understanding of a whole set of natural and man-made conditions in the region, he said. Such meteorological, hydrographical, magnetic and acoustic data would be useful to both military and non-military Chinese agencies that have a stake in Arctic activities. Since its first research and scientific expeditions to the Arctic in the 1990s, China, which describes itself as a near Arctic state, has emerged as one of the most significant newcomers to the resource-rich region. China has research stations in Iceland and on the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard, a satellite receiving station in Sweden its first ever overseas and has set up a joint centre for Arctic space observation and data sharing with Finland. Chinese firms have also been active in building pipelines and ports in the region, mostly in cooperation with Russian partners. The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong II is set to start its 11th polar expedition to the Arctic next month. Sign up now for a 50% early bird discount on the 100+ page China Internet Report 2020 Pro Edition, which includes deep-dive analysis, trends, and case studies on the 10 most important internet sectors. Now in its 3rd year, this go-to source for understanding China tech also comes with exclusive access to 6 webinars with C-level executives. Offer valid until 30 June 2020. More from South China Morning Post: This article Chinas Ice Pathfinder satellite sends back first pictures of Arctic region first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 270 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of fire safety requirements). Ukrainian police are now raiding the gas company that services a Kyiv-based residential building, which exploded on Sunday, June 21. "The National Police of Ukraine are currently conducting urgent searches in the gas distribution company and all utilities that served the apartment building where the explosion occurred," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said in a statement on the ministry's Facebook page on June 21. Read alsoChief of Emergencies Service doesn't rule out terrorist act behind explosion of Kyiv building Criminal proceedings are under way under Part 2 of Article 270 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of fire safety requirements established by law). "The state of the building is being examined to check for possible destruction. After receiving an expert opinion, we will be able to give people access to their apartments so that they could take the most necessary things with them. There will be a 24-hour cordon around by the police and guards to protect [the apartments] against looters," the interior minister said. According to him, an operation is under way to dismantle the debris. More than 500 people and over 50 pieces of equipment are working on the scene. As UNIAN reported, several apartments in a nine-storied apartment block at 1/5 Solomii Krushelnytskoi Street in Kyiv's Darnytsky district were damaged by an explosion at about 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. The explosion destroyed interfloor structures between the fourth and eighth floors. Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko says two theories are being examined the explosion of gas or an improvised device. According to police, one person was killed, three were unblocked, 21 people were evacuated. The search for three more victims continues. Later, the bodies of two more victims were found. The evolution of technology has changed our lives. Keeping up the life with continuous innovations have become such a basic need of our life that is inevitable. The life of today's dynamic world is revolving around technology. It is promoting development, exchange of information and makes our tasks easier by technically solving our problems. It has provided us more convenient and stress-free life. The influence of technology is much higher than we predicted. The emerging need for a peaceful life Home security is one of the emerging needs now. Securing your family and property should be your priority. It is an alarming situation that every 13 seconds a home burglary is taking place, 4 burglaries every passing minute, 240 burglaries in an hour, and nearly 6,000 in an entire day. Installing a home security system protects your home and valuables, and keeps your family safe from possible robberies. FBI stated that 1 in 3 homes without a security system become victims of robbery as compared to 1 in 250 homes that have installed security systems. Home automation technology is contributing to technology by providing us an advanced feature home. It is also known as a smart home because many smart devices are connected to it through the internet. It assists human beings and controls the security of our home. It is not even heavy to our pocket and is eco-friendly. Explore the smart home and protect your pleasure There a lot of gadgets that contributeto securing our homes and lives. Smoke and Heat detectors A home fire is reported about every twenty seconds. A home security system provides an early warning system and notifies if there is any smoke in the home and beside this, warn us about sources of the heat. Heat detectors are also added to a home security system. These detectors determine if there is a fire in the building/home/office and provide prior notice of the slightest of change in heat. And that preventsadditionaldestruction from fire. Monitor your Indoor Outdoor Cameras remotely While traveling, we worry about our home a lot. Being on vacation and at the back of our mind, you're bothered by your home security. A home security Austin system facilitates homeowners by giving a facility of monitoring your home and it doesn't matter where you are. This facility is a blessing and provides peace as you will be able to keep a check at your home wherever in the world you are. Smart doorbell Tired because of a hectic day or enjoying Netflix on a comfy sofa at weekends and the bell rang. None of us wants to get out of our comfort zone. So a smart doorbell allows attending yourfriends or guests without even going to welcome them at the door. It is connected with your installed cameras and can be operated by yoursmartphones at anyplace anytime. Managing electricity usage A home surveillance system helps in managing electricity too. So many times we forget to switch off the lights and realize later that we have left some appliances and lights running. Remote access allows us to switch off the appliances and lights no matter where you are. Provide peace to yourself with a Home Security System We have discussed many benefits and reasons why we need to have a home security system. The peace of mind is pricelesswhen we realize that our family and house are secure even if you are not at home. Even if you are at home,you can completely relax because you have taken all the safety steps so enjoy sound sleep and stay calm. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This captured image from the Korean Central News Agency website shows photos of President Moon Jae-in imprinted on anti-South Korea leaflets being covered with cigarette butts and dirt. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo North Korea reaffirmed its plan to launch anti-South Korea leaflets, Sunday, a day after the Ministry of Unification expressed regrets over the plan and urged the North to drop it immediately. Tasked with propaganda operation, the North's United Front Department (UFD) holds the South responsible for "scrapping" a 2018 inter-Korean agreement that sought to end hostile activities at the border. "We, clearly aware that leaflet scattering is a violation of the South-North agreement, do not have any intent to reconsider or change our plan at a time when South-North relations have already been broken down," a UFD spokesman said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The South Korean authorities must no longer talk about the agreement that has been already reduced to a dead document." On Saturday, the unification ministry asked the North to withdraw a plan to send the leaflets across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), after Pyongyang's state-controlled media reported it. Pyongyang came up with the plan as one of several retaliatory measures in response to anti-North Korea leaflets sent by a group of defectors using balloons last month. The leaflets from the South, according to the North, had disparaging comments about its leader Kim Jong-un. North Korean media showed images of a pile of leaflets with photos of President Moon Jae-in, littered with cigarette butts and dirt. "Throughout the nation, preparation for the leaflet campaign is underway intensively. We will print the leaflets en masse and pour them over the head of the South Korean authorities," said the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party. Regarding the South's move to legislate a ban against the leaflet campaign launched from its territory, the North said it is "too late" and that Seoul is "merely coming up with little more advanced excuses." "Before belatedly touting violation and principle, they should have looked back on who perpetrated first and connived at acts that lit the fuse of the South-North conflict and who deteriorated the situation to catastrophe," the UFD spokesperson said. "When they are put in our shoes, the South Korean authorities will be able to understand even a bit how disgustedly we looked at them and how offending it was for us." Among its retaliatory measures, the North vowed to restore guard posts at the DMZ that were removed under an inter-Korean agreement and redeploy military to the joint tourist complex on Mount Geumgang and the joint industrial park in Gaeseong. A source familiar with Pyongyang said Sunday the North has been sending small groups of troops to border sentry posts for clearing foliage and road maintenance. The source said up to five soldiers were seen with shovels and sickles at small stakeout boxes. It added the South does not see the move as a step to make good on Pyongyang's threat of military action. Graham Knuttel was finally enjoying the quiet life. Once synonymous with the excesses of the Celtic Tiger, the wild child of the Irish art world had just discovered a love of gardening. It was the Indian summer of 2018 when something began to niggle. "At first I thought it was hay fever. I felt congested and tired. I felt f**ked, you know?" says Knuttel, dispensing with niceties as he recounts what became a personal nightmare. He went to a doctor who ran blood tests and gave it to him straight: "He said, 'You're going to die unless you get a new liver'. He was quite brutal about it actually," Knuttel recalls, able to laugh about the experience now. Feeling "like jelly", he went home and did the only thing he felt like doing - he picked up a brush and began to paint. Famed for his bold colours and devilish portrayals of the human condition, his canvasses have won him admirers around the world, including Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Bertie Ahern and Joanna Lumley as well as the Swiss Bank Corporation, Goldman Sachs International and Saatchi & Saatchi. But under the weight of illness, he struggled badly. "I slowed right down," says Knuttel. "I stopped being creative. I just painted to paint. I had no vision of where I was going. I was so low. Time stood still." His colour palette "went dark". Slowly, time spent in the art studio at his home dwindled and the only thought in his mind was: "God, I hope I can make it to the end of this painting." Despite his efforts to escape in work, reality soon came knocking: "My studio is down a flight of stairs and the day came when I couldn't make it up the steps any more. I hadn't the strength in my legs. It was a horrible, empty, watery feeling that day and I knew that was the end. I had to call Ruth [his wife] to help me up." After being rushed to St Vincent's hospital, he was told his kidneys had failed, too. It was New Year's Eve 2018 and Knuttel wondered if it would be his last. The experience he has had is difficult to talk about, but he maintains a wicked sense of humour throughout. Still, when he recalls the rock-bottom moment, his voice begins to shake: "I was in intensive care and I'd had enough. I was waiting for a liver and my kidneys had gone. I didn't want to go on. I asked them to turn off the machines." Expand Close FIRST LIFE: Graham Knuttel in the 1990s. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp FIRST LIFE: Graham Knuttel in the 1990s. Photo: Tony Gavin Video of the Day Confronted with a man who was asking for help to die, the doctor "told me to sleep on it. By the next day I had changed my mind. You have to be positive if you want to survive. But yeah, that was definitely the lowest". Swollen "like I was nine months' pregnant" and having to endure the pain of getting the fluid drained from his stomach each week, Knuttel also developed a condition called intensive care psychosis - a disorder in which patients in an intensive care unit can experience anxiety, become paranoid, hear voices and see things that are not there. "I was in a psychotic state a lot of the time. I was hallucinating, I had delusions - I was lucid when I asked them to turn off the life support but most of the time I hadn't a clue where or who I was." Refusing to eat the 'H block' hospital food, watching "mashed spinach pass" in a tube, his psychosis was perhaps a blessing in disguise. "Every night, I would hallucinate that I was on a tour of restaurants. I went to Coman's pub in Rathgar and enjoyed a carvery, and a Chinese on Pembroke Street." In this dream-like state, his pet cat also paid him nightly visits. Then fate took a turn.Knuttel says he had only days left to live when a doctor came in and sat at the end of his bed, smiling gently. "What if I told you we had a suitable liver?" he said. Incredulous, he managed a quip: "Just bang it in then!" Nearer to surgery his gung-ho attitude gave way to a childlike vulnerability: "I kept asking the nurse - is it really going to happen? Is it really going to happen?" The operation was a success, but he wasn't through the worst. A week later, a twisted bowel and another emergency operation meant an additional five months in hospital. Once home, Knuttel was under the care of his wife, who he jokes has him "imprisoned" while he recovers to full health. He had to wait until the day she left the house on errands to go back to the dreaded staircase. Using a cane he descended slowly, not helped by the black-and-white cat who had turned up every night in his hospital dreams. "She went ahead on every step. She roared and shouted all the way down." Finally in front of a canvas again, he picked up his tools and began to paint. And the piece that signalled his return to the art world was a painting of a cat. Now, despite developing a condition called neuropathy, which leaves him severe pain in the soles of his feet, Knuttel is back working four days a week. (He says he'd do seven if it wasn't for the dialysis three days a week as he waits for a kidney donor.) On the day we speak - his first interview in six years - he has been at the canvas since 5am. He thinks about his liver donor every day and wants to pay tribute to him in a mammoth work: "When I get my kidney I am planning to do an absolutely huge painting of all the doctors and nurses, the drills and saws, and whatever else they use, to tell the whole story." We discuss Ireland's approach to organ donation and mistaken belief in some quarters that doctors won't fight as hard to save the lives of organ donors who need emergency surgery. Knuttel wants Ireland to follow Spain's lead and introduce an 'opt-out' system, which means that a patient is presumed to consent to organ donation unless they have stated otherwise. Following his ordeal he has signed his own organ donation card and ticked every box - "not that anyone can use my liver or kidneys now". He could donate his hands, he says: "Everything can be used again, though they are nearly worn out." He talks about the "incredible" doctors and nurses who cared for him, but it is clear that the person he feels most grateful to is the woman who has supported him through the most difficult days, Ruth. "My wife saved my life. She's still saving it. She stood by me. She came to the hospital every single day. She brought me food. She was my man on earth when I didn't know what was going on. She talked to the doctors every day." Previously known for a sometimes tumultuous love life - including a relationship with Sean Dunne's former wife, Gayle Killilea - Knuttel finally married at 57. Asked what he has learned about love, he laughs: "You've got to go to the northside." On the future, he remains hopeful. When he eventually gets the call that they've found a kidney for him, there's only one place he hopes to return to - a small Spanish hotel, hidden among subtropical trees in Cadiz. "It's the place I got my inspiration to paint all those hombres and desperadoes you see in my paintings. All those years ago, it was the light in Cadiz that gave me the colours, too." SPRINGBANK, ALTA.Kim Prodaniuk didnt plan to be a crusader for change but hopes her lawsuit against the Calgary Police Service alleging harassment and emotional distress will make a difference. The 40-year-old officer joined the service in 2008 and left on stress leave in 2017. She joined other female officers who publicly alleged that the force failed to provide a safe environment against bullying and harassment. Prodaniuk, who filed a statement of claim against the police chiefs office, the Calgary Police Association and the City of Calgary in March, recently added a 132-page affidavit with details about her time on the force. I see myself as a change agent. Ive been standing up since 2017 about systemic issues in policing, police brutality, abuse of authority, Prodaniuk said in an interview with The Canadian Press at her home in Springbank, Alta. Its real and it exists. Its the dark shadow over good policing and good police officers, and it exists here in Calgary as well. Prodaniuk said the death of George Floyd, a Black man who protested he couldnt breathe while a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes, is the catalyst for the change shes talking about. This is the opportunity to fix it. Good cops dont have the right to remain silent about this anymore. Protests over Floyds death across the United States, Canada and internationally are demanding an end to systemic racism and police brutality. Its horrific, absolutely horrific, that were still dealing with this kind of thing in 2020, Prodaniuk said as she wiped away tears. The things we see on video that happened are real and these cant be reduced any more by the police. In her affidavit, Prodaniuk alleges multiple encounters involving sexual harassment and intimidation. She describes one case involving an officer who she says told her about his domestic situation and that he was having visions of killing his girlfriend. He told me if I told anyone what hed said he would make up rumours of a sexual nature about me and spread them around the CPS, she wrote. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine as a police officer I would be in a situation where reporting danger to my police employer could result in consequences to my career and reputation. Prodaniuk also alleges that when she was training to work undercover she was ordered to fake an orgasm while riding a carousel at a shopping mall and to make sexually explicit phone calls to audition for an imaginary phone sex line that the male officers shared among themselves. I could either fail the scenario, which would potentially end my ability to do undercover work in the CPS, or follow through ... What the CPS was asking me to do crossed my moral and ethical boundaries, she wrote. In reality, it was a one-week-long course dedicated to entertaining male CPS officers at the expense of female officers sexual dignity. None of the allegations has been proven in court. The police service has not filed a statement of defence, but has entered a motion to strike the lawsuit. It says the collective agreement covering officers requires grievances to be filed within 60 days. Chief Mark Neufeld said he has read the affidavit. Im not going to talk to you about this particular case because it is before the courts, he said. What I will say is those allegations that I read in that statement of claim were repugnant. Im very concerned about those types of things, and every person deserves a respectful workplace and to be safe in their workplace. Brendan Miller, Prodaniuks lawyer, said the Calgary Police Service could waive the 60-day limit for filing a complaint. Read more about: Should the statues of Juan de Onate be removed? The man left a legacy in New Mexico that violated Spanish Crown policies and was subsequently tried in Mexico City for crimes against Native Americans. How does one merit a statue or any other form of public iconography when criminal behavior on their part is considered? In Onates case, he did establish a colony that ultimately would become an important part of cultural identity in New Mexico for generations to come, characterized by the unique blending of Iberian and Native American cultures. Today, we recognize that the pernicious policies of Spain did change, but not by Onates doing. So in the case of New Mexico, I would propose that we pay homage to people whose deeds transcend generations and have endured the test of time. In my opinion, a person deserves a statue if the contributions they made continue to resonate in a positive way, recognizing that we cannot always understand the past from the perspectives we hold today. Consequently, I would suggest that we consider statues to two historical figures that meet these criteria. The first is Popay, who led the Pueblo Revolt in 1680. Although his MO was violent to say the very least, he undertook the daunting task of organizing a loose confederation of pueblos and coordinated the assault upon, and removal of, Spanish hegemony in New Mexico. It was a surgical excision, cutting into the dark side of Spains legacy in New Mexico. It echoed like the shot heard around the world as far as the Spanish were concerned. They had virtually never lost a conquered province anywhere in the Americas before then. Although New Mexico would be reconquered, Popays success changed Spains policies substantially for the better, ushering in a new dawn and a new cultural identity that would continue to define New Mexico as a very unique place to this very day. Throughout Latin America, many indigenous societies did not survive the colonial period, but Popay contributed to the preservation of an important part of New Mexicos heritage. The second person I would recommend is Padre Antonio Jose Martinez of Abiquiu and Taos fame. Padre Martinez had been erased from the history books, but in recent years his prominence has been brought to life. He advocated for Christian Liberation Theology long before that movement would come to light in Latin America in the 1960s. I call him a precursor of that movement because, in essence, the doctrine of Liberation Theology holds that one cannot profess to be a true Christian unless they actually practice Christianity, primarily by righting the social ills of society. Padre Martinez fought for the rights of the poor and others at the margins of society. He predicted the destructive impact upon the Native American communities by the encroachment of outsiders after the Mexican War. He opposed the inappropriate grant that eventually became known as the Maxwell Land Grant, the largest land holding in the history of the United States. This grant trampled Native American and Hispanic lands settled for generations in New Mexico. The owners of the grant bought politicians, and controlled minerals, lumber, pasture and other resources for a century. The American press harshly criticized Martinez, and his reputation was stained for decades. Only in recent times has his legacy been truly understood and an honorable place in history restored. At any rate, these two men represent the kind of people that I believe should have statues constructed in their honor. Ben Keys, protest organizer, speaks about the history of Taney Street in Fitler Square Saturday and why it should be renamed. Read more In the latest action aimed at purging the symbols of racial intolerance and exclusion from Americas public spaces, protesters demonstrated along Fitler Squares Taney Street on Saturday, calling on officials to rename it for someone who has united the nation rather than divided it. The Philadelphia street, which is in a number of city neighborhoods, is named for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, the principal author of the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision of 1857, which held that Africans, whether enslaved or free, had no standing in court because they were not and could not be U.S. citizens. This grew out of a recognition that a lot needs to change in our society, said protester Ben Keys, 40, a Taney Street resident and Wharton associate professor. Culture needs to change as well as policies to make things more racially inclusive and make everyone in our communities feel welcome. About 40 people took part in the peaceful protest that started at Markward Playground. This really is an issue thats emblematic of our time, said Joshua Isserman, 40, president of the Fitler Square Neighborhood Association, one of the groups supporting the Rename Taney Street effort. Its only a start for the type of equity issues we need to start to really address with racism. Symbols are injurious to people, and they remind them of how the system cannot work for everyone. The Mayor supports the effort to rename Taney Street, a spokesperson for the city said. Renaming requires City Council to introduce and pass an ordinance; the Mayor is not able to do this unilaterally. In addition to the Fitler Square group, the SOSNA civic group and 5th Square, an urbanist political action committee involved with sustainability and equity, are supporting the renaming campaign, Isserman said, along with individuals. Renaming advocates have an electronic petition with about 500 signatures, and another 200 paper signatures. They have been canvassing in some of the other Taney Street neighborhoods as well. A Temple University student started a petition a few years ago on Change.org, but recent events have reignited interest, current organizers said. READ MORE: Systemic racism has affected all of us. Heres how to start unlearning its harmful lessons | Elizabeth Wellington The cities of Baltimore and Annapolis, Md., had statues of Taney which have been removed, they added. Ever since the May death of George Floyd, a Black man killed when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, the country has been embroiled in a national reckoning over its history of racism. Many people have sought to have the symbols of that history exorcised, although not all have agreed what they are. In Philadelphia, a statue of Frank Rizzo a highly controversial former mayor and police commissioner reviled and yet still revered by some was removed, and a mural of Rizzo in the Italian Market was painted over. On Wednesday, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) boarded up the bottom of the Christopher Columbus monument at Philadelphias Penns Landing. The agency, which maintains the monument but did not build it, said in a statement that the statue does not align with DRWCs mission to create and maintain a safe and welcome space for all. The base of the statue, now covered with chalkboard, has drawn lots of handwritten messages such as Black Lives Matter and Defund The Police, along with pro-union scribes, names, and words like justice and peace. DRWC indicated it will launch some public process to consider the statues fate, which could include removal. READ MORE: A Montco Republican commissioner called Black Lives Matter a hate group. Now hes more isolated than ever. Another Columbus statue, in South Philadelphias Marconi Plaza, was the scene of three days of conflict recently as residents vowed to protect the statue, including some who were armed. Other protesters, who pointed to Columbus history of atrocities against indigenous people, alleged some police allowed the Columbus defenders to assault them. The incidents are under investigation. Wood casing was also put around that statue, reportedly to protect it while its future is determined. And in Camden, Woodrow Wilson High School will be renamed this summer, school superintendent Katrina McCombs said earlier this week, citing the former presidents segregationist legacy. A committee of current Wilson students, alumni, and community leaders will decide on a new name. After a brief reprieve from heavy rain, areas across eastern and southern China will be bracing themselves as flooding downpours continue across the area this week. A fresh round of drenching rain and thunderstorms returned to parts of eastern China this week, where rivers are already running high, as the wet season continues. Heavy rain and storms began to build across this region Sunday night and into Monday, prompting rescues and evacuations. On Monday, flooding downpours impacted villages and towns across Tongzi County in the Guizhou province with reports of water as high as 4 meters (12 feet) in the streets of Mugua Town, according to CCTV News. There have been reports of three deaths and over 4,000 people in need of assistance after landslides hit portions of the province. Three people were killed and 4,127 residents in need of emergency life assistance after rainfall-induced landslides hit southwest #China's #Guizhou Province at 4 p.m. Monday pic.twitter.com/eOuVVNbHni CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 22, 2020 Record-setting conditions are developing in Chongqing as the Chongqing Hydrological Monitoring Station issued the first red flood warning for the Qijiang River since the station was built in 1940, stated a report from China Daily. According to the report, the monitoring station issued this warning at noon on Monday, local time, as water levels at the station were expected to surpass the safe level, 201.51 meters (661.12 feet), by about 5.7 to 6.3 meters (18.7 to 20.7 feet). Video shows water cascading off a large wall in Chongqing after heavy rainfall. About 40,000 people were evacuated from the area as the highway along the river began to fill with water. Story continues The wet season, sometimes called the 'plum rain', typically begins during late spring or early summer as the mei-yu front sets up over the region. The mei-yu front is a largely stationary feature that develops over southeastern China and Taiwan. Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms track across this front and threaten to produce devastating flash flooding and high rivers. Rain and thunderstorms that began to develop across central China on Sunday night became heavier and more widespread on Monday. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Daily rainfall totals of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) will be common as rounds of downpours track across the region into Thursday. The heaviest rain is expected to fall across parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei and Anhui. In some areas, rainfall amounts can climb to 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) into the middle of the week. An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 300 mm (12 inches) will be possible in these areas, especially in the mountainous terrain. Hard-hit Chongqing is expected to have lighter rainfall through the rest of the week, though any additional rain could worsen the ongoing flooding. Rainfall of this amount can lead to devastating flooding across an area that has already been hit hard by torrential rain this month. Already saturated ground and overburdened drainage systems will cause flooding to be more likely than normal. The risk of mudslides will also be high throughout the week. During the second half of the week, the heaviest rainfall is forecast to shift south and may be limited to the coastal areas of southeastern China. While this may raise the risk of flooding in the area, drier conditions are expected in central regions. After days of rainstorms, Tonggu town was partially flooded, cornfields and main roads have been damaged, which must have been 1 meter deep, Youyang County of Chongqing, China, 13 June, 2020. (Reuters via local media) Flooding rainfall in Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi provinces as well as Chongqing municipality led to the deaths or disappearances of dozens of people earlier in the month. Hundreds of thousands of people were also forced from their homes as floodwaters inundated cities. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Export of chemical products from Turkey to Azerbaijan increased by 27.83 percent from January through May 2020, and reached $167.9 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend. In May 2020, the export of chemical products from Turkey to Azerbaijan increased by 34.61 percent compared to May 2019, reaching $49.3 million. Turkey's export of chemical products to the foreign markets decreased by 17.2 percent from January through May 2020 compared to the same period of last year and stood at $7.2 billion. Turkey's export of chemical products to the world markets amounted to 11.7 percent of the countrys total export from January through May 2020. In May 2020, Turkey's export of chemical products to the world markets amounted to $1.2 billion, which is 39.1 percent less compared to the same month of 2019, the ministry said. Turkey's export of chemical products in May 2020 made up 11.8 percent of the countrys total export. During the last 12 months (from May 2019 through May 2020), Turkey's export of chemical products to the world markets amounted to $19 billion. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu This year has already been a study in contrasts for Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) and Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF). By the end of March, both cannabis companies had seen their valuations more than halved. But since April, shares of both Aurora and Cresco have soared. Cresco Labs has been the bigger winner in recent months. But which of these marijuana stocks is the better pick for long-term investors? The case for Aurora Cannabis Are happy days here again for Aurora Cannabis? Some might think so. The Canadian cannabis producer delivered surprisingly good fiscal 2020 third-quarter results. Revenue jumped 18% from the previous quarter thanks in large part to strong demand for Aurora's Daily Special value brand. Aurora also seems to be making progress toward profitability. The company has cut back drastically on its spending. It hopes to generate positive adjusted EBITDA in the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2020. After a temporary suspension in Germany, Aurora is now back in full swing in the key European medical cannabis market. At long last, Aurora is also now poised to enter the U.S. CBD market. In May, the company announced that it is acquiring Reliva, which ranks as one of the top-selling hemp-derived CBD brands in the U.S. Reliva's products are carried in more than 20,000 retail stores. There are reasons for optimism in Aurora's home market of Canada as well. The retail picture should improve as the Canadian economy emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. New retail cannabis stores are set to open in the country's most heavily populated province, Ontario. Canada's "Cannabis 2.0" cannabis derivatives market should also continue to gain momentum. Aurora is already enjoying solid sales growth from its vapes and edibles and could see even stronger growth over the next year. Despite its challenges over the last year, Aurora remains one of the market leaders in the Canadian cannabis industry. The company still claims an impressive production capacity. And its cost structure for cultivating cannabis is among the lowest in the industry. The case for Cresco Labs Cresco Labs doesn't just hope to generate positive adjusted EBITDA. The company has already achieved that goal for four quarters in a row. And while Cresco isn't yet profitable, it's not too hard to see how the cannabis operator could deliver a positive bottom line in the near future. One key for Cresco to achieve profitability is to keep up its remarkable growth. In the first quarter of 2020, the company generated 60% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. Granted, much of that increase stemmed from Cresco's acquisition of Origin House earlier this year. However, the company still managed to grow sales organically by 26% over the previous quarter. This growth is coming in large part in two markets -- Illinois (where Cresco is headquartered) and Pennsylvania. Illinois launched its recreational marijuana market this year and has seen robust sales so far. Pennsylvania's medical cannabis market opened in 2018 and continues to pick up momentum. Cresco's acquisition of Origin House should pave the way for growth in California, the largest legal cannabis market in the U.S. Origin House ranks as one of the largest cannabis distributors in the state and also markets its own family of cannabis brands. Ohio seems likely to present another significant growth opportunity for Cresco. The company recently won a provisional license in the state that allows it to market its cannabis derivative products, including edibles and oils. There are plenty of other markets in which Cresco can grow as well. The cannabis operator currently operates in nine states, but 33 states so far have legalized cannabis in some form. And with the prospects that New Jersey citizens could vote to legalize recreational marijuana in November, another major market could soon open up for Cresco. Better marijuana stock One of these stocks is growing faster than the other. It's already generating positive adjusted EBITDA. It already operates in the largest legal cannabis market in the world. And its market cap is much smaller than the other contender's market cap. In my opinion, Cresco Labs is the clear winner versus Aurora Cannabis. The choice is an easy one. Actor Salman Khans brother Arbaaz Khan has responded to Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyaps allegations that the actors charity Being Human is just a show-off and a front for money laundering. In an earlier social media post, Abhinav had alleged that the actor and his family have sabotaged his career. Arbaaz told Hindustan Times, We have taken legal action and have also complained to the film association. We would like to go that way, not interested in fighting this any other way... We are doing what we think is the best way to address this. In a Facebook post shared over on Saturday, Abhinav demanded a probe into Being Human by the government. Salim Khans biggest idea is Being Human. The charity being done by Being Human is just a show-off. Five cycles used to be distributed in front of my eyes during the shooting of Dabangg, next day the newspapers would print that the generous Salman Khan has donated 5000 cycles to the poor. It was all an effort to cleanse Salman Khans image so that the media and the judges were kind to them in his criminal court cases. They are making money by fooling the innocent public. They are selling 500 jeans for 5000 and laundering money in the name of charity. Their intention is not to give anything to anyone, but to only acquire from people. The government needs to probe Being HumanI will cooperate with the government. He had earlier accused Salman Khan, his brothers Sohail and Arbaaz of bullying him and sabotaging his career. He wrote on Facebook, The reason I moved out of making Dabangg 2 ten years ago is that Arbaaz Khan in collusion with Sohail Khan and family was trying to take control of my career by bullying me. He went on to share details of several other projects, alleging that the Khan brothers tried to stop the release of his films and made him return the signing amounts. He added, The suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput brings to the forefront a much bigger problem of what many of us have been dealing with. Exactly what might compel a person to commit suicide?? I fear his death is just the tip of the iceberg just like the #metoo movement was for a much bigger malaise in Bollywood. Also read: Fathers Day 2020: Salman Khan shares priceless memories with dad Salim Khan, watch video While Arbaaz had said that they will deal with it legally, Salman and Arbaazs father Salim Khan had said the claims were not worth his time. A Times of India report had quoted him as saying, Ji haan, hum hi ne sab kharab kiya hai na. Aap pehle jaake unki filmein dekhiye phir hum baat karte hain. Unhone mera naam daala hai na unki statement mein? Unhe shayad mere pitaji ka naam nahi pata. Unka naam tha Rashid Khan. Unhe humare dadaon aur pardadaon ka naam bhi daalne dijiye (Yes, we are the ones to ruin everything, right? You watch his films first and then well talk. He used my name in his statement right? Maybe he didnt know my fathers name. His name was Rashid Khan. Let him use my grandfather and great grandfathers names too). Let him do what he wants, but we will not waste time in reacting to what he says, Salim said. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON This image from surveillance video shows Natalie White on June 13, 2020. (Courtesy of Atlanta Fire Rescue via AP) Woman Wanted After Atlanta Wendys Burns in Shooting Protest ATLANTAInvestigators said Saturday they have issued an arrest warrant for a woman in connection with a fire at a Wendys restaurant in Atlanta during protests over the police shooting of an African American man. Natalie White is a suspect in the arson and investigators are asking for help finding her, Atlanta Fire and Rescue said in a Twitter post. The post included surveillance pictures of White, 29, in a store, but no additional identifying information. Wendys burns following a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, Ga., on June 13, 2020. (Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters) Several people are suspected of trying to set fires in the restaurant before the blaze finally spread, fire officials said. Demonstrators threw bricks and rocks at firefighters as they tried to get to the restaurant, and they couldnt start fighting the blaze until it had destroyed the building, Atlanta Fire Chief Randall Slaughter has said. Then-tlanta Police Department officer Garrett Rolfe searches 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in a Wendys restaurant parking lot in a still image from the video body camera of officer Devin Bronsan in Atlanta, Ga., on June 12, 2020. (Atlanta Police Department via Reuters) Atlanta police officers were called to the Wendys on June 12 over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane. Officers found Rayshard Brooks asleep in the car. The officers spoke to Brooks for more than 40 minutes, but things quickly turned violent when they tried to handcuff him, according to body camera video. An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Garrett Rolfe, 27, was fired from the police department immediately after the shooting and was charged Wednesday with felony murder. Protesters gathered the night after Brooks was killed, breaking the windows in the restaurant before the fire was set. During a news conference Saturday afternoon, Interim Chief Rodney Bryant said he was shocked that Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard brought charges so quickly against the two officers involved in Brookss death. He said that decision, along with officers concerns about their training and their safety during large protests have contributed to an above average number of officers calling in sick in recent days. Bryant assured the community that despite the absences there were many officers who continue to answer the call. He also directed his comments toward the officers who have called in sick, saying, We are all upset for the recent events and we are also concerned for our fellow officers. I implore you to channel the concerns for the fellow officers by having their back. Brooks was a father of four. On Saturday, a restaurant owner and a historically Black university in Atlanta announced that they will provide full college scholarships to his four children. The award will cover tuition, room and board, and meals to Clark Atlanta University. The charitable foundation of Aisha Pinky Cole, who graduated from the school, is helping. Cole is CEO of the Slutty Vegan restaurant in southwest Atlanta. Shortly before his death, body camera footage shows that Brooks told officers that he had a few drinks because it was his daughters eighth birthday. Going a step further in his line of attack over the India-China faceoff, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'Surender Modi' - playing on but misspelling 'Surrender' - while targeting him on the LAC standoff. Rahul Gandhi voiced his clear disregard for the appeal made by the Government of India to stay united at a time when international forces are attempting to attack the country's sovereignty and went on to share a report by international news publication - The Japan Times, that alleged that for years Modi 'bent over backward to appease China' and asked if encroachment in Galwan will be 'enough to change India's approach towards China? This also comes amid statements by MEA and the Indian Army wherein they have maintained that disengagement has taken place at Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh and have rejected China 'untenable' claim over India's land. Moreover, Government of India also made it clear in the All Party meet - of which Congress was a part - that India has learned from 'past mistakes' and will not allow 'unilateral change at the LAC'. Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and accused the Prime Minister of surrendering the Indian territory to Chinese aggression. In his tweet, he demanded specifics about the location where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred during the faceoff. In a fiery response to his rhetoric, Home Minister Amit Shah shared a message of an injured soldier's father, wherein the old man asked the Gandhi family scion to refrain from politics in matters of Army and security of the country. READ | Rahul Gandhi takes new line to target Centre on Galwan clash after 'Why unarmed?' attack 'Get the facts straight': Jaishankar to Rahul Gandhi Earlier, when Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Centre asking why were Indian soldiers at the Galwan valley were 'unarmed,' EAM S Jaishankar responded. Telling the Wayanad MP to 'get the facts straight', Jaishankar clarified that the army of both sides cannot use firearms during faceoff as per 1996 and 2005 agreements and are bound to maintain 'peace and tranquillity'. He also added that is why the Indian soldiers refrained. READ | Galwan Valley face-off: 5 reasons why China shouldn't underestimate India's strength PM Modi: 'No one has entered India's borders' Asserting that China is not on Indian soil, PM Modi, on Friday, said that none of India's border posts have been captured, nor had China breached the Indian borders, at the all-party meeting chaired by him to brief political parties on the LAC situation. He added that the 20 martyrs died fighting and saving the motherland from the enemy. He also said that the Army has always done whatever is necessary to protect India's sovereignty - be it deployment action or counteraction. On Saturday, as Opposition leaders including the likes of Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and Shiv Sena attempted to create controversy over the PM's statement, Government of India released a statement and clarified on PM's statement. Lashing out at 'some quarters' attempting to give 'mischievous interpretation' to remarks made by the PM, the statement said that he had made it clear that 'in contrast to past neglect on border issues', Indian forces now counter every violation. The statement also clarified on the question asked by Opposition parties including Congress leaders about the reasons for the Galwan faceoff. "As regard transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on June 15 arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions." READ | China reiterates sovereignty claim on Galwan valley; accuses Indian Army of crossing LAC Twitter was quite abuzz on Saturday with as many as five actors deactivating their accounts citing negativity and social media toxicity that was bothering them. Sonakshi Sinha led the pack when she wrote, The first step to protecting your sanity is to stay away from negativity. And no where more of that than twitter these days! Saqib Saleem was next to declare, Im Breaking Up with you Twitter. In a lengthy post he wrote, You seem to have gotten lost in all the hate everyone is so ready to throw at each other, a place full of bullies, a place where abusing people is a normal code of conduct... I dont need this kind of energy. Soon, actors Aayush Sharma and Zaheer Iqbal also followed suit and said goodbye to Twitter on similar grounds. While Sneha Ullal hinted that she might quit Twitter as well. It all started when Kriti Sanon lashed out at social media toxicity in her recent post after the shocking death of her Raabta co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. She had written, Social media is the FAKEST, most toxic place.. if you havent posted RIP or said something publicly, youre considered not to be grieving. It seems Social Media is the new Real world.. and the Real world has become Fake. A week ago, filmmaker Shashank Khaitan also deactivated his Twitter account, while filmmaker Karan Johar, whos being massively trolled, after Rajputs death, for promoting nepotistic culture in Bollywood, unfollowed everyone on Twitter, except eight handles (four of which are of his production house). What is this toxicity on social media which celebs are talking about and slamming through their actions? A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar explains. Ive stayed away from social media because theres a lot of negativity, and trolling, which I dont buy. It has empowered a lot of useless people with an opinion, without any repercussions. Also, they do it all anonymously. I am Breaking Up with you Twitter pic.twitter.com/ORqG16qsPC Saqib Saleem (@Saqibsaleem) June 20, 2020 Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, 51, calls it a double-edged sword especially for public figures wherein if they comment or post, or even if they dont, nasty feedback always comes their way. Social media is toxic, no two ways about it. Sometimes, you get rattled mercilessly, even a spelling mistake gets one trolled, he says, adding, It has become proof, people take screenshots. You post and think maine barabar kiya na?, and check again, because suddenly, you fear being trolled. People get hurt over anything, be it your outlandish clothes, even eating pictures, with comments like there are lakhs of people who dont have food. PRESSURE TO SAY SOMETHING AT LEAST Experts point that once a person is on social media, s/he is expected to post on whatever is happening around. Clinical psychologist Pulkit Sharma elucidates, If youre on any platform, whether its about India and China, you have to post. If someone dies or gets married, you have to post, as a celeb. Its like whoever follows your page, you might not be interacting with them but they constantly judge you through your posts. If you havent replied to someone, youre considered a narcissist. This pressure is always there. He adds that posting about your grief online on any mishappening is the new normal. Or actually, abnormal. It isnt necessary that Ive to post about everything. Also, when there are many people from your fraternity doing it, you feel like iss pe meri taraf se ek post hona hi chahiye, says Sharma. Echoing the sentiments Sanon highlighted, Bhandarkar adds, I agree with Kriti partly. When you feel close to somebody who passed away, youre not in the frame of mind to say anything, you lack words, you want to mourn. But, if you do write on social media, somebody will say it happened two days ago, and youre writing? Theres this section also. The problem is, this is a double-edged sword. People expect you to tweet, that has become your validation that you grieved. CELEB TAKE Actor Nimrat Kaur says she has never been the one to take any pressure. Many times, I choose to be silent, and know that you dont need to add to the chorus. I really dont give a damn about what people think, commenting on something or not. I dont write or post anything to garner a reaction, or to become a part of the hashtag club, she tells us. In fact, when it comes to a tragedy, one doesnt to say anything on social media to prove it, adds Kaur. If, Im personally struck by something deeply tragic, Im not going to be on some platform, writing about that person I absolutely stand with anybody who stands for it, she says. Actor Amit Sadh, on the other hand feels that both toxicity and good are there in equal amounts in life and on social media. Unfortunately, as human beings, when were engaged with provoking and uncomfortable things, its human psychology that we want to shut the door, and we call it toxic. Its not just about social media. You decide what strata of social media you want to be in, and in that course, in case theres something toxic, or upsets you, you can choose to engage or not, says the 37-year-old. When contacted, Khaitan to ask about what prompted him, all he said was, I have no comments right now on any of this, I have said what I wanted to. Follow @htshowbiz for more Senior republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey has died, Sinn Fein has announced. Storey, from west Belfast, was a highly influential presence within the republican movement throughout the Troubles and subsequent peace process. The former Sinn Fein chairman north of the border was 64 and had been unwell for a period of time. Party president Mary Lou McDonald said: It was with deep sadness that I learned today of the death of Bobby Storey. Bobby Storey, left, and Gerry Adams address a rally in west Belfast after their homes were attacked in 2018 (Niall Carson/PA) Bobby was a lifelong and very deeply committed Irish Republican whose passing will be received with great sadness by republicans throughout Ireland. Storey spent more than 20 years in prison during the Troubles. He was sentenced to 18 years for possession of a rifle in 1981 and also spent several periods behind bars remanded on other charges. As a teenager, he had been interned without charge. In 1983 he was involved in a mass escape by republican prisoners from the Maze paramilitary prison near Lisburn. In 2005, then Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside used parliamentary privilege to claim that Storey was the IRAs head of intelligence. He also alleged he was involved in the IRAs 26.5 million robbery of the Northern Bank in Belfast in 2004. Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Storey as a champion of the peace process (Niall Carson/PA) Two years ago Mr Storeys house was targeted in an attack Sinn Fein blamed on dissident republicans. Three years earlier, police investigating the murder of former IRA member Kevin McGuigan in Belfast arrested Storey. He was subsequently released without charge. In a press conference after his release he compared the IRA to a caterpillar, insisting the organisation had become a butterfly and had flew away. The IRA has gone. The IRA has stood down, they have put their arms beyond use, he said. They have left the stage, they are away and theyre not coming back. In 2014, he was arrested as part of the polices overall investigation into the abduction and murder of Belfast mother of 10 Jean McConville in 1972. He was released without charge. Story continues Ms McDonald described him as a champion of the peace process. Bobby was extremely committed to the pursuit of a United Ireland with equality and social justice for all, she said. He will be greatly missed. NEW DELHI: Seeking to put a lid over the controversy sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement at the all-party meeting, the Prime Ministers Office on Saturday said attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation to his remarks. At the meeting on Friday, Modi said neither is anyone inside our territory nor is any of our post captured, adding that 20 of our brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in Ladakh. This was interpreted in many circles, political and otherwise, that Modi was denying any transgression and that he had ceded Indias land to the Chinese by recognizing the status quo as it is widely believed that Chinese troops are still occupying Indian territory. What is Indian territory is clear from the map of India. This Government is strongly and resolutely committed to that, the PMO stated. Maintaining Indias position that it was the Chinese who had crossed the line of actual control, the PMO said there was an attempted transgression in the Galwan Valley by the Chinese in order to erect structures on June 15. This was foiled by the Indian army, which also gave a befitting lesson to the Chinese troops. As regards transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence on June 15 arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions, the PMO stated. But the Chinese designs were nixed because of the sacrifices of the soldiers, it said. The statement said the PMs observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day, the PMO stated. ALSO READ | Position with regard to Galwan Valley area has been historically clear: India Reacting to the clarification, the opposition parties took a dig at the government. The PMOs statement is clearly a lame attempt to obfuscate the truth. First of all, the PMO and the government need to clearly state their position. Is Galwan Valley not part of Indian territory? the Congress asked. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said Modi should first make up his mind and then speak unless his attempt was to mislead all the political parties and weaken our position in diplomatic talks. But many experts did not agree with the Opposition. BR Deepak, a sinologist and chairperson of the Centre for Chinese and South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University said the clarification issued was a strongly-worded one. It is a sign that India will stand up to the Chinese and also a sign that both sides do not want to escalate things. Lt Gen V K Chaturvedi (retired) appeared to concur. In all such cases when the person at that position is speaking then every aspect is well studied and only then is it articulated for wider consumption. NEW IAF OFFICERS get direct postings In a departure from the convention on Saturday, newly commissioned IAF officers were sent directly to their places of posting. It is going to add to the working hands of the force which is on alert after the LAC standoff, an officer said. A total of 123 flight cadets, 61 officers joined the flying branch with 62 being inducted into IAFs ground duty branches. These officers are at the peak of their morale and fitness. They would be ably supporting in the situation. The Army also has sent its 333 newly commissioned officers from IMA directly to their places of posting on June 13 Big Brother star Ian Joass has revealed that the housemates enjoyed a bit of a party one evening while filming, that failed to make it onto TV screens. The 25-year-old waiter told Daily Mail Australia after his eviction that he and good friend Mat Garrick, 30, performed a drag show when they celebrated Mardi Gras in the house. Ian raved about the night and said that it was one of his 'favourite memories' from his time on the show. EXCLUSIVE: 'Shy' Big Brother star Ian Joass revealed to Daily Mail Australia this week the wild party night in the house that never made it to air 'They didn't get to see a lot of the good wholesome moments, or the interesting stuff,' Ian said, referring to the viewers. 'Some of it didn't make it to air. They cut out the Mardi Gras drag show that Mat and I did, I'm a bit sad about that.' He added: 'Because the whole house got together, the girls dolled Mat and myself up and we went outside in the evening... played the spoons and and everyone did the limbo around it... it was fantastic.' Party time! The 25-year-old waiter said that he and good friend Mat Garrick, 30, (pictured) performed a drag show when they celebrated Mardi Gras in the house 'It was an incredible night and one of my favourite memories from the show, seeing Mat with his big bald head all dolled up and wearing a wig!' Ian - who came across as a shy wallflower on the show - also clarified that he's not a secret party boy, after Daily Mail Australia discovered several recent photos of the self-confessed introvert out partying with friends. In some of the pictures, he is seen sculling drinks and getting rowdy. Rowdy! Ian - who came across as a shy wallflower on the show - also clarified that he's not a secret party boy, after Daily Mail Australia discovered several recent photos of the self-confessed introvert out partying with friends 'I like to go out partying with my friends, who doesn't?!' Ian said. 'But just because I do, that doesn't mean I'm not introverted or anything... I wanted to go out and party and make friends but I'm awkward about it.' He even said that before dating his girlfriend he'd 'get up to some antics, late night swimming and that sort of thing.' Despite being a fan favourite, Ian was booted off the Seven show on Sunday. Egyptian high-school pupils, masked and gloved, head into exams Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian high-school pupils armed with masks, gloves and hand sanitizers started their final exams on Sunday, despite objections from some parents worried about spreading the coronavirus. The health ministry was laying on 2,500 ambulances and providing a doctor for each school. Any student with a high temperature is meant to have their exam postponed or sit it in isolation. The students had their temperatures taken in the morning, before being seated at desks spaced apart from one another. Nearly 670,000 pupils from state and private schools, and 128,000 from religious schools, were due to sit the exams. They come at a time when Egypt has seen an acceleration of coronavirus cases, with confirmed infections surging to 53,758, including 2,106 deaths. Authorities have been gradually easing restrictions on movement, though schools and universities have remained shut since March. The head of Egypt's doctors' syndicate had called for the exams to be postponed, private newspaper Al-Youm al-Sabaa reported, and some parents expressed concern about their children's safety. 'Honestly I was worried, and am still worried, because someone in the class might have something (be infected) without having informed the administration on the way in,' said Ayman Mahmoud, whose two sons were taking exams in Cairo. Authorities said they had taken all necessary precautions and the education ministry offered students an option to postpone to the next academic year without any penalty. End-of-year exams were cancelled for younger pupils, who submitted online research papers instead. As in other countries, many coronavirus cases in Egypt are believed to go unreported. The higher education minister cited a study on June 1 estimating that the actual number of cases could be up to five times higher than the reported figure. It is clear by now that Adams Oshiomholes suspension may not put Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the path to peace. Many Nigerians, rightly or wrongly, see Mr Oshiomhole as a major obstacle to stability in APC, even though the partys crisis appears deep-rooted and beyond the suspended chairman. But he is a part of the problem, nonetheless. It is about four months to two crucial governorship elections the Edo election in September and Ondo, October. The events that happened in less than 24 hours after the Court of Appeal ruling on Mr Oshiomhole is an indication that the APC crisis has just moved on to the next level. Shortly after the court ruling, the APC announced the Deputy National Chairman (South), Abiola Ajimobi, as the acting chairman of the party. The next day, the deputy national secretary of the party, Victor Giadom, backed by a court order, declared himself acting national chairman of the party. And then, like a game of ping-pong, majority of the members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) came out to ratify Mr Ajimobis appointment as acting chairman. But since Mr Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State, has been very ill and hospitalised, the NWC asked the partys National Vice Chairman (South-South), Hilliard Eta to stand in for him, because he (Eta) is from the same geo-political zone with the suspended national chairman. Meanwhile, a group of APC members from the South-West has come out to disown Mr Ajimobi. The group said the position of the APC deputy national chairman (South) is vacant, with a pending court case on it and, therefore, Mr Ajimobi was not eligible for the appointment as acting national chairman. With the way things are right now, Mr Giadom is really some bad news for Mr Oshiomhole and some other leaders of the party, including Bola Tinubu, a man highly regarded as the national leader of APC. Who is Giadom? Mr Giadom, 56, is a close political ally of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. He once served as Mr Amaechis commissioner for works when the latter was Rivers State governor. Mr Giadom, handpicked by Mr Amaechi, was Tonye Coles running mate in the 2019 governorship election in Rivers. Both men, however, could not contest in the general election because of a court judgment which declared that their party, APC, did not have a candidate for the election, thereby paving the way for Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to easily win re-election as Rivers governor. The court judgment against the APC in the Rivers election was a consequence of an intra-party dispute between Mr Amaechi and a former senator from Rivers, Magnus Abe, over Mr Abes governorship ambition which Mr Amaechi disapproved of. Mr Amaechi and his allies, including Mr Giadom, believe that Mr Oshiomhole and other APC national leaders backed Mr Abe in the Rivers APC crisis in order to cut down the ministers political influence in the party because of the 2023 presidential election. Chris Finebone, a former spokesperson of APC in Rivers and Mr Amaechis loyalist, told PREMIUM TIMES Mr Oshiomhole and other APC leaders gave covert support to Mr Abe against the minister. Adams (Oshiomhole) has shown too much ambivalence to issues pertaining to Rivers state, Mr Finebone said. If Adams, for example, wanted to show leadership and discipline in Rivers state, would Magnus Abe go and set up an alternative state secretariat of APC? The plan has been to weaken APC in Rivers State because of Mr Amaechi, he said. Mr Finebone said he did not know if Mr Amaechi was in support of Mr Giadoms moves to take over the APC national leadership. He, however, said the minister has been betrayed by many people. People thought that by now Victor (Giadom) would have been swept away, that is not how these things happen in politics, Mr Finebone said of Mr Giadom current fight in the APC. Mr Abes appointment into the board of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation could be viewed as a way of re-building the APC in Rivers around the former senator ahead of 2023 presidential election. Abe was appointed by Timipre Sylva (the minister of state for petroleum), and not APC, Mr Finebone said. We know the reason he gave him the appointment was to spite Amaechi. Advertisements Mr Amaechi lost out again recently in the APC crisis in Rivers when a high court in the state declared Igo Aguma of Mr Abes faction the chairman of the party in the state, thereby taking the party off the ministers control, for now. The APC national vice-chairman (South-South), Mr Eta, whom Mr Finebone said is pro-Tinubu, said the party has accepted the court ruling on the Rivers APC crisis. Mr Eta, to the consternation of Mr Amaechi faction, barred members of the party in Rivers from appealing the court ruling. Mr Amaechis faction, however, disregarded Mr Etas injunction and has appealed the court ruling. READ ALSO: Although Mr Giadom left Abuja in 2018 for the 2019 Rivers elections, Mr Oshiomhole had granted him a waiver to continue to discharge your official duties the Deputy National Secretary while pursuing your political/campaign activities. The waiver was in line with Article 31 of the APC Constitution, Mr Oshiomhole said in a September 14, 2018 letter to Mr Giadom. In May 2019, the APC did not only accede to Mr Giadoms request to resume office, but had asked him to act as the party national secretary after the former secretary, Mai Mala Buni got elected as Yobe State Governor. The March conspiracy A power struggle within the APC has been going on quietly between MessrsTinubu and Oshiomhole on one side and Mr Amaechi and others including allegedly Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna on the other side. The Oshiomhole-Obaseki rift was just a small part of it until it became the epicentre in March this year when a Federal High Court in Abuja suspended the party chairman. Here are four things to take note of in the crisis: The court order against Mr Oshiomhole was based on his earlier suspension by the APC leadership in his ward in Edo State, which apparently was instigated by Governor Obaseki. Mr Amaechi and Co. anticipated Mr Oshiomholes suspension and had prepared Mr Giadom to take over the party leadership. Mr Amaechi, three other ministers from the South-South (Osagie Ehanire, minister for health, Festus Keyamo, minister of state, labour, and Goddy Agba, minister of state, power) had closed in on Mr Oshiomhole and almost removed him from office, but for Mr Tinubus intervention. And finally, the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which would have decided Mr Oshiomholes fate was adjourned indefinitely on March 16 by President Muhammadu Buhari after Mr Tinubu issued a public statement, reprimanding those pushing for the chairmans removal. Mr Tinubu said those who were plotting Mr Oshiomholes removal saw the national chairman as the obstacle to their 2023 political ambition. Other members of the APC NWC who are working with Mr Giadom are Mustapha Salihu, the National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the party, and Lawali Shuaibu, the Deputy National Chairman (North). After Mr Oshiomhole survived the plot to remove him in March, he recalled Mr Shuaibu from a controversial suspension as part of a reconciliatory effort. But when Mr Shuaibu, a former senator, resumed at the APC national secretariat, he declared support for Mr Obasekis re-election ambition, apparently to send a signal to Mr Oshiomhole that the fight was far from over. At least, 15 of the NWC members, out of 20, are said to be loyal to Mr Tinubu and Mr Oshiomhole. After declaring himself acting national chairman of the APC, Mr Giadom was sacked from the NWC by the majority members who said he is to be replaced with Worgu Boms, a former attorney general of Rivers state. To underscore how rattled Mr Oshiomhole has been lately, the suspended chairman in an interview with Channels TV appealed to Mr Giadom to put God first and put our national partys interest second. That was before Mr Giadom was sacked from the NWC. It is instructive that immediately Governor Obaseki perfected his plan to defect from APC to PDP, the Edo Government House published a flier with the inscription, Did we not tell them? #EDOIsNotLagos, apparently mocking Mr Tinubu who has almost absolute control over who becomes governor of the state. Edo as battleground Mr Tinubu is still effectively in control of the APC at the national level, but the political battle would play out in days to come in courtrooms and in the Edo governorship election. Governor Obaseki has defected to PDP where he is likely to become the party flag bearer in the election, but he has strategically left behind some of his loyalists to control the APC structures in Edo where they would take up a spoiler role against Mr Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the man that the suspended APC chairman is backing in the election. For a start, the APC in Edo said they have rejected Governor Hope Uzodinma-led committee which is to conduct the party primary in the state. Again, as soon as news filtered out on Saturday that the APC leadership in Mr Oshiomholes ward, Etsako Ward 10, have lifted the suspension on the party national chairman, the APC faction loyal to Governor Obaseki issued a counter-statement, saying Mr Oshiomhole was still on suspension. The counter-statement was pushed into the media by the Edo State Government. Because of 2023 presidential election, the stakes are high in the Edo election for many politicians within and outside the state. People are worried that the situation could degenerate to violence during the election if not properly managed. Whats Buhari saying? Many APC officials have quietly expressed their disappointment with President Buharis style of looking the other way, while the party is falling apart. They said the APC, perhaps, would not have lost some states to PDP in the 2019 general elections if the president had intervened in the partys internal crises. But Mr Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in response to such criticism, said the president is a democrat who would rather prefer to allow the process to run its course. One thing about the president is that he likes to be fair to everybody, Mr Adesina said in a video interview he had on Facebook recently with a UK-based Nigerian citizen, Ata Ikiddeh, on the Edo APC crisis. So those who are complaining he has not done this, he has not done that, they dont know what he has done. What he has done is to meet with the parties separately. And he has been doing this for more than a year since the crisis in Edo began. So if the people are in entrenched positions and refuse to shift ground, what would the president do as a democrat? You allow the process to run its course. What people expect the president to do is to legislate things, to order Obaseki No, step down or order Oshiomhole No, give him the ticket. That is not democracy. When you begin to order and legislate things like that you would be unfair to one party, the presidential spokesperson said. But before Edo, there was Rivers, there was Zamfara and of course, you know many other states were the governing party lost because of internal issues. What may not be apparent to the public is what the president did in all those states and he has done in Edo, Mr Adesina said For me, that is a perverted interpretation of the word democrat, the former APC spokesperson in Rivers, Mr Finebone said of Mr Adesinas defence of President Buhari. Do you think that if the president (had) said What is even happening in this Rivers State? Amaechi come, come. I need to see you! Whats the name of the other young man? Okay, senator come. Do you think he wouldnt have solved it (the APC crisis in Rivers)? Mr Finebone said.. There have been calls for the president to summon an emergency NEC meeting to address the crisis in the party, but no one can tell if he would do that and how soon. Have you ever heard Buhari say thank you to anyone? Has he ever separated a fight? Buba Galadima, an estranged political associate of President Buhari said in a 2019 interview with the Independent newspaper When asked in the interview if he foresees an implosion in APC before 2023, Mr Galadima said, I know for a fact that APC is divided into three factions. There is the Tinubu group, the El-Rufai group and the Aso Villa group. The Aso Villa group itself is also divided into three. So, it is in our interest that they continue to disagree and fight. That is our freedom. We have nothing to lose except our chains. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would mount another bid to end the program that protects so-called Dreamer immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children after a loss in the Supreme Court. The president also announced plans to introduce new visa restrictions for foreign workers. Trump told Fox News in an interview that his administration would resubmit plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy put in place by former President Barack Obama before the November presidential election. 'They want us to refile if we want to win. So, I'm going to refile, and it's going to work out for DACA,' Trump said. President Trump on Saturday vowed to wage another attempt to do away with the DACA program which shields children of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States at a young age from deportation Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Trump's effort to end the DACA program that protects from deportation roughly 649,000 immigrants, calling the administration's actions 'arbitrary and capricious.' The 5-4 ruling upheld lower court decisions that found that Trump's 2017 move to rescind the program was unlawful. The ruling does not prevent Trump from trying again to end the program. But his administration may find it difficult to rescind DACA - and win any ensuing legal battle - before the November 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second term in office. Trump said the ruling was not a loss for his administration. 'If you read the opinion, we won. But we have to refile. And everything is going to work out for DACA, and the young people,' Trump said in the Fox News interview. He did not elaborate. Asked when he expected to file another bid to dismantle the DACA program, Trump said, 'Probably pretty soon.' Trump on Friday wrote on Twitter that his administration would submit 'enhanced papers shortly.' Last week, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's order rescinding DACA. The image above shows a rally celebrating the Supreme Court ruling in Los Angeles on Thursday In another Tweet, Trump said that he wanted to 'take care of DACA recipients,' and blamed Democrats for not negotiating a permanent solution to the young immigrants' temporary status. Trump said on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on visas within the next couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. 'We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas,' he said in an interview with Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. 'You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and they're pretty tight,' he said. 'And we may even go very tight for a period of time.' Ramu Patil By Express News Service BENGALURU: Karnataka is in aggressive pursuit of firms that are likely to exit China following the Covid-19 outbreak. This, in the background of top diplomats in New Delhi working overtime to de-escalate the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after a deadly face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers at Galwan Valley in Ladakh. After constituting a Special Investment Task Force, headed by the Chief Secretary, the State has identified electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automobile and other sectors as the go-to sectors to woo firms looking for alternatives to China. Senior industries department officials are holding country-specific interactions with France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other nations to market Karnatakas investment potential. On Thursday, we held talks with France; next week we are holding talks with Germany; and after that with Japan, Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, told TNSE. Talks are being held with consulates, ministers, trade bodies, representatives of companies which already have a presence in Karnataka and prospective investors during the online country-specific meetings.Well aware of the complexities of the job, the task force includes nominees from Japan External Trade Organization, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency, Korean Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise of Singapore. The task force will also help the State formulate special incentive packages and facilitation to attract investments. This is because the State is of the view that China may not be able to retain its position as the worlds largest factory in the post-Covid world order, and India is seen as an alternative manufacturing hub. Many firms, the officials said, have made up their mind and are identifying local partners to tie up with, and the State is engaging with them. There will be no country-barrier for the firms that have existing production lines or partners in India. That makes it easy for them to relocate, while others need to find local partners if they decide to relocate. We are pursuing it very seriously and hope to get a good response in the next few months, Karnataka Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar told The New Sunday Express. Senior officers are holding regular meetings with several countries while the State Government is also taking measures to ensure ease-of-doing-business in the State, he added. To complement the governments efforts, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has also constituted its task force of experts. We are identifying countries interested in shifting their businesses to Karnataka and reaching out to prospective investors through various channels, including trade bodies in different countries. We are also taking help from respective consulates, said FKCCI president C R Janardhana. People who have established industries in Singapore and China are also part of the FKCCI task force. The competition may be tough, but the FKCCI chief sees it as a doable task. Over 1,000 companies have already left China and many more may move out. Huge domestic market, friendly workforce, good infrastructure, air connectivity, uniform tax, abundant energy and availability of land will work to the States advantage. All these aspects are highlighted during our talks with prospective investors, he added. The Strategy Task force headed by Chief Secretary/FKCCI task force consisting of experts Aerospace, electronics manufacturing, pharma identified as go-to sectors Country-specific meetings held to market states investment potential Friendly-workforce, good infrastructure, air connectivity, availability of land, ease-of-doing business highlighted Brand Bengaluru is an added advantage Diplomacy has been making front pages in recent days. Last Wednesday night, Ireland was elected to a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council, winning almost as many votes as Norway and significantly more than Canada. Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but the UN role actually doesn't matter much. To see why, consider two friends and allies of Ireland: Belgium and Estonia. Did the world suddenly hold them in higher regard when they landed the non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council that they currently keep warm? Has either country become more influential as a result? Have they used their time around the table in New York to advance their interests and values in any significant way? Worldly readers will know that the answer to those questions is mostly in the negative. That is not to say that either the Security Council or the UN system more widely are insignificant. They easily pass the most basic organisational test - if they didn't exist, they would have to be created. (The same cannot be said for all of the organisations in the wider UN 'family'.) The world needs a global institutional framework for dealing with its problems. Process may be boring, but it matters. It can make a difference in emergencies. The UN's imperfections are legion, but that reflects the anarchical nature of global affairs when almost 200 sovereign entities comprise the most important building blocks of international society. Sitting at the top table, as Ireland has done seven times previously since it joined the UN in the 1950s, is appropriate. It can have marginal benefits, while not seeking a seat would signal not only a lack of ambition, but a disinterest in making a contribution to world affairs. The holding of the seat from next January will boost Ireland's profile and prestige at the margins, and by enough to justify the 800,000 of taxpayers' money spent on the campaign for the seat. It is also a morale-booster for the Irish diplomatic community and the wider civil service, proving again that teamwork and focus on big tasks, such as winning a Security Council seat or running an EU presidency, are a strength of Ireland's public service. The manner in which it was won is also important. With a total of almost 400 votes available (each UN member country casts two ballots), Ireland won 128 votes, just two fewer than Norway, a country that has enough petrodollars to fill most of its many fjords - and money matters in contests such as these. More importantly, Ireland out-polled Canada, a member of the Group of Seven largest industrialised countries, by 20 votes. That north American country has more resources and a much bigger global diplomatic footprint than Ireland. Its youthful prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who is one of the world's more recognisable leaders, had put his weight behind the campaign. The Taoiseach spent most of last Friday at a virtual summit with his 26 EU counterparts. As someone who has worked for both the UN and the EU, the real action is in Brussels, not the UN's hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna. How has the EU fared in its handling of the pandemic? This is not a straightforward question, not least because the European Union - like the UN - comprises different institutions which do different things. The EU's most important configuration remains the fora of national leaders and their ministers, more of which anon. In the Covid-19 crisis, two 'supranational' (in the jargon of political scientists) institutions have had roles to play, the European Commission and the European Central Bank. The other two important ones, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice, have not. The European Commission, which has next to no role in healthcare issues, did what it had to do in the emergency - get out of the way. In the early stages of the crisis it suspended two important sets of rules which it is charged with policing - those which seek to prevent governments doing stupid things with their finances and those which actually do prevent governments from handing taxpayers' money over to companies and favoured industries. Neither development was desirable. Both were necessary. The rules on governments giving financial aid to businesses are vitally important in normal times in ensuring fair competition across the continent - but when whole sectors are at risk of collapse, then state supports can be appropriate. They are appropriate at this time. The suspension of budget rules was also appropriate. With so many lives and livelihoods at stake, borrowing to throw the kitchen sink at the pandemic and its effects was and is the right response. Massive bills are being racked up by all governments in the EU. They will be paid back after the emergency. The European Central Bank had a bad start to the crisis, despite the clear need from the very beginning of the pandemic that it would have to act much more pro-actively than the Commission. In late February, when financial markets began to panic over the economic consequences of what was to come, the new ECB president, Christine Lagarde, said it was not the bank's job to keep governments' borrowing costs low. That fuelled the panic. By mid-March, however, the ECB had changed its tune. Since then it has taken unprecedented measures, both to allow governments to borrow and to ensure eurozone banks have the wherewithal to lend to businesses and consumers. As with the fiscal response, these monetary actions bring risks for the future. They will have to be dealt with in the future. So what of EU leaders' collective performance? As with the ECB, they had a bad start. Old divisions between the fiscally rectitudinous north and the high-debt south quickly reopened. In March and April, many hours of time was wasted discussing EU measures to help the worst affected countries. That happened despite those countries being able to borrow cheaply and freely after the ECB's course correction in mid-March. Ireland, significantly, switched sides early on, joining the southerners. Even more significantly, Germany switched sides in mid-May. Despite being historically allergic to turning the EU or the eurozone into a 'transfer union', German chancellor Angela Merkel joined her French counterpart in calling for the European Commission to borrow money to be used to aid the worst affected countries. Since then, including last Friday, all 27 countries have been trying to hammer out an agreement. Four northern countries are holding out against the joint debt issuance. Ireland objects to how little it will get, based on Commission's current proposals. Many of the details will be argued over for weeks and probably months to come. It is far too early to judge what sort of a changes they will agree. It is even harder to know how much of an impact it will have on the pace of countries' economic recoveries. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Yoga promotes principles of peace, rights and wellbeing that UN is working towards, said UN Director-General Tatiana Valovaya on Saturday (local time) during the commemoration of 6th International Day of Yoga. Yoga promotes principles of peace, rights and wellbeing that UN is working towards. Celebrating #International Yoga Day, were sending message of unity and connection, one that is of substantial value at time of great challenges but also great opportunities for multilateralism, Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of UN, Geneva, said on Twitter. Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21. Its sixth edition falls on Sunday, which also happens to have a solar eclipse day in several parts of north India, including Delhi. This year, the day has come amidst Coronavirus pandemic. The Yoga practitioners are adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines including social distancing. At least 8.6 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus around the world, 458,000 have died due to the deadly virus and more than 4.2 million have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (ANI) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Roli Srivastava (Reuters) Mumbai, India Sun, June 21, 2020 17:02 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066076b06 2 People LGBT,Vasu-Primlani,India,comic Free Indian stand-up comic Vasu Primlani does not shy away from her sexuality in her gigs - even though until very recently, being gay put her at odds with the law. One popular joke starts with the question she says many LGBT+ Indians are routinely asked - "how did you turn gay?". The answer - "when I was 10, my mother told me to stay away from boys" - gets a laugh every time. Primlani, 47, believes she is India's first openly gay comedian. She uses humor to address the twin challenges of being gay and a woman in India, where gay sex was only decriminalized in 2018 and awareness of both women's and LGBT+ rights is patchy. But her style is not to judge. Instead, she seeks to promote understanding among audiences with little past exposure to the debate over LGBT+ issues in particular. "Very often these people are not included in these dialogues and no effort is made to bring them on board," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from New Delhi. "I am not preaching to the choir ... people who actually do have questions are on the other side of the fence." That approach has made her popular among corporates, which pay her to run awareness training for their staff in India. At first these had to be conducted under the radar, but since the law changed in 2018, firms have been happy to talk openly about her work for them. IBM India enlisted her to hold a session for Pride month in June, the first time it has used a stand-up comic. In her training sessions, Primlani starts with comedy, before moving on to offer tips on how to behave around LGBT+ colleagues. "Do not go running up to them (saying): 'I didn't know!' or 'You didn't tell me!', do not avoid them, do not act overly friendly and do not ask personal questions ('So, who's the guy between you two?')," she said. Read also: Indonesian LGBT community pins hopes on youth for better, more tolerant future Tough subjects Primlani said she was fortunate in having parents who accepted her sexuality. "Parents are your backbone. When they don't accept, it really hurts the child. I am strong because of my parents," she said. Her comedy tackles tough subjects, among them sexual abuse of women and the everyday challenge of being stared at by men. "I offer a 100 percent solution to rape," said Primlani, who holds an Indian government award for her work on women's empowerment. "We keep telling girls to do this or do that, but just raise your boys properly and your girls will be safe." She does not judge those she trains who are struggling to accept their child or a colleague as an LGBT+ person. "It is not their fault they don't know ... employees come from villages and towns or cities where they are not exposed to these codes of conduct," she said. "I use comedy as commentary ... to talk about what we don't talk about in the society. And nobody feels judged." India is home to nearly 56 million LGBT+ adults according to Paris-based firm Out Now Consulting, but coming out is still not easy as many fear family rejection and being subjected to homophobic comments at work. Asked what she hopes to achieve through her comedy, Primlani said she wanted sexuality to be "taken off the table". "That you judge people by their thoughts, actions and goodness rather than what they look like, who they hang out with, or who they choose to love," she continued. "I am not in the business of making people laugh. I am in the business of touching hearts." London, June 21 : Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold heaped praise on manager Jurgen Klopp and said he "will always be special to the club". The Reds are closing in on their first top-flight title in 30 years as they are six points off winning the English Premier League title. "You have to respect the things he does," the 21-year-old right-back told BBC Radio 5 Live. "To change the whole club, to change everyone from doubters to believers, to get everybody thinking the same way, believing the same way and having the same dreams... "He just embodies the whole club. Even without being from the city, the country and being local, he just clicks with the club. He does it with every person - the fans, the staff and the players." On title aspirations and how frustrating it was when the league had to be stopped midway due to the coronavirus, he said: "If you can imagine your ultimate dream and being so, so close to it - two steps away from it really - and someone saying 'you need to wait over 100 days then you might get it'. It was quite frustrating." "But the league position hasn't changed, our mentality hasn't changed and that is to win every game, push boundaries, break records, win the league and be remembered." "You have to wait so long to win the league, then when you do it, you have to wait so long to celebrate it properly," added Alexander-Arnold. On Sunday when Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside derby, Alexander-Arnold will have 'Black Lives Matter' on his boots. He had announced he will auction the boots he wears in the derby to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which strives for "freedom and equality for all". "'Do your talking on the pitch.' I've always loved that sentiment. But now we need to speak up in other ways as well," Alexander-Arnold wrote on Twitter. "It can no longer just be our feet where we express ourselves. We have to use our profile, the platforms we have and the spotlight that shines on us to say, it's time for meaningful change." He added: "While we have this opportunity, where people are listening - let's speak, let's educate, let's campaign and let's promote the message that better education brings change. "This is the moment of change. This is the moment to say enough is enough. This is the moment to make sure it stops now. Racism is a fire that is now burnt out." TIME TO STEP UP Stephen Freind made a good point that the police are right up top with the most important careers. The point is though that there are some bad police and if good cops dont stand against abuse from their brothers in blue, they are part of the problem. He brought up black-on-black crime and demonstrating. The difference is that those criminals are sought and brought to justice and those cops who killed George Floyd were not until after demonstrating begun. Police officers are still working after committing so many of the documented killings. Think about those not on video. Yes, there are many more great police than bad but why arent people like Freind asking when good ones will step up to condemn the bad ones. Like the Good Samaritan, weve got to humble ourselves and start reaching across to help those who are different than ourselves. RNB SMITE GOV. WOLF To God Bless Gov. Wolf : The COVID-19 stats in Delco are showing minimal deaths and positive test results. We do need to proceed with caution, but there is no reason why we should not be going into the green phase this Friday. We dont need nanny state Wolf, drunk on his power grab, to tell us who needs to stay home, to social distance, and to wear a mask when it is difficult to social distance at this point. The southern states that are seeing increased cases did not see the large number of cases that the northeast did, so this is an extension of their first wave. Im sure that they will do fine because most of them have Republican governors that know how to manage crisis without shutting everything down. A NURSE WHO KNOWS BETTER RETURN TO SENDER As an ally of the Black Lives Matter movement, I suggest that the statue of Christopher Columbus under wraps in Chester be removed from public land and returned to the Sons of Italy Chapter who originally donated it to the city in 1955. I can respect the pride some Italian-Americans might have felt for this navigator, who crossed the Atlantic four times in search of a trade route to Asia. Instead, he encountered the Western Hemisphere in the process. At the same time, Columbuss legacy, the carnage, disease, and enslavement offends us with its racism, bigotry, and destruction of so many lives. Indigenous peoples have suffered greatly at the hands of European conquistadors. The path of progress has always been a messy one. It is time now to own the whole story or our collective history. This process will take time. In the meantime, Christopher Columbuss story is not a glorious one to be lauded in the public square. PAULY FROM PROSPECT SAY NO TO JOE Really, Biden is a breath of fresh air? Poor man cant even form a sentence! Hes past his prime and will not be able to do anything for our country! Trump gave us a strong economic of historic measure! Go Trump! TRUMP FOREVER PITY THE CHILDREN Can you imagine being a young child growing up in these horrific times? Killings, fires, rioting, protesting, wearing face masks, They have to be scared to death! No school,no enjoying or anything because of the virus . Im sure they have been seeing a lot on TV lately that maybe they shouldnt see. Im not so sure that they even know who to trust or turn to when they are scared or in need of help. Where is the assistance they need to get through these atrocities?? Let me guess, you will have counseling for them! We will all need counseling after this are we going to wait for the next school shooting to happen again and wonder why it happened? Im 60 and dont know who to turn too. Imagine if youre only 6! Face masks? We better get the kids blinders and earmuffs to make sure theyre safe! What a life! PETE DOWN THE STREET, U.D. GOOD FOR THE GOOSE The Idea Man had a fantastic solution to the standoff in Seattle, cancel or obstruct cell phone service in that area. But the participants in the standoff would cry that their rights were being taken away. Dont they realize that they are taking away the rights of other people? THIS AINT THE 60s ANY MORE Sometimes if you really want to help somebody, you do them a favour and dont do what they ask you to. The employer groups begged the Fair Work Commission not to increase minimum award wages during the recession, but it broke with convention and decided on a rise intended to preserve the real value of award wages. The unions wanted a 4 per cent rise, the employers want none, and the Morrison government didnt have the courage to say what it wanted (that is, it wanted what the employers wanted, but didnt want to lose workers votes by saying so). People queue for welfare payments after losing their jobs. Credit:Justin McManus So the spin-doctor-renamed industrial relations commission did what came naturally and split the difference at 1.75 per cent (which will amount to a lot more than $13 a week for many of the 2.2 million workers on award wages). In recessions past, the commission has almost always deferred the annual increase without any catch-up the following year. That is, an unspoken cut in real wages. This time the quarter of award workers in (mainly public-sector) industries whose job numbers have been least affected by the lockdown will get their rise as usual on July 1. TDT | Manama Measures to reopen borders, and plans for gradual restoration of regular activities and businesses in each GCC country, were among issues discussed in a meeting between health ministers from GCC states yesterday, attended by Bahrains Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh. Border reopening and restoration of normal life would be phased, it was reported. Planning and preparing for an appropriate response to future pandemics was also tackled, along with all developments related to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and ways to enhance cooperation in mitigation efforts. Al Saleh praised the great efforts led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to combat the coronavirus within a team spirit that has contributed to preserving the health and safety of citizens and residents in Bahrain. The ministers assigned committees to follow up on the pandemic status and its evolution, and maintain contacts at this level via the joint operations room. In addition, they expressed gratitude to the GCC countries top leaders for their keenness on citizens health, their limitless support for the health sector in the shadow of the virus crisis, and underlined praise by international agencies, namely the World Health Organization, for the GCC countries efforts against the outbreak. Photograph: Kevin Hagen/AP The US attorney general, William Barr, said on Saturday that Donald Trump had fired Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, who has overseen investigations and prosecutions of key Trump allies including Rudy Giuliani and Michael Cohen. Related: John Bolton: judge declines to block tell-all Trump book Berman later confirmed he had stepped down and that his deputy Audrey Strauss would take his place. I could leave the district in no better hands than Audreys, Berman said in a statement. He added that he was sure Strauss would continue the districts tradition of integrity and independence. It brings to an end a bizarre dispute between the attorney general and Berman, after Berman earlier refused to confirm his resignation from the prestigious role, following Barrs announcement in a surprise statement on Friday night. That refusal prompted Barr to announce he had asked Trump to fire Berman which the president apparently promptly did. Before Barr moved to fire Berman, observers widely noted that though the attorney general did not have the authority to do so, the president did. Characteristically, Trump appeared to muddy already murky waters. Leaving the White House for his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he told reporters the firing was all up to the attorney general. Attorney General Barr is working on that. Thats his department, not my department. But we have a very capable attorney general, so thats really up to him. Im not involved. Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the University of Texas, said on Twitter that more important than questions about legal authority was the much bigger question is why this happened. Barr had been widely accused of undermining Department of Justice independence even before he moved against Berman. In a surprise statement released on Friday night, Barr said Trump intended to nominate Jay Clayton the chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission but with little experience as a federal prosecutor as US attorney. Barr said then the US attorney in New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, would be acting US attorney until Clayton could be confirmed by the Senate. Story continues In response, Berman said he had not known of the move until Barrs statement was issued. I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate, he said. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. I cherish every day that I work with the men and women of this office to pursue justice without fear or favor and intend to ensure that this offices important cases continue unimpeded. On Saturday, Berman showed up to work in Manhattan. Im just here to do my job, he said. He did not immediately comment after Barr moved to have him fired. Barr accused Berman of having chosen public spectacle over public service. Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the southern district of New York are handled appropriately, he wrote. This is obviously false. I fully expect that the office will continue to handle all cases in the normal course. Berman was not confirmed by the Senate but appointed by district judges until a Senate-confirmed nominee was found, according to law and after Trump fired the previous US attorney, Preet Bharara, an Obama appointee. In a tweet on Saturday, Bharara mocked Barrs letter as a wrinkle. The president just said that he was not involved in the matter of Geoff Berman in SDNY, he wrote. That means that though both Trump and Barr lie, at least one of them is lying about who is firing Berman. Berman has overseen investigations into Giulianis business dealings no wrongdoing has been formally alleged and campaign finance violations which contributed to Cohen going to jail. The SDNY is also overseeing the prosecution of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two associates of Giuliani, on campaign finance charges. Parnas has turned against Trump. On Saturday ABC News released a section of a forthcoming interview in which John Bolton, the former national security adviser whose tell-all book will be published on Tuesday despite Trumps attempt to stop it, said the presidents suggested intervention in an SDNY case involving a Turkish bank did feel like obstruction of justice to me. The southern district is an immensely powerful office, often charged with prosecuting financial, organised crime and terror-related cases. Berman oversaw the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who counted Trump among influential friends and who killed himself in custody in New York last year. Among Democrats, Val Demings, a US representative from Florida and a possible pick as Joe Bidens presidential running mate, promised Congress would establish the reason for Bermans dismissal. What was Mr Berman investigating that the president and his fixer are so determined to stop? she said in a tweet. We are going to find out. That followed another tweet in which she said: The president has doubled down on his fixers obstruction of investigations into him and his allies. It is clear that nothing will restrain his corruption. No one is above the law. The American people will have their say. Letitia James, the New York attorney general, issued a hard-hitting statement. I am deeply concerned about the sudden removal of the US attorney for the southern district of New York, especially given serious questions about who gave the order and the timing of the firing, James said. I hope the Department of Justice heeds its own advice and puts public service over public spectacle. Ongoing investigations must not be interfered with, period. There is still much work to be done and it must be done independently. Americans deserve leaders who are committed to justice. From top left, clockwise, are authors Tayari Jones, Jervey Tervalon, Ivy Pochoda, Rick Bragg, Steph Cha and Stephanie Danler. (Photos from of the authors) Three months into the COVID-19 way of life, even as a national crisis of conscience rises up alongside a still surging pandemic, writers are doing what they are compelled to do: create new narratives. Often those take the shape of essays, flash poetry or novels still in gestation. But with enough time now gone by, we can also discern a rising meta-narrative from daily accounts like those collected here a series of quarantine diaries The Times began to commission a week into Californias shutdown. The stages of our self-isolation have been fluid, hard to pinpoint chronologically; they can fluctuate within minutes from mourning to joy, professional frustration to escapism, productive immersion to public defiance. From todays perspective, these selected entries reflect at least one (ruminative, varied, relatively privileged but often financially insecure) subset of America grappling with the greatest changes in at least half a century. They also culminate in scenes from a mass movement that brought us out of isolation and into the streets, no longer waiting for change to come from above. Its well worth listening to these voices, because whatever future we can imagine ourselves into next might depend on them. Boris Kachka 1. New Routines Odd, that in this time of real death, surrounded by so much struggle, there is, here in the foothills of Alabama, so much time to kill. Tight spaces, crowds, physical contact, are all so dangerous now, so I do as I am told. I sit on the porch in the middle of 40 acres and watch the dog, an Australian shepherd, harangue a snooty cat for the better part of a quarter mile. Through the screen door, I can hear my 83-year-old mother singing about gathering at the river. Space is not a problem here. But space, and time, will make you crazy. Rick Bragg, 4/6 My alarm clock pings at 6:30. Part of me cant believe Im doing this to myself, but Ive got two kids, freelance work, and a novel that will launch in a month, and it will be a struggle to write with sustained focus later. I write until 8, when I transition into helping my son make a schedule for his day. My husband helps our older daughter with hers, and then away we go. Anna Solomon, 4/7 Story continues Anna Solomon reads Helen Phillips' novel "The Need" in quarantine in Massachusetts. (Mike Burger) Its startling how much the same our life is right now: Im working very full, tense days, Julian is wrecking the house, Matt takes care of the groceries, we all take a walk around 5 p.m. How does this square with the reality of quarantine? Theres a glut of self-care-centric lifestyle pieces, and then theres the news, so full of suffering, disasters and loss. I feel stranded in the middle of this, full of frustrations both petty (When am I going to have time for banana bread?) and more serious (How am I going to release a book? Take care of my family?), but I cant pretend that being trapped at home with Matt and Julian isnt a staggering comfort. Stephanie Danler, 4/9 We left our apartment in New York City almost a month ago for Cape Ann, Mass., where I grew up a fraught choice but one thats given us more space and brought us closer to my family. Our plan today is to build a raft. Solomon, 4/7 Our daughter suggested we do a cardio workout together. I really hate cardio, but a week of self-isolation can convince anyone to try new things. So for 30 minutes we kicked and punched and lunged with Jillian Michaels. Bonus: I forgot about the pandemic for 30 minutes. Laila Lalami, 3/21 I gave an interview, via Zoom, to "CBS Sunday Morning" about how I have started doing this weird thing every day in which I dress up and share the photos with social media. The second I did it, I was hooked. I perform this little ritual every day. Laura Lippman, 4/9 When the current crisis started, my predominant emotion was sadness, but now I feel I have passed through that stage. I have started to fill my days with things that in recent years I have been too busy to attend to. I remember how I often thought that it would be good to slow down the world. Well, now it has slowed itself down with a vengeance. Alexander McCall Smith, 4/2 You know the drill poetry workshop for my daughter, Studio Ghibli, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder. The repetition is sublime and comforting. Ive discovered that small disruptions to the pattern can really throw me off. A virtual book event, a Zoom cocktail, which are highlights of my week, also disturb my equilibrium. Ivy Pochoda, 5/21 I live on a mountain in Tennessee with my wife and two sons. We are surrounded by woods. There is a pond in our backyard. We are used to isolation. But theres a difference between the boundaries that you make for yourself and whats happening now. What can we do but retreat into ourselves, get weirder, create distractions. On Friday, my wife went into our mudroom and found the box of our wedding china, which we have never opened. She unwrapped each plate and the boys set the table. We put on suits and dresses. My younger son, Patch, is obsessed with the masked rapper BennY RevivaL, and so we have 30 or 40 masks in the house, and we each put on a luchador mask for dinner. Kevin Wilson, 4/5 Kevin Wilson with his sons Patch, left, and Griff. (Leigh Anne Couch) The trick, we are told, is to differentiate the days by introducing novel elements. So Saturdays, I have decided, will be days for poetry. Today was Auden my major literary enthusiasm and a few of Shakespeares sonnets. McCall Smith, 4/4 More and more, I catch myself talking to the dog. He is a fine dog and a smart dog, but he is not a magic dog. Whos a good boy? I ask. Nothing. Whos the best boy? Silence. He gets cocktail weenies, now, for a snack. I give him two, and because that makes him happy I give him six more. He has put on 6 pounds in the end times. Bragg, 4/6 In January, we adopted a cat who lived behind the Blue Chair Cafe & Tavern in downtown Sewanee, Tenn. Her name is Dolly, and she is the most affectionate cat weve ever met. She lies between us on the sofa, and she purrs so loudly, twisting her body into the strangest shapes. We know that the days are going to stretch out in front of us, one after the other. Its OK. Were OK. Wilson, 4/6 For a moment it occurs to me that were finding a rhythm in the quarantine. Then I remember that these signposts of adjustment are not so much hopeful as neutral, factual, for the simple reason that, even leaving aside the relentless acceleration of heartbreaking news, we still dont yet know the most important fact: where the road theyre marking goes. Charles Finch, 3/25 2. Working (or trying) I get up early to write: I am due to deliver the manuscript for the 21st volume in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by the end of May. I find it comforting to be in the fictional world where normal human association is permitted, and there is talk of things other than the virus. McCall Smith, 4/4 I am eight months pregnant. Id planned to start writing a new novel so I could get wrist-deep before the baby comes, but I cant really concentrate, and part of me wonders if it even makes sense to put in the effort. I write contemporary novels about Los Angeles, and I suspect the city will have changed dramatically by the end of all this, in unpredictable and possibly permanent ways. Steph Cha, 3/22 I open Microsoft Word. I take a sip of coffee. I close Microsoft Word. Charles Yu, 4/2 The first few weeks of isolation went by quickly. I was finishing a collection of essays and it was heartening to work toward the future. I knew I would be adrift once the deadline was met, so I took my time. It took me a week to write the acknowledgments. It was two paragraphs but beautifully crafted. Bragg, 4/6 Some of my writer friends are amazed Im working, but for what its worth, the manuscript is late and Im having trouble meeting my daily quota of 1,000 words. Today I wrote 953 words, but it was a complete chapter. Lippman, 4/9 Laura Lippman with a homemade mask. (From Laura Lippman) I talk with a friend who also has a book scheduled. Her publisher might push hers back by a couple months and we talk about the pros and cons. Maybe bookstores will be open by then? But what if all the books are pushed to summer? Will we ever again fly to a book festival? Are we allowed to care about any of this right now? Solomon, 4/7 After breakfast, I emailed with my publicist to discuss canceled book events. Theres a lot of uncertainty about the future, so we resolved to wait and see before rebooking anything. After lunch, I tried to do some writing. The first half hour was hard, but eventually habit kicked in and by the time I looked up again, three hours had passed and I had two pages. Not bad. Lalami, 3/20 I have back-to-back interviews for my new book most of the day, so I unfortunately have to brush my hair and put on clothes. Danler, 4/9 I get a pop-up alert for meetings I was supposed to have in L.A. this week, all canceled. I think about deleting all the events I had coming up this year I was supposed to travel to Seattle, Minneapolis, Paris but I cant do it. I want a record of my 2020 That Never Was. Yu, 4/5 An exhausting day of troubleshooting at work. Online teaching hit a few snags, and as the MFA director at Rutgers-Newark I have to come up with answers on the spot. In between distress calls, I pick up the book sitting on my desk, Minor Feelings, by my colleague Cathy Park Hong. She had given me a signed copy with the trepidation that the books future was now compromised. I assured her that her book had a better chance than those by debut authors. Uttering that statement filled me with dread: Under these circumstances nothing is knowable. Rigoberto Gonzalez, 3/23 An eight-city tour was in the works. I know my loss is minuscule in the scheme of losses right now. Still, my novel took years to write. I take a deep breath and email with my publicist about which bookstores are open to doing something virtual. Solomon, 4/7 On this day, I realize, I was supposed to be in Baltimore at a literature festival for my book In the Country of Women. As the sun sets, I go to Rite Aid and buy the things my mother asked me for today. Susan Straight, 3/23 Author Susan Straight on her porch. (From Susan Straight) My writing time is fitful. I make some exciting discoveries, but Im also thinking about how the current epidemic will change the trajectory of the book. Its set 10 years in the future. I talk with my agent. Im obsessing over minutiae. An eight-city tour was in the works. My novel took years to write. She helps me refocus on the big picture: the extraordinary creative energy of my publishing team; superhuman efforts by booksellers; peoples everlasting need for stories. Solomon, 4/9 As soon as I try to do real writing, I start texting. Danler, 4/8 After breakfast, I listened to my teenage daughter play Beethovens Fifth Symphony on the violin. She was supposed to travel to Germany and the Netherlands this spring with her schools orchestra. Lalami, 3/22 I wake up and finish Ivy Pochodas These Women. Its a stunner, and I hope that were in a better place by the time it comes out in mid-May. We all want this, of course, for more reasons than there are people on this Earth. I want Ivys book to sell, and I want people to stop dying; I want the economy to bounce back, and I want my friends to meet my newborn baby in the flesh. Cha, 3/22 3. Parenting (or trying) I wake up before my 16-month-old son, which rarely happens, and lie in the semi-dark to finish a galley of Melissa Febos Girlhood on my phone. Im left thinking about how I can be a better mother. Im 24 weeks pregnant. Danler, 4/8 Self-isolation has not changed my daily routine, other than the fact that my kids now go to school in our kitchen. Theyre 12 and 10, but I live in constant fear of waking up one morning to find that they grew up overnight. Having this time with them feels like a bonus, a parents secret wish fulfilled. Except, in the perverse logic of a Twilight Zone episode, my wish came true under the worst imaginable circumstances. Yu, 4/2 Charles Yu in quarantine, with the books inspiring his writing. (From Charles Yu) This week I was supposed to be heading on a book tour, but Im home with my husband and 5-year-old, which I cant complain about, at least not for very long. Lorettas class is beginning a unit on how to become avid poetry readers. Since she cant actually read, this will involve listening to poetry read by her mother. Pochoda, 5/19 Before quarantine, Julian had never seen a screen. Now we beg him to sit still for 10 minutes in front of the TV. Danler, 4/8 Patch and I are working our way through The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels. He loves Claudia and Kristy, and I love Mary Ann. Theres a panel where Mary Ann holds up a slice of pizza and yells out, Pizza toast, and we both decide that when things return to normal, Ill get a tattoo of that image. Wilson, 4/5 Julian starts banging on the door. Hes figured out that I dont go to the office anymore. I take a break and Julian watches Carson Ellis read from her book Home, one of his favorites, on Instagram live. I am not sure how I feel about Instagram live. But hes interested and quiet for about five minutes, which is great! Danler, 4/8 My wife ordered some resistance bands so we could work out at home. Whenever Im feeling down about everything, exercise changes my mood dramatically. We go outside and play and a fun game called KanJam. Later, my son and I play some indoor basketball in his room. Yu, 4/4 Charles Yu exercising with his wife, Michelle, and their dog. (Charles Yu.) At 9, Im with my son as he signs into this mornings Zoom with his second-grade class. I check the days first emails while listening to his teacher. He has his end-of-day Zoom at 2:45, by which point our schedule has dissolved, and my son needs nothing more than to wrestle with another kid. Solomon, 4/7 I ordered the WWE Network for Patch so we could watch old WrestleMania. Patch has made up his own character, Black Dragon, and we wrestle on the bed. Im Zeke Brokenwood, from the swamps of Louisiana. This evening, Griff and Patch break the frame of Patchs bed while executing a body slam, and I spend 30 minutes with a drill. It feels good to restore something. Wilson, 4/6 The automotive protest was characteristic of Pasadena/Altadena, where its not unusual to see a black-and-Asian family like ours do our civic duty. The problem was waiting to start our engines. A 4-year-old trapped in a car for a long time is a recipe for frayed nerves; a restroom break for Colette was inevitable. Finally, we received the signal, but we snaked along at a walking pace. To Colettes credit, she held on for an hour, but then we had to give up the ghost to find a restroom. Jervey Tervalon, 6/5 4. Escapism (or not) Every day we receive new instructions from the federal government, the state governor, the city mayor even from the manager of the building I live in. By the weekend Im so overwhelmed that I have to escape but without leaving the apartment. Thank goodness for murder mysteries. Gonzalez, 3/22 Over lunch, we read. Im in the middle of The Need by Helen Phillips, which I find so wonderfully weird and terrifying I forget my real fears for a while. My husband reads the news. Solomon, 4/7 After dinner, its family movie time. My turn in the rotation. Last time I chose Edge of Tomorrow, in which Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt have to live out the same day over and over again until they figure out how to beat the aliens. Tonight my choice is Independence Day ... another movie about humanity uniting to defeat an enemy life form. My subconscious is not exactly subtle. Yu, 4/2 After dinner, we watch Iron Man 2 were cutting Six Feet Under with the Avengers movies, figuring we could use some pure escapist entertainment. Im disappointed in the movie, which is genuinely less engaging than the introduction to The Power Broker, Robert Caros 66-hour audiobook. Cha, 3/22 Rigoberto Gonzalez, quarantined in his home in Newark, N.J. (From Rigoberto Gonzalez) At 8 p.m., the curfew goes into effect. A crew of squad cars roars down one of Newarks main drags each evening to affirm a police presence. Their nightly ritual is not comforting, its unsettling. I look to my anchor: the book of poems in my hand. Gonzalez, 3/24 If the end is nigh, I dont want to waste the time I have left. So I read some Hemingway, some Dickens and the words of an old cowboy called Sam the Lion, from Larry McMurtrys The Last Picture Show. I know there will be an end to this, someday. Till then, I will duck into the past, into the black and white, where the good in us, played by Lionel Barrymore, stares up at the leering gangster, Edward G. Robinson, unafraid. Bragg, 4/8 These days I am gulping down beloved books, and its probably only a matter of time before my all-stars show up in the rotation: Mildred Pierce, Marjorie Morningstar, When She Was Good, Valley of the Dolls, the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. But my perennial reread is a YA series about a Denver teenager named Beany Malone. Lippman, 4/8 Last month I reread Station Eleven, which, given its subject matter (a worldwide pandemic destroys civilization as we know it), might seem like not the best for right now but turned out to be exactly what I needed. Yu, 4/3 Horror is traditionally a place where we work out our greatest fears. Im pretty sure Danny Boyle was trying to warn us in 28 Days Later that the virus that turns people into zombies isnt nearly as dangerous as greedy, immoral humans. Lalami, 3/20 I kicked off quarantine by rereading Cormac McCarthys Blood Meridian because something in its apocalyptic vision seemed to reflect the moment. I was amused to discover how much comfort I derived from this odyssey of violence. No matter whats going on outside its got nothing on what the Glanton Gang wrought. Pochoda, 5/21 Matt asks me what I want to watch. I say that I want to read. He suggests Never Look Away, a German film by a director he loves. Hmmm. Sounds heavy. After we waste 30 minutes on this conversation, I tell the truth. I want to watch The Office. I want to start with the pilot, and I do not want to share my carton of ice cream, and I want to keep going and going until I feel better. Four episodes later, I can attest: Its excellent. Danler, 4/9 It seems as if a lot of people are handling isolation by reading long novels, but I spend my regular life reading long novels. Instead Ive been listening to music and staring into space. I listen to unending amounts of Led Zeppelin, especially Physical Graffiti an album Ive never liked by a band I havent cared about in a long time. At around 6 oclock I go into our tiny yard. Very carefully the pleasure of doing a small task well I roll a joint, then inhale from it once, albeit deeply. The sun softens into pink and gold diffusions of empathetic color over the palm trees, the rooftops, and, trying to think of something clever but failing, I text my friends long day living in Reseda, eh? Finch, 3/20 Charles Finch playing guitar in quarantine. (Emily Popp) After the kids turn in, my wife and I finish the last episode of Hillary on Hulu. Theres one shot, of Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office with President Obama, and I think about an alternative universe in which our president was handling things very differently. Yu, 4/4 Godards Pierrot le Fou is a marriage coming apart (Godard and Anna Karina) and maybe the most emotional film ever made by that chilly guy. Its on the Criterion channel, the Gideon Bible of this survivalist season. Thomson, 4/1 Im listening to Norah Jones today, which seems like a sign that things are getting dark. I think of Norah Jones as the best music available in the worst category of music: songwriting thats unrepentantly affirming, even when its mood is sad. But in actuality the most significant development in my personal sense of aesthetics is probably that Ive become a candle guy. Its a humiliating turn of events. Finch, 3/21 I cant shake how badly Im missing watching sports. On Sunday I finished The Last Dance, which Im not in the unique position of loving. Watching this doc dovetailed with turning in the final draft of my next and probably last middle grade collaboration with Kobe Bryant, so the sense of loss when it was over was profound. Pochoda, 3/20 5. Grief I woke a little later than usual and immediately reached for my phone to catch up on the news. That morning, Sen. Rand Paul had tested positive for COVID-19. Angela Merkel was self-isolating. This got me wondering about clustered spreads affecting specific fields, which was such a dystopian thought that I pushed it out of my mind. Lalami, 3/22 As the Sports section dwindles, the Obituaries spread. Were nowhere near the Great War scheme where London papers printed columns of names, the losses. Still, today, there is a friend in the New York Times, Dr. John Murray, 92, an expert on pulmonary distress who died of the very condition he had helped define for other doctors. He was a grand guy, tall, handsome, humorous, usually in a bow tie. The obituary includes the observation that just before he went into his last coma John was asking the doctors in Paris about his blood oxygen levels. Grace under pressure. David Thomson, 4/3 David Thomson, working and watching his way through quarantine. (Lucy Gray ) Terrence McNally has died of complications from coronavirus. He was 81. Finch, 3/25 I check the news and see that John Prine has died. I put on Angel from Montgomery and let myself sit for a bit, listening. Tears rise in my throat and I realize theyve been with me all day. My daughter walks in and asks for a snack. Solomon, 4/7 My husband comes out and puts on John Prine, who passed away last night. There is a subtle music war going on in my home, but I dont engage this morning. I love John Prine. Danler, 4/8 On the pretty afternoons, I drove the county roads in my pickup, alone. I listened to everything from big band to rockabilly, but even lost on a lonely country road, the sadness drifted in. I heard that the great songwriter John Prine had died. Prine was the antidote for all the bad music in the world, all the empty words. I heard Bill Withers died. He showed me how to groove before I knew what a groove was. It occurred to me, somewhere along those thin ribbons of asphalt, that just about every singer I really liked was dead, including about 3/16th of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and this made me sad all over again. Bragg, 4/8 Its really shocking how many great performers are in Shattered Glass. Mark Blum, the actor who died of COVID-19 on March 26, was in Shattered Glass. After his death, we watched Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee back to back. Lippman, 4/10 We watched Seinfeld, the one where Kramer gets addicted to the chicken at Kenny Rogers Roasters, and I mentioned that Kenny Rogers had recently passed away. Griff and Patch asked if it was from the virus, and I said that I didnt remember. Wilson, 4/5 Today was the day I kind of broke down. It was a minor thing wrapped in a major thing. I stepped on a scale and discovered Id lost 2 pounds in the last week, which is disconcerting when youre eight months pregnant during an unprecedented pandemic and have just canceled your various medical appointments. Cha, 3/20 An awful day, edgy and wrong. The stock market takes on a new interest for me since Im apparently being asked to murder people based on how its doing. I spend most of the afternoon teaching myself the solo from Peg by Steely Dan on guitar. Really I just want to GO SOMEWHERE. Id pay an amount of money Im hesitant to admit to sit at a crowded coffee shop and work for an hour. ($50.) Finch, 3/24 A number of friends forward me emails from Amazon letting them know that my book may be delayed because theyre prioritizing necessary supplies. I thank them and try to pretend I dont know this. I get on a quick phone call with a member of my marketing team, then I check in with my sister, who has gone back to work at her non-COVID hospital in Chicago. I pull down Madame Bovary. Then I make the mistake of checking the news and grow so angry I feel feverish. Solomon, 4/8 Laila Lalami finds "The Bell Jar" soothing these days. (From Laila Lalami) Like millions of other people, Im having trouble falling asleep. The uncertainty about everything creates a constant low-level anxiety. I talked to a very knowledgeable friend who gave me some advice. You have to decide to wind down. Assert control. A sleep app like Headspace may help. Theres a terrific English actor who narrates Rainday Antiques ." His voice his deep, warm and soporific. Joe Ide, 5/10 The pandemic has worsened my insomnia, adding anxiety about health to the list of things my mind occupies itself with at three in the morning Before bed, I had a cup of rooibos tea, which is caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants; its one of my trusted home remedies for insomnia. Then I read a little more of The Bell Jar and went to sleep. I dreamt that I was a decorative-art historian in Bahia, Brazil, and that I was showing museum visitors an antique Moroccan teapot. It was the most restful dream I had all week. Then I woke up and remembered. Lalami, 3/20 6. The World Outside Seeing Dr. Fauci speak can momentarily elicit in me a hope that this will shake us back into some basic collective reliance on reality and expertise. But the true lesson of 2016 onward, in fiction and politics alike, is that none of us know anything about what any of us will do. Finch, 3/22 This is the second week of no school in Riverside. On my long, narrow block, there are about 35 kids. Many of them are on the sidewalks, riding bikes and scooters, walking their parents, who are nervous. At night I watch two hours of Gunsmoke, then an hour of Gentefied. The isolation and sadness on those dirt roads and those L.A. sidewalks send me out back onto my porch, in the dark, to listen to the eerie silence without what I usually hear: the tubas and accordions of ranchera music, the booming bass of Tupac and laughter from the streets. Straight, 3/25 After dark, we walk down to the cove to look at the supermoon. Its so big and bright we can see individual pebbles on the road. We watch currents of water pass each other, sparkling. Solomon, 4/7 Joe Ide (From Joe Ide) The light, the space. With our son Zachary we drive to Point Reyes. Its the three of us (everyday companions) in the car, our spare room. There is some traffic still; it is California. The day is nearly summer in its warmth, with a wind whipping the sea into white crests. We just drive around studying the herds of black cattle and poppies, pale yellow at their tips, darkening into egg-yolk at their center. Neither the poppies nor the cattle know whats going on in the Trump press conferences. Their good fortune. But the cattle are lining up, expecting to be milked. Thomson, 4/2 We drive over to Marsh Park (closed at the moment) on the L.A. River and walk along the river path. Weve had strong rain this week and the river is full, with rapids, and there are gray herons, egrets, ducks. I feel desperate to get out and be in nature. Like everyone quarantined, I suppose. Danler, 4/8 On our hike, Griff picks two dandelion puffs and then asks me to make a video of him. I get out my phone and record. He yells, Im an artist, and then he delicately places each dandelion in his mouth, one and then the other. He blows out a little cloud of fluff, and they hover around his face. Its beautiful. Later, Ill be glad that no one was around to see it, the worry it might have caused, to spit into the open air, all those germs. But now we hike into the woods, searching for frogs and lizards, for all the living things moving around us, unseen unless you try to find them. Wilson, 4/7 Ive lived in this old farmhouse for 32 years. Mine is a neighborhood of barter, where we trade oranges and avocados, fresh eggs and just-caught fish, clothes and tools. For these past two weeks, weve been trading groceries and tamales, and I give away books. I leave a bag on the fence slats, so we maintain distance. A mother and her teenage daughter stop at the fence, looking disconsolate. The daughter will graduate from our local high school with no ceremony, not sure the college shes been admitted to will even open in fall. On the porch, I find for her Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth. Straight, 4/24 Today is better than yesterday the sun is out, and I get to socialize. A Zoom chat with high school friends, a Google Hangout with law school friends and a social distancing happy hour in front of our neighbors house, where we all stand well over 6 feet apart and catch up with our outside voices. One of the children, 8 or 9 years old, declares: This is a story Ill tell my kids except Im not going to have any. Cha, 3/20 After bedtime, we join a friends Zoom Seder and there are people all over the United States on it. I miss people, I miss drinking, but this Zoom socializing is a miracle. Danler, 4/8 Alexander McCall Smith, multitasking in quarantine as he revises his next "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" novel. (From Alexander McCall Smith) Ive been Zooming with my three brothers. Whenever we talk or see each other, we are immediately transformed into adolescents and assume the status we had back then. In terms of my stature in the family, I was underneath the totem pole. I realize I could break out of my role and be more assertive, but the result would be chaos. Im more or less an adult all the time and seriously, its a drag. Adults are capricious, whereas my relationship with my brothers is stable and predictable. Ide, 5/10 Before delivering the groceries, I removed them from the plastic grocery store bags and toweled everything down with precious Clorox wipes. When I arrived at my parents home, I unfolded my camp chair, but it started to rain. My mothers face fell. She had been looking forward to a yard visit with me all week. Daddy entered the garage carrying three cans of Coke in his large hands. Oh, no, he said as the rain came down in sheets. Tayari Jones, 6/5 Proust said that steamships insulted the dignity of distance. And yet, and yet From city to city, from country to country, people reach out to one another, amid all the noise and suffering and loneliness, they smile and share stories and impressions and recommendations all the things that bind us the one to the other, in spite of everything. Last night, at precisely 8 oclock, the clapping started, just as it had the previous Thursday. People stood on their doorsteps, leaned out of their windows, came out onto the street to applaud the health service. Throughout the United Kingdom, the whole nation clapped. In our street, a piper struck up, the bagpipes providing a spine-tingling background to the moving sound of people expressing their gratitude. McCall Smith, 4/3 7. Restlessness and Change My son was born two months ago, a few weeks ahead of schedule, so my life is pretty different from what it was when I wrote my quarantine diary. I haven't had much time to read (I'm still slowly making it through "Anna Karenina," though I have been able to get through "The Power Broker"). I spent most of the last five years writing about Los Angeles and police brutality and the legacy of 1992. Under different circumstances, I would be out in my city, protesting with my neighbors. Instead, Im watching news coverage with a sleeping baby on my chest. Blissful and sad and surreal. Cha, 6/5 The Fence Library has grown to four tables, two bookshelves and lots of donations. One neighbor built an arbor and sign hes a carpenter whos been laid off. About 50 to 75 books a week are taken. On Monday, when protesters walked down my sidewalk headed to downtown Riverside, some actually stopped and got books on politics, Latino and African American culture, but also childrens books, which remain the most popular. Helicopters overhead, they put books in their backpacks. Straight, 6/1 It was election day in Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp installed new voting machines just in time for this election. Word on the curb is that no one knows quite how to work them. And have I mentioned there is widespread civil unrest? Here in Atlanta, police officers have been fired for brutalizing protesters. In addition, there is the matter of a global pandemic. And from what I have read and observed, being Black is a significant co-morbidity. Jones, 6/5 Mack and Barbara Jones, parents of Tayari. (Tayari Jones) It is hard enough to shelter in place, but how do you do that when youre a black man and your 19-year-old daughter is leading a Black Lives Matter protest in front of hundreds of people? What choice is there but to put a mask on and go see Elise do what needed to be done. I worried she might freeze up, but she had no problem giving her five-minute speech. She insisted that Black lives matter, and the crowd roared back that Black lives do matter, and I was moved to tears. Tervalon, 6/5 Here in Georgia, folks talk to one another. The problem is that face coverings make it hard to talk. Raised eyebrows and a shrug meant, Isnt this ridiculous? Narrowed eyes and a shake of the head communicated, This is voter suppression. Narrowed eyes, lowered brows and a tight jaw said, Stacey Abrams should be governor. Jones, 6/9 Our president seems to have an amazing ability to make people from diverse backgrounds feel such unified passion for relentless, nonviolent resistance against him that even fear of COVID-19 couldnt stop it. Tervalon, 6/5 I hoped I was voting for the right people, and then it was over. As I trekked to my car, the clouds spit and sputtered. I offered my plastic poncho to a man still blocks away from the polls. How long did you wait? he asked. Almost four hours," I said. He sighed. Ive been here that long already. Jones, 6/9 I walk to the rally downtown, just five minutes from my apartment, but after 72 days in quarantine, I become nervous about blending into a crowd. But when the marchers chant the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other recent victims of police negligence and brutality Im reminded of why, for many, its worth leaving home when its still not safe. I am reminded that, for many, it has never been safe to leave home. Gonzalez, 5/30 Dead Iran Judge Spoke With Family And Was Fine Hours Before Body Found Radio Farda June 20, 2020 A former Iranian judge who fled to Romania and was found dead in Bucharest on June 19 spoke with his family and sounded fine hours before his body was found in a hotel, his attorney says. Etemaad Online, a local news website quoted the lawyer, Amir Hossein Najafpur Sani in Tehran as saying that he was shocked when he found out from media reports that Gholamreza Mansouri's dead body was found in the early afternoon hours of Friday in Bucharest's Duke Hotel. Mansouri was a highly controversial judge and prosecutor in Iran who fled the country last year after arrests of high-level judicial officials began in Iran. As the trial surrounding a large corruption case started, his name came up as one of the accused who had taken a 500,000-euro bribe. However, once the news about his presence in Europe broke out earlier this month, Iranian human rights activists in the West began a campaign to have him arrested to stand trial for numerous rights violations he had committed against journalists. His attorney told Etemaad that the family spoke with him at 13:30 Central European Summer Time (CEST) and Mansouri was in normal health and conversed in a normal manner. He also reiterated that later he realized the deceased's WhatsApp account had been active until 12:45 CEST. Mr. Sani also demanded answers from Romanian authorities, saying they were responsible to protect the life of his client. Many Iranians on social media say that Mansouri's death is ore likely to have been a murder, either by Iran's intelligence organs or the group of corrupt former officials on trial in Iran. If Mansouri were tried in Europe for human rights violations, that would have exposed the Islamic Republic to serious disgrace. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/dead- iran-judge-spoke-with-family-and-was-fine -hours-before-body-found/30681298.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Public Libraries are due to begin offering more services to the public as outlined in Phase 2 of the Governments Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. However, it will be some time before full library services can resume. In Phase 2 services will begin to be provided to the public in a step-by-step manner in line with public health guidance. From Monday June 8, library users can expect a safe lending service via a Contact and Collect lending model. Users can return items on loan. Returned items will be placed into quarantine for 72 hours before being available for lending. This means that at first, library spaces will be restricted to library staff only and will not be accessible to the public. Contact and Collect and returns service will be available at eight of our libraries, which will partially reopen at new, temporary opening hours. For the latest information, contact your local library. Here are a few recommendations from our eServices, including eAudioBooks, eBooks, eMagazines, newspapers and even an online course! BorrowBox eBook Recommendation: An Unsuitable Match by Joanna Trollope. Why on earth, after all youve been through, all youve survived, all youve achieved, why do you want to get married? Rose Woodrowe has just got engaged to Tyler Masson a wonderful, sensitive man who is head-over-heels in love with her. The only problem? This isnt the first time for either of them, and their five grown-up children have strong opinions on the matter . . . Like Roses daughter, Laura, who remembers her parents painful divorce and doesnt want to see her mother hurt again. Or the twins, Emmy and Nat, who simply dont trust the man their mother has fallen for. Then theres Tylers children: Seth, too busy with his San Francisco sourdough bakery to get to know his fathers new partner; and Mallory, the aspiring actress, who is still wrestling with the issues of her own childhood. BorrowBox eAudioBook Recommendation: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, read by Jot Davies. 'Somebody's going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won't appear to be a murder and so the murderer won't be caught. Rectify that injustice and I'll show you the way out.' It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed. But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot. The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath ... BorrowBox Young Adults eBook Recommendation: On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bris got massive shoes to fill. But when her first song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, Bri finds herself at the centre of controversy and portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. And with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be. Borrowbox Kids eAudioBook Recommendation: Robin Hood by Robert Muchamore read by Joe Jameson A town. A forest. A hero. You can't go far without a quick brain and some rule-bending in a place like Locksley. After its vast car plants shut down, the prosperous town has become a wasteland of empty homes, toxic land and families on the brink. And it doesn't help that the authorities are in the clutches of profit-obsessed Sheriff of Nottingham, in cahoots with underworld boss Guy Gisborne. When his dad is framed for a robbery, Robin and his brother Little John are hounded out of Locksley and must learn to survive in the Sherwood forest, stretching three hundred kilometres and sheltering the free spirits and outlaws. But Robin is determined to do more than survive. Small, fast and deadly with a bow, he hatches a plan to join forces with Marion Maid, harness his inimitable tech skills and strike a blow against Gisborne and the Sheriff. And, because BorrowBox is full to the brim of top class non-fiction titles too, why dont you have a look at The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz: A True Story by Jeremy Dronfield Where there is family, there is hope . . . Vienna, 1939. Nazi police seize Gustav Kleinmann, a Jewish upholsterer and his son, Fritz, and send the pair to Buchenwald in Germany. There began an unimaginable ordeal that saw the pair beaten, starved and forced to build the very concentration camp they were held in. When Gustav was set to be transferred to Auschwitz, a certain death sentence, his son refused to leave his side. Throughout the horrors they witnessed and the suffering they endured, there was one constant that kept them alive: the love between father and son. Based on Gustav's secret diary and meticulous archive research, this book tells their incredible story for the first time - a story of courage and survival unparalleled in the history of the Holocaust. eMagazines Are you thinking about buying a new electric car, or are you just interested in how they perform? The latest edition of What Car? eMagazine will tell you all you need to know about what the latest electric cars can and cant do. Download it for free now from RBDigital, our eMagazine service. Check out tipperarylibraries.ie/ rbdigital-magazine-service for more. PressReader Get your Irish daily newspapers direct to your device every day with PressReader, our free eNewspapers app. Universal Class Business Credit 101 Business Credit 101 provides potential and current business owners with the necessary knowledge to successfully use credit within their business. This course takes you through the basics of business credit giving you an opportunity to understand what business credit is, how to obtain business credit, the best type of business credit and even explores the taxation aspects of business credit. Business Credit 101 will provide aspiring and current business owners the necessary knowledge to effectively manage their business credit and financial needs. The Department of Justice is not a constitutional entity. The Judiciary Act of 1789 created the office of the Attorney General. Only in 1870 did the legislature create the Department of Justice. It is an administrative entity, which means that the president is the Chief Executive Officer. The people of the United States are the shareholders who get to appoint the Chief Executive. if they dont like his management style, at the end of his term, they can elect someone different. Because President Trump is the Peoples chosen Big Boss, the employees in the Department of Justice serve at his pleasure. This means that, subject to a few judge-made limitations, Trump and his agent, the Attorney General, have ultimate control over hiring and firing. Members of the swamp, however, no longer believe that they are constrained by statutory or constitutional limitations. They believe that their jobs are permanent benefices of the type that made the British government one of the most corrupt in the world at the end of the 18th century. All of which gets us to Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During the Obama administration, the Southern District exerted itself to prosecute people who made Obama uncomfortable. Famously, it went after Dinesh DSouza, a ferocious Obama critique, for a campaign finance contribution issue in an amount so small no one had previously been hounded into prison for such a sum. Of late, the same district has dedicated itself to harassing Trump and anyone connected with him. On Friday, Attorney General Barr announced that Berman would be stepping down so that the President could nominate Jay Clayton to serve in his place. That same evening, Berman announced, Not so fast, Buster. Im not leaving and you cant make me. Or, more formally, I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was stepping down as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. I cherish every day that I work with the men and women of this Office to pursue justice without fear or favor and intend to ensure that this Offices important cases continue unimpeded. On Saturday, Barr shot back that, if Berman wasnt going to resign with dignity, he was fired. Barr schooled Berman for failing to understand that he serves at the Presidents pleasure: To the extent that y our statement reflects a misunderstanding concerning how you may be displaced, it is well-established that a court-appointed U.S. Attorney is subject to removal by the President. See United States v. Solomon, 216 F.Supp. 835, 843 (S.D.N.Y. 1963) (recognizing that the President may, at any time, remove the judicially appointed United States Attorney); see also United States v. Hilario, 218 F.3d 19, 27 (1st Cir. 2000) (same). Indeed, the courts appointment power has been upheld only because the Executive retains the authority to supervise and remove the officer. Barr also reminded Berman that the cases he currently supervises can continue perfectly well without him under new management. Berman finally got the message and quit. The media, of course, assume that Barr and Trump are firing Berman in order to shut down righteous investigations into Trumps businesses, his taxes, his associates, his associates associates, and so on. Conservative Treehouse, though, has a different theory. Although the media has forgotten, in January, the FISA court issued an order regarding the insufficient predication for the spying applications the DOJ and FBI submitted to the court. Under pressure, the FBI agreed to sequester all collection the FBI acquired as a result of the wrongfully obtained FISA orders. This sequestration meant that no one within the various U.S. attorneys offices could conduct the reviews, necessitating John Durhams appointment. The Conservative Treehouse believes that Barr has the results of that investigation, and that these results may extend well beyond the sequestration. To the extent they reveal problems, Barr is systematically removing U.S. attorneys who engaged in wrongful conduct, including attorneys in the Southern District of New York. Barr knows that Rep. Jerry Nadler is trying to impeach him. He must therefore know that, if any negative spin can be placed on his removing Berman, Nadler will do it: Barr is not a dummy. He wouldn't make these DOJ moves without titanium justification. The FISC order is a part of that... /cont. And the other part is Barr's anchor point to the truth. Barr has eight USAO's working on an internal investigation; and all of their discoveries.... Along with Durham, who has been working on this over a year, and all of his evidence. Barr has nuclear-grade ammunition. Berman thought he had the upper hand when he refused to leave. He, and all the other NeverTrump and Democrat attorneys in the DOJ, may find that its Barr who holds the whip hand. On 24 March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, limiting movement of the 1.3 billion population as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in India. As news of the lockdown slowly reached everyone, people started flocking out to buy essentials and hoard them. Many with temporary homes tried to get back to their families. But the ones who could afford to work from home, stayed indoors. They learnt household chores, cooking, did DIYs to pass time, watched shows, and bonded with their family members. With gyms shut and jogging outdoors being banned, the fitness enthusiasts had to figure out a way to exercise that didn't require equipment, a lot of space, or a trainer. So here comes, Yoga. The ancient spiritual and physical practice which originated from India found its way back to the masses during the lockdown. The forms were convenient and there were many tutorials to learn from online, and an abundance of time. Bollywood stars and celebrities started practising and set an example. View this post on Instagram So @rohmanshawl challenged me to attempt this balancing #yogapose Guess whos always up for a challenge!! #yourstruly of course!! wanna try? You can do it!!! I love you guys!!! hint: straighten your back & tighten your core A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) on Apr 16, 2020 at 7:20am PDT But it wasn't just Bollywood celebrities doing yoga. The hashtag #LockdownYoga has over 10,000 people sharing how they were spending their time doing yoga, and how it was keeping them fit. For beginners, there was also a separate section to help people who were practising it for the first time. It wasn't just the people in lockdown. Delhi-NCR's first coronavirus patient, 45-year-old Rohit Datta, in an interview to The Hindu had revealed how he spent a significant amount of his time in the coronavirus isolation ward practising yoga. Datta had made a mental list of five breathing exercises he needed to do: om, anulom-vilom, kapal bhati, bhastrika, and kumbhaka. "The first time I tried, I couldnt do any for even two seconds. I felt like an old man who had smoked through his life." However, he kept at it, doing them twice for a week, slowly increasing the duration. "I didnt have the strength for physical exercise." Datta had just returned from a work trip to Europe when he was diagnosed positive. Now, a pranayama loyalist, Datta said that he would be one for the rest of his life. "It is both preventive and curative," he added. The WHO, in its media briefing on March 20, days before Indias lockdown, listed yoga as one of the ways of "making time for exercise." But it wasn't just the physical aspect: Yoga also provided mental exercise. The constant fear, anxiety, and uncertainly about the future would be calmed with more yoga. Dr Manoj Kutteri, wellness director at Atmantan Wellness Centre, said in an interview that "Yoga is a great tool as the stretching poses help to reduce tension in muscles and joints, and this can, in turn, help relax the sympathetic system. There are many yoga poses which are excellent for managing blood pressure thereby reducing anxiety symptoms." Aakriti Joanna, who runs an online counselling platform 'Kaha Mind', told News18 in an interview that the work-from-home situation under a lockdown meant creating new rules and routines. One of her tips was, "Eat well, hydrate, and practise some breathing exercise." Theres not much to do at Ontarios Central East Correctional Centre right now other than stare at the walls and eat the food thats available. There are no visitors, no new books and no rehabilitation programs. So when 100 or so inmates take the extreme step of going on a hunger strike we should listen to what they have to say. Many of their grievances arent new this jail in Lindsay has topped the list of the most complained-about correctional facilities in the province for years but conditions have worsened because of the COVID-19 crisis. Many of the demands put forward by the inmates are so reasonable that its hard to fathom why they should even need to take this extreme step. For example: decent water to drink; food thats not expired or mouldy; clean clothing delivered on time and not covered in feces, urine and blood stains; books from outside; adequate time for phone calls so inmates arent left to fight among themselves for the chance to talk to family, friends and lawyers; some video visits; access to rehabilitation programs and exercise. Those are pretty basic standards that any jail in Ontario should be able, and expected, to deliver. When asked by the Star, the Ministry of the Solicitor General either dismissed the concerns of the striking inmates, advocates and lawyers or didnt respond to specific questions. But theyre easy to believe since report after report has noted these kinds of problems and more in Ontarios correctional facilities. Just this past January, an Ontario Superior Court Justice called conditions at the provinces biggest jail, the Toronto South Detention Centre in Etobicoke, appalling, Dickensian, regressive and inexcusable. Worse still, the judge said it was the result of a deliberate policy choice by the provincial government to save money. Ontario jails are notorious for using lockdowns which confine inmates to their cells for lengthy periods to cope with staff shortages. The inmates concerns, such as too little time for phone calls, are exacerbated by frequent and early lockdowns. Certainly COVID-19 has presented additional challenges. The fact that there have been relatively few reported cases other than a massive outbreak in a Brampton facility shows that provincial jails (and federal prisons) have done a good job in keeping the virus at bay. But at what cost to mental health? Basic human decency? I do fear that the humanity has been lost or sacrificed at the altar of safety, says Kim Schofield, a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto. Ontario has recently grappled with that issue in another context: long-term-care homes. The province didnt reopen those homes, where the population most at risk from COVID-19 lives, to family visits because it was the safest thing to do. It was a recognition that lengthy isolation, even for reasons of safety, was too traumatic to be acceptable. As Premier Doug Ford says, we need families to be able to see their loved ones. The government should apply similar logic to the Lindsay jail (and no doubt other facilities). These inmates havent laid eyes on their families for more than three months. Their ability to talk to their children, spouses or parents on the phone or, better still by video, is vital to maintaining the relationships and support they will rely on when they return to the community. Lets not forget the majority of the people held in provincial jails have not even gone to trial, let alone been convicted of anything. Access to things as basic as clean clothes, decent food and water, books and phone calls home really shouldnt be too much ask for. Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. This article is going to talk about caring for your baby directly after birth. This is a magical, tiring, extremely special and anxious few days all together. Most full term, healthy babies and their Mums will be discharged from hospital at some stage during the first week. Pre-Covid 19, all Mums stayed for a minimum of 24 hours in the maternity unit, unless that unit had a specialised community midwifery programme that provided follow-up care at home. First time Mums following vaginal deliveries, especially the Mums that were breastfeeding, often stayed until day 3 post birth. Mums post C-section usually went home with their baby on day 4 post birth. Covid 19 has changed this. Most maternity units are trying to minimise the stay for women and their babies, provided the Mum and baby are well. There is currently no visiting by anyone postnatally in most maternity units. Letterkenny maternity units policy at present is that Mums and babies post vaginal delivery are discharged home after 24hours , providing both are well. Mum and baby post C-section are discharged home after 48hours, providing both are well. Mums are often delighted to get home, but Mums, especially first time Mums, are missing out on learning skills and tips on baby care that they pick up from midwives and experienced Mums on the postnatal ward. Just because women are discharged home early does not mean that they have recovered from childbirth. Parents and the baby need a period of adjustment, often called the transition to parenthood. My clients well know that I talk about and believe in the fourth trimester. This is the 12-13-week period after the birth of the baby. The concept of the fourth trimester examines the psychosocial transition of women and men into parenthood and the new-borns transition and adaption to extrauterine life. Put simply, it takes time for parents and babies to get to know each other. Babies are also adjusting to the outside world; the light, the noise and being away from that constant sound that was their mothers heartbeat. New parents need to go easy on themselves in the first few months. Everyone is learning. Babies do not come with instructions. Keep them safe, feed, clean, dry and loved. Loved is especially important, you are not spoiling them, and I believe that after week 12 post birth a lot of the little issues will sort themselves out. Baby Care in Hospital Directly after birth, providing that the midwife or doctor has assessed that all is well with the baby and with you, the baby is placed on your tummy, under your nightdress (a good idea is for you to labour in a nightdress or a loose t-shirt). The babys skin is directly on your skin. This is called skin-to-skin contact. This skin-to-skin contact initiates bonding between you and your baby; helps baby settle; keeps them warm and helps maintain a healthy temperature. It also settles their heartrate after birth and promotes breastfeeding. It is a really lovely experience for Mum, so even if you do not plan to breastfeed skin-to-skin contact has so many benefits for you both. The WHO recommend 60 minutes of skin-to-skin contact to promote breastfeeding, promote bonding and this lovely special time encourages normal infant breathing and heartrate patterns. After a good period of skin-to -skin contact with your baby, your midwife will check the baby. The baby will be weighed and given a basic examination performed by the midwife. This will check fingers and toes, the fontanelles (the soft spots on your babys skull), the spine and the palates of the mouth. Many babies are a little blue when they are born, so dont get a fright, it can take a minute or two for them to turn pink and many babies have a cone shaped head when born. This occurs as they navigate their way out of the birth canal and it usually settles in a day or two. Also, babies hands and feet are slightly pale and cold for some time after birth. If you are checking to see if your baby is warm enough; put your hand behind their neck or on their tummy, somewhere central in their body. The circulation to their hands and feet improves after the first few days. Vitamin K will be offered to all newborn babies shortly after birth. This will be discussed with parents antenatally or in the delivery suite before the baby is born. It is recommended that all newborn babies receive vitamin K. this is to prevent a rare but dangerous condition called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Vitamin K can be given in two ways; a once off injection into a muscle, often the thigh muscle, shortly after birth, or as an oral dose after birth, which needs to be repeated in the first week of life and again at week 4 of age. Most maternity units advocate for the once off injection after birth unless there is a medical reason not to. This is because you know the baby has received the full dose, as the oral dose can be spat out by the baby and the parents do not have to remember to give two further doses at home. Regardless of how you would like the vitamin K to be administered it is good to be aware of it and to do some research on it before the baby arrives. The skin-to-skin contact, baby check, administration of the vitamin K will all take place in the delivery suite. Mums may also have a freshen-up, or a shower, if she feels up to it and if she has not had an epidural. Tea and toast are usually provided to the new parents- often reported as the best tea and toast ever (not my words)!!! The new parents make phone calls and share the fabulous news with family and friends. After this incredibly special time the midwife will transfer the Mum and baby to the postnatal ward and due to Covid 19 restrictions, Dad will go home. Normally, one midwife will look after one postnatal ward for the day, often 8am-9pm. You will have another midwife taking care of you during the night shift. Most postnatal wards contain 6 bays. Mums and babies stay together. A well baby will be in their cots next to Mums bed. Your midwife will perform a daily head-to-toe check of Mum and a daily head-to-toe check of the baby. Your midwife is there to assist you with feeding, breast or bottle feeding. Answer your questions and give you information and advice to prepare you for discharge home and life at home with your baby. A doctor called a paediatrician will carry out a full physical examination of your baby, including checking the babys hips before you are discharged home. All newborn babies in Ireland now have a hearing test performed in hospital before they are discharged home. This is a relatively new service. Some babies need to return for a repeat hearing test as they are just too young to assess their hearing. Breastfeeding in the First Few Days Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help to protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Breast milk is readily available and affordable. Breastfeeding also benefits Mums. It reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life and helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster, it also lowers the rate of obesity. Breastfeeding has many, many benefits but it is not always easy. It comes very naturally to some Mums and babies, but some Mums work hard, especially in the first few weeks to get breastfeeding established. Doing some research on breastfeeding antenatally, trying to get feeding established and keeping going for at least two weeks after birth and accepting help and support postnatally are my three best pieces of advice for pregnant woman hoping to breastfeed. www.breastfeeding.ie is a good place to start. Skin-to-skin contact is the first step to promoting breastfeeding. The first breastfeed is encouraged during this skin-to-skin special time, in the first hour of life. Some babies latch on really well at this first feed, others are too sleepy to be interested in feeding. Your midwife will help you assess the situation. The important thing is that the baby attempts to feed within the first hour and even the licking/suckling at the breast will encourage further feeds. Babies often sleep for a few hours after their first feed and in my opinion, this should be their longest sleep for the next few days. In the first few days, often up until day 3 or day 4, the breasts are full of colostrum, or liquid gold, as I call it. This colostrum turns into milk on day 3 or day 4 depending on demand from your baby. It is all about supply and demand. The more often the baby demands the better the supply will be. It is my belief that in the first few days babies should be awakened every 2 -3 hours and offered the breast. Some feeds will be better and longer than others depending on the feed before and how hungry / full your baby is. The latch is particularly important. I intend to write a full article on breastfeeding, and we will talk about this in depth. Until then put simply, bring your baby to your breast, placing their nose to your nipple. Ensure their tummy is facing yours and check their mouth is wide open. Aim your nipple at the roof of your babys mouth. Babys top lip should be curled up and their bottom lip curled down. When you look down you should see a K shape, like a K from the special K sign. The baby should not be sucking on your nipple but should be getting some of the coloured area around the nipple, called the areola into its mouth. Your nipple is like a teat delivering the colostrum or milk and if the baby is just sucking on it, it will make it sore and cracked. Women often use lanet based creams to heal the nipple. Colostrum hand-expressed and rubbed onto the nipple after a feed is also a good healer. Hand expressing some colostrum out before a feed is a good idea too, this lets the baby know where the food is. Breastfeeding Positions and Helpful Tips Your midwife will show you different positions to feed in before you leave hospital, including across the tummy and under arm hold, also called the rugby hold. I find the rugby hold an excellent position for the babys least favourite side. Often babies have a favourite breast to feed off, and by using the rugby hold on the least favourite side babies think that they are on their favourite side, because they are laying the same way. Laying down on your side breastfeeding is also great especially post C-section, as it takes pressure off the wound and allows Mum to get some rest. Try your best to put baby to the breast every 2 -3 hours in the first few days, until the milk comes in. this is not easy as often the baby will be sleepy. I recommend changing your babys nappy before you breastfeed. This often helps to wake them up. I also advise that Mums go to the bathroom, get comfortable and have water to drink beside them before they start every breastfeed. It is good practice to offer the baby both breasts at each feed in the first few days. Usually they take the longest and best feed from the first breast. Gently wind them before offering the second breast, often they do not feed as long from this breast. Start your next feed on the breast that you stopped feeding on. This will help balance the milk supply to both breasts. A good tip is to bring extra hair elastics with you to hospital. Place the hair elastic on your wrist on the side corresponding with the breast you are next due to start feeding on. Babies can fall asleep at the breast. Feeding them in their vest may help, they will not get cold as they are close to you and getting loads of your heat. I believe babies need to be working 80% of their time at the breast. If they are sleeping and only taking an occasional suck, then it is likely that they are using you as a soother. Take them off the breast gently, by licking your little finger and placing it into their mouth. This breaks the seal between their mouth and your breast. Never pull them off as this will hurt you. Stimulate your baby, maybe take off some of their clothes and try again. Night 2 breastfeeding post delivery is a tough one. I call it the night from hell. Your baby is now hungry as it has passed loads of big, black poos (called meconium-the first poo), and your milk has not yet come in. Do your best, keep offering the breast and remember it will not be like this every night. Hopefully all your hard work will pay off and by day 3 your milk will be in. The breastfeeding advice changes a little when your milk comes in, but we will cover this next week. Getting Ready to Take Your Baby Home You may have heard new parents talk about mucusy babies. Babies having mucus in their system is quite common during their first few days of life. This is not the same as them swallowing meconium (poo) stained amniotic fluid. Babies will clear this mucus within 48-72hours. I find babies born fast or born by C-section are very prone to mucus. You will know they have mucus as they sneeze, have little air/water bubbles coming out of their nose. These babies may not be too keen on feeding, either breast or bottle in the first few days. Keep offering them the food but do not force it. The mucus will move up or down. Often babies have a mucusy vomit and it will clear, or massive black meconium nappies, or both. You will know it is cleared or gone when they seem less nasally and are really hungry for a feed. It is vital to have confidence in your feeding method, weather you have chosen breast or bottle before you go home. If you are bottle feeding, make sure you know how to make and store bottles. Have a steriliser, some new bottles and your formula of choice at home. I recommend not buying too many of any brand of bottle initially. Try a few different bottle brands and see which suits your baby best, then you can buy more of these. Your babys car seat is likely to be at home and will be brought in by Dad when he collects you from the hospital. Choose the right car seat for you and for your car. May sure you know how to strap the baby safely into the seat and how to fit it correctly into the car before you put your baby into it for the first time. I recommend practising with a teddy or a doll. May sure your house will be warm and clean when you get home. Try and wash all babys clothes, bedding and towels in non-biological detergent before using. If you had time to wash them at the end of pregnancy, then it will be greatly beneficial to you now. I advise storing nappies in a few locations around the house, that way upstairs or downstairs they are close. If you get a burst of energy before you go into hospital, it is a great idea to make up some tasty healthy meals that you can freeze. These will be so handy in the early postnatal periods as both parents will get to enjoy this special time with their new baby. Next week we will discuss caring for baby, part 2. This will look at helpful advice, parentcraft and tips as you welcome your new baby home. I hope you find this article informative, please dont hesitate to contact me on; birthingwithbridget@gmail.com. Remember all the above information is just a guide. If you are concerned about anything please talk to your GP/ midwife, hospital doctor or hospital midwife. Until next week, Bridget the Midwife. An abandoned 1940s-era bus in the Alaskan wilderness where Christopher McCandless famously documented his death by starvation in what became the book and movie Into the Wild, was removed by authorities this week. They said the site just north of Denali National Park and Preserve had become a dangerous - and deadly - pilgrimage site for fans of the young Virginia mans tragic story, according to the Associated Press. On Thursday, an Alaska National Guard crew used a Chinook helicopter to lift the bus and fly it out of the backcountry to an undisclosed location. Authorities are expected to determine whether they want to put it on display elsewhere. Known as Bus 142 or The Magic Bus, it initially housed Yutan Construction Co. employees who decades ago were building an access road west of the Parks Highway, the main corridor between Fairbanks and Anchorage, the AP said. Abandoned in 1961, it became an emergency shelter for backcountry hikers and hunters. In 1992, the bus became McCandless last refuge. The 24-year-old man had hiked there, but high waters on the nearby Teklanika River cut off his route out of the wilderness. He kept a journal covering the 114 days before his death. That became the basis of Jon Krakauers 1996 book Into the Wild, followed by a movie of the same name in 2007. In this photo released by the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard soldiers use a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to removed an abandoned bus, popularized by the book and movie "Into the Wild," out of its location in the Alaska backcountry Thursday, June 18, 2020, as part of a training mission. Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige, in a release, said the bus will be kept in a secure location while her department weighs various options for what to do with it. (Sgt. Seth LaCount/Alaska National Guard via AP)AP The bus that sat about 250 miles north of Anchorage soon became a spot that those familiar with McCandless story would try to reach, sometimes with disastrous results. Two women drowned, one from Switzerland in 2010 and one from Belarus in 2019, the AP said. There have been at least 15 other search-and-rescue operations since 2009. Last winter, one of those involved the rescue of five Italian tourists, with one person suffering severe frostbite. We encourage people to enjoy Alaskas wild areas safely, and we understand the hold this bus has had on the popular imagination, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri A. Feige said in a statement. However, this is an abandoned and deteriorating vehicle that was requiring dangerous and costly rescue efforts, but more importantly, was costing some visitors their lives. International Yoga Day 2020 is being celebrated around the world and if you want to know how all you have to do is visit any of the social media sites. The Internet is flooded with tons of videos and images surrounding this day. Mumbai Police too have shared their post on Yoga Day and much like their other posts its absolutely creative. Taking to Instagram the department wrote that they are engaged in doing the right mudra all the time to ensure that the maximum city is up and running. They also shared an image which perfectly shows the kind of mudras they perform. The image shows a traffic police with raised hands. The caption on the image reads, One of the many asanas we practice to keep the city moving. The punny and creative post by Mumbai Police quickly piqued peoples attention and its clear from over 13,000 likes it has collected in just 3 hours. And protecting us like a father, wrote an Instagram user hinting to the fact that in various parts of the world people are also celebrating Fathers Day on June 21. So many salutes and love your creativity, expressed another. What a way to promote Yoga, awesome, wrote a third. Mumbai Police can do all types of Asans and Yogas anywhere and anytime, praised a fourth. What do you think of Mumbai Polices International Yoga Day post? Also Read | International Yoga Day 2020: Kangaroo to bunny, here are some animals doing yoga like complete pros In the Wenchi Constituency of the Bono Region, Professor George Gyan Baffour defeated four other aspirants to emerge as the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate. The elections took off smoothly at all the polling centres with all polling agents and delegates observing the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The fiercely-contested elections took place at 107 polling Centres with 591 delegates voting. Before the EC declared the results, supporters of Albert Ameyaw besieged the coalition Centre and declared they would not accept the results if Professor Gyan Baffour is declared the winner, however, military personnel were brought on board to beef up the security. Christiana Opoku, the Electoral Commissioner for the Wenchi Municipality the declared the results, announcing Prof. Baffour as the winner. Speaking to the media after the declaration, Prof. Baffour said that this would be the last time he would seek to represent the people of Wenchi Constituency. On the parliamentary thing, I am not going to stand again, I am 69 actually and I think from age 70 to 74 you have to go and rest somewhere but I will not be out of politics because I believe in democracy. I was born a democrat in 1951 and before Busia left this country in 1959, my father and my people were all for him and when he was leaving this place through Sampa to go abroad, my father was running into the bush. Democracy has been part of my blood even though my father was not educated he believed in democracy, so I believe in the democratic principles and I will fight for them and I will die for them. In all, a total of 25 aspirants contested todays internal polls in six out of the 12 constituencies in the Bono region. Five Members of Parliament contested unopposed while the party had already elected its candidate for the Banda Constituency which is the only seat being held by the opposition NDC in the region. The unopposed aspirants were Mr Ignatius Baffuor-Awuah, Sunyani West, Siaka Stevens, Jaman North, Ali Maiga Halidu, Dormaa West, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Dormaa Central and Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng, Berekum West. citinewsroom Many on social media have been trending June 20th as West Bengal Day. Not many had heard of this day or the concept of having West Bengal Day for the better part of our informed lives. The state is an old one, not a newly formed that it will have a formation day, like Telengana, and celebrate the same. Then what is it that netizens are trending? #WestBengalDay The State of West Bengal has given us Gurus, Philosophers, Patriots, Poets, Reformers and more. On #WestBengal formation day, I bow down to the soil which gave birth to such great people. May we all rise once more at the feet of MAA and work towards greatness. pic.twitter.com/cHvSa7EEbF Rati #ProtectWithPen (@ratihegde) June 20, 2020 What is West Bengal Day? To understand this, we must revisit the pre-Independence times when proposals of the partition were tabled. It was on 20th June 1947, when the Bengal Legislative Assembly held a meeting to decide if the Bengal Presidency would stay united with Pakistan, or with India, or be divided and the Hindu majority districts would stay with India as West Bengal and the Muslim majority areas would form East Pakistan. After heated debates and hours of deliberation, the House proceedings concluded to bifurcate Bengal and set the foundation of West Bengal. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: The unsung savior Although it reads as an easy decision arrived at, there were months of relentless efforts and initiatives spearheaded by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, joined by distinguished stalwarts like Dr Meghnad Saha, Dr Ramesh Chandra Mazumdar, Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterjee and Dr Jadunath Sarkar. Always an ardent advocate of the integrity of India, Mukherjee was never one to speak in favour of its partition. Story continues Shyama Prasad Mukherjee But as the formation of Pakistan by dividing India became inevitable, he realized preserving homes of millions of Bengali Hindus (whose existence would be threatened if the entire Bengal merged to form East Pakistan under the Muslim League) was imperative. It has been over 70 years but thousands of Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh continue to knock on the doors of West Bengal seeking refuge after facing religious persecution in Bangladesh. Turbulent political timeline In these 70 years, West Bengal has been through a lot of highs and lows. Known for its high voltage political drama, the state has come under Presidents rule five times. But the most volatile years could inarguably be the 35-years-long rule of the CPI(M) party. Under the communists, people of West Bengal had seen it all: The Sain bari killings, where a mother was made to eat rice smeared with the blood of her murdered sons, the Ananda Margi saints massacre that killed 16 monks and a nun, the Marichjhapi massacre in which tens of thousands of refugees from Bangladesh were allegedly gunned down, the political rape of Anita Desai, Nonoor massacre and the Nandigram violence. The eternal state of Joy But residents of the state havent given up; known for their relaxed attitude, Bengalis have learned the craft of fishing happiness even in the face of adversaries. Turning back at Rabindranath Tagores portrait hanging on the old wall acts as a stimulant always. Good music, literature, cinema keeps Bengalis motivated. No wonder the state has produced icons like Kishore Kumar, R D Burman, Rakhi, Sharmila Tagore, Basu Chatterjee, and the Oscar-winning, Satyajit Ray Bengalis cant pride themselves on enough. Regardless of the gloom saturating the atmosphere, the City of Joy, and the state surrounding it is wrapped in elaborate decorations, gleaming in strings of colorful ornamental lightings invite tourists from all over the world, on Durga Pooja every year. You dont have to belong to any particular faith to revel in this grand celebration; you may frolic irrespective of and despite your background. Bengal boasts some of the most delectable dishes in the world, and no cuisine can measure up to the fish preparations of an average Bengali kitchen made mostly from freshwater fish. The Bengali Doi-maachh, Fish Kobiraji, Sorshe-Hilsa, Rui-Kalia, Prawn malai curry - my mouth is watering already - make for the perfect luncheon you can think of. A generous serving with steamed rice is all you need to make a sumptuous meal. Round it up with Mishti-doi, Sandesh or Roshogolla. Roshogolla, the sweetmeat that had sent the calm people of Bengal in a state of bitter wrestle with the good neighbor, Odisha. Yes, West Bengal is that possessive about its sweetmeat. Even during the lockdown, the state CM urged on keeping the sweet shops open. Knock on any Bengali door any time of the year; you will always be welcomed with a plate of mishti. Beijing Residents Worried Mass Testing Might Be Grounds for New Virus Outbreak Honest News Straight to Your Home. Try the Epoch Times yourself, and get a free gift. Beijing has declared a wartime state after a new outbreak of the CCP virus emerged. As most of the new cases are linked to the Xinfadi Wholesale Food Market, tens of thousands of Beijing residents who had visited the market are required to take a nucleic acid test. Before he received full-ride scholarships to 20 schools and became a viral sensation for his accomplishments in 2018, Micheal Brown was an underclassman at Lamar High School carrying the weight of an appalling nickname: Ferguson. Several students at Lamar began calling Brown that following the killing of a black teenager with a nearly identical name and same skin color by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo. At the time, Brown didnt fully grasp the racism and ignorance underpinning the nickname. Today, Brown sees the episode as illustrative of longstanding racial issues at HISDs second-largest and most diverse high school, where hundreds of students and alumni are calling for systemic changes. It took me until I was in college to unpack how harmful that was, to understand how wrong that racism was, said Brown, a rising junior at Stanford University. It was very difficult to process, and its a symptom of the culture at Lamar and public schools in Houston and the state of Texas. The recent surge of activism and awareness surrounding racial issues, spurred by the killing of George Floyd last month, has resurfaced painful memories of racism, discrimination and inequality experienced by black students in schools across Houston. In recent weeks, hundreds of students and alumni have shared their experiences in open letters, social media posts and calls for action, prompting a reckoning in the halls of education. Together, they have captured the national Black Lives Matter movement in various ways: confronting the racist beliefs of campus namesakes and founders; reviving conversations about vast differences in academic outcomes and discipline rates; and demanding changes to school operations. Already, some school leaders have announced changes or promised action though often not at the speed sought by students and alumni. It certainly has awakened an awareness and shone a brighter light on some hard truths that are important for us, as school leaders, to know and understand what the real experiences of our students are, said St. Johns School Headmaster Mark Desjardins, whose administration received an open letter signed by about 130 alumni and community members detailing experiences with racism at the River Oaks private school. The frustration among students and alumni is particularly intense at Lamar, a school long held up as a pillar of integration in the states largest district. Roughly half of its 2,800-plus student body lives in mostly wealthy areas surrounding the school, while the other half transfers in from all corners of the district. Its population is nearly evenly split between black, Hispanic and white students. In a letter addressed to HISD leaders and signed by more than 1,000 students and alumni in the past several days, members of the Lamar community described several shortcomings by administrators. They include failing to adequately address episodes of explicit racism, punishing black students for conduct that did not result in consequences for white students, and perpetuating racial segregation in classrooms, clubs and extracurricular activities. The letters authors call on HISD and Lamar leaders to remove police officers from campus, provide transparent data about disciplinary practices and thoroughly investigate allegations of racism lodged by students, among other changes. Lamar High School has the unique position of having students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, the letter authors wrote. Rather than embracing diversity, Lamar has continuously perpetuated differences between racial groups on campus. It is time for Lamar to stand with the Black community. HISD officials did not grant interviews with any district administrators for this article. In a written statement, the districts administration said Lamars leadership team is reviewing its counselor staffing, discipline rates, access to tutoring and other aspects of operations. District officials did not detail how that review is taking place. Brown, who helped write the letter with several other Lamar alumni, said HISD administrators have refused to acknowledge the reality of black students experiences, calling their response really frustrating. In an Instagram message sent to Brown and shared with the Houston Chronicle, second-year Lamar Principal Rita Graves said she was not sure that I can offer you any resolution for events that happened years ago. Graves wrote that Lamars administrative team will share plans for reforms in her weekly newsletter. I think you will find that Lamar has changed in several substantial ways since you graduated, Graves wrote. Brown said he feels HISD took advantage of his success the district plastered his picture on a highway billboard, touting an HISD initiative and then largely ignored him and fellow Lamar alumni when they presented an unflattering account of the school. Their strategy is to be non-responsive, to be non-specific, to say were working on strategies and not to call out racism, Brown said. At St. Johns, located across the street from Lamar, alumni and their parents issued a similar letter to the school community earlier this month, describing explicit racism and implicit bias at the campus that has continued to define our experience from generation to generation. Josh Thomas, who graduated from St. Johns in 2017 and helped draft the letter, said he was called the N-word on several occasions and felt staff members punished him for behaviors that did not result in reprimands for white students. Thomas added that he could recall having one black teacher during his 13 years at the school. I really want to be optimistic, just because Ive never seen this outcry of everyone wanting to support Black Lives Matter, of everyone wanting to combat racism, said Thomas, who attends the U.S. Military Academy. But a part of me still remembers my days at St. Johns and the times I told administrators about issues, and they forestalled change. St. Johns officials said they have made numerous changes in recent years aimed at improving race relations on campus. They include increasing the percentage of students of color from 23 percent to 43 percent over the past decade, offering more platforms for black students to speak about race issues with their peers, and hiring Director of Community and Inclusion Gene Batiste three years ago. Id estimate that between 80 to 85 percent of what our black alumni enumerated and recommended is already in place, Batiste said. The rest still resonates within our community and current students because of the state of affairs were in with our city, our school and our nation. At St. Thomas Episcopal School in Meyerland, the segregationist writings of the founding rector, the Rev. T. Robert Ingram, prompted Class of 2003 graduate Donato Clay to write on social media earlier this month that his alma mater had whitewashed its history by continuing to celebrate Ingram without detailing his racist beliefs. Ignoring that history and the long-standing repercussions just allowed it to be more entrenched in the school, Clay said in an interview. Clays post sparked hundreds of Facebook comments from alumni, many of which detailed allegations of racism perpetuated by students and teachers. In two notable cases, former students recalled a school play in 2014 featuring a character in blackface the production was canceled after one show, though photographs from the performance were included in the yearbook and a picture displayed in a slideshow at an alumni dinner last year in which current Headmaster Mike Cusack wore blackface while in a 1970s play. In response, St. Thomas Episcopal leaders praised alumni for their advocacy, admitted it had taken too long to reckon with Ingrams racist legacy, apologized for the blackface episodes and committed to making a lasting change. We're a Christian school, and part of Christianity is owning up to where you've gone wrong, said St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs rector, the Rev. David Browder. We need to address this and repudiate it. In addition to grappling with the historical events, some districts leaders are in the early stages of reviewing systems that might contribute to wide disparities in test scores, discipline rates and college acceptance percentages. In Cy-Fair ISD, administrators are mapping out plans for an equity audit possibly conducted by an outside consulting firm that would review academic programs, student discipline and hiring practices. While 81 percent of Cy-Fairs white students met state post-graduation readiness standards in 2017-18, the most recent year with available data, roughly half of the districts black students met those standards. In addition, Cy-Fairs black students received out-of-school suspensions in 2018-19 at a rate 4.4 times greater than white students. I think were always looking at truly providing fair and equitable opportunities for all students, said Cy-Fair Associate Superintendent Deborah Stewart. With the recent events in our country, we know we need a more focused look on how we can address concerns from our community, our parents, our teachers and our students. jacob.carpenter@chron.com claire.goodman@chron.com International Day of Yoga: Five apps that will get you on the yoga mat at home International Day of Yoga: Five apps that will get you on the yoga mat at home From five-minute yoga sessions to a pocket manual that guides you through every pose, here are five yoga apps to use at home Yoga instructors from Anahata Yoga Zone perform yoga postures on a building's terrace in Hyderabad on June 18, 2020, ahead of the International Yoga Day annually celebrated on June 21. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM / AFP) (AFP) International Yoga Day celebrations this year are bound to be like nothing we have seen before. Given the need for physical distancing, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked everyone to stay inside and observe Yoga Day at home. Yoga can be a tricky affair for beginners, but here are five yoga apps can get you started from the comfort of your home. advertisement advertisement Asana Rebel A yoga-inspired fitness app, Asana Rebel helps you focus on different parts of your body with yoga workouts and high-intensity training. The app gives you access to more than 100 workouts designed by fitness and yoga experts. New content and workout tutorials are added on a regular basis. You can even get personalised workout regimes based on your fitness goals, which is great for beginners. The meditation and nutrition sections are added bonus. Available on Android and iOS Pocket Yoga This app is perfect to take your yoga asanas with you wherever you gowithout the need for network connectivity. Think of it as a yoga manual you can rely on anytime. Pocket Yoga lets you choose from 27 different sessions, depending on their duration and levels of difficulty. The apps most appealing feature are the exquisitely illustrated pose images that help you show the correct alignment and posture. These are also backed by detailed voice instructions that guide you through every pose. advertisement advertisement Available on Android and iOS Yoga for Beginners | Down Dog As the name suggests, the app is designed for users who are stepping on a yoga mat for the very first time. You can choose from three beginning yoga practices: vinyasa yoga, hatha yoga and restorative yoga. These cover everything from breathing to foundational yoga poses. The app comes in 9 different languages, apart from the six English-speaking voices that guide you with step-by-step instructions. Available on Android and iOS Yoga-Go Yoga-Go focuses on using yoga-based workouts to lose wight. The app offers you a mix of customized fitness and weight-loss plans, apart from a healthy meal tracker. You can choose from multiple home-based yoga workouts that are easy to follow with video tutorials. Just choose your fitness level and get started. advertisement advertisement Available on Android and iOS 5 Minute Yoga Another app designed for yoga beginners, 5 Minute Yoga is brilliant if you are pressed for time. Every session, designed with different yet simple yoga poses, you participate in takes just 5 minutes. An in-built timer function not only challenges you but also ensures that you are following a pose for the correct amount of timean excellent way to build a quick yoga routine. Available on Android and iOS A growing number of backbench Coalition MPs are urging the Morrison government to delay next year's scheduled increase to the superannuation guarantee, arguing lifting the rate from 9.5 to 12 per cent in the current economic climate would hinder job creation and wage rises. The government's wide-ranging retirement income review, led by former Treasury official Mike Callaghan, is poised to hand down its findings on the merits of higher compulsory super among other policy settings on July 24, before the October budget. But 10 MPs have told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald they believe small and medium-size businesses cannot afford next year's legislated rise and want it delayed if not scrapped as the economy attempts to recover from the deepest recession since the 1930s, with more than 1 million jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic. Among those to call for the guarantee to be paused are first-term MPs Katie Allen and Dave Sharma, plus veteran Victorian MP Russell Broadbent and former employment minister Eric Abetz. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable with governors on the reopening of America's small businesses, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Thursday, June 18, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Associated Press President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday he had nothing to do with the firing of Manhattan US attorney Geoffrey Berman. "I'm not involved," Trump said, adding that the decision was "all up to the attorney general." Trump's statement came minutes after Attorney General William Barr sent a letter to Berman telling him that he'd been fired by Trump. But if Trump was not, in fact, "involved" in the decision to oust Berman, he may still be the US attorney for the Southern District of New York since Barr can't unilaterally dismiss Berman, legal experts said. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that he had nothing to do with Manhattan US attorney Geoffrey Berman's firing. "I'm not involved," the president told reporters, adding that the decision was "all up to the attorney general." "That's his department, not my department," Trump said. "But we have a very capable attorney general, so that's really up to him." Trump's statement came minutes after Attorney General William Barr told Berman in a letter that Trump had fired him at Barr's request. "I was surprised and disappointed by the press statement you released last night," Barr wrote in the letter. "As we discussed, I wanted the opportunity to choose a distinguished New York lawyer, Jay Clayton, to nominate as United States Attorney and was hoping for your cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition." Barr added: "When the Department of Justice advised the public of the President's intent to nominate your successor, I had understood that we were in ongoing discussions concerning the possibility of your remaining in the Department or Administration in one of the other senior positions we discussed While we advised the public that you would leave the US Attorney's office in two weeks, I still hoped that your departure would be amicable." Story continues But Berman chose "public spectacle over public service" by releasing a statement saying he would not step down, the attorney general said. "Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr wrote. However, Trump's assertion that he was "not involved" in the decision to dismiss Berman may complicate Barr's attempt to oust him. Neal Katyal, the former acting US solicitor general, wrote in a tweet that "Trump is saying he's not involved, and that's the only way Berman can be removed." "As I read the law, Berman is still the US Attorney for SDNY," Katyal wrote. "If Trump isn't involved in firing Berman, then it looks like Berman is still the U.S. Attorney," tweeted the former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti. "Barr doesn't have the authority to fire Berman on his own. I'd like to take Barr at his word that Trump did, in fact, fire Berman. But Barr lied to us yesterday." The president's comment was the latest twist after Barr abruptly announced late Friday that Berman would be "stepping down" from his role as the acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York. Berman said Friday night that he learned of his apparent intent to step down from Barr's announcement and had no knowledge of the decision beforehand. "I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York," Berman said. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption," he added. "I cherish every day that I work with the men and women of this Office to pursue justice without fear or favor and intend to insure that this Office's important cases continue unimpeded." Berman also showed up to work on Saturday, telling reporters outside the SDNY's main building that he was "just here to do my job. Read the original article on Business Insider TORCH LAKE, MI - Shorts Brewing craft beer delivered to your lakefront oasis via seaplane - is there anything more Up North summer than this? Joe Short, owner of the popular Bellaire-based Shorts Brewing, took the co-pilots seat next to his friend, Steve Smith, for a string of recent waterfront brew deliveries that had his customers - and their neighbors - buzzing, according to the Associated Press. While the seaplane deliveries are done for now, they might make a return. Sometimes you just gotta take a moment, get crazy, and do something cool, the brewerys staff posted on Facebook this weekend, with a video highlighting the waterfront deliveries. Thanks everyone who participated in seaplane beer delivery we hope you had as much fun with it as we did. Heck, we might even do it again! But until then, you can still get our beer delivered to your door. RELATED: Beer of the Week: Your one-stop summer party pack from Shorts Some of the handful of people to get the recent air deliveries made a party of it, inviting friends and neighbors over to watch the splash-down. He (Smith) likes to get his airplane out, fly it around and have fun bouncing around the lake, Short told the Traverse City Record-Eagle for a recent story. I was like Alright cool, lets put it together. One of the recent lucky recipients was Kathy Bryant, who hosted a cookout at her tiki bar on Elk Lake. This is a highlight of our summer, absolutely, Bryant said. To see a seaplane come in right to your front step and deliver beer and hop off. I mean, this was just phenomenal. For more information on Shorts Brewing deliveries and online ordering, check the website. Sometimes you just gotta take a moment, get crazy, and do something cool. Thanks everyone who participated in seaplane... Posted by Short's Brewing Company on Saturday, June 20, 2020 Krys and Doug Badger are on the trail of the Maudslay story A FASCINATING piece of industrial history is being pieced together by those who now call the site home. Great Alne Park retirement community was built on what had been the Maudslay Motor Company and residents are appealing for help to uncover more information about its history. When Doug Badger and wife Krys moved into the village in January 2019 they became aware of the sites past and vowed to find out more. Their interest was sparked further when a friend who had previously been an apprentice for the Maudslay Motor Company visited them. With the help of the village team, the couple are now looking for people to come forward with information and photographs of the site, to help create a memory wall in the village. The hope is to welcome people from the community and those with memories of Great Alne Hall and Maudslay Motor Company to visit the wall and share their experiences once lockdown is over. The site was bought by Inspired Villages in 2014 and the main hall was made the central village clubhouse with communal facilities including a bar, restaurant, spa, gym, library, cinema and games room. During lockdown Doug has conducted telephone interviews with eight ex-employees who worked at the Maudslay site. With 1,400 people working there in its heyday, he hopes to interview more ex-employees and locals who have information about its past. The bombing of Coventry in November 1940 saw several children evacuated from the city centre and billeted at the property. In 1941 the site was sold to the Maudslay Motor Company who moved from Coventry to Great Alne to avoid air raids and to transfer their wartime production of general service vehicles, tank and aircraft components. If you have information or photographs from the site, contact Doug on badgersett@live.co.uk Right now Joe Biden could win the presidency if he named anyone besides U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York as his running mate. And maybe with her, given Donald Trumps apparent desire to make himself as unpopular as possible. But whoever Bidens VP is, it wont be the woman who would have been his strongest partner. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Thursday she is removing herself for consideration for the job, which means she was told by Biden that she wont get it, so shes trying to put the best spin on it. Klobuchar went from the top candidate for this job to the rejection pile because as the county attorney for the area of Minneapolis, she declined to pursue a different set of police brutality charges years ago against the very police officer who killed George Floyd. It may not be as bad as it seems, for that officer was one of several criticized for fatally shooting a man who had stabbed several people. Klobuchar was on her way out of the job when the case broke, and her successor took it to a grand jury that declined to indict any of the officers. Still, any implication that she gave Derek Chauvin a break is a stopper in the Democratic Party, plain and simple. Thats especially true since Bidens ongoing string of gaffes includes the occasional racial embarrassment. Whats interesting, however, is that in withdrawing, Klobuchar urged Biden to choose a woman of color for his running mate. That makes it virtually impossible for Biden to choose someone like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (which may be a blessing in disguise). It also makes the selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris even more likely, especially since she was a leading contender anyway. Harris is the most senior and experienced woman of color being considered for this post. Biden has said he wants a running mate who could step into the job on Day One if something happened to him, and Harris could. And given the fact Biden is so feeble, he really needs a running mate that voters can feel confident in. If Harris is chosen, however, she will be reminded that back in May, when she was still running for president, she snarkily dismissed and reversed suggestions that she would be a good running mate for Biden. I think that Joe Biden would be a great running mate, Harris said in New Hampshire. As vice president, hes proven that he knows how to do the job. There are certainly a lot of other candidates that would make, for me, a very viable and interesting vice president. Its embarrassing, but four years ago most of the senior Republicans who bitterly denounced Donald Trump in the primary as unfit and dangerous later went to praise his brilliance after he got elected. In politics, consistency is nice but not a requirement. If Harris gets the nod and Biden wins, she would be an immediate front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024 when Biden announces that after careful consideration, he has made the difficult choice not to seek a second term. The only downside for her is that if Biden somehow manages to blow his big lead, she will get part of the blame. That wouldnt be a gold star on her resume, but in politics as well as sports, winning fixes most problems. She may well run anyway in 2024, but shes much prefer to do it as the incumbent vice president. Well see if the voters let her. Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom Animal welfare investigators in South Africa have launched a criminal probe after The Mail on Sunday revealed shocking evidence of illegal lion hunting and bone smuggling. Doug Wolhuter, a senior inspector at the NSPCA, South Africas largest animal welfare organisation, last night said he was horrified at video footage showing a lioness being shot out of a tree and then riddled with bullets. Last week, this newspaper revealed the details of an extraordinary eight-month undercover operation organised by former Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft to expose the horrors of South Africas lion industry. More than 300 farms are breeding lions either to be shot by wealthy hunters in enclosures or butchered for the grisly trade in lion skeletons. HORROR: Lord Ashcroft told of his undercover operation in last weeks MoS Doug Wolhuter, a senior inspector at the NSPCA, South Africas largest animal welfare organisation, last night said he was horrified at video footage showing a lioness being shot out of a tree and then riddled with bullets (stock photo) The operation, which is revealed in Lord Ashcrofts new book Unfair Game, involved a team of ex-British Army and security service personnel who recruited a lion dealer as a double agent and planted tracking devices in lion skulls destined to be sold to the Far East. Among the evidence obtained by the team was harrowing seven-and-a-half minute video footage of a lioness being shot ten times as she perched precariously in a tree. It is claimed the shooting took place at a tourist facility and wedding venue. Lord Ashcrofts team also captured evidence which appeared to show a pack of dogs being used to illegally hunt a captive-bred lion in a fenced enclosure. Mr Wolhuter, manager of the Wildlife Protection Unit at the NSPCA, which has police powers under South Africas Animal Protection Act, said Lord Ashcrofts team had collected some really damning footage and that a criminal investigation has been launched. Some of it was really horrific, including the footage of the lioness being shot in the tree, he said. More than 300 farms are breeding lions either to be shot by wealthy hunters in enclosures or butchered for the grisly trade in lion skeletons The first shot appears to hit the lion in the elbow area. But judging from only what we can see on the footage, it appears there was never a clear shot. There was no fair chase in fact there was nothing fair about it, at all. Under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, it is a criminal offence to cause unnecessary cruelty. It is outright cruel and excessive to take nine or more shots and any true hunter could never be proud of that. He said other footage captured by Lord Ashcrofts team appears to include an individual whom the NSPCA recently charged with contravening the Animal Protection Act, and this investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Lord Ashcrofts double agent claimed that lion bones are being smuggled out of South Africa via Johannesburg Airport with the help of corrupt airport officials. Lord Ashcrofts team also captured evidence which appeared to show a pack of dogs being used to illegally hunt a captive-bred lion in a fenced enclosure (stock photo) Mr Wolhuter added: We believe there has to be an element of corruptness there or we wouldnt see bones getting smuggled out of the country. They are picking up lion bones in checks at the airport. Last year, a South African police chief rejected a mountain of evidence collected by Lord Ashcrofts team and told the peers chief investigator he was lucky not to be in jail. Mr Wolhuter said this was heartbreaking and stressed that it is crucial for South Africas tourism industry that the abuse of lions and the illegal trade in lion bones is stamped out. His comments came as former Tory Cabinet Minister Andrew Mitchell said he was discussing with other MPs how to support Lord Ashcrofts campaign in Parliament. Lord Ashcroft has done everyone a huge service exposing this horrific and disgusting business, he added. ?? El premier @VicAZeballos, junto al ministro de @MinjusDH_Peru, Fernando Castaneda, arriba a la ciudad de Jauja para supervisar la prestacion de servicios de salud, el orden interno y funcionamiento de mercados frente a la pandemia causada por el #COVID19, en la region #Junin. pic.twitter.com/IkxPR7rIbz Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) Over 22.7 million worth of shabu was seized by authorities from June 15 to June 20, according to the Philippine National Police. The week-long anti-drug operations have resulted in the arrest of 50 suspects, including a high value target 18-year-old who was caught in possession of around 11.6 million worth of the illegal drug in Bacolod City. The PNPs intensified operations vs illegal drugs have produced unprecedented victories despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, PNP Chief Archie Gamboa said, as he commended the polices sustained operations against illegal drug trade amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Two more individuals were likewise nabbed in Caloocan City for carrying over 1.3 million worth of shabu, while another estimated 1.3 million was confiscated during a buy-bust operation in Tacloban City. In the municipality of Tinglayan in Kalinga province, police operatives uprooted and burned on site around 13,500 full-grown marijuana plants with an estimated value of 2.8 million. The PNP said the plants were cultivated on a 1,100 square-meter land area by still unidentified suspects. Meanwhile, a 60-year-old American national was also arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for possessing seven sachets of marijuana leaves in Maydolong, Eastern Samar. The PNP will be relentless in our pursuit of criminals behind illegal drugs, Gamboa warned anew. We will go after high value targets as well as backyard operations that prey on the youth. Lets not pretend.Wearing a mask feels weird and looks even odder. Those black nylon structured masks remind us of Bane in Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises. The ones with the metal clips are pure Hannibal Lecter. And the industrial construction site sort, with the plastic stopper in the front (Paul McCartney was wearing one of these out and about in LA the other day), are just plain ugly. Then there are the ubiquitous paper sani-masks with the ear hooks. They do no one any favours, and have tarnished the colour turquoise for ever. Which is a shame. But masks, as of last Monday, are mandatory on the train, Tube, bus, ferry or plane, and in an Uber, and encouraged in the office and in certain shops. Meanwhile, from next month youll need a mask to visit the hairdresser, or the nail bar, or the beautician, when they hopefully reopen (roll on July). British style expert Shane Watson, shared fashion advice for wearing face masks. Pictured: Mask, 20 for three, boden. co.uk; shirt, 130, meand em.com; skirt, 115, Iris & Ink at theoutnet. com; shoes, 195, russelland bromley.co.uk Mask, 19.50, johanku.co.uk; shirt, 22, topshop.com; skirt, 159, winserlondon. com; shoes, 146, lkbennett.com; scarf, 8.99, amazon.co.uk The fact is, weve got to get our heads around masks (or the other way around) and find a way to wear them, if not with pride, then with a sense of humour and style. This is just the next small challenge: how to look good in a mask when youre out there in the new world. There are a couple of ways to make the most of the mask rule. One is to think of your mask like a scarf pick the type of scarf you usually like to wear, and find the mask equivalent. There are masks out there in every fabric youve ever imagined and, as with scarves, they can clash or complement or blend in tonally. For instance, if you are Nancy Shevell (Mrs Paul McCartney) who was pictured wearing one in slate-blue linen your mask will be as subtle and minimal as your wardrobe, but certainly not surgical white. Mask, 25, marc-cain.com; jacket, 47.20, and trousers, 46, topshop. com; shoes, 32, asos.com; laptop case, 59, Wouf at amara. com Mask, 22.50 for two, luisacerano. com; shirt, 85, kitristudio.com; blazer, 59.99, and trousers, 35.99, mango.com; shoes, 195, russelland bromley.co.uk; bag, 111, auroralondon. com If you are Heidi Klum you like a white-and-black print which picks out the trim on the sleeve of your sporty jacket. And if you are the woman in the Coronavirus: Wear a face covering on the bus advertisement, your mask is a pretty pale lilac print that complements your top and jumble of gold necklaces. Oddly enough, that was the image that first gave us hope that you could look pretty in a mask, so well done to them. The message that came across loud and clear is that a mask can be part of your look, not an alien surgical accessory. It can even almost add something. Mask, 14.99, notjustclothing. co.uk; dress, 221, and shoes, 146, lkbennett. com I happen to love Indian cotton block prints, so that will be my everyday choice, and it couldnt be easier: you can buy a set of three prints in pink or blue from Aspiga (14, aspiga.com). The British sustainable brand also does them in kikoy fabrics in jewel colours. If you prefer Liberty floral designs, Etsy does sets of four masks in the pretty prints (8.50, etsy.com), as well as luxe, super-soft cotton pleated versions (12). Six British designers Michael Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Christopher Raeburn, and Rixos Orlagh McCloskey and Henrietta Rix as well as British brand Mulberry have designed stylish masks for a charity initiative spearheaded by the British Fashion Council and Bags Of Ethics (15 for three, johnlewis.com). Boden, meanwhile, does packs of three vibrant summery prints (20, boden.co.uk, far left) which use ends of fabric rolls, so theyre planet friendly, too. If you like polka dots, try Taiwanese designer Johan Ku (second from left), or if its leopard print youre after then Marc Cain has the mask for you (third from left). Mask, 14.99, notjust clothing.co.uk; jacket, 49.99, and trousers, 15.99, zara.com; shoes, 195, russelland bromley.co.uk; bag, 111, auroralondon. com As with scarves youll want a few safe, go-with-everything choices, a couple of colour pop wild cards, and maybe one thats a little unexpected and striking: the mask equivalent of your favourite pink tie-dye shawl. The other way to wear a mask is to match it with your outfit. Wearing red, go with red; wearing green and pink go with green and pink. This makes sense but, personally, Id be wary of the super co-ordinated option. Weve long moved on from matching your shoes and bag to your outfit, and while colour-blocking is one thing, mask co-ordinating is likely a step too far. You could end up looking like youre in a uniform, and masks are already restricting our freedom to express ourselves. A better bet is to have some fun. Take a look at what youre wearing and ask yourself: What would make people smile? Not that youll be able to see the result of your efforts. But every little helps. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images As the American civil war reached its bloody end in 1865, the Union general William Sherman seized land from Confederates and mandated it be redistributed, in 40-acre plots, to newly freed slaves. Related: Racial terror: 2,000 black Americans were lynched in Reconstruction era, report says The promise of 40 acres and a mule was never fulfilled. But a debate has raged ever since about what America owes to the descendants of slaves, and to the victims of racial terror and state-sanctioned discrimination that persisted long after emancipation. We helped build this nation. We built the United States Capitol. We built the White House. We made cotton king and that built the early economy of the United States, the Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the sponsor of a House resolution to study reparations, said in an interview this week. We were never paid, never given insurance, never received compensation for the more than 200 years of living and working in bondage. And we continue to live with the stain of slavery today. Jackson Lee said the disparities exposed by compounding national crises a pandemic, an economic collapse and widespread protests over police brutality, all of which have taken an unequal toll on African Americans are helping to make the case for reparations. In the weeks since George Floyd died pleading for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, an act many saw as an embodiment of the violent oppression black Americans have endured for centuries, public support for the Black Lives Matter movement has soared. Look at the protests. Look at the protesters, Jackson Lee said. We are winning the hearts and minds of the American people. Thats why I think the time to pass reparations is now. Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during a hearing about reparations for the descendants of slaves before a House judiciary subcommittee. Photograph: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Reparations were once a lonely cause championed by black leaders and lawmakers. Now the debate has moved to the center of mainstream politics. Several states, localities and private institutions are beginning to grapple with issue, advancing legislation or convening taskforces to develop proposals for reparations. Progressive candidates running for Congress from New York to Colorado to Texas have declared their support for reparations. And earlier this month, at an AME church in Delaware, Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, listened as the state senator Darius Brown challenged him on the issue. Story continues It shouldnt be a study of reparations, Brown said. It should be funding reparations. But for scholars and advocates who have been making the case for reparations for decades, Bidens support for studying the issue represents a dramatic break from the past. [We] never received compensation for the more than 200 years of living and working in bondage. And we continue to live with the stain of slavery today Sheila Jackson Lee John Conyers, who died in 2019 and was the longest-serving African American in Congress, first introduced a bill to study reparations for slavery in 1989. The Michigan Democrat reintroduced it every cycle for nearly three decades, until he resigned in 2017. Even Barack Obama, when asked by the author, Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose influential 2014 essay in the Atlantic reintroduced the subject, said he was opposed, arguing that reparations was politically impractical. Jackson Lee reintroduced Conyers bill, which would develop a commission to study the legacy of slavery across generations and consider a national apology for the harm it has caused. The measure, designated HR 40 in reference to Shermans unmet promise, now has more than 125 sponsors, the blessing of Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, and the New Jersey senator Cory Booker introduced a companion measure. On Juneteenth last year, a congressional subcommittee convened a first-of-its-kind hearing to discuss how the nation might atone for its original sin, as well as the Jim Crow segregation that followed and the modern scourges of mass incarceration, persistent inequality and police violence that still plague African Americans. Such a commission would have to grapple with profound moral and ethical questions as well as profane matters of money and politics. Proposals vary widely, as do the cost estimates and suggested criteria for eligibility. But at their core is an attempt to make economic amends for historic wrongs. William Darity, an economist at Duke University and the author of From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century, argues that the wealth disparities between white and black Americans is the most powerful indicator of the cumulative economic toll of racial injustice in America. The data paint a stark picture. Black Americans hold one-tenth of the wealth of white Americans. Just 41% of black families own their homes compared with more than 70% of white families. And black college graduates have a lower homeownership rate than white high school dropouts. Darity says the objective of a reparations package should be to close the wealth gap, and that the best way to do that is by direct payments to eligible black Americans. As for political objections to the scale and expense of such a program, he notes that earlier this year Congress allocated $2tn for a coronavirus relief measure that included direct payments to Americans. Others have suggested compensation in the form of educational vouchers, health insurance or investments in programs that address disparities in education, housing and employment. That the debate has expanded to include discussions over feasibility and mechanics is a sign of progress, Darity said. Were finally moving away from the question of whether or not its the right thing to do because more and more people acknowledge that, at least in principle, it is the right thing to do, he said. And that is a major step forward because the logistical questions can be resolved. Still the notion of compensating descendants of American slaves is not widely popular. But there are signs that is shifting. According to a Gallup Poll conducted in 2002, 81% of Americans opposed reparations, compared with just 14% who supported the idea. In 2019, Gallup found that 29% of Americans agreed the government should recompense descendants of the enslaved, with support rising among white Americans from 6% to 16%. The most dramatic increase was among black Americans, whose support climbed from a simple majority in 2002 to nearly three-quarters in 2019. At the same time, young Americans are significantly more likely to agree that the legacy of slavery still impacts black Americans today, while also being more likely to say the US government should formally apologize for slavery and pay reparations, according to an AP-NORC poll published in September. And supporters are hopeful those numbers will rise amid a national reckoning over racism and discrimination. Public opinion on race has shifted dramatically in the span of a few weeks, with a majority of Americans now in agreement that racial discrimination is a big problem in the United States. In California, assemblywoman Shirley Weber said the protests fueled interest in her bill to study reparations in the state, which the chamber approved overwhelmingly last week. Something dramatic is going on, said Weber, who is the daughter of sharecroppers and a scholar of African American studies. Folks now begin to realize just how extensively, how deeply, issues of race are embedded in our society and how that can produce what we saw happen to George Floyd in Minneapolis. Reparations have long been met with strong resistance from conservatives and some prominent black leaders, who have dismissed the idea as impractical and unnecessarily divisive. I dont think reparations help level the playing field, it might help more eruptions on the playing field, Senator Tim Scott, the lone black Republican senator, told Fox News earlier this month. Coleman Hughes, a fellow at the free market thinktank Manhattan Institute, worries a renewed focus on reparations was a distraction from the more pressing issues, like police brutality and mass incarceration, that has devastated Americas black communities. How are reparations going to hold police accountable? he said. What is the added value of talking about reparations as opposed to talking about just good public policy that is going to address inequality and poverty? Widespread protests fueled interest in Shirley Webers bill to study reparations in California. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Yet recompense for historical injustices are not without precedent in America. After the second world war, Congress created a commission to compensate Native American tribes for land seized by the US government, though many say the approach was paternalistic. Decades later, Ronald Reagan signed legislation that authorized individual payments of $20,000 to Japanese Americans who were interned in the US during the second world war, and extended a formal apology from the US government. In 2008, the House passed a resolution acknowledging and apologizing for slavery. The Senate approved a similar resolution a year later, but a disclaimer was appended to ensure the apology could not be used as a legal rationale for reparations. Facing history is a necessary part of the healing process for nations cleaved by atrocity said Susan Neiman, an Atlanta-born academic based in Berlin and the author of Learning from the Germans. She said it took time for Germany to confront the horrors of nazism and the Holocaust, Neiman said, and the process faced strong resistance. Since 1952, Germany has paid reparations, mostly to Jewish victims of the Nazi regime. It needs to be a multi-layered process, one involving schools, the arts, rethinking what values we want to honor in public space, and all manner of legal measures from reparations to ending police brutality, she said. Ideally, a broad democratic discussion must accompany such a process, and once its done, countries are actually better off for it. The cruelty of the Covid-19 outbreak, the economic crisis and police brutality against black Americans must be understood as part of a continuum that began with the Middle Passage, said the California congresswoman Barbara Lee, author of a new bill to establish a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Commission. This is truth-telling time, she said. We have to, as I say, break these chains once and for all. The local Pennsylvania Water Rescue team which responds to emergencies from its base in Easton spent the last several months looking for a new home. The volunteer members learned that the property housing their station on North 13th Street had been sold. The lease was ending June 30. Staying in the Easton area within a short drive of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers was a priority for the team and it turned out that Lafayette College had waterfront property to offer. Last week both parties announced they had agreed to a $1-a-year lease for five years for a college-owned property next to Lafayettes boathouse on Lehigh Drive, the former General Supply home and building center. State Sen. Lisa Boscolas office reached out to Lafayette, according to Roger Demareski, the colleges vice president of finance and administration, to help find a place to store two trucks and four boats, along with meeting and classroom space. Demareski himself is a 29-year volunteer firefighter and deputy chief of the Pennington Fire Department in New Jersey. His department is water-rescue qualified, so he was familiar with the operations of Pennsylvania Water Rescue. The crew is moving into its new base this weekend, which will be handy the property is on the north bank of the Lehigh River, close to the access point in Easton for both the Delaware and Lehigh rivers, Chief Branden Bachman said. The nonprofit water rescue team raises $20,000 to $25,000 a year to pay for insurance, operating expenses, and equipment, but its fund-raising ability has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its primary fundraiser is an annual Christmas tree sale. Anyone whod like to make a charitable donation to the water rescue team may do so on its Facebook page or its website. Water rescue isnt a luxury in an area defined by two rivers, multiple canals and abandoned quarries its a necessity. Kudos to the members of Pennsylvania Water Rescue, who put themselves on the water at a moments notice, sometimes in dicey conditions, with no more compensation than the satisfaction of a job well done. And sometimes, the preservation of life. Thanks to Demareski and Lafayette for coming to the rescue of a vital public service, and to Boscolas office for its intervention. In 1899, Rudyard Kipling, the quintessential white colonialist, wrote a poem (or more accurately, a polemic) entitled The White Mans Burden: The United States and the Philippine Islands. In it, he exhorted Americans to take up the white mans burden to help lead the primitive people of the Philippines into the light. It wont be fun, and the natives wont be grateful, but its the morally right thing to do, intones Kipling in high flown language. Modern white leftists are proving to be colonialists of a different sort because theyre taking up the new white mans burden: They are the new soldiers of the Black Lives Movement. They enthusiastically carry signs and walk in marches to save blacks from the systemic oppression visited upon them by all those other whites, the ones whom Susan Rice, currently in the running to be Bides Veep and now echoing Trotsky, would consign to the trash heap of history Jamelle Bouie, a New York Times writer, may be starting to realize that Black Lives Matter, by operating within a Marxist framework, is catnip for white leftists trained in Americas Marxist colleges and universities. Their enthusiastic support for the movement is overwhelming actual black participants. Bouie, therefore, has done what all leftists do when faced with a problem: Hes reached back to rewrite history. His thesis is that blacks were entirely responsible for their emancipation from slavery in America. He uses as his springboard the Juneteenth celebration, which remembers the date on which a Republican general told Texas slaves that a Republican president had freed them three years earlier: Neither Abraham Lincoln nor the Republican Party freed the slaves. They helped set freedom in motion and eventually codified it into law with the 13th Amendment, but they were not themselves responsible for the end of slavery. They were not the ones who brought about its final destruction. Who freed the slaves? The slaves freed the slaves. Apparently, abolition wasnt about the war at all or the white abolitionists who made the war a crusade. Instead, it was a small cohort of slaves arguing against slavery that made it all happen. Emancipation wasnt a gift bestowed on the slaves; it was something they took for themselves, the culmination of their long struggle for freedom, which began as soon as chattel slavery was established in the 17th century, and gained even greater steam with the Revolution and the birth of a country committed, at least rhetorically, to freedom and equality. In fighting that struggle, black Americans would open up new vistas of democratic possibility for the entire country. This is, of course, complete horse poopy. Yes, there were black people who were active in bringing slavery to an end, most famously a gun-toting Harriet Tubman and a pen-toting Frederick Douglass. However, because Democrats banned black people from being armed, the slaves themselves were tragically helpless to defeat the institution. If theyd had had access to guns, it might have been different. The reality is that white people of goodwill freed the slaves by fighting the Civil War against Southern Democrats. Around 300,000 northern white men died for the cause. There were free blacks who joined the Union Army and, once armed, made their brave contribution too. The Black Lives Matter protesters defaced the memorial to those men. Bouie is whistling in the wind when he seeks to disentangle whites from black emancipation. And here we are, 155 years after the Civil War ended, and once again, whites are rushing to man the battlements to free their black brothers (and sisters). Only this time, instead of true crusaders striking down the abomination of slavery, we have white Marxists doing battle against Americas nonexistent systemic racism and oppression. Just look at these videos and see how the whites outnumber the blacks: White BLM supporter tells Hispanic Trump that he is oppressed, so the Trump supporters asks for reparations pic.twitter.com/DsriVLWbAP Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 20, 2020 White BLM supporter tells Hispanic Trump that he is oppressed, so the Trump supporters asks for reparations pic.twitter.com/DsriVLWbAP Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 20, 2020 Watch: African Immigrant to BLM Protesters: 'Black Lives Matter Is a Joke' https://t.co/y6D598kpmC Color Me Red (@ColorMeRed) June 5, 2020 These whites, rushing to bear their burden of spreading Marxism to the masses, deny blacks the opportunity to hear other voices, the ones telling them that they can easily do what every successful person in America has done: Get educated, get a job, get married, have children, stay married. As long as the whites are seizing the front-row seats, they are again denying blacks agency, just as they did back in 1861. On the evening of June 15, the Indian 3 Infantry Division Commander with other senior officers was at an Indian post near the Y junction of Shyok and Galwan rivers in the eastern Ladakh sector as talks were to be held between the two countries. The Indian security forces including the 16 Bihar Regiment were asked to ensure that the post was removed by the Chinese after which a small patrol was sent to convey the message, sources said. The Chinese observation post was manned by 10-12 soldiers who were told by the Indian patrol to go away from there as was agreed upon in the senior level military talks between the two armies. The Chinese refused to do so even as the Indian patrol returned to their unit to inform them about the development. This was when the Indian troops with around 50 people and 16 Bihar Commanding Officer Colonel Santosh Babu in the lead, went on to tell the Chinese to go back further in their territory as they were on Indian soil. Meanwhile, by the time the first Indian patrol returned from the site, the Chinese had called for reinforcements from their rear positions in the Galwan river valley who came with around 300-350 people. As the Indian patrol reached, the sources said, the Chinese had already built up troops on higher ground around the observation post and kept the stones and weapons ready for launching an attack on the Indian troops. As the two sides started talking, the discussion turned into a heated one and the Indian side started uprooting their tents and equipment. The Chinese, who had already prepared themselves for aggression against Indian troops, attacked the Indian side in which their first attack was on the 16 Bihar CO and Havildar Palani. After the CO went down, the Biharis lost control and started attacking the Chinese ferociously despite being heavily outnumbered and stones raining from the higher ground. The fight went on for over three hours till late in the night in which several Chinese troops were either dead or injured seriously. Next morning, when the situation calmed down relatively, the dead bodies of the Chinese troops were lying in the open and was handed over to them by Indian troops, sources said. A total of around 100 troops took part in the operations from the Indian side while the Chinese had over 350 people on the location. However, the Bihari troops had managed to uproot the Chinese position there at the Patrolling Point 14. Soon after the incident, the Chinese reinforced their positions near that location and have their offensive forces ready in the rear locations. Sources said that even though outnumbered, the Biharis managed to remove the Chinese post which was existing there in violation of the agreements between the two sides. Now the Indian and Chinese Lieutenant General level talks are being planned in the next few days in the Eastern Ladakh area to defuse the situation further on PP-14, PP-15 and PP-17A. Miller graduated from LFHS in 1962 and started working at the high school in 1966. He was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007 and the theatre was named after him at the end of the 2001-02 school year, according to LFHS spokeswoman Melissa Oakley. Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAEs federal export credit company, has partnered with Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) to boost UAE exports through sharia-compliant export credit solutions. In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Abdullah Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of DIEDC, and Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, the two organisations agreed to form a committee that will implement initiatives aimed at shoring up the UAEs sharia-compliant exports. The number of members, the structure of the committee and the means of financing, as well as the schedule of meetings, the working mechanism and the decision-making process will be finalised by ECI and DIEDC. As part of the agreement, the federal export credit company will support DIEDCs partners through its trade credit services that can significantly augment their sharia-compliant exports. The two organisations will also partner with Islamic banks and exporters in projects that require export financing, structured trade finance, project finance, as well as supply chain finance. Furthermore, the partnership is mandated to enhance awareness of Islamic trade credit and political risk solutions and financing structures (based on takaful) as well as to examine how ECI can provide DIEDCs business partners with risk mitigating tools. In doing so, the two entities are seeking to drive the global competitiveness of these businesses to help them enhance their export competencies and penetrate new markets. For its part, ECI will also participate in conferences, workshops, training courses and activities focused on exports and Islamic finance organised by DIEDC. In addition, ECI is to have access to the Centre's reports and publications. Abdullah Mohammed Al Awar said: Through this strategic partnership with ECI, DIEDC seeks to create more opportunities in the Islamic economy space for UAE companies engaged in exporting sharia-compliant products, and to attract more export-focused investments. This MoU opens new global markets for high-quality sharia-compliant products from the UAE that are already in great demand for complying with best-in-class standards, he added. Al Awar pointed out that this collaboration with ECI will further contribute to advancing the UAEs leading position in the halal sector globally. The two entities are mandated to cooperate with strategic stakeholders in the UAE to launch initiatives that support halal products. In addition, they are to jointly host events that highlight the advantages of investing in the Islamic economic sectors. Al Awar noted that the launch of the Halal Mark by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) had increased the credibility of Dubai and the wider UAE as pioneers in the halal sector. Massimo Falcioni said: Through our sharia-compliant trade credit solutions, ECI stays true to its vision of supporting the growth of businesses that are aligned with the vision of the UAE leadership. We continue to implement our clear roadmap through achieving our goals in alliance with strategic partners both within and outside the country. Together with DIEDC, we aim to not only strengthen the efforts of halal exporters in the country, but also to facilitate the development of new products that will set benchmarks across sectors, and contribute significantly to positioning the UAE as the global leader in the Islamic economy. TradeArabia News Service Elizabeth Warren called on Attorney General Bill Barr to resign on Saturday over the botched firing of a top New York City prosecutor. The Massachusetts senator called Barr's actions a 'naked abuse of power' and said he should be impeached over the messy episode. It came just hours before Manhattan's top federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman eventually agreed to resign from his post on Saturday. The Trump Administration had fired him earlier in the day but Berman, who had investigated associates of President Donald Trump, was refusing to leave. Elizabeth Warren has claimed that U.S. Attorney General Bill Bar should be impeached by Congress for firing a top New York City prosecutor investigating Trump's associates U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr initially claimed Manhattan's top federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman resigned Friday but Berman stated that was not true. Barr then fired Berman Saturday but the prosecutor initially refused to step aside before backing down later in the day Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren called for Congress to impeach U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr on Saturday after the messy firing of a top New York City prosecutor Warren shared an article on Twitter Saturday afternoon reporting on Barr's attempts to push out Berman late Friday night and the stand-off that ensued throughout Saturday. She claimed that Barr was abusing his power to interfere with matters relating to Trump. 'This is a naked abuse of power. I've already called for AG William Barr to resign & for Congress to impeach him,' she wrote. 'Congress should pass my bill now to defund Barr's authority to interfere with matters related to Trump, his family, & his campaign.' On Saturday evening, Berman agreed to step down from his role after Attorney General Barr said he would allow Berman's deputy to take over the job until a permanent replacement can be installed. 'In light of Attorney General Barr's decision to respect the normal operation of law and have Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss become Acting U.S. Attorney, I will be leaving the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, effective immediately,' Berman said in a statement. Berman and Barr had been in an increasingly nasty standoff after meeting in Manhattan on Friday. Afterward, the Justice Department announced Berman had resigned. But hours later, the prosecutor said he would not step down, and his investigations would continue. He arrived at his office Saturday morning, telling reporters: 'I'm just here to do my job.' Later in the day, Barr sent a letter to Berman, informing him he was formally fired. In his letter to Berman, Barr said he expected to continue speaking with him about other possible positions within the department and was surprised by the statement he released. Geoffrey S. Berman, United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced he is stepping aside from his role on Saturday. It came after he initially refused to accept his dismissal from U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr, who attempted to fire him earlier in the day Geoffrey Berman said in a strongly worded statement that he would not be leaving his position as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York for later stepped aside 'Unfortunately, with your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service,' Barr wrote, adding that the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was 'false'. 'Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately,' he wrote. 'This is obviously false.' Berman was planning to fight the decision even after Barr's letter, but that possibility was becoming less clear as the day wore on. The situation was made more complicated by the fact that Berman was never formally nominated for his position by Trump and instead appointed by a federal court. Berman argued that as a result, federal law allows for him to stay on the job until a presidential nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Earlier Saturday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally and chair of the Senate Judiciary committee, suggested he would not rubber-stamp a new nominee. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally and chair of the Senate Judiciary committee, suggested Saturday he would not rubber-stamp a new nominee for Berman's position Attorney General Bill Barr said on Saturday that Trump ordered the removal of top New York City prosecutor Geoffrey S. Berman but Trump denied that he was involved However, it appears Trump is able to circumvent the confirmation requirement by firing Berman and putting his deputy in charge effective immediately. The Trump administration's firing of Berman escalated tensions with the high-profile office that has overseen numerous investigations into President Trump's allies. Barr said Trump personally issued the order but the president denied he was involved. The extraordinary clash between the White House and Berman also fueled new accusations of political interference in the Justice Department, particularly given that Berman's office is engaged in an ongoing investigation into Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Barr offered no explanation for his action. People familiar with the matter in the Southern District could point to no clear reason for Berman's removal, though they noted his job had always seemed in jeopardy and Berman was never given the sense that it was secure. Berman's office also took actions on some important cases without first informing Washington. Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stepped aside from his role on Saturday evening after a heated stand off with AG Bill Barr But the various investigations are ongoing and no charges seem imminent, said the people familiar with the matter, who weren't authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Berman, a Republican who contributed to the president's election campaign, worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was put in his job by the Trump administration. But as U.S. attorney, he won over some skeptics after he went after Trump allies. The office has prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes, and has also been investigating Giuliani and his associates. Berman had recused himself from directly overseeing the Cohen investigation for reasons that were never disclosed. He was appointed by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions in January 2018, months after former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara was fired after refusing to resign along with dozens of other federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama. Three months later, FBI agents raided Cohen's offices, an act the president decried as a politically motivated witch hunt. Berman has taken a direct hand in other investigations that have angered Trump. His office subpoenaed Trump's inaugural committee for a wide range of documents as part of an investigation into various potential crimes, including possible illegal contributions from foreigners to inaugural events. The Southern District has prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen (left), who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes, and has also been investigating Rudy Giuliani (right) and his associates And weeks before the 2018 midterm election, Berman announced insider trading charges against an ardent Trump supporter, Republican Rep. Chris Collins. Collins, who represented western New York, has since resigned. Under Berman's tenure, his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump. Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort sportswear giant Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nikes reputation and stock price unless the company paid him up to $25 million. Berman has also overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation. The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations, including hiding the origin of a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump's reelection. Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating Giulianis business dealings, including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent, according to people familiar with the probe. The people were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The White House announced that Trump was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor, for the job. A senior department official said Clayton was planning to leave the administration, wanted to move back to New York and expressed interest in the Southern District position, and Barr thought he would be a good fit. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss internal department matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. Senator Graham said he was unlikely to proceed with Clayton's nomination unless New York's senators, Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, gave their consent to the pick. Schumer said the bid to oust Berman 'reeks of potential corruption of the legal process,' and Gillibrand had said she would 'not be complicit' in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption. Both lawmakers called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said his committee was inviting Berman to testify this coming week. Schumer called for the department's inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate. The armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given "full freedom" to give a "befitting" response to any Chinese misadventure, government sources said after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in eastern Ladakh at a meeting with the top military brass on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. India has already mobilised fighter jets and sent thousands of additional Army troops to forward locations along the border with China after 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in a brutal attack by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15. The clash in Galwan Valley, the worst cross-border violence in 45 years, significantly frayed ties between the two countries, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a strong message to China that India wants peace but if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply. In the meeting on Sunday, Singh told the top military officers to maintain a strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, the airspace and in strategic sea lanes, the sources said. Following the Galwan incident, military sources said Indian troops will no longer be bound by the long-held practice of not using firearms in faceoffs. The armed forces were told to be fully ready to give a befitting reply to any Chinese misadventure, the sources said, adding a "tough" approach is being adopted to guard the border. Seventy-six Indian soldiers were also injured in the Galwan Valley clash. China's People's Liberation Army has not yet talked about the number of casualties it suffered. The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between the two countries. The two armies had mutually decided not to resort to use firearms during face-offs in sync with provisions of two agreements on border management. The agreements were signed in 1996 and 2005. "Henceforth, our approach will be different. The ground commanders have been given full freedom to take decisions depending on the situation," a top military official told PTI on the condition of anonymity. The IAF has already moved a sizeable number of its frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters to several key air bases including Leh and Srinagar in the last five days. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria on Saturday said the IAF is "well prepared" and "suitably deployed" to counter any security challenge along the border with China and even hinted that his force has flown combat air patrols in the Ladakh region as part of heightened preparedness. Under combat air patrols, fully armed fighter jets can be scrambled at short notices for specific missions. The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5 when their troops clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on May 5 and 6. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. Prior to the clashes, both sides had been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it was necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Singh's review of the situation in eastern Ladakh came a day before he embarks on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. I showered, trying to scrub all of You on me...Your hands are imprinted on me, scarring me forever, and cannot be erased...Your voice lingers in my ears. pounding in my heart still... Months after living on continuous rerun... a bad daydream that will not leave... Flashbacks and triggers... Simple things set me off... I feel insane in a sane world... - part of a poem by a rape survivor. Rape is legally described as, penetration - no matter how slight - of the vagina, or anus, with any body part or object...without the consent of the victim. The terms rape and sexual assault are sometimes interchanged. The latter is often described as, unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling... As much as some societies, more often than not, would rather brush things under the carpet (the sickening tibi tendlu syndrome comes to mind) than confront this dastardly and most diabolical of acts of the violation of human bodies, the fact remains that it is a brutal crime perpetrated by vile monsters erroneously calling themselves males. In spite of global awareness persistently and fervently raised by concerned stakeholders like womens rights activists, a lasting solution against this evil still eludes members of concerned society. headline I remember vividly, (as if it happened yesterday) reading through, with mounting anger, a perplexing and heart-wrenching article in the Times SUNDAY, headlined, PRINCE, FRIEND ACCUSED OF UNESWA STUDENT RAPE... The day was the 12th of September, 2018 - a bright, sunny and promising of good tidings to come, Sunday morning. I looked forward to reading through my favourite Sunday read. Lo and behold! Right in front of my disbelieving eyes, the article detailed how an alleged member of the extended royal family and his friend were accused of kidnapping, drugging and raping a teenage UNESWA student! The prince was alleged to be a son to one of the late senior princes. His alleged accomplice was alleged to be a classmate of the accused. My poor-mans, hard-earned, Sunday breakfast turned cold by my side as I read through the emotionally excruciating students rape ordeal at the alleged hands of human predators who are wretched failures at practising a cultured and moral etiquette of properly courting a woman, preferring instead, to resort to cowardly and brutal tactics of satisfying their primate, barbaric, sexual urges and lustful tendencies, waylaying innocent, vulnerable, young women, brutally desecrating their sacred bodies. According to the article, it narrated how the 19-year-old UNESWA student was, that is, according to a source close to the matter, allegedly kidnapped by the duo while she was enjoying proceedings of an opening bash which was held at the Kwaluseni Campus from Friday night to Saturday morning... The source, according to the article, alleged that while the student was enjoying herself at around 3am., one of her male classmates allegedly told her that there was untfwanenkhosi (a prince) who wanted to get to know her.... The rest, as they say, is history. She was allegedly kidnapped, drugged, and taken to one of the guest houses in the outskirts of the city of Manzini. Even though she allegedly could not remember events leading to the incident, she allegedly recalled being assisted by the prince and her classmate to alight from the car into a room in one of the guest houses situated in the outskirts of the city of Manzini. When questioned after the rape incident, she allegedly told the police that she remembered being allegedly raped by the prince and her classmate at the guesthouse... Continuing, she alleged that; The prince first had sexual intercourse with me and my classmate was next...I was a bit sedated and could not even stop them or defend myself... Fast forward to around November, 2018 two months after the alleged, brutal incident...with no arrests forthcoming, the Times of Eswatini reported in a midweek article about very disturbing and intriguing news concerning alleged moves being made to sweet-talk the allegedly violated, young woman to drop the case in exchange for an overseas scholarship! Intriguing and preposterous, indeed! scholarship According to the article, while she was in the crucial stage of dealing with probable, nervous breakdown challenges and lifelong consequences of rape, three carrot-dangling strangers visited her last month at the Kwaluseni campus of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). Zodwa (not her real name), said they claimed to be representing the male student. On the other hand, she said other people claiming to be representing the royal family member reportedly asked Mzwandile Dlamini, a Manzini-based attorney, to advise her to drop the case in exchange for the same offer. She said she was hurting because her assailants took turns to rape her. She was terribly aggrieved that one of her alleged assailants was known to her, as they were doing the same course at the university. According to the article, she said she was terribly hurt because she did not consent to this sexual intercourse, as a result, she said she was still trying to recover from the trauma. She said it was disheartening to see her male colleague every day. Seeing him on a daily basis in the lecture room, Zodwa said she got traumatised. Asked if the male student was remorseful, she said he was not as he was allegedly bragging about what he did to her. He bragged to some of my colleagues at the university, mainly males, that he had finally indulged in sexual intercourse with me, she said. Yours truly, remembers at the time, writing some articles, conveying the publics outrage at the alleged rape of the student and the slow-turning wheels of justice from the police who are supposed to be protectors of the public, in speedily concluding investigations which would have led to the arresting of the alleged perpetrators. As public anger increasingly mounted over the allegations of rape, a group of activists marched on to the Manzini Regional Police Headquarters calling for the arrest of the prince and his friend. Their concerns, according to media reports, were fuelled by what they said was deafening silence over this incident. frustration They further expressed sheer frustration with the fact that no one had been arrested after the alleged rape. Again, a handful of concerned, women activists sometime later, also approached police hierarchy at the Mbabane Police Headquarters to raise their concerns and ire at the apparent dragging of feet by the police in bringing to justice the alleged perpetrators. As it is more often usual than not, the matter died a natural death and the alleged perpetrators no doubt, continued with their normal lives. Who knows... maybe to claim other rape trophies? Like most topical news of any period, the brutal rape incident was overtaken by other pressing news. For those of us with long memories, just like the so-called, long arm of the law, who yearn for and are proponents of fair justice not the selective, with eyes and lopsided type of justice the alleged rape ordeal remains alive to this day in our hearts. Just as one Funekile Gule, formerly an employee of the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) - another young woman who was at the prime of her life - had it mauled and snuffed out, suspiciously by a faceless murderer/s, many of us still grieve for her as well as this young, UNESWA student. The family never found closure. Why...we ask? Why do our police the so-called pubic protectors - seem to be experts at dragging our feet in closing some cases that are allegedly implicating high profile and connected individuals? Is it because the lives of so many of us do not matter because we are regarded as timfucuta, small Joes or downright, illegitimate citizens? What does our Constitution say about protecting the right to life of individuals, their dignity, and protection from inhumane acts perpetrated by anyone, irrespective of status? enforcement We have also read of inhumane and brutal acts of torture and killings allegedly perpetrated by some law-enforcement agencies members on innocent citizens countless times in the past. Alleged incidents of use of excessive force were (and continue) never condemned by political heavyweights in the past and even as recent as during the currently topical enforcement of COVID-19 regulations. We ask once more again kantsi tsine luntfu sibabani? Were we all not created in the likeness and image of One Loving but Avenging God, who abhors injustice and will very soon call each one of us be it the police, rapists, thugs, politicians, and every other human being who lived (and will be living) under the sun to account during the inevitable, coming Judgment Day, for our every deed, good or bad, committed on this sinful and broken world. Do not fool yourselfjudgment is coming. No one, not even one, shall escape it. To the young UNESWA student, we say: even if you cannot find justice and closure in this broken and discriminative world, even though you may cry for the return of your most personal and prized undergarments in vain, please rest assured that in the Coming World, you and many others who were brutalised by those with fleeting power, your plight will be avenged by a God who hates injustice. In the meantime, while the good wail and lament, the bad and the ugly continue to run rough shod over the rights of others. As the learned say...no condition is permanent, they will have their say. Shalom! Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 13:31:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers and two Taliban militants were killed and 16 people wounded in a Taliban attack on a district police station in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan Saturday night, a local official confirmed Sunday. Enditem North Korea said on Monday it has readied thousands of balloons and millions of leaflets in preparation for "retaliatory punishment" against South Korea. The detail, in a state media report, came a day after the North said it was preparing to begin an anti-South leaflet campaign following a series of vitriolic condemnations of Seoul because of anti-North leaflets floated over the border. Defectors in the South send such leaflets which criticise the North's leader Kim Jong Un over human rights abuses and his nuclear ambitions. The messages are usually attached to balloons or floated in bottles. Analysts have said North Korea has been conducting a series of staged provocations aimed at forcing concessions from Seoul and Washington. "The preparations for the largest-ever distribution of leaflets against the enemy are almost complete," a report by the Korean Central News Agency said. "Publishing and printing institutions at all levels in the capital city have turned out 12 million leaflets of all kinds reflective of the wrath and hatred of the people from all walks of life," it said. More than "3,000 balloons of various types capable of scattering leaflets deep inside south Korea, have been prepared," along with other means of distribution, KCNA added. - Sanctions relief - Inter-Korean relations have been frozen for months, following the collapse of a summit in Hanoi between Kim and US President Donald Trump early last year. That meeting foundered on what the North would be willing to give up in exchange for a loosening of sanctions. The nuclear-armed and impoverished North is subject to multiple United Nations Security Council sanctions over its banned weapons programmes. The South's President Moon Jae-in initially brokered a dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, but the North now blames him for not persuading the United States to relax sanctions. "South Korea has to face the music. Only when it experiences how painful and how irritating it is to dispose of leaflets and waste, it will shake off its bad habit," KCNA said. "The time for retaliatory punishment is drawing near." As part of what analysts saw as staged provocations, the North last Tuesday blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border, triggering broad international condemnation. It has also threatened to bolster its military presence in and around the Demilitarized Zone. The North's actions appear to be carefully calibrated, with Pyongyang drawing out the process by issuing multiple incremental warnings from different official sources -- leadership, government departments and the military -- ahead of each step it takes. The North's two consecutive days of comment about its leaflet campaign came after Kim Yeon-chul, South Korea's point man for relations with the North, resigned over the heightened tensions. He expressed hope that his departure "will be a chance to pause for a bit". Photos carried by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Saturday showed North Koreans preparing the leaflets. Seoul's unification ministry urged Pyongyang to withdraw the plan "immediately", calling it "very regrettable". South Korea has also warned of a "thorough crackdown" against activists sending anti-North leaflets. It filed a police complaint against two defector groups over the messages that have offended Pyongyang. The two Koreas remain technically at war after Korean War hostilities ended with an armistice in 1953 that was never replaced by a peace treaty. North Koreans prepare anti-Seoul leaflets at an undisclosed North Korean location, in an undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on June 20, 2020 Plastic bottles filled with rice and face masks are pictured on June 18, 2020 in Seoul, loaded on the truck of a North Korean defector planning to send the bottles towards North Korea through a border river Former President John Dramani Mahama has offered explanations to his loud silence on the controversial Airbus scandal since the news first broke. Mr Mahama disclosed that his reluctance to personally comment on the various allegations made in respect of the acquisition of the aircraft, was because some ex- government officials and members of his staff had already reacted to the matter. I recognised that it was the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in Ghana, following the almost immediate referral to that body by the President, he told the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview. The NDC flagbearer and former President, for several months refused to speak to the issue of the Airbus scandal, even after The Sun, a United Kingdom tabloid, linked him strongly to the bribery scandal. Crown Court Airbus Ruling It would be recalled that on February 1, UKs Royal Courts of Justice found Dutch firm Airbus SE guilty of paying bribes in shady deals in some countries including Ghana, South Korea, Mexico, Colombia and Malaysia. For Ghana, the scandal involved government officials in 2011 and 2015 who negotiated for the deal with Airbus agents including Samuel Mahama believed to be a brother of former President John Mahama. Between 2009 and 2015 an Airbus defence company engaged Intermediary 5, a close relative of a high ranking elected Ghanaian Government official (Government Official 1) as its BP in respect of the proposed sale of three military transport aircraft to the Government of Ghana, the ruling on Ghanas deal read in part. A number of Airbus employees knew that Intermediary 5 was a close relative of Government Official 1, who was a key decision maker in respect of the proposed sales. A number of Airbus employees made or promised success-based commission payments of approximately 5 million to Intermediary 5, court documents reveal. OSP Involvement President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo immediately referred the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) with Martin Amidu, the Special Prosecutor launching a formal investigation into the scandal. In February he announced he had summoned four people including British Actor Phil Middlemiss and Samuel Mahama and released their passport details online. Self-serving Interests But in sudden volte-face, the former president whose silence on the controversial subject has gone unnoticed, finally opened up to the state-owned daily on the infamous incident on the eve of the New Patriotic Party (NPP's) parliamentary primaries. Mr Mahama accused the current Akufo-Addo led NPP administration of not being interested in the issue as a matter of good faith, but seeking to dredge up the matter for selfish political interests. Asked if the Office of the Special Prosecutor had reached out to him on its investigations, Mr Mahama answered in the negative. To him, the Airbus saga was an issue between the parent company and its representatives who were found to be in breach of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) rules. Thus, for anyone to seek to attempt to rope him or any other government official in the saga, is simply a gross misrepresentation of facts and spread of deliberate falsehoods. This is clearly and unambiguously stated in all the available documents of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO). It has nothing to do with the government of Ghana or with any official of government. To state otherwise is to misrepresent the conclusions of the SFO report and spread deliberate falsehood," the ex-president posited. Source: Peacefmonline/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bihar reported 213 fresh Covid-19 cases on Saturday, taking the virus count to 7,503, while the death toll remained 49 with no fresh fatality, a state health department official said. Of the 213 new cases, 90 are of Friday whose test results were received on Saturday. The rest 123 were reported on Saturday, a health department release said. There are 2,087 active cases of the disease in 38 districts of the state, while another 5,367 have recovered, it said. A maximum of 377 cases were reported from Patna, followed by Bhagalpur (348), Begusarai (347), Madhubani (325) and Rohtas (309). Siwan reported 302 cases of the disease. A total 4,844 migrants have tested positive since May 3, while the number of samples tested till date is 1,51,148. Darbhanga reported the highest number of five Covid-19 deaths, followed by Saran which reported four deaths, while Begusarai, Khagaria, Nalanda and Vaishali have reported three fatalities each. Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Muzaffarpur, Nawada, Patna, Sitamarhi and Siwan reported two deaths each. Araria, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jamui, Katihar, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, West Champaran, East Champaran, Rohtas, Samastipur and Sheohar witnessed one Covid death each, the health department release said. Joseph R. Biden Jr., whose campaign had long struggled to raise money, zoomed past President Trumps fund-raising machine in May for the first time, pulling in $80.8 million together with the Democratic National Committee, about 10 percent more than the $74 million that Mr. Trump raised with the Republican Party. It was a reversal of fortunes for the former vice president and a testament both to his growing support among small donors more than half his donors in May were new to the campaign and the advantages of his first full month of fund-raising in concert with the D.N.C., in chunks of up to $620,000 per donor. The $80.8 million that Mr. Biden raised was roughly one-third more than he raised in April, when Mr. Trump edged him slightly. The campaigns took in a total of nearly $155 million in May about $5 million per day in spite of a health and economic crisis that has put more than 40 million Americans out of work and sent unemployment claims soaring. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 14:12:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Tump said on Saturday that he will be announcing new visa restrictions in coming days. "We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas," Trump told Fox News Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts in an interview ahead of his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The president declined to give any details but acknowledged that there will be some exclusions. "You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and they're pretty tight," he said. "And we may even go very tight for a period of time." Roberts tweeted that the restrictions will be imposed on H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J-1 visas. H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Trump will reportedly sign an executive order to suspend the visas through the end of the year, as the administration is addressing a major economic fallout, including high unemployment among Americans, amid the coronavirus pandemic. That would be Trump's latest step to restrict immigration. In April, he temporarily halted the issuance of U.S. green cards to some foreigners. Trump, who has maintained a hardline stance on immigration and used that to appeal to his voters, has been accused of using the pandemic to promote his political agenda. Enditem Dozens of GTA residents who gathered at Nathan Phillips Square were among the thousands around the globe yesterday who marched, protested and marked World Refugee Day. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a special statement recognizing the event, saying Canada stands in solidarity with the millions of people around the world who long for what is often taken for granted: a safe place to call home. This year, our world has changed significantly, said Trudeau. As the COVID-19 pandemic has plunged us into uncertain times, Canada remains committed to its humanitarian tradition, and to an asylum system that is fair and efficient. We will continue to work closely with international partners to find ways to support people seeking refuge from persecution, violence, and insecurity as we navigate the unprecedented challenges we are facing as a global community during this crisis, Trudeau said. In Toronto, at Nathan Phillips Square, the peaceful demonstration was co-hosted by 20 groups, including the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. Supporters carried signs saying Refugees are the future of Canada. Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted out a message of support. Today, I am so proud to live in a city that has opened its doors and hearts to refugees from around the world and I hope that today we celebrate their many contributions to our city and to the rich cultural diversity of our country. Among 26 countries that resettled asylum seekers in 2019, Canada took the No. 1. spot. According to the UN Refugee Agency, Canada provided more than 30,000 refugees the chance at a new life, according to the UN Refugee Agency. We are saluting today the generosity of Canada, and of Canadians, in standing with refugees at a time of growing need, said Rema Jamous Imseis, Canadas representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This is the collective result of individual Canadians, civil society, local communities and the government working together and actively contributing to the protection of refugees in the world, Jamous Imseis noted. In turn, refugees have contributed significantly to Canadas economic and social fabric. The agency also highlighted refugees who are also on the front lines fighting this pandemic, saying their efforts have created solidarity that transcends borders. Trudeau called on Canadians to stand with those fleeing hardship and violence. In addition, Canadians share a moral responsibility to help refugees and forcibly displaced people to find shelter and start new lives As Canadians, we are proud to open our hearts, homes, and communities to refugees, his statement said. Nearly 80 million people around the world were reported displaced in 2019 in countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel region of Africa, Yemen, Syria and Venezuela. Yemen has been declared the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with over 20 million people in need of assistance and where more than 280,000 refugees are attempting to leave, reports Al Jazeera media. Osobe Waberi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @OsobeWaberi Read more about: This photo provided on June 20, 2020, by the North Korean government shows North Koreans prepare anti-South Korea propaganda leaflets in North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) North Korea said Sunday it has no intention to cancel its plan to send anti-South Korea leaflets across the border, calling an inter-Korean agreement that bans such activity "a dead document." On Saturday, the North's state media said Pyongyang was printing anti-Seoul propaganda materials in large numbers and preparing to send them across the border. South Korea's unification ministry expressed regret and urged Pyongyang to withdraw the plan immediately, calling it a violation of an inter-Korean summit agreement. "We, clearly aware that leaflet scattering is the violation of the North-South agreement, do not have any intent to reconsider or change our plan at a time when the North-South relations have already been broken down," a spokesman for the North's United Front Department (UFD) said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. This photo provided on June 20, 2020, by the North Korean government shows North Koreans prepare anti-South Korea propaganda leaflets in North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) In this photo provided on June 20, 2020, by the North Korean government, anti-South Korean propaganda leaflets are stacked in North Korea. The North's military has also announced plans to support their civilians flying anti-South Korean propaganda leaflets in areas near the land and sea border, after the activists in South Korea floated propaganda leaflets across the border. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) This photo, captured from the website of North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on June 20, 2020, shows printed pictures of South Korean President Moon Jae-in with cigarette butts in a plastic bag, after the North has said it will send anti-Seoul propaganda leaflets from the North into the South. Yonhap The United states is talking to both India and China to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. Washington: The United States is talking to both India and China to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. Its a very tough situation. Were talking to India. Were talking to China. Theyve got a big problem there, Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first post-COVID19 election rally in Oklahoma. Theyve come to blows, and well see what happens. Well try and help them out, Trump said when asked about his assessment of the situation between India and China. Over the past few days, the Trump administration has rallied behind India against the illegitimate incursions of the Chinese Army into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in fierce clashes against Chinese intruders into Galwan Valley in Ladakh early this week. Indians, according to US intelligence sources, killed more than 35 Chinese soldiers during the skirmish. The United States has accused China of escalating border tension with India and other neighbours by trying to take benefit of these countries busy fighting coronavirus pandemic. The PLA (People's Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world's most populous democracy. It's militarising the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, in a major speech on China a day earlier. In his virtual address on 'Europe and the China Challenge' during the 2020 Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday, Pompeo described the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a 'rogue actor.' Early this week, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president is aware of the situation and the US is monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the line of actual control in Eastern Ladakh. During a phone call on 2 June that Trump had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they did discuss the situation on the Indo-China border, McEnany said. Trump and Modi have a terrific relationship and trust between them, Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee said, adding that the statements coming from the White House, the state department and the US Embassy in New Delhi is reflective of this. Coming out in support of India, Texas congressman Lance Gooden said that China cannot be trusted. As more news comes out about the deadly conflict between China and India, once again CHINA appears to be an aggressive bad actor, the Republican congressman said. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) cannot be taken at their word, EVER, Gooden said in a tweet. On the Senate floor, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that on land, for the sake of grabbing territory, the PLA appears to have instigated the most violent clash between China and India since those nations went to war in 1962. Needless to say, the rest of the world has watched with grave concern this violent exchange between two nuclear states. We are encouraging de-escalation and hoping for peace. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell earlier said that this Chinese activity is similar to activity the world has seen in the past on border disputes with the Peoples Republic of China. I would point you to those I think it was 2015 when Xi Jinping traveled to India the first time, he said. The PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) invaded this contested area deeper and longer, with more people, than ever before historically. Whether that was a negotiating tactic or just a punch in the nose to demonstrate their superiority, I dont know, he told reporters early this week. But then we saw the Doka La issue down near Bhutan, where we saw similar concerns. I wish I knew. Again, we dont have a lot of visibility and we dont have a lot of open dialogue with our Chinese counterparts, and honestly Id like to see more of that if we can, Stillwell said. US experts feel that the latest Chinese behavior will swing India towards China. Even before the latest flareup, a majority of Indian strategists saw Chinese assertiveness as Indias biggest foreign policy challenge. This has resulted in an unspoken but unmistakable swing toward the US," Jeff Smith from The Heritage Foundation think-tank said. The bullying of US partners and allies needs to come at a cost, Smith said in a tweet. A police officer wearing a medical mask drives up Church Street in New York City on April 2, 2020. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) NYC Man Arrested After 73-Year-Old Woman Punched in Face on Subway Platform Officials in New York City arrested a man who was wanted in connection to an assault on a 73-year-old woman on a subway platform last week. The New York City Police Department said the man allegedly punched the woman in the face at around 7:15 p.m. on June 17 at the 174th-175th Street station in the Bronx. The woman was waiting on the Manhattan-bound side of the platform when a man, identified as 23-year-old Ahmed Kromah, walked up to her and punched her before fleeing, said police, reported CBS New York. WANTEDfor an ASSAULT on 6/17/2020 @ 6:15 P.M., on the southbound B D train 174-175 street subway station. #bronx @NYPD41PCT @NYPDTD11Reward up to $2500Seen him? Know who he is?Call 1-800-577-TIPS orDM us!Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #YourCityYourCall pic.twitter.com/zVLwgw1zBM NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) June 20, 2020 The man didnt have any interaction with the woman beforehand, officials said. The woman was taken to Bronx Care Hospital. She was treated for minor injuries, officials said. The arrest comes as NYPD officials told news outlets on Sunday that at least 22 people have been shot in the city in separate incidents over the weekend, including a fatal incident in East New York, Brooklyn. A 35-year-old male was gunned down as he was washing his car, officials said. Less than a week before the assault, a 92-year-old woman was pushed to the ground on a Manhattan sidewalk. Police described it as a random attack. A registered sex offender, 31-year-old Rashid Brimmage, who had been arrested 100 prior times was charged in the case, according to reports. The suspect involved in pushing the 92-year-old female in Manhattan has been APPREHENDED, the NYPD wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. WANTED for a ROBBERY in front of 246 E 199 St. #Bronx on 6/7/20 at 7:40 AM. Pictured individual pushed 80 year old victim to ground and removed backpack. Reward up to $2500 Seen him? Know who he is? Call 1-800-577-TIPS Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #YourCityYourCall pic.twitter.com/ZIaNJQ3ZiB NYPD 52nd Precinct (@NYPD52Pct) June 19, 2020 Earlier in the month, an 80-year-old man was dragged on the sidewalk in the Bronx while he was being robbed. NYPD officials said the robbery occurred at 246 East 199 Street, while the footage showed the suspect wearing shorts and a multicolored jacket. The suspect took the elderly mans backpack in the assault. The NYPD is urging people to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or message the Crime Stoppers website or on Twitter at @NYPDTips. A $2,500 reward is being offered. Albany A consortium of Jewish summer camp operators is suing Gov. Andrew Cuomo in federal court over his decision to keep sleepaway camps closed this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filed by a group of parents and the Association of Jewish Camp Operators, the suit argues that the closure violates freedom of religion protections. Defendants statewide closure of all Jewish overnight camps this summer violates Plaintiffs constitutional rights of the free exercise of religion and the fundamental rights of parents to control the religious education and upbringing of their children, reads the complaint, filed Thursday in New Yorks Northern Federal District by Avi Schick, of the Troutman Sanders law firm. While allowing day camps to open under certain protective protocols, Cuomo earlier in the month, with state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, concluded sleepaway camps would be too risky. Youngsters at such camps typically eat together in dining halls, sleep in tent platforms that are like bunkhouses and use congregate bathrooms. When asked about the lawsuit, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi referred to Zuckers earlier remarks about those hazards. There are many children who are together in a bunk. They are sleeping in the same area, close by. They are eating in the same common area. They are using a shared bathroom- so social distancing in this situation is just not possible, Zucker said earlier. Zucker also pointed out that there were 50 summer camp outbreaks several years ago of H1N1 flu, when that virus was prevalent. The camp operators, though, noted that Cuomo has allowed child care operations and mass gatherings, such as the demonstrations in the wake of George Floyds killing, where crowds of people have been in close proximity to one another. The governor is also lifting restrictions on activities such as indoor dining, albeit with conditions imposing social distancing and the use of masks. Additionally, the camp operators in their complaint contend they would open with strict safety measures including antibody testing for campers and counselors as well as on-site health directors. They also say the camps may be safer for many youngsters living in densely populated neighborhoods of New York City, where many of the campers come from. Theres a longstanding tradition across parts of upstate, especially in the Catskills, of religiously oriented Jewish camps serving the various branches from Reform to ultra-Orthodox. Nominate your favorite people and places now Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Nominate your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The success of Jewish overnight camps is owed to their immersive experience that separates children from the outside world and envelops them in an enclosed, safe society, reads part of the complaint. Among the named plaintiffs are two physicians. Samuel Werzberger practices in New York and New Jersey and has worked on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to court papers. He is the father of nine children including four that he wants to send to sleepaway camp. Another, Ariela Orkaby, is a doctor for the VA Boston Healthcare System. She has three children who would normally go to camp in New York. Two other plaintiffs Beth Statfeld and Gail Zahtz, live in New York and work in the health care industry. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU DR Congo's military is receiving weapons and training from multiple countries without notifying the United Nations as required by a 2004 resolution, according to a recent report to the Security Council. Some of the weapons have fallen into the hands of armed groups operating in the east of the country, warns the confidential report by UN experts that was obtained by AFP on Thursday. The Democratic Republic of Congo's east is one of Africa's flashpoints, gripped by militia violence that has claimed more than 1,000 lives in a matter of months and caused more than half a million people to flee their homes. The government in Kinshasa has in the past accused neighboring countries of seeking to destabilize it. These governments have in turn said that DR Congo, a vast country the size of western continental Europe, is a haven for groups that oppose them. The UN experts are monitoring sanctions against the country that expire at the end of June. The experts point to instructors and equipment from Albania, Romania, Turkey, South Africa, Israel, China, Iran, the United Kingdom, North Korea, Sudan and the United States, among others. DR Congo and its military have not been subject to an arms embargo since 2008, though one still applies to armed groups. However, the training of the military or delivery of arms to them remains subject to notification. UN sanctions may also include travel bans and asset freezes. The report noted that several countries "delivered significant quantities of arms, ammunition, equipment and military vehicles" to the military. That included civilian helicopters transferred for military use, the report says. "Over the last decade, a large part of the air logistics of FARDC (the military) relied on a fleet of foreign civilian-registered cargo carriers operating in contravention of international and national civil aviation norms and regulations," it states. "Some of the material delivered to FARDC was later diverted to armed groups in eastern" DR Congo, the report continues. Chinese authorities have said they are investigating the claims, while Iran denied it had ever transferred any material to the DR Congo, igniting fears the equipment had been sent by a third party. Top scientist Peter Piot has criticised the governments completely useless 14-day quarantine measure for travellers entering the UK and said it should be dropped by ministers as soon as possible. The director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who co-discovered the Ebola virus, also said he expected any second wave of Covid-19 to be a series of local outbreaks, rather than a tsunami across the country. Speaking to the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, Professor Piot said the measure requiring individuals arriving in the UK to self-isolate for a two-week period would have made sense before the country had cases of the virus. From 8 June, passengers arriving in Britain have been asked to provide an address to the authorities, who have the ability to do surprise visits to ensure compliance with the quarantine measures. Those who break the rules face being fined up to 1,000. How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities Show all 6 1 /6 How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities Milan, Italy REUTERS How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities North Jakarta, Indonesia REUTERS How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities Jakarta, Indonesia REUTERS How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities Venice, Italy REUTERS How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities New Delhi, India REUTERS How coronavirus lockdowns changed the world's most polluted cities Islamabad, Pakistan REUTERS Professor Piot said there are measures that are completely useless like quarantining for returning travellers, adding: The damage it causes to the country, to the economy is going to be enormous. So lets hope that that rule is dropped as soon as possible and lets concentrate on what works. His remarks come as Boris Johnson faces intense pressure from Conservative MPs and the airline industry to ditch the policy and is reported to be in talks with ministers on opening up travel corridors allowing people to travel between two countries without the need to quarantine on return to the UK. As the government prepares to relax the social distancing guidelines later this week, the scientist added he was not rigid about this two-metre rule. He continued: It created actually a false sense of security its not suddenly beyond two metres theres no risk. Id rather be at one metre of someone who is infected, but if both of us wear a mask than at two metres without a mask. Im pretty relaxed as long as it is associated with mandatory wearing of face masks, face coverings in not only public transport, but also in other public places. I would say in shops and where there are lots of people. Professor Piot also urged the prime minister to appoint a coronavirus tzar to the cabinet with the authority to lead the efforts to keep the country safe from Covid-19 for the next few years. He said this individual should be given the ability to work across all departments and organise future logistics for combating the spread of the virus. The number of coronavirus infections in Maharashtra police continues to rise with 88 new positive cases detected in the last 24 hours apart from one casualty due to the disease. The total number of positive cases and deaths in the state police force have now risen to 4,048 and 47 respectively, as per an official document quoted by ANI. According to an official release by the Maharashtra Police department quoted by the news agency, a total of 1,001 policemen including 118 officers and 883 other police personnel are currently suffering from the contagion. One of the 47 casualties recorded in the police department also included an officer, it says. Maharashtra is Indias worst Covid-19 affected state with 128,205 positive cases and the essential services workforce, including the policemen, are at an increased risk of contracting the disease. The state has registered several cases of assault on policemen while enforcing the guidelines in effect to contain the spread of the virus. As per the official data released on Sunday, 275 incidents of assault on cops have been recorded since March 22 2020. A total of 854 accused have been arrested for attacking cops in 275 incidents. 86 policemen have been injured during law enforcement during this period, when 62 cases of assault on health professionals were also registered. For Coronavirus Live Updates The police force has registered a total of 133,311 cases under Sec-188 of the Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public authority), made 27,266 arrests and imposed fines worth Rs 8,32,23,711 since March 22 for all kind of violations including 1,335 cases of use of illegal transport. 83,497 vehicles have been seized in this period. The state of Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of Covid 19 cases at 1,28,205, followed by Tamil Nadu - 56,845, Delhi - 56,746, Gujarat - 26,680, Uttar Pradesh - 16,594, Rajasthan - 14,536 and West Bengal - 13,531. Also Read: Maharashtra sees record 3,827 new Covid-19 cases, state tally now over 1.24 lakh India has recorded a total of 13,254 deaths due to coronavirus and Maharashtra has reported a bulk of these with 5,984 fatalities, followed by 2,112 deaths in Delhi, 1,638 in Gujarat with, 704 in Tamil Nadu, 540 in Bengal, 507 in UP, and 501 in Madhya Pradesh, among the territories with more than 500 casualties. After three months under a state of alarm, Spain lifted national travel restrictions at 12am on Sunday morning, and also reopened its borders to passengers from European Union and Schengen countries. But there are still a number of exceptions that limit free movement within these zones, and ongoing uncertainty regarding third countries. From July 1, the Spanish government is planning to open the countrys borders to states where the coronavirus pandemic is under control, but for now there is no list of candidates. The administration is intending to accept a European pact on this list, but other EU states are already saying that they will take unilateral decisions on the matter. From today, residents of Spain can travel to Sweden, located in the opposite extreme of Europe, but not Portugal, its neighbor, which will be keeping its borders closed to Spain and Italy until July 1. Another country that borders Spain, France, will not reopen its borders until midnight tonight. Citizens from the United Kingdom, which has officially left the EU but is still covered by a transition agreement until December that grants it full rights as a member state, can enter Spain. But anyone taking the opposite journey will have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in the UK, a measure that will be in place at least until June 29, despite Spain having opted not to impose a reciprocal measure on UK arrivals. Another exception to the opening of borders for Schengen countries is Denmark, which will keep border controls in place for the majority of its fellow members including Spain until June 27. While there are already a number of exceptions in Europe, the rules for non-EU and non-Schengen countries are yet to be defined at all. Spain is counting on the 27-member bloc to agree on a list of safe countries, with scaled entry dates according to the epidemiological situation in each one. Sources consulted from the Spanish Interior and Foreign ministries did not want to indicate which countries would be included, but did say that those citizens who would be permitted to enter from July 1 will be from the countries that are best controlling new coronavirus infections. Japan and South Korea are not the same as Brazil, the same sources said, citing cases from both extremes of the pandemic, and despite the fact that the former two countries have seen new outbreaks in recent weeks after initially limiting the impact of the pandemic. Making a decision about the United States is particularly complex. While the management of the crisis by the Donald Trump administration has been very erratic, Europe has a huge interest in opening up its borders to that country. Before the pandemic struck, Spain received more than three million tourists a year from the US, and was among the top-10 destinations for US investment. But economic interests are coming up against two other principles: health and reciprocity. Washington is still vetoing the entrance of Europeans on American soil, which is prompting the EU to respond in kind. Latin America is another key zone for Spain. During the state of alarm, a number of flights were authorized to allow Spanish residents who were trapped in countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Dominican Republic to return. But when it comes to reopening regular routes, the Spanish government is planning to wait for European consensus. Despite the importance of these links for Spain, residents of Latin America, which is the new epicenter of the pandemic, could be among the last to be authorized to enter the European Union. There are, however, already loopholes. During the entire crisis, Portugal has allowed travelers in from Brazil, despite the latter being the second country to exceed a million Covid-19 cases, after the US. While each member state will have the last word on its borders, Brussels insists that the 27 EU members should open up to third countries in a coordinated and progressive way, provided that they have an equal or better epidemiological situation. Among these, Brussels is pushing for the western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia given their links with the EU and that they are considered to have controlled the spread of the virus. The EU warns that announcements by certain partners, who are wiling to lift restrictions without consulting other states, are threatening the integrity of the Schengen zone. Greece is in the crosshairs, after having taken advantage of the tourist season to make a list of 29 countries that it considers to be safe and unilaterally signing a reopening of borders with Israel from August 1. In the midst of pressure from the tourist sector to reopen borders, diplomatic sources are also uneasy over the reliability of coronavirus data from third countries, given that there are doubts over the veracity of the information they are supplying. With just 10 days to go before July arrives, talks are stepping up. European ambassadors addressed the issue on Friday. Now it is down to the member states to agree on a common list so that the travel restrictions can be lifted from July 1 onward, EU sources said. English version by Simon Hunter. Juneteenth: 4 interesting facts about the celebration marking end of slavery Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Although most Americans are familiar with the American Civil War ending slavery, fewer are familiar with the last on-the-ground implementation of abolition. Juneteenth, which also goes by the names of Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Liberation Day, marks the anniversary of when the last group of slaves in the United States were told of their freedom. On June 19, 1865, a Union force commanded by General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas, and informed the slave population that they were free. Every year, Juneteenth is marked with a host of celebrations across the United States, including marches, barbeques, prayer meetings, and educational endeavors. Here are four interesting facts about Juneteenth, including its connection to the Emancipation Proclamation, the largest celebration, and the effort to make it a national holiday. 1 2 3 4 5 Next By John McCrank NEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - The massive stock market rally in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic has been built largely on optimism and has overlooked potential negatives that could end up catching investors off guard, Howard Marks, co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, said in a client note. Much of the rally seems to be based on injections of liquidity by the U.S. Federal Reserve and stimulus payments by the Treasury, which investors assume will bring about a financial recovery without major negative consequences, the veteran distressed debt investor said in the note https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/howard-marks-memos dated Thursday. But the potential for further gains does not fully outweigh the risk of a decline if events disappoint or multiples contract, said Marks, who is also co-chairman of Oaktree, which had $113 billion in assets under management in March, according to its website https://www.oaktreecapital.com/about. "In other words, the fundamental outlook may be positive on balance, but with listed security prices where they are, the odds aren't in investors' favor," he said. High-profile hedge fund managers Paul Tudor Jones and Stan Druckenmiller said recently they were becoming more bullish on stocks. Jones' speech, reported by Bloomberg, was at the Economic Club of New York, and Druckenmiller spoke to CNBC. The market plunged when much of the U.S. economy shut down in response to the coronavirus pandemic, bottoming on March 23 with the S&P 500 down around 35% from its Feb. 19 record high. Investors have flooded back into stocks since then, spurred by factors including the Fed's and Treasury's actions, a decline in COVID-19 cases in places hardest hit by the pandemic, and a some better-than-expected economic data. The S&P is currently around 9% below its record high. Oaktree, which Brookfield Asset Management Inc bought a majority of in 2019, recently sought to raise up to $15 billion for a distressed fund as company valuations plunged, Reuters reported. (Reporting by John McCrank; editing by Megan Davies and Nick Zieminski) William Edmund "Honey" Leubner July 13, 1928 June 16, 2020 SKANEATELES William Edmund "Honey" Leubner, 91, of Skaneateles, died on June 16, 2020 of heart disease. He was born July 13, 1928 in Marietta NY to German immigrant parents, Edmund and Bertha Leubner, and was very proud of his German heritage. "Honey" was a farmer all of his life. He grew up on the Leubner family farm in Marietta, then owned his own dairy farm on Benson Road in Skaneateles, NY. He married Narcissa Ann Bainbridge on March 1, 1953 Together they worked the farm and had six children, Jeffrey (Sue), Pamela (Emil), Christopher (deceased), Kathleen, Jason, and Cynthia. The farm prospered, and grew to one of the largest and most successful farms in the area in the 1970s. Ed was always trying new farming techniques, seeds, and cultivation methods. He was not afraid to try and succeed, or try and fail, which is one of the many great lessons he passed along to his family. When Ed retired in the late 1990s, he sold the farm and moved to Weeks Road, where he lived until his death. Ed loved trees, and planted hundreds in his lifetime. He loved animals and wildlife, and would bring home orphaned raccoons, fawns, and crows from the fields. He would catch and surprise his children with bats and mice he found in the barn. He leaves behind his beloved beagle, Bailey. Ed also loved to travel. Florida was Ann and his preferred destination during the harsh central NY winters, but he also traveled to Germany on several occasions, and met his German relatives and family there. The highlight was visiting the village where his mother was born and grew up, Ersrode, and staying in the same house his grandfather had taught in as a school teacher in the 1880's. Ed loved old cars, and owned a Model A Ford similar to the one his father owned. He often took his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to get ice cream in his Model A. Ed will be remembered by his family for his great sense of humor, his strong work ethic, his love of all things German, his sweet tooth, his big heart, his honesty, and his faith in Christ. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and will spend eternity with his beloved wife, Ann. He is survived by his brother Fred Leubner (Alice), his sister Marie Watts, five of his six children, 12 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. The services will be private at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Ed will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Mausoleums in Auburn. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Sources reveal seizure of AK-47 and M4 rifles, Inspector General commends Kashmir police and CRPF for an operation without "collateral damage". A third terrorist was killed in the operation by security forces in the Zadibal area of Srinagar on Sunday. Zadibal Encounter Third terrorist killed. Search operation going on. Further details shall follow, a tweet by the Kashmir Zone Police read. Sources in the Jammu and Kashmir police department told ANI that those killed included a Pakistani terrorist affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammed. He was active in South Kashmir for the past few years. Another terrorist escaped. Sources also added that two weapons have been recovered during the search operation. An AK-47 and an M4 US-made rifle have been recovered, sources added. Ths US-made rifle is of the same make and model recovered from shooting down a Pakistani drone in Kathua district earlier. Also read: Large-scale phishing attack using COVID-19 as bait expected today, warns Centre IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar #congratulates teams of JKP & CRPF for conducting #successful #operation in #Srinagar City in which three #terrorists were killed with no collateral damage. @JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 21, 2020 Also read: No unilateral change to LAC, PM Modi warns China The weapons brought in by the drone were to further reach a Jaish-e-Mohmmad Pakistani terrorist, Ali Bhai, currently active in South Kashmir, they said. The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar congratulated the teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF for conducting the operation successfully with no collateral damage. One of the killed terrorists was involved in an attack on BSF near Pandach Chowk in which 2 BSF personnel martyred. JusticeDone: IGP Kashmir, another tweet by the Kashmir Zone Police read. The joint team of security forces had launched a cordon and search operation after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Mobile internet services had been snapped in the Srinagar area. Also read: Indias Covid-19 cases cross 4 lakh mark For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Tim Cook, an Alabama native who has been CEO of Apple for a decade, talked about the role smartphones play in prompting social justice on CBS Sunday Morning. During the interview with 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson, Cook highlighted the importance of video during eras of social change, such as the Civil Rights Movement. Cook released the statement on Apples website about George Floyd, whose death was recorded on a smartphone as a Minneapolis Police officer kneeled on Floyds neck on almost nine minutes. Footage of law enforcement spraying marchers with fire hoses in Birmingham flashed across the screen as Cook reflected on iPhones role in recording moments that move the nation to create social change. We are humbled by it, Cook said. If you look back in time some of the most dramatic societal changes occurred because someone captured video. Youve seen it in Birmingham. Youve seen it in Selma. The thing that has changed though, and were very proud of this, is that weve put a camera in everybodys pocket. Cook was born in 1960 and grew up in Robertsdale in Baldwin County. His first recollection of race was seeing a whites only sign. But Cook said he sees change on the horizon. I believe, optimistically that this is one of those moments we can make significant progress. For so many things, it seems like theres such slow progress. And then all of a sudden, theres a giant leap. Cook became the first openly-gay Fortune 500 CEO six years ago. He said he was grateful for the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Monday which states that LGBTQ workers are protected under federal law. All roads lead to equality, Cook said. I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. Its basically that simple and we start life on this equal footing. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the speed of execution of its projects and the company is identifying opportunities for optimisation of capital and operating expenditure. While about 9 percent of the company's natural gas output was impacted by inability of customers to take supplies due to the coronavirus lockdown, lower oil and gas prices had impacted its revenues, the company said. In a note on the material impact of COVID-19 pandemic submitted to stock exchanges, ONGC said operations and production have gone on uninterrupted during the nationwide lockdown imposed on March 25 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Crude oil production was almost at the same level as before the COVID-19 outbreak but natural gas "output was down by 9 percent on account of less demand and offtake by customers due to the lockdown," it said. However, with the easing of lockdown restrictions and gradual opening of industries, gas demand has been now restored to normal levels. "With the imposition of lockdown, onshore operations were hampered in quite a few places which resulted in idling of drilling rigs and equipment. 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 However, since April 20, 2020, onshore operations have also been restarted in places where these were stalled and are near normal at present. "It may however be stated that the COVID will impact the speed of execution of various projects and if COVID remains around for a long time, some disruptions in activity levels at local basis cannot be ruled out," it said. Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic The company is currently implementing several projects to bring oil and gas discoveries on both east and west coast to production. The projects under execution include development of KG-D5 block in the Bay of Bengal. ONGC said it currently has the financial capability to sustain its operations and activities including capital and operating expenditure, though both these are being closely examined afresh for possible optimisation and rationalisation. "Management is well abreast of all the challenges and attempts are also underway to seek assistance from the government for rationalisation of existing taxes and duties structure," it said. "Lower oil and gas prices are expected to impact internal resource generation capacity, but given low gearing levels at standalone basis fund raising for the same is not expected to be an issue," it added. The company borrowed short-term funds to manage liquidity position during the lockdown. "The onset of COVID itself will impact project progress to some extent and the company is identifying opportunities for Capex and Opex optimisations," it said. "Going forward it is anticipated that a combination of higher oil and gas prices, rationalization in expenses and some statutory relief will help the company to protect and maintain our activity level." Also, there have been some disruptions in supply chains especially in the international arena but these have not yet had any major impact on day-to-day operations. "As far as some projects are concerned, the supply chain disruption has pushed back the anticipated completion dates. However, close monitoring is in progress to ensure that supplies and normalcy is attained at the earliest," it said. ONGC top management closely monitored the operations, resulting in uninterrupted supply chain for smooth operations as well as supplying essential items required for safety and wellbeing of operational employees, and for continued production of oil and gas for the nation. The topic was supposed to be preparing in case warehouses are proposed for rural Harmony Township, the Delaware River-side community north of Phillipsburg. Instead, participants in the video-teleconferenced township land use board meeting were subjected by an intruder to racial slurs and hardcore pornography, said resident Paul Williams. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 02:44:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed concerns over the test launch of a nuclear ballistic missile by France, official IRNA news agency reported. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi described the launch of a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by the French Navy as "incompatible with Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and France's commitment to nuclear disarmament treaty." Mousavi urged Paris to "fully comply with its international obligations in the field of nuclear disarmament." On Friday, the French Navy announced a test launch of ballistic missile M51 SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ) from "Le Temeraire" (S617), a Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarine. The Temeraire is one of the four SSBN (Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear) submarine of the French Navy. Enditem Representative Image The Border Security Force (BSF) has said that shooting down the hexacopter, or drone, carrying weapons from Pakistan is a major achievement since those weapons may have been used to carry out a major terrorist attack, a report by news agency ANI has said. The drone was spotted hovering in the skies by a BSF party on patrol duty in the vicinity of Border Out Post Pansar around 5.10 am, officials said. Following this, BSF personnel fired about nine rounds and shot down the flying object 250 metres inside Indian territory. According to NS Jamwal, the Inspector General (IG) of BSF, an M4 (US-made) carbine machine gun, ammunition and seven grenades have been recovered from the drone. "Looking at the kind of weapons that have been recovered, it seems whoever is responsible for this was trying to create a major incident. There is no doubt the drone came from Pakistan," Jamwal said, according to the news agency. "If you look at the weapon and grenades it feels that some terrorist or OGW was sitting inside one and a half kilometre area (on the Indian side) to receive the consignment with the purpose of carrying out a major attack," the official said, adding that the modus operandi is similar to the one used to smuggle weapons from Punjab side of the border. One man on statins had such severe road rage, his wife feared for her safety From paracetamol to heartburn pills and antibiotics, evidence shows that common often over-the-counter medications may have side effects that could alter who you are. Libby Galvin investigates Dr Sarah E Hill had only been taking antihistamines for a day when she had an overwhelming panic attack. And the waves of stomach-churning worry kept coming. Dr Hill had another panic attack the next day, and the next. But she didnt think the pills could be to blame; antihistamines are used to treat allergies and their most common side effect is drowsiness. After three days of feeling constantly on edge, Dr Hill binned the tablets. That day, she says, I was back to normal. I couldnt believe I hadnt thought of it sooner. As it turns out, one of the lesser known side effects of some antihistamines is agitation. Understanding how pills can alter our personality is part of her work. An evolutionary social psychologist, Dr Hill is the author of How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control, which explores how the contraceptive pill has the potential to alter the fabric of who we are, influencing everything from how we spend our leisure time to who we find attractive. Dr Hill has even heard from a handful of women who think contraception didnt change just their attitude to their partner it changed their sexual orientation altogether. One woman had been on the pill since she was 14 after she was prescribed it to help ease heavy periods, she says. All through her late teens and early adulthood she identified as a lesbian and was in relationships with women. Age 23, after nine years, she stopped taking it. Suddenly, she found herself attracted to men and now she is in a relationship with a man. The idea that medication can alter something as central to our personalities as our sexuality raises so many questions about psychology, attraction, even the whole notion of the self, says Dr Hill. While these examples are extreme, most of us are familiar with the idea that hormonal medications can affect us mentally. We all know someone who lost their joie de vivre on the pill, or who found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) made them fly off the rails rather than help them steady the emotional rollercoaster of the menopause. Its no surprise either that psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants which have effects on the chemical composition of the brain might have other psychological side effects. But as Dr Hills experience with antihistamines shows, it is not just hormones or medications for mental illness that can change how we think and feel. One in ten people in the UK over the age of 65 takes eight different medications each week, and studies show that the more you take the more likely they may be to change your mood. A 2018 study looking at more than 200 medications with potentially mood-altering side effects showed that 15 per cent of adults who took three or more of them experienced depression. Among the medications that we are discovering have the potential to change our minds and moods are asthma treatments, heartburn pills, antibiotics, statins and even the common painkiller found in most peoples homes paracetamol. An estimated 6,300 tons of paracetamol are sold in the UK every year thats 70 tablets for each of us. But could taking this for a sore head really end up reducing our ability to empathise with others? Last year, a study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology observed that paracetamol reduced feelings of empathy or shared joy in response to happiness experienced by other people. That this sense of compassion can be blunted is a cause for concern, says Dominik Mischkowski, the psychologist who led the research at Ohio University. That feeling of joy in somebody elses successes is very important its a driver for building relationships, for building intimacy and closeness. These changes play out in real life as well as in the laboratory. I get a lot of emails saying, Ive been taking [paracetamol] for a long time, and I feel I have these emotional impairments too, says Dominik. In fact, when I mentioned this to a family member, they confided that they had noticed a slight hardening in themselves since starting to take the painkiller frequently. I have always been a bit of a softie Ill often have a lump in my throat or choke back a tear at the end of a sad film, while the rest of the family sit there dry-eyed, they explain. But in the past few months Ive noticed Im not feeling that way in response to things I know normally bother me. Just the other night we were watching a film about a tragic love affair during the war. My other half was blubbing away, yet it didnt really affect me. The findings are not extreme; there is no suggestion that you might change from a good citizen to a psychopath with the pop of a pill. Yet there is no mention of emotional changes on the warning leaflet that comes with your pharmacy packet of painkillers. Why not? Often, its because doctors dont want to hear about it. Dr Beatrice Golomb, a professor of internal medicine at the University of California San Diego, has seen the pharmaceutical industrys reluctance to address behavioural side effects at close quarters in her work on statins. Medication may change things as central to us as our sexuality Statins, which are used by as many as eight million adults in the UK to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, can increase aggression and not just a little, says Dr Golomb. Shes seen patients turn from kind men to maniacs overnight. Although the most acute changes seem to occur in men, her research shows postmenopausal women taking statins are more likely to display increased levels of aggression. Most striking for me was the man who told me that he developed severe road rage to the extent that his family decided that only his wife would drive. But then he would still suffer rage when she drove, shouting and screaming to the point where theyd have to turn around and go home. His wife would have to leave him alone in a room for a couple of hours to calm down because she was concerned for her safety. One day, they both decided it seemed as though this behaviour began when he enrolled in a clinical trial on statins. It gets even more frightening. The couple went to talk to the trial investigators who flat out denied a link and said the man had to remain on the trial. But, says Dr Golomb, the man swore and stormed out, and when they got home, he stopped taking the statins. Within two weeks he was completely back to normal. The investigator was not just reluctant to listen, he was adamant that this mans behaviour couldnt be related to the statins. But on what basis? Dr Golomb is clearly exasperated by this closed-mindedness: I think medical training creates a set of attitudes that are reluctant to acknowledge any adverse effects that a doctor hasnt heard a lot about even more so in the case of things such as personality change, where doctors are really unfamiliar with the idea. It is on us, then the consumer, the patient to take the lead and develop a healthy scepticism and a curiosity when it comes to the drugs we buy or are prescribed. Looking at the history of determining whether a medicine causes harm, it usually starts with case reports [a detailed record of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of a patient]. If there are enough of them, medicine and drug companies slowly start to take note, says Dr Golomb. In Britain this is where the Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Authoritys Yellow Card scheme is essential (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk). Anyone can use this website to report any side effect of any medication. In fact, the reason we havent realised the impact of these medicines on our moods sooner comes down to a misunderstanding of the umbrella term side effect. There is really no such thing, explains Dr Sarah Hill. All of a medications actions are its effects. We just call things side effects when they are not the reason that we chose to take the medication. This is especially true of the pill and paracetamol. These drugs have a butterfly effect taking them to suppress fertility or pain sets off a cascade of other changes, which are different for each of us. Geoff Durso, a psychologist whose 2015 study showed paracetamol blunts both positive and negative emotions, says he and his colleagues call it a messy drug, while Dominik Mischkowski describes it as having a shotgun effect. Paracetamol crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects brain activity, says Geoff Durso. Its available over the counter because it has mild effects and theyre reliable, but we actually dont have a great grasp of the critical mechanisms by which it acts in order to relieve pain. Its wild, how little we know. The pills effects are just as varied. Targeted effects just arent possible when taking a hormone, writes Dr Hill. The hormones in birth control are picked up by all the cells in the body that have sex hormone receptors. This means that they simultaneously influence the activities of billions of cells at once, echoing throughout the body from head to toe particularly in the brain. This revelation doesnt mean we should stop trusting doctors or drugs, however. It just means we owe it to ourselves to be curious, and remain alert for emotional changes, however ambiguous. So before you start a new medication, consider keeping a journal. The brain likes to play tricks on us when we are sad or anxious, and tells us that we have always felt that way. Having hard evidence of your mood prior can be a good way for you to think about your past more objectively, says Dr Hill. In the future, we are going to be shocked that it took us so long to realise medication changes who we are, she continues. One of the next frontiers in medicine is understanding the experiential effects of the medications were taking and that includes the effect on our personality. The common medicines that could alter your mood Heartburn pills Among the most commonly used drugs in the world, proton pump inhibitors used to treat heartburn and acid reflux have been linked with a greater risk of developing depression, particularly among the elderly. They interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, a nutrient that produces chemicals that affect our thinking. Asthma and arthritis drugs Corticosteroids such as prednisone can save lives their powerful anti-inflammatory effect treats asthma, allergies and rheumatoid arthritis. But they can also cause depression, mania and ADHD, because they act on areas of the brain that regulate serotonin and dopamine our happy hormones. Parkinsons drugs A 2010 study showed 17 per cent of people on dopamine agonists used to treat shaking and other physical symptoms of Parkinsons experience impulse control disorder, from excessive shopping to uncontrollable sexual urges. In 2011 a married father of two sued the manufacturer of one of these drugs, saying it turned him into a gambling and gay sex addict, which led to him being raped and attempting suicide eight times. He won a six-figure payout. Antibiotics Overuse can make antibiotics less effective at treating infection and a 2015 review of UK medical records linked repeat courses of antibiotics to increased anxiety and depression. Its thought this may be down to their effect on bacteria in our guts, which interact with our brain chemistry. How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control by Dr Sarah E Hill is published by Orion, 14.99 Order a copy for 8.99 (40% off the RRP) at by entering code YOUCHANGE at checkout. Book number: 9781409178835. Offer valid until 5th July, 2020. T&Cs apply: www.whsmith.co.uk/terms TULSA, Okla. (AP) Supporters of President Donald Trump were filling streets Saturday around the Tulsa stadium where the president will hold his first rally in months, ready to welcome him back to the campaign trail despite warnings from health officials about the coronavirus. The crowd most without masks and dressed in Trump hats and T-shirts were hoping to be among the first inside the more than 19,000-seat BOK Center for what is expected to be the biggest indoor event the country has seen since restrictions to prevent the COVID-19 virus began in March. Trump also will speak at an outdoor event to be held inside a perimeter of tall metal barriers that were put up around the BOK Center. Some of the attendees have been camped near the venue since early in the week. Protests also are planned for Saturday, and some Black leaders in Tulsa have said they're worried the visit could lead to violence. It's happening amid protests over racial injustice and policing across the U.S. and in a city that has a long history of racial tension. Officials said they expected some 100,000 people in Tulsa's downtown. Renee Lamoreaux, a retiree and Trump supporter from Tulsa, said Friday that police officers had briefed ralliers, saying the event would basically be in a big cage, and the rest of the world would be outside. She said she felt reassured. Tulsa has seen cases of COVID-19 spike in the past week, and the local health department director asked that the rally be postponed. But Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said it would be safe. The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday denied a request that everyone attending the indoor rally wear a mask, and few in the crowd outside Saturday were wearing them. The Trump campaign said six staff members helping prepare for the event tested positive for COVID-19. They were following quarantine procedures and wouldn't attend the rally, said Tim Murtaugh, the campaign's communications director. Inside the barriers, the campaign was handing out masks and said hand sanitizer also would be distributed and that participants would undergo a temperature check. But there was no requirement that participants use the masks. Teams of people wearing goggles, masks, gloves and blue gowns were checking the temperatures of those entering the the rally area. The Trump campaign had pledged to conduct temperature checks as people enter and to offer masks. Some rally-goers were wearing masks as their temperatures were checked with handheld thermometers that appeared to not be touching the skin. Some took their masks off after they cleared the checkpoint. The rally originally was planned for Friday, but was moved after complaints that it coincided with Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S., and in a city that was the site of a 1921 race-related massacre, when a white mob attacked Blacks, leaving as many as 300 people dead. Stitt said he will join Vice President Mike Pence for a meeting Saturday with Black leaders from Tulsa's Greenwood District, the area where the 1921 attack occurred. Stitt initially invited Trump to tour the area, but said, We talked to the African American community and they said it would not be a good idea, so we asked the president not to do that." ___ Associated Press reporters Sara Burnett in Chicago and Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed to this report. We are met on a great battle-field of war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. These were some of the words by Abraham Lincoln quoted today by Tauranga Deputy Mayor Tina Salisbury during her speech at the Battle of Te Ranga commemoration in Pyes Pa. On June 21, 1864, the little known battle from Taurangas history has probably done more to shape the destiny of this city than any other engagement of the New Zealand Wars. A large crowd of people turned up in the long grass and rain at dawn today to commemorate the battle that took place in what is now a paddock near the corner of Joyce Rd and Pyes Pa Rd. It was very good, probably the biggest crowd weve had since the 2014 commemoration, says Buddy Mikaere from Ngai Tamarawaho. The 150-year commemoration was held in 2014. There were well over 100 people here today. The interesting thing was that there were more Pakeha people here than Maori people which shows how much interest there is. Tina who has lived in the United States for a number of years, her daughters learning about American history in school, reflected on how the battles at Te Ranga and Pukehinahina Gate Pa took place soon after the American Civil war had drawn to a close. Tauranga Deputy Mayor Tina Salisbury speaking at the Battle of Te Ranga commemoration At the Gettysburg battle site, which our family visited, where thousands died, President Abraham Lincoln gave a powerful speech that has echoed down through time, says Salisbury. It was a respectful tribute to those who had died in that place, but at the same time made the point, that from such events, we can draw inspiration and turn the great hurts of war into a plea, that the sacrifice of the dead should not be in vain. I believe those words are so fitting for us this morning, as we stand on this battle ground. The Te Ranga commemoration began with an introductory welcome by Buddy, with Bill Nepia from Ngai Tamarawaho opening with a karakia and mihi. The hymn Whakaaria Mai was sung, later followed by Abide with Me which was also the hymn sung by British officers with Rev. Brown at the Mission House the night before the Battle of Gate pa. Peri Kohu played guitar while his granddaughter Waiari sang Amazing Grace. That was lovely and moving, says Cam Scott, speaking of Waiaris singing. It seemed to me there was an air of deeper reconciliation this time in spite of the fact there has always been much hurt and anger as arising from the tragic events at Te Ranga. Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber also found it encouraging to see the number of people who attended. All ages, says Webber. A very diverse group of people and quite a moving day. The weather wasnt the most ideal, but we had a really good turnout because I think there is a genuine interest in the history of our area." This is a regionally significant commemorative place in the history of our district, and I know the trust that looks after the property has plans for improving it, says Webber. I think thats appropriate given its history to our region. We should make this site as prestigious as we can but make sure its simple and elegant while reflecting the magnitude of the event that took place. The battle that occurred has been described as among the bloodiest of the New Zealand campaigns. In desperate hand-to-hand fighting, British troops exacted terrible vengeance for Gate Pa. The Maori garrison was unable to hold the incomplete defences and slowly withdrew. When Puhirake, the hero of Gate Pa himself was killed, the retreat became a rout. British cavalry gave chase, but could not penetrate the nearby bush. More than 100 Maori, including the chivalrous Henare Taratoa, were killed or mortally wounded at Te Ranga, as were 13 British troops. The visiting iwi also suffered heavy casualties, which contributed to their subsequent enthusiasm for the Pai Marire insurgency. Twenty-seven severely wounded Maori were taken to hospital at Te Papa camp. Fourteen did not long survive the battle and were buried at Mission Cemetery. Among the mortally wounded was Te Tera of Ngai Te Rangi, the only one to be identified in official reports. About 70 Maori defenders including Puhirake were buried in the trenches at Te Ranga, which is now the large grass paddock. Its like the Elms cemetery - incredibly sacred land, says Webber. I think its right to lift the profile of Te Ranga, in keeping with its original character. It was a battle field. Mia Thomas, the Aquinas College student who won the Te Ranga Aquinas College poetry competition read her poem titled He Mate Kohuru A Treacherous Murder from the perspective of Hori Ngatai. The poignant words reflect the despair as the Maori garrison realised they were being ambushed by numbers too great, but continue to fight on. Trevel Gardner-Hano and Nic Scott, also students from Aquinas College read Mo te Hunga - For the Fallen. Pastor Leanne Rolleston reflected on Romans 12:13 which encourages people to share what they have with people in need and to show hospitality. During the wreath laying at the base of the monument, Andrew Graham played a lament on his bagpipes - Flowers of the Forest. I was very pleased all around with today, says Buddy, and its so good to have the local school taking a bigger role in what happens and in the management of the reserve. In discussion with a lot of people, theyre saying the reserve deserves an upgrade and wed like to see something more fitting with what happened here." Students from Aquinas College laying a wreath. Photo: Fiona Sullivan Buddy adds that the Pukehinahina Charitable Trust have had a landscaping plan set aside for the battle field area. I think its time to dust that off and do something with it. Buddy says that this year is a real milestone going forward, a feeling that was also conveyed in Garry Webbers reflection on the day. The significance of today - when you looks at whats happening in the United States right now - its a time of coming together, says Webber, who noted that Aquinas College has incorporated more of the local history into their curriculum and were pleased to be involved in the event. And the more we bring it to peoples attention by promoting the Te Ranga commemoration day, then the better understanding for what were wanting to achieve, support diversity and bridge the gap between the haves and the have nots to make sure it is a better place for all. He contrasted the kiwi way with Mr Trumps way. Our way of building a community is far better than what Mr Trump is intending to do right now. Weve just come through Covid, where this wider community and in fact the whole of New Zealand came together to look after those in need regardless of what their background was. "Today was another example of how we can work together for the betterment of all and how we can make this place better for everyone, says Webber. Tina Salisburys words resonated with many who stood in silent respectful contemplation during the prayers and speeches. I commend Lincolns words to you on this day and in this place. And this is my hope, that as we stand here this morning, on the site where many died, and some still remain, that we too would remember, and honour what they gave their lives for; that we would continue to seek a shared way forward that begins with this foundation, may we now continue to walk this journey towards kotahitanga. Willy Pearson closed the gathering with a karakia, following which a morning tea was hosted by Aquinas College, rather than at Western Bay District Council as originally planned. Aquinas want to host that every year now, says Webber, who is delighted with the increased interest in, and recognition of, the significance of Te Ranga by the college. With the increasing demand in Pyes Pa for housing, the more recent streets have some interesting names: Te Ranga Memorial Drive, Puhirake Crescent, Penetaka Heights, Materawaho Way, and others. The choice of these names reflects the determination to commemorate some of Taurangas most important and tragic history., and acknowledges tangata whenua. Tina Salisburys quotes from Abraham Lincoln: But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced." It is for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honoured dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Whakaaria mai Whakaaria mai Tou ripeka ki au Tiaho mai Ra roto i te po Hei kona au Titiro atu ai Ora mate Hei au koe noho ai Mo te Hunga For the Fallen (by Laurence Binyon) E kore ratou e kaumatuatia Penei i a tatou kua mahue nei E kore hoki ratou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea inga ahuatanga o te wai te hekenga atu o te ra Tae noa kia te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou (Matou katoa muted) They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them We will remember them (Matou katoa muted) Abide with me Abide with me, fast falls the eventide The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide When other helpers fail and comforts flee Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away Change and decay in all around I see O Thou who changest not, abide with me I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me He Mate Kohuru A Treacherous Murder from the perspective of Hori Ngatai, a poem by Mia Thomas. They tell me to dig, I dig without spirit, This is not where the Pa should be Kari, Kari, Kari I hear the enemy Theyve come early, Our defences are woefully lacking Kari, Kari, Kari Their numbers are too great We are not prepared We must wait for the others Kari, Kari, Kari This is an ambush We lay down our tools and reach for our weapons. Enough! We fight Patu, Patu, Patu The enemy advance Their weapons are mighty They are ready We are not Pako, Pako, Pako We fight with honour We fight with mana We fight with hope Kakari, Kakari, Kakari Our brothers are falling Our comrades are late Victory is impossible Taui, Taui, Taui Puhirake lays lifeless Taratoa has passed on Kua hinga nga totara haemata Taui, Taui, Taui We must retreat if we are to survive Too much loss Too much suffering Kua parekura te hoariri e tatou He Mate Kohuru A treacherous murder. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal When the pandemic shuttered Lisa Freemans photography exhibition, she took it to the streetsOne Thread Broke is open on Freemans adobe wall at 847 Old Santa Fe Trail. The exhibition is running through July 17. Freemans visual statements feature self-portraits, flowers and landscapes plastered with such phrases as I Cry When I Say Hello and What Are the Most Important Questions. The 3-by-4-foot works interlace imagery and text in an interplay of tension connecting to the anxiety of a world in political and personal turmoil. Freeman first conceived of the exhibition as her masters in fine arts show. She is an MFA candidate at Sierra Nevada University. Originally slated for Santa Fes Visual Spaces, the exhibition was cancelled in the midst of the COVID-19 panic. I had a lot of options that were unsatisfying to me, Freeman said. I really needed to make a statement related to what was happening with this universalized anxiety and the destruction of the world. So the photographer turned to the streets, hoping her work will engage drive-by visitors, pedestrians and art enthusiasts. The photographs emerged from deeply personal places, Freeman said, much of it rooted in tragedy. In 2016, she was mugged near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and left with a traumatic brain injury, a severe concussion, PTSD and panic attacks. I couldnt think in a straight line, I couldnt organize my thoughts, she said. I felt mentally paralyzed. So I started this process of self-portraits, she continued. How do I move forward when I cant see myself any more? I felt like I didnt have full access to my brain, so I began taking these self-portraits. The sense of vagueness and mental paralysis; I cant tell you the depth of pain it creates. Freeman struggled with exposing such vulnerability, but hoped others would feel a connection with her experience. Her MFA degree projects and assignments drew her to artists known for self-revealing work, specifically the post-war prints and drawings of the German artist Kathe Kollwitz, who captured the impact of poverty, hunger and war on the working class. Like much of the text, One Thread Broke is an incomplete phrase the viewer can finish. Viewers can add and the world came crashing down and Im hanging by a thread, Freeman said. (George) Floyd got killed and we went nuts. One thread broke and the world changed. I Sold Myself Short, set amid a halo of treetops, could refer to relationships or jobs, she said. Its Why did I do that? Why did I accept that? Freeman said. The artists discovery of photography was serendipitous. When she was 9 or 10, she answered a comic book ad for greeting card sales and earned a Kodak Instamatic camera for her efforts. She remembers posing her grandmother for her first portrait. I dont want my work to be about tragedy and trauma, she said. But there is a common ground for all of us. A graduate of the University of Chicago with a bachelors degree in sculpture, Freeman also studied at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. Her work hangs in permanent collections in Santa Fes New Mexico Capitol Art Foundation Collection, the Longview Museum of Fine Art in Texas and the Robbins Center for Art in Washington, D.C. She moved to Santa Fe in 1994. The Centre and the Delhi government agreed on Sunday to revamp the action plan to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the national capital, laying emphasis on the need for more effective containment and tracing efforts, widening the scope of detecting infections and intensifying social distancing and surveillance at the ground level to tackle the outbreak at a time when the case count has risen to 59,746. Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting attended by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, lieutenant governor Anil Baijal, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan and other senior officials to discuss the action plan. The strategy has been prepared in consultation with AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Dr Balram Bhargava and Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul, according to people aware of the developments. An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said five key recommendations were: an improved containment tactic; wider tracing of a patients contacts; rapid antibody testing to gauge the prevalence of the disease; close involvement of the police to enforce social distancing norms; and inclusion of epidemiologists at the district level to augment the health care efforts. The Delhi Police commissioner will spearhead efforts to impose fines on people violating norms on social distancing and wearing face masks. The detailed discussions were needed as there is a need to have a foolproof implementation of this plan. Various layers of the government machinery will be involved in the implementation stage. We need smooth coordination as well as good management, the official said. Shah has held a series of meetings with Baijal, Kejriwal and senior officials over the past week over the strategy to augment Delhis health care infrastructure amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The infectious disease has so far killed 2,175 people in Delhi, with 31% of the total cases in the Capital being reported over the last week. The central government official said at the meeting that Delhi accounted for 24% of all new cases and 25% of the Covid-19 deaths reported in the country in the last two days, adding that there was a need to overhaul the strategy in the Capital. As part of the action plan, the Delhi government will revamp the way it decides containment zones and sets their boundaries, a second official present at the meeting said, asking not to be named. A high-level committee led by Dr Paul has given a timeline under which the Delhi government will prepare a strategy by Monday and form district-level teams by Tuesday to revise the strategy by June 26. The committee said that there should be 100% survey of all containment zones by June 30, and by July 6, there should be an extensive survey of the entire Capital, according to a statement by the home ministry. As of Sunday night, there were 261 containment zones in Delhi. Strict perimeter control is maintained in the containment zones, with restrictions on the movement of people. While the discussions acknowledged that Delhis contact-tracing efforts showed good results in early days of the outbreak, a decision was taken to expand the tracing beyond family members of an infected person, the official said. So, both contact-tracing and surveillance has to improve and for this purpose, the faculty and 3rd and 4th year students of Delhi hospitals will be engaged, said the official. Another senior official, who asked not to be named, underlined the urgent need for a push to contact tracing. We have noticed that in Delhi, 60% of Covid-19-related deaths occur within three days of admission in hospital. This clearly shows that we are lacking in surveillance, the official said. At the meeting, both Shah and Kejriwal approved the plan prepared by the experts. After the first meeting ended, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla held another meeting with senior officials of both Union and Delhi governments to chalk out the finer points to roll out the plan. Shortly after the meeting, which was attended by Kejriwal and Sisodia via video-conferencing, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia discussed key strategies with Union home minister Amit Shah on making contact tracing more robust and further strengthening of medical services in severely impacted areas. The document on the strategy said that while the case doubling rate at the national level improved to 20.7 days, cases in Delhi were doubling in 14.4 days. It has been observed that 57% of Delhis Covid-19 cases are coming from either clusters or containment zones, the second official said. This indicates a serious problem in the current strategy, the official added. The third point of the fresh plan said that rapid antibody tests also referred to as serological surveillance because the diagnosis involves blood samples will be conducted in the Capital at a wider scale from the middle of next week to find out the prevalence of the disease. It was decided that the serological survey will be conducted between June 27 and July 10, and 20,000 samples will be collected to analyse the scale of the spread of Covid-19. The rapid tests show the presence of antibodies in an individuals bloodstream, showing whether the person may have been infected by the Sars-CoV-2 virus at some point. Under the fourth point, punitive action will be taken strictly against people not wearing masks and not following social distancing norms. This will be led by the Delhi Police commissioner. Fines will be imposed if anyone is found violating these rules and a renewed drive will be conducted by district administrations to spread awareness, the second official said. As Delhi entered Unlock 1.0, we have noticed that in many cases, the strict social distancing norms are not being maintained. The plan says that the campaign must go on asking people to adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour. And if they dont follow the norms, punitive action will be taken, the official added. The fifth point involves district-level governance structures and their engagement in the fight against Covid-19. There are 11 epidemiologists with the Delhi government and they will be pressed into action. The district commissioners will also play a larger role, said the first official. Shah, according to the official statement, said that there should be an analysis pertaining to every Covid-19 death in the Capital, including the number of days a person was in hospital. The analysis will also assess if the deceased was in home isolation. The remarks come a day after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, chaired by Baijal, withdrew its order directing that all Covid-19 cases, including asymptomatic and mild cases, be admitted to hospitals. Shah said that all positive cases will have to go to Covid Care Centres for an assessment before a decision on home isolation is taken. Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2019 shows a view of the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said it is expected to deploy emergency financing for 70 countries by Friday as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ripple across the globe. IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said at a virtual press briefing Thursday that "tomorrow we expect that number to be 70, so 70 countries supported by the IMF with emergency financing roughly about 25 billion dollars." "This emergency financing is very fast-disbursing, countries receive the money within days, it does not carry traditional IMF conditionality," Rice told reporters. "It is money to be spent on paying for things like nurses' and doctors' salaries, and equipment, and medical equipment to deal with the crisis." For the Asia and Pacific region, seven countries have received emergency financing totaling about 1.5 billion dollars, Rice said. And in Sub-Saharan Africa, 28 countries have received emergency financing totaling almost 10 billion dollars, Rice said, noting that the figure is much higher than the IMF's average yearly lending of 1 billion dollars to the region. Over 100 countries have asked the IMF for emergency financing amid the pandemic, and the multilateral lender said earlier this year that it had doubled access to its emergency facilities to meet the expected demand. In mid-April, the IMF projected in its World Economic Outlook that the global economy was on track to contract by 3 percent in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, calling it the "worst recession" since the Great Depression in the 1930s. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in May that the multilateral lender would "very likely" further cut global growth forecasts, as incoming data from many countries was worse than the IMF's "already pessimistic projections." The updated forecasts will be released next week. When Ayesha Vardag wed her second husband Stephen Bence in a lavish ceremony at Winchester Cathedral in 2014, their first act as a married couple was to cut their wedding cake. It had three tiers chocolate for part of it, lemon for part of it, all covered with white icing decorated with roses lovingly made by my mother, who had done a special course in confectionery-making, says Ayesha. The second thing they did as a married couple at the wedding reception again with great public fanfare was to sign a hefty legal document stating what they would be entitled to if they were to divorce. What we did was sign a pre-nup just before the marriage, then on the day itself, so we could do it in front of our friends, the post-nup, says Ayesha. UK divorce lawyers revealed post-nups are becoming a trend for warring couples as lockdown eases, because the legal agreement can be beneficial for steadying marriages (file image) The reason for this belt-and-braces approach was that Ayesha knew that if a pre-nuptial agreement is followed by a valid post-nuptial agreement, English courts are more likely to hold the parties to its terms. The post-nup spelt out how the couples finances would be distributed and the country in which she and her husband would like the divorce to go through, as well as rules for social media and confidentiality. For us, it was very much a public declaration of our independence and love for each other, says Ayesha. We had made a choice to arrange our own financial affairs rather than have them determined by a court. As a leading divorce lawyer to the rich and famous, who was herself divorced from her first husband, Ayesha has inside knowledge. I am extremely conscious of what people go through when they have their financial affairs determined by a court, she says. Its very costly, very stressful, very painful. If you sign a post-nuptial agreement, you are doing everything you can to keep your private affairs in the private domain. We have determined in the best of times, when we love and respect each other, what we think is fair. And if the worst happens, we are prepared. We take this out of the drawer and its all sorted out very quickly. The post-nup, like its older sister the pre-nup, lays out how a couples property, assets and income are to be distributed in the event of death or divorce. Nicolas Granatino (pictured left) who signed a pre-nup agreeing not to make any claims on the fortune of his wife Katrin Radmacher (pictured), had his divorce settlement slashed by the UK Supreme Court The difference is that a post-nup, as the name suggests, can be undertaken at any time after the marriage ceremony. According to divorce lawyers, a post-nup can be a way to steady a rocky marriage which is why they are becoming a trend for warring couples as they emerge from lockdown. I have never in all my years of being a divorce lawyer seen it so manically busy, says Vanessa Lloyd Platt, of Lloyd Platt & Co, whose firm has been dealing with a 25 per cent increase in divorce inquiries since the first week of lockdown. Peak times for divorce are normally when people come back from a holiday or Christmas. We have never had such a peak at this time of year before. She lists the pressures: Being confined to home, home-schooling, being in a competitive relationship my work is more important than your work. For a huge number of couples there has been this horrendous conflict. And for some couples, choosing a post-nup rather than launching into a costly divorce can be a marriage-saver. Vanessa adds that it has a calming effect. If you want to know where you stand, if you want to give your relationship a go but also have a document that you know you can both rely on, so if you do finally decide thats it, the deal is set in stone, a post-nup may help, she says. Adele Pledger, a senior associate at law firm Withers, agrees. Adele Pledger who is a senior associate at law firm Withers, claims people are becoming more open about discussing financial circumstances (file image) For people who want certainty as to what will happen in the event of a divorce, entering into a post-nup may remove that ogre of the unknown and enable them to try to focus on making the relationship work. You can have a situation where a wife doesnt have anything in her name, her husband has everything and she wants to make the marriage work but is scared about what would happen if they were to divorce. Shoring up her position with a post-nup can give her the confidence to focus on the relationship. She knows that if her marriage does go to pot, she will be able to survive financially. Both pre-nups and post-nups have grown in popularity since the landmark case Radmacher v Granatino changed the law in 2010. Nicolas Granatino, a French investment banker who became an Oxford University researcher, had signed a pre-nup agreeing not to make any claims on the fortune of his wife Katrin Radmacher, a German paper company heiress, if they split. But in their divorce in 2008 he was awarded 5.85 million by a High Court judge. However, the UK Supreme Court ruled that their pre-nuptial agreement was binding, and his divorce settlement was slashed to 1 million. This gave pre-nups legal weight for the first time in UK history. The agreements are now likely to be upheld in British courts provided they have been signed by both parties without duress and alongside legal advice. This raised awareness of pre-nups has been responsible for the rise of post-nups, says Adele Pledger. People are becoming a bit more open to talking about financial circumstances compared with ten years ago. There is less stigma. Alice Wightman, a senior solicitor at Stowe Family Law, says: In the past five years we have had triple the number of enquiries about both pre-nups and post-nups. But why would you sign a marriage agreement after you have got married? The usual scenario, says Alice, is that a husband or wife has been unfaithful and is very regretful and the other spouse says: I will stay in this marriage but on my terms. Vanessa Lloyd Platt of Lloyd Platt & Co, explained that a lot of women who have been in very high-profile marriages have seen their men stay in line because of post-nuptial agreements (file image) If there is further adultery or the marriage finally doesnt work out, they make sure they are financially better off. This is known as the vengeful post-nup. The financially weaker party typically the wife can tell the richer party that she will get a substantial amount of his money if he should go off with a new lover. In some cases, an existing pre-nup is upgraded to a post-nup after an affair. We would revise the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement to be more favourable to the wounded, poorer party, but also reinforce that by having a post-nuptial agreement as a kind of mirroring document, says Alice. Vanessa Lloyd Platt says: In America, unlike here, quite punitive clauses can be written into post-nuptial agreements. For example, there may be an infidelity clause if you stray, youll have to pay me an extra 1 million, 10 million, whatever. A lot of women who have been in very high-profile marriages have found that this is something that keeps their men in line. And in fact there are even more stupid clauses, such as if you force me to have your parents over, then there is a penalty. English courts take a different view, however, and revenge clauses are not always enforceable. Vanessa explains: What we tend to do if we are asked to put in a clause that may not be binding under English law or recognised by the courts as one they would enforce, is to call it severable from the rest. This means the fact that there is a clause in the post-nuptial agreement that is a bit daft doesnt render the whole document unenforceable. The increase in post-nups in Britain is also attributed to the perception that divorce law in this country is greatly disadvantageous to wealthy men (file image) Post-nuptial agreements are mainly used by wealthy people because they have assets they want to protect yachts, houses, pensions, bank accounts, cars, jewellery. But they are also popular with middle-class mid-lifers on second marriages who want to ring-fence what they built up before the marriage. You can put in clauses about children as well, says Vanessa. For example, provision for school fees, so there will always be provision for children (in the event that you have them). The trigger tends to be a forthcoming windfall, says Adele. If someone is set to inherit a substantial amount of money, shares or property, they want to ring-fence that from their spouse in the event that their marriage breaks down. But some may wonder why a woman would need to shore up her finances ahead of divorce. Wouldnt she be given half of everything anyway? Doesnt English law have an egalitarian attitude to the work of mothers and the job of raising children? The starting point should be 50-50, but no one knows with absolute certainty with any case, says Vanessa. You can have ten different judges looking at the same facts and coming up with different decisions. Another reason for the increase in post-nups in Britain is the perception that divorce law in this country is greatly disadvantageous to wealthy men. There have been several very high divorce awards to ex-wives of super-rich tycoons. For example, the former wife of an oil and gas trader was awarded 453 million in 2017 in one of the highest divorce settlements ever agreed by a UK court. Londons status as the place where ex-wives are looked after financially frightens wealthy foreigners. Wealthy Russians, say, who want to move about, are worried that if they come to this country they will be up against our divorce laws. So we get a lot of those people wanting post-nups before they move here, says Vanessa. Adele said talking about a hypothetical divorce can itself lead to martial breakdown in some instances (file image) But the danger is that a post-nup can itself lead to marital breakdown. Talking about a hypothetical divorce can sometimes bring the idea to the forefront, says Adele. It does raise the question: why are you thinking about having to protect this money? What are you planning? Why are you worried? Ive had some couples who have been papering over the cracks for years and as soon as the topic of divorce comes up, that paper is soon ripped off. But often if you drill down you find that what lies at the heart of a post-nup is the bloodline. Alice Wightman says: If you receive an inheritance of, say, 100,000, the standard thing you do if youre married is use it for the benefit of the family you pay off the mortgage or buy an investment property and it becomes a joint asset. And then if you separate in a years time after ten, 20 years of marriage, that is divided equally, pretty much. The money the family had guarded for the next generation can be dissipated in a subsequent relationship. Ive had experience of elderly parents wanting to gift money to children but refusing to do so unless there was a post-nup in place, says Adele. And while the prospect of a sizeable inheritance can smooth potential conflict for a couple, it can ratchet up the tension between in-laws. For example, says Adele, if the wife says: Look darling, Dad wants to gift me 1 million but hes asked us to sign this agreement just in case anything happens. The husband has an incentive to agree. The cost of a post-nup usually ranges between 3,000 and 10,000 plus VAT, depending on the assets involved (file image) But it can cause a bit of awkwardness between father and son-in-law because it suggests a mistrust or lack of faith in the relationship. Yet for parents who are mistrustful of their childs partner, a post-nup can signal peace of mind. [A parent will say] Look, this money is coming to you and I am not comfortable [with your partner]. You need to get yourself covered, says Alice. Its a very emotive issue. Leading divorce lawyer Peter Jones agrees that children can come under tremendous pressure from parents, particularly if a family business is at stake. [The parents will say] Weve got to have an agreement because I dont want the family wealth being attacked if something should go wrong. What we dont want is to suddenly find ourselves with an ex-spouse as a director or, worse, a shareholder. The cost of a post-nup is not inconsiderable it usually ranges between 3,000 and 10,000 plus VAT, depending on the assets involved. But for some, it is a price worth paying. The average cost of divorce in the UK is 14,561, but if property is involved, the cost can increase significantly. We can be talking about protecting family wealth of millions, says Adele. I often say to people, you have to see a pre- or post-nup as an insurance policy. You pay a premium for something you hope will never have to be used. But the cost of a post-nup will be far outweighed by your potential exposure on divorce. As many as 57 minor girls have tested positive for the novel coronavirus at a government-run childrens shelter home in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, with five of them found to be pregnant. Two more girls who did not have the virus were also found to be pregnant, officials have confirmed. The information has sent the UP administration into a frenzy, even as officials said the girls were pregnant before they were brought to the shelter home. The shelter home, located at Swaroop Nagar, has been sealed by the district administration and the staff has been quarantined. The administration has clarified that the five girls were pregnant before they were brought to the shelter home from various districts. Three of them have been admitted at the Rama Medical College, while two were sent to Halett Hospital. District Magistrate Brahmdev Tiwari said all the girls have been quarantined at Covid hospitals as per the protocol. Out of these five girls were pregnant. They were brought here from various districts under POCSO Act at the orders of Child Welfare Committee. They were already pregnant when they were brought here, he said. Kanpur SSP Dinesh Kumar also said that these minor girls were already pregnant when they were brought to the shelter home. They were sent here on the recommendation of the Child Welfare Committees of various districts. Cases were registered in this regard in their respective districts and trials are underway. No girl got pregnant after coming to Kanpur or during her stay at the shelter home, he said. The girls at the shelter home have been exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms for a few days, and the local administration informed the state health department about this Friday. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi took up the issue of the girls being found pregnant and alleged that the government was suppressing facts. The case at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur (Bihar) is in front of the country. A similar case also emerged in UPs Deoria. So, for another such case to emerge shows that in the name of probes, everything is suppressed. But there are many inhuman incidents happening at state-run child shelter homes, she wrote in a Facebook post. Staff at Channel 4 have been left fearful for the future after lay-offs and wage delays at the cash-strapped television station. The entire production team for the channels new flagship programme The Steph Show have been stood down amid fears for its long-term future. And some of the networks remaining workforce have been left worrying over mortgage payments after staff were told their monthly payday is being delayed. Production staff on the Channel 4 programme The Steph Show have been laid off The Steph Show was launched just three months ago from presenter Steph McGoverns home, but then pulled from schedules because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Now, production staff some of whom left big jobs at the BBCs Breakfast Show to join McGovern have been laid off. Channel 4 bosses say they hope the programme will return in September, but well-placed insiders suggest it could face a permanent axing. A spokesperson for the programme, which has been off the air since the beginning of May, said: We are working towards the production of The Steph Show as it was originally intended with a live audience from a studio location in Leeds in the autumn. Production was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent filming restrictions. On production resuming, our ambition is that large numbers of crew will return. The Steph Show was launched just three months ago from presenter Steph McGoverns home But one source said: The excuse being given is Covid, that they cant film because there needs to be an audience. But ITVs Loose Women usually has a live audience and they are still filming without one. It is all very strange. It is also quite curious that the whole team are not required, with many now actively looking for other work. Meanwhile, Channel 4 staff have been left furious after being told their payday has been changed so that they are paid four weeks in arrears. After receiving their salaries on August 15, they wont be paid again until six weeks later on September 30. The change is understood to have been made for cash-flow reasons, but some staff have been left fearing they will miss their mortgage payment dates. One said: Some people live hand-to-mouth and dont have savings to get them through at this difficult time. The Steph Show is just one casualty with 120 staff furloughed from the troubled station However, a Channel 4 spokesman said they have provided interest-free loans if needed, adding: Weve given staff three months notice of the change and have put in place a range of measures to support them and mitigate any financial impact. Channel 4, which is owned by the Government but funded commercially through advertising, has been facing financial meltdown for months following a sharp decline in revenue. Last month, it was revealed that the network has furloughed 120 staff after its advertising sales fell by 65 per cent in May, forcing it to discuss drawing down into a new 75 million loan in a desperate bid to stave off collapse. That came after the channels programming budget was cut by 150 million, with less than 10 million to spend until the end of 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:48:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) launched an attack on a Syrian military position in eastern Syrian on Sunday, killing eight soldiers and capturing three others, a war monitor reported. The IS attacked the Syrian military site on the outskirts of the city of al-Mayadeen in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, engaging in battles with the Syrian army, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attacks are the latest in a string of offensives launched by the IS in the desert region in eastern Syria. The IS lost key areas across the country, but sleeper cells and some groups in the desert region often launch attacks on Syrian forces. Enditem A new COVID-19 discharge guideline released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that persons infected with COVID-19 who show mild or no symptoms after 10 to 14 days are not infectious. What the new WHO scientific evidence has established means that after 10 days of the disease onset, asymptomatic, or patients who do not show symptoms stand a very limited chance of transmitting the disease. Following this new scientific evidence, the WHO has announced new discharge guidelines for COVID-19 which many countries, including the European Union (EU) have started implementing. The Ghana Health Service announced on Thursday it would adhere to the new discharge advisory by the WHO, and this has resulted in a significant rise in the number of recoveries in Ghana. The latest figure released by the Ghana Health Service this evening showed about 10,074, who were subjected to the latest WHO recovery guidelines have recovered, leaving Ghana with 3558 active cases. Prior to the new scientific evidence which informed the WHO's new discharge guidelines, infected persons on treatment required to record two consecutive negative tests before they were discharged even if they showed mild or no symptoms after 10 to 14 days. But with new WHO scientific evidence showing that remnants of the virus in the system get too weak to be contagious after 10-14 days of mild or no symptoms, such infected persons are now to be discharged after their first negative. Ghana Health Service Revised Discharge Guidelines Following the new discharge guidelines announced by the WHO, the Ghana Health Service has announced an amendment to Ghana's COVID-19 Discharge Policy in conformity with new global guidelines. Ghana was one of the few countries which strictly adhered to the old discharge system of allowing patients, with or without symptoms to remain at treatment centres until a second test came out negative before their discharge. Addressing the media in Accra on Thursday, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, said with the amendment, asymptomatic (patients without symptoms) who are admitted would be made to go home after 14 days of treatment without a second test. He disclosed, however, that their second test, which was previously conducted at the hospital before their discharge, would now be conducted on the patient from home while they are under self-observation. He further disclosed that under the new discharge guidelines, symptomatic patients will be on admission for 14 days and then discharged after a minimum of three days when they do not show any symptoms. Having started implementing the new discharge policy recommended by the WHO, Dr. Aboagye said 146 patients who were discharged had been followed up and on the average, they all tested negative 14 days after their samples had been taken and that made the new policy worthwhile. Dr Kuma Aboagye further explained that being discharged from the treatment centre did not mean one had completely recovered from the virus. He said that meant a person had gone through treatment after testing positive and had tested the first negative, was well and awaiting the second negative result to be declared recovered. Just as the new WHO scientific evidence revealed, the Ghana Health Service boss stressed that people who were discharged posed no threat of transmitting the virus to the public so there is no need to continue to detain them at treatment centres. Ghana's policy of conducting a second test from home is an improvement on the new WHO guidelines which say that patients with only one negative who show no symptoms are free. 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 A scientific study published in April 2020 in Science Advances alerted the world about the dire impact of Asia's booming road network on the continent's tiger population. According to it, 24,000 km of new roads are to be built in Asia's tiger conservation landscapes or TCL's across the continent's 13 tiger range countries by 2050. Such expansion of roads would cut off tiger populations from each other and also make tigers and their prey more vulnerable to death by poaching, vehicular collisions, etc. Tiger experts in India and Nepal were certainly concerned about the negative impacts of growing linear infrastructural facilities on the tiger populations in their respective countries. But what about the Siberian tigers in Russia? To know how roads threaten Russia's tiger populations, World Atlas spoke with Anton Semyonov, Roads Project Manager, ANO WCS-Russia. A Tiger With A Large Home Range Bikin river valley, Russia, home to a significant population of Siberian tigers. Image credit: Olga Ukhvatkina According to WCS-Russia, the Siberian or Amur tiger is today surviving in only a fragment of its former range. It was once widespread across the vast expanses of the Russian Far East, Northeast China, Korean Peninsula, and even parts of Northeast Mongolia. Today, only around 350 to 400 adults and 100 cubs of this tiger subspecies struggle to remain alive in the wild in the boreal and temperate mixed forests in southern Khabarovsky Krai and Primorsky Krai of Russia. There is also a tiny wild population of about 15 to 20 Amur tigers living in the forests bordering Russia and Northeast China. The wild Siberian tigers also have a much larger home range than other subspecies of tigers. A male Siberian tiger's territory size can be up to 2000 square km while females need around 250 to 450 square km area to successfully raise their young. "Because prey densities are naturally lower in this northern realm, Siberian tigers must range over much larger areas, making almost all protected areas too small to support a viable population. Therefore, a large percentage (perhaps 60-70%) of Amur tigers live outside protected areas across a single large contiguous forest of approximately 155,000 km2. If the Amur tiger is to survive, this forested habitat must remain intact," said Anton Semyonov. Logging Roads Are Lethal To Siberian Tigers Felling of trees in the north of Primorsky Krai in Russia. Work of woodworking machines moving through a logging road. Image credit: Alexander Khitrov/Shutterstock.com Given their requirements of such vast territories, does land fragmentation by building roads pose a major threat to this subspecies of tiger as proposed in the above-mentioned study? "The Asia-wide study on the adverse impacts of roads focused mainly on the construction of major highways that act to impede the movement of tigers and fragment populations of tigers. There are virtually no major road construction projects of this sort in the Russian Far East. Hence, the problem is not highways but logging roads that are increasing in density and expanding access to what was once remote, safe havens for tigers and their prey," informed Semyonov. "In Russia, the roads themselves are not a problem as tigers actually use forest roads as travel corridors. The problem is in how people use the roads for the illegal harvest of timber and poaching of prey and tigers themselves. These roads have increased in density some 20 times in the past 30 years, making all wildlife much more vulnerable to poaching," he continued. According to Semyonov, these logging roads are needed by the timber industry as clear-cutting in not practiced in the Russian Far East. Instead, selective cutting removes a small proportion of standing trees, leaving the forest still present and productive for tigers and prey. However, this approach comes at a cost. An ever-growing network of logging roads is needed to support this activity. "The logging itself is not a major threat, but the roads that are needed to provide access to the loggers are deadly to the tigers," said Semyonov. "Unfortunately, existing Russian Forestry Codes do not provide timber companies the right to close down logging roads after they are done harvesting an area, making it difficult for these companies to protect their leases from illegal logging and poaching," he further mentioned. Vehicular Collisions Are Less Documented So while heightened poaching due to increased accessibility becomes a fatal trap for Siberian tigers, the death of these tigers from vehicular collisions is rare. "Collisions with vehicles do happen, but they are rare events. They generally have little impact on the health and number of tigers and their prey. Unfortunately, there was a fatal collision this year on February 15th, 2020. A one-year-old tiger was struck and killed by an inter-city bus in northern Primorye. There are also numerous cases of ungulates (major tiger prey) being hit by vehicles, but there are no federal or regional statistics on this," said Semyonov. Will Roads Create A Roadblock For Siberian Tigers In The Future? "Improvements in the road network is ongoing, but in general the network of highways and access roads are not a major obstacle to the movement of Siberian tigers, unlike that in countries like India. The busiest highway in the region, linking the cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, is largely in marginal tiger habitat so the threat there is low. Our problem is a different, more insidious one. A single logging road looks like it would have no impact on tigers, but the way people use these roads collectively makes them deadlier than major highways," said Semyonov. So, what are the ways to mitigate the issue? WCS-Russia recommends the following actions to improve logging road management: According to reports, the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the USS Ashville are in submarine familiarization (SUBFAM) last June 14, to train the Blue Ridge crew on how to fight alongside a submarine with increase South China Sea tensions. The Blue Ridge is a command ship that processes data received from the staging area of US assets. It includes how subs would operate in several conditions. It is also coordinating with deadly US attacks that are in the pacific, reported in Navy Mil. Before deployment of the 3 carrier strike groups, several US attack subs were on pacific patrol. This led to intelligence that guided when to unleash the US Flotilla. In turn, the Chinese were spooked by subs, which they could not detect with the carriers' appearance made Beijing jumpier. Lt. Cmdr. Robert Gore, the 7th Fleet submarine operations officer, said the training was to teach the USS Ridge Crew, how a sub's profile will be at periscope depth and especially with PLAN active in the South China Sea. Another is learning how a sub can hide at that depth, confirmed in Hire a Veteran. On the Blue Ridge, the ship has systems that incept, sort out, and figure out what the data tells about the enemy's movement. Once the data has been assembled, and analyzed the system will be used as tactical info for attack or defense. Working with a sub is different, so the training gained is invaluable. Mention in Pacom. Captain Craig Sola, Blue Ridge's commanding officer added that knowing what look for. He stressed that the Blue Ridge has one of the most advanced systems of its kind on any ship in operation. Learning how subs work gives more insight on countering them in the open seas via the naval submarine service. Also read: China Thinks US Navy's Three Aircraft Carriers Are Merely for Show, Although It Threatens Them Submarines are the most lethal threats to surface ships, the Blue Ridge specialists can now utilize all the command and control to detect a slinking sub under the water. Tracking a sub-surface sub is just as important with its periscope that's barely out of the waterline. One of the participants, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jeremiah Ramos, said this is the first time to track a submarine. It has given more insight into how to detect and sift the data, which indicates a submarine is prowling nearby. He is part of the watchstander combat information center. The commanding officer of the USS Ashville stated why the USS Blue Ridge training is crucial. Cmdr. Thomas Bullock, USS Asheville commander, explains that the fast attack working with US 7th Fleet Flagship is a rare chance for the secretive submarine service of the US Navy. Their cooperation will enable more effective joint operations. One of the advantages of co-training is to make readiness for anything that includes how attacks by forces in the field to engage enemies of the US interests to bring the fight to them. The Ashville called the "The Ghost of the Coast" and one of a quartet of Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines assigned to the commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15, at the Guam Naval base. This unit the CSS-15, submarines, and tenders are the spearhead of the US Navy in Pacific Ops are the first to meet enemies and interests against the US in all global operations. USS Blue Ridge is responsible for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, another job of ship and crew is to keep it all synced with allies in the region. Working with the USS Ashville gives the command ship another dimension, cited in Commander US 7th Fleet. Related article: Three US Navy Aircraft Carriers Dispatched in the Pacific Causing Chaos in Beijing @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Three people were stabbed to death and three others seriously injured after a man went on a rampage in a park in central Reading on Saturday, which was treated as a terror attack by Scotland Yard on Sunday, adding to public concern amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The man has been identified in reports as Khairi Saadallah, 25, of Libyan origin. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was appalled and sickened by the incident. The UKs terrorism threat level was lowered in November 2019 from severe to substantial, which means an attack is likely. The attack took place on Saturday night in the Forbury Gardens in central Reading, which is about 65 km west of London. Witnesses said the park at the time was full of people, when the man walked through, shouted something and slashed at people. Neil Basu, the head of counter terrorism policing at Scotland Yard, said: From our inquiries so far, officers have found nothing to suggest that there was anyone else involved in this attack and presently we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident. He added: Although the motivation for this horrific act is far from certain counter terrorism policing have taken responsibility for leading the investigation. The local Thames Valley police sought video footage of the incident from the public, and urged people not circulate them on social media. Chief constable John Campbell: I am deeply saddened by the events of last night. This was a truly tragic incident and the thoughts of Thames Valley Police are with all those who have been affected. Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community. I would urge the public to avoid the area at this time and thank the community for their patience. We will let you know as soon as the area is back open. I would also ask that the public avoid speculation, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mithun Chakraborty was worried for his family as the the 'only earning member' during the pandemic Executives from 4 Beijing hospitals summoned for inadequate COVID-19 prevention work Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 11:48:29 Executives at four hospitals in Beijing were summoned by the local authorities for inadequate COVID-19 prevention work on Thursday, the same day a nurse at another Beijing hospital was confirmed for infection. According to a notice published online by the Beijing Health Commission on Saturday, the executives from four hospitals, including the Beijing Shijitan Hospital in Haidian district and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Chaoyang district, and related officials in charge of four districts, including Daxing and Pinggu districts, were summoned to discuss problems in prevention works. The notice did not mention specific problems at the medical institutions, but told other hospitals to focus on epidemic prevention work amid the outbreak of COVID-19 cases at hospitals. A nurse who works in the emergency department of Peking University International Hospital in Changping district was reported to have been infected. Soon afterwards, the hospital was sealed off, a regular press conference on Beijing epidemic prevention works revealed on Friday. After new case of medic infection, some Beijing hospitals, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), has provided nucleic acid tests to all medical workers, Health Times reported in Beijing. An employee of the PUMCH told the Health Times that all tests were completed within two days and results are all negative. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We knew we were finally in for some good news on Friday when RTE's George Lee could barely stop himself beaming as he described the easing of coronavirus restrictions. The Taoiseach, who'd arrived to the podium earlier with his hair all askew to show us we were all in it together, had started off on a sombre note, talking about the fear in our darkest moments, about how bad things might get at the start of all this. But we'd come so far; we could now look forward to returning to the nation's pubs, restaurants and gyms once more. "Never again will we take a haircut for granted," he said solemnly. Taoiseach, I feel your pain - I look like Simba from The Lion King. And I welcome the easing of lockdown as the country is on its knees from a social and economic point of view. People are starved of connection. Businesses are starved of cash. We need this. Read More But the order in which we're doing things seems singularly peculiar. Haircuts before mammograms. Pubs before schools. In fact, there appears to exist an inverse relationship between how important something is and how quickly it may restart. So, vitally important cancer screening and special needs education? Oh, I'd say we'll have that up and running by the autumn. Probably. Possibly. Most likely. I'm nearly sure-ish. Chicken and chips and a pint of Bulmers? No problem - table for six Monday week at 7pm? I can't fathom how we're able to deliver services that involve large groups - in face-to-face settings, indoors - for sporting, religious and social reasons from next week. (Mass gatherings of 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors will be allowed from June 29, 500 people outdoors from July 20). But we can't deliver crucial health and education to people for several months after that. The only difference I can discern between the two is the former is delivered by the poorly paid, un-unionised private sector and the latter is clearly not. So bar staff, baristas and barbers will now join retail staff on the frontline, interacting with the general public for low or minimum wages, while we keep hearing how our schools may be only able to open one day a week or with only half the number of students. This is despite the WHO, the ECDC and the CDC saying that children are not a significant source of viral transmission. For the love of God, please let the programme for government pass so we can get some sensible Greens into power to sort this flaky lot out. You wouldn't get Eamon Ryan bizarrely quoting lines from old movies in a state of the nation address. He'd never put his foot in it like that. We've done some things well in this pandemic and some things not so well. We took calm, decisive, action reasonably early. The government messaging was generally clear. They brought most of the people with them, in terms of modifying behaviour, and we managed to suppress the spreading virus, avoid a surge of cases and prevent our ICUs being overrun. On the other hand, we failed to act quickly enough to protect nursing home residents. We had a dangerous shortage of PPE that meant a quarter of all cases were in health care workers. We mismanaged returnees from epicentres abroad, so north Italy and Cheltenham spread directly to north Dublin and Charleville. We made a complete mess of the masks issue. And our test and trace system wasn't thorough or speedy enough to be fit for purpose - so we lost control of containment early on. Without the citizens of Ireland stepping up by locking down, we'd have seen thousands more deaths here. We were told on Friday we still need to exercise personal responsibility in the areas of DATE - Distance (keep two metres apart); Activity (wash your hands and wear a mask); Time (don't linger long with people); and Environment (outside is way less risky than inside). But my fear is this: so excited are we by our new-found ability to go for a curry and a glass of plonk that we'll allow it to distract us from what's still missing. We're being bribed with haircuts to stop us dwelling on the fact that around the country our kids got their school reports last week and they were littered with comments like "I never received X's end of year exam", and "Y did not engage well with online learning". Or the fact that cancer patients are still not receiving life-saving immunoglobulin infusions - but we can now get Botox injections. When we look to our neighbouring countries we can rightly say we haven't done as badly. But Boris Johnson and Donald Trump set a low bar. More than self-congratulatory pints and looking at where we'll book our staycation, we need to focus on what's still left to do. Especially as we're not out of the woods yet. A second wave coinciding with the flu season could make this weekend's good news look very premature indeed. So sort out our kids' education. Sort out health care for non-Covid illness. Make masks mandatory. And sort out and speed up the test and trace system. On Friday, the Taoiseach somewhat disrespectfully quoted the movie Mean Girls in response to a public challenge by a Hollywood actor - in the way we used to challenge each other in college to insert a silly word into a presentation as a student dare. I suspect he was hoping that those who would consider such movie citations glib when discussing a global pandemic would miss the reference, and those who got it wouldn't consider it flippant. (He has previously quoted Lord of the Rings and Terminator when addressing the nation about Covid-19.) Well, in the words of Spider-Man, Taoiseach, with great power comes great responsibility. Maybe stop with the in-jokes until you've finished the job. President Trump returned to the campaign trail Saturday night with a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that lasted over an hour and a half and made few mentions of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Trump used the speech to attempt to create a contrast between himself and Republicans as "the party of law and order" as opposed to what he calls the "radical left Democrats." "The choice in 2020 is very simple. Do you want to bow before the left wing mob or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans?" Mr. Trump said. Mr. Trump touted the National Guard being deployed in various cities during recent protests, something his administration has pushed for repeatedly. He mentioned the so-called "autonomous zone" created by protesters in Seattle, which has become a favorite topic on Fox News, saying he was willing to send in troops. But, he said, "I may be wrong, but it's probably better for us to just watch that disaster." US-POLITICS-TRUMP-VOTE-2020 President Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Mr. Trump claimed the "unhinged left mob" wants to "desecrate our monuments, tear down our statues and cancel anyone who does not conform to their demands." He said protesters want to "destroy our heritage." He threatened to create a one-year jail term for anyone who burned an American flag. "If Biden is elected, he will surrender your country to these monsters," Mr. Trump declared. Mr. Trump came onstage shortly after 8 p.m. and insisted "the silent majority is stronger than ever." While the campaign had insisted 1 million tickets had been requested, the BOK Center did not appear full and Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence did not speak outside to an overflow crowd as originally planned. As for the ongoing pandemic, Mr. Trump called coronavirus testing a "double-edge sword" because it created more positive numbers. "That's the bad part, when you do testing to that extent, you find more people, so I say to people, slow the testing down please," Mr. Trump said. Health experts say more testing is needed to identify those infected so they can be isolated to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Story continues Mr. Trump also continued to blame China for the pandemic, saying there are a lot of different names but it should be called the "Chinese virus." He also used the term "kung flu." Asian Americans have faced an increase in assaults and verbal abuse during the pandemic. Mr. Trump didn't talk about the shutdown in great detail except to say "we got to open schools in the fall." Despite the record high unemployment numbers, Mr. Trump touted the economy and insisted that "your 401ks and money itself would be worthless" under a Biden presidency. Mr. Trump also described his side of a pair of viral videos that showed him walking slowly down a ramp at West Point and awkwardly drinking a glass of water during his commencement address at the Military Academy. At one point during the story, he drank a glass of water as the crowd cheered "four more years!" Ahead of the rally, a combination of volunteers and staff from local health authorities (including the Tulsa County Health Department) handed out blue surgical masks to attendees. Everyone who wore a mask was also handed a Trump-Pence sticker. Donning masks, gloves, and in some cases, lab coats, these individuals also conducted no-contact forehead temperature checks under sterile-looking white tents. Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh confirmed to CBS News that six members of the president's advance team in Tulsa had tested positive for COVID-19. According to the campaign, the staffers were immediately quarantined and would not have contact with any rally attendees. Inside the arena, traffic appeared free flowing as attendees shuffled past tables of hand sanitizer, which was optional, and treated as such. Volunteers handed out tiny "germX" bottles, though tables also came equipped with strong sanitizer that stung to the touch. A row of water bottles and portable toilets appeared next as supporters marched past a giant "Trump Pence//Welcome to Tulsa" billboard. Those outside the arena were crammed between heavy duty steel barriers. A band played loudly on a stage under a green and blue light show. Audiences were gathered in a mosh-pit style. Attendees told CBS News they wanted to hear "unity" from Mr. Trump. For some, that meant an "end to looting and rioting." For others, that meant "we need to do something about the police." Concerns about the coronavirus again ranged from "it's a hoax" to "it's a serious concern, but I could not miss this." One woman said she's going to stay in a hotel Saturday night because her niece is frightened by the prospect of more protests. While steel barriers funneled crowds into confined spaces to give the illusion of a packed house, the surrounding areas were sparse and free flowing. There were scattered protests outside the arena. For about a half hour, both Black Lives Matter protesters and Trump supporters shouted over one another then rallied down the road to a public entryway into the rally. A line of police blocked one entrance, closing steel barricades. There was an arrest made Saturday morning by Tulsa police, after Trump campaign staff requested an individual be moved from the secure area of the rally. Attorney General says Trump fired U.S. attorney who refused to resign "He was in a panic - I was in a panic," man confesses to the murder of his best friend Airlines see increase in ridership as Americans begin to fly again Its disrespectful for [Trump] to be here right after Juneteenth, said Terry, who had a ticket to the rally. Im not surprised by how we were treated. This is America. Its sickening. Were still getting lynched in Houston in 2020 and instead of protecting us, the National Guard is out here in Tulsa. This is being black in America. You get used to it or you dont, but this generation is going to put an end to it. Jules Osmany lives in Northampton with her husband, Sid, and their children, Louis, 20, and Alexa, 15. After a career as a make-up artist, she is now a BBC radio contributor. COCONUT OIL SHOWER Ive realised that so many expensive creams dont do what they claim they do. They cant get rid of wrinkles, just soften them. Botox is the only way to banish wrinkles (I started getting it last year), but a daily skin regime can help, too. I love coconut oil, as I find it locks in moisture for longer. Every day, I put it all over my body and face before getting in the shower and then gently pat skin dry. It works like a cleanser, but is so hydrating I dont need to use a separate moisturiser. TIKTOK DANCE FITNESS Since the lockdown, Ive become obsessed with the music video app TikTok. I work on dance routines at home, which I then film sometimes I upload three videos a day. Ive never enjoyed the gym, so this is my way of keeping fit. Jules Osmany, 57, (pictured) who lives in Northampton, revealed that she maintains her ageless appearance with daily coconut showers MIDLIFE SOLO TRAVEL When I turned 50, I went on my first solo holiday, to Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The plan was initially to have a big party here but, on my way back from viewing a venue, I happened to walk past a travel agent and it felt like fate. I never had the party. The trip was the most liberating experience of my life: leaving my husband and children at home to go off on my own adventure, walking up volcanos, and seeing my 50th in with the sunrise on the beach. All women should travel solo at some point. BRIGHTENING LIPSTICK Four years ago, I started Red Lippy Day, a fundraising event every May, to raise money for Dementia UK. I was inspired by my late mother, who was rapidly declining with the illness but one day asked me to go out and buy her a red lipstick. She was always very glamorous and it was like she was herself again, for a moment. It stayed with me, the confidence-boosting power of a good lipstick. I have a muted red Dior Ultracare Lipstick, in No.808 (30, dior.com) and, when I wear it, I always get told how well I look. Jules is a contributor on Treasure Quest, on BBC Radio Northampton, every Saturday at 10am. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says Fine Gael now has a "second chance" to solve the housing crisis and that compulsory purchase orders for development land and state-backed mortgages are on the table. He and Tanaiste Simon Coveney have been taking questions from Fine Gael members at a virtual Special Delegate conference this evening. The agreed coalition deal aims to add 50,000 homes to the state's social housing stock though it is not clear how many of those will be bought on the private market. Leo Varadkar believes the shortage of affordable homes damaged his party's support among younger voters in the last general election. "They can't actually get a mortgage or if they can get a mortgage, they can't find a house or an apartment "This is something that we are getting a second chance on, if we enter this government, to get this right over the next five years and I think we can. Obviously supply is crucial and we will really pursue morgtgages that give people like 30-years mortgages at 2% or 3% like they have in Germany and in other countries. "That can be done and it requires a bit of State input but it can be done." However, Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin has said it is a "reheating" of past unfilled promises. The Dublin Mid West TD believes Fine Gael have a warped definition of the word "affordable". "Eoghan Murphy has spent four years telling people he is going to deliver people affordable homes but when he is asked he tells people that an affordable home is 320,000. "That is not affordable. "Two weeks ago, I issued a very detailed draft departmental circular which I sent to every local authority in the State demonstrating how you could deliver good quality affordable homes in Dublin for 230,000." 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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(0x7f0486ddeb80)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f04872700c8)', '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(0x7f0486ddeb80)') 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(0x7f04872700c8)') 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(0x7f0486e287e0)') 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(0x7f04872700c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f04872700c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f04868fe400)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f048727b828)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f048727b828)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 14:12:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China registered a spike in domestic tourism with 6 billion trips in 2019, up 8.4 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Overseas travels from China surged 3.3 percent year on year to 154.6 million in 2019, while overseas tourists paid 145.3 million visits to China last year, an increase of 2.9 percent, said a report released by the ministry. Last year, the country's tourism industry earned 6.63 trillion yuan (about 935 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, registering an annual growth of 11.1 percent, according to the report. Enditem The United States is talking to both India and China to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday. It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there, Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first post-Covid election rally in Oklahoma. They've come to blows, and we'll see what happens. We'll try and help them out, Trump said when asked about his assessment of the situation between India and China. Over the past few days, the entire Trump administration has rallied behind India against the illegitimate incursions of the Chinese Army into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in fierce clashes against Chinese intruders into Galwan Valley in Ladakh early this week. Indians, according to US intelligence sources, killed more than 35 Chinese soldiers during the skirmish. The United States has accused China of escalating border tension with India and other neighbours by trying to take benefit of these countries busy fighting coronavirus pandemic. The PLA (People's Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world's most populous democracy. It's militarizing the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, in a major speech on China a day earlier. In his virtual address on 'Europe and the China Challenge' during the 2020 Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday, Pompeo described the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a 'rogue actor. Early this week, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president is aware of the situation and the US is monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the line of actual control in Eastern Ladakh. During a phone call on June 2 that Trump had with Prime Minister Modi, they did discuss the situation on the Indo-China border, McEnany said. Trump and Modi have a terrific relationship and trust between them, Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee said, adding that the statements coming from the White House, the State Department and the US Embassy in New Delhi is reflective of this. Coming out in support of India, Texas Congressman Lance Gooden said that China cannot be trusted. As more news comes out about the deadly conflict between China and India, once again China appears to be an aggressive bad actor, the Republican Congressman said. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) cannot be taken at their word, EVER, Gooden said in a tweet. On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that on land, for the sake of grabbing territory, the PLA appears to have instigated the most violent clash between China and India since those nations went to war in 1962. Needless to say, the rest of the world has watched with grave concern this violent exchange between two nuclear states. We are encouraging de-escalation and hoping for peace, McConnell said. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell earlier said that this Chinese activity is similar to activity the world has seen in the past on border disputes with the Peoples Republic of China. I would point you to those I think it was 2015 when Xi Jinping travelled to India the first time, he said. The PLA (People's Liberation Army) invaded this contested area deeper and longer, with more people, than ever before historically. Whether that was a negotiating tactic or just a punch in the nose to demonstrate their superiority, I don't know, he told reporters early this week. But then we saw the Doklam issue down near Bhutan, where we saw similar concerns. I wish I knew. Again, we don't have a lot of visibility and we don't have a lot of open dialogue with our Chinese counterparts, and honestly I'd like to see more of that if we can, Stillwell said. US experts feel that the latest Chinese behaviour will swing India towards China. Even before the latest flare-up, a majority of Indian strategists saw Chinese assertiveness as India's biggest foreign-policy challenge. This has resulted in an unspoken but unmistakable swing toward the US," Jeff Smith from The Heritage Foundation think tank said. The bullying of US partners and allies needs to come at a cost, Smith said in a tweet. India on Sunday hit the reset button on the rules of engagement with Chinese troops along the entire Line of Actual Control, empowering field commanders to sanction use of firearms under extraordinary circumstances. News18 had earlier in the day reported that armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given "full freedom" by the government in giving a "befitting" reply to any provocation. The change in the policy to use firearms comes as defence minister Rajnath Singh held a review meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three defence chiefs for over two hours on Sunday to assess the situation at the border. Government sources said he gave his go-ahead for the new tactical approach to be adopted. Under the previous rules of engagement based on agreements signed in 1996 and 2005, troops from neither side could open fire on the other to prevent any escalation. The two countries had also agreed not to use blasting explosives or firearms within two kilometres of either side of the LAC. "Taking into consideration the local situation, the government has given full freedom to the Indian Army on how to deal with China while protecting the Indian territory and the lives of the army personnel," Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told reporters after the meeting. The change in the rules comes just days after a violent face-off between the troops of the two countries at patrolling point 14 in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, which led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commander. The Indian troops were attacked with iron rods clubs wrapped in barbed wire during the clash, and questions were later asked as to why did the Indian soldiers did not fire in self-defence. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar in a Twitter post had responded: Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs. Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, a Chinese government mouthpiece, said that if the reports of the nod for firearms was true, "this is a serious violation of the agreement, and India will pay a heavy price for any such action." According to sources, Singh during Sundays meeting told the top military brass to maintain strict vigil on Chinese activities around land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes, and asked them to adopt a "tough" approach in dealing with any misadventure by Chinese forces. The new tactical approach to be taken up by the Army may also include staggered movement of patrols in key areas of the LAC besides holding some high position or feature for a strategic advantage. Local commanders, sources said, will be told to do "whatever they need to when hostilities with PLA erupt', and forward movement of all assets, including ships, fighter jets and troops has begun. Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in several areas of eastern Ladakh, with ties hitting a new low after the June 15 clash, in which another 76 Indian soldiers were also injured. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has not yet talked about the number of casualties it suffered. The administrations plan of opening 67 liquor shops across Kashmir has caused public resentment in the valley with local organisations and common people terming it as a conspiracy. Recently an order from the governments excise department seeking approval of opening of liquor shops at different places from the finance department went viral on social media. The excise department had even identified 67 locations in Kashmir where these liquor shops would be established. This order has caused strong resentment within the people and social and religious groups who vowed to oppose the decision tooth and nail. Sensing the mood, the administration clarified that the decision will only be implemented after taking all the stakeholders into confidence. The finance department has clarified and urged everyone not to believe any rumours or half baked news, J&K administration spokesperson and principal secretary, Rohit Kansal said in a tweet. The finance department has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licenses in unserved areas. No list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved. No decision will be taken without the participation of stakeholders and due process, he tweeted. Many people questioned the administration to clarify whether its order circulating on social media is fake. This is unfortunate that when we are perturbed with drugs in Kashmir, the administration is planning to open the liquor shops. We will oppose this move and will never allow this to happen as its going to ruin our young generation, said Khursheed Ahmad, who runs a social organisation in north Kashmir. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, a former legislator and senior leader of the J&K Apni Party said that the administrations proposal to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K including 67 in Kashmir valley is totally unacceptable as the decision is bound to have disastrous consequences for peace in the region. Manhas said the pretext of generating much-needed revenue from the liquor business in the backdrop of an economic crisis brought about by Covid-19 does not hold water as J&K is one of the progressive states in the country. There are other states like Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Lakshadweep which are coping with the lockdown despite a ban on liquor sale and consumption. Why choose predominantly Muslim areas of Kashmir Valley for opening large scale liquor sale points when there is no such requirement? he asked. Former PDP leader and now chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum, Abdul Qayoom Wani also termed it a dangerous move. We are trying to get our youth deviated from drug addiction and now attempts are being made to corrupt our society especially the young generation. Mutahida Majlish-e- Ulema, an amalgam of different religious organisations led by Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq strongly condemned the move and said that they will never allow this to take place. The administrations order states that they are planning to open 67 liquor shops in Kashmir which are of great concern to people. In the midst of the major global pandemic, the government is bringing ordinances and rules to change the demography of the Muslim majority of the state and fresh orders are aimed in assaulting our Muslim majority and religious sentiments. A rally was held in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of a crackdown against demonstrators who had been protesting against the visit of a pro-Kremlin Russian lawmaker. It was the first big rally in Tbilisi since the imposition of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Protesters wore face masks and put stickers on the street to maintain social distancing. The protest a year ago was against a visit by Russian lawmaker Sergey Gavrilov, which ended in clashes in which some 240 people were injured. Gavrilov's support for independence for the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia and his commitment to Russian President Vladimir Putin had stoked animosity in Georgia. Relations between Russia and Georgia have been strained since the two former Soviet republics fought a brief war in 2008, and Russia threw its weight behind separatists in two regions of Georgia. Greens activist Lidia Thorpe has been slammed by a government senator for her push to rename Victoria and Queensland because they honour the 'murderous' British empire. Ms Thorpe was chosen on Saturday to replace former Greens leader Richard Di Natale as a senator for Victoria, just days after controversially suggesting both states change their names out of respect for the Aboriginal community. Queensland Nationals Senator Mr Canavan rubbished the indigenous activist's proposal, and said with tongue firmly in cheek he would consider Queensland changing its name if Victoria does so first. 'Maybe they could change their name to Mexico. It would reduce confusion. We are better off just ignoring these crazy Greens who want to trash our history,' he told the Courier Mail. Scroll down for video Lidia Thorpe was chosen on Saturday to replace outgoing Greens leader Richard Di Natale just days after controversially suggesting both states change their names out of respect for the Aboriginal community Nationals senator Matt Canavan rubbished the indigenous activisit's proposal, and said he would only consider Queensland changing its name if Victoria does so first 'Queenslanders have picked themselves up and rebuilt after floods, droughts, cyclones and fires. Renaming our state would dishonourably turn our backs on these past achievements and sacrifices. '(The Greens') inability to see any good in their grandparents reveals their ungrateful, self-centred and rootless approach to politics.' Ms Thorpe, who represented the Greens in the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 2017 and 2018, is calling for the change because the state is named after British Empire ruler Queen Victoria. 'Anything that's named after someone who's caused harm or murdered people, then I think we should take their name down,' she said last week. The former state MP also told British-born actress Miriam Margolyes on her Almost Australian documentary on ABC-TV: 'I don't identify as being Australian. It's a concept that's been imposed upon our people since we're invaded. 'The colonisers came and set up the colony which they now call Australia.' Ms Thorpe in 2017 became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Victorian Parliament when she won the inner-Melbourne seat of Northcote at a by-election following the death of former Labor minister Fiona Richardson. Little more than a year later, she lost her seat at the 2018 general election. As a senator for Victoria, Ms Thorpe said she would campaign for a treaty with indigenous people. 'It could even stay the same if that's what people want, if that's part of the negotiation outcome of a treaty where everyone gets to understand both sides,' she said. Ms Thorpe, who represented the Greens in the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 2017 and 2018, is calling for the change because the state is named after British Empire ruler Queen Victoria Ms Thorpe believes a rename of the state should be considered during treaty talks between the state government and indigenous groups Her comments come as Black Lives Matter protests spark calls to tear down monuments linked to Australia's colonial past across the country. The politician made similar comments about her home state of Victoria earlier on Wednesday. 'Maybe that's something they (the Queensland government) could negotiate (in a treaty),' she said. 'Given we're all talking about the colonial past and how everything's named as a result of invasion of this country, why wouldn't we negotiate that (name changes)? 'It may be that it stays the same. But why wouldn't we put that on the table. Maybe we need to be making decisions, changing place names, state names and anything else that causes harm.' But the comments by Ms Thorpe were panned on Twitter, where critics accused her of 'jumping on a bandwagon' and pointed out that her surname 'Thorpe' had English origins so could also have to be changed under her own reasoning. The history of early British settlement in Australia is intensely controversial and has been characterised by Aborigines as an 'invasion'. After several sightings by European explorers, British naval captain James Cook arrived in Queensland in 1770 and claimed the territory for George III. The territory was once part of New South Wales but since the seat of the colony, Sydney, was too far away, northern settlers petitioned to separate. Queen Victoria granted permission to become a separate colony in 1859, and the new colony was named Queensland (Queen's land) in her honour. Similarly, Victoria was also named after Queen Victoria when the colony was established in 1851. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said authorities were extremely concerned about family gatherings, which have contributed to the uptick in coronavirus cases following a period of relative stability. "There's fatigue about this globally," Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Sunday. Credit:Chris Hopkins "Just because you can do something does not you mean you should do it," Ms Mikakos said. "Yes, you have been able to go to local shopping centres, you have been able to go to cafes, you have been able to do many things in recent weeks ... but it's important to understand that in Melbourne, in particular parts of Melbourne, we have many confirmed cases. "Therefore moving about, having interactions with other members of the community does present you with the risk and presents a risk to your loved ones." The Victorian government announced on Saturday it was scrapping plans to further ease restrictions amid a double-digit growth in cases for five days in a row, making the state "absolutely at risk of a second peak". As restrictions began easing last month, police resorted from a heavy-handed approach to a more cautionary role in enforcing the Chief Health Officer's directions. But Assistant Commissioner Shane Patton said on Sunday officers would once again begin cracking down again and issuing fines to Victorians who "deliberately, obviously and blatantly" breached the restrictions. Police will flood holiday hotspots, as they did over the Easter long weekend in April, to ensure Victorians are complying with the new orders, which has seen household gatherings reducedto five guests and outdoor gatherings halved from 20 to 10. Authorities, including police, community leaders, faith-based groups and local councils, would also go door-knocking in coronavirus hotspots to educate people about the new restrictions and the importance of heeding them, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said. Loading "There's fatigue about this globally," Professor Sutton said. "This is has been going on since the beginning of the year and it is incredibly hard to sustain behaviours that are not natural to us. "We all want to see friends, we all want to see family, we all want a psychological break of doing things that are normal, and so, yes, there has been a drop-off in the kind of constraints people have put on their lives that's happened across the world. "But as the [World Health Organisation] warned this week, that is a danger ... this is a tipping point and we need to bear that in mind." He urged Victorians to adopt a "tempered" approach to travelling over the school holidays, and warned people from mingling with other families interstate. Professor Sutton said he was "open to the idea" of mandating masks in public, but did not believe it was necessary in Victoria, where the surge in cases had been driven by family transmission. He said masks could give people a false sense of security. He has also ruled out allowing crowds at AFL games for the near future as the state grapples with trying to suppress the spread of coronavirus. This comes after Essendon player Conor McKenna tested positive to COVID-19, and a "small group" of his colleagues identified as close contacts were forced to self-isolate. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said while he knew it was difficult for people to avoid hugging or kissing friends and family, social distancing needed to be maintained. It is a hard thing to remember. You have to catch yourself now when you see your friends and family who you have not seen for a long time," he said. The luxurious interior of Gulfstream G450 executive jet at the Singapore Airshow. Shutterstock/Jordan Tan The decision to fly private in the post-pandemic world will likely be one based on safety more so safety than just cushy luxury for those who can afford it. Private aviation boasts numerous safety benefits over flying on a commercial airliner including the use of a private terminal and drive-up access to aircraft. Overall journey times are also reduced and new aircraft technology allows for longer nonstop flights than before. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The luxury of private jet flying is typically associated with the rich and famous but its benefits now include health and safety. As the world's population begins a slow return to the skies, commercial aircraft are becoming increasingly crowded and the alternatives appear to simple: stay home, drive, risk flying on an airliner, or fly private. Though the last is the most expensive, flying private has numerous advantages when it comes to ensuring a healthy travel experience that including skipping the airport terminal and not worrying about social distancing onboard the aircraft. With safety becoming paramount in the pandemic-stricken world and safety becoming a highly sought-after commodity for the ultra-wealthy, private jet companies are predicting a boom in their industry and are taking measures in preparation for an influx of new flyers. Most of these flyers have been able to afford to charter private aircraft but couldn't justify the cost before now. Here's how private flying is safer than commercial. Private aircraft flyers use private terminals away from the congested commercial side of the airport. Million Air FBO in White Plains, New York. MillionAir Private aircraft use smaller executive terminals, referred to as fixed-based operators, which are typically one or two-story buildings with private lounges instead of gates. The terminals are typically less congested as private flyers typically board their aircraft as soon as they arrive, reducing the risk of proximity spread from other passengers. Story continues Most airports also allow passengers to drive directly to their aircraft and also be picked up air-side, avoiding the need to enter the terminal altogether. Only certain people are allowed on the plane. Private jet flyers. Getty/Extreme-Photographer Unlike with commercial jets, the manifest for the flight is set by the lead passenger or the organization paying for the flight. Except on seat-sharing flights like those operated by JetSmarter, the passengers on board have total control of who they fly with. Private planes can access smaller and more remote airports, reducing travel times. Teterboro Airport near New York City. EQRoy / Shutterstock.com Commercial travelers are restricted to the route networks of the airlines they fly while private aircraft can use nearly any public-use airport in the country, as long as the runway is long enough and there's fuel. Smaller airports are often more convenient and closer to city centers, as seen in big cities like Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, and Toronto, but can also help reach remote locations like in Telluride, Colorado and Park City, Utah, to reduce overall journey times. Security screenings aren't required on most flights. A TSA security checkpoint. JIM URQUHART/Reuters This is perhaps one of the greatest benefits as passengers can avoid waiting in crowded lines, touching security bins, and walking barefoot through a scanner. Certain airports, though very few of them, do require going through security screening for private flyers, including when flying into Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. Going through customs is often a more intimate experience. A US Customs and Border Protection agent inspecting a passport. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson Instead of emptying out into a large international arrivals hall, the process for clearing customs in most countries when flying private is a lot easier. Border agents typically will either board the plane to inspect documents or escort passengers into a private office while they answer questions and have documents checked. Boarding passes aren't required. A traveler using a mobile boarding pass. BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Passengers don't have to check-in for their flights at a kiosk or check their bags with airport staff. Pilots need only check the identification of passengers to ensure they match the manifest and that's all that's required. Baggage is handled by a small handful of people. An airport worker taking baggage. Matt Rourke/AP When arriving at an airport, an airport worker known as a line service technician takes the baggage of the passengers and gives it directly to the pilots for stowage on the aircraft. The process is very transparent and doesn't involve numerous people unlike in an airport setting. Newer private jets can fly longer routes nonstop. A Bombardier Global 7500. Aviatrade Private jets are constantly pushing the boundaries of nonstop flight with new entrants like the Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G700 able to fly at and upwards of ranges of 7,500 nautical miles. Almost every current route flown by commercial airlines can be flown with a private jet. Nonstop routings avoid the need for fuel stops that extend the duration of a journey and further risk exposure to a virus. The overall journey is shorter, allowing travelers to limit their exposure away from controlled environments. A Challenger 300 aircraft. Silver Air The sum total of these benefits is a shorter journey with less exposure to potential pathogens and germs. Passengers can drive up to the aircraft from the safety of their vehicle, board the aircraft, fly nonstop to nearly anywhere in the world, get picked up air-side, and go directly to their destination. Overall, the amount of touchpoints is reduced when flying which significantly lowers the risk of exposure to germs. Read the original article on Business Insider PHOENIX The sheriff of Pinal County in Arizona offered additional details about his recent trip to Washington, D.C., where he tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a planned meeting with President Donald Trump. During a Saturday phone interview with The Arizona Republic of the USA TODAY Network, Sheriff Mark Lamb said the White House called him June 13 and asked that he be present when Trump signed an executive order that would hold law enforcement to a higher standard when they used force. Lamb said he flew into Washington Monday evening and visited the White House Tuesday, when he tested positive for COVID-19. He later visited an infirmary and was tested a second time; that test also came back positive. "I was surprised," Lamb said regarding the positive test result. "I mean, if I looked back, I would say that I was a little run-down from, you know, a long weekend. But I didn't have any symptoms." Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb Lamb said he then rented a car and drove back to Arizona arriving Thursday evening. Despite his diagnosis, the Pinal County sheriff says he still has no plans to wear a mask in public or enforce any future orders requiring one to do so. White House adviser: Trump's call for less coronavirus testing was 'tongue in cheek' Likely contracted COVID-19 at campaign event Lamb said he likely contracted COVID-19 at a campaign event he held on June 13, He initially planned for it to be a "come pick up a yard sign" event, but more people showed up than anticipated. "So many people showed up," Lamb said. "And we did it outside and we made it so that we knew that if some people showed up they could maintain social distancing. We tried to follow some protocols as much as we could." However, Lamb said he didn't wear a mask or practice social distancing at the campaign event and estimated that the majority of the 200 people who attended the event in San Tan Valley, Arizona, weren't wearing masks either. Story continues Lamb said he informed the Pinal County Department of Public Health of his positive test result and gave them his flight information. He didn't know exactly whom the agency contacted after that. He intends to self-quarantine through the end of the month. When asked whether he planned to hold more public events once his self-isolation was complete, Lamb said he probably wouldn't and that he's not trying to put people at risk. That said, Lamb will likely continue to not wear a mask when out in public, he said. "When I come back out, I don't like to wear masks," Lamb said. "And I respect people's personal choices to not wear a mask." However, Lamb said contracting COVID-19 reminded him to be more careful and do a better job of social distancing when he's around others. "What I've learned through this is I need to do a better job of maintaining social distancing," Lamb said. "It was really easy to just fall back. You know, we kind of were getting back into the groove and it was really easy to just fall back into your normal nature and be shaking hands and doing all these things that. Something like this reminds you that you got to be a little bit more careful. US coronavirus map: See the case numbers in your area Would not enforce mask mandate Lamb made national headlines for saying he wouldn't cite or arrest those in violation of Gov. Doug Ducey's previous stay-at-home order. He later said the same would apply if Pinal County and its municipalities passed a mandate requiring people to wear masks when out in public. Ducey held a news conference Wednesday announcing that he would allow cities and counties to decide whether to require people to wear masks in their respective communities. A large number of cities including Phoenix and Tucson have since adopted such mandates. Lamb said he expressed his opposition to a mandate to the board of supervisors and said it would elicit a massive influx of phone calls from people reporting their neighbors at a time when law enforcement is already busy. "I don't find it to be the best use of police services," Lamb said. "We'll see what happens with our county. I have expressed to them my feelings about it and where I think we should be on it and we'll see what happens when they come back." Should the county pass a mandate requiring masks, Lamb said he would continue to educate people about the law, but would not cite or arrest anyone. "We do not have plans to cite or arrest people for not wearing a mask or those types of things," Lamb said. "I don't think that I will never think that's OK in this society here in America. I just don't think that is beneficial to your community." Follow reporter Perry Vandell on Twitter, @PerryVandell. Tulsa rally: President Donald Trump slammed for using offensive, 'racist' remarks at rally Vaccines are not all created equal: A variety of ways to stop the virus that causes COVID-19 This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb says he has no plans to enforce masks South Africa: Victory over COVID-19 At a time he was meant to be celebrating his 26th birthday, Brandon* found himself with a bad cough and a tight chest that at times made speaking or breathing, a struggle. This was around April 11 2020, just over two weeks since the country went into lockdown. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced at the time that COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 25 people. A loss of taste, appetite, night sweats and fatigue were some of the symptoms experienced by Brandon. To make matter worse, the country had 2028 confirmed cases of the virus, a little just over a month after South Africas first confirmed case of COVID-19. Brandons (not his real name) life changed when he received his positive test results on 8 April after having tested for the virus three days earlier. While he had experienced dreadful symptoms, the day of his birthday, was the worst. It was probably around my birthday period, a week after I got my results because that is when I think the virus in terms of its effects was [at its worst]. My chest was bad, he said as he recalled how he would start coughing when he tried to speak. That was two months ago. In January, Brandon a resident of Pretoria, travelled to Durban to assist at his employers Durban branch for a few months. However, the implementation of the COVID-19 lockdown in March extended Brandons stay. At the time, Brandon was working remotely from his parents house. In an interview with SAnews this Youth Month, the chemical engineer recalled how testing positive, meant that he would be confined to a room for over a month. Brandon was also set to apply and hopefully get a transfer to his employers Durban branch. However, due to economic pressures that accompanied lockdown restriction on business, his employment prospects also took a knock. I had a good opportunity at work and would have had a new experience, but obviously getting COVID-19 and the lockdown kind of hampered that a bit. It was an opportunity for me to get more experience in a higher level position. I was looking forward to the opportunity to work hard and show my worth, but obviously it was out of my control, he said. While he is not a smoker and is very active in sports, Brandon found himself battling the virus for almost a month. After lockdown came into effect at midnight on 26 March, he remembers getting flu-like symptoms three days later, on a Sunday. This was followed by a fever the following day, which to him felt like the usual flu-like symptoms. He went to the hospital to see a doctor and he was given medication for his symptoms, which included a mild cough, but was not tested for the virus. At that time, government had prioritised COVID-19 testing for individuals who may have been exposed to the virus by coming into contact with an infected person. The fever lasted for a day and he started feeling better heading into the weekend. By the weekend, he received news that someone at his workplace, whom he had been exposed to, had tested positive for the virus. Coincidentally on that 6 April Sunday, he himself had made a turn at the hospital in the morning to get treatment for an allergic reaction. Following the unnerving news he received, the first thing that came to his mind was to go back to the hospital and get tested. Secondly, I was like maybe that is the reason why I had the flu. At the time, I was more worried about my family because I was staying at the same house with them. I was also worried about the fact that that I didnt know when I got it [COVID-19], he said. He went through a very unsettling period in the two to three day period of having to wait for results. His positive test results were confirmed him on 8 April, disrupting not only his life, but the lives of his family members as well. He was to begin life in isolation, which included the use of a separate bathroom and not sharing a meal with his family. I wouldnt eat with my family and they would leave food by the door. Obviously, you dont want to make it worse and spread it to your family as well, he said. He also took leave from work to focus on his health. When he received his diagnosis, Department of Health officials gave Brandon a call to check-in on him. When they called to give me the results, they explained the basics of what you can do, he said. He also stressed that anyone who contracts COVID-19 will have his or her own individual experience with the virus. I think what people need to understand is how everyone isolates will be different basically based on your circumstances and based on your health condition. So the doctors will treat you, not for COVID-19 because there is no cure. They will treat you for the symptoms that you have. In Brandons case, the cough was his biggest hurdle. My cough was so bad that it lasted for about four to five weeks. So that day, they gave me a cough mixture, antibiotics and chest relief medication to make life a little more bearable, he said. Officials also paid the family a home visit where they also checked if his parents had the virus. Fortunately, his parents did not contract COVID-19. One can be forgiven for wondering if his parents feared him because of the positive diagnosis. However, Brandons parents were only concerned with the wellbeing of their sick child. With the numbers of those infected with the virus on the increase, the young man kept his eye on the ball of making a full recovery. Being active in sport and not having any comorbidity issues, he felt that he had a fighting chance. He did this by taking his medication and maintaining basic hygiene, like sanitising his hands regularly. With a lot going on in his mind, he struggled to sleep at night and often had to keep himself occupied with movies and doing some reading. Looking back on his experience, not once did he feel like his life was over or that he would run out of time to do the things he still wanted to do. I always believed that I would come out of this. The thought of death or anything like that did not even cross my mind. At the time, I tried to look at the positives. I tried to keep my mind occupied. I caught up on movies where I could, he said. Brandons comments follow on President Cyril Ramaphosas Youth Day address wherein he told young people that there is life beyond the pandemic. This as South Africa this week commemorated the 44th anniversary of the events that took place in Soweto. Youth Day pays tribute to the school pupils who lost their lives during the 16 June 1976, uprisings in Soweto. Just as young people of decades past changed the South Africa we live in, with support from various other individuals, Brandon also highlighted the importance of having a support structure in place in order to beat the virus. To have support around you is very key. Especially when you can get food and medication. If you stay by yourself, it will be very challenging [to do]. In addition to the medication he received from the hospital, Brandon also leaned on home remedies in order to cope with the symptoms he was experiencing. In our community, home remedies like ginger milk, lemon, honey and boiling water really helped. Those are the main things that I had to assist me during the time I had Coronavirus. He said anyone can contract the virus. While the virus is not a death sentence he said, adhering to World Health Organization guidelines like practicing good hygiene and social distancing are of importance. The Department of Health advises COVID-19 patients to self-isolate for two weeks after their positive test before returning for a second test. While most patients usually test negative after the initial 14-day period of isolation, this was not the case for Brandon. After first testing positive on 8 April, the 26-year-old tested positive again on 20 April and had to return to self-isolation for another fortnight. No doubt, dejection and an air of wanting an end to the self-isolation kicked-in. So obviously I was disheartened at the fact that I was positive again. So for almost a good month and a half, I was in isolation. So I was upset mainly for the second results because I wanted to be done with the COVID-19 situation, he recalls. However, testing positive and the manner in which the virus has had an impact on everyones life has made him appreciate the smaller things in life. These include going for a leisurely drive, hanging out with friends and family, and celebrating ones birthday. He finally celebrated his belated birthday a recovered man, when he tested negative on or around 2 May 2020. COVID-19 has changed life as we know it, while also delivering a heavy blow to the economies around the globe. With change happening around us including the need to social distance and cloth facemasks forming a key element of everyday outfits, Brandon has urged young people to be more responsible. I think as youth, we need to be more, proactive in whats happening around us and also to be helpful and be aware of what we are doing. I am not holding anyone back from having a good time and stuff, but also think of the people that are older than us or even younger than us who are at risk of getting COVID, he said. He also urged those battling the pandemic not only to take care of their bodies, but also to have a positive mind-set. The most important thing is to just have faith and belief that you can overcome the virus essentially. As much as it is about taking care of your body and relaxing, you must also take care of your mind. If your mind is not in a good space, it will just make matters worse for you, he said. Having not only declared that there is life beyond COVID-19, President Ramaphosa also stressed that South Africa is looking forward to the creativity, innovation and new ideas from young people. While KwaZulu-Natal has over 4800 confirmed cases and over 80 deaths due the virus, today Brandon is among the over 2500 people in KwaZulu-Natal who have come out victorious over the virus.SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Gardai are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a 57-year-old woman at a house in Hartstown today. At around 11.30am, gardai attended the scene of an incident at a house on Willow Wood Grove where a woman was discovered with serious injuries. The injured woman was treated at the scene by emergency services but was pronounced dead a short time later. A man, aged 60, was arrested at the scene and detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station. The woman's body has been removed to the City Morgue where a post-mortem exam will be carried out tomorrow by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Kathleen Han. Local councillor Kieran Dennison said locals were shocked at the details reported of the stabbing. "We are still waiting for the full details to emerge but from what people have heard from the media they are obviously quite shocked about the stories of the weapons that were used," said Cllr Dennison. An incident room has been established at Blanchardstown Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to the case. A garda family liaison officer has been assigned. Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station 01 666 7000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing. Woman, 57, dies after being attacked with sword; Man arrested A woman has died after being attacked with a sword in west Dublin. It happened in Blanchardstown this morning and a murder investigation has been launched. The incident happened at the woman's home in the Willow Wood area just before midday. The victim, 57, was assaulted with a sword. Her body remains at the scene, which has been sealed off, and forensic examinations are being carried out. A man was arrested at the scene and is being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station, where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours. A number of Gardai, including members of the Armed Support Unit, were involved in making the arrest. It is believed the woman knew her attacker and investigations are ongoing. Man arrested after gardai called to scene of fatal assault in Dublin A man has been arrested after gardai were called to the scene of a fatal assault in Dublin today.The woman was found at a house on Willow Wood, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, according to gardai. A man was arrested at the scene, a garda spokesperson confirmed. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Blanchardstown Garda Station. Gardai say their investigation is ongoing. Actor Ansel Elgort has issued a statement denying allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in 2014. (Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Actor Ansel Elgort took to social media late to deny allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in 2014. In an Instagram post, the Baby Driver star, 26, responded to a series of tweets posted on Friday by user @Itsgabby, who alleges Elgort sexually assaulted her. Her Twitter account has since been deleted. I was distressed to see the social media posts about me that have been circulating in the past 24 hours. I cannot claim to understand Gabbys feelings but her description of events is simply not what happened. I have never and would never assault anyone, wrote Elgort. The actor then went into further detail of their time together, claiming that he simply stopped responding to Gabby after their brief, legal and entirely consensual relationship. What is true is that in New York in 2014, when I was 20, Gabby and I had a brief, legal and entirely consensual relationship. Unfortunately, I did not handle the breakup well. I stopped responding to her, which is an immature and cruel thing to do to someone, wrote Elgort. Calling it a belated apology, Elgort continued his post by saying he regrets his attitude toward the breakup at the time. I know this belated apology does not absolve me of my unacceptable behavior when I disappeared. As I look back at my attitude, I am disgusted and deeply ashamed of the way I acted, he wrote. I am truly sorry. I know I must continue to reflect, learn and work to grow in empathy. The young woman, whose last name was not revealed, said her relationship with Elgort began when she direct messaged the actor to tell him that it would soon be her 17th birthday. I didnt think hed ever see my DM, she wrote, according to The Wrap. I was just a kid and was a fan of him. She said he responded by providing his private Snapchat account and requesting nude pictures, The Wrap reported. She also posted a photo of herself with Elgort, as well as a screenshot of their direct messages in which he gave her his private Snapchat details. Story continues Yall reported her account trying to erase the facts but okay here you go: Gabbys story about Ansel Elgort pic.twitter.com/TKctlNSShk WHERE IS YOUR ScoOTer?! (@khen_sa_ni) June 20, 2020 She then went into further detail of the alleged sexual assault. When it happened, instead of asking me if I wanted to stop having sex knowing it was my first time and I was sobbing in pain and I didnt want to do it, the only words that came out of his mouth were we need to break you in, she wrote in the message, which has since been deleted. I disassociated myself and just felt like my mind was gone I was in shock. Claiming she didnt tell anyone because he said it could ruin his career, the young woman said she now chose to come forward so I can finally heal. I sat there for months wondering what I did wrong. Wondering why I felt so used, she wrote. Years later, I have PTSD, I have panic attacks, I go to therapy. Elgort is the star of Steven Spielbergs upcoming adaptation of West Side Story. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Tulsa, United States Sun, June 21, 2020 09:25 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406605db0c 2 World Donald-Trump,campaign,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free US President Donald Trump on Saturday told thousands of cheering supporters he had asked US officials to slow down testing for the novel coronavirus, calling it a "double-edged sword" that led to more cases being discovered. Trump said the United States had now tested 25 million people, far more than other countries. "When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please," Trump told a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where many supporters were not wearing face masks. A White House official said Trump was joking about his call for a slowdown in testing. "He was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million + in testing," the official said. Trump said his actions in blocking travelers from China and Europe had helped save "hundreds of thousands of lives." But he said the "radical fake news" media had not given him credit for doing what he called "a phenomenal job" responding to the outbreak. In fact, several US states are reporting troubling spikes in coronavirus infection rates, mainly in the South and West, as Trump addressed America's largest indoor gathering in months. Health experts say expanded diagnostic testing accounts for some, but not all, of the growth in cases. They also call it a key tool in fighting the spread of the disease, which had been detected in at least 2.23 million people across the United States as of Saturday. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has killed more than 119,000 Americans to date, according to Reuters' running tally. A mounting volume of infections is elevating hospitalizations in some places. In his remarks, Trump used terms such as "Kung Flu" virus and "Chinese virus" to refer to COVID-19. "That name gets further and further away from China, as opposed to calling it the Chinese virus," he said. Trump's response to the outbreak has sapped his popularity. The US president initially dismissed the threat of the coronavirus, and sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread. His approval ratings have dropped in recent weeks, and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden now has a 13-point lead over Trump. Seventy-six percent of Americans remain concerned about the spread of COVID-19, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. Ansel Elgort posted a short reply on Saturday to claims that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl. The 26-year-old Baby Driver star claimed that his relationship was 'legal and entirely consensual' in an iPhone notes message shared to his Instagram account. On Friday, a Twitter user calling herself Gabby claimed the actor sexually assaulted her in 2014 and left her 'sobbing and in pain,' though the account was later deleted. Having his say: Ansel Elgort, 26, denied claims that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl named Gabby in an Instagram statement posted on Saturday; pictured in September 2019 Elgort wasted little time in denying the original claims. 'I was distressed to see the social media post about me that have been circulating in the past 24 hours,' he began. 'I cannot claim to understand Gabby's feelings but her description of events is simply not what happened. I have never and would never assault anyone,' he continued. The West Side Story actor confirmed that he had a relationship with Gabby in 2014 while in New York when he was 20, but he described it as being a 'brief, legal and entirely consensual relationship.' The West Side Story actor confirmed that he had a relationship with Gabby in 2014 while in New York when he was 20, but he described it as 'brief, legal and entirely consensual' Elgort seemed to paint the sexual assault accusations as the result of a bad breakup, writing, 'I stopped responding to her, which is an immature and cruel thing to do to someone. 'I know this belated apology does not absolve me of my unacceptable behavior when I disappeared,' he continued. 'As I look back at my attitude, I am disgusted and deeply ashamed of the way I acted. I am truly sorry. I know I must continue to reflect, learn, and work to grow in empathy,' he concluded. Different story: Elgort seemed to paint the sexual assault accusations as the result of a bad breakup, writing, 'I stopped responding to her, which is an immature and cruel thing to do to someone'; pictured in September 2019 Many commenters were unmoved by Elgort's statement, and some believed that he would still have committed statutory rape even if the relationship had been fullly consensual, though New York's age of consent is 17. 'if she's 17 that's not consentual or legal. take the L and go to jail!' wrote one user. Other social media users accused Elgort of using a bad breakup as an excuse to push aside the original assault allegation. 'Of course youre claiming it was legal and consensual. Classic move trying to make the girl sound like she accused you because you dumped her,' wrote another commenter. Alleged: Elgort was accused of sexually assaulting the 17-year-old girl in 2014, when he was 20 and she was allegedly 17; pictured in January A young woman named Gabby came forward on Friday via Twitter with claims that she first began messaging Elgort shortly before her 17th birthday, and he responded to her directly on the social media platform Snapchat. Gabby, who did not reveal her last name, posted a lengthy statement describing the alleged assault perpetrated by the Goldfinch star when she was a teenager. Representatives for Elgort did not immediately respond to comment on the allegations when contacted by DailyMail.com. The post contained distressing details, with Gabby explaining that she was crying and in pain during the alleged encounter. 'Instead of asking me if I wanted to stop having sex knowing it was my first time and I was sobbing in pain and I didn't want to do it the only words that came out of his mouth were "we need to break you in" I WASNT there in that moment mentally,' she claimed in her post. Claims: Twitter user Gabby posted this picture on Friday which appeared to show her sitting next to Ansel Elgort as she covered her face Accusation: Gabby posted a lengthy post on Friday about the alleged encounter with the actor PTSD: The younger girl claims she has been left needing therapy after the alleged incident She added: 'I disassociated myself and just felt like my mind was gone I was in shock I couldn't leave I was only 5'2 and 98 pounds. He made me think this is how sex was supposed to be.' Gabby claims that she and Elgort had corresponded over Snapchat, where she had informed him that she was soon to be turning 17, which is when the actor allegedly shared his private account with her. She alleges that the actor then shared nude photos of himself and shared screenshots of their messages on Twitter. Gabby shared what appeared to a photo of herself sitting next to the actor, and said she was coming forward 'so I can finally heal.' She claims that the experience has left her struggling with PTSD, explaining: 'I have panic attacks I go to therapy.' The woman also claims the actor asked her for a threesome with one of her dancer friends who was 'as well underage' and she didn't tell anyone because Elgort allegedly told her it could 'ruin his career.' Meanwhile, Newsweek reported on Friday that the actor had been accused on Twitter of using racist language, although there was no proof of the unverified claims. The outlet reports that Instagram account @BlackatLaguardia has lately been exposing apparent wrongdoings at New York City's famed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which Elgort attended. The account posts are submitted by an anonymous student, and one post on Friday claimed a student named Ansel had used the N-word with many speculating that it was Elgort. The actor recently starred in the movie adaptation of The Goldfinch and is slated to appear in the HBO Max series Tokyo Vice as well as the Disney's remake of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg Seoul, June 21 : North Korea keeps sending small groups of troops to border sentry posts for bush clearance and road maintenance, a Seoul government source said Sunday, amid concerns it could deliver on its threat of military action against South Korea. The North has sent groups of up to five soldiers with shovels and sickles to small stakeout boxes in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. But Seoul does not see the move as a step to make good on Pyongyang's threat of military action, Yonhap News Agency quoted the source as saying. In anger over propaganda leaflets sent from the South, the North threatened to redeploy troops to the now-shuttered joint industrial complex in its border city of Kaesong and the Mount Kumgang tourist zone on its east coast, and restore border guard posts removed under a 2018 tension-reduction deal. "Guard posts and stakeout boxes are obviously facilities for military utility," the source said. "So it is natural that there are such military movements. But we are keeping close tabs on them." The military authorities here believe that an activity by at least a platoon-level number of forces could be seen as an unusual sign that requires their particular attention, the source said. The source added that there have not been any activities spotted related to the restoration of the guard posts removed under the two Korea's Comprehensive Military Agreement, which was signed in September 2018 to build mutual trust and reduce border tensions. The South Korean military is also closely watching two coastal artillery pieces on the North's border region of Gaemori, as their muzzles appeared open, spawning worries that they could be on standby for use, said the Yonhap News Agency report. "But those are things that the North often close and open. There seems to be a possibility that the muzzles were open to remove humidity or for ventilation work," the source said. Tensions between the two Koreas have continued after Pyongyang last week demolished an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong and warned of military action. In an unusually strong tone, the South Korean military has warned that it would respond strongly should the North launch any military provocations. Despite the midday heat, a group of people gathered at Gadsdens City Hall on Saturday to show support for keeping the Emma Sansom monument in its current place. The monument recently has been the subject of heated debate as some members of the Gadsden City Council have supported the idea of moving it from the middle of Broad Street. A handful of supporters stood at the base of the monument, holding a sign and chanting "Save history, sign our petition," but most of those in attendance gathered in the shade around the gazebo at city hall to listen to a number of speakers. "This is no time to be bringing up something that makes no difference now," explained Denise Dyer Miller, a 1976 graduate of Emma Sansom High School who talked about the recent closure of Goodyear and other problems facing the city. Sansom's statue is pointing forward, not backward, she told the crowd of more than 50 people. Miller also said that history can't be changed and supporters of the monument should remain peaceful and strong despite attempts to divide them. "People's hearts are what's going to have to change, not the statue," Miller said. There were two petitions available for people to sign, one in favor of monuments and the other in support of local law enforcement. "We, the citizens, petition the City of Gadsden, Alabama to cease and desist in any plans to remove, relocate or reinterpret ANY historical monument, statue, marker, tablet or site. We also oppose name changes of any street, road, park or cemetery. All of the above actions are in violation of Alabama's Monument Protection Law," stated one petition. Donna Rose Ezekiel said she helped set up the petitions, while Ricky Leath Jr. helped organize the event. Gary Garrett talked to the crowd about Sansom's history in Gadsden and some of the events surrounding her assistance of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in crossing Black Creek. He also shared the names of those who got the statue placed in 1906, along with the history of the statue. Darron Mayo, who was the student government president for Emma Sansom High School in 1982-83, spoke about history, his military service and the current state of the country. "The fabric that was welded together is what has been targeted by Marxists," he said. There were also calls to boycott Back Forty Beer Company. Jason Wilson, the owner of Back Forty, is a city council member who has been in favor of moving the monument. 2020 The Gadsden Times, Ala. Visit The Gadsden Times, Ala. at www.gadsdentimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The arts sector is a driving force in New Mexico. Though these organizations are closed for the time being, plans for upcoming exhibits continue. The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced its fiscal year 2020 recipients; seven northern New Mexico organizations were awarded a total of $150,000. According to the NEA, Wise Fool New Mexico was awarded $30,000 to support youth circus and arts training and performances. Programs will consist of in-school and after-school classes and youth camps, as well as partnerships with local arts and service organizations to bring circus arts to their constituencies, according to Wise Fool New Mexico. Classes will include hands-on instruction in genres, such as puppetry, physical theater, aerial fabric and trapeze, acrobatics and juggling. Both Music from Angel Fire, Inc. and the International Folk Art Foundation were awarded $25,000. Music from Angel Fire is a summer music chamber festival that features ensemble and solo performances, a composer residency, a Young Artists Series and classroom concerts for local area youth in rural northern New Mexico. Meanwhile, the International Folk Art Foundation will use the funds to support Dressing with Purpose: Belonging and Resistance in Scandinavia at the Museum of International Folk Art. The exhibit is slated for December 2021. The exhibit will examine the use of traditional dress as a response by three Scandinavian cultures Swedish, Norwegian and Sami, the indigenous people of Scandinavia to cultural and political change, the foundation said. Examples of various articles of clothing, accessories and jewelry will demonstrate the role dress traditions play in efforts to maintain a sense of identity and stability in an increasingly homogenized society. According to the grant application, label copy, photographs, recorded interviews and a documentary film will complement the exhibit. The Poeh Cultural Center in the Pueblo of Pojoaque will receive $20,000 for traditional arts instruction. According to the center, an advisory committee will work with tribal leaders, Tewa students, teachers, community members and cultural advisors to restructure the centers traditional arts instruction program. The redesign of the course will be focused on instruction in Pueblo pottery, traditional embroidery, regalia-making, weaving and moccasin-making, the grant stated. The Ralph T. Coe Foundation for the Arts was awarded $20,000 to support the James Kivetoruk Moses: Master Artist exhibit. It will feature paintings from the self-taught Alaska natives that accurately portray the lives of indigenous people in early 20th-century Alaska. Public lectures, artist-lead discussions and interactive projects are planned for the run of the exhibition. SITE Santa Fe will use its $20,000 award to support a retrospective exhibition and catalogue of work by Brazilian artist Regina Silveira. The exhibit will include more than 70 works, including prints, drawings, maquettes and ephemera, and will explore the artists interest in conceptual investigations of light and shadow, perspective and perception, and architectural interventions and installations. The exhibition will feature site-specific installations along hallways, floors and ceilings, as well as on billboards on the buildings exterior. And $10,000 was awarded to Santa Fe Pro Musica to support a performance project of chamber orchestra programs. The ensemble will present orchestral programs and a free youth concert at the Lensic Performing Arts Center. The state-run New Mexico Arts is receiving $747,000 in a partnership award to support arts programs, services and activities associated with carrying out the agencys NEA-approved strategic plan. The NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations and develop their creative capacities. There are many great projects happening in the area, as well as the State Arts Agencys partnership award, which will allow these federal funds to address priorities identified at the state level, said Allison Hill, NEA spokeswoman. "Were staying in close contact with hospitals on their situations, their plans for adding beds and staff, and making plans in case there is a need to use other facilities for people who need care for COVID-19 but dont need to be in a hospital" he said. A spokesperson for Abbott's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday Van Deusen said the state has also dramatically increased testing with the addition of mobile testing sites, adding that there are more than 3,000 contract tracers in the state who are working to identify hotspots and where community spread is most common. Thats short of Abbotts goal of having 4,000 tracers by June 1, but Van Deusen said state and local jurisdictions are still adding to those totals. Were still looking to ramp up because we think there is going to be more work to do, he said. Van Deusen also said that while the DSHS gives the governors office guidance on the coronavirus response, the decision to pause or even scale back business reopenings is up to the governor. Gunfire erupted overnight on a Minneapolis street lined with newly reopened bars and restaurants, leaving one person dead and 11 injured. The shots rang out about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in what the Minneapolis Star Tribune described as "one of the city's most violent shootings in recent memory." Officers arrived at the scene in Uptown, a nightlife hot spot, to find people with gunshot wounds and the shooter already gone, the Minneapolis Police Department said in a news release. Police said the person who died was a man; they did not identify him. Ambulances and private cars took the other victims to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening. No arrests have been made, though police said they are pursuing several leads. During a morning news conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo called the shooting "senseless," part of a rise in violent crime seen in the city over the past few months. "This is going to take more than just the Minneapolis Police Department," he said. "The numbers that we are seeing are truly - it's a public health crisis." The shooting unfolded about three miles from the corner store where George Floyd died May 25 in Minneapolis police custody, setting off protests and unrest that spread across the nation. Arradondo said there was no indication that the violence in Uptown was connected to Floyd's killing. "There was an individual there who showed up and decided to cause harm by firing off a weapon," the chief said. "So I certainly do not want to disrespect Mr. Floyd's death and have there be any connection to that." He said he had spoken to local FBI officials, who will assist the police force in responding to the city's increased gun violence, which includes more than 90 people shot since May 26, according to the Star Tribune. Arradondo said Mayor Jacob Frey could consider imposing a curfew, as he did after Floyd's killing, but he seemed to question the effectiveness of such a step. "A curfew doesn't stop an individual from wanting to put a gun in their hands and cause harm to a community," he said. The Uptown shooting was reported at 12:37 a.m., with police receiving 911 calls. In a tweet, the Minneapolis Police Department warned the public to stay away from the scene, near the 2900 block of Hennepin Avenue South. The trendy area buzzes with bars and restaurants, which had started reopening after shutdown orders aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus were eased in recent days. The shooters, described as "individuals on foot," opened fire on Hennepin Avenue South before heading north, police said in a news release. In the commotion that followed, people scattered and the gunmen took off. A crowd gathered around people lying on a sidewalk in a Facebook Live video of the aftermath shared by a man whom the Star Tribune identified as K.G. Wilson, a local peace activist. "Pray, pray, pray," Wilson could be heard saying. "Don't let them die, God." Describing what he'd witnessed, he said: "Everybody was having a good time, man. I don't know, somebody just snapped out." The video showed officers and others at the scene carrying at least four people away as police lights flashed and ambulances arrived, sirens wailing. In the aftermath, blood could be seen on the sidewalk, along with broken glass and scattered hats and shoes. Man for trial in restaurant death (August 12, 1970) A club manager, James McCartney Anderson, 40, was committed for trial yesterday charged with the fatal shooting at King's Cross in June of Donald Hector Neville Smith. Anderson lives in Clark Street, Vaucluse, and Smith's address was St. Thomas Street, Waverley. Anderson had been charged with Smith's murder, but was committed on the lesser charge of manslaughter. George Street North Court of Petty Sessions was told yesterday that Anderson had said to a police sergeant: "I'm sorry about any trouble, but this had to die." "I was genuinely terrified of the man...." James Anderson pictured at Sydney Airport in 1983. Credit:Paul Mathews Anderson is alleged to have shot Smith at the Venus Room restaurant in Orwell Street, King's Cross, on June 22. HAND BOUND Committing him for trial, Mr K. M. Waller, S.M., said Anderson had quite rightly, in his opinion, been charged with murder. "I am satisfied Anderson was in genuine fear of death." Mr Waller said. "Smith was a well-known criminal and gunman and had a reputation for violence, while Anderson had no convictions. "Smith threatened Anderson on numerous occasions in the months before June 22 and some of these threats were to kill him. "If only one shot had been fired, Anderson may have been discharged completely. "However, there is evidence of his pursuing Smith and firing further shots." Detective-Sergeant Colin Victor Letherbarrow, of the Scientific Investigation Branch, told Mr Waller Smith's body had been found on the footpath outside the restaurant. There were five bullet holes in the body three being entry points. "Smith had a bandage covering the left palm, the back of the hand and wrist, and there was no visible injury on the removal of the bandage." In reply to Mr A. J. Bellanto, Q.C, representing Anderson, Sergeant Letherbarrow agreed that on the removal of the bandage Smith's hand was found to be bound with sticking plaster. Asked if this was consistent with the hand being padded with something equivalent to a knuckleduster to give greater power and force to any blow struck with the hand, Sergeant Letherbarrow said: "It would increase the injury." Sergeant Letherbarrow said Smith had been charged with the attempted murder of Henry "Harry" Harrison, with two charges of having pistols in his possession, and one charge of possessing an unlicensed pistol. Sergeant R. P. Morrison (Vice Squad) gave evidence that after stating that Smith "had to die," Anderson had told him: "Look what he's done to me." Anderson was bleeding profusely from the nose, lips and mouth and had told him: "He has been standing over me and bad me terrified." Anderson had said: "I was sitting in the club when all of a sudden Smith was standing over me. "I heard someone say, 'Look out Jimmy, he is going to kill you.' I thought, 'It's you or me' and I got my gun and shot him. "He ran away and I fired another shot, then he teamed up with two other men. "They started fumbling with something and I thought, 'I'm gone here, they've got a gun, and I fired another shot. "I fired at least two shots, I think it was three." Mr Bellanto: "If Smith threatened to kill Anderson he would have no hesitation in carrying this out?" Sergeant Morrison: "I don't think there's any doubt about that." Sergeant Morrison agreed that as well as injuries to the face Anderson suffered a fractured right hand and severe injuries to his spine. He said that soon after Anderson's admission to St. Luke's Hospital a woman claiming to be Anderson's wife had tried to gain entry to his room. Loading TERRIFIED Police had been unable to identify or find this woman but had placed a guard on Anderson. In answer to the charge of manslaughter, Anderson yesterday said: "I emphatically did not shoot Smith outside the Venus Room. [June 21, 2020] Whale Cloud Launches Cloud-based BSS/OSS Suite in Partnership with Alibaba Cloud NANJING, China, June 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Whale Cloud announced the launch of its cloud-based telecom solution suite today ZSmart Digital Business Enablement Platform (D-BEP) and digital transformation service toolkit: Digital Telco Maturity Map (DTMM), Standard Operating Process (SOP) and Digitalization Metrics, and a slew of zero-provisioning telco offerings over Alibaba Cloud, the data intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. This suite enables Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to assess digital maturity, gain access to subscription based telecom solution and collaborate with ecosystem partners on a single platform. Telecom IT applications play a critical role in digital transformation. Becoming a Digital Service Provider (DSP) requires agile and scalable Operation Spport Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) based on cloud-native architecture. Whale Cloud is now leveraging Alibaba Cloud to provide CSPs with a complete set of ZSmart Digital BSS, Digital OSS and Data Intelligence solution suite, to facilitate business agility with a scalable infrastructure for faster time to market, minimize expenditures with a subscription model - allowing CSPs to prioritize core business activities over regular infrastructure maintenance & operation. "Moving our telco solution suite to cloud is the future. It allows CSPs to take great leap towards digital business model and provide toolset for tech company-like operation," said Ben Zhou, CEO of Whale Cloud International. "By working closely with Alibaba Cloud, we offer CSPs with cloud-native, subscription-based solutions and services aligned to market needs." "By combining Alibaba Cloud's technical prowess and Whale Cloud's industry expertise, we are confident in the value we can bring to worldwide telecom industry; by making it easy for companies to undergo digital transformation and creating more business advantages for our customers anywhere," said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. The ZSmart D-BEP is a complete telecom suite for CSP digital transformation addressing business innovation, network operation, data intelligence with cloud-native, container-based architecture for rapid time to market, and speedy innovation. Bobby Storey spent more than 20 years in prison during the Troubles (Liam McBurney/PA) Senior republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey has died, Sinn Fein has announced. Storey, from west Belfast, was a highly influential presence within the republican movement throughout the Troubles and subsequent peace process. The former Sinn Fein chairman north of the border was 64 and had been unwell for a period of time. Party president Mary Lou McDonald said: It was with deep sadness that I learned today of the death of Bobby Storey. Expand Close Bobby Storey, left, and Gerry Adams address a rally in west Belfast after their homes were attacked in 2018 (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bobby Storey, left, and Gerry Adams address a rally in west Belfast after their homes were attacked in 2018 (Niall Carson/PA) Bobby was a lifelong and very deeply committed Irish Republican whose passing will be received with great sadness by republicans throughout Ireland. Storey spent more than 20 years in prison during the Troubles. He was sentenced to 18 years for possession of a rifle in 1981 and also spent several periods behind bars remanded on other charges. As a teenager, he had been interned without charge. In 1983 he was involved in a mass escape by republican prisoners from the Maze paramilitary prison near Lisburn. In 2005, then Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside used parliamentary privilege to claim that Storey was the IRAs head of intelligence. He also alleged he was involved in the IRAs 26.5 million robbery of the Northern Bank in Belfast in 2004. Expand Close Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Storey as a champion of the peace process (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Storey as a champion of the peace process (Niall Carson/PA) Two years ago Mr Storeys house was targeted in an attack Sinn Fein blamed on dissident republicans. Three years earlier, police investigating the murder of former IRA member Kevin McGuigan in Belfast arrested Storey. He was subsequently released without charge. In a press conference after his release he compared the IRA to a caterpillar, insisting the organisation had become a butterfly and had flew away. The IRA has gone. The IRA has stood down, they have put their arms beyond use, he said. They have left the stage, they are away and theyre not coming back. In 2014, he was arrested as part of the polices overall investigation into the abduction and murder of Belfast mother of 10 Jean McConville in 1972. He was released without charge. Ms McDonald described him as a champion of the peace process. Bobby was extremely committed to the pursuit of a United Ireland with equality and social justice for all, she said. He will be greatly missed. Washington, June 21 : At least two people were killed in shooting incidents that took place in the US cities of Minneapolis and Seattle, police said. In Minneapolis, the city's police force tweeted early Sunday morning that some 11 people who were injured in the shooting have been hospitalised, without giving any further details of the incident, reports 10 WBNS news. In an earlier tweet, the police asked the residents of the city to avoid the Upper Minneapolis area. Minneapolis was the city where the unarmed African-American man George Floyd was killed by a white police officer on May 25, which has led to widespread protests against racism and police brutalities across the US and also the world. Meanwhile in Seattle, police were probing a shooting that killed one person and another critically injured inside the city's Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone. Calls to the police to report shots fired in Cal Anderson Park started coming in at about 2.30 a.m. on Saturday, the Seattle-based King 5 news reported. "Officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims," a police statement said. Police said they were later informed that CHOP medics had taken the two victims to hospital. The 19-year-old victims died from his injuries, while the other person remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The police are reviewing public-source video and body-camera video for clues. "The suspect or suspects fled and are still at large. There is no description at this time," the statement added. Amid the ongoing border tensions with China, the government has granted emergency funds to armed forces for war preparedness. The government has granted big financial power to the defence forces under which they can buy any weapon system under Rs 500 crore. "The three services have been granted the financial powers by the Narendra Modi government to buy weapon systems under emergency requirement procedure. Now they can buy any in inventory or new weapon upto Rs 500 for each project under these powers," government sources told Aajtak and India Today. "Under the project, the defence forces in consultation with the Department of Military Affairs go in for buying any weapon which they feel would be required for war fighting or are short of in their inventory," the sources also said. The three forces have already started preparing a list of weapons and equipment that they need and can procure in the shortest possible time. The defence forces have so far in the last four years after the Uri attacks stocked up several spares and missiles which were short in supply till that time. The development comes as Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in several areas of eastern Ladakh. The ties between the two countries came under severe strain after the Chinese military killed 20 Indian Army personnel and injured around 76 in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15. (PLA) has not yet talked about the number of casualties it suffered. The Indian Army as well as the IAF have already been ramping up their operational capabilities along the LAC to effectively deal with any Chinese misadven Also read: Coronavirus cure: Gilead signs pacts with 4 more firms for manufacturing of remdesivir Also Read: RIL share hits all-time high after firm becomes net debt-free ahead of target Police chiefs have been accused of putting political correctness ahead of public safety after issuing an appeal for witnesses following a sex attack but failing to mention that the wanted man was wearing womens clothing. Hertfordshire police called for public help after a victim was left traumatised by a late-night assault in Bishops Stortford in December. But they made no reference to the attackers gender or appearance, saying only they wanted to hear about anyone acting suspiciously in the area. Hertfordshire police called for public help after a victim was left traumatised by a late-night assault in Bishops Stortford in December [File photo] It was not until after a man was charged on May 27 over the assault that detectives made those details public. Last night, campaigners accused officers of a deliberate failure to properly investigate a dangerous sex offender for fear of causing offence. Former police officer Harry Miller of the Fair Cop group, which combats police interference in free speech, added that the force had displayed favouritism towards one community and fear of the trans lobby group. In a recent briefing for local newspapers, a senior officer confirmed that they were aware that the alleged attacker was a man wearing womens clothing but told reporters they should report the information sensitively in terms of the LGBT+ community. Asking for the journalists help in persuading other possible victims to come forward, Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins of the regional major crime unit explained: We need people to feel comfortable in reporting these matters to police so it is absolutely vital that any coverage of the case in the media is handled supportively and sensitively, both in terms of the male victim and of the LGBT+ community. We do not want to be in a situation where members of the gay or trans communities in particular are being targeted by hurtful comments or actions as a result of this information being released. We would ask that you please take this into consideration when preparing any coverage and ensure you are regularly monitoring or removing any offensive comments posted on social media. Barrister Kama Melly QC said that not giving an accurate description of the attacker at the time might hamper justice. She said: Being attacked sexually in the street is a terrifying experience and all victims are entitled to a proper police investigation. The police know that the best way to find that perpetrator is by circulating an accurate description promptly and efficiently. Descriptions of suspects have never in my experience taken into account political tensions or personal sensibilities. This victim, like all victims, is entitled to a robust investigation I fail to see how such an inadequate description of this suspect assists in bringing this suspect to justice. Former police officer Harry Miller of the Fair Cop group, which combats police interference in free speech, added that the force had displayed favouritism towards one community and fear of the trans lobby group [File photo] Concerns about the witness appeal come amid a growing backlash against moves to liberalise transgender rights, with Ministers preparing to ditch reforms that would make it easier for people to legally change their gender. Hertfordshire Constabulary said last night: This has been a highly complex and sensitive investigation into an incident with very unusual circumstances. Supporting the victim has always been at the forefront of our minds. While seeking witnesses, we have also been conducting extensive enquiries behind the scenes, which have allowed us to make an arrest and subsequent charge. We are now widening our investigation and are in a position to release this detail publicly. The victim, a man in his 30s, is understood to have been initially unsure about issuing an appeal in the media as he struggled to come to terms with the assault. The alleged attacker is currently on bail awaiting a court date. Hertfordshire Constabulary have previously been accused of pandering by treating transgender paedophile Carrie Cooper as a woman, despite committing the crimes as a man called Gary. Large shipment of 35,000 units of formulated finished products and bulk extract completed to MPL Australia to support commencement of sales revenue TORONTO, June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediPharm Labs Corp. (LABS.TO) (MEDIF) (MLZ.F) (MediPharm Labs or the Company) a global leader in specialized, research-driven pharmaceutical-quality cannabis extraction, distillation and derivative products, today announced that its subsidiary, MediPharm Labs Australia Pty. Ltd. (MediPharm Labs Australia) has entered into an agreement to supply pharmaceutical-quality (GMP certified), formulated cannabis oil products to Beacon Medical Australia Pty. Ltd. (Beacon Medical Australia), a subsidiary of VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX: VIVO, OTCQX: VVCIF) (VIVO Cannabis). Under the agreement with Beacon Medical Australia, which has an initial one-year term subject to renewal, MediPharm Labs Australia will supply a full range of GMP-certified, formulated CBD and THC cannabis oil products to Beacon Medical Australia for further distribution under its own branding. Just weeks after MediPharm Labs Australia was granted GMP Certification, were pleased to announce this agreement that underscores the burgeoning demand for our specialized skills and rapid success in converting our opportunity pipeline into tangible, revenue-generating business, said Warren Everitt, CEO, Asia Pacific, MediPharm Labs. We are excited to be working with VIVO to bring high quality products to medical consumers across Australia and other emerging markets. VIVOs international efforts remain focused on the emerging Australian and German markets and we continue to seek out partnerships with organizations that have proven track records, said Barry Fishman, CEO of VIVO. For this reason, we are thrilled to be working with MediPharm Labs to leverage their GMP production capabilities to accelerate our Australian market presence. We are confident this will allow us to continue to provide our Australian patients with the medical-grade products they have come to expect from the Beacon Medical brand. Story continues MediPharm Labs Australia Nearing Commercialization and First Revenues MediPharm Labs also announced that MediPharm Labs Australia has received a large shipment of 35,000 GMP-units of formulated finished products and a large volume of bulk oil for further manufacturing into finished products, from its Barrie, Ontario facility to meet its burgeoning customer needs within the Australian domestic and export cannabis markets. Australia remains one of the fastest growing medical cannabis markets in the world. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the rate of medical cannabis approvals is accelerating in Australia. Up to May 31, 2020, the TGA had approved over 46,000 SAS Category B applications for unapproved medicinal cannabis products, with 83% of all those approvals occurring in the last 12 months alone.1 Currently, the Australian legal cannabis market is estimated at US$40 million, and as a result of various recent regulatory changes is expected to grow to US$170 million by next year, and over $1 billion by 2023.2 Since we expect to expand our international distribution of proprietary cannabis concentrate products for sale globally, we intend to continue to use our Barrie, Ontario facility to supply finished goods to complement our asset in Australia, said Warren Everitt, CEO, MediPharm Labs Australia. Having two GMP-certified manufacturing platforms integrated into a global supply-chain gives us flexibility to respond to global demand in an efficient and effective manner for our customers. By leveraging our deep scientific, production and regulatory expertise, we have created two strong GMP certified manufacturing platforms, secured all licenses necessary to operate on a multi-jurisdictional basis and developed a very attractive portfolio of international supply agreements that will make great use of our industry-leading pharma-quality capabilities, said Pat McCutcheon, CEO, MediPharm Labs. We have a very clear roadmap for international expansion and now the means to begin achieving our objectives in a risk-managed but assertive fashion. About VIVO Cannabis VIVO Cannabis is recognized for trusted, premium cannabis products and services. It holds production and sales licences from Health Canada and operates world-class indoor and seasonal airhouse cultivation facilities with proprietary plant-growing technology in Hope, British Columbia and Napanee, Ontario. VIVO has a collection of premium brands, each targeting different customer segments, including Canna Farms, Beacon Medical, Fireside, Lumina and Canadian Bud Collection. VIVO Cannabis is expanding its production capabilities and distribution network. Harvest Medicine, VIVOs patient-centric, scalable network of medical cannabis clinics, has serviced over 100,000 patient visits. VIVO is pursuing several partnership and product development opportunities and is focusing its international efforts on Germany and Australia. About MediPharm Labs Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the production of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis oil and concentrates and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities with five primary extraction lines for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. Through its wholesale and white label platforms, MediPharm Labs formulates, develops (including through sensory testing), processes, packages and distributes cannabis extracts and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international markets. As a global leader, MediPharm Labs has completed commercial exports to Australia and is nearing commercialization of its Australian extraction facility. MediPharm Labs Australia was established in 2017. For further information, please contact: Laura Lepore, VP, Investor Relations and Communications Telephone: 416-913-7425 ext. 1525 Email: investors@medipharmlabs.com Website: www.medipharmlabs.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. 1 Access to medicinal cannabis products; Australian Government, Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration; Accessed online June 18, 2020: https://www.tga.gov.au/access-medicinal-cannabis-products-1 . 2 Australia's legal cannabis market blooms to $1.5 billion by 2025; April 12, 2020; Consultancy.com.au; Accessed online June 18, 2020: https://www.consultancy.com.au/news/1887/australias-legal-cannabis-market-blooms-to-15-billion-by-2025 . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bb41b26-2167-49e2-8eef-4a9286de0afd They are the epitome of a modern blended family. And the Willis/Moore/Hemming clan lived up expectations when celebrating Father's Day on Sunday. Demi Moore, 57, took to social media to wish her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, 65, on his special day, while surrounded by all his loved ones. Modern family! Demi Moore was quick to wish her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, on Father's Day Sunday 'Happy Fathers Day, Bruce! Your kids are so lucky to have you ' she captioned the series of photos. The photo saw Demi sitting with a young girl on her lap. Also in the family photo was Bruce's daughters, Mabel Ray eight Evelyn, six - who he shares with wife, Emma Hemming Willis, 42, and the girls he shares with his ex-wife; Rumer, 31, Scout, 28, and Tallulah, 26. Love: 'Happy Fathers Day, Bruce! Your kids are so lucky to have you ' she captioned the series of photos Centre stage: Bruce was seen stealing centre stage by climbing on the table and attempting to fix a hanging light pendant And it really was a family affair with cake for all and Bruce stealing centre stage by climbing on the table and attempting to fix a hanging light pendant. Emma also took to social media to praise her husband on his special day. In a sweet photo of the family of four, she captioned: 'Gone fishing #fathersdayweekend.' She also shared a sweet picture of Mabel giving her dad a kiss. Gone fishing: Emma also took to social media to praise her husband on his special day Father-daughter: Emma also shared a sweet picture of Mabel giving her dad a kiss 'We love and adore him this much. Happy Fathers Day to one of the best.' Eldest daughter, Rumer, also took to social media to wish her dad on his special day. 'Happy Fathers Day Daddio Thank you for always being a weirdo and making it ok for me to be one too. I love when you make me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt,' she penned. She also posted other photos with the caption: 'I love you Daddio. I'm so glad we aren't dramatic people....' Sweet: Eldest daughter, Rumer, also took to social media to wish her dad on his special day Forever love: 'Happy Fathers Day Daddio Thank you for always being a weirdo and making it ok for me to be one too. I love when you make me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt,' she penned Bruce met Demi at the premiere for the film Stakeout back in August 1987. The pair wed just months later in November. They welcomed Rumer the following year, then Scout in 1991 and Tallulah in 1994. Demi and Bruce announced their split in 1998 and finalized their divorce in 2000. The Die Hard actor later married model, Emma Heming, in a Turks and Caicos ceremony in March 2009. Demi as well as her then husband, Ashton Kutcher, were in attendance. Bruce and the beauty have continued to amicably co-parent their children in recent years. Scams cost Australians about $2.5 billion in the past decade, with some rackets so slick at exploiting the news that even experts find it difficult to tell what is real. That figure, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's annual Targeting Scams report, is vastly understated, with one in three scams not reported, ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said. Organised crime has "become amazingly effective" at using technology. Credit:Shutterstock "With COVID-19, from the moment [the federal government] announced early access to super, scammers were doing a whole range of phishing scams where they were getting everyone's superannuation details," she said. "It's almost impossible to tell which are scams and which aren't." The United States President Donald Trump spoke at an election rally in Tulsa despite being met with a sparse crowd and new COVID-19 infections among six staffers on Saturday. The Tulsa rally, which was initially scheduled on Juneteenth, was expected to be one of the largest indoor gatherings. However, the thousands of empty seats forced the president's campaign officials to forego plans for Trump to address an overflowing space, Market Watch reported. Trump's rally aides blamed protesters for interfering with supporters, claiming they blocked access to metal detectors, which prevented them from entering BOK Center. Brad Parscale, the campaign manager, previously boasted a million ticket requests for the rally. However, he also said he only expected 100,000 to attend, NY Post reported. The light crowds came at the heels of reports that six of the campaign's staff members tested positive for the virus-two of whom are Secret Service agents. Tim Murtaugh, the campaign communications director, said the staffers were immediately quarantined following the release of the results. According to NBC News, a source familiar with the matter claimed the staffers have been in Oklahoma for a week. The administration is also aware of the results and has begun doing contact tracing. COVID-19 Safety Measures A fuller view of stadium as the program begins pic.twitter.com/xGdqTpwi1L - SteadmanTM (@AsteadWesley) June 20, 2020 Trump's campaign staffers handed out masks to supporters who stayed in designated areas in the arena. However, most threw their masks out immediately after receiving them, as wearing them was not mandatory. Many also ignored social distancing measures throughout the event. The event's staff tested all guests entering the arena. Those who failed a temperature check was directed to a cooling room. If they failed a second test, they would not be allowed entry, the New York Times reported. Public health officials criticized the campaign's measures, noting they would not prevent the spread of the virus or identify asymptomatic carriers. Leaders in the administration dismissed the warning, citing an individual's right to choose not to wear a mask. Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma told reporters he did not believe the rally would contribute to a surge in the state's virus-related deaths. Virus Surges Despite Governor Stitt's statement, officials from Oklahoma's health department said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state had surpassed 10,000 on Saturday morning. According to data published by the department, Oklahoma now has over 10,037 cases since March. The recent numbers jumped by 331 cases over the past 24 hours. Local authorities reported 368 total deaths and 1,229 hospitalizations across the state-197 of whom are still in hospitals. The officials believe more than 7,400 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus, but they need to test the patients twice to determine if they have improved. However, staffers from the health department said they are preserving tests for patients who are showing symptoms related to the virus. Want to read more? With Nijel Amos, Chanelle Price and Vince Ciattei collecting individual wins, Oregon Track Club Elite ran away with a virtual dual meet against Atlanta Track Club on Saturday. OTC athletes ran in 60-degree temperatures at Hamlin Middle School in Springfield. ATC athletes competed in hot, steamy conditions at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia. OTC won the three contested individual races, each victory counting for one point in the team standings. The OTC 2x2x400-meter relay of Jake Hayward and Sabrina Southerland also won easily. That was worth three team points. The final score was 6-1. ATCs victory came in the womens 1.200. Yolanda Ngarambe of ATC won uncontested after Hanna Green OTC Elite scratched for a medical reason. The races were streamed with a split-screen format on the ATCs Facebook page and YouTube channel. Viewers were asked to donate to FOOD for Lane County or the Atlanta Mission. The best race probably was the mens 600. Amos, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 800, started fast, tied up late and held off the hard-closing Dylan Capwell of ATC. According to information furnished by TrackTown USA, Amos winning time was 1 minute, 17.80 seconds. Capwell crossed in 1:18.93. Price and Ciattei had little trouble winning the womens 600 and the mens 1,200, respectively. Story has been updated with a change in Dylan Capwells time, -- Ken Goe BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Eldar Janashvili Trend: Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has been working on founding a relationship with the National Depository Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NDC), which should allow foreign investors to access the securities market of the Azerbaijan Republic, RBI told Trend. "Central Bank of Azerbaijan, NDC and RBI are also working on the legislation improvement and on the implementation of the world best practices on the Azerbaijani securities market," the bank said. "In general, it is our aim to further assist emerging markets in the CIS region to grow fast and sustainably," the bank added. "Certainly, we are looking forward to further increase both the quality and quantity of the services we provide for our Azerbaijani partners." "Apart from delivering traditional and cutting-edge financial solutions, we are planning to further tighten bilateral relationship by boosting the quantity of bilateral meetings between us and our customers," the bank said. "Although, usually, every year we pay a visit to Baku to have on-sight meetings with Azerbaijani banks, we are still looking forward to further enhance such exchanges in future." "We also welcome our valuable business partners in Vienna in January every year upon their visit to the annual Euromoney conference," the bank said. "Regulatory measures also in Azerbaijan need to be further improved to meet the world level," the bank said. "Implementation of international requirements considering local specifics makes this task for the Azerbaijani government and the Central Bank so challenging. The regulations should be designed in a way that the market players can feel secure and at the same time, comfortable to make use of a diverse set of financial products and services both locally, and globally." RBI is the second biggest bank in Austria. Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) regards Austria, where it is a leading corporate and investment bank, as well as Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as its home market. Thirteen markets of the region are covered by subsidiary banks. Additionally, the group comprises numerous other financial service providers, for instance in the fields of leasing, asset management, as well as M&A. To support its business activities, RBI operates representative offices and service branches at selected Asian and Western European locations. RBI is active in Azerbaijani market through its local subsidiary Raiffeisenbank Moscow (RBRU). --- Follow the author on Twitter:@eldarjanashvili - Veteran Filipino actor Manolo Robles has passed away already at 88 years old - His children told a news site in the Philippines that he succumbed to prostate cancer - The celebrity was known for starring in 60s films alongside Erap Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr. - He moved to the United States after doing many movies, but he decided to come back PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Manolo Robles, a veteran actor in the Philippines, has passed away already at the age of 88. KAMI learned that the said celebrity, who became a cast member in Pepeng Agimat and other classic movies, succumbed to prostate cancer. Photo sent by Manolo's children to Inquirer.net Source: UGC PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! The sad news was confirmed by his children through a message relayed to Inquirer.net. When he was still active in showbiz during the 60s, he starred in films alongside Erap Estrada and the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback Photo sent by Manolo's children to Inquirer.net Source: UGC In a previous article by , the mother of Christopher de Leon also passed away on June 15. Manolo Robles, or Manolo Tolentino in real life, was a Filipino actor and cousin of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. He moved to the United States after doing many movies, but he later returned to the Philippines. Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 19:22:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ALGIERS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A soldier was killed in a terrorist attack in the Ain Defla province, northwest of Algeria, Defense Ministry announced on Sunday. The ministry's statement said that the army forces clashed with a terrorist group on Saturday, in the municipality of Tariq Ben Ziyad, in Ain Defla province, 150 km northwest of the capital Algiers. Contracting corporal Mustafa Zenanda was killed "while performing his national duty," said the source. Enditem Dublin, June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Squamous Cell Carcinoma Market and Competitive Landscape - 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides comprehensive insights into the Squamous Cell Carcinoma pipeline, epidemiology, market valuations, drug sales, market forecast, drug forecasts, and market shares. This research analyzes and forecasts the Squamous Cell Carcinoma market size and drug sales. It also provides insights into Squamous Cell Carcinoma epidemiology and late stage pipeline. The report covers the following: Squamous Cell Carcinoma treatment options, Squamous Cell Carcinoma late stage clinical trials pipeline, Squamous Cell Carcinoma prevalence by countries, Squamous Cell Carcinoma market size and forecast by countries, key market events and trends, drug sales and forecast by countries, and market shares by countries. The research scope includes the countries US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Europe, Global (G7 Countries). Research Scope Countries: US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Europe, Global Squamous Cell Carcinoma pipeline: Find out drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma by development phase 3, phase 2, and phase 1, by pharmacological class and company Squamous Cell Carcinoma epidemiology: Find out the number of patients diagnosed (prevalence) with Squamous Cell Carcinoma by countries Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs: Identify key drugs marketed and prescribed for Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the US, including trade name, molecule name, and company Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs sales: Find out the sales value for Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs by countries Squamous Cell Carcinoma market valuations: Find out the market size for Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs in 2019 by countries. Find out how the market advanced from 2016 and forecast to 2024 Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs market share: Find out the market shares for key drugs by countries Story continues Benefits of this Research Evaluate commercial market opportunities for Squamous Cell Carcinoma drugs Synthesize insights for business development & licensing Track market size, competitor drug sales, market shares in the Squamous Cell Carcinoma market Develop in-depth knowledge of competition and markets Analyze Squamous Cell Carcinoma drug sales data to update your brand planning trackers Develop tactics and strategies to take advantage of opportunities in the market Track Market Events and Trends and analyze key events in the Squamous Cell Carcinoma market Develop forecast models, healthcare frameworks, or economic models Answer key business questions; supports decision making in R&D to long term marketing strategies For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5wab21 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 They welcomed their daughter Sienna to the world last month. And Millie Mackintosh and her husband Hugo Taylor celebrated his first Father's Day together with a ramble in the woods on Sunday afternoon. The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, couldn't contain her glee as she posed for a smiling selfie with her other half, while carrying her little one on her front. Happy! Millie Mackintosh and her husband Hugo Taylor celebrated his first Father's Day together with a ramble in the woods on Sunday afternoon Fresh-faced Millie looked glowing as she donned a pair of cool clear-rimmed shades and wore her brunette locks in a loose, natural style. The reality star offered a glimpse of her stylish leopard print baby carrier, while Hugo posed in the background while nonchalantly posing against the tree with their dog. Hugo opted for casual chic as he wore an unbuttoned blue shirt teamed with a pair of cream chino shorts and tan loafers. Millie sweetly captioned the snap: 'The best thing about having you as my husband, is that our daughter has you as her Daddy. Happy first Father's Day.' Millie sweetly captioned the snap: 'The best thing about having you as my husband, is that our daughter has you as her Daddy. Happy first Father's Day' Family: The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, couldn't contain her glee as she posed for a smiling selfie with her other half, while carrying her little one on her front The post comes after Millie was in familial bliss on Saturday, as she uploaded a stunning throwback wedding snap to Instagram to mark her two year anniversary. Millie posted the picture for her 1.3million followers alongside the caption: 'Two years ago! Love you more each day.' While Millie and Hugo tied the knot in an elaborate ceremony at Whithurst Park in West Sussex they had their intimate official wedding service at Chelsea Town Hall. Official! Millie was in familial bliss on Saturday as she uploaded a stunning throwback wedding snap to Instagram to mark her two year anniversary since her official wedding ceremony at Chelsea Town Hall - having also enjoyed a later elaborate ceremony Millie borrowed from Bianca Jagger in her elegant look for the day as she donned an incredible white trouser suit with a seventies-inspired hat. She looked sensational in the white two-piece that paired together a chic wrap-over blazer jacket, that came complete with statement sleeves, and complementary ivory white flared trousers. Her throwback picture showed Millie kissing her adoring husband Hugo, 34, on their big day while clutching a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Look familiar? She revealed previously that her ensemble for the official service took inspiration from Mick Jagger's ex-wife Bianca on their wedding day in 1971 Millie appears to be taking to life as a new mum swimmingly as she posed for a stunning snap while taking baby Sienna for a walk on Thursday. She looked sensational as she posed in the street while pushing SIenna's pram and sporting the stunning boho-inspired dress. She added a celebrity touch with oversized sunglasses and wore her hair in perfectly coiffed waves to add to the chic style. Millie added a caption reading: 'After the rain comes a rainbow'. Last week, Millie finally unveiled the name of her baby daughter, five weeks after welcoming her first child with her husband in Hello! magazine. New parents: The loved-up couple recently welcomed their daughter Sienna to the world last month Stunner: Millie recently appeared to be taking to life as a new mum swimmingly as she posed for a stunning snap while taking baby Sienna for a walk on Thursday She introduced little Sienna Grace to the world as she cradled her adorable girl in a stunning cover shoot. The blogger gushed she's 'on cloud nine' and praised sunglasses entrepreneur Hugo for being present during labour amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused most hospitals in the UK to allow only one birthing partner. Revealing they settled on Sienna Grace's name 'months' before the birth, Millie added of their first weeks of parenthood: 'We're on cloud nine; it's gone so quickly. 'We've been in our little love bubble at home, cherishing those newborn moments, whether that's her sleeping on me or just lapping up all the cuteness. Time has gone so quickly. She is so adorable, even down to the little noises she makes.' Hugo added: 'Sienna has turned our world upside down. It's like first love all over again that wondrous feeling of excitement, joy and endless possibility for the future. I can't wait to watch her grow.' It's unclear whether Millie named her daughter after actress Sienna Miller, but she has made no secret of being a supporter of the thespian - having taken inspiration from her cropped haircut in 2013, getting the same star tattoo as her and fangirled over her wearing her Nouveau Lashes to the 2015 Golden Globes ceremony. Every day, the men unfurl large pleas for help over the balcony railings of their hotel room and stand in silence as traffic roars along the main road of the Australian city they're trapped in. Their signs are mostly made from bin bags stuck together with tape, and secured to the railing with shoelaces. "Where is justice?" one reads. These men are not hotel guests, but refugees and asylum seekers who have been in Australian immigration custody for seven years. Many arrived in Australian waters in 2013, after the government introduced offshore immigration processing. They were detained on the remote islands of Manus in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and on Nauru in the Pacific, in conditions once described by the United Nations as "harsh" and "inadequate." In 2016, Amnesty International called Nauru an "open-air prison." All are suffering the effects of prolonged, indefinite detention and were brought to Australia last year for urgent medical treatment. But some say the conditions in the Brisbane hotel are worse than PNG or Nauru. "You're in prison in here. In PNG, you have a little bit of freedom. You can move around. There is no ABF (Australian Border Force), no security guards around you," said Farhad Rahmati, an Iranian refugee who was transferred to Australia from PNG last July. For months, the 120 or so men inside the hotel kept quiet about their plight. However that changed in March, when the number of coronavirus cases in Brisbane started rising. Fearing the virus would enter the hotel via the guards who come and go, they crafted signs large enough to be seen from the street. As people noticed their pleas, weekly demonstrations began outside the hotel. These demonstrations have now escalated into a blockade by human rights activists who are demanding the men be freed. The standoff between cellphone-armed protesters and security guards has cast unwanted attention on an Australian immigration policy that has long been, by definition, focused offshore. Now it's playing out in the heart of one of Australia's largest cities in a 4.5-star hotel that only a few months ago was still accepting paying guests. Offshore Detention In 2018, it was reported that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a model migrant boat on his desk bearing the words: "I stopped these." Before taking high office, Morrison helped strengthen the country's border protection policies, which mandate that people arriving by boat will be processed offshore -- and even if they are found to be refugees, they will never be settled in Australia. The government says this policy removes demand for people smugglers and prevents deaths at sea. Boat arrivals peaked in 2012, when more than 17,000 passengers arrived from Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and other troubled nations, via hubs such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Few boats arrive now, but human rights advocates say the policy has created a cohort of prisoners confined to islands offshore. As the detainees' mental health deteriorated, advocates pushed for a law to allow doctors to decide if they should be brought to Australia for medical treatment. The medevac bill was passed in March 2019, opening the door for transfers, but the government abruptly closed it again after winning an election that May, citing national security concerns. Before that happened, almost 200 men had been brought to Australia under the medevac law, including some who were suicidal. Others had brain injuries, undiagnosed gastrointestinal bleeding, heart conditions and broken bones that needed surgery. For months, many of those detainees lived in one of the Brisbane hotel's three buildings, confined to the upper floors -- and beyond the view of paying guests. Before the coronavirus outbreak, they were allowed visits from pre-approved guests. Now, they're only allowed out for medical appointments, escorted by guards. In March, due to the pandemic, more space was needed for social distancing in Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA), the main immigration detention center on the city's outskirts. About 40 more detainees were moved to the hotel -- and their rooms opened onto a balcony with a view of the street. Watching the World Go By Somali father-of-one Saif Ali Saif stands on his balcony each day, with his own sign scribbled in pen on an old T-shirt. It says: "I want (to) hug my son." His wife Sabah Siyad lives in community detention 29 kilometers (18 miles away) with their three-year-old son, Sammi. She gets a small government allowance each week and is not allowed to work or study. The family hasn't held each other since March, when visits stopped due to the coronavirus. Saif worries Sammi will forget him Saif escaped war while working as a driver in Yemen; Siyad ran from bombing in Somalia. She lifts her sleeve to show shrapnel scars as proof. The refugees met and married in Nauru in 2016 and Sammi was born on Valentine's Day the following year. Their baby was a few months old when it became apparent that his breathing difficulties required specialist care. Officials approved the baby's transfer to Australia with his mother but not Saif. "I was really scared my son would die there," he said, so he let them go. Saif was told last June he was being transferred to Australia and has now spent a year in detention. He says he doesn't know why he was transferred. The family has been separated for three years. "Sammi wants his father," Siyad said. From his balcony, Rahmati, the Iranian refugee, can see a pub, a car wash, restaurants and a McDonald's on the next block. "I see everything, but I have no chance to touch it," he said. "I see people walking their dogs. I love dogs. I'd love to have a chance to, you know, to walk my dogs. But look at my situation. I'm not even close to that." Rahmati worked as a civil engineer before fleeing Iran in 2013. He doesn't want to talk about why he left. While Rahmati and Saif stand on the balcony with signs, many detainees don't. They stay in their rooms, worried that protesting will affect their chances of ever being freed. "If the minister is not making the decision to release the men into community detention because it is not in the public interest, then he needs to explain what that means," she said. "Indefinite detention is wrong." ALTON If Don Fletcher were given a chance, hed choose the same career hes had for 60 years in Alton, cutting hair at Fletchers Barber Shop on State Street. You get to know so many people and they become family, said the 81-year-old Fletcher. Our customers are more than just customers, they are friends. I have several families that I have cut all of their hair for five generations, Fletcher said. Grandpa comes in, brings the grandson, the grandson grows up and brings his little guys in here. Thats very rewarding to me. Like its namesake, Fletchers is a throwback to the era when neighborhood barber shops were half business and half conversation spot hole-in-the-wall places with a striped barber pole outside and extra chairs inside to wait your turn, chew the fat, or both. We have loafers every day. People get their hair cut then sit down and shoot the breeze for 30 or 40 minutes, Fletcher said. Our wall used to be covered with the Three Stooges, W.C. Fields, Barney Fife, just fun things. People would go on vacation and bring us a Three Stooges sign. In March, Fletcher reduced his schedule to Tuesday, Friday and Saturday after selling the business to Darla Meyer, but he intends to cut hair and carry on conversations during those days as long as hes able, which may be for quite a while. It seems the tonic of working as a barber is actually Fletchers Fountain of Youth. It keeps your mind active, he said. You have to remember the customers names, their parents names, their grandchildrens names. If you dont use it you lose it. And because Im constantly using barber tools, I dont have arthritis in my hands. Fletcher was born in Modesto, Illinois. He graduated from Carlinville High School in 1956 and was employed for a couple of years at a job that required outdoor work. I didnt like the hot summers and the cold winters, so I decided to become a barber, Fletcher said. He attended a barber school in Decatur and after nine months of studying eight hours a day, six days a week, then serving a 27-month apprenticeship he took an exam and become a registered, licensed barber. Fletcher got a job in 1960 in the building where he still works and bought the business in 1973 from former owner Marvin Bauser. Fletcher has built a loyal following during his 60 years in the business. Weve had customers that left the area but when they come back on vacation, they always come in, Fletcher said. I guess they just like the bullcrap we dish out the conversation, the friendship. Its not uncommon for Fletcher to run into customers with their spouses when hes off work, which often means he has to talk shop. When you get to know the spouses, youll be out somewhere and the spouse will come up and say, Hey, take a little more off here or Dont take so much off there, Fletcher said. And if you please a wife, youve got a customer. Fletcher uses a combination of old and new barber tools to cut hair and his hands are still steady enough to use a straight razor for crisp hair outlines. The shop still employs what Fletcher calls a clean-up kid, but the shoe-shine kid is long gone, a casualty of the switch to more casual footwear. Fletchers was closed for 10 weeks due to the pandemic. But when the restrictions were eased, the first 10 days we were just packed with customers. I never realized how an illness could shut things down, but it sure did, Fletcher said. The shutdown occurred just two weeks after Fletcher sold the business to Darla Meyer, a Carrollton resident who has been a barber at the shop since May 2019. In that short period of time Meyer has come to respect and admire the former owner, and he trusts her to cut his hair. I love the way he interacts with his clients. His memory blows my mind, because he knows the grandkids names, asks about the wives, asks about their jobs, he remembers every detail, Meyer said. Some times I want to complain because Im 53 and I think Im old. Then I get here and I see him and hes 81 and just wants to be here. He loves being here. On Friday afternoon, Melvin Hamler of Alton brought his friend, Phillip McCardy, to Fletchers and the two young men immediately felt at home. I came for the first time a month or two ago and I was satisfied, so I definitely came back, Hamler said. I like it. This is the only place I feel comfortable coming. In between snips Fletcher talked about his own family: married for 54 years, two daughters and a son, two grandchildren, and a relatively new toy a street-legal dune buggy he purchased in 2004 and has spent a lot of time and effort fixing up. I used to ride motorcycles and got too old for them, I needed more wheels, so I got a dune buggy, Fletcher said. It does mess my hair up, but I think I know where I can get that fixed. K SHIVA KUMAR By Express News Service MYSURU: They crossed the borders to teach yoga to the people of China and other neighbouring countries and also to find a better living for themselves. But as International Yoga Day dawns, whats weighing heavily on the minds of the yoga instructors from Mysuru and other parts of the state is the ongoing border tensions between India and China. Although there is no hostile atmosphere in China, the Indian community there is anxious and is closely tracking the developments. A yoga instructor working in China told The New Sunday- Express that they have not experienced any sort of hostility or public anger towards them, given the prevailing situation. We are tracking the developments on the internet, but we dont chat or discuss anything related to the border flare-up on the phone. But some of us friends did meet and discuss the issue. We are hopeful that the Indian consulate will come to our rescue or alert us if the things go out of control, said Ramu (name changed), who hails from Mysuru and is currently based in Shanghai. For now, the yoga instructors are busy making preparations for International Yoga Day, to be held in all institutes with permission from the local authorities while maintaining social distance. But if a warlike situation arises, we will fly back to India, he said. Kin worried about yoga instructors in China There are more than 500 instructors from Karnataka working at yoga institutes in China and neighbouring countries. Mysuru is home to a good number of instructors and institutes and has given popular yoga experts like B K S Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and others. With the Covid-19 pandemic, yoga is drawing Chinese people in droves as it helps improve immunity and breathing. The country has recovered from Covid-19 and people are moving without masks, Ramu observed. But tension and anxiety is gnawing at the families of the yoga instructors too. Ramus uncle Venkatesh said he has been in regular touch over the last three days. I have advised him to keep a low profile and stay safe, he said. We pray that the tension will soon defuse and our kin are safe in China, said Das, a resident of J P Nagar, whose relative is in China. He said they had got in touch with Ramu too, as they were keen to know the ground situation and reaction of the people in that country. There are also dozens of English teachers working in China, but many of them have returned on the Vande Bharat flights operated by the Indian government. Vivekananda Yoga Education and Research Institute Director Ganesh Kumar said hundreds of students with post-graduate degrees in yoga and diploma certificates are working in China, Germany, Vietnam, the US and European countries. The Indian instructors are doing well in China and other countries as they are well paid and also their flight and visa charges are taken care of. Ganesh said they are in touch with those working in China and other countries. He said they were initially worried about the spread of the Coronavirus and some had returned to India. However, a few others who are still in China are hopeful that normalcy will return and their families here are relieved of tension. NEW DELHI: Once there is widespread community transmission, as there is in India now, hard choices need to be made, said Babak Javid professor at the Tsinghua University School of Medicine in Beijing and a consultant in infectious diseases at Cambridge University hospitals. He added that taking into account the densely packed population in India, the progression of the Covid outbreak has not been as rapid as witnessed in some parts of Europe and the US. How it will progress, is at the moment, hard to predict, said Javid. Q: India is facing a huge problem of rising infection in containment zones, where movement of people is restricted, especially in urban centres. Is there a methodology to contain the spread of the virus? A: We have seen that several countries e.g. China, S. Korea and New Zealand have been successful in containing the Covid outbreak. But once there is widespread community transmission, as there is in India now, hard choices need to be made, and I think whatever is decided will have significant and serious consequences. We know that already, services for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis have suffered greatly in India, and deaths from tuberculosis, which already amount to almost half a million a year, are predicted to rise as a result. I do think there is no ione size fits all' in responding to Covid: what may be appropriate and effective in one setting may not be appropriate in another. Q: Italy has started settling down, from 5, 000 cases a day it has reduced to 200 cases a day, but India and the US, in the number of growth of new cases nearly 8, 000 or more daily, are moving in a different direction. Do you think India and the US would end up as the worst hit countries due to this viral infection? A: Italy was hit very hard and very quickly, at least in part because it didn't realise that there was widespread transmission in Northern Italy until transmission had progressed a great deal. But cases have fallen dramatically. As you say, the US, Brazil, Russia and India have some of the largest daily increase in cases now. However, at least in the US, we can see regional differences. New York and New Jersey, the two worst hit states have had a dramatic decline in cases, much like Italy. The plateau in new cases is, I think, because the US, being a large country, has many different regional outbreaks, which are progressing along their own trajectories. India, as the world's second most populace country, may also be facing these issues, with Maharashtra the hardest hit region. However, taking into account the densely packed population in India, the progression of the Covid outbreak has not been as rapid as witnessed in some parts of Europe and the US. How it will progress, is at the moment, hard to predict. Q: WHO recently said the asymptomatic less likely to spread Covid-19. In Indian context, a population of over 130 billion, this may have huge implications on track/trace/isolate measures. Has this statement by WHO gone against the grain in tackling Covid-19 crisis? A: I believe that following the initial statement, the WHO has clarified that there are still many unknowns with regards to transmission by people who don't have classic Covid symptoms. I would agree with that. We know for sure that people that have mild or atypical symptoms do transmit SARS-CoV-2, and we also know that people are contagious before they develop symptoms (pre-symptomatic transmission). It's less clear if truly asymptomatic individuals (i.e. never develop any symptoms) transmit. Regardless, the proportion of transmission from people with no or very few symptoms is not known with certainty: although it's likely to be substantial. This does have implications for track/trace/isolate for any country, including India. By definition, asymptomatic individuals can only be identified by screening or contact tracing. To interrupt transmission, it's important that cases are identified quickly before they and their contacts have had a chance to transmit further. Q: Many experts, especially in Italy which was worst-hit by Covid-19, say that it is not possible to develop a vaccine for Covid-19 soon, as the RNA virus changes very quickly and this makes it difficult to create a good vaccine. What do you have to say on this? A: SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus i that is, its genetic material is RNA instead of DNA. Generally speaking, copying RNA results in more errors i mutations i than copying DNA, therefore RNA viruses, in general, have a higher mutation rate than DNA viruses. But it should be noted that coronaviruses, because they have a large RNA genome, actually make fewer mistakes in copying their genome, and the observed mutation rate is not very high. Certainly, the observed mutation rate would not preclude generating an effective vaccine. Indeed, influenza is also an RNA virus, with a much, much higher mutation rate and we still are able to make a vaccine, but because of the mutations that influenza undergoes, we need to iupdate' the vaccine annually. So far, SARS-CoV-2 has not mutated sufficiently to even warrant an annual vaccine schedule i should be able to identify an effective and safe vaccine i although of course that might change eventually. Q: How soon could we get a vaccine on Covid-19, and in the absence of the vaccine, should we wish for herd immunity to protect us from this deadly viral infection? A: We have never developed a human vaccine that is effective against coronaviruses: but partly that is because we haven't needed to before. The endemic human coronaviruses cause the common cold, and the other two highly pathogenic coronaviruses, which cause SARS and MERS, which are rare diseases, so there wasn't that impetus. I am pretty confident that we will identify a number of vaccines that are at least moderately effective very soon. But the greater challenges will be to ensure such vaccines are safe, and that they can be mass produced and equitably distributed for everyone in the world. With regards to herd immunity, I don't think we understand immunity at a population level to SARS-CoV-2 well enough for me to be able to comment on it. Q: For its 130 billion population, India has nearly 1.2 million doctors and nearly 2 million nurses along with other healthcare professionals, what safeguards should be deployed to protect them and ensure that in fighting Covid-19, the country does not compromise on the safety of the medical professionals. A: This is an important issue. We know that in many/most countries, doctors and nurses have sadly been infected by SARS-CoV-2. However, it's actually quite difficult to determine where/how they got infected: from patients they were treating, from other patients not suspected to have Covid (and therefore less stringent protection measures used in treating them) but who may have pre/asymptomatic infection, or even from each other, or from their families? More and more healthcare institutions are moving to treating healthcare settings with iuniversal precautions', i.e. assume any patient or even healthcare worker may be infected, and places that have done so have seen a decline in hospital associated infections: but of course this has major implications for personal protective equipment procurement, particularly in resource-poor settings. Telanganas KCR-led government on Sunday launched an attack on Centre accusing it of not supporting the state with proper facilities and financial aid for coronavirus containment efforts and claimed to have managed the crisis on its own strength. The verbal assault came on a day when a record number of new cases took the states Covid-19 tally past the 7,000-mark. How many times has your ICMR changed guidelines, you must think about it. We asked for 1000 ventilators but you have given us only 50. Our machine was diverted to Kolkata by ICMR on the orders of the PM. We ordered the machine but you diverted it there, Telangana health minister Eatala Rajendra was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 546 new Covid 19 cases were reported from Telangana in the past 24 hours, pushing the total to 7,072 cases including 203 deaths to the disease, 5 of them registered in the last 24 hours. Total number of active cases in the state currently stands at 3,363. For Coronavirus Live Updates The state has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of infections in the past few days and the government was forced to reintroduce some restrictions as a precautionary measure. You did not give us proper facilities and financial aid but our state government has managed, Rajendra said while snipping at the Centre on Sunday. The coronavirus situation in the entire country has gone from bad to worse with a record 15,413 Covid-19 cases getting registered across the country, pushing Indias tally to 4,10,461Fourt highest in the world after the United States, Brazil and Russia. The countrys death toll has risen to 13,254 with 306 new fatalities, as per the health ministry data released on Sunday. 3,506 coronavirus patients have been cured and discharged in Telangana. The Telangana government issued fresh guidelines on Sunday to tighten the restrictions in government workplaces. A circular issued by the chief secretary said that all state-level government offices will function with reduced manpower. Also Read: Telangana tightens restrictions in govt offices as Covid-19 cases on the rise Apart from common people, several politicians, bureaucrats and police officers have also contracted the virus. According to ANI, senior Congress leader V Hanumanth Rao confirmed on Sunday to have tested positive for the disease. On Friday, as many as three IPS officers in Hyderabad Police Commissionerate had tested positive, besides, 18 police personnel in the special branch wing of the state police. Enrolments at Catholic primary schools have dived, particularly in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, as cost-conscious families and migrant communities choose government schools. In response, Catholic secondary school Emmaus College will from next year prioritise grade 6 students who attend a Catholic school over Catholic children attending a government or independent school. St Roch's Parish Primary School in Glen Iris is bucking the trend with enrolments rising 29 per cent. Credit:Justin McManus Emmaus, an in-demand school in Vermont South, said the change was designed to "support the communities of our Catholic feeder primary schools and parishes". Enrolments in Catholic primary schools have fallen 1.2 per cent across the nation since 2014, while public primary school enrolments have increased 1.3 per cent, said Emma Rowe, senior lecturer in education at Deakin University. Light rains and cloudy weather kept the maximum temperature in check in the national capital on Sunday as the weatherman predicted more downpour till the onset of the monsoon in the city. These rains are a result of a trough extending from Pakistan to Assam, crossing over north Rajasthan and southern Uttar Pradesh, said Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the regional forecasting centre of the India Meteorological Department. A western disturbance is also active over north Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded a maximum of 36.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal. On Saturday, the city recorded a high of 38.1 degrees Celsius. The humidity levels oscillated between 62 and 92 per cent. The maximum temperature will hover around 35 degrees Celsius for the next three-four days, Srivastava said. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting service, said rains will continue on and off till the onset of the monsoon around June 24-25. This means the national capital is likely to witness light showers in the morning and towards the evening for a few days, he said. According to weather experts, the monsoon is likely to arrive in Delhi two-three days earlier than its usual date of June 27 because of a cyclonic circulation over West Bengal and its neighbourhood areas which then moved towards southwest Uttar Pradesh on June 19 and June 20. It helped in further advancement of the monsoon, which has reached eastern Uttar Pradesh and central Madhya Pradesh. It is expected to reach west Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Uttarakhand by June 22, Srivastava said. Thereafter, it will make an onset in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab within the next two-three days, he said. A BJP functionary and several of his supporters were booked by Bangur Nagar police in Mumbai for protesting against Chinese products amid the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Sunday. BJP Yuva Morcha Mumbai unit chief Tejinder Singh Tiwana and party workers were protesting in front of shops displaying Chinese products in Evershine Nagar locality in Malad, asking them not sell these items, he said. They also removed some items from the shops and destroyed them as part of the protest, the official added. "We have taken a suo motu case under sections 188 (disobeying the order of public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease) among others of the IPC. However, no arrests have been made so far," the Bangur Nagar police station official said. In much of Beijing, life had returned to something like normal weeks ago. Restaurants welcomed diners, people went back to work, schools reopened. The pandemic seemed like something that was happening to the rest of the world, not China. Then Beijing announced Thursday its first domestically transmitted coronavirus case in 55 days - a 52-year-old man surnamed Tang. Tang told officials that he had not left the city in more than two weeks and had not been in contact with anyone outside the city. Authorities soon discovered dozens more cases, mostly linked to a sprawling market in Beijing's southeast. On Saturday, it reimposed strict "wartime" measures to prevent a second wave of infections. Residents, taken aback by a partial lockdown in the city, described something akin to deja vu. "Two months of things loosening up, and life feeling like it's going to be normal, and all of a sudden we're back to where we were in February," Nelson Quan, restricted to a compound in the Yuquan district, told Al Jazeera. The number of cases remains small for a city of 22 million. But authorities are taking few chances: 1,200 flights in and out of Beijing's two airports were canceled on Wednesday. Schools closed just a month after reopening. Since Tang's case was announced, the city claims to have tested more than 3.5 million people. In the weeks before this outbreak, Chinese officials had spoken proudly of their success in containing the coronavirus, suggesting China could be a model for others to follow. But the new cases show that model may be much more fragile than it first appeared. The new cases in Beijing raise worrying questions - not only about how the virus could have gotten to Xinfadi market, which is the obvious concern, but also about whether livestock or even fish carry the virus. Chinese officials said the virus could have been circulating near the market since April. One thing is painfully clear: This pandemic is far from over. Beijing is battling a second wave, but other nations are not yet over their first. And as China takes its wartime approach to fighting the coronavirus, some nations are retreating. Amid fatigue, uncertainty and economic pain, they have fallen back, choosing to surrender rather than sacrifice. In the United States, Vice President Mike Pence wrote in the Wall Street Journal's opinion section this week that the media got it wrong: The United States was not facing a second wave of infections, it was "winning the fight against the invisible enemy." Numerous experts, including Anthony Fauci, America's top infectious-disease official, contradict that assessment. "I don't like to talk about a second wave right now, because we haven't gotten out of our first wave," Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Daily Beast. As businesses across the country reopen, numerous states are seeing new peaks in their outbreaks, along with daily totals that dwarf the cases found in Beijing's outbreak. None, however, are restricting travel or locking down neighborhoods in the same way. Globally, the numbers show that the pandemic is surging even as the world tries to move on. The United States is one hot spot, as are other big nations such as Russia and India. In Brazil, which has had the world's highest number of daily confirmed cases since late May, President Jair Bolsonaro and other officials ignored lockdown warnings. "We are doing something that no one else has done," Pedro Hallal, an epidemiologist at the Federal University of Pelotas, told The Washington Post. "We're getting near the curve's peak, and it's like we are almost challenging the virus. 'Let's see how many people you can infect. We want to see how strong you are.'" Other countries that were initially more confident are now watching their good fortune turn. Even as Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi touted his country's success and condemned critics of his coronavirus strategy, doctors are warning that a surge in cases is overwhelming the system. "Even the smallest pressure can make the Egyptian health system collapse," a doctor in her 20s who works at one of Cairo's premier educational hospitals said in an interview with The Post. Beijing's outbreak shows that even when the virus recedes, there can be no return to normality. The speed at which the coronavirus can spread - as well as the lingering uncertainties about how it spreads, who it kills and why - means heightened vigilance will remain a necessity. There have been other worrying signs from other nations. Singapore and South Korea, which both appeared to have battered back the first wave of the outbreak, have had worrying flare-ups that led them to reimpose some restrictions. New Zealand, which announced it was coronavirus-free on June 8, saw the virus return via travelers from Britain. Some officials openly admit that we will be playing a game of cat and mouse with coronavirus clusters for months, if not years. "I personally believe that over the next year or several years, this virus will take root in our society," Hitoshi Oshitani, a Japanese virologist and government adviser, said in a recent interview, adding that he doubted a vaccine would be effective and that a strategy of waiting for herd immunity was "nonsense." Any new outbreak - especially a new outbreak where the chain of transmission cannot be ascertained - is particularly worrying in China, a high-tech, authoritarian state that had staked so much on fighting back the first wave of infections in spring. Indeed, the market cluster was discovered not because of government surveillance, but because of personal vigilance. Tang, the patient announced last week, had only mild symptoms but biked to a testing center anyway. He apparently understood that we are not back to normal yet. A West Australian mining lease Clive Palmers Mineraology was forced to give up has been split and sold in a deal that could pave the way for two Perth-based newcomers to loosen Rio Tintos stranglehold on the hugely profitable industrial salt market. The sale of the land just south of Karratha not only proves a game-changer for a huge new project, but also movement on a long-stalled new Pilbara port. Panoramic view of the Eramurra site. Australia is the worlds largest exporter of industrial salt, sending 11 million tonnes a year mostly to a growing Asia-Pacific chemical market. It is the Pilbaras biggest bulk export commodity after iron ore. The West Australian scene is monopolised by Rio Tintos Dampier Salt, which produces about 8 million tonnes a year across the Pilbara, but Perth-based companies Leichhardt Industrials and BCI Minerals are poised to disrupt Rios rule. Walz has the power to convene the legislature again but declined to say Saturday whether he would do so. The governor spent the day reaching out to allies, including Hayden, to plot the next steps. And he expressed concern about how the legislatures inability to pass criminal justice reform might play with activists and other protesters who have openly been distrustful of elected leaders and their ability to change the system. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Four staffers of GRT Jewellers, brought from Chennai to the city recently, tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. Three of them are from a group of 48 staff brought by bus from Chennai without e-passes. The fourth came to Coimbatore separately by road with e-pass and had been tested at the checkpost. All of them have been admitted to the ESI hospital. According to the sources, the Chennai returnees were in the online sales section of the jewellery store. During the preliminary inquiry, it was found that the staff joined duty without undergoing the 14-day quarantine mandated by the Health Department. It is still unclear when they were brought to Coimbatore as the store authorities have not revealed the exact date of arrival. Police have registered an FIR against the shop manager and at least 39 employees for violating norms. Meanwhile, the Health Department is planning to begin contact tracing of the infected by browsing the visitors' list of the jewellery store and officials have directed the private hospitals to make sure that their outstation patients were coronavirus negative. The officials instructed the hospitals to inform the Health Department about elective treatment two days prior to the surgery. The information must be shared with the Joint Director and the Deputy Director of Health Services and District Epidemiologist. In the last 10 days, at least five patients from other districts have tested positive. Deputy Director of Health Services G Ramesh Kumar said the patients from other districts have to get themselves tested for coronavirus to undergo elective surgery. From June 22, Samantha Armytage will no longer host Seven's popular breakfast program, Sunrise, on Mondays. The TV host, 43, has chosen to take a step back from her on-air responsibilities, and opt for a four-day working week. The Daily Telegraph reported the announcement on Sunday, which follows the journalist receiving international backlash for a resurfaced 'racist' Sunrise segment. Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, 43, (pictured) will reduce her on-air duties for Seven from Monday, June 22, as she moves to a four-day working week indefinitely In the wake of #BlackLivesMatter protests, the 2015 segment became widely circulated on Twitter and was re-published by overseas news websites. However, Seven has claimed the embattled morning TV star's recent controversy had nothing to do with her move to a four-day week, as she had apparently requested it in 2019. 'Sams doing a great job. Were happy. The ensemble is doing fantastically. There is no suggestion we want her anywhere but here,' Sevens news director Craig McPherson told the publication. 'There is no suggestion we want her anywhere but here': Seven has claimed the embattled morning TV star's recent controversy had nothing to do with her move to a four-day week, as she had apparently requested it in 2019 The paper did point out that Samantha previously denied claims she wanted a four-day week like her co-star David 'Kochie' Koch earlier this year. 'I am NOT off contract at the end of 2020 I have NEVER asked 7 for a 4 day week,' Samantha said at the time. With Samantha absent from the desk on Mondays, journalist Natalie Barr will fill in. Samantha's fill-in: With Samantha absent from the desk on Mondays going forward, journalist Natalie Barr (left) will co-host with David 'Kochie' Koch (right) at the start of the working week Natalie previously covered for the anchor for six weeks earlier this year, as Samantha fought off a 'respiratory infection'. The programs long-time newsreader also fills in for co-anchor David Koch on Fridays, as he also works a four-day week. Channel Seven's Sunrise airs from 5:30am weekdays Charles Rex Arbogast Climate activists continue to look for every opportunity to push for the failed policy of fossil fuel divestment, and it appears a global pandemic wont stop those efforts. The New York City Council introduced a resolution calling for banks and insurance companies with which the city does business to divest from oil and gas companies. This was lauded by groups like 350.org at a time when New York had become the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:41:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A clash between security forces of Pakistan and terrorists has left a military officer and a soldier killed, and two soldiers injured in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a military statement said on Sunday. The terrorists fired at the troops when they were patrolling near the boundary of the tribal districts of North Waziristan and South Waziristan, the media wing of Pakistan's army, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in the statement. "During encounter with terrorists, a terrorist was also killed," said the statement without mentioning the time of the attack. Following the attack, security forces launched an operation in the area and destroyed a terrorist compound, the statement added. No group or individual has claimed the attack yet. The tribal areas used to be the hotbed of militancy, but after successful operations launched by the security forces, the number of terrorist attacks had been sharply reduced and peace had been restored in the areas, though sporadic attacks still happen in the area. Enditem Organisers of fundraiser to retrieve the anchor from the Empire Windrush and turn it into a memorial are appealing for donations 'big and small'. (PA) Organisers of a fundraiser to retrieve the anchor of the sunken Empire Windrush and turn it into a memorial are appealing for donations big and small to help turn their ambitions into a reality. A fundraiser has been set up through GoFundMe to form a monument to mark the significance of the Windrush generation using the anchor of the ship, which currently lies 2,800 metres under the sea off the coast of Algeria. The fundraiser comes amid a debate over monuments in Britain following the tearing down of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest. Patrick Vernon OBE, a child of the Windrush Generation himself, is the driving force behind the campaign to recover the Windrush anchor and use it as a memorial. He has been pushing for the move for over a year, and hopes the current focus on memorials could encourage people to donate and turn it into a reality. A replica of the deck of the Empire Windrush created as part of the Windrush Garden at Chelsea Flower Show in 2018. (PA) Vernon, who successfully led the campaign that established 22 June as Windrush Day a national day acknowledging the migrant contribution to UK society said: I thought, if we are going to have a memorial, why not get the anchor of the ship to be a memorial. We know where it is, its at the bottom of the Med. Part of the experience of ethnic minorities in Britain is that there are no memorials. There are more memorials about cats and dogs than the black and Asian and minority ethnic communitys contribution to Britain. There are no memorials or monuments that celebration the rise of multi-cultural Britain since the Second World War. Theres nothing. Read more: What is the Windrush scandal? When we started to scope it out and have a conversation about this, people were thinking, Whats the fuss? But now theres a national debate about what history is and the validity of things around historic monuments and statues. I believe this monument featuring the anchor of the Empire Windrush could be a source of inspiration for generations of black, brown and white people in Britain seeking to understand racism, white privilege, and trying to establish a society where citizenship and belonging is for all. Story continues It will symbolise migration, racial equality and the shared history of belonging and citizenship. Like the Statue of Liberty, it can become a beacon of hope. He said the aim should be to realise the dream within three years, given that June 2023 will be the 75th anniversary of the first arrival of the Windrush Generation. Patrick Vernon OBE said the anchor would be an important memorial to the contribution of the migrant community to Britain. (PA) The Empire Windrush is best known for its historic voyage from Kingston, Jamaica, to London carrying the first wave of Windrush immigrants. It continued to operate in service for the Ministry of Transport, typically carrying military personnel and their families back to the UK from the far east. In February 1954, the ships engine room caught fire, causing the immediate evacuation of all passengers and crew. A rescue operation saved 1,494 people on board, though four engine room workers were killed, and the abandoned ship, still ablaze, sank two days later while it was being towed to Gibraltar. Vernon has teamed up with maritime heritage charity Mast, whose founder is award-winning maritime archaeologist Jessica Berry, as well as well-known shipwreck hunter David Mearns, who has agreed to lead the search for the wreck and anchor recovery, to complete the project, and visual communicator and researcher Max Holloway. The fundraiser is aiming for 500,000, with the remaining 1.5m hoped to come from major sponsors. (GoFundMe) According to their fundraiser, the wreck lies about 23 nautical miles off the coast of Algeria on a relatively flat portion of the seabed approximately 2,800 metres deep. Because of the way it sank and where it sank, the team are 95% sure they can find it and recover the anchor. In total, recovering the anchor is expected to cost around 2m, but the GoFundMe campaign is aiming to raise 500,000 from the public. After that, Vernon and his fellow fundraisers are hoping to achieve sponsorship and support to help reach the final amount. Read more: Black history lessons should be taught in all schools, campaigners demand So far they have raised 3,253, and Vernon said they are welcoming any donations, no matter how big or small. Weve got the technical expertise to do this, we just need the money to make it happen, he said. Whats happening during Black Lives Matter is you have got lots of companies giving out money so maybe there might be someone who wants to support this initiative and that would be fantastic. Who knows, it might bring the country together. Theres so much division going on and this might be something positive. We spend a lot of time talking about the past but we should also be looking to the future and thinking about what kind of memorials we want to have in a future Britain. The anchor itself could be part of that contribution towards looking to the future. On Wednesday, 24 June, the group will hold a consultation via Zoom to explain the project and how it will work. Sign up here. MINNEAPOLIS - A shooting in a popular Minneapolis nightlife area early Sunday left one man dead and 11 people wounded in a chaotic scene that sent people ducking into restaurants and other businesses for cover. The shooting broke out shortly after midnight in the citys trendy Uptown neighbourhood, a nightlife hub with bars, restaurants and retail including Apple and Fjallraven stores. Police first said 10 people had been shot with various severity levels of injuries, but revised their total upward in a tweet posted just after 3 a.m. The man died at the hospital, not at the scene, they said. None of the other injuries were considered life-threatening. Police said they believe there was more than one shooter, described only as individuals on foot. No one was in custody, and police have not said what may have prompted the shooting. All of the injured were adults. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said during a Sunday press conference that it was tragic and senseless violence and called the recent uptick in violent crime a public health crisis. He said we absolutely do have several leads on suspects and are getting assistance from the FBI and state agencies. In video posted to Facebook that showed the immediate aftermath, screams could be heard as small crowds of people gathered, with some crouched over people lying on the pavement before police officers on bicycles showed up to attend to them. Fred Hwang, a manager at Hoban Korean BBQ, said he was working the front door when he heard shots from the sidewalk a couple of storefronts down. Hwang described hearing a lot of shots and said it appeared to be groups of people shooting at each other. People were trying to rush inside the restaurant for safety, he said. It was a very scary experience. ... We have bullet holes inside our restaurant like on the walls and stuff. All of our front glass was broken and shattered. Then, just like people being in here panicking and running around, breaking this or that, it was very chaotic. Across the street from where the shooting began, in a storefront shared by the Uptown Theater and a shoe store, a police officer later Sunday surveyed a shattered window and door and a bullet hole could be seen in the storefront. The Uptown area is about 3 miles (5 kilometres) west of the Minneapolis commercial area and neighbourhood hit by rioting in the wake of George Floyds May 25 death after being arrested by Minneapolis police. Some of the violence from that period reached as far as Uptown, and many storefronts are still protected by plywood. Floyds death has sparked a move to overhaul the Minneapolis Police Department, with a majority of City Council members pledging support for dismantling a department that many community activists have called brutal and racist. Thats prompted pushback from opponents who question how residents will be protected from violent crime. Even the most aggressive proponents for change have acknowledged its many months away and theyre not sure what it will look like. Hwang was critical of the police response time, estimating it took officers more than 30 minutes to arrive. However, police spokesman John Elder told The Associated Press that police converged on the area within three minutes of a 12:38 a.m. call being put out by officers stating that they had heard shots in the area. - Something needs to be done to protect us, Hwang said. Normally the bars on Saturday night, we all have off-duty police officers as extra security parked in front of our businesses. But no one has that right now because police are a liability for us. Police responded to at least two other shootings in south Minneapolis in the hour before the Uptown violence erupted. The Star Tribune reported that one was a man who may have shot himself near the site where Floyd died. Another was a nonfatal double shooting. Elder told the newspaper that angry crowds at both scenes impeded officers. Associated Press writer Mallika Sen in New York contributed to this report. A court in Yerevan on Sunday refused to allow law-enforcement authorities to arrest Gagik Tsarukian, a wealthy businessman leading the main opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), on charges strongly denied by him. The National Security Service (NSS) charged Tsarukian with vote buying and moved to arrest him after the Armenian parliament lifted his immunity from prosecution on June 16. The NSS says that Tsarukian created and led an organized group that bought more than 17,000 votes for the BHK during parliamentary elections held in 2017. It claims to have collected documents and testimony showing that the vote bribes were handed out to residents of the Gegharkunik province. Tsarukian and his political allies reject the accusations as politically motivated. They say that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian ordered the criminal proceedings in response to the BHK leaders recent calls for the Armenian governments resignation. Pashinian flatly denied that and any other political motives when he spoke in the parliament controlled by his My Step bloc on June 17. We dont need to turn criminal cases into subjects of political horse-trading so that they make fewer [anti-government] statements or watch their language, he said. The district court in the Armenian capital rejected the arrest warrant request for Tsarukian following three-day hearings that ended on Friday. It did not immediately publicize its reasons for the decision. Tsarukian refused to talk to journalists when he came out of the court building in Yerevan moments after the announcement of the decision. Ask my lawyers, he said before getting in his car. I am happy that the court proved strong enough to stay away from political processes, said one of the lawyers, Yerem Sargsian. He suggested that during the hearings the court found his and his colleagues arguments against Tsarukians arrest convincing. The defense lawyers said earlier that the NSS failed to come up with any compelling evidence of Tsarukians involvement in the alleged distribution of vote bribes. They also accused the investigators of serious procedural violations of the due process. Armenian prosecutors condemned the courts refusal to sanction Tsarukians pre-trial arrest as baseless and illegal and said they will appeal against the ruling. A spokesman for Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian said that the court ignored legitimate justifications of the arrest presented by the investigators. The official, Gor Abrahamian, said that Tsarukian could obstruct the investigation and exert illegal influence on other suspects in the case if he is not placed under arrest. The BHK has the second largest group in the Armenian parliament, having finished second in the last general elections held in December 2018. Tsarukians party had joined Pashinians first cabinet formed following Velvet Revolution of April-May 2018. Pashinian fired his BHK-affiliated ministers in October, accusing Tsarukian of secretly collaborating with the countrys former leadership toppled in the revolution. Addressing senior BHK members on June 5, Tsarukian accused the government of mishandling Armenias coronavirus crisis and failing to mitigate its socioeconomic consequences. Pashinian and his loyalists reacted angrily to that speech. Tsarukian again linked the criminal case against him to the speech when he spoke to reporters on Friday. If I am to blame for this situation in the country, the spread of the [coronavirus] epidemic, this poverty and economic decline, I am ready to go [to jail,] he said. With uncertainty prevailing over reopening of schools due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Tripura government has decided to start a scheme called Ektu Khelo, Ektu Padho which means Play little, Study little, from June 25. As per the scheme, the students would be getting audio and video contents on learning activities , projects alongwith fun and gaming activities via SMS or WhatsApp services. The Education state headquarters would share the learning contents to different district academic coordinators and they would share the same to headmasters of the schools in their concerned areas. The headmasters would give the responsibility to the teachers to share the contents among the students. After closure of the educational institutions from March, the state introduced online classes through local TV channels and social media, for the students so that they could continue their studies amidst the pandemic. But it was found that many children could not utilise the initiative due to poor network connectivity. The students can access the scheme through smartphones of their parents. If any children cant access through smartphone, they will get learning activities via SMS services. We want to make sure that the students should invest their time in study during this period, Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath told media on Sunday. The students would get their daily lessons and activities on their phones every morning and their feedback would be received every afternoon. Similarly, the online classes would begin again from June 22, he added. The state has 4,398 government and its aided schools and 335 private schools. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 02:54:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An employee of the Palestinian Ministry of Health performs a swab test to a man for COVID-19, in the West Bank city of Hebron, June 22, 2020. Palestine has witnessed a new wave in the spread of the deadly virus over the past 10 days, which forced the government to declare a new set of restrictive measures, banning public gathering and putting the two hardest-hit districts, Hebron and Nablus, under a lockdown. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Sunday reported 49 new COVID-19 cases in the West Bank, bringing the total number of infections in the Palestinian territories to 1,028. According to a statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry, 46 new cases were confirmed in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, raising the tally of infections in the district to 401, of which 76 have fully recovered. The three other new cases were found in the northern West Bank's Nablus and Tulkarem districts. All of the patients are in a stable condition except for one case from Hebron that was admitted into intensive care unit, the ministry said. Palestine has witnessed a new wave in the spread of the deadly virus over the past 10 days, which forced the government to declare a new set of restrictive measures, banning public gathering and putting the two hardest-hit districts, Hebron and Nablus, under a lockdown. The health ministry said that the isolation and treatment centers throughout the West Bank have been reopened after the latest spike in COVID-19 cases, urging all citizens to abide by the precautionary measures and public health protocols, especially in public places. China has helped Palestine in its fight against COVID-19 outbreak. On April 20, China handed over a batch of medical supplies to Palestine. In mid-April, Palestine received a shipment of medical aid donated by China's Alibaba company. Since April 14, Chinese doctors and medical experts have held three video conferences via the internet with Palestinian counterparts to share the Chinese experience in containing the coronavirus outbreak. On June 16, a Chinese medical expert team concluded a mission to support Palestine's fight against COVID-19 after a one-week visit. Like the sweet-voiced Sirens, Angola has been attracting diamond seekers for over 100 years. But be vigilant, sailor - do not let yourself be deceived by the enchanting singing of winged nymphs. The amazing creations of the ancient Greek genius would have certainly found what to do in this African country if they had the pleasure of visiting the Sociedade Mineira de CATOCA (CATOCA Mining Society). Catoca is one of the largest diamond deposits in the world (fourth in reserves). CATOCA is Angola's most high-tech mining company, explored and built by Soviet specialists from the Yakutalmaz Production and Scientific Association (PSA) at the last stage of the USSR assistance to Africa. Brought to this area by military helicopters, guarded by paratroopers and working amid minefields, the geologists, miners, process plant operators, and builders from Yakutia guided by the designers of the Yakutniproalmaz Institute, led by the outstanding diamond industry manager Anatoly Kozeev, the curator of the CATOCA project, all those people completed additional exploration of the deposit, carried out design and survey works and started the construction of a mining and processing plant. The results of this military-geological campaign were brilliant. On September 16, 1993 Russias ALROSA (as the legal successor of PSA Yakutalmaz), Angolas ENDIAMA and Brazilias ODEBRECHT, signed a memorandum of association. The contribution of the Russian side to the authorized capital of CATOCA amounted to $ 9.6 million. After receiving a 51-percent controlling stake in CATOCA, ALROSA granted a commodity loan to the new company in the form of technological equipment in the amount of $ 55 million and financed construction work for $ 32 million through a financial agent, which was DAUMONTY FINANCING COMPANY B.V. The mining and processing plant was built within a shortest time possible and reached its design productivity in 1997. For ALROSA, CATOCA being the last Soviet project in Angola was an extremely profitable legacy (according to Ernst & Young, 1% of CATOCA was estimated in 2016 at a point value of $ 9.3 million). Commodity and financial loans were repaid on time; the total amount of dividends received by ALROSA since 1999 amounted to more than $ 500 million. Currently, CATOCA employs more than 2100 people, operates 2 processing plants with a capacity of up to 10 million tons of ore per year. The companys annual production is 6.5-7 million carats of high-quality diamonds, annual sales revenue exceeds $ 600 million, annual net profit distributed among shareholders reaches $ 130-150 million. The mine will be developed as an open pit to the depth of 600 meters and mining operations will be stopped in 2034 in accordance with project documentation (a sharp drop in production after 2030); proven reserves for mining operations are confirmed in the amount of more than 120 million carats. One peculiar feature of the diamond pipes geological structure is that its average diamond grade and diamond quality will increase at lower levels of mining operations. CATOCA accounts for more than 80% of Angolas total diamond output. For reference: Sociedade Mineira de CATOCA consists of ENDIAMA E.P., the National Diamond Mining Enterprise of the Republic of Angola (32.8%); PJSC ALROSA (41%); LL International Holding B.V. (18%); and an undistributed share of equity (an option of 8.2% held by ALROSA, which it intends to use in 2020) - clarification is required regarding the nominal shareholder. In 1995, the former head of the Yakut government, Vyacheslav Shtyrov became the president of ALROSA. In 1996 - 1998, ALROSA received a blow from where it was least expected. That was the magic period of the final sale of the Soviet legacy. For some reason known only to the Russian government it did not issue a diamond export license to ALROSA, and the company faced a real prospect of bankruptcy. The president of ALROSA instead of immediately using the political resource of the then President of Yakutia, Mikhail Nikolaev, who was Boris Yeltsins ally in the resistance to the Union Center at the end of the USSR, to resume export and prevent the collapse of the entire industry, for some reason sold part of ALROSAs stake in CATOCA to Lev Leviev for a very symbolic price. After that, the Russian government immediately issued an export license to the national diamond mining company in a no less magic way. Thus, ALROSAs corporate control over CATOCA was lost and its stake in it decreased from 51% to 32.8%. Nevertheless, more than 100 technical specialists from ALROSA continued to work at the enterprise in senior engineering positions. After the Soviet CATOCA, other ALROSA projects in Angola were distinguished by high capital costs and negative profits. These include the Hydroshikapa hydroelectric station and the Camagia Camagico project. Overwhelmed by the contradictions between the two own shareholders, ALROSA finally lost the possibility to sell CATOCA rough diamonds independently by 2008. The crisis of 2009 forced ALROSA to fully focus on internal issues. The company undertook reforms of its own sales system, developed and implemented a program for the construction of underground mines. ALROSA has evolved from a regional company into a full-fledged international public holding. The ambiguous situation around Angola required a solution, but having lost control of its own free will, it is extremely difficult for the company to re-claim its rights. Diamond sales in Angola were secretly supervised by Isabelle dos Santos, the daughter of the countrys president, and she did not express any intention to share her authority in any way. Nevertheless, in 2013, ALROSA and ENDIAMA, which at that time preserved its integrity, signed an agreement for a joint venture in exploration. Essentially, it was about the Luaxe project, potentially the largest project in the modern diamond mining industry. ALROSA President Fyodor Andreev, who signed this agreement from the Russian side, died of cancer after a year and a half and ALROSA entered a new era of change. In 2016, it dawned upon the company that it was time to start M&A in its African business. So, it made an offer to purchase a 16.4% stake in CATOCA to Odebrecht Mining Services Inc., the Brazilian member of this mining society. To justify the transaction before its shareholders, ALROSA pointed to the need for indirect control over the Luaxe project, the synergy of all its assets in Angola and the consolidation of production and financial indicators of CATOCA for reporting under IFRS. The price of such synergy for ALROSA amounted to $ 150 million, the deal itself was made through a certain Angolan company, AMFIC, about which nothing is known apart from its name. It is not even worth talking about the strengthening of ALROSAs positions after this M&A transaction. Dr Ganga Junior was dismissed from the position of CATOCAs CEO, to put it mildly, not in the most delicate manner, which fact apparently failed to make Angolans shed tears of emotion. In 2017, Eduardo dos Santos, who still remembered his meetings with Leonid Brezhnev, the bright speaker of the 20th century, gave way to the position of Angolas president to his comrade-in-arms and former defense minister Joao Lourenco. Diamonds are Angola's second source of income after oil. Obeying the laws of the genre, this sector faced an inevitable personnel reform. Dr. Ganga Junior has now returned to the industry as President of ENDIAMA. This return was accompanied by a sharp increase in the price of CATOCA diamonds, a detached cold attitude to the impulsive Russian partner and the promise of a transparent long-term-contract system. The main idea was to offer contracts to those who are willing to invest in the extractive sector. However, this logic came into collision with the decision about a sharp rise in prices - it was strange to demand from the partner both the maximum price for goods and investments in the industry. ALROSA was ready to invest in mining. Actually, for Angola, this is the most understandable partner, and ALROSA did not ask a lot in return: a proactive participation in the sale of diamonds, which you mined, is not a very steep demand. However, many actions in our lives do not need any explanation, they just need to be taken as they are. As a result of internal discussions about what is efficiency, the state diamond trader SODIAM was taken out of control of ENDIAMA. The competition between the two government agencies for the right to earn from the sale of diamonds has led to the emergence of a very intricate form of trading in CATOCA goods, similar to the shell game. The result of this reform is quite predictable selling up to half of the monthly production virtually to one buyer at a price lower than it was sold by Carlos Sumbula under the damned old regime. The second half went into the hands of another buyer. All this is now said to be done due to coronavirus infection. Angola never had and does not have a diamond sales system in its generally accepted form, which either would guarantee the stability of the mining sector from market volatility, that is, a system of long-term contracts, or maximize the price in a growing market, that is, its own auction platform. Many still reassured themselves with the hope of an adequate sales system, but this hope disappeared with the latest sales of CATOCA products to two companies at a price of $73 per carat. A significant part of these diamonds will be sold already from the second hand to Indian companies at auction. This brings up the question: Why is SODIAM itself unable to conduct such an auction? The company may hire a technical operator, but why give away the title for goods? Why doesnt it provide the market with clear rules for concluding a long-term contract for the purchase of its own goods and create a stable customer base, thereby minimizing market risks for its own diamond mining industry? What is the point in having a state diamond trader if it transfers its own functions onto the shoulders of two selected companies? These companies themselves are probably familiar with the experience of their predecessors and do not have illusions about the strength of such relationships. As such relationships are getting stronger, the willingness to overpay only for the sake of maintaining happy synergy tends to zero. If everything is not predictable, then the only sense in taking part in all this is high margin. But an excessively greedy partner may be replaced overnight, and another partner will have to strengthen relations with the sweet-voiced Sirens at the expense of its own margin. All this can work for a long time, while the Soviet-style CATOCA exists, but one will have to forget about new large investments in the mining sector. The experience of ALROSA clearly shows that without a 51-percent stake there is no reason to invest in such long-term projects as diamond mining, for all their apparent attractiveness. It reminds an old joke about a test drive: Many try it, many like it, but nobody buys. Sergey Goryainov, Rough & Polished Internal Auditor &; Compliance Officer Job Advert GOAL is currently seeking to hire one (1) Internal Auditor and Compliance Officer to join our Kampala team. Job Summary: With close supervision and support from the Internal Auditor, to ensure the following is carried out satisfactorily: Ensure that Risk focused audit calendar/planner for each financial year is developed and shared with auditees. Participate in the regular auditing of GOAL locations and Implementing partners operations to ensure compliance with GOAL, Donors and Government rules and regulations. Assess and provide independent Assurance on whether GOALs systems of internal controls are adequate and identify improvements where necessary across all departments. Ensure timely submission of all audit reports and see to it that identified gaps are shared and discussed with relevant stakeholders. Ensure that risk management processes in line with COSO framework are effectively embedded throughout the organization. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Compliance Completing Donor Compliance Bi-annual Reports for HQ submission. This will be include: Review time sheets (100%)> involves maintenance of trucking sheet for time sheets, checking to ensure correct allocations are used. Review the monthly Timesheet tracking sheet for all GOAL <> staff and test labour costs charged to donors to ensure they are adequately supported by timesheets (reconcile with leave, training etc.) and check the filling of time sheets if it is done correctly. Review the Audit control file and ensure the documentation for cost apportionment to donors is properly filed for ease identification in an audit. Review donor files to ensure they are well maintained in accordance with GOAL Grant management guidelines; ensure all donor files have a final signed copy of contract, signed amendments etc. Test sampled stock purchases to ensure physical count agrees with stock card balance, correct donor codes, proof of distribution, correct value is recorded etc. Note; Testing templates will be provided. Review of FAR to ensure new and old assets are properly recorded i.e. correct value, asset and donor codes and check physical existence of assets. Review allocations spread sheet located on controls file for the particular months in the quarter. Stay informed of and ensure adherence to the standard of GOAL procedures, policies, internal controls as set out in the relevant manuals, policies and guidelines. Stay Informed of and ensure adherence to the government regulations and providing updates for changes in regulations to management staff. Ensure that action point tracker is developed and maintained up-to-date with regular follow-ups on open issues. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: To be successful in this role, you will need: A University graduate in finance or related field. CPA, CCA or CIMA; minimum level II is required. A minimum of 3 years of experience in auditing and compliance. Previous NGO experience and knowledge of Donor rules and regulations is required. Experience in preparation of presentations for Meetings Very good analysis and report writing skills required. Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power Point, etc. Organized, flexible and ability to respond to changing priorities Willingness to travel to field sites on a regular basis Attention to detail Excellent communication skills while interacting with Colleagues and Partners About GOAL: Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a global team of 2,400 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 13 of the worlds most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods. General description of the country programme: GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to a range of background checks. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer. How to Apply: Interested applicants who meet the requirements should submit their applications by email with at least 4 reference contacts (3 from the last three employers, and 1 character reference) and daytime contact number to; The Human Resource Manager, GOAL Uganda: recruitment@ug.goal.ie indicating the title Internal Auditor & Compliance Officer in the subject line by 3rd July 2020. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH CERTIFICATES. Deadline: 3rd July 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 Angry youth in Wulensi in the Northern Region have burnt the New Patriotic Party (NPP) office in the area in protest of the outcome of the parliamentary primary held in the area yesterday, Saturday. According to the irate youth, the results of the primaries did not reflect the choice of the people. They alleged that some delegates who had passed on had their names on the party register. They also alleged that non-delegates were allowed to vote in the names of the dead delegates. The youth say they want justice and fairness in the party and are calling on the National Executives to look into the matter. The incumbent Member of Parliament, Thomas Donkor Ogajah, beat his contender, Haruna Abdulai by two votes in yesterdays primaries. Thomas Donkor Ogajah had 212 votes while Haruna Abdulai had 210 votes. Speaking to Citi News, some of the youth explained the reasons for their actions. The reason why we have mobilised here is that we want justice from the party. We held an election yesterday and the rules and regulations of the party are that anybody who passes away is not supposed to take part in the election. But when you look at the incumbent MPs area and another village, the votes of about three people who passed away were cast and we dont know how that happened. So, we are appealing to the council of elders to cancel the results for those two polling centres. Another resident said the election was held in an unfair manner and justified the burning of the office as a sign to disown the party. This is our own property, the government has no hand in it. We used our money to build it. We dont want the party again so we will burn the office and leave the party for them. We are right to do it because they are cheating us by supporting Ogajah who has not done anything for us. Atta Imoro, director of communication in the Constituency thinks that things were okay because every polling station pink sheet was certified and has called for unity in the party. Meanwhile, personnel from the Ghana Police Service have been called in to secure the place. ---citinewsroom Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 23:00:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. - - - - MADRID -- The State of Alarm which was imposed on Spain on March 14 to halt the spread of the coronavirus expired at midnight between Saturday and Sunday, allowing the country to progress into what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the "new normality." All of Spain is now progressing into a condition which will remain in place until a vaccine or a reliable treatment for coronavirus is discovered. "A new period is starting now ...our economy is starting to beat. We are in a situation where we can move forward," said Sanchez in a televised speech to the nation on Saturday. Spaniards are now able to move freely around the country for the first time since March 14. Spain has also reopened its borders to travelers from the European Union and Schengen travel regions, and the first flights from abroad arrived on Sunday morning. - - - - ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 4,532 after 63 new ones were detected, said the Health Ministry on Sunday. The ministry said in a statement that out of a total of 4,457 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 63 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The ministry also reported additional one death, bringing the country's death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic to 74. - - - - TEHRAN -- Iran's confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 204,952 on Sunday after an overnight registration of 2,368 new infections, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said at the daily briefing that out of the new cases in the past 24 hours, 1,114 have been hospitalized. The pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 9,623 Iranians, up by 116 in the past 24 hours. Besides, 163,591 have recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. - - - - HANOI -- Vietnam reported no new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with its total confirmed cases remaining at 349 with zero deaths so far, according to its Ministry of Health. Meanwhile as many as 327 patients have recovered from the coronavirus pandemic, according to the ministry. Vietnam has recorded no local transmission of the epidemic for 66 straight days while there are over 5,700 people being quarantined and monitored in the country, said the ministry. - - - - BEIJING -- One of PepsiCo's food factories in Beijing has suspended production after a total of eight COVID-19 infections were reported there on Saturday. Two of the cases from the factory in Daxing district had been to the Xinfadi wholesale market, Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing center for disease control and prevention, told a press conference Sunday. The factory has initiated an emergency response and took measures including suspending the production and operation, sealing the products, disinfecting the environment and quarantining the personnel, according to Fan Zhimin, an official with the PepsiCo Greater China Region. Beijing has reported over 200 domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases since June 11, mostly in connection with the Xinfadi market. - - - - BEIJING -- The daily nucleic acid testing capacity of China's capital Beijing had surged from 100,000 to more than 230,000 as of Saturday amid efforts to contain the resurgence of domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases. The number of designated institutions for nucleic acid testing in the city had increased from 98 to 124 over the past week, Gao Xiaojun, a spokesman for the municipal health commission, told a press conference Sunday. Enditem I wrote this on Fathers Day several years ago. It is a post that struck a chord with at least a few readers. I have amplified it this year and am taking the liberty of reposting these reflections in honor of the day. My father was a thoughtful man in his own way. In the last years of his life he recited for me the things for which he was most grateful. In retrospect I can see he thought about gratitude a lot. He listed the three things he was most grateful for in this order: 1) that his grandfather didnt miss the boat from Russia to the United States, 2) that when his grandfather arrived in New York he kept on moving until he reached Minnesota (this although my father loved New York), and 3) that his father was born before he was. The last was his way of acknowledging his debt to his father. I join him today in all three thoughts. He wasnt a good student, but he urged me to get a good education. They can never take it away from you, he told me over and over. After Army service in the Philippines, he went to hotel school on the GI bill in Los Angeles. He returned to Minnesota and married my mom, Rivian, his high school sweetheart. They moved from St. Paul to Fargo-Moorhead so my dad could manage the Comstock Hotel in Moorhead. My dad loved the hotel/restaurant business. He established the Las Vegas Lounge and the Chuck Wagon buffet at the Comstock (All you can eat for 50 cents). The Chuck Wagon was a raving success. Below is a late 50s photo of the sign on the roof of the Comstock when the price of the buffet had skyrocketed to 60 cents. Below is a photo of my dad checking Hubert Humphrey in to the Comstock. I would guess the photo dates from 1954, when Humphrey ran for reelection as Senator. Below is a photo of my dad checking Orville Freeman in to the Comstock. I would guess the photo also dates from 1954, when Freeman was elected governor. Humphrey and Freeman had retaken the DFL Party from the Communists between 1946 and 1948. I wrote about their efforts earlier this month in Revolutionary theater in Minneapolis. We could use men like them again in Minnesota politics, but they are nowhere to be found inside the DFL. That much I can tell you, as President Trump would put it. We moved from Moorhead to St. Paul in 1958 when my grandfather died. My dad sold the Comstock in 1960 and bought what was then mostly a truckers motel in Roseville, Minnesota, just north of the state fairgrounds in St. Paul. In the early 1960s he remodeled it and added a restaurant, a bar, and a buffet. When I was in law school I used to meet my dad for lunch at his restaurant. One day I found him in the kitchen by the heat lamps pushing out the meals to the customers. It was busy. Mopping his brow, he reflected, This is my punishment for my lack of education. I told him that the punishment didnt fit the crime. We both laughed. I started thinking about my father and this Fathers Day when I heard the old Winstons single Color Him Father on the radio last week. I learn from the Allmusic Guide entry on them that the Winstons were a Washington, D.C.-based soul act led by Richard Spencer. Spencer was born in North Carolina, where he received some formal training on the piano. In 1969 the Winstons hit it big with Color Him Father. The single was a top ten R&B and pop hit. Spencer wrote the song and won a Grammy for it. At this point it sounds like a story from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It might even be deemed hate speech where the thought police hold sway. The father depicted in the song sets a good example for his seven kids. He works hard to support his family. He emphasizes the importance of education. He also has a big heart for the kids. As if that were not enough, Spencer loads an O. Henry twist into the last verse: the man is the kids stepfather. Their father was killed in the war. I wonder if the father in Spencers life resembled the man in the song. Spencer followed one of the that mans precepts, taking time out from show business to pursue his education in 1979. (First posted in 2010, amplified in 2020.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) The bodies of the 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who died due to COVID-19 will be buried there, the Department of Labor and Employment said Sunday. Labor Chief Silvestre Bello III told DZMM Teleradyo that King Salman of Saudi Arabia gave the Philippines 72 hours to bring home the remains of the OFWs who died in his country. There are about 282 OFWs who died in Saudi, with 50 of them losing their lives to COVID-19, according to Bello. He said that the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force has decided to bring home only those who did not die from COVID-19. Three flights will be chartered to return to the Philippines the cadavers of the remaining 232 OFWs, he added. The causes of their deaths remain unclear. Meanwhile, Malacanang said concerned government agencies have already been directed to extend aid to the bereaved families. The Palace commiserates with the families and loved ones of the 282 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. We offer our prayers to the deceased and to those they left behind. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. earlier met with Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Manila Abdullah Al Bussairy to discuss, among others, how to bring back the remains of the deceased OFWs. The difficulty is as much with uswe have few flights and they're erraticas it is with their administrative process, Locsin said in a tweet posted on June 15. The latest data from the Department of Foreign Affairs shows that the Middle East/Africa has logged the most COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad, with almost 4,000 infections so far, out of the 6,141 total confirmed cases. The agency did not specify exactly how many were registered in the Middle East and in Africa. Parts of country will witness the annular 'ring of fire' solar eclipse today between 10:19 am and 2:02 pm. The sun will appear like a ring of fire during the eclipse today bringing some excitement among the people. The partial phase of the solar eclipse will begin at 9:16 am and will end at 3:04pm. But solar eclipse also means superstitions. Despite the excitement, many Indian households believe in many superstitions and myths around the eclipse. One of these superstitions is not to eat during the eclipse time. The superstitions are because of the folklores. The Greeks thought that the sun was abandoning people to the darkness during an eclipse hinting towards an upcoming disaster. On the other hand, in India, a demon called Rahu is believed to come and swallow the sun as Lord Surya had stopped him from consuming the elixir of life. But it looks the millennial kids have found the perfect memes to express how they feel when eating is prohibited due to the eclipse. Here are some of the hilarious ones: picks up food to eat during #SolarEclipse2020 parents: pic.twitter.com/mbiLiu4199 The Daily Hera Pheri Meme Project (@dailyherapheri) June 21, 2020 Mom waking me up at 7 am to have breakfast coz 9:15 k baad nhi kha skte. #SolarEclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/T5So7LyhuL CHEEKU (@Okay_Bye___) June 21, 2020 When you wake up after 9 AM and now mom denies to give u breakfast#SolarEclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/y2gmnxZ24X Nobita (@Harami_Nobita) June 21, 2020 Solar Eclipse exist Every indian mom to their family members#SolarEclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/TNzEbC9moH - (@MemeHolic_DN) June 21, 2020 During #SolarEclipse2020 when Indian mom don't give anything to eat : pic.twitter.com/lOvobEizPR Rocky Bhai (@dipankarr001) June 21, 2020 #SolarEclipse2020 exists Indians moms to their kids at 6AM pic.twitter.com/qvDJ4rDlq9 Sociopath Memer (@sociopath_ladka) June 21, 2020 When mom catches you eating during the eclipse#SolarEclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/48UhEzLoFv Nimesh Kumar (@iNimesh_Kumar) June 21, 2020 While there is no scientific evidence to this belief, some people still adhere to the conventions and kitchens become a no-go zone during the eclipse. READ: Will the June 21 Solar Eclipse Kill Coronavirus? Here's What Science Says Although science has proven the actual cause of the phenomenon and we are very close to witnessing an annular solar eclipse on 21 June, there are some precautions we must undertake during the event. Hence, everything about the myths is not entirely dismissible. However, this year Indians had this question on their minds: Will the solar eclipse kill coronavirus? It has become a popular query on Google search results. Except for one scientist in Chennai, no one has so far found any connection between the two. More than once, Justice Sonia Sotomayor interrupted the lawyers for Louisiana with an incredulous Im sorry in a tone that seemed to speak more to her sense of disbelief than matters of pure etiquette. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was fierce and sharp as always, once again defending the rights that have been her lifes work. It must be said, though, that it was frightening to see the then 86-year-old, whod recently fought pancreatic cancer, so small and frail as to be nearly hidden by the bench. If you reflect on the past decade of reproductive politics, you too might share some of the justices frustration. Weve been through a lot. Some of it progress, to be sure like that 2016 ruling in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt, which knocked down abortion restrictions in Texas. But the overall trend has been toward much less access to both abortion and birth control, especially for poor women. After all this time, the insults have started to run together into an indistinct misogynist slurry. The hundreds upon hundreds of state anti-abortion regulations. Sandra Fluke, the slut. Hobby Lobby. Legitimate rape. The laws banning abortions before many women know theyre pregnant. And the legislation that tried to straight-up ban all abortions. Its been an absolute onslaught, and one thats gotten more extreme over the years. Thats why there was even a conversation recently in anti-abortion circles about whether doctors could reimplant ectopic pregnancies. (They cant.) Its how a law banning abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy has been made to seem not so bad, even though its just as unconstitutional as a six-week abortion ban. Its why Tennessee passed a six-week ban just a few days ago in a dramatic, middle-of-the-night gambit and few people seem to be talking about it. Its also how smart, knowledgeable people can look at this terrifying Supreme Court case, one that should never have even made it before the court, and do little more than sigh. And, I fear, its how a bad-but-not-worst-case decision in the coming days for instance, if the court says laws like Louisianas could stand in some states but not others might be met with, Whew, bullet dodged. When, in fact, such a decision would be a signal that the anti-abortion movement is coming alarmingly close to the culmination of its nearly 50-year battle to destroy Roe v. Wade without the political blowback of actually overturning Roe v. Wade. Of course, its impossible to know exactly what the Supreme Court will do. In recent weeks the court has delivered two significant, and somewhat surprising, progressive victories, in its rulings on L.G.B.T.Q. discrimination and DACA. And if the abortion ruling is shocking enough either a purely positive outcome or a more obviously catastrophic one there will no doubt be a significant public reaction. But a lot of court watchers expect that the decision will be neither of those things. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 Trend: The Azerbaijani State Migration Service appealed to the foreigners and stateless people residing in Azerbaijan in connection with the tightening of the special quarantine regime, the Service told Trend. In accordance with the measures set within the resolution of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers dated June 19, 2020 on tightening the quarantine regime from 00:00 (GMT+4) June 21 through 06:00 (GMT+4) July 5 in Azerbaijans Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja cities, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Masalli, Jalilabad and Absheron districts, the following information is brought to the attention of foreigners and stateless people in connection with the activity of the State Migration Service: - the activity of regional migration departments located in the abovementioned territories is limited; relevant documents are received and the documents are issued through the ASAN Service Centers; - the submission of appropriate medical certificates when applying for permits for temporary and permanent residence (it is necessary to provide appropriate medical certificates while receiving the permit certificates) is not required; - assessment of the knowledge of foreigners for getting a permanent residence permit about their rights and obligations envisaged by the laws of the Azerbaijan Republic, as well as the state language, is postponed; - the foreigners who have valid residence permits and have no reason to extend these permits, as well as legal representatives (parents, etc.) of foreigners older 16 years old, should contact the Service in e-form in connection with the extension period of temporary stay; - foreigners may send their proposals, statements and complaints regarding migration issues via https://www.migration.gov.az/contacts/letter The foreigners who wish to temporarily leave their place of residence during the abovementioned period must send an SMS to number 8103 to obtain permission. In this case, after figure 1 (2), respectively, and the abbreviations in accordance with the status of stay and residence in the country - OYQ (registration at the place of stay), MOM (duration of temporary stay), MYI (permit for temporary residence) or DYI (permit for permanent stay), the number of the relevant document is indicated and an SMS is sent to the number 8103. Abbreviations must be written by the English letters. For example, a foreigner temporarily residing in the country should write 2MYI, the number of the document (for example, 2MYI0123456) and send an SMS to the number 8103 to leave the place of residence to purchase food. The process is explained in the video instruction at the following link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3atuigS2I). To obtain the number of relevant documents, foreigners registered at the place of stay, as well as regarding whom the decisions were made to extend the period of temporary stay, may use the electronic service "Status of applications" (https://eservice.migration.gov.az/public/application-track) on the official website of the State Migration Service. In this case, it is important to enter the passport number, date of birth and information about citizenship. A foreigner may leave the place of residence and stay only after receiving a positive response. While moving, the foreigners must have an identity document (passport or other document for crossing the border). Foreigners should give preference to the e-services (transition to e-services https://eservice.migration.gov.az/?lang=ru. Moreover, the Service stressed that the stay in the country of foreigners whose temporary stay has already been extended by 60 days (by making payment of the corresponding state fee) is considered legal without additional appeal and payment of the state fee until the restrictions on movement applied at the state border are lifted. For more information, please contact the Call Center (012) 919. Protesters in Trafalgar Square during a Black Lives Matter demonstration on June 20, 2020 in London, UK. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Three Dead in Stabbing Attack in English Town of Reading: Report LONDONSeveral people were stabbed in the southern English town of Reading on Saturday, according to media reports, and the Telegraph newspaper said that three people had died. As well as the fatalities, two more people were in critical care in hospital, the Telegraph said, quoting a source. It said police were treating the incident as a random attack. Police said they had arrested a man at the scene and a number of injured people were taken to hospital. Sky News said the stabbings took place at the site of a Black Lives Matter protest in the town earlier in the day. Police said they were investigating reports of an incident that the head of the local council authority said was serious. Video footage posted on Twitter showed paramedics rushing to help at least three people who were bleeding on the ground in a park. Reuters was unable to verify the footage independently. Britains interior minister, Priti Patel, said she was deeply concerned to hear reports of the incident. The head of the local council authority in Reading, Jason Brock, said police were dealing with a serious incident and he urged people to stay away from the town center. The National Police Chiefs Council, representing senior police officers, urged people on Twitter to avoid speculation about the incident and to refrain from sharing of video or images of it. By Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge in London and Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru Irans presidential administration has denied accusations that a private residence for President Hassan Rouhani is under construction in Tehran's Jamaran neighborhood. In a statement on June 20, the presidents office insisted that the 4,000-square-meter (43,000 square feet) property, which was said to be the "personal residence" of the Iranian president, "is in no way privately owned and has also been used by the presidential administration in previous years." As the property was "half-derelict" and excavated, construction began on the plot last year, in 'full coordination with the Tehran municipality." In recent days, news of Hassan Rouhani's connection to the "illegal" construction on the site in Jamaran was widely circulated on social media and several websites. President Rouhanis term will end next year, and his political future remains uncertain. Hardliners who have been attacking him in recent years are expected to intensify their criticism. The mayor of Tehran's District One, Hamid Mousavi, told the state-run Iran Students News Agency (ISNA) on Saturday, June 20, that the Islamic Republic presidency owns the property, and the Housing Foundation is currently in charge of re-constructing it. According to Mr. Mousavi, the excavation permit for the residential property was issued six years ago. However, Mousavi maintained, as construction was underway, the municipality agents noticed that a "half floor was being built regardless of the approved regulations." They demolished it last Friday evening. Rouhani was "planning to move to Jamaran," Mostafa Faqihi a newspaper editor tweeted, adding, the construction has begun without a proper building permit. A copy of a petition signed by the residents of Jamaran calling on the municipality to stop building activities on the plot was published by Entekhab website. A member of the Tehran City Council, Mohammad Javad Haghshenas, retweeted Faghihi's statement, attesting that a violation had indeed occurred, and promised that information on the issue would be provided soon. Moreover, a video of the demolition of the "third floor" of the building was posted on social media on Friday, and social media users, especially members of the opposition, and critics of President Rouhani's administration, widely covered the news. Responding to allegations, the presidential office, said in a statement June 20 that construction had begun on the plot to address the neighbors' concerns, who objected to ground having been left excavated. At the same time, the statement insisted that the property is not residential and personal, and it is a building with administrative use. The social media news concerning the property "is obvious mischief and has been done with clear intentions," the statement has concluded without elaboration. AUSTIN, Texas - At least five people were wounded in an early morning shooting in Texas capital, officials said Sunday. Five adults with serious, potentially life threatening injuries were taken to local hospitals by Austin-Travis County EMS, the organization said in a tweet. The shooting took place around 3 a.m. in a commercial area of downtown Austin, according to tweets from EMS and Austin police. Further information wasnt immediately available, and its unclear whether anyone was taken into custody. On the streets of Tulsa this evening, I've seen American politics at its most visceral. I have no dog in the fight; no side to take, but watching opposing sides nose-to-nose demonstrates the critical state of American democracy. As I write I am watching people inches apart and hurling abuse to and fro. "Go home," a Trump supporter screams. "You're not welcome here." "Trump's a racist!" a woman shouts back. "Black people for Trump is like Jewish people for Hitler. He is so racist." "He's a rapist," another shouts, with nothing more to substantiate such a claim. "He's done more for this country than you ever will!" the retort comes back. "How dare you call me racist... we are America first, that doesn't make us racist." "Four more years, four more years," they chant. "Hilary was a crook. Biden is a loser." There are plenty of other phrases shouted as well, far too profane to be published here. I am at the front of the line for the resumption of Donald Trump's election campaign. What's striking here in the very heart of it all is the apparent lack of any nuanced view or understanding for the opposing side. They are passionate but angry and deeply divided. It's encouraging then, in quieter corners, to find more considered debate. I listen to a young black man asking a white Trump supporter why the Ku Klux Klan are drawn to Mr Trump. "It was the Democrats who gave them power," the supporter replies. "The Republicans abolished slavery." :: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The two backdrops to all this are coronavirus and race. The Black Lives Matter movement was given a new global impetus by the death earlier this month of George Floyd in Minnesota. There are quite a few Black Lives Matter protesters here, all of whom think the Trump presidency has worsened race relations. Story continues And for him to hold his first rally in Tulsa is doubly insulting, they think, because of the city's place in history as the scene of the country's worst single race-fuelled incident. Some 300 African Americans were killed by a white mob in May 1921. "I have no problem with the president coming here," African-American Kavin Ross told me when we spoke in the neighbourhood where the 1921 massacre happened . "It's just the attraction that he brings. He rallies, he dog whistles his base who are saying 'white power' and 'white lives matter' and 'build that wall', all that racist rhetoric. We don't need that here in Tulsa. We're just trying to heal," Mr Ross said. The Tulsa rally is the first for the Trump campaign since the coronavirus hit back in March. There is a mixture of indifference and ignorance to the fact that in this county alone, on this day they have seen their highest number of cases yet. One person told me it was all a hoax. Another said that it was real but that if the Black Lives Matters protesters could come out in huge numbers then so could Mr Trump and his supporters. It's worth noting that the black community in Tulsa tell me they had pared back their weekend of commemorations to mark Juneteenth - the end of slavery. But when they heard President Trump was coming to town they saw it as a green light to have their own mass gathering. Back outside the arena where Mr Trump is speaking, there are more heated verbal clashes. One man is screaming at a black woman who has accused him of being racist. "They pin us as racist," Adam from Texas tells me afterwards. "Americans for Trump are Americans for all. Trump's true supporters are generally not life-long conservatives. We are liberations: Live and let live. How do you prove you are not a racist? We are nationalist. Race, creed, colour, gender. There are outliers in every single group," Adam adds. Nearby, Trisha Hope is selling books. She had compiled every one of Donald Trump's tweets into three hard back volumes. "It's a record of history," she tells me. "He's been the greatest president of our lifetime. I suffered under eight years of Obama. My finances were to the floor. It was devastating. Just the three years Trump was in office our economy was off the chart. It's been incredible." And that was the core of President Trump's message in the arena: he rebuilt the economy, he says, then the "China virus" destroyed it, but he's rebuilt it already again. We'll hear that mantra over the next five months. And on 3 November the people's verdict on "four more years" will come. After breaking 3,200 earlier this month, and dropping back to 3,000, the S&P 500 is testing upper resistance levels again. Against this backdrop, investors will need to crunch the numbers, to find the stocks that are best positioned for current conditions. The TipRanks Smart Score has already done the footwork, however, collecting data on thousands of stocks and collating it according to 8 separate factors commonly used to predict results. The result of this aggregation? A single-digit score for every stock, on a scale of 1 to 10, that points toward its likely market performance. Weve pulled three Perfect 10 stocks out of the TipRanks database, to find out what factors matter, and what makes these equities compelling in todays environment. Super Micro Computer (SMCI) First on our list is data center server maker Super Micro Computer. The companys products, in high-efficiency server technology, are used in data centers, enterprise IT, big data apps anywhere a business needs the power of large-scale servers. That SMCIs business niche is vital should be axiomatic in todays world. Most office workers are dependent on server systems. But to drive the point home, shares in SMCI are up 15% since the markets bottom fell out in February. The stock did see a drop when market collapsed, but since then, its rebound has been strong and sustained, and has heavily outperformed the S&P 500. Reviewing Super Micro shares for Northland Securities is 5-star analyst Nehal Chokshi. He sees the stocks current price as a low-cost entry point, in is impressed by the companys sequential expansion of gross margins in Q1 from 15.9% to 17.3%. Chokshi writes, SMCI has a 15-year history of expanding market share in the server market as a result of providing customizable IT solutions at volume priced economics that we expect competitors will continue to not be able to replicate. With better management in place since January 2018, margins have started to expand Story continues In line with his upbeat outlook, Chokshi rates SMCI a Buy rating along with a $49 price target. His target implies a 48% one-year upside potential for the shares. (To watch Chokshis track record, click here) Wall Street is in general agreement. There have only been three recent reviews on SMCI, but all are Buy, making the Strong Buy analyst consensus a unanimous one. Shares are selling for $32.83, while the average price target of $39 even suggests the stock will grow 19% this year. (See SMCI stock analysis at TipRanks) Rada Electronics Industries (RADA) Next up, Rada Electronics, is a high-tech defense industry contractor specializing in avionics, navigation systems, and tactical radars. Theres an old saw that no one ever went broke selling weapons; while Radas defense-industry oriented products are not technically weapons, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, from March through May, Rada did announce over $35 million worth of new product orders. New products orders were not the only good news the company saw during the corona crisis. The company also, on March 10, reaffirmed its 2020 full-year guidance, stating that The coronavirus pandemic has not materially impacted business to date. More than two-thirds of the new orders came after that announcement. Rada shares made a strong rebound after the market collapse, and are up 14.3% from pre-collapse levels and are still trending strongly upwards. The markets smallest participants, sadly, dont get as much analyst coverage of the giants and RADA has a market cap of just $282 million. However, this company has still attracted attention from one Wall Streets best analysts. Kenneth Herbert, of Canaccord Genuity, rates 5-stars from TipRanks and is ranked in the top 2% of all analysts. In his comments, Herbert lays out why he believes that RADA is likely to survive potential near- to mid-term defense budget cuts: RADA is already thinking ahead to a new DoD acquisition cycle roughly 12-18 months in the future, with several more sophisticated tactical radars in development. Management hopes that by getting out in front of the next procurement cycle with a series of next-gen tactical radars, they will be able to maintain their strong incumbent status. To this end, Herbert rates RADA a Buy along with an $8 price target, which suggests a 19% upside from current levels. (To watch Herbert's track record, click here) Turning to RADAs Smart Score, we find that three highly positive factors strongly outweigh all the others. First, the analyst consensus is to buy this stock. Second, the financial bloggers agree. They are usually a contentious lot, but on Rada, they 100% unanimous in their bullish sentiment. And finally, the technical factors, among the most traditional of stock indicators, are sending positive signals, including the 88% positive 12-month momentum. (See RADA stock analysis on TipRanks) Allot, Ltd. (ALLT) Last on our list, Allot, is a cloud computing company working in a difficult niche. Allot is a SECaaS company, selling Security as a Service, and offering network intelligence and security solutions for DOS protection and traffic management The grim first quarter this year seemed to pass Allot by. Earnings not only beat a worst-case forecast, they also grew sequentially. Despite recording a net loss, the company showed a sequential EPS gain of 50%, and beat the Q1 estimates by 250%. It was a strong performance. Even with it, however, ALLT shares are down 12.5% since February, underperforming market peers. Analyst Eric Martinuzzi, of Lake Street Capital, lays out the case why Allots current share price is undervalued, and why the company will succeed moving forward: the company was able to reiterate its 2020 outlook. This is the benefit of entering the year with a $138M backlog. The company will recognize about 70% of that $138M backlog in FY20. It is the difference between pulling revenue out of the pantry (already won the mandate) vs having to acquire more revenue at the grocery store (competing for the mandate). We view this as a major advantage of the Allot business model and one that separates it from data center and communication equipment peers who have abandoned 2020 guidance. Martinuzzis Buy rating on ALLT comes with a $15 price target, indicating his confidence in a healthy 42% upside potential to the stock this year. (To watch Martinuzzis track record, click here) Both recent reviewers on ALLT agree Buy this stock at $15. This makes the consensus rating a Moderate Buy, and the average price target and upside match Martinuzzis. (See Allots stock-price forecast on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Jersey Citys $1 million investment in retraining police officers in de-escalation tactics is coming from predominantly white companies at a time when Black voices are demanding to be heard. Retired New York Police Department Lt. Jack Cambria and Tomahawk Strategic Solutions will be handling parts of the citys eight-month program to retrain the entire Jersey City Police Department, Mayor Steve Fulop announced Thursday. Community leaders Frank Gilmore and Chris Gadsden said theyd like to know who, other than Mayor Steve Fulop and Public Safety Director Jim Shea, were involved in the decision-making process to select the companies. At least two city council members are also upset that the Black community seeming was ignored in the hiring decision. Cities and their police departments across the country are rethinking how they protect and serve in minority communities after nationwide calls for defunding police departments amid police brutality protests. Demonstrations in Jersey City have been peaceful, but in many cities, violence has erupted at protests over the death of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police. Gadsden is upset the conversation on de-escalation didnt come up immediately after a large street fight on Bostwick Avenue ended in five arrests after officers used pepper spray and batons in an ugly and chaotic scene caught on video. I think the community members need to be part of the conversation to talk about what de-escalation looks like as it relates to (police) communicating with the community, said Gadsden, the principal at Lincoln High School and a former councilman. They couldve had this conversation with (the public safety advisory board) but who did they bounce these ideas off of? You are coming up with them because you are in the moment again. Did you talk about de-escalation training after the baton incident on Bostwick? No. You only talking about it now because it is national news. Gilmore said the city is aware the Black community has been policed differently, but never thought before to re-train them in de-escalation. Theyve reached out to no community leaders about this training, Gilmore said. But we are the same community leaders that went to a police training and went through what the police go through so we can see the things that they face when they get called. Its an attempt for the administration to try and steal the narrative once again. City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, Jack Cambria and Tomahawk Strategic Solutions did not return requests for comment. Since being elected in 2013, Fulop has touted his administrations record of diversity on the police force. Fulop on June 4 took a national pledge created by the Obama Foundation to review and reform police use of force policies. The pledge was established former President Barack Obama after Floyds death in Minneapolis May 25. The Jersey City training will consist of a Verbal De-escalation and Crisis Communication Program taught by Cambria, a former hostage negotiator for the NYPD and international law enforcement training instructor; and interactive training by Tomahawk Strategic Solutions, a company founded by members of Seal Team 6 that training Jersey City officers in active shooter situations in 2019. Campaign Zeros Use of Force Project, which reviewed use of force policies in 100 cities across the country, said de-escalation training would lower killings by police by 15%. The de-escalation training will also be made available to residents and all others interested in observing the techniques being taught. Council President Joyce Watterman and Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, both Black, said they werent included in the decision-making process, either. I believe somebody who is African-American should definitely be at the table, said Watterman, who questioned how predominantly white companies could possibly train officers to work in the Black community without a Black perspective. The reason why I dont think so is because we are raised different, Watterman said. If evidentially, whatever decision you make that affects the black community, we should definitely be at the table. While never denouncing the decision, Watterman said both black political leaders and community leaders should be involved in the hirings. Ridley, a member of the citys public safety board, said it may be difficult to find a black company that does this work, but a way to get your input from a black perspective is to utilize the boards already in place. St. Peters Professor Kari Larsen, chairwoman of the schools Criminal Justice program, said more training is always a good thing. She said the more training and education the officers receive the more likely they are to make rational and ethical decisions. The fact that the people doing the training are white does not mean they dont understand the issues and the problems. What would be important is that at the beginning of the process to hire a company to do the training that they had a number of different companies and within that number was diversity, Larsen said. The important thing is that companies that were diverse were considered during the process and the company hired was the one that best-suited the needs of the department. Pamela Johnson, community leader and executive director of the Jersey City Anti Violence Coalition, said there needs to be a Black voice at the table always. She said if the city was serious about the training, then they wouldve found a Black owned company. When the community asks for funding we are often told there are no resources available, Johnson said We have demanded re-allocation of money from the police budget to the community. We will continue to keep this demand in place until it is met. Ward C Councilman Richard Boggiano, a retired police officer who has mentored numerous police officers over his 40 years on the force, also said no one came to him for input on the decision. He said cops need to be taught by city cops. These companies know nothing about Jersey City. New Delhi, June 21 : The summer issue of Town & Country, America's leading general interest magazine, has featured Nita Ambani and the Reliance Foundation among the top philanthropists of 2020 "who are saving lives and our sense of hope" given the circumstances of Covid-19. The coverage spotlights Ambani for leading Reliance Foundation's efforts in feeding frontline workers and the poor, its financial contributions, and for setting up India's first Covid-19 hospital. She is the only Indian in the list that features prominent global individuals, such as Tim Cook, Oprah Winfrey, Laurene Powell Jobs, the Lauder Family, Donatella Versace, Michael Bloomberg, Leonardo Di Caprio and more. Town & Country is the leading American lifestyle magazine and the oldest continually published (since 1846) general interest magazine in the US. It dedicates one full issue annually to the philanthropists who impress with their commitment, ingenuity, and largesse. "This year's list has an added sense of urgency: Under historic circumstances, these people are saving our lives, and our sense of hope, right now," the magazine noted. "We've seen it time and again: In the aftermath of terrorism, tragedy, and trauma, the generous and the just respond with speed and flexibility to help those most affected. This agility and responsiveness make philanthropy unique... and it makes philanthropy a vital public good, in these times and all times. "Philanthropy is a word. From the Greek, it roughly translates as love for humankind. But it also is an idea. Philanthropy brings light to the darkness, hope in moments of despair, and in moments of crisis, relief and response and resolve. It translates generosity into justice for all." Recognizing the effort of Nita Ambani and the Foundation, the magazine stated: "The Reliance Foundation - the philanthropic initiative of Reliance Industries, founded and chaired by Ambani-distributed millions of meals and masks to frontline workers and the poor, set up India's first hospital for Covid-19 patients, and donated $72 million to an emergency fund." Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said: "Crises almost always demand immediate and urgent attention, of relief, of resources, of ingenuity and most importantly of compassion. Over the years, we have equipped ourselves at the Foundation and at Reliance Industries to respond to crises with immediate, multi-pronged as well as systematic and calibrated responses to make our effort impactful and sustained. We are pleased and humbled that our initiative is being recognised at the global level. Our philanthropy is committed to support our government and our community whenever the need arises." Reliance Foundation, under Nita Ambani's leadership, stepped up its efforts to address the health and the humanitarian crises that the nation faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In one of the first initiatives in the country, Reliance Foundation worked with local authorities in Mumbai to build a 100 bed Covid Hospital in less than two weeks in the month of March. The facility, that started taking Covid patients by end of March, was further expanded with Reliance Foundation's support to more than 220 beds in April. In response to the fast-developing humanitarian crisis related to loss of livelihoods for millions, Reliance Foundation started a nationwide food service called Anna Seva which has served 50 million meals so far and has become the world's largest corporate meal programme. Reliance Foundation has also continued its multi-pronged efforts including starting online medical assistance for people, home quarantine facility for Covid patients in Mumbai, support to rural communities and food and healthcare for pets, strays and livestock animals across the country. Reliance Industries also commenced manufacturing of masks and PPEs and has contributed to the country achieving self-sufficiency in production of these critical items in the fight against the pandemic. The search for her husband took her from building to building. Lilian Molokwu knew he was somewhere in the sprawling complex, lying in a hospital bed with a tube down his throat. By ANI WASHINGTON D.C.: US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that America is talking to India and China in order to help them out of the situation where both the countries have come to blows. Tensions have simmered between New Delhi and Beijing since 20 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in violent clashes with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15. Casualties were also reported in the Chinese side but exact figures are yet to be revealed. "It's a very tough situation. We are talking to India, we're talking to China. They have got a big problem there. They have come to blows and we'll see what happens. We are trying to help them out," Trump told reporters outside White House. In view to wade off the ongoing tension between India and China, the US President had last month said on social media, "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "not in a good mood" regarding the "big conflict" with China. However, both India and China turned down the offer and said that they will bilaterally resolve the issue. However, responding to questions on Trump's offer, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had then said, "We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve this issue." Even White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday said that there are no formal plans of US President Donald Trump mediating the border dispute between India and China. McEnany told reporters at the daily briefing that President Trump is aware of the happenings between India and China and the United States is monitoring the situation. "President is aware of the developments. The US monitoring the situation. We offer deepest condolences," she said. Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had a telephonic conversation. India said that China had attempted to erect a structure on the Indian side. New Delhi also said that Chinese forces took "premeditated and planned" move which resulted in violence and casualties. In the past, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, but this is the first time he has made such an offer to India and China. In July last year, Trump mentioned for the first time his willingness to "help" and "mediate" between India and Pakistan over Kashmir -- an offer that was rejected by the MEA which reiterated New Delhi's stated position that the issue can only be discussed "bilaterally". SINGAPORE The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is considering to contest in Nee Soon group representation constituency (GRC), said its secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock during the partys walkabout around Chong Pang Market on Sunday (21 June). Were looking at many areas, and one of the areas we are considering is Nee Soon, the 80-year-old told reporters. I was here many, many years ago as a doctor, practising somewhere in Chong Pang. So theres a lot of historical element, and so I thought, maybe lets have a look at the place. And I like Shanmugam, tell him! Tan added, referring to the incumbent Nee Soon Member of Parliament from the Peoples Action Party (PAP), Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam. Progress Singapore Party secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock greets residents during the party's walkabout at Chong Pang Market on 21 June 2020. (PHOTO: Nicholas Tan/Yahoo News Singapore) Intention to contest in 3 other constituencies In the midst of preparing for its first general election, PSP has already signalled its intentions to contest in three other constituencies: West Coast GRC and the newly-formed Marymount and Kebun Baru single-member constituencies (SMCs). It may find itself being embroiled in several three-way contests, with the Reform Party also intending to run for West Coast GRC and the Democratic Progressive Party expressing interest to vie for the two SMCs. Progress Singapore Party candidate Brad Bowyer handing out pamphlets during the party's walkabout at Chong Pang Market on 21 June 2020. (PHOTO: Nicholas Tan/Yahoo News Singapore) PSP unveiled six candidates for the upcoming general election during a Zoom press conference on Thursday: Francis Yuen Kin Pheng, 70, Gigene Wong, 54, party vice-chairman Hazel Poa, 50, Sri Nallakaruppan, 56, Bradley Bowyer, 53, and Muhammad Taufik Supan, 40. Nallakaruppan, Bowyer and Taufik were present during the Sunday walkabout, handling out pamphlets and chatting with residents at the market. In the 2015 general election, the PAP team of Shanmugam, Lee Bee Wah, Louis Ng, Henry Kwek and Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim garnered 66.9 per cent of the votes to clinch Nee Soon GRC over the Workers Party team of Cheryl Loh, Gurmit Singh, Luke Koh, Kenneth Foo and Ron Tan. Progress Singapore Party candidate Muhammad Taufik Supan handing out pamphlets during the party's walkabout at Chong Pang Market on 21 June 2020. (PHOTO: Nicholas Tan/Yahoo News Singapore) Opposition parties beginning campaigning walkabouts Various opposition parties have also began their campaigning walkabouts in the past few days. Story continues The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has been carrying out house visits in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and also did a walkabout at Bukit Batok West Shopping Centre on Sunday. The Singapore People's Party (SPP) also conducted a walkabout at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC on Saturday. The party introduced secretary-general Steve Chia, vice-chairman Williamson Lee, and members Melvyn Chiu and Osman Sulaiman to residents there. SPP chairman Jose Raymond, who conducted a Facebook Live session on Friday night, will be contesting in the Potong Pasir SMC. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Related stories: Progress Singapore Party introduces 6 candidates to contest in upcoming GE Tan Cheng Bock introduces 'political rookie' as PSP's 2nd-in-command COMMENT: GE 2020 is dress rehearsal for Tan Cheng Bock's party Singapore GE: Timeline of key developments from 2019 to June 2020 She's the Big Brother 'fake evictee' known for her love of tea and hilarious antics. And on Sunday, Angela Clancy looked effortlessly chic - and every inch the star - in a form-fitting beige dress as she arrived at Chinta Cafe in Perth. The 38-year-old event planner appeared to be in good spirits on the gloriously sunny day, as she strutted her stuff with a spring in her step. Heading out for tea? Big Brother star Angela Clancy (pictured) was spotted looking chic in a beige dress as she arrived at Perth's Chinta Cafe on Sunday The loveable 'Queen' of Big Brother wore her brunette hair styled into braids. Angela was all glammed up for the occasion, and wore a full face of makeup which included eye shadow, mascara and maroon lipstick. She accessorised her look with hoop earrings and an oversize bangle on her left arm. Chic: The 38-year-old event planner appeared to be in good spirits on the gloriously sunny day, as she strutted her stuff with a spring in her step The reality star had her hands full, and at one point was seen texting a friend. The sighting comes after she was 'evicted' by her housemates on Tuesday's episode of the newly rebooted series. When all was said and done, Angela was directed to a secret control room and given the chance to plot her revenge against the housemates voted her off the show. Reality star! The sighting comes after the early fan favourite was 'evicted' by her housemates on Tuesday's episode Since making her debut on the reality series, Angela emerged as an early fan favourite. Right from the get-go, viewers branded her 'TV gold' and 'entertaining'. Throughout her stint, the sassy star raised eyebrows over her addiction for English breakfast tea. At one point she even used a tea bag she had accidentally dropped in the toilet without any qualms. USA is in talks with both India and China in a bid to get them resolve their current border tensions, President Donald Trump said as per a report in PTI. "It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there," Trump said while speaking to reporters at the White House. "They've come to blows, and we'll see what happens. We'll try and help them out," he added. AFP Over the past few days, the entire Trump Administration has rallied behind India against the illegitimate incursions of the Chinese Army into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. Things tense between India and China As many as 20 Indian soldiers died in fierce clashes against Chinese intruders in Galwan Valley in Ladakh early this week. Indians, according to US intelligence sources, killed more than 35 Chinese soldiers during the skirmish. The United States has accused China of escalating border tensions with India and other neighbours by trying to take benefit of these countries busy fighting coronavirus pandemic. "PLA (People's Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world's most populous democracy. It's militarizing the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, in a major speech on China a day earlier. In his virtual address on 'Europe and the China Challenge' during the 2020 Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday, Pompeo described the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a 'rogue actor.' AFP Early this week, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president is aware of the situation and the US is monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the line of actual control in Eastern Ladakh. "During a phone call on June 2nd that Trump had with Prime Minister Modi, they did discuss the situation on the Indo-China border," McEnany said. "Trump and Modi have a terrific relationship and trust between them," Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee said, adding that the statements coming from the White House, the State Department and the US Embassy in New Delhi is reflective of this. Coming out in support of India, Texas Congressman Lance Gooden said that China cannot be trusted. "As more news comes out about the deadly conflict between China and India, once again Chine appears to be an aggressive bad actor," the Republican Congressman said. USA wants a solution "The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) cannot be taken at their word, EVER," Gooden said in a tweet. On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that on land, for the sake of grabbing territory, the PLA appears to have instigated the most violent clash between China and India since those nations went to war in 1962. "Needless to say, the rest of the world has watched with grave concern this violent exchange between two nuclear states. We are encouraging de-escalation and hoping for peace," McConnell said. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell earlier said that this Chinese activity is similar to activity the world has seen in the past on border disputes with the Peoples Republic of China. AFP "I would point you to those I think it was 2015 when Xi Jinping travelled to India the first time," he said. "The PLA (People's Liberation Army) invaded this contested area deeper and longer, with more people, than ever before historically. Whether that was a negotiating tactic or just a punch in the nose to demonstrate their superiority, I don't know," he told reporters early this week. "But then we saw the Doklam issue down near Bhutan, where we saw similar concerns. I wish I knew. Again, we don't have a lot of visibility and we don't have a lot of open dialogue with our Chinese counterparts, and honestly, I'd like to see more of that if we can," Stillwell said. US experts feel that the latest Chinese behaviour will swing India towards China. "Even before the latest flareup, a majority of Indian strategists saw Chinese assertiveness as India's biggest foreign-policy challenge. This has resulted in an unspoken but unmistakable swing toward the US," Jeff Smith from The Heritage Foundation think tank said. "The bullying of US partners and allies needs to come at a cost," Smith said in a tweet. https://www.aish.com/tp/i/sacks/How-Not-to-Argue.html Korach and the cancel culture. Korach was swallowed up by the ground, but his spirit is still alive and well, and in the unlikeliest of places British and American universities. Korach was the embodiment of what the Sages called, argument not for the sake of heaven. They contrasted this with the schools of Hillel and Shammai, who argued for the sake of heaven.1 The difference between them, according to Bartenura, is that argument for the sake of heaven is argument for the sake of truth. Argument not for the sake of heaven is argument for the sake of victory and power, and they are two very different things. Korach and his followers came from three different groups. Korach was from the tribe of Levi. Datan and Aviram came from the tribe of Reuven. And there were 250 leaders from different tribes. Each had a specific grievance.2 The 250 leaders resented the fact that leadership roles had been taken from them after the sin of the Golden Calf and given instead to the tribe of Levi. Datan and Aviram felt aggrieved that their tribe descendants of Jacobs firstborn had been given no special status. Moses reply to Korach Now you are trying to get the priesthood too Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him? makes it clear that Korach wanted to be a Kohen, and probably wanted to be Kohen Gadol, High Priest, in place of Aaron. The three groups had nothing in common except this, that they wanted to be leaders. Each of them wanted a more senior or prestigious position then they currently held. In a word, they wanted power. This was an argument not for the sake of heaven. The text gives us a clear picture of how the rebels understood leadership. Their claim against Moses and Aaron was Why then do you set yourselves above the Lords assembly? Later, Datan and Aviram said to Moses, And now you also want to lord it over us! As a general rule: if you want to understand resentments, listen to what people accuse others of, and you will then know what they themselves want. So for example, for many centuries various empires accused Jews of wanting to dominate the world. Jews have never wanted to dominate the world. Unlike almost any other long-standing civilisation, they never created or sought to create an empire. But the people who levelled this accusation against Jews belonged to empires which were beginning to crumble. They wanted to dominate the world but knew they could not, so they attributed their desire to Jews (in the psychological process known as splitting-and-projection, the single most important phenomenon in understanding antisemitism).3 That is when they created antisemitic myths, the classic case being the protocols of the Elders of Zion, invented by writers or propagandists in Czarist Russia during the last stages of its decline. What the rebels wanted was what they attributed to Moses and Aaron, a form of leadership unknown in the Torah and radically incompatible with the value Moses embodied, namely humility. They wanted to set themselves above the Lords assembly and lord it over the people. They wanted power. What then do you do when you seek not truth but power? You attack not the message but the messenger. You attempt to destroy the standing and credibility of those you oppose. You attempt to de-voice your opponents. That is what Korach and his fellow rebels tried to do. The explicit way in which they did so was to accuse Moses of setting himself above the congregation, of turning leadership into lordship. They made other claims, as we can infer from Moses response. He said, I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them, implying that they had accused him of abusing his position for personal gain, misappropriating peoples property. He said, This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea, implying that they had accused him of making up certain instructions or commands, attributing them to God when they were in fact his own idea. The most egregious instance is the accusation levelled by Datan and Aviram: Isnt it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? This is a forerunner of those concepts of our time: fake news, alternative facts, and post-truth. These were obvious lies, but they knew that if you said them often enough at the right time, someone will believe them. There was not the slightest attempt to set out the real issues: a leadership structure that left simmering discontent among the Levites, Reubenites and other tribal chiefs; a generation that had lost all hope of reaching the promised land; and whatever else was troubling the people. There were real problems, but the rebels were not interested in truth. They wanted power. Their aim, as far as we can judge from the text, was to discredit Moses, damage his credibility, raise doubts among the people as to whether he really was receiving his instructions from God, and so besmirch his character that he would be unable to lead in the future, or at least be forced to capitulate to the rebels demands. When you are arguing for the sake of power, truth doesnt come into it at all. Argument not for the sake of heaven has resurfaced in our time in the form of the cancel or call-out culture that uses social media to turn people into non-persons when they are deemed to have committed some wrong sometimes genuinely so (sexual harassment for example), sometimes merely for going against the moral fashion of the moment. Particularly disturbing has been the growing practice of denying or withdrawing a platform at university to someone whose views are deemed to be offensive to some (often minority) group. So in March 2020, just before universities were shut down because of the Coronavirus crisis, Oxford University Professor Selina Todd was "no-platformed" by the Oxford International Women's Festival, at which she had been due to speak. A leading scholar of womens lives she had been deemed transphobic, a charge that she denies. At around the same time the UN Women Oxford UK Society cancelled a talk by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, an hour before it was due to take place. In 2019 Cambridge University Divinity School rescinded its offer of a visiting fellowship to Canadian Professor of psychology Jordan Peterson. The Cambridge University Students Union commented, His work and views are not representative of the student body and as such we do not see his visit as a valuable contribution to the University, but one that works in opposition to the principles of the University. In other words, we dont like what he has to say. All three of these, and other such cases in recent years, are shameful and a betrayal of the principles of the University. They are contemporary instances of arguments not for the sake of heaven. They are about abandoning the search for truth in favour of the pursuit of victory and power. They are about discrediting and devoicing cancelling an individual. A university is, or should be, the home of argument for the sake of heaven. It is where we go to participate in the collaborative pursuit of truth. We listen to views opposed to our own. We learn to defend our beliefs. Our understanding deepens, and intellectually, we grow. We learn what it means to care for truth. The pursuit of power has its place, but not where knowledge has its home. That is why the Sages contrasted Korach and his fellow rebels with the schools of Hillel and Shammai: For three years there was a dispute between the schools of Shammai and Hillel. The former claimed, 'The law is in agreement with our views,' and the latter insisted, 'The law is in agreement with our views.' Then a Voice from heaven (bat kol) announced, 'These and those are the words of the living God, but the law is in accordance with the school of Hillel.' Since both these and those are the words of the living God', why was the school of Hillel entitled to have the law determined in accordance with their rulings? Because they were kind and modest, they studied both their own rulings and those of the school of Shammai, and they were even so humble as to mention the teachings of the school of Shammai before their own.4 This is a beautiful portrait of the rabbinic ideal: we learn by listening to the views of our opponents, at times even before our own. I believe that what is happening at universities, turning the pursuit of truth into the pursuit of power, demonizing and no-platforming those with whom people disagree, is the Korach phenomenon of our time, and very dangerous indeed. An old Latin motto says that to secure justice, audi alteram partem, Listen to the other side. It is through listening to the other side that we walk the path to truth. Shabbat Shalom NOTES Mishnah Avot 5:17. This is a composite of the views of Ibn Ezra and Ramban. See Vamik Volkan, The Need to have Enemies and Allies (1988). Babylonian Talmud: Eruvin 13b. CONNECT WITH THE CHIEF RABBI Download the Chief Rabbis new iPhone and iPad app via www.chiefrabbi.org for mobile access to his video study sessions as well as his articles and speeches. Alternatively, search for Chief Rabbi in the App Store on your iPhone. SUBSCRIBE TO COVENANT & CONVERSATION To receive Covenant & Conversation and other news from the Office of the Chief Rabbi direct to your inbox each week, please subscribe at www.chiefrabbi.org. President Trump ended his three-month hiatus from the campaign trail by plunging straight into the culture wars. Why it matters: Trump is trying to tie former Vice President Joe Biden to demonstrators taking down statues across the country. "Two days ago, leftist radicals in Portland Oregon ripped down a statue of George Washington," Trump said mid-speech. leftist radicals in Portland Oregon ripped down a statue of George Washington," Trump said mid-speech. " If Biden is elected he will surrender to these mobsters." he will surrender to these mobsters." "If you burn the American flag, you go to jail for one year." Between the lines: On stage, Trump called COVID-19 the "Kung-flu." In mid-March, the president was asked about an allegation that a member of his staff had used the term "Kung flu" and while he didnt condemn the term, he has not used it in public. At the time, he said he didnt think it would put Asian-Americans at risk of being blamed for the virus. Later in March, he took to Twitter to warn against blaming Asian-Americans and said it is very important that we totally protect our Asian America community in the United States. The big picture: Masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were scarce and couldnt be seen on the supporters behind him. "You are warriors," Trump told the crowd. Trump told the crowd. Trump demanded that schools open in the fall. "Kids are much stronger than us," he said. At one point in the speech Trump said he'd asked officials to "slow the testing down," complaining that high testing rates were to blame for America's high number of confirmed cases. Biden's campaign issued a statement calling Trump's remarks on slowing down testing "appalling." However, White House officials told reporters soon after the president made the comments that Trump was joking. Reporters traveling with the president said that BOK Center, with a capacity of 19,000, was far from sold out. And the campaign cancelled a planned outdoor rally. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. The big picture: Trump's revamped stump speech, given one day after Juneteenth, was directed at his base. He is showing no signs and no inclination of trying to unify the country. Much of his speech was a compilation of his pre-COVID greatest hits, with a few new lines. He did victory laps on his judicial picks and his decision to kill Iran's military leader Qassem Soleimani. of his pre-COVID greatest hits, with a few new lines. He did victory laps on his judicial picks and his decision to kill Iran's military leader Qassem Soleimani. But he hinted at his recent setback on the Supreme Court: "It's almost like we are a minority court." on the Supreme Court: "It's almost like we are a minority court." Then quickly pivoted to a novel legal argument that his side emerged victorious on the DACA ruling and lost on a mere technicality. "We actually won on DACA," before acknowledging that "It would have been nice if he had won it." Trump had an extended defense of his stage performance at West Point, insisting that he was wearing slippery leather soles, not the sticky rubber ones that were sported by his military escort. He claimed he used two hands to sip his water to avoid spilling on his expensive tie. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. The bottom line: Trump seemed to spend as much time focusing on Democratic mayors and governors as he did on Biden. It's a hint that he plans to run against protestors in Seattle and Portland and then force Biden to defend them. "Joe Biden is not the leader of his party," he said. "Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left." Editor's note: This article has been updated with the Biden campaign's comments. Police vehicles block the road after a shooting in Minneapolis, Minn., in this picture obtained from social media video, on June 21, 2020. (@MrMinnesota24/Twitter via Reuters) 1 Man Dead, 11 People Wounded in Minneapolis Shooting MINNEAPOLISOne man is dead and 11 people suffered non-life-threatening wounds in a shooting in Minneapolis, police there said early Sunday. Minneapolis police had first said 10 people had been shot with various severity levels of injuries, but revised their total in a tweet posted just after 3 a.m. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting as of 4 a.m., according to a police release that said preliminary investigation indicated that individuals on foot started shooting around 12:30 a.m. and later fled the scene. An initial tweet from Minneapolis police advised the public to avoid the area in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial district that includes several bars and restaurants. Minnesota began allowing bars and restaurants to reopen with limited service on June 1 after some six weeks of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic. Photographs posted to social media showed windows at the Landmarks Uptown Theatre and another storefront shot out. People pass by shattered glass on a shopfront after a shooting in Minneapolis, Minn., in this picture obtained from social media video, on June 21, 2020. (@MrMinnesota24/Twitter via Reuters) Screams were audible on a live video posted to Facebook that showed the aftermath at the scene. Small crowds of people gathered, with some crouched over victims lying on the pavement before police officers on bicycles showed up to attend to them. Splatters of blood on the pavement were visible in the video after the victims were taken to local hospitals some via ambulance and others in private vehicles, according to the police release. The area is about 3 miles west of the Minneapolis commercial area and neighborhood hit by rioting in the wake of George Floyds May 25 death after being arrested by Minneapolis police. Floyds death has sparked a move to overhaul the Minneapolis Police Department, with a majority of City Council members pledging support for dismantling a department that activists have called brutal and racist. Thats prompted pushback from opponents who question how citizens will be protected from violent crime. Even the most aggressive proponents for change have acknowledged its many months away and theyre not sure what it will look like. The injured were all adults, the police release said. The victims identity will be released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office. Doctors union says it ended the strike to give the government time to fulfil the outstanding demands. Nigerian doctors in state-run hospitals have called off a week-long strike over welfare and inadequate protective equipment as new coronavirus cases spike in the country. The strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which represents some 40 percent of Nigerias doctors, began last Monday but had exempted medics treating coronavirus patients. The groups directors decided to suspend the strike action from Monday, June 22, by 08:00am local time (07:00 GMT), the association said in a statement. NARD said the decision, which followed the intervention by state governors and others, was to give the government time to fulfil the outstanding demands. The organisation had called the strike over a range of issues, including the grossly inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and calls for hazard pay for those working close to the virus. Other demands focused on improving general welfare and protesting dismissals or pay cuts for doctors in two regions. Strikes by medics are common in Nigeria, where the health sector has been underfunded for years. The authorities fear that any reduction in capacity could severely hamper its ability to tackle the pandemic as the number of cases continues to rise. The main nationwide doctors union briefly staged a warning strike in commercial hub Lagos over police harassment of its members. According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, Nigeria, Africas most populous nation of 200 million inhabitants, has recorded 19,808 COVID-19 cases and 506 related deaths since the first case of the virus was reported in February. More than 800 healthcare workers have been infected by the virus, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Dublin, June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Smart Irrigation - Research Markets Potential" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Irrigation has long presented a challenge to farmers who seek to use water efficiently, maintain the mineral content of their soil, and optimize yield. Therefore, it is no surprise that technological solutions have been developed in order to achieve those goals through: sensors for monitoring soil/plant moisture, systems for overseeing irrigation, and remotely operated irrigation systems. The publisher has conducted a unique study that investigates the market potential for smart irrigation systems. An extensive survey examining the current situation of the smart irrigation market and analyzing the potential customers' awareness of and interest in the latest technological developments. Respondents The study is based on a survey conducted among 680 farmers. The geographical distribution of respondents is as follows: 81% from U.S., 14% from Canada, 1% from the United Kingdom, and 4% from Australia / New Zealand. Since the majority of respondents are based in the United States, the study will mainly focus on the U.S. agricultural market. Key Topics Covered Executive Summary List of Figures Respondents, Methodology Main Conclusions Introduction Chapter 1: How Farmers Irrigate Today Chapter 2: Smart Irrigation - Gauging Farmers' Interest Chapter 3: Market Potential Chapter 4: Farmers' Expectations Chapter 5: Leading Smart Irrigation Systems Companies Mentioned AquaSpy Arable CropX Droplet Hortau Pycno Rainpal Smart Farm Tevatronic Tule WaterBit For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kpdbf1 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 More than 150 employees at a chicken plant in Anglesey, north Wales, have tested positive for coronavirus. The 2 Sisters poultry processing factory, which has contracts with thousands of UK supermarkets, announced on Thursday that it would be temporarily suspending production at its Llangefni site for two weeks with immediate effect. It said the decision was made following guidance from Public Health Wales (PHW), Anglesey Council, the Health & Safety Executive, FSA and the Unite union: The health, safety and well-being of our colleagues is ultimately the thing that matters most at our business. All 560 staff members were asked to self-isolate for 14 days. On Saturday the food manufacturing company confirmed that 350 people had been tested, and 75 cases were confirmed positive. A further 83 positive cases were identified over the 24 hours to 3pm on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 158. Testing sites were set up at Llangefni and Holyhead, and at an existing facility in Bangor, following the outbreak. PHW said the number of cases is expected to increase as we continue to process samples taken from employees. Dr Christopher Johnson, consultant in health protection for PHW, said: Since we commenced targeted testing last Thursday, over 400 members of staff have provided samples so far. Testing of employees continues, and it is likely that some additional cases will be identified in the coming days. He also commended the testing system, saying it was working as it should be, and reminded the public that they too have a vital role to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus. 2 Sisters is one of the largest food producers in the UK and processes about a third of all the poultry products eaten each day from its sites across Britain. In its statement, the company concluded: We will not tolerate any unnecessary risks however small for our existing loyal workforce at the facility. The ability to earn a living for Iowans and those who relocate to the Hawkeye state will be greatly improved due to the historic occupational licensing reform passed by the Legislature. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who made occupational licensing reform a priority in her Condition of the State address, is expected to sign the legislation. The reform will allow for universal recognition of out-of-state licenses, waives licensing fees for low-income individuals, and establishes a standard for a fairer review process if a license is denied based on past criminal convictions. Reforming occupational licensing expands liberty and makes Iowa a more competitive state. Iowa policymakers and businesses agree the state needs skilled workers. Iowa is in constant competition with other states for those workers. By reducing onerous occupational licensing regulations, it will not only expand economic opportunities for those here, but also attract new workers into our state. It will also provide opportunities to enter the workforce for those who might currently be ineligible because of past criminal convictions. A fundamental provision of the occupational licensing reform law is universal recognition of out-of-state licenses. Individuals who relocate to Iowa and are in good standing in terms of their licensure will now be recognized without going through the licensing process again. Arizona became the first state to pass universal recognition for licensing, and numerous individuals have benefited as they relocated into the state. Universal recognition is a common sense reform, which was recently demonstrated with the coronavirus emergency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the regulations lifted by Reynolds allowed those in the medical profession, who were in good standing with their license, to practice in Iowa and provide critical medical care. This should be universal for other professional and skilled license holders who are in good standing. It only makes sense as Iowa is attempting to attract more skilled workers. Lower-income Iowans will be empowered by this law. With Iowa being one of the most regulated states for occupational licensing requirements, the financial burden often falls heavily on lower-income individuals. Now, for Iowans whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level the initial license application and background check fees will be waived. Finally, this law creates a more standard and fair review process for individuals with a criminal past who wish to obtain a license. Individuals with a criminal past who are trying to become productive citizens, do not currently have a criminal record, and are trying to earn a living should be allowed a second chance and not be disqualified from work. Reynolds argues the significance of occupational licensing reform will ensure every Iowan, regardless of their background or circumstance, has an opportunity to find success. This is the objective of occupational licensing reform. Critics of this law will argue that it may harm public safety by creating a free-for-all, but this is far from the truth. Iowas licensing structure and boards remain, but it removes the regulatory roadblocks that impede work and the ability to earn a living. The goal of legislation should always be to advance rather than restrict freedom, and Iowas occupational licensing reform law advances both freedom and opportunity. The right to earn a living is paramount and this law will benefit all Iowans. This reform tells the nation that Iowa is open for business. Walt Rogers is deputy director of TEF Iowa, a public policy think tank and a former state Representative from Cedar Falls. Morocco will resume domestic flights starting June 25, the state news agency said on Sunday, citing the ministry of tourism, air transport, handicrafts and social economy. Earlier today, the government said it would further loosen lockdown measures for the services sector and domestic transport starting June 24, adding domestic travel would resume including flights and railways. Search Keywords: Short link: The former partner of AFL star Dayne Zorko is launching a men's accessories line named after her son 18 months on from the messy split. Kalinda Salla separated from her partner of five years after sharing a video of herself scrolling through salacious text messages on Zorko's phone in November 2018. A semi-naked photo of him was also shared to his own social media channel with a caption that read: 'Thank goodness I know your pass code Dayne so I could see why you actually didn't care about leaving me.' 'Have fun you f**king horrible human being. You ruined mine and [our son's] life.' Brisbane Lions captain Zorko (right) had a photo shared of himself in his underwear and asleep on a couch to his Instagram account at the time of the break up Ms Salla told The Sunday Mail the break up was 'crazy' and 'terrible', but that both she and Zorko had come a long way since that period of their lives and were now successfully co-parenting their four-year-old son, Louis. 'The first few months it was just a crazy period with everything going on, but we always both put Louis first,' she said. Eventually, she came to terms with the break up and said they are both now in a good spot, sharing custody of Louis equally while juggling busy work schedules. 'Break-ups are terrible things to go through,' she said. 'At that time a lot of bad things happened in my life, with a best friend passing away and just everything happening at once. But I managed to get through that and if I did that, I feel like I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Ms Salla, 24, also shared a video to her own Instagram account appearing to show her scrolling through Zorko's phone Zorko and Ms Salla attended September's Brownlow Medal ceremony together 'I feel like it happened for a reason and I'm happy with how it all turned out, which sounds weird, but if you're not happy in a relationship, don't stay in it for the sake of it.' Ms Salla also revealed she would launch her men's accessories brand, called Louzo after her son, Louis Zorlo, on Sunday to mark his fourth birthday. The brand will offer monogrammed silk bow ties for men. The pharmacist, who had to increase her hours during the COVID-19 crisis, hopes the brand will take off and she'll be able to drop her hours at work. Ideally, she'd like to be able to pull Louis out of daycare on some days throughout the week to spend more time with him. Backing for Scottish independence has hit a near five year high of 54 per cent as the SNP claimed Boris Johnson's coronavirus blunders are helping their campaign. A Panelbase poll showed support for breaking up the UK was up two points in a fortnight, to a level not reached in any survey since August 2015. Excluding don't knows, the research suggests that Scots would support independence by 54 per cent to 46 per cent in a referendum, which Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold next year once the pandemic subsides. SNP depute leader Keith Brown gloated that voters north of the border were comparing Ms Sturgeon's handling of coronavirus to that of Mr Johnson. Panelbase has now conducted five polls on the issue in 2020, with only one showing support for independence below 50 per cent. A Panelbase poll showed support for breaking up the UK has hit 54 per cent when don't knows are excluded, a level not reached in any survey since August 2015 The latest study of 1,070 Scottish residents over the age of 16 took place between June 15 and 19. Support from splitting from the UK was 50 per cent compared to 43 per cent who preferred to maintain the union. Some 7 per cent said they did not know. The previous surveys by the firm put the figures at 52 per cent, 49 per cent, 50 per cent, and 52 per cent. The last time backing for independence was higher was an Ipsos MORI poll in August 2015. In the 2014 referendum - billed as a once-in-a-generation decision - Scots voted by a convincing margin of 55-45 per cent to stay in the UK. Ms Sturgeon says she has put aside the independence issue during coronavirus chaos, with planning for a fresh vote 'paused', but has faced accusations of trying to use the situation for political advantage. Mr Brown said: 'Poll after poll now puts support for independence above 50 per cent. This is no longer a trend majority support for independence is now the established position,' he told the National 'All efforts of the Scottish Government have rightly been focused on combating the current Covid crisis but, where Nicola Sturgeon has shown exemplary leadership, the Westminster Government has lurched from blunder to blunder and the clear gulf in class is clearly not lost on Scottish voters. 'It's no surprise the majority of Scots want shot of Boris Johnson and his cabinet of incompetents.' Amid rising tensions with China following the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley, chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and Meghalaya on Saturday (June 20) extended their support to the Centre after the all-party meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19 to hold discussion over the matter. PM Modi held the all-party meeting with heads of 15 political parties on Friday few days after the violent standoff with China in the Galwan Valley near the LAC, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers. "Honble PM and other Ministers gave very convincing answers at the APM. Nation is and should be united on this subject. Unity brings strength and division exhibits weaknes. Concerned by the manufactured controversy surrounding the All Party Meet yesterday. This is the time to showcase our unity and solidarity with our armed forces and not the time to point fingers or find faults," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy tweeted. Concerned by the manufactured controversy surrounding the All Party Meet yesterday. This is the time to showcase our unity and solidarity with our armed forces and not the time to point fingers or find faults. (1/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) June 20, 2020 Telangana CMO also took to Twitter regarding the same and said, "We may have differences in politics but we're united by our patriotism". "Prime Minister spoke on our behalf when he paid tribute to armed forces and assured India's interest will be always protected. We are happy with the all-party meeting," the tweet said. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) said PM Modi's remarks in the all-party meeting were "crystal clear" in reaffirming the stand of the government on the China issue. "It was reassuring to hear that the government wont compromise on Indias interests. Everybody also had great faith in our forces to vanquish any evil design," he further said. PM @narendramodis remarks in the all-party meeting were crystal clear in reaffirming Indias stand on the China issue. It was reassuring to hear that the government wont compromise on Indias interests. Everybody also had great faith in our forces to vanquish any evil design. pic.twitter.com/Pg9w75Ge2u Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@GolayPs) June 20, 2020 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that the prime minister's answers "clearly reflected Indias strong stand" when it comes to safeguarding the sovereignty of the country. "During yesterdays all-party meeting, PM spoke extensively on the India-China situation. His answers clearly reflected Indias strong stand when it comes to safeguarding our sovereignty. All other commentary may be best ignored. Its not factual or desired," tweeted CM Conrad Sangma. During yesterdays All Party Meeting, PM @narendramodi spoke extensively on the India-China situation. His answers clearly reflected Indias strong stand when it comes to safeguarding our sovereignty. All other commentary may be best ignored. Its not factual or desired. Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 20, 2020 During the all-party meeting, PM Modi had said that China did not enter Indian territory and that none of the Indian posts has been occupied by the Chinese troops. "Not an inch of our land has been lost, neither has anyone occupied our posts. Twenty of our bravehearts were martyred in Ladakh but they taught a lesson to those who eyed our country," said PM Modi. "Whether it is deployment, action or counter-action, I assure that our forces in the Indian Army, Navy and Airforce are doing everything to protect the country. We have given them all the freedom to take corrective measures. Today we have the capability that no one can eye even an inch of our land. The Indian forces are capable of moving together even in different sectors now," he added. The prime minister also said during the meeting that infrastructure development near LAC has helped make the country secure. "In the past years, our country has focussed on the development of infrastructure in our territory to make the country more secure. We have also put importance on other requirements of our armies like fighter planes, modern helicopters and missile defence systems," he said. "Due to the newly built infrastructure, our patrolling capacity has increased, especially at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Because of this, vigilance has increased and we are informed about activities on the LAC on time. Our soldiers are able to monitor and respond in areas which were neglected earlier. Tension has increased now as we are interrogating every person on every nook and corner, which was not the case earlier," noted PM Modi. Telangana Health Minister E Rajender on Sunday hit back at BJP chief JP Nadda for criticising the state's handling of COVID-19, saying he made baseless allegations and asked the national party not to indulge in "cheap politics". Seeking to turn the tables, he accused the Centre of diverting testing kits meant for the state and giving only two lakh N95 masks and 'some' PPE kits as if "it gave alms" while the state on its own procured the necessary gadgets to battle the coronavirus. In a strongly worded reaction a day after Nadda questioned "low" testing in Telangana, Rajender asked him to look at the situation in BJP-ruled states before criticising others. "The Centre gave 2 lakh N95 masks and some PPE kits as if it gave alms. The testing kits meant for Telangana were diverted to Kolkata. We got 14 lakh N95 masks and 10 lakh PPE kits on our own. After Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Telangana is racing ahead in the healthcare sector. Telangana is a role model to the country," the Minister told reporters here. State Finance Minister T Harish Rao also slammed Nadda and asked how a former union health minister could speak in a tone "demeaning" the services of doctors and healthcare staff. Addressing a virtual rally in Telangana on the completion of one year in office by the Narendra Modi government in its second term, Nadda on Saturday found fault with the TRS government, saying it was not testing enough for COVID-19. The fight against COVID-19 had not happened the way it should be in Telangana, he had claimed. The testing capacity in the state was less than even a small state like Himachal Pradesh. A young journalist in Telangana died due to shortage of oxygen, he alleged. "However, Telangana moved ahead in corruption... There is corruption in every project," he had charged. Rajender said the Central teams have appreciated Telangana government's efforts to contain COVID-19, adding over 13,000 died across the country but only around 200 in the state. "We have scrupulously followed all guidelines issued by ICMR... except politics, BJP is not concerned over saving people's lives," he alleged. "BJP should stop cheap politics. A Delhi leader speaking gully (street) language is unfortunate. Don't make baseless allegations without evidence. Centre is not giving grant's free. States are paying taxes," Rajender said. "Telangana has been successful in containing coronavirus. BJP should first look at its own (BJP ruled) states before criticising others. It was Telangana that first detected the Markaz (Delhi) cases. The Centre failed in that, though Markaz was just a stone's throw from Parliament," he said. He was referring to the Tablighi jamaat headquarters in Nizamuddin in Delhi which turned out to be a hotspot for the coronavirus in March with its members, who attended a meet, travelling to different parts of the state. Rajender maintained Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was the first CM to seek a ban on international travel to prevent spread of coronavirus from foreign countries. Finance Minister Harish Rao said 'politicising' coronavirus that has become a threat to the human survival was akin to demeaning national security. "Nadda should remember this. Having served as the Union Health Minister, how could Nadda speak in a tone demeaning the services of doctors and healthcare staff? Will that not demoralise the health care workers?" he asked. As on Saturday, Telangana recorded 7,072 COVID-19 positive cases and 203 deaths due to the virus while the number of cumulative tests stood at 53,757. The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has denied being responsible for the altercation between the states commissioner of police, Bolaji Salami, and the deputy governor, Agoola Ajayi, on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Salami prevented Mr Ajayi from leaving the government house with an official vehicle. Mr Salami said he recently caught wind of Mr Ajayis moves to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an action he said should render him unqualified for some official benefits. In response, Mr Ajayi argued that he ought to enjoy the perks of office as an incumbent deputy governor. He said he used his personal funds to buy the Toyota Hilux truck from which he was being denied access. After several hours of delay, the deputy governor eventually left the government house to his private residence in another vehicle. PREMIUM TIMES understands that the drama may not be unconnected to the move by Mr Ajayi to contest against his boss, Mr Akeredolu, at the upcoming governorship election. The deputy governors spokesperson, Tope Okeowo, confirmed to our correspondent that his principal has perfected plans to decamp to PDP this week. He was, however, silent on whether his princpal will seek the PDP ticket. Mr Salami also told PREMIUM TIMES that he was only at the scene on Saturday evening to keep peace amongst opposition supporters of the governor and deputy governor. The commissioner said he asked the deputy governor to provide paperwork proving his ownership of the vehicle, but this was not immediately done. In addition, the police boss denied being used by the governor, saying the deputy governor called him on Sunday morning during which the issue was properly addressed. Akeredolu Speaks In his reaction on Sunday afternoon, Mr Akeredolu in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Segun Ajiboye, said reports linking him to Saturdays incident were false. He said he did not ask the commissioner of police to restrain his deputy from leaving the Government House. It should, however, be placed on records that it is a time-tested code in governments business for officials to take inventory of offices and quarters before and after an official is moving in or out of offices or quarters. He alleged that Mr Ajayi and his aides were intercepted when they wanted to leave the government house with items wrapped in unclear ownership as late as 11 pm. Accordingly, the CPs intervention which was at the instance of an almost manipulated security apparatus at the Government House was most desirable to restore law and order. It becomes particularly worrisome and suspicious when aides of the Deputy Governor insisted on leaving the premises with items wrapped in unclear ownership as late as 11 pm. (Natural News) Theres a lot of talk about white privilege these days, but many white American workers are certainly not feeling like they have a fair shot on the job in recent years, much less a so-called advantage. In fact, some are even being told directly that theyre being passed over for a job or promotion because of their skin color. News anchor Elex Michaelson recently shared how he was passed over for a job for being a white man by ABC News Senior Vice President Barbara Fedida. He tweeted: In 2017, ABC7 recommended I become a network correspondent. Barbara Fedida told me: Youre qualified. But youre a white male & my bosses told me I can only hire women & minorities for the next couple years. He said he was shocked by her blunt words and felt powerless, but he never complained or sued because he was worried about being blackballed in the industry. He did, however, leave the company shortly thereafter. He said: My hope in sharing this is to show support for the victims of racism at ABC News. I also hope, going forward, this culture where race is so cavalierly & crudely discussed by executives with hiring & firing poweris over. He was inspired to speak out following a report by Yashar Ali of Huffington Post detailing Fedidas treatment of black journalists at ABC News. Sources told Ali that Fedidas misconduct has cost the network millions of dollars in confidential settlements with former staff and talent, with at least one settlement coming about due to allegations of racial discrimination. After the report, she was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Equal opportunity employers? Michaelson is far from the only person to experience this type of discrimination. A survey by Pew Research Center on diversity in the technology and science fields found that of nearly one fifth of those who said race made their job more difficult said they had been affected by reverse discrimination. Last year, Microsoft employees complained on an internal message board that pro-diversity hiring at the company is unfair to white men. One employee wrote in a post: Does Microsoft have any plans to end the current policy that financially incentivizes discriminatory hiring practices? To be clear, I am referring to the fact that senior leadership is awarded more money if they discriminate against Asians and white men. Meanwhile, three employees of the New York Department of Education filed a lawsuit that claimed they were demoted from their jobs because they are white. Earlier this year, a group of 24 white lieutenants for the Cleveland Fire Department said in a lawsuit that department officials favored black candidates over white ones for promotion to captain. The lawsuit said that 57 percent of the black candidates who completed the captains exam were promoted; the same was true for just 26 percent of white candidates. And lets not even get started on the people who are losing their jobs for not supporting Black Lives Matters. A UCLA professor was placed on leave after he refused to cancel a final exam in the wake of George Floyds death, while Philadelphia Inquirer editor Stan Wischnowski was forced to resign after using the headline Buildings Matter, Too in an architecture column after some local buildings had been destroyed by rioters. Both are white men. Unfortunately, many people who are victims of this type of discrimination are unwilling to speak out about it because they dont want to burn any bridges as they continue to pursue job advancement. Its a problem we are only likely to see more of moving forward as the knee-jerk reaction to one white police officer killing a black man has seen businesses desperate not to be perceived as favoring whites in any way, shape or form. Racism is bad unless its directed at white people, in which case its apparently perfectly okay in todays America. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com HuffPost.com MarketWatch.com TheVerge.com TheFederalist.com So yes, Putin will do what he can to help Trump. Any doubt about that was removed by a television interview he gave a week ago that appeared aimed directly at the White House. The deep internal crisis in the United States, he declared, was caused by anti-Trump forces, who rather than accept that he obviously won the 2016 election in an absolutely democratic way . . . came up with all sorts of fables to cast doubt on his legitimacy. Sickle Cell Patients Ask for Protection Against COVID-19 as Confirmed Cases Increase to Over 11, 000 By Moki Edwin Kindzeka June 20, 2020 Sickle cell patients in Cameroon on this year's World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, asked to be given additional care and support. They say the genetic disorder primarily seen in people of African descent puts them more at risk of COVID-19. About 200 sickle cell patients visited hospitals and the Cameroon Red Cross office in the capital Yaounde, Friday to complain that they were being sidelined in efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the central African state. Forty-year old Dieudonne Mackiti, father of two children living with the disease, says he expects the government to provide face masks and hand sanitizers free of charge and to ask hospitals to give preferential treatment to sickle cell patients when they visit. He says he has come out on World Sickle Cell Day to ask the government to pay more attention to its citizens who are living with the genetic disorder and are more likely to have severe complications and die if they are infected with COVID-19. He says he believes that one of his two sons living with sickle cell contracted COVID-19 at the hospital he took the child to for regular health care. Mackiti said his family was ostractized by his neighbors after information that his son tested COVID-19 positive leaked. He said the stigma from COVID-19 combined with age-old superstitious beliefs that sickle cell is divine punishment for wrongdoing and that children with the disease are mysterious was making live very difficult for his family. Cameroon's health ministry says sickle cell patients already have respiratory difficulties which may be very complicated and difficult to handle should they be infected with COVID-19. It says people living with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease have an increased risk of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms and recommends that they should stock up on essential medicines and supplies that can last for several weeks. Laurantine Mandeng of the Cameroon Association of Young Sickle Cell Patients says most sickle cell patients in Cameroon are poor and cannot raise money to buy COVID-19 protection kits. Mandeng says only the Cameroon Red cross has been able to assist them with face masks and hand sanitizers. She says she asked that the supplies should be sent to associations of sickle cell patients and specialized hospitals that take care of people living with the genetic disorder because she does not want sickle cell patients to be infected with COVID-19 when they visit regular hospitals. Cameroon health minister Manaouda Malachie says sickle cell patients like other Cameroons will be given free face masks, buckets and soap and hand sanitizers to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Manaouda says he has observed that some sickle cell patients just like many other Cameroonians are refusing to obey barrier measures like keeping a distance of at least a meter and a half from each other, washing hands regularly or using hand sanitizers and wearing face masks. He says for Cameroon to be saved from the killer virus, all its citizens including sickle cell patients must observe measures the government has put in place to stop COVID-19. Cameroon says the prevalence of sickle cell is 20 percent among its 25 million population. Sickle cell is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body of patients. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 20 million Americans are out of work and receiving unemployment benefits, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, you wouldn't know that there's a problem in the economy from looking at the markets. The S&P 500 is up over 5% since March 1, which is around the time the coronavirus was just starting to wreak havoc on the U.S. Stocks have by and large recovered from the crash that took place that month. But that's also precisely why another market crash is inevitable: Investors are overvaluing stocks and likely aren't factoring in the long-lasting implications of the current recession. It's not a matter of if there will be another crash, but when. And if you don't want to see your portfolio take a big hit when it happens, you'll want to avoid hanging on to these three stocks: 1. Aurora Cannabis Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) is a volatile investment whether there's a market crash or not. It's lost half its value this year and the company had to do a 12-for-1 reverse split in May to keep its stock price above the $1 mark to avoid getting delisted from the NYSE. A reverse split isn't a sign things are going well. However, Aurora is hoping to turn things around relatively quickly. The company's expecting to be profitable by the first quarter of fiscal 2021. That means for the period of July through September, Aurora is expecting to have a profitable earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) figure. That's not that far away, and a lot has to go right for that to happen. It would have to be a best-case scenario for Aurora to hit its targets given the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused thus far. In the third-quarter results Aurora released on May 14, it incurred an adjusted EBITDA loss of 50.9 million Canadian dollars. That's improved from the CA$80.2 million loss it posted in the previous quarter but it was a deeper loss than the CA$36.6 million loss it reported in the third quarter last year. If sales don't rise during what's still a very volatile period, and if Aurora can't keep its costs down, the company could fall short of its expectations. There are too many ifs involved to be optimistic about the company's chances. And what's worse is even if the Ontario-based pot producer pulls a rabbit out of the hat by posting a profit, it may all be for naught. A market crash could send investors heading for safety and stocks that are stable (e.g. not cannabis stocks). Shares of Aurora are down 85% in just one year and even the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF has plummeted 60% during that time. If there's a run on the markets, highly volatile pot stocks like Aurora could go into free fall, even if the company meets its ambitious targets for Q1. 2. Kohl's Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) is a bit of a safer buy than a pot stock, but not by much. Retail stocks may be a bit less volatile but they're still risky. Some big-name companies have already filed for bankruptcy this year, including J.C. Penney, J.Crew, Neiman Marcus, and Pier 1 Imports. And more are likely on the way. The Wisconsin-based retailer released its first-quarter results on May 19, and they were dreadful. For the three-month period ending May 2, the company's sales were down 40.6% from the prior-year period. It incurred a net loss of $541 million compared to a profit of $63 million a year ago. Losses are rare for Kohl's as it's been profitable in each of the nine periods prior to Q1 -- although its net margin typically doesn't come in higher than 4%. There's just not a lot of margin for error or for things to go wrong. And during a recession, there's a lot that can go off the rails. Throw widespread lockdowns and a market crash into the equation combined with the pessimism surrounding retail and Kohl's awful Q1 results, and the stock could spiral down to a new low for the year. Kohl's has lost half of its value in the past year and the company's also suspended its dividend. And there's little reason to be optimistic the stock will turn things around anytime soon. 3. Tesla Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is the one company on this list that's actually doing well this year. Investors have been happy with the stock as it's posted a profit in three straight quarters. Prior to that, Tesla incurred losses in five of its last seven reporting periods. The electric automaker's been posting surprising results with not just profits, but in delivering more cars than expected. On Jan. 3, the company announced that during the fourth quarter it delivered 112,000 vehicles -- a record for the Palo Alto, Calif.-based business. For the year, it delivered 367,500 vehicles, 50% more than the 245,240 that it delivered in 2018. For 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was projecting to hit well over 500,000 delivered vehicles. However, that number is now in doubt. There's been even more bullishness this month after CEO Elon Musk indicated that the company's electric semi-trucks would also start to see production ramp up, although it's not clear when that might happen. But it's that euphoria that makes the stock too hot to hold on to right now. If you've made a good profit from owning shares of Tesla, it might be a good time to consider cashing out. The stock closed at over $1,000 a share on Thursday, not far from its all-time high of $1,027.48. With the stock trading at 20 times its book value, it's definitely overheating and it could be due for a big sell-off once the markets cool off. Tesla isn't a bad stock to own, it's just far too expensive to hold in your portfolio today. Takeaway for investors Here's how all three stocks measure up against the S&P 500 this year: Even though Tesla's outperformed the other two stocks on this list, it's just as risky of an investment to hold right now. A market crash can come without warning, and when it does, all three of these stocks could be on their way down. Investors are better off investing in safer stocks until the economy recovers from COVID-19. BUDAPEST, Hungary - Hungarys leading online news site said Sunday that its editorial staff and independence are at risk because of a reorganization attempt that could compromise its journalistic integrity. Index.hu moved its independence barometer, set up in 2018 after an ownership change, to in danger from independent, while declaring that the staff and independence of Index are in grave danger. Index is among a handful of independent media outlets which have suffered financially and seen their freedom to operate curtailed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbans efforts to control an ever larger segment of Hungarys media. While Index did not give details about its possible reorganization, 24.hu, another independent Hungarian news site, said Sunday that sections of Index would be outsourced to external companies, practically dismantling the newsroom. Laszlo Bodolai, an Index executive, later told Media1.hu, a website specializing in media matters, that while a plan really had been drawn up for a possible reorganization of Index, it had been rejected by the news sites management. We have been affected by an external influence whose end result could be the termination of the newsroom, said a note published on the Index website and signed by nearly 90 employees, including Editor-in-Chief Szabolcs Dull. We are worried that, with a single blow, with an organizational change, the values, too, will be lost, due to which Index is today the countrys largest and most read publication. The fate of Index will be decided in the coming days. We will inform you about the developments ... for as long as we can. For as long as its possible, the note said. A businessman closely linked to the pro-government transformation of Hungarian media over the past several years, Miklos Vaszily, said at the end of March that he had acquired a 50% stake in Indamedia, the company which sells Indexs advertising. The move raised concerns that Index would eventually suffer a similar fate as Origo.hu, which during Vaszilys tenure underwent a transformation from an independent news site to an openly pro-government outlet. In a 2020 global survey of media freedom by Reporters Without Borders, Hungary fell two spots to 89th place among 180 countries. It was in 56th place in 2013. Reporters Without Borders cited Hungarys distorted media market, in which hundreds of pro-government news outlets were consolidated into the huge Central European Press and Media Foundation. The editorial content of the foundation, known by the Hungarian acronym KESMA, is under tight political control and receives ample government funding. In the last several years, numerous publications have been shut down as a result of Orbans steps to increase his and his Fidesz partys media dominance. They include Nepszabadsag, a key left-leaning daily, and Heti Valasz, a conservative weekly founded with Orbans support in 2001 but which increasingly resisted efforts to toe the government line. Mumbai, June 21 : Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has made a request to all his fans to stand and support late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's family and fans. Salman's message comes amid a social media outrage against him and several other personalities after Sushant's death. "A request to all my fans to stand with Sushant's fans n not to go by the language n the curses used but to go with the emotion behind it. Pls support n stand by his family n fans as the loss of a loved one is extremely painful, Salman tweeted on Saturday night. Sushant's untimely demise has led to a heated debate about Bollywood camps and nepotism. Hashtags including #JusticeForSushant trended on Twitter as a large number of netizens felt the young actor had been a victim of politics and power play by Bollywood's nepotism gang, which eventually pushed him towards a drastic step. On June 19, leaders of the Jan Adhikar Students' Council burnt the effigies of Salman Aand Karan at Kargil Chowk in Patna. Sushant was found hanging in his Bandra residence on June 14 morning by his domestic help, which left the industry and his fans shocked. He was reportedly battling depression over the past few months and undergoing treatment. A criminal complaint against Salman, Karan and producer Ekta Kapoor among several others was filed. The case was filed under Sections 306, 109, 504 and 506 in a Muzaffarpur court by an advocate named Sudhir Kumar Ojha against Ekta Kapoor, Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Sajid Nadiadwala, Bhushan Kumar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Ojha alleged that these prominent Bollywood personalities forced Sushant to commit suicide under a conspiracy which, he pleaded, amounted to murder. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed In a significant development, Indias top drug regulator has given nod to two domestic pharmaceutical companies--Cipla and Hetero for marketing authorization of anti-viral drug Remdesivir only for restricted emergency use on Covid-19 patients with moderate disease (those on oxygen), a senior government official told ANI. With this development, India is soon to begin the domestic production of anti-viral drug remdesivir which would have efficacy, stability, safety for restricted emergency use on Covid-19 patients, official added. Earlier, this month ANI had reported that the Central Drug Control Standard Organisation (CDCSO) office of DCGI had granted its permission to US based Gilead Sciences for marketing authorization of its anti-viral drug Remdesivir in India for restricted emergency use on hospitalized Covid-19 patients in the wake of virus pandemic. On Saturday, ANI reported reported that DCGI granted domestic firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals the permission to manufacture and market anti- viral drug favipiravir. Gilead had signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with five generic pharma firms -- Cipla, Jubilant Life Sciences, Hetero, BRD and Mylan to manufacture and distribute remdesivir, a potential antiviral therapy for Covid-19. Following which, the six domestic pharma giants--Cipla, Hetero Labs, BRD, Mylan, Jubilant Life Sciences, Dr. Reddys Labs approached to the Indias drug regulator to make and sell remdesivir in the country. Two pharma giants--Cipla and Hetero were ahead among the other applications. Some of the companies are at various intermediate stages of inspection of manufacturing facilities, verification of data, stability testing, emergency laboratory testing as per protocol etc, said official. Being an injectable formulation, testing for assay, identity, impurities, bacterial endotoxin test and sterility become very critical for patient safety and this data need to be provided by the companies.CDSCO is awaiting the data and is providing complete support to these companies, said the official. Apart from this, pharma companies have been directed to take written informed consent of each and every patient, results of additional clinical trials to be submitted, active surveillance data of all treated patients to be submitted, risk management plan along with active post marketing surveillance and reporting of serious adverse events also to be submitted, said the official. It has already waived off the requirement of local clinical trials for these companies by invoking emergency provisions. The regulatory processes are being facilitated and expedited by CDSCO, official said. The union health ministrys recent issued clinical management guidelines for Covid-19. In the latest protocol, the health ministry has described the use of Remdesivir drug as investigational therapy on coronavirus patient. Patient can be administered with 200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV daily for 5 days. The drug cannot be administered to a pregnant or lactating mother and children below age of 12years. The drug is not recommended to patient with liver problems and renal complications, stated the clinical management protocol on Covid-19. Our weekly roundup of books that should be on your radar. We love stories, and even in the age of Netflix-and-chill, there's nothing like a good book that promises a couple of hours of absorption whether curled up in bed, in your favourite coffeehouse, or on that long (and tiresome) commute to work. Every Sunday, we'll have a succinct pick of books, across diverse genres, that have been newly made available for your reading pleasure. Get them wherever you get your books the friendly neighbourhood bookseller, e-retail website, chain store and in whatever form you prefer. Happy reading! For more of our weekly book recommendations, click here. *** FICTION Body and Blood By Benyamin; translated by Swarup BR HarperCollins India | Rs 499 | 240 pages Translated by Swarup BR, award-winning author Benyamins novel tells of Midhun's death, after being injured in a hit-and-run, soon dies. His organs are donated and help save several lives. However, his friends Rithu and Ragesh, and lover Sandhya, suspect theres more. As they delve deeper into the events and the people behind a religious fellowship of which they are all a part, they discover a world of criminally orchestrated accidents and medically induced comas. Read more about the book here. Camino Winds By John Grisham Hachette India | Rs 399 | 320 pages Bestselling author John Grishams novel follows his Camino Island, with heroine Mercer Mann. When Hurricane Leo threatens Camino Island, most residents quickly flee, but a small group decides to remain. Among them is Bruce Cable. As the hurricane rages, his friend Nelson Kerr, who wrote political thrillers, dies but the storm doesnt seem the cause of death; hed received several blows to the head. As Bruce looks through the manuscript of Nelsons new novel, he finds shocking things between the lines. Read more about the book here. MEMOIRS and BIOGRAPHIES Once There Was Me: The Extraordinary Life of an Unknown Indian By Bobby Sachdeva Pan Macmillan | Rs 450 | 427 pages Writer Bobby Sachdevas memoir tells the story of a life caught repeatedly in the web of communal violence. As a 14-year-old he sees his house burn by the mob of anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. He later travels across the US and China, experiencing life unhindered by religious animosity. Then dreaming of an emergent India, he submits a PIL in the Supreme Court for religious entities to distribute their excess income among the downtrodden. And then religious hardliners turn against him. Read more about the book here. NON-FICTION Breathless: Hunted and Hounded, the Tiger Runs for Life By Deshdeep Saxena Manjul Publishing House | Rs 250 | 154 pages Journalist Deshdeep Saxenas Breathless is an account of tiger conservation and the global threats they face. It details incidents of tiger killings for body parts, and discusses the governments environmentally unviable projects, like linking the Ken and Betwa rivers which threatens the Panna Tiger Reserve. As existing jungles witness increasingly lethal fights between tigers for territory, the book stresses on the importance of conservation and further developing existing national parks. Read more about the book here. Young Mental Health By Amrita Tripathi and Meera Haran Alva Simon & Schuster India | Rs 399 | 256 pages Journalist Amrita Tripathi and psychotherapist Meera Haran Alvas book answers questions like How do we talk about Mental Health? and Are we having the sometimes-difficult conversations that we need to with our children? among others. Through interviews, collecting lived experiences, and storytelling through comics, the book offers insight into what it means to be an adolescent or young adult in India today, and discusses how some important conversations can be approached. Read more about the book, and an excerpt from the book, here. The King and the People: Sovereignty and Popular Politics in Mughal Delhi By Abhishek Kaicker Oxford University Press India | Rs 1,295 | 376 pages Assistant Professor of History at the University of California Abhishek Kaickers book is an exploration of the relationship between the Mughal emperor and his subjects, challenging the assumption of passively ruled urban masses. The book places ordinary people at the centre of its narrative, offering a fresh perspective on imperial sovereignty, and discusses urban culture and political satire, uncovering a neglected urban population. Read more about the book here. YOUNG ADULTS Hunted by the Sky By Tanaz Bhathena Penguin Random House India | Rs 399 | 384 pages Author Tanaz Bhathenas follows Gul, who has spent her life running. In the kingdom of Ambar, girls who have star-shaped birthmarks like the one she does have been disappearing for years. Its the mark that caused her parents murder by King Lohars soldiers and drove her into hiding. Until a group of rebel women called Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue and train her in warrior magic. Now she only wants one thing: revenge. Read more about the book here. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 21:18:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam reported no new cases of COVID-19 infection on Sunday, with its total confirmed cases remaining at 349 with zero deaths so far, according to its Ministry of Health. Meanwhile as many as 327 patients have recovered from the disease, according to the ministry. Vietnam has recorded no local transmission for 66 straight days while there are over 5,700 people being quarantined and monitored in the country, said the ministry. Enditem R oyal Navy ships have shadowed a Russian warship as it passed through the English Channel. Portsmouth-based Frigate HMS Westminster and patrol ship HMS Tyne monitored the Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov on its way through. Will Paston, commander of the Type 23 frigate, said: The Royal Navy routinely monitors the passage of warships through the UKs area of interest as part of its ongoing mission to support the defence of the UK. The Vice Admiral Kulakov conducted itself in a safe and professional manner throughout its transit. Portsmouth-based ships HMS Westminster, a type 23 frigate (nearest the camera) and patrol vessel HMS Tyne (furthest from camera) escorting Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov through the English Channel. / PA A navy spokesperson added: Royal Navy sailors and aircrew monitored every movement of the Russian warship using state-of-the-art radar, surveillance cameras and sensors, allowing them to track the ships course and speed as it passed the British Isles. Minister for the Armed Forces James Heapey said: Once again the Royal Navy has proven its ability to maintain the sovereignty of the United Kingdom territorial waters. I am hugely impressed by the professional way the sailors of HMS Westminster and Tyne have responded. HMS Mersey (right), an Offshore Patrol Vessel, which shadowed a Russian warship off the coast of France and monitored her movement through the English Channel. / PA British armed forces respond on the occasions when Russian ships or aircraft near the UK. The most recent prior incident took place at the end of March, when nine British ships monitored seven Russian vessels in the English channel, citing "unusually high levels of activity". That came shortly after RAF jets shadowed Russian planes flying just off the west coast of the UK earlier in March. Dr. Farida Kbar, head of the Professional Communication Department at RMIT Vietnam Searching for information using personal sources, public sources, and social media platforms is a vital stage in every decision we make where we have no prior knowledge about the problem or the need we are facing. This ranges from what new restaurant to try tonight, to what new stock to invest in, and to what country to move to and build a new life in. Looking for information about a new health issue, such as COVID-19, is no exception and thanks to the internet there are boundless sources of such information. During these chaotic and uncertain times, the role of authority is vital as we need someone to trust since our emotions may cloud our fact-checking abilities and we need to reach decisions related to how to protect ourselves from this new health threat as fast as possible. When it comes to information, the press has proved to be this authority in Vietnam, essential to the success of the country in its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by providing the credibility its denizens need from their information sources. According to a Pew Research Centre study from 2017, the majority of people get their news from daily online sources, and Vietnam is no exception. Whether such information is believed to be true news or not is influenced by many factors including the trust someone has for the source of the information. Social media has created many so-called authorities and provided authority to many individuals who have neither the knowledge nor the experience in the field to provide credible and specific information. During crises such as COVID-19, the time available to check the credibility of these authorities is limited, so each person has to count on his or her belief of what they know about this authority, or, in some cases, they just believe that since everyone is saying it is true, then it must be true. Some misinformation about COVID-19 is deemed to be harmless. Other misinformation may harm only one direct family, such as the alleged link between vaccination and COVID-19 or the use of hydroxychloroquine to cure it. Yet, some misinformation takes fake news to its worst level where it harms communities and countries. In February, social media groups including an anti-5G Facebook group alleged a link between 5G mobile networks and COVID-19. The link was spread fast online and different authorities including doctors, activists, and entertainers supported it. In March, Reuters discredited this claim based on 2020 research and guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a statement from the World Health Organization, and more. Reputable news organisations followed within days to confirm that there is no research supporting such claim. The link between 5G and COVID-19 has been one of the worst misinformation cases in the history of fake news, as its impact has gone beyond the individual, and created hate groups who attacked people working in telecommunications and its infrastructure in many countries. According to telecoms lobbying groups ETNO and GSMA, this false claim had resulted in over 140 arson attacks on infrastructure in 10 European countries and numerous assaults. Although social media platforms insist that they are doing their best to stop the spread of misinformation, it is clear their best is not enough. According to a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, more than 90 per cent of posts spreading disinformation about COVID-19 remained visible after being reported on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The Vietnamese government is also working to stop the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. In a new decree in February, a fine of VND10-20 million ($430 to $900) will be imposed on anyone who uses social media to share false, untruthful, distorted, or slanderous information. Authorities launched a public campaign to build awareness and understanding of the consequences of misinformation with the slogan, Fake news, real consequences. The Vietnamese media is also sharing with audiences detailed information about any new cases of misinformation it receives daily from The Vietnamese National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. The media is fact-checking all its information, flagging what is not true, and sharing with their readers only quality media coverage in a timely fashion about how it will impact not only their health and but also their livelihoods. Through its actions, the press in Vietnam has enhanced its reputation as a trustworthy authority that can be relied on for accurate information during these uncertain times. This trust is reflected by the latest YouGov survey of May 5-13, in which Vietnam had the highest level of trust (89 per cent) in the press amongst the 26 countries studied in the research. The success in lack of coronavirus cases in Vietnam is due to many factors including the actions the government took. However, in order for these actions to be successful, the government needed to trust its people to do the right thing, and this would have not been possible without the trust of the people in the community, the press, and the Vietnamese government. The case has triggered division between Gilespie's family and his public supporters, who started a Facebook campaign and a petition this week to push for his sentence to be reduced. Gilespie's family issued a statement urging them to refrain from speculating on his current circumstances, which they did not believe assists his case. The differing approaches are not unusual in high-stakes international cases involving the death penalty. Diplomats, wary of provoking the host government further, have historically counselled quiet behind-the-scenes diplomacy. That was made more difficult last week when the Chinese court published Gilespie's name and nationality, provoking a public outcry before diplomatic back channels could be used. Families and friends of the condemned are driven more by emotion to establish campaigns, which can complicate the matter for legal teams by questioning the judicial system in which they are operating. "It is heartbreaking to think that for the last six-and-a-half years Karm has been in prison without any of us knowing or having any way to support him," Gilespie's former teacher Roger Hamilton, a futurist who met the former actor on an entrepreneurs' course in Bali in 2013, said on his Facebook campaign page. "The least we can do is to publicise his case and hope for the Chinese government's compassion and the Australian government's diplomatic actions." Author and Guardian journalist Brigid Delaney, who co-founded the Mercy Campaign for Australian drug smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan after they were sentenced to death in Indonesia, said a similar push would be particularly challenging in China. The Mercy Campaign hinged on drawing high-profile support and establishing empathy between the public and Chan and Sukumaran through interviews with the prisoners themselves, charting their journey from convicted smugglers to becoming a religious leader and an artist respectively. "By the time they were executed I felt like Australians thought they had a real connection to their stories and that added weight to the opposition to kill them," said Delaney. "If you feel like you know someone, you'll fight for them." The campaign ultimately failed but Delaney maintains it "solidified Australia's repugnance of the death penalty". China, where more than 1000 people are executed a year according to Amnesty International, is regarded as the "black hole" of death sentences. Little to no public communication is allowed and Australia's own diplomats face challenges accessing prisoners. Australian consular officials had a video call with Gilespie this week. "In China it's difficult if not impossible to build the relationship between the public and the person on death row," said Delaney, a former lawyer who now believes the government will have to become more assertive to help Gilespie. "If the Australian government is really serious about human rights they should be able to use a stick to show some moral leadership in the region and have some firepower on the issue." The Australian government largely takes the opposite view, believing Gilespie's best chance lies in keeping the case under the radar until relations between Australia and China start to recover. Years of tension over foreign interference, military expansion in the South China Sea and trade disputes culminated in Australia's push for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 in April. Two trade strikes on $1 billion worth of beef and barley would follow, along with travel warnings urging tourists and students not to travel to Australia over racist attacks on Chinese migrants. Despite multiple approaches by Canberra, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham have not spoken to their Beijing counterparts since January. "The fact that this decision was handed down by the Chinese court last week in the midst of this current tension in the Australian-China bilateral relationship, I just do not think is coincidental," says Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell. "[Australia] needs to not engage in megaphone diplomacy, especially when we've got a very sensitive matter now, where the life of an Australian citizen could be in peril." The timing is likely to raise concerns for the dozens of other Australians detained in China. Australian academic Yang Hengjun was formally indicted on espionage charges in March, claims he and the Australian government denies. Bannister received a suspended death sentence in 2015 and remains in detention for smuggling three kilograms of methamphetamines out of China. His compatriots Bengali Sherrif and Ibrahim Jalloh received the same sentence. NSW man Peter Gardner has yet to be sentenced after allegedly attempting to export 30 kilograms of ice out of Guangzhou in 2015. All four were caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of the same airport as Gilespie. Loading These cases only scratch the surface of those alleged to be involved in drug crimes between Australia and China. Many more people have attempted to export narcotics through the post by concealing them in bed sheets, microwaves, tea sets, thermos cups, miniature wooden boats, mobile power banks, car mirrors and soap. At least 30 have been detained since 2014. Their fate is largely unknown. By Trend Grain harvesting in Azerbaijan was carried out by 35.9 percent as of June 20, the country's Ministry of Agriculture told Trend. In terms of volume, 1,126,943 tons of crops were harvested from 362,716.6 hectares of area. At present, the average grain yield is 31.1 centners, including barley - 30.3 centners, wheat - 32.9 centners per hectare, said the ministry. "Harvesting in two thirds of the sown area has been completed in the country. From 369,303.7 hectares sown with barley, crops were harvested on the area of 258,161.1 hectares. A total of 783,092.1 tons of crop were harvested," the ministry added. In 2020, over 640,000 hectares of wheat were sown. Until June 20, wheat was harvested on the area of 104,555 hectares. A total of 343,850.9 tons of crop were harvested. The harvesting process is continuing, noted the ministry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz - Bea Alonzo recently went to Pasig City to turn over big-time donations for frontliners - She met Mayor Vico Sotto and they decided to have a picture with each other - The actress uploaded the photo and it immediately went viral on social media - Even celebrities aired their comments after seeing the much-talked-about picture PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Several showbiz personalities in the Philippines could not help but react after seeing the newly-uploaded photo of Bea Alonzo and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. KAMI learned that the gorgeous actress visited the prominent politician to turn over relief bags and disinfectants to be used by frontliners versus COVID-19. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! While wearing face masks and observing social distancing, the two prominent personalities struck a pose in front of the camera for a souvenir photo. Celebrities such as Neri Miranda, Dimples Romana, Janus del Prado, and Say Alonzo decided to comment on the much-talked-about post. Bakit napangiti ako dito? Neri wrote. "Hindi mo ba alam yung 3 feet rule, basha?" #lastkonayan Happy for you paps. #BeVico, Janus also said. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback In a previous article by , Pia Wurtzbach opened up about the possibility of reconnecting with Bea after their alleged past issue. Bea Alonzo is an award-winning Filipino actress who already starred in many acclaimed movies. She portrayed the character of Basha in the blockbuster film entitled One More Chance. POPULAR: Read more news about Bea Alonzo! Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh The details as released, he said, undermine any notion of an independent judiciary and separation of power. Having an entire infrastructure to apply the new legislation also undermines reassurances from officials that it will only be used against a very small minority, he said. The early 20th-century sociologist Max Weber starkly observed that a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence is what defines a state. In other words, only a county's own acknowledged government has the ultimate right to use force against its citizens. With the very limited exception of immediate self-defense, the use of force by anyone other than the government must be seen as an act of either criminality or war. A federal system such as ours may complicate things a little but the principle still holds true. If anyone outside the legitimate government is ceded the right to use violence to achieve his own ends, the government becomes a nullity to the extent of that allowance. Ugly and un-utopian though this principle may sound, it benefits society as a whole. It cannot be denied that there are, and have always been, people in civilized societies who are unfit to live in them. There have always been murderers, rapists, and thieves. Even under the best imaginable set of laws and social conditions, there will always be people unconstrained by human empathy or social inhibitions. Someone must police them. Humanity will never be wholly free from antisocial behavior, so someone, however imperfect, has to be there to stop it short when it occurs. Today, unfortunately, the voice of reason has been shouted down. Many of our cities and states have begun to disintegrate under cowering politicians who surrender their dignity and our safety to the mob. When people are suffered to loot, riot, desecrate, murder, and seize territory while officials stand idly by, it is more than just the latest cultural outrage. It is a failure by public officials to meet even the table stakes of their own legitimacy. Why should anyone, rich or poor, black or white, bother listening to Mayor Durkan of Seattle? She has ceded the heart of her city to armed extremists when she had the means to stop them. Small businessowners in Seattle, Minneapolis, and New York have dutifully paid their taxes only to have their shops first closed by the government, then set on fire by the rioters. Mayors and governors have done nothing. These officials are no more than cringing little criminals who prey upon the weak but kneel subserviently before a bolder, scarier class of thugs. Small businessowners in these lawless places have no legitimate local or state governments. What choice do they have but to cut their losses and vote with their feet? The federal government, likewise, is full of people who cannot be expected to lift a finger to protect our homes and businesses, nor do they care a jot for our lives. "All lives matter" is not their credo. When Hillary called much of America "deplorables," her audience laughed approvingly. There is no point at which such people are going to develop the least concern for the American middle class. They will happily feed us to the anarchistic beast in a mass human sacrifice that would awe even the Aztecs in the hope that they might save their own pampered hides just long enough to see to their security arrangements. Between us and this looming dark age stands only the tall, awkward figure of Donald Trump and the handful of determined patriots around him. Though we may love and admire our president, it is terrifying to think that our freedom, and perhaps our lives, hinges on the bulwark of this quirky, counter-punching septuagenarian. He cannot delay displaying the blunt instruments of power very long. The longer he waits, the bloodier the consequences will be. By hesitating, he risks making himself no more legitimate in people's eyes than Governor Cuomo or Mayor Durkan. One may attempt to thread the needle only so long to solve a problem than any competent statesman would know requires the judicious application of a hammer. Anarchist mobs are rarely mollified by gentle means. We dare not shirk before an enemy ideology that has proven itself quite willing to ruin, to plunder, and to kill. In the paradoxical calculus of freedom, patriots must stand together, or we'll fall as individuals. Decent men and women love our county. Anarchists, ideologues, degenerates, and those aliens with no desire to assimilate despise it. There can be no compromise between those who love America as a happy mixture of Enlightenment ideals and Christian morality and those who wish to level our country with Marxist dogmas and import a replacement population. There is no middle ground to be had with people who hate not only us, but our history. I have no desire to cast the world in either racial or ideological terms, but if pushed into a corner, I prefer even the most brutal nationalism to subjugation or death. This conflict is not of our making, but it is here. "These are the times that try men's souls," said Thomas Paine in 1776. It is now the year of our Lord 2020 A.D. and again we have a fight on our hands. Though the circumstances we now face may be very different from those that faced our forefathers, the question put to each of us is fundamentally the same. What price are you willing to pay to have a government that doesn't hold you in contempt? How many unendurable barbarities are you willing to endure before you're willing to stand? New Delhi: Pre-monsoon showers lashed parts of north India on Sunday, including Delhi, bringing a much-needed relief to people discomforted by a sultry weather, but the clouds disappointed those waiting patiently to see a 'ring of fire' in the skies. At many places, people failed to penetrate the cumulonimbus clouds to see the spectacular celestial event, when the moon covered most -- but not all -- of the Sun, creating a ring of fire. At other places, like in parts of Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, they were able to see only a partial solar eclipse. The ring of fire was clearly visible in Dehradun and Tehri in Uttarakhand, where the monsoon is likely to arrive on Monday, and in Sriganganagar district of the desert-state Rajasthan, where it will reach later in the week. The southwest monsoon has completely covered the southern and the eastern India and its angular curve is now passing eastern Uttar Pradesh through the middle of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, according to weather forecasting agencies. But pre-monsoon showers have been lashing parts of western UP, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana. Weather experts say the monsoon is likely to arrive in Delhi two-three days earlier than its usual date on June 27, because of a cyclonic circulation that developed over West Bengal and moved towards southwest Uttar Pradesh on June 19 and June 20, and will almost simultaneously cover Haryana and Punjab. "It helped in further advancement of the monsoon, which has reached eastern Uttar Pradesh and central Madhya Pradesh. It is expected to reach west Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Uttarakhand by June 22," said Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre of the India Meteorological Department in Delhi. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting agency, said intermittent rainfall will continue till the onset of the monsoon on June 24-25. On Sunday, the maximum temperature in Delhi was 36.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal. The humidity levels oscillated between 62 and 92 per cent, leading to a sultry weather. During the next three days, the maximum temperature will hover around 35 degrees Celsius, IMD's Srivastava said. In view of the approaching monsoon, the Delhi government has said it will not allow field staff of its maintenance units leave without prior approval. The PWD has asked its staff to inspect all drainage pumps to ensure minimum waterlogging. There are often complaints of waterlogging on roads during the monsoon season. The IMD has forecast rain and thundershower in eastern Uttar Pradesh and at few places in western parts of the state on Monday. Thunderstorm and lightening with winds gusting up to 40 kmph are very likely at some places in western UP on Monday, it said. The day temperature in most places in Rajasthan has dropped by up to 2 degrees Celsius since Saturday and the highest in the state was in Sri Ganganagar at 41.9 degrees. The weather department has predicted light-to-moderate rainfall and dust storm at several places in the state during the next 24 hours. In Punjab and Haryana, the maximum temperature hovered below normal limits. Coastal Maharashtra is likely to receive widespread rainfall on Monday while other regions are expected to receive isolated to fairly widespread showers, the IMD said. It said Konkan region, which took the brunt of cyclone Nisarga on June 3, would receive widespread rainfall in most places. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 13:54:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers and two Taliban militants were killed and 16 people wounded in a Taliban attack on a district police station in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan Saturday night, a local official confirmed Sunday. "A batch of Taliban militants stormed Nahrin district police station in eastern part of Pul-e-Khumri capital of Baghlan province. Eleven Afghan national police and Afghan local police members and five militants were wounded during the clashes," Nahrin district chief Fazluddin Muradi told Xinhua. The injured police personnel were shifted to hospitals early Sunday. The attackers came by motorcycles from nearby mountains and fled before dawn. Enditem Update: New central govt commissioner's office to supervise HK to carry out natl security duties Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 18:39:08 China's top legislature has reviewed the draft law on national security for Hong Kong at the three-day meeting of the 19th session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee which concluded on Saturday, paving the way for the next stage of the legislative process of the draft law. Based on the detailed provisions released Saturday, it showed the central government has entrusted the Hong Kong regional government at the maximum level, and the draft law has conveyed the core values of the "one country, two systems," observers said. The central government would establish a commissioner's office for national security affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in order to safeguard national security. The office is tasked to assess national security situations in the city and make recommendations on key strategies and major policies in maintaining national security. It will also oversee, guide, coordinate and support the HKSAR to fulfill its duty to protect national security. The office will also collect intelligence and handle national security cases according to the law, the draft showed. In order to ensure the implementation of the national security law for Hong Kong, the HKSAR would carry out constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding national security. Under the draft law, the HKSAR government will set up a special commission chaired by the chief executive to protect national security. The HKSAR exercises the jurisdictions over criminal cases related to national security specified in the draft law, unless under special circumstances. The portion of draft released on Saturday does not elaborate on what constitutes special circumstances. But analysts believe that it includes situations where the HKSAR government cannot effectively carry out its duty, foreign forces are involved or there are social unrests like those triggered by the anti-extradition movement last year. Li Xiaobing, a Hong Kong affairs expert at Nankai University, told the Global Times on Saturday that "this is rebuilding constitutional order in the HKSAR." It seems like the central government very much trusts the HKSAR government to safeguard national security in the city since the central government will not directly involve itself in cases in most normal circumstances, but will only get involved when the HKSAR government cannot handle them, he said, adding that this is a great respect for the jurisdictional autonomy of Hong Kong. The draft also stipulates that both the Hong Kong Police Force and Department of Justice would set up special units in handling national security cases, toward which the chief executive would appoint designated judges, the draft showed. The draft law showed that central authorities have made utmost efforts in striking a balance between Hong Kong's common law and the mainland's civil law systems, with the aim of protecting the judiciary independence of the HKSAR and protecting human rights at the maximum level. Chinese top lawmakers also referred to the design of the security system in some Western countries such as the UK and the US in making the national security law for Hong Kong, observers said. Analysts also drew a clear line between the proposed new commissioner's office and the UK's notorious Special Branch inside the Hong Kong Police Force before the city's return to the motherland. The new commissioner's office would take on "defensive" work to protect national security, whereas the UK's Special Branch was on the "offensive" and used Hong Kong as a "frontier" for gathering intelligence on other countries, Lawrence Tang Fei, a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times. Specifically, the commissioner's office will handle cases that involve cross-border crimes that are beyond Hong Kong's jurisdiction and involve foreign diplomats who enjoy diplomatic immunity. "These cases are very hard for [local law enforcement agencies and judiciary system] to handle and the central government must step in," Tang said. It also showed that the Chinese lawmakers did not simply copy the mainland's legal system and arrangements for safeguarding national security directly to the HKSAR, instead, they fully take international practices into account, the expert noted. Saturday's announcement showed the highly anticipated legislation has entered the fast lane, which is widely believed to be enacted within a month. Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the NPC Standing Committee from Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Saturday that the first reading of the draft law was completed on Saturday morning, and the committee's next session, during which legislators may vote on the law, could be held soon. Normally, drafts go through three readings, but it can be reduced to two readings for drafts over which legislators have fewer disagreements, or even one reading for drafts targeting a single issue, Tian Feilong, a Hong Kong affairs expert at Beihang University in Beijing, told the Global Times in an earlier interview. The draft is likely to go through one or two more readings before being submitted for a vote given the law's impact and urgency, he said. Some observers also forecast that Chinese legislators are likely to further accelerate the legislation process so that the law could be enacted as early as the end of this month. The draft makes clear provisions on preventing, stopping and punishing four types of criminal acts in the HKSAR. These include acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security. The draft is an important piece of legislation aimed at implementing the full NPC's decision made in late May on improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security. The highly anticipated legislation will directly strike against the US-controlled proxies and political groups in Hong Kong, that had previously incited trouble in the city with little concern about the consequences, some observers said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Donald Trump said on June 20 he would announce new restrictions on visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. "We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas," he told Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. "You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and they're pretty tight," he said. "And we may even go very tight for a period of time." Trump, who has been expected to announce new restrictions, declined to provide further details. Critics have said Trump looked set to use the pandemic to achieve his longstanding goal of limiting immigration into the United States. His tough stance on immigration is central to his pitch to voters as he runs for re-election. Major American companies, particularly in the tech sector, have urged Trump to refrain from blocking the flow of foreign workers into the United States, saying it would hurt the economy. The new action would be Trump's latest step to restrict immigration in response to the pandemic and economic fallout. In April, he ordered a temporary block on some foreigners from permanent residence in the United States. He also announced new health-focused rules in March that allow for the rapid deportation of immigrants caught at the border and virtually cut off access to the U.S. asylum system. At the same time, he announced the land borders with Canada and Mexico would be closed to non-essential crossings, a measure that has been extended several times. Photo credit: Regan Cameron From Harper's BAZAAR The subject of our work-life balance has always been fertile soil for debate. Weve all heard the stories about how neighbouring countries (namely Nordic), which operate on shorter working weeks, are reaping the rewards in both productivity and citizen satisfaction. Whats more, a recent one-month trial of a four-day working week by Microsoft in Japan was found to boost productivity by 40 per cent. Elsewhere in New Zealand, one company who trailed the shorter week found similar spikes in productivity by its 240-strong staff. Photo credit: Carlina Teteris - Getty Images Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has recently encouraged employers to implement four-day weeks in New Zealand as a way to boost work-life balance and also the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, UK MPs are reportedly following suit by asking the government to consider the shorter week in response to the pandemic. According to the Independent, cross-party signatories are asking Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to reduce work hours in a bid to boost the economy and citizen wellbeing amid growing levels of unemployment. In the letter seen by the outlet they argue shorter working time has been used throughout history as a way of responding to economic crises. They were used as a way of reducing unemployment during the Great Depression of the 1930s, which led to the normalisation of the eight-hour day and the 40-hour week. [] A four-day week would bring multiple benefits to society, the environment, our democracy, and our economy (through increased productivity). One of the biggest impacts would be better mental health and wellbeing across the board with more time available for socialising, family and community." Photo credit: Maskot - Getty Images It adds: Three quarters of UK workers already supported a four-day working week before the coronavirus pandemic hit and millions of workers have now had a taste of working remotely and on different hours. "Its in no ones interests to return back to the pressure and stress that people were under before this pandemic. Story continues The letter has reportedly been backed by the likes of former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Green Partys Caroline Lucas, SNPs Mhairi Black and Labours Zarah Sultana. Now there's some legislation we'd be able to get on board with. You Might Also Like Chennai, June 21 : Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Sunday said China back-stabbed India for its unprovoked attack on the Indian soldiers on June 15 at Ladakh resulting in the death of 20 bravehearts. Stressing that the right to ask questions is the essence of democracy, Kamal Haasan, who founded the MNM party, said: "It is disrespecting to the army if anyone even hints that its morale will be shaken by a few pertinent questions asked by citizens to the government. Our army is a lot tougher than that. But their lives must not be taken for granted." In a statement issued here, Haasan said: "The current Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has frequented China more than any other PM (Prime Minister) since independence. The Mahabalipuram summit was claimed to be a diplomatic success." "Merely 8 months later, the Chinese stab us in the back by killing our unarmed soldiers. If that is the result of the government's diplomacy then either their strategy has failed miserably or they failed to read the intentions of the Chinese correctly," he said. "In both cases, it is the government who needs to answer a few more questions. But we will leave those for some other day," he added. Asking the central government as to what is being done to control China's belligerence at the border, Haasan said army is the last resort when diplomacy fails. "What could have been achieved through peace talks and goodwill is being expected by our soldiers by sacrificing their lives!" he said. The leader of MNM party demanded the central government divulge facts "about what exactly happened on that day at Galwan so as to stop rumours. We know that certain information will be classified but you can manage communication better than by just saying 'Don't doubt the army' and 'Don't be an anti-national'. We are beyond all that now." GREENWICH Usually, the nonprofit Darien Book Aid Plan sends hand-selected books in response to specific requests from Peace Corps volunteers, libraries and schools all over the world. But that all changed during the coronavirus crisis, according to Greenwichs Lorrie Stapleton, a volunteer with the group. Since Darien Book Aid was closed, we could no longer have volunteers sort books and fulfill the requests from the Peace Corps volunteers, said Stapleton. In addition, most of the Peace Corps volunteers who order the books for children oversees had been pulled back home, so we had no place to mail the books. Thats when Stapleton went to work to find domestic organizations that needed books. She still had many of the 6,000 childrens books collected at a drive organized by the student council at Tokeneke Elementary School in Darien in February. Some of the books had been sent oversees. But once the coronavirus pandemic hit, the Darien Book Aid could no longer send out the Tokeneke donations, which were in excellent condition, she said. In a happy solution, Stapleton recently delivered nearly 600 books to New Haven Reads and 200 books to the Greenwich United Way for its family centers early childcare programs. For now, the group has stopped taking donations until we have a distribution network for them, she added. Books4Everyone, book swaps Aside from volunteering at Darien Book Aid Plan, Stapleton is also the founder of Books4Everyone.org, a volunteer organization that promotes literacy by providing a matchmaking service between people who have excess kids books and those who need them. Additionally, she runs the Book Swap at Holly Hill in Greenwich, which is closed due to the pandemic. But she has been distributing childrens books from the book swap supply to Connecticut school children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. With the school buildings closed due to the pandemic, the school districts in Greenwich and Stamford have delivered free breakfasts and lunches to families. Several times a week, Stapleton drops off books at those sites, and to date, has provided about 1,000 books for students. Additionally, she delivers book to the Boys & Girls Club in Stamford and the Lighthouse Program in Bridgeport, which provide students with a safe and supportive environment after school and during the summer. She has also provided about 600 books to New Lebanon School in Greenwich. Taking the books to needy schools and organizations is so rewarding. The kids there want to read all the same books and have the same excitement as our children, but dont have the same opportunity to have full book cases at home, Stapleton said. Its wonderful to help them build their own libraries. Community giving and sharing Stapleton also organized a book collection and swap in her own neighborhood. She and fellow residents have cleaned out our attics, basements, and kids closets, she said. Everybody in town has childrens books theyd love to take somewhere and cant. All the books are sent to Stapletons home. I keep a library cart in front of my house with six shelves of childrens books. Kids come by and get books, and parents come by with books to donate, she said. Additionally, while local libraries have been closed, some residents use Stapletons book swap as a library. They borrow and donate books of their own, for their neighbors to enjoy. She said she is constantly on the lookout for organizations that need free childrens books. Stapleton said she would encourage everyone to hold neighborhood book swaps. Books are a way to bring the community together. Its great to get to know your neighbors by sharing all your favorite used books, she said. Ive had some fascinating conversations with local 8-year-olds who love to read and want to talk about books. For more information on the Darien Book Aid Plan, visit darienbookaid.org. For more information on Books4Everyone, visit books4everyone.org sfox@darientimes.com New Delhi: Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry has said that he is "not embarrassed" to admit that exits for the group, which has exited over 40 businesses in 20 years, are usually the last resort and the conglomerate does not take decisions about exiting through a "short-term financial lens". Mistry cited the turnaround and growth of Tata's jewelery brand Tanishq and its IT arm Tata Consultancy Services as examples "within the group where persistence and a long-term perspective have paid off." He said "equally" the Tata Group has exited over 40 businesses in the last 20 years. "And as we push the boundaries, there will always be failures, and we must expect these as part of our entrepreneurial model. Of course, critics could argue we could have been more aggressive with our exists and they most probably would be right if we were to take all our decisions through a short-term financial lens," Mistry said here last week. Mistry was in New York for an event to unveil the membership of FCLT Global, a body dedicated to encouraging long-termism in business and investment decision-making. He is among the top global industry leaders, including Unilever CEO Paul Polman and McKinsey & Co Global Managing Partner Dominic Barton, who are appointed as board member of FCLT Global. "I am not embarrassed to admit that exits for us are usually a last resort, and we invest considerable time to evaluate all options before taking such decisions. A healthy level of debate at our boards helps us to improve the decision?making and balance in favour of all stakeholders," he said at the event. 48-year-old Mistry, who succeeded Ratan Tata in 2012 to head the global conglomerate, said for the Tata Group, long-term stakeholder value creation is also about identifying long-term trends and seeding businesses that can capitalise on some of these trends as they collide and create social and business paradigm changes. "For us sustainable profitable growth is the Tata Group's value creation philosophy and the fundamental lens through which we evaluate the performance of our group companies. In line with this philosophy, apart from the unique industry? specific strategic levers, there are a number of common directional themes that we urge our group companies to follow. "These would include generating unique insights and consistently improving our customer experience over time with the intent of strengthening our brand; creating organisational structures and mindsets that enable engagement and agility; developing intellectual property that results in a sustainable competitive advantage and constructing robust risk management processes at the strategic and operational level," he said. New Delhi: An increased cost of panels arising from a global demand supply gap shall lead to the television prices going up by around 20 per cent as manufacturers try to pass on the buck to the ultimate consumers. While Panasonic has already increased prices of its sets, Videocon, LG and Sony are monitoring the situation as panel prices have gone up by up to 35 per cent with Chinese manufacturers increasing prices while other South Korean and Taiwanese suppliers have stopped manufacturing smaller screens for television sets. "Low supply of display panels has caused us to review our pricing and we will be increasing the price of the Panasonic television sets across screen sizes by 15 to 20 per cent," said Panasonic India Head - Sales and Service Ajay Seth. He further said: "We anticipate Indian customers will now upgrade faster to larger screen sizes since the current price hike will narrow the price difference between a 32-inch and 40-inch to Rs 4,000 as compared to Rs 6,000 previously". Videocon COO CM Singh said that the prices of 32-inch panels have gone up the most, followed by 40-inches. "In fact, the shortage may worsen further in October and panel prices may go up by another 18-20 per cent," said Singh. Explaining the reasons, he said: "For smaller screen, now there are few players only (supplying panels). It was coupled with Apple increasing the demand and lot of players getting out of smaller screen." In India consumption of smaller screen is 70 to 75 per cent with 32 inch TV sets contributing around 38 per cent of total sales, he added. However, market leaders such as Sony and LG are closely monitoring the situation and may take a decision after Diwali, when the festive season gets over. "On the basis our advance planning, we don't intend to have any price hike during the festive season. We will closely monitor the situation and review post Diwali," said Sony India Head of Sales Satish Padmanabhan. An LG spokesperson said: "We at LG have always believed in providing best value to our consumers and we are closely monitoring the situation". Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association President Manish Sharma said India is a big market for 32 inch and 40?42 inch LED TV's, with the former selling almost 3.3 million units and the latter selling almost 1.1 million units in 2015. The decisions of hiking prices or to absorb is being evaluated carefully by each player, he said. A councillor in Dublin says a number of bars in the south inner city area seem to be operating almost as normal - despite the pandemic restrictions. One licenced premise selling takeaway drinks in the South William Street area last night reportedly had a crowd of up to 50 people outside. The sacking of top federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman has triggered a barrage of criticism, accusing Department of Justice (DOJ) of blatantly corrupt interference. An utter confusion ensued in the DOJ after Attorney General William Barr announced the resignation of Berman but the latter denied it. Berman is known for taking on powerful figures working for Donald Trump, and Guiliani was accused of seeking a quid pro quo with Ukraine on the behest of the US President. Trump administration is accused of withholding $400m (309.7m) in military aid, approved by Congress and the Pentagon, to Ukraine and pressurising the country to launch an investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Following DOJs announcement, Berman said that neither he has resigned from his position nor he has any intention to step down. He said that he learnt about his stepping down from a press release and that he will step down only when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. The incident pitted the American legal community against the government which prompted Barr to send a letter to Berman saying Trump had agreed to fire him "as of today. However, the US President completely denied any involvement in the sacking of the federal prosecutor saying its all up to the attorney general. "I'm not involved," he added. Read: US Attorney Probing Trump Allies Refuses To Step Down After Barr Announces Replacement Nadler slams Trump Berman later confirmed that he will be leaving the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, effective immediately. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement that the whole thing smacks of corruption and incompetence. He added that neither the President nor the DOJ has offered any explanation for Bermans purported dismissal. The House Judiciary Committee will immediately open an investigation into this incident, as part of our broader investigation into Barrs unacceptable politicization of the Department of Justice, the statement read. The Committee is set to hear from two whistleblowers on June 24 who will explain why Barrs attempt to fire Mr Berman is part of a larger, ongoing, and wholly unacceptable pattern of conduct, it added. Read: 'Embarrassed As A White Man', Says England Coach Southgate About Racism He is literally the most important person in the world in what we call household air pollution, John Balmes, a colleague at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health, said in an interview. He saved more lives than anyone I know. What he taught me is that the developed world spends billions on cleaning the air from auto emissions and power plants, when more lives are lost in low- and middle-income countries from cooking with solid fuels. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Consider the humble food truck: a to-go restaurant with built-in social distancing. Because of that business model, many of Santa Fes mobile eateries kept right on rolling during this springs COVID-19 lockdown. And while restaurants made a hard pivot to take-out, a few standout trucks some of which were brand new when the pandemic hit have been steadily turning out buzzworthy moveable feasts. Ras Rodys Jamaican Vegan: You may have spied the Jamaican flag flying above Agua Fria just south of Camino Alire. Follow it into the surprisingly spacious dirt lot thats host to Ras Rodys Jamaican Vegan, a glossy black-painted truck that dishes up plant-based goodness adjacent to the chefs new residence. Southwest Jamaica native Ras Rody and his family recently landed in Santa Fe via Dunedin, Florida, where Rodys truck had carved out a niche serving food at Tampa-area farmers markets. Now, hes adding some welcome Caribbean flavor to Santa Fes dining landscape. Ras Rodys combo platters ($12 for a hefty melange of vegetables, grains and proteins) vary depending on the day and the ingredients. No matter whats on offer, youre guaranteed to experience the power of expertly layered seasoning. One combo featured stewed black beans redolent with coconut milk alongside curried chickpeas, yellow peppers, tofu and tempeh. These were served over brown rice with a side of sauteed ribbons of cabbage, diced carrots and sweet plantains. Two spongy banana pancakes rested neatly over the densely packed box, and the plate was delicious down to the last grain of rice. The rest of the menu is simple, made up of a rotating selection of fresh juices ($5), smoothies ($7) and soups ($6-$10), and service is fast and genuinely friendly. If Ras Rody and his excellent truck have come to Santa Fe to stay, we can count it as a healthy blessing. Tacos Acapulco: Over at the small lot on St. Francis Drive near West San Mateo Road, Tacos Acapulco opened quietly in January with a menu of tacos (fish, shrimp, asada, barbacoa and pollo; $8 for four with a side salad), burritos and other treats (Mexican fruit salads with chamoy, agua de jamaica). Acapulco native and owner Julio Rodriguez, who has worked at Tia Sophias and the beloved former Zia Diner, partnered with his brother Leonardo Munoz to buy the truck, repainting it with a splashy Pacific Ocean beachscape as bright as the flavors of Rodriguezs tacos. Acapulcos reputation for seafood is borne out by both the fish and shrimp tacos. The white fish is marinated and gently griddled with tomatoes and sweet green peppers rather than fried; the shrimp are kicky and plump; the tortillas are sturdy enough to hold together a messy, tasty job. A barbacoa taco had smoky, succulent low-and-slow-cooked beef chunks, while the carne asada was lean and neatly diced. All tacos are topped with crunchy bits of radish, shaved green cabbage and cilantro, and come with a zippy salsa verde, as well as a fresh salad of iceberg leaves, sliced mango, cucumber and shredded carrots. The first taste of Rodriguezs extra-hot tangerine-colored salsa blooms with the nutty, nuanced notes of chile de arbol, then floods the tongue with eye-watering heat. In short, this dude knows exactly what hes doing. Since most of Santa Fes taco trucks are concentrated near Cerrillos or Airport Roads, Tacos Acapulco is also adding a much-needed taco signal-boost to the St. Francis corridor. Brunos The Biz: Brunos pizza truck is decorated with a black-and-white photograph of Giordano Bruno, the family patriarch who brought his Neapolitan pizza recipe to America in the 1920s. Now, his grandchildren Angelo and Angelica have evolved his recipes to span two trucks Brunos Gourmet Food Truck, which serves espresso, pastries, gelato and sweet-tart lemon granita, complete with a wood-fired pizza bar and Brunos Speakeasy, an oxygen, espresso and gelato bar. Since the pandemic hit, they have moved from Santa Fe Brewing Company to a small inlet off Paseo de Peralta, north of Cerrillos Road. You know a food truck is legit if another truck is visiting during lunchtime when I parked at Brunos to pick up my call-in order, Santa Fe Barbecue was already there waiting for theirs. I took home a 16-inch Margherita pizza ($14.50) with Santa Fe Brewing Company IPA-flavored dough, a tangy red sauce, basil, mozzarella, roasted garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Every ingredient was impeccable, and the crust triumphed with that hard-to-achieve balance of crispy and chewy. Brunos easily rivals the best Neapolitan-style pizzas Ive had in the state. Thats not all: a green chile, mozzarella and pepperoni Stromboli ($18.50) was an enormous gooey revelation that stayed firm on the outside and came with a lovely salad of arugula, pepperoncini and more sun-dried tomatoes. The icy lemonade granita is garnished with basil and served in a giant plastic reusable cup-and-straw; stop by any time with your empty cup for a $2 refill. With eight pizza combos and build-your-own options, calzones, Stromboli, breadsticks, Italian sodas, desserts and rotating daily specials, Brunos contains multitudes, and Ill be back to taste them. Craft Donuts & Coffee: In January, Craig and Michelle McGregor parked this snazzy black truck in the lot across from Kaunes Neighborhood Market on Old Santa Fe Trail. Santa Fes tiny donut scene would never be the same. The centerpiece of Craft Donuts is its Belshaw Adamatic Donut Robot machine, which allows employees to churn out beguilingly warm, fluffy on the inside, crispy-crunchy on the outside cake donuts to order, featuring a parade of glazes, drizzles and toppings, and a weekly rotating special donut. Call in your order or get there early. One morning, I waited in a long line for more than 45 minutes to get a half-dozen donuts, musing that the craft-donut craze of the 2010s had finally made its way to Santa Fe. The hot little gems are well worth any wait. Standouts include the Turtle, glazed with chocolate, sprinkled with tiny pecans and topped with caramel; the Maple Bacon, featuring big slices of bacon; and the Homer, a classic strawberry with rainbow sprinkles. Coffee from Red Rock Roasters is consistently good, too. All I can say to the McGregors is I cant help it keep on truckin. : Some Nepalese FM radio stations have started broadcasting weather bulletins for Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, areas close to the border that Nepal claims its own in a move that has irked India, according to residents in the frontier areas in Uttarakhand. These radio programmes could be heard from Uttarakhands Pithoragarh on the border. The FM stations are located in Darchula, the district in Nepal bordering India. Nepal has issued a new map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepalese territory, a move that has drawn flak from India. Krishna Garbiyal, a prominent leader of the Rung community in Dharchula town in Pithoragarh, said the Nepalese FM stations have started giving weather reports of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. Residents in bordering areas, especially in Dharchula, also said the radio channels, in between songs, were airing speeches by Nepali politicians and leaders claiming that the disputed areas belonged to Nepal. ...Nepalese songs are listened to by villagers on both sides of the border, these anti-India speeches, delivered by Nepalese leaders from time to time, affect people living on both sides of the border..., said Shalu Dayal, a resident of Dantu village of Dharchula. Ashok Nabiyal, a social activist from Dharchulas Vyans Valley, said Indian intelligence agencies active at Indo-Nepal border need to take cognisance of this propaganda. Nepalese propaganda is clearly aimed at influencing locals on this side of the border and strengthening their claims..., he said. Districts officials said they were not aware of any propaganda from Nepalese side. We do not have any such information. Our intelligence units have given us any feedback on this issue, said Preeti Priya Darshani, superintendent of police (SP) of Pithoragarh. Nrip Singh Napalchyal , former Uttarakhand chief secretary and a resident of Pithoragarhs Rang community, said that traditionally and historically Kalapani had always been venerated as the source of the Kali River. It originates from Kalapani, at an altitude of 3,600 metres, and flows southwards. The area is named after Hindu goddess Kali, whose temple is situated in near the strategically important Lipulekh pass that is on Indias border with China. Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are part of the Indian border with China and they have no relation with the Nepal border. Lipulekh pass has served as the entrance of Indian traders and pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar, which has never been objected to by any ruler of Nepal till now, said Napalchyal. A 47-year-old man died of heart attack at a quarantine centre in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, hours before his release after testing negative for Covid-19. A resident of Chipaki Kala village in Hiranagar, the man was put under institutional quarantine at Changran on his return from Mumbai on June 15 and was tested for Covid-19 the next day. Kathua district authorities, however, suspected that the man, who was suffering from a liver ailment, might have died of sudden cardiac arrest. Kathua district commissioner OP Bhagat said, On June 15, the man returned from Mumbai and his samples were taken for the mandatory Covid 19 test, the next day. On June 17 he complained of liver-related problems coupled with palpitation. We took him to the government medical college where doctors examined him and the doctors found his condition satisfactory. However, this morning he died, probably of heart attack, the DC added. He said that a magisterial probe has been ordered into his death and ADC Atul Gupta shall submit a report within 15 days. The body has been shifted to the mortuary of GMC in Kathua town. Following his death, other inmates in the quarantine centre staged a protest and alleged that 8 to 10 people have been kept in a single room in unhygienic conditions. Some of them even tried to block the passage to the ambulance. Bhagat said that following the death, people, who usually were reluctant to get quarantined, have got an opportunity to level allegations. It may be stated here that Vimal Zadoo, 38 and Vipin Zadoo, 35, two young Kashmiri Pandits died in Tawi river bed on Thursday where they had gone to cremate the body of their relative. They died due to apathy of the officials present at the site, who didnt even provide water to them under the scorching sun. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Donald Trump railed against Black Lives Matter protesters in his first rally in three months while addressing questions over his health, in front of rows of empty seats as attendance appeared to fall well short of predictions A frustrated president returned to the campaign with a number of false claims and racially-divisive demagoguery amid a coronavirus pandemic that he once dismissed, while Covid-19 cases across the US continue to rise and demonstrations against police brutality have persisted for several weeks. His campaign had anticipated a massive showing for its first rally since 2 March, as the president claimed that nearly 1 million had sought tickets. But the campaign scrapped plans for the president and Mike Pence to address an outdoor following reports of a lower-than-expected crowd outside the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Earlier this week, when asked about health considerations to postpone the event, the president said the campaign anticipated a record-setting crowd in Tulsa. Weve never had an empty seat, and we certainly wont in Oklahoma, he said. On Friday, campaign director Brad Parscale touted an outdoor stage that was being built for the president. This will be the 1st time that POTUS speaks to BOTH crowds in person inside & outside, he said on Twitter. If you come to the rally and dont get into the BOK Center before its full, you can still see the President in person! After the outdoor event was cancelled for lack of numbers, spokesperson Tim Murtaugh claimed in a statement that protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the presidents supporters, he claimed. One woman who was peacefully protesting while sitting on the ground outside the arena was arrested, after the campaign asked the Tulsa Police Department to remove her from the area. The woman, who was wearing a T-shirt with the phrase I Cant Breathe, said she had a ticket for the event. Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Show all 16 1 /16 Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter sits in the upper rows of the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally. There were reports of far lower numbers attending than the president's team had predicted Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump points to his shoe at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma during a lengthy explanation of why he walked so carefully on a ramp at West Point military academy a week earlier Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A police officer gestures during a Black Lives Matter event near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters take their seats in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president. Many people in the crowd were choosing not to wear face masks despite medical recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Merchandise vendors wearing face masks at the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a Donald Trump rally Getty Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporter Scott Hilliard, left, argues with Black Lives Matter protester Eugene Smith near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter and a Black Lives Matter protester face off in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester shouts at Donald Trump supporters outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Eric Trump, Donald Trump's second son, in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman wearing a T-shirt with the message 'I Can't Breathe' is arrested after refusing to leave the area outside the rally, which she said she had a ticket for AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman speaks to police officers during a protest against racial injustice outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Brad Parscale, Donald Trump's campaign manager, in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of the president's first rally in three months Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester against racial injustice is arrested outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap speaking outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters wait to enter a rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump supporters and opponents clash outside the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of an election rally by the president AP Inside, the arena held a sparse crowd, among his lowest attendances since he first sought the presidency. The campaign texted people who signed up to attend the rally to tell them theres still space! The campaign had initially planned to hold the rally on 19 June, or Juneteenth, but moved the date to the following day after a backlash for using a day recognising African American emancipation from slavery as a backdrop for his return to rallies that have provoked white nationalism. Tulsa also recently recognised the 99th anniversary of the nations largest racist massacre, in which white mobs killed dozens of African American residents. Masks were handed out to attendees, though wearing them was not enforced and most attendees ignored guidelines to do so. Among attendees, however, were several Senate allies and Nigel Farage, who was exempted by US officials to enter the country under a national interest clause, though the president didnt mention him during a roll call of prominent supporters. While rally attendance doesnt necessarily reflect the campaigns wellbeing, the president who routinely obsesses over and discusses his public image, including television ratings and poll numbers arrived onstage with polls showing him trailing his Democratic opponent Joe Biden ahead of November, as support grows for Black Lives Matter and rates of Covid-19 infections surge in reopening states. Surrounded by empty seats in the upper levels, and a thinner-than-usual crowd on the floor in front of him, the president relied on a 101-minute greatest hits from his previous campaign rally talking points for his pitch for a second term, including attacks on immigration, false claims that have been debunked, and several racial slurs, including one that his own administration had denounced months ago. He spent nearly 10 minutes defending his awkward appearance at West Point, in which he used two hands to help him raise water to his mouth, and wobbled carefully down a ramp that he claimed was slippery. He continued to claim he ran the last 10 steps, though footage from his appearance shows him slowly walking the entire distance. The president has discussed the event several times this week after being criticised for his appearance delivering a commencement address at the military academy, prompting some discussion about his health. At his rally, he said First Lady Melania Trump told him the social media response to his West Point appearance was that he had Parkinsons disease. He also called the coronavirus kung flu a phrase which his adviser Kellyanne Conway denounced as highly offensive back in March when it was rumoured someone at the White House was using it and suggested that he told his administration to slow down testing, though his campaign later said he was joking. Mr Trump downplayed Covid-19s impact, which has led to the deaths of nearly 120,000 Americans, without offering any idea how his administration plans to survive the pandemic. He said a 10-year-old Covid-19 patient with sniffles will recover in 15 minutes then criticised health officials for counting that as a case, without acknowledging that that patient could also spread the disease to others. The president also spent several minutes attacking former vice president Joe Biden, describing him as a helpless puppet for the radical left while also attacking progressive Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar and relying on racist tropes to portray an apocalyptic vision of America under Democratic leadership. Trump says he asked for coronavirus testing to be slowed down because there were so many cases The attacks against Ms Omar in which he said the congresswoman wants to turn the US into Somalia and is telling us how to run our country follow the recent death of her father from coronavirus. Her family fled Somalia as refugees. She is a US citizen. Referring to proposed Democratic police reform, he depicted a scenario in which a very tough hombre is breaking into the window of a young woman who is asleep and whose husband is away as a travelling salesman. You call 911 and they say, Were sorry, this number is not working, he said. The rally came as nightly demonstrations against racial injustice, and the Trump administration itself, find their way to the White House, as he defends police use of force against demonstrators amid growing calls for reform. On Friday, he threatened that any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes in Tulsa will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene. He claimed he has done more for the black community in four years than Joe Biden has done for 47 years. Racial justice begins with Joe Bidens retirement, he said. His defence of the Second Amendment, which has been amplified amid national unrest, and as armed right-wing extremists threaten demonstrations, made several appearances, including telling his supporters that when you see those lunatics all over the streets, its damn nice to have arms. Our people are not nearly as violent, but if they ever were, it would be a terrible day for the other side, he said. Because I know our people. Pro-democracy supporters hold banners and shout slogans as they gather in a shopping mall during a lunch protest in Hong Kong on June 12, 2020. (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images) Beijing Announces New Date for Political Meeting, Possibly to Finalize Hong Kong Security Law China announced that it will hold another three-day meeting at the end of this month, a day after it gave more details about a new national security law for Hong Kong. The standing committee of Chinas rubber-stamp legislature, the National Peoples Congress (NPC), will convene for three days beginning on June 28 in the capital Beijing, according to a June 21 report by Chinese state-run media Xinhua. According to the meeting agenda, the committee will discuss drafting of a patent law bill and an export control bill. Though the Hong Kong national security law is currently not on the agenda, observers in Hong Kong speculated that the NPC standing committee would formally approve the law at the upcoming meeting. HK Nat Sec Law is a deep intrusion by BJ into fundamental legal & governance structure of HK. It sets up a new HK govt agency; intervenes in operations of HKPF+DOJ; effectively sets up a parallel judiciary; takes interpretation & final adjudication power away from HK courts etc. Antony Dapiran (@antd) June 20, 2020 On May 28, the NPC conducted a ceremonial vote in favor of adopting a national security law in Hong Kong that would criminalize those who engage in activities connected to subversion, secession, terrorism, and foreign interference in the Chinese-ruled city. More details about the law were unveiled on Saturday evening, following the conclusion of a three-day meeting by the NPC standing committee. The law will grant Hong Kongs top official the power to appoint judges in cases related to Chinas national security. The citys chief executive has been a pro-Beijing politician since the territory was handed from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Additionally, Beijing will set up a national security bureau in Hong Kong that would coordinate with local law enforcement and judiciary to collect intelligence on national security-related cases. The national security law would trump local law in any areas of conflict. Hong Kong will have jurisdiction over casesexcept under specific circumstance, China can have jurisdiction over an extremely small number of national security cases, the NPC standing committee said. Lam, writing on her Facebook page late Saturday evening, welcomed the NPC standing committee in pushing forward the law, and said her government will fully support related legislation work. She added that Hong Kong will not be a bridgehead for exterior forces that jeopardize [Chinas] national security. While Lam did not name specific countries while speaking of exterior forces, Chinese state media have used similar rhetoric to condemn Hong Kongs pro-democracy protests as violence being fomented by western countries. For example, hawkish state-run media Global Times pushed the propaganda that western governments were turning Hong Kong into Washingtons bridgehead to jeopardize the rise of China, in an editorial published in the early hours on Sunday. It added that the national security law will fix national security loopholes in Hong Kong. After Beijing announced new details about the law, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) took to Twitter to voice U.S. support for the people of Hong Kong. Communist China continues their mission to destroy human rights and autonomy in #HongKong. Its plans to suffocate and intimidate those fighting for their basic rights is clear, Scott wrote. British NGO Hong Kong Watch also responded, saying it was particularly concerning that when discrepancies arise between the new law and Basic Law, this law will supersede, in a tweet. This law fundamentally compromises one-country, two-systems, and breach of the handover agreement. The details emerging put human rights in jeopardy, Hong Kong Watch added. Benedict Rogers, co-founder and chair of Hong Kong Watch, urged the international community to come down hard on the Chinese Communist Party, with maximum pressure, in a tweet. The new details about the law also drew widespread concerns among local activists and pro-democracy lawmakers. Lawmaker Claudia Mo took to her Twitter to express concern about the vague language concerning jurisdiction, and posed the possibility that people could be tried under mainland Chinas legal system. #ChinaExtradition part 2, she wrote. A mass protest movement against Beijings encroachment erupted in June last year, when millions took to the street in opposition to the now fully-scrapped extradition bill. The proposed extradition bill sparked outrage as people feared that it would erode Hong Kongs judicial autonomy from communist Chinas legal system, which is not independent of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The bill would have allowed locals and people passing through the city to be extradited to China and trialed in Chinese courts that are notorious for violating rule of law. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The government on Saturday decided not to hold the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams this year in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. The Intermediate advanced supplementary exams scheduled from July 11 to 18, also stand cancelled. Those who failed in Inter first and second years will be promoted. The decision was taken by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who felt no student should be exposed to coronavirus. Clearing the air on the conduct of SSC exams, Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh said, We have a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for the conduct the SSC exams from July 10 to 15. We increased the number of centres, decreased the number of papers and students per bench. We are also in the process of procuring sanitisers, masks, gloves, thermal scanners and all other material. However, the reasons cited by teachers unions, parents associations and district administrations to cancel the exams were considered. Hence, we took the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister. Students should not suffer: Jagan After hearing all the reasons, the Chief Minister stated that no student should suffer or should be exposed to the pandemic and directed cancellation of the exams to prevent the spread of virus. All the students, who procured hall tickets for the exams, will be passed. Explaining the reasons cited by various stakeholders, Suresh said the teachers unions opined that it would be difficult for the students to maintain social distance while travelling from their home to the exam centres. Also, a huge quantity of disinfectants, sanitisers, gloves and masks need to be procured to keep the exam centres free from the virus. This apart, the teachers stated that considering the fact that the containment zones are also increasing, conduct of exams in July would be difficult. Most of the schools have been converted into quarantine centres. Students who study in residential or Gurukul schools have gone to their hometowns. Even if they are asked to come back, their hostels are turned into quarantine facilities. Maintaining social distancing in the few hostels will again be a problem, the teachers unions observed. Suresh said measures are being taken with regard to how the SSC students will be passed as they need marks while taking admission to the next level. Meanwhile, the Intermediate advanced supplementary exams, which were scheduled from July 11 to 18, have also been cancelled. The students who failed first and second year will be passed with the governments decision. Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on Friday took to social media to celebrate her recent graduation from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Malala, who became of the face of Taliban brutality when she was shot in the head for going to school in the Swat valley, took to Twitter to share her excitement, posting a happy picture with her family, cutting a cake. "Hard to express my joy and gratitude right now as I completed my Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at Oxford. I don't know what's ahead. For now, it will be Netflix, reading and sleep," she wrote. Hard to express my joy and gratitude right now as I completed my Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at Oxford. I dont know whats ahead. For now, it will be Netflix, reading and sleep. pic.twitter.com/AUxN55cUAf Malala (@Malala) June 19, 2020 Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas took to social media to congratulate Malala on this significant step in her life. Priyanka posted a candid picture of herself with Malala and wrote, "Happy graduation Malala. Your Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree from Oxford is such an incredible achievement. I'm so proud." Malala first shared the news of her graduation on June 8 when she participated in the YouTube special, #DearClassof2020. Malala had shared then that she still had "four more exams to go". (With inputs from IANS) Follow @News18Movies for more Police are investigating after a shooting at a Meriden hotel early Sunday left a 24-year-old man dead. Giovanni Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to the Comfort Inn & Suites on East Main Street at 1:52 a.m. A woman told police a man had been shot and was in need of immediate medical attention, Lt. John Mennone of the Meriden Police Department said. When police arrived, they found Rodriguez laying in the entrance way of the hotel with a single gunshot wound to the chest, Mennone said. First responders were unable to revive him. Our condolences go out to the family during this difficult time, Mennone said. Police have obtained video of the area and have secured witnesses, he said, and are actively following those leads. Anyone with information is asked to email Detective Michael Fonda at mfonda@meridenct.gov or call 203-630-4178. The Rajasthan government has fixed rates chargeable by private hospitals for Covid treatment. Private labs can charge Rs 2,200 per test and private hospital can charge Rs 2,000 per day for a bed while they can charge Rs 4,000 for a ventilator bed in the ICU. Additional chief secretary, health department, Rohit Kumar Singh issued orders to this effect on Saturday. The government has fixed the charges under the Epidemic Diseases Ordinance 2020. The decision to fix the rates was taken by chief minister Ashok Gehlot during a review meeting on Friday evening. He asked health department officials to ensure that corona patients were not overcharged. Gehlot said the statewide-Covid awareness campaign should be effective enough to ensure that every person is alert about his or her health and that of their families. The campaign will be digitally launched on June 22 in which over 1 lakh public representatives, including panachayat level workers, will participate. Hundreds of people ran riot in Germany's Stuttgart city centre in the early hours of Sunday, throwing stones and bottles at police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows. Several arrests were made, a police spokesman told AFP, adding that he did not have a firm figure of the number detained. Some police officers were also hurt, he said. Tensions built up shortly after midnight when increasing numbers of people began gathering close to the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz. Clashes then broke out between several small groups, with police estimating around 500 people were involved. Shops along the neighbouring Koenigstrasse, a key shopping thoroughfare, were attacked and looted. Police called in reinforcements and said they could not immediately give a reason for the outbreak of violence. Videos posted on Twitter showed people breaking shop windows, with their goods strewn on the streets. A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked, according to regional broadcaster SWR. Smaller scale clashes had broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people. Search Keywords: Short link: New York, June 21 : Defying the coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump has re-launched his re-election campaign with sharp attacks on the left and the radicals tying them to the Democratic Party. The Saturday rally in Tulsa in Oklahoma, a state dominated by his Republican party, was his first public meeting since March 2 when the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted his campaign. In his speech of about of 100 minutes, Trump called his Democratic Party rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, a "helpless puppet of the left" but underlining his attacks on him as a person of diminished capacities manipulated by others said that he was himself far from being a radical but was used by the left. "I don't think he knows what he is any more. But he's controlled by the radical left," he said. To appeal to voters in the middle, he targeted the continuing protests around the country sparked by the extra-judicial killing of an African-American man by police in Minneapolis that have led to calls for abolishing the police and for rewriting the nation's history and removing statues and memorials to the nation's founding fathers and national heroes who owned slaves. The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalise our history, desecrating our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues." He accused the Democrats of trying to "demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place". Trump did not mention George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis is behind the national protests, or talk about police brutality against minorities. He did make two racially insensitive remarks: He used the Spanish word for man, asking who would people turn to when a "hombre" tries to break into their house and referred to COVID-19 as the "Kung-Flu", which would be seen as mocking the Chinese American minority. Trump boasted about the economic progress made till the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and spoke of the stock markets' rebound since then, although the unemployment is high. Americans would lose their stock market-linked retirement savings and future economic progress if the Democrats came to power with a radical agenda, he said. He defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and played down the importance of testing saying the 25 million tests conducted were 20 million more than was needed. The more testing there was, the more the COVID-19 cases, he said, adding: "So I said to my people, 'slow the testing down'." Trailing Biden in polls by 8.8 per cent, according to the RealClear Politics average of polls, just 135 days before the November 3 election day, Trump risked the COVID-19 threat to hold his rally to try to energise his base. Democrat member of the House of Representatives, Raja Krishnmoorthi accused Trump of "going against the advice of medical professionals and putting thousands of lives at risk -- all to spread lies and rile up his far-right base". Trump defended the rally by pointing to the Democratic Party-backed anti-police protests of thousands around the country with no social distancing or compulsion to use masks. Those entering the Tulsa stadium, however, had to undergo temperature checks and were provided with masks and hand sanitisers, which they were not required to use. Six people who had worked on the rally organisation had tested positive for COVID-19. Some stretches of the 19,000-capacity stadium were empty and a second outdoor speech near the venue was cancelled because there were not enough people for it. Campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh, who had said that there had been 1 million requests for tickets to attend the main rally, blamed the anti-Trump protests near the stadium for the low turnout. The protests went off peacefully and only verbal skirmishes between the Trump supporters and opponents and tearing up of signs were reported. Democratic Party supporters tried to stop the rally with a legal challenge asserting that it was a public health threat, but the state supreme court rejected it. Trump tried to capitalise on the looting and the violence that dominated the early days of the nation-wide anti-police brutality protests. He attempted to define the Democratic Party by the violent radical left, which has put the party leaders in a bind, unsure how far to go to condemn them or disown them in a party where the left is most voluble now. Whenever Trump called for action against the rioters and looters, the Democrats and the media sympathetic to them have themselves muddled the definition by claiming that he was against "peaceful protests". When Trump blamed two mostly White elements, anarchists and the Antifa, a loosely organised group claiming to be anti-fascist, for the riots some Democrat senators objected to it. Calls to abolish the police and to end budgets for the police are prominent in both the oratory and sloganeering at the protests and some local governments that control most of the police in the US have begun to act on them. The Democrat-controlled Minneapolis city council has already voted to abolish its police department and proposals have been floated elsewhere. The dangers of the spiralling anti-police movement were seen in Seattle where the left dominates to the extent that the city council has passed a resolution condemning India's Citizenship Amendment Act. To avoid confrontations that could lead to criticism of law enforcement, police have abandoned an area of the city taken over by protesters who have declared the area "no cop" Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. Early Saturday morning one person was killed and another injured in shootings within the area. The protesters controlling the zone would not let in police and the fire department would not send in ambulances into the area to transport the victims. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) 21.06.2020 LISTEN Executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the Navrongo Central constituency of the Upper East Region have expressed high optimism of defeating the newly elected parliamentary candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party for the area. Led by its parliamentary candidate, the NDC told the media that it is poised and battled ready to snatch the seat from the hands of the New Patriotic Party in the upcoming December polls. Todays outcome is an indication that the New Patriotic Party has lost the battle. It is not a rejection of an incumbent, but an outright rejection of the NPP. Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, Navrongo central NDC Parliamentary candidate told the media. For Mr. Tangombu, the New Patriotic Party lost the 2020 general elections three years ago due to failed promises and deceit. Ghanaians were deceived. The sugarcoated lies, the dishonesty were irresistible. Ghanaians have seen the difference. I am assuring you that come 2020, the National Democratic Congress will win convincingly. We have been ready for elections 2020 regardless of who the NPP selects as its parliamentary candidate. He told the media as he beams with hope and smiles. Mr. Tangombu stated that the NDC is the only party with the interest of Ghanaians at heart as he recounts what he referred to as the numerous developmental projects in the area of roads constructions, schools, health facilities, provision of water and electricity among others. He is thus asking Ghanaians to vote out the NPP for Mahama and the NDC to continue with the numerous developmental projects that has since been stalled with the coming into power of the Nana Addo led NPP government. Delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Navrongo Central constituency, yesterday elected Abayage as its 2020 parliamentary candidate in the partys nationwide parliamentary primaries. She pulled 313 votes beating her only and arch rival Joseph Kofi Adda, the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area and current minister for Aviation who obtained 256 votes. Referred to as the lioness, Madam Tangoba prior to the electioneering campaigns, was accused by her opponent of been a stranger in the constituency and thus only visits the area to enjoy beer. As the two ministers battle the slot out, all eyes were glued to the Tangoba-Kofi Adda contest. Campaigns started in earnest amidst accusation and counter accusations from the camps of both candidates. Interestingly, Madam Tangoba in her victory speech failed to recognize her opponent, making tongues wagging and rolling as many were spotted asking if all is well with the NPP ahead of the 2020 polls. Press Release June 21, 2020 Revilla: Waive shipping fees of emergency relief goods To ensure adequate and immediate delivery of relief goods to calamity-stricken areas, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. has proposed the lifting of shipping fees of transport service providers engaged in relief operations. Revilla, in filing Senate Bill No. 1560, also known as the Relief Goods Free Transportation Act, said the measure seeks to provide free freight services of relief goods to areas declared in a state of calamity by the President or the local government unit (LGU) concerned. "More often than not, the transport of these goods, despite humanitarian reasons, entail a huge cost," the senator said, adding that the archipelagic nature of the country contributes to the difficulty in transporting relief goods. In providing relief assistance to communities heavily affected by disaster, Revilla noted the role played by private individuals and companies and non-government organizations. "Often, the State is not alone in this endeavour," he pointed out. "During these trying times, our citizens are the most affected. Thus, it is imperative to ensure that adequate relief assistance is given to individuals and communities heavily affected by the disaster," Revilla said. Under the bill, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), in coordination with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) and all freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders and other companies providing logistic services are mandated to transport relief goods and donated articles free of charge. Common carriers, freight forwarders and other similar entities are also mandated to deliver goods and services for free in areas where they operate. If the area is inaccessible, the relief goods shall be sent or delivered to the nearest LGU and consigned to the concerned local chief executive. Certain shipping auxiliary cost, such as those for arrastre services, pilotage, and other port charges that are routinely passed on to customers, shall be borne by the concerned arrastre, pilotage, and port authorities. Provided, however, that container van costs, turnaround time and volume of cargo entitled to the free freight charges shall be considered in order to minimize the loss of profits of the private sector. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 08:38 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406605b903 1 Books Donald-Duck,Indonesia Free After 44 years of entertaining families in Indonesia, Album Donal Bebek, a local version of Disneys Donald Duck comics, will cease its publication near the end of this month, in a move that has been met with sorrow by its loyal readers. The publisher, Gramedia Group, will print the comics final issue on June 29. The group thanked its readers for their loyalty toward the series. Unfortunately, comic number 2019, [to be] published on Monday, June 29, will be the last edition of Album Donal Bebek. We wont be publishing it anymore, the group said in an official statement on Saturday. Donald Duck, which was originally published in the United States, depicts the life of Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. Other characters featured in the series are his uncle Scrooge McDuck, as well as Donalds girlfriend Daisy Duck and his clumsy friend Gyro Gearloose. The comic was first published in Indonesia on June 5, 1976, by Gramedia Group. The publication introduced translated monikers for the characters, such as Kwak, Kwik and Kwek for Huey, Dewey and Louie and Paman Gober for Donalds wealthy uncle. Our loyal readers must feel sad and disappointed by this decision, but this is the fate of the Duck Family adventures in our country. When there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow, the statement read. Netizens have taken to social media to express their sadness over Gramedias decision to end the comics. Kalo ini bener, sedih, tapi apa boleh buat, memang tidak terlalu kaget. Perjalanan yang panjang, menyenangkan, dan hangat. Semoga bisa bertemu kembali di kesempatan dan di dunia yang lebih baik (yang gak ada Pak Pokijan-nya biar ga marah2 terus) Terima kasih Album Donal Bebek pic.twitter.com/kfUqGayhuE S I N E M A G E R (@sinemagerbanget) June 19, 2020 If this information is true, [I feel] sad, but what else can I do? Im not too shocked either. Its been a long and pleasant journey. Thank you Album Donal Bebek, Twitter user @sinemagerbanget wrote on their account. One of my greatest childhood memories. Thank you for everything. Im still keeping all of my special edition bundles safe and sound. #DonalBebek pic.twitter.com/qntdrc1qox Elbert Reyner (@Elbert_Reyner) June 19, 2020 Another user, @Elbert_Reyner, thanked the comics for being a part of his childhood. One of my greatest childhood memories. Thank you for everything. Im still keeping all of my special edition bundles safe and sound, he wrote. (dpk) The Sikh community in Pakistan has strongly objected to the derogatory remark made by Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader and countrys former railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique against Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, and demanded an apology from him. Rafique, who is facing trial in corruption cases in Pakistans courts, in a tweet termed Ranjit Singh as an authoritative looter, held him responsible for the desecration of mosques during his regime and the domination of the Dogras in the Kashmir valley. The science minister should apologise to the nation for calling Ranjit Singhs era the golden age and terming him the greatest hero of Punjab, reads the tweet written in Urdu. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has lodged protest against the statement. The words used by the former railway minister are highly objectionable. The Sikh community in Pakistan and the gurdwara management committee strongly condemn these words, said PSGPC president Satwant Singh. He said, It is sad that Rafique has not read history of Sikhs who have always favoured human values. As far as Maharaja Ranjit Singh is concerned, we dont have any single instance from his 42-year-long regime that he ever committed any atrocity against any person. The biggest evidence of this is that nobody was sentenced to death in his rule. Leaders of Sikh community had never been dacoits or robbers. He should apologise for this, he added. Also, Gopal Singh Chawla, a Khalistan sympathiser, said in a video that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was their hero and words against him are not tolerable. Had he (Rafique) been a good politician, he would not face so many cases. Maharaja Ranjit Singh never differentiated between people on the basis of religion, he said. Besides, some liberal Muslims in Pakistan have condemned the remark. He has no right to use these kinds of words, said Shahid Shabir, an activist working for the preservation of Sikh heritage in the country. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An all-out war has erupted between the Centre and Chhattisgarh government over a fresh case registered by the state police last month in connection with the Jheerum Ghati ambush seven years ago. Twenty-seven people, including senior Congress leaders Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma, Dinesh Patel and VC Shukla, were killed by a group of 150 Maoists in that attack in 2013. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) wrote to Chhattisgarh police last week asking them not to proceed with the investigation in the first information report (FIR) registered by Bastar Police on May 26, saying it is already investigating the case. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) too has opined that since both the FIRs (registered on May 25, 2013, and May 26, 2020) relate to the same incident, NIA has the powers to take over the fresh FIR too. The federal anti-terror probe agency even approached a special court in Jadgalpur on June 16, saying Chhattisgarh police would be violating Section 6 of the NIA act, which specifically prohibits the state government to proceed with the investigation once the case is entrusted to it. In his letter to Bastars superintendent of police on June 10, NIAs chief investigating officer in the Jheerum Ghati attack case, Amit Singh, has asked to transfer all May 26, 2020, FIR related documents and not to proceed further with the investigation as it may lead to vexatious and avoidable litigation due to conflict of jurisdiction. Singh said that a charge sheet has already been filed against nine accused in September 2015 in the case while searches are being carried out for arresting 25 more accused and the trial too is at an advanced stage. HT has reviewed NIAs letter to Bastars SP, its petition in the court and MHAs opinion. NIA informed the special court last week that the contents of FIR (registered by Bastar Police on May 26, 2020) fall in the definition of a terrorist act as well as in the ambit of scheduled offence prescribed in the NIA Act, 2008 while urging it to give directions to state police not to pursue it. On the other hand, the Chhattisgarh government is in no mood to hand over the probe to the central agency. The state government has, over past couple of years, repeatedly questioned NIAs credibility saying it didnt probe the conspiracy angle. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has said on numerous occasions that the Centre is not allowing a thorough probe by the state government by refusing to transfer the NIA case to it. In fact, the Baghel government moved the Supreme Court in January this year challenging the constitutionality of the NIA act saying it takes away the powers of states to investigate crimes as enshrined in the constitution. Chairman of Chhattisgarh Congress communications department Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said We have been saying from day one that it was a political criminal conspiracy, which NIA has failed to unearth. We will do everything to find out what exactly happened in that in 2013 incident in which our beloved Congress leaders were brutally murdered by Naxals. Why is Centre not investigating the larger conspiracy angle?. Trivedi said they will contest NIAs claim in the court and before the public. NIA is currently empowered to take over any case in states without their consent. Chhattisgarh is the first state ever to challenge the entire NIA act. The NIA didnt respond to phone calls or SMS query. We are taking legal opinion on NIAs plea after which a decision will be taken, Sundarraj P, Bastars inspector general of police, said while speaking to HT. JUNEAU, Alaska An abandoned bus in the Alaska backcountry, popularized by the book Into the Wild and movie of the same name, was removed Thursday, state officials said. The decision prioritizes public safety, Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige said. The bus has long attracted adventurers to an area without cellphone service and marked by unpredictable weather and at-times swollen rivers. Some have had to be rescued or have died. Christopher McCandless, the subject of the book and movie, died there in 1992. The rescue earlier this year of five Italian tourists and death last year of a woman from Belarus intensified calls from local officials for the bus, about 25 miles from the Parks Highway, to be removed. The Alaska Army National Guard moved the bus as part of a training mission at no cost to the public or additional cost to the state, Feige said. The Alaska National Guard, in a release, said the bus was removed using a heavy-lift helicopter. The crew ensured the safety of a suitcase with sentimental value to the McCandless family, the release states. It doesnt describe that item further. Feige, in a release, said the bus will be kept in a secure location while her department weighs various options for what to do with it. We encourage people to enjoy Alaskas wild areas safely, and we understand the hold this bus has had on the popular imagination, she said in a release. However, this is an abandoned and deteriorating vehicle that was requiring dangerous and costly rescue efforts. More importantly, it was costing some visitors their lives. McCandless, a 24-year-old from Virginia, was prevented from seeking help by the swollen banks of the Teklanika River. He died of starvation in the bus in 1992, and wrote in a journal about living in the bus for 114 days, right up to his death. The long-abandoned Fairbanks city bus became famous by the 1996 book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, and a 2007 Sean Penn-directed movie of the same name. Story continues The Department of Natural Resources said the 1940s-era bus had been used by a construction company to house employees during work on an access road in the area and was abandoned when the work was finished in 1961. In March, officials in the Denali Borough based in Healy, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the bus, voted unanimously to be rid of it. Pompeo reiterates U.S. support for Taiwan's participation in WHA ROC Central News Agency 06/20/2020 01:29 PM Washington, June 19 (CNA) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated on Friday in the third Copenhagen Democracy Summit that the United States supports Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), saying Taiwan's presence will be "useful" to the global community at a time of the COVID-19 pandemic. After addressing the summit through video conferencing, Pompeo took questions from Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the host of the summit, on whether Taiwan will be allowed to participate in international organizations like the WHA. Pompeo said it was both appropriate and important for Taiwan to join the WHA at least as an observer. Taiwan has "a great deal of knowledge to handle the coronavirus very very well. They have high end technology, high end pharmaceutical capability, and high end scientists," Pompeo said. Pompeo added that it will be "very useful" for Taiwan to be part of the conversation of how the world is going to respond to the pandemic. Pompeo, who praised Taiwan's capability in containing the virus, said the U.S. among many other countries had made plenty of efforts to push for Taiwan's participation in the WHA. Pompeo added the WHA has scheduled another meeting in November and it will be both appropriate and important for Taiwan to join the meeting then. Taiwan, whose formal name is the Republic of China, was expelled from the United Nations in 1971 and from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1972. Since then, Taiwan has not been able to participate in the WHA, except for 2009-2016, when it attended as an observer through an invitation from the WHO, amid warm relations between Taipei and Beijing during those years under the previous Taiwanese administration. Rasmussen said Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in the world and served as a contrast to communist China. Rasmussen's questions for Pompeo focused on Washington's challenges posted by Beijing, including the drafting of the national security law approved by China's rubber stamp National People's Congress for Hong Kong last month, which has raised concerns that the former British colony's autonomous status might be threatened. In response, Pompeo cited U.S. President Donald Trump as saying that if China treats Hong Kong just as any other Chinese city, there is no reason for the U.S. to treat the city differently, indicating Washington may remove the special treatment for Hong Kong that it provides based on American laws. When asked about his closed-door meeting with Chinese Communist Party Office of Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi () in Hawaii on Wednesday, Pompeo said they talked about a wide range of topics including what China has done in Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang and India as well as its objections to Australia probing the origin of COVID-19, which first broke out in Wuhan, central China late last year. "It is no longer enough to listen to what the Chinese communist Party is saying. We consider actions," Pompeo said. The Copenhagen Democracy Summit was organized by the Alliance of Democracies, a non-governmental organization established in 2017 by Rasmussen, a former Danish prime minister and former NATO secretary-general. President Tsai Ing-wen () also addressed the summit through a video earlier Friday, emphasizing Taiwan's responsibility to help the rest of the world become free. (By Stacy Hsu and Frances Huang) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday said that contact tracing would be scaled up in the national capital and would be diligently followed for all Covid-19 positive patients in Delhi using the Aarogya Setu app. The national capital has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases this month, soon after lockdown restrictions were eased by the Centre from June 1. There will be fresh delineation of containment zones in Delhi and a serological survey will be carried out from June 27 till July 10 on 20,000 samples to ascertain the scale of the spread of the infectious Covid-19 disease in the national capital, the MHA said in a statement. The announcement came soon after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday evening chaired a review meeting to discuss the Covid-19 crisis in Delhi, a week after he held a series of meetings with top Delhi government officials, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and L-G Anil Baijal. ALSO READ | Amit Shah helms meeting over Covid-19 crisis in Delhi, suggests scaling up contact tracing According to a timeline suggested by the Dr VK Paul committee, the Delhi government has been directed to prepare a strategy by Monday, form district-level teams by Tuesday and prepare to rework the delineation of the capitals containment zones by June 26. A total survey of such containment zones has to be completed by June 30 and by July 6, a survey has to be carried out on the whole of Delhi, the MHA has indicated. Home minister Amit Shah, according to a statement by the home ministry, has further directed that there should be an analysis pertaining to every deceased person, including the number of days he was in hospital and his place of residence; whether the person was in home isolation or being treated in a hospital. The reasons for not taking a victim of the infectious disease to a designated Covid Care facility also needed to be mapped by the government, according to the new guidelines. ALSO READ | Delhi adds 3,000 new coronavirus cases, tally nears 60,000-mark Shah also said that all Covid-19 positive cases will have to go to hospital, except those who have enough space in their homes and have no co-morbidities. Shah has been regularly holding meetings over the coronavirus health crisis in the national capital amid a sudden spike in the number of Covid-19 positive cases. Delhi on Saturday witnessed the highest single-day spike of 3,630 Covid-19 cases. The numbers, however, dipped a little with the capital city reporting 3,000 fresh Covid-19 cases on Sunday, according to latest health department data. The health bulletin issued by the Delhi government today indicated that there are 59,746 positive cases in the national capital. This is an opinion column. Of course, it should be a state holiday. In 2012, Alabama, spurred by legislation sponsored by Sen. Hank Sanders, became the 40th state to recognize Juneteenth. It was a noble move, at the time. The day is now recognized in some form by 47 of our United States. These times are different, of course. This week, amid the national awakening to the value of Black lives, governors in Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Oregon either declared Juneteenth an official state holiday or said they will move to do. Before then, only Texas honored Juneteenth as a state holiday. Of course. Why do we have to wait, yet again, to pull up the rear--if, of course, at all? Juneteenth has for generations been celebrated by African Americans. It falls, as almost everybody knows now, on June 19th, the date in 1865 when Union Gen. Garner Gordon arrived in Texas and informed slaves in the state that they were free. This happened, of course, two-and-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation officially made slaves free, on January 1, 1863. No one really knows why it took so long for Texas to get the word. Some say, well, news just traveled slow in those days. Some say a messenger was murdered en route. Some say Union troops were not yet formidable enough to enforce the new law against the Confederacys last holdouts. Who knows? No one, of course. No matteron June 19, 1865, it was a wrap. Heres part of the Order 3 read by Gen. Gordan, once, of course, he arrived in Texaswith backup. "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages." absolute equality of personal rights It took two-and-a-half years for those words to reach Texas. One hundred and fifty-five years laterthe words give me pause. Because were still not quite there, of course. the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. These words actually made me chuckle. Last night I was a slave, this morning a hired employee? Uh, I quit! The former slaves were only free-ish, of course. Many, uh, turned in their resignations and got the heck out of thereas did former slaves throughout the South, including Alabama. Of course. Many went to places like Arkansas, Louisiana and what was then Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in search of relatives, family members bought and sold and separated, like the property, of course, the nation deemed them to be. Some arrived in Indian Territory and remained, welcomed by these new people of colormany of whom were forced there, of course, during yet another of our nations ugliest transgressions: The Trail of Tears. Between the 1830s and 1840s, federal troops, with the approval of Presidents Andrew Jackson and later Martin Van Buren, drove upwards of 125,000 Native Americans from their lands in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and, of course, Alabama, and made them treksome by footsome 1,200 miles to Indian Territory. Why? Because white settlers wanted the valuable land to grow cotton. Of course. The Trail runs 5,403 miles and traverses 11 states. Up to 6,000 Native Americans were said to have died along the way. Among those who survived were likely my ancestors. Though Ive not been able to trace them specifically, my familys veins are known to contain Cherokee bloodborne of an apparent union between a former slave and Native American likely 150 years ago. This president, of course, had never heard of Juneteenth. He said nobody ever heard of it. Wrong, unless, of course, we dont actually matter. Of course, no one in the presidents bloodline was ever emancipated so why would he know of Juneteenth? Maybe he skipped that history class where it was thoroughly taught. Just kidding, of course. Black people acknowledged and variously celebrated Juneteenth for decades. It was, and still is, a day of celebration. Though truthfully, for a timeduring decades of Jim CrowJuenteeth some of the celebrations were mixed. Even muted by some. In still-segregated Tulsa, Oklahoma, Juneteenth was the one day of the year when public facilities where Blacks were not welcomed opened to us. Last Friday, my cousin, the oldest daughter of the late Rev. James Castina Jackson, an unabashed civil rights activist/preacher in Tulsa, shared a Juneteenth childhood memory on social media: We were Negroes then, she wrote. Lakeview Amusement Park actually comes to mind. Of course, we wanted to go so we could get on the rides. But Daddy would always say No, if you cant go the other 364 days of the year, you certainly wont be going today. Uncle James didnt play. Not one bit. Of course, now Juneteenth should be a state holiday in Alabama. We celebrate, after all, Robert E. Lees birthday. Commemorating the emancipation of those he fought to enslave, well, its the least we can do. Of course. Im hopeful it will happen. Im hopeful after last Friday after joining a true tapestry of Birmingham celebrating Juneteenth at Kelly Ingram Park. In January, state Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, introduced a bill calling for the third Saturday in June to become Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Like most non-budget matters during the last legislative session, it went nowhere. Now, in these times, Im hopeful our state lawmakerslawmakers on both sides of that tiresome political aisledeem it worthy of passage. Im hopeful our governor deems it worthy. Now, because it matters. Because we matter. In Alabama. Of course. A voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond), Roys column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj Health officials have reported a coronavirus outbreak in a Wisconsin strip club, according to a news release. The Juneau County Health Department said an outbreak was reported at the Cruisin' Chubbys Gentlemen's Club in Wisconsin Dells on Friday. An outbreak can be declared if two or more people test positive for Covid-19 after attending the same establishment or singular event, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crusin Chubbys was required to shut down in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as it was deemed a nonessential business. But the company announced on 27 May it was open and back in action for customers. Two weeks later health officials would declare an outbreak at the establishment. The news release warned anyone who visited the strip club between 10 June to 14 June may have been exposed to the novel virus and were asked to monitor their symptoms. Anyone who experienced symptoms such as headache, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, or fever needed to contact a healthcare professional, the release said, and alter their behaviour accordingly. The health department did not reveal how the coronavirus spread through the strip club, and the establishment has not released a statement since an outbreak was declared. Wisconsin experienced its highest number of new coronavirus cases on Thursday with 422 testing positive. An additional 385 new cases were reported on Saturday, making it the second highest day for the state since the pandemic started. The state has more than 24,500 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 744 people have died from the novel virus. One third of FTSE 100 firms still do not have a single minority ethnic director, damning figures show. Blue chip firms were urged to improve boardroom diversity following a landmark review of the issue by City grandee Sir John Parker three years ago. But as Black Lives Matter protests take place, many Footsie members are still yet to take any action. Inaction: Blue chip firms were urged to improve boardroom diversity following a landmark review of the issue by City grandee Sir John Parker Fashion brand Burberry, Premier Inn owner Whitbread and house builder Taylor Wimpey are among the major names that have all-white boards. Only 52 blue chip companies confirmed they had at least one black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) director at the end of last year, the minimum target Parker said they should achieve by the end of 2021. That was just three more than when the review was first published in 2017. Another 31 companies admitted they had all-white boards, while 17 did not respond. If all those firms are included, the number missing the target rises to 48. Yesterday the bosses of Tesco, ITV and BT which have all met the target were among signatories to an open letter calling for an end to the 'cycle of inaction' on 'ethnic-minority inclusion in business'. 'Organisations have not been ready to have a challenging and frank conversation about system racism within the four walls of their own offices,' the letter said. Parker, 78, said he hoped the public outcry over racism would also give businesses fresh impetus to tackle workplace inequality and meet the targets set by his review. Parker, who chairs South West Water owner Pennon Group, told the Mail: 'People have had more time to think about the world and the influence they can have or not have on it. 'Everyone should be asking if they are doing enough. It is bound to have raised sensitivities in boardrooms. Some companies have done very well and some have still got to achieve the target. 'Covid-19 has definitely disrupted recruitment but that goal is still there and I think will be achieved because it is the right thing to do.' Big Four consulting firm EY, which assisted with the 2017 review, said businesses needed to become more comfortable with discussing race. Arun Batra, a partner at the firm, added: 'If FTSE boards are to meet the Parker Review target, then they need to transform intent into action.' US Should Move Manufacturing Out of China to Push Back Against Beijing: Sen. Blackburn The United States needs to move critical manufacturing away from China to ensure national security and counter Beijings economic predations, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said. Chinas growth into a manufacturing powerhouse in recent decades has been fueled by a host of unfair economic practices, including an aggressive campaign of state-sponsored intellectual property theft, Blackburn told The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders program. China will lie to you, they will steal from you. And if you catch them, theyre going to try to cheat you, she said. In recent years, under the economic policy of Made in China 2025, the regime has been rapidly developing domestic manufacturing in high-tech and critical industries, including robotics, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals. The senator warned that such efforts expose the United States and other countries to great risk. Basically, then they have the ability to hold the world hostage when the world needs a certain something, such as pharmaceuticals, which we have needed now, Blackburn said. The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly in medical gear and pharmaceuticals. China is the worlds largest producer of ingredients used to make drugs. The United States is heavily dependent on either drugs that are sourced from China, or drugs made from ingredients manufactured in China. In March, Blackburn and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the Securing Americas Medicine Cabinet (SAM-C) Act, which would reduce American dependence on China for ingredients used to make drugs by boosting homegrown production. The bill would authorize $100 million to be allocated to develop innovations and conduct workforce training. Blackburn added that this measure could be used as a blueprint for onshoring other critical industries, such as semiconductors, batteries, and telecommunications equipment. We need to do a better job of making plans for those rainy days, and for those adverse events that are always going to happen, she said. Blackburn lambasted Beijings coverup of the CCP virus outbreak, which lead to the global spread of the virus. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the U.S. economy could contract by nearly $8 trillion in the next 11 years due to the downturn from the pandemic. Our grandchildren are going to be paying for this, she said. The senator is among the many voices both inside and outside the United States calling for Beijing to be held accountable for its mishandling of the outbreak. Last month, she co-sponsored the Stop COVID Act that would allow Americans to sue the Chinese Communist Party in courts to recover losses suffered as a result of the pandemic. The legislation, which has also been introduced in the House, would remove the legal protection from U.S. lawsuits that foreign countries currently enjoy. Blackburn also urged Americans to think about our relationship with China, and the way theyre pushing their tentacles into the U.S. She cited the example of how Beijing has installed itself in the American education system by opening Confucius Institutes in U.S. colleges, and Confucius Classrooms in K12 grade schools. While billed as Chinese language and culture centers, these Beijing-funded organizations have attracted mounting criticism over their role in snuffing out academic freedom and spreading propaganda. There are around 80 Confucius Institutes and more than 500 Confucius Classrooms across the country, according to the advocacy group National Association of Scholars. If you have a child whose K through 12 school has a Confucius Classroom you need to ask what the participation of the Chinese Communist Party is with that classroom, because what they are speaking is, by their own admission, propaganda. Cathy He CHINA EDITOR Follow Cathy He is a New York-based reporter focusing on China-related topics. She previously worked as a government lawyer in Australia. She joined the Epoch Times in February 2018. By Trudy Rubin If you lived in Tokyo, you could visit a bar or karaoke parlor or museum or movie theater from last weekend. New COVID-19 cases in that city of 14 million people are averaging under 20 per week, and nearly all businesses have reopened. If you lived in Germany, hotels, museums, galleries, restaurants and bars have reopened along with bus and boat tours. But don't buy your tickets if you are an American. Visitors from countries with high rates of coronavirus infections, such as the United States, won't be permitted in the first wave of travelers. If you lived in New Zealand, you could boast that the virus was virtually eradicated for now, with all restrictions lifted. There had been no new cases reported since June 8, until two New Zealanders returning home from Britain recently tested positive, sparking a swift contract tracing operation by the government. Meantime, the U.S. is the world leader by many miles, with 2,100,000 infections and 118,000 virus deaths (and nearly 1,000 Americans still dying daily). It is competing with Brazil (led by populist Trump clone Jair Bolsonaro) for the global lead in new cases reported per day. Infections and hospitalizations are spiking in U.S. states that are reopening. A president who disdains science and publicly rejects masking and social distancing, who views the virus as a political hoax, is acting as a national super-spreader. "If we stop testing right now, we'd have very few cases, if any," President Donald Trump said last week, encouraging his base to abandon health precautions. This just before a scheduled massive indoor rally in Tulsa, Okla., at which those reserving seats were required to agree they wouldn't sue the Trump campaign if they became sick. There is not the slightest sign the White House has any interest in learning from fellow democracies with successful anti-virus efforts. On the contrary, the president awaits a magic vaccine bullet. But the rest of us must learn from abroad, because we can't afford to live in a fantasy world. First, on masking. Japan, which was slow on testing and didn't wholly lock down, has reported only around 17,000 cases and 900 deaths in a population of 126 million. So why are they doing so well? Theirs is a culture where citizens commonly mask to protect against pollution, and did so near universally to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Officials urged them on, and the results speak for themselves. The second key is strong national leadership that viewed the virus as a national threat, not a political annoyance. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a scientist herself, avoided partisan rhetoric and rallied leaders of her state governments to the virus challenge. "She did a great job communicating to the public how dangerous the virus was and how important solidarity is," I was told in April by Anna Sauerbrey, deputy editor-in-chief of the Berlin daily Der Tagesspiegel. Similarly, in New Zealand and Australia, leaders rallied their publics early (unlike Trump) to obey health restrictions. Hawkish Aussie Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the public regularly on conservative radio while drawing together state premiers and local leaders for consultations. New Zealand's leftish Jacinda Ardern used Facebook Live to rally her public with warmth and statistics. Both listened to their scientists, and poured resources to front-line workers and hospitals. Australia, with 25 million people, has had only 102 deaths. New Zealand, with 5 million population, 22. Of course, strong health systems played key roles in countries that crushed COVID-19. Intensive care beds were plentiful in Germany. Front-line health workers didn't have to worry about getting, or paying for, tests in Germany, or Japan, or New Zealand, Australia, South Korea or Taiwan, as many still have to do in the U.S. In Taiwan, where former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (who left office last month) is an epidemiologist (and fewer than 10 people have died), the strong respect for scientists and medical professionals helped crush the illness. This despite being so close to China. In South Korea, the head of their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (modeled on the U.S. agency) gave regular briefings to the public, unhampered by interference from political officials. What a sad contrast to the CDC here, a once-great agency that has been hollowed out in recent years, and pushed aside by Trump. Most success stories abroad also featured intense testing and tracing campaigns, far more strategic and better organized than the chaotic process U.S. states can muster without any federal leadership. The U.S. has a president who believes testing is "overrated" and fails to understand its purpose or critical importance. There is nothing Germany or Japan or Australia has done that is beyond America's capacity. It is the political will and the seriousness of purpose that is lacking. Make America Great Again has morphed into Make America Sick Again. The only possible cure depends on the outcome of the election five months from now. Trudy Rubin (trubin@phillynews.com) is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. There have been another 13 deaths associated with coronavirus in Connecticut, according to data released by the state on Saturday. Those 13 additional deaths push the statewide total number of virus-linked deaths to 4,251 since the pandemic started in March. But 22 more Connecticut residents have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the virus. That leaves 150 virus patients currently hospitalized in the state as of Saturday. There have been 158 more confirmed cases of the virus out of 11,772 tests performed, the data showed. Those increases mean 45,715 cases have been reported in the state, and there have been 389,703 tests performed. Saturdays numbers continue a trend that the state has seen for weeks, with hospitalizations on the decline and percentage of tests performed coming back positive shrinking. Despite this positive trend in numbers, there are still guidelines in place as the state reopens. As Connecticut continues to see warm temperatures, residents are urged to not break social-distancing rules at places like state park beaches. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said, beyond reductions in parking capacity, it will also close beaches for the day or longer, if needed if visitors cant follow guidelines. Phase 2 of Connecticuts reopening came on Wednesday, with the return of indoor dining, gyms and fitness centers, personal services such as nail salons and tattoo shops, formal events, outdoor amusement parks, libraries, pools and social clubs, hotels and motels, movie theaters, museums and aquariums. On the eve of Wednesdays reopening, Gov. Ned Lamont expanded the size of gatherings allowed indoors and outdoors from 10 indoors to 25, and from 25 outdoors to 100. By mid-July, the governor said, outdoor gatherings could expand to as many as 250 people. Businesses and activities continue to have strict guidelines in terms of social distancing and mask-wearing. This Monday, some summer camps in Connecticut will have opening day. Lamont has outlined a plan that limits group sizes and adds health procedure requirements. Resident camp operations, like sleep-away camps, have not been permitted to open this summer. The state is still a few weeks away from the start of summer school classes, which have been scheduled to begin July 6. "Your memory is incredible," Skilling said in a shout out to Sloan. "I remember that wonderful face, your smile and your incredible friendliness to this relative newcomer at WGN back in 1983 when you retired. I had been there only five years at the time, and you were so kind to me. That meant so much." Joe Martin is a staff writer for the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at joe.martin@seguingazette.com . System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
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"One adult male died and 11 have no-life-threatening wounds," the police tweeted. In a separate tweet it said that people who suffered gunshot wounds had been taken to nearby hospitals. The address of the shooting is a commercial district, near Landmark's Uptown Theatre with several and several bars and restaurants. Minneapolis has been at the heart of a wave of anti-racism protests in the country and around the globe over the death of African-American man George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody last month. Though there is no indication that Saturday`s shooting was related to this. As of 4 am, no one was in custody in connection with the shooting, the Associated Press reported. Further details are waited. Victorians could be forced to wear face masks in public as the state's coronavirus cases threaten to spiral out of control. Another 19 cases were diagnosed on Sunday, the fifth straight day of double-digit new infections, and only one of them is an overseas arrival. The state saw 25, 13, 18 and 21 new cases over the four previous days while the rest of the country had none or just a handful each. Chief Heath Officer Brett Sutton said on Sunday that if cases keep going up at this rate, mandatory mask wearing may be required. Victorians could be forced to wear face masks in public as the state's coronavirus cases threaten to spiral out of control. Pictured is a woman wearing a mask in Melbourne's CBD Chief Heath Officer Brett Sutton said on Sunday that if cases keep going up at this rate, mandatory mask wearing may be required 'Masks have been a hot topic, obviously. The existing national advice has been that they are not required,' he said. 'The World Health Organisation advice has been that masks are really recommended only when physical distancing can't be maintained and where there is high community transmission. 'I remain open to the idea. I think we have to bear in mind that we will do whatever is required that might help to turn things around in Victoria, because we need to get to a point where we are driving numbers back down to zero.' Mr Sutton will discuss the issue with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee later on Sunday. 'I will raise the issue with my AHPPC colleagues, I'm on the phone to them shortly, and I will raise it as a consideration for Victoria, so I remain open to the idea,' he said. People leave Flinders Street Station in Melbourne on Sunday while while wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus Victoria has diagnosed another surge in coronavirus infections as family and work clusters expand and derail plans of Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) to reopen the state University of NSW professor Bill Bowtell argues Australia should have made masks mandatory months ago as a condition of restrictions being eased. 'They have to be mandatory because otherwise people will get too complacent and think everything is back to normal,' he told Daily Mail Australia earlier in the crisis. 'You have a better chance of resisting it if you wear a mask and they prevent asymptomatic people from passing it to others.' Professor Bowtell cautioned that relaxing restrictions should happen slowly and gradually and be coupled with other measures to make up for them. He said mandatory face masks should be 'part of an armoury of tools' including vastly expanded testing and enhanced contact tracing. 'No one thing works, we need to have a suite of measures or we risk losing the gains we have made,' he said. Another 19 cases were diagnosed in Victoria on Sunday, the fifth straight day of double-digit new infections, and only one of them is an overseas arrival Wearing face masks in public should be mandatory as part of measures to prevent a second wave of coronavirus after lockdown ends, a top expert claims (pictured: woman wears face mask outside pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic in Bondi) Professor Bowtell, who led Australia's response to the 1980s AIDS crisis, said face masks could also allow more businesses like bars and cafes to safely reopen. 'Face masks will be a very important part of limiting liability for anyone operating a business, along with cleaning and disinfection,' he said. 'If you're going to relax restrictions you have to have continual cleaning of areas where people are likely to get together.' Professor Bowtell fears of a potential second wave of coronavirus in Australia as people were allowed to mingle more. Australians are advised against wearing masks at all unless they are confirmed to have the deadly disease, in contrast to the U.S. and parts of Europe. Most Asian countries, by contrast, strongly insist they are worn and ban residents from public transport and many other areas if they don't have one (Shanghai's subway is pictured) By contrast, in Australia it is rare to see anyone wearing a mask as they walk outside, even at the height of the pandemic, and there is no official advice to do so Australian health authorities have resisted calls to even recommend wearing masks as their position is that they are of little use. 'Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others,' official Health Department advise states. 'If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.' Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said in April that the general public wearing them would be a 'waste of masks' and even dangerous. 'In terms of mask use in the community, I would stress again, at the moment we do not think it is a good idea, partly because of the constraints around supply,' he said. Professor Kelly said those who wear the mask incorrectly can find it quite uncomfortable, meaning they will have to touch their face and potentially expose themselves to coronavirus. 'If you are not used to wearing a mask, it can become quite uncomfortable, even claustrophobic, and... quite edgy underneath the mask,' he said. 'So touching a surface with the virus, scratching yourself underneath the mask, could actually increase your risk rather than decrease your risk. 'There would need to be a strong conversation about how to fit a mask properly and how to use it safely and effectively.' Not all masks are created equal: Single-use masks and surgical masks have larger pores which the coronavirus can easily slip through. A more expensive N95 mask is the gold standard for healthcare workers fighting infectious diseases Most Asian countries, by contrast, strongly insist they are worn and ban residents from public transport and many other areas if they don't have one. The U.S. also recently reversed course with its Centre for Disease Control now recommending Americans wear masks in public. Australia manufactured millions of masks for health workers and received shipments of millions more from overseas, including China. Four of Victoria's new cases are linked to known outbreaks and three were identified from about 15,400 routine tests overnight. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday announced the state's infectious total had reached 1,836 cases, of which 121 remain active. 'It is still a very serious situation,' Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Sunday. 'We have had particularly some concerns around family gatherings, extended family members across many households, visiting each other even when they have been exhibiting mild symptoms.' Passengers wear protective masks while riding a subway train in Shanghai, China Face masks are commonplace in East Asia - pictured, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and ministers around him are pictured wearing them yesterday Two clusters are driving the outbreak - a family that has 11 infections over nine households, and 13 contractors who worked at the Stamford Plaza hotel. One of Sunday's new cases was from the family outbreak and three were workers at the hotel. The other eight cases are under investigation. The new outbreaks prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to extent the state of emergency by four weeks until July 20. Mr Andrews was criticised by Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien for blaming the outbreak on Victorian families, but the premier renewed this claim on Sunday. 'The substantial increase in the number of household contacts spreading the virus among extended family groups shows the battle against coronavirus is far from over,' he said. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus can turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days.' Mr Andrews on Saturday stalled the easing of lockdown restrictions and rolled back the number of guests allowed to gather at houses to five. Mr Andrews said families gathering (file image pictured) were mainly responsible for the spike which caused him to halt the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on Saturday One of the outbreaks is 13 contractors who worked at the Stamford Plaza hotel (pictured) in Melbourne, with three new cases on Sunday Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12. They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday. The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people. From midnight on Sunday, the number of visitors in a house will be reduced from 20 to five. Outside, people will only be allowed to gather in groups of 10 - a decrease from 20. The Premier said he had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the possibility of reintroducing a stay at home order to ensure Victorians follow the rules. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days,' Mr Andrews said. 'That's why we need to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities.' Mr Andrews also threatened authorities would go door-to-door to make sure close contacts of coronavirus patients who were ordered to self-isolate were doing so. 'We will go door-to-door, getting the message out there to communities across the state that these restrictions are there for everyone,' he said. 'We'll go door to if we have to make sure people are doing the right thing.' A European spacecraft has discovered a green glow of oxygen in the atmosphere surrounding Mars. It is the first time this bright green light has been seen around any planet besides Earth. The spacecraft is called the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. It is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russias space agency. The orbiter, which launched in 2016, is equipped with instruments designed to search for the presence of methane and other gases in the Martian atmosphere. Such gases could provide evidence of any biological or geological activity around Mars. The instruments were developed by scientists at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy. The findings were recently published in a study in Nature Astronomy. On Earth, glowing oxygen is produced when energetic electrons from space hit the upper atmosphere. These naturally appearing lights - known as the polar auroras - create a bright, green glow. Earths green glow has been seen and captured in images by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Now, for the first time, the same green glow has been observed in the atmosphere of Mars. Jean-Claude Gerard of the University of Liege in Belgium helped lead the research. He said the discovery is important because this green glow had never been seen around any other planet. "This emission has been predicted to exist at Mars for around 40 years and, thanks to (ExoMars), we've found it." In a statement announcing the findings, the ESA noted that in addition to light caused by auroras, the atmosphere of planets like Earth and Mars have a continuous glow, both day and night. This is caused by sunlight interacting with atoms and molecules within the atmosphere. Researchers explained that there are two likely reasons the green glow had not been observed in the atmospheres of other planets before. Either the planet surfaces were too bright to permit the light to be seen, or earlier space missions were not equipped with instruments sensitive enough to observe the glow. To try to overcome this issue, the scientists running the orbiters experiments decided to change the positioning of the spacecrafts observation instruments. The usual positioning of the instruments was pointed directly down at the Martian surface. This time, though, the equipment was pointed in the direction of the edge of Mars in an effort to search for the daytime emission of oxygen. The researchers said pointing the instruments in this direction provided a similar position to images of the green glow captured by astronauts looking at Earth from the space station. Ann Carine Vandaele is a researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and a co-writer of the study. She reported the experiments were carried out between April and December 2019. During this time, the orbiter captured scans ranging from 20 to 400 kilometers from the Marian surface twice per orbit. Examinations of the scans found the green oxygen emission in all of them. "The emission was strongest at an altitude of around 80 kilometers and varied depending on the changing distance between Mars and the sun," Vandaele said in a statement. Another researcher, Jose Juan Lopez-Moreno, is with the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia in Granada, Spain. He said the discovery opens a window for the study of the behavior and photochemistry of this planet. He added that the study provides a valuable tool to help scientists understand the interaction of solar radiation with the Mars atmosphere. Miguel Angel Lopez-Valverde is also a researcher at the Spanish institute who took part in the study. He said the research may be of great interest for studying the atmospheres of planets in other solar systems and searching for signs of life. Researchers also noted that such experiments can help uncover details about the Mars atmosphere that can be used to plan and launch future missions to the planet. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the European Space Agency, the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - Green Glow Spotted for First Time Around Mars Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story glow n. a soft, warm light geology n. the study of rocks and soil and the physical structure of the Earth aurora n. streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions caused emission of light from atoms emission n. the act of sending gas, heat or light out into the air scan n. the act of scanning, or looking at all part of something altitude n. the height of something above sea level photochemistry n. a part of chemistry that deals with the chemical effects of light mission n. an important task, usually involving travel somewhere By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/21/2020 ADVERTISEMENT [ spoilers warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Angela and Michael got married and whether the : Happily Ever After? couple is still together now]. ADVERTISEMENT So are Angela and Michael still together now? What's the latest on the couple's relationship? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Angela Deem is still trying to get Michael Ilesanmi over to the United States despite her lack of trust in him on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, so did the couple go through with getting married, and where is Michael living now? Are they still together?Angela, a 53-year-old nursing assistant from Hazlehurst, GA, and Michael, a 31-year-old from Lagos, Nigeria, previously appeared on Seasons 2 and 3 of : Before the 90 Days as well as Season 7 of .After meeting online, the pair talked for a few months over the phone and on social media, and Angela said Michael made her feel appreciated and wanted.Angela therefore traveled to Nigeria to meet and date Michael, whose formal name is Kehinde Ilesanmi, despite her friends and family's warnings she was being scammed.Angela questioned Michael's intentions often, and the couple bickered constantly during her stay in Nigeria.: Before the 90 Days' second season ended with Angela accusing Michael of wiping out her bank account (an incident Angela later said was actually due to a bank ATM error).After that, Angela broke up with Michael during the filming : Before the 90 Days Season 2's Tell-All special after hearing he had called her his "elder."But in September 2018, Michael told a fan who commented on his Facebook page that he was "engaged" and expecting to move to the United States in 2019 under "God's grace" before changing his privacy settings to restrict public viewing of his posts.Days after : Before the 90 Days Season 2's Tell-All special aired on TLC in October 2018, Angela also changed her relationship status to "Engaged" on Facebook.Then, in May 2019, Angela not only confirmed the couple was still together and engaged, but also that they would be returning for Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days."We are getting married! We're filming Before the 90 Days right now! He's coming here [to the United States]," Angela told a fan who saw her in New York.Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days then premiered in August 2019 and showed Angela traveling to Nigeria a second time and working through some additional issues in their relationship -- including Michael's requirement that he have a child with Angela -- in preparation of Angela filing for Michael K-1 visa.Immediately after Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days completed airing, TLC also released a trailer showing that Angela and Michael would also appear on Season 7 of , which premiered on the network in November 2019.'s seventh season showed Angela and Michael trying to get Michael's K-1 visa approved so he could move to the United States and they could get married in front of Angela's family in America.However, Michael's K-1 visa was denied following his visa interview, so Angela then flew to Nigeria to hopefully get to the bottom of things and receive some answers as to what went wrong.One of the options available to the couple had been to tie the knot in Nigeria and then apply for a K-3 spousal visa, but Angela had been against the idea of having her wedding in a foreign country, mainly because she wanted her elderly mother to be able to attend.(Angela's mother sadly passed away in February).However, by the time 's seventh season ended, Angela had reassessed the possibility after Michael's family pressed Angela to just marry Michael in Nigeria and get on with their lives."I came on this trip thinking, 'I am not getting married here in Nigeria,' but I'm going to give it a chance and be open-minded and discuss the spousal visa," she said in an interview.During the premiere of : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, Angela gushed she loved Michael and believed they're going to be together, but she was still waiting for Michael's K-1 visa to get approved."Michael and I made a deal. If I hear anything about the K-1 visa, Michael will come to the U.S. and we'll have our 90 days and have a wedding here," Angela said in a confessional."But if the K-1 visa doesn't come through, I'm going to be marrying Michael in Nigeria because I love him and want to do whatever will get Michael over here in the quickest way possible."Angela's daughter Skyla advised Angela to wait for the K-1 visa so Michael could meet their family and Angela could determine whether he'd even be good and responsible with her many grandchildren.Angela told Skyla that she needed a witness for her wedding in Nigeria and asked if she would travel with her, but Skyla said, "No," and Angela called her "a witch."Skyla told her mom that Angela didn't know what she was getting herself into.Skyla warned Angela that Michael might be able to control all of her assets, so she said she's consider making the trip over to Nigeria as long as Angela would agree to meet with a lawyer and ask questions about how financial situation might be impacted by marrying a man from Nigeria.Angela didn't like talking about divorce before she was even married, and she told Skyla that she was pissing her off.But when Angela was FaceTiming with Michael, his second phone rang with a specific ringtone, which alarmed Angela since he allegedly didn't even have a ringtone set for her.Angela jumped to conclusions it might've been a woman's number, and so Angela realized she still couldn't trust Michael entirely and maybe it'd be a good idea to meet with a lawyer after all.Angela and Michael share an Instagram account and frequently post sweet things about each other, showing they are still an item."Things work out Best for Those who make the Best of how things work out. #staypositive#allwillbewell #teamangelamichael," the couple wrote alongside a photo of themselves on May 5.And on April 18, the pair wrote, "You don't care about materialistic things or how much your partner has to offer. All you know is that you love them unconditionally and you vow to give them your heart. #letlovelead #90dayfiance #stayhealthy #staysafe."Two days earlier, Angela commented about "how time flies" given a whole two years had passed since she first flew to Nigeria to meet Michael in person.Not only are Angela and Michael still a couple, but they are now married!In January 2020, Angela decided to marry Michael in Nigeria, despite her previous reluctance, and so they went through with a wedding!Angela and Michael got married in Nigeria on January 27, according to wedding photos that leaked online.A pair of crew members were visible in the photos holding boom microphones over Angela and Michael as they exchanged vows, suggesting the ceremony was filmed for future broadcast.The wedding will presumably air on the upcoming fifth season of : Happily Ever After?.Claims that Angela and Michael had decided to attempt to resolve Michael's K-1 visa problems by getting married in Nigeria on January 27 had surfaced online the week prior after Angela was spotted at a Nigerian airport with a camera crew.On January 19, a viewer posted a photo showing Angela in the airport's baggage claim area to a Facebook group for ."A pastor in my fb uploaded this picture yesterday when he arrived from Canada to Nigeria. Look who is in the back lol," the Facebook poster wrote alongside the photo.The photo unintentionally captured Angela and three crew members filming behind the pastor and showed Angela talking to the camera as two crew members filmed the star with a camera and a microphone pole as a producer stood beside the cameraman.Angela and Michael appear to be living happily ever after, after all!Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! - Jubilee Party vice chair David Murathe said there was insubordination, indiscipline and insults to President Uhuru Kenyatta by some members of the party - Murathe promised severe disciplinary action would be taken against any MP who will miss the PG meeting set for Monday, June 22 - However, online users castigated him and accused him of intimidation and dictatorship in his capacity as vice-chair and close ally of the head of state Jubilee Party vice-chair David Murathe has sounded a stern warning to party's legislators and asked them not to dare snub upcoming parliamentary group meeting slated for tomorrow, Monday, June 22. Murathe said disciplinary action will be awaiting those who will fail to attend the PG meeting which observers speculate will lead to the ouster of Aden Duale as majority leader in the National Assembly. READ ALSO: Ujumbe wa Betty Bayo kwa Pasta Kanyari siku ya kina baba wasisimua wanamtandao Murathe warned any Jubilee MP of missing the PG meeting slated for Monday, June 22. Photo: David Murathe. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Eldoret pastor narrates how Filipino wife secretly flew to Kenya, helped him become responsible father The vocal politician claimed there was a lot of disloyalty, insubordination and insults to the party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta by some rebel members, which he warned should end. "Missing tomorrow's PG meeting should not come to anyone's mind. In recent, we have witnessed a lot of disloyalty, insubordination, impunity, disobedience and direct insults to our party leader. That must come to an end," he said. READ ALSO: Moses Kuria angers Kenyans after insensitively talking about ex-IEBC IT boss Chris Msando The PG will be presided over by President Uhuru at KICC. Photo: State House. Source: Facebook His strong-worded statement did not sit well with a section of Kenyans who trooped to social media to give him their mind, with some accusing him of dictatorship and intimidation. Here are some of the comments: An official communication from the party issued on Saturday, June 20, indicated President Uhuru will host the lawmakers for a meeting to be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Monday. Although the agenda of the meeting was not publicised, speculation has it that the meeting is meant to bring onboard parties that recently signed a post-election coalition with the Jubilee Party. READ ALSO: Meet Health CS Kagwe's wife who is President Uhuru Kenyatta's advisor Many expected Dual would be removed as majority leader in the National Assembly and a Wiper party member picked to take up his place. This was after the Kalonzo Musyoka-led party signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling party alongside Isaac Ruto's Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM). The two parties pledged to support the president's agenda. 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. Fighting spirit husbands, Spirit wives and breaking soul ties with Pastor T | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke OTTAWA - Wreaths were laid and the call of a single bugle rang out near Parliament Hill as a subdued ceremony was held on Sunday to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/6/2020 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Korean War veterans along with Lt.Gen. Wayne Eyre, Commander of the Canadian Army, salute, second from left, during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen in Ottawa, on Sunday, June 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Wreaths were laid and the call of a single bugle rang out near Parliament Hill as a subdued ceremony was held on Sunday to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The ceremony, attended by a small group of Canadian and Korean officials and a handful of surviving veterans from the conflict, was one of the first of its kind in months after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of numerous military commemorations. Those included plans to mark the 75th anniversaries of the liberation of the Netherlands in the Second World War and Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany was officially defeated. Many of those attending this morning's ceremony wore masks and stood at a distance from each other even as they came together to mark the sacrifices of those Canadians who fought and died in Korea. "It's important that we have these ceremonies," 86-year-old Bill Black, who served on board a Canadian destroyer during the war and is now president of the Korea Veterans Association. "Even if we have to suffer a little bit with numbers down and wearing masks. So be it. We're not going to forget our Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen who served in keeping countries free. These are days that we will not allow to slip by." Around 26,000 Canadians fought in the three-year conflict, which started on June 25, 1950 when Communist North Korean forces supported by China and the Soviet Union invaded the U.S.-backed south. Five-hundred sixteen Canadians died during the war, which ended in a military standoff that continues to this day. Sunday's ceremony would normally have been held at the National War Memorial next to Parliament Hill, but was moved down the street to nearby Confederation park where the Korean War Monument is located. The official delegation was restricted to 10 people and included Canadian Army commander Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre, who recently served as deputy commander of United Nations' forces in South Korea, as well as politicians, Korean diplomats and veterans. Under a bright blue sky and amid sweltering heat, those in attendance remembered the fallen while reflecting on the importance of the war, which is described as "the Forgotten War" due to being overshadowed by the Second World War and the U.S. Vietnam War. The park is owned by the National Capital Commission, which manages federal green spaces in the Ottawa area. The NCC ordered several restrictions including on the size of the gathering as a condition for letting the ceremony go ahead despite COVID-19. 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. Conservative Sen. Yonah Martin, whose father was separated as a child from his family during the war and who is now working to raise awareness of the conflict among Canadians, said it was important to press ahead with the ceremony. "We were trying to abide by the guidelines to the best of our ability," said Martin, the first Korean-Canadian to serve in Parliament. "We would not have done this if the veterans did not want it. But they are quite insistent. They have survived a lot and this is very important to them." While the commemoration was able to go ahead despite COVID-19, attendees were reminded the threat posed by the respiratory illness especially for older people when one of the veterans who was scheduled to speak was unable to attend. Black said the veteran, who was also expected to lay a wreath, was on his way to get tested for COVID-19 on Sunday after calling to say that he had a higher-than-normal temperature and was not feeling well. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2020. Iran awaiting Romania's report on cause of Iranian judge's death ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 20 June 2020 / 13:02 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has confirmed the reports on the death of Iranian judge Gholam-Reza Mansouri in Romania. Mousavi told reporters that Iran is awaiting an official report on the cause of the incident, and requests Romanian officials to announce the exact cause of his death. "He had recently visited the Iranian embassy and had consultations on the quality of his return to Iran," Mousavi said. "He was later arrested by Romania's Interpol as he was wanted by the Iranian Judiciary through the International Criminal Police Organisation." Accordingly, the spokesman added, Iran urges the officials and police of Romania to fulfil their legal duties and prepare an official report on the quality and exact cause of the incident. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Despite market risk-sentiment weakening last week, the British Pound to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate spent the week tumbling. Sterling was pressured by Britains coronavirus and Brexit concerns, but the Canadian Dollar was able to capitalise on this thanks to the latest developments in oil markets. After opening last week at the level of 1.7042, GBP/CAD only advanced briefly. GBP/CAD tested near monthly highs of 1.7172, but in the middle of the week the pairs movement became more bearish. GBP/CAD started to tumble on Thursday, seeing significant losses up until Fridays American session. On Friday afternoon, GBP/CAD was still tumbling and trended near a low of 1.6783. This was the worst GBP/CAD level in almost a quarter, since late-March. The Pound was highly unappealing for most of the week, due to concerns over how Britain is being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Britains infection and death count is relatively high. Some critics believe that the government has been too hasty in reopening the economy, which could lead to further damage from the virus in the coming months. As a result of this, the Pound struggled to hold its ground even as risk-sentiment started to worsen. The Canadian Dollar is correlated heavily to market risk and trade-sentiment. Fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections led to investors avoiding risks more in recent sessions. Sterling was hit extra hard towards the end of the week though, by the Bank of Englands (BoE) latest policy decision. Investors became more anxious that the bank was hesitant to do whatever it takes after Chief Economist Andy Haldane voted against expanding quantitative easing (QE). The Canadian Dollar was able to more easily capitalise on the Pounds weakness on Friday, as oil prices rose. The Canadian Dollar is often correlated to oil prices. News that the commodity jumped higher after OPEC+ laggards promised to meet cut obligations. According to John Kemp, Market Analyst at Reuters: The strong rally since April is a sign crude traders are confident about a sustained rebound in consumption over the rest of this year and that OPEC+ and US shale producers will restrain output until excess stocks are absorbed. Pound (GBP) Forecast: Strong UK Data Could Help Pound Recovery The Pound is broadly unappealing, as domestic coronavirus and Brexit jitters persist. The latest UK data has not been enough to help notably improve the Pound outlook, but that could change. Next week will see the publication of Britains June PMI projections. The PMIs will be the best indication yet of how Britains economy is performing this month. The data will be published on Tuesday. It is expected to show that activity continued to recover after dire performance in May, but is expected to keep showing contraction overall. If the data falls short of expectations, investors will be even more anxious about Britains economic outlook amid the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, stronger than expected PMIs could offer the Pound some stronger support. Canadian Dollar (CAD) Forecast: Coronavirus and Oil in Focus amid Lack of Data Next weeks Canadian economic calendar is fairly quiet. The only data of note will be average weekly earnings from April, due on Thursday. As a result, the Canadian Dollar is likely to be driven more by market sentiment regarding issues like the coronavirus pandemic and oil prices. The Canadian Dollar has been climbing despite weaker risk-sentiment. If coronavirus fears continue to worsen though, or oil prices weaken again, the Canadian Dollar could be knocked lower. On the other hand though, the Canadian Dollar could be in for continued strength if market risk-sentiment finds any fresh support. Overall, the Pound to Canadian Dollar exchange rate will be focused on coronavirus developments next week, but UK data may also prove influential. By Ramzy Baroud June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The banning of deadly police practices by many American states and cities following the murder of an African American man, George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers is, once more, shedding light on US-Israeli collaboration in the fields of security and crowd-control. From California to New York, and from Washington State to Minneapolis, all forms of neck restraints and chokeholds that are used by police while dealing with suspects are no longer allowed by local, state, or federal authorities. This is only the beginning of what promises to be a serious rethink in police practices, which disproportionately targets African Americans and other minority and marginalized communities across the United States. The refashioning of the American police, in recent years, to fit some kind of a military model is a subject that requires a better understanding than the one currently offered by mainstream US media. Certainly, US racism and police violence are intrinsically linked and date back many years, but the militarization of the US police and its use of deadly violence against suspected petty criminals, or even non criminals, is a relatively new phenomenon that has been largely imported from Israel. While an urgent conversation is already under way in US cities regarding the need to reimagine public safety, or even to defund the police altogether, little is being said about the link between the US war on terror and the American elites fascination with the Israeli example in its dealing with besieged Gaza and occupied Palestinians in the West Bank. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The Israeli example (could serve as) a possible basis for arguing that torture was necessary to prevent imminent, significant, physical harm to persons, where there is no other available means to prevent the harm, the CIA General Counsel report of September 2001 read, as quoted by Slate magazine. Equally important to the argument made by the CIA above, was the actual date only a few days after the terrorist attacks of September 11. That was the beginning of the Israeli- American love affair, which entirely redefined the nature of the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, removing Israel from the category of client regimes, into a whole new one as a model to be mimicked and a true partner to be embraced. The language used by the CIA, and other facets of US intelligence agencies, quickly seeped into the military as well, and eventually became the uncontested political discourse, epitomized by former US President Barack Obamas words in June 2010 that the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable. Unbreakable indeed, since Israel, the long-time recipient of American financial support and military and intelligence secrets became a major exporter of ideas, security technology, and war on terror tactics to the US. It is critical that we do not reduce our understanding of this troubling rapport between the US and Israel to military hardware and intelligence sharing. The American infatuation with Israel is essentially an intellectual one, as the US began viewing itself as inferior to Israel in terms of the latters supposed ability to navigate between sustaining its own democracy while successfully defeating Palestinian and Arab terrorism. For example, former US President George W. Bush saw extremist Israeli politician and author, Natan Sharansky, as a mentor. In January 2005, the New York Times reported how the Bush White House invited Sharansky to the Oval Office to discuss his book The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror. Thus, a barely visible Israeli politician became the moral authority for Bushs invasion of sovereign Arab countries. It was during this period that Israeli torture tactics, including the infamous Palestinian Chair, became the crown jewel of the American militarys systematic violence used in Americas immoral wars from Iraq to Afghanistan, to elsewhere. Writing in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz in 2016, Rachel Stroumsa argued that the Palestinian Chair is but one of many examples of ties and seepages between the security practices of Israel and America, adding that the CIA explicitly justified its use of torture in depositions to the Senate Intelligence Committee by citing High Court of Justice rulings. The political, military, and intelligence marriage between the US and Israel in Iraq quickly spread to include the US global war on terror, where Israeli weapon manufacturers cater to every American need, playing on the countrys growing sense of insecurity, offering products that range from airport security, the building of watchtowers, the erection of walls and fences, to spying and surveillance technology. Elbit Systems, Israels largest military company, made a fortune from building surveillance towers and sensors, in addition to many other products, across the US-Mexico border. The company, like other Israeli companies, won one bid after another, because its products are combat-proven or field-proven, because these technologies have been used against, or tested on real people in real situations; the people here, of course, being Palestinians, Lebanese, and Syrians. The fact that thousands of American police officers have been trained by Israelis, thus the burgeoning of violent military-like tactics used against ordinary Americans, is only one link in a long chain of deadly exchanges between the two countries. Almost immediately after the September 11 attacks, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committees Project Interchange and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs have paid for police chiefs, assistant chiefs and captains to train in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Amnesty International said in a recent report. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, for the Israeli army manual, which holds little respect for internationally-recognized rules of conduct, infiltrated numerous police departments across the US. Even the typical look of the American police officers began changing to resemble that of a combat soldier in full gear. The growing Israeli role in shaping the American security state allowed Israel to push its political priorities past its traditional stronghold over the US Congress to individual states and, eventually, to city councils across the country. Even if some of the Israeli tactics, which are currently applied by the US police, are discontinued under the collective chants of Black Lives Matter, Israel if not stopped will continue to define Washingtons security priorities from Washington State to Texas, because the relationship Obamas unbreakable bond is much stronger and deeper than anyone could have ever imagined. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of five books. His latest is These Chains Will Be Broken: Palestinian Stories of Struggle and Defiance in Israeli Prisons (Clarity Press, Atlanta). Dr. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA), Istanbul Zaim University (IZU). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net Post your comment below Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 17:11 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066077890 4 News private-jet,air-travel,Airlines,travel,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free Commercial air travel in Indonesia may have taken a hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet some private jet service providers are reportedly not only surviving the economic downturn they are even experiencing an increase in revenue. "[Our revenue] has remained stable during the pandemic. [Business is as] usual and even tends to increase," Indojet Sarana Aviasi director Stefanus Gandi said in Bali on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com. According to Stefanus, the positive trend was due to customers who flew international, especially when it came to the repatriation of expatriates in Indonesia. "We received dozens of such requests. However, we couldn't fulfill all of them since it depends on the situation at the destination airport, as there are some countries that have still blocked off access to flights, including private jets," Stefanus said. As a result of the pandemic, Indojet Sarana Aviasi now requires that its customers undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing prior to booking its service. Read also: Wealthy flock to private jets as pandemic spreads and airlines tank "Previously the reservation process could be done in one day or around six hours. However, now the process can take up to three days at the quickest," he added. The price for private jet services is said to be around Rp 300 million for domestic routes. The company said it usually received four bookings per day, either for domestic or international routes. "For the domestic charter service like Jakarta-Bali, the rate is Rp 300 million. Both cities serve as our main hub but we also fly to other Indonesian regions such as Sulawesi," Stefanus said. (kes) Popular Nigerian actress, Omoni Oboli took to her Instagram page on Sunday to recount how late Ibidunni Ighodalo was to assist her with adopting a baby girl. The actress shared screenshots of their chats as well as photos of them with a lengthy caption which reads; Ibidun its been one week and Im still heart broken. I have done everything this one week to make myself happy. I have tried not to cry everyday but its so tough. I hope you know how much I love you. I hope you know how special you are to me. You wanted me to have a baby girl so bad and when I finally agreed to adopt you were excited. You promised to see me through every step of the way. Who will help me now? Who will welcome our baby girl? At night when no one is watching, the tears flow as they are now. I started to fear again, the way I felt after my dads passing. Your passing is too close to home and it made me wonder the purpose of it all. I wish I could hug you just one more time. I still go through all our chats. If I could just get one more moment with you so I can hug you extra tight and tell you I love you to bits Its hard but we must submit to the will of God. Rest in the bosom of the Lord Ibidun. You remain forever in my heart my darling friend. I love you so much Read Also: Videos From Late Ibidunni Ajayi-Ighodalos Funeral Ceremony Advertisement See her post below: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBrijoPJ2M7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 23:27:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Medical materials from China arrive at the Liege airport in Belgium, on March 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a heavy toll on the world, closer cooperation between China and the EU will inject more confidence into reviving the global economy. by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Amid the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming 22nd China-EU leaders' meeting on Monday is expected to boost much-needed confidence in the global fight against the virus and offer more certainty in a time of unprecedented instability. This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, and with cooperation and consensus always greater than competition and difference, China and the EU have proven themselves to be long-term, comprehensive strategic partners. Since the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders from both sides have maintained close communication and coordination via phone calls, video-conferences and other means. A woman crosses the border from Italy to Menton, southern France, on June 15, 2020. (Photo by Serge Haouzi/Xinhua) The frequent exchanges are proof of deep political mutual trust and close strategic coordination between the two sides, which have laid the groundwork for concrete cooperation to tide over the health crisis confronting the world. The mutual support between China and Europe has set an example for the global epidemic battle. When the epidemic broke out in China, the EU and several European countries expressed support for China and sent over urgently needed supplies. When the COVID-19 outbreak began in Europe in March, China promptly sent protective supplies and medical teams to Europe. Following this momentum, Monday's meeting is expected to promote cooperation in the battle against the novel coronavirus in such fields as expertise sharing, as well as vaccine and medicine development. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a heavy toll on the world, closer cooperation between China and the EU will inject more confidence into reviving the global economy. The past few years have witnessed the rise of protectionism and its threat to derail the world economy even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemic has unfortunately generated some talk about "decoupling." Local people greet members of the third Chinese medical team with an elbow bump instead of a handshake as the medics arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport in Milan, Italy, March 25, 2020. (Xinhua) As both China and the EU remain firm supporters of an open world economy, a joint declaration by China and the EU to revive their economies will serve as an example for others to follow. The upcoming China-EU summit also comes at a time when the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the global fight against COVID-19 has been undermined by U.S. withdrawal from the UN agency. No country is immune to the epidemic, and global cooperation is the only solution to the current health crisis facing humanity. In the fight against COVID-19, China and the EU have clearly expressed support for the WHO's leading role. The two are staunch advocates of improving the global health system and remain a force against unilateralism. For forty-five years, a healthy China-EU partnership has been an essential anchor for world stability and development. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has posed tremendous uncertainty, it is more important than ever to keep the China-EU relationship solid. The world depends on it. President Donald Trump arrives for an event at the White House in Washington on June 17, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Trump Says He Will Announce Visa Restrictions Sunday or Monday WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump said on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the CCP virus pandemic. Were going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas, he told Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and theyre pretty tight, he said. And we may even go very tight for a period of time. Trump, who has been expected to announce new restrictions, declined to provide further details. Critics have said Trump looked set to use the pandemic to achieve his longstanding goal of limiting immigration into the United States. His tough stance on immigration is central to his pitch to voters as he runs for re-election. Major American companies, particularly in the tech sector, have urged Trump to refrain from blocking the flow of foreign workers into the United States, saying it would hurt the economy. The new action would be Trumps latest step to restrict immigration in response to the pandemic and economic fallout. In April, he ordered a temporary block on some foreigners from permanent residence in the United States. He also announced new health-focused rules in March that allow for the rapid deportation of immigrants caught at the border and virtually cut off access to the U.S. asylum system. At the same time, he announced the land borders with Canada and Mexico would be closed to non-essential crossings, a measure that has been extended several times. Reporting by Tim Ahmann and Ted Hesson Epoch Times staff contributed to this report From my 72-year perspective, America was only Great for the middle class, in the economic sense, and from about 1950 to 1965, because of an unusual historical anomaly. That anomaly was that after World War II, the U.S. was the only world industrial power left standing. The middle class fared better than it ever has throughout history. Taxes on the rich were up to 90%, and industry was booming as we helped to rebuild the rest of the world, but then they got on their feet again. A corrupt administration came to power (Nixon and Agnew), China (our former Communist enemy) was opened up for business market opportunities, and the right wing rose due to grassroots efforts by Ronald Reagan and trickle-down economic theorists. Republicans realized that they could get votes by claiming fiscal responsibility and vowing to cut taxes. They also discovered that you can break the law and get away with it long enough to reap the benefits of your ill-gotten office at least until your term has ended. (I will be happy to give examples if asked). WASHINGTON>> President Donald Trump, pressing ahead in a pandemic even as campaign staff tested positive for the coronavirus, looked to reverse a decline in his political fortunes by returning Saturday to the format that so often has energized him and his loyal supporters: a raucous, no-holds-barred rally before tens of thousands of ardent fans, this time in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The rally was shaping up to be the largest indoor gathering in the world during the coronavirus outbreak. Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus. The campaign event was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states. Also expected were crowds of protesters in Tulsa. But in the hours before the event, crowds seemed significantly lighter than expected. Campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space. Huge swaths of empty seats remained in the arena itself an hour before Trump was to take the stage. And that came on the heels of the campaign revealing that six staff members who were helping setting up for the event had tested positive for the virus. Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said quarantine procedures were immediately implemented and neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event. News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma, and the president raged to aides that it was made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Its been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally. The unemployment rate stood at about 3.5% that March 2. The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91. Our country is stronger than ever before, Trump declared. Now, the unemployment rate stands at 13.3%, based on the most recent monthly report. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has soared to about 2.2 million. The number of deaths reported in the U.S. has surpassed 119,000. Outrage over the criminal justice systems treatment of minorities following the death of George Floyd and other African Americans has spawned protests around the nation. Only about a quarter of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction. Trump understands the stakes and was determined to return to his signature campaign events. He dismissed complaints that bringing together throngs for an indoor rally risked spreading the coronavirus as nothing more than politics. Trumps visit has also raised fears of clashes between protesters and Trump supporters and there were brief confrontations Saturday afternoon. But the crowds were not materializing despite the presidents bravado. Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa. My campaign hasnt started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma! Trump tweeted Friday. City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. Trumps campaign, for its part, declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. The crowd that gathered was far less than that, though the rally, being broadcast on cable, will also target voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. The events in Tulsa will go a long way to determining how the campaign plays out in coming months. A success lays the groundwork for Trump to take his show to states that will determine the presidential election. A spike in coronavirus cases coming out of Tulsa would make his reception in those states more contentious. The campaign said it will hand out masks and hand sanitizer, but there is no requirement that participants use them. Participants will also undergo a temperature check. The presidents campaign views his rallies as critical to his success. They elevate the enthusiasm level of his supporters and often lead them to donate, knock on doors and make phone calls on the presidents behalf. Trump has generally held his campaign rallies in swing states or in Democratic-leaning states such as Colorado or New Mexico that he hopes to flip this November. Oklahoma fits none of those categories. The last Democratic candidate to emerge victorious there in a presidential election was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Trump won the state with more than 65% of the vote in the 2016 election. The Republican stronghold gives Trump more assurance that hell face little resistance to his efforts from top state officials. Its going to be safe, said Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican. We have to learn how to be safe and how to move on. Tulsa resident Sue Williams picked her place in line Thursday afternoon. Ive been praying, and I dont believe Im going to get the coronavirus, Williams, 72, said, adding that she signed a waiver on her ticket application about the risks involved in going inside. The rally was originally scheduled for Friday, but it was moved back a day following an uproar that it otherwise would have happened on Juneteenth, and in a city where a 1921 white-on-Black attack killed as many as 300 people. Pamela Drake, an older African American woman, wore a red MAGA cap and carried a small American flag as she walked in sprinkling rain to claim a place in line Friday night. None of the talk about Trump initially scheduling his rally on Juneteenth mattered to her, Drake said. She said Juneteenth is celebrated every year, while its a rare thing for Trump to visit Tulsa. President Trump is the best thing going, she said. Drake and a friend walking with her, Kathy Minartz, said they had no fears of catching the coronavirus or of getting caught up in any violence in protests or counterprotests. When you have the Lord in your life, youre protected, Minartz said. In the blocks between the BOK Center and the Juneteenth celebration, people gathered Friday evening at two spots on separate corners to paint murals on brick walls of buildings. At one, Tai Tindall, a Tulsa artist in her 40s, took a break as others finished painting a giant Black Lives Matter sign stretching the length of a building. Its kind of a way to bring some good where there is division and kind of dark messages, Tindall said, nodding at the Trump rally site a few blocks away. Its a message of hope. In the latest campaign finance reports Saturday, Trump was outraised by Joe Biden in May, taking in $74 million for his reelection. But Trump maintains a sizable advantage in cash on hand over the presumptive Democratic nominee. Back to the salon! Bring on the scissors, foils and precious colourants! Reopening hairdressers expected on July 4 will bring cries of joy, and not just from those who can start earning again and bask in a new level of admiration for their skill. After months of clueless trimming of fringes and ear-mangling attempts to reproduce that choppy bob, clients will appreciate all that apprenticeship. But a big change looms. The coronavirus has not gone yet, so the National Hair & Beauty Federation advises its members not to chat. No face-to-face on arrival fix it up online first and few words, even from safely behind the chair. Libby Purves explained why the arrival of the silent salon in the UK might be a blessing. Pictured: A salon in Moscow No inquiries about holidays (or the lack thereof), no cosy conversations about the celebrity lunatic pictured in the magazine on your lap (oh, were not allowed those either). But the arrival of the silent salon might be a blessing. No inquiries about holidays. No cosy chats about celebrities in the magazine on your lap I have had, in my longish life, only two hairdressers who genuinely enjoyed chat. One took me through the saga of his collapsing love life, its recovery, and their decision to emigrate. The other was a shockingly indiscreet gossip. Even so, both of them understood that if I opened the newspaper, the only appropriate utterance was head down a bit. Some women confide their troubles and seek advice. Imagine the horror: youve had a hard day, youre trying to negotiate a sharp blade round the ears of someone better off and lazier than you, and she moans about her mother-in-law. Face it, some think that being a paying client is a licence to bore. No, with the new rules in place, chattier souls may suffer a bit, but I suspect many hairdressers will enjoy beautifying the outside of heads without having to listen to the rubbish inside them. (CNN) Pope Francis has warned the world against returning to the "illusion of individualism" after the coronavirus pandemic ends. Francis made a statement from the Vatican on Sunday, praising healthcare workers in Italy's Lombardy region who stood by their patients during the pandemic's "troubled months." Lombardy was Italy's worst-affected region at the height of the pandemic. Francis later warned people to "be careful," and not to allow individualism to again become "the guiding principle of society." Francis used the health care workers as an example to make his point, saying their professionalism was "one of the pillars of [Italy]." The Pope described the medical workers as "angels." Francis also thanked priests for showing "courage and love to the people." In April, he said the pandemic could be one of "nature's responses" to humans ignoring the current ecological crisis. The pandemic radically changed the way the Vatican operates, forcing the Pope to celebrating Palm Sunday mass in an empty church. After months of lockdown, worshippers returned to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City at the end of May. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Pope Francis warns society against reverting to individualism after the pandemic." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were scheduled to return to the U.K last May for a very special occasion, but it was postponed due to the global pandemic. Following their decision to step down as senior members of the Firm, Queen Elizabeth II invited Harry, Meghan and their 1-year-old son Archie Harrison to spend the summer with her. According to Sunday Times, the Sussexes accepted to join the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at their Scottish home in the Balmoral Castle. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, all scheduled activities by the royals were halted. Queen Elizabeth II Heartbreak Prince Harry and Meghan, who have been based in Los Angeles since March and rumored to be living in an $18 million Beverly Hills mansion, are most likely to remain in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. With this, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams claimed that the Sussexes' visit to the U.K and holiday plans are still "up in the air." "This year the holiday plans of most Britons are up in the air. Those of members of the Royal Family are also likely to depend on how successful the campaign against the pandemic is, what the guidelines are and what is considered sensible," the royal expert told Express.co.uk Fitzgerald also pointed out that the couple is aware they will be heavily scrutinized by the British press once they set their foot on U.K.soil once again. "They will know how closely scrutinized their holidays will be at a time like this. Harry and Meghan had reportedly accepted an invitation from the Queen to visit Balmoral with their son Archie but this is most unlikely to happen now," Fitzwilliams added. For what it's worth, Her Majesty The Queen and the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh were deeply upset by the fact that they have seen very little of baby Archie. Previously, after Megixt, a royal source revealed that there is a "huge sadness that the family will not get to see Archie grow up." Aside from the COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential flights, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's health is also being considered in any activity since they belong in the high risk category of contracting COVID-19. The royal couple is currently in Windsor Castle surrounded by 22 aides under the "HMS Bubble." Royal Family Status In more related royal family news, other members of the firm have slowly returned to physical work and doing public duties Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are the first royals to carry out face-to-face public royal engagement since the start of the lockdown. The couple visited Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to acknowledge the efforts of NHS workers and personally thank them for their dedication and efforts during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton are still doing theiir engagements virtually as they stay home with their three kids. READ MORE: Kendall Jenner Competing In The Olympics? It's POSSIBLE! TDT Manama The Public Prosecution recently appealed against the sentences issued against the officials of a Bahrain-based bank and several Iranian banks for their involvement in a major money laundering operation, which was done in cooperation with Iranian entities. The Prosecution demanded to toughen the punishments issued against the defendants in April this year, as it said that the sentences did not match the gravity of the committed crimes. The First Supreme Criminal Court of Appeal adjourned the trial to July 27. As reported earlier, three of the convicts worked for Future Bank in Bahrain, while the rest were affiliated with three banks in Iran. The Future Bank officials were each sentenced by the First High Criminal Court to five years in jail and fined BD100,000 each. The same punishment was issued against the remaining individuals and entities. Court files showed that investigations had uncovered a plan that permitted Iranian entities, including those implicated in funding terrorism or which are under international sanctions, to carry out international transactions while avoiding organisational auditing. It has been found out that Future Bank, which is operating in Bahrain under the supervision of Bank Melli Iran and the Export Development Bank of Iran, has carried out thousands of international financial transactions, while providing covers for the Iranian entities there through deliberate concealment or removal of basic information while remitting money via the SWIFT network. The Public Prosecution here investigated the matter and referred the Future Bank officials and the other implicated banks to the court for trial as per the anti-money laundering and combatting funding terrorism law. Acting communities minister Caral Ni Chuilin is facing growing calls to use her powers to suspend the red tape for outdoor drinking licences. Putting parts of the law on ice would see many smaller premises or those with limited or no outdoor space granted a pavement cafe licence in time for July 3. It comes after Belfast City Council decided to start accepting applications for such licences as of tomorrow. Under the Licensing of Pavement Cafes (NI) Act 2014, a landlord can apply for public space near the bar to be authorised as a legal drinking area. But the hurdles to get one include the pub owner submitting detailed plans of the proposed area and a 28-day consultation period plus a fee, depending on the council area. Although district councils are the bodies which grant the licences, the law comes under the power of the Department for Communities (DfC) - headed by Caral Ni Chuilin after party colleague Deirdre Hargey stepped aside temporarily due to illness. The guidance document alone from DfC for applying for such a licence is 87 pages long, with the act itself containing 32 sections plus an additional schedule. One bar owner who is hemmed in in terms of outdoor space by his site is John Bittles, owner of the iconic Bittles Bar, tucked behind Victoria Square shopping centre in Belfast. He told Sunday Life a suspension of some of the requirements would not only help places like his but also those outside the city centre which don't serve food. "There's a lot of places which don't do food, which are small places and family-run so I think it's important that is addressed," he said. "It's imperative that a suspension is in place for them to open on July 3 and whatever statutory body is involved, waive those restrictions in the meantime. "We have all been closed for 14 weeks, we are all in danger." The guidance penned by DfC mandarins to those seeking a licence under the act even advises on the type of tables and chairs which should be used. Expand Close Caral Ni Chuilin LiamMcArdle.com / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Caral Ni Chuilin It states: "Cafe furniture should be appropriate to the locality and be of good quality. Ideally, the colour and design of furniture should provide a contrast with the background to take account of the needs of those with a visual impairment." It goes further and says that all the furniture placed outside must be able to be removed in no more than 20 minutes. Belfast City Council charges a fee of 225 just for applying, whether successful or not, with a yearly charge of 55 for the licence payable after the first year and 112.50 if you want to make a change to the licence. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council does not charge any fee for applying. Last night, a spokesperson for DfC told Sunday Life there are currently no plans to remove the requirement for plans of outdoor spaces and the 28-day consultation period. "The provision of a plan of the proposed pavement cafe is a necessary requirement of the application process. The plan allows the council to consider the impact on pedestrians and the relationship of the tables and chairs to manholes, utilities, fire hydrants, cycle stands, litter bins and other items of street furniture. There are no plans to remove this requirement," they said. "When a pavement cafe licence application is submitted to the council, there is a 28-day period during which members of the public can object to the grant of a licence. "Councils are the enforcement authority for this legislation. The department would encourage councils to work with businesses on this matter." The law, which came into force in 2016, brought Northern Ireland up to speed with the rest of the UK and the Republic to help develop a "cafe culture". A large acute hospital has been accused of denying an outbreak of Covid-19 to relatives of a patient who later found out when staff fell ill with the virus. The allegation was made last week to an expert panel that is due to report on the State's response to coronavirus in nursing homes by the end of the month. A submission from the Irish Patients Association said it had received a number of reports from families about patients being discharged from acute settings "without clear discharge plans or guidance, particularly when sent home to care for their partners". The submission added: "One case suggests that one large hospital was denying it even had an outbreak of Covid-19 only for the family to hear of emergency measures to support the hospital which had been impacted by staff falling ill with Covid-19." Expand Close PROBE: Minister Harris has been asked to investigate the claims. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp PROBE: Minister Harris has been asked to investigate the claims. Photo: Gerry Mooney The submission from the Irish Patients Association did not identify the hospital concerned. However, it reflects the further scrutiny on their possible role in the spread of Covid-19, with allegations that patients were discharged in anticipation of a surge of cases without being tested. The Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 examined the issue of hospital discharges at its meeting last Thursday. The HSE told the committee that 2,300 patients were approved for transfer to nursing homes in the run-up to the Covid-19 pandemic in February and March. But it could not say how many of those had been tested for the virus before discharge. The committee has asked the HSE for figures on the numbers of patients who were transferred to private nursing homes up to the end of March as well as the numbers tested. New correspondence to the committee last week shows how the nursing homes regulator, Hiqa, flagged up 19 homes with more than 1,200 residents where it was "extremely difficult and nearly impossible" to prevent the spread of the virus. The letter was written in mid-March, just as the clusters in nursing homes were emerging. In it, the inspector of nursing homes suggested that the Department of Health might halt admissions to the homes and review the numbers of patients in them. It previously emerged that the watchdog had provided the HSE and Health Department with a list of nursing homes that were of concern. The expert panel began taking submissions last week from a range of stakeholders, including nursing homes. The Irish Patients Association's submission also includes a data analysis of both public and private long-stay care centres which shows that last year, 26 nursing homes were not compliant with infection control, and 54 breached governance guidelines. "A clear picture of non-compliance was available at year end - and was available to authorities," the submission says. Roisin Duffy, the daughter of Tom Mulholland (84), one of 23 residents who died at Dealgan House, also made a submission to the expert panel. Testing delays and staff shortages are understood to have contributed to an outbreak of the coronavirus at the privately run nursing home in Louth which was taken under the control of the HSE during the pandemic. Ms Duffy used her submission to call for an inquiry into the response in nursing homes, rather than the review currently being conducted. "How can we move on until we know what happened?" she said this weekend. Sage, the advocacy group for older people, highlighted the case of a resident who was seriously neglected and left with "possibly infested wounds" in a nursing homes. The organisation said this exposed the lack of clarity over clinical oversight in nursing homes and the lack of guidelines over staffing levels. Health Minister Simon Harris, has been asked by Sage to investigate the claims. "We sought the intervention of the HSE who were able to pursue the issue because the person concerned was transferred to an acute hospital," said Sage in its submission. The panel is examining the measures in place to protect nursing home residents from Covid-19. It will also report on "lessons learnt" from Ireland's response to date. The Washington County Sheriffs Office has identified the suspect and one victim in a shooting near Hillsboro Friday night that left one dead and another injured. Deputies responded to a remote residence near Southwest Midway Road and Southwest Lepley Lane in unincorporated Washington County for a report of a shooting at 7:17 p.m. Friday night, according to deputy Shannon Wilde. The sheriffs department said at least one of the individuals involved in the shooting live at the residence. Kara M. Ewing of Cherry Grove, a small unincorporated community near Gaston, was found dead at the scene. She was 25. A 41-year-old man from Hillsboro was injured in the shooting and taken to a nearby hospital after deputies provided medical aid at the scene. He remains hospitalized but is expected to survive, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Authorities did not identify him. The person police suspect shot the pair, Lisa Akers, 39, was taken into custody early Saturday morning in Grant County, nearly 300 miles from where the shooting took place. Wilde said there were other people at the home when the shooting happened who were able to call for help. Akers, Ewing and the 41-year-old man lived at the residence where the shooting occurred, according to the sheriffs office. An agency spokesman described the three people as acquaintances. -- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The head of the Mexican government's anti-discrimination agency quit after criticism by President Andres Lopez Manuel Obrador, who on Friday said he would likely appoint an indigenous person in her place. Lopez Obrador chastised National Council for Preventing Discrimination chief Monica Maccise because it organized a "classism and racism in Mexico" event on Wednesday and invited a comedian the president and his wife consider racist. "I think that this event should not have been convened and those who do not share the transformation policy that is being carried out (by the government), in complete freedom can decide not to work for this government," Lopez Obrador said in his morning press conference on Friday. The leftist president said he was also planning to fold the agency into the Interior Ministry. The death in the United States of African American George Floyd under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis has sparked a fresh debate about racism in Mexico, where the issue often goes hand-in-hand with classism. Lopez Obrador on Wednesday questioned why an invitation to the event had been extended to comedian Chumel Torres, who became famous for his current affairs commentary on YouTube and has a television program on the U.S. channel HBO. "They are people characterized by despising others, truly racists ... now it turns out that for a forum against discrimination you are invited," Lopez Obrador said. "It's like inviting a torturer to a human rights forum." The president's wife Beatriz Gutierrez had previously taken offence to Torres making a joke about her son by calling him "chocoflan", referring to the dessert which is half black in colour and the other half a lighter hue. The comedian apologised for his comments but after Maccise's resignation Torres said free speech in Mexico is under threat for those who disagree with Lopez Obrador. (Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Grant McCool) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andrew Marszal (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Sun, June 21, 2020 22:05 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066080386 2 Entertainment Hollywood,theater,cinema,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free After more than three months of coronavirus-mandated limbo, Hollywood is headed back to the big screen -- and hoping that Russell Crowe's road rage thriller "Unhinged" will jump-start the recovery. The action film, due out July 10, is set to be the first wide release since US theaters shut their doors in mid-March. Christopher Nolan's much-hyped "Tenet" will follow soon after. But will the gamble pay off for those quick-moving studios? While top theater chains across the country plan to fire up their projectors in the first half of July, screens in badly-hit New York and Los Angeles don't yet have permission to reopen. And even with social distancing and sanitation measures boosted, moviegoers' enthusiasm for piling into dark, enclosed auditoriums amid a possible "second wave" of virus cases may fluctuate. AMC, the world's largest theater chain, caused a stir by initially declining to mandate face masks, saying it did not want to be "drawn into a political controversy." It did a U-turn on that policy Friday following an outcry. Everyone from indie distributors to blockbuster studios will be carefully watching to see how the experiment with new theatrical releases proceeds. "Hollywood is not a place where competitors are known for wishing each other well very often," said "Unhinged" producer Mark Gill. "And in this particular circumstance, everybody is hoping we do well." His movie bucked the industry trend, shifting its release date forward from September, as larger studios gobbled up all the prime opening slots deeper into 2020. Solstice Studios decided the lack of competing new titles, and dearth of other distractions such as major sporting events, outweighed the danger of flopping early -- which in any case is reduced for a mid-budget, $33 million movie. "The more we looked at it, it's risky of course, but it still looked like it was worth doing," Gill told AFP. Read also: France shakes off its virus blues as cinemas, casinos set to open 'Worth the risk' "Somebody had to go first -- it's definitely worth the risk," said Jeff Bock, a senior analyst for industry tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But I think the odds are stacked against it." While the decision to open "Unhinged" early has generated buzz -- its trailer drew 210 million views in a week -- its studio's pockets are less deep than those of its rivals when it comes to marketing, he noted. But "Unhinged" is really a "set-up for the other studios," he added, noting that the true litmus test will be the first major studio titles, including Warner Bros' $200 million-plus "Tenet," out July 31. Nolan -- its influential director who is best known for "Inception," "Dunkirk" and the Batman "Dark Knight" trilogy -- has pushed for his ambitious and secretive sci-fi thriller to stand firm with its early theater release. Still, it was recently shuffled back by two weeks, giving New York and Los Angeles screens breathing space to reopen. Disney's "Mulan" is also due in July -- shortly after Disney World and Disneyland reopen -- though some analysts predict it may yet be switched to a later slot if families are seen as still nervous about going to theaters. "Word-of-mouth will be based now on not specifically which films are actually good, but which theaters are following all the guidelines," said Bock. 'You're dead' The dangers of jumping the gun were highlighted in China, where theaters in several provinces optimistically reopened in late March, before closing again days later. The capital Beijing is now experiencing a new COVID-19 outbreak, prompting the authorities to lock down parts of the city. If fresh outbreaks are traced back to screens in the US, "theaters are going to shut down very quickly, and for a very long time thereafter," predicted Bock. Those concerns were evident in Los Angeles on Friday, when bars and tattoo parlors were cleared to reopen -- but theaters notably were not. Still, Gill is focused on the tens of thousands of empty movie theaters itching to reopen across the country, but with nothing new to show -- and no certainty on whether audiences are willing to return. "You can have theaters open and a good movie and be all by yourself and do everything right," he said. "But if nobody's coming, you're dead." On Friday in celebration of Juneteenth, Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam announced the addition of 20 new historical markers that will be placed across the state, including two in the local area, to honor Virginias African American History. "The Commonwealth's storied past is complicated and painful, but it is important to step up and tell a more inclusive story." Northam said in a press release Friday. "As we elevate Juneteenth, celebrating and acknowledging the contributions of our Black communities and history is a critical and imperative step forward--especially through historical markers that are highly visible across the Commonwealth." Markers will be placed in Petersburg and Dinwiddie, honoring Wyatt Tee Walker and the Central State Hospital Cemetery, respectively. "We have overlooked or dismissed the important contributions of Black Virginians for far too long when telling Virginia's history," said Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler, in the release. "That's why Governor Northam proclaimed Juneteenth a state holiday, and why the Department of Historic Resources remains committed to the preserving and proclaiming Black history. These markers are important and highly visible symbols of our efforts to ensure historic justice and address inequities across the Commonwealth." Northam announed Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the Union soldiers' arrival in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 announcing the freeing of slaves, as a paid state holiday for government workers earlier in the week. Wyatt Tee Walker was a pastor and Civil Rights leader who began his career in Virginia. Walker served as the ninth pastor of the historic Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, where he served from 1953-60. In 1957, while serving at Gillfield, Walker helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Council, where he served with Marin Luther King Jr. Walker retired in 2004, after serving for 37 years a Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, and returned to Virginia, residing in Chester, where he died in 2018. The marker for Walker, recalls that this Petersburg pastor served as chief of staff for several years to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The first full-time director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Walker helped organize major civil rights protests including the Birmingham Movement and the March on Washington, according to the release. The marker and will read, in full: "Wyatt Tee Walker, pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church from 1953 to 1960, served as president of the Petersburg branch of the NAACP and as Virginia director of the Congress of Racial Equality. He worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and for several years was his chief of staff. In 1960 Walker became the first full-time executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He helped organize major civil rights protests including the Birmingham (Alabama) Movement and the March on Washington. For 37 years Walker was pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in Harlem, NY. In 1978 he organized the International Freedom Mobilization to combat apartheid in South Africa." A specific location within the City of Petersburg had not yet been determined for Walker's marker. Walker's marker comes as the result of the Black History Month Historical Marker Contest, which was announced by Northam in February. The contest drew 285 submissions from students across Virginia. The marker in Dinwiddie will honor Central State Hospital's cemetery. The marker will coincide with one placed in Richmond honoring the "Central Lunatic Asylum." These markers will, "discuss the origins and burial ground of Central State Hospital, the nation's first stand-alone mental hospital for black patients," the release said. It is proposed to be placed at Seventh Avenue, on the campus of Central State Hospital. The marker will read, in full: "This cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of patients treated at the nation's first stand-alone psychiatric hospital for African Americans, originally known as the Central Lunatic Asylum and later renamed Central State Hospital. The asylum, which became a state institution in 1870, moved here from a location near Richmond in 1885. Deceased patients were interred in this burial ground from the mid-1880s until a new cemetery opened a short distance southeast of here in 1939. In some years during this period, more than 10 percent of the hospital's patients died. Graves were originally marked with small stones that deteriorated over time." 2020 The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Va. Visit The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Va. at www.progress-index.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Islamabad, June 22 : The federal and provincial governments of Pakistan have allocated 26 billion rupees (about US $155 million) to control the spread and attack of locusts, local media reported. Integrated efforts are being made to control the locust attacks in the country, and in this regard, federal, all provincial governments and the military are taking measures, Dunya News quoted the country's Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam as having said on Sunday. Desert locust situation in Pakistan has found a new corridor and now the pest is entering the country from Afghanistan, according to the report, Xinhua news agency reported. Talking about the current strategy to eliminate the locust swarm, the minister said that the teams working on the ground spray pesticide to destroy locusts when they rested at night, while 20 aircraft will be used for aerial spray of the pesticide. The minister said that China is also helping Pakistan in its fight against the pest, which will help it control the spread of the insects. The government is increasing locust elimination capacity and also in touch with international organizations to get benefit from their experience to deal with it, he added. The locust plague across the country is feared to create food shortages, and the Pakistani government earlier this year declared national emergency over locust swarms after the pest destroyed large quantities of crops across the country. Trump - Getty Mike Boatman arrived six days early to see Donald Trump. He got to Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 2.30am on Monday to make sure he was at the head of the queue for Saturdays comeback rally - the first since the coronavirus pandemic struck America. This is my tenth rally. I always like to be at the front, he said. At night he slept in his car - the 2017 Toyota Corolla he drove eight hours from Indiana in - or on a blow-up mattress. During the day, he sat in a picnic chair protecting his spot. Usually I come two days early to get the top five, top ten, he said, referring to the front rows in the audience right by Mr Trump. But I knew this one was going to be huge." I wanted to go because I aint seen my president for three months. I kind of miss him. It is the adoration of Mr Boatman, a 52-year-old independent contractor wearing an American flag T-shirt, and the hundreds of others camping overnight outside Tulsas BOK Center that helps explain why the US president has restarted his trademark rallies. Just hours before the Tulsa rally began it emerged six members of the Trump campaign advance team had tested positive for Covid-19. The campaign said those affected would not be attending the event. Since Mr Trumps last big stadium address 111 days ago his chances of re-election have dramatically dropped in the face of a virus that has killed 120,000 Americans and an economic freeze that forced 40 million to file for unemployment. venue - Getty Where in March Mr Trump was neck-and-neck with Joe Biden, the Democrat he is expected to face in Novembers election, he is now 12 percentage points behind, according to a Fox News poll - a huge gap for an incumbent president seeking a second term. Yet the decision to restart rallies - and with it the gathering of jubilant crowds cheering on their president - after a hiatus due to the outbreak has triggered controversy on two fronts. Story continues First, Covid-19. The stadium picked was indoors and fits 19,000 people - breaking Mr Trumps own guidance against large crowds gathering during the pandemic. Temperatures would be checked and masks handed out, the Trump campaign said, but wearing one was not obligatory. In a state where the coronavirus has just begun surging - this week saw three consecutive days of record-breaking case numbers in Oklahoma - some criticised the message being sent. A lawsuit attempting to force attendees to wear face masks was rejected on Friday. The second reason was symbolism. After the most widespread US anti-racism protests in half a century, Mr Trump picked to host his comeback rally a city which once saw one of the most infamous killings of black Americans in history. The 1921 massacre, when a white mob slaughtered an estimated 300 African-Americans, took place in a neighbourhood known then as the Black Wall Street which is less than a mile from the site of Mr Trumps rally. Added to that, the president initially scheduled the rally on Juneteenth, the date slaves won their freedom in Texas which is marked by people across the country as a moment to remember emancipation. This is the man at the front of one of the queues for Trumps rally in Tulsa - Mike Boatman. Says he turned up at 2.30am on Monday (FIVE days ago) to get in line. Is his 10th rally. Mike says he misses the president. 1/ pic.twitter.com/my8S1GXIhA Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) June 20, 2020 Mr Trump pushed the rally back 24 hours when fierce criticism followed to avoid the clash, then later claimed in an interview he had made the day very famous thanks to the media storm. In Tulsa ahead of the rally yesterday there was a sense of a city bracing itself. Up to 100,000 people were expected to be taking to the streets, both those for and against the president, leading to fears of clashes. Shop windows for blocks around the stadium venue were boarded up, some painted with peace signs. Around 250 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers had been called in to help police secure the area around the arena. Officers in camouflage carrying guns were stationed at spots around the arenas perimeter, some standing next to military-looking vehicles and concrete barricades. A curfew had been announced by the citys Republican mayor earlier in the week, then abruptly cancelled - a move the president praised on Twitter. The mayor said both steps had been taken on the advice of the Secret Service. Mr Trump had also issued a warning. Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis, he tweeted, referencing cities that have seen violent protests in recent weeks. It will be a much different scene! At least four counter-protests were planned for Saturday. Pastor Mareo Johnson, the founder of Black Lives Matter Tulsa, said the one he would lead was aimed at keeping the peace. He called for an atmosphere of unity and love and solidarity to counter the negative vibes the presidents visit had created. By noon, the pastor's appeal for calm had largely been adhered to as Trump supporters queued, some chanting "four more years", and focus turned to the evening. Despite the backlash, Mr Trump was showing few signs of regret before taking to the stage. We have to get back to living our lives", he said in an interview with political website Axios, justifying the rally restart. It would, the president predicted, be a wild evening. Flash The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 286,141 as of Saturday afternoon, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC in its latest situation update said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Africa rose from 275,323 on Friday afternoon to 286,141 as of Saturday afternoon. The continental disease control and prevention agency also disclosed that the death toll from the pandemic also rose from 7,395 on Friday to 7,693 as of Saturday afternoon. The Africa CDC, which noted that the virus had spread into 54 African countries, said that some 132,412 people who were infected with COVID-19 had recovered across the continent as of the stated period. Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the African continent, the highly affected African countries include South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, as well as Algeria, it was noted. When population is taken into consideration, Djibouti, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea, are reporting the most cumulative COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population within the continent, according to the Africa CDC. The Africa CDC also said that the Southern Africa region is now the most affected area across the continent in terms of positive COVID-19 cases, overtaking the Northern Africa region. Western Africa region is the third-most affected area in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases. According to figures from the Africa CDC, during the past week, some 55,612 new COVID-19 cases have been reported across the continent, which the Africa CDC said has registered a 27 percent increase in new COVID-19 cases compared to what was reported in the previous week. Five countries account for 63 percent of the new COVID-19 cases reported over the past week that are South Africa with 34 percent, Egypt with 16 percent, Nigeria with 6 percent, Ghana with 4 percent, and Cameroon with 3 percent, it said. Earlier this week, the Africa CDC revealed that some 43 African countries are under full border closure due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, according to the Africa CDC. In addition to the 43 countries under full border closure, night-time curfew has been activated across 35 countries in an effort to halt the spread of the infectious virus. Arguably celebrated with less fanfare than Mothers Day, online tributes in the week leading up to Fathers Day (21 June) highlighting how fathers sacrificed for their families have popped up all over social media. The modern-day Fathers Day was first observed in 1910 on the third Sunday in June in Spokane, Washington. Inspired by a church service honouring mothers in 1909, Mrs Sonora Louise Smart Dodd petitioned for a day to honour fathers and her efforts were paid off a year later. Yahoo Lifestyle SEA spoke to three directors in three different industries to learn more about how their fathers helped shaped their lives and influenced their career choices this Fathers Day. READ MORE: Show your dad you love him with these 10 Fathers Day meals that deliver to your doorstep To get dads fit, celebrate Fathers Day with running and lifestyle shoes from Nike Last-minute Fathers Day gifts that would wow any dad Where to buy plants online that suit every budget Gilbert Ong posing with his father. (PHOTO: Gilbert Ong) My father was an F&B manager of a 5-star hotel and was one of the few Singaporeans who held a department head position during the 80s, Gilbert Ong, Director of Marketing and Communications (Cluster) for Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel shared as part of Millennium Hotels & Resorts efforts to celebrate Fathers Day. I was 18 when he passed away. When my son was born, I wanted to know more about my father and his experiences. Looking to explore more into his father interest and passion in hospitality, Gilbert took the plunge and left his 15-year career in music and TV for marketing and communications. Heading Marketing and Communications at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel & M Social Singapore now, Gilbert started small, working from pre-openings in Thailand to renovating hotels in Singapore. Hospitality has made me a better person. The long hours are real, but the joy of creating memories for guests is what keeps me going. Jessica Kazuki with her father. (PHOTO: Jessica Kazuki) Long working hours are what Jessica Kazuki, Director at Hakata Japanese Restaurant, can relate. Growing up, it was always me and my younger brother as both dad and mom are busy working 24/7 for the family restaurant. Story continues Born to a Japanese father and Singaporean mother, Jessica joined her father in managing their Japanese restaurant despite graduating with a Bachelor of Psychology at James Cook University. While helping out at the restaurant, I realised we could spend more time together as a family and that was what kept me going. My dad was the most dependable person in the family. Two years ago, mom was diagnosed with an aneurysm and was rushed into emergency surgery. While she was fighting for her life, dad drove us back to the restaurant. It was a Friday night, which meant the restaurant will be at its busiest. Jessica recalled. To others, they would have thought that dad was being a cold-hearted spouse. But to us, he said: Who will provide for moms upcoming expenses? I am not going to leave a debt for you to shoulder. Hannah Lau posed with her family for a graduation photo. (PHOTO: Hannah Lau) The refusal for their child to burden any debt echoes with Hannahs father. My father surrendered all his endowment policies prematurely to fund my education, Hannah Lau, Financial Services Director of Hannah Lau Group (Great Eastern) shared. Growing up, we were never rich but my parents supported me in all my education and career choices. Not wanting me to shoulder loans, my dad decided to cash in all of his and moms endowment policies to pay for the costs of my university education. Even though he lost money by doing so, that was his way of showing love and support for me. Having worked in a variety of jobs including being the female dancer alongside Jay Chou in his Singapore concert, Hannah found her calling in the financial industry. It is perhaps, my way to give back to my father. He surrendered his policies to fund my education, enabling me to join this industry, and giving me the chance to make this the ultimate career path for me in life. Share with us your Fathers Day tributes in the comment below. A mass refugee rights rally in Kangaroo Point has temporarily shut down Main Street for the second weekend in a row, after police attempted to stop the rally going ahead through a court application. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday joined a peaceful rally at a park close to the Kangaroo Point hotel where more than 100 refugees were being held under medevac laws, calling for them to be set free. Protesters gather to support refugees detained at the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in Brisbane. Credit:AAP/Glenn Hunt Just before 3pm, the protesters marched across to the hotel on Main Street and shut down the street, chanting "justice for refugees" and taking a brief moment of silence to mark their months stuck in the hotel. On Friday, police successfully applied to Brisbane Magistrates Court to limit the gathering to two hours on two side streets. Maura Higgins and Chris Taylor reportedly enjoyed a cosy weekend locked down together. In pictures obtained by the Sun, the Love Islanders, both 29, were seen leaving Maura's home on Monday, with the funnyman reportedly wearing the same clothes he'd worn two days earlier during a night out together in Essex. Adding fuel to the fire this weekend, Chris took to Instagram on Saturday to share funny videos of the pair larking around in his car. New couple? Maura Higgins and Chris Taylor, both 29, reportedly enjoyed a cosy weekend locked down together Speaking about the duo leaving Maura's flat on Monday morning, an onlooker told the publication: 'Chris looked bleary-eyed but he definitely had a spring in his step. He skipped to his car.' Another source added: 'Chris seems besotted. And now a lot of people who know them won't be shocked that it seems to have grown into something more.' Maura's rep told MailOnline that their friendship is 'simply platonic'. Chris Taylor's representatives have been contacted for comment. Feeling good: Speaking about the duo leaving Maura's flat on Monday morning, an onlooker told The Sun: 'Chris looked bleary-eyed but he definitely had a spring in his step' Maura has been single since splitting from her Love Island beau Curtis Pritchard earlier this year, while Chris split with Harley Brash shortly after leaving the Love Island villa. Their relationship speculation comes after Maura herself said that she would consider going back onto Love Island because she 'needs a man'. The former grid girl to Instagram last month to rubbish claims linking her to Dancing on Ice partner Alexander Demetriou after he separated from his wife of four years, Carlotta Edwards. All over: Maura's revelation comes after Dancing On Ice star Alexander Demetriou confirmed he has separated from wife Carlotta Edwards (pictured together last November) Sad times: The reality star was asked by a fan if she's bothered by the speculation surrounding her and Alexander's relationship following the news he and his wife had split Maura said during the Q and A: 'It doesn't bother me. We're in 2020 and a man and woman cannot just be friends...' She then zoomed in on her face and said: 'Pure sh*** you know.' Maura also revealed that she has struggled with adjusting to fame since leaving the Love Island villa but assured fans that she is still single. Asked if she would ever return to Love Island, the Irish beauty replied: 'Well, to be honest, I need a man. So maybe I'll go back in next year, you never know.' Confirmation: The professional skater took to Instagram stories to confirm the news and revealed to his followers that it had been a 'tough time' for him Last month, Alexander, 28, took to Instagram stories to confirm he had split from Carlotta, denying reports that he became 'besotted' with Love Island beauty Maura. In a statement posted on Instagram stories, Alexander said: 'I'm sorry I have been quiet on social media recently but it's been a tough time for me personally. 'Carlotta and I have separated. Although it saddens me that we can no longer be together, I feel this is best for both of us. 'I'm looking forward to what the future will bring but in the meantime let's all say home and stay safe.' A friend of the former couple recently told their marriage troubles 'came as a shock', as they were so close before the last Dancing On Ice series. The World Bank, an agency of the United Nations, has through its Climate Business Plan (ACBP) spent billions of dollars to help Africa stay out of climate change risks before 2030 and 2050, when global warming was conjectured to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE writes There was apprehension all over the world at a time on how to carve a niche that could help humanity especially in Africa not to plunge into chronic poverty due to the effects of climate change. A scheme later emerged in 2016 through the World Bank to alleviate poverty on the continent. There were plans by the Bank to build schools, dams, smart-agric and so on, as part of its climate resilient programme but especially in rural communities of Africa. The Bank is today committed in the areas of human and social capital paying attention on health, social resilience and education on the continent. The Bank is also on top gear to monitor and report on climate resilient development in Africa. The UN agency could not sit on monetary issues alone and watch African countries destroyed by rising climate change hence it initiated the Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, having the Sub-Saharan Africa as main concern. The worldwide organization through its Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP), has released $17 billion since 2016, as part of its efforts to help the continent meet the needs in the fight against climate change, said its report of last year. Those who know better said the ACBP aims to strengthen its obligations to: 1. expedite mainstreaming of climate action to transformation at scale 2. support scaled-up and transformational investments in key sectors, including climate-smart health and education, to strengthen health systems and build climate-resilient economies 3. harness innovation and technology such as satellite technology to leap from countries toward climate resilience; and 4. raise finance and accelerate the mobilization of private sector investment, especially for renewable energies. World Bank staying ahead of climate risks World Bank staff estimates that implementing the ACBP will cost about $19.3 billion in the period 2016-2020, of which about $8.5 billion could come from the International Development Association (IDA), said media reports. The ACBP also defines further results that could be achieved in the longer term (up to 2025), for an estimated cost in the order of $21 billion. Examination revealed that African countries have the full support of the World Bank with the launch of WBG Action Plan on Adaptation and Resilience as plan to handle climate risks by helping in all facets of sustainable development with the sum of $50 billion over the next five years. According to Kanta Kumari Rigaud, Lead Environmental Specialist and Regional Climate Change Coordinator for the Africa Region, Staying ahead of climate risks may be a challenge, and a focus on anticipating and managing climate risks is a critical part of the solution. There is an urgency to replicate and scale up on the multiple successful projects and programs of the ACBP. Building resilience in countries Investigation disclosed that the Bank is working with eight African countries that include Rwanda, Mali, Cote dIvoire, Namibia, Uganda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, to infuse climate resilience and adaptation during its procedure in the region. This is to help them meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement, according to World Bank. The ACBP asked countries on the continent to be resilient against global warming through "landscape management, improved climate-smart agriculture practices and increased renewable energy generation capacity." According to Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Africa, Building on the success of the ACBP thus far and the lessons learned along the way, the World Banks Africa region is deepening engagement with African countries on climate action and setting new ambitious targets going forward. $200 million Mapped Out For Kenya In 2018 when Kenya had it very rough as torrential rains were not favourable to her, damaging property and killing about 150 people and more than 300,000 persons displaced, the World Bank characterised the natural catastrophe by crisis and opened its bank to the tone of $200 million for Kenya that would allow her handle future occurrence. Supporting adaptation and resilience to major climate impacts like the catastrophic floods in Kenya and preparing countries for a low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future, as according to the source, is at the heart of the World Banks Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP). It continued, The ACBP has already delivered $17 billion through International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) financing for climate action, double the target that had been set for 2020. ACBPs yielding positive outcomes Today, the World Bank has said that its investments in extenuating climate change in Africa have yielded the corresponding results they were intended to achieve with countries like Zambia, Mali, Cote dIvoire, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, ACBP enjoying increase of devoted Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plans, through the ACBP support. World Banks data explained, These investments are contributing to efforts to increase food security for rural poor people through crop diversification, solar-powered irrigation, boreholes, rehabilitated canals and mainstreaming climate knowledge via national development plans. In Mozambique and Cameroon there are the Nachtigal Hydropower Project and integrated landscape management of commercial resources respectively through the ACBP. Also, no fewer than 40 million people athwart the province met with their basic energy needs with renewable energy solutions by using off-grid solar (through the support of the joint World Bank-IFC Lighting Africa Program) in summer of 2018. According to sources, Kenya has one of the most successful electrification programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa; more than 40% is powered by renewable geothermal energy. Together with IDA guarantees, Kenya has leveraged $431 million from private capital for the development of 250MW of thermal capacity. It is therefore expected of African countries to sustain the efforts put in place by the ACBP in order to stay out of climate change risks between 2030 and 2050, when the global warming was forecast to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius. Odimegwu Onwumere writes from Rivers State. E-mail: [email protected] Venture capitalist Lance Wiggs is advising tech start-ups to be a painkiller, not a vitamin, if they want to survive, and even thrive, in the economic conditions that are unfolding in New Zealand and around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While recessions arent necessarily the best time to start a business, opportunities do exist for founders of new ventures who are prepared to seek them out. Tough times are when people make decisions quickly, so make sure you are in there talking to people so that when they make a decision it can be made in your favour, Wiggs advises. [ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworlds newsletters. ] Wiggs manages the Punakaiki Fund, a $55.3 million fund that invests in high-growth tech companies with a special interest in SaaS revenue models. He told an IT Professionals online event that the companies in the Punakaiki portfolio doing the best through the COVID-19 pandemic are those providing an essential service to their user base. An example is Mobi2Go, which enables hospitality businesses to provide online and text ordering, and another is Melon Health, which provides a platform for the delivery of mental health services. Wiggss advice on where to investand where not to In addition to sectors, markets are also having a big impact on companys successAustralia and New Zealand are doing well because of how the countries are handling the pandemic. The US, not so much. The folks exposed to the USA in particular, Im quite worried about that in the medium prospects for that, because their market is very fragile, he says. Meanwhile, for those wondering where to invest their money post-lockdown, Wiggs cites four areas: climate change solutions because this is a problem bigger than the pandemic (and there is a kind of moral obligation to invest in solutions) essential services distressed assets cash Absent on the list is the stock market, which he quotes a founder as describing as being in bizarro land. Anyone exposed to the stock market is probably really happy right now if they stayed in, or got back in; however, Judgement Day will come. Wiggs is also not a fan of blockchain. I look at blockchain as a not particularly efficient database with a niche edge case, he says. A lot of people conflate it with the coins as well, and the coins have driven the adoption of blockchain. But you tend to get people who dont understand how currencies and business works, and who dont understand how technology works Fundamentally, countries have militaries and the ability to tax you and it doesnt really matter what mechanism you are trying to use as your medium of exchangetheyre going to get you. As for the Punakaiki Fund, Wiggs says the team look for four things before deciding to invest in a business: Does the founder understand the user and the problem they are solving? Does the company have actual paying customers? Can the founder attract the right people and build a great team? Do the numbers stack up? Start-ups can look to the NZ governments VC fund Tech start-ups requiring venture capital can look to the first funding rounds prompted by the $300 million government-backed Elevate NZ Venture Fund, which is expected to make its first allocation(s) later this year. The Elevate Fund is designed to increase the amount of capital available to NZ start-ups by investing in venture capital firms that are themselves looking to invest in NZ start-ups (subject to those funds raising matching private investment). Elevate Fund investment director James Pinner says the fund has received 15 applications, and is currently conducting screening and/or due diligence on a number of applications. He expects the Fund will make the first allocations in the next few weeks. When asked when those funds are likely to start investing in start-up companies, Pinner wasnt able to provide a timetable. It is hard to determine as it depends on the timing of each fund we invest in but it is likely to occur sometime in Q3 2020, he says. Former President John Dramani Mahama has recapped what led to the purchase of the two aircraft by the government of Ghana in the infamous Airbus scandal. According to Mr Mahama, decisions leading to the acquisition of the Airbus aircraft were conducted by a very competent team at the military headquarters, stressing that no one was induced or coerce during the entire the process. Some of our gallant and highly efficient officers who composed the technical team are still in active service in the military and I reject any idea that they have arrived at their decisions through inducement or coercion by any person, he said. UK Ruling It would be recalled that on Friday, February 1, UKs Royal Courts of Justice found Dutch firm Airbus SE guilty of paying bribes in shady deals in some countries including Ghana, South Korea, Mexico, Colombia and Malaysia. For Ghana, the scandal involved government officials in 2011 and 2015 who negotiated for the deal with Airbus agents including Samuel Mahama believed to be a brother of former President John Mahama. Between 2009 and 2015 an Airbus defence company engaged Intermediary 5, a close relative of a high ranking elected Ghanaian Government official (Government Official 1) as its BP in respect of the proposed sale of three military transport aircraft to the Government of Ghana, the ruling on Ghanas deal read in part. A number of Airbus employees knew that Intermediary 5 was a close relative of Government Official 1, who was a key decision maker in respect of the proposed sales. A number of Airbus employees made or promised success-based commission payments of approximately 5 million to Intermediary 5. Mills Assigned Responsibility To Me Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Mahama said, prior to the acquisition of the aircraft and other equipment, Ghanas security services required retooling, therefore as Vice-President between January 7, 2009 and July 24, 2012, he was assigned responsibility for the Ghana Armed Forces Council and the Police Council by the then President John Evans Atta Mills, who retained the Chairmanship of the National Security Council. The Police Service had an ageing fleet of Peugeot and Mahindra vehicles, the Ghana Navy had no vessel with which to patrol our coastal waters, the Ghana Air Force had only one functional 37-year-old F27 aircraft, which was still flying, only because of the ingenuity of our aeronautical engineers, he said. "...the Infantry Brigade of the Ghana Army relied on old Dongfeng trucks and a fleet of smoking pick-up vehicles, the Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the National Security Council Secretariat were virtually immobile due to lack of equipment. All the processes and negotiations by the government in the acquisition of the aircraft were conducted directly with Airbus and my administration without any untoward influence either directly or indirectly through any agents it may have appointed. Indeed, nowhere in the available UK Court Documents has it been said that Airbus paid any public or government official on the side for the purchase of the aircraft, he stated. Source: Peacefmonline/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Workers wearing personal protective equipment take care of a group of people wearing face masks as they wait to undergo COVID-19 tests in Beijing on June 19, 2020. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images) Medical Staff Across China Dispatched to Beijing as Neighborhoods, Restaurants Hit Hard by Virus Beijing announced more CCP virus patients over the weekend as restaurant workers became infected after exposure to a market linked to the capitals latest outbreak. Meanwhile, locals said they believe authorities were underreporting cases, as medical staff were dispatched from other parts of the country to help treat COVID-19 patients in Beijing and the city launched more travel restrictions. The city stopped all intercity bus services on June 19, while bus service within the city only sold 90 percent of seats in order to allow social distancing. Subways would be filled to only 80 percent capacity. Chinese state-run media also reported that about 45 percent of flights at the citys two international airports were cancelled during the past few days. All train stations also refunded passengers who bought tickets before June 16 and will not be making new trips. Suspected Underreporting On June 21 afternoon, the Beijing city government upgraded two areas of the city from medium risk to high risk of virus spread. Meanwhile, four areas of the city were upgraded from low risk to medium risk. Since mid-June, new virus cases have appeared in ten of 16 districts in Beijing. A total of four areas have been designated as high risk and 37 regions as medium risk. According to authorities, the total diagnosed patients in Beijing in the past 10 days has reached 227 people, with the youngest being only 19-month-old. People line up to take a swab test during mass testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Beijing, China on June 21, 2020. (NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images) But government actions and information reported by insiders indicated the outbreak was much worse than authorities publicly admitted. Beijing resident Ms. Tang told Radio Free Asia that the Beijing Youan Hospital diagnosed more than 300 patients yesterday [June 14]. Most of them are from Fengtai district and Daxing district. The Ditan hospital, a facility designated to treat COVID-19 patients, announced on June 18 that the hospital would no longer accept any non-COVID patients. The hospital has 1,070 beds. 102 experienced medical staff were dispatched from other hospitals in Beijing to Ditan Hospital to help treat COVID-19 patients. And on June 20, over 70 experienced medical staff arrived at Beijing from Wuhanthe central Chinese city where the virus first broke outto help treat patients and perform nucleic acid tests at the Beijing Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and other hospitals in the city. Medical teams from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Henan provinces were also sent to Beijing on June 19. State media said they would assist in investigating the outbreak and prevent further infections. Outbreaks in Restaurants City authorities have attributed the latest resurgence to the sprawling Xinfadi market. Many businesses reopened in May as the Chinese Communist Party convened one of its key political meetings in the capital. Many restaurants purchase their produce from the market, resulting in many restaurant workers becoming infected. Pang Xinghuo, vice director of the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced at a press conference on June 18 that all seven employees of one restaurant were diagnosed with the virus after one of them visited the Xinfadi market. Two days later, Pang announced that eight employees at the Mianmian Judao restaurant, which is situated close to the market, were infected. In the past days, authorities also reported infections at four other restaurants in the city. The citys restaurant industry is on edge. We closed our restaurant [on June 16], said a restaurant owner in Huaxiang township, Fengtai district in a phone interview. Now the outbreak is very serious, and we dont dare to operate. A near-deserted expressway is seen in Beijing, China after the CCP virus outbreak in the city in recent weeks on June 20, 2020. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images) Another restaurant owner in Majiabao neighborhood, Fengtai district told The Epoch Times that his restaurant was still open, but authorities required that he and his employees take nucleic acid tests. An insider from a health-related department in the Beijing city government told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that restaurant employees must take the testsonce every seven daysif they want to work. Authorities have heavily restricted people from revealing the true situation to the public, thus making it difficult to assess the severity of the outbreak. Beijing police announced on June 19 that it detained and punished at least 60 people who had spread outbreak-related rumors. Other Cluster Outbreaks The Beijing government announced at least 10 cluster outbreaks in recent days. On June 21, Pang and Fan Zhimin, publicity director of PepsiCo China, said at a daily press conference that eight employees from Pepsis potato chips factory in Beijing were diagnosed with the CCP virus. They said the factory has since closed, with 480 employees isolated at quarantine centers, and all their families and living partners were instructed to self-quarantine at home. According to Chinas enterprise database Tianyancha, the factory has 869 long-term employees. Pang and Fan did not explain what happened with the other roughly 380 employees. A staff member sprays disinfectant on a train at a subway station in Beijing, China on June 20, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) On June 19, Wu Bin, deputy director of the Changping district government, said at a daily press conference that a nurse who works at the emergency department at Peking University International Hospital was diagnosed with the virus on June 18. Wu said the nurse was identified as a close contact of a diagnosed patient on June 14. Previously, she worked at the hospital every day. After her diagnosis, the whole hospital was closed and all medical staff were isolated at the facility for further tests. Through recent travelers to Beijing, the virus has now spread to Liaoning, Sichuan, Hebei, Zhejiang, and Henan provinces. Baoding city in Hebei launched wartime preparations on June 13 to prevent the virus from spreading. It has announced new cases almost every day since then. New Delhi, June 21 : As consumer sentiment runs high amid growing chorus for boycotting Chinese goods in the country, the fluid market situation offers new opportunities for various smartphone makers, especially the non-Chinese ones like Samsung, Apple, Nokia, Asus and others, to realign their strategies and regain the lost market share in the face of fierce Chinese competition. The challenge here would be not to look "opportunistic" and leverage the current explosive situation on just riding on the anti-Chinese sentiment but to offer real challenges in the form of top-end devices with solid internals at affordable price points, feel industry experts. "The current market conditions in India are fluid and open up new opportunities for smartphone original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to focus and leverage," Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR), told IANS. In the first quarter (January-March) this year, Samsung's shipments were driven by its upgraded A and M series (A51, A20s, A30s, and M30s). According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung managed to hold third position in Q1 2020 due to launches across several price tiers, especially in the affordable premium segment (S10 Lite, Note 10 Lite). The South Korean smartphone maker last week announced a Rs 4,000 price drop on its popular Galaxy Note10 Lite smartphone that will now cost Rs 37,999 (6GB variant). Earlier this month, Samsung launched two new smartphones, Galaxy M11 and Galaxy M01, with powerful batteries under Rs 15,000 in India. Galaxy M11 comes in two variants. The 3GB+32GB will be priced at Rs 10,999 while the higher 4GB+64GB variant will be available for Rs 12,999. Samsung has also launched an affordable Galaxy A21s smartphone with quad-camera system and 5,000mAh battery at a starting price of Rs 16,499. On the other hand, Apple grew a strong 78 per cent YoY driven by strong shipments of iPhone 11 and multiple discounts on platforms like Flipkart and Amazon in Q1, according to Counterpoint. Apple has also brought its cheapest yet powerful new iPhone SE that costs Rs 38,900 (64GB) in India with a special offer from HDFC Bank. The new iPhone SE is powered by the Apple-designed A13 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone and features the best single-camera system ever in an iPhone. According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research, consumer sentiments are running high and a section of users will look for alternatives, benefitting global and Indian brands. "However, we do not think non-Chinese brands will run aggressive campaigns based on the situation as it might look like being opportunistic," Pathak told IANS. It may actually let brands of Chinese origin try to run aggressive campaigns on their presence and scale. "Some of these Chinese brands have been active in scaling up local value addition, creating jobs and investing in research and development," Pathak noted. On Saturday, market leader Xiaomi said that it is "more Indian" than any other smartphone brand. The company's India head Manu Kumar Jain said that the company's mobile phone R&D centre and product team is in India, it employs 50,000 people in the country, the entire leadership team is Indian and that the company pays its taxes in India. Earlier, Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth who is also very active on social media said that Realme is an Indian startup. In his latest episode of 'Ask Madhav' series on YouTube, Sheth said: "I can proudly say Realme is an Indian startup, which is now a global MNC (multinational corporation)". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin . (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Sun, June 21, 2020 15:52 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066073c42 4 Inforial COVID-19 Free State-owned lender PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) (BNI) has just asked Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea to start investing in their home country, specifically by learning to save money by opening their own bank accounts, to help propel the local economy forward. On June 21, BNI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its community partner in this financial literacy initiative, namely the special South Korean chapter of Indonesias largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, focusing on the migrant worker community to launch the program. BNI cited in its press release that South Korea had fast become the most lucrative nation for Indonesian migrant workers to earn a decent living. To date, around 40,000 Indonesian migrant workers are making their living in South Korea, working in sectors like manufacturing, textile and fisheries, across the countrys various cities. BNI Seoul branch general manager Anisfu and Nahdlatul Ulama South Korean chapter staff member chairman K. Ali Nurahim signed the MoU on Sunday in the BNI Seoul branch office building. The MoU signing was witnessed by Indonesian Embassy in South Korea protocol and consulate functions coordinators Vevie Damayanti and Rais Syuriah, along with South Korean branch staff member Huda Ulin Nuha Al Amin. Anisfu said that many Indonesian migrant workers did not have any savings let alone bank accounts upon returning to Indonesia after they had worked long years as migrant laborers abroad; this lack of savings would create further trouble when these migrant workers end up jobless in Indonesia. According to Anisfu, as the only Indonesian bank operating in South Korea, BNI carries a responsibility to introduce several types of financial instruments to these migrant workers to invest in, so that hopefully upon their return to Indonesia, they have enough financial security in their bank and they can use their savings as capital to start their own businesses to deal with joblessness. The long-term vision of encouraging these migrant workers to invest was to enable them to create job opportunities in their hometowns, he said. Opening a savings bank account is your core capital in managing your finances. Upon opening a bank account, these migrant workers could hopefully start to allocate their monthly salaries to save money, pay their bills, open a college fund or deposit account, or purchase various investment instruments ranging from mutual funds to retail bonds, Anisfu said. Upon launching the Rupiah bank account program in 2017, BNIs Seoul chapter has since been successful in raising third-party funds it collected from the migrant workers savings accounts, worth Rp 189 billion (US$13.4 million) in total as per April 2020 with an average annual growth of 69 percent. BNI Seoul has also launched round-the-clock, seven-days-a-week mobile banking activation services to make mobile transactions among these workers easier. The Rupiah savings account opening project, done in partnership with the Nahdlatul Ulamas South Korean chapter, is also thanks to the Islamic organizations vision to benefit its community members as well as the Indonesian public in general. Not only does BNI offer savings and investment instruments, it also actively participates in various financial inclusion programs involving the migrant worker communities, thereby helping them apply for microcredit programs once they return to Indonesia. BNI also facilitates entrepreneurial training for these migrant workers so they can start their own businesses using those skills upon returning to their home country. US president Donald Trump speaks during his campaign rally at BOK Center in Tulsa. (AP) Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again blamed China for the global spread of the deadly coronavirus which has killed over 450,000 people and infected more than 8.5 million others, terming the disease as Kung flu. Trump has repeatedly blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year and accused Beijing of suppressing the details of the contagion. The Trump administration officials have described it as Wuhan virus due to its origin. Trump, addressing his first election rally on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the US early this year, said that the COVID-19 is a disease and has many names than any disease in history. "I can name Kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names. Many calls it a virus, which it is. Many calls it a flu. What difference. I think we have 19 or 20 versions of the name," Trump said. Kung fu refers to the Chinese martial arts in which people use only their bare hands and feet to fight. According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected over 8.5 million people and killed more than 450,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 2.2 million cases and more than 1,19,000 deaths. The COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a "severe recession". Scientists are racing against time to find a vaccine or medicine for its treatment. Trump, 74, is seeking re-election in the November presidential elections against former vice president Joe Biden, 77, who is the Democratic Party's candidate. Boris Johnson is facing a backbench rebellion after blocking a tidal power scheme while sanctioning Chinese involvement in the UKs nuclear power programme. A group of 25 Tory MPs, led by former Ministers Paul Maynard and Iain Duncan Smith, are lobbying Business Secretary Alok Sharma to override officials who are preventing a proposed 1.3 billion tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay from going ahead. Mr Duncan Smith said the green energy plan was the sort of shovel ready project which could boost the economy in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic. Work could begin within months on the lagoon, which would provide enough power for 155,000 homes. The company behind the project, Tidal Power plc, was granted a five-year consent order by the Government to start the project in 2015, but that permission is due to run out at the end of this month. The issue was raised during a heated Zoom conference call last week between Mr Duncan Smith and Welsh Office Minister David Davies, during which Mr Davies argued that the project did not offer value for money for taxpayers. The MPs say that if the project paved the way for six tidal lagoons around the UK, it would create more than 70,000 jobs. They accuse the Civil Service establishment of wrecking the plan. Boris Johnson and his government have rejected plans for a new 1.3billion tidal lagoon One supporter of the lagoon said: This is an opportunity to invest in British industrial expertise, British long-term jobs and Britains green future rather than rely on Chinese or French investment. Aloks officials say that it doesnt offer good value for money, but those calculations are flawed and outdated. Besides, when the Government is spending hundreds of billions to protect and kickstart the economy amid the worst crisis for generations, conventional value assessments should no longer hold. But a senior Government source said: This is just Duncan Smith sticking his nose into something he doesnt understand. Rebel MPs are angered that ministers are neglecting such British projects, yet allowing partnerships with Chinas state-backed nuclear giant on environmentally-damaging new power plants including 22billion Hinkley Point C in Somerset despite security fears from Washington. Dozens of Tories are also fuming over plans to allow Chinese firm Huawei to help build the UKs new 5G network. When Mr Johnson visited Wales during the Tory Party leadership race last summer, he cited the plan as an example of the big infrastructure projects he wanted to kickstart, saying: I want to see the Swansea tidal lagoon going. I think we should be putting more into infrastructure here in Wales. Mr Duncan Smith said: Certain elements in Government are blocking this and I want to know why. At a time when we should be reducing our dependence on China, this would be a British project and it would advance the partys promise to help those parts of the country which have been left behind. Iain Duncan Smith wants the six tidal lagoons to prove Britain does not need to rely on others Out of at least 21 firms that would provide key parts for the Swansea project, 13 are in Tory constituencies (two Scunthorpe and Redcar gained from Labour in the last election), six in Labour-held seats and one each in areas represented by the Welsh Nationalists and Sinn Fein. Department for Business officials are accused of wrongly claiming than an independent review of the project in 2017 by former energy minister Charles Hendry was negative. But it concluded that tidal lagoons could deliver low carbon power in a very competitive way. A Government spokesman said: The UK Government does not have any fundamental objection to a tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay but any proposed project must provide value for money. We can invest in Britain rather than rely on China. Department for Business officials are accused of wrongly claiming than an independent review of the project in 2017 was negative when in fact it was very positive. The review concluded that tidal lagoons could play a cost effective role in the UKs energy mix and could deliver low carbon power in a very competitive way. Out of at least 21 firms that would supply key parts, 13 are in Tory constituencies (two - Scunthorpe and Redcar - gained from Labour in the last election), six in Labour-held seats and one each in areas represented by the Welsh Nationalists and Sinn Fein. So when there is no shooting inside the Presidential Villa, involving the aides of the First Lady, (an office itself which is a subject of demystification of this administration and the head of it) and the presidency, there is the drama of the First Lady versus members of Mr. Muhammed Buhari's family. Well, let me start here that Mr. Muhammed Buhari is not the first President to be demystified. If you know, you know the gap-toothed one was demystified, after he dribbled Nigerians, he must have forgotten where the goal post was, and the duration of the match, and along came the goggled-eyed spider, who continues to be magnanimous to Nigerians with ATM disbursement almost every year, he was demystified. We also saw the second coming of the Ota farmer; he promised he would bring to Nigeria the pounded yam machine. He was so demystified that his effort at elongating his tenure was a low moment for all he would have achieved. There was the rule of lawman, he was too sick, often too far away in Jeddah and everywhere but his office and he did not last. Enter the Otueke fisherman; he was a man like the Ota farmer who had an opportunity to write his name in gold. But a lack of shoes was followed by a gross lack of grit, and he was tossed and turned by everyone...(though these days, many wished they had him now...) Mr. Buhari had the mystery of making people 'trek (how trekking or how market today). Nigeria has never been short of messiahs, but sadly they all fail, for one reason or the other, it seems that our leaders are programmed to fail. I knew we had started heading that road when the cabal narrative started getting hot, when the one time SGF asked who was the presidency, and Aisha (the people's First Lady) revealed several strands of this presidency. It did not get better when we started spending more time with the dude who named his pet dog Buhari to court in the early days of Mr. Muhammed Buhari to these days when a man over 60 is jailed a few months for airing his bitter opinion of events in Mr.. Muhammed Buhari's home state of Katsina. You see I love my president, I have full respect for his person and the office he occupies, but sadly emotions don't rule, neither do sentiments govern, I am not in the school of thought that requires that the chief of security across arms be sacked, fired or asked to go...but my school of though expressly believes that the buck falls on Mr. President's table. I shiver at people that are quick to praise the president/governor/minister or party and yet cannot hold the same accountable for having failed in basic deliverables. They said when Mr. Muhammed Buhari was stoned in Maidugiri that it was a film trick, sadly it was a movie many of us saw coming. You don't need a soothsayer to tell you the pattern, the road was there, did we not stone Monsieur Jonathan Goodluck, the man who kept changing or adding name (Ebele) till he was demystified... Then last week it was Katsina, Mr. Muhammed Buhari's home. The President was not being spared. This is the true situation, and I hope that someone can tell the President this. I am not exactly sure that people hate him. At least I do not, and I can speak for myself. He also has done a few noble things that his predecessors lacked the will to do. However he has failed in what really counts. "By any standard of judgment, the leadership Mr. Muhammed Buhari has failed the nation in the virtual area of improving security, poverty particularly in the north...and massive social security problems have worsened under his administration, the relationship between insecurity and poverty is fundamental but the administration does not appear to have any idea on what will provide relief and solution." The above were the words of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed speaking on behalf of the Northern Elders Forum. The North is bleeding, and her scholars are mute, her religious and traditional institutions are on silent leave, what is left of her elder statesmen are nowhere to be found. With these and mounting outrage on the state of insecurity, the presidency says that the group is paperweight, featherweight and insignificant. A few of us have this feeling that Mr. Muhammed Buhari was given a sick nation knowing that he lacked the capacity to and commitment for, and will to do right, which is why as we all bleed, the Oshiomohles, and Tinubus, play politics and second guess about 2023 for a populace that many will die before the end of 2020. So the forces chief are fighting each other, and not sharing intel, Aisha is threatening the IG of Police, Abike Dabire and Minister one thing something are fighting, the security personnel of madam first lady and the president are exchanging gunshot in the villa, and Mr. Buhari did not hear. Malami the attorney general called the Corruption czar a thief. The Presidents party chief is being toyed with and his party in crisis, and we can only remember how Obj would have eaten pounded yam with those responsible. I watched as a respected Islamic scholar shed tears on TV. He lamented how the world was at standstill for one soul, and yet Mr. Muhammed Buhari is quiet as scores are killed....no water for these people, they are not given good roads, no hospital, no good food, they do not have even police stations, they are killed without fear or recourse to humanity. And I could not just seem to understand as I reflect where was the Mr. Muhammed Buhari that cried pre-2015 Mr. Muhammed Buhari, my beloved President continues to express shock, his service chiefs continue to churn in reports and briefs, while Nigerians are killed. Many voted for him and said he was 'Mai gaskia', sadly the record of lies told by this administration will take some effort in breaking, we were told that he was a former general so he understood the Boko Haram jungle warfare...we were sold the dummy of body language. But my friend, father and president Mr. Muhammed Buhari is recorded as having stated that Nigerians are difficult, our youths lazy and more. Mr. Muhammed Buhari you promised to protect Nigerians, you asked Jonathan to resign over insecurity. There is hardly a day these days that people are not killed in the North, it is now a killing field, in parts of Benue, Plateau and Taraba it is a New Mexico as kidnappers operate in their own republic and the south of the country is not spared, our nation is in disarray. While a little far from the truth, Jonathan was voted out because he failed, Mr. Muhammed Buhari you have barely three years to do the unthinkable, which is to considerably bring change to the lives of Nigerians, put a semblance of a smile on the faces of many Nigerians that have given up on you....Mr. Muhammed Buhari would you surprise us, and leave a legacy--Only time will tell Advertisement A sea of protesters arrived for marches in Leeds and London today to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping across the country. Up to 5,000 protesters holding placards walked through Woodhouse Moor in Hyde Park, Leeds, this afternoon in solidarity with the worldwide movement that was sparked following the police killing of George Floyd in the US. Meanwhile in London, hundreds of protesters flooded the capital's famous Hyde Park before heading towards Downing Street in support of the anti-racism campaign. In Westminster's Parliament Square peaceful crowds gathered around the recently uncovered statue of Winston Churchill, as police surrounded the monument - a solitary man appeared to have chosen the busy spot to read a book. Today West Yorkshire Police confirmed that armed officers would be patrolling the protest in Leeds which began at around 2pm today. People gather on Parliament Square next to a statue of Winston Churchill during a Black Lives Matter protest, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in Westminster, in London, June 21, 2020 Protesters surround a statue of Winston Churchill during a Black Lives Matter protest in Parliament Square, Westminster, London A man reads a book while standing in front of the Churchill statue in Parliament Square, with police officers standing nearby Another view shows the man standing reading his book while a protester kneels holding a fist to the air Black Lives Matter protests are continuing across the UK following the death of African American George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. The movement has triggered the removal of statues with links to racism Protesters from 'Black Lives Matter' gather around the statue of Winston Churchill at Parliament Square following a march through central London, United Kingdom on June 21, 2020 The scenes come just a week after thousands of demonstrators in Leeds 'took a knee' as they gathered in the heart of the city in Millennium Square for a protest organised jointly by Black Lives Matter and Black Voices Matter. Last week the peaceful protests were marred in some parts, with some skirmishes breaking out in Leeds, with reports of far-right activists defending a memorial. And in Glasgow rival groups were seen clashing with police near the city's George Square, as BLM supporters attempted to campaign for the removal of a statue of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. However, police claimed the clashes were not related to a Black Lives Matter protest, despite photos showing hundreds of far-right loyalists who claimed to be defending the statue from being pulled down. Black Lives Matter protesters hold placards as they take part in a anti-racism march i Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, this afternoon Two protesters wearing protective face masks hold placards at a gathering in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on Woodhouse Moor in Leeds today Armed police officers stand with a protester and have a photograph taken during a Black Lives Matter protest rally at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds Meanwhile in London a protester wearing a facial visor stands among a group of protesters during a rally in the capital's Hyde Park In Leeds, a group of protesters wearing protective face masks hold placards as they attend a march organised by the Black Lives Matter movement A group of activists stand take part in the Black Lives Matter protest in Woodhouse Moor in Leeds today following the police killing of George Floyd in the U.S Two protesters pose for a photo in Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, as they attend an anti-racism march in support of Black Lives Matter People flood the streets of London holding banners in support of the Black Lives Matter protest, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Protesters kneel on the ground with their fists in the air as they take part in the Black Lives Matter protest in London today Youve got plenty of dining options this year to celebrate dad. As restaurants recover from mandatory shutdowns, many are offering takeout, curbside pickup, outdoor dining and limited dine-in service in time for Fathers Day. A handful of restaurants are offering promotions and specials. Bonefish Grill The seafood restaurant is rolling out specials for dad including a lobster tail three-course dinner for $19.90 with choice of house or Caesar Salad, a cold water lobster tail with two signature sides and a cheesecake for dine-in. Otherwise, for takeout order a bourbon glazed salmon family bundle for $43.90 that feeds up to five. Its available for a limited time for carryout and delivery and includes choice of house or Caesar salad, served with family-style sides, Fresh bread with pesto and freshly-baked cookies. Head to the website to order. Carrabbas Italian Grill Fathers Day will be celebrated through June 21 with two speciality dishes, all available for delivery, carside carryout and in reopened dining rooms. Short rib marsala is a tender bone-in short rib served over garlic mashed potatoes and topped with Lombardo marsala wine sauce. Rigatoni Al Forno is a hearty pasta tossed in a rich tomato cream and baked with Romano, mozzarella and goat cheese. For more information and a menu, check out the website. Olive Garden Starting June 20, the restaurant is offering Giant Chicken Parmigiana, measuring in at 11.5 inches and served with fettuccine alfredo. Otherwise, order family-style take & bake bundles such as giant cheese stuffed shells and classic lasagna starting at $40. Bundles include jumbo house salad with a bottle of signature Italian dressing, one dozen ready-to-bake breadsticks and choice of homemade alfredo or marinara dipping sauce. Order bundles and pickup times off the website. Outback Steakhouse The down under theme steakhouse has a special menu through June 23, including a new short rib served over creamy mashed potatoes, pork porterhouse and bone-in natural cut ribeye. Primanti Bros. Dads get one free classic Primanti Bros. sandwich with a $7.99 purchase of something else off the menu. The offer is available for dine-in where available or through online or mobile orders. READ MORE: Saturday night outdoor dining returns to Harrisburg streets with more restaurants, extended hours 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. Chinas top legislative body, which held its bimonthly meeting this past weekend, will regroup again next week in a rare move seen as an urgent bid to pass national security legislation for Hong Kong even without a full draft being made public and fundamental aspects remaining unclear. The announcement for the second meeting in as many weeks, which is highly unusual, came as a top Beijing representative in Hong Kong met the president of the citys legislature just over the border to hear the lawmakers views on the draft, Xinhua reported. The National Peoples Congress Standing Committee will meet for three days beginning on Sunday and could pass the law as early as June 30, on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kongs handover from British rule, pro-Beijing politicians say. But legal experts and opposition lawmakers warn a raft of contentious issues and unanswered questions have left Hong Kong people more worried than reassured. State media revealed broad outlines of the legislation on Saturday after the standing committee wrapped up a three-day deliberation on laws. Although Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor will lead a new national security commission, which will include a central government adviser, and she can appoint judges to hear cases, Beijing will retain final say over how the law is implemented. It remains unclear whether the law will be applied retroactively, what the exact penalties are and which cases the central government will exercise jurisdiction over, even though the central government has stressed repeatedly it would be a very limited number. In a rare admission, Elsie Leung Oi-sie, former justice chief and a former vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, said she was disappointed Beijing had not yet revealed the full draft. But she noted the standing committee had its own formulated rules on the legislative process and she believed the central government had already listened to several opinions. Story continues Former justice chief and ex-member of the Basic Law Committee Elsie Leung says she was disappointed Beijing had not yet revealed the full draft of the law. Photo: Felix Wong Although the law was not mentioned in the announcement of the upcoming committee meeting, Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kongs sole delegate to the top body, said it was likely to be discussed. If they say we have convened a meeting and listened to our delegates, its not surprising that they would want another meeting to complete this task sooner, Tam said. It is still unknown when it can be passed, but many do hope that it could be done sooner so society can restore stability and focus on economic development. Tam earlier said Hongkongers concerned about the law could submit their views to the congress through an online platform, which he admitted had not launched yet. He said the legislative body told him it could open only after the draft was made public. But he said residents could still submit their opinions by letter to the committee, the liaison office in Hong Kong or him. In a top-level meeting of officials from both sides, Xia Baolong, director of the State Councils Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, heard views about the draft from Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of Hong Kongs Legislative Council, in Shenzhen on Sunday, Xinhua reported. The new national security law would prohibit the crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign and external influences to threaten national security. While Hong Kong would enforce the law, a mainland commissioners office would be set up in the city to supervise and guide the local government in carrying out the job. The legislation needs to be passed by the standing committee before it can be promulgated under the Basic Law, the citys mini-constitution. Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah expressed her full support for the law on Sunday, saying her bureau would establish a dedicated unit to handle prosecutions. Xinhuas explanatory statement on Saturday should be able to address public concerns, she said. But Anita Yip, vice-chair of the Hong Kong Bar Association, said she could not understand why details had been kept under wraps so late into the process. The definition of the four crimes and the maximum penalties are still unknown. Such an important law should have been disclosed sooner, Yip said. The draft will usually be circulated amongst legal experts for discussion even though it is not available for public comments Ling Bing, Sydney University law professor Ling Bing, a law professor at Sydney University, said that under Article 37 of Chinas Legislation Law, drafts should be revealed for consultation, unless the National Peoples Congress chairman and vice-chairmen decided otherwise. Article 37 does not specify precisely at what point of time the bill is to be publicised for comments, he said. But the draft will usually be circulated amongst legal experts for discussion even though it is not available for public comments. It was a mystery that no one in Hong Kong appeared to have seen the draft other than Tam, he said. Under the usual practice, I should expect the bill to be published at the end of the next standing committee meeting, which is only a week away. Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association for Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said he expected the draft be sent for a vote when the committee met again. It is the central governments strategic policy to deal with the national security law as soon as possible to obtain a deterrent effect, Lau said. Some may say Beijings determination has wavered if it further drags on for some time. Lau predicted that quick implementation would limit the oppositions room to stoke fears over the law. It is a sensitive issue after all, and the longer it drags on, internal and external opposition forces will simply have more chance to spark opposition, Lau said. Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu suspected the urgency of the meeting was related to recent talks between China and the United States in Hawaii, and Beijing might want to accelerate the adoption of the law to avoid further pressure from Washington. In a strongly worded commentary, Communist Party mouthpiece Peoples Daily accused Western politicians of double standards and interfering in Chinas internal affairs. No country would leave ensuring national security up to a local government, the article said. But China has handed over the main responsibility for maintaining national security [at the local level] to Hong Kong, but was still attacked by them. Its clearly revealed there was a double standard. Beijing firmly opposed some Western politicians joining forces with Hong Kong independence backers to wreak havoc on the legislation, the commentary said, also pointing to a resolution passed by the European Parliament on Friday concerning the national security legislation. Rebel City: Hong Kongs Year of Water and Fire is a new book of essays that chronicles the political confrontation that has gripped the city since June 2019. Edited by the South China Morning Post's Zuraidah Ibrahim and Jeffie Lam, the book draws on work from the Post's newsrooms across Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington and Singapore, with unmatched insights into all sides of the conflict. Buy directly from SCMP today and get a 15% discount (regular price HKD$198). It is available at major bookshops worldwide or online through Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, and eBooks.com. More from South China Morning Post: This article National security law: Chinas top lawmakers to meet again next week, raising expectations draft may pass this month first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Four years ago on Tuesday, the UK voted to leave the European Union. But the negotiations continue to rumble on. Here is a look at the current state of play, where talks are headed and where they may hit sticking points. Where are we now? Brexit formally took place on January 31, but the UK is still in the transition period in which it follows EU laws and benefits from single market membership until the end of the year. The two sides are trying to thrash out an agreement on a future relation to include an ambitious free trade deal. But after four rounds of negotiations amid the coronavirus crisis, Boris Johnson and EU leaders including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a virtual summit in order to break the deadlock. Though the formal deadline for the request is the end of the month, the UK has formally told the bloc it will not be extending the transition, adding extra pressure to resolve the talks by 2021. If we respect our commitments in the Withdrawal Agreement & the Political Declaration, and if we keep our mutual respect, serenity and determination, I have no doubt that we can find a landing zone. My comments following this weeks talks https://t.co/yWJumrFRBr pic.twitter.com/yv20TSTnwo Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) June 5, 2020 So what happens next? Both sides have agreed that new momentum is required to reinvigorate the talks being led by David Frost for the UK and the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who have agreed to intensify discussions in July. Having been hindered by the constraints of teleconferencing, the negotiating teams hope to be able to meet in person if the coronavirus conditions permit. The next week of talks are planned for Brussels on June 29, before alternating between the Belgian capital and London. Expand Close European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Brian Lawless/PA) And what happens if they never see eye to eye? A senior member of the UK negotiating team has said talks could not be allowed to drag on into the autumn without clear evidence that a deal was possible. Ceasing negotiations would lead to the result everyone says they want to avoid the UK crashing out of the bloc in a disorderly exit. While the Government insists it is not a no deal Brexit because of the Withdrawal Agreement brokered last year, business leaders are very concerned about leaving without a trade agreement on January 1. CBI deputy director-general Josh Hardy warned: Failure to break the deadlock only leaves a choice between an extension that the UK Government has already ruled out or worse, a deeply damaging no deal. In a significant U-turn, however, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has said that full border checks would not be immediately imposed, with a phased approached instead being used over six months. What are the main stumbling blocks? Two of the key issues on which the sides are struggling to find agreement relate to fisheries and the so-called level playing field. The EU wants to see the status quo maintained for fishing access and quotas, but the UK Government wants Britain to have controls of its own waters. And on the level playing field, which is aimed at preventing the UK from undercutting EU standards on issues including workers rights, environmental protection and state subsidies, Britain believes Brussels is trying to bind the UK to EU law. Mr Frost has said the EU must accommodate the reality of the UKs well-established position on the so-called level playing field, on fisheries, and the other difficult issues. There is also disagreement over the governance of any future agreement, including the role of the European Court of Justice. Ensuring no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland also remains an extremely sensitive issue. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) What would a no-deal look like? If no agreement is reached, and the transition period is not extended, the UK will leave under World Trade Organisation terms at the end of the year. This would lead to tariffs and quotas on goods coming from the EU to the UK and vice versa, and there would likely be border checks. Many are fearful of the impact of a no-deal on the economy, fearing it could compound the chaos inflicted by the coronavirus crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 10:11:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday evening, despite warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings amid a surge in coronavirus cases after reopening in some states. Speaking to a crowd of supporters in the BOK Center, Trump touted his policies and tore into Democrats and media, while touching upon a series of national issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 2.2 million people and taken nearly 120,000 lives in the United States. The president blamed the numbers on testing, a claim that has been widely disputed. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you are gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," Trump said. "They test and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on." Enditem Germany's coronavirus reproduction rate jumps, indicating rising contagion Protesters of the environmental protest movement "Extinction Rebellion" sit next to a car placed upside down on a trailer, in Berlin FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's coronavirus reproduction rate jumped to 2.88 on Sunday, up from 1.79 a day earlier, health authorities said, a rate showing infections are rising above the level needed to contain the disease over the longer term. The rise brings with it the possibility of renewed restrictions on activity in Europe's largest economy - a blow to a country that so far had widely been seen as successful in curbing the coronavirus spread and keeping the death toll relatively low. To keep the pandemic under control, Germany needs the reproduction rate to drop below one. The rate of 2.88, published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health, means that out of 100 people who contract the virus, a further 288 people will get infected. Chancellor Angela Merkel had favoured maintaining lockdown measures for longer but gradually eased restrictions in recent weeks following pressure from regional politicians to reboot the economy. Already, the country is grappling to get people to adhere to isolation rules in places where they have been imposed. Over the weekend, authorities in Goettingen needed riot police to enforce quarantine measures. In North-Rhine Westphalia, more than 1,300 people working at a slaugterhouse in Guetersloh tested positive for coronavirus, up from 803 infections on Friday. As a result, North-Rhine Westphalia has put 7,000 people under quarantine and closed kindergartens and schools close to the abbatoir. "I cannot rule out a broader lockdown," North-Rhine Westphalia's premier Armin Laschet told German television ZDF on Sunday. Outbreaks in recent weeks have occurred in nursing homes, hospitals, institutions for asylum seekers and refugees, in meat processing plants and logistics companies, among seasonal harvest workers and in connection with religious events, RKI said. The 2.88 rate is a jump from 1.06 on Friday, based on RKI's moving 4-day average data, which reflects infection rates one to two weeks ago. Story continues Based on a 7-day average, infection rates have risen to 2.03, RKI said, adding that an accurate reading for long-term patterns will take a couple of days. The spike in infections is mainly related to local outbreaks including in North Rhine-Westphalia, RKI said. North-Rhine Westphalia was one of the regions most vocal about urging Merkel to ease lockdown restrictions. A high 7-day incidence rate was observed in the towns of Guetersloh and Warendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia. Further outbreaks were detected in the cities of Magdeburg, in Saxony Anhalt and the Berlin district of Neukoelln, RKI said. In total, Germany has reported 189,822 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,882 deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported, RKI said. In an interview published on Sunday, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the economy had passed the worst of the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak and was now expected to recover gradually. (Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Nick Macfie, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Frances Kerry) New Delhi, June 21 : Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group on Sunday called for an end to online hate mongering and bullying and asked the online community to be more kind and sensitive. In a post on Instagram, Tata said the online community is being hurtful to each other. "This year has been full of challenges for everyone, on some level or the other. I see online community being hurtful to each other, bringing each other down, harshly and with quick judgements," he said. "I believe this year especially calls for all of us to be unified and helpful and is not the time to pull each other down," he added. Asking the online community to be more sensitive towards each other, Tata emphasised the need for "more of kindness and more of understanding and patience than what one sees today". Tata said while his "presence online is limited, but I truly hope it will evolve into a place of empathy and support for everyone, no matter what your cause, rather than hate and bullying". SPRINGFIELD The Illinois State Board of Elections has asked a federal appeals court to suspend a lower judges order amending ballot access requirements for third-party candidates this election cycle. That request was filed one month after Rebecca Pallmeyer, chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois, gave those candidates a little less extra time to gather petition signatures amid Gov. JB Pritzkers stay-at-home and social distancing restrictions. The elections board now, after analyzing the competing requirements it and local elections authorities face in preparing for the November election, is alleging Pallmeyers order handicaps its ability to administer a timely and fair election, according to court filings. Normally, such a motion would be filed in Pallmeyers court. But because the judge was unwilling to accept all the changes to her initial ruling that the board requested, and because the board wants the matter addressed quickly, it chose to file in a higher court. In April, Pallmeyer extended the deadline for third-party candidates to gather signatures to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot from June 22 to Aug. 7 in a lawsuit brought by the Libertarian and Green Parties of Illinois. She also allowed for the submission of electronic signatures and cut the number required by 90 percent. At the time, a spokesperson for the State Board of Elections said its directors think the order serves the best interests of all parties involved. But two weeks after that ruling, the elections board asked the judge to move that petition due date to July 6 to give election officials enough time to finalize ballots. Pallmeyer ultimately decided to shift the deadline instead to July 20, and left her previous rulings other allowances. Board of Elections takes issue with petition filing deadline extension In its new appeal, the State Board of Elections maintains it, not a court, is in the best position to determine necessary election modifications that will balance the rights of candidates to access the ballots with the public interest in limiting the field of candidates to avoid ballot confusion. The board argued that position is backed by another federal court that ruled in a different case it had no authority to dictate to the states precisely how they should conduct their elections. The board wrote in its court filing that all deadlines and specifications enshrined in law by the General Assembly or dictated in the elections code were set to recognize corresponding federal and state ballot requirements, and they aid in ensuring that election authorities are not overly burdened with frivolous candidates, more ballot objections, and that the ballot is not overly crowded. The elections board takes issue primarily with Pallmeyers imposed petition filing deadline, which is almost one month after the June 22 cut off instituted by statute. Michael Kasper, the boards attorney, argued neither side asked for the judges initial late deadline of Aug. 7. The July 20 cut off also poses complications for state and local election officials. The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires all states mail ballots to troops stationed and Americans living outside the U.S. 45 days before an election. Petition objections have historically taken the board as long as five weeks to settle, according to the boards filings. The later the filing deadline, the greater the risk of an inaccurate ballot that harms the publics right to a fair election, Kasper wrote in a court document. He added that because federal courts have maintained in previous cases that the ballot requirements are constitutional, the state can be relied upon to establish procedures that are fair to third party candidates this election cycle and balance the Board of Elections obligations. The appeals court on Wednesday ordered Kasper to provide additional information explaining in detail and with precision, including with references to supporting evidence, how Pallmeyers order is harmful to the board. Kasper responded that the U.S. Department of Justice twice in the recent past in 2010 and 2013 reprimanded the State Board of Elections for missing a deadline to send ballots to residents overseas. The board strongly believes that the procedures (Pallmeyer) established governing the upcoming election significantly increase the risk of another adverse action by the Justice Department, according to a court document. In another filing, Kasper wrote election officials job this cycle is made harder by Pallmeyers order that it must accept electronic signatures submitted using a computer mouse, smartphone or other method. Having never done this before, the Board cannot say whether it will sink or swim with this entirely new process, he argued. But it does know that this provision, coupled with a delayed filing deadline and a drastically reduced petition signature requirement will make it exceptionally difficult for it to conduct an orderly election on November 3, 2020. Libertarian, Green, independent and other third-party candidates would not be harmed by an earlier filing deadline, the board alleged. They may utilize COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing a mask, socially distancing, and sanitizing materials after use, according to a court document. While it may be more challenging for (candidates) to collect signatures, these potential challenges do not mandate that they will be excluded from the ballot absent Pallmeyers ruling. Third party candidates attorneys say the board does not have a legitimate argument Attorneys for the Libertarians and Greens are opposed to any alterations to Pallmeyers most recent order. They point out that the judge called that order a compromise and wrote the State Board of Elections acknowledged that the ballot access restrictions must be relaxed, in some shape or form, to account for the havoc that COVID-19 has wreaked. Third party candidates based their preparations for the November election on Pallmeyers ruling and any changes would make it impossible for them to adhere to ballot access requirements, according to a court filing. (The State Board of Elections) now belatedly in a last-minute attempt on the eve of the filing deadline to rewrite the rules and force (candidates) to gather hundreds and thousands of signatures in five days time, according to a court document. The request is inexplicable at this late date. It makes no sense, especially in light of (the boards) prior agreement and support for the compromise. It can only be understood as a last-ditch effort to deny many thousands of Illinois voters the right to cast their votes effectively. The appeals judge should dismiss the boards request because it waited too long and officials plainly do not possess a legitimate argument, the parties attorneys argued. A hearing date in this matter has not been set. Speaking at the his father's campaign rally in Tulsa, the president's son Eric Trump referred to Black Lives Matter protesters as "animals". Telling supporters that there is no family other than the Trumps that will work harder for them, he said they will preserve "the moral fabric of the country". He continued: "Because when you watch the nonsense on TV, when you see these animals literally taking over our cities, burning down churches, this isn't America." "They represent the smallest fraction of our society", he added, saying that Americans do not support that kind of behaviour. Standing with his wife, Lara, Mr Trump Jr went on to say that they will also protect religious liberty. Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Show all 16 1 /16 Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter sits in the upper rows of the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally. There were reports of far lower numbers attending than the president's team had predicted Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump points to his shoe at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma during a lengthy explanation of why he walked so carefully on a ramp at West Point military academy a week earlier Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A police officer gestures during a Black Lives Matter event near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters take their seats in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president. Many people in the crowd were choosing not to wear face masks despite medical recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Merchandise vendors wearing face masks at the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a Donald Trump rally Getty Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporter Scott Hilliard, left, argues with Black Lives Matter protester Eugene Smith near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter and a Black Lives Matter protester face off in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester shouts at Donald Trump supporters outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Eric Trump, Donald Trump's second son, in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman wearing a T-shirt with the message 'I Can't Breathe' is arrested after refusing to leave the area outside the rally, which she said she had a ticket for AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman speaks to police officers during a protest against racial injustice outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Brad Parscale, Donald Trump's campaign manager, in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of the president's first rally in three months Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester against racial injustice is arrested outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap speaking outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters wait to enter a rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump supporters and opponents clash outside the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of an election rally by the president AP "We are going to say 'Merry Christmas', which is totally under assault," he said He also promised to protect the second amendment. TULSA, Okla. - President Donald Trump took the stage Saturday night for his first political rally since the coronavirus outbreak, facing empty seats and an underwhelming crowd as the overflow outdoor area went unused and protesters gathered on downtown streets to denounce the president's handling of the policing and public health crises roiling the country. The Trump campaign has repeatedly touted figures suggesting as many as 1 million people signed up for the event. But the number of Trump supporters who showed up fell far short of that. The crowd did not fill the 19,000-seat BOK Center venue, with swaths of upper-level seating empty. The outdoor overflow area remained largely empty, and both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence canceled plans for speeches there. "There's not a million people like they said," said Erin Taylor, 33, as she left the rally site with her parents. Trump blamed the news media and protesters for the turnout. "I've been watching the fake news for weeks now, and everything is negative - don't go, don't come, don't do anything," he said during his speech. Reporters on site saw little evidence of attendees being blocked from going to the rally. One group of protesters blocked one of three entrances into the arena for about 15 minutes, but it was after most people had already entered the arena's outer perimeter. In the hours before and after the rally, there was rage and bitterness on display in the streets of Tulsa, as polarized Americans shouted at each other about race and the coronavirus. As the sun set, downtown Tulsa was largely closed for business, with blocks of shuttered restaurants, bars and storefronts, many boarded up. Large crowds of protesters marched around the arena as Trump spoke inside, monitored by police. The tense scene was largely of Trump's own making. The president insisted on forging ahead with his indoor rally despite health authorities' stark warnings about the risks of crowding thousands of people into an arena as novel coronavirus cases spike in the city. Trump brushed aside criticism about inflaming racial wounds by choosing to hold his rally just blocks from the site of a century-old racial massacre and one day removed from an annual holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people. The result was a day of finger-pointing and bullhorn-taunting, face-to-face screaming matches and boiling tempers under the sweltering Tulsa sun. Hundreds of supporters and critics filled downtown in anticipation of the president's first political rally since the pandemic brought much of public life to a standstill in March. By the time Trump took the stage Saturday evening, there had been a series of tense verbal confrontations outside but no reports of violence. Civilians carrying military-style rifles and pistols wandered amid the crowds, claiming they wanted to keep people safe, while Tulsa police and National Guard troops restrained and separated opposing sides. Fears that the rally could accelerate the spread of the virus were underscored when six members of Trump's campaign advance team tested positive. The campaign made that announcement, saying quarantine procedures had gone into effect for the infected staff members and those in "immediate contact" with them. Upon entering the rally grounds, attendees were handed blue face coverings and directed through a maze of metal fencing, which led to a touchless temperature screening conducted by volunteers in purple smocks. The elaborate procedure stood in contrast to the chaotic scenes unfolding downtown. Arguments erupted between protesters and the president's supporters at street corners near the arena, where they traded cries of "Black lives matter!" and "All lives matter!" Tulsa police sought to separate the groups and directed people out of the streets. David Morledge, 36, of Fayetteville, Ark., held a sign reading "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" and challenged an officer who ordered him to move to the sidewalk to arrest him. The officer stepped back and moved on. At least two people were arrested Saturday. Trump's campaign, which was leasing the BOK Center, directed Tulsa police officers to remove Sheila Buck, a Catholic school art teacher who said she had a ticket to the event and had sat down in protest within the barricaded zone. She was wearing a shirt that read "I can't breathe," among the final words uttered by George Floyd as a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck. Buck spent about six hours in jail and said she was handcuffed the entire time. Phillip Rufkahr of Missouri was arrested about 4:30 p.m. as police worked to clear Fourth Street of protesters in front of an entrance gate. An arrest report stated that Rufkahr was ordered to stop loitering, but he refused even under threat of arrest. Adding to the fortified atmosphere, about 250 National Guard soldiers were on hand to assist local authorities. Some were armed in response to an elevation of the threat level, said Lt. Col. Geoff Legler, a spokesman for the Guard. Initially, the plan was to equip them only with batons, shields and pepper spray. The president arrived in Tulsa at a precarious moment for his presidency. Recent polls show him trailing former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, nationally and in some critical swing states, suggesting he has suffered politically from his handling of the virus - which has killed at least 117,000 Americans - and his response to roiling demonstrations over racial injustice and police brutality sparked by the Floyd killing last month. The protests and the pandemic collided with Trump's visit to Tulsa, where the number of new coronavirus cases continues to grow. The county reported 136 new cases Saturday - marking another high for both single-day and average cases - while the state as a whole reported 331 new infections. Most police officers, National Guard soldiers, food vendors and the vast majority of people in line chose not to wear face coverings. , though Trump-branded masks dotted the crowd. The Confederate flag also appeared - all the more striking because Oklahoma was not a state at the time of the Civil War. Margene Dunivant and her son Christian Lynch, both of Tulsa, sat on the edge of the crowd, taking in the scene. "Everybody here is just full-on American and American Dream and hard-working, and just believes in everything America," said Dunivant, 52. "Nowadays, it's like you put on a Trump shirt and you're considered racist, and it's just wrong. We're good people, and we love everybody." A contrasting view was also on display in Tulsa, where counteractions were planned with such names as "Dump the Trump Rally" and "Rally Against Hate." Antipathy toward the president - and objections to his insistence on gathering thousands of people indoors for a campaign event - fused with the outpouring for Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating freedom for enslaved black people. "It's irresponsible, to say the least," said Mareo Johnson, a pastor and the founder of Black Lives Matter Tulsa. His group was involved in organizing a Saturday demonstration at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, less than a mile from the president's rally. His message to the city's black residents, he said, was: "Stay focused on what Juneteenth represents." The commemoration had added significance in Tulsa, a city scarred by racist violence in 1921, when a white mob killed an estimated 300 black residents and devastated an area of the city known at the time as "Black Wall Street." The Tulsa Race Massacre unfolded in the Greenwood neighborhood, where the words "Black Lives Matter" were painted in yellow on a road on Friday. The events - freighted with political and historical meaning - turned the city into a magnet, leaving epidemiologists and public health officials fearful about the possible spread of the virus. Their concern was heightened by the announcement that members of the advance team, who typically work closely with security and contractors, had been infected. "It's another demonstration that super-spreaders can be alive and well if you don't use prevention measures, which we know work, including masking, distancing and hand hygiene," said Jay Bhatt, a physician in Chicago and former chief medical officer at the American Hospital Association. "One person can be a cause of significant transmission. Looking at six on an advance team, there could be significant spread." Some of the elected officials present, however, did not make use of those measures. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said he and his wife, Cindy, underwent rapid covid-19 tests to ensure they would not spread the virus as they moved without masks through the crowds. They walked the downtown streets surrounding the stadium and spoke with those in line after delivering doughnuts and juice to volunteers earlier in the day. Lankford said the state encouraged attendees to get tested at any of the 80 sites around Oklahoma leading up to the event. Those with health issues could follow online, and those who had concerns about being in the enclosed arena could remain outside. Robin Wilson, 64, said she was not concerned about contracting the virus inside the stadium despite a heart condition two years ago that led to her use of a wheelchair. "I'm here because I love my president," said Wilson, who used to work in insurance, "and I feel that he's misrepresented by the mainstream media. And I believe that this is history in the making today, and I wanted to be a part of it." Brian Clothier, 61, found a more eye-catching way to illustrate his view of possible risks from the virus. He wore an adult diaper over his pants, where he placed a sign saying the underwear would "stop the spread," in a reference to the disputed notion that flatulence can be linked to coronavirus transmission. A half-mile away, protesters decried the president's visit to their city. Eli Guerrero, a queer indigenous activist, told a small group gathered at the Center of the Universe, a popular downtown landmark, "Trump being here is an affront to my whole entire family and really every facet of my life." The event was able to proceed after the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid to require the BOK Center to enforce social distancing guidelines spelled out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and endorsed by members of the president's own coronavirus task force. The campaign's response was that it would hand out masks but not require them to be worn. Originally scheduled for Friday, which was Juneteenth, the rally was postponed by a day following an outcry. The president, after admitting not to have known about the significance of June 19 for many African Americans, claimed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal to have made it "famous." Trump on Friday threatened protesters preparing to appear in Tulsa, warning on Twitter: "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma, please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" A curfew that had been in place on Thursday was rescinded for Friday night after discussions between Trump and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, who has called the president's decision to hold the event in his city a "tremendous honor" while declining to attend it. Before 3 p.m., a couple of blocks from the rally venue, Black Lives Matters activists and Trump supporters clashed in the middle of Fourth Street, outside the barricades overseen by the National Guard and Tulsa police. Police stepped in to clear the street and separate megaphone-shouting protesters from the Trump supporters who were yelling right back. William Dunbar, a 33-year-old Tulsa resident, approached the faceoff between Trump supporters and protesters with firearms strapped across his chest and on his hip to express his "First and Second Amendment rights." The Tulsa native said he was there as a deterrent. "The last thing I want is to hurt another individual," he said. "I'm a de-escalator." While Trump supporters and protesters tangled near the BOK Center, Sharon Erby, a 59-year-old native of the historically black neighborhood of Greenwood, sat with friends under a tree across from the Vernon Chapel A.M.E. church, which was set ablaze during the 1921 massacre. While Greenwood was quiet Saturday, the mood was no less defensive and unaffected by the division in the city. She and her friends spent the day in the church social hall making protest signs about defunding police and investing in public health. "These are expressions of what people are feeling," Erby said. "This is what was in their hearts." As Trump supporters gathered inside the arena, another crowd convened at Veterans Park, about a 30 minute walk away. It was a multicultural group of hundreds gathered for The Rally Against Hate to hear civil rights protest veterans, new activists, and musicians, organized by Tykebrean Cheshire, who said she started a nonprofit called Peaceful Rally Tulsa 10 days ago. "That 8 minutes and 46 seconds changed the whole world. It made people think, why have I not been listening," said Cheshire, 21, who is black and Hispanic, referring to the amount of time George Floyd was pinned on the ground. "Some people thought, that could've been my son. And others thought, that couldn't have been my son. And they were both right." She says she quit her job at Target and dedicated her adult life to peaceful organizing. The distance from the BOK center was intentional. "Our biggest thing was to make sure people felt safe tonight," Cheshire said. "Going to the BOK Center didn't feel like a safe option. I wanted to do the old school MLK thing. We're able to connect with each other, and that's the most important thing today. Some protesters tried to get into the arena, despite the heavy police presence. One of the leaders of the group was Sincere Terry, an 18-year-old prelaw student at the University of Central Oklahoma. Tulsa police told her and several supporters it was up to the private security group contracted by the Trump campaign whether they gained access. Security turned them away a second time after police cleared the area and reopened the gates. "It's disrespectful for [Trump] to be here right after Juneteenth," said Terry, who had a ticket to the rally. "I'm not surprised by how we were treated. This is America. It's sickening. We're still getting lynched in Houston in 2020 and instead of protecting us, the National Guard is out here in Tulsa. This is being black in America. You get used to it or you don't, but this generation is going to put an end to it." - - - Stanley-Becker reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Ziva Branstetter, Kelsy Schlotthauer, Josh Dawsey and Bret J. Schulte in Tulsa contributed to this report. US new space strategy 'aggressive', Washington seeing space as arena for waging war: Russia Iran Press TV Friday, 19 June 2020 9:45 PM Russia has lambasted the US's newly-unveiled space strategy document as "aggressive", saying Washington views space as a new "arena" to wage "war." "The document confirms the aggressive course by Washington in the space sphere," said Russia's Foreign Ministry in a statement on Friday. "Space is seen by the US side as an arena for warfare," it said, calling this a "destructive" approach which "provokes an arms race in space," it further read. On Wednesday, the US Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled an updated version of its space strategy that replaces the 2011 document issued by the Obama administration, providing broad guidance to DoD for achieving desired conditions in space over the next 10 years. The new space strategy, which is mainly based on the 2018 national defense strategy issued by the administration of American president Donald Trump, stresses that the US must strive to maintain superiority in space and calls for the US military to prepare to compete with rising military powers such as China and Russia. "China and Russia present the greatest strategic threat due to their development, testing and deployment of counterspace capabilities," the new document says, accusing Moscow and Beijing of allegedly developing tools for jamming and cyberattacks that directly threaten US satellites. In December last year, Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act into law and officially directed the establishment of the US Space Force (USSF). The act angered both Russia and China, in particular, at the time. They said that the US actions would seriously violate the international consensus of peacefully exploiting outer space, posing direct threat to peace and security of that region. Elsewhere in the statement on Friday, the Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow "holds the diametrically opposing position, giving priority to using and studying space only for peaceful goals." Last year, the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) collapsed after Washington pulled out of the 1987 bilateral deal with Moscow. The INF had banned all land-based missiles with the range of up to 5,500 kilometres. The withdrawal from the agreement came after Washington accused Moscow of secretly violating it. Russia, which has repeatedly rejected these allegations, stopped implementing the INF after the pullout. Furthermore, Russian President Vladimir Putin has already warned that nothing can hold back yet another arms race and thus international security will be damaged if the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the US is not renewed. The START accord is the last major nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington that puts a limit on the development and deployment of strategic nuclear warheads of both countries. Back in July 1991, START, which later was called START I, was signed the US and Russia, barring both countries from deploying more than 6,000 nuclear warheads atop a total of 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and bombers. In January 1993, the two sides signed START II, but it collapsed and never entered into force. The START I treaty expired in late 2009 and its replacement, called the New START or START III, was signed in April 2010 Washington and Moscow, under which both sides agreed to halve the number of strategic nuclear missiles and restrict the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550. The New START can be extended for another five years, beyond its expiry date in February 2021, by mutual agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HAMILTON Were sorry. The owners of Vincents Pizza apologized Saturday for racist memes their son posted on Facebook over the years. Michael Sciabbarrasi, who is involved in and was identified in a podcast as an owner of the family-run pizza joint, shared memes that relied on harmful stereotypes about blacks, including ones that contained the N-word, a historically offensive comparison to apes and mocked a starving child in another country. The social media posts came to light after Michael Sciabbarrasi got into an argument about the police shooting of a black man outside a Wendys in Atlanta. We are outraged by the comments and social media posts of our son, Michael, Giuseppe and Rosemary Sciabbarrasi said in a statement sent to The Trentonian on Saturday. Vincents Pizzeria has been a part of the Hamilton community for more than 40 years. We have developed many lasting relationships and have respect for all of our customers. We are so deeply sorry for the pain caused by our son and hope our community will recognize the sincerity of our apology. The parents went on to scold their son in their apology, claiming such racist behavior by our son or any staff member will not be tolerated. All of us, including our family, are seeing a newer and deeper recognition of the pain caused by conduct in the past and the need for change in the way we speak and interact with each other, the pizzeria parents said. We want to work with the leaders and members of the community as we heal and strive for unity and learn more about how we can effect change and have a positive impact. For his part, Michael Sciabbarrasi issued another apology saying he regretted sharing the posts. I am deeply sorry for the pain caused by my comments and the impact that what I posted and said on my social media posts. I made a significant mistake in my comments and showed poor judgement, he said in a statement. I apologize to the community for my insensitive comments. I know that my comments have continued to drive the hurt in the black community and for that I am extremely sorry. Michael Sciabbarrasis posts were bad for business. This week, protesters demonstrated outside of the pizza joint, which was rebuilt after being burnt down in 2010. The pizzeria has been a township landmark for quite some time. Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin met with the chairwoman of the local Democratic party, Barbara Plumeri, at the restaurant to discuss challenging then-Republican Mayor Kelly Yaede. Martin has said he no longer planned to patronize the restaurant. Only time will tell whether the Sciabbarrasis apology is enough to heal the wounds caused by their sons hateful posts. One of the memes compared blacks to apes, showing a white toddler and baby orangutan made the same arm gesture. Stop racism, it reads. Black children and white children are the same. Another showed a Black Monopoly board filled with go-to-jail spaces, suggesting blacks are criminals. He also posted one of a black man reading a How to Get Welfare book. 1. Be black, the offensive meme said. 2. Collect welfare check. In a more recent post, from March 2017, Michael Sciabbarrasi mocked the deaths of black men at the hands of the police at a time of mass protests and civil unrest over the death of George Floyd. The face you make when you dont understand what stop resisting means, read the meme showing a black man in a casket. Vincents Pizza isnt the lone township restaurant to face backlash. The Stone Terrace by John Henrys, once a popular hangout spot for local Democrats and Republicans, parted ways with their partner and executive chef Joseph Russo, who held himself out as a co-owner, after he shared racist memes on his Facebook page. As part of a public mea culpa, the owners John and Catherine Henry took part in a community discussion with Saint Phillips Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Woods. They committed to giving away meals and doing more to restore public trust in the establishment. NEW HAVEN Yale University has come under fire Saturday through tweets pointing out the university was named after Elihu Yale, a slave trader. The hashtag #CancelYale started trending nationwide on Twitter. In one tweet, from Jesse Kelly, around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, he said he called on Yale to change its name immediately and strip the name of Yale from every building, piece of paper, and merchandise. Otherwise, they hate Black people. #CancelYale By about 6:30 p.m., the tweet by Kelly an Iraq War veteran and former GOP congressional candidate had been retweeted more than 17,000 times and liked nearly 40 thousand times. The universitys director of media relations declined to comment. Kelly, a conservative pundit, also called on Hillary Clinton for a response since she went to Yale. Why did you attend Yale University when its named after a slave trader? Kelly tweeted. Many others have chimed in, sharing incidents like one where a Black student fell asleep in a common room on the Yale campus, and a white student called police. The university has previously been brought in the spotlight in August 2016 for a push to rename the Ivy League campus, starting at the top with Elihu Yale, slave trader extraordinaire, as he was described in a story then by the Wall Street Journal. Editors note: Yale University declined to comment on the Tweets after being contacted by Hearst Connecticut Media over the weekend. This story has been updated to reflect that. Ahmedabad: Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pavak has apprehended a Pakistani boat at 10:15 am on October 2 off Gujarat Coast. Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pavak apprehended the Pakistani boat having nine crew members on board at around 10.15 AM today off Gujarat coast during patrolling, according to a Defence Minister statement. Preliminary information indicated the people on board were Pakistani fishermen. However, the boat and the crew members are being escorted to Porbandar for further investigation, the release said. The apprehension of the Pakistani boat comes days after the Indian Army conducted surgical strike across LoC, following which a high alert has been sounded across the land and sea border with the neighbouring country. Earlier on Friday, the Coast Guard had said that sensitive sea areas off Gujarat coast have been sanitised and surveillance enhanced following Indias surgical strike on terror launch pads across the LoC. The Coast Guard had also advised the fishing community and other stakeholders to maintain enhanced vigil and report any abnormal activity either at sea or in areas close to the coast. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Even the doctors seemed scared about the idea of covid. Even though I had the telltale symptoms, they were like, Its pneumonia. I said, But couldnt it be covid? and they basically told me that since results take many days to come back, that for now it was pneumonia and that was that, they just told me to go home. Honestly, they didnt take it seriously at all. But that was just the beginning of the nightmare. When Gianforte served on the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee, the committee responsible for overseeing and protecting Montanas pristine outdoor heritage, he was absent for more than half of the scheduled meetings, leaving the concerns of Montanans out of the conversation. Among the events Gianforte couldnt be bothered to show up for? Hearings on bills to support the recruitment of recreational hunters and shooters, dedicate more than $1 billion in funding to conserve our wildlife, and protect federal forests and grasslands from the threat of wildfires and other risks. Montana only has one representative in the U.S. House. So when Gianforte decided to skip out on his job in Congress, Montanas hunters and anglers had no one there to stand up for our public lands. These are betrayals that Montanans should never forget. Any sportsman knows that wealthy out-of-staters, like Gianforte's rich buddies, pose a huge threat to the continued viability of Montanas incredible outdoor heritage. If we give him a chance, he and Juras will do their bidding by removing dozens of accesses across our state. Your hunting or fishing spot will be treated just like that river access he tried to remove. A few months later, Mr. Galliano, who had already been fired as the creative director of Christian Dior, was tried for the attack in a Paris court; during the trial a video of a different incident, also at a bar, revealed him proclaiming, I love Hitler. At some point during all this, Mr. Foxman received a call from Jonathan Newhouse, who then led Conde Nast International. He asked if Mr. Foxman would be willing to sit down with the designer. Mr. Foxman understood that what he had done had come from a place of addiction. During the trial (which resulted in a conviction for racist and anti-Semitic abuses and the imposition of various fines), Mr. Galliano spoke about his Valium problem and the enormous pressures brought to his work by the financial crisis pressures that had left him unable to grieve when his father and two others close to him died in quick succession. Mr. Foxman wanted him to ask why he was striking out at Jews and not banks. Mr. Galliano was receptive, and Mr. Foxman set him on a path. The designer studied with a rabbi in London. He visited Auschwitz. During a talk at a synagogue, his rabbi by his side, Mr. Galliano, who had long since completed drug rehabilitation, said that he made a daily habit of speaking to God. Convinced of his sincerity, Mr. Foxman then called around to certain stores asking them if they would carry whatever he produced. Some refused. A fashion school in Israel where Mr. Galliano offered to teach for free declined to have him. But in 2014, Mr. Galliano found work again, as the creative director at Maison Margiela; his contract was renewed last year. On another occasion, in response to a call from Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Mr. Foxman tried to come to the aid of Ronan Tynan, an Irish immigrant, tenor and amputee who had become well-known in New York in the early 2000s for singing The Star Spangled Banner at Yankees games. The trouble occurred 11 years ago when Mr. Tynan bumped into a real estate agent showing an apartment in his Manhattan building. The agent told Mr. Tynan not to worry her client was not a Red Sox fan. Mr. Tynan replied, As long as they are not the Jewish ladies. When that line went public, he claimed his joke had been misconstrued. Nonetheless, he was besieged with hate mail. One note came from a surgeon who said he would let him die on his operating table if he had a chance. (Newser) The coronavirus pandemic has prevented druids, pagans and party-goers from watching the sun rise at Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice this year. The ancient stone circle in southwestern England usually draws about 10,000 people to mark the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. But Britain has banned mass gatherings as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. English Heritage, which oversees Stonehenge, livestreamed the sunrise instead, the AP reports. It said more than 3.6 million people watched as dawn broke at 4:52am Sunday (11:52pm EDT Saturday), though senior druid King Arthur Pendragon had said earlier that it was "not very pagan" to watch a "false sunrise" on a screen, per the BBC. story continues below Stonehenge, a World Heritage site, is believed to be 4,500 years old. It is known for its alignment with the movements of the sun. Government and Stonehenge officials had pleaded with the public not to attend this year. "We know how strong the draw to come is for some people," Stonehenge's director said. But some dedicated druids were determined to watch the sun rise in person, gathering in a field near Stonehenge in a morning rain. Pendragon said it had been "very wet," but he was undaunted. "You can't cancel the sunrise," he said the BBC. "It's going to happen, and we were there to celebrate it." The site is scheduled to reopen to tourists July 4, per Sky News. (Read more Stonehenge stories.) Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday said that China has been propagating a vilification campaign across Nepal against India to convince that India is Nepal's enemy by applying all available digital and other platforms including FM radio. The Leader of Opposition in Parliament said that the Indian government should take a serious note and counter it an effective manner. This comes even as Nepals FM radio channels close to the border with India are broadcasting propaganda to back Kathmandus claim on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, residents in Indias border villages said. "Some Nepalese FM channels have of late started playing anti-India speeches in between Nepali songs, said Shalu Datal, a resident of Dantu village in Pithoragarhs Dharchula sub-division. As people on both sides of the border listen to Nepali songs, they also hear the anti-India speeches delivered by Nepalese leaders in between them, she said. The main FM stations playing anti-India content between songs are Naya Nepal and Kalapani Radio, Datal said, as per PTI. 'Nepal is our friend for ages together' Taking to Twitter, Adhir Ranjan called Nepal "our neighbour, our family, our friend for ages together." He claimed that China wants to make Nepal subservient to serve the interest and design of China. China has been propagating vilification campaign across Nepal against India to convince that India is Nepal's enemy by applying all available digital and other platforms including FM radio. Indian govt should take it a serious note and counter it in an effective manner. (1/2) Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) June 21, 2020 Nepal incorporates three Indian areas into its new map India's relations with Nepal have been tense after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal protested the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through its territory. Days later, Nepal came out with the new map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its territories. Nepals National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill to update the country's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories. India has termed as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by Nepal after its lower house of parliament on Saturday unanimously approved the new political map of the country featuring areas which India maintains belong to it. READ | Inhuman conditions at quarantine centres behind spike in COVID-19 cases in Bengal: Adhir Ranjan The National Assembly, or the upper house of the Nepalese parliament, unanimously passed the constitution amendment bill providing for inclusion of the country's new political map in its national emblem. The bill was passed with all the 57 members present voting in its favour. READ | Hours before PM Modi's all-party meet, Cong's Adhir Ranjan wants to know 'real situation' Adhir Ranjan wants to know 'real situation' On Friday, Chowdhury asked the NDA government at the Centre that people are entitled to know of what actually transpired at Galwan valley adding "we do not need any consolation, but the real situation." Mr NDA Govt, people of India are entitled to know of what actually has been transpired at Galwan valley, we do not need any consolation, but the real situation. Do not play any hide & seek with us, we should be prepared to accept the stark reality whatever may be (1/2) Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) June 19, 2020 READ | Adhir Chowdhury condemns Chinese aggression at LAC, pays homage to Indian Army martyrs 'We have a democratic right to know' The Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha told the government "not to play hide and seek with us" and said that the county should be prepared to accept the stark reality "whatever maybe" In another tweet, the Parliamentarian said, "But people of India, should not be taken for granted, my question is, whether our army-men have been captured? After negotiation, they have been released?" READ | Centre's 'abrupt' lockdown exit plan behind spike in COVID cases: Adhir Ranjan (With PTI inputs) Mumbai, June 21 : Drug maker Cipla Limited on Sunday announced the launch of experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir under its brand name Cipremi. Remdesivir is the only US FDA approved Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) treatment for adult and paediatric patients hospitalized with suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection. In May, US drug maker Gilead Sciences extended a voluntary non-exclusive license to Cipla to manufacture and market Cipla's generic version of remedisvir called Cipremi. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted Cipla regulatory approval for restricted emergency use in the country as part of the accelerated approval process considering the urgent and unmet medical need, the company said in a statement. As part of a risk management plan, Cipla will provide training on use of the drug, inform patient consent documents, conduct post marketing surveillance as well as conduct a Phase IV clinical trial on Indian patients. "Cipla appreciates the strong partnership with Gilead to bring remdesivir to patients in India. We have been deeply invested in exploring all possible avenues to save millions of lives impacted by Covid-19 pandemic, and this launch is a significant milestone in that direction," said Umang Vohra MD and Global CEO, Cipla. According to a preliminary report from the ACTT-1 (Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial 1) study, a randomized clinical trial conducted with remdesivir on 1,063 patients over 60 centres across US, Europe and Asia demonstrated a faster time to clinical recovery in hospitalised patients as compared to placebo. Most of these patients were on oxygen therapy of which some were receiving high flow oxygen or non-invasive ventilation, and some were on a mechanical ventilator. The mortality rates in the study were 7.1 per cent in those given remdesivir and 11.9 per cent in those who were given placebo. In May, Gilead Sciences signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with six Indian pharmaceutical companies to boost the supply of remdesivir, the experimental antiviral drug that has shown promise in Covid-19 treatment. These companies were -- Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Biocon company Syngene, Hetero Labs Ltd.; Jubilant Lifesciences; and Cipla Ltd. Media reports said that Hetero Labs Ltd has also received regulatory approval from DCGI but the drug maker was yet to make it official. Cipla said it will be commercialising remdesivir through its own facilities and partnered sites. The drug will be supplied through government and open market channels, to ensure equitable distribution. Sudhir Suryawanshi By MUMBAI: Maharashtra government has asked hospitals to use oxygen cylinders to provide immediate relief to Covid-19 patients as the state is witnessing a shortage of ventilators. There are only 3,028 ventilators in Maharashtra, which is not adequate considering the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray conveyed the urgent need of ventilators in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that ventilators were needed for patients who are facing breathing issues. In these cases, the hospital has to either provide immediate oxygen or admit the patients in ICU and put them on ventilators. We urgently need the ventilators particularly in rural areas, Thackeray said in meeting. According to the state health department, there are 5.63 lakh PPE kits, 10.77 lakh masks, 7982 ICU beds, and 37,875 beds with oxygen available in various government and private hospitals. Dr. Hemant Deshmukh, superintendent of KEM hospital, said that they are focusing on setting up more oxygen supply tanks and connecting them to each and every bed. We are in the process of setting up 13,000 kilolitres of oxygen tanks. The supply of oxygen is important in Covid-19 treatment. The government has to support us and our main focus is that no one should suffer due to lack of oxygen, he said. If there is no supply of oxygen in the hospitals, then the patient suffers further and the next step is putting them on the ventilators. If we look at the rising number of cases, there are not enough ventilators. This puts the patients life under risk. The central government must supply us with more ventilators, the official said requesting anonymity. He added that they wanted to buy ventilators but the Centre has put restrictions on that also. Doubling rate of cases rises in state The doubling rate of Covid-19 cases Maharashtra has increased to 33 days on June 19. The patients doubling rate was 18 days on June 1 and 25 days on June 10. The daily growth rate has also gone down to 2.15 per cent on Friday compared to 2.30 per cent on Thursday. The daily growth rate was 3.85 per cent on June 1 and 2.82 per cent on June 10. In Mumbais H East (Bandra-East) ward, the positive patients doubling rate was 69 days with a daily growth rate of one per cent. The patient doubling rate is 61 days with a growth rate of 1.1 per cent in E ward (Byculla). In F/ Northward, the doubling rate is 60 days and the daily growth rate is 1.1 per cent. In L ward and M east, the patients double in 54 days and 53 days with daily growth rates of 1.3 per cent, respectively. While in B ward, G South and G North, the patients doubling rate is more than 40 days. Congress whip in Loksabha and leader Manickam Tagore has targeted BJP over its retaliation on Congress which has raised suspicion on the Indian Army and Central government on Galwan valley conflict between India and China. Taking to Twitter, in a bid to remind Nadda on the role of the opposition, Tagore said that Opposition will always question those who are in power. Dear @JPNadda ji ,Its very disappointing to read your statement against the opposition party leaders! As party president of BJP/BJS you know most of your life your were in opposition and when in opposition you were not our cheerleaders ! Opposition work always 1/2 https://t.co/Dw7qiiCMzX Manickam Tagore MP (@manickamtagore) June 21, 2020 To question those in power ! Question are Integral part of democracy kindly respect the mandate of those voters who had sent me to question ! The date we stop questioning India will be china where no one can question and only cheerleaders are allowed! So as 2/3 Manickam Tagore MP (@manickamtagore) June 21, 2020 Member of parliament My duty is to ask questions and I wont be cheerleader! #WeAreNotCheerLeaders Manickam Tagore MP (@manickamtagore) June 21, 2020 READ | PM Actually 'Surender Modi': Rahul Gandhi Launches New Attack Over India-China Clash READ | International Yoga Day 2020: PM Modi Lists Benefits Of Yoga Amid COVID; Watch FULL Speech Nadda's a scathing attack on Congress This comes after BJP National President JP Nadda on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Congress for questioning the Central government over the Galwan Valley face-off and said that the opposition party leaders are breaking down the morale of Indian Army soldiers by tweeting with their "limited knowledge". "When our Army is deployed at Galwan valley, Congress leaders are tweeting and breaking down their morale. They are asking why soldiers went unarmed. This exposes their limited knowledge. Are they not aware of international agreements?" Nadda said while speaking at the Rajasthan Jam Samvad Rally. "You are demoralising the security forces. Your language! Use of language by a person shows the values of their family. These are not the values of our country. You did not even respect your Prime Minister and tear apart his government's ordinance," he added. Nadda's attack on Congress occurred after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised suspicion on the government's stand on Galwan. Gandhi had asked for specifics of the location where Indian Army soldiers were martyred and why were the soldiers killed even after repeated clarification by the Centre. PM has surrendered Indian territory to Chinese aggression. If the land was Chinese: 1. Why were our soldiers killed? 2. Where were they killed? pic.twitter.com/vZFVqtu3fD Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 20, 2020 Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had raised as to why were the Indian soldiers unarmed and blamed the Centre for rendering Indian Army defenceless, to which he got schooled by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Jaishankar reminded him of the two peace treaties signed between India and China which restrained both sides to fire bullets. Rahul Gandhi's repeated slanders come even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly asserted that China is not on Indian soil, PM Modi, on Friday, said that none of India's border posts have been captured, nor had China breached the Indian borders, at the all-party meeting chaired by him to brief political parties on the LAC situation. He added that the 20 martyrs died fighting and saving the motherland from the enemy. He also said that the Army has always done whatever is necessary to protect India's sovereignty - be it deployment action or counteraction. READ | Subramanian Swamy Analyses Trump-vs-Biden US Elections From India's PoV; Issues Prediction READ | What '19' In Covid-19 Actually Means: Pakistan minister Shares Ridiculous 'discovery' The Air Force Inspector General has launched an investigation into whether the Air National Guard improperly used a spy plane to surveil citizens protesting in two U.S. cities earlier this month. The IG's office, headed by Lt. Gen. Sami Said, will examine whether RC-26 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance planes conducting multiple flights over Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis, and relayed information to local law enforcement units. Read Next: Air Force Set to Have Its First Female Top Enlisted Leader "Following discussions with the Secretary of Defense about shared concerns, the Secretary of the Air Force is conducting an investigation into the use of Air National Guard RC-26 aircraft to support civil authorities during recent protest activity in U.S. cities," Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, spokesman for the Air Force, told Military.com on Friday. The New York Times was first to report the investigation. Ryder said due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry, the service will not release any further details. The Times reported the investigation was prompted by lawmakers' concern over use of military equipment during protests happening across the country following the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of the Minneapolis police. The West Virginia Air National Guard had sent an RC-26 -- a C-26 Metroliner modified with electronic surveillance equipment -- to watch over protesters on June 2, the Times reported. Aircraft spotters had seen an RC-26 circling for hours over the D.C. area. The aircraft was also supported by Pennsylvania's 148th Air Support Operations Squadron. Officials told the Times the RC-26 was using FMV -- or full-motion video -- to record footage from the aircraft and beam it back to National Guard officials watching in real time. An RC-26 from the Wisconsin Guard was also seen circling over Minneapolis earlier this month. According to the Times, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois and a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, flew two missions over Minneapolis as part of his Guard duty. Story continues Kinzinger, part of a three-member crew, told the newspaper that the plane's cameras were gathering general images of people below; the sensors, however, cannot conduct "facial recognition or read license plates on vehicles," because of their inadequate resolution. "We don't gather human intelligence on what the protesters are doing," Kinzinger added. "We don't collect cell phone data. We don't harvest or analyze any data. We don't do any of that." There are currently 11 RC-26 aircraft in the fleet, according to the service, and vary in capability: five are Block 20s and six are Block 25s, which have different avionics packages. Since at least 2009, the Guard has overseen all 11 of the medium-altitude ISR aircraft, which are used for domestic response, counter-drug operations and disaster relief, as well as to respond to assistance requests from local governments. Kinzinger, a lieutenant colonel, previously deployed with his unit to conduct a surveillance security mission on the southern border of the U.S. in February 2019. The lawmaker last year also spoke out against the Air Force's potential cut to the ISR fleet, which the Guard has been attempting to make for years to reallocate resources. But the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act halted that planned retirement. The Air Force cannot spend money to retire or realign funds meant for the RC-26 until the Air Force secretary "certifies to the congressional defense committees that other platforms or technologies provide equivalent capabilities," according to the legislation. The RC-26 has been used domestically mostly for hurricane and wildfire response. In 2017, RC-26s scoured areas in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Air National Guard director Gen. L. Scott Rice previously told Military.com in those instances, the Guard doesn't conduct ISR, but rather "IAA" -- Incident Awareness Assessment. "It's a way to say, we're using the same piece of equipment but we're using it on a totally different focus ... to find and save lives as opposed to find and protect ourselves from the enemy," Rice said. Editor's note: This story has been updated to show that an RC-26 from the Wisconsin Air Guard flew over Minneapolis earlier this month. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214. Related: Deployed Lawmaker Fights Air National Guard's Effort to Shrink Spy Plane Fleet DAKAR (Reuters) - A forthcoming U.S. report that shows child labour has risen in the West African cocoa sector is to be reviewed independently after Ivory Coast and Ghana objected to the methodology, the U.S. Labor Department said on Friday. The report, which was funded by the Labor Department, had been due to be published later this month. However, the review is likely to delay publication, the report's authors at the University of Chicago said. A draft of the report that was seen by Reuters found that child labour on cocoa farms in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world's top producers, had risen over the past decade despite promises by chocolate makers and cocoa traders to reduce it. The Ivorian and Ghanaian governments objected to aspects of the methodology, including how comparisons were made between data collected for the current report and data from a previous report in 2015 that turned out to be flawed. The latest report is the third in a series called for by an agreement between the cocoa industry and U.S. lawmakers first struck in 2001. The report's surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2019. In a statement to Reuters, a spokesperson for the U.S. Labor Department said it believed the researchers had made every effort to consult the two governments but that it had accepted the governments' requests for an independent review as a matter of "good faith". "Our expectation is that NORC will take into proper consideration the findings of the Experts Group, and as necessary and where possible, make any appropriate adjustments to the report," the statement said. "We trust that the two governments will respect the findings of this independent Experts Group," it added. It did not say who would be in the group. The Labor Department did not say how long the review would take. Kareem Kysia, lead researcher on the project at NORC, a research organisation at the University of Chicago, said in a statement that NORC fully supports the expert panel. Story continues "NORC is dedicated to producing a scientifically valid and accurate report that accounts for the needs of each stakeholder while remaining scientifically valid and objective," he said. Brahima Coulibaly, spokesman for the Ivory Coast government department that looks into child labour, referred Reuters to a previous statement rejecting the report's methodology. Ghana's cocoa board spokesman Fiifi Boafo said Ghana was "not opposed" to the review. "However, any review of the report must be one that will be done by a truly independent party who will take into account and correct all the major flaws that have been pointed out," he said. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Additional reporting by Ange Aboa in Abidjan and Christian Akorlie in Accra; Editing by Susan Fenton) Monday will mark one week since an 81-year-old Birmingham woman disappeared from her home, and her family and friends are desperate to find her. Its tearing me up,' said Shirrell Moore, daughter of Irene Campbell. Thats my mother. Campbell was last seen Monday, June 15, at 1208 43rd Street North. Her family said she suffers from dementia. Moore stays with her mother during the day and Moores brother stays with her at night. She was sound asleep in her bed the last time anyone saw her. When Moore returned to the house after work, the door was wide open, and the mattress was half off the bed. One of Campbells shoes was by the sofa and the other was on the front porch. Campbell was nowhere to be seen. The door was unlocked and wide and open that is something she doesnt do,' Moore said. It really bothered me. Birmingham police and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday issued alerts in Campbells disappearance. Moore said there have been several reported sightings of Campbell, but they turned out not to be her. Family and friends have searched each day in the Woodlawn and Kingston communities, as well as surrounding areas, looking for Campbell and distributing fliers. A group of volunteers on Sunday met at noon and fanned out over the neighborhood but rain halted their efforts. A reward of $7,500 is now being offered for her safe return. The family and Moores church pooled their money to offer the reward. Everybody loves my mother,' Moore said. Shes good at feeding people. Anything she could do to help someone, she would do. Campbell was last known to be wearing denim capri pants and black shirt with a multi-color design. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-297-8434 or 911. They can also call Moore at 205-492-3813. PHOENIX Hundreds of firefighters continued to battle three major wildfires burning Sunday in forested mountains and desert hills across Arizona. Crews were fighting fires in the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Coronado National Forest overlooking Tucson, in the Tonto National Forest northeast of metro Phoenix, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in northeast Arizona and in the Kaibab National Forest north of the Grand Canyon. Authorities said the human-caused Bush Fire outside of metro Phoenix was 15% contained as of Sunday after charring 273 square miles (707 square kilometers) since it started June 13 in the Tonto National Forest. The lightning-caused Bighorn Fire (80 square miles, 207 square kilometers) burning in canyons and on ridges in the Santa Catalina Mountains was pushed back to 19% containment after growing by 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) by Sunday. But fire officials said the blaze diminished as it reached vegetation at the base of Ventana Canyon. Meanwhile, authorities said the lightning-caused Bringham Fire was 20% contained by Sunday after burning 31 square miles (80 square kilometers) in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest north of Morenci. That blaze continues to burn in steep, inaccessible areas. In northern Arizona, improved weather conditions allowed firefighters to protect critical areas from the Mangum Fire burning in the Kaibab National Forest. The blaze was 23% contained Sunday at 103 square miles (266 square kilometers) with its June 8 cause still under investigation. It has forced the closure of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park until further notice. At least two Rotorua hotels are being used to house up to 240 people under Covid-19 quarantine. SunLive understands the Ibis Hotel on Rangiuru St and the Sudima Hotel on Eruera St are being used to isolate 239 people who were bussed into the city between 10pm and midnight last night. According to a post on Rotorua MP Todd McClay's Facebook page, the people were met by police, army and health personnel at the hotels located in the Rotorua CBD. "Its outrageous the Government has bused newly arrived international passengers into Rotorua under the cover of darkness to quarantine them in the CBD," says Rotorua MP Todd McCLay. As many as 239 newly-arrived people are quarantining in two hotels in Rotorua, and the Government didnt even bother to tell locals that they were moving these people from Auckland to Rotorua. Rotorua citizens woke on Sunday morning to learn that these passengers arrived in up to four buses between 10pm and midnight last night and have been given zero assurance about health and safety. There are reports that hotel workers were not even informed that quarantine passengers were arriving." McCLay says it is not good enough. "Rotorua people made huge sacrifices, along with the rest of New Zealand, during lockdown. Some have lost jobs, businesses and livelihoods in the process. The Government couldnt even be bothered to show them the courtesy of informing them before turning their hotels into quarantine facilities." The MP is demanding the the Goverment answer the following questions: Has every person arriving in Rotorua been tested for Covid-19? Has anyone displayed symptoms and signs of Covid-19? Where have the passengers come from? Will they be confined to these hotels or are they able to exercise as has been reported in Auckland? What precautions have been taken to ensure hotel workers and their families safety? Why wasnt the Rotorua community informed before busing people here for quarantine? How many other hotels will be used and how many people will be quarantined in Rotorua? The public have lost confidence in the shambolic quarantine system. Rotorua needs answers now," says McClay. The Sudima Hotel on Eruera St. The Ibis Hotel website says the hotel is currently "temporarily closed". RNZ report that some travellers returning to New Zealand have been "shocked" by a last minute announcement that their Covid-19 quarantine would be in Rotorua, not Auckland. Some people transported to Rotorua told RNZ they should have been given more information about where they were going before their journey began. Connor arrived in Auckland after a 40-hour trip from London, via Doha and Sydney. He said he and other travellers were expecting to be taken to a hotel in Auckland. But it was announced about 15 minutes into the bus ride that they were going to Rotorua instead. "I know a lot of people were shocked, some were in a little panic, but once we settled into the bus ride everybody calmed down and accepted that we were coming to Rotorua." Connor said people understood that hotels in Auckland were full and they needed to be taken somewhere else for their managed isolation. A woman on the same flight said people on her bus had initially thought it was a joke when they were told they were going to Rotorua. "It wasn't until we were out of the Auckland city limit that we understood we were actually going to Rotorua." She said people should have been told before they got on the bus, so they could use the bathroom or grab water or a snack at the airport. "It was pretty shocking that we were treated that way and I felt really, really bad for families with small children who were on my flight," she said. "We felt like we were being kept in the dark and now we don't know if we'll be taken back to Auckland at the end of the quarantine process either." The woman said some people had already made plans for after the 14-day quarantine period, based on the assumption they would be in Auckland. Both the woman and Connor said once they arrived at the hotel in Rotorua, the staff had been helpful and things were running smoothly. Defence force and police personnel are on site. Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Air Commodore Darryn Webb said 232 people who arrived on three flights from Australia yesterday were bussed to Rotorua from Auckland Airport. There are now two hotels in Rotorua and 18 hotels in Auckland and Christchurch being used for managed isolation and quarantine. Webb said people in the hotels in Rotorua would receive more detailed information today and have a chance to seek welfare support and ask questions. "We do acknowledge that those arriving on this flight had an expectation they were completing their managed isolation in Auckland. However, an increase in arrivals returning to New Zealand has required alternative plans to be put in place," he said. "We are working to address capacity due to the increase in arrivals, and may look to other regions to help accommodate future arrivals." People on the bus were able to use a bathrooms in Waharoa and these were cleaned after their stop, Webb said. Earlier this week, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said Auckland hotels were reaching capacity for managed isolation and other options were being looked at. That included transferring dozens of people to Christchurch. RNZ YORK CHARTER TWP., MI - Two motorcyclists are in unstable condition after swerving to avoid fallen debris in a Saturday night highway crash near Milan, paramedics said. Paramedics responded to a crash at 7:47 p.m., June 20 on southbound US-23 north of Willow Road in York Charter Township a few miles north of Milan, said Huron Valley Ambulance spokesman Mark Breckenridge. Debris had fallen from another vehicle and the motorcyclists attempted to avoid it, Breckenridge said. The two motorcyclists were taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Breckenridge said. Further details were not released. Milan Area Fire Department assisted on the scene. A message was left with the fire department and the Michigan State Police for further details. Read more from The Ann Arbor News: Motorcycle crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Ann Arbor area, officials say Fire destroys Northfield Township home, falling debris injures firefighter Michigan Attorney General reviewing case where Washtenaw deputy punched womans head 21.06.2020 LISTEN Obour - PRESS STATEMENT ON PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES I sincerely want to thank the almighty God for seeing me and my team through a very vigorous campaign. I also want to thank my team and supporters for a great job done. For months we were in the trenches together working hard as always in our bid to unseat a two term member of parliament. Let me take this opportunity to also congratulate the winner of the fiercely contested election Hon. Lawyer Kwaku Asante Boateng for a great contest. I want to say to him that it is time to roll our sleeves and hit the ground running to consolidate our gains in the 2020 General Elections with the NDC and I fully assure him of my support to ensure that we secure a further 10,000 plus votes for His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in the 2020 elections. Although I didn't win, I sincerely believe the contest has really energized the base of our great party the New Patriotic Party in Asante Akyem South and lubricated its machinery for the bigger battle with our known opponents the National Democratic Congress for election 2020. Political watchers and activists will be the first to concede that this election for the seat of the Asante Akyem South Constituency remains the most fiercely contested one in the history of the constituency. I take the opportunity to also thank all delegates for their love and support, both those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me. For the general constituency populace the love was overwhelming. Even in defeat you sang my praise and the cheers deafening. All I can say for now is that a great political future awaits our constituency and our political Party. I congratulate all winners in the elections nationwide and to those who lost. Losing is bitter but it gets sweeter when you know it is for the collective good our great party Lastly, I really want to thank the leadership of the New Patriotic Party at both the constituency, regional and National levels for the opportunity to represent my constituency. I shall be back in a grand style. God bless the New Patriotic Family and continue to bond us together in love. Ghana needs us to continue with the visionary works of our great leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. Kukrudu! Kukruduuuuuu!! Kukruduuuuu!! Signed Bice Obour Osei-Kuffour A teenage girl who went missing in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Friday afternoon has been found. The 15-year-old was found at Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre around 8am on Monday. She had last been seen at 4pm on Friday at a house on Bondi Road, Bondi. Police were contacted just after midnight on Saturday when she failed to return to that address. Police thanked the community for their assistance. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy skies. High 39F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 19F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. They say he hires protesters and rents buses to transport them. Some say he has people stash piles of bricks to be hurled into glass storefronts or at police. George Soros, the billionaire investor and philanthropist who has long been a target of conspiracy theories, is now being falsely accused of orchestrating and funding the protests over police killings of Black people that have roiled the United States. Amplified by a growing number of people on the far right, including some Republican leaders, online posts about Soros have skyrocketed in recent weeks. George Soros, who has long been a target of conspiracy theories, is now being falsely accused of orchestrating and funding the protests over police killings of black people that have roiled the United States. Credit:Bloomberg They have been accompanied by online ads bought by conservative groups that call on authorities to "investigate George Soros for funding domestic terrorism and his decades-long corruption." Soros, 89, has donated billions of dollars of his personal wealth to liberal and anti-authoritarian causes around the world, making him a favoured target among many on the right. The Hungarian-American, who is Jewish, has also been the subject of anti-Semitic attacks and conspiracy theories for decades. This year, on International Yoga Day, let us discuss how yoga can benefit those suffering from fibromyalgia. Yoga has more benefits than one can imagine. Some take it up as a way to become more flexible and others to stay fit. It also plays an important role in the lives of those who are dealing with certain diseases and disorders. This year, on International Yoga Day, let us discuss how yoga can benefit those suffering from fibromyalgia. What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a complex disease where the chemicals of pain and sleep, ie, serotonin and norepinephrine, are disturbed and as a result, the person has an augmented response to pain. Fatigue, constant pain, headaches, irritable bowel, forgetfulness and irritability all come along with it. The disease not only affects the patient but also their family members as patients constantly experience low moods and a lack of energy. It is a common problem, faced by millions in the world with an increased predominance in the female population. Stress is known to be the major trigger for the disease. Since fibromyalgia has no confirmatory test, the diagnosis of this disease depends on the rheumatologist. Once the disease is diagnosed, both pharmacological, meaning with medicines and non-pharmacological (non-drug) therapies are used to treat/manage it. Not every patient needs drugs to manage this disease. However, even for those who do need medications, complete recovery cannot be achieved without additional alternative modes of therapy. This is where yoga can play a big role. Yoga for fibromyalgia Yoga is a self-care tool that involves muscle relaxation, meditation and deep breathing. Meditation is the first thing which many doctors recommend fibromyalgia patients to start with as it gives them some mental peace and helps them deal with stress and the difficult situations that come with having the disease. If you have fibromyalgia, it is always best that you take the guidance of yoga teachers to understand which exercise suits your body the best. Considering the pain is at the peak in fibromyalgia, it is recommended that you start slow and keep increasing the time and endurance of exercise as you go. Some of the asanas which are recommended to fibromyalgia patients are Uttanasana, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, Bhujangasana and Savasana. These help in deep breathing, stretching of the tender points and relaxation of the muscles. A few trials that have been conducted to study the role of yoga in fibromyalgia showed a positive result at the end of eight weeks in patients who were adherent to therapy. So, although the effect is slow, it does provide us with a long-term solution. Yoga also helps increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine which are lacking in the case of fibromyalgia. This, in turn, improves the quality of sleep. Fibromyalgia is a disease which needs to be approached early. With/without medications, you should incorporate yoga into your routine as it aims to develop a deep level of understanding of ones self and body, promotes relaxation and gives one the ability to handle tough situations better. This article was written by Dr Naval Mendiratta, Consultant, Rheumatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram. For more information, read our article on Fibromyalgia. 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. One in six firms met the demands of hackers last year by paying out ransoms, a report found (Peter Byrne/PA) One in six firms met the demands of hackers last year by paying out ransoms, according to the chilling findings of a report on cyber crime. The annual Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report revealed that 6% of the 5,569 firms polled and one in six of those attacked had surrendered by paying a ransom following a cyber attack. The highest losses for a single firm targeted with ransomware hit 50 million US dollars (40.2 million). The report also showed that total cyber losses surged 50% to nearly 1.8 billion dollars (1.4 billion) in 2019. Cyber losses per firm have risen nearly six-fold, from an average of 10,000 dollars (8,041) a firm to 57,000 dollars (45,832). UK firms are now 15 times more likely to suffer a cyber attack than a fire or theft, the report suggests. It revealed the biggest reported cyber loss among firms in the eight countries surveyed was suffered by a UK financial services firm, at 87.9 million dollars (71 million). The report also found the highest loss from any one cyber event was 15.8 million dollars (12.7 million), involving a UK professional services firm. It comes after a recent spate of cyber attacks on British firms, with foreign exchange giant Travelex becoming the victim of a high-profile hack at the turn of the year and reportedly paying out 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million) in January to the notorious REvil ransomware gang. The New Years Eve attack left its systems down for weeks, forcing the group to resort to pen and paper across its branches. But while cyber attack losses rose last year, the Hiscox report also showed that firms are upping their defences against hacks, with spending on cyber security rising 39%. And the proportion of businesses targeted by cyber criminals fell from 61% to 39%. The number of businesses that have paid a ransom following a malware infection is chilling Gareth Wharton, Hiscox Gareth Wharton, Hiscox Cyber chief executive, said: The number of businesses that have paid a ransom following a malware infection is chilling. There is, however, one very positive message from this years report there is clear evidence of a step-change in cyber preparedness, with enhanced levels of activity and spending. Take-up of standalone cyber insurance remains patchy, but this report is a reminder that firms are many times more likely to have a cyber incident than either a fire or a theft for which most automatically insure. The study surveyed companies across the US, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland. It found average spending in the UK rose from just under 900,000 US dollars (724,000) last year to 1.5 million US dollars (1.2 million). Hiscox also warned there were new cyber threats emerging from the coronavirus crisis, with a ramp-up in so-called phishing scams and as staff and companies are leaving themselves vulnerable due to less-secure home working computers. Mr Wharton said: As companies roll out working from home, potentially less secure devices are being connected to corporate networks. Rapidly rolled out remote access solutions may lack the thorough security testing that would have taken place in more stable times. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, addresses the crowd during a June 8 memorial service and funeral procession honoring George Floyd and demanding justice for those killed by police. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Melina Abdullah stood in the bed of a white pickup truck parked in the middle of Vine Street in Hollywood before a sea of people whose end she could not place. Speaking into a microphone, she told the crowd on that early June day that they were going to honor the spirits of people whose lives had been stolen by police violence. She called out George Floyd. She called out Ryan Twyman. She called out Wakiesha Wilson. She called out Kisha Michael. After each name, she poured water from a plastic bottle onto the hot pavement below, while protesters responded with Ase (ah-shay), a word used by the Yoruba people of Nigeria akin to ending a prayer with Amen. Our power comes not only from the people who are here but from the spirits that we cannot see, said Abdullah, a Cal State L.A. professor, single mother of three and the leader of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. When we say their name, we invoke their presence. Melina Abdullah, center, stands with others for a group photo at a Black Lives Matter event June 6 at Norman O. Houston Park in Baldwin Hills. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Then they marched. The unprecedented size and scope of recent rallies speaks to how Black Lives Matter has transformed from a small but passionate movement into a cultural and political phenomenon. And in few places has that movement generated more passion than in Los Angeles, home to two of BLM's guiding forces, Abdullah and Patrisse Cullors. A core group of Los Angeles activists has worked relentlessly for years protesting LAPD actions, advocating criminal justice reform, speaking out at Police Commission meetings and picketing outside City Hall. Now, four weeks after Floyd was killed when a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes, members are continuing to channel their outrage and grief over his killing into a sustained mass campaign for profound social change. The group has political sway that would have seemed unimaginable just a few months ago, with defunding police now becoming a mainstream political policy question. And their protests have brought together a melting pot of people demanding change. Story continues Its been seven years since the group formed after George Zimmermans acquittal in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. On July 13, 2013, Alicia Garza, an Oakland activist, posted what she called a love letter to Black people on Facebook, telling them, Our lives matter. Los Angeles activist Cullors turned it into a hashtag: #BlackLivesMatter. New York activist Opal Tometi built the digital platform. A few days later, Cullors called her friend Abdullah and 30 others together to form the first chapter of what is now a network of 16 across North America. The movement spread after protests erupted nationwide in 2014 when a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed Black 18-year-old. Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, marches with others in Hollywood on June 7. It was the largest demonstration in Los Angeles since George Floyd's killing. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Between instances of nationwide unrest, BLM L.A. has pursued racial justice reforms and supported the families of those killed by law enforcement in the region. The organization has been viewed by some as controversial for its confrontational tactics and rejection of so-called respectability politics. But its approach has also attracted young Black people and embraced those who are LGBTQ. Despite its growing renown among Black Americans, only recently has Black Lives Matter become a household phrase among people outside the Black community. Cullors, 37, likens the organization to an underground cult band that has now broken into the mainstream. Leadership within the movement is decentralized. But Cullors, who serves as chair of the BLM Global Network Foundation, the groups international arm, assists her hometown chapter when needed. She also collaborates with organizers outside BLM under the broader Movement for Black Lives, a national coalition of more than 100 organizations. With nearly 100,000 estimated protesters, the June 7 Hollywood protest was the biggest organized gathering so far in Los Angeles since Floyds death. BLM has made it easier for people to lean into social justice, Cullors said, in part through use of social media and the engagement of celebrities like the rapper YG, who promoted that protest and used footage from it in a music video for his song FTP, which is an abbreviation for F the police. Black Lives Matter Los Angeles organizers Richie Reseda, left, Haewon Asfaw and Patrisse Cullors laugh at a Twitter post at Cullors' home in South Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) Its unheard of in L.A. to bring out 100,000 people to protest, Cullors said. Thats very New York, thats very Chicago. L.A. is a very apathetic town. Before the march began, ELayjiah Wooley approached Cullors to ask how she could join the movement. The 19-year-old with curly pink hair told Cullors that theyd met a year before at a march in Oakland and that she had just moved to Los Angeles. Youre in the right place, Cullors told her. Cullors, who grew up in Van Nuys in the 1990s, said her earliest memory of police is watching officers force their way into her home while looking for her uncle and ransacking the place without acknowledging the family. She was 7. For Cullors, the mother of a 4-year-old boy, the current struggle is being waged for this generation and those to come. This is a movement led and envisioned and directed by Black women, she said. Many of us are queer, were moms, and we really started this work because we wanted to see our children survive. Were laying the groundwork and foundation for a new world, not just for our descendants but for right now. Haewon Asfaw, left, jokes around with Patrisse Cullors at Cullors' home. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) With 500 members, the L.A. chapter is one of the biggest and most influential in the BLM network. The core leadership team consists of five people, including Abdullah, who manages messaging and strategy. She said she tries to ensure that members have a say in most decisions, though the core team takes on alone issues that could risk danger or arrest. None of the leaders are paid for their organizing work. Scot Brown, a professor of African American studies and history at UCLA, said people like Abdullah are the "real heroes" for leading the resistance long before there was international support. "There was a time when this movement was vilified," he said. "Now it's become the chant that affirms human rights." The current moment has brought a wave of support from other progressive organizations. But at times, good intentions have proved insufficient. This month, the group behind the yearly LA Pride parade organized a march in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. But its leaders came under fire after they submitted a special event permit application to the Los Angeles Police Department. Thousands participate in the All Black Lives Matter solidarity march along Hollywood Boulevard on June 14. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) As a matter of practice, Black Lives Matter Los Angeles does not collaborate with police on any of its events. Under pressure, LA Pride apologized and said it would step back from the event. The All Black Lives Matter solidarity march did take place at the direction of a newly formed group, Black LGBTQ+ Activists for Change, whose board is composed entirely of Black LGBTQ people. For Abdullah, the situation illustrates the deeper thinking that must occur when people consider what solidarity really means. Its more than just saying 'Black lives matter' or painting it on the street, she said. Abdullah, who is in her 40s, grew up the daughter of two schoolteachers in East Oakland during the rise of the Black Panther Party. She now teaches pan-African studies at Cal State L.A. and was supposed to spend this year writing a book. In September, she took her first sabbatical in 18 years. While Abdullah is more the academic theorist, Cullors flourishes in the world of art. Originally trained as a dancer, her work lives at the intersection of performance and activism. For her master's thesis last year at USCs Roski School of Art and Design, Cullors contrasted the history of Black bodies being harmed, tortured and brutalized with pieces designed to showcase respite and healing. This month, she performed A Prayer for the Runner, which centers on a prayer she contributed to writing after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. Patrisse Cullors, who completed her master of fine arts degree at USC last year, has combined performance art and activism to help build the Black Lives Matter movement. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Cullors released her first book, a poetic memoir co-written with Asha Bandele about Black Lives Matter titled When They Call You a Terrorist, in 2018. Art, she believes, is essential to the movement. We didnt build it as a policy think tank; we built it as a cultural movement, she said. Thats why everybody feels moved by it. Its why it tugs at peoples hearts. It's why it pisses people off. Its why people felt like they had to pick a side." Thats what it did for the mother of Grechario Mack, 30, who was having a mental episode when he ran through the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza shopping mall with a knife and was shot dead by police. The Los Angeles Police Commission later ruled that the 2018 shooting violated department policy. Catherine Walker, Mack's mother, said the leaders of BLM L.A. have become like a second family to her during a three-year period when she lost three family members. She spoke at a protest June 3 that drew thousands. Having that platform has made her feel validated, Walker said. Even though my son is gone, George Floyd opened our doors to show there is hope that justice can be gotten, she said. BLM L.A. helps families like Walkers by ordering independent autopsies, which can cost upwards of $6,000. Abdullah said those autopsies can make all the difference in wrongful-death lawsuits. The organization also requests body-cam video from police departments, removes the narration by law enforcement officials and pushes the raw footage back out on social media. We try to strip it of their narrative, so that people can see what actually happened, Abdullah said. Melina Abdullah chats with her daughter Amara Abdullah while looking at a banner being painted at a Black Lives Matter event at Norman O. Houston Park on June 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) That kind of continued support is part of the core mission of BLM L.A., whose two main tenets are to prosecute police whose use of force is unjustified and to defund police departments while shifting resources toward social services including mental health, schools and housing. BLM organizers, who take inspiration from the civil disobedience tactics of the Black Power era of the 1970s, have clashed at times with veteran activists in L.A.s Black community, who say those actions distract from their message. Others question BLM's follow-through after moments of confrontation. Longtime community activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, said BLM's tactics opened city leaders' eyes to the seriousness of police violence. Without the recent protests, he said, leaders would never have agreed to reduce the LAPD budget. "However, without sustained, focused political engagement and a structured organization to carry out a concrete program for police overhaul, the great danger is that when the moment passes they will take back every one of the gains," Hutchinson said. Juliet Hooker, a political science professor at Brown University who has studied the BLM movement, called it the most effective Black political mobilization since the civil rights era. "It's only seven years old and there are these massive protests all over the U.S., all over the globe in solidarity and raising questions about racism in their own local context," she said. "That's an enormous potential transformation in political consciousness." Melina Abdullah speaks during a George Floyd protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 8. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) It's too early, Hooker said, to judge BLM on legislative or policy outcomes. But she said that the groundwork for those changes is being laid now and that political candidates have no choice but to address systemic racism ahead of the November election. Increasingly, BLM's strategy appears to be working. At Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Abdullah urged City Council members to stop relying on police and embrace new strategies for public safety. The world is speaking right now, she said at the meeting. Theyre saying we dont want a system of policing that puts targets on the backs of Black people." Abdullahs remarks came during a special meeting devoted to the Peoples Budget, an alternative spending plan for City Hall that would allocate 5.7% of the citys general fund to the LAPD, a reduction of about 90% compared with Mayor Eric Garcettis spending plan for the upcoming budget year. Garcetti said that the city needs more law enforcement reforms and that leaders are exploring how to respond to nonviolent 911 calls with medical and mental health workers. He announced a moratorium on adding people to the CalGang database and new processes for reporting police misconduct. "But we cant limit our law enforcement budget to a point that would deny our communities critical emergency services," he said. "We have to continually work to improve all of our government services, including policing." Law enforcement officers have killed more than 880 people, including Twyman, in Los Angeles County since 2000. Almost all were men and nearly 80% were Black or Latino. In the vast majority of cases, the use of force was deemed legally justified by the L.A. County district attorneys office. Melina Abdullah, left, stands onstage as protesters rally outside the Hall of Justice on Wednesday to call for the resignation of L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey. Black Lives Matter has staged such protests weekly. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Local organizers with Black Lives Matter have built momentum through aggressive tactics camping out at City Hall, shutting down freeways and targeting top law enforcement officials and Garcetti. They advocated firing former Police Chief Charlie Beck and his successor, Michel Moore, as well as L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, over their perceived mishandling of police shootings and misconduct. Though the Police Commission, a civilian panel that oversees the LAPD, was praised for passing reforms including de-escalation training, use of body cameras and limiting the use of chokeholds, Abdullah has maintained that those don't go far enough. Among Black Lives Matter organizers' achievements, they count the firing of the five Inglewood officers who fatally shot Kisha Michael and Marquintan Sandlin in 2016; the end of a Los Angeles Unified School District policy of randomly searching students with metal detectors; the 2019 arrest of Democratic donor Ed Buck, accused of preying on gay Black men and forcibly injecting them with fatal doses of methamphetamine; and Police Commission rulings of wrongdoing by officers in the deaths of numerous L.A. residents at the hands of police. They also say they forced Lacey into a November runoff election against progressive challenger George Gascon. After public pressure last year, city prosecutors dropped eight misdemeanor charges against Abdullah after she allegedly grabbed the arm of an LAPD officer during a contentious Police Commission meeting. In February, Abdullah filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the police and city attorneys office illegally targeted her for prosecution because of her activism. A day before the primary election in March, Laceys husband pointed a gun at Abdullah and other unarmed Black Lives Matter protesters during a confrontation outside the couples home, telling them: I will shoot you. Get off of my porch. In a still from video, Jackie Lacey's husband points a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters outside the Laceys' front door March 2. (Dahlia Ferlito) State officials are reviewing whether Laceys husband committed a crime and should face prosecution. After the incident, Lacey apologized on her husbands behalf but also derided the protesters for what she called repeated harassment and threats throughout her two terms in office. Recent BLM protests have come against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately killed Black Americans. Abdullah said shes fighting a more existential threat. We pray that we dont get sick, she said. But if we do, it is what it is because my children are under greater threat by these officers who kill people than they are by COVID-19. After days of protests, which at times were marred by instances of vandalism and theft, local officials lifted curfews and pulled back the heavy police presence. Faced with growing criticism over the mass arrests of hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, top law enforcement officials said they will not pursue criminal or financial penalties against the protesters. Garcetti committed to making a $250-million investment in communities of color. The money will be cut from city operations, including as much as $150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department, which has a budget of $1.8 billion. Abdullah called the cuts a positive step forward but said that commitment came after five years of pressure to defund police while the department's budget increased. On the Monday after the big Hollywood march, Abdullahs day started with a radio interview at 4 a.m. She tuned into the citys Budget and Finance Committee meeting and then spoke at a news conference in front of City Hall in support of defunding the Los Angeles School Police Department. Melina Abdullah stands for a portrait in her Mid-City backyard. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) When she got home close to 7 p.m., she pulled her hair into a bun and sank into her burnt orange sectional for a conference call. During the initial weeks of the coronavirus stay-at-home orders, Abdullah said, she slowed down for the first time since Black Lives Matter Los Angeles was established. She returned to cooking family dinners of eggplant Parmesan and fried fish and greens. The family grew closer. Then Floyd was killed. And though Abdullah regularly brings her children to protests and other actions, she worries she isnt giving them the same attention as mothers who arent leading a social movement. For Abdullah, this historic moment means 20-hour days that end with her answering emails until her eyes get blurry and she crashes on the couch. Its a sacrifice shes willing to make for her own children, for those whose parents died at the hands of police and for a vision of a better United States that for so long has been maddeningly out of reach. We decided as a family we talked about it, that we got to be all in in this moment, she said. But its not going to be forever. As we move through the midway point of 2020, it is hard to find many positives in one of the most tumultuous years in recent memory. Canadian stocks suffered a sharp retreat in the late winter and early spring but have managed to rebound even in the face of worsening economic data. Today, I want to look at three TSX stocks that Canadians may want to avoid as we move into the summer. TSX stocks: Why Indigo is in big trouble to start this decade Indigo Books & Music (TSX:IDG) operates as a book, gift, and specialty toy retailer in Canada and the United States. If youre caught up on your retail history, or if youve seen Youve Got Mail, you know that big-box stores managed to push out many of their smaller counterparts in the late 20th and early 21st century. Interestingly, the rise of digital commerce now poses a huge threat to these brick-and-mortar behemoths. Shares of Indigo have plunged 71% in 2020 as of close on June 18. Back in April, Id discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns could accelerate business trends like the decline of traditional cinema. Indigo has sought to make up ground in the digital space, but Amazon has established a dominant foothold. In April, Indigo announced the temporary layoff of 5,200 of its retail employees. Investors can expect to see its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2020 results on June 24. As it stands today, it is hard to have much faith in this struggling TSX stock. How long will it take for auto sales to bounce back? The Canadian auto sector has been cursed with lofty expectations in recent years. Auto sales soared to record levels in 2018, only to dip marginally in the following year. Although 2019 was still a historically strong year, this year-over-year dip drove investors away from stocks like AutoCanada. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a serious blow to auto dealerships across North America. Shares of AutoCanada have dropped 26% in 2020 as of close on June 18. However, the stock has surged 76% over the past three months. In the first quarter of 2020, the company reported a net loss of $46.9 million. On the bright side, AutoCanada continued to outperform the broader Canadian market. Story continues Provinces across Canada are reopening, but it may take time for relief to come for this TSX stock. Economic turmoil has put many Canadians in a dire financial position. This could put more pressure on vehicle sales activity in the near term. Why luxury retailers are a gamble Canada Goose attracted skepticism when it launched its IPO back in March 2017. Many investors questioned the strength of the luxury winter clothing brand. The stock has dropped 29% in 2020 so far, but its shares are up 43% over the past three months. Luxury retailers could take a hit in this difficult economic climate. Fortunately, Canada Goose can lean on its promising performance in Asia. The upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing could serve as a fantastic branding opportunity for Canada Goose. Moreover, this TSX stock boasts a very strong balance sheet. Canada Goose is a risky buy to kick off this summer, but the stock is worth monitoring going forward. The post 3 TSX Stocks to Avoid This Summer appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Fool contributor Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon and Canada Goose Holdings and recommends the following options: short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon and long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020 Will Smith is reflecting on his experience being a parent. In a new Fathers Day episode of Red Table Talk with wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the 51-year-old actor sat down to discuss his failures and struggles as a dad, saying he believes "Im a way better father than I am husband." After getting married at age 24 to first wife Sheree Zampino, Smith soon became a father to son Trey, now 27. It was then that he began to comprehend the real weight of parenting. I brought him home, we put him in the bassinet, it was like stark terror, said Smith. Im totally responsible for this life. I couldnt stop going and checking. I just cried so hard. I knew I didnt know nothing. Its on me now. It hit me how fragile parenting is. In that moment, I could see all the spectacular lessons my father had instilled in me, and I was like, theres no way. Im not that good. When Trey was just 2 years old, Smith and Zampino split up. Though hes expressed guilt over the divorce, Pinkett Smith, whom he married in 1997, noted, just because a man might not be the best husband doesnt mean hes not a good father. With Sheree and with Trey, that was a really difficult time. Divorce was the worst thing in my adult life. Divorce was the ultimate failure for me, Smith said. Ive been hurt a lot in my adult life, but I dont think anything touches the failure of getting divorced from my 2-year-old sons mother. Sheree and I ran into that if a mans not a great husband, then he loses his parental rights. Im a way better father than I am a husband. In that process, you start fighting for your rights, and the kid is in the middle. Due to his own troubled relationship with his father, Smith knew he needed to control his own frustrations during the divorce. Because of my own experience of seeing Daddy-O punch my mother, I knew my kids would never see me do anything violent toward their mother, said Smith. But in the first couple years of Treys life, because Sheree and I were divorced, I think my desire to never have my son see me in that way made me more absent as a father. I wanted to create enough distance. We not gonna be cursing, fighting. Story continues Despite their early struggles, it was then that Smith turned to his own father for support. Following his dads advice that youll never win if you fight a kids mother, Smith chose to surrender. When hes 13, hes going to come look for you, his father told him. And sure enough, As soon as Trey was ready, he came looking for his father, Smith recalled. Now 27, son Trey is counted as one of Smiths closest friends and confidantes. Back in 2018, Smith took to social media to discuss his own relationship with his oldest son. It has not always been like this between Trey & I, he wrote in an Instagram post. We STRUGGLED FOR YEARS after my divorce from his mother. He felt betrayed & abandoned. It is a wild blessing to recover & restore a loving relationship with my beautiful son! I love doing a lot of things. I love being an actor, I love putting stuff out in the world. I love husband and wife relating. But parenting is something really rewarding and challenging about delivering human beings to the world, Smith told Pinkett Smith during his Red Table Talk appearance. And to themselves, she added. Parenting daughter Willow, 19, also introduced Smith to a new set of challenges. At just 9 years old, Willow rose to fame with her hit single Whip My Hair. The family soon set out on tour with Justin Bieber, but Willow quickly decided she no longer was interested in touring. [Willow] had committed to these 30 days on [the] Whip My Hair [tour]. We were in Dublin, Ireland, and she did her fourth or fifth show, and came off stage and was like, Im ready to go, Daddy. She was ready to go home, and I was like, Well no, you cant go home, baby. You committed to 30 days. You cant go home. She kept asking, Daddy, it doesnt matter how I feel? And I was like, Yes baby, it does matter how you feel, but you have to finish what you started. And she was like, But Im finished. As a form of protest against her dad, Willow shaved her head. It was so devastating to me when she shaved her head bald, Smith admitted. Her record is Whip My Hair. Im like, thats a protest against me. It was his experience with Willow that Smith said introduced me to feelings. I would say that Whip My Hair thing put a pause button on my overt parenting. I stopped, and I just started watching my kids, and with Willow, I started to see that there was a higher value in talking to her about how she feels about the situation versus how to fix the situation, and it became the new thought process for me, he said. Pinkett then surprised Smith with a series of videos made by his three kids, including 21-year-old son Jaden. Happy Fathers Day, my guy, Trey told the camera. I love you beyond life. I am truly thankful for our relationship. Every step of the way, the journey has been magnificent. I wouldnt change anything. Pinkett Smith closed out the episode by tearfully telling Smith, we appreciate you, and I just want to say thank you for everything. Youre really a great father. I really appreciate the parenting partnership. Theres no rules. Everybody wants rules. Its more art than it is science, Smith responded. And I love what we painting. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Family members of veterans who were living at the Holyoke Soldiers Home during the COVID crisis along with veterans organizations are pushing Governor Charlie Baker and state legislators to pony up money for the construction of a revamped and expanded Soldiers Home in the next fiscal year. A group of 26 family members, backed by about 1,000 supporters, told Baker that they want the state to certify that it will pay 35 percent of the costs to add on to the home on Cherry Street in Holyoke and improve the way veterans are cared for in their final years. This is our time to make a memorial to the vets who lost their lives this spring, Laurie Mandeville-Beaudette said Saturday. Her dad, James Mandeville was one of 76 veterans who died at the Soldiers Home. The group has created a website www.fundholyokesoldiershomenow.org to focus attention on the home and the needs of the veterans who live there. The Veterans Administration has approved the plans for the new Soldiers Home and has committed to covering 65-percent of the construction costs but only if the state promises to pay the rest. You must act quickly, Beaudette wrote in the groups letter to Baker last week. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed that the 2012 proposal for a new addition and renovations to the Soldiers Home remains on the active list for (federal) funding. The biggest problem is that state certification has to be in the federal governments hands by July 31 to allow construction to begin this fiscal year, and Beaudette said that is the important part. We all think that if this does not happen this year, with all that has happened, it will not come to fruition anytime soon, she said. Probably it never will. In his first official act as the Commander of the Massachusetts Department of Foreign Wars, Russ Jobe signed on to the effort to renovate the Holyoke Soldiers Home. He sent a letter calling on Baker to support the project. We envision a Soldiers Home in Holyoke were veterans enjoy excellent quality of life and quality of care; where they, their families and the staff engage in relationships that result in the best possible environment where veterans want live and staff want to work, and where all are protected, sustained in the safest and most compassionate home possible, Jobe wrote. Paul Barabani said the project could get lost is it does not start soon. After all, he has seen it slide to the back burner before. The former superintendent of the home from 2011 to 2016 said he first applied for the expansion and got the VA to go along with the plan in 2012. That is as far as it has gone. When I first started there, I found a 2010 assessment study that found that 95 percent of the rooms in the home did not meet VA standards, he said. Only five percent did. What galls him is the very funding problems that forced him to resign in 2016 are still hurting the veteran residents today. This project, he said, is needed to give veterans being cared for there the quality of life promised in the Homes motto, Care with honor and dignity. The plan calls for building a 5-story addition to the current home as well as a complete renovation of older rooms that do not meet VA standards. The new tower would provide 120 new private rooms, while the current facility would be renovated into single and double occupancy. That, Barabani said, would prevent future epidemic spreads like COVID-19 that killed so many veterans. The new construction would also help to change the care protocols to what Barabani called, small house standards. The concept allows for rooms to be clustered into neighborhoods, each at the end of a hall, and in the middle would be a common area where people can socialize, he said. It promotes more family-styled interaction rather than institutionalized. The renovations would also allow bathrooms for each room, just like in hospitals. The vets now have to leave their room and go down the hall to a communal bathroom, he said. It is not that the state does not recognize our veterans needs, Barabani said. The Chelsea Soldiers Home, the sister to the Holyoke facility, is in the midst of a $199 million construction project. During his tenure as superintendent, Barabani said the Chelsea home received $5 million more for staffing that the Holyoke facility and cared for 100 fewer beds, meaning on a yearly basis, Chelsea received $25,000 more for each bed. Sheryl Blais said her dad, Robert, was among the first to die this past spring. She was able to cajole her way in to be with him when he passed, one of the last to be able to do so. She said she was stunned by what she saw a dining room filled with between 40 and 45 old, sick veterans, some tested positive and some not, all crammed together in one large room. It was awful, she said. People were eating with other people dying next to them. How can we do that to our veterans? Combine all those men in there. It was awful. Blais was able to sit with her dad and at 4:45 a.m. March 30 he passed. She thinks he left behind a mission. He put me on this mission for a reason, she said. I am in this for the long haul. If it takes 10 years I will be in it all the way. We desperately need this so it cant happen again. "13 Reasons Why" star Katherine Langford has revealed she was unable to return for the final season of the hit show as she was busy shooting for her new project "Cursed" for the streamer. Langford shot to international fame with her performance as the high school student Hannah Baker whose suicide rocks Liberty High when the titular tapes find their way to her various classmates who abetted her death in the first season of the Netflix Original. Though the Australian actor came back for the sophomore season in spirit and flashbacks, she announced her exit from the show ahead of its third chapter. But fans had speculated she may film a brand new cameo for the fourth and final installment, which debuted earlier this month. Asked why she didn't star in the final series, Langford told Digital Spy, "I think I was still filming 'Cursed', so I wasn't able to go in and shoot anything." The makers used archive footage from the first season to insert her into the finale, giving some closure to the story of Hannah's classmate and friend Clay Jensen (played by Dylan Minnette). "It's funny because I haven't fully seen season three or four - but I'm making my way through season three and watching season four now that that chapter's closed," she added. The 24-year-old actor said she is proud of her former cast members and they are "still really tight". "In many ways, I already know what happens and I'm just so proud for them. Closing that chapter was such a special part instilled in all of our lives," Langford said. She will next be seen playing the role of Nimue in "Cursed", a fantasy drama loosely based on Arthurian legend. Follow @News18Movies for more The solar eclipse was not visible in several parts of northern India because of the thick cloud cover and rains in some parts on Sunday morning. A large number of people had gathered at these places to see the eclipse that happened after a gap of 14 years. The eclipse was to be clearly visible in Suratgarh in Rajasthan, Sirsa and Kurukshetra in Haryana, Dehradun, Uttarakhand and in Tapovan in Himachal. But it could not be seen in most places due to cloudy weather. In Nainitals Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) where scientists had made arrangements for live streaming of the eclipse, weather played a spoilsport. Wahab Uddin, senior scientist at ARIES said clouds cleared briefly around 12.10 pm and people could see the eclipse through live streaming on YouTube. Had weather been good, we would have witnessed a good crowd, he said. In most parts of Uttarakhand, temples were shut during the eclipse period and people were seen taking dips in nearby rivers post-eclipse. We witnessed very few customers during the eclipse. People came out after the eclipse, said Amit Narang, a shopkeeper from Kumaon. In Haridwar, shrines, temples, mutts remained closed for almost 15 hours and the famous Ganga puja was not performed in the morning because the eclipse is considered inauspicious. After the solar eclipse got over at 2:51 pm, temples were cleaned and Ganga water was sprinkled amidst special chanting of hymns by priests. In Madhya Pradesh, people watched the solar eclipse in groups while maintaining social distance. It was a great experience to watch the ring of fire very clearly amid clouds. I made all types of arrangements including spectacles and a telescope so that common people could enjoy the moment. Spectacles were not allowed to be exchanged with others due to Covid-19 situation but the telescope was sanitised properly, said a science activist Sarika Gharu. A banker Ashok Singh from Gwalior said, It is for the first time I saw a solar eclipse and I got enthralled while watching the moon covering the sun. Sandhya Kesari, a housewife from Bhopal said, I was hesitant to see the solar eclipse with naked eyes. However, I saw it for a few seconds, though not looking directly at the Sun. It was an amazing experience. At Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, there was a huge crowd of people to watch the eclipse, especially students and astronomy enthusiasts. This was one of those moments for which people have to wait for years, said Debiprasad Duari, director, M P Birla Planetarium. The eclipse was recorded and streamed online by Birla Industrial and Technological Museum in south Kolkata. Science clubs in several districts arranged viewing sessions for its members. I wish the sky was clear. We could have had a full view of the eclipse, said Ananta Majumdar, a star gazer from Bhawanipore. In Rajasthan, astronomers and a large number of media persons assembled in Patroda village of Sriganganagar where the solar eclipse was said to have been viewed best. A student of astronomy present there said the sun was 99% covered around 11.50 am in a strip of 2 0km between Ghadsana and Anupgarh. Anupgarh MLA Santosh Bawri made arrangements for people to view the rare celestial event. In Jaipur, people who went to Birla planetarium to see the eclipse, had to return disappointed because it was closed. Later, some media crews were allowed in the planetarium. (With inputs from state bureaus) (Natural News) Google has reached a level of monopolization that needs to be taken seriously as a threat to freedom, the free exchange of ideas and political diversity. (Article by Erick Erickson republished from Creators.com) Follow along with the logic of your average woke Google employee. These employees have been openly arguing for a few years now that Google needs a diverse array of employees shaping Googles algorithms, or Google will only present to consumers certain information that might exclude diverse views or information. Concurrently, these same employees have argued that Google need not entertain conservative thoughts or ideas. It was not that long ago that Google employees revolted at the idea of Kay Cole James, a black female and president of the Heritage Foundation, sitting on a Google advisory board designed to ensure diversity in Googles artificial intelligence practices. Googles employees want diversity, but not ideological diversity. They believe diversity is needed to shape access to information through Google, but they want to deny any ideological diversity in the process of shaping. Google controls over 90% of search engine activity. With a diverse group of people who lack intellectual diversity, Google can restrict access to information that offends its hired gatekeepers. Google controls over 70% of the market share of advertising online. Over the years, Google has bought up major competitors and then leveraged its dominance to both grow its ad business and hurt its competitors. According to The Wall Street Journal, in an experiment last year, Nexstar Media Group Inc. tried to get out of Googles ad network and saw not only a revenue dive but also a dive across access to the companys data because Google has so integrated its ad business, ad generation business and search business. This past week, a reporter at NBC News attempted to have The Federalist removed from Googles ad network. The Federalist is a conservative website that had the audacity to run a story critical of the media. The NBC News reporter actually flagged The Federalist due to a comment left by a random commenter. Google made The Federalist delete its comments section to keep revenue flowing. In the past year, with my own website, The Resurgent, I have received notices from Google that posts at The Resurgent related to guns and other issues have all run afoul of Googles policies. In fact, Google routinely uses its position to demonetize conservatives who might write about guns or other matters. They starve sites of cash, and there are no comparable competitors to go to. On top of that, left-wing agitators have a sympathetic ear at Google, and Google is more likely to target sites on the right than the left. An NBC News reporter, who had previously been a left-wing activist for the U.K. Labour Party, found a sympathetic person at Google to demonetize a conservative news and opinion site because of a random commenter in a comments section. One wonders if Google will demonetize The New York Times because of Sen. Tom Cottons op-ed. Dont hold your breath. That Google can use its monopoly to force websites to delete content or else be penalized is a dangerous thing, particularly when Google is so willing to target conservatives. Googles search dominance is akin to Microsofts dominance with Internet Explorer that forced antitrust action against Microsoft. Likewise, Googles control of over 70% of online advertising is depriving the marketplace of competition. Google is now using its Chrome browser to compel changes to the open internet, becoming a new Internet Explorer, where people must use Googles browser to render sites properly and, with that, let Google track them. The time has come for serious bipartisan investigations into breaking apart Google. If Google can use its position to censor others and harm them financially while ensuring a departure from Google causes even further harm, Google is too big. It is easy to say sites can go elsewhere and do not have to use Google. But there is nowhere on the internet one can go to truly escape Google without significant sacrifice in accessibility or revenue. It is time to break it up and prohibit it from controlling the content of other sites. To find out more about Erick Erickson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. Read more at: Creators.com Express News Service BENGALURU: The lockdown regulations may have put a stopper to various events, but residents and scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium are ready to witness yet another partial Solar Eclipse from the comfort of their homes.The planetarium will only webcast the celestial event on Sunday due to the Covid-induced ban on public gatherings. We have not made arrangements this time for the public to view the eclipse in the planetarium complex due to the lockdown restrictions in force, Planetarium director Pramod Galgali said on Saturday. In the city, obscuration of the Sun by the Moon will start at 10:12 am and will cover a maximum of around 40 per cent of the Sun at 11:47 am. In Bengaluru, however, the ring of light will not be seen, say scientists, as the eclipse is only partial. It will look like someone has taken a bite of the sun. The partial phase will end at 1:31 pm, they said.I dont have any equipment at home, so Ill view the phenomenon online, said Suraj I G, a space enthusiast. Several like him are set to view the eclipse from home. Over the last three days, the Curios stall at the planetarium has witnessed huge sale of the Eclipse Goggles and 1,000 pieces were sold by Saturday, officials said. While the phenomenon is exciting for photographers, scientific officer at JNP, Lakshmi B R, said one must take absolute precautions to make sure they do not suffer retinal damage. One must cover their eyes at all times with the H Alpha Filter or the Sun filter films that are used in telescope and sun goggles, she said. Welders Glass No. 14 is recommended for those who have access. Parents can use their childrens pinhole camera to project the image on to the screen and watch the eclipse indirectly. The planetarium has arranged an online webcast of the partial solar eclipse on its website www.taralaya.org and its Facebook and YouTube channels. The webcast will start with a 30-minute demo at 9:30 am where a scientist will elaborate on the partial solar eclipse, why it happens and how frequently. The eclipse then will be livestreamed from Hanley, Kodaikanal and Bengaluru. The Benglauru stream will have images from both regular telescope and the H-Alpha Filter-based telescope, which will cut off 99 per cent of the intensity of the Suns light. Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on October 7. And on Saturday, the acting couple stepped out for a walk in their upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, wearing protective masks amid the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Danson, who's best known for his legendary role as Sam Malone on Cheers, pulled down his mask from time to time to get some fresh air, but only when there wasn't any people in their vicinity. Fresh air: Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen enjoyed a leisurely stroll in their upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Saturday The television icon, 72, kept it casual in the fashion department in black jeans with a grey hoodie over a grey t-shirt and black sneakers. Steenburgen, who's best known for her Academy Award-winning performance as a Supporting Actress in the 1980 film Melvin and Howard, opted for sporty in black track suit pants, grey t-shirt, black sneakers and a light black jacket tied around her waist. The couple appeared to be in good spirits as they soaked in another warm and sunny Southern California day near the ocean. Safety first: The couple both wore masks but Danson pulled his down his mask from time to time when there wasn't any people in their vicinity Danson and Steenburger, who were both reeling from bitter divorces, met on the set of the adventure film Pontiac Moon in 1993. The actors played a married couple and spent about five hours shooting a canoe scene for the movie that would end up changing their outlooks on finding love again. 'We went out as friends and by the time we came back, we were in love,' Danson told Closer magazine. In hindsight Danson attributed their lasting relationship, in part, to finding each other when they were both in their forties. 'We found each other when I was 45 and she was 40 -- we had lived a bit,' he added. New gigs: Both Danson and Steenburgen have new projects coming out over the next year Danson just wrapped up his four-season run on the fantasy comedy series The Good Place, that starred Kristen Bell, in January 2020. He is set to play the lead role in the upcoming NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor that will premiere in mid-2021. The show, which was created and written by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, will show the life of a wealthy businessman, played by Danson, who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. Steenburgen has two new films due: the romantic comedy Happiest Season, starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, and Guillermo del Toro's psychological thriller Nightmare Alley, with Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett in the lead roles. Senior Belfast republican Bobby Storey has died, Sinn Fein has announced. The party's president Mary Lou McDonald expressed 'deep sadness' at the death of Mr Storey, who was former IRA commander and the northern chairman of Sinn Fein. He was also a close ally of former party leader Gerry Adams. Mr Storey, who was in his mid-60s and died following illness, is survived by his partner Teresa, his children and grandchildren and siblings Seamus, Brian and Geraldine. Ms McDonald said: "Bobby was a lifelong and very deeply committed Irish Republican whose passing will be received with great sadness by republicans throughout Ireland. Bobby was involved in republican activism for over forty years and suffered great hardship for his selfless dedication to his republican ideals. Mr Storey spent over twenty years in prison. As a teenager, he had been interned without charge. The north Belfast man later took part in a 1983 escape of prisoners, in which 38 Provisional IRA inmates escaped from the top-security Maze Prison in the biggest jailbreak in Europe since the Second World War. One prison officer was shot in the head, but survived; a second was stabbed three times in the chest and died. After his release in 1994, Mr Storey went on to play a prominent role in the development of Sinn Fein, serving as Chairperson of Sinn Fein in Belfast and then Chairperson of the partys Six County Cuige. He was widely believed to have been the IRA's head of intelligence. In 2005, then Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside used parliamentary privilege to make the claim. Mr Storey was questioned about the 2002 theft of security files from the Special Branch headquarters at Castlereagh police station and about the 2004 Northern Bank robbery. In 2014, he was questioned about the disappearance of Jean McConville. In 2015, he was detained over the murder of Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan. He was subsequently released without charge. In a press conference after his release he compared the IRA to a caterpillar, insisting the organisation had become a "butterfly" and had "flew away". "The IRA has gone. The IRA has stood down, they have put their arms beyond use," he said. "They have left the stage, they are away and they're not coming back." Ms McDonald said: Bobby was extremely committed to the pursuit of a United Ireland with equality and social justice for all. He will be greatly missed. 'Today we have lost a great republican. His loss will be felt by all who had the privilege to call him their friend." Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill paid tribute to the man she described as a "much-valued and loved friend and comrade". "Bobby Storey... played a vital role in developing the peace and political process over the past two decades "He was an enduring tower of strength and will be deeply missed by us all." Sinn Fein has said it will announced funeral arrangements in due course. Republicans in Virginia will nominate a candidate Tuesday to run against heavily favored U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in a primary overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. Tuesdays elections, with eight primaries across the state, are the second in Virginia since the start of the pandemic, with more than 1,500 people in Virginia having died from COVID-19. Polling places will look much different than they did under normal circumstances, with election workers outfitted in personal protective equipment and fewer people actually at the polls, given a statewide push to have voters cast absentee ballots. The largest primary is a statewide contest for who will run against Warner in November. A civics teacher, a Bronze Star recipient and an Army reservist are looking to unseat Warner. All three are seeking elected office for the first time. In interviews last month, Gade and Speciale said they see their bids as extensions of their military service while Baldwin said she hopes to restore her three favorite words in the U.S. Constitution, We the People, back into the mainstream. Baldwin would be the first female U.S. senator from Virginia. Gade, a Bronze Star recipient whose right leg was amputated after he was wounded in Iraq, has raised substantially more money than Baldwin or Speciale, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. The 45-year-old has reported a total of $661,713 raised, compared with $88,626 for Speciale and $8,414 for Baldwin, as of June 3. Warner has raised $9.8 million. Warner, who served as governor from 2002 to 2006, is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. In 2014, he narrowly beat Ed Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee who went on to run for governor in 2017. Warner is seen as the favorite in the election, in part, due to his advantages in name recognition and his fundraising ability. Virginia Democrats have also seen an advantage in presidential election years, with larger voter turnout. Democrats have made substantial gains in the state since President Donald Trumps 2016 election. Warner is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Direct and Indirect Pandemic Effects: Unique to 2020, with potential for continuation. Affects registration and voting, fear of crowds, risk of infection, long waits, difficulty in recruiting workers, many previous locations not available, elderly a high voting group particularly affected. Greater range of issues involved in election, including public policy values: state / federal authority, powers; executive/ legislative branch powers; judicial and regulatory agendas; federalism framework; driving and connected socioeconomic issues such as income, employment, health, race become more visible.These have created divisions as well as has potential for unification, higher election turnout either way. Pre 2016, 2016, 2018, early 2020 lesson not fully assessed, implemented. Backlog on implementing solutions, e.g. U.S. intel: Russia compromised seven states prior to 2016 Two of the absentee voting approaches e-voting and mail both face challenges, including systematic attacks on mail voting as well as postal service infrastructure. More and more incentivized and practiced US based and external hackers, increased by the range of public policy and economics and revenue oriented issues. Divisiveness, with some recent shared values. May or may not be temporary. Increase collaboration among states, state interest groups and the private sector offers opportunities. Potential for greater engagement on election infrastructure than in 2016 and 2018. Registration: Voter Turnout: Voter Data Bases Mail Voting E voting: Accelerated Vote Suppression: Insist that big-tech companies do their part : Collaboration Among States, State Association and Security Entities National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) National Conference of State Legislatures Council of State Governments (CSG) National Association of Counties (NACO) National League of Cities (NLC) International City/County Management Association (ICMA) National Association of Attorneys General National Association of Election Officials National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Election Processes and Security (Various Sources) That Are Addressing Election Security Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) US Election Assistance Commission Brookings Pew Charitable Trusts GAO ELECTION SECURITY: DHS Plans Are Urgently Needed to Address Identified Challenges Before the 2020 Elections Center for American Progress Alliance for Securing Democracy Atlantic Council Harvard Kennedy School - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Cyber Security Project Center for Internet Security (CIS) Back in the spring of 2016, this blog asked the rhetorical question, Could the election be hacked? The response: most people, including industry experts at the time, either ignored, mocked or laughed at the suggestion. But after the events of the past few years, no one is laughing now at the potential for voting irregularities, either online or offline.On the contrary, as we head closer to the November, election security is quickly rising to the very top of the domestic priority list and is set to be a top issue this Fall. Some of the recent headlines underline a growing sense of urgency, if not panic, regarding the topic and whats at stake. For example:So why now? What makes our current situation different than in the past? According to Andris Ozols, the former chief research analyst for Michigan government and an expert who has commented nationally on several past election cycles , the USA is in uncharted waters. "The pandemic is helping shift the election discourse from processes, operations and IT cybersecurity to also emphasizing public policies and values. For example, eligibility, access, openness, transparency, trust and truthfulness and equity are core issues.This is in partly accomplished from (1) lessons from the 2020 primaries, (2) the police and justice actions being seen in the larger context of pandemic, economic status, employment and election framework, and through (3) collaboration among states, governors and state interest groups and (4) increased engagement by the private sector."State collaboration on technology plays a significant role with internal, US generated threats while the private sector strongly assists with US based as well as external threats. Here are more specific details on unique aspects to this election cycle:See June 15, 2020 NYT on Pandemic is Choking off the Quadrennial Surge in Voter Registration and WSJ, Keep Voters from having to Wait in Line, June 12, 2020.: Increased external inquiries and allegations of ineligible or deceased registrants. Targeted sweeps of registered voters, changes in eligibility, often affecting minority or other groups that tend to vote blue.: Addresses many aspects of Pandemic issues, but there are claims of potential for fraud. See June 12 WSJ Bolster confidence in voting by mail and Encourage Election and Postal Officials to coordinate their efforts as soon as possible.Multiple issues on vulnerability raised by many entities and experts. Recent studies by MIT and others.Multiple techniques: disenfranchisement including removal from rolls, targeted site placement and consolidation, reduction in days or hours, etc. Vote suppression accelerates during census cycle decision and data utilization phases.See WSJ, June 12, 2020. The WSJ has done a good job on covering this issue."The EI-ISAC (Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center) handles information for election officials and provides no-cost cybersecurity services. ...Yes, weve been discussing election cybersecurity threats for the past four years, but new cyberthreats keep surfacing. Consider these recent examples:With the general election less than 150 days away, there are rising concerns that the push for remote voting prompted by the pandemic could open new opportunities to hack the vote for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, but also others hoping to disrupt, influence or profit from the election. Homeland Security officials have been focusing intensely on hardening registration systems, said Christopher C. Krebs, who leads the departments Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He said his teams had been working to make sure that towns, counties and states patch software vulnerabilities, back up their systems and also have paper printouts of poll books the registration lists used on Election Day should criminals or adversary nations render the digital versions inaccessible. Expanding access to the ballot will be necessary this cycle, as officials scramble to hold an election against the backdrop of a pandemic. But the security vulnerabilities they present are almost certain to be exploited by the president and his allies.Over the past few years there has been many ways that election security topics were addressed by lawmakers and other government leaders and organizations. From states getting classified briefings in 2018 elections to the Senate Intelligence Committee writing a report on election vulnerabilities ahead of the midterms to the US Election Assistance Commission providing $380 million to states in election security funds , the response to the 2016 election was broad-based.Many other groups across the country have focused on these issues. Some of the available resources for the 2020 elections include these organizations and important documents listed below.April 28, 2020: A Budget Shortfall Estimate for States Grows Even Worse The National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released Stronger Together: State and Local Cybersecurity Collaboration. With a dramatic uptick in ransomware attacks across the country, governors, state CIOs and state government executives are designing and implementing programs to strengthen local partnerships in cybersecurity. The publication outlines promising programs that states have initiated to enhance collaboration with their local government counterparts for cyber resilience. It also provides high-level recommendations for state officials looking to strengthen partnerships with local government officials on cybersecurity.Ensuring the integrity and security of the election process is essential for the functioning of democracy in the U.S., and is a shared responsibility among many officials. Local election administrators are in charge of the nuts and bolts of election administration, and play a key role in elections security.Feb 14, 2020 Requires executive branch agency heads to ensure that information security programs are in place, implement security policies, standards and cost-effective safeguards to reduce, eliminate or recover from identified threats to data and information technology resources; include cybersecurity Observations and lessons learned from these facilitated sessions will be distilled into a toolkit that any state can use to map a communications plan for an election cybersecurity breach. The toolkit was be made available on the CSG website in November 2018.Mar 23, 2020 Administering an election during a global pandemic is likely a first for most county officials. With the uncertainty of COVID-19s long-term impact throughout the country, counties are grappling with election-related challenges ranging from shortages of poll workers to providing additional voting options and keeping polling locations clean.This guide outlines some of the most impactful ways that local governments can work with their state governments to prepare and defend again cyberattacks.ICMA, which was formed in 1914, is the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world. With over 10,000 members, the organization advances professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics.THE ROLE OF CHIEF STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS IN ELECTION SECURITY: 40 members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) serve as their state's designated chief election official, overseeing the conduct of elections according to law.Jul 11, 2018 The Guidelines are used by accredited testing laboratories as part of both state and national certification processes; by state and local election officials who are evaluating voting systems for potential use in their jurisdictions; and by manufacturers who need to ensure that their products fulfill the requirements, so they can be certified.Jun 09, 2020 Election Security is a Partnership. Securing election infrastructure is a partnership between federal, state and local government and private sector entities. DHS collaborates with federal departments and agencies, state and local government, election officials and other valued partners such as the National Association of Secretaries of State ...Securing election infrastructure from new and evolving threats is a vital national interest that requires a whole-of-society approach. This library provides State and local governments, election officials, campaigns, the vendor community, and voters with voluntary tools to secure election-related assets, facilities, networks and systems from cyber and physical risks.The Department of Homeland Security has designated elections systems as part of our nations critical infrastructure. At the time of designation, then-DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson observed, "Given the vital role elections play in this country, it is clear that certain systems and assets of election infrastructure meet the definition of critical infrastructure, in fact and in law."Election Security . Election Security Preparedness; Election Management Guidelines; Quick Start Guides; Election Worker Best Practices; Voting Accessibility; Designing Polling Place Materials; Voter Registration Cancellations; Language Access; Glossaries of Election Terminology; Press Releases; Elections as Critical Infrastructure; ProcurementManaging Election Technology The Election Official of today is an Information Technology (IT) Manager - whether they think they are, whether they want to be, or whether they were trained to be. IT management requires a unique set of attitudes, knowledge, and skills in order to plan, direct, and control contemporary election administration.Ongoing support to state and local governments. Election Technology Vendors Must Secure Their Voting Systems Many states purchase their voting systems from third-party vendors who have little financial incentive to prioritize election securityhttps://www.brookings.edu/topic/campaigns-electionsMay 13, 2020 Guidance for the Brookings community and the public on our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19)Aug 23, 2019 The lack of information flow in 2016 is largely due to the fact that at that time almost no state election officials had security clearances and were thus not privy to understanding the full ...Aug 20, 2019 This post is part of " Cybersecurity and Election Interference," a Brookings series that explores digital threats to American democracy, cybersecurity risks in elections, and ways to mitigate...About Cybersecurity and Election Interference. As we head into the 2020 elections, the United States faces extraordinary threats from the weaponization of cyberspace, foreign interferenceNov 01, 2018 In March, Congress allocated $380 million for state and local election security. While counties used the funds for cybersecurity training and new election equipment, many local officials complained it was not enough money. Some states, such as Arkansas, were able to improve their votingGAO-20-267: Published: Feb 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2020.Election Security in All 50 States ... this report does not address specific information technology (IT) requirements for voting machine hardware, software, or the design of pre-election testing Aug 19, 2019 The right to vote in a free and fair election is the most basic civil right, one on which many of the other rights of the American people depend. View the Election Fraud Database.David Levine, Elections Integrity Fellow February 13, 2020 ... well as experts in cybersecurity and information technology, to complement efforts by federal and/or state officials ... many of its local election officials are part-time employees,15 the states election cybersecurity.International voting system standards would provide valuable guidance for governments in the process of procuring election technology. Establishing comprehensive international guidelines is vital. Some companies, in particular those with a track record of managing and implementing new election technology in a variety of countries, self-regulate ...(February, 2018)No doubt, the sum of these election challenges and resources seems daunting and not just for cybersecurity reasons. Indeed, if the vote count is close, some believe that voters wont accept the 2020 election results no matter who wins. But regardless of your political persuasions or perspectives regarding the events of the past few years, there can be little doubt that all eyes are now on November. Election security is the elephant in the room for the next five months and likely beyond. A shooting incident before dawn on Saturday in the protest zone in Seattle, Washington killed the life of a 19-year old man and put another victim into critical condition according to authorities. On a statement on Twitter, police shared that the shooting incident occurred at around 3 AM in the location close to downtown which is known as the CHAZ or the Capitol Hills Autonomous Zone. On a Saturday morning press release, the Police department of Seattle claimed that by the time officers responded to gunshot reports inside the zone of protest, they were faced by a violent crowd that hindered the officers' safe route to the victims. Body camera video may hold clues According to CNN, the Police Department mentioned that they were later informed that the own medics of protesters transported the victims to a hospital with two gunshot wounds. Hospital spokeswoman, Susan Gregg, of the Harborview medical center shared that two males with gunshot wounds arrived at the facility via private vehicle at around 3 AM. But despite the efforts of the protesters' medic, the 19-year-old man died and the other victim was in critical condition staying in the intensive care unit. Star Tribune also reported that Seattle police's Sgt Lauren Truscott shared with the Seattle Times that she does not have any idea if authorities had taken anyone into custody and there are no immediate details that could unfold the shooting incident. Truscott also added that investigators were reviewing the body-camera video and public-source video for clues as authorities planned to reveal more information about the shooting incident. Several blocks near Seattle Capitol Hill neighborhood's police station is where protesters have cordoned off, in the wake of several public demonstrations against police violence since the tragic incident that happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis several weeks ago. After clashes with protesters turned into people throwing objects at police and in return police teargassing the crowd using other crowd-control munitions, authorities have largely retreated from the protest zone. Read also: Fact Check: Did Trump Tweet a Doctored Video of a 'Racist Baby'? Suspects still at large On the other hand, The Guardian said in a report that city officials mentioned that they are still communicating with leaders of the protest, who pledged to maintain peace in the area. The incident has drawn the consistently displayed anger of United States President Donald Trump. Based on his tweets, he could possibly send military but with condemnation from Jenny Durkan, the mayor of Seattle and governor of Washington, Jay Inslee who are both Democrats. As of the moment, suspects to the shooting remain at large and police have no description of the potential perpetrator. Protests have erupted across the country after the death of George Floyd in the hands of police officers. Thus, many people have lost trust on the authorities which led to violent protests and even the creation of the "police-free" zone. Riots, looting, and chaos happened all throughout the country happened as people protests against racism, abuse of power and police brutality of the men in uniform. The death of Floyd has caused major civil unrest all throughout the US. Related article: One Officer Connected to Breonna Taylor Killing Fired @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Students at California State University (CSU) may soon need to take ethnic studies before they can graduate. The planned three-unit course aimed at expanding the students' awareness of ethnic and nonwhite racial groups. The CSU, known for being the largest university system across the nation, has a long history in delivering ethnic studies curriculum. According to an article published in EdSource, it noted that the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University has turned out to be the pioneer college of its kind in the U.S. upon its establishment in 1969. A year before that, Cal State Los Angeles has developed "the first Chicano studies program" in the country. Moving in Legislature The bill that would require students of CSU to take the ethnic studies course was reportedly "moving forward in the Legislature" after the state Senate approved it on Thursday. Chancellor Tim White is poised to bring his own proposal to the Board of Trustees next month. His proposal would oblige the students to either take a class or course on ethnic studies, which had an element of social justice in it. Labelled as AB 1460, the bill would require students graduating in school year 2024 to 2025 to take a three-unit class in one of the four ethnic studies disciplines, which include African American studies, Asian American studies, Latina and Latino studies, and Native American studies. It was Assembly member Shirley Weber, who authored the bill that was passed by the Assembly in 2019. The bill is now pending at the Assembly to approve minor revisions from the Senate before it heads to Governor Gavin Newsom, who can sign it into law. Opposing the State Legislation Reports said the proposal of White, created in consultation with the system's Academic Senate, would go to the Board of Trustees on July 21 for a vote. White and the Academic Senate were opposing the state legislation. They asserted that campuses need to have sovereignty in identifying which classes would satisfy the academic requirement. Compared to the bill of Legislature, a more extensive range of courses would fulfill the proposal of CSU. Those courses will not only include classes in ethnic studies, but also classes in a broad range of other disciplines, such as arts and social sciences as well as humanities "as long as they have a social justice component." More so, the courses could also focus on the subjects of sexuality, class, gender, immigration, and religion. The issue of obliging students to study the racial groups and nonwhite's contributions has been long-standing in the state. The most recent push is taking place in the middle of the nationwide anti racism protests that sparked from George Floyd's killing by Minneapolis cops. Check these out! We need to use scientific evidence rather than what's sitting unused in the larder, says Maurice Gueret, as he wonders what a dog could do for a troubled Trump Straight talking At last, some clarity on the wearing of masks. Writing in The Lancet, Professor Raina MacIntyre calls for guidelines to be based on evidence, not on the availability of supplies. Hospitals and care facilities have been criticised for only supplying surgical masks to staff during the coronavirus pandemic. MacIntyre, an Australian epidemiologist and expert in global biosecurity, says that this is akin to allowing an army into modern warfare with bows and arrows. Newly published analysis of 170 previous studies in the journal, suggests that respirator masks (such as the much talked about N95) offer more than 95pc protection in risky environments, while common or garden surgical masks falter back at 77pc. The paper also suggests that face shields, goggles and even glasses make protection better still for frontline staff. Professor MacIntyre says these respirator masks are straightforward and cheap to make. It's a far cry from manufacturing a space shuttle. If we are faced with second wave, or pandemic of whatever virus, governments have no excuse for not equipping frontline personnel (and meat factories) with appropriate cover for the job. Respirator masks may be the iodine tablets for the next generation. Flu season Just three months to go now before we ramp up for another flu season. There were about 100 deaths from influenza reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in Ireland during the mostrecent autumn and winter. A long way off the mortality figure we are recording for Covid-19, but we should bear in mind that the last flu pandemic from 1918 took 20,000 citizens to an early grave. The Department of Health issued welcome news recently when they announced that all children aged between 2 and 12 can avail of free immunisation. Further details of how this will be administered are awaited, but the UK introduced a similar scheme last year with a nasal spray vaccine. We may be following their lead. People over 70 in Ireland already receive a free annual jab, so another important development here this year will be a free flu vaccine for all persons from six months to 69 years who are in at-risk groups defined by the HSE. That includes people with ongoing health conditions, health workers, carers, and folks who work with pigs and poultry. You can find the full list by going to gov.ie and putting 'influenza' in the search box. Loogie country Americans were reminded recently not to be hocking their loogies on the sidewalk during the pandemic. Nor are they to hawk them either. Dictionary company Merriam-Webster has been busy during lockdown examining the origins of the phrase. It's perfectly acceptable from a lexicographer's viewpoint to either hock or hawk a loogie, but public-health specialists frown on the practice. Loogie is a new word on me, an Americanism, first recorded about 70 years ago. It refers to a jumbled mass of spit and phlegm, delicately prepared in the oropharynx, to be cleared later by forceful ejection. The clinical term would be an expectoration, or medley of sputum and saliva. Though I've also heard gob and spittle used on respiratory wards of Dublin. Requests for empty spittoons were commonplace from bedbound smokers. I recall one charming man who would tell us his 'hamper' was full when a new one was needed. Shiny balls Sport has been turned upside down by the pandemic. Cricketers, who like one half of a bowled ball to be shiny, have been banned from using saliva or sweat to achieve this. Earwax would do the same job, but to stop orifice picking becoming the new norm, an Australian firm is looking to manufacture a synthetic wax that could be sponged on the ball. Last week I read a fascinating paper on the healing power of dog saliva. The value of our pets could be far greater than just companionship. There is the old folk tale about the hair of the dog curing a hangover, but dogs are also well versed on wound-licking and the healing powers of canine saliva with its nerve-growth factor and other proteins is known. Research continues into whether dogs can spot certain diseases before symptoms become apparent, and I was interested to read that dogs in hospices may change behaviour when they sense a companion's life is coming to an end. Best of all, they distract us from the darker thoughts of humanity. Could we prescribe one for President Trump? ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For Veterans - and for every American - the 2020 presidential election will be one of the most crucial elections in American history. With vital issues such as health care, the economy, illegal immigration, national security, and the threat posed by China, the Coalition for American Veterans (CAV) say, "It is time to stand up for our nation's Veterans!" This spring, we launched an informative 2020 Voter Guide. CAV's goal is to distribute the Voter Guide to 500,000 voters between now and November. In May we launched our "Pledge to Support Veterans" which has been signed by over 20,000 Americans in recent weeks. In June and throughout the summer, CAV's voter outreach efforts will continue. We will be standing up in support of Veterans, registering voters, holding politicians accountable, and educating the public about issues of concern to Veterans. From now through November, CAV will be conducting a grassroots outreach effort to stand up for Veterans' issues via videos, social media, phone calls, mailings, text messages, email alerts, and literature distribution. SOURCE Coalition for American Veterans Related Links https://coalitionforamericanveterans.com/ A video has emerged showing the Ondo State commissioner of police, Bolaji Salami, preventing the states deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, from leaving the government house with an official vehicle. Mr Salami said he recently caught wind of Mr Ajayis moves to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, an action he said should render him unqualified for some official benefits. But Mr Ajayi pushed back against the assertion, saying he should still be allowed to enjoy the perks of office as an incumbent deputy governor. He said he used his personal funds to buy the Toyota Hilux truck from which he was being denied access. The encounter, which reportedly lasted several hours, came as Mr Ajayi intensified his push to contest against his boss, Rotimi Akeredolu, at the upcoming governorship election, according to those familiar with the matter. Mr Ajayi was Mr Akeredolus running mate in the 2016 governorship election in Ondo and has served as his deputy since assumption of office in February 2017. How the rift between the governor and his deputy began was not immediately clear, but their fallout has broadened and became increasingly public ahead of party primaries. The video, which emerged on social media overnight, contained both Mr Salamis reason preventing Mr Ajayi from entering into the vehicle and the deputy governors counterargument. In the video, the police commissioner said: We are not saying you should not go out. Since you are defecting, even your letter was brought to me in my office this evening that you are doing it (decamping) on Monday. What the government is saying is that you cannot go out with official vehicles. This is politics, I am not saying it is right. This is a government house, the governor is the one talking, give me a few minutes, let me talk to my boss. In his response, Mr Ajayi said: I have tried all constitutional and acceptable means to prevent this crisis. You are being used by the governor to deprive me of my constitutional right. I am highly disappointed that a policeman of your calibre can be used like this. I personally paid for this vehicle. You should not have put yourself in this mess. Let me tell you, you cannot repeat what happened in this state in 1983 because Ondo State people will resist you and your emperor with everything. Tope Okeowo, a spokesperson for Mr Ajayi, confirmed that his principal was the one in the video. He told PREMIUM TIMES the deputy governor was told to come back on Sunday if he wanted to remove any of his vehicles from the government precinct. The two gates to the Government House was under lock and key while the stern-looking policemen were positioned at the gate to prevent the deputy governor from leaving the premises, he said Mr Okeowo also confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that his principal will decamp to PDP this week, but declined to clarify whether it was for the purpose of contesting for governor. The polices handling of the matter was roundly criticised on social media Sunday morning, with commentators slamming the commissioner for seemingly allowing himself to be used by political interests rather than upholding the longstanding principle of the police as an impartial institution. Mr Salami rebuffed the criticism on Sunday morning, telling PREMIUM TIMES he was only at the scene to keep peace amongst opposition supporters of the governor and deputy governor. I was there to maintain law and order after hearing that the governors supporters were outside the deputy governors residence to prevent him from going out in a vehicle they said belonged to the state, Mr Salami said. Agboola Ajayi {Source: Official Twitter Handle} The police chief added that when he got to the scene, he met many supporters of the governor and placated them with assurances that the police were only there to ensure that no damages were inflicted on humans and property. The commissioner said he asked the deputy governor to provide paperwork proving his ownership of the vehicle, but this was not immediately done. He also denied being used by the governor, saying the deputy governor called him on Sunday morning during which the issue was further properly addressed. The deputy governor called me this morning, and he understood that I am a commissioner of police and I know the right thing to do whenever we encounter tensions between politicians, Mr Salami said. A spokesperson for the governor, Yemi Olowolabi, did not immediately return requests seeking comments Sunday morning. Party primaries for Ondo election are expected to hold between late June and early July, while the election proper has been fixed for October 10. Mr Akeredolu has already signified his intention to seek re-election on the APC platform. Americas Racial Reckoning: What you need to know Full coverage: Race & Reckoning Demographic changes: How the racial makeup of where you live has changed since 1990 Newsletter: Subscribe to About US to read the latest on race and identity George Floyds America: Examining systemic racism through the lens of his life Resources: Understanding racism and inequality in America Said some feared careers would be at risk if they stood up for British Empire Academics fear they might get mobbed and their career may be at risk if they stand up for the British Empire, an Oxford historian has said. Nigel Biggar, regius professor of moral and pastoral theology at Oxford University's Christ Church college, said most academics knew little about the country's imperial past which has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks. The eminent professor, who currently leads a course on 'Ethics and the Empire' which explores both the positive and negative effects of the empire, went on to say that what academics did know was that it was 'not fashionable to stand up for the British Empire'. His comments come as councils and institutions across the country come under mounting pressure to remove controversial statues and monuments that have links to racism and colonialism amid the Black Lives Matter protests. Nigel Biggar, regius professor of moral and pastoral theology at Oxford University's Christ Church college, said academics feared being mobbed if they stood up for the British Empire The professor, who leads a course on 'Ethics and the Empire', said most academics knew little about the country's imperial past. Pictured: Christ Church College The calls come as demonstrations continue to increase around the world after George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 for nearly nine minutes. The professor told The Telegraph: 'At the moment we have crowds of mainly young people marching down the streets, shouting and screaming. They give the impression of numbers and power but do they represent majority opinion?' This week the governing body of Oxford University's Oriel College said it would be removing the controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes, which is one of dozens of targets appearing on a list of statues Black Lives Matter protesters want to see taken down. Critics argued Rhodes paved the way for the apartheid in southern Africa, and raised issue with his time as leader of the Cape Colony, from 1890 to 1896, when the government restricted black Africans' rights by increasing the financial criteria people required in order to vote. The college said in a statement: 'The Governing Body of Oriel College has today voted to launch an independent Commission of Inquiry into the key issues surrounding the Rhodes statue. 'They also expressed their wish to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes and the King Edward Street Plaque. This is what they intend to convey to the Independent Commission of Inquiry. The governing body of Oxford University's Oriel College said it would be removing the statue of Cecil Rhodes this week The statue of Cecil Rhodes stands outside Oriel College, following demonstrations for its removal amid the Black Lives Matter protests Earlier this month, the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was torn down by protesters and thrown into the harbour 'Both of these decisions were reached after a thoughtful period of debate and reflection and with the full awareness of the impact these decisions are likely to have in Britain and around the world. 'The Commission will deal with the issue of the Rhodes legacy and how to improve access and attendance of BAME undergraduate, graduate students and faculty, together with a review of how the college's 21st Century commitment to diversity can sit more easily with its past.' The decision came just weeks after protesters tore down a statue of the 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. Meanwhile the Bank of England yesterday confirmed it would remove the portraits of 11 former governors from its walls who profited from what it labelled the 'inexcusable' slave trade and owned a total of nearly 5,000 slaves. However Professor Biggar, who is the director of Oxford's McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life, said rational discussions needed to be held in regards to the removal of statues. He continued: 'The problem is that most academics know nothing about imperial history. 'What they do know is that it's not fashionable to stand up for the British Empire and they also get the impression that if you dare to that, like me, you get mobbed. If you are younger your career is at risk if you stand up for unfashionable causes.' Police officers stand around the statue of the former Prime Minister Winston Churchill after is is unboxed In 2017, Professor Biggar came under scrutiny over comments he had made in an opinion piece for The Times. In the piece, the professor acknowledged that the British Empire was 'morally mixed' but said it had also provided law and order in other countries. He said: 'If on the other hand we recognise that the history of the British Empire was morally mixed, just like that of any nation state, then pride can temper shame. 'Pride at the Royal Navy's century-long suppression of the Atlantic slave trade, for example, will not be entirely obscured by shame at the slaughter of innocents at Amritsar in 1919. 'And while we might well be moved to think with care about how to intervene abroad successfully, we won't simply abandon the world to its own devices.' Following his comments, more than 50 professors, lecturers and researchers signed an open letter rejecting the academic's views. Fugitive Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly hiding out in a luxury flat close to billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's 7million Paris apartment. The socialite has apparently escaped to her native France as the FBI continues to investigate links between her and convicted paedophile Epstein, as reported by The Sun. Maxwell has rarely been seen in public since 2016 and rumours have circulated frequently since then on her whereabouts. She is now understood to have moved into a flat on on Avenue Matignon, in Paris's 8th Arrondissement, a wealthy part of the city dotted with upmarket retail shops. The socialite has apparently escaped to her native France as the FBI continues to investigate links between her and convicted paedophile Epstein (pictured together in New York on March 15, 2005) Maxwell is now understood to have moved into a flat on on Avenue Matignon, in Paris's 8th Arrondissement Her new luxury abode is only a short five-minute drive from Epstein's 7million pad on Avenue Foch. The disgraced American financier was found dead in his New York prison cell on August 10, 2019, as awaited his trial on sex trafficking charges. A source told the newspaper: 'Ghislaine is moving locations every month to keep private investigators off her tail and is staying at the residences of trusted colleagues and contacts. 'She wants to remain in France for as long as she can to take advantage of extradition laws and has a huge network of contacts willing to keep her hidden. 'Under French law anyone born on French soil is safe from extradition to another country, regardless of the alleged crime. Maxwell's Her new luxury abode is only a short five-minute drive from Epstein's 7million pad on Avenue Foch (pictured) 'It doesn't mean she won't be prosecuted for her links to Epstein but if she does end up facing charges it will be in France and not the US.' Maxwell has denied any wrongdoing. There have been other claims that she was spotted walking away from the Israeli embassy, which is only a short distance away from where she is currently thought to be staying. Ghislaine Maxwell first met Epstein in the 1990s and they struck up a relationship. Not even Maxwell's lawyers are certain of her current location as she only communicates with them via email. A resident in France claims to her seen her out and about before the country went into lockdown to control the coronavirus pandemic. They said: 'She rarely went out, but when she did she wore a large patterned blanket which she pulled tightly around her face and draped across her shoulders. 'She clearly didn't want to be recognised and was able to blend in.' Maxwell is wanted for questioning by the FBI in relation to her links with Epstein, and it is alleged she introduced Prince Andrew to US 'sex slave' Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre. The property she is currently staying in is linked to a millionaire business contact based in Normandy. WASHINGTON, April 18, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on April 9, 2019 shows U.S. Attorney General William Barr testifying before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, in Washington D.C., the United States. The U.S. Justi Image Source: IANS News WASHINGTON, April 18, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on April 9, 2019 shows U.S. Attorney General William Barr testifying before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, in Washington D.C., the United States. The U.S. Justi Image Source: IANS News Washington, June 21 : US Attorney General William Barr said that President Donald Trump has fired Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman, who refused to step down over unfinished investigations. In a letter to Berman on Saturday, Barr accused of him choosing "public spectacle over public service", Xinhua news agency reported. "Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning. I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr wrote. Speaking to reporters at the White House before leaving for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday afternoon, Trump claimed that Berman's firing was up to Barr and that he was "not involved." Trump announced late Friday night his intention to nominate Jay Clayton, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, to replace Berman, who served as the attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2018. In a stunning response, Berman, who ran the probe that sent Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to prison and is reportedly investigating his current personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said that he has not resigned and that he has "no intention of resigning." "I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight I was 'stepping down' as United States Attorney," Berman said Fright night. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption." Besides Cohen and Giuliani, Berman's office also subpoenaed Trump's inaugural committee over an investigation into potential illegal contributions from foreigners and charged former Congressman Chris Collins, a Trump ally, with insider trading. Barr said Saturday that he was "surprised and quite disappointed" by Berman's statement and that he was "hoping for your cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition." "Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately," the attorney general continued in the letter. "I fully expect that the office will continue to handle all cases in the normal course and pursuant to the Department's applicable standards, policies, and guidance." US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday called for Clayton to withdraw his name from consideration for the nomination to the position and for an investigation into the dismissal of Berman. Clayton "can allow himself to be used in the brazen Trump-Barr scheme to interfere in investigations by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, or he can stand up to this corruption, withdraw his name from consideration, and save his own reputation from overnight ruin," Schumer said in a statement. US Congressman Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said that he thinks "Barr's letter provides no justification for Berman's removal." "Barr rushed so quickly to do damage control after being caught in a lie and an act of blatant corruption that he didn't inform the Judiciary Committee Chair. What are they trying to cover up?" Beyer tweeted. "This will not end here." Clayton, a corporate lawyer who has never served as a prosecutor, is a member of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and the Financial Stability Board. He also participates on the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. The Southern District of New York is among the most prominent districts in the United States. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijans Cabinet of Ministers has announced the list of agencies whose employees will not be affected by the SMS permit system during the coronavirus quarantine regime effective from June 21 till July 5. Thus, the employees of the following agencies will be able to leave their place of residence without obtaining permission by sending SMS to 1803. -employees of the Presidential Administration and Cabinet of Ministers and Department of Affairs of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan -deputies and employees of the Parliament; -heads of central and local bodies of executive power and their deputies; -heads of state legal entities, including heads of state legal entities of public law and their deputies; -employees of law enforcement, judicial and military officials, lawyers; -employees of diplomatic representations and international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan. Moreover, during the tightened quarantine regime, the activities of the following areas are allowed: 1. Health and social sphere: 1.1. scientific research and laboratory services; 1.2. hospitals, policlinics and other medical institutions; 1.3. veterinary services; 1.4. production of medical equipment, medicines and medical devices; 1.5. social services; 1.6. care services for persons with physical, mental, intellectual and other disabilities as well as those in need of special care. 2. Infrastructure sphere: 2.1. Public utilities (water supply and sewerage, gas supply, heating, electricity distribution); 2.2. electricity production and supply; 2.3. melioration and water economy; 2.4. telecommunications and communication services. 3. Transport and logistics: 3.1. Air, sea, rail and road freight transportation; 3.2. Services in connection with railways, sea shipping, ports and roads; 3.3. logistics services; 3.4. public transport and taxi services. 4. Main types of production: 4.1. production of defense industry products; 4.2. production of oil equipment and installations; 4.3. production, supply, storage and wholesale of food products and raw materials for them; 4.4. production of daily care and hygiene products; 4.5. production of chemical products; 4.6. collection, production and processing of agricultural products, including farming activities; 4.7. farming, irrigation, plant protection service and harvesting; 4.8. extraction, processing, storage and sale of oil and gas; 4.9. transfer of oil and gas through pipelines; 4.10. activities in metallurgical industry; 4.11. production and repair of construction and household appliances; 4.12. engineering and design services; 4.13. road construction and repair, construction of civil and industrial buildings and structures; 4.14. production of packaging products; 4.15. production of stone, metal and wood products; 4.16. production and repair of furniture; 4.17. slaughter of animals. 5. Retail and wholesale trade: 5.1.food points of sale; 5.2.pharmacies; 5.3.petrol stations; 5.4.points of sale of animal feed, including pet stores; 5.5.points of sale of construction materials and household trifles; 5.6.online sales. 6. Sphere of household services: 6.1.collection and disposal of household waste; 6.2.dry cleaning; 6.3.cleaning of residential premises, except for apartments; 6.4.car repair; 6.5.car washes; 6.6.animal shelters. 7.Mass media. 8. On financial organizations: 8.1.banks and non-bank credit organizations, pawnshops; 8.2.investment companies, stock exchanges; 8.3.insurance organizations; 8.4.organizations providing payment services and clearing services. 9.By types of special services: 9.1.delivery services; 9.2.translation services; 9.3.postal services; 9.4. disinfection services. 10.Advocate's activity. On June 18, Cabinet of Ministers announced decision to impose a strict quarantine regime that will be effective from 00:00 on June 21 to 06:00 on June 5, in the territory of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Masalli, Jalilabad and Absheron region. Under the new lockdown rule, citizens are allowed to leave their place of residence only after obtaining SMS permissions. Operation of shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, beauty salons, as well as museums, exhibition halls, sport and beaches was also suspended until July 5. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment These history makers changed the world around them with their yes to Gods calling on their lives. Read stories of these inspirational missionaries and be encouraged! William Carey British born William Carey is often referred to as the father of modern Missions. Born in 1761 this Baptist minister was a missionary, a translator, a social reformer and a cultural anthropologist. He began his work in India founding schools for impoverished children. His work and writing is responsible for the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society, whose reach covers forty countries. Over his years on the mission field, Carey translated the Bible into dozens of Indian dialects and founded a college to equip local ministers. He truly lived up to his own quote, Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God. Mary Slessor Mary Slessor lived a radical life as a missionary to Nigeria. Known for her powerful personality and sense of humor, Slessor fearlessly worked in regions where many missionaries before her had been martyred. Yet she remained unswayed by the imminent danger saying, Why should I fear? I am on a Royal Mission. I am in the service of the King of Kings. In the regions she worked, twins were seen as a bad omen and abandoned by their villages to die in the jungle. Not on Slessors watch. She began scooping up the abandoned twins and taking them in. Over her years of service, she saved hundreds of children this way. John and Betty Stam John and Betty Stam burned for the gospel. And ultimately gave their lives for it. Upon marrying they moved to a village in China to work as missionaries during the Chinese Civil War. Only having just begun their lives on the mission field, the couple and their three-month-old daughter, Helen, were captured by communist soldiers. They were then marched through the streets to be publicly executed. While walking to their death, a Chinese shopkeep pleaded with their captors to release them. His efforts led the soldiers to search his home, where they found a Bible and proof he too was a Christian. That day, he, along with the Stams, was beheaded. After their deaths, a letter written by John was found hidden in the clothes of their baby daughter Helen. John writes of his willingness to sacrifice his life for his faith, My wife, baby and myself are today in the hands of communist bandits. Whether we will be released or not no one knows. May God be magnified in our bodies, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 George Muller George Muller is best known for caring for thousands of orphans over the course of his life. What would become his mission began with he and his wife opening their home to a staggering 30 orphans. From there Mullers impact grew as he opened home after home for children in his native Britain. Renowned for never once seeking donations, Muller relied on God to provide everything. And God most certainly did. Muller is quoted as saying The Lord not only gives as much as is absolutely necessary for his work, but he gives abundantly. One example of this miraculous provision was a day at one of his orphanages where the food had run out. In the morning, the children came and sat at the table, and just as they finished prayer, there came a knock on the door with food for that very breakfast. At the age of 70, Mueller began traveling as a missionary, which he continued to do for another 17 years. George Mullers life is a testimony of miraculous provision and miracles fueled by a powerful lifestyle of prayer. Jim and Elisabeth Elliot The powerful story of the Elliots begins with Jims journey to reach the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Upon landing, Jim and four others accompanying him were attacked and martyred. Elisabeth was left a widow at 29 with an infant daughter. In a miraculous display of redemption, Elisabeth returned to preach the gospel to the Waodani and lived there for several years after Jims death. Though Jim Elliot died while still in his twenties, his life and words lived on through Elisabeth, who became a celebrated author and speaker. Her book Through the Gates of Splendor told the story of Jims surrender to the call of Christ. Read by thousands, the book made famous Jims quote: He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. Green Party Senator Pauline O'Reilly has taken legal advice over her own party's constitution, the Examiner can reveal. Ms O'Reilly, a qualified solicitor from Galway and the party's spokesperson for foreign affairs and trade, spoke to a legal professional on the party's constitution, over how votes in the parliamentary party were counted on whether the party should enter formal negotiations with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and approval of the draft document for the Programme for Government. Under the party's constitution, members of the Seanad cannot vote on issues related to Dail business, these votes are limited to TDs only, as Senators sit in a separate House of the Oireachtas. Ms O'Reilly disputed the rule, stating that her opinion and the opinion of fellow Senator Pippa Hackett for the draft programme was being "overlooked" and tabled the issue at a parliamentary party meeting before contacting the party's executive committee, multiple sources claim that Ms O'Reilly was "considering a judicial review". The executive confirmed the constitution was clear on the rules of the party, and was backed by a committee overseeing the party's rules and procedures, which includes a barrister. "She has threatened a judicial review, which you can't actually do, because she interprets the party constitution differently in terms of how the rules work," a senior party source said. Their votes aren't counted in the same way as TDs, because they're not TDs. A lot of people seem to have not read the constitution of the organisation that they're in. When approached by the Irish Examiner, Ms O Reilly said she "certainly did not threaten anything". "I felt that there was support amongst the parliamentary party for a programme for government that was not being accounted for," she said. "Whereas the votes of senators in other parties are counted, the interpretation of our constitution was that they are not counted in the Green Party. We did not agree with this. "I said I would take legal advice and I did, but did not threaten judicial review. "The parliamentary party was in agreement with the senators continuing with the internal procedures and explaining the various likely interpretations of the Constitution, and as a stop-gap measure our votes are taken as indicative. "I will make a decision regarding seeking a constitutional change, which is nevertheless needed for ultimate clarity for the future. The party is growing and it is important to make sure that the Constitution and procedures works for a large party." The programme for government document has further divided the Green Party, who have battled splits in opinion over whether to enter government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for months. Eamon Ryan's party need a two-thirds majority from members in order to enter government, and tensions have risen in the days since the special convention on Thursday. Senior members will spend the coming days campaigning through teleconference and over the phone in order to convince undecided members to back the deal. Some members have criticised the communications strategy from the party representatives over mixed messages. Last Wednesday, the Dublin Bay South contingent of the party held an online meeting. According to sources, TD Roderic O' Gorman said from his perspective, any move towards austerity measures would instigate "walking away" and a move to "bring down the government". However, at the same meeting Eamon Ryan said the party must stay in government for at least four years. "Right at the end, Eamon said that four years would be necessary to make changes and it would be impossible in any less time than that," a source said. "No one could ask a follow-up question about these completely contradictory messages. "Who is correct? People are confused. "In the past when we had the same considerations about dissolving the government, it was put to the members, I don't think Eamon would rule with an iron fist on this. Meanwhile, Fine Gael held a live Q&A session for its membership on social media on Sunday in which they encouraged members to back the deal. Taoiseach and party leader Leo Varadkar said that during negotiations, Fine Gael blocked a ban on live exports and a referendum on the right to housing being included in the programme for government. It is understood the Green Party had pushed hard for both policies to be included in the document. Tanaiste Simon Coveney told members it is "very unlikely" that the 7% emissions reduction will be achieved in the first years of the Government. As Morocco recently recorded a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, the government reportedly said that a new field hospital will receive around 700 virus-infected patients from June 21. According to an international media outlet, the North African Kingdom recorded a single-day rise on Friday. With over 500 confirmed cases detected in fruit packaging plants in eastern Kenitra province, the government decided to tighten the restrictions in the region. With the rapid spread of the deadly virus, the Moroccan authorities reportedly closed facilities, tested workers and even launched an investigation to establish responsibility for the outbreak. While speaking to a local Moroccan media outlet, the Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said that the new field hospital will receive nearly 700 registered cases from Sunday. He also informed that a dozen of ambulances were stationed in Moulay Bousselham and were even ready to be dispatched to pick up the confirmed cases. READ: Kenya Wins Africa Seat At United Nations Security Council, Defeats Djibouti According to reports, Moulay Bousselham is a quarantined town. Several other towns in the kingdom were also placed under isolation in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, screenings were also reportedly carried out among residents and citizens were also told to go out only in cases of extreme necessity. READ: Congo President's Chief Of Staff Guilty In Corruption Trial Borders to remain shut until further notice According to Johns Hopkins University tally, Morocco currently has over 9,800 confirmed coronavirus cases and the deadly virus has claimed nearly 213 lives. Even though the kingdom has a comparatively low number of cases, it, however, has been recording over 100 new cases in recent days. It was also noted that the spread of the deadly infection began after the authorities eased lockdown restrictions on June 9. With the rapid spread, the authorities reportedly announced that the public health state of emergency still remains in place and has also been extended until July 10. The government has also made wearing face masks in public spaces mandatory. Furthermore, gatherings are prohibited and mosques, cinemas and theatres are closed. The kingdom also announced that the border will remain closed until further notice. (Image: AP) READ: South African Choir Adapts To COVID-19 By Making New Music READ: Central African Republic: Bangui Neighbourhood Joins Battle Against Virus ComebackTown is published by David Sher for a more prosperous greater Birmingham & Alabama Click here to sign up for newsletter. (Opt out at any time) Todays guest columnist is Jeff Barrett. If youd like to be a guest columnist, please click here. Editors note: On January 17th, Jeff Barrett, a highly respected business writer, wrote a piece for Entrepreneur saying Birmingham, Alabama was the most interesting place he visited in 2019. Hes not done bragging on Birmingham If youd like to be a guest columnist, please click here. When you spend two years traveling to 50+ cities, 40+ states for Inc and Entrepreneur you gain a very unique perspective about the country. There isnt a bad trip; everyone is putting their best foot forward. Still, Birmingham has surprised me. This isnt another article. This is a thank you letter to Birmingham. What I learned quickly in this process is Im not the expert. Im not going to learn in three days, what you have learned over a lifetime. There are plenty of things Im going to miss. There are plenty of places and people Im going to want to write about more and not be able. But after writing about Birmingham, Im still getting kind emails and tweets. Im being tagged in articles. And thats not just rare, thats a first. It speaks to how much everyone in Bham cares about their city, its growth and the collective we. Hearing an outsider confirm what you already know is and should be a rallying point. When I said Birmingham doesnt have an ego, it wasnt lip service. I felt it. And Im feeling it now. 58% of Americans never live outside the state where they were born. As someone who has lived in Michigan most of my life, minus a brief stint in California, I started this tour with one simple thought in mind: Does a better place exist? As it turns out, yes. More than one. What I learned most is exactly what Im looking for in a future destination. It has very little to do with the craft beer scene, cost of living or most amenities. To be honest, those are pretty standard across the country minus a few aesthetics. Mountains and oceans cant be replicated but everything else can. Its the thing you cant put in a brochure that matters most, a sense of belonging. If I go to New York, LA or Chicago, its great for my business but Im a number. I could say the same for a lot of mid-sized cities too but I wont name them. I would like to be invited back. What I have been looking for is a community that will welcome me, view me an as an asset, let me roll up my sleeves and fight with them to create the attention they deserve. Im a unique case. But that sense of belonging is universal. And thats your greatest asset, Birmingham. Double down on that because its more rare than you think. You have an opening. You dont need to be Nashville or Atlanta or Denver. You can own a very specific lane. Every city has a startup culture, an economic development arm, a plan to support small businesses and investors. Very few connect all those dots. There are a lot of smart founders across this country hitting roadblocks. They are getting lost in bigger cities, they are not getting the right introductions. The cities that welcome all and do everything they can to help people find success will win the 2020s. And it wont be easy. Hundreds of years of economic history tell us there will be a recession this decade. There will be plenty of ambitious cities that will give up or hit pause when that time comes. Because its easy to aspire for greater when times are good but its exponentially harder when your entire economy is being challenged. But youre Birmingham. You know adversity. You came out of the last recession better than before. You can and will do it again. Im a believer. You have me convinced and Im Go Blue, not War Eagle or Roll Tide. I wouldnt think twice about moving to Birmingham, if the right opportunity presented itself. And more people when they see you, get to know you, get to feel what I felt, will feel the same. Im swiping right on Birmingham. Jeff Barrett is a Shorty Award-winning content creator, one of Forbess Top 50 in Social Media and in 2020 was named one of Americas Top 10 Most Influential Consultants. He works with Adobe, Oracle, Instructure and more on communications strategy and is on the board of DoSomething, a non-profit dedicated to the civic engagement of young people. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has received urgent briefings from the state's Chief Health Officer on the Victorian COVID-19 spike ahead of interstate travellers arriving for the school holidays. Dr Kerry Chant briefed Ms Berejiklian on Sunday and will update her again on Monday morning after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews cancelled plans to further ease restrictions in his state. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit:AAP Victoria recorded 19 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the number of active cases there to 121. It follows four days of double-digit growth. Of the new cases, four were linked to known outbreaks, four were detected in hotel quarantine, three through routine testing and eight cases are under investigation. On the same day in 2018 that Garrett Seamans was scheduled to give his father, Matthew, a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, he gave him a different, unexpected gift: a baby granddaughter. My son calls me on Jan. 18, hes going to be the donor, but he goes Mom, I need you to not freak out, OK? He proceeded to say his girlfriend is in labor, and absolutely none of us, including her, knew she was pregnant, said Denae Seamans, Matthews wife. Garretts girlfriend went to Methodist Hospital that day to get looked at. Hours later, on the morning of Jan. 19, her daughter was born. The transplant had been rescheduled, but the chemotherapy Matthew had been undergoing to treat leukemia was taking its toll. Denae had to take him to the same hospital the next day. The very next day, my husband, who has had this horrible round of chemo, I have to run him to the ER. He had a rash and a fever; so they admitted him to the same hospital, Denae said. So I had my husband on the eighth floor, my grandbaby, my son and my new daughter-in-law on the second floor, for three days. I felt like that was Gods little blessing for us. Shes like our rainbow in the storm, Denae said of her granddaughter. Matthew Seamans was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May 2017. The diagnosis came when Matthew one evening woke up coughing in the middle of the night. A mass on his neck formed, and days later he collapsed. Denae took him to the hospital, where his blood work revealed leukemia. I was honestly scared to death I wasnt going to live past that first week. I couldnt breathe right, I couldnt swallow right, Matthew said. I was totally fine until I wasnt. I was still pulling engines on trucks the day before I had a swollen neck. After his first hospital stay lasted 34 days, Matthew and Denae would go back and stay in the hospital for a week at a time while he received chemotherapy treatment. But after several months, the chemo wasnt working as intended, and Matthew relapsed multiple times. At one point, he was given a 20 percent chance of survival. Bone marrow transplant therapy is used to restore healthy bone marrow in patients and build up the immune system. The treatment allows physicians to use higher doses of chemotherapy, or even radiation, to kill the cancer cells. His cancer would have taken his life probably within months if he wasnt able to respond or get to the transplant, said Dr. Paul Shaughnessy, medical director for the Methodist Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic. Luckily he had a very good donor, and that made it all possible. After doctors combed a donor registry of 20 million people around the world, there was no perfect donor match for Matthew. His children, however, were 50 percent matches which, with recent technological advancements, made them viable donors. Weeks after the birth of his daughter, Matthews son Garrett, who was 21 at the time, donated millions of stem cells to his father. My dad always was the one to help me, Garrett said. But I was a 50 percent match, and donating stem cells helped save my dads life. Matthew has been in remission since the transplant. He had to leave behind his career as the owner of an automotive shop, but after spending a year regaining his strength, he is now a Postal Service worker in Comfort. Having one of my kids save my life was amazing, Matthew said. He said the birth of his only grandchild amid the transplant and chemotherapy powered the family along. That was just a blessing from God, Matthew said of his grandchild. It told us we have something to live for after were done with this. He and Denae had dreamed about building a home for 15 years, but after Matthew went into remission, they decided to make it a reality. Now were framed in, making progress, Denae said of the home. This is not a journey we wouldve volunteered for, but theres been a lot of good come out of it. One of those things is a new perspective on life. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple would spend time visiting patients in the hospital with similar diagnoses. When theyre again allowed, theyll go back to visiting patients to show that a recovery and life beyond leukemia is possible, Matthew said. I do believe that this whole event actually drew our family closer together, and you learn to appreciate things much more than you did before once you realize how fast you can lose it, he said. I want people to see that you can make it through cancer. Your browser does not support the audio element. A young Vietnamese man is spearheading a cultural project with a view to connecting his countrys young generation with its ancient traditions. Luong Hoang Trong Tinh, 23, is the founder of Dai Nam Hoi Quan (Dai Nam Club), a social media project that engages young audiences in Vietnam's ancient traditions through well-researched articles presented in a way that breaks from the mundane fact-giving style of history textbooks. The projects name is inspired by a former official name of Vietnam dating from the 19th century. Before launching the project, Tinh had spent many years traveling and studying ancient Vietnamese culture across the country, especially in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. A unique project The Tra Vinh Province-born young man was raised in a family that was unflinching in their upholding of traditional values, including many formal and strict rules of behaviors that dictate how one should be mindful of their walking posture and speaking manner, among many others. Through interactions with his peers and his own observations, Tinh soon found that many of those traditional values are changing over time, with some already falling into oblivion in modern-day Vietnam. The more Tinh thought about this since moving to Ho Chi Minh City for higher education, the more he felt compelled to do something about it. Since his freshman year at Ton Duc Thang University in the city as an urban planning major, Tinh has contemplated creating a club for young people who share a passion for the ancient culture of Vietnam. Looking at the ancient buildings in Saigon reminds me of my childhoods beautiful memories," Tinh explained the reason behind the creation of Dai Nam Club, referring to the old name of Ho Chi Minh City. "I only wanted to bring together people with a similar passion to get to know about and share the cultural values together. It was not until the end of 2017 that I could turn the idea into a reality." The Dai Nam Club project started as a Facebook Page with only a few dozen followers, where Tinh and other members posted articles about Vietnam's traditional culture. He was taken aback as the articles, which approach ancient cultural topics from the perspective of a young man, soon began to gain traction on the social networking site, commanding the attention of young audiences on the Internet. Droves of young netizens followed the page and posted their comments under the articles, which gave Tinh the confidence that what Dai Nam Club was doing was worthwhile. Currently, apart from 20 key members most of whom were born in the 1990s Dai Nam Clubs Facebook Page has amassed over 20,000 followers and 18,000 likes. The online communitys reaction to and feedback on the pages articles have been positive so far. I found that the cultural industry has thrived remarkably in some countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan as they know how to promote their traditional cultures, especially introducing the distinguishing cultural values into schools and films, Tinh told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. For our nation, I found that the young generation nowadays prefers the Western culture to the Vietnamese one, and browsing social media over reading books, Tinh said. Taking advantage of this fact, I wanted to experiment with the idea of telling stories of ancient culture via an [Industry] 4.0 technical platform. I was fortunate to be headed in the right direction, he continued. Dai Nam Club members in traditional clothes discuss Vietnamese musical instruments during a cultural event in a supplied photo. Considering a business With more friends sharing the same passion, Tinh spent more time delving into the subject and collecting old materials. Tinhs group meets every month to exchange knowledge on Vietnamese culture and share life updates. They also organized occasional field trips to Mekong Delta provinces, during which members not only got to know the locals culture and lifestyle but also had a chance to hear stories about daily life in the past through older peoples accounts. After comparing what they hear on the field to historical documents and books, Tinh said he would choose suitable content to share with followers of the Dai Nam Club Page. Apart from sharing cultural information online, Dai Nam Clubs members have also been holding regular events that bring onto the stage traditional customs such as stories of the past, how the traditional Vietnamese long gown ao dai was worn in the old days, and how people in ancient Vietnam observed the New Year. In each of these shows, the club tried their best to convey special messages such as familial love, behavioral culture, and how to address others. The number of participants in each event has been limited to around 40-60 people. Because this is such a niche show, it needs to be held in a limited space allowing the audience to talk to one another, Tinh explained. Dai Nam Club recently organized an event recreating an ancient wedding ceremony in the Mekong Delta region, where performers wore traditional costumes and simulated how local couples tied the knot in the olden days. The performances were accompanied by detailed, straightforward explanations about each of the rituals and customs. For many young participants, it was their first time watching a Vietnamese wedding ceremony being conducted in line with ancient customs. It often takes Dai Nam Club much effort to hold such cultural events. The first challenge is finding a source for old stuff that can be used as props. A considerable amount of time will be then spent on doing research on the subject and verifying documents relating to it. I feel most happy that foreigners have come to watch each of our shows. They are independent researchers and foreign students coming from such countries as the U.S., France, and India who are doing research on the Vietnamese culture, Tinh said. "They posed questions when the show finished and took part in the follow-up discussions. It makes me think more about the idea of introducing Vietnam's traditional culture to the world in the future, he continued. A costly pastime Taking part in Dai Nam Club is a time-consuming and costly pastime, according to Khau Cao Nhat Phuc, 17, the youngest member who lives in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. For example, Phuc said, comparing to a modern ao dai which costs around VND300,000-700,000 (US$13-30), an ancient ao dai is much more expensive. I have joined the club for more than half a year. As I am still an 11th-grade student, I have to borrow an ao dai whenever the club holds an event, Phuc said. It's rather simple to buy a modern ao dai, but it could cost me dozens of breakfasts to purchase an ancient one as even the cheapest is priced at around VND2 million [$86]." Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! You wont read about these stocks in the mainstream media. The average investor doesnt even know they exist. But dont let that fool you: because a small hidden group of companies is figuring out how to merge artificial intelligence with medical technology. Some folks are even scared of it. They think AI could eventually try to wipe out the human race. They imagine human-like robots like Ava from the film Ex Machina or Skynetthe computer program that tried to wipe out the human race in the Terminator movies. AI in real life isn't what you see in the movies. It's not about robots or computers that outthink and enslave humans. It's about computers with mind-boggling processing powers that solve problems faster than teams of scientist PhDs ever could. AI healthcare stocks ventilator availability CVD Patients PFSi Coronavirus Africa pension relief workers wages COVID 19 vaccine biggest controllable factor biggest controllable factor bill gates coronavirus vaccine SEAT, Coronavirus, COVID19, ventilators SEAT is collaborating with the healthcare system by making automated ventilators with adapted windscreen wiper motors Other investors ignore AI because they assume its impact will be felt for decades. But AI is already improving your life in ways you probably dont even realize. AI is why Netflix (NFLX) is so good at recommending movies. And why Spotify (SPOT) is so good at recommending music that suits your tastes. Its also how Amazons (AMZN) Alexa can tell you everything from the weather to who Americas fourth president was in just seconds. AI is also how Teslas (TSLA) Model X can navigate traffic on the highway on its own without you laying a finger on the steering wheel! These breakthroughs are all thanks to AI. But theyre just a taste of whats to come. Theres Still Time to Make Life-Changing Money off AI Healthcare Stocks According to tech entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the worlds first trillionaire wont be a hedge fund manager, oil baron, or social media tycoon. It will be someone who masters AI. A trillion dollars is almost an unfathomable amount of money. To put this in perspective, Amazon founder Jeff Bezosthe worlds richest manis worth around $117 billion. Thats more than the annual economic output of Ecuador. And yet, a trillionaire would be worth at least ten times as much as Bezos! Story continues But heres the thing. You dont have to be a genius inventor or entrepreneur to strike gold in AI. Just like prior megatrends, everyday investors stand to make millions off of AI. According to ARK Invest, AI could add $30 trillion to the global equity markets over the next two decades. Thats almost as much as the entire US stock market is worth today! And the best way to take advantage isnt with traditional AI companies. As I mentioned above, its with AI healthcare stocks. The fusion of AI and healthcare is one of the most lucrative opportunities Ive come across in my entire career. AI Is Already Making It Cheaper, Faster, and Easier to Understand How the Coronavirus Spreads Researchers at MIT have already used AI to identify a powerful new antibiotic compound for the coronavirus. Scientists in China were able recreate and copy the coronavirus genome sequence in just one month! Chinese tech giant Alibaba (BABA) recently created a new AI algorithm that can diagnose the coronavirus in as little as 20 seconds! Thats 45 times faster than humans can. And its reportedly 96% accurate. Insilico Medicine used AI to successfully identify thousands of molecules for potential medications in just four days. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of an AI-driven diagnostic for COVID-19 developed by AI radiology company Behold.ai. The tool analyzes lung x-rays and provides radiologists with a tentative diagnosis as soon as the image is captured, reducing time and expense. In short, AI will likely be the reason we never experience an outbreak like the coronavirus again. But thats certainly not the only way AI is revolutionizing healthcare . AI is also being used to identify a drug candidate that could be repurposed for different uses. It can also help medical professionals parse through data faster than ever before. I cannot overstate the importance of this. Every year, 1.2 billion unstructured clinical documents are created every year. A staggering amount of data is contained in these documents. And thats only going to increase. The amount of medical data is poised to double every couple of months! Its nearly impossible to search and make sense of this data without the help of AI. AI Will Also Help Usher in the Era of Personalized Medicine Genomics companies will play a major role in this revolution. But AI will play a massive role in this revolution, too. You see, analyzing genomic sequences takes time and a ton of computing power. AI rapidly accelerates this process. It greatly reduces the time it takes to develop valuable drugs. Not only that, it drives down drug development costs. And increases the success rate of trials. Money is pouring into AI companies at a breathtaking rate. According to CB Insights, $4 billion was invested in private healthcare AI startups last year. And that included 367 deals. That was the most money of any sector! Its also a huge spike from 2018 when $2.7 billion was invested across 264 deals. Its easy to see why venture capitalists (VC) are betting so big on healthcare AI. According to Grand View Research, the market is growing at nearly 42% per year! By 2025, its projected to be a $31 billion industry. When an industry grows this fast, fortunes stand to be made. You No Longer Need to Be a VC or Angel investor to Profit from This Booming Market You can get in on the ground floor of this trend by buying the right "AI healthcare stocks." Im not talking about Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), or any other blue-chip tech company using AI for their healthcare initiatives. These companies are already behemoths. They dont offer explosive upside. So, I wouldnt focus on the usual suspects. Instead, pay attention to the smaller AI healthcare stocks. Many of which have gone public recently. These are still unknown to most of the investing world. And they offer the best chance to multiply your money in the coming months. The Great Disruptors: 3 Breakthrough Stocks Set to Double Your Money" Get our latest report where we reveal our three favorite stocks that will hand you 100% gains as they disrupt whole industries. Get your free copy here. Video: Top 5 Stocks Among Hedge Funds At Insider Monkey we leave no stone unturned when looking for the next great investment idea. For example, 2020s unprecedented market conditions provide us with the highest number of trading opportunities in a decade. So we are checking out stocks recommended/scorned by legendary Bill Miller. We interview hedge fund managers and ask them about their best ideas. If you want to find out the best healthcare stock to buy right now, you can watch our latest hedge fund manager interview here. We read hedge fund investor letters and listen to stock pitches at hedge fund conferences. Our best call in 2020 was shorting the market when the S&P 500 was trading at 3150 after realizing the coronavirus pandemics significance before most investors. You can subscribe to our free enewsletter below to receive our stories in your inbox: [daily-newsletter][/daily-newsletter] Article by Justin Spittler, Mauldin Economics Related Content New Mexico is open for business. Sort of. When it comes to throwing open the doors to the state in terms of tourism, however, things are still in a wait and see posture. Were not in a position where were advocating or promoting tourism, said Cody Johnson, spokesman for the New Mexico Tourism Department. Were not promoting any types of activities. However, we do support all the activities that have been determined safe for everyone to partake in based on the public health order. And that means a heavy dose of social distancing. Right now, were still in the position where we want to share information that keeps the public safe, he said. Were committed to activities that are considered safe based on ability to keep people to a distance of six feet from each other and allow for things that are typically outdoors. Likewise, the way people travel and where they travel is undergoing a revolution as car trips, according Mower, a public relations and advertising firm. Road trips to domestic destinations will be increasingly popular post-COVID-19, said Stephanie Quilligan, a Mower travel specialist. Its no surprise that travelers will be inclined to take to the highways rather than travel by air as they begin to venture out. Car travel gives a sense of control over ones environment that flying cannot no security lines, packing restrictions or strangers sharing a confined space. Road trips are more economical also and the idea of driving freely on the open road can be very liberating for those who have spent the past few months at home. Indeed, that is something that the state tourism department has been anticipating, Johnson said. What weve anticipated is people will start smaller for local and regional travel, primarily by car, Johnson said. Were seeing that now. Likewise, Quilligan said, New Mexico is one of the states that fits the perfect profile for vacationers. Travelers are expected to seek outdoor and off-the-beaten-path adventures, with nature and wildlife prevailing over big-city attractions in the months ahead, she said. National parks, beach resorts, wildlife reserves and campsites will be appealing destinations for vacationers seeking to practice social distancing while benefiting from time in the open air. And as the pandemic worked its way across the world, it also made people take a hard look at the way they lived and played. People will aim to make healthier choices for themselves and seek travel experiences that both inspire and recharge, Quilligan said. For many, the pandemic brought home the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a strong immune system and they will want to bring that into every aspect of their lives, including travel. Again, New Mexico is well positioned to fill that need. Travelers will seek out destinations and resorts with on-site wellness centers that offer meaningful programs and are staffed by professionals who will guide experiences that enhance their health and wellbeing in a significant way, Quilligan said. While the Tourism Department is still rather hamstrung in terms of promoting New Mexico and the travel possibilities here, other organizations are stepping up to offer ways for businesses to actively attract visitors. The New Mexico Hospitality Association is promoting a pledge NM Safe Promise that in part is designed to rebuild consumer confidence to restore the states economy. And the New Mexico Society of Association Executives launched a program NM Safe Certified for businesses to become certified with COVID safe practices. NM Safe Certified is an industry-led initiative to train New Mexico businesses in the states COVID-Safe Practices to help ensure all of us customers, employees, and families remain safe as New Mexico reopens for business and recreation, said Jason Espinosa, executive director of the New Mexico Society of Association Executives. NM Safe Certified wants businesses to know they are not alone in adjusting to a new environment, and customers to know they can feel confident about visiting their favorite businesses in a COVID-positive world, he said. NM Safe Certified awards special recognition to New Mexico businesses that have completed the NM Safe Certified training program. This will provide a guide for visitors as they begin traveling the state to find places with which they are comfortable doing business. NM Safe Certified provides businesses free on-demand virtual COVID-Safe practice trainings to help ensure all of us remain safe as the state reopens for business and recreation, Espinosa said. Businesses that complete the protocols will be recognized for their participation. New Mexicans and customers can be on the lookout for NM Safe Certified seal when visiting local businesses, which means they have completed the NM Safe Certified program, he said. Former Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz was issued a restraining order in the Dominican Republic according to a report by Listin Diario, one of the biggest news outlets in the country. Per Listin Diario, Ortiz former partner filed a complaint on May 21 saying Ortiz violated Law 24-97 on Domestic Violence. On Thursday, Listin Diario reported her request was granted, and Ortiz was ordered to refrain from annoying, intimidating or threatening his former partner in person or by phone. According to Ortiz former partner, he intimidated and threatened her. #DeporteLD l La Fiscalia del Distrito Nacional le impuso una orden de proteccion provisional al ex pelotero de #GrandesLigas, David Ortiz (@davidortiz) , a favor de su expareja Fary Almanzar Fernandez #ListinDiario https://t.co/6umdUwOm9i LISTINDIARIO (@ListinDiario) June 18, 2020 A spokesperson for the national Attorney Generals Office confirmed the report. Law 24-97 attempts to combat domestic and sexual violence in the Dominican Republic, which a representative of the Santo Domingo Human Rights Institute (Instituto de Derechos Humanos Santo Domingo, IDHSD) in the Dominican Republic called a very widespread phenomena in the country. The law was enacted in 1997. Ortiz played for the Red Sox from 2003 to 2016, where he was a 10-time All-Star and a three-time World Series Champion. He retired in 2016, and his number was retired in 2017. Related content: Cotillo: How Boston Red Sox might get creative for spring training 2.0 at Fenway Park Chaim Bloom, Boston Red Sox might be on tight budget in MLB free agency whether theres a 2020 season or not MLB talks: Players unlikely to approve 60-game plan, but will delay vote due to COVID-19 outbreaks Broadcaster Marian Finucane left more than 1.3m in her will, according to documents lodged in the Probate Office in Dublin. The much-loved presenter died at home in Co Kildare in January aged 69, only months off retirement. Finucane was one of RTE's best-paid broadcasters for more than a decade and was credited with bringing women's issue to the fore. Born in Dublin in May 1950, one of six children, she completed her Leaving Cert at the age of 16 and spent a year at the St Louis Convent in Monaghan before studying architecture at UCD. A chance meeting with broadcaster John O'Donoghue drew her into RTE, where she got a job as a continuity announcer. Her broadcasting career took off with a programme called Women Today which later led to her becoming the first presenter of Liveline in 1985. She took over the Gay Byrne slot in 1999, which became The Marian Finucane Show, Finucane later moved to her weekend slot, which brought her some of the highest ratings on radio. The broadcaster who became famous for her interviews, particularly her searing semi-death bed confessional with her friend, the writer Nuala O'Faolain, had her own tragedy to bear. Her daughter Sinead developed leukaemia and died in 1990 aged eight. Her son Jack was the subject of a horrific attack by burglars in the family home in 2007, when his parents were on a trip to South Africa. Marian Finucane always remained guarded about her private life and was seen less on the celebrity circuit than many of her compatriots in radio and television. Video of the Day At her funeral, her husband, John Clarke, said Marian Finucane "made the colours brighter and the world a bit easier to live in". Unlike the voluminous will of her friend Nuala O'Faolain, who left varying bequests to her wide circle of friends, Marian Finucane's will, made in June, 2015, was a single page document. In this she left "all property of which I die possessed" to her husband, "for his sole use and benefit". Her son and her stepchildren, Jocelyn, Neal and Timothy, are also mentioned. Baahubali actor Rana Daggubatis fiancee Miheeka Bajaj has shared a photo dressed in traditional finery on Instagram, fuelling the speculations that their pre-wedding celebrations have started. She shared a picture of herself dressed up in ethnic wear and traditional jewellery on the picture sharing website while hinting at the celebrations. Sharing the picture of her look and crediting a few brands, she wrote, The celebrations continue! Thank you for making my day so much more special! Ranas father Suresh Babu has already confirmed the two will tie the knot on August 8. According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, he said the wedding ceremony will take place in the presence of both their families, according to the guidelines set by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Rana had broken the news last month by sharing a candid picture with Miheeka on Instagram with the caption, And she said Yes :) #MiheekaBajaj. Few days later, the two shared several pictures from a traditional ceremony, leading to rumours of their engagement. Soon after, Ranas father clarified that it was just a ritual of meeting the brides parents. He told The New Indian Express, Its not an engagement. Our families sat together on Wednesday to discuss what all has to be done for the pre and post-wedding functions. Its a ritual among the Telugus to meet the brides parents before fixing the engagement and wedding dates. We are happy to take these alliance talks forward. Also read: Fathers Day 2020: Things Bollywood dads say that everyone can relate to Speaking to Indian Express about how he proposed to her, Rana had said, She knew where Im getting at when I called her. And then she met me in person, thats it. I remember I said a bunch of things together. For me, it was serious. It was commitment. When I met her, thats the time I felt I am ready to do this. It was that simple, for real. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Victoria Beckham has sparked questions from fans about how she has managed to stay so glamorous during the COVID-19 lockdown. In a recent Instagram post the designer, 46, shared a video of her favourite moisturiser with fans, leading many to comment on her perfectly manicured nails and lightened caramel tresses. Victoria has been isolating with husband David at their 6 million home in The Cotswolds with their three youngest children Romeo, 17, Cruz, 15, and Harper, eight. What's going on? Victoria Beckham, 46, has sparked questions from fans about how she has managed to stay so glamorous during the COVID-19 lockdown Filming herself applying her lavish new golden-tinted cell rejuvenating primer, Victoria branded it her favourite product - and admitted it has particularly come in handy during lockdown, while she's been spending more time in the sun. 'So this is my new shade of cell rejuvenating priming moisturiser,' she explained, dabbing some onto her cheek. 'It has a golden tint to it which is so great. It gives the most amazing shine and glow to your face... 'At the moment I have spent a little bit more time in the sun so my skin is a little bit more tanned. I just love how this feels on the skin. 'I am obsessed with the golden glow. It's everything. My favourite product!' Unusual: The designer recently shared a video of her favourite moisturiser with fans (left), leading many to comment on her manicured nails and lightened tresses (pictured right in May) While many fans rushed to comment they're hoping to buy the moisturiser, many claimed that her hair was now far lighter than usual, and her nails were perfectly manicured. According to The Sun, several were quick to accuse her of flouting lockdown rules, despite beauty salons and hairdressers remaining closed due to social distancing concerns. One fan penned: 'I'm jealous of your manicure,' while another said they 'liked the new hair colour.' How much? The Spice Girls star certainly sold the product in the tutorial, but fans will have to fork out at least 92 for their own One eagle-eyed fan posted: 'Nails/lips done - how? In lockdown,' with a comment also reading: 'Did you lighten your hair? I love it!' 'How did she manage to her hair dyed during quarantine?' one fan posted. 'Nice manicure! Wonder who did those nails?' another noted. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Victoria Beckham for comment. What happened? Many fans rushed to question how Victoria had managed to keep her hair so well-styled and her nails so neat during lockdown, as a majority of salons remain closed Victoria certainly sold the product in the tutorial, but fans will have to fork out at least 92 for their own. That will only get you a 30ml bottle, however; for a longer-lasting 50ml beauty lovers will need to shell out 140. Currently Victoria has been isolating at her second home in The Cotswolds with husband David and their youngest three children. Their eldest son Brooklyn, 21, has been isolating in New York. Busy: Victoria has been settling back into a new schedule this week, as she announced her clothing store on London's upscale Dover Street had officially re-opened Victoria has been settling back into a new schedule this week, as she announced her clothing store on London's upscale Dover Street had officially re-opened. After Prime Minister Boris Johnson relaxed novel coronavirus lockdown rules to allow non-essential shops to open from June 15, the star followed thousands of other stores across the country by reopening. The mother-of-five's flagship store has had a facelift too, having been decorated with a rainbow tribute to Pride Month. 'So excited to reopen 36 Dover Street today with our beautiful Pride windows (and social distancing measures in place) x VB,' Victoria shared on Instagram alongside photos of her store. The fashion designer has lost her usual homeworking space at her Oxfordshire abode during the coronavirus pandemic as Harper prefers to do her school work there, leaving the rest of the household to find a spot elsewhere in the home. Victoria told The Guardian's Weekend magazine: 'Harper's taken over my office. She's trying to do all her schoolwork and, well, she's kind of decided that's her space now. 'So I'm downstairs... we're all dotted around the house, me and David and the boys, trying to work, trying to get schoolwork done. There's often someone holding a laptop up to a window, trying to get reception.' One of the Royal Navys 1billion warships has spent four years stuck in port because of engine problems and a shortage of sailors, it emerged yesterday. HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, has been sitting in port since 2016 when she spent a total of six days at sea. The 8,000-ton ship, which has been used as a training vessel, will now undergo a major engine refit and will not be deployed for another year. HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, has been sitting in port since 2016 when she spent a total of six days at sea Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures also revealed the six Type 45 destroyers were at sea for a combined total of just 649 days last year. Lord West, a former head of the Navy, said: We should have pushed ahead as soon as we knew what the problem was and it is dreadful it has taken so long. 'We need to get them fixed and out there operating. We need ships in case we have a war. MoD figures uncovered by the Sunday Mirror revealed the fleet has spent most of its time sitting in port instead of being engaged in operations. The destroyer, whose sophisticated air-defence system can track up to 1,000 targets simultaneously, will be back in action in 2021, officials said. Its sister ship, HMS Daring, has also spent the past two years tied up in dock and HMS Diamond managed only 15 days at sea in 2019. HMS Defender spent 2017 in port but has since been out on operations, as have HMS Dragon and HMS Duncan. Experts say some of the difficulty with getting the vessels out to sea is caused by a lack of crew members, meaning they have occasionally been used as training ships. Navy chiefs knew in 2016 that there was a problem with the six Type 45 destroyers but it has taken years to solve the issue. The ships were breaking down in the Persian Gulf because they were not designed for the heat. The 8,000-ton ship, which has been used as a training vessel, will now undergo a major engine refit and will not be deployed for another year Contractors claimed at the time that the MoD did not tell them the Type 45 destroyers would be spending a long time operating in warm waters. A Navy spokesman said: Type 45 destroyers are held at various levels of readiness in accordance with defence requirements. They rotate through planned operating cycles involving maintenance, training, deployment, leave and upgrades including the Power Improvement Project [to fix the engines], which is now underway. A Royal Navy frigate has shadowed the Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov through the English Channel. Commander Will Paston, of Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, said the Russian ship conducted itself in a safe and professional manner. Latest News Westpac makes first fixed rate move of 2022 New year, same rate action as major lenders continue rate hikes Inside the property market explosion in regional Australia Regional broker explains just how crazy the property market has been in one NSW town A number of factors combine to determine a propertys true value. Location, aspect, quality of finishes, number of bedrooms: these are some of the more tangible aspects of real estate that influence a particular dwellings value. Next, you start to factor in proximity to local amenities such as public transport, cafes, schools, local parks and beaches. Lastly, there are the external influences, which have nothing to do with the property whatsoever, yet everything to do with its potential value. This is the category that the coronavirus pandemic falls squarely into. A health crisis that birthed an economic catastrophe, the pandemic has robbed Australias real estate market of demand and well and truly taken the wind out of its sails in terms of property price growth. Now, as the country edges back towards the new normal with a state-by-state easing of restrictions, how will the property market be impacted? Generally, the outlook for inner urban established housing values is to remain reasonably stable. Predicted value falls relate to lower-value, urban fringe established housing Scott Keck, chairman, Charter Keck Cramer If we take the banks word for it, then the immediate outlook for property owners is grim. In the middle of April, for instance, Commonwealth Bank which holds the largest slice of the Australian mortgage pie, at a value of approximately $446bn predicted that property prices would plunge 10% within six months as a result of COVID-19s impact on the economy. Australian capital city dwelling prices, led by Sydney and Melbourne, have risen strongly over the past nine months, but we expect that stellar run to end abruptly, Gareth Aird, CBAs head of Australian economics, told the media at the time. The policy response to limit the spread of COVID-19 has created a plunge in economic activity, and unemployment will spike. This will have profound short-term consequences for the housing market. By mid-May, CBA had revised these figures quite dramatically. The bank flagged a number of scenarios, including a prolonged downturn forecast, which saw GDP growth fall by 7.1% this year and a further 0.8% in 2021. In this scenario, unemployment would average 9% this year and 8.5% next year, before easing back to 6.5% by 2022. In this worst-case situation, the banks economists forecast that house prices would fall by around 32% over the next three years from their March 2020 peak. CBA is not the only bank to prepare itself for such a negative result; Westpac, too, has modelled a potential decline in values of up to 20%, while NAB has suggested that house prices could fall by 10% to 15% in 2020/21. Nicola Powell, senior research analyst, Domain Homeowners are not being forced to sell, despite the economic turmoil and rising unemployment created by the current health crisis Nicola Powell, senior research analyst, Domain NAB group chief economist Alan Oster pointed to an outlook for the economy that more broadly is unsurprisingly significantly weaker than three months ago. We expect dwelling prices to fall by around 10% this year and decline further in the first half of 2021 before levelling off. The declines will be led by Sydney and Melbourne, but the other cities will not be immune to rising unemployment and slower wage growth, he said. Alongside the decline in house prices, we expect dwelling construction to continue to fall. The pipeline of work yet to be done remains relatively elevated in NSW and Victoria, but this will be rapidly eroded with high rates of work done. However, despite all of these predictions that property prices will tumble due to distressed sales, recent data from Domain reveals that most capital cities around the country have actually fared well so far. Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell said there was little evidence to suggest an increase in urgent or distressed selling across Australias capital cities. In fact, our major capitals have seen only very marginal increases in distressed listings, with Canberra and Brisbane experiencing a decrease in the number of such listings. Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart had a marginal increase in the proportion of urgent sale listings from February to mid-May when the full economic shutdown and social distancing restrictions would have been felt, she said. Source: Domain Melbourne and Darwin had no change, while Brisbane and Canberra saw a marginal decline in the portion of urgent listings. This suggests homeowners are not being forced to sell, despite the economic turmoil and rising unemployment created by the current health crisis. While the aftermath of the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis could result in rising distressed sales, Powell suggests the action taken by banks and the government may serve to largely stave off any serious declines. Homeowners have been provided with a lifeline during this economically challenging time through the intervention of the banks and government: the JobKeeper subsidy and the ability to pause mortgages, as well as a more generous JobSeeker payment. These will minimise the number of urgent or distressed sales, which will in turn support prices. If the policies were not in place, the immediate risk to prices would be far greater, she said. The longer-term impact could be different, and an uptick in distressed selling is possible once the policies cease. If the JobKeeper subsidy performs as intended and retains jobs, together with economic activity bouncing back, any dramatic increase in distressed selling is unlikely. This may put a floor under actual property values in real terms, but confidence in the property market as well as the perception of it by key stakeholders could cause some negative price movement. Income2Wealth CEO Paul Wilson, a property investing expert with more than 20 years of industry experience, says that despite facts and figures showing a robust real estate market, the issue of falling house prices could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The problem we have is that when banks and lenders start forecasting a 10% drop in property values, they then start factoring this into their property valuations. The data and activity in the market may not support a 10% drop, but they are being conservative and buffering that into their valuations, when in reality there is no evidence to support that yet, he said. Another part of the problem is that were dealing with so many lagging indicators when it comes to data. Were seeing the numbers coming out of CoreLogic and the ABS, and theyre two or three months old, so its hard to get a gauge on what is actually happening in the market. With a lack of evidence to support a sustained drop in property values, why are valuers being so conservative? Those in the industry are wondering whether its a byproduct of the GFC, when many valuers were hauled over the coals for not being conservative enough when it came to property valuations. So theyre factoring in a drop in values in advance, despite the fact that the market hasnt yet experienced a significant increase in distressed sales. Paul Wilson, CEO, Income2Wealth When you can ride out the peaks and troughs [youll] experience a more profitable return on investment in the long term Paul Wilson, CEO, Income2Wealth Scott Keck, chairman of strategic property consulting firm Charter Keck Cramer, has almost five decades of property valuation experience in the Melbourne market. Keck said that although the impact of COVID-19 had been dramatic, it has not yet manifested in indisputable evidence so far as the property market and values are concerned. The simultaneous end of JobKeeper, JobSeeker and mortgage or lease deferments in September will represent a real challenge if the economy hasnt revived sufficiently to give people the financial ability to resume their commitments. Quite significant structural changes will be occurring in the economy, which are yet to be reflected, he explained. A downturn in population growth as a consequence of reduced immigration through to mid-2022 is also expected to have an impact. While this may result in a short-term softening for houses and apartments, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, Keck is confident that a more likely outcome is a return to a balance between supply and demand by 2023. Generally, the outlook for inner-urban established housing values is to remain reasonably stable. Predicted value falls relate to lower-value, urban fringe established housing, he said. Banks, as Wilson suggested, are being much more conservative in their estimates. ANZ has forecast weaker household income, sharply rising uncertainty for households, reduced population growth and a weaker investor sector as some of the factors that will depress Australias housing markets over the next 12 months. As a result, the major bank forecasts that the decline in demand will push prices down by around 10% on average across all capital cities. The flip side to that coin is that ANZ expects prices will bottom out in mid-2021. I always advise property investors to view real estate assets as being a long-term play of at least 10 to 15 years, Wilson says. When you can ride out the peaks and troughs of the market along the way, youll be in a much better position to experience a more profitable return on investment in the long term. Extraordinary times, extraordinary measures: Indian Army gives soldiers a free hand at LAC India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, June 21: Changing the rules of engagement in the aftermath of the violent skirmish at the Galwan Valley, the Indian Army has given freedom of action to its commanders deployed along the Line of Actual Control. This decision was taken to give commanders the freedom to handle situations at the tactical level. Sources tell OneIndia that commanders will now have the complete authority to respond to extraordinary situations using all resources at their disposal. Nepal confident India, China will resolve differences through peaceful means During an all party meeting (APM), Prime Minister Narendra Modi was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In fact, he specifically emphasised that in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges, Indian forces now decisively counter any violations of LAC. The APM was also informed that this time, Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate. As regards transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions. The focus of the PM's remarks in the APM discussions were the events of 15 June at Galwan that led to the loss of lives of 20 Indian military personnel. Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the valour and patriotism of our armed forces who repulsed the designs of the Chinese there. The Prime Minister's observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day, the statement also read. Mischievous interpretation! Govt clarifies on PMs statement during all party meet on China The Prime Minister said, "those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil", succinctly summed up the ethos and the values of our armed forces. The Prime Minister further emphasised, "I want to assure you, that our armed forces will leave no stone unturned to protect our borders". What is Indian territory is clear from the map of India. This Government is strongly and resolutely committed to that. Insofar as there is some illegal occupation, the APM was briefed in great detail how over the last 60 years, more than 43,000 sq.km has been yielded under circumstances with which this country is well aware. It was also made clear that this Government will not allow any unilateral change of the LAC. At a time when our brave soldiers are defending our borders, it is unfortunate that an unnecessary controversy is being created to lower their morale. However, the predominant sentiment at the All Party Meeting was of unequivocal support to the Government and the armed forces at a time of national crisis. We are confident that the unity of the Indian people will not be undermined by motivated propaganda. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, June 21, 2020, 7:38 [IST] When she ran for Portland City Council in 2018, longtime community organizer and former state lawmaker Jo Ann Hardesty pledged to reform the citys police force. Once victorious, she knew shed need time to generate buy-in and expected it might take her eight years over two terms to see a fraction of her ideas come to fruition. As recently as last month, she could not convince any of her colleagues the city should disband the police units that patrol schools and public transit and investigate gun violence. Relations between China and India are expected to deteriorate with frequent border crises despite both sides claiming to seek de-escalation on recent clashes, former diplomats and academics said. Beijing and New Delhi have blamed each other for the clash on Monday, which killed at least 20 Indian soldiers along the disputed Himalayan border running along the Ladakh area of Kashmir. A Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) spokesman said the incident led to casualties on both sides but Beijing has been silent on the scale of its losses. The incident, which began with clashes between soldiers at the Galwan River valley in early May, has pushed ties between the two Asian giants to a new low as this marks the first fatality since 1975, and the most serious clash since the war in 1962. While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar were committed to solving our differences through dialogue after the first high-level exchange following the incident on Wednesday, much remains unresolved. Despite both sides committing to disengage on the Himalayan terrain, Indias official statement on the call quoted Jaishankar warning of serious repercussions on Indias relationship with China. Sino-India relations have been historically volatile. Disputes on sovereignty along the 3,500km (2,200 mile) border identified by the Line of Actual Control have always been flashpoints. However, strained relations from the last border stand-off at Doklam in June 2017 involving Bhutan were swiftly set to normal within a year following an informal meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in what was known the Wuhan summit. It is much more serious this time [than Doklam], primarily because soldiers have died, said Swaran Singh, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. A nationwide movement calling for a boycott of Chinese products in India has gained momentum. It has been backed by the trade group Confederation of All India Traders, which has vowed to stop importing more than 3,000 Chinese products. Story continues It is not only because of the anger [from the Indian people], Singh said. We have to see it along with the whole pandemic. Both countries are already facing economic hit, the reduction of demand of Chinese products has gone down worldwide, not only in India. So, some of it is happening anyway, this incident just gave it another boost. Two-way trade between India and China fell by US$3 billion last year to US$92.7 billion, according to Chinese customs data, but Singh said things were likely to get worse. I am expecting at least a US$10 billion drop in two-way trade [for 2020], and thats conservative. Indias trade deficit with China was almost US$57 billion in 2019, and despite Delhis efforts to close that gap, the border clashes meant Indian consumers were likely to buy even less from China, he said. Anti-China sentiment has been growing in India. Photo: EPA-EFE Before the skirmish, Delhi was excitedly revamping its tourism strategy to woo Chinese tourists. Authorities set an ambitious target of 14 million by 2023, up from just 240,000 in 2017. The two countries have planned a series of celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, but Indian experts said several were unlikely to happen, and not just because of the coronavirus. Gautam Bambawale, a former Indian ambassador to China, said he foresaw further problems. It is very likely to affect economic relations between the two countries. For example, I can see Chinese firms being banned from the 5G trials in India, he said. Beijing has been keen to help its telecoms companies get a foothold in the lucrative Indian 5G network market, especially after the US has gone on a global campaign against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, accusing it of spying for Beijing, a claim the company has denied. Delhi has previously shrugged off US warnings on Huawei and another company ZTE to participate in 5G trials. But the decision on which service provider can be licensed is still undecided. India-China relations have and will continue to deteriorate in the coming months, Bambawale said. The PLA has violated all the agreements concluded between the two countries since 1993 aimed at maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border. India will reassess its relationship with China and recalibrate it based on the realities on the ground. Under Modi, India has largely been perceived to have gravitated closer to the US, a country in fraught tension against China. Madhav Nalapat, a professor of geopolitics at Manipal University, said the recent incident and the steady encroachment from China over the past decade into the disputed border had accelerated such a development. The odds of a naval or air flare up over the Taiwan [Strait] or the South China Sea this year are high, Nalapat said. Dont be surprised if Indian Air Force aircraft or Indian Navy vessels join the US and other forces in such a confrontation. The balance of power between China hawks and doves in India has been shifting for some time and this may be the point when policies change in Delhi as they have in Beijing. Indian soldiers stand guard on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway. Photo: AP Despite Indian experts warning of retaliation, Shanghai-based Zhang Jiadong, who was a diplomat at the Chinese embassy in India from 2013 to 2015, said he did not see any motivation for Beijing to change its current policies towards India, despite the incident and retaliation. Border issues are always the most sensitive, but with little strategic benefit, he said. It is obvious that China and India have entered a new stage of interaction, where there will continue to be, if not more, diplomatic arguments and even more border crisis. India was making use of the erupting nationalistic sentiment at home to go into a narrative war with China, Zhang said. But as long as both sides have a mutual consensus of not wanting to turn this into an actual war, the boiling emotions will ultimately go down and things can be resolved, just like before. China is not interested in going to war with India. Sign up now for a 50% early bird discount on the 100+ page China Internet Report 2020 Pro Edition, which includes deep-dive analysis, trends, and case studies on the 10 most important internet sectors. Now in its 3rd year, this go-to source for understanding China tech also comes with exclusive access to 6 webinars with C-level executives. Offer valid until 30 June 2020. This article China-India border clash pushes relations to new low, observers say first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. The Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, in partnership with Hola Iowa publication, is paying tribute to 20 influential Latinos through its new project dubbed as "Latinos You Should Know." This collaboration involves an issue of Hola Iowa publication that will highlight the 2020 works of the said Latinos. It will be an entire issue exclusively devoted to the 20 influential Latino people. Commission chair Caleb Knutson said the idea occurred to him while he was attending the Latino Political Network gala last year. He added that "there were all these amazing people" from which, he continued that 50 percent of them he had never even known about. Knutson, who is also the chair of the project, also said he wondered why he has not heard of these people's stories. 'Pioneers' in the Community The piece, according to Knutson, will include a section featuring "pioneers in the Latino community." These pioneers, whom the project's chair described, are the people "who helped the Latino community" become what it at present. Another section will highlight the community's young "Latinx leaders." This particular part of the issue, Knutson said is intended "for the 'up and comers'." Meanwhile, according to Hola Iowa publisher Tar Macias, the publishing firm has been in search of a partner for quite some time to initiate a project like this. The commission, Matias elaborated, will be the right partner to develop a project like this that will "identify Latinos in the entire state, who are making a difference" in their community. Macias added that the issue featuring influential Latinos is slated for release in either October 2020 or early 2021. But the publisher said they will start accepting nominations soon. 2020 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame Nominations Recently, the commission, through the Iowa Department of Human Rights, announced that it was already accepting nominations for the 2020 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame. A lot of outstanding Latinos and Latinas have helped in shaping Iowa. More so, a lot of Latino leaders continue contributing to the state's progress and the citizens' improvement of quality of life through their skills and talents. To acknowledge and honor the efforts of these achievers and to serve as examples for the future Latinx leaders, the Iowa Commission, introduced the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame in 2017, intending to guarantee that the initiatives of Latino leaders are worthily acknowledged and celebrated. The influential Latinx leaders deserving to be nominated for the 2020 Hall of Fame or "Latinos You Should Know" include social and political activists, educators, writers, scientists, and community and spiritual leaders, among others. These people epitomize the Latinos and Latinas, whose contributions have helped shape not just Iowa and the United States, but also the whole world. Their inclusion in any of the two recognitions will increase their contributions' visibility to the industry they work for, communities they belong to, and the Latinos' current status in Iowa. For the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame, inductees are recognized at a special ceremony each year, specifically during the celebration of the "National Latino Heritage Month" happening from September 15 until October 15. Check these out! Suzanna Laar According to The PUNCH, the family members of a Ghanaian, Suzanna Laar, are in distress over the whereabouts of the 54-year-old woman after she went missing at a hotel in the Ikotun area of Lagos State. It was learnt that Laar alongside her two sons had travelled from Ghana in search of healing at Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun in December 2019 and checked into the hotel. Laars children brought for prayers at the church over an ailment they claimed had defied medical treatment. On Sunday, December 22, 2019, it was gathered that the three of them headed for the church to attend a service. They were in a queue waiting to enter the church when Laar reportedly became dizzy and slumped. One of the sons, John Wuni, told The PUNCH that he and his brother rushed their mother to their hotel room to relax. He said he returned to the church afterwards while his brother stayed back to look after Laar. Wuni said, We arrived in Lagos on December 22, 2019 and checked into a hotel around Ikotun. My brother and I brought our mother to Synagogue for healing. That was the second time we would bring her to the church. The first time was in 2017 when she had spinal cord problem. She fell sick again and it appeared to be spiritual. She could barely eat. We took her to different hospitals in Ghana but all the treatments given to her did not yield any positive results. The same day we arrived, we went to the church. We were in a queued when my mother collapsed all of a sudden. Some church officials advised us to take her to our hotel room and we did. We didnt take her to hospital because our efforts in the past had no positive impact. My brother stayed with her when we got to the hotel while I returned to the church for service. Wuni, currently sheltered at Ghana Consulate in Lagos, explained that his brother went out to buy food but when he returned, his mother was nowhere to be found. He said they looked for her around the neighbourhood to no avail, adding that the case was consequently reported at the Ikotun Police Station. We later printed a poster and put my phone number on it. People called and told me they found her. They were asking for huge money to lead me to where she was. Someone told me he saw her around Victoria Island. I went there but didnt see her. We reported the incident at the Ikotun Police Station but the police did not treat the case as I had expected, Wuni, 34, added. When our correspondent called an official line of SCOAN on Wednesday, a woman, who declined to give her name, advised that an enquiry should be sent to the churchs email address on the incident. She stated, Kindly send a message to our email address, [email protected] Asked how soon to expect a reply from the church, she said, If it is urgent, I am sure they will (reply on time). Just send a message to the email address. Our correspondent called the mobile again on Thursday and told the official that the church had not replied to the enquiry. She advised that the message should be resent which our correspondent did. Thousands of people send messages to our email address and it takes time to attend to them. Just write on the message, attention SCOAN, or attention Prophet TB Joshua. The church had yet to reply to the message as of 9pm on Saturday. But the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the development, noting that investigation had begun. He said, We have commenced investigation into circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Meanwhile, we have declared her missing. Anyone with useful information on her whereabouts should contact the nearest police station please. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Few passengers wait at the Beijing Railway Station on Thursday. Since the new outbreak in the city started on June 11, virus control measures have been implemented that include community access restrictions, requiring people to take nucleic acid tests and enacting new travel curbs and rules. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY The recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Beijing is under control as the city has seen a decline in confirmed cases, but the caseload will continue to grow for some time, health expert Wu Zunyou said on Thursday. "It's positive that Beijing has controlled the epidemic. All the cases reported today were infected before June 12," said Wu, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He added that the full tally of locally transmitted cases will continue to emerge in the coming days, but the number of cases will decrease over time, since the newly added cases were just new confirmations, not new infections. The city reported 21 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, 10 cases less than the previous day. All the cases are related to Xinfadi wholesale market in Beijing's Fengtai district, according to Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Beijing reported eight clusters of coronavirus infection as of Wednesday, all of which were closely connected with the Xinfadi market, according to Pang. Research and sampling have been conducted at the market over the past few days, which showed that infected seafood vendors outnumbered vendors with positive results in beef, mutton and other sections. Those seafood vendors tended to show COVID-19 symptoms earlier than other workers, Wu said. The facility with the seafood section also was found to be more contaminated by the novel coronavirus, he said, adding that in the early stages of the epidemic, cluster infections were found in a seafood market in Wuhan, Hubei province. Research being conducted is expected to provide more clues, he added. "One possible reason is that the freezing and humid environment at the seafood section might contribute to preserving the virus. But more analysis is needed to determine how it triggered the new outbreak," he said. Workers disinfect a waiting area in Beijing Railway Station on Thursday. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily] "The recent cases in Beijing, as well as the sporadic infections across the country, are within expectations given the global spread of the virus." Wu mentioned that Beijing would have become comparable to "Wuhan early this year" if the city had not rapidly taken strict measures to halt the spread in an accurate way after the first case was reported on June 11. In addition to mass nucleic acid testing for all people who had been to Xinfadi or had contact with people linked to the market, schools in Beijing also are taking strict measures to curb the spread of the virus. Dongcheng district is requiring all graduating students in junior and senior high schools to have a coronavirus test before they can take entrance exams for college or high school, both scheduled to take place next month. Security inspection stations have been set up on the city's highway toll booths, giving departure permission only to those travelers with a recent negative nucleic acid test report, Pan Xuhong, deputy director of the municipal public security bureau, said on Thursday. People with confirmed or suspected cases, close contacts and those with positive test results but no symptoms will not be allowed to buy airline or train tickets. People who have traveled to Xinfadi wholesale market or who have had close contact with market workers since May 30, as well as the residents living in areas designated as medium-and high-risk, are also forbidden to leave Beijing. "However, strengthening the management of high-risk groups by banning them from leaving the city doesn't mean there's a lockdown," Pan said. "Travelers with negative nucleic acid test results can leave the city after a temperature check." Also, the National Development and Reform Commission has organized the delivery of 5,000 tons of vegetables from neighboring Hebei province to Beijing to help ensure the supply of daily necessities to residents of the city, according to Wang Hongcun, an official at the municipal commerce bureau. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The leading drivers and restraints operating on the Orthodontic Supplies Market Analysis Research Report Global Forecast till 2023 are also profiled in the report to illustrate the extent of their impact on the market. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7364 The rising popularity of dental tourism is one of the primary factors driving the global orthodontic supplies market. Apart from that, increasing demand for premium services from consumers is observed, thanks to a rise in the disposable income, contributing to the mounting orthodontic supplies market. For example, Ormco Corporation, in 2018, introduced a line of premium orthodontic instruments used to assist specialists in all dental procedures. Key Industry Manufacturers Some of the key players in the global Orthodontic Supplies Industryare 3M, Align Technology, American Orthodontics, Danaher, DB Orthodontics, Dental Morelli, Dentaurum, Dentsply Sirona, G&H Orthodontics, Great Lakes Orthodontics, Henry Schein, Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, Straumann Holding AG, TP Orthodontics, Ultradent Products, and others. Detailed Regional Analysis The global orthodontic supplies market is studied for various regional segments such as the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. The Americas dominated the global orthodontic supplies market at the beginning of the forecast period. This market dictation can be owed to the presence of many significant market players in the region and the augmentation of the reimbursement procedures in the region. Europe held the second-largest share in the global orthodontic supplies market in the base year. Growth in the region can be causative to the fast-paced technological advancements and rising investments in the research and development activities. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Mounting awareness about dental tourism is anticipated to drive the orthodontic supplies market in Asia Pacific. Owing to the lower prices of dental care in the region, Thailand is observed to be a trending location for dental tourism for many international dental tourists. For instance, dental veneers can cost around USD 180 in the US, which costs around USD 250 in Thailand. The Middle East & Africa is expected to hold the smallest share in the global orthodontic supplies market during the assessment period. This can be accredited to the poor economic development, especially in Africa. Table of Content Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restraints 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.5 Trends & Assessment Continued Get Orthodontic Supplies Market Research Report: By Product (Fixed Braces (Brackets & Others)), Removable Braces, Adhesives & Accessories), Patient (Children and Teenagers & Adults), (End User (Hospitals, Clinics & others) Global Forecast Till 2023 For more information on our market research, please visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/orthodontic-supplies-market-7364 Which includes the Market Segmentation, Market Trends, Competitive Landscapes inclusive of Sample Tables, Charts and Graphs. Industry Update April 2019: Engineers, dentists, and biologists from the University of Pennsylvania came together to develop microscopic robots that are capable of cleaning tooth plaque. Two types of robotic systems are designed. One to work on the surfaces and one to operate inside confined spaces. These microscopic robots can easily destroy biofilms and bacteria, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Related news Hepatitis Test Solution Diagnosis Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023 Medical Vacuum Systems Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023 About Market Research Future: MRFR team has supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country-level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions Joe Biden's campaign and his Democratic Party are feeling an emotion they have not sensed in quite some time, and one that prompts more than a little fear: confidence. Poll after poll has placed the presumptive Democratic nominee ahead of President Donald Trump, with comfortable national leads that in some cases have swollen to double digits. He is ahead by narrower but consistent margins in battleground states, and Biden himself has grown increasingly bullish on the idea that Democrats will win back the Senate majority, a possibility not even dreamed of until recently. Once an anemic fundraiser, he is now routinely drawing multimillion-dollar hauls. Trump is presiding over a Depression-style economy, a global pandemic and boiling social unrest. His administration has lost several high-profile Supreme Court cases, his former National Security adviser's new book has painted a damning portrait, and he is now in perhaps the weakest position of his presidency with less than five months before the general election. The images of a half-empty arena for Trump's much-hyped rally in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday underscored the perception of a diminished incumbent, one who has long seen crowd size as a barometer of success. But for Democrats, the very idea that they are doing well provokes an underlying skittishness. They worry about voting during the coronavirus crisis, amid restrictions that could make it harder to cast ballots. Some fear a coming misinformation campaign and say the party risks underestimating Trump's ability to turn the country against their nominee. They also worry their party still does not fully understand what led voters to Trump in the first place, and they are terrified that overconfidence, like some of them had four years ago, will lead to complacency. "It feels like 2016 all over," said Andrew Werthmann, a member of the city council in Eau Claire, Wis., who has been almost cringing as he watches Biden surge in the polling he cannot help but keep looking at. "It's not a good energy to think you have a presidential election in the bag," he said. "Especially not in our state. Where exactly that happened last time." Biden's campaign believes the pathway to the presidency runs through states in the industrial Midwest - such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the three usually Democratic states Hillary Clinton lost in 2016. But they are also increasingly optimistic about once-unthinkable states such as Arizona, Texas and Georgia. They have twin goals of trying to motivate black voters in urban cores and college-educated voters in the suburbs to turn out in bigger numbers than Clinton drew. "I've always had an expanded map in my head that includes Texas, maybe even South Carolina, maybe Georgia. We're not going to concede anything," said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., the co-chairman of Biden's campaign. "You still run a race like you're behind. But the truth of the matter is we're not behind," he added. "Doesn't matter if it's two up, five up, or 10 up, the polls all show us increasing . . . the trend is good for us." Still, while Biden at this point is faring better against Trump than Clinton did, the next few months hold challenges for him. He has failed so far to excite Latinos, a fast-growing electoral bloc, and some young black voters still view him skeptically. Trump retains a solid base of supporters. Two weeks ago, an unexpectedly favorable employment report raised the specter of a boosted economy, one area where Trump continues to poll better than Biden. But Biden also has been helped by factors outside his control: Trump, who unlike in 2016 has a record to be measured against, has not yet found a line of attack that has resonated with voters. And the president is facing not only Democrats in whom he inspires unprecedented anger but a revolt among Republicans, some of whom have formed anti-Trump networks that are airing ads against him. On Thursday, Biden launched a $15 million advertising campaign targeting many of the swing states. Some of the ads will air on Fox News and during NASCAR races, aiming to win over former Obama voters who switched to Trump four years ago. English- and Spanish-language ads will air in key markets in Florida, where Trump's campaign is planning to hold rallies and parties as part of his nominating convention. Democrats in several key states believe Trump will turn out his unshakable supporters. In their view, the key to a Biden victory rests in attracting Democratic voters who sat out of the 2016 election. "He's got a very aggressive, loyal base. But that base on its own, I don't think, is enough," Brandon Dillon, a former Democratic Party chairman in Michigan, said of the president. "His path is complacency among Democratic voters and independents who despise him - that they think this is somehow in the bag. That's the biggest threat." Biden's campaign is beginning to coordinate more closely with state Democratic parties and expects to have 600 field organizers working in the battleground states by the start of next month. This past week alone, the campaign held 39 organizing events in Arizona, Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin. They have a director of African American outreach in Michigan, a Latinx outreach director in Arizona and a full-time youth vote director in Wisconsin. In Eau Claire, Wis., a city of 70,000 people, Biden supporters are hoping to harness the energy of thousands of people who have showed up for Black Lives Matter protests. A large batch of campaign signs are soon heading for rural Michigan, meant to combat the visibility that Trump has on farms and highways. In Florida, the coordinated effort between the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee is adding 40 staffers to the roster of about 160 organizers the state party has had working over the past year. Florida Democrats are also seeing a surge in voters registering to vote by mail, a reversal of past trends. "Republicans used to crush us on that. It was just the mentality of Democrats not trusting the postal system," said Juan Penalosa, the executive director of the Florida Democratic Party. "But now that Trump is telling Republicans not to do it, Democrats all want to do it. It's been the best thing for us. Everybody is flocking to it." "In Florida we have a history of fumbling at the two-yard line. I don't think we're going to do that this year," he added. Some Democrats continue to worry about Biden's relative lack of visibility or question whether his instinct to criticize the "defund the police" movement places him out of touch with the raw nerves on the streets. But many other Democrats think it does not matter. Among more moderate voters particularly, they say, Biden has to do enough to show that he is a suitable alternative - or, as Biden himself often jokes, "Don't compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative." "I'm not trying to convince people to like him. I'm trying to convince people to vote for him," said Khary Penebaker, a DNC committee member from Wisconsin. "There is no extra box. When you fill in that bubble or punch that box, it doesn't say, 'Are you excited?' All you got to do is vote." "Even people who don't like Joe Biden are saying, 'I'll vote for a paper bag over Trump,' " he added. In Iowa, a state Trump won by just under 10 points in 2016, a recent Des Moines Register poll had him up by one point. The same poll had Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, trailing her Democratic opponent Theresa Greenfield by three points. In Texas, a state Trump won by nine points, a Quinnipiac poll had Trump leading by one point. Eventually, the campaign will face hard decisions about where to spend its money, but for now, Biden is fanning the specter of winning in unforeseen places. "Texas is an important battleground state for our campaign in 2020," Biden said during a virtual appearance for the Texas Democratic Party's convention two weeks ago. "I think we have a real chance to turn the state blue because of the work all of you have done." Managing the optimism has created new challenges for the Biden campaign. Even as his team believes the past few weeks have moved the race in his favor, at least temporarily, they are trying to encourage supporters to disregard the recent good news. "We are not up 15 in Michigan. We are not up 14," Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon said on the most recent episode of "Campaign HQ," a podcast hosted by David Plouffe, referring to Biden's polling lead there. O'Malley Dillon said she was making that point in part to avoid "the bedwetting that is to come when those numbers narrow." "This is going to be a very close race; everyone needs to understand that," she said. Plouffe, who ran Obama's first campaign, also warned that Democrats should assume Trump will win back some support as the campaign progresses and voters start paying more attention. "I am a little bit worried that people are getting super excited about these numbers," he said. "And you'd much rather have them than not. But when you look at how these votes ultimately come down on Election Day, it seems to me you're going to see some tightening." Nancy Quarles, a commissioner in Oakland County, Mich., remains scarred by 2016, still baffled by the support Trump won in crucial counties that she never expected. "I'm very nervous about the race. I see all the groundwork for the Democrats to win, however, I don't discount the current president. He's very motivated to win," she said. Quarles, who is a DNC committeewoman, worries Biden is not doing enough to motivate voters who are on the fence or are not paying close attention to the presidential race. "Even personal friends, I don't think they're going to vote for Trump," she said. "But they need more of an edge to know Biden is willing to roll up his sleeves and do what needs to be done." The Biden campaign's efforts in key states are meant as a hedge against a repeat of Clinton's trajectory. "One of the criticisms in 2016 was Hillary didn't physically come to Wisconsin," said David Bowen, a state lawmaker from Milwaukee. "You see a different strategy by the Biden campaign not to abandon Wisconsin, not to take resources meant for Wisconsin and divert them elsewhere to states that were really a crapshoot." Will Buergey, the party chairman in Gogebic County, Mich., got a call about a week ago. The campaign wanted him to get to work in the rural area, where Obama won in 2008 and 2012 but where Trump beat Clinton by nearly 15 points. He said he is encouraged by the expected shipment of lawn signs; in 2016, the area felt neglected by Clinton as Trump's allies papered the area with symbols of their support. "I like Joe Biden, I think he's a good candidate. But I think this election is going to turn more on people who see the real Donald Trump," he said. "I think a lot of people were hoodwinked by him in 2016. . . . I do feel better that the country as a whole - if they're not strongly pro-Biden, they're anti-Trump." That is one reason Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is increasingly optimistic Biden will be the first Democrat to win his state since Bill Clinton carried it in 1996. "Time's running out. This election doesn't end in November. It ends in early October, when early voting starts in many of these swing states," he said. "If Trump somehow hasn't changed his campaign and himself by early October, he is in severe problems. He won in 2016. But it's possible, and more likely, that it was a fluke. And not a trend." The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming a threat to the legacy of Nigerian Ruler, Muhammadu Buhari and his regime, a former chairman of the , John Oyegun, has said. Oyegun stated this while reacting to the leadership crisis within the APC, after a Court of Appeal upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the ruling party. Former Oyo state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, was declared Acting Chairman by the National Working Committee (NWC), but the National Secretary, Victor Giadom, has insisted he is in charge of the ruling party. Our own political party, the APC, is fast becoming the single most dangerous threat to the legacy of our government and our president. In the last few months we have watched how the party has brazenly subverted its own principles of internal democracy and flagrant violation of every rule of decent political engagement in a manner that makes everyone associated with its promise of change liable to be accused of either hypocrisy or apostasy, Oyegun said in a statement, on Saturday. He also urged the APC to remember its victory in the 2015 presidential election and the peaceful transfer of power. According to Oyegun, that inspired other African nations, who have seen made more progress than Nigeria. BreakingTimes gathered some reactions to Oyeguns comment from Twitter. See below: @Leumas_PDSL: According to Oyegun, @OfficialAPCNg is now the constructive reason why we still tarry as a nation under @MBuhari no saraki or Dogara to blame again. I am always taken aback when I see some Nigerians still advocating for this @OfficialAPCNg A party with bunch of thieves. According to Oyegun, @OfficialAPCNg is now the constructive reason why we still tarry as a nation under @MBuhari no saraki or Dogara to blame again. I am always taken aback when I see some Nigerians still advocating for this @OfficialAPCNg A party with bunch of thieves Leumas Samuel (@Leumas_PDSL) June 20, 2020 @ayemojubar: APC Is Becoming Single Most Dangerous Threat To Buharis Legacy Oyegun. What legacy is he talking about? ? APC Is Becoming Single Most Dangerous Threat To Buharis Legacy Oyegun. What legacy is he talking about? ? Ayemojubar ? (@ayemojubar) June 20, 2020 @OchuRasheed: Oyegun talking about APC being threat to Buharis legacy?. We dont have Saraki/Dogara to blame again for the successful failure of the party, its now APC sabotaging Buharis efforts. Who be oga pata pata of this una party sef?.. Sorry, i should have ask earlier;What legacy?? Oyegun talking about APC being threat to Buharis legacy?. We dont have Saraki/Dogara to blame again for the successful failure of the party, its now APC sabotaging Buharis efforts. Who be oga pata pata of this una party sef?.. Sorry, i should have ask earlier;What legacy?? KOGI YOUNG STUNNER (@OchuRasheed) June 20, 2020 Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 22:09:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Deputy Minister of Justice for Human Rights Mahmoud Abbasi said on Sunday that Iran is ready for the exchange of prisoners with other countries on humanitarian grounds amid the COVID-19 pandemic, official IRNA news agency reported. "We have extradited 108 Iranian prisoners from Georgia and transferred a number of foreign prisoners to their respective countries in the past two months," Abbasi said. More than 2,000 Afghan convicts in Iran can be transferred to their country, he added. Iran has also announced its readiness to extradite 44 Pakistani prisoners and is awaiting the response from the Pakistani authorities, the deputy minister noted. Meanwhile, Abbasi expressed concerns over the situation of Iranian prisoners in the United Arab Emirates. "Our prisoners in the United Arab Emirates are deprived of the minimum human rights, including consular services and fair trial," he explained. Recently, Iran and the United States swapped prisoners. Enditem A Pontiac man was stabbed more than a dozen times after what appeared to be a party in the city, authorities reported. Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriffs Office were summoned to McLaren Hospital in the citys downtown at 3:26 a.m. Friday, June 19, with the report of a stabbing victim, as a 43-year-old man had been dropped off at the emergency room. Deputies arrived to find a victim who had been stabbed more than a dozen times across his body, mostly to his torso, the Oakland County Sheriffs Office reported. The subject was unable to speak and in critical condition. He was then taken to surgery when he spoke to medical staff stating that the stabbing had occurred outside the apartment tower located on Carriage Circle Drive. Deputies went to that area and found a large pool of blood in the northeast part of the parking lot of the apartment tower, where some chairs had been assembled for a gathering or a party, police said. The scene was processed by a sheriffs evidence technician. Detectives were called in to begin their investigation. A review of the video footage at the hospital revealed that a heavyset black male with a beard had dropped the victim off at the hospital, the sheriffs office reported. He drove off in a black Chrysler/Dodge vehicle with a temporary tag. The Ukrainian president pledges his country's support for Canada. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that all countries that have sought non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2021-2022, including Canada, are partners of Ukraine, regardless of the results of the voting. "This is a secret ballot structure, and I want to tell you that all the candidates, without exception, including Canada, which fought for this non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, are our partners and really deserve to be in the UN Security Council," he said in an interview with The Globe and Mail, according to the presidential press service. He stressed that Ukraine had always supported and would continue to support Canada. Read alsoZelensky, Trudeau discuss visa facilitation between Ukraine, Canada "Ukraine has always and will continue to support Canada. Regarding the voting and the election process at the United Nations, I cannot say because that is confidential information," The Globe and Mail quoted Zelensky as saying. "I know that Canada wanted very much to be elected and to be on the Security Council of the United Nations. Well, it did not happen this time, but what is important for Canada is also important for Ukraine because the success of Canada is the success of Ukraine." The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that next time Canada would be the winner. He stressed that there are many platforms in the world where everyone listens to that country's opinion, in particular, it is NATO and the OSCE, the presidential press service said. "I'd like you to understand that everything that is important for Canada is also important for Ukraine, because we understand that Canada always supports Ukraine on such large-scale geopolitical platforms. And we will always support Canada," the press service quoted him as saying. According to a statement released by the United States Embassy in Cameroon, on January 21, 2020, the Cameroonian Navy plans to purchase in 2020 two 110-foot (34m) Island-class American patrol boats to greater extend its ability to patrol Cameroons economic exclusion zone. According to a statement released by the United States Embassy in Cameroon, on January 21, 2020, the Cameroonian Navy plans to purchase in 2020 two 110-foot (34m) Island-class American patrol boats to greater extend its ability to patrol Cameroons economic exclusion zone. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link The Coast Guard Cutter Naushon (WPB 1311) 110-foot Island-class patrol boat and crew conduct training in Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2018.(Picture source U.S. Defense Visual Information) Starting in January 2020, the United States began its one-year secretariat of the G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea Group, with Gabon serving as co-secretariat. This group coordinates the support of international partners for the maritime security standards agreed upon by West and Central African heads of state at a summit in Yaounde in 2013. The G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea Group helps secure the Gulf of Guinea against the threats of piracy, armed robbery, and other illicit maritime activities. By creating the conditions for improved maritime security, this group fosters prosperity and economic growth for all countries along the Gulf of Guinea. In 2016, the United States funded the creation of six maritime operations centers in Limbe, Douala, and Kribi that enable naval operations at sea, and we will continue to provide maintenance and training for these centers this year. Through 2017, the United States provided several Defender class rigid hull boats to the Cameroonian military for maritime patrols. One of the Defender boats was used in the August 2019 rescue of over 100 shipwreck victims after a boat coming from Nigeria capsized near Limbe. Over the years, the U.S. has provided significant security assistance to Cameroon to achieve our mutual goals in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, countering violent extremism in the North, and supporting regional security initiatives. The Island-class patrol boat is a class of cutters used the United States Coast Guard. It is a Coast Guard modification of a highly successful British-designed patrol boat. With excellent range and seakeeping capabilities, the Island Class, all named after U.S. islands, replaced the older 95-foot Cape-class patrol boats. These cutters are equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment. Island-type boats have a full displacement of 165 tonnes and are able to reach speeds of up to 30 knots, with a cruising range exceeding 5,300 km. They are able to operate autonomously for up to five days. The ship can accommodate a crew of 16 people (including two officers). The boats are equipped with AN / SPS-73 radar and a descent motorboat, the armament consists of a 25-mm tank automatic gun mount Mk 38 Mod 0 Bushmaster and two 12.7 mm M2NV machine guns. Usually, armaments are dismantled on boats transferred abroad, however, the boats were transferred to the Ukrainian side with artillery mounts, but without barrels installed (it is reported that the Ukrainian Navy is going to install 25-mm machine guns from old Soviet 2M-3M gun mounts on these gun mounts). The West is a dying civilization. That much is evident. But it mustn't be. Who will defend the flame that once illuminated the skies and sang songs of ascents up on high? In the rush to destroy all things Western, few so-called conservativesanywhererisk themselves to defend our patrimony and our future. In fact, many so-called conservatives sound like liberals defaming Western civilization and American history by accepting the anti-Western narrative of racism and imperialism. It is predicable, almost comical, that the self-declared conservatives across the West grovel to the narrative pushed by the nihilistic and iconoclastic Multicultural Left. Republicans in America plan to unveil their own police reform legislation. Looks like conservatives are abandoning the police too! As classics of American art and cinema are canceled, writers like David Marcus implicitly accept the multiculturalist creed by writing that Gone With the Wind should be saved because the first African-American won an Oscar for her performance in the film. Over in Britain, statues honoring British heroes like Lord Admiral Nelson and Winston Churchill are targets for desecration and removal. Moreover, anti-Western activists openly yearn for the dismantling of British history and culture. And in Australia, Green Party activists defaced a statue of James Cook. The riots are not about George Floyd, police reform and accountability, or justice. The riots are the systematic attempt to exterminate Western civilization and culture from the very lands in which its roots are planted. This, of course, is something that Conservative Inc doesnt want to acknowledge or is woefully blind to. Predictably, Conservative Inc writers implicitly accept the multiculturalist narrative but try to turn it on its headclaiming how they are the true defenders of multiculturalism and feminism. What all patriotic Americans need to understand is that the riots and ongoing turmoil is being used as a wrecking ball to our history, heritage, and civilization. The power of the anti-American activists in our culture is not simply because they control the universities, which produce the armies of anti-Western legions that take up positions in business, politics, and the media (which serves as the primary enforcer of the multiculturalist ideology), but because they understand the role of memory and narrative regarding identity. Culture is essential to our identity as a nation and a civilization. The parasitic anti-Western vandals control the narrative and no one is allowed to deviate from it. Even conservatives must be shackled to it. Conservatives, at best, accept the Lefts narrative but try to twist and turn it to present themselves as the true defenders of multiculturalism and anti-racism. All to no avail. Multiculturalism is not about multiculturalism. That is the greatest misnomer of all time. Multiculturalism is the veiled vehicle for dismantling and destroying Western civilization. This is not about political power as asinine conservatives often say. This is about civilizational desecration and destruction. When multiculturalists complain about European and American statues, they are only voicing their genuine attitude of resentful hatred. What hath the multiculturalist in common with Julius Caesar, George Washington, or Horatio Nelson? Nothing. And they never will. Even if they reside in Western nations. Multiculturalists hate all Western heroes precisely because theyre Western. Even white abolitionists are targets of their rage because they are murderers and colonists. Anything and everything Western, as Susan Sontag said, is the cancer of humanity. Instead of presenting a counter narrative defending the heroism and magnanimity of Western civilization the pale and pathetic defenders of Western civilization already consign themselves to the dust bins of extinction by accepting the ludicrous and abstract beliefs that what constitute Western civilization are the abstract and fluid ideals of human rights, democracy, and freedom which permits the Wests eventual annihilation. And with that annihilation the end of Western consciousness, heritage, and history is complete. What makes the American unique is that he is the product of all of Europe and European history converged onto this New World and New Continent. Without the Greek victory at Salamis there would be no America. Without Alexander the Great there would be no America. Without Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar there would be no America. Without Charles Martel there would be no America. Without Christopher Columbus there would be no America. (And this is why the multiculturalist tears down statues of Columbusthey only defile Western heroes.) Without Sir Francis Drake there would be no America. Without James Wolfe there would be no America. Every great Western hero of the past is now on the chopping block of the multiculturalist terror campaign. Americans have the richest history and heritage precisely because we are the children of pilgrims, adventurers, and lovers stretching across the millennia whose actions made safe the possibility for the European settlement of the New World. This would serve conservatives well if they understood this fact and embraced it. The Greek heroes at Thermopylae and Salamis died for us. The Franks who died stopping an Islamic invasion of Europe died for us. The Catholics who fought the Turks at Lepanto died for us. The brave and heroic sailors, settlers, and pioneers who died in the New World died for us. If we love them let us honor them and immortalize them. We once did. Now we must show our love for them again in defending them against the new barbarians from within. If conservatives will not defend Western civilization by proclaiming the heroic nobility of the West then what, exactly, are they conserving? Besides occasional tax cutswhich is hardly heroicwhat is the last great conservative victory in the past 20 years? Perhaps conservatives in 50 years will call for the removal of Washington when everyone clamors to deface the Father of our Country. It wont be long until we pass Mount Rushmore and utter those haunting words, Nothing besides remain, round the decay / Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away. Image credit: Wallpaper Flare / public domain Medha Dutta Yadav By The 5,000-year-old tomb of Queen Meresankh III, granddaughter of King Khufu, offers many firsts to visitors looking to explore the famous pyramids of Giza. Built at a time when Egypt was one of the richest and most powerful civilisations in the world, it lies forlorn today, but holds many surprises. The Egyptian Tourist Board has been inviting travellers to delve deep into the many treasures of Giza. As soon as you step in through the small opening of the underground chapel, you will find paintings of two craftsmen on either sidethe painter Rahay and the sculptor Inkaef. No other pyramidat least the excavated onesboasts any sculpture or painting of craftspeople, making this discovery a unique one here. In fact, on one wall of the extremely well-preserved pyramid, one also finds a niche containing the sculpture of a scribe busy at work. With Matterport as your tour guide, you can select the mode that makes you feel more comfortablethe dolls house or the floor level mode with scales. Take a few steps towards the south wall of the chapel, and you can spot life-size paintings of Queen Meresankh and her mother. Zoom in and you will see the two royals flanked by bearers carrying food atop their heads while a few herd cattle or trap birdsall in preparation of the final funerary feast. A little further on, is another painting of the two sailing on the Nile. Thanks to new technology and VR viewing, one can see the well-preserved pigments of azure, gold, yellow and red. The floor to ceiling painting of Meresankhs father depicted in priestly robes is the largest artwork in this tomb. With the help of Harvards reconstruction tool, one can actually see the original glory of the images inside the pyramid. In fact, the Harvard site has an animated video production with 3D imaging that gives a guided overall tour of the Giza Plateau. Across the southern wall of the chapel youll find Meresankh sculpted along with her female relatives10 sculptures in all. This is another surprise. The society in those days was largely male-dominated, very rarely would one find pyramids filled with female sculptures or paintings. From the upper chapel, there are steps leading to the real tomb and the burial spot which once contained the black sarcophagus in which resided Meresankhs mortal remains. Broken steps here and there, this hollow, cavernous burial chamber was once filled with costly and invaluable luxuries. Some of the artifacts can be seen at the Egyptian Museum in CairoMatterport gives an easy link. review: Virtual Tour pyramids of Giza Today, a special flight of Air Serbia brought humanitarian assistance from Serbia to Armenia the first load of medical supplies and devises. The second part of the cargo will be delivered tomorrow, as reported the news service of the Staff of the President. The agreement on Serbias substantial assistance to Armenia in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic was reached during a phone conversation between President Armen Sarkissian and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. Recently, President Armen Sarkissian spoke on the phone with this colleague President Aleksandar Vucic with whom he maintains cordial and friendly relations. The Presidents discussed the situation created by the coronavirus pandemic, and the President of Serbia underscored that his country is ready to assist Armenia. President Sarkissian passed on to the Serbian side the list of necessary items provided by the RA Minister of Health. As assistance in the fight against the pandemic, Serbia is providing to Armenia 10 artificial lung ventilation devises, 10 devises to monitor patients condition, 500 thousand surgical and 100 thousand protective masks, 25 thousand protective glasses, 25 thousand protective medical gear, and other necessary items. In the conversation with journalists, the Head of Presidential Administration Emil Tarassian said, In the phone conversation with President Armen Sarkissian, the President of Serbia offered his assistance, and today the first aircraft with humanitarian assistance has arrived. Tomorrow the second flight will deliver more medical supplies and equipment. Items, which arrived today and will arrive tomorrow, are much needed supplies for Armenias healthcare system. During his conversation with Aleksandar Vucic President Sarkissian expressed gratitude to the President of Serbia and the people of Serbia for the assistance provided to our country. Emil Tarassian added that President Sarkissian continues to use his personal and partnership relations to provide new opportunities for Armenia in our fight against the pandemic. The Presidential Administration maintains constant contacts with the colleagues in the government, the list of necessary supplies and equipment is regularly reviewed with the Ministry of Health. This offer for assistance was made weeks ago, during the phone conversation between the Presidents of our two countries. They have very warm and close relations, and I am glad that we have the result already, Tatyana Cvetkovic, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Serbia in our country, said. Tomorrow, another aircraft with humanitarian assistance will arrive to Armenia. I believe this assistance will be useful for Armenia. A police officer (L) detains a man (C) as protesters gathered in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on June 12, 2020. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) Beijing Advances Plan to Secure Sweeping Powers in Hong Kong, Deepening Fears Beijing will establish a security agency in Hong Kong, allowing it to heighten its control over the territory, according to a blueprint of a new national security law unveiled on June 20. Chinas communist regime will set up a dedicated central government bureau in the former British colony responsible for analyzing so-called security risks in the region, supervising the Hong Kong government to fulfill its duties of protecting national security, and collecting relevant intelligence, Chinese state media Xinhua said on Saturday. Hong Kong will also establish a national security council headed by the chief executive Carrie Lam under Beijings guidance, with a Beijing-assigned advisor sitting on the board. The law will also empower Lamwho reiterated unwavering support to the law soon after the drafts releaseto appoint judges to hear cases relating to Chinas national security. It would override local laws in any areas of conflict. New investigation and police units will also be set up to enforce the law. The law, which was approved last month by the National Peoples Congress (NPC), the regimes rubber-stamp parliament, marks the deepest encroachment on the promise of autonomy granted to Hong Kong by the communist regime when the territory was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Critics fear the law would allow Beijing to target dissenters of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the cloak of so-called national security. The new details of the planned law, released following an initial review by the Standing Committee of the NPC, triggered immediate backlash. Alvin Yeung, barrister and leader of Hong Kongs local pro-democracy Civic Party, likened the announcement to a sharp sword piercing into Hong Kongs judicial and administrative organs in a news conference. Tam Yiu-chung, a Hong Kong representative at the Standing Committee of the NPC, said those who violate the law could face a sentence from three to 10 years. Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong said the law would erode Hong Kongs judicial independence and give Beijingthe country with the poorest human rights recordsole power to interpret what constitutes a breach of national security. All these so-called human rights protections will just vanish into thin air, Wong wrote in a tweet. Dont forget, once Beijing intervenes, offenders can be sent to mainland China for trials and prisons. Party-State Police detain a man (L) as pro-democracy protesters gather in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on June 12, 2020.(Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) Beijings new security agency in Hong Kong removes any remaining notions of the regions autonomy, Dan Garrett, author of a book chronicling the history of pro-democracy protests in the region, told The Epoch Times in an email. He described the body as a second stove-pipe to govern Hong Kong. Any judges appointed by Hong Kongs government, meanwhile, would have surely been vetted by the Party-state of Beijing beforehand, Garrett said, calling the measure a pure Chinese Communist political theater. It is a farce, he said. A lot of deliberations may happen behind closed doors to ensure the trials move according to Beijings plans, providing token transparency in an attempt to avoid scrutiny from international society, he added. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested on Friday that the degree of Hong Kongs special trade privileges with the United States would be proportional to the political freedom it enjoys. The legislative elections in September, he said, would be a telltale sign. President Donald Trump last month announced that his administration would begin the process of eliminating Hong Kongs special treatment in response to Beijings smothering of Hong Kongs autonomy from the CCP. We have many agreements that are unique between the United States and Hong Kong, separate and different from those we have with Beijing. We will move away from every one of those, Pompeo said in the online Copenhagen Democracy Summit. Garrett derided the regimes promise to balance human rights with national security in implementing the new law. The Chinese Communist Party is gaslighting Hongkongers (who know better) and the international community (who should know better) by using twisted communist logic, he said, citing the rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region and its handling of mass protests in Hong Kong over the past year against Beijing increasing encroachment on how the city is run. Under communist rule, only communist patriots have rightsbut only as far as they serve the interest of the CCP, he said. Black police chiefs representing departments from across California on Friday called for changing state law so they can immediately fire officers for egregious behavior, with due-process appeals only after the fact. California has some of the nations toughest police disciplinary rules and until last year the nations most secretive police privacy law. Coupled with collective bargaining agreements, the chiefs said that prevents the rapid dismissal of officers, by contrast to recent cases in Atlanta and Minneapolis where officers were fired in the deaths of Black men even before criminal charges were brought. Get the full story in the video above. Leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan has congratulated medical workers on Medical Worker Day with the following message: Dear medical workers, I cordially congratulate you on Medical Worker Day. During these days of the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus, I would like to give special thanks to each and every one of you. You are truly leading a heroic struggle against the pandemic. Most of you havent seen your families, relatives and children for months now and have been fighting to save peoples lives and maintain their health day and night. Believe us when we say that we see all this and highly appreciate it. On this day, you are in operation room, intensive care units and with paramedics and are accomplishing your mission with unconditional dedication. I want you to be rest assured that we highly appreciate your sacrifice and dedication. Be rest assured that we support you in this battle. Once again, I congratulate all medical workers of Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Diaspora, wishing them will and endurance, and I wish your families and all Armenians of the world good health. May God be with you all. Stephen Silver, 43, was remanded in custody on Friday night and charged with Mr Horkan's murder Stephen Silver, 43, was remanded in custody on Friday night and charged with Mr Horkan's murder Mr Horkan was shot dead with his own gun, after it was taken off him, on Wednesday night in Castlerea Mr Horkan was shot dead with his own gun, after it was taken off him, on Wednesday night in Castlerea Gardai stations across the country held a minute's silence as the funeral began at St James' Church Gardai lined the streets to pay their respects to the Detective Garda as his coffin was taken to the church Colm Horkan, 59, was carried through his hometown in Charlestown, Co Mayo, at his state funeral today Advertisement Murdered garda Colm Horkan was hailed as 'one of nature's gentlemen' who never let his family or friends walk alone during the state funeral today. Colm Horkan, nicknamed 'The Bear', was carried through his hometown at the state funeral held in Charlestown, Co Mayo, today. The coffin of the detective garda was draped in the Irish flag, with his hat and gloves laid on the top, as his Garda colleagues lined the streets to pay tribute. The coffin of murdered detective garda Colm Horkan was carried through his hometown of Charlestown, Co Mayo, during his state funeral today The coffin of the detective garda was draped in the Irish flag, with his hat and gloves laid on the top, as he was taken into St James' Church for the funeral Addressing mourners, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (pictured) said Colm Horkan's Garda service was marked by his 'hard work and diligence'. He said Mr Horkan's 'determination and courage' were shown in the moments before his death on Wednesday night Mr Horkan, 49, was shot dead on Wednesday night in the town of Castlerea in Co Roscommon. Among symbols left at the altar to represent his life at the beginning of the funeral service were his garda notebook, a GAA jersey from his home team in Charlestown and a Liverpool FC tie pin. One of his brothers, Dermot, explained the significance of each. His voice breaking with emotion, he told the congregation: 'The Liverpool motto 'you'll never walk alone' summed up Colm perfectly he never let any of his family or friends walk alone.' Members of his local Charlestown GAA club attended the funeral and walked behind Mr Horkan's coffin to pay their respects to the dedicated fan. In his homily, Monsignor Tommy Johnston described the garda as one of nature's gentlemen. 'The gunshots that rang out in the early hours of Wednesday morning echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life of a detective garda,' he said. 'Colm Horkan was a good man, one of nature's gentlemen. That and more, as someone said.' A minute's silence was observed inside the church and at Garda stations across the country as the service began at St James' Church. Mr Horkan, 49, (pictured) was shot with his own gun, after it was taken off him, on Wednesday night in Castlerea, Co Roscommon Gardai lined the streets in tribute of the detective and Garda stations across the country observed a minute's silence as the service began at midday on Sunday Stephen Silver, 43, from Aughaward, Foxford in Co Mayo, was remanded in custody on Friday night charged with Mr Horkan's murder. Pictured, Gardai gather to pay respects to Mr Horkan at his funeral today Mr Johnston added: 'On Friday night, as his body was brought back home, hundreds of people lined the streets from the GAA pitch to his home. As the hearse passed on its way those lining the street joined in a silent walk of welcome for a man who was dearly loved and respected in the community. 'Old and young gathered for that walk with the various teams, senior and underage, women and men flanking the hearse and the following cars, a silent salute for a man whose voice was gentle and his approach respectful. 'That gentleness and respect earned the goodwill of so many and endeared him to young and old.' Delivering a personal tribute, Mr Horkan's brother Brendan said the outpouring of tributes from across the community had given the family strength. 'Our community has lost a pillar in the true sense of the word,' he said. 'Colin was a gem, he was a son and brother like no other. 'He had all the values you would associate with a good and decent human being.' Mr Horkan said his brother was 'loyal to the core'. 'He was the rock in our family, the man who was the glue that held it all together,' he said. Applause broke out across the church as Mr Horkan concluded his remarks. Pictured, Members of Charlestown GAA club walk behind the coffin of Detective Garda Colm Horkan as it is carried to St James' church today The Garda planned the funeral to ensure Mr Horkan was afforded formal state honours within the current coronavirus regulations on public gatherings In his homily, Monsignor Tommy Johnston described Mr Horkan as one of nature's gentlemen. Pictured, Gardai line the street during his state funeral today Among those present were Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Addressing mourners, Commissioner Harris said Mr Horkan's Garda service was marked by his 'hard work and diligence'. The commissioner said his 'determination and courage' was on show in the moments before his death on Wednesday night. 'The manner of Colm's death should not eclipse Colm's life,' he added. He told Mr Horkan's family that the garda would always be remembered within the force. 'I want to assure you that Colm's name will live on and he will be remembered within An Garda Siochana in the years to come,' he said. Mourners also applauded at the close of the commissioner's touching address. As well as the state funeral taking place in Charlestown (pictured), President Michael D Higgins also led a memorial service on the grounds of his residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin's Phoenix Park In his homily, Monsignor Tommy Johnston described the garda as one of nature's gentlemen. Pictured, the coffin of Mr Horkan is carried into the church Mourners broke into impromptu applause at the close of the touching address made by Commissioner Drew Harris address at the state funeral (pictured, his coffin being taken into the church) President Michael D Higgins led a memorial service on the grounds of his residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin's Phoenix Park, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid his respects at Garda headquarters in Dublin. The Garda planned the funeral to ensure Mr Horkan was afforded formal state honours within the current coronavirus regulations on public gatherings. Stephen Silver, 43, from Aughaward, Foxford in Co Mayo, was remanded in custody on Friday night charged with Mr Horkan's murder. On Friday, hundreds of people gathered in Mayo and Roscommon to pay their respects to Mr Horkan. There were emotional scenes in Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon as the hearse carrying his body made its way through the town towards his home in Charlestown. The cortege was flanked by gardai on motorcycles while people lined the streets where Mr Horkan had worked for several years. Floral tributes were left outside Ballaghaderreen Garda station. On Friday night, the hearse also passed by in Charlestown as hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects. A supposedly fun day at the beach turned into a traumatizing incident after police uncovered a grisly find. A foul odor revealed several bags that contain severed parts of human body. The discovery of the chopped body parts in the bags on Friday was located close to the shoreline at Elliot bay, according to Newsweek. The Seattle police went to full gear to find out the killer and the victim or victims. As of now, the police are still investigating whether the body parts came from different individuals. Identity of victims are still being investigated The hacked-up body parts all mixed up in bags were found exactly at the waterline of 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW in the afternoon, as reported in a statement from the Seattle Police Department they released earlier. Passersby first saw the bags discarded on the beach. Suspicious of its contents, they immediately summoned the police officers to inspect the bags. Once police arrived in the scene, they were horrified after finding the body parts inside according to Yahoo News. One was found lying on the beach, another was near in the water. When the contents were determined as chopped up human body parts, the police would start the investigation. The police department added that local harbor patrol will help the detective on call, with King County Medical Examiner's Office as the investigation moves forward. All three, harbor patrol, medical examiner, and the police department will work together in an effort to identify these body parts. Newsweek has asked the Seattle Police Department for an update of the grisly case. Also read: Suspect Who Dumped Bodies of Two Sisters With Bags on Their Head Arrested Similar mutilation cases remain unsolved From the response of the police, their crime dashboard has registered 14 murders in 2020. But last year in 2019, there was a total of 28 murders. In 2018, King County Medical Examiner's Office reported 32 murders as the total. Cases of mutilations and hacked up remains were part of cases abroad. A month ago, the same case of hacked up human remains shrouded in mystery. Two people were taken into custody by the police as chopped up body parts that were crammed into a suitcase was found in between Wales and England. Guilty parties were a couple who masterminded the grisly and gruesome murder of a female victim. The body was located near a road in Coleford, in the county of Gloucestershirein southwestern England and Monmouth. The county was in the southwest of Wales, as reported in The Guardian. A year ago, another set of human remains was again left in the suitcase at Indianapolis creek. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said via a spokesperson that the cause of death may have been from an illness. Although this does not explain why the body was placed inside a suitcase. Another murder occurred last year when another corpse of a young woman was discovered in the woods to Glenville Road, in Greenwich Connecticut. The victim had her feet and hands tied. Later investigation revealed the victim as Valerie Reyes, 24, from New York. Soon after the discovery of her body, police nabbed her boyfriend. Identified as Javier Da Silva, aged 25, who admitted guilty to her murder in February 2020, according to Daily Mail. Related article: Mutilated Woman Who Was Sawed in Half Identified with First Photos of Her @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Things didnt quite go as President Donald Trump had planned in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday for his first campaign rally since March. Days earlier, Trump had said were either close to or over 1 million people wanting to go to the rally. Nobody has heard of numbers like this, he boasted. We expect to have a record-setting crowd. Weve never had an empty seat, and we certainly wont in Oklahoma. When Saturday night rolled around, though, there were plenty of empty seats at the 19,000-capacity arena in Tulsa. [Update, June 21, 2020, at 10 a.m.: Even saying half-empty may be an exaggeration. Andrew Little, the public information officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, told Forbes that attendance at the rally was just under 6,200 people. Update, June 21, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.: A Trump campaign official said 12,000 people entered the arena.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump just days ago: We've never had an empty seat, and we certainly won't in Oklahoma."pic.twitter.com/H8IU2hrvCB https://t.co/SD7yixF9hM Will Steakin (@wsteaks) June 20, 2020 Almost One Million people request tickets for the Saturday Night Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement A whole lot of empty seats. Certainly not since hes been president has there been one this empty by the time the VP took the stage. Dont remember any this empty in the campaign either. https://t.co/J5YQkW3Dyc Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 20, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Trumps campaign had expected such a huge crowd that the president planned to give a speech to an overflow group of supporters outside of the rally. But the outdoor portion ended up being canceled as there were barely any people there. A campaign source told CNN that they were afraid of angering Trump because of the thin crowds. In canceling the outside speech, the campaign blamed protesters, saying they interfered with supporters and blocked access to metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Reporters on the ground, though, noted that there werent really a lot of protesters in Tulsa on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video panorama view inside the arena for @realDonaldTrump rally in Tulsa. pic.twitter.com/h4H8r60YwQ Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 20, 2020 As VP speaks, here was the floor in front of him and the bowl behind media pic.twitter.com/03TZxHymm8 Steadman (@AsteadWesley) June 21, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secret Service has moved crowd back from the overflow stage so it can be broken down. pic.twitter.com/iIxXfnpOPn Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 20, 2020 WATCH: Due to lack of attendance, workers have begun to dismantle an outdoor stage that had been setup in an overflow area for a speech by President Trump near the arena in Tulsa tonight. The president will speak soon in the arena. pic.twitter.com/SekDGR2f2Z MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 20, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what overflow looks like at the Trump rally in Tulsa right now. Pence is scheduled to speak out here in about 10 minutes. People still streaming in but not nearly the number the campaign said they were expecting. pic.twitter.com/hbypfviOxv Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 20, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement The campaign also made a point of stating that at least Trump was holding a rally, compared with the sleepy campaign being run by Joe Biden from his basement in Delaware. Shortly before the start of the event, the campaign sent a text message to people who had signed up for tickets: Theres still space! There were so few people outside that workers started to dismantle the outdoor stage even before Trump started to speak inside the arena. Advertisement The Trump campaign said recently that over one million tickets were requested for the Tulsa rally, the first rally in months due to covid-19. Trump proclaimed that there wouldnt be an empty seat. Ill let this video inside the rally speak for itself. pic.twitter.com/se6er6j49m Elizabeth Thomas (@lizzkatherine_) June 20, 2020 Campaign confirms the outdoor remarks have been cancelled. Statement per pooler @jdawsey1 pic.twitter.com/Tf72AGhJlW Courtney Subramanian (@cmsub) June 20, 2020 Advertisement Trump himself seemed to make a nod to the smaller-than-expected crowd as he appeared to blame protesters and the media. We had some very bad people outside, he said. They were doing bad things. He also pointed a finger at the media, suggesting journalists had been discouraging people from attending. Ive been watching the fake news for weeks now, and everything is negativedont go, dont come, dont do anything, he said. Even though the campaign handed out masks to supporters as they filed into the arena, most were not wearing them and did not seem particularly concerned about social distancing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more of Slates news coverage, listen to Political Gabfest. Fears are growing for a 15-year-old girl who disappeared from Bondi three days ago. Bronti Cuello was last seen at 4pm on Friday, June 19, at a house on Bondi Road in Sydney's east. But after failing to return home, her desperate family called police just after midnight on Saturday. Bronti Cuello (pictured), aged 15, disappeared on Friday afternoon in Sydney's Bondi, with police admitting they are concerned for her welfare Police put out a desperate appeal on Monday morning to find Bronti, confirming there are concerns for her welfare. She is known to frequent Bondi, Bondi Beach and Mascot. Bronti is of Mediterranean appearence, between 140cm and 150cm tall, and of a thin build with black hair. She was last seen wearing Khaki tracksuit pants and a mid-length grey jumper. Anyone who sees Bronti or has information on her whereabouts is asked to call Waverley Police 9369 9899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. MANCHESTER, Conn. In early March, Zoraida Diaz was coming to twice-weekly yoga classes here at Community Health Resources' offices. She's in recovery from colon cancer and alcoholism while in treatment for severe anxiety and depression. Carla Mitchell showed up for intensive PTSD therapy, happy to be free from her stressful home life and the racist taunts she hears walking in her neighborhood. And Tara Kulikowski, who has schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, lupus and is in recovery from drug addiction, organized craft classes and other activities at CHR's nearby "We Can Clubhouse." By mid-March, however, the answer was "we can't" for all in-person encounters at Connecticut's largest mental health and addiction treatment facility and thousands like it across the U.S. Amid projections of soaring suicide, drug and alcohol deaths from the pandemic-spawned social and economic collapse, centers like these and their patients are struggling to keep going. They've been largely left out of the murky formula for federal COVID-19 health care funding, which has focused on the immediate financial impact on hospitals caring for patients with the virus and lost revenue from elective procedures. Nearly 30 mental health and substance abuse groups representing everyone from addiction psychiatrists to family therapists sent a letter to Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan on Thursday asking for a separate distribution of money because they've been blocked from getting "desperately needed relief funds." The lack of government support has come at a deep emotional cost for patients and a steep financial one for centers such as CHR, both groups say. It has also stymied and undermined progress to better integrate mental health care with primary care and into communities and the social services arena to help keep people functioning in society, experts say. COVID-19 should be the "door opener" for the health care system to focus on the direct link between physical and mental health, said former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-RI, a longtime mental health advocate. Depression, he noted, quadruples the risk of a heart attack, and heart disease is one of the chronic health problems that dramatically increase the risk of serious illness or death from the virus. Story continues Diaz ended up at CHR after she collapsed on the street with heat stroke following her release from a psychiatric hospital. Caseworkers connected her to a doctor, who diagnosed the colon cancer. Another CHR client relapsed on alcohol when he couldn't attend or connect to 12-step meetings because of shelter-in-place rules and because he had only a flip phone. "Our volume of service dropped through the floor," said CHR CEO Heather Gates. "This is not elective." Loss of funding threatens another public health 'catastrophe' It took years for Timothy Washington, who has schizophrenia, to leave his apartment to go to the corner store without worrying someone was following and planning to hurt him. He credits the therapy and various day programs and services he got through the Washington D.C.-based McClendon Center for his progress. Now patients like Washington struggle to cope with the lack of a routine and face-to-face contact, said Aisha Shabazz, who heads the center's day programs. By early May, she managed to connect just a third of the 90-day program clients with virtual therapy, including using art and music. But that was too late for another McClendon client CEO Dennis Hobb declined to identify by name, who took particularly hard the loss of activities such as daily meals and Friday karaoke in the center's church basement. Dennis Hobb is CEO of the McClendon Center in Washingotn, D.C. The 49-year-old client remained in contact with the "core services" staff who helped her with food, medication management and other basic needs but was "really struggling after we had to close down," said Hobb. "She really missed (and) needed the social contact," said Hobb. "She was found dead in her apartment about six weeks ago. Hers was a tragic loss for all of us." Hobb estimates the McClendon Center is losing about $250,000 a month $95,000 or so from Medicaid due to the cutback in day programs. At CHR, Gates said the coronavirus outbreak has cost the center about $500,000 in lost Medicaid revenue. Earlier this month, it received a $36,000 deposit from HHS; Gates said she was expecting $213,000. Since the pandemic hit, the center has spent about $100,000 on technology to interact with clients and $25,000 on personal protective equipment, including masks, that it will continue to buy. CHR and other centers learned recently they may now be ineligible for Medicaid reimbursement payments if they applied for and got even a tiny slice of their lost Medicare money. Chuck Ingoglia, CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, says "HHS keeps changing the rules," and without a fast fix there could be a "secondary and devastating public health catastrophe." He predicts layoffs and program closures at centers. In a statement late Friday to USA TODAY, the agency said it "has maintained an open line of communication with health care providers to address urgent concerns and we are answering provider questions on a rolling basis." Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant secretary of mental health and substance abuse for HHS, said Friday that there already has been a huge impact on treatment providers. Data on the increases in the percentage of emergency room visits in April and May because of suicide attempts highlight the need, she said. McCance-Katz supports special funding for these behavioral health providers but also says states should revisit guidance requiring masks and 6-foot distancing at centers, which "tanks our mental health and substance abuse treatment system." The World Health Organization's recommendation for mask use and distancing of 1 meter, or a little over 3 feet, would address the issue, she said. "We are in a very great state of distress," she said. "People need these services." 'Everybody needs help' Back in Connecticut, as CHR's government insurance payments were drying up because of COVID-19, caseworker Kevin Rodriguez was canvassing Manchester looking for a homeless man he was told was named David and was living in a box truck. Rodriguez found David Lamay in a truck behind a friend's house, where he had been for six years since losing his home to foreclosure. Kevin David Lamay, 61, who was recently homeless, is now living in this Best Western hotel while he waits for permanent housing through the state. Lamay is receiving assistance from Community Health Resources with food, transitional housing, and with paperwork that will ensure him with Social Security Income, Disability income and permanent housing. Lamay is blind in one eye and struggles with severe anxiety and depression, which makes it hard to focus on his other health problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, diabetes and related grand mal seizures. Three weeks after finding him, Rodriguez got Lamay a spot at a Hartford Best Western converted into a homeless shelter and hopes to get him in permanent housing soon. That, and all the forms Rodriguez helped him fill out, means Lamay will have a place to get the Social Security Disability benefits for which he has been eligible for years but never received. "Everybody needs help," said Lamay, who calls Rodriguez "a blessing." "He's the most proficient, effective worker Ive ever seen." Diaz is among those CHR clients in most contact with caseworkers who, along with psychiatrists, typically go to the client's home. This Assertive Community Treatment Team needs to "see how the client lives," including whether they have enough food, furniture and health services, said nurse and team member Cathy Martel. "We assert into their life and manage all of their care as a unit," Martel said. When Diaz, for example, had her power cut off because she lost a check and didn't have money to pay, her treatment team called the utility. CHR loaned her money that she paid back at a rate of $10 a month, when she had it. Zoraida Diaz, 60, stands in her Manchester, Conn., home on Tuesday. Diaz has received treatment for anxiety and depression at Community Health Resources in town. She is also in recovery from colon cancer and addiction. May, June and July have always been the hardest for Carla Mitchell. Her beloved father died in May 2015 of the lung disease COPD. She would almost be over the anniversary of his death when Father's Day would arrive, followed by his birthday in July. She'd cry for months. But that has stopped since her latest session of trauma therapy, known as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or EMDR. She describes the treatment, seldom available to Medicaid patients, as like hypnosis that helps her emotionally detach from the traumatic event. Proof it's working? She has already made plans to go over a friends' for a Father's Day cookout. Carla Mitchell, 53, sits outside her Manchester, Conn., home on June 16, 2020. Mitchell receives treatment for bipolar disorder and PTSD at Community Health Resources. Social determinant of health: Tackling poverty in a coronavirus-induced economic downturn: Is it too risky or the right thing to do? Wrong kind of racial equity: 'We're losing our kids': Black youth suicide rate rising far faster than for whites; coronavirus, police violence deepen trauma Before COVID-19: Alcohol was already killing more people, and younger. The biggest increases were among women Mitchell actually prefers doing her therapy remotely, and CHR's Gates said she's definitely in favor of continuing telemedicine for those who have trouble getting into the clinic. For those and others during the pandemic, "it's been a lifesaver." It's all the others who are drinking, using drugs and experiencing more trauma along with the social isolation Gates worries about. Without more funding, new and exacerbated cases will go untreated and people will have "the equivalent of PTSD" from the first round of social isolation that will come back if states close again. Then they'll have "chronic trauma" to go with their other chronic health conditions, Gates said. "We are working with individuals with serious, persistent mental health issues," she said. "You cant just shut off face-to-face contact." Join USA TODAY's I Survived It Facebook group if you are experiencing any of the health problems in this story. Reach O'Donnell on social media as @JayneODonnell or email jodonnell@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As COVID spurs mental health needs, treatment centers go underfunded The coronavirus pandemic which originated last year has now spread to infect nearly 90 lakh people worldwide. In addition to that, demonstrations in the US, Hong Kong and Mali have not only spread fears in the minds of people but also psychological trauma. Meanwhile, there are also a lot of 'good things' happening around like European countries reopening their borders, people reuniting with there family and friends and not to forget people growing more empathetic towards other communities. Also, there are people helping animals, animals enjoying their newfound freedom and law of nature acting its way out. So, here is a compilation of fantastic stories which are bound to make you smile. Herd protects baby tusker A video is now doing rounds on the internet wherein aa baby elephant can be seen running to greet a herd of elephants. In the video, that was shared by a Twitter handle 'HERD', a lone baby elephant apparently named Khanyisa runs towards a herd of stranger elephants to greet them in the morning and the protective response of the Jabulani herd and their welcoming nature is just 'beautiful' to watch. The video has garnered more than 1,500 views on Twitter since it was shared on June 10. A stumble & a tumble as #babyelephant Khanyisa runs to greet the Jabulani herd in the morning. Their protective response is just beautiful. Even Somopane, an older bull picked up the pace! See more soulful moments in our latest integration video:https://t.co/TkaBTHfzGe#Elephant pic.twitter.com/eEQcOdLfw5 HERD (@HERD_Elephants) June 9, 2020 Man falls while trying to kick a stray dog Karma can hit anyone at any time. This was proven true after a mans move to hit a stray dog backfired. The CCTV camera footage of the road where it happened shows a man walking on the sidewalk. As he continues to walk, a stray dog appears in the frame. The man then tries to hit the barking dog, however, he misses the shot. He eventually loses his balance and falls to the ground. Karma has no menu It serves what one deserves Here it was instant..... pic.twitter.com/4brcZHz971 Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) June 21, 2020 Yogi Squirrel On international yoga day, a clip of "yogi squirrel" has hit the internet. The short video starts by showing the posterior of a grey coloured squirrel which could be seen swiftly moving its tail up and down. As the rodent turns towards the camera, one could then see it rapidly inhaling and exhaling as if it is indulged in some kind of yoga. Meanwhile, Nanda, who shared it earlier today, in the caption asked users to inhale blessings and exhale gratitude. Read: Video Of 'yogi' Squirrel Goes Viral, Netizens Say Its 'doing Pranayam' Yogi from the Nature.#Internationalyogaday2020 Inhale blessings Exhale gratitude pic.twitter.com/wvmpM44Sye Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) June 21, 2020 Elephantine's gait A video shared by an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda is going viral on Twitter, where an elephantine can be seen walking and impressing people with its amazing gait. In the video, the elephantine is walking with such an attitude that Susanta cannot stop himself but from comparing it with a catwalk. Either the catwalk is overrated. Or the elephantine gait is underrated," Susanta captioned the post. Netizens flooded the post with comments recognising the mighty animal's walk. One user even asked Susanta if he ever heard of gajgaamini, while another user explained the Sanskrit word and its relation with the post. Either the cat walk is overrated.. Or the elephantine gait is underrated pic.twitter.com/Oc9IThQWSD Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) June 20, 2020 Peacock unfold its weather A magnificent video of a peacock unfolding its wings has left the internet stunned. The short clip shared by IFS officer Sudha Ramen captures a fully grow peacock unfolding its vibrant, multicoloured wings as it continues to shake its body. In the 19-second video clip, one could see the multiple eye patterns in the wings clearly. The video was apparently shot a zoo wherein multiple peacocks and peahens were kept in captivity. Ramen who posted the clip on Twitter said that though it was an old video, it was worth seeing again and again. Read: Video Of Peacock Unfolding Its Feathers Leaves Netizens Mesmerised; Watch Your wings already exist, All you need to do is to fly, Fly far away.. Fly very high.. You have wings. Old Video but worth seeing again and again. #graceful #motivation (credits - unknown) pic.twitter.com/rSX5VRvxh3 Sudha Ramen IFS (@SudhaRamenIFS) June 20, 2020 Read: Video Of Baby Elephant Being Accepted And Protected By A Herd Wins Internet Read: Man Falls Down While Trying To Kick Stray Dog, Netizens Say 'instant Karma' A man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested by gardai investigating a robbery at a shop in Longford yesterday. At 2.30pm, a lone male entered a convenience store on Park Road, Longford Town armed with a hammer. Frank and Dolores Kiernan, the driving forces behind Longford firm Kiernan Structural Steel have been named as one of over 20 finalists in line to be crowned Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr and Mrs Kiernan are one of eight nominees vying to take home the award ceremonys Industry mantle having been shortlisted from more than 100 nominations by an independent judging panel. The Killoe based couple will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the judging panels chair and fellow Longford native Ann Heraty, CEO of CPL Resources Plc who was named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd (KSSL) was established in 1989 manufacturing agricultural sheds. Since then, KSSL has developed into one of Irelands largest structural steel manufacturers. Ms Heraty said the process in selecting the finalists had not come easy. 2020 so far has been a strange and challenging time for all of us in business, and this years judging process has taken place against a very different backdrop to the last number of years. The judging panel again had the unenviable task of coming to a final shortlist of 24 finalists from an incredibly talented pool of nominees, but were all in agreement that those weve selected represent the very best of entrepreneurial talent across the island. This years finalists are at the start of what will be such an exciting journey, not just this year but as they become part of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year community. Id like to wish them the very best at the beginning of an unforgettable journey through the programme and beyond. Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme said despite the barriers confronting firms over the past 12 months, the outstanding achievements of the competitions nominees illustrated the durability that still exists throughout the business sector. 2020 has been a challenging year so far for many businesses but we know that if there is one group that will rise to that challenge, its our islands entrepreneurs, he said. The judges have selected an exceptional group of businesspeople from a very impressive pool of nominees. This year weve seen lots of newer, cutting-edge tech and life sciences businesses nominated, as well as more established and traditional players. This years finalists are a diverse group, representing a huge range of industries, all of whom share an insatiable hunger for growth and incredible resilience to challenges. As we begin reopening our economies, North and South, our entrepreneurial businesses will be essential to recovery. We at EY are proud to play our part in supporting the islands entrepreneurs and I am delighted to formally welcome this years finalists into the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year community. Now in its 23rd year, the programme has established itself as a world-class development programme that supports, promotes, and connects an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs, championing entrepreneurship throughout the island of Ireland and around the world. Since its inception, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year community has grown to a tight-knit network of more than 525 alumni who harness each others wealth of experience, with 77% now doing business with one another. People set to receive a gong from the Queen this autumn are crying hoax because formal posted letters informing them of their honour are being replaced by humble emails. Sources confirmed last night that the virus lockdown has forced honours officials to resort to emails to tell recipients of their impending awards. The digital messages have prompted a flurry of baffled telephone calls to the Cabinet Office, which administers the honours, from recipients asking if the emails are genuine. Cabinet Office sources said they had sent emails before to announce honours but were now using them as the primary method of contact for the 2020 Birthday Honours list One Government insider said: Its normal for people getting honoured well, the modest ones at least to react with disbelief when they get a letter through the post about it. But just getting an email is sparking even more confusion. Cabinet Office sources said they had sent emails before to announce honours but were now using them as the primary method of contact for the 2020 Birthday Honours list. The List, due to have been unveiled this month, has been put back till the autumn to allow people fighting coronavirus to be included. In a statement last month, Boris Johnson said: This step will allow us to ensure that the list, agreed before this public health emergency developed, reflects the Covid-19 effort.' If we look at individual police officers divorced from the structure in which they operate if we simply look for the bad apples we fail to see the role of the police as a whole. Whether individual police officers are racist is not the fundamental issue. The fundamental issue is whether the police the institution of policing as it exists in the United States is racist. And once we look at this clearly, we understand that the answer must be yes. As we were thinking about the problems with the bad apple metaphor in policing, one of us, on June 13 at 2:46 a.m., received this message: Go to HELL, nigger! It is one of hundreds of such messages and threats the author has received in the past several years. It is easy to say that this individual white person (and we think it fair to assume that it was a white person) is a racist, a bad apple. But here, too, focusing on the individual white person who sent the racist message obscures our understanding of the white supremacist structure in which it is generated. In 2015, during his last year in office, President Barack Obama addressed the relationship between individual acts of racism and the larger system of injustice that allows them on an episode of the podcast WTF With Marc Maron. its not just a matter of it not being polite, he said, to utter the N-word in public. Thats not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. Earlier in the show, he observed that racism had not been cured the word for eliminating a disease that systemically impacts the body and that the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, discrimination was still part of our DNA as Americans. This slur is also part of our DNA, embedded within the concept of a master race and the resulting white-supremacist violence against black bodies. In his Letter From Birmingham Jail in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. articulated the horror and pain felt when your first name becomes nigger and your middle name becomes boy (however old you are). W.E.B. Du Bois, in a speech that he delivered in Beijing (then Peking) at the age of 91, said, In my own country for nearly a century I have been nothing but a nigger. Both men emphasized how the word is part of the institutional fabric of black oppression, that individual racist acts are not aberrations but the products of a larger systemic set of practices that, as the feminist scholar Barbara Applebaum argues, hold structural injustice in place. Central to those practices is policing, and the bad apple framing fails to confront its role in structural injustice. One obvious objection to our view here is that by focusing on reforming or dismantling an entire system, we may end up punishing individual officers who have not committed racist acts and so bear no responsibility for them. We acknowledge that this can be a difficult idea to embrace. Many of us personally know police officers family members, friends, neighborhood officers whom we know to be ethical people; imagining them as responsible for a racist system is a hard leap to make. We think the influential feminist philosopher Iris Marion Young argued persuasively against relying on that distinction when she wrote: Structural injustice occurs as a consequence of many individual and institutions acting in pursuit of their particular goals and interests, within given institutional rules and accepted norms. All the persons who participated by their actions in the ongoing schemes of cooperation that constitute these structures are responsible for them, in the sense that they are part of the process that causes them. They are not responsible, however, in the sense of having directed the process or intended its outcomes. Many others have amplified that view. The critical race theorist and legal scholar Charles Lawrence argued in his 1987 article The Id, the Ego, and Equal Protection: Reckoning With Unconscious Racism that the bad-apple metaphor suggests a perpetrator model that fails to give an account of just how systemic racism is transmitted by tacit understandings and collective unconscious. The philosopher Charles Mills argues, the perpetrator [of racist actions or beliefs] perspective presupposes a world composed of atomic individuals whose actions are outside of and apart from the social fabric and without historical continuity. When it comes to racism and policing, we argue that the bad-apple metaphor places bad police officers outside of the social and historical fabric of racism and institutional policing that affects all of the apples. In fact, in this case, the tree itself is rotten. In his book The Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America, Michael Eric Dyson argues: That metaphor of a few bad apples doesnt begin to get at the root of the problem. Police violence may be more like a poisoned water stream that pollutes the entire system. To argue that only a few bad cops cause police terror is like relegating racism to a few bigots. Bigots are surely a problem, but they are sustained by systems of belief and perception, by widely held stereotypes and social practice. To truly confront problems of racist violence in our society, lets not once again begin with the question of how to reform the police. Lets instead start with the question of how to build healthy and safe communities of mutual respect and see which institutions we need to reach that goal. If anything that is to be called policing emerges from that inquiry, it should be at its end rather than assumed at the outset. Todd May is the author of, most recently, A Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us. George Yancy is a professor of philosophy at Emory University. His latest book is Across Black Spaces: Essays and Interviews From an American Philosopher. Now in print: Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments and The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments, with essays from the series, edited by Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley, published by Liveright Books. 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. Blazing Saddles: Bikes n Beaches The morning of Tuesday, June 9 dawned with celestial pools of limpid blue sky interspersed with scudding rain clouds roiling around above the Big Buddha atop the Nakkerd Hills. But as we had been locked-in and disbarred from visiting any of Phukets glorious beaches for over two months, we were hell-bent on getting on our bikes and cycling to Nai Harn Beach, whatever the Gods of Monsoonal Chaos were conspiring to do with the weather. Blazing-SaddlesCommunityHealth By Baz Daniel Sunday 21 June 2020, 10:00AM Phuket cyclist Daz Nosing appreciates that biking to the beaches is a privilege now restored. Photo: Supplied By 7am we approached Chalong Circle, long notorious for its horrendous traffic mayhem and pollution during the construction of the now-completed underpass, through which cars and trucks were now hurtling during this swelling dawn. The traffic was light and exhaust pollution almost undetectable thanks to the absence of tourists. Noticeable by their absence were the usual fume-belching tour buses and hurtling mini-buses, so roundly hated by Phukets cyclists during normal times. Such gains in the purity and cleanliness of Phukets air should be locked in through forward-looking government policy, once normality again comes to call. But will that be a priority once tourists start to return to these blessed parts? We can only hope. Up and over Rawai Hill we pedalled then down to the Rawai waterfront itself where a brooding flotilla of longtails was moored a little way off the beach. Where are the day-trippers and pleasure seekers? they seemed to be wondering as they gently rocked at silent anchor on the susurrating tide. Finally, we rode over one final steep hill and down to the Nai Harn Lake, with much of it still cordoned off by metal barriers. A scattering of morning joggers, dog walkers and enthusiasts using the exercise machines enlivened the scene as we cruised around the perimeter road and finally came to a halt overlooking the beach beside the Nai Harn Resorts beauteous portals. Nai Harns sands looked as clean and pristine as we have ever seen them, while many visibly happy early morning visitors were walking, jogging, playing with dogs and even swimming in the pounding monsoonal spume, as a cluster of life guards looked attentively on from their tented station. It was indeed a glorious sensation to be back again on this iconic beach and made us realise how much we often took such things for granted in our pre-virus world. To have the opportunity to end a hot bike ride with a beach walk and sea swim in crashing waves, is indeed a great privilege of island life, and yet one which by dint of everyday repetition is often rendered quotidian and barely merits attention. Only when removed, as so much has been as a result of COVID-19, have we come to treasure such pleasures and re-evaluate them for the utter privileges that they actually are. Coincidentally, just three months earlier my Blazing Saddles article had appeared concerning biking and breakfasting at Rock Salt, the restaurant overlooking the sands from The Nai Harn resort. That now seemed like a dispatch from a former universe which had long since vanished. I dropped in to see the genial GM Frank Grassman to get his thoughts about things getting back to the new, post-pandemic, normal. Frank said he thinks that it will be a long haul and from the Nai Harns perspective, its far more important to get things right and safe, than to rush back into urgent commercial activity. Walking along our wonderful Nai Harn Beach once again, then having a cooling romp in the thrashing surf, I couldnt help but agree. In addition, if we can keep the sense of reverence and stewardship for our regions magnificent natural resources which having been deprived of them has engendered, that will at least be one significant positive to come out of this tragic pandemic. Bicycling Baz Daniel fell off his first bicycle aged three... a case of love at first slight. Since then he has spent a further 65 years falling on and off bicycles all over the world, but his passion endures. When not in traction, he found time to become Senior VP of the worlds largest advertising and communications group, finally retiring to Phuket in 2006. He has been penning his Blazing Saddles column, chronicling his cycling adventures in Phuket and beyond, since 2013. By ANI NEW DELHI: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria on Sunday slammed Nepal for amendments made in their citizenship law for Indians, saying that Kathmandu should not get carried away by China's influence and continue its friendly ties with New Delhi. "I must underline this fact that Nepal should not get carried away by certain neighbours like Chinese who are having problems with India for quite some time and recently as well. Therefore, I think Nepal should resist from taking a partisan role. It should continue with friendly relations with India," Bhadoria said. ALSO READ | Nepal hopes India, China will resolve differences through peaceful means "As far as the Indo-Nepal relations are concerned. Our countries have a good relationship for a long time. I think Nepal and India should both sit down and resolve the issues," Bhadoria added. Hours before issuing a diplomatic statement on India-China border dispute, Nepal on Saturday changed its citizenship laws for Indians. While confirming the news, Nepal's Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa went on to cite India's citizenship rules to justify the amendments the Nepalese govt has brought. Thapa announced that as per the new rule, any Indian girl marrying a Nepalese citizen will have to wait for a minimum seven years to get citizenship. 100 years ago 6-24-1920 On Thursday afternoon of last week, while three boys were playing, they got a stick of dynamite from a building on the P.A. Reed farm, with the result that Carl Shumacher, aged 10 years, exploded the cap and is now in the General Hospital at Traverse City where he was taken by Dr. Ellis. He lost his first and second fingers and thumb from his left hand, his right eye was very seriously hurt, and there is but slight hope that the sight may be partially saved. Also, his chest was lacerated. Dr. Holliday administered the anaesthetic, Dr. Holdsworth the eye specialist attended to the optic, and Dr. Ellis dressed the hand. The boys home is near Chicago, and he came here with his aunt, Miss BondStettor to resort, occupying a cottage near the Warren summer home. The parents were notified and came at once to the bedside of the little sufferer. He is reported as doing very nicely at this writing. One of the most enjoyable times in Masonic history in the village of Beulah occurred Tuesday evening at the Lakeside Pavilion. The Pavilion was turned over to the Masons and families for their exclusive use, and with bowling, dancing, and a two-reel show in the theatre, along with a bounteous lap supper, a happier or jollier bunch would be hard to find. The hit of the evening was a square dance in which a great many of the older people took part. It is surprising to see how active they can be when the music starts. Much credit is due proprietors Blaine and Scheibe and wives, also committees for the success of the evening. Ralph Amidon narrowly escaped serious injury recently, the car rolled off the blocking, bruising Mr. Amidon who was working underneath it. He is alright again. J.S. Brown of Kings Valley was in town Tuesday and Wednesday in the interests of the Woodward Pickle Co. He urges any who have lost their first planting of cukes to replant them as it is not too late for a good crop. Also to use hopper poison freely. Mrs. John Fuller of Elberta had the misfortune to lose ten hens to grasshopper poison. Chaley Baily lost a horse. Harry Lathwell was poisoned real bad again this week while mixing hopper dope. It seems to have a real bad effect on him. Compiled by Jerry Heiman from Benzie newspaper archives for the Benzie Area Historical Society. To learn more about the museums collections, call (231) 882-5539 or visit benziemuseum. org. Ten days after Rajasthan government chief whip Mahesh Joshi filed a complaint with the special operations group (SOG) and the anti corruption bureau (ACB) alleging attempts to lure Congress and Independent MLAs in order to destabilise the government, the state police is yet to get any concrete evidence about the horse trading charges. The opposition BJP, meanwhile, asked the government to present the facts of the allegation or face action. Joshi had filed his complaint on June 11. We will talk more on this after June 19. I believe by June 19 the probe will be done and truth will be out, he later had said. The Rajya Sabha elections were held on June 19. But the probe has not progressed much because Joshi is yet to record his statements with the police. Joshi said he has been unwell for two-three days and is under self-quarantine for a few days. I will get an update on the preliminary probe by investigating agencies in a day or two, he added. The investigation is at a very preliminary stage and we are working on different angles. The police are examining the call records of suspects which includes chartered accountant, few MLAs of Congress and BJP, hawala brokers and property dealers, a police official familiar with the development said. The police official added that they were also obtaining the records of big transactions related to the suspected accused. The investigation will take some time to reach any solid conclusion as we are yet to link multiple facts and establish a connection, he added. Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Joshi made serious allegations against the BJP and lodged a case with the SOG. I invite them, if there is any truth in the allegations then they should present the facts, otherwise we will take action, he said. Kataria said the CM should prove his partys allegations. They went ahead and filed a case in the SOG. Now their statements should be recorded about who bought whom and where, he said. Police said some big property dealers, Chartered Accountants and hawala brokers tried to contact at least 10 MLAs and offered them money up to Rs 30 crore to not only cast their vote in other partys favour but to also topple the state government by changing their groups. The biggest challenge in tracing these middlemen is internet calling which is comparatively difficult to trace, said another official who requested anonymity. The Congress won two seats in the June 19 Rajya Sabha elections, and one seat went to BJP. Political analyst Narayan Bareth said the current atmosphere is the result of the wealthy and influential entering the Upper House of Parliament. He cited a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) that suggests that 90% of people going to Rajya Sabha are millionaires. The Upper House is for intellectuals to raise states issues but when the wealthy enter then such allegations are not new, he said. Unfortunately, such allegation in Rajasthan happens when both parties gave chance to workers all four in the fray were party workers, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: Georgia exported locally produced goods worth $1.23 billion from January through May 2020, which is 16.2 percent lower year-on-year, Trend reports referring to the National Statistics Office (Geostat). The share of domestic exports (export of locally produced goods and services, including those of foreign origin that have been substantially changed through local processing) in total exports constituted 72.3 percent. In the reporting period, the share of the top 10 trading partners by domestic exports in the total domestic exports of Georgia amounted to 80.1 percent. The top partners include China ($162.9 million), Russia ($141.9 million), Bulgaria ($136.6 million). In January-May 2020, copper ores and concentrates reclaimed the first place in the list of top export items, equaling $258.1 million, or 28.9 percent of total exports. The exports of ferro-alloys totaled $108.8 million and their share in the total exports amounted to 12.2 percent. The wine of fresh grapes exports occupied the third place standing at $73 million and constituting 8.2 percent of the total exports. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356 TDT | Manama The emphasis on cleanliness and disinfecting in the wake of coronavirus pandemic is taking social hygiene to new highs. However, the constant fear of getting infected has also added to our stress level. The new stats from the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning endorse this scenario. According to authorities, the most number of complaints they received during the three months, from 1 January to 31 March 2020, were related to cleaning services. This is according to the first-quarter data of the National Suggestion & Complaint system Tawasul during which it handled a total of 1,537 requests. Tawasul is one of the essential eChannels that enable citizens and residents to submit their suggestions and complaints to any government entity in Bahrain easily at any time and from anywhere. Every government entity in Tawasul has assigned a dedicated team to handle the suggestions and complaints according to a pre-set performance indicator and timeframe based on the case category. A further breakdown of the Tawasul data shows 366 of the complaints were from Capital governorate, 193 from Muharraq municipality, 727 from the northern-municipality and 251 from the southern region. A detailed review also shows that 90 per cent of the complaints were related to municipal services, and the remaining 10pc were concerning other service agencies. In his response, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipalities Affairs at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, said: The municipalities have resolved most of the complaints promptly, by taking necessary corrective measures. We attach great importance in communicating with citizens and residents. Tawasul, he said, has given greater flexibility to the communication mechanisms between the municipality and citizens and has also contributed to improving the quality of government services in line with international best practices. The Undersecretary called on citizens to send their feedback on the performance of the municipalities through Tawasul, to help authorities improve the quality of their services. The sixth edition of the International Yoga Day 2020 kicked off on Sunday with people across the globe taking part in various yoga events to commemorate the day. International Yoga Day was Prime Minister Narendra Modis brainchild who proposed the idea in the year 2014, right after assuming charge as the prime minister during his first term. On the occasion, PM Modi addressed the nation and underscored the importance of yoga, meditation and pranayama. The world is taking the need to practise yoga more seriously in the wake of Covid-19. Yoga has many asanas to boost our immunity. These asanas strengthen our muscles and metabolism. Coronavirus attacks our respiratory system, and pranayama (breathing exercise) is the best exercise to keep ourselves safe, the Prime Minister said. Also read: Yoga brings people together - PM Modi on International Yoga Day This years Yoga Day is being observed differently amid the Covid-19 pandemic as most of the world is amid a lockdown and large social gathering are a strict no-no amid the crisis. Heres taking a look at how Yoga Day is being observed across the country. President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter and shared pictures of him performing yoga on the occasion. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also performed yoga at his residence on Sunday. Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It does not discriminate, goes beyond colour, race, faith and nations. Anyone can embrace yoga - all you need is some time and space, PM Modi said in his address on Sunday. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in Ladakh were seen performing yoga at an altitude of 18,000 feet, in sub-zero temperatures today. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev performed yoga at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. People in Indias financial capital were also seen performing yoga on at the Worli sea face in Mumbai. Social distancing norms were followed as people came together in small groups, keeping the guidelines in mind, and performed asanas and pranayama together. Many took the event virtual and connected with others to perform yoga and pranayama in online sessions. Jammu and Kashmir: CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) perform yoga in Jammu on International Yoga Day today. (ANI) OccupyGhana has seen the Ghana Health Service (GHS) News Release dated 17 June 2020 in response to our PR dated 15 June 2020 on the above matter. As a sign of good faith, we held back from an immediate robust response, to abide a requested zoom meeting between our leadership and Medical Team on the one hand, and the entire leadership of the Governments COVID-19 team on the other hand, in the evening of 19 June 2020. It was a very engaging meeting. This PR is to state our position after the GHS News Release and the meeting. Just to recap, these are the health-related issues we raised in our PR: 1. Is it Government policy to head for herd immunity? 2. Why are ambulances not responding to the several callers? 3. Why is there so much delay in releasing test results? 4. Why has contact tracing reduced? 5. Sanctity of the data. 6. Why is there a shortage of PPE? 7. The holding and treatment centres in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions (the two epicentres) are full. 1. HERD IMMUNITY? The GHS News Release did not address this question. But at the meeting we were assured that this was not the Governments intention. Noted. 2. AMBULANCE RESPONSE The GHS News Release did not address this because, as they confirmed at the meeting, they did not consider this to be within their remit. But we were concerned that the delays could be due to not enough ambulances having been assigned for COVID-19 related use. However, at the meeting we were assured that our concerns would be addressed. Noted. We will continue to monitor the situation. 3. TEST RESULT DELAYS In the GHS response, it was claimed that it took 48 hours for most results to be released. That is inaccurate. As was shown at the meeting, currently, some results take as much as seven days. Sometimes it takes much longer to receive results. We therefore raised further questions on whether the testing centres are optimised to perform? Are all the testing centres running, and if not, why? Do the testing centres have data entry issues? Do the sample collection facilities adequately fill the case forms that accompany all the samples? Is there a high number of mislabelling? Ultimately, the meeting conceded that there are indeed delays and assured us that a lot was being done to address that. For instance, a barcode labelling system with electronic transmission of test results through the SORMAS app has been introduced. We will continue to watch this space since reducing the delay in getting test results will reduce anxiety among those who have tested and then dovetail into the discharge strategy so that patients are discharged in good time to make room for others. 4. REDUCED CONTACT TRACING We were informed that Ghana is no longer doing the enhanced contact tracing that characterised the lockdown, and that the mass contact tracing team has been disbanded. We disagree, strongly. At the end of the lockdown on 19 April 2020, Ghana had 1,042 positive cases. Currently we have a total of 13,717 positive cases of which 3,558 are active. We find this new policy bizarre and counterintuitive. We know enhanced tracing has financial implications, but it beggars belief that that would be discontinued when the daily number of new positive cases is increasing. Early detection and treatment are critical to preventing severe and critical cases. We forcefully expressed these concerns and have been assured that they will be addressed. We will continue to advocate for and demand a return to enhanced tracing. 5. DATA SANCTITY This was the elephant in the room. Our exact words in our 15 June 2020 PR were: There is cause to suspect that the death numbers are being massaged. We then gave one cause of the suspicion. Both the GHS News Release and the Government COVID-19 team denied that the data was being massaged, claiming that rather, there had been a delay due to a verification process. We vehemently disagreed, and we still question the science behind the GHS claim they it is verifying the 'epidemiological condition' of dead COVID-19 cases. We pointed out that this terminology served nothing but confusion, since the verification team in Accra was not doing any retesting or post mortem. Simply there is nothing to verify, outside a simple phone call to the people on the ground. As we also pointed out, and as the Government COVID-19 team admitted, several of the deaths then not included in the national total, had occurred some two to three weeks before the President recently further eased restrictions. To us, that meant that as at the time the President was taking that decision and announcing it, both he and Ghanaians had been denied the full complement of the data and the true picture. It is entirely possible that had the full information been made available, the Presidents decision and public reaction would have been different. We still consider the excuse of a delay due to a so-called verification, unacceptable and untenable, giving grounds to our expressed suspicion. These delays erode public confidence in the GHS data. The meeting agreed that it should not take two weeks to verify the data. We were assured that the problem had been resolved and there would be more real-time updates. We will continue to monitor this. 6. PPE AND SAFETY OF HEALTH WORKERS We informed the meeting that Facilities that we contacted since our PR have indeed been supplied with some items this week. Although there are inadequate stocks of PPE in almost all facilities, we acknowledge efforts being made to improve the situation. We raised further questions on whether the front-liners are receiving their allowances and on time. We were assured that these would be looked into. Noted. 7. HOLDING AND TREATMENT CENTRES AND BED SPACES There was general acknowledgment, and it was indisputable that the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions holding and treatment centres had run out of spaces, and we expressed our surprise there was an effort to deny that. While it may be true that some 21 centres are lying idle in other areas, we asked if there was a plan to move patients from the epicentres to the idle centres. We were assured that that would be looked into. Noted. IN CONCLUSION: We appreciate that the situation with COVID-19 is fluid and changing all the time. We appreciate the hard work that those in charge and in the frontline are doing. We are all concerned about the welfare of our fellow citizens. We appreciate the challenges. But those challenges and the full, unvarnished story must be told plainly and bluntly to the authorities. Those in authority will not and should not be offended by being shown the true picture. We believe that those in authority seek the best for the rest of us, and that showing them exactly what is on the ground, will only make them better. Once again, although we could not agree on the answers provided and explanations made to all the issues raised, we acknowledge the good faith shown by the GHS and the government team, especially for opening the door for future engagement between them and us. There surely will be further engagement. For God and Country OccupyGhana 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, June 22 2020 Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Busyro Muqoddas has called on the judges at the North Jakarta District Court to clear the alleged attackers of graft buster Novel Baswedan of wrongdoing so that a new investigation can begin. Hopefully, the panel of judges will acquit [the defendants] so a new investigation can be carried out, he said in a virtual discussion on Novels case held by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) on Friday. Busyro said the new inquisition would hopefully reveal the real culprits and masterminds behind the case. He cited the murder case of a journalist of Yogyakarta local daily newspaper Bernas during the New Order era. 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 Even before the shooting, the White House had been fighting efforts in Congress to cut military aid to the Saudis, a reflection of anger over the continuing war in Yemen, with tolls of civilian casualties growing, and the brutal killing in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and journalist who had been granted legal residence in the United States. In mid-January, Attorney General William P. Barr announced that Lieutenant Alshamrani had most likely acted alone. Still, 21 other Saudi military students were expelled from the United States after investigators found that many had links to extremist organizations. About a week later, Mr. Esper said he had ordered far more comprehensive vetting for foreign military students, including a more thorough examination of their social media accounts and interactions, as well as continuous monitoring during their stay in the United States. Under the new rules, Pentagon officials would receive the names of international military students further in advance to allow more thorough vetting before students arrived in the United States. The Pentagon ordered increased supervision of Saudi students in the United States by supervisors holding at least the rank of colonel. New restrictions were also put in place on foreign military students possessing or using firearms. Weeks later, tensions between Pentagon and State Department officials over the lapses were still palpable. The Department of Defense has been overly reliant on the vetting conducted by the Department of State, Garry Reid, the Pentagons director for defense intelligence, told a Senate panel in March while explaining the revamped procedures. Some lawmakers and counterterrorism experts voice skepticism that these changes are sufficient to prevent another terrorist from infiltrating the foreign student ranks. Pentagon aides acknowledge that the new vetting and monitoring are a work in progress. This was a significant and unacceptable failure by the Trump administration and the State Department in particular, said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. We owe it to those we lost in this terrorist attack to fix the vetting system by using all tools at our disposal. >>> Party and State leaders congratulate press agencies on Revolutionary Press Day On June 20, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan visited the Nhan Dan Newspaper representative office in the city. Nhan highly appreciated Nhan Dan Newspapers achievements in recent years, including its television channel and other publications, as well as the responsibility and enthusiastic contributions of the newspaper to the citys development. On the same day, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Huynh Thanh Dat, the Director of Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City branch, visited the standing office of Nhan Dan Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City. On the morning of June 20, the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) held a press conference in Hanoi to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. On the occasion, the union provided some information about its outstanding and focused activities towards the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the VWU (1930-2020). On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee launched its new Youth Science Research Magazine. As a publication of Youth Magazine, the first issue of the journal was published on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 2020) and will continue to be published on a monthly basis. On the occasion, the Organising Committee awarded scholarships to poor students who have participated in scientific research works in recent years. After two years of preparation, the electronic version of Ninh Binh Provinces Newspaper was officially launched on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. The online version of the Ninh Binh Newspaper makes its debut on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. (Photo: NDO/Le Hong) On June 20, in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, the Journalists Association of Quang Ninh celebrated the 95th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day and presented the Quang Ninh Press Award 2019 to 75 works. The same day, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee held a meeting to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day and presented the first Hai Trieu Press Award, 2020. As of 2020, the provincial leaders have renamed the Provincial Press Award to the Hai Trieu Press Award. Hai Trieu was the pseudonym of Nguyen Khoa Van, a Vietnamese revolutionary journalist and an elite journalist of Thua Thien Hue. The panel selected 21 works to present the Hai Trieu Press Award. On June 19 and 20, An Giang Provincial Journalists Association organised its 7th Congress, term 2020-2025. On June 20, at the Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City, the Culture and Arts Publishing House in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association launched the Ho Chi Minh City Press Award booklet, featuring the winning works of the Ho Chi Minh City Press Prize from 2015-2019. Missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay were either murdered or got lost in the wilderness looking for a $2,000 drone, police believe. Mr Hill, 74, went camping with Ms Clay, 73, in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Gippsland region on March 19 and have not been heard from since. The pair were in a secret relationship and didn't tell anyone where they were going. Ms Clay just told friends she would be gone for a few days. Three months have passed and there is no sign of the couple despite a massive search of the surrounding area. Mr Hill's wife Robyn, 71, said her husband (pictured, left) had been friendly with Carol Clay (right) for decades but had no idea they were travelling together when he went missing Mr Hill's white Toyota Landcruiser was found with minor fire damage at their burnt campsite near Dry River Creek Track in the valley on March 21 Mystery began when the couple's campsite was found with the tent burned to the ground and Mr Hill's Toyota Land Cruiser sitting next to it. Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia that police remained open minded about exactly what had happened to the pair. Foul play is strongly suspected on the balance of probabilities, but there is no evidence and no suspects. Another possibility is that the couple were flying Mr Hill's $2,000 drone and died of exposure after getting lost off the path looking for it. The third is that they died lost in the bush for any reason, but have not been found because wild dogs ate their remains before rescuers found them. Police are confident the pair did not fake their own deaths and do not believe it's case of murder suicide. Months of searches have found no trace of the pair. Detective Stamper believes if the pair were still in the valley, searchers would have found some evidence The pair went missing in the Wonnangatta Valley, more than 200km north east of Melbourne The key to unlocking the case may have gone up in flames in a fire that destroyed their campsite. Mr Hill's Toyota four-wheel-drive had been found by local police next to his burnt-out tent, but the pair were gone without a trace. The vehicle itself had also sustained damage in the fire, but was still able to be driven away from the scene. At the time, police had believed the fire was probably started by a dodgy phone charger or campfire spark and the couple had simply been lost in the forest. But the fire could also have been lit by a thief rummaging around in the tent - or by a murderer trying to cover their tracks. A spare set of keys was found hidden on the car, but it is believed Mr Hill took the main set with him. That the car was locked likely indicated the pair left the campsite voluntarily, probably to go for a walk or fly the drone. The drone remains missing despite an extensive search that ended on April 6 without anyone finding a trace of them. Russell Hill hangs onto a drone that he had with him when he went missing. The drone has not been found despite an extensive search of the area A drone similar to the one that remains missing If wild dogs had found the pair before police, their remains could have been eaten and scattered to the point they would be missed by searchers. Dogs would have had plenty time to scavenge on the bodies because the pair were not reported missing for some days after their likely deaths. Mr Hill had left his Drouin home on March 19 for a camping trip along the Dargo River in Victoria's northeast and planned to leave the region on March 26. Ms Clay, meanwhile, had told friends she was going away for a few days and expected to be home by March 28 or 29. Mr Hill had been a keen amateur radio enthusiast and made his last broadcast from the bush on March 20. 'This place is in the middle of nowhere,' the source said. 'It's just problematic in the extreme.' Police are now certain the couple died within 18 hours after Mr Hill's last message, as a passing hiker saw the burned-out campsite about 2pm the next day. Because the pair weren't due back until up to a week later, the alarm wasn't raised for days and precious time was lost. The police source said despite the delay in the missing person squad being brought into investigate the case, the fire ravaged camp site was thoroughly investigated at the time. Personal belongings (circled) were left in Russell Hill's vehicle, which sustained fire damage when his tent went up in flames Carol Clay, 73, who was once the President of the Country Women's Association of Victoria, had been in a relationship with Russell Hill for many years in the lead up to their disappearance Last month, bizarre new details emerged of an 'oddball loner' living in the Victorian Alps, who has been questioned over a number of mysterious disappearances. Known as 'Buttons' or ominously, 'the Button Man', the expert bushman became a person of interest after concerns about his odd behaviour was raised by locals. He is understood to have earned his nickname due to his hobby of using deer antlers to make buttons - which he then uses as large ear piercings. 'Being creepy is not illegal,' a police source has told Daily Mail Australia. A police source confirmed there was nothing to indicate the mysterious loner had killed the couple, but what happened to them remains unknown. 'We don't think they're in Queensland living (a secret) life. They're too old really to drop off the grid and why would they?' the source said. Police believe it is more likely than not that the pair met with foul play while out in the remote wilderness. The area itself is considered an ideal spot to commit murder. A new image of Mr Hill's white Toyota Landcruiser. It was found with minor fire damage at their burnt campsite near Dry River Creek Track in the valley on March 21 Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper is leading the investigation into the mystery Phone reception is practically nil and unlike some other areas popular with hikers, the remote Wonnangatta Valley does not see a lot of foot or road traffic. While cold-blooded murder was an avenue of investigation, detectives remain open to all kinds of scenarios. 'There are a lot of people who go up there and do illegal stuff. Like people who go hunting in the national park and ride motorcycles. Has he had a dispute with one of them that turned bad?' the source said. The pair had been carrying out a secret affair for years behind the back of Mr Hill's wife Robyn, who has described Ms Clay as a 'long time family friend'. While the relationship was largely hidden from Mr Hill's devastated wife, it has been well known to police since the pair were reported missing by Mrs Hill days after her husband last made contact via radio. When questioned about the couple's relationship in April, Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper skirted around the question. 'It is delicate and we are being very respectful of both families wishes and concerns here,' he said at the time. Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last heard from on March 20, with Mr Hill's wife unaware he was travelling with another woman 'Both of these people have large and loving families who are grieving at the moment, and they want answers about where their loved ones are.' While detectives probed the couple's relationship, it was quickly ruled out as a likely reason for their mysterious disappearance. Police are desperate for people who may have been in the area at the time to let them know so that they can be ruled out of the investigation. Detectives are also keen to learn if anyone may be hanging onto dash cam footage that could help identify other leads. It is understood the case remained 'very wide open'. 'It's a genuine mystery,' the source said. Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 00 With the 12th list, AAP announces candidates from all 117 seats People of Dhuri have always showered immense love upon me: Bhagwant Mann Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-18 16:46:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BISHKEK, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan's COVID-19 cases increased by 95 on Thursday, taking its total infection tally to 2,657. Of the new confirmed cases, 14 are medical workers, taking the total number of contracted medical workers to 509, the country's deputy health minister Nurbolot Usenbaev told a news briefing. He said that one more new virus related death was registered in the past day, raising the total number of fatalities to 31. The deputy minister noted that 32 more patients have made a full recovery from the virus and have been discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,933, including 373 recoveries among medical workers. Meanwhile, 693 people are still in hospitals, with six patients in intensive care units. Currently, 1,569 people who have had contact with infected patients are in community isolation facilities and another 11,217 people are in home quarantine under the supervision of doctors. Kyrgyzstan conducted 3,808 laboratory tests in the past day. Enditem Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday lashed out at the Nepal administration for making amendments in their citizenship law for Indians. BSP spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria said that Kathmandu should not get carried away by China's influence and continue its friendly ties with New Delhi. READ | India-China faceoff: Nepal confident of peaceful resolution between 'friendly neighbours' "I must underline this fact that Nepal should not get carried away by certain neighbours like Chinese who are having problems with India for quite some time and recently as well. Therefore, I think Nepal should resist from taking a partisan role. It should continue with friendly relations with India," Bhadoria told ANI. READ | Nepal President ratifies Constitutional Amendment Bill; map with Indian areas a reality Countries have good relationship for a long time: BSP Nepal and India should discuss the matter and resolve it as both the countries have a good relationship for a Long Time, Bhadoria said. "As far as the Indo-Nepal relations are concerned. Our countries have a good relationship for a long time. I think Nepal and India should both sit down and resolve the issues," Bhadoria added. Nepal on Saturday changed its citizenship laws for Indians. While confirming the news, Nepal's Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa went on to cite India's citizenship rules to justify the amendments the Nepalese govt has brought. Thapa announced that as per the new rule, any Indian girl marrying a Nepalese citizen will have to wait for a minimum seven years to get citizenship. READ | Nepal's upper house now unanimously endorses new map that includes Indian territory READ | Covid-19 treatment: Favipiravir drug launched as 'FabiFlu' by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (With inputs from ANI) Bhubaneswar, June 21 : The number of coronavirus cases in Odisha crossed 5000-mark and rose to 5,160 after 304 more people tested positive for the disease in the last 24 hours, said the health department on Sunday. Two more deaths were also reported in the state, taking the toll to 14. A 76-year-old man of Bargarh district passed away while undergoing treatment in a hospital. He was also suffering from diabetes, said the health department. Besides, a 49-year-old male patient of Ganjam district passed away in hospital. He was also a patient of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, the department said. While 272 cases were reported from the quarantine centres, 32 cases were reported from several localities, the department said. Among the fresh cases, 42 personnel are from NDRF and fire services, who had returned to the state from Amphan restoration work in West Bengal. Odisha now has 1,607 active cases and 3,534 recoveries. Yemen's southern separatists have seized control of the strategic island of Socotra, which had been in the hands of pro-government forces, and have begun implementing self-rule, officials on both sides said. The move at the weekend deepens the crisis between separatists and the government after the failure of a power-sharing deal in areas beyond the control of Huthi rebels, who hold the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self-rule in southern Yemen on April 26, accusing the government of failing to carry out its duties and of "conspiring" against their cause. Senior STC official Salem Abdullah al-Socotri congratulated the separatist forces for "normalising the situation" in Socotra, in a statement issued late Saturday. A government spokesman said the STC had mounted a "full-fledged coup" on the Indian Ocean island, located near major shipping routes and renowned for its biological diversity. Its fighters had targeted state institutions and raided military camps and government quarters, he said, according to the official Saba news agency. He called on the Saudi-led military coalition -- which intervened in the Yemen war in 2015 to support the government against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels -- to stop the STC's "tampering, chaos and attacks" and compel them to implement the power-sharing Riyadh Agreement signed last December. Socotra's governor, Ramzy Mahrous, said the STC forces "overthrew" state institutions, after which "they raided the city of Hadibou", the island's capital. Military sources told AFP that the STC took control of the island on Saturday after an operation that began the day before, with only limited clashes with pro-government forces. STC fighters had entered Hadibou and established checkpoints there, the sources said. Search Keywords: Short link: DR Congo?s mines ministry has proposed lifting lockdowns at mining operations after workers went on strike to protest compulsory on-site confinements during the coronavirus outbreak. Human rights organisations said earlier this month that mining workers in the vast African country were being forced to stay in overcrowded, unsanitary accommodations. During a council meeting on Friday government ministers acknowledged the "abysmal housing conditions" of employees in the mineral-rich Katanga region. Since a lockdown put in place on March 10 by companies producing cobalt and copper, many employees have been forced to work beyond their eight-hour shifts with no additional pay, according to a group of local and international NGOs. At some sites, "Congolese workers were not given adequate food and water rations, were not provided with appropriate sleeping arrangements and, in some cases, were not given a choice to accept the confinement without fear of losing their jobs or other forms of reprisal," the organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, said. The workers are at a great risk for COVID-19 due to the lack of personal protective equipment and handwashing facilities, the group said in a letter to mining companies, stressing that the findings were "of great concern". - 'Forced lockdown for 68 days' - One mining giant, Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), confined its employees for two months to its site located between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi. "We went on strike due to a forced lockdown for 68 days without seeing our women and children. They paid us a special bonus of $500 (450 euros) per worker," employee Joel Muyeba Kalambwe told AFP. The information was confirmed to AFP by a TFM executive, who spoke of an agreement with around 3,000 confined workers and of "a premium of ten dollars per day of lockdown". The country?s mines ministry "has proposed the deconfinement of workers at mining sites following the strike movements of TFM workers in Lualaba province and those of KCC (Kamoto Copper Company, a subsidiary of Glencore) in Upper Katanga," according to the minutes of the ministers? meeting on Friday. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi ordered a state of emergency on March 24, which has been extended several times by a vote in parliament. Under the measure, borders, schools, places of worship, bars and restaurants are all closed, and gatherings of more than 20 people are banned. While the country has not issued a stay-at-home order, partial confinements have been decided at the local level -- as they were recently in Lubumbashi, the capital of Upper-Katanga Province in the country?s south-east. The Democratic Republic of Congo has so far officially recorded 5,672 coronavirus infections and 125 deaths. The country produces 70 percent of the world?s cobalt, an essential element in the manufacture of batteries for electric cars. Employees have been forced to work beyond their shifts with no additional pay at cobalt and copper mines BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: As many as 2,368 people have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours in Iran, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Trend reports citing the ministry. According to Sadat Lari, 116 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day. Sadat Lari added that the condition of 2,887 people is critical. Sadat Lari said that the situation is more dangerous in Iran's, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, East Azerbaijan, and Kermanshah provinces. So far, more than 1.42 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus. Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 204,900 people have been infected 9,623 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 163,500 have reportedly recovered from the disease. 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 Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. A citizens' climate council initiated by President Emmanuel Macron to discuss new ways to cut carbon emissions has urged the French leader to hold a referendum on making the destruction of nature a crime. The "ecocide" proposal topped dozens of ideas presented by the 150 randomly picked members of the Citizen's Convention on Climate, along with inscribing the fight against global warming in the French Constitution. But participants voted against submitting a broader package of measures to the public as it wound up three days of debate during its final session on Sunday. The move was a rejection of President Macron's suggestion last week that a referendum could be held on the individual measures, which range from improving home insulation to cutting maximum highway speeds to 110 km/h from 130 km/h. "Let's make this referendum we've decided on the basis for holding all the other discussions," said Hubert, one of the participants, who like the others was identified by his first name only. Members gathered in separate rooms at the Palais d'Iena in Paris, while others participated by videoconference, to ensure social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak. Macron formed the council in response to demands for greater "direct democracy" in the wave of the Yellow Vest anti-government protests that rocked the country in 2018 and 2019. The unexpectedly fierce rebellion was sparked by a planned fuel tax hike aimed at funding the climate-change fight, which critics said unfairly targeted people who have no choice but to rely on their cars. The council was tasked with finding ways to reduce France's carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared with the levels of 1990 "in a spirit of social justice." Work began last October, and was expected to wind up earlier this year before meetings were halted during the coronavirus lockdown. Macron has already said he will announce a "first response" when he meets with the 150 members at the Elysee Palace on June 29th. (AFP) AFP via Getty Images At the request of Donald Trump's campaign, police arrested an Oklahoma demonstrator on live television moments after she was seen praying outside the president's rally, though she said she had a ticket to attend. Sheila Buck, who was wearing an "I Can't Breathe" T-shirt to memorialise black Americans killed by police, was accused of "trespassing" by Tulsa officers who dragged her away from the city's BOK Centre on Saturday. Ms Buck was placed into a police cruiser and booked with "obstruction", according to police, though she wasn't impeding any foot traffic or blocking any access to the area. "They're arresting me," she told several news crews following her arrest from the centre. "They're putting cuffs on me. I've done nothing. I have tickets to this thing." Asked why she was demonstrating, she said: "Because of this." Earlier on Saturday, she was seen quietly walking alongside lines of people waiting to enter the centre before kneeling in prayer hours before the president was set to arrive. On Friday, the president issued a threat to protesters outside his rally: "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" The campaign asked police to "remove" Ms Buck, who was booked for obstruction, according to the Tulsa Police Department. "This morning at 11.30am Tulsa Police were requested by Trump campaign staff to remove an individual from the secure area of the rally," police said in a statement. "Tulsa Police spoke to the arrestee, Ms Buck, for several minutes trying to convince her to leave on her own accord. After several minutes requesting her to leave she continued to refuse to cooperate and was escorted out of the area and transported to booking for obstruction." Story continues "Somebody has to do this." A peaceful protester is arrested outside the location President Trump's rally will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Nj23OgyOvX MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 20, 2020 Police said that Ms Buck "had passed through the metal detector area to the most secure area of the event accessible only to ticket holders. Whether she had a ticket or not for the event is not a contributing factor for the Tulsa Police in making the arrest. Officers at the location, particularly in the 'Sterile' area, will remove individuals only at the direction of campaign staff." She was "in an area that is considered a private event area and the event organiser ... can have people removed at their discretion," according to police. Read more Trump threatens protesters who want to show up at his Tulsa rally Trump claims a million people requested tickets for Tulsa rally Tulsa health official raises alarms about 'huge risk' from Trump rally Six staffers working on Trump's Tulsa rally test positive for Covid-19 Black leaders in Tulsa outraged by Trumps planned rally Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The question most central to defining a worldview, other than Who is God? and What does it mean to be human? is Whats really wrong with the world? Its a tricky question, because there are a lot of things wrong with the world. The question is, what is the core problem that needs to be addressed in the world, the root cause of evil and human suffering, and what solution can be offered to fix it? For example, we should want to see justice flourish and racism of all kinds come to an end, especially in light of our nations history and evidence that our African American neighbors are not treated equally before the law. But not everyone who talks about ending racism and creating justice means the same thing. For a growing number of people, including some Christians with good motives, these goals are shorthand for an ideology that divides instead of reconciles, that sees people as either oppressed or oppressor rather than as divine image bearers created from one blood. The ideas of Critical Theory, especially since the horrific killing of George Floyd, have become a central part of our national conversation. Once largely limited to the academy, these ideas have trickled down the way ideas do, to the media, through popular culture, and into the cultural imagination. Even those not familiar with the term critical theory will likely recognize its central tenets. Critical Theory originated with a group of political philosophers who applied Karl Marxs ideas about economics to society as a whole, especially across additional categories of class distinction, such as race, sex, and gender identity. The result was an all-encompassing worldview that purported to reveal hidden power structures behind societys problems and institutions, by dividing people along the lines of oppressed and oppressor. As Colson Center Senior Fellow and historian Glenn Sunshine explained in a recent episode of The Theology Pugcast, Critical Theory, like the classical Marxism it borrows from, views human beings in purely materialist terms. So, according to Critical Theory our race, sexual orientation, gender identity arent mere aspects of who we are, they are our defining characteristics. In each of these areas, we are either part of oppressed groups or we are oppressors. According to critical theory, the oppressed group automatically has moral authority, while the oppressor group does not. Someone who is a racial minority or a sexual minority of some kind is automatically a victim of oppression and has claims against oppressors and the unearned privilege that makes their life easier (and this part is critical) at the expense of their oppressed neighbors. Overlooked in this analysis are individual choices and life situations, which often has a far greater impact on a persons life. For example, whether or not a child grows up with a father is statistically more important than their ethnic identity. Other factors, such as religious commitment, education, sexual decisions, and family stability have profound power to shape the lives and futures as individuals, families, and whole communities. Critical theory, however, ignores every other factor or squashes it into the oppressor-oppressed dynamic. This view distorts reality, and often turns on itself. A recent article at Quillette described a Danish professor and critical theorist attacked by fellow critical theorists. They claimed his branch of Critical Theory was racist. This is no isolated case. Critical Theorists have produced scholarly articles and whole books claiming that everything from logic to math are tools of white, heteronormative oppression. The problem, as is explained in a recent What Would You Say video, is that Critical Theorys answer to the question whats wrong with the world is just wrong. Specifically, critical theory gets the human condition wrong and the human problem wrong. As a result, its solutions are simplistic and, at times, dangerous. Theyre not compatible with Christianity, and we should reject them. Now, to be clear, I believe racism still plagues our country, and is embedded in the hearts of individuals and in institutions and systems. We can reach this conclusion by care, by listening, and by statistical data, not to mention from how the Christian worldview describes the cause and condition of fallen humanity. Too often, any attempt to listen and to engage the race issue is dismissed as critical theory. Its not. At the same time, Critical Theorys analysis and answers to the problem of racism violate what we know to be true about the human condition. Only the Biblical story frames for us human value, human sin, and human hope, which both allows us and calls us to confront racism wherever it rears its ugly head, without embracing a theory that sees people as nothing but their race. Originally posted at breakpoint.org Lucknow, June 21 : With the world-famous Tunday Kababi restaurant finally reopening after a 90-day lockdown, there is much to celebrate for the people of Lucknow. The iconic restaurant is on the wish list of every tourist and many of them take back dozens of kebabs when they return. The 'kebabs' got the name of its owner 'Tunday', who did not have one arm. 'Tunday Kebabs' are one of the signature dishes of Lucknow that is known for its unique and delectable taste and is made with a 114-year-old recipe that the family keeps closely guarded. However, the restaurant which has three branches is not offering kebabs made from buffalo meat since it is still not available in the state capital. "Our buffalo meat kebabs were much in demand and also cheaper but we are unable to make them due to restrictions. Because of this, our customers have reduced by about 40 per cent," said Mohd Usman, the owner of the outlet. He said that he is now focussing on chicken dishes because chicken is available easily but mutton is still difficult to get. Buffalo meat, as of now, is completely off the menu. 'We have no idea when the problem will be resolved," he said. Mohd Usman's great-grandfather had developed the recipe for kebabs and four generations in the family have followed it. The original Tunday Kebab restaurant in the old city area had limited seating space and the customers are preferring takeaways. In the branches at Aminabad and Kapoorthala, the restaurant has removed seats to ensure social distancing. The owners have also increased prices of dishes such as kebabs, parathas and biryani. "Both mutton and chicken meat are being sold at a higher price than before. As a result, we have been forced to increase prices slightly though we have considered affordability of customers," said Usman. He said that the early closing time of 9 p.m. has also adversely affected business. "People usually step out for dinner after 8.30 p.m. in the summers and by then, we are preparing to shut down," he added. Most of the outlets selling Mughlai dishes are facing a similar problem -- unavailability of mutton and restricted timings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020. Following his address, demonstration of a 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) by a team from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga took place. Yoga, a set of physical exercises that calm the mind and benefit the body, originated in ancient India. The United Nations General Assembly recognised June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014. People acknowledge the physical and spiritual benefits of Yoga and observe this day across countries since June 2015. Watch PM Modis address: Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 01:10:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein on Saturday dissolved the House of Representatives ahead of the October general elections and announced the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions. In his address to the House in the Zanzibar archipelago, Shein announced the lifting of all restrictions on social activities on the islands but called for precautions against the COVID-19. He announced the reopening of all schools effective from June 29 and directed the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to work out an effective plan that will guide the students. All ferry boats and ships that ply the Unguja-Dar es Salaam, Unguja-Pemba and Pemba-Tanga routes will be allowed to carry passengers effective from June 29, he added. Shein also ordered the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation to supervise the resumption of marine transport. Enditem While Pakistan struggles to maintain control of the Coronavirus pandemic, its political leaders continue to spread misinformation among the masses. In a recent incident, a Pakistani minister while educating the country regarding the COVID-19 virus on a national television broadcast claimed that it was named so because it had '19 points which affected different countries differently.' "First they say it's a pandemic, then they said its an endemic. You have to live with it till it's the vaccine is developed. It's a flu. COVID-19 means that it has 19 points which can apply to different countries in different ways," said Pakistan's Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul. According to the official definition of COVID-19 by the World Health Organisation, "'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV." The 19 in the name stands for the year in which it originated. Read: Pakistan Govt Allows Repatriation Of 748 Stranded Indians From June 25 Via Wagah Border What in Covid-19 actually means, minister Zartaj Gul's earthshaking discovery: pic.twitter.com/uNYjei3rT8 Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) June 20, 2020 Read: Pakistani Cleric Advises 'When We Sleep, Virus Sleeps' In Abysmal New Coronavirus Logic This is not the first time that Pakistani religious and political leaders have spread misinformation in the name of educating the masses. A few weeks ago, a viral video clip came to light in which a Pakistani maulana was seen explaining the scientific basis behind the spread of the Coronavirus recommending people to 'sleep more' claiming that the virus would not harm in the body because it goes to sleep when we fall asleep. "Our doctors always recommend us to sleep more. The more we sleep, the more the virus sleeps. It won't harm us. When we sleep it sleeps, when we die, it dies," said the religious leader in a TV broadcast. According to Johns Hopkins University tally, the country has publicly reported 1,71,666 cases of coronavirus infections with at least 3,382 deaths. Read: Coronavirus Cases In Pak Cross 1,60,000-mark; Death Toll Reaches 3,093 Read: Imran Khan Enjoys 'Man Vs Food'-esque Feast In Sindh Visit; Self-exposes Austerity Sham ROME - As Italy opens up to its residents, Europe and eventually the rest of the world, businesses in Rome are trying to figure out how to navigate an Eternal City without the daily traffic of tourists and full offices. The centro storico, Rome's historic center, has long relied on tourism to support many of its restaurant and food services. Opening doors again isn't easy; restaurants are experiencing a new atmosphere thanks to changed personalities and limited tourism. Some are investing in invigorating the local community, while others are simply trying to move forward. As Rome slowly acquaints itself with the city's new landscape, these restaurants, cafes and markets are doing their best to evolve in the city's new landscape. - - - RetroBottega one of the city's innovators for its focus on materie prime (locally sourced, raw and organic fruit and vegetables), closed its restaurant, wine bar and pasta lab along with the rest of the country on March 8. Owners Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi quickly pivoted to support the team that supports them, i.e. its staff and its farmers, and to support the historic center's community. "We reached out to the community that wasn't able [or didn't want] to shop in the supermarket, that wanted quality," says RetroBottega's Lo Iudice. Reconfiguring into RetroDelivery, service akin to community-supported agriculture (CSA), RetroBottega reached out to local residents to offer fresh produce delivery coordinated on WhatsApp. It wasn't easy at first, but the neighborhood quickly caught on and loved the personalized grocery service with the RetroBottega vibe. Miocchi, the pasta brain, expanded the repertoire to include fresh bread, and now RetroDelivery delivers gourmet products, meat, fish, and freshly made pasta and breads thanks to a collaboration with Roscioli, as well as a local butcher and local fish vendor. The Roscioli family, four generations of bakers, is one of the cornerstones of the Campo de' Fiori neighborhood. Roscioli is now a local empire with a coffee shop, bakery and restaurant/gourmet delicatessen. During the lockdown, while the closed-to-public cafe organized coffee deliveries, the bakery kept its doors open and provided home deliveries of such items as homemade yeast and pizza dough. "Bread has a social weight; we have to provide it," explains baker PierLuigi Roscioli. In fact, he personally delivered bread to his patrons, which inspired the community and showed that there was some normalcy in a surreal situation. Aligning with RetroBottega was a natural fit for Roscioli, as both are dedicated to providing top-quality products and investing and supporting the local community by continuing to cater, in all senses of the word, to its needs. "We are rooted in this neighborhood; we can't abandon it. We grew up here. It was unfathomable to think that we wouldn't stay open. For us, it's not about economics, but it's a duty to our community," says PierLuigi. - - - All'aperto (alfresco dining) is one of every Romans favorite expressions. They love eating outside, but not every restaurant has that possibility, and the new social distancing regulations and personal hesitations make indoor dining an afterthought, at best. RetroBottega reopened its restaurant, wine bar and pasta lab but not quite as it was before. Lo Iudice and Miocchi refocused their menu by creating pizzas - inventive and made with prime materie and antipasti. Roscioli Salumeria, the brothers' tiny restaurant, restructured its tables and, like everyone else, requires advance reservations. It's not an ideal situation, and not helped by the fact that Romans are not as active as tourists in dining out. To some, this is the perfect time to experience restaurants whose wait lists are weeks long, but to restaurant owners, the next few months are a precarious tight rope. One establishment that intensely feels the effects of the pandemic's full stop is Pizzeria Remo a Testaccio, an inexpensive, cult-favorite pizzeria in the Testaccio neighborhood. Right now, the usually busy pizzeria is quiet. Regular clients are not interested in sitting inside, whether scared of being too close or offset by the summer heat, and for those who potentially want to return, they are dissuaded by social distancing settings that make dining a lot less fun. "Unfortunately, most people come to the pizzeria as a group of friends and family, and now would have to sit distanced from each other. Are they going to tell jokes using WhatsApp?" asks partner Antonio Amato. - - - Rome is not Rome without gelato, and during the lockdown, many gelaterie teamed up with delivery services to provide the treat to homes all over the city. Giolitti, the 120-year-old gelateria best known for its 57 flavors as well as its crowds, was a go-to delivery source during the shutdown. Closing its doors completely was not an option, describes Nazareno Giolitti. "Giolitti has only been closed only a half-day when my grandfather passed away and another half-day when my father passed away. Why? Because my grandparents always said we are public service. Our feelings come second to that of the people," he says. Giolitti maintained its staff by alternating hours, and immediately focused on delivery. When Italy slowly opened, Giolitti was prepared with take-away coffee drinks, pastries and gelato. "We are a tradition. A line will return, and it's our responsibility to keep it organized," Giolitti says, but as a heritage establishment that owns its space, the gelateria is luckier than most other businesses struggling to pay rents and salaries. The gelateria is now fully reopened, and the line has returned. Traditional cafes are the staple of any Italian city. They are where people meet and greet in the morning for a quick chat and fast counter service. Although bars and cafes have been open for nearly two months, the normal routine is nothing like before. Along with social distancing protocols, which reduce the amount of people at the counter, Rome updated business hours to three time slots during May and June, when non-food-related shops (such as retail) open at 11 a.m., which means less morning traffic from incoming staff. Bar del Cappuccino, a beloved hole-in-the wall spot on Via Arenula, is waiting for the foot traffic to return, like every other bar in the city center. "Our faithful clientele has returned. And since tourists aren't traveling, we are reaching out to local businesses," says owner Adriano Santoro, who keeps in touch with the local community with Facebook posts and offering home delivery as well as takeaway service. "We're all waiting to see how this moves forward." Grigor Dimitrov said on Sunday he has tested positive for coronavirus after pulling out of an exhibition tournament which also featured world number one Novak Djokovic. "I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19," world number 19 Dimitrov wrote on Instagram. "I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering." Last weekend, Dimitrov, 29, took part in the Adria Tour event in Belgrade with Djokovic, world number three Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, ranked seven. He also played in the second leg of the Balkans tournament in Zadar on Croatia's Adriatic coast on Saturday. However, he withdrew after losing to Borna Coric, complaining of feeling unwell. Later on Sunday, the final between Djokovic and Russia's Andrey Rublev was immediately cancelled as a precaution. "This is the best possible decision. We have to take care about security of all involved," former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, the tournament director of the Zadar event, said in remarks quoted by local media. "Those who were in contact with Grigor will be tested. I tested by chance three days ago and I'm negative." Zverev and former US Open winner Marin Cilic were also in the Croatia line-up. "I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions," added Dimitrov. - 'Novak took news very hard' - Djokovic's brother Djordje, who is the overall tournament director, told Sportske Novosti daily paper online edition: "Novak? He took this news very hard. We undertook all the measures prescribed by the governments of Serbia and Croatia." Bulgarian Dimitrov is a former world number three who was the ATP Tour Finals champion in 2017, one of his eight career titles. The Adria Tour, organised to fill the gap in the virus-hit tennis calendar which has been on ice since mid-March, played out to a daily crowd of 4,000 fans at Djokovic's tennis centre on the banks of the Danube in Belgrade last week. Dimitrov, Djokovic and Thiem, as well as the other players, were then seen partying at a packed Belgrade night spot. Thiem has since travelled to the south of France to play in another exhibition tournament, the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Nice. On Sunday, tournament chief Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of Serena Williams, tweeted a picture of Thiem undergoing a coronavirus test at the event being staged at his tennis academy. The Adria Tour had already suffered an embarrassing setback when the planned Montenegro leg of the four-nation tournament was cancelled over coronavirus protocol rules. Montenegro was due to be the third stop on June 27 and 28 after Croatia and before the conclusion in Bosnia. But organisers said the visit to Montenegro had to be called off when it became apparent Serbia did not match strict health requirements. Meanwhile, asked to comment on social distancing measures during the Belgrade leg, Djokovic said both Serbia and the region had been relatively successful in containing the virus. "Of course you can criticise, you can also say this is dangerous or not, but it's not up to me to make the calls what is health-wise right or wrong," the 17-time Grand Slam winner told reporters, stressing he was acting in line with recommendations of the Serbian government. Last week, the ATP and WTA said they were restarting their tours in August. However, the US Open in New York will be played behind closed doors and under strict health protocols which Djokovic has described as "extreme" and "impossible". The drama surrounding Dimitrov's test brought sympathy but also questions from fellow players. "While watching images from the Adria Tour, I kind of felt that something was really wrong. Am I the only one? Is it a consequence of it? Get better soon Grigor," tweeted French player Alize Cornet. Noah Rubin of the US added: "It's just not okay. Reckless and disappointing that they thought tennis deserved the risk." Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and other state ministers performed yoga at their respective houses on the occasion of International Yoga Day on Sunday. The ministers performed asanas while observing social distancing norms. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev also performed yoga at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar while practising social distancing. At Patanjali Yogpeeth, the day was celebrated with a fine presentation of Vedic culture along with chanting of mantras. Chief minister Rawat performed yoga as per the yoga practice protocol of the AYUSH department. In view of the circumstances due to Covid-19 this year, a public programme of yoga was not organised. In pics: Security personnel perform yoga in spine-chilling temperature Rawat said, Due to the successful efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the whole world is celebrating June 21 as Yoga Day. We are organising Yoga Day this time under special circumstances. It is very important for our immunity to be strong to fight the Covid-19 epidemic and through yoga, we can increase our immunity. The chief minister also said that incorporating regular yoga in daily lifestyle for one hour will make one healthy, increase immunity and encouraged others to do the same. Madan Kaushik, state cabinet minister and spokesperson for the Uttarakhand government practised Yoga at his residence in Haridwar. Yoga provides the ability to bring physical and mental stability. In order to overcome and emerge from the coronavirus conditions, our health must be good, our bodys immunity is strong, for which yoga is important, he said. Rekha Arya, state minister for women and child development, celebrated International Yoga Day with Aanganwadi functionaries in limited numbers at MKP Degree College Dehradun. Aanganwadi workers have been playing a major role during the Covid-19 pandemic by spreading awareness at the village level across the state. In the present circumstances, it is necessary to be physically healthy as well as mentally healthy. Yoga has therapeutic properties. It is beneficial mentally, physically and spiritually. Today the entire modern world is facing an epidemic with lifestyle disorders. We have to be self-aware and build our immunity to fight this epidemic and also inspire others and make them understand that Yoga can be the base of a healthy life, said Arya. The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reacted to the seizure of a multi-million naira property in Abuja traced to him by anti-graft agency, ICPC. The commission had last week accused Mr Mohammed of illegally allocating a property belonging to the federal ministry of agriculture for his personal use while he was minister of the FCT. The ICPC said the property located at Plot 298 Wuye District, Cadastral Zone B3, FCT, Abuja, was subsequently turned into a school; Zinaria International School, in which the governor and family members are directors and shareholders. According to the commission, the seizure is pursuant to its powers contained in Section 45 (4) (a-c) of the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. The Commission also said it will apply to the court for an order of forfeiture under Section 48 of the ICPC Act, pending when the tenure of the governor expires. But in reaction, Mr Mohammed in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, on Sunday, said he did not break any law that could have warranted the ICPC to have perniciously scandalise his image. He said he had resigned from the school as soon as he was appointed a minister. The governor described the commissions claims of him taking advantage of public office as mischievous, false and misleading. Mr Mohammed said the ICPCs action was premised on bare-faced double standards, favouritism, dishonourable tactics and impunity. He said the school was in existence before he became minister of FCT during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said the school was allocated the land legitimately after its shareholders and directors applied for an expansion of its land. We refute the commissions story in its entirety and state that Senator Bala Mohammed did not flout any policy or break any law, known to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or did he, in any way, breach his oath of office to warrant perniciously scandalising his name or subjecting members of his family to mindless persecution as the ICPC is willfully pushing, Mr Gidado said. Zinaria International School was established and had been long operational, offering quality education, in a cost-effective manner, to all and sundry, long before Senator Bala Mohammed became Minister of the FCT. Like any other corporate entity, due to planned expansion, the school applied for land, a legitimate right it would have exercised, irrespective of whomsoever was the Minister of the FCT at the time. The shareholders and directors of the school are Nigerians who, by their respective ages, were qualified to apply for and be allocated land if they met the conditions required. And we make bold to say that all the names listed in the MEMAT (Draft Memorandum and Articles of Association) of the school are eminently qualified to be allocated land. Why is the ICPC in a hurry to disrupt the smooth functioning of a public trust that is devoted to learning, if not for the singular purpose of ingratiating itself to its paymasters by causing maximum damage to the familys investment? Is it fair, right or just to deny members of the family of a public office holder their right to the public good, for the simple reason that their benefactor or relation is holding public office? Mr Mohammed served as FCT minister between 2010 and 2015. He has since been facing various corruption charges and prosecution for alleged graft during his time as FCT minister. The EFCC last year charged the former minister on six-count for accepting gratification and acquisition of landed property. The EFCC said the property is valued at N550 million located at No 2599 and 2600 Cadastral Zone, AO4 Asokoro District, Abuja, from Aso Savings and Loans Plc in 2014. Mr Mohammed is also accused of failing to make full disclosure of his property on 54, Mike Akhigbe Street, Jabi, Abuja, in the course of filing his asset declaration form at the EFCC. Similarly, the ICPC had earlier charged him for using his office to confer corrupt advantage upon himself and relations under Section 19 of the ICPC law. Advertisements It was almost after two-and-a-half months of tending to Covid-19 patients at Lilavati Hospital that I first felt the symptoms. On June 11, I started getting back and body aches with no fever, cough and breathlessness. After taking doses of Ivermectin and Doxycycline, the weakness increased, and one night I felt I was dying. It was on June 13 that I was rushed by the Lilavati administration to the hospitals intensive care unit (ICU) in emergency. I did not know what was happening and my situation kept deteriorating. I never thought I would make it. A day later, I saw my wife being wheeled into the ICU, to the bed next to mine. I thought of my son, and asked myself, What will I answer to him if anything happens to his mother. And to me? This single thought gave me the strength to fight. I wanted to be out of this space the ICU which had become a mess. What was once a nice clean pleasant place, was struggling with overburdened staff nurses who are spending countless hours in PPE [personal protective equipment] kits without water, tea, coffee and worse, without visiting the toilet. There are only two-three people to clean and give bedpans for 48 beds. Hats off to them for doing this day in and day out, going beyond their brief with a risk that they might be infected, and without complaints. ICU patients are being taken in irrespective of whether they are rich or poor or from any religion everyone is equal and provided necessary help and medication. Dr Jalil Parkar (HT File) After doses of Iv Rocezulimab and Iv Remdesivir over the next 10 days, I have finally made it home. Unfortunately, my doctor colleague who attended to me is now occupying my bed. This experience led me to think about all the noise outside and react. Firstly, the government has to stop going behind private institutions that are bleeding, and in fact help by providing necessary medication, which is not available. Do they want these institutions to shut down? Patients want to file cases for being administered certain medicines, despite saving them, following ICMRs [Indian Council for Medical Research] diktats. How fair is that? Especially when there is no vaccine or fixed line of treatment that can be applicable to all patients? I also feel that managements of hospitals have to consider incentivising frontline Covid-19 health workers, such as ward boys and nurses, considering the amazing work they do. There is too much stigma that people are attaching with Covid housing societies showing high-handedness, exploiting their positions of power, not allowing house helps, vendors and other essential workers to visit people who genuinely need help. They are preventing people from leading a normal life. I appeal to authorities, the police and ministers to take cognisance of such people. Today as I still lay weak in my bed at home, I am continuously getting calls for prescribing treatment and to seek help at the hospital. I feel thankful for the prayers and blessings of my people, and the hospital management, that my wife and I are alive. I am hoping to get better soon, and back on my feet to be at the service of the people, to help them live. But I hope we can change a few things to help us get through this difficult phase. I have braved death, and came out more determined to do what I have left behind- cure people, and help them live. (Dr Jalil Parkar, pulmonologist, department of chest medicine at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre) A federal employee was put on leave after he was seen in a video shouting at three teens in a Florida neighborhood and telling one, who is black, that she doesn't "belong" there. A Homeland Security official confirmed to ABC News on Friday that the man is employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The video begins with the man in the street, pointing at the girls and asking for their names. "You don't belong in this development," the man, who is white, says in a video posted by the Palm Beach Post and circulated widely online. The girl seen in the video goes inside to get help as the man walks back and forth across the street of the Wellington gated community. Soon after, Tony Nelson, the girl's grandfather, walks down the driveway to confront the man. Nelson later said he was "shocked" by the man's aggressive behavior in the video. PHOTO:USCIS logo. (Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) Reached over the phone by ABC News, Nelson said he wasn't immediately ready to accept an apology. "It's going to take time and he's not going to be forgiven until we see some action in our community," he said. "We have a long way to go." A statement from USCIS on Thursday said the agency was investigating the video and described it as "certainly disturbing." Joseph Edlow, USCIS deputy director for policy, said in a statement the man was put on administrative leave following the incident. "USCIS does not condone the use of offensive and intimidating language and agency employees are expected to act professionally both at work and in the community," Edlow said. "I also want to assure you that the position held by this individual is administrative in nature. He was not responsible for adjudicating cases for immigration benefits or status." Federal employee put on leave after confronting teen girls in 'disturbing' video originally appeared on abcnews.go.com COVID-19: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Tighten Restrictions; U.S. Embassy In Kabul Reports Cases June 20, 2020 The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 460,000, with more than 8.6 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness. Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions. Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan has announced it is tightening coronavirus restrictions after an increase in new cases. Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov said on June 20 that public transport in the capital, Bishkek, and routes between all of its provinces were being shut down until June 22. The move came as the number of new coronavirus cases in the Central Asian nation rose by 192. "We must ensure the country's full readiness for a worsening of the epidemiological situation," Boronov said. "We see daily growth in new COVID-19 cases." The former Soviet republic of 6.5 million people, which now has 2,981 reported cases of the virus, ended a state of emergency accompanied by curfews and lockdowns in May. Neighboring Kazakhstan, which has 25,000 confirmed cases, has also introduced new weekend restrictions. It has closed all shopping malls, markets, and parks in major cities as it fights a second wave of the outbreak. Afghanistan The U.S. State Department says COVID-19 infections have been reported at its embassy in the Afghan capital. The State Department did not say how many were affected. An official at the embassy in Kabul told the AP news agency that as many as 20 people were infected, the majority of whom are Nepalese Gurkhas, who provide embassy security. "The embassy is implementing all appropriate measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," the U.S. State Department said on June 20. Afghanistan has 28,424 confirmed coronavirus cases. Lack of testing and access to it may mean the numbers are much higher, international aid organizations monitoring the pandemic's spread in the country say. They also fear the contagious disease has spread widely throughout the country with the return of nearly 300,000 Afghans from Iran, the hardest-hit country in the region. Iran has recorded more than 200,000 cases and 9,392 deaths. Few of the Afghans who returned from Iran were tested before they fanned out across the country to their homes. Earlier this month the International Rescue Committee warned Afghanistan was on the brink of a humanitarian disaster mostly because the government does not have the capacity to even test 80 percent of coronavirus cases. Until now a handful of NATO troops have also tested positive for the infection. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/covid-19-kyrgyzstan- kazakhstan-tighten-restrictions-amid -rise-in-cases/30681365.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attorney General William Barr informed the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, Geoffrey S. Berman, on Saturday that the president had fired him after he resisted Barrs attempt to oust him the night before. At first, Berman insisted that he could not be let go by the attorney general and that he would not depart until a successor was confirmed by the Senateuntil then our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. President Donald Trump added to the chaos when he told reporters that Bermans fate was all up to the attorney general. I wasnt involved. Advertisement The Trump administration had chosen Berman, a former prosecutor and Republican donor, to replace Preet Bharara, who was fired in 2017, along with 45 other holdovers from the Obama administration, by thenAttorney General Jeff Sessions (Bharara refused to resign). Replacing U.S. attorneys at the start of a new administration is common practice. Doing so during a presidents term of office, however, is not, so the dismissal of Geoffrey Berman bears closer examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bermans firing has highlighted the Trump administrations eagerness to once again subjugate the apparatus of American justice to the presidents personal and political agenda. It is the latest post-impeachment purge of officials deemed insufficiently loyal to the president. What did he do wrong? Under Bermans leadership, the Southern District of New York, long famous for jealously guarding its independence, successfully prosecuted Michael Cohen, the presidents former personal lawyer. It is currently investigating Rudolph Giuliani, Trumps current personal lawyer.* Advertisement Advertisement The only explanation Barr has provided for Bermans dismissal is that he wanted the opportunity to choose a distinguished New York lawyer, Jay Clayton, to nominate as United States Attorney. Barrs interference with federal prosecutors has raised new alarms. Earlier this year, Barr maneuvered thenU.S. Attorney Jessie Liu out of her position at the helm of the D.C. U.S. Attorneys office and replaced her with Timothy Shea, who abruptly changed the offices position on the prosecutions of Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. Bermans dismissal is another reminder that the Constitution alone does not guarantee that justice will be blind or that politics will be kept out of prosecutorial decision-making. To prevent similar abuses and threats to the rule of law in the future, the U.S. will need to make significant structural and institutional changes. Advertisement Advertisement Those changes should include taking U.S. attorneys out of the political processes and making them career civil servants, with fixed terms, not subject to removal at the whim of the president. Currently, U.S. attorneys are typically appointed by the president following the recommendation of senators from the presidents party who represent the state to which they will be appointed. This process has been used to reward political cronies or prominent donors, like Berman, to the presidents party. Advertisement Advertisement Congress should take their appointment and removal out of the hands of the president. U.S. attorneys should be nonpartisan civil servants selected on the basis of merit by the Department of Justice following merit standards set by the federal governments Office of Personnel Management and subject to the full range of civil service protections, including a full range of procedural protections before someone can be terminated. Advertisement Advertisement This process would be similar to the one now used for appointing career foreign service officers to diplomatic posts. While presidents like Trump can, of course, take away plum assignments and make life very uncomfortable for even career officials, they cannot fire them on a whim. A merit selection process would focus on legal experience, qualifications, and demonstrated good judgmentunlike the current system, which rewards those with political connections and ideological affinity with the president. A more professionalized and independent group of U.S. attorneys offers a safeguard against undue political influence and allows them to make decisions based on the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement This would hardly be a radical change. When the office of the U.S. attorney was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789, it was clear that Congress did not want these attorneys to be partisan loyalists of the president. They were to be local notables with a reputation for putting judgment and integrity above politics. The act gave the president the power to appoint these attorneys to represent the federal government, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. But the executive branchs power over these offices was always meant to be limited. Advertisement Thus, when Edmund Randolph, a close friend and political ally of President George Washington who served as the first attorney general of the United States, asked Congress to give him the power to supervise the work of U.S. attorneys, it refused, fearing that doing so would enhance the power of the executive branch.* As Duke law professor Sara Beale points out, U.S. attorneys were not even required to inform the attorney general of the work they did on behalf of the federal government.* Advertisement In the early period of the republic, U.S. attorneys did not exercise much authority. Before the Civil War, they prosecuted only crimes mentioned in the Constitution, like piracy, counterfeiting, and treason. Advertisement Their role began to change in the middle of the 19th century, when Congress created the Department of Justice and gave the attorney general supervisory power over them. This change has allowed attorneys general who, like Barr, see themselves as close political allies of the president to closely monitor their work and give them direction in high-profile cases. Advertisement Justice Department control over U.S. attorneys increased over the course of the 20th century. In 1953, the department created the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and established a formal set of protocols governing their work.* These protocols lay out the things prosecutors have to do in organizing and running their offices, but do not protect political appointees from interference of the kind practiced by Barr and Trump. The authority of these attorneys grew with the expansion of the federal criminal code. Unlike in the nations early years, today they are responsible for enforcing more than 4,000 federal crimes. And because there are few rules regulating the decision to prosecute any of those crimes, U.S. attorneys have enormous power over the fate of both ordinary citizens and government officials whose conduct allegedly violates a federal statute. Whitney North Seymour Jr., himself a legendary U.S. attorney, once called such power awesome and said that it made each U.S. attorney a king is in his own domain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the power of U.S. attorneys has increased, so has the temptation for others to use that power for their own political purposes. From time to time, presidents have tried to influence the decisions of U.S. attorneys. Scandal ensued. Advertisement Advertisement One of the most important of those controversies occurred in December 2006, when President George W. Bush ordered the midterm dismissal of seven U.S. attorneys. Investigations subsequently revealed that they were targeted because they were investigating Republican politicians or were failing to initiate investigations of Democrats. What Bush did was a clear departure from the norm that presidents should rarely remove a U.S. attorney during their term. His action caused a public furor and led to investigations by both Congress and the DOJ inspector general, which ultimately found no criminal wrongdoing. Advertisement But, as the botched firing of Berman shows, such norms mean little to the Trump administration, which has taken a series of unprecedented actions to use the Justice Department to reward friends and punish enemies. It is now time to recall the wisdom of those who recognized the desirability of insulating U.S. attorneys from politics more than 200 years ago. In even the most partisan and self-serving administrations, U.S. attorneys should be able to serve as what law professor Daniel Richman rightly called a critical counterweight to Washington politics. From Australia to Britain, from Vietnam to India, China seems to be on the warpath against the world. It has deployed economic and trade tools to coerce Australia and Britain and military might to expand its territory in Asia. The current spread and intensity of the Chinese threat may be unprecedented, but China is using its old playbook. The Deer and The Dragon, a collection of essays on China and Southeast Asia, helps explain the methods it uses to acquire tributaries in Southeast Asia and turn the South China Sea into a virtual Chinese lake. Trying to suborn Australia into accepting ... A database of recent deaths reveals that scores of people have died in the streets or in the back of ambulances, denied critical care. Ms. Gautams odyssey through eight different hospitals in 15 hours in Indias biggest metropolitan area serves as a devastating window into what is really happening here. Indian government rules explicitly call for emergency services to be rendered, but still people in desperate need of treatment keep getting turned away, especially in New Delhi, the capital. Infections are rising quickly, Delhis hospitals are overloaded and many health care workers are afraid of treating new patients in case they have coronavirus, which has killed more than 13,000 people in India. There is currently little or no chance of admission to hospitals for people with Covid-19, but also for people with other intensive care needs, read a warning just issued by the German Embassy in New Delhi. Even as their residents succumbed to the coronavirus, nursing homes in Colorado hit with outbreaks struggled to adhere to basic infection-cont Workers of Thang Long Industrial Park at the opening ceremony of the free supermarket on June 20, 2020. Photo acquired by VnExpress. The New Zealand embassy opened a free supermarket at Thang Long Industrial Park on Saturday to benefit 1,500 workers there affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the supermarket in Dong Anh District, a person is allowed to pick up for free essentials like rice, eggs, cereals, vegetables, instant noodles, face masks, and sanitizers worth up to VND200,000 ($8.6). The supermarket has been set up by the embassy in collaboration with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Vietnam, according to a release from the embassy. New Zealand ambassador Wendy Matthews said at the opening ceremony the project shows the unity between New Zealand and Vietnam. She said the supermarrket is a great idea to help reducing the economic effects caused by the pandemic for workers at the park and their families. New Zealand and Vietnam celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year. In recent years their ties have developed strongly and steadily across diverse fields, from political aspects to trade, investment and education. In the year to the end of March, bilateral trade turnover hit nearly $1.1 billion, up 12 percent year-on-year. Covid-19 has spread to more than 210 countries and territories, infecting more than 8.7 million people and killing over 462,000. Both New Zealand and Vietnam have been praised as role models in the fight against this pandemic. Vietnam has had 349 cases and zero deaths, while New Zealand has reported 1,161 cases and 22 deaths. After the Corona onset in the meat factory Tonnies, with more than 1000 Infected has informed the NRW Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) about the situation. The head of the government took part in the morning, together with health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann at a meeting of the crisis unit in the district of Gutersloh. At the meeting, representatives of the embassies of Romania, Poland and Bulgaria took part, according to the circle. At the lunch, the CDU/FDP Cabinet should be in Dusseldorf in a special session together. Laschet, you have to submit to the state Chancellery at 14.30 in the kreishaus Gutersloh, a Statement to the press. After the Corona onset at the meat processor Tonnies to be dealt with in the district of Gutersloh is currently a total of 19 people because of a Covid-19-disease. It was "almost exclusively" to employees of Tonnies, said the Deputy press spokeswoman of the circle Gutersloh on Sunday at the request of the German press Agency. Six of them were intensively treated medically, including five employed by Tonnies. Two of the six patients were ventilated. On Saturday afternoon, the number of positively tested Tonnies had located staff in the meat factory in Rheda-Wiedenbruck in 1029. The authorities have made all of the approximately 6500 employees under quarantine. The Series of tests of a total of 6500 employees on the factory premises of the company toennies will also continue on Sunday. The use of 40 mobile Teams, is planned to be the Deputy press spokeswoman of the circle Gutersloh said Beate Behlert, on Sunday. To the team staff of the procedure office, the German Red cross and the Bundeswehr are involved in each case. Also, interpreters were there. Some of the Teams were accompanied by police officers. To Saturday, lunch was around 5800 samples taken. 3127 findings were: At 1029 Deal with the Coronavirus was detected in 2098 cases the result was negative. 65 Bundeswehr soldiers to help in the sampling. quarantine zone in the course of set up Important issue is the observance of the quarantine by the infected employee, remains. After positive Corona Tests on numerous Tonnies employees of the city (district Gutersloh) had set up on Saturday in a district of a quarantine zone. Several multi-family houses, in which contract workers of the company Tonnies are housed, were placed under quarantine, those residents are employees, not toennies -. The entire area was cordoned off with construction Fences. In the affected houses, nearly 670 people living in three streets in total. The German Association of towns and municipalities warned in the light of the Corona-outbreaks of the past days in front of possible social conflicts. "We are not allowed to discriminate against people or to the detriment of the have ensured, for example, in the low-wage area, in poor housing, the cheap meat of the conditions of production in certain Farms," said managing Director Gerd Landsberg, the Newspapers of the Funke media group. Landsberg stressed that one should not make the people who live in cramped conditions, no charge, because it can come to be infections. Here, in particular, the companies are not required to provide not only decent wages and working conditions, but also, in particular for housing, in which adequate standards of hygiene can be guaranteed. Updated Date: 21 June 2020, 08:19 This week's edition of Rewind is all about the theme of Father's Day, celebrated each year on the third Sunday of June which happens to be today. Robert Smith has assembled a few thoughts on the subject of fatherhood for your reading pleasure. It's a slight divergence from the normal weekly offering but still contains some horse-related references. I would like to offer my best wishes to all Fathers on this special day set aside for those of us who have been blessed to be a father or a grandfather (or even more). Along with being a husband and part of a loving family, it has been indeed my greatest lifetime joy. Thanks to my family for making it such an easy job. As I wrote this piece I realized once again just how quickly time passes us by; little wonder that time is our most precious commodity. As I did the math, I realized that I have been a father almost twice as long as I had a living father myself. The grandfather job has been icing on the cake. A Proud Papa A Proud Papa It is not clear exactly just when and how Father's Day started as a special occasion but a few theories are offered. One such story states that the first Father's Day was observed in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. A lady named Mrs. John Bruce Dodd wanted a special day to honour her father William Smart. Mr. Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. He was then left to raise their children on his own. As Mrs. Dodd reached adulthood she realized what a special person her father was and wanted to honour him in some way for his selflessness and strength in raising his children as a single parent. Whether this is the actual beginning of this now time honoured day or not it seems to be a heart-warming tale. Fathers Day has become a day to not only honour your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers and adult male friends who serve as role models all play a part in fathering, and thus they deserve to be honoured as well. The word "father" occurs many times in our everyday language, undoubtedly much more than we realize. Father Time, Forefather, Grandfather, Our Father, Godfather, House father, Father-in-law, the father of all ____, fatherhood, father of the bride and the list goes on. As a youngster I often thought how lucky I was that I could go to work with my father whenever the opportunity presented itself. Not every child I knew could do that. Being self-employed as a farmer and lumberman it was almost like he never went to work, nor did he ever have a day off. When I was growing up most of the things kids busy themselves doing nowadays hadn't arrived yet. Organized sports, endless television watching, video games, etc., etc., not to mention the multiple gadgets all youngsters now have. To all of that I say "Not a problem!" I found plenty to do that filled my days and I loved it all. I loved to travel about the countryside with my father, often seeing how business was done and how even a small portion of the rest of the world lived. What I learned was more by what I saw and heard than what I was told. It was a childhood I wouldn't trade for anything. I would be remiss in not remembering my own father and his lasting influence on my interest in our grand old sport. While neither of us ever depended on harness racing as a means of making a living, we have spent (or in some cases wasted) a lot of time and energy on it. My father was interested and involved with horses of some type his entire life. He owned, bred, raised, showed, traded, farmed and logged with and in later years raced many horses although he was never an active trainer. He loved to go to the races, take in all of the action and excitement and thoroughly enjoyed conversing with the many friends he made over the years. He also wrote the odd piece that appeared in the Canadian Sportsman and even penned a tribute to a close friend about a horse the man owned. I can recall getting it typed for him, and I wish I still had a copy. At a very young age I became interested in harness racing and loved to travel with my Dad not only to the races but also to visit farms, fairgrounds where people trained in those days, and in general anything at all that involved the sport. We talked "horse" all the way there and all the way back, non-stop. My earliest and most vivid memories were centered around our many trips to Batavia Downs, always his favourite spot. He left us an even 50 years ago (Nov. 1970), but his memory is always close at hand. He may not have ticked off all of the boxes of the perfect father but he was special to me. His never knowing what grade I was in nor just exactly when my birthday was didn't bother me in the least. Fathers back then were a little different. I can recall being with my Dad one time at the races when he ran into an old friend and fellow horse owner by the name of John Langford, who hailed from around Chatham or Kent Bridge. They began discussing horses and what current hopefuls they had at the time and undoubtedly how they were progressing. On the subject of breeding your own horses Mr. Langford said "I'm about through with raising my own, you have to take what you get, you don't get to choose." My father replied, "Isn't that what your parents did?" And so it is with life. My father had a pretty good sense of humor, remembered a lot of interesting things and didn't mind telling the odd old story. Maybe the apple didn't fall too far from the tree! All You Fathers, Enjoy Your Day! Quote For The Week: "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." - Attributed to Abraham Lincoln Who Is It? The number of horse people who followed in the father's footsteps into the business would make an endless list. In fact the roll call for those who didn't would likely be much shorter. In keeping with that theme I have chosen a few father and child photographs for today's photo quiz. Without going on a huge hunt my resources are somewhat limited but I hope the ones I do show will spark some interest. 1 - Who are these two jolly fellows? 2 - This young man and his father go back a very long way. Can you figure them out? (Courtesy of Hambletonian Society) 3 - Father and son on the left receiving a trophy at the Markham Fair. Can you name them? 4 - Father and son on the left are being interviewed for an upcoming story. Can you identify them both? Tell us who the writer is if you know. 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. Public schools should offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) to give students equity of access to an academically rigorous HSC equivalent that has been available only at private schools, an internal NSW Department of Education paper recommends. The paper found the IB diploma's subjects were similar to those in the HSC, but "are generally thought to be more advanced in their depth and breadth", and of a similar standard to first-year university courses. An internal NSW Department of Education report recommends public schools adopt the International Baccalaureate. Credit:Janie Barrett Offering it would "help attract and retain families of bright students in the public school system", says the proposal to education executives from the department's Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE). Unlike its Victorian and Queensland counterparts, the NSW public school system does not offer the IB diploma, so it is available only to students at 22 private schools, such as Cranbrook, Ravenswood and St Andrew's Cathedral School. Whatever one thinks of Attorney General William Barr, even his detractors have generally agreed on something: He's a shrewd, calculating political operator. The events of this weekend would sure seem to undermine that image. Barr's halting, problematic effort to remove the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey Berman, appears to have reached its conclusion. Berman signaled Saturday that he will step aside after Barr notified him that President Donald Trump had fired him. But getting to that point required a series of missteps - and the outcome is apparently far from what Barr desired. Essentially, here's what happened over the course of 24 hours between Friday night and Saturday evening: 1. Barr said in a Friday night news dump that Berman was stepping down and that Barr would install both a new acting U.S. attorney and nominate a new full-time one to be confirmed by the Senate. This was problematic because Berman is the man who has investigated Trump allies - including currently Rudy Giuliani - and has named Trump as something amounting to an unindicted co-conspirator in the Michael Cohen campaign finance case. 2. But then Berman issued a highly unusual statement saying he had not actually resigned. In the statement, Berman conspicuously noted that he would continue to pursue his current investigations - perhaps suggesting Barr was seeking to undermine those probes. 3. Given it's not at all clear Barr actually had the authority to remove Berman, Barr on Saturday afternoon sent him a letter saying that the man who did - Trump - had now fired him. 4. Trump soon seemed to dispute this, saying Saturday afternoon that he was "not involved" and that it was Barr's call. 5. Despite the apparent confusion, Berman said he was stepping aside. On the surface, Barr seems to have gotten what he desired: Berman out. But the outcome was hardly what Barr sought. And the series of events leads to all kinds of questions about precisely what Barr was aiming for. First, because Berman didn't voluntarily step aside and forced Trump to fire him, Barr can't install the people he wanted. So while Barr said Friday night that he was installing another U.S. attorney, Craig Carpenito, as the acting head of SDNY, it now automatically falls to Berman's deputy, Audrey Strauss. And second, it's not at all clear when Barr will be able to eventually replace Strauss. He had announced Friday night that the full-time replacement would be Jay Clayton, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. But Clayton drew apprehension even from Republicans, given his dearth of experience as a prosecutor. And then Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a statement Saturday that he would abide by the tradition of allowing home-state senators to veto a U.S. attorney nominee, which is something Sens. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., quickly did with Clayton. So instead of getting Carpentino and then Clayton, Barr has now gotten Strauss. And as The Washington Post's Colby Itkowitz reports, Strauss wouldn't seem an ideal replacement if the intent was to stifle investigations or shift the course of SDNY. She's known as a tough, no-fear-or-favor prosecutor - someone who has defeated none other than Trump's mentor, Roy Cohn, in a mob prosecution. It's much easier to see Strauss being loyal to Berman and the investigations they had been pursuing than someone else. But beyond the outcome, there is how all this went down. Barr has now made something that already looked problematic reek - yet again - of the politicization of the Justice Department. His first apparent misstep was in announcing that Berman had stepped down when he hadn't. There are basically two options here: Either Barr somehow inexplicably messed the whole thing up, or he lied about what happened in hopes that Berman would comply and step aside. If it was the former, wow, that's incompetent. If it was the later, wow, that was a miscalculation. The second misstep, though, might be the biggest takeaway in all of this: what he offered Berman. Sources have told The Post and others that Barr didn't just ask Berman to step aside, but he actually offered him another job - the head of the Justice Department's Civil Division - to entice him. That's a massive job, which is why Barr might have thought it would work. But that also pretty much negates the possibility that Berman's removal was because of job performance issues. (Democrats have floated having Berman testify, at which point he could shed light on any such offers under oath.) And if Berman wasn't pushed aside because of job performance issues, than what might this all have been about? It becomes very difficult to completely separate this from the investigations he was pursuing. That could be because they were ones Barr simply didn't like, or it could be that they were the ones involving Trump's allies and interests - not to mention the fact that Berman would be the one who could ostensibly charge Trump in Cohen's campaign-finance scheme once he's out of office, possibly as soon as in seven months if he loses re-election this fall. Regardless of whether this was spurred by Barr or Trump, this is the attorney general meddling in what has traditionally been a very independent and aggressive office - often dubbed the "Sovereign District of New York" - and doing so while implicitly acknowledging the U.S. attorney is a very capable prosecutor. The easier play would have been having Trump fire Berman from the beginning. But Barr seemed to want to avoid that course, perhaps given how obviously problematic it would look and given that would mean he wouldn't get to immediately pick Berman's replacement. So he tried a workaround. And it didn't work - or at least, not like Barr had apparently hoped. Officers pile up PPE and cleaning gear donated by Lenco Industries earlier this spring. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Pittsfield Police Department was hit hard by the novel coronavirus this spring, particularly the command staff. Police Chief Michael Wynn told the Police Review and Advisory Board on Tuesday that department had to deal with multiple cases within its ranks. "I can say that the last few months have not been by any means easy on the department," he said. The department went into the pandemic with six confirmed cases simultaneously. Three of them were senior members of the command staff. Wynn said exigent plans were being made before emergency declarations were announced in March. "We kind of recognized that this was coming and that we had to have a plan in place for it," Wynn said. Detective Bureau Commander Captain Mark Trapani had told investigative personnel to pack up and leave and not come back until called upon. "It got pretty scary," Wynn said. "We were working remotely and after about 10 days, we realized we were in trouble and we were not going to be able to sustain the force." He said those remaining were split into two teams who rotated seven days on and seven days off. Those who showed symptoms were told to leave the station and isolate. There also was a group of officers whose spouses or partners are in health care, which compounded the problem. "It was a double whammy," he said. "We had three families where everybody was sick at the same time. Some of our people were real sick." Wynn speculated that the coronavirus could have been picked up in New York, which became a hot spot during the pandemic. Twelve days before COVID-19 was detected in the county, he returned from New York with other members of the force. After the FBI training, he held a command meeting in his office with around 10 colleagues. "That is when the command started developing symptoms," he said. Wynn said they saw the writing on the wall and began stockpiling personal protective equipment immediately. "We did some interesting things ... really early on when PPE was hard to come by, we went down with my department credit card and we cleaned out Home Depot," he said. "We put a call into Carr Hardware and went on Amazon." He said they joined with emergency operations centers throughout the county and leveraged county resources. The department also received a $25,000 grant from the Berkshire County Emergency COVID Fund and was eligible for federal reimbursement. Add with another U.S. Justice Department grant, the department paid very little out of pocket for PPE. At the station, officers leave and enter through the same egress and everything is cleaned regularly. Access to the public has been limited. "We felt bad. We were still open but we had to isolate," he said. "We had to turn people away. A lot of people from the community with food who wanted to support us." Officers carry extra masks as well as gloves, eye protection, and hand sanitizer. The department has also accelerated access to testing. He said the force's protective measures seem to be working and they have gone several weeks without officers showing symptoms. "At the end of the six weeks, a lot of them didn't want to go back," he said. "They got more quality time with their families than most of them will see in their careers." Mayor Linda Tyer said they are in continued contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and have sufficiently stockpiled PPE in the city. She said although there seems to be a slight lull in COVID-19 cases as the city begins to open back up, they are ready at any time to increase protective measures. The city has recorded 172 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five deaths; there are currently 27 active cases in the city and 140 recoveries. Nearly 4,000 tests have been administered to Pittsfield residents. "We all feel at the moment we can catch our breath," Tyer said. "... But we also feel confident that we have the foundation and structure in place where we can immediately go back into mitigation and control efforts." Jim Bridger was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1804. Soon after, his family moved to St. Louis where in 1822, Bridger, then a blacksmiths apprentice, decided to join a fur trade expedition bound for the Missouri River. During his adventures in the American West, Bridger would be among one of the first European-Americans to witness the wonders of Yellowstone. Bridger was known to stretch the truth, as was made clear by many of his tales regarding the Yellowstone wilderness. While Yellowstone is truly indescribable, Bridger often presented the region as a place of mystery and magic which, of course, did nothing to help convince anyone of Yellowstones existence. For example, Bridger once described a petrified forest in Yellowstone that was home to petrified birds that sang petrified songs. Bridger would also tell a tale of his hunt of a bull elk near what today is known as Obsidian Cliff. According to Bridger, every shot he fired at the elk caused not even the slightest movement. Eventually, he crept up on the elk and raised his rifle like a club, only to collide with a mountain of clear glass that was not only impenetrable but also acted as a lens, causing the elk to appear just a few feet from him when, in reality, it was miles away. So how did Bridger ever find any food in the Yellowstone wilderness? He had an answer for that, too. According to Bridger, there existed a lake of cool, trout-filled waters capped by a layer of hot water introduced from a nearby hot spring. When he needed a quick meal, Bridger would catch a trout and reel it in slowly, allowing time for it to cook as it passed through the overlying hot water. This actually may not be far off from the truth, as there are many areas in the park today where thermal features and trout-filled waters exist in close proximity. Bridger would also tell of his favorite camping spot in Yellowstone, which was within sight of a great flat-faced mountain. The mountain was so far away that, according to Bridger, the echo from any sound in camp did not return for six hours. Every night before bed Bridger would yell out time to get up in the direction of the mountain and sure enough his voice would return to him in the early morning just when he needed to start the day. Although known for his exaggerations, at least one of Bridgers tales turned out to be true. On one expedition, Bridger found himself south of the park in the Jackson Hole valley where he stumbled upon a fork in a mountain stream. At this fork, Bridger explained, fish swam across the continental divide. Today, this region is known as North Two Ocean Creek, a small stream in the Bridger-Teton National Forest that divides into the Pacific Creek, which joins the Snake River, and the Atlantic Creek, which joins the Yellowstone River. He often stretched the truth, but Bridgers stories certainly painted a vivid picture of the Yellowstone region, exciting generations of travelers. The passing of over 150 years has done nothing to dull the magic and spectacle of Yellowstone, which remains difficult to believe even when standing next to the same roaring geysers and mountains of glass that Bridger experienced. Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This weeks contribution is from Cole Messa, Ph.D. student and Professor Ken Sims, both in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 THE LIGHTS are off in one Limerick city tanning salon after gardai closed it down but sun worshippers wont have to wait too long to get their bronze glow. It is understood they prematurely reopened for business two weeks ago with people queuing around the corner. The Limerick Leader learned that gardai arrived one day last week and turned up the heat on its proprietors. A garda spokesperson said An Garda Siochana do not comment on named businesses or organisations. However, I can confirm that gardai spoke to the owner of a business in Limerick city on June 15 regarding government regulations and they were asked to cease trading. The owner complied and no further action was required, said the garda spokesperson. The business put up a post on their Facebook page to say they were closed with the message see you soon all customers. The actions of the gardai was not met with universal approval judging by some of the comments on the tanning salon's Facebook page. When are ye reopening? Raging now, was delighted when it opened. That is a pity now, said one. However, the following news will put their clients in a sunnier disposition. A post went up on their Facebook page on Saturday which reads, We have fantastic news for our customers. We reopen officially, 100%, on Monday, June 29, in normal opening hours. See you soon. Brilliant. Happy days, said one person under the post. While another commented: I'm counting down (the days). Roll on June 29. On Friday, the Cabinet approved plans to accelerate Irelands exit from restriction. Apart from some exceptions, many businesses and activities will return from June 29 including places of worship, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and sporting activities. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Enrique Lamadrid knew the fight was not over. When the city of Albuquerque decided 20 years ago to include conquistador Juan de Onate in its La Jornada memorial despite objections from the Native American community, Lamadrid sensed future trouble. We knew it was a bomb. We knew it was a land mine, and we knew someone was going to step on it in the future, said Lamadrid, an emeritus professor of Spanish at the University of New Mexico who was part of a city commission in the late 1990s that planned the sculpture. The outcry from decades ago resurfaced this month amid a national movement that has expelled Confederate monuments and statues of oppressive figures. For the first time, officials say, the local Onate debate grew violent. Last week, protesters flocked to the bronze Onate sculpture outside the Albuquerque Museum for a gathering that also attracted heavily armed members of a self-described civilian militia. Tensions flared as protesters tried to topple the statue. The event devolved into chaos when one man was critically injured by gunfire and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The city removed the Onate sculpture the next morning but has no long-term plan, joining the ranks of American communities and public institutions facing decisions about how to recognize a history marred by violence and injustice. Albuquerque Cultural Services Director Shelle Sanchez said the sculptures removal is only a temporary solution. We have to move together as a community to find the best solution for our community, she said. Nationwide debate The debate comes amid national unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Protests against police brutality and systemic racism have renewed calls to remove public monuments to Confederate leaders who fought to preserve slavery. In New Mexico, the movement has intensified long-standing criticism about the public representations of conquerors such as Onate, who settled New Mexico for Spain in the late 16th century. Though celebrated by some, his reign was marked by violence and the deaths of hundreds at Acoma Pueblo. After attacking the pueblo, Onate is said to have ordered the right foot cut off of all 24 men over age 25 who lived, and he forced many survivors into servitude. The Spanish government ultimately banned Onate from New Mexico for his excessive force and other crimes. Lamadrid, an expert of New Mexican culture, said using such divisive historic figures is unnecessary. Onate, for example, came to New Mexico more than 400 years ago but has been commonly memorialized throughout the Rio Grande Valley only for about the past 30 years, he said. If you want a hero, theres plenty of heroes. Its really too bad that Onate became inscribed on the map of cultural identity of so many New Mexicans, Lamadrid said. Its very divisive. Its painful to see that division in our Hispanic community. The city of Albuquerque is not the only entity dealing with the backlash for its nods to Spanish colonizers. Planned protests prompted Rio Arriba County last week to remove its Onate monument at Alcalde for safekeeping. Albuquerque kindergarten teacher Cristian Villa is calling for a name change at Onate Elementary School in Albuquerque and hes not alone. Albuquerque Public Schools had about a dozen emails urging the same, school district spokeswoman Monica Armenta said. I dont understand why youd immortalize such an awful human being, said Villa, a teacher at Marie M. Hughes Elementary School. Santa Fe last week removed a statue of Diego de Vargas, who led the resettlement of New Mexico in 1692, with plans to use community input to determine its long-term fate. Mayor Alan Webber has said he supports taking down the statue and a pair of obelisks over concerns they perpetuate institutional racism against Native Americans. The University of New Mexico, meanwhile, continues a yearslong effort to modify its seal and address some high-profile murals many have long decried as problematic. Listening, learning At Albuquerque Public Schools, a procedure exists for potential school name changes, Superintendent Raquel Reedy said. Under an existing directive, the Board of Education can consider a change if a majority of members believe there is a compelling reason to do so, and Reedy said the process includes seeking community input. We hear our communitys concerns, Reedy said. Schools named after historical, famous or local persons must reflect individuals our students can look up to, admire and emulate. As other institutions seek solutions to criticism about monuments, public art, buildings and more, many say soliciting extensive feedback is key. There really needs to be a back-and-forth, a real conversation and deep, deep listening and learning, New Mexico Arts Executive Director Michelle Laflamme-Childs said. But deciding when and how to open such a process is not an exact science. Is one complaint enough to begin exploring changes or would the opposition need to reach some kind of critical mass? As of right now, removing artwork funded with state money technically requires five years of sustained community complaints and a vote by the New Mexico Arts Commission, Laflamme-Childs said. But that process is generally only invoked due to concerns about artworks age and deteriorating condition, she said; she has not seen a state-funded piece draw criticism on more sociological grounds. I dont know if something was clearly problematic (in that vein), Im sure that could be addressed in a different way, she said. At UNM, change is often a long, painstaking process because of the dialogue. But officials say that is beneficial. It has been about five years since UNM started fashioning a new seal the official emblem stamped on diplomas. At the time the insignia depicted a frontiersman and a conquistador, which Native American groups on campus said was insensitive. The UNM regents and president should finally pick a new seal this fall after years of using the universitys corporate logo as a stand-in, said Assata Zerai, the universitys vice president for equity and inclusion. I do know that change at institutions is slow. It takes buy-in. This is an educational institution. Its about not just an edict that were going to change it,' Zerai said. Its really important to bring people along and bring culture along. You dont want to create a backlash because people werent brought along and educated through the process. UNMs conversations include more than the seal. There are plans to make changes to the Three Peoples murals in Zimmerman Library, which some contend are racist. And its possible that buildings named after Onate and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado will be renamed, Zerai said. Sanchez, with city Cultural Services, said she still wants to go through a community process to decide the ultimate fate of the Onate sculpture, which is now being stored. She envisions an autonomous council with people of different perspectives and backgrounds who could make recommendations to the decision-makers in government. She said the effort dubbed The Race, History, and Healing Project could serve as a model when related issues arise in the city and also yield more interesting ideas. We go in believing that there might be very creative re-imagining solutions that might move beyond a binary choice of take it down or leave it,' she said. If you imbue the community with the power to problem-solve, there might be a solution we could come to together that none of us can see right now. But Sanchez acknowledged that results might take at least a few months to achieve. Timeout Tom Chavez, former director of the New Mexico History Museum and the National Hispanic Cultural Center, agrees that now is the time for serious reflection. While he called protesting Onate a perfectly legitimate point of view and does not defend the conquistador, he worries about the larger implications of the current anti-Onate discourse. He said it has undertones of prejudice toward New Mexicos Hispanics and he sees the La Jornada sculpture which features several other adult and child settlers and animals as an homage to the people who came here and settled and survived, and who represent most of the people who are here today. Chavez questioned how protesters might deal with the Washington, D.C., statue of Popay, honoring the Tewa religious leader from Ohkay Owingeh who organized the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, in which hundreds of Spanish settlers were killed. With so much to consider, he contends everybody should take a timeout. We need to think about all of this, Chavez said. And once everyone has stopped to take a breath, maybe we can come together and talk and be reasonable, rather than emotional, and come to some sort of solution. Others say there is not much to debate. Ed Romero, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, flatly disagrees with removing sculptures or monuments that he sees as symbols of his and many others Spanish ancestry. Im opposed to it because its an affront to history, he said. When it comes to Onate and being appalled by what hes accused of doing, thats one thing, but removing history is another thing. Should we take down the Washington Monument because Washington was one of the biggest slave holders of his time? Melanie Yazzie, meanwhile, sees no way to salvage La Jornada. An assistant professor of Native American Studies and American Studies at UNM and a member of The Red Nation, an organization advocating for Native American rights, Yazzie said monuments to conquests of the past keep such a mindset in the present. The way history is narrated, she said, matters. The version of history told through monuments to Spanish settlement is a version that aligns itself with the conquerers and is the story that the conquerers tell about the Native people and the founding of this nation, Yazzie said. That version of history needs to be challenged at all turns. Its a version of history that erases the truth and erases Native perspectives. One way to challenge that is pressing for the removal of these monuments and sculptures, which she said activists have already done for years. But its not just about taking down monuments, Yazzie said. Its about this being a window or a gateway into a larger conversation about history, no matter how difficult that conversation is, and a conversation about material reparations, she said. Yazzie, who is Navajo, blames the pre-existing conditions of colonialism for setting the stage for the current COVID-19 health crisis on Navajo Nation, which has one of the highest infection rates anywhere. Theres a reason that exists and its because of colonialism and the persistent impoverishment it has created for our people, she said. Colonialism has not ended, it just has a new face in this day and age. Michael Chavarria, governor of Santa Clara Pueblo and chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, said the time has come for a dialogue well beyond the framework of monuments and artwork. The Albuquerque sculpture and the Alcalde monument were erected despite pleas from Native Americans, a symptom of a much bigger problem, he said. While Chavarria is glad they have been taken down, he said it does not resolve the lack of respect shown by putting them up in the first place. Native people here are still living with racism, and the only way to prevent these situations from occurring in the future is to offer a seat at the table to all the stakeholders, including elected officials and leaders from all communities, so they can openly and mutually discuss issues, intentions and goals, he said. Otherwise, it will keep happening, Chavarria said. New Mexico is a multicultural state, so we have to live and learn together. Shelby Perea contributed to this report. CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella has ordered an investigation on what happened to 17,000 donated dressed chickens. This, after opposition City Councilor Joy Augustus Young asked the executive department how the chickens donated by a Thai company were distributed. Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President and Kasambagan Barangay Captain Franklyn Ong said in a presser on Friday, June 19, 2020, that he already distributed the 20,000 live chickens that were donated to the barangay captains. Young learned that after the ABC received the 20,000 live chickens, the same Thai company donated 17,000 dressed chickens to the City. Labella said he heard about the issue, but he said he had no further knowledge about it. I will have that investigated, he said. Young said he learned that the 17,000 dressed chickens were distributed to the barangays through the Mayors Information and Liaison Offices (Milos). In a privilege speech on May 29, 2020, Young said he received a number of inquiries from residents on how they could avail themselves of the chickens. Since last week, I have received several inquiries from some people through texts and Messenger if they will be included and on how they can avail themselves of the chickens. But it seems nobody in City Hall can give me a categorical answer about the donation. To this date, no resolution for the deed of donation which could possibly amount to P1.5 million has been passed with the council. No press release has been made, so on and so forth, Young said. But in my inquiry, I gathered that Milo has been selling dressed chickens in the last few weeks. Are these the same chickens that we are talking about? Young asked. According to a Bzzzzz article of SunStar Cebu, Yody Sanchez, Milo head in Barangay Busay, denied they were selling donated chickens. Sanchez, instead, reposted the ABCs Facebook post containing its thank you note to the donor. He then asked Young to also look into the 20,000 live chickens and their recipients. Story continues Basin gibaligya pud (Maybe these were also sold), Sanchez said. But Young said he only knew of Milos in barangays in the downtown area that were selling dressed chickens. As for the ABC, Ong said he does not know what the barangay captains did to the live chickens after he turned these over to them. Ong said there was no condition set on how the barangay captains should allocate the chickens. It was their prerogative whether they give it to the barangay frontliners or to the residents, he said. Ong said the 80 barangay captains also signed an acknowledgment paper, showing they already received the donation. Young said he did not question the chicken donation to the ABC because there are documents to prove the turnover, unlike in the 17,000 dressed chickens. The City Council has asked the Department of Social Welfare and Services and the mayors office for a report about the donations. The council also asked the Office of the City Secretariat to inquire about the donations and ask for the documents, such as delivery receipt and letters, among others. Ong said the 20,000 live chickens were donated by the CP Food Philippines Corp. last May 13. The chickens distributed to the barangays on May 14 and May 15. Ong received the donation through an ABC resolution, authorizing him to accept the deed of donation. The ABC took charge of the trucking, hauling and dressing of the 20,000 chickens, he said. Ong said the number of dressed chickens distributed to the barangays depended on the barangays population, he said. The chicken entrails were given to the Cebu City Jail, he said. (JJL) Cleaning closets, garages and basements seems to be a common pandemic activity, but what to do with all the unwanted articles? Vinnies is accepting good, gently used items, but due to the generosity of many donors, they had to take a week off from accepting donations so they could catch up. The thrift shop will be ready to receive donations again beginning Wednesday. Drop-offs will be accepted Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the 799 Erskine Avenue location only. Acceptable items include gently used clothing, household goods, electrical appliances in good repair, bicycles and furniture. For further information call 705-742-2585. Both the Erskine location and the Lakefield store, located at 144 Queen St., Unit 1, are open. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The George Street location is closed until further notice. All money raised at Vinnies stores goes toward the Food Pantry food bank, that helped over 20,000 families in the community last year. Vinnies also accepts monetary donations. To make a donation online visit vinnies.ca and click on the donate button. PayPal and major credit cards are accepted and a tax receipt, if applicable, will be mailed to you. Fairhaven Zooms With the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become expert Zoom users, utilizing the video conferencing software platform for everything from work meetings and concerts to family gatherings and birthday parties. And it is no different for some Fairhaven residents. Staff there have assisted residents to celebrate birthdays on Zoom with family members, and other residents have utilized the platform for their volunteer work. Residents sit on Boards and Committees in the community and they needed to participate in the meetings, says Jennifer Baro, Fairhaven Executive Assistant. One such expert is Joe Sullivan who sits on the Fairhaven Foundation Board and regularly participates in the board meetings via Zoom. Its important for residents to continue to stay involved in committees they are members of as the work still continues, Baro says. Giving Challenge There is still time to participate in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge and help the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR.). This challenge, a virtual fundraising contest runs through June 30. Charities providing essential services across Canada are facing fundraising shortfalls and a number of operational challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is a national contest to benefit registered Canadian charities through Canada Helps, states a release for the event. Every $1 that is donated during the contest will automatically enter the CMHA HKPR to win an additional $20,000 donation. The grand prize draw will be drawn July 1, Canada Day, with one lucky charity receiving the $20,000. This prize has been doubled this year due to COVID-19 and the impact it has had on the charitable sector. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted our community greatly and individuals with a pre-existing mental-health concern are particularly vulnerable during this time. CMHA HKPR is working to meet the evolving needs of clients by continuing to provide essential mental-health programming and services. Funds raised from the Great Canadian Giving Challenge will support us in continuing to work towards mental health for all in the communities we serve, the release says. Donations can be made by visiting the Canada helps website at CanadaHelps.org (search for Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Ridge) or by visiting the CMHA HKPR website at cmhahkpr.ca/donate and using the Canada Helps form. Join archeologists on a quest to find the final resting place of Egypts most famous queen in the new Science Channel special Cleopatra: Sex, Lies And Secrets, tonight, Sunday, June 21, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Science Channel. You can also stream the two-hour special as an add-on to fuboTV (7-day free trial). Her name conjures images of seductive beauty and power, but the woman behind the myth remains cloaked in mystery. Now Egyptophiles can travel to the Nile delta with a team of experts, where a massive exploration is underway at Taposiris Magna, a honeycomb of hidden passages and 2,000-year-old subterranean tombs that may well be the final resting place of Cleopatra. Find out how careful research and cutting-edge technology are unraveling clues and shedding new light on the fabled pharaohs life. Where can I find Science Channel? You can find Science Channel by using the channel finders here: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish. Where can I watch Cleopatra: Sex, Lies And Secrets if I dont have cable? Fans can live stream it as an add-on to fuboTV (7-day free trial, then $54.99/month). FuboTV is a streaming service that offers access to your favorite TV shows, live sports events and much more. Julian Assange's fiancee has lifted the lid on how she managed to have two children with the WikiLeaks founder while he was holed up inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London. South African-born lawyer Stella Morris, 37, fell in love with Assange, 48, in 2015 while visiting him to work on a legal bid to halt his extradition to the U.S. Assange faces espionage charges over the leaking of hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. intelligence documents. Gabriel, three, and his brother Max, one, were conceived while Assange was hiding out in the Ecuadorian embassy, where he was granted political asylum in 2012 until last April when he was dragged out and taken to prison. Ms Morris said she felt 'fortunate' to have met Assange, who 'had changed the world with Wikileaks'. South African-born lawyer Stella Morris, 37, fell in love with Assange, 48, in 2015 while visiting him to work on a legal bid to halt his extradition to America South African-born lawyer Stella Morris (right) fell in love with the controversial WikiLeaks founder five years ago while visiting him to work on a legal bid to halt the extraditions. The couple have been engaged since 2017 Ms Morris revealed she and Assange recruited their friend, British actor Stephen Hu, to pose as the children's father so as to not arouse suspicion. Pictured: Mr Hu with Gabriel entering the embassy 'We grew closer and became friends and watched movies together and I just loved spending time with him. It was very romantic and cautious and very sweet,' she told 60 Minutes on Sunday night. 'It wasn't easy but when you're with someone you love you can make impossible situations possible.' When Gabriel was conceived in 2016, Assange had been inside the embassy for four years and was thought to be under constant surveillance by American security services. But Ms Morris said she and Assange - who became engaged in 2017 - conceived both their sons in rooms of the embassy that didn't have CCTV cameras. 'Julian had private spaces, his bedroom and office had no cameras,' she said. Julian Assange secretly fathered two sons while holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Pictured: The WikiLeaks founder with first son Gabriel 'But when I got pregnant the first time there were microphones everywhere, so I had to write it down on a piece of paper to tell him. 'We loved each other, and we wanted to start a family. All these other circumstances would change but that was a certainty. I got pregnant and we were over the moon,' she said. Ms Morris was able to hide both her pregnancies from authorities and the media, who still weren't privy to any romantic relationship between the pair. 'I just piled on layers [of clothes] and complained about getting fat to hide it,' she said. At the time, Assange was also wanted in Sweden where he was accused of rape. He has always denied the sex allegations, which have now been dropped. In another revelation, Ms Morris revealed she and Assange recruited their friend, British actor Stephen Hu, to pose as the childrens' father to avoid suspicion. Mr Hue would regularly bring Gabriel and Max to the embassy to visit Assange where they would keep up the ruse the actor was the toddlers' father. Ms Morris was also careful to never arrive to the consulate at the same time as Mr Hu. 'It was mainly a security concern and that's why we went to extreme measures of trying to not expose my pregnancy. You don't take these steps lightly,' she said. '[We brought in] Gabriel to the embassy with Stephen who would pose as the father just so Julian would be able to see his son regularly.' But security staff were still skeptical of Mr Hu, prompting an investigation and the creation of a dossier of their findings. The mother-of-two also claimed a security company working for the CIA in the embassy had plans to steal Gabriel's nappy for DNA testing to prove Assange's paternity. 'They had instructions to steal Gabriel's nappy in order to establish that Julian was the father in a bid to hurt Julian,' she said. Ms Morris was tipped off by whistleblowers who worked for the company of the plan to run DNA tests on the toddler's nappy and dummy. Ms Morris said she has been living in 'a permanent state of fear for years' following the incident. Julian Assange pictured as he is led out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in handcuffs following his sensational arrest by British police in April 2019 Assange is currently being held at Belmarsh prison (pictured above) which has housed some of the UK's most notorious prisoners 'The real issue was I thought that our family would be targeted by the same people that were trying to harm Julian,' she said. It's alleged that recordings of Assange's conversations with his doctors and lawyers were sent back to U.S. authorities to strengthen their extradition case. According to the security firm whistleblowers, there were plots to forcibly remove Assange from the embassy and poison him. 'I think it's hard for people to understand that such lawlessness is possible,' Ms Morris said. 'There's incredible criminality that has been going on in order to gather information about Julian's lawyers, and his family, and journalists who were visiting him. 'I've been in a permanent state of fear for years and now it's slowly playing out.' Ms Morris also addressed her fiance's unexpected friendship with actress-turned-activist Pamela Anderson, who visited Assange at the embassy several times. 'Julian and her were good friends and shes been an incredible advocate for him and for that I'm very grateful,' Ms Morris said. Assange failed to appear via video link for his most recent court matter in London's Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month. Pictured: Assange arriving at court last year Ms Morris pleaded for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to step in and help free Assange - who was born in Townsville - from Belmarsh maximum security prison in London. Assange has been at the notoriously tough jail since April last year, after he was dragged out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London following seven years of political asylum granted. 'I'd like to ask Scott Morrison to do everything he can to get Julian back to his family,' Ms Morris said. 'If Australia doesn't step in I'm very fearful this wrong won't be righted. It's a nightmare. 'He's very unwell and I'm very concerned about his ability to survive this. He's not a criminal. He's not a dangerous person. He's a gentle intellectual, a thinker.' She said Assange was being kept alone in a tiny room for 23 hours of the day and was 'very depressed'. Ms Morris said she fears her children will have to grow up without a father if he is extradited and sentenced in the U.S. 'I want people to understand that we're being punished as a family. It's not just Julian in the prison. The kids are being deprived of their father. I need Julian and he needs me,' she said. Ms Morris is currently living with extended family in London. Assange is accused of publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic and military files, some of which revealed alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pictured on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in west London on December 20, 2012 She is being supported by Assange's mother Christine Assange and his father John Shipton, who are both delighted by their grandchildren. Mrs Assange has described them as 'bringing joy and light to our darkest hours'. Assange failed to appear via video link for his most recent court matter in London's Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month. His defence team had emailed court that their client had 'had respiratory problems for some time', the court heard. WikiLeaks confirmed Assange had been advised against going to the video conferencing room in Belmarsh prison by his doctors and was at high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to an underlying lung condition. Assange is next scheduled to appear in court on June 29 for a routine call over. Assange is accused of publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic and military files, some of which revealed alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The charges carry a total of 175 years' imprisonment. For the past decade, Assange's legal, political and diplomatic imbroglio has dominated international headlines. Ryan Reynolds is one of the most beloved actors in the world and is famous for his portrayal of Deadpool. His films have often received both critical and audience acclaim. The actor is loved by all and his fans appreciate his raw and witty demeanour which always cracks up his followers on social media. Also read: Ryan Reynolds' Mask For His Deadpool Series Was Made Like This, Watch Reynolds often embraces his 'Merc With A Mouth' persona. This is evident from his Instagram. Take a look at Ryan Reynolds' hilarious Deadpool posts from his Instagram. Also read: Ryan Reynolds' Co-actor In 'Definitely, Maybe' Isla Fishers Other Rom-coms; Here's A List Ryan Reynolds is wishing Hugh Jackman on his 50th birthday in this post. This image is actually from the movie Deadpool 2. A troll to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Both the actors have a strong friendship and often troll each other. "Holy shit, Japan! Best cosplayers on earth. Best place to end the #deadpool2 tour. Im buying an apartment in Tokyo and starting a secret life immediately", the actor wrote when he visited Japan and posted this photo. Reynolds never fails to appreciate talent. Check out more stuff including Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool memes below. Ryan posted this photo of his Deadpool and Burt Reynolds, saying that he is the one who did it first, the pose. "He did it first. And best. And naked. #BurtReynolds", the actor wrote. This is the first time the actor donned the suit. Reynolds looks top-notch in his hot-rod red costume "2015. First time trying on the suit. It was so clean back then. So innocent. We both were. #deadpool2", the actor wrote. In the above picture, the 'merc with a mouth' is seen painting cable (played by Josh Brolin). The joke here is that he actually painted one of the characters played by Josh during the 80s. To be precise, it is from the movie The Goonies (1985). Ryan Reynolds' upcoming movies Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds is set to appear in three upcoming movies. These are Free Guy, The Croods 2, and The Hitmans Wifes Bodyguard. Free Guy, which was supposed to be released sometime in 2020, revolves around a bank teller named Guy who realizes that he is a background character in an open world video game called Free City. 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. You are here: Business The Kangmei Chinese medicinal material price index, a barometer of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) material market, dropped 0.04 percent to 1,279.52 points Sunday. 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. Industry super funds are set to endorse proposals for state and federal governments to release cheap land and offer tax incentives so that retirement funds can invest in affordable housing during the economic recovery. Superannuation firms and community housing groups have been in discussions for 12 months about lobbying the federal government together for subsidies that would make low-cost housing feasible as a long-term investment. Industry super funds and community housing groups are preparing to pitch a government subsidy to Housing Minister Michael Sukkar, in a bid to speed up the delivery of affordable homes. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Industry Super Australia has also been working on a report for the NSW Community Housing Industry Council that will be presented to the state government. The report has not been finalised but its recommendations include offering underutilised state-owned land and tax incentives to super fund investors, said the Industry Super Australia chief economist, Stephen Anthony. New Delhi, June 21 : Actress-entrepreneur and a fitness enthusiast Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been practicing yoga for almost 17 years. She says it has become an essential part of her life and that yoga has changed her life. On International Yoga Day on Sunday, Shilpa told IANS: "Yoga just doesn't change your body, it changes your mind, your perspective on things and when you have a clear perspective you have a clear mind. You think positive things for yourself and others and when you think positive things they manifest so yes it has change my life for the better, there is no denying that." The 45-year-old actress shared that it has become an integral part of her life. "Over the period yoga has become an essential part of my life. You feel peaceful after doing yoga, and peace equals to happiness. It is about body balance and building core strength. "It not only strengthens your body, but also your mind and bones. The alignment of these three aspects of your life make you far more centered, energetic and stronger," she added. Shilpa took to Instagram, where she shared a glimpse from personal ritual with her fans and followers. She captioned it: "Today I've shared a personal ritual with you all. I've been chanting the Shanti Mantra after every yoga session, because it helps me tell the Universe, our guiding force in nature... that I surrender to the will of nature. I accept that I don't know it all and I want to be drawn towards a better existence." "I understand how limited my knowledge is of my own being and ask to be connected to all elements of nature in the way that humans were meant to be." Shilpa pledged to work on bettering herself every day, so she can be of service to all in this lifetime. "How I was intended to be. When this acceptance comes from within, you start realizing the deeper meaning of life. Shared the mantra here along with its meaning. Hoping we can all adopt and follow it as a way of life." The devastated best friend of an 18-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her boyfriend has broken her silence after the accused killer went on a bizarre rant in court. Jordan Brodie Miller, 20, is accused of killing his girlfriend Emerald Wardle at his parents' home in Maitland, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, on Saturday morning. Ms Wardle's friend Cassidy Baker remembered her as a 'kind, fun and loving' person. 'To come home last night and hear what happened to her really, really hurt me,' Ms Baker told Nine News. 'Unfortunately things went a bit too far for my friend Emmy, and it's okay to be able to speak up if you need to talk about anything. 'She'd always make sure that you're okay and check up on you.' Emerald Wardle's friend Cassidy Baker (pictured) remembered her as a 'kind, fun and loving' person after she was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Emerald Wardle, 18, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Jordan Brodie Miller, 20, at his parent's home Mr Miller appeared via video link in Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday charged with Ms Wardle's murder. 'I am a murderer,' Miller repeatedly said into his microphone, The Daily Telegraph reported. 'I wrapped my hands around Emerald Wardle's throat.' He later told the court Emerald was lying down in bed in the moments before her death, before adding that he had stolen her car on the Thursday night prior. His legal aid solicitor Gillian Jewison repeatedly asked her client to remain silent. Miller reportedly again asked the court if he had a legal right to continue talking and wanted to say more. Registrar Steve Mannell eventually asked the court to end the video stream with Miller. Ms Wardle (pictured left) was living with Miller and his parents in Maitland NSW Ms Jewison applied for a suppression order, and said her client's right to a fair trial could be compromised if his in court outbursts were made public. The court also heard there were concerns about Miller's mental health. When emergency services arrived at the scene on Saturday morning, neighbours claimed to have heard a man screaming about 'demons'. According to the Daily Telegraph, the pair had not been dating long but it is understood both Miller and Ms Wardle lived at the property. Police arrived at the property about 1.30am where they allegedly saw Miller standing outside and unarmed. An altercation allegedly ensued between Miller and police before he was arrested. Following his arrest, police entered the home where they found Ms Wardle's dead body. Ms Wardle was found dead at Miller's parent's house (pictured) in Maitland, NSW Police found Ms Wardle's (pictured left) dead body inside the Maitland home Ms Wardle is the 32nd Australian woman tragically lost to murder or manslaughter in 2020. Her friends took to social media expressing their heartache upon hearing the news of her horrific death. 'You didn't deserve this baby girl, your life had only just started and it was taken... I treasure you, I treasure our memories and I'll forever love you Emmy,' one person wrote. 'RIP sweetie you didn't deserve this at all no matter what,' another commented. 'I'm devastated she was a lovely girl and she would wave and say hi. She is one house from me in a very small loving quiet neighbourhood we are all shocked and very sad rip beautiful girl,' someone else wrote. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. The meeting reviewed GICHD projects in 2019 that targeted nearly 50 countries, and introduced some initiatives of online training on issues regarding the settlement of consequences of unexploded ordnance (UXOs) left over from wartime. Addressing the event, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva, thanked GICHD President Barbara Hearings and the council members for their consensus to elect her to the council membership. She said the GICHD has played an active role in mine clearing, especially in managing information, putting forth standards, enhancing national capacity and mitigating risks caused by war-left UXOs to the community. The ambassador expressed her delight at the outcomes of activities and projects of the GICHD in 2019, including two cooperation projects with Vietnamese competent agencies, especially the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC). As one of the countries severely affected by war-left UXOs, Vietnam attaches importance to efforts to deal with their consequences through intensifying the national legal system, and cooperation with international organisations and partners in this regard, including the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) and the GICHD. Mai pledged to work together with the council members to promote collaboration between Vietnamese agencies and the GICHD in the time ahead, focusing on implementing the existing projects and seeking new ones. The German army helps set up coronavirus testing center at Toennies meat factory, Rheda Wiedenbrueck, Germany - KORTE/BUNDESWEHR/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Germanys disease control agency assured the country that it does not expect a new nationwide coronavirus outbreak despite the rate of reproduction rising sharply over the weekend. Both the measurements Germanys Robert Koch Institute (RKI) uses to assess the progress of the coronavirus rose well over the value of one on Saturday. While the 4-day R number, which measures the mean number of people infected by one person, rose to 1.79, the seven-day average - seen as a more reliable indicator of the viruss progress - also rose to 1.55. The RKI explained that a small number of local outbreaks were skewing the results. A nationwide increase in case numbers is not anticipated, the agency stated. Angela Merkel has previously said that it is crucial for Germany to keep the R number below 1 in order to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. The most severe outbreak has hit the western town of Gutersloh, where over 1,000 workers at a slaughterhouse have tested positive for the lung infection within a matter of days. Schools and kindergartens in the 100,000-inhabitant town have already been closed, but local politicians have not ruled out putting the entire town back into lockdown. Armin Laschet, state leader in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the Tonnies slaughterhouse is situated described the outbreak on Saturday as the biggest yet in the state of 18 million people. The chain of infections can still be identified, Mr Laschet said. But if this changes a sweeping lockdown in the region will be necessary. On Sunday Mr Laschet, the frontrunner to take over as leader of Angela Merkels CDU party, was facing increasing pressure from political opponents to act. Berlin and the federal states agreed upon a limit of 50 new infections a week per 100,000 residents. If this limit doesnt come into force in Gutersloh now, when will it be used, said Karl Lauterbach, health spokesman for the Social Democrats. Story continues The Tonnies slaughterhouse has also come in for sustained criticism due to the conditions its employees - many of them eastern Europeans on short term contracts - work and live under. The virus spread quickly among Romanian and Bulgarian workers who are housed in cramped shared accomodation. We can no longer tolerate the fact that people from eastern Europe are being exploited in Germany so that unscrupulous companies make millions in profit, Labour Minister Hubert Heil of the Social Democrats told a local newspaper. The Green party have called for supermarkets to boycott Tonnies, which is the largest slaughterhouse serving Germany's multi-billion euro pork industry. Residents of Gutersloh unconnected with the company have also been caught up in quarantine measures. Fire services on Saturday erected fences around residential areas where company employees are housed, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. Some 670 people have now been fenced in. How many work for Tonnies is unclear. The practise of putting entire buildings under quarantine regardless of whether residents have the virus caused serious violence in another region of Germany at the weekend. Soldiers take coronavirus tests from workers at the Toennies meat factory in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, western Germany - KORTE/BUNDESWEHR/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock In Gottingen police had to quell violent unrest on Saturday in a high rise building that had been placed under quarantine earlier in the week. Initial reports suggest that residents had gathered at a fence that had been erected to cordon the building off and were attempting to break out. Police could only prevent people from breaking out via "the sustained usage of teargas," a spokesperson said. Residents reportedly threw tyres, pipes, computers and other objects at officers, injuring eight in the process. City authorities have been criticized for quarantining the entire building, which is situated in a poor part of town, despite less than a fifth of the residents having tested positive for the virus. As many as six people are said to live in one-bedroom apartments in the house. There are stark regional differences in the spread of the disease in Germany. While it has virtually disappeared from the north, the densely populated west continues to see more cases. New York, US (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General has appealed for calm in Mali, following protests in the capital, Bamako, on Friday, a UN statement has said System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
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Aside from bearing the unique flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande, the city also bears flags showcasing the citys changing sovereignty which includes that of Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States, which has been held since 1865. Out of these, the sixth flag is the one broiled in controversy as many point out that it is a continued stain of slavery, and the negative history associated with the Confederacy supports the prohibition of liberating Black Americans. Although the Confederate States of America was in favor of slavery, it must be noted that not all Confederate flags are the same and that the current flag in the citys official logo is not the one used by white supremacists. The one that a lot of people recognize the most, the one that the white supremacists carry around is the battle flag, which is not the flag of the Confederate government, Webb County Heritage Foundation Executive Director Margarita Araiza said. Araiza notes there were various versions of the flag. One was used for governmental purposes and another for battle purposes. The battle flag, which is the one with racist undertones, is seldom used around the country and city. The one to take down would be the battle flag, even though it frankly has been taken down in most places, and just use the other one which I believe is more historically accurate, Araiza said. However, most people wouldnt even be able to recognize the differences between these flags, which is the one here and in many places, and in the current logo of the city. Nobody here is really showing the rebel flag; however, the rebel flag is on the floor in the Laredo International Airport, and that one I believe should be removed and replaced with something else. READ MORE: Laredo siblings share how DACA helped their lives She believes the idea of highlighting that flag was never a good idea. Araiza also said she believes putting flags on the floor is also not a good idea as many people view it wrong to step over their national flags. Araiza believes the concept is strange as it makes people coming from other areas step on their own flag as there are not many places around the country that have such design, which many people find offensive as there are many protocols on how to treat flags. She points out that one of the most important protocols for all countries concerning their flag is that they must never touch the floor, and the airport does the complete opposite with its current design. Although she does not state what she believes the airport should do in efforts of correcting this mistake, she does point out that the current Confederate flag in the airport is not the correct one to show as it resembles the one mainly used in battle during the Civil War and by white supremacists, and the airport should consider replacing it. Thats the one we should be concerned about and, if people want to take those down, then it is a good idea as there are not many of that version around town and it is pretty offensive to not just Black Americans but all kinds of people and what it resembles, Araiza said. Although the Confederacy flag currently used in the Laredo logo and elsewhere around the city is not the official flag, it is the one often most used to represent the Confederate government and not a symbol of hate but rather one of history. Thus, Araiza believes people should learn more about the history of each flag and how each represents a unique time of Laredo history. The other flags of Laredo only add to the citys remarkable history such as the Spanish flag, which is the longest that the city was held spanning almost 300 years from 1519 to 1821 with only five years of being interrupted when the French claimed the area. The Spanish flag is important as it marked the existence of the state of Texas and it is the mother country of the city. The France flag is flown in the city as for five years, from 1685 to 1690, French settlers claimed parts of Texas, including Laredo, but failed to settle permanently in the area. They had better luck doing so in the east in present-day Louisiana. READ MORE: Laredo confirms 20 coronavirus cases, ending record week of positives Araiza said it is interesting that many people want the Confederate flag to be taken down for its ties with slavery when in reality the colonial power flags of Spain and France also have ties with slavery but are met with little controversy. When you think about it, a lot of our flags were from colonial powers, the early flags, and those were entities that also supported in the slave trade, so the Confederate flag is one, but there were countries and governments all around the world that engaged in this terrible trade of people, Araiza said. The third flag ever worn by Laredo is that of Mexico as the Republic of Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. However, the reign of this flag would be short-lived as just about 15 years later Mexicos dominance of the state and city was taken away when Texas Anglo settlers fought for independence as well. As a republic itself, the Republic of Texas became the fourth flag to be flown for the city as Texas survived as a country by itself for nine years until it became annexed by the United States. The fifth flag that the city held is one of the most unique and impressive. It was because for a brief 10 months, the city was a country itself that was composed of present-day Laredo and other small parts of Texas, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon as well. However, the republic was short-lived as it was squashed by Mexican centralists towards the end of 1840. The sixth and seventh flags are both American as the Confederate United States of America flag was flown when the state seceded from the Union in defiance to what the Union believed, and the city and state have always flown the American flag since 1865 once the state was readmitted back to the Union and the United States when the state became annexed in 1845. Araiza points out that learning about history helps people not just to avoid repeating the same mistakes of the past but also to become more knowledgeable about the symbols and epochs. It also helps in the discovery of things that one would not know without reading about the past, whether Laredo was on the right side of history or not, what the history of the city is and means. She invites everyone to the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and the Border Heritage Museum from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or to visit the Webb County Heritage Foundation website to learn more about the history of the city at webbheritage.org/museums/villa-antigua-border-heritage-museum. By Brian Regal Is removing a statue erasing history? No, it is not erasing history, because statues are mythology, not history. Mythology is a way of remembering the past that tries to avoid the messy reality and give us only images we like. I fix mythology for a living. Its part of what I do as a historian and educator. I examine popular stories and legends and I try to show whats going on, or where they come from. There are those who are appalled by the spate of statue removals and destructions, and attempts to rename military bases going on across the country. Dont be upset. Mythology is always in need of some fixing. The American Civil War was about slavery. While states rights versus federal rights was an issue, and the clash of cultures between the industrial North and agrarian South was as well, none of that would have led to a shooting war if not for slavery. Southern states refusing to give up slavery led to the creation of the Confederacy as a white supremacist homeland in independence from the United States of America. The statues of Confederate heroes represent for many a glorification of slavery and the attempted destruction of the United States by an enemy nation. That is why so many want those statues removed. The majority of Confederate Civil War-related statuary began going up in the 20th century, decades after the war ended. Superficially, they were meant to commemorate heroes of the Civil War, but they always seem to remember Confederates who waged war on the United States and killed over 350,000 Americans while doing it. The majority of defenders of the statues say that they are only commemorating a Southern heritage. The not-so-subtle reason for all these statues to Confederates was to intimidate the African American citizens who lived where the statues went up. It was a way of saying, The Confederacy lost the war, but white supremacy is still in control. There is a lot of mythology surrounding the Civil War. The idea that African slaves were well treated by their white masters, that it was the federal government that started the war, that there were white slaves, that Confederate soldiers fought against a tyrannical United States and not to support slavery they are all myths. They are lies told to cover the rotted, diseased reality at the heart of the Civil War, at the heart of our nation. It is meant to make the Confederacy seem the aggrieved, victimized party rather than the aggressor. The tearing down of statues erected to the defenders and actuators of slavery should not offend you. What is offensive is the slavery those statues celebrate. At a time when images of the beating and shooting of African American citizens and the assaults upon protesters exercising their constitutional rights to march and gather are everywhere, these statues and what they represent are just another insult. Taking them down is one small way of redressing those insults. If thats the case, some say, why not tear down statues of Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Roosevelt as well? The answer is that despite their considerable flaws, neither Lincoln nor FDR tried to destroy the United States. They fought to protect it. It was the likes of Robert E. Lee and Nathan Bedford Forrest who waged war on America to protect slavery. People want these old myths and legends because they make them feel comfortable. It helps hide the harsh reality. They give explanations for the past that satisfy religious, political or cultural needs. However, statues are mythology, not history. While history needs remembering, mythology always needs some fixing. Brian Regal teaches the History of Science at Kean University in New Jersey. As a U.S. Army veteran, he is in favor of taking Confederate names off Army bases. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 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. To my astonishment, she was clutching my arm like an ingenue making her first stage appearance, Webb said. Shed been doing this for 50 years and was known in Hollywood as the toughest, most resilient of actors and she was terrified. She had stage fright going on in front of a very friendly audience, all of whom immediately jumped to their feet and applauded. Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has lamented that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was pushing Nigeria to a state of total destruction, noting that there was no how people who can not manage the affairs of their own party and immediate family will be able to manage the affairs of a country. According to a statement on Sunday, signed by his Spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, the former governor lamented that the country was bleeding seriously, with democracy being threatened because of the rudderless people making and implementing policies for the nation. Fayose, who called on all Nigerians to rise and salvage the country from the All Progressives Congress (APC), said "recent happenings in the APC, especially concerning Edo State and Ondo States are pointers to the fact that the country is under the government of a rudderless party that is heading so fast towards the rocks. "Gold is only sold to those who know the worth. Sadly, Nigeria is currently being managed by strange bird fellows, who took the country by conspiracy and deception. "Now, our country is bleeding seriously and we must salvage it together," Fayose said. Speaking further, the former governor said; "What is happening to the APC in Edo and Ondo State is a pointer to the helpless situation that our country is now. Imagine a sitting deputy governor being harassed by the commissioner of police right inside the government house. "Even if the deputy governor is decamping to another party, does that give the Police Commissioner right to hold him hostage? Is there any law in this country, permitting police to prevent a deputy governor from using his official vehicles just because he is changing political party? "That's the level of threat that democracy is facing in our country under this APC and sadly, the President who should be the leader of the party cannot manage his immediate family not to talk of managing his party or the affairs of the nation. "A president who could not even prevent shooting spree right inside the presidential villa, the sit of power in Nigeria. "I foretold all these and I want to reiterate that it will get messier unless Nigerians rise and take their destinies in their own hands." Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East POSCO Thailand Coated Steel employees clean a monument in the country, Saturday, to commemorate Thai soldiers who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War. The Korean War marks the 70th anniversary of its start this year. Along with the Thai unit, POSCO employees in Korea, China, Indonesia and Vietnam have been participating this week in volunteer activities as part of the steelmaking group's special volunteer program. Courtesy of POSCO As we descend farther into more racial balkanization, it is noteworthy to point out that in 2015, the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) ushered in a discussion about how to capitalize the words "white" and "black" when referring to groups of people. Back then, they stated: Language can reflect and foster bias and even invite violence, so respectfulness should always trump style or linguistic ambiguities. There may be contexts where bias is appropriately intentional, but absent that, equality should rule. To start with, let us stipulate that any discussion involving race is fraught: Even thinking there is such a thing as race is controversial, since many anthropologists believe that people cannot be so grouped biologically. In fact, according to the Newsweek article that the CJR cites, "[w]hat many people do not realize is that this racial structure is not based on reality. Anthropologists have shown for many years now that there is no biological reality to human race. There are no major complex behaviors that directly correlate with what might be considered human 'racial' characteristics. Many of our basic policies of race and racism have been developed as a way to keep these leaders and their followers in control of the way we live our modern lives. These leaders often see themselves as the best and the brightest. Much of this history helped establish and maintain the Spanish Inquisition, colonial policies, slavery, Nazism, racial separatism and discrimination, and anti-immigration policies." At the time, CJR stated: Though there are more arguments for capitalizing 'Black' than for capitalizing 'White,' some have argued that 'Black' and 'White' should both be capitalized, the way Asian, Hispanic, Arab, etc. are. One difference is that those are all proper names, describing not the person, but the geographical or ethnic origin or ancestry of that person. And just as people might describe themselves as 'Japanese' or 'Chicano' rather than 'Asian' or 'Hispanic,' people who are 'black' or 'white' are just as likely to describe themselves as 'African American' or 'Irish.' [Thus] 'Black' and 'white' are equally broad descriptions of skin color, not ethnicity or origin. That was then. Now, five years later, the CJR has taken a decidedly more strident stance. Mike Laws notes: [W]e capitalize Black, and not white, when referring to racial groups. Black is an ethnic designation; white merely describes the skin color of people who can, usually without much difficulty, trace their ethnic origins back to a handful of European countries. This prompts the question of the difference between ethnicity and race. According to PBS: While race and ethnicity share an ideology of common ancestry, they differ in several ways. First of all, race is primarily unitary. You can only have one race, while you can claim multiple ethnic affiliations. You can identify ethnically as Irish and Polish, but you have to be essentially either black or white. But Mike Laws further explains: [I]t is a kind of orthographic injustice to lowercase the B: to do so is to perpetuate the iniquity of an institution that uprooted people from the most ethnically diverse place on the planet, systematically obliterating any and all distinctions regarding ethnicity and culture. When people identify with specific terms of the African diaspora, we defer to those; in the absence of the identifiable ethnicities slavery stole from those it subjugated, Black can be a preferred ethnic designation for some descendants. And then Laws asserts: Given the timing, after the killing of George Floyd and in light of a global reckoning with race relations, I'd be surprised if the AP didn't take heed, and soon. In the meantime and in what is surely a sign of evolving American attitudes on the topic USA Today has announced that it will be adopting the cap-B Black across its network, which includes the flagship paper and 'more than 260 local news organizations.' This all makes for a good start, but it will mean nothing if white Americans don't make an effort to understand the whys and wherefores which is to say, the history that delivered us to this precise point in time. That, of course, will be a taller order than simply asking them to capitalize one little letter. The callous tone and nasty overtones of the CJR piece should alert the reader that this is not about capitalizing a letter. It is not even about respecting a person's ethnic background. Rather, it is the continuation of the left's war on whiteness. It is the Black Lives Matter dream come true. As John Perazzo has written, "[t]he left's attack on whiteness comes from many vantage points, but it has a single purpose. It seeks to convince whites themselves that their whiteness unjustly confers symbolic and real privileges access to better schools and safer neighborhoods; standards of beauty and intelligence that favor them. The ultimate objective in stigmatizing whiteness is to intensify racial tension." This white privilege, which has now become de facto indoctrination beginning in kindergarten straight through to universities, "is a concept that first gained a foothold ... in the 1960s, when white leftists ... became committed to the notion, in Susan Sontag's notorious formulation, that 'the white race is the cancer of human history.'" It has become the rallying cry through schools and the media, and it is a constant meme with the virtue-signaling coming from Hollywood and the business world as they bow their collective heads or knees to the likes of Black Lives Matter. It doesn't end with CJR. Apparently, hundreds of American newsrooms have started capitalizing the "b" in "Black." Sarah Glover, an NBC executive and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists who has championed the move, described it as 'affirming the experience and existence of an entire group of people who built this country and have contributed to every sector.' Is this to imply that white Europeans had nothing to do with building this country? Hence, the word "white" needs to remain lowercase. A related question becomes how to refer to white people. NABJ recommends capitalizing 'whenever a color is used to appropriately describe a race.' One concern is that white supremacists often capitalize 'white' in their literature. Thus far, most news organizations have said they will keep white as lowercase. By insinuation, then, all whites are neo-Nazis or white supremacists. The tricky question becomes, how should American blacks view their genealogy? Many, if not most, have mixed heritages. Should the "white" part ever be considered? Whatever happened to just being American? Lori Tharps asserts that "[w]ith everybody claiming publicly that they respect 'Black Lives,' then why don't you respect them enough to capitalize the B in 'Black'?" We are all supposed to ignore that Black Lives Matter is a "radical Leftist outfit that seeks to replace capitalism with socialism, abolish the police and looks to socialist Venezuela as a model." We are to disregard the fact that "our new racial overlords lecture us [that] racism is not simply inherent in white America's shameful past, it still permeates our white skin[.]" These media groups are wittingly doing the work of Black Lives Matter. Daniel J. Flynn writes that "Black Lives Matter differs from past American mass movements from which it claims lineage. It represses rather than liberates." BLM "come[s] for your rights. Social justice isn't everything, it's the only thing. We must see racism everywhere or everyone sees racism in us." Dov Fischer explains that "[a] movement speaking of lives that matter but built on lies that matter is the exact opposite of what the Black Civil Rights movement was." Furthermore, "[t]he politicians and anarchist street rioters and looters are phonies. Blacks in Chicago alone not [to] mention Detroit, St. Louis, Memphis, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and other such Democrat-controlled cities are dying by the thousands in the prime of their lives every year, and absolutely none of the kneeling, groveling Democrats nor their anarchist allies who want to burn down the country, loot its assets, and suspend our Constitutional freedoms and the rule of law gives a damn about Black lives." In fact, in this CJR article of June 3, 2020, they continue the incessant meme that there is "the history of systemic racism in America, police brutality, and protest." Straight out of the BLM handbook, statistics be damned. David Horowitz highlights the rationale of BLM and its allies. In reality, "this is the nature of the assault on America. It is ... laying guilt on some because of their membership in groups and removing guilt from others for the same reason. Orlando Patterson, a renowned African American liberal has said of America that it 'is the least racist white majority society in the world; has a better record of legal protections of minorities than any other society, white or black and offers more opportunities to greater numbers of black persons than any other society, including those of Africa.'" If there were even-handedness in the call for capitalizing a letter of a word, most fair-minded Americans would be on board. But this call to action is yet another bit of camouflage for a much bigger attack on America because it seeks to divide us, not unite us. Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com. Hat tip: VP. Bindi Irwin has shared an unseen photo from her March wedding to Chandler Powell at Australia Zoo. The 21-year-old posted an image to Instagram that showed her holding out her hand and feeding a giraffe in her wedding dress. The conservationist explained that it was no ordinary giraffe, but the world's tallest, living giraffe, named Forest. Sweet! Bindi Irwin has shared an unseen photo from her March wedding to Chandler Powell at Australia Zoo. The 21-year-old posted an image to Instagram that showed her posing with the world's tallest living giraffe Bindi wrote in the caption beside the photo: 'Meet Forest. This sweetheart is officially the tallest living giraffe measuring in at 5.7m tall (18 ft 8 in). 'He has a heart of gold and we love him dearly,' she added, also writing that she's shared the picture to honour World Giraffe Day. It comes after Bindi blasted Australia's major television networks for ruining her 'dream wedding'. Happy day! Bindi married Chandler Powell (left) at Australia Zoo in March She claimed news helicopters flying overhead had forced the couple to change the venue from the 'African savannah' section of Australia Zoo to a nearby barn. Bindi shared a photo from her nuptials to Instagram, alongside the caption: 'This isn't the fairytale image capturing the "perfect" wedding day feeling. In fact, it's quite the opposite.' Bindi explained that she and Chandler had hoped to say 'I do' in the African savannah, but things didn't go to plan when someone tipped off the media. Oh dear: Bindi recently blasted Australia's major television networks for ruining her 'dream wedding'. She claimed news helicopters flying overhead had forced the couple to change the venue from the 'African savannah' section of Australia Zoo to a nearby barn 'On our wedding day we were finally about to get married and the paparazzi flew over us in a helicopter scaring our wildlife,' she wrote. 'We had to leave our stunning wedding venue on the African savannah for their safety. I said goodbye to the place I had dreamed of getting married for so many years,' she added. Bindi and Chandler had moved their original wedding date of April 4 forward to March 25 due to the rapidly escalating COVID-19 pandemic. Oxygen A Florida teenager is accused of tracking the movements of a man who regularly jogged past his home with the intention of killing him and keeping his corpse in his closet to play with. Logan Smith, 18, was arrested on Monday and charged with one count of attempted murder in connection with the failed strangling of the victim near Smith's Cocoa home, according to an arrest report from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, obtained by Orlando outlet WOFL reports. One week before his arrest, Smith More than three and a half million Venezuelans who've fled their homeland over the past five years are to be officially considered refugees, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has announced. It said they were being added to the total tally of refugees worldwide. The announcement coincided with World Refugee Day on Friday. The agency asked host governments to give refugees and asylum seekers the same benefits that it would grant to their own citizens. Francisco Paez is one of the migrants from Venezuela. He arrived in Peru with his wife and daughter, having escaped Venezuela's imploding economy. The coronavirus pandemic means he hasn't been able to find a job. The family live in one small room and survive on their savings, plus whatever they can get from acting as street performers. But Paez says he is better off as a refugee in Peru than the life he would have in Venezuela today. "As refugees we feel more protected and less worried," he said. According to Peruvian authorities, more than 820,000 Venezuelans have settled in Peru since 2016. More than half have sought refugee status. The UNHCR spokesperson in Brazil, Luis Fernando Godinho, said the Venezuelans needed protection - and therefore they should be considered refugees. The UNHCR classification also cover thousands of Central Americans who crossed into Mexico early last year. Most made the journey hoping for a better life in the United States but many were escaping real life-threatening situations in their own countries. 51-year-old Roque Moreno left Honduras 14 months ago. He had to abandon his home and his business in his home town of Tegucigalpa because he was suffering of extortion and threats against his life. Just two weeks ago Roque finally received his asylum status and residence card. The UNHCR said fleeing violence was sufficient reason for a migrant to be considered a refugee. The next day, I stepped into the nearly empty airport in Tokyo, where I felt like an alien arriving on Earth to find an entombed ruin of a dead planet. My father had been officially sick with congestive heart failure for five years, but in truth he had needed a lot of care for at least a quarter of a century, after he had undergone open-heart surgery at age 50. For years, my mother made well-balanced meals catered to his diabetes and heart condition. His doctors told her they believed he had lived as long as he had in part because she had taken such good care of him. On the night my father died, I was only a week into my self-isolation and had not received results from my coronavirus test, so my mother and I stayed masked on either side of the king-size bed. She crossed her arms over her chest in a sign of the hug we were afraid to exchange. I considered just taking the risk, but then thought: What if I test positive and Ive just sobbed and snotted all over her? Perhaps the guilt of an adult child with an aging parent is universal: We can never do enough. But it is doubly so when we live more than 5,000 miles away, and even more so during a pandemic that makes travel difficult. Thats it for this briefing. See you next time. Carole Thank you To Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of 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 on the meaning of Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Americans. Heres our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Green bit in fried rice (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. Tara Parker-Pope, the founding editor of Well, talks to the creator of the 7-Minute Workout about exercise for every age and fitness level, at 1 p.m. Eastern on Monday ( 1:00 a.m. Tuesday in Hong Kong ). R.S.V.P. here, or catch up with the event afterward. HEXO (NASDAQ:HEXO) released its earnings report for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 on June 11, and the pot grower managed to impress investors for a change. During this quarter, HEXO's net revenue of 22.1 million Canadian dollars increased by 70% year-over-year and 30% sequentially. The cannabis company also seems to have gotten its expenses under control. During the third quarter, HEXO's operating expenses came in at CA$26.8 million, significantly better than the CA$281.5 million operating expenses the company recorded during the second quarter. Further, HEXO's net loss of CA$19.5 million shrunk from the CA$298.2 million net loss recorded during the previous quarter. One of the catalysts for the company's higher sales during the third quarter was its leading market share in the province of Quebec, the second-largest Canadian province by population. According to HEXO CEO Sebastien St-Louis, the company holds a greater than 30% market share in this province. The company is hoping that thanks to the launch of several products -- including the recent introduction of a large-sized (30-gram) format of its popular Tsunami cannabis flower -- its sales will continue growing. HEXO can also count on its partnership with Molson Coors Brewing (NYSE:TAP). Back in 2018, the two entities penned a deal to form a joint venture, called Truss Beverages, to develop and sell nonalcoholic cannabis-infused drinks. Molson Coors owns 57.5% of Truss, while HEXO owns the remaining 42.5%. This opportunity could turn out to be lucrative, as the market for cannabis derivative products (known as "cannabis 2.0" in Canada) continues to evolve. Even with these potential tailwinds, though, I think investors had better stay away from HEXO. Here are two reasons why. HEXO's share dilution problems Over the past few months, HEXO has relied on dilutive forms of financing to raise capital on several occasions. Here's a short rundown of these rounds of fundraising. HEXO raised CA$70 million by issuing convertible debentures between October and December 2019. In late December, the company issued new shares (and warrants) and raised $25 million in a round of financing that closed in early January. HEXO issued new shares (and warrants) again and raised $20 million in a round of fundraising that closed in late January. The pot grower raised CA$46 million in an underwritten public offering in April, issuing nearly 60 million new shares (and even more warrants) in the process. Lastly, HEXO raised CA$57.5 million in May in yet another public offering. These rounds of fundraising could eventually come back to haunt HEXO and its shareholders. Even if the company performs well, and its stock price increases significantly as a result, once investors decide to exercise their warrants, doing so will dilute existing shareholders. That is something those thinking about buying shares of HEXO cannot ignore. Could HEXO get delisted? HEXO's stock has been hovering around the $1 mark for a while. In fact, the company's shares spent enough time below this threshold for HEXO to receive a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that its shares could be delisted from the exchange. Specifically, the average closing price of HEXO's shares was less than $1 per share for 30 consecutive trading days. If HEXO does get delisted from the NYSE, it could mean trouble for the company. Sure, the pot grower could always switch to an over-the-counter exchange, but those are less likely to attract attention from investors. Getting delisted would mean that HEXO would have a harder time raising capital. Fortunately, HEXO has until Dec. 16, 2020, to remedy this situation, and the company said it could conduct a reverse stock split. This move would decrease HEXO's number of outstanding shares and proportionally increase its share price. Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) recently resorted to this option to avoid being delisted. While HEXO will probably prevent the worst-case scenario in this debacle, I don't think the company's prospects justify buying its stock, considering this and other issues -- like the aforementioned share dilution problems -- HEXO is facing. The key takeaway In my view, there are vastly more attractive investment prospects in the cannabis industry than HEXO. In particular, multistate operator Trulieve Cannabis (OTC:TCNNF) and cannabis-focused real estate investment trust Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) have both recorded consistent profits and both present strong growth prospects within their respective markets. Investors looking to buy cannabis stocks would be much better off with either Trulieve Cannabis or Innovative Industrial Properties than they would with HEXO. China has diverted the Galwan river to claim more territory in its heated border dispute with India, it has been claimed. The confrontation in the Galwan Valley, part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier, was the deadliest between the two countries in 45 years. Analysis now reportedly shows how China altered the Galwan river's ecosystem to claim the territory as its own. Satellite images from 2010 show the Galwan Valley area as a narrow stretch with no road infrastructure. China started quietly building roads with compressed earth in 2015-2016, with satellite images showing just one hut with no troop deployments. In May 2020 the country's People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered the area for a 'military exercise' - and has been assembling troops all along the sides of the river, India Today reports. Retired Indian Army Colonel Vinayak Bhat wrote that, after realising that large force deployments were not feasible along the waterway, Chinese engineers made a plan to canalise the Galwan river deeper using dozers and JCBs to limit its size. The confrontation in the Galwan Valley, part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier, was the deadliest between the two countries in 45 years. Analysis now reportedly shows how China altered the Galwan river's ecosystem to claim the territory as its own This is the Galwan valley where the brawl between Indian and Chinese soldiers took place. The unofficial border between the two countries runs through the middle of the photo on the dotted red line. Chinese bulldozers appear to have been diverting the river on the right of the photo, on their side of the border Indian army convoy moves along the national Highway leading towards Ladakh, June 18. India and China held talks to cool down the situation in the area where violent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers took place on Monday night A dozer seen in satellite images on June 16 was reportedly creating a channel on the northern bank of the river to avoid the need for two bridges. Pictures indicate that China is claiming the Galwan river's sides up to 25 miles from The Line of Actual Control (LAC) - which separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. Chinese engineers are reportedly altering the river's course and reducing its width so troops can be deployed on the larger land mass - and permanent infrastructure can be constructed. Satellite images from May 29 show a large build-up of Chinese troops roughly 25 miles east of the Galwan conflict point, it was said. India blames China for instigating the fight by developing infrastructure in the valley, which it said was a breach of the agreement of what area remained in dispute. The brawl in part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier was the deadliest in 45 years. Pictured, Indian border security forced keeping vigil from a military bunker along the Srinagar-Leh National highway on Wednesday, June 17 It comes after it was revealed China has sent bulldozers to divert the course of a river near the disputed border where soldiers fought at 14,000 feet on Monday, satellite images suggest. Pictured, Chinese paramilitary police officers march at an embassies area in Beijing, China on Thursday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a statement Friday that 'the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary.' He blamed incursions by Indian troops in the area from early May for a midnight clash on Monday that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. China has not said whether it suffered any casualties. China says the Galwan Valley high up in the Himalayan border region where Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a deadly brawl this week falls entirely within China, boldly renewing claims on the disputed area as the Asian giants continued using military and diplomatic channels to try to reduce tensions this weekend. Troops remain locked in a face-off at several locations along the poorly defined Line of Actual Control, despite talks between local commanders to de-escalate. Soldiers had brawled with clubs, rocks and their fists in the thin air at 14,000 feet above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said. The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute. Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures. The valley falls within a remote stretch of the 2,100-mile Line of Actual Control - the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce. This satellite image shows 'bulldozers' blocking the flow of a river in the Galwan Valley close to where Indian and Chinese soldiers had a deadly clash on Monday night Indian Border Security Force soldiers guard a highway leading towards the Chinese border on Wednesday following the worst clash on the disputed Line of Actual Control since 1967 Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava repeated on Saturday that China's claims to the valley were 'exaggerated and untenable.' 'They are not in accordance with Chinas own position in the past. Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the (Line of Actual Control) in all sectors of the India-China border areas, including in the Galwan Valley. They abide by it scrupulously here, as they do elsewhere,' Srivastava said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a meeting with political opposition leaders on Friday that no one 'has intruded into our territory, nor taken over any post.' Modi said India was 'hurt and angry' about the deaths of its troops. He said India wanted peace and friendship, but had the 'capability that no one can even dare look toward an inch of our land.' Also on Friday, Zhao, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that China was not holding any Indian soldiers, without addressing media reports that China had released 10 of them late Thursday. 'My information is that at present there are no Indian personnel detained on the Chinese side,' Zhao said, according to an English version of his daily briefing posted on the ministry's website. Indian officials have denied that any soldiers were in Chinese custody. New Delhi, June 21 : Once there is widespread community transmission, as there is in India now, hard choices need to be made, said Babak Javid professor at the Tsinghua University School of Medicine in Beijing and a consultant in infectious diseases at Cambridge University hospitals. He added that taking into account the densely packed population in India, the progression of the Covid outbreak has not been as rapid as witnessed in some parts of Europe and the US. How it will progress, is at the moment, hard to predict, said Javid. Q: India is facing a huge problem of rising infection in containment zones, where movement of people is restricted, especially in urban centres. Is there a methodology to contain the spread of the virus? A: We have seen that several countries e.g. China, S. Korea and New Zealand have been successful in containing the Covid outbreak. But once there is widespread community transmission, as there is in India now, hard choices need to be made, and I think whatever is decided will have significant and serious consequences. We know that already, services for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis have suffered greatly in India, and deaths from tuberculosis, which already amount to almost half a million a year, are predicted to rise as a result. I do think there is no 'one size fits all' in responding to Covid: what may be appropriate and effective in one setting may not be appropriate in another. Q: Italy has started settling down, from 5,000 cases a day it has reduced to 200 cases a day, but India and the US, in the number of growth of new cases nearly 8,000 or more daily, are moving in a different direction. Do you think India and the US would end up as the worst hit countries due to this viral infection? A: Italy was hit very hard and very quickly, at least in part because it didn't realise that there was widespread transmission in Northern Italy until transmission had progressed a great deal. But cases have fallen dramatically. As you say, the US, Brazil, Russia and India have some of the largest daily increase in cases now. However, at least in the US, we can see regional differences. New York and New Jersey, the two worst hit states have had a dramatic decline in cases, much like Italy. The plateau in new cases is, I think, because the US, being a large country, has many different regional outbreaks, which are progressing along their own trajectories. India, as the world's second most populace country, may also be facing these issues, with Maharashtra the hardest hit region. However, taking into account the densely packed population in India, the progression of the Covid outbreak has not been as rapid as witnessed in some parts of Europe and the US. How it will progress, is at the moment, hard to predict. Q: WHO recently said the asymptomatic less likely to spread Covid-19. In Indian context, a population of over 130 billion, this may have huge implications on track/trace/isolate measures. Has this statement by WHO gone against the grain in tackling Covid-19 crisis? A: I believe that following the initial statement, the WHO has clarified that there are still many unknowns with regards to transmission by people who don't have classic Covid symptoms. I would agree with that. We know for sure that people that have mild or atypical symptoms do transmit SARS-CoV-2, and we also know that people are contagious before they develop symptoms (pre-symptomatic transmission). It's less clear if truly asymptomatic individuals (i.e. never develop any symptoms) transmit. Regardless, the proportion of transmission from people with no or very few symptoms is not known with certainty: although it's likely to be substantial. This does have implications for track/trace/isolate for any country, including India. By definition, asymptomatic individuals can only be identified by screening or contact tracing. To interrupt transmission, it's important that cases are identified quickly before they and their contacts have had a chance to transmit further. Q: Many experts, especially in Italy which was worst-hit by Covid-19, say that it is not possible to develop a vaccine for Covid-19 soon, as the RNA virus changes very quickly and this makes it difficult to create a good vaccine. What do you have to say on this? A: SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus - that is, its genetic material is RNA instead of DNA. Generally speaking, copying RNA results in more errors - mutations - than copying DNA, therefore RNA viruses, in general, have a higher mutation rate than DNA viruses. But it should be noted that coronaviruses, because they have a large RNA genome, actually make fewer mistakes in copying their genome, and the observed mutation rate is not very high. Certainly, the observed mutation rate would not preclude generating an effective vaccine. Indeed, influenza is also an RNA virus, with a much, much higher mutation rate and we still are able to make a vaccine, but because of the mutations that influenza undergoes, we need to 'update' the vaccine annually. So far, SARS-CoV-2 has not mutated sufficiently to even warrant an annual vaccine schedule - should be able to identify an effective and safe vaccine - although of course that might change eventually. Q: How soon could we get a vaccine on Covid-19, and in the absence of the vaccine, should we wish for herd immunity to protect us from this deadly viral infection? A: We have never developed a human vaccine that is effective against coronaviruses: but partly that is because we haven't needed to before. The endemic human coronaviruses cause the common cold, and the other two highly pathogenic coronaviruses, which cause SARS and MERS, which are rare diseases, so there wasn't that impetus. I am pretty confident that we will identify a number of vaccines that are at least moderately effective very soon. But the greater challenges will be to ensure such vaccines are safe, and that they can be mass produced and equitably distributed for everyone in the world. With regards to herd immunity, I don't think we understand immunity at a population level to SARS-CoV-2 well enough for me to be able to comment on it. Q: For its 130 billion population, India has nearly 1.2 million doctors and nearly 2 million nurses along with other healthcare professionals, what safeguards should be deployed to protect them and ensure that in fighting Covid-19, the country does not compromise on the safety of the medical professionals. A: This is an important issue. We know that in many/most countries, doctors and nurses have sadly been infected by SARS-CoV-2. However, it's actually quite difficult to determine where/how they got infected: from patients they were treating, from other patients not suspected to have Covid (and therefore less stringent protection measures used in treating them) but who may have pre/asymptomatic infection, or even from each other, or from their families? More and more healthcare institutions are moving to treating healthcare settings with 'universal precautions', i.e. assume any patient or even healthcare worker may be infected, and places that have done so have seen a decline in hospital associated infections: but of course this has major implications for personal protective equipment procurement, particularly in resource-poor settings. (Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in) A Trump supporter takes a selfie near the BOK Center on June 19, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images Hundreds lined up Friday outside BOK Center in Tulsa in anticipation of President Donald Trump's rally on Saturday. "There are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes," Hayden Hyman, a college student told insider. Deedee Manor said she came to stand against abortion. "We are in a Holocaust. Pro-life is not working, the only antidote is illegalizing." Experts say the rally could be a superspreader event, but many in attendance said they're not worried. The Oklahoma National Guard has been sent to secure the area in case of clashes between attendees and protesters. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Despite sporadic rain, hundreds of Trump supporters lined up Friday near the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a chance to see the president at his first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic began. Health experts worry the rally could become a superspreader event. Attendees are required to sign a waiver agreeing they won't sue if they contract COVID-19. CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman and his crew being confronted by Trump supporters. Daniel Shular There are also concerns about clashes between supporters and protesters. On Friday afternoon, rallygoers surrounded CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman and his crew and shouted at them until they left. The Oklahoma National Guard has been sent to guard the area around the BOK Center over the weekend. On Thursday, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a weekend curfew, but lifted it Friday before it took effect. Here's what people lining up for President Trump's rally in Tulsa had to say. "I've supported Trump long before he was president," Matthew Kober, an electrician from Allentown, Pennsylvania said. "The guy's got money and real estate." Matthew Kober pets his dog Luna after putting a "Keep America great" t-shirt on her. Daniel Shular "God has a plan for everybody," Kober says of the virus. "I had a friend die from the Bronx the treatment that they gave him killed him, not the virus." Story continues "I think the Lord brought us out here," Deborah Adams said about why she brought her children to the rally. We like Trump, we like what he stands for." Deborah Adams (left) plays jump rope with her daughters Mercy, 9 (center), and Melody, 5. Daniel Shular "I'm not concerned" about being exposed to the coronavirus, Adams said. "We're healthy and strong and young." Deedee Mannor is attending the rally because of her beliefs about abortion. "We are in a Holocaust," Mannor said. "Pro-life is not working. The only antidote is illegalizing." Deedee Mannor waits next to her tent the day before Donald Trump's reelection rally in Tulsa. Daniel Shular Mannor says she is not concerned about the spread of COVID-19. "The sun kills the virus, the sun kills the flu. We're in June," she told Insider. Hayden Hyman, a student at the University of Central Arkansas, said he wanted to show "there are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes." University of Central Arkansas students Morgan Thomas, 19 (left), and Hayden Hyman, 19, outside the barricades at BOK Center. Daniel Shular UCA student Morgan Thomas added about the political rhetoric around the rally, "I wish people would be kinder have an actual conversation with us." Not everyone in Tulsa is supportive of the rally. Opponents put signs in the window of a nearby building. Signs critical of President Donald Trump's rally are seen in a building above an entrance point for Saturday's rally, on June 19, 2020. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images "The chaos around here is gonna be a lot for Tulsa," city worker Tabitha Burns said about working during the rally. City workers Tabitha Burns (left) and Jennifer Oakes carry equipment while working on barricades around the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular Her co-worker, Jennifer Oakes, said she wasn't working Saturday and risking contracting COVID-19. "I'm going to avoid this place like the plague," Oakes told Insider. Artist Tommy Zegan brought his stainless steel sculpture, "Trump and His Magic Wand" to the rally. Zegan hopes to have it one day displayed in the Trump presidential library. Tommy Zegan with "Trump and His Magic Wand" near the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular Zegan says the 6'3" work in which the president holds a copy of the Constitution in one hand and a magic wand in the other is a humorous caricature inspired by President Obama's questioning then-candidate Trump's 2016 promise to bring back manufacturing jobs. "What magic wand do you have?" Obama said at a PBS town hall. "And usually the answer is, he doesn't have an answer." Zegan, who lives in Rosarita Beach, Mexico, is raffling off a fiberglass-and-chrome replica with proceeds benefiting President Trump's reelection campaign and disabled veterans. Some rallygoers set up tents and got some sleep before Saturday's rally. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump sleep outside the BOK Center in the early morning Friday while lined up to attend the Trump campaign rally near the BOK Center on June 19, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee/Getty Image Amber Wichers, who was selling Donald Trump merchandise, said she'd never been to a rally before. "So far it's been great, it's been peaceful besides a couple of people yelling," she said. Amber Wichers of Allentown, Pennsylvania, with her 5-month-old daughter, Myleigh Kober. Daniel Shular Wichers says she's trying to be responsible about avoiding exposure to the coronavirus. "We are selling and using masks, we are keeping all of the preventive measures that we can," she said. Eric Washington, a 61-year-old vendor selling t-shirts, says he's not worried about getting COVID. "God got it," Washington said. "I'm not used to wearing masks." Eric Washington sells a t-shirt from his booth near the east entrance of the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular "I'm having fun meeting people," Washington, who came from Greensboro, North Carolina, told Insider. As many as 250 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers are being activated to help provide security on Saturday, the AP reported. Oklahoma National Guard troops stand near the Civic Centre Parkade on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said the Guardsmen will serve as a "force multiplier" to help secure the area around the BOK Center. Greg Adams drove an hour from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with his teen daughters to attend the rally. "We're not worried about the coronavirus," he said. "I'm supposed to stay at home when I'm sick and wash my hands for 20 seconds, so I'm doing those things." Greg Adams puts up a tent with his daughters Hannah, 17 (left) and Hadassah, 16. Daniel Shular To date, Oklahoma has reported 9,354 infections and 366 deaths from COVID-19. Gary Brumley, a 60-year-old Tulsa native, says he came "to protest the dismemberment of our national monuments that are sacred to this country," Gary Brumley waves a Confederate flag on South Bolder Avenue, near the east entrance to the BOK Center, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular Brumley dismissed the coronavirus as "pretty much a conspiracy brought on by the Democrats to try to disrupt the election process." Read the original article on Insider By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday summoned Indian Charge d'Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia to register its protest over the alleged ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC). Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri registered a "strong protest over the ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces in Hajipir and Bedori sectors" on June 20, the Foreign Office said in a statement. It claimed that the "indiscriminate and unprovoked firing" killed two persons and injured one. Chaudhri said the Indian government "must realize that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions are increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region. India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and security," according to the Foreign Office. The Indian forces along "the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons," he alleged. He called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. Across New Jersey this week, thousands of restaurants reopened to a new world: outdoor dining only, regardless of resources. Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge pulled its dining room outside, stretching tables down strip mall sidewalks and foregoing its open-kitchen experience. In Red Bank, Catch 19 took advantage of the boroughs road closures and dropped tables right on the Broad Street pavement. And in other corners of the state, like Corto in Jersey City, a beautiful, pre-existing outdoor space was always ready to go. While every restaurant owner now has the same set of rules no indoor dining until Stage 3 of New Jerseys recovery process, which is likely still weeks away every restaurant is approaching the new paradigm differently. I couldnt wait to see how theyd rise to the challenge. Ive spent months talking to owners about the havoc the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked: the challenges of takeout and delivery, fears restaurants would never be the same again and plans to reopen. Yet I almost forgot what it was like to go out to eat. It has been almost four months, after all. So I spent every night this past week eating at a different restaurant in a different part of the state to see how they were handling this unifying venture, which is still loaded with obstacles and potential pitfalls. Granted, this was only week one and the weather more or less cooperated but I came away impressed by the seamlessness of the reopening. These restaurants might have been down for the count, but theyre still fighting. Setting up outdoors Heirloom Kitchen did its best to create ambiance in a strip mall, setting up on its narrow walkway and making it work with tiki torches, wooden tables and chairs pulled right from their dining room and tiny old school radios that doubled as Bluetooth speakers. The pop music blaring from the pizza restaurant next door and the fluorescent glow of the nearby Allstate Insurance sign werent ideal, but the team got creative and covered up a giant electric utility box with a painting from chef de cuisine Rob Santello surrounded by candles. The outdoor dining setup at Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Faubourg, Montclairs terrific French brasserie, was more like the friend with the beautiful backyard who couldnt wait to have dinner parties and show it off. String lights, shrubbery, piles of firewood, a balcony and a fountain, all tucked into a Bloomfield Avenue alleyway a scenic dining experience for sure. The interior looks beautiful as well, but Im almost certain Id want to eat outside again on my next visit. Our table was so socially distanced in the back of the restaurant it almost felt like a VIP area. The only drawback was the outdoor bar, whose seats were a little too cramped for comfort. The scene at Faubourg, a French restaurant in Montclair, which welcomed diners back with outdoor service along with the rest of New Jersey starting June 15. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) My trip to Corto in the Jersey City Heights felt the most normal of all the meals. If not for the walk through the empty dining room to get to the backyard, you could almost forget that this was pandemic dining. The outdoor dining scene at Corto in Jersey City. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The quaint Italian eatery has opened its gravel-covered patio to diners in previous summers, but they wisely added a tent to protect from the elements. It was late (the only reservation we could get was at 10 p.m.) so we almost had the place to ourself, making it feel like even more intimate. The tables were well-spaced, with wine barrels and plants helping create even more privacy. Catch 19s tables werent quite as fancy as the other restaurants they were placed literally in the street along with several other Red Bank restaurants. Even on a foggy, hazy evening the vibe was lively, feeling like a summertime block party with diners enjoying meals as far as the eye could see. The viability of making this makeshift pedestrian plaza a permanent arrangement is unclear, but I saw at least one other restaurant on Instagram saying they hoped it would become a regular event. The outdoor dining setup at Catch 19 in Red Bank, which stretched into the street. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) To mask or not to mask Lets establish the state-mandated rules before I continue: restaurant staff must wear face coverings and diners must wear face coverings when walking inside to use the restroom. Diners are encouraged to cover up when walking around the outdoor area, but when youre seated at your table you need not mask up. Seeing waiters wearing masks was odd at first, but made me feel safer and felt normal by the middle of the meal. Our waiter at Catch 19 wore a previously unseen plastic face mask/shield hybrid that looked like something out of Star Wars. Some waiters had bandanas, but most throughout the week had cloth or medical masks. At first, I didnt know when to take off my mask, or where to put it when I did take it off (I usually kept it on my knee or on the table). In my experiences, most diners took them off as soon as they were seated, and everyone I noticed heading for the bathroom seemed to be covered. Several restaurant owners I talked to said theyd prefer customers wear masks whenever theyre not eating, but even they know thats asking a lot. Smaller menus, sometimes touch-free Menus werent just smaller in their offerings, some were even digital an option the state urged restaurants to use. Both Catch 19 and Faubourg provided plastic placards with QR codes, which you scan with your smartphone to bring up the restaurants website. The future is now! While it wasnt as easy as perusing the paper menu at Tre Famiglia, Heirloom Kitchen and Corto, it made for less points of contact between customers and servers. No qualms here. The "touchless menu" at Catch 19 in Red Bank, a method some restaurants are using to make dining safer during coronavirus. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) A friendly waiter at Catch 19 apologized when he informed us that the menu was smaller than usual options were at least cut in half and the raw bar wasnt available. The prices was slightly higher, too, which is understandable considering the whole industry has been hemorrhaging money. I didnt notice an increase at other restaurants, but Catch 19 cant be alone in this. Heirloom Kitchen had a four-course prix fixe menu with three options per course. Cortos menu was around the same size as during my previous visits, and Tre Famiglia had a whole gluten-free menu available. About the weather Its still unclear what diners are supposed to do in the event of a sudden downpour running inside would be logical normally, but dangerous during coronavirus. I called ahead to see if Catch 19 had any sort of awning or covering it didnt. The plan was pretty much to keep our fingers crossed. I never thought Id be checking weather reports before dinner like I do before heading to a Yankees game, but this is one of the realities of dining in the COVID world. Luckily the rain held off, but it was on my mind throughout the meal. Cortos tent put me at ease and Faubourg had some overhead canopies, but its clear that most restaurants arent prepared for bad weather. An unplanned thunderstorm could ruin a whole dinner service in seconds. On their game The wait staff at all five restaurants went out of their way to make us feel welcome, appearing as excited to be back at work as we were to be dining out. Our waiter at Heirloom Kitchen described every dish in great detail, multiple people waited on us at Faubourg and when the food took longer than expected at Catch 19 our waiter was apologetic. You have to be especially forgiving of waiters and waitresses right now considering all the changes, and there really was nothing to forgive. It all went pretty smoothly. Oh, and I didnt have a bad meal in the bunch compliments to the chefs! Venturing inside II was a bit nervous the first time I ventured inside for the first time Monday night, even while wearing a mask. There is indeed something eerie about walking through an empty restaurant, chairs flipped atop tables like a classroom at the end of the school day, en route to the bathroom. But by the second or third dinner, I was more or less used to it. Its not all that different than being the last table dining at a restaurant. And if you are the last table, hurry up! The bottom line After hearing countless restaurant owners tell me what a disaster outdoor dining could be, I was expecting something to go seriously awry during this excursion. Stunningly, it never happened. Again, it was a fortuitous week weather-wise. It wont be this easy for everyone, and there are bound to be slip-ups even at the best establishments. But the industry will also surely adapt and learn on the fly as they have throughout this crisis. Outdoor dining isnt perfect. But in a time where our world has been turned upside down by an unprecedented pandemic, these restaurants provided me with a reminder of a time before coronavirus, an emotional respite. Hopefully well be back eating indoors sooner than later Gov. Phil Murphy did said were weeks, not months from Stage 3 of reopening. Until then, bon maskpetit. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Hong Kong Media Tycoon Laments Hong Kong's Future Under Looming National Security Law By VOA News June 20, 2020 For Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure and the founder of Hong Kong's best-selling newspaper Apple Daily, the prospect of going to jail had never felt so real. "Things are getting so bad, anything like this can happen any day," he said. Facing seven charges, including organizing and participating in unauthorized assemblies and inciting others to take part in unauthorized assembly, the 72-year-old media tycoon looked fatigued as he sat down in his office, though his usual feisty spirit picked up as he started talking. In recent months, China has markedly tightened its control of Hong Kong, which has been roiled by a year-long, sometimes violent anti-government movement that Beijing said was mobilized by "foreign hostile forces." The arrests of 15 veteran pro-democracy activists, including Lai, and the proclamation of China's representative offices in Hong Kong that they were not bound by a clause in the city's post-handover mini constitution, Basic Law, to stay out of local affairs, caused widespread concern. But nothing could have prepared people for China's shock announcement in late May that it would impose a national security law to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference. "Foreign interference" was last week changed to "collusion with foreign power" in a move that critics say would target Hong Kongers who seek help from foreign countries on political issues. An explanation of the new law released Saturday by China's official Xinhua News Agency says a new national security commission supervised by the Chinese government will be established in Hong Kong, and Chinese security agents will be stationed in the city to deal directly with some cases there. The national security law seems almost tailor made for Lai. After he met U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington in July last year to discuss Hong Kong's political crisis, the Chinese foreign ministry lambasted the meeting as a "foreign forces' intervention." The Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, accused Lai of "disseminating separatist rhetoric" that "endangers national security" and "subverts the regime." The August commentary also accused him of being "a running dog of the Western hostile forces", "a pawn of the United States" and "a traitor" selling out on China's interests. It ominously warned: "Be mindful of the settling of accounts in due course." Does Lai worry that apart from the charges he now faces, which could land him in jail for a maximum of five years, the authorities would jail him using the more draconian national security law, which is in the process of being legislated in Beijing? "I'll fight on until I can't anymore," said Lai. "If we fear, then there is no way we can do anything it's not the time to be careful, it's the time to be brave." With the national security law looming, worries abound whether many of Hong Kong's publications will remain free to publish criticisms of the government. Civil liberties, including freedoms of the press and speech, are guaranteed to publications under Hong Kong's postcolonial mini constitution, the Basic Law. There are now widespread fears, though, that China's vaguely defined national security charges used to jail dissidents on the mainland soon will be applied to Hong Kong's government critics. Lai has long been seen as a thorn in the sides of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, with his free-wheeling Apple Daily, well known for its criticism of the authorities. Asked whether he will have to wind down the 25-year-old newspaper, Lai vowed to continue to run it "until the last day." "I don't know [when] the last day is," he said. "If they jail me, the business will go on until it can't go on." Lai has long been a target of intimidation. He said he had for years been stalked by people of unknown identity. Last September, two masked men threw firebombs at the gate of his home, repeating a similar incident in 2015 when both his home and his office also were attacked by firebombs. Over the past week, his car has been closely tailed by several cars driven by unidentified people. "I'm sure I'm a target. But that doesn't mean that I have to be frightened," he said. "They're just making a lot of noise, a lot of intimidation, just to frighten you." Asked whether he believed Hong Kong's protest movement has gone too far because a year on, the authorities have come up with a much more draconian law than the extradition bill that sparked the initial unrest, Lai did not agree. He lamented that the authorities' hardened attitudes have done nothing to diffuse crises. "The only way they react is to suppress [and] to clamp down with police violence," he said. "A few million people have come out to resist [but] they never asked why and tried to solve it. Instead [they] just suppress, suppress, suppress." Protests were peaceful when they started in June last year, but as frustrations toward the government grew, and resentment against police brutality built, they turned increasingly violent. The government belatedly withdrew the extradition bill four months later, but protesters refused to stop, as they demanded that the government launch an independent investigation into police violence and provide amnesty for those arrested. Nearly 9,000 have been arrested since June last year, and the Chinese and Hong Kong governments repeatedly emphasized the need for harder measures against "rioters." Lai believes China is acting tough on Hong Kong because it is facing the worst economic and social crises in decades. It is under unprecedented international scrutiny amid its strained relationship with the United States and industrialized nations, he said, and this added to its woes, as China's economy has been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis. "The worse the internal situation is, the more they need outside [perceived] enemies to unite the people so [they would] forget the hardship they face internally," he said. Lai also believes Xi is taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to act tough while western countries are preoccupied with fighting against the disease. Lai said Xi also needs to prove his competence and reaffirm his life mandate to his people, after many of his trademark projects, such as "One Belt, One Road" and the "Made in China 2025" plan which seeks to transform the country from being a low-end manufacturer to high-tech producer ran into difficulties. Having escaped to Hong Kong from China via Macau in a stowaway fishing boat when he was 12, Lai has a deeper insight into the Chinese Communist Party than many. He believes its current approach will hurt not only Hong Kong but itself. "The problem with a system that concentrates all the power on the emperor is that you make stupid decisions because the people surrounding you will only second guess what you want, instead of telling you what is true," he said. "Xi is thinking about not just being the emperor of China, but the emperor of the world," he said. "I think Xi Jinping is somebody who just doesn't have a worldly perspective he's Mao Zedong incarnated." China's recent "wolf warrior" diplomacy has made itself many enemies, but Lai believes it cannot win with the western nations reacting to its aggressive approach. "If they go on the way that was set out by Xi Jinping, definitely, China cannot go on for a very long time, because the world will be forced to isolate it or decouple with it. China has to change to adapt to the rule of the world," he said. "China has never faced a world so scrutinizing. Before, the world was very friendly to China because China is a big market, it is also the factory of the world. Now, I think the world is reconsidering its dependence on China," he said. Lai said Xi has overlooked the importance of Hong Kong to China's broader economic interest. "He thinks China is just so great and Hong Kong is only about 3 percent of their economy. But he forgets ... that a lot of the investment in China has to go through Hong Kong. The contracts have to be signed in Hong Kong, because it is the only place that has the rule of law to protect the contracts. Without this place, a lot of the contracts would not be signed." "He's killing Hong Kong ... the goose that lays golden eggs," he said. Lai hopes that international pressure would force China at least to water down the national security law, but so far, China has shown no signs of backing down. Hours after China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi and Pompeo concluded their meeting Wednesday in Hawaii, the draft national security law was put before the standing committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), its top lawmaking body. The details of the draft law were released Saturday by the Chinese state media on Saturday. Lai said the law will spell the end of Hong Kong, as people will either emigrate or learn to live a subservient life. "For those like us who stay, we'll fight on, but it will be a very feeble fight," he said. "Less people will stay to fight with us, and those who don't leave, they would just have to accept life like in China, to become subservient citizens and do whatever the government dictates. "Hong Kong will be finished, definitely. I have no doubt about it," he sighed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Smoke from Quarter Fire View Photos Update at 5:30pm: The Forest Service reports that 273 firefighters are now assigned to the Quarter Fire burning in the Stanislaus River Canyon near Cedar Ridge. It includes three air tankers, three helicopters, 11 engines and five hand crews. The Forest Service reports, The fire is only burring on the north side of the river and is holding at 15 acres. The US Forest Service is working with CAL Fire resources to suppress the fire which is located in a very isolated area with difficult access for fire equipment and crews. Fire personnel were finally able to access the fire line around 3pm today and have been working on contingency lines, as well as structure protection. A larger Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered and is anticipated to take over the operations at noon on Monday. Dry conditions and hot temperatures are anticipated over the next few days. The fire has been fought as a full suppression effort from the start, according to the Forest Service. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Offices Evacuation Advisory remains in effect for all of Cedar Ridge. Fire Overview: the fire size held at 10 acres, the containment jumped from 10-percent as reported here on June 23, to 60 percent later in the same day here. A drones interference in the fire fight was detailed here. Containment details were posted here. Update at 4:20pm: The Stanislaus National Forest reports that the Quarter Fire near Cedar Ridge has been holding at 15 acres this afternoon. There is no containment yet as the area is very difficult to access, and crews have just been able to physically get down to the fire area within the last hour or so. Air resources have been successful in keeping it within the 15-acre footprint. The earlier evacuation advisory for all of Cedar Ridge remains in place, according to the sheriffs office. Update at 1:20pm: The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office has decided to place all of Cedar Ridge under an evacuation advisory due to the Quarter Fire. Reverse 911 calls will be made to those residents to notify them of the notice. The latest size estimate for the Quarter Fire, per the Stanislaus National Forest, is 15 acres. More details regarding the fire can be found below. Update at 12:50pm: The Quarter Fire has been holding at 15 acres near Cedar Ridge along the south fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon. The Stanislaus National Forest reports, Fixed-wing aircraft are concentrating on the north flank and head of the fire with retardant drops while helicopters are working the south end of the fire. Structure protection is being done for homes to the north-west of the fire along Grant Ridge (Forest Road 3N11) and contingency lines are being established on the north-side of Cedar Ridge. Ground crews are making access on the south side of the fire. You can view webcam images of the fire by clicking here. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road. A special thanks to community news partner Charles Lortz for submitting a photo. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com. Update at 11:50am: Air resources continue to battle the Quarter Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest. No new size estimate has been released nor are there any changes to the evacuation advisories. Click here to view a webcam aimed at the fire area. More details regarding the fire can be found below. Update at 8:57am: The US Forest Service reports that a fire near Cedar Ridge is now approximately 15 acres. It is being referred to as the Quarter Fire and is located on the south fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon, approximately three miles upstream of the Lost Dutchman Mining Association property in the Grant Ridge 3N11 area. The fire held on the north side of the river overnight. Aircraft will be up again fighting the fire at around 9:30am. Ground resources are still trying to gain access to the area. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Residents in that area should be prepared for an evacuation, and others are asked to avoid the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Original story at 8:13am: Sonora, CA Air resources will be busy today trying to gain some containment on a wildfire that ignited late yesterday near Cedar Ridge. The fire was first reported last night near Forest Road 3N11. It is situated in a hard to access canyon in the Rose Creek area. The US Forest Service took over operations from CAL Fire late yesterday. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Residents in that area should be prepared for an evacuation, and others are asked to avoid the area. The latest size estimate released by fire officials is around three acres. The situation continues to remain tense along the 3,488km-long Line of Actual Control, with both the Indian and Chinese armies fully deployed, air bases activated, and the navy on standby, following the June 15 face-off in the Galwan sector. Though the situation has not escalated since the Galwan incident, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is continuing troop accretion with support elements on standby, Indian officials familiar with the matter said. The Indian Army positions are also being beefed up in response to the PLA build-up in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions, and the air forces of the two sides are keeping surveillance watch on each other, the officials added. One of them said on condition of anonymity that Indian military commanders have issued instructions to use force if PLA troops cross the Galwan nullah to attack the Indian Patrol Post 14. The PLA has amassed troops across the nullah, and both sides are holding ground, he said. The situation on ground is no different from June 16, with the two armies not thinking in terms of disengagement at the moment along the lines of the June 6 framework laid down in a Lt General-level meeting. Senior Indian military commanders are watching the PLA movement in the Aksai Chin region, while the ministry of external affairs is trying to search for a diplomatic solution. The situation has cooled to a little extent, but de-escalation appears to be a long haul due to the position China has taken on the Galwan Valley, said a senior Indian diplomat. Military watchers said they were shocked by the level of aggression on social media -- on both sides of the border -- with several people asking their respective armies for retribution. All those asking for revenge are war mongers who do not have any idea of destruction a war between two nuclear nations can cause. If the Indian or Chinese soldiers had not obeyed the 1996/2005 military protocol for the LAC on June 15, there would have been carnage leading to a vertical escalation all across the border with immediate violence on nearby patrolling point 15 and 17, said a former Indian Army chief. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Citizens of Kazakhstan purchased 262 real estate properties in Turkey from January through May 2020, which is six real estate properties fewer compared to the same period of last year, Trend reports referring to the Turkish General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadaster. Citizens of Kazakhstan purchased 15 real estate properties in Turkey in May 2020, which is 56 real estate properties fewer compared to May 2019. In May 2020, 50,936 real estate properties were sold in Turkey, which is 44.6 percent less compared to May 2019. Some 860 real estate properties were sold to foreigners in Turkey in May 2020, which is by 78.1 percent less compared to May 2019. Citizens of Kazakhstan purchased 776 real estate properties in Turkey in 2019, which is 234 real estate properties more compared to 2018. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Expert witnesses in court cases are encouraged to overstate their findings and downplay the limits of their expertise, a new paper warns, and Australian courts are inadequately policing potential bias. In a paper published in the Sydney Law Review, University of Sydney Law School lecturer Dr Jason Chin and his co-authors at the University of NSW and University of Queensland say expert witness protocols used in courts "do little to protect against unconscious bias". Expert evidence is in the spotlight in a new paper. Credit:Peter Rae Expert evidence has proved controversial in a number of high-profile criminal trials, including the trial of Gordon Wood for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Caroline Byrne. After spending 3 years behind bars, Mr Wood was acquitted of murder by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2012. International Yoga Day, after being observed for the first time on June 21, 2015, has now turned into a global celebration. Today, several people across the world are celebrating the day and many are also sharing images and videos on social media of themselves doing various asanas. In fact, the Internet is flooded with videos and photos on International Yoga Day 2020. We also have collected some videos and pics but these have a little twist. These show different yoga poses performed not by humans but adorable animals. Lets start with this Twitter post by North Georgia Wildlife Park & Zoo. The post details an opportunity for people to do yoga with kangaroos. Check out the images, do you think you can ever get a better teacher than these marsupials? Only a few spots left for this Saturdays Kangaroo Yoga class at 9am. Don't miss out, sign up today by visiting https://t.co/VVgNPrQGJ2 More classes available! Tortoise & Friends Yoga June 20th at 9 & 10am Kangaroo Yoga June 27th at 9 & 10am#animalyoga #yogaclass pic.twitter.com/w0DTUo4alX North Georgia Wildlife Park & Zoo (@northgeorgiazoo) June 11, 2020 If youre impressed by the roos, then chances are that these pictures of Norman, the yoga doing bunny, will make you go aww. We wont say anything else, check for yourself why hes all kind of adorbs: Here comes another expert from the animal world. We are not saying that seeing this little pug acing a yoga pose will make you question your ability but the possibilityis high: And, this dog name Bruno is probably the cutest yoga teacher ever. No, were not kidding. We bet after seeing the video youll want to learn some poses from this adorable one: As for this feline teacher, were not sure what kind of teaching methods the cat is following but seeing its human do yoga so nicely we can say theyre working: Then there is this stretching turtle! Does this creature remind anyone of Grand Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda series? From which of these animals would you like to learn yoga? A Melbourne teenager is still too traumatised to return to school four weeks after she was beaten and had her head stomped on in a 'horrific' attack. The 13-year-old girl's father has spoken out about the May 19 schoolyard attack at St Francis Xavier College's Beaconsfield campus in the city's south-east outskirts, which has left his daughter fearing the teens will come after her again. Footage which has since gone viral on social media shows the teen surrounded by a group of girls who pull her hair, kick and punch her before she's pushed to the ground. The girl can be heard lying on the ground screaming for help as she is stomped on repeatedly as several teachers try to break up the brawl. Footage shows the teen surrounded by a group of girls before pushed to the ground The teen's father says the sickening footage was heartbreaking to watch. 'These girls are at school and my daughter is at home scared to go to school, she is getting calls to be beaten again,' he posted on a public Facebook group. 'I haven't seen this video much been father it hurts to hear your daughter crying for help but not being present upsets me.' He told the Cranbourne Leader his daughter was confronted by a group of Sudanese girls at lunchtime who began kicking her and stomping on her head. 'My daughter is too scared to go back to school now and she has been getting threats from the girls that they will go after her again,' he said. 'A lot of her hair was pulled out, she had severe bruising, a concussion and she's just not coping.' The schoolyard attack happened in May at St Francis Xavier College's Beaconsfield campus in Melbourne on May 19 The father has reported the incident to police and fears his daughter or another student will be attacked unless action is taken. 'This is happening far too often in the schoolyard and it needs to stop now,' he said. Victoria Police confirmed an alleged assault at the school has been reported and are investigating. 'No arrests have been made at this stage,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. St Francis Xavier College's Beaconsfield campus is assisting with police investigations In a statement to parents shared on Facebook, St Francis Xavier says teachers responded quickly to restore calm at the time and that the behaviour of students 'contrary to school values' has been dealt with. The school added it was cooperating with police in their investigations. 'The college also taken its own disciplinary action consistent with the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education policy to express our expectations around what is acceptable student conduct,' the message to parents read. Libya's House of Representatives, which is allied with the eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, said on Sunday that it welcomes Egypt's announcement that it may intervene in Libya to assist the Libyan armed forces in their war against terrorism and to counteract the foreign invasion. The Egyptian move comes in response to calls by the Libyan parliament speaker, Libya's House of Representatives said in a statement. Speaker Aguila Saleh made the call when he addressed the Egyptian parliament about the latest development in Libya in January, he said in the statement. On Saturday, Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that any direct Egyptian intervention in Libya would have international legitimacy at this point, while assuring that any intervention would be mainly aimed at protecting Egypts western border, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in the country. Saleh said that El-Sisi's speech comes in response to our call to the Egyptian parliament on the need to intervene and support our armed forces in their war against terrorism and to counter foreign invasion." Saleh expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian president's serious stance and efforts to reach a ceasefire and his call for the Libyan people to stand together to protect their wealth by launching a political dialogue that leads to satisfactory solutions. "Egypt has sought, since the onset of the crisis, to push ahead with the political solution and achieve Libyan homogeneity," he said. It hosted discussions and meetings at various civilian and military levels, and has been keen to reconcile opinions between the factions and it also participated actively in conferences and meetings in international capitals, especially in the Berlin conference, and supported its outcomes, while others played the role of abettor of the fighting via smuggling weapons and mercenaries to achieve its colonial objectives," he said. The Egyptian role, during the various stages of the Libyan crisis, has never been to incite hostility or fighting," he said. El-Sisi said that any intervention in Libya by Egyptian forces "would be led by the Libyan tribes," stressing that Egypt only aspires for stability in Libya. The supreme council of Libyan tribes and cities, loyal to the eastern forces, announced on Sunday its support for El-Sisis stance, calling for direct Egyptian support for the Libyan armed forces to eliminate chaos and to assist the Libyan people in building state institutions. During his speech, El-Sisi also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Libyan National Army (LNA) forces of rival Haftar in the east, whom Egypt supports. Libya's western-based government said on Sunday that Egypt's announcement would be an attack on its sovereignty and is considered a declaration of war. It added that the Government of National Accord is the only legitimate representative of the Libyan state. An Egyptian official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the GNA's statement, saying it reflects a willingness to waste the opportunity once again to put an end to the Libyan crisis and achieve stability and security for the brotherly Libyan people, according to state news agency MENA. Libya, which has descended into chaos since the 2011 uprising, has been split between two rival administrations in the east and the west. Search Keywords: Short link: Adam Schiff claimed Sunday that he was 'disturbed' after reading some leaked excerpts from John Bolton's new book detailing his 17 months as Donald Trump's national security adviser. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee claimed that while he has not yet read the book, he and his colleagues will go though it with a fine-tooth comb to find potentially incriminating information they could use against the president. While he insists that the exposure this book gives the public to Trump's actions regarding foreign affairs is needed, he also took a hit at Bolton for refusing to testify before his committee and instead revealing it in a tell-all memoir. 'To the length and degree that [Bolton] indicts Donald Trump, he also indicts himself, for cowardice and for greed. Because there were people who did come forward... who risked their careers,' Schiff told NBC's Meet the Press Sunday morning. 'It was only the greed that made him come forward in this book,' the California Democrats asserted. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff claimed Sunday that he was 'disturbed' after reading leaked excerpts from John Bolton's new book, which details his 17 months as Donald Trump's national security adviser While Schiff said the public deserves to hear what Bolton has to say, he insists it should have been by way of testimony before his committee. 'To the length and degree that [Bolton] indicts Donald Trump, he also indicts himself, for cowardice and for greed,' Schiff said Republican Senator Tim Scott also claimed that Bolton should have testified: 'The problem is that when you're selling it in a book, you're not putting yourself in a position to be cross-examined' The comments come as Republican Senator Time Scott also said that Bolton should have testified instead of releasing a book. 'I do wish that Mr. Bolton would have come into the House under oath and testified,' Scott said during an interview with ABC's This Week on Sunday. 'The problem is that when you're selling it in a book, you're not putting yourself in a position to be cross-examined,' the South Carolina senator claimed. Schiff's committee called Bolton to testify regarding what he had witnessed with Trump dealing with China, Russia and other foreign leaders, but he refused to appear. John Bolton's book, 'The Room Where it Happened,' will hit shelves on Tuesday and detail his 17 months in Donald Trump's White House He even threatened to sue the Intelligence Committee if they subpoenaed him leading Schiff to back off his request for testimony. Bolton's book, The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, will hit shelves Tuesday even after the Department of Justice attempted to halt its release with a stop order. The DOJ argued that the memoir included 'highly classified' information that should not be released to the public. President Donald Trump, however, has contradicted his Justice Department by claiming the book is full of 'lies' and is 'fiction' Bolton created as revenge for being fired even though Bolton still insists he resigned from his post after several disagreements with the president on foreign policy strategy. 'A lot of it is not a surprise, but at the same time, exposure of this president's misconduct is the best way to protect this country,' Schiff said of what he has learned from the book already. 'Trump is dealing away our national security, he's dealing away the values of this country in secret in order to help himself,' he said. Bolton said, both in the book and in interviews ahead of its release, that Trump's sole focus when making decisions including regarding national security and foreign policy was made with the goal of getting reelected. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), over their failure to account for the public funds and other resources so far spent and used to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/616/2020 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Minister of Health and the NCDC to publish details of the funds and resources from federal and state governments, and the private sector, as well as details of how the funds and resources have so far been spent and used to combat COVID-19. SERAP is also seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Federal Government to disclose information on the exact number of tests that have been carried out for high-ranking public officials and politicians, the number of any such high-ranking public officials and politicians now in self-isolation or quarantine, as well as the exact number of tests that have been carried out for the countrys poorest and most vulnerable people. SERAP is arguing that: Transparency in the use of COVID-19 money would help to reduce the risk of corruption or opportunism, build trust and engage Nigerians in the fight against coronavirus as well as safe lives. Transparency and accountability are important to implementing an effective response to COVID-19 and slowing the spread of the virus in the country. According to SERAP: Nigerians have the right to know the details of spending of COVID-19 money, as this is essential to the fight against corruption, and will foster the development of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Nigeria. The suit followed SERAPs Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated 27 March 2020 to the Minister of Health and the NCDC, expressing concern that lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources to combat COVID-19 would lead to diversion or mismanagement of funds and resources, unnecessarily cost lives, and result in serious damage to public health in the country. According to SERAP: Millions of Nigerians continue to lack access to an improved water source and to proper sanitation, thereby making them vulnerable to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Yet, the Ministry of Health and the NCDC have failed and/or refused to disclose whether there is any collaborative work with the Ministry of Water Resources to provide vulnerable Nigerians with safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions. The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Atinuke Adejuyigbe, and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: The information SERAP is seeking to access is permitted under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. The Federal Government has a legal duty to ensure that information on the spending of COVID-19 money and resources is released to SERAP and widely published. It is not too much to ask for details of measures to protect health workers and procedures put in place to ensure that COVID-19 money is not diverted, mismanaged or stolen. The Federal Government has no legally justifiable reason for refusing to provide SERAP with the information requested, and therefore, this court ought to grant SERAP the order directing and compelling the Federal Government to publish details of spending of COVID-19 money. There are reports of lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources being mobilised to combat coronavirus, and that authorities are prioritising home testing of politicians, with some reportedly taking multiple tests. Politicians engaging in multiple tests for coronavirus have in turn slowed the number of tests for the countrys poorest and most vulnerable people. The suit is in the public interest, as it bothers on issues of national interest, public welfare and interest, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability. Obedience to the rule of law particularly by those who publicly took oath of office to protect and preserve the constitution is a desideratum to good governance and respect for the rule of law. Nigerians are entitled to know how the commonwealth is being utilized, managed and administered in a democratic setting, as this positively influences the feeling of belonging in the society. This right to know will no doubt help in promoting a transparent democracy, good governance and public accountability. SERAP is seeking the following reliefs: Sources reveal a complete lack of medical facilities in Balochistan, warn a drastic surge in cases may occur in the upcoming months. A senior officer of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) posted in Balochistan, Brig. Hassan Afzal, has died due to COVID-19 on Saturday. Sources reveal that Brig. Hassan was the sector commander of the ISI and his death is due to the complete absence of medical facilities in the troubled province of Pakistan. Balochistan has reported over 9,000 Corona cases which experts say will surge in the coming months. The least developed province in Pakistan, Balochistan has no super-speciality hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. Dr Saleem Abro, Director General health Balochistan recently warned in a press conference that the cases could increase to over 100,000 within the next few months. Also read: 26/11 attacks suspect Tahawwur Rana arrested in Los Angeles Also read: Ahead of Trump rally in Tulsa, 6 campaign staffers test positive for Covid-19 From July to September we are expecting coronavirus cases to peak and the situation could become dangerous. About 40 percent of the population in the province is currently infected, Dr Abro told media. He lamented the fact that even though health authorities had recommended a complete lockdown but their warnings were ignored with the lockdown converted to a smart lockdown. Pakistans coronavirus death toll reached 3,436, while the total number of infections jumped to 174,676 on Saturday. Also read: Policy option to completely decouple from China open: Donald Trump For all the latest World News, download NewsX App JERSEY CITY Yvonne Garlin and her husband, Fred, were among the thousands who tested positive for COVID-19 in the state. And after three long weeks of recovery, Garlin said attending church was a priority. Garlin, a former Jersey City resident, was one of dozens who attended Sunday Mass in the city. For many parishioners, including Garlin, they said theyre grateful to be back. It feels so good to be here, Garlin said outside of Christ The King Church. Im so thankful. The Archdiocese of Newark announced on Friday that in-person Sunday worship can resume under its Phase 3 of reopening, but with restrictions including limited attendance of 50 people or 25 percent of the churchs capacity. Garlin, a coronavirus survivor, said shes glad to see the protocols implemented during Mass and people are taking it serious. She emphasized that the virus is not something anyone wants to catch. The parishioners were socially distanced and wore face masks in the Ocean Avenue church, but that didnt stop them from singing hymns or rejoicing in prayer. The prayers are more powerful when we come together, Christ The King Rev. Esterminio Chica said. We belong together. Communion was individually given as churchgoers stayed in their pews during the 10 a.m. service. Daily weekday Masses resumed last week under the archdioceses Phase 2 directive. Damalia Oparaji, who attended the Mass with her family, said though everyones adjusted to Sunday Mass live-streams, it feels wonderful to attend church in-person again. Oparaji has been going to Christ The King for 15 years. The first weekend of masses took place in Jersey City since the shutdown. Photo taken on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Parishioners exit mass at Christ the King Church in Jersey City. L to R. Damalia Oparaji and Iris Jones. For this community, its important that people have a place like this to go, Oparaji said. Especially during this time. Oparaji said people in the area have faced social injustices one issue that the Black Lives Matter movement has been protesting nationwide for almost a month so residents look for a safe place, which she said the Bergen-Lafayette church could offer. Hallelujah! was Iris Joness response to the churchs reopening. Jones whos been a member of the parish since 1956 added that Zoom is great, but it doesnt compare to physically attending. Meanwhile, for Angel Rivas, a 14-year St. Aloysius parishioner, she said she cried when parishes were forced to close in March and moved Sunday services to live-streams. Its a hard reality, Rivas said outside the West Side Avenue parish. Im so used to being involved and present to give and to have that taken away gives a sense of emptiness. Nearly a dozen people lined up outside of St. Aloysius Parish for the noon Mass. They were six feet apart outside the church. Before entering, everyone had their temperature checked. The first weekend of masses took place in Jersey City since the shutdown. Photo taken on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Allen Avegno, of Jersey City, gives a temperature check to Francis Koomson outside St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Jersey City. Rivas attended the service with her 12-year-old daughter where everyone was socially distanced in their own pews and wore face masks. During the sign-of-peace, people greeted one another with peace signs and waves instead of physical contact a new requirement that left Rivas emotional. After the service, parishioners maintained the six-feet distance as they exited the church. The pastor did not go out and greet them as he normally wouldve prior to the pandemic. Rivas said hello to familiar faces outside from a distance. I miss you and Im so glad to see you! she shouted to another after the service. Rivas added that despite the obvious differences in Mass, she plans to continue attending church every Sunday. It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster or at the very least a Netflix mini-series. An Irish technology company announces that it has defied the laws of physics and invented a way to produce free, clean energy a finding that could revolutionise life as we know it. The plan is backed by keen investors who sink multi-millions into the project, and led by a true believer who never doubts that the venture will be a success. This tale, however, is real and Kildare journalist Barry J Whyte has penned a book tracing this stranger-than-fiction story of Celtic Tiger hubris all the way to its sorry end, which resulted in the loss of millions of euros to investors. Dublin-based tech company Steorn hit the headlines in the summer of 2006 when its founder Shaun McCarthy placed an advertisement in the Economist announcing that they had discovered a machine that could create energy from nothing. It was a bold and brash move, reflecting a time that was awash with money, when people were willing to believe that the old rules no longer applied to the housing market, to economics and, perhaps, to the laws of physics. A whos who of high-profile Irish figures invested in Steorn which, inevitably, failed to deliver on its promises. Founder McCarthy was called a scam artist and a fraud. The cover of Barry J Whyte's Book, The Impossible Dream, which is out now The Impossible Dream, which was published last month, was written by Brownstown native Barry J Whyte, who is a writer with the Business Post newspaper. Now living in Newbridge, he has also worked with RTE and the Phoenix, and subsequently spent four years in New York where he studied at Columbia University. His fascination with the story started in the mid-noughties, and he has returned to it time and again in his reporting. What struck everybody at the time wasnt just that theyd claimed this thing but that theyd also dared the world of science to prove them wrong. Which was this brash and really confident approach they had to something that was in violation of all of the laws of physics. People with a slightly more sceptical or cynical bent thought that they were up to some kind of scam, and thats the interesting tension at the heart of all this. Shaun McCarthy, who engaged with Mr Whyte on the writing of the book kind of put it himself that its a scam, or hes an idiot. History is littered with the false claims of those who think they can create an everlasting source of power but never once has any of these been proven. You do have to presume when a company comes out and makes this claim that the laws of physics will remain intact after theyve gone, and thats been the case in Steorn. But that doesnt mean that the company wont raise money, particularly in the Celtic Tiger when there was so much surplus money around, and people, I suppose, had a particular outlook. They were more sort of inclined to imagine that there could be success at something like this. Mr Whyte says that Steorns rise is a story of its time, of a period when people had money to burn and putting in tens of thousands didnt cost investors a second thought. Some of those investors also agreed to be interviewed for the book although others, perhaps embarrassed, dont want to be reminded of throwing away money that a few years later they would have been grateful for. There is a lesson in this. If we ever find ourselves in a period like the Celtic Tiger again, we really should exercise a bit more prudence and caution and not get carried away with financial promises, the idea that an economy can grow forever there will always be a downturn. We must mind our finances appropriately, and pay attention to the laws of physics both literally and figuratively what goes up must come down. Ultimately, this is a sad story. Its not a hatchet job on a bunch of eejits. I hope that people come away liking Shaun McCarthy. We can disagree on the laws of physics but hes still a nice fella. And similarly with the shareholders, its not my intent to make them look stupid. Theyve been through enough and they were good enough to talk to me. These guys have been very gracious in giving their time, exposing themselves once again to potential ridicule, and theyre doing something beneficial to remind us just how crazy we all got during the Celtic Tiger. Beijing COVID-19 outbreak did not come from Taiwan: CECC ROC Central News Agency 06/20/2020 03:58 PM Taipei, June 20 (CNA) Despite similarities in the strain types, a recent COVID-19 coronavirus cluster outbreak in Beijing did not originate from Taiwan, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday. After an investigation, the strain in question was imported to Taiwan by 13 patients who were confirmed with the coronavirus after they returned from a holiday to Turkey between March 4-13, CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang () said in a video statement. "It looks like the patients were most likely infected in Turkey and the European strain was then imported to Taiwan," Chuang said. When Taiwan discovered the strain, the country uploaded the viral sequences to international platforms to share the information it had with other countries, Chuang said. He made the statement in the wake of recent media reports of experts in Hong Kong claiming that the strain currently in Beijing is very similar to the ones in the Czech Republic, Taiwan and Europe. Despite the claim, Chinese media reports have also reported that the new local cluster in Beijing, linked to the city's Xinfadi wholesale market, is closely related to the European strain. After over 50 days without a locally transmitted case of the coronavirus in Beijing, the city reported one case June 11 with new cases hiking to 183 as of Friday. Since the start of the pandemic, China has recorded a total of 84,970 cases with 4,645 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, Taiwan has confirmed 446 cases, with 434 recoveries, seven deaths and five patients in hospital quarantine, according to the CECC. The last time Taiwan recorded a domestic infection was on April 12, according to CECC statistics. Taiwan has been praised by the international community for its swift prevention efforts and its donations of medical supplies and resources to other countries. (By William Yen) Enditem/J NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A man is dead and two other people injured after a motorcycle collided with a bicycle in Marquette County. The crash happened on WIS 23 at STH 23, west of CTH AA near Endeavor at 10:40 Sunday morning. Initial information indicated the motorcycle was being driven eastbound on STH 23 when it attempted to turn left into an adjacent property. The bicycle traveled into the path of the motorcycle, which was unable to stop in time and the vehicles crashed. The operator of the bicycle, a 67-year-old man from Portage, was killed in the crash. The passenger of the motorcycle, a 57-year-old woman from Baraboo, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported via med-flight to a local hospital. The driver of the motorcycle, a 57-year-old man from Baraboo, suffered non-life threatening injuries. The Wisconsin State Patrol will be conducting the crash investigation including a scene reconstruction. They were assisted on scene by numerous first-responders, including local Fire & EMS personnel, the Adams County Sheriffs Office and the Marquette County Sheriffs Office. STH 23 was closed in both directions for the investigation and is now open. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, an honest look at President Biden's press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The second wave spike of COVID-19 infections in Victoria has threatened to keep three Australian states closed for travelers. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was forced to reimpose restrictions within his state after 25 new cases were recorded on Saturday. The spike has made health authorities in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia wary of reopening their borders. Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said a powerful second wave of coronavirus could be devastating for Queenslanders. Three Australian states are wary of opening their borders after Victoria had a spike in coronavirus cases on Saturday. Pictured: signage on the Queensland and NSW border in April Queensland Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said Victoria's spike is a reminder for Queenslanders to stay vigilant when dealing with coronavirus 'It will be so much harder on businesses in the long run if we can't stick to our recovery plans because of further outbreaks,' he told The Sunday Mail. 'Queenslanders have done a good job, making many sacrifices, to keep our communities safe. 'This is a reminder that this pandemic is not over for us yet and we cannot afford to become complacent.' Mr Miles calls comes after Opposition Deputy Leader Tim Mander claimed there was 'no risk' to opening the borders. Victoria's case numbers are now the highest they've been in more than two months after four days of double-digit growth, with further restrictions put into place. From midnight on Sunday to July 12, Victorians will only be able to have five people at their homes. Outdoor gatherings will be restricted to 10. Cafes, restaurants and pubs had been set to be allowed 50 patrons at one time on Monday, up from 20 currently. That will also be put on hold until July 12. A police officer moves a stop sign on the Pacific Highway on the Queensland and NSW border in April Mr Andrews on Saturday said Victorian families were mainly responsible for the coronavirus spike. 'The experts tell us that, largely, the numbers are being driven by families - families having big get-togethers and not following the advice around distancing and hygiene.' Mr Andrews said about half of the state's cases since the end of April have come from transmission inside someone's home. 'You can see how this could happen. People feeling relaxed at home. Letting their guard down. Letting old habits creep back,' he said. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said families were to blame for the spike in infections for 'letting their guard down' The Premier also said he had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the possibility of reintroducing a stay at home order to ensure Victorians follow the rules. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days,' Mr Andrews said. 'That's why we need to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities.' Western Australia's government has maintained its hardline border closure will remain for as long as there is sustained community spread of the virus in the eastern states. Premier Mark McGowan has refused to put a date on welcoming interstate visitors and is likely to further ease restrictions within WA before opening the border. Police and navy officers scan drivers at the checkpoint on the Forrest Highway south of Perth in April South Australia is due to reopen on July 20 but its government is closely monitoring the situation in Victoria and has not ruled out staying closed. 'We will not open our borders to Victoria unless it is safe to do so,' Health Minister Stephen Wade said on Saturday. 'Our number one priority is the health of South Australians.' The AFL was forced to postpone Sunday's match between Essendon and Melbourne after Bombers defender Conor McKenna tested positive. AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said McKenna, who returned from his native Ireland last month, had subsequently tested negative five times while in hotel quarantine, suggesting he was likely to have contracted the virus in Melbourne. By PTI SRINAGAR: Religious and political organisations in Kashmir have opposed a reported move to open liquor vends in the Valley, prompting the government to clarify on Sunday that it was not considering any such move. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of socio-religious organisations, headed by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said any move by the administration to open liquor shops across the length and breadth of the Valley will be strongly opposed and resisted. "The government order which is widely circulating on social media clearly stating governments plan to set up liquor shops at 67 locations in Kashmir valley is causing grave concern and anguish among the Muslims of the valley," the MMU said in a statement. It asked the government to immediately withdraw this "immoral and anti-Islam order". Kashmir is a predominantly Muslim region. The Finance department of the Union territory, however, said it has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licences in unserved areas. "No list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved. No decision will be taken without participation of stakeholders and the due process," it said. It was reported that the Jammu and Kashmir administration planned to open new liquor shops in the Union territory. The Apni Party, headed by Altaf Bukhari, also slammed the government over the issue. "The government proposal to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K, including 67 in the Kashmir Valley, is totally unacceptable as the decision is bound to have disastrous consequences for peace in the region," Apni Party leader Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said. "Such decisions are highly condemnable. Kashmir is a land of sufis and saints, and such obnoxious proposals are mooted to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere," he added. Pompeo Lauds IAEA Resolution, Says Iran Must Grant Access To Disputed Sites Radio Farda June 20, 2020 In a statement on June 19, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran must immediately comply with the demands of UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and provide full access to international inspectors. The IAEA Board of Governors on Friday adopted a resolution proposed by the European troika consisting of France, Germany and Britain regarding Iran's nuclear activities and stressed that the international community must be prepared for further action if Iran fails to grant the U.N. nuclear watchdog's inspectors information and access to two nuclear sites. This was the first critical resolution of IAEA against Iran since 2012. "Iran's denial of access to IAEA inspectors and refusal to cooperate with the IAEA's investigation is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about what Iran is trying to hide. Over the past months, Iran has not only continued its nuclear escalation and extortion, but it has also stonewalled the IAEA," Pompeo said in his statement and added: "These actions are unacceptable and underscore the continued threat posed by Iran's nuclear program to international peace and security". Pompeo further added that Iran has shown no intention of curtailing the ongoing expansion of its nuclear program and for months has refused to provide the answers and access required for the IAEA to conduct its critical verification work. "Iran must immediately comply with its IAEA safeguards obligations and provide the IAEA nothing short of full cooperation. If Iran fails to cooperate, the international community must be prepared to take further action," the U.S. Secretary of State said in the statement. The United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018 and reintroduced its sanctions against the country. Currently the U.S. is seeking to prevent an arms embargo against Iran which will be lifted as part of the agreement drawn in 2015 between Iran and the world powers from being lifted in October. Pompeo said the United States remains committed to "denying Iran any pathway to a nuclear weapon" and will work through the IAEA's Board of Governors to resolve the issues of concern and insisted that Iran is legally obligated to answer the IAEA's questions and provide the required accesses and verifiably demonstrate that it has permanently abandoned all banned nuclear activities. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/pompeo- lauds-iaea-resolution-says-iran-must-grant- access-to-disputed-sites/30681226.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, June 21 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged educational institutions to include Yoga as part of online learning programmes being conducted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to improve immunity. He said, children must be introduced to the ancient Indian technique at a young age. Naidu was speaking at the digital 'Yoga and Meditation Shivir' organised by SPIC MACAY on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. The Vice President said that Yoga is a unique gift of India to the world which is successfully transforming millions of lives around the globe. "I am glad that 'UNICEF Kid Power' has listed 13 Yoga stretches and poses for children," Naidu said on the occasion of the 6th International Yoga Day. Observing that the 5,000-year-old tradition is not a mere workout, he said, "It is a science that emphasizes balance, poise, grace, equanimity, peace and harmony". Various components of yoga such as postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques together help in bringing about a positive transformation in the human body and mind in innumerable ways, he said. Calling for large-scale scientific experimentation to further explore the immense possibilities of Yoga as a wellness solution, Naidu said Yoga as a mode of therapy or Yog Chikitsa has become extremely popular. He said that a large number of studies offer scientific evidence for its potential to treat a number of diseases. Referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of the people, the Vice President said, "Indeed the world is going through challenging times and we simply cannot allow the pandemic to get the better of us. We have to unite and put up a stronger fight and to ensure that we are healthy, both physically and mentally." He said that yoga can be an effective solution for the high level of stress that the pandemic has created in our lives. "Yoga is a relatively low-risk, high-yield approach to improving overall health and its full potential must be harnessed," he added. Pointing out that the pandemic is not the only health crisis that has threatened the wellbeing of the people, he expressed concern over the increase in lifestyle diseases. Quoting WHO, he said it was estimated that 63 per cent of all deaths in India in 2016 were because of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). "Yoga remains an incredibly simple but powerful instrument to prevent and control lifestyle diseases," Naidu observed. Argumenti i Fakti reports that there are victims after the mass brawl on a street in Norilsk. Witnesses say the brawl began after a dispute between Azerbaijanis and Dagestanis on ethnic ground and left one person injured. Yesterday evening Norilsk police officers received a report on the brawl. Policemen immediately left for the scene of the incident where they stopped the citizens unlawful actions and transported them to the local police station, the polices press service reports. Police in Norilsk are establishing the circumstances of the incident and the identity of all the participants and interviewing witnesses. They are also considering bringing the participants of the brawl to justice. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 17:39:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Supporters wait to attend a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Tulsa of Oklahoma, the United States, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Alan Chin/Xinhua) Trump blamed the COVID-19 numbers on testing at a campaign rally in Tulsa. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," he said. A White House official told reporters later that Trump was joking about slowing down testing. WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday evening, amid coronavirus concerns and a national reckoning over racism. Speaking to a crowd of supporters inside the BOK Center, Trump touted his policies and judicial nominees, tore into Democrats and media, and touched upon a series of national issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 2.2 million people and taken nearly 120,000 lives in the United States. The president blamed the numbers on testing, a claim that has been widely disputed. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," he said. "They test and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on." Trump made the remarks only hours after his campaign spokesman revealed that six staffers helping organizing the Tulsa rally have tested positive for the coronavirus. A White House official told reporters later that Trump was joking about slowing down testing. Two people (L) protest before a campaign rally of Donald Trump in Tulsa of Oklahoma, the United States, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Alan Chin/Xinhua) Attendees of the rally, who have been asked to sign a waiver releasing the Trump campaign from responsibility for possible exposure to the coronavirus, received a mask from organizers before entering the event, but most of them didn't wear it inside the arena, which can hold 19,000 people. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, has said that he wouldn't personally attend rallies. "I'm in a high risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not," Fauci told an interview with Daily Beast earlier this week, adding that when it came to Trump's rallies "outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd" and "crowd is better than big crowd." The Saturday rally also came as U.S. states and cities have begun removing statues of Confederate figures amid a national reckoning over police brutality and racism sparked by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, who died on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Demonstrators take part in a protest sparked by the death of George Floyd across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the United States, June 13, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) Floyd's death has triggered weeks-long demonstrations across the country, as well as calls from lawmakers and activists for the removal of monuments in memory of figures believed to be symbols of racism, while some Confederate statues have already been toppled by protesters. During his nearly two-hour remarks on Saturday, Trump slammed the movement. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming," he said. Trump also spoke at length complaining about media coverage of his slow walk down a ramp after giving the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy, also known as West Point, last week, which has fueled questions about his health. He explained that he was wearing "leather-bottom shoes" and that the ramp "was like an ice-skating rink," stressing that "I can't fall with the fake news watching." A supporter gets his temperature checked prior to attending a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Tulsa of Oklahoma, the United States, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Alan Chin/Xinhua) There were multiple groups of demonstrators with varying viewpoints in the area adjacent to the rally, but the Tulsa Police Department tweeted Saturday night, "Overwhelmingly these encounters have been peaceful." The rally was previously scheduled on Friday, the Juneteenth, a day that memorializes the end of slavery in the United States, but Trump rescheduled it for Saturday after strong pushback, as Tulsa was home to one of the worst incidents of racial violence in the nation's history, where dozens of African Americans were massacred 99 years ago. Trump's last rally was held in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 2. OTTAWAThe remains of four of the six Canadian Armed Forces members killed when a Cyclone helicopter crashed into the Ionian Sea off Greece in late April have been identified. In a news release, the Department of National Defence (DND) says the remains were positively identified Thursday by the Chief Coroner for Ontario. They include Capt. Kevin Hagen, a pilot originally from Nanaimo, B.C.; Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin, an air combat systems officer originally from Becancour, Quebec; Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke, a naval warfare officer originally from Truro, N.S.; and Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins, an airborne electronic sensor operator originally from Guelph. The remains were found during a combined search and recovery operation with the United States navy conducted between May 25 and June 2. The military says the families of all crew members lost in the accident have been notified and the remains will be released to the families over the coming days. Ceremonial arrangements are also being planned by the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force in consultation with the families, and details will be released at a later date. The remains of Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, a marine systems engineering officer originally from Toronto, were previously identified shortly after the accident. Partial remains of Captain Brenden MacDonald, a pilot originally from New Glasgow, N.S., were originally identified on May 9. The commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the crash victims. I hope todays news provides some comfort and closure to each of you, said McDonald. These have been dark days and these events have reminded us all of the perils of service at sea and in the skies above. The commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger, also extended his sympathies. Together, well honour and remember the legacies of our fallen, while also standing behind those who will pick up their torch and carry on with the mission, Meinzinger said. A Royal Canadian Air Force flight safety investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing. The investigation is currently focused on aircraft systems and human factors as possible causes of the crash. Earlier this month, the military said in a brief report on the probes preliminary findings that the helicopter did not respond to something the way the crew expected. And in announcing a resumption of Cyclone flights earlier this week, Air Force officials said investigators have been able to recreate the circumstances surrounding the crash using information from the Cyclones flight-data recorders. The problem occurred as the helicopter was coming around to land on HMCS Fredericton, officials said. The pilot attempted to make a number of manoeuvres while the Cyclones flight director, or autopilot, was still engaged. Rather than turning off, the autopilot started to work against the human pilot before the helicopter crashed into the water at high speed. An Algerian soldier was killed during a clash with armed Islamists in the central region of Ain Defla, the defence ministry said Sunday, adding that an operation was still underway. An army detachment clashed with "an armed terrorist group", during an ambush Saturday in the Gaadet Lahdjar area, in the prefecture of Ain Defla, killing corporal Mostafa Znanda, the ministry said in a statement. Algerian authorities use the term "terrorist" to describe armed Islamists who have been active in the country since the early 1990s. Security measures have been taken to seal and search the area and pursue the "criminals", the ministry added. In May, the army announced it had killed two Islamists in the Ain Defla prefecture and seized weapons, ammunition and food products. And in February, an Algerian soldier was killed in a car bomb attack in Timiaouine, in the south of the country on the border with Mali. The army regularly announces the arrest or death of militants in different regions of the country. In 2019, it said it had killed 15 armed Islamists and arrested 25 others, while another 44 had handed themselves in to authorities. A civil war during the 1990s pitted Islamist militants against the Algerian government, leaving 200,000 people dead. Despite a 2005 charter for peace and reconciliation designed to turn the page on the conflict, armed Islamist groups still remain active in some areas of the country, largely targeting security forces. Search Keywords: Short link: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday hailed an employment scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for migrant workers, saying it will boost the states efforts to generate jobs at home for people who had to return due to the coronavirus lockdown. Modi on Saturday launched the Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan with an outlay of Rs 50,000 crore for migrant workers who returned to their home states during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The prime minister launched the scheme via video conference in a village in Khagaria district of Bihar in the presence of Kumar and the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and a minister from Odisha. Kumar, who attended the function via video conference from Telihar panchayat in Khagaria, sought exemptions in GST and Income Tax as a special assistance to promote industries in the state. He said the Centre should increase the limit of Rs 25,000 crore fund allotted to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) to promote the sector in Bihar. Kumar also stressed on increasing the existing banks CD (credit deposit) ratio of 43 per cent in the state by enhancing the size of annual credit plan, the issue which he had raised at a recently-held State Level Bankers Committee meeting in Patna. The scheme will be implemented on a mission mode in 125 days in 116 districts of six states -- Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha -- that received the maximum numbers of migrant workers back. In Bihar, the scheme will be implemented in 32 out of the total 38 districts, the chief minister said. Kumar, in his speech, highlighted that his government provided Rs 1,000 special assistance to more than 21 lakh distressed people who were stranded outside the state during the lockdown, besides running quarantine centres with proper health facilities. He said more than 20 lakh natives of the state returned their home in more than 15,000 Shramik Special trains during the coronavirus crisis. Kumar, who had an interaction with people in quarantine centres across the state via video conference, said people informed him that they suffered a lot and hence they do not want to return to other states where they were employed, instead they want to work in Bihar. Our governments efforts will be to ensure that no one goes outside the state in majboori (compulsion) for work. We will try to give them the work in the state itself, he said. The chief minister said people are being provided opportunities under MNREGA, road construction and other development work such as seven resolves, Jal-Jiwan-Hariyali etc. Under the Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan, the Centre will spend Rs 3.43 crore per panchayat, he informed, while stating that the state government will spend Rs 2.30 crore in Telihar panchayat. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Montreal, Canada Sun, June 21, 2020 12:19 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066065ef3 2 World Canada,puppies,airplane,Ukraine,Toronto Free Canada has launched an investigation after some 500 puppies -- 38 of them dead -- were found on board a Ukraine International Airlines plane at the Toronto airport, officials said Saturday. The surviving French bulldogs, a popular breed in Canada, were suffering from symptoms including dehydration, weakness and vomiting when they were found on the flight from Ukraine which landed at Toronto Pearson Airport on June 13, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a statement. The agency "will determine next steps once the investigation is complete," it said. A dog handler who was picking up another animal from the airport cargo area where the puppies were discovered last Saturday told the CBC of a "horror scene," adding: "It was a nightmare." UIA offered its "condolences for the tragic loss of animal life on our flight" and said on Facebook that it was working with local authorities. Read also: Puppy scammers target lonely Aussies during lockdown Puppy sales are "lucrative" in Canada, Scott Weese of the University of Guelph told the CBC. Most buyers believe the animals are bred in Canada, but the reality is "we have no idea how many dogs come in, where they go, where they come from," he said, adding that there was "potentially some organized crime component." "You mentioned 500 French bulldogs. If those are going for sale at $3,000 to $4,000 a dog, that's a massive amount of money," he told the broadcaster. Topics : Canada puppies airplane Ukraine Toronto But black dealers also say the largely white art market could be doing more, namely helping them qualify for art fairs like Art Basel, where the cost of running a booth can run as high as $100,000. We need to be at those fairs, we need to be reaching the upper echelons of the collector community, said Mr. Jones. You have to say, We are going to have these allotments to make sure we have these black-owned galleries, he added, likening such an effort to affirmative action at colleges. Marc Spiegler, the global director of Art Basel, noted there are dealers of color in the fair from other countries but added he would look at how to better support black American gallerists. He suggested providing dealers space in the fairs, putting them on our talks program to shine a light on them, to give them the visibility that they need, saying that these efforts would help owners build the networks that they havent inherited. He also maintained there are not a lot of black-owned galleries seeking entry to the fairs in the first place. This is not an Art Basel issue. This is an art-world issue, he said. There are very few black-owned galleries in America. The marginalization is cyclical. Black galleries tend to be excluded from art fairs because they dont have the track record to be admitted, but they can only gain stronger track records if they can gain exposure at a fair. If galleries such as mine are not allowed to participate, then it limits our access to major collectors, it limits our access to museum curators who may not find me in Baltimore, said Ms. Bedolla. Several people were injured in a stabbing attack in a park in the English town of Reading on Saturday, and British media said police were treating it as terrorism-related. Police said several people were taken to hospital but did not confirm media reports that three people had been killed. Police said one person was arrested and was in custody. Matt Rodda, member of parliament for Reading East, expressed his shock at the incident. "This is something that's quite unheard of in Reading and I should just say that I am thinking about those who are affected and that this is quite a shocking and very sad development in our town,'' he commented. The incident came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration took place at the park, but police said there was no indication that the attack was linked to the protest. The Jharkhand police have lodged an FIR against a group CRPF jawans for allegedly beating up seven people in a remote village in West Singhbhum district during a patrol. The FIR was registered in Goilkera police station on June 17 after villagers of Anjadbera complained of atrocities on June 15, police said on Sunday. The villagers were, are also demanding that that offences under the Scheduled Tribes Act and looting be added in the FIR against the jawans. Villagers have accused the CRPF jawans of looting of Rs 35, 000 cash, damaging their food-grain and other valuables. We have lodged FIR under sections 323, 324 and 341 of IPC against CRPF jawans on the basis of complaint by Anjadbera villagers on June 16. Prima facie, it appears that some of the jawans have failed to handle the situation professionally. We are identifying the jawans and action as per law will be taken. CRPF has also filed a complaint against few villagers on the basis of interception of messages showing that some villagers were leaking information to the CPI (Maoist) about movement of forces, Indrajit Mahatha, West Singhbhum superintendent of police (SP), said on Sunday. The CRPF could not be contacted for comments. According to the police and the CRPF, intercepted messages indicated that two dreaded Maoist commanders - politburo and central committee members -Prashant Bose alias Kishan-da and Misir Besra alias Sagar-da, both carrying reward of Rs 1 crore on their heads, have been camping in Sarjambudu forests and hills, adjacent to Anjdbeda, Chiriyabera and many other villages around under Goilkera, Sonua, Bandgaon, Gudri police station areas. A fact finding committee from Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM) comprising its members Manki Tubid and Kamalesh Purty has found 11 villagers were brutally beaten up by CRPF jawans of which seven sustained serious injuries and three were critically injured. On Sunday, they tweeted the committees report to Jharkhand chief minister (CM) Hemant Soren demanding action under ST Act. Two of the injured villagers one with a broken leg and the other with head injury are still in hospital while the rest nine have been discharged after treatment. The villagers told us that 200-250 CRPF jawans had come to the Anjadbera village on June 15 afternoon when they were putting the roofs of their thatched houses. Jawans were asking about Maoists but were speaking in Hindi while the villagers only understood and spoke Ho language, leading to a communication gap. Later, 20-25 CRPF jawans took about a dozen villagers to an under-construction house and beat them up, Manki Tubid said on Sunday. He said the incident came to light after a teacher phoned them in Chaibasa. This teacher is the only man in the village with a mobile phone and can be connected only under the lone mobile tower in some distance, Tubid said. The village has 125 people. The CRPF in its counter-complaint said four village youths started fleeing and when caught they got into a scuffle with the jawans. The CRPF troopers have has also seized Maoist pamphlets from their houses. Forces had entered the inaccessible Anjadbra and Chiriyabera villages after one and half years. Located 23 km from Chaibasa, the village has no electricity, piped drinking water and children dont study there as the only primary school is 6 km away. The SP said they have not yet turned the CRPF complaint into an FIR but police were investing the same. Maoists led by Prashant Bose and Misir Besra have now shifted their Eastern Regional Bureau (ERB) to Sarjamburu from Naxal hotbed Sranda forests. We have definite information that Maoists are working to turn the area into a positional warfare zone (PWZ) like they did in Bastar. Naxals dont want police or security forces in the villages and have been exploiting them by threats and other means, using them for propaganda, forcing them to pass on information etc. They are even forcibly training village men, women and children, said Mahatha. Sinu Cundi, a villager who was allegedly beaten up said the jawans asked them to come down from their house roofs but they could not understand. We came down after seeing their hand gestures and they kept on asking where the Maoists were. They started beating me when I said I dont know anything about Maoists, said Sundi. Ram Surin said when he returned home after fishing in the river he saw his son with multiple injuries, even unable to speak. When I entered my house I found it ransacked, Rs 35, 000 aadhaar cards, land records (khatiyan) everything gone and food-grain splattered away, said Surin. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON M any people using public transport are not wearing their masks correctly, a Government science adviser has warned. Passengers on public transport have had to wear face coverings since June 14. Most people are sticking to the rule, Transport for London said on the first day masks became mandatory. But Professor Susan Michie, a member of Government scientific advisory group Sage, told the Sunday Telegraph that people could be putting themselves and others at risk of catching coronavirus by not wearing them properly. She said that she had often seen people wearing masks that didn't cover their nose, or removing them by pulling on the front, rather than the straps. A woman in London wearing a mask / AFP via Getty Images Professor Michie added: Any time one goes out and around in parks and down the street this is the sort of thing you see. She said that a national training programme might be necessary to promote correct mask-wearing skills. Professor Michie went on: I think the main thing is that where you have a behaviour that requires some kind of skill, and some kind of routine and procedure to make it effective, then usually its not enough to say do this, ie transmit knowledge, but we also need to have training. If its a question of skills, ie the behaviour surrounding the putting on, off and wearing of (face coverings), then it does require skills training. A cyclist on Oxford Street in a mask / AFP via Getty Images Government advice available online says a face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off, the Government website says. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them. Do not touch the front of the face covering or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched. She has previously been a judge on X Factor and The Greatest Dancer. And now, Cheryl, 36, is reportedly the bookies favourite to replace Bruno Tonioli, 64, if the judge is ruled out of Strictly Come Dancing due to his lucrative Dancing With The Stars gig in the U.S. Due to restrictions on flights between the UK and US, Bruno may be forced to choose between the two shows, and the former Girls Aloud star is odds-on favourite to fill his spot on the judging panel. Strictly Cheryl? Cheryl, 36, is reportedly the bookies favourite to replace Bruno Tonioli, 64, if the judge is ruled out of Strictly Come Dancing Bruno frequently flies between the UK and America on a series of transatlantic flights in order appear on both Strictly and its US counterpart. However, restrictions on flights as well as entry to America, mean the popular choreographer may only be able to appear in one of the shows, unless international travel situation greatly improves. Bookies Coral told The Sun: 'With doubts over Bruno Tonioli's availability this year, we have slashed the odds on Cheryl being a judge on Strictly in 2020. 'Cheryl has been linked with being a contestant on Strictly for a while and they may just get their target this year, but in the judges' chair, rather than the dance floor.' Decisions!? Due to restrictions on flights between the UK and US, Bruno may be forced to choose between Strictly Come Dancing and his lucrative Dancing With The Stars gig in the U.S International superstar: Bruno frequently flies between the UK and America on a series of transatlantic flights in order appear on both Strictly (pictured) and its US counterpart A Strictly insider told the publication: 'Because of flying restrictions, Bruno may miss the start of the series but everyone is hoping he will be able to get here.' Another alternative, which is reportedly being banded about, is that Strictly may be reduced to three judges. It is possible that just Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will start the next series, with Bruno joining later in the run. What if he can only do one? However, restrictions on flights as well as entry to America, mean the popular choreographer may only be able to appear in one of the shows Replacement? 'With doubts over Bruno Tonioli's availability this year, we have slashed the odds on Cheryl being a judge on Strictly in 2020' Bookies Coral told The Sun A BBC spokesperson said: 'The entire Strictly family are working hard to ensure everyone can enjoy some much needed sparkle later this year.' MailOnline has contacted Cheryl's representatives for comment. Most recently, Cheryl appeared in The Greatest Dancer as a judge/dance captain, but at the end of April the show was axed from the BBC, following a decline in ratings. US President Donald Trump made yet another foray into the India-China conflict saying the Asian neighbours are dealing with a big problem and the United States will try to help them out. The American leader did not repeat his earlier offer of mediation, which has been firmly turned down by both India and China. But he did say the United States is talking to them. The president did not take sides in the short observation on the conflict made in response to a reporters question before departing the White House for his election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, later in the evening on Saturday. Its a very tough situation, Trump said when asked for his assessment of the situation. Were talking to India. Were talking to China. Also read: No restrictions on using firearms: India gives soldiers freedom along LAC in extraordinary times He added: Theyve got a big problem there. Theyve come to blows, and well see what happens. Well try and help them out. The US president had on May 28 made an explicit offer of mediation and had gone on to misleadingly claim he had discussed the situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They hadnt till then, but did later in a June 2 call. But Trump did not pursue his offer after being turned down. Trump has been keen to intercede in this part of Asia one way or another for months now. He first offered to mediate in the India-Pakistan tensions last summer in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attacks. Though the first offer, elicited from him by the visiting Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, was swiftly rejected by New Delhi, the president had persisted, using a range of synonyms. Now, the India-China conflict.. But even as he offers to help, he has been careful to not take sides, unlike his secretary of state Michael Pompeo, who has been very clear who he thinks is to blame. A timeline: India-Chinas deadliest border clash since 1975 explained The PLA has escalated border tensions - we see it today in India, the worlds most popular - populous democracy, Pompeo said referring to the Chinese military in a virtual conference of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday. He had gone on to call China a rogue actor not only to its Asian neighbourhood but far beyond to the rest of the world. The top American diplomat has conveyed his condolences on the death of 20 Indian soldiers in deadly June 15 clashes, that marked the first fatalities on the India-China border in 45 years. He made no mention of the Chinese casualties. The Chinese have not declared their fatalities but they are estimated to have lost more than 40 according to Indian officials. US lawmakers have also been very clear about their view of the conflicts that have been on no for weeks now in fits and bursts. I am extremely concerned by the ongoing Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control on the India-China border, Eliot Engel, Democrat who heads the powerful House foreign affairs committee, said in a statement earlier in the month. China is demonstrating once again that it is willing to bully its neighbors rather than resolve conflicts according to international law. Inspectors of the Food Safety Inspectorate of Armenia today continued to monitor businesses that are food chain operators in the country. Last evening, the inspectors targeted public food outlets and sales network organizations in Lori and Tavush Provinces, and this morning in Davtashen Administrative District of Yerevan. The surprise visits to public food outlets in the provinces last evening showed that the organizations arent fully observing the rules set by the Commandant (the requirements for wearing face masks properly, having closed trashcans designed for used face masks and gloves, not filling out the records for sanitation and taking temperatures). The records on this will be submitted to the Commandants Office. The monitoring of public food outlets and sales network organizations will continue. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal COVID-19 cases at a southern New Mexico prison continue to climb, and the state reported three additional deaths Sunday. The state Department of Health also reported 136 new cases statewide. Forty-one more state inmates at the Otero County Prison Facility have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases among state inmates there to 403. There are also 284 inmates in federal custody at the prison who have tested positive. Only three state inmates in other facilities have tested positive, according to the Health Department. State health officials reported Sunday that two women in their 50s from McKinley County who had been hospitalized and had underlying conditions have died of the disease. A man in his 70s from San Juan County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions has also died. The total number of deaths in New Mexico is now 469. McKinley County reported 30 new cases Friday and still tops the state with 3,073 positive cases. Dona Ana County had 18 new cases, and Bernalillo County reported 13. The state now has 10,565 cases, with 4,684 having recovered. As of Sunday, there are 134 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Mexico. San Juan County, which has been hit hard by the disease, reported 11 new cases Sunday for a total of 2,183. Bernalillo County now has 1,805 cases. As tensions ratchet up between the two nations, North Korea is preparing to flood the South with "mountain-high" piles of propaganda leaflets denouncing the South Korean president and North Korean defectors, state media in the country reported Saturday. Many of the leaflets will feature the face of South Korean President Moon Jae-in smeared with cigarette butts, an insult insinuating he is trash, the KCNA news agency reported, adding that they were being prepared by university students from the North. Although North Korea has distributed propaganda leaflets across the border in the past, the practice is more commonly undertaken by North Korean defector groups in the South who fly balloons or send bottles by river filled with flyers, rice and money. "The enraged people across the country are actively pushing forward with the preparations for launching a large-scale distribution of leaflets to pour the leaflets of punishment upon those in South Korea," KCNA, which is known for its bombastic tone, reported. "Every action should be met with proper reaction and only when one experiences it oneself, one can feel how offending it is ... the South Korean authorities will face a really horrible time." The move comes amid a serious escalation in tensions between the countries, which are still technically at war as their 1950-53 conflict ended without a peace treaty. Last week Kim Yo Jong, a trusted aide to her brother, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, threatened military action against South Korea. Then on Tuesday, Pyongyang demolished an inter-Korean liaison office, set up in a border town in 2018 to foster better ties with the South. Earlier this month, the North also announced it was suspending communication lines with the South, a move analysts believe is the start of an attempt to manufacture a crisis and force concessions from its neighbor. The secretive communist nation also said it was pulling away from its relationship with the United States, claiming there had been no actual improvement in ties since the historic handshake between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in Singapore two years ago. Story continues Image: Kim Yo Jong, right, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, helps Kim sign joint statement following the summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse in Pyongyang, North Korea (Pyongyang Press Corps Pool / AP file) South Korea's Unification Ministry said in a statement Saturday that it was "extremely regrettable that North Korea has disclosed through media about the plan to disseminate propaganda leaflets to South Korea." Demanding that their neighbor "stop the plan immediately," the Ministry said it did "not help in establishing peace on the Korean peninsula and in the development of inter-Korean relations." Seoul also said it would "sternly" deal with any people or organizations in the South sending leaflets to the North. The United Nations' top human rights body has agreed unanimously to commission a U.N. report on what it views as systemic racism and discrimination against black people around the world. But the Human Rights Council declined pressure to single out the United States after the death of George Floyd in U.S. police custody sparked worldwide protests. By Stefan J. Bos The Council's 47 members approved by consensus a revised resolution on discrimination during talks in Geneva, Switzerland. It was presented by African nations for an urgent council debate, following the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man who recently died in U.S. police custody. The resolution followed days of wrangling over language. An initially strongly-worded text proposed earlier this week had called for a high-level international investigation into police violence against people of African descent in the United States. Among those supporting the probe was George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd. "My brother, George Floyd, is one of the many black men and women that have been murdered by police in recent years. The sad truth is that the case is not unique," he Council in a remote address Wednesday. "The way you saw my brother tortured and murdered on camera is the way black people are treated by police in America. You watched my brother die. That could have been me." Floyd asked the group to set up a commission of inquiry into racism and police brutality in the United States specifically "police killings of black people and America and the violence used against peaceful protesters." He added: "I'm asking you to help him. I'm asking you to help me."I am asking you to help us: black people in America." Black lives matter Though his brother's death sparked Black Lives Matter protests around the world, the resolution was watered down in recent days. First, the text removed the call for an international probe. And finally, it was decided to strip away any mention of the U.S. That sparked outrage from rights groups, which accused Washington and its allies of lobbying heavily to revise the text -- a charge that the U.S. mission in Geneva declined to respond. Burkina Faso's ambassador, who presented the resolution on behalf of African states, acknowledged Friday that "numerous concessions" had been made to "guarantee a consensus" on the text. There will be no international probe into the situation in the United States. But the approved text asks U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to examine governments' responses to peaceful anti-racism protests and to report back to the Council in June next year. It also asked her to include updates on police brutality against Africans and people of African descent in her regular updates to the Council between now and then. That could include the United States. Fighting for equality The central African Republic Ambassador Leopold Ismael Samba expressed concern that resolutions against racism are still needed today. "It is unacceptable to have still to be talking about and fighting for equality for some people. That is 72 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that all people are born free and with dignity," he stressed. Iran and Palestine signed on among the co-sponsors for the resolution condemning "the continuing racially discriminatory and violent practices" by law enforcement against Africans and people of African descent. "In particular, which led to the death of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 in Minnesota," it said. Iran has been condemned internationally over its human rights abuses. But any state can sign on as a resolution co-sponsor at the Council. RIO DE JANEIRO, June 20 (Reuters) - Brazil's official coronavirus death toll is just shy of 50,000, the Health Ministry said on Saturday, with more than 1 million confirmed cases in the world No. 2 coronavirus hotspot behind the United States. In Brazil, a total of 49,976 people have officially died from COVID-19, according to the ministry, with a total of 1,067,579 confirmed cases. Brazil passed 1 million cases on Friday, and 1,022 people have died in the last 24 hours, the ministry said. Experts say the true numbers are likely far higher due to a lack of widespread testing. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Sandra Maler) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 09:11 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406605cccc 1 City anies-baswedan,Jakarta-administration,Jakarta-COVID-19,Jakarta-Anniversary Free The Jakarta administration has opted for a virtual celebration to commemorate the capital citys 493rd anniversary, which will fall on June 22 amid the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the first virtual celebration for the city, which annually celebrates its anniversary with various shows and big events. The Jakarta administration has suspended the annual Jakarta Fair to limit crowds and curb the spread of the coronavirus. However, it has also prepared a number of virtual activities to jazz up the jubilee including the Jakarta Great Online Sale, virtual tours across the citys tourist destinations and cultural streaming programs. This is a unique time for the city to celebrate its anniversary. The idea is to allow the people in Jakarta to continue celebrating while maintaining health and safety through social distancing, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan told The Jakarta Post in a virtual exclusive interview on Saturday. Read also: Tanah Abang Market reopens for business with COVID-19 protocols, odd-even policy Anies said the theme selected for this years anniversary was Jakarta Resilience, to reflect the perseverance of Jakarta residents in battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic were now experiencing is an opportunity to let the future generation be proud of us that were able to survive using collective efforts, he said. Jakarta administration secretary Saefullah said the public could enjoy virtual attractions starting Saturday until June 22 through the citys brand new platform Beritajakarta.tv, as well as the citys social media accounts. The virtual city tours will include five museums in Jakarta, Ragunan Zoo, Sea World Jakarta in Ancol, the Planetarium and the dancing fountains at the National Monument (Monas). Various programs and a live report of the ceremony at City Hall will be aired on Beritajakarta.tv. The administration has also prepared a Zoom meeting that will be attended by the governor and 40 citizens who make the most creative birthday wish videos through Instagram accounts @dkijakarta and @jsclounge. Jakarta, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, has the highest number of infections across the archipelago with 9,829 confirmed cases and 585 fatalities. A lot has been said about Sushant Singh Rajputs case in the last one week. The actor died by suicide a week ago. Tragic as it is, many rumours about him have been doing the rounds about what led him to this drastic step. One such news that surfaced was Sushants psychiatrist, Dr Kersi Chavda, revealing that the actor regretted breaking up with Ankita Lokhande. Dr Kersi Chavda took to social media to rubbish all rumours, saying that he had never breached confidentiality. DCP zone 9... Abhishek Trimukhe... under whose preview I spoke for all of three minutes... had made this statement to the media... which was conveniently not posted. So... I have not even made a statement. It is incredible how much filth there is in the media.. wherein the most basic confidentiality issue between a client and a therapist is just trampled upon with great impunity. So Dr Chavda.. the infamous one... has done nothing that could have caused so much of anguish and heartache in people. Dr. Chavda is a professional who is ethical. Dr. Chavda is known to maintain confidentiality. I hope this also goes far and wide. Thank god for professionals like DCP Abhishek who is aware of the tenets of client- dr privileged communication. On my request.. he was kind enough to send me this snapshot!!" He also attached a screenshot wherein DCP Abhishek Trimukhe is seen telling a journalist that the doctors statement hasnt been recorded yet. Vineet Upadhyay By Express News Service DEHRADUN: After border villages of Uttarakhand are being bombarded with anti-India songs by radio stations in Nepal, the state government might set up local FM channels to counter the propaganda onslaught. We are looking into the matter and views are to set up community radios, Uttarakhand minister Madan Kaushik said. New Delhi and Kathmandu are locked in a border dispute regarding Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, whose locations fall in a trijunction between India, Nepal, and China. N S Napalchyal, former chief secretary of Uttarakhand, who hails from Dharchula area of Pithoragarh, said the Chinese-style propaganda needs to be countered. Our governments should start community radios in the area to counter these Nepalese FM channels. Meanwhile, local residents have already launched a drive to boycott Nepalese radio channels. We have decided to boycott these FM radio channels due to anti-India songs. They are spitting venom against India due to the Chinese influence. We have been like good neighbours for centuries and now this... This kind of behaviour is unacceptable, Shalu Datal, a resident of Dharchula, border town on the banks of Kali river, said, Most of the songs are being run on Nepalese FM radio channels such as Naya Nepal, Kalapani Radio, Darchula Radio, Lok Darpan, Radio Sarthi and Mallikarjun Radio whose broadcasts are accessible across the border villages and towns like Dharchula and Jhoolaghat in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Washing off hands Manju Tinkari, a RJ with a Nepalese radio station, claimed FM stations play according to demands of the people PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Suspected militants ambushed a Pakistani army vehicle in a former Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold near the Afghanistan border, triggering a shootout that killed two soldiers, the army said Sunday. It said two soldiers were also wounded in Saturday nights attack near the border village of Ghariom in North Waziristan and that troops retaliated and killed one of the attackers in an ensuing exchange of fire. the army provided no further details and only said troops later cleared a nearby militant compound in North Waziristan, a former tribal region that had served as a militant base until recent years when the Pakistani military said its successive operations there had cleared the area of the Taliban. The latest attack came as authorities prepared to reopen a key border crossing with neighbouring Afghanistan to allow trade. Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan district on Monday. Published on 2020/06/21 | Source Hyundai announced Wednesday it will build the country's largest driving center in Taean, South Chungcheong Province with a view to opening it in the first half of 2022. Advertisement Featuring eight test courses, the new driving center is intended to provide visitors with dynamic driving experiences that will push vehicles to their limit. To be built on 1.26 million sq.m of land, it will be five times the size of the current largest testing facility, the BMW Driving Center in Incheon. Hyundai signed a 20-year agreement with Hankook Tire and Technology to jointly use a proving ground Hankook is building, which will be Asia's largest when it is completed. Hyundai will build their own exclusive driving facilities and a two-story building for customers which will have a customer lounge, children's area and display rooms. Hyundai chairman Chung Eui-sun and Hankook Tire vice chairman Cho Hyun-sik signed the deal in Seoul on Wednesday. The driving center will be built on land reclaimed by Hyundai Group under founder Chung Ju-yung in the 1980s. Hankook Tire bought the land from Hyundai City Corporation in 2017 to build the proving ground, and proposed the idea to build a driving center to Hyundai to make the most of the facility. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The Three Sisters Collective, a group that advocates for the rights of Native Americans, on Thursday held what was initially intended to be a demonstration demanding the removal of the obelisk that stands at the center of the Plaza. History is written by the victors, its said, and while the obelisk was erected as a soldiers monument after the Civil War, the spire has stood for a century and a half as a reminder of the violence and suffering brought upon Native Americans. The original inscription recognized Union soldiers who fought Civil War battles, but also those who died fighting savage Indians. That term was engraved in the marble at the base of the monument until 1974 when a man took a chisel and removed the offensive word. But Mayor Alan Webber turned Thursdays event into a celebration on the eve of the rally when he announced that he would call for three of the citys monuments to be removed, including the obelisk that has served as the Plazas centerpiece since 1868. Webber also called for the removal of a statue of Don Diego de Vargas, the conquistador who led the Spanish resettlement of Santa Fe 12 years after the Europeans were driven out by the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, that stood in Cathedral Park until its removal on the morning of Thursdays demonstration/celebration. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will recommend what happens to it next. The mayor also called for the removal of another obelisk just blocks from the Plaza honoring Kit Carson, the frontiersman who forcefully led thousands of Navajos from the Four Corners to Bosque Redondo in southern New Mexico on The Long Walk in 1864. The mayor formalized his call to have the monuments removed with an emergency proclamation, but hes gotten push-back from members of the public and City Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler, who said that by unilaterally removing monuments, the mayor is sidestepping the democratic process. Without opportunity for the public and City Council to weigh in and explore remedies, the mayor has created another controversy, she said in a statement to the Journal last week. Who actually has the authority to remove the monuments is unclear. The mayors proclamation says only that the city attorney and city manager shall work with city staff to begin the legal processes for removal of the Park Plaza obelisk. As for the Kit Carson monument, the city attorney and manger are to contact the proper authorities with jurisdiction. City Attorney Erin McSherry said Friday that she and City Manager Jarel LaPan Hill have begun that process. I spoke with a representative from the General Services Administration of the federal government regarding the Kit Carson Obelisk today, and she and I are both following up next week. Earlier this week, I began a conversation about the Plaza and Obelisk with Peter Ives, she said of the former city councilor, now attorney for the Department of Cultural Affairs, which includes the States Historic Preservation Division. Peoples property Questions about ownership were addressed in a 2008 book titled The Peoples Property? Power, Politics and the Public by Lynn Staeheli and Donald Mitchell. It focuses on five case studies around the country, including Santa Fes Plaza Park, and examines factors that affect publicly owned spaces. As it turns out, the answers are as nuanced and complicated as New Mexicos own history. The authors say that most people think of property as a tangible thing, but its not that simple. Property ownership is also a set of relationships, they say, and, in the case of Santa Fes Plaza, the process of turning social relations into space shows just how contested ownership of public space really is. The Plaza is public property the symbolic heart of the city, and the social and political center of town but that public consists of Hispanics, Anglos, Native Americans, residents, tourists, businesses and governments, local and federal, they say. A complicating factor concerning Plaza Park is that it is registered as a National Historic Landmark. That seems to have been the sticking point in 1973 when the City Council unanimously voted to have the obelisk removed. Any alteration of the monument, even if the state approved it, could threaten the historical status of the Plaza and thus significant financial aid for the landscape maintenance and restoration, according to the book. The National Park Service threatened to withhold funding if any alterations to the Plaza were made without the permission of the New Mexico Historic Preservation Office and the Park Service. The council rescinded the vote and got the funding. The situation has since changed. A National Parks Service spokeswoman said that while the Santa Fe Plaza remains on the list of landmarks, it is no longer an NPS-managed property that provides funding to the city. A lightning rod While Plaza Park is city property, it is unclear who owns the centerpiece obelisk. In 1866, New Mexicos Territorial Assembly voted to erect a soldiers monument in the Plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors. Since then, the obelisk has become a lightning rod for controversy, they wrote, and the authors raise another issue that potentially complicates the removal of the obelisk. On 9 April, 1900, a dozen years before New Mexico became a state, the U.S. Congress decreed the tip of the Soldiers Monument to be the starting point for a survey and the mapping of all property in the city, they wrote. Every property deed in the city is keyed to the obelisk and it is not unusual to hear arguments that it must be preserved in its present location for just that reason. Tripp Stelnicki, spokesman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, said that its unclear if the state owns the obelisk, as the authors suggest. That is very muddled, he said. No one can determine who it belongs to. It might belong to the state, it might be the city, nobody knows. While Stelnicki said reports that workers contracted by the state attempted to remove the obelisk one night last week were inaccurate, the tip of the 33-foot obelisk the very one that was the starting point for survey mapping of all property in the city was removed that night. Stelnicki said the governor had reached out to Mayor Webber to offer her support in removing the monument. The workers were there only to perform an assessment of the obelisk, he said, and the tip was removed because it posed an imminent public safety risk to those attending Thursdays rally. Stelnicki said the governor does support the removal of the obelisk, but Thats not going to be the states decision. Peter Ives, a former Santa Fe city councilor who is now general counsel for the state Department of Cultural Affairs, which includes the States Historic Preservation Division, did not immediately return a phone message on Friday. Nine people were injured in a shooting in upstate New York, including a 17-year-old left in critical condition after getting shot in the head. Officers responded to a complaint about a stolen vehicle in Syracuse at 8.54pm on Saturday. When they arrived on the scene, cops found hundreds of people in the street and many began to approach the officers saying someone was firing gunshots, according to Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner. The officers did not hear any of the gunshots themselves. A witness said the shooting occurred at an annual outdoor birthday party called 'Rye Day,' which features a DJ and was slated to end at 9pm, as per Syracuse.com. Nine people were injured at a shooting at a large party in upstate New York on Saturday night, including a 17-year-old who was shot in the head. A crying woman pictured above as emergency response crews move wounded people to ambulances after shots fired Witnesses say the event was an annual, elaborate birthday party called Rye Day. The event was supposed to end at 9pm but 15 minutes beforehand shots fired Rye Day is the creation of Ryedell Davis, a local who has thrown an elaborate birthday party for 14 years in the area, according to his mother Annetta Peterson. But this is the first time a shooting as ever broke out at the festive event. 'Ive had a birthday party for my son every year, and this never happened,' she said. 'This never, ever happened.' Nine victims were found on the scene suffering gunshot wounds including a 17-year-old male who was shot in the head and is listed in critical condition. The victims were between ages 17 and 53. The victims include a 17-year-old boy who was shot in the head, an 18-year-old girl shot in the leg, a 19-year-old girl shot in the leg, a 20-year-old woman shot in the leg, a 22-year-old man shot in the leg, a 23-year-old man shot in the groin and the leg, a 29-year-old man shot in the neck, a 37-year-old woman shot in the shoulder and a 530year-old woman shot in the back and midsection. The other eight victims are stable and sustained injuries that are not considered life threatening. They were transported to Upstate Medical University. However, the details of the shooting itself are still murky. Nine victims were found on the scene suffering gunshot wounds including a 17-year-old male who was shot in the head and is listed in critical condition. The victims were between ages 17 and 53. Police Chief Kenton Bucker said they still don't have a suspect Police caution tape pictured following the shooting Saturday night 'I believe we have two or three different scenes, so I don't know which location contributed to what victims,' Buckner said as per CNN. A witness said about 15 minutes before the event was supposed to end the music abruptly stopped and he heard at least 12 shots and saw people scatter. Bucker said they still don't have a suspect and no one is in custody in the shooting. Officers from law enforcement agencies from the state, county and other towns and villages responded to the scene. Mayor Ben Walsh said he was not aware of any special permissions be granted for this large gathering as coronavirus restrictions are still in place and ban gatherings larger than 25 people. All of these investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information on any of these incidents should call the Syracuse Police Department at (315) 442-5222. You can also submit a tip through the Syracuse PD app. Statehouse police reform efforts in Minnesota, where the death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests over policing, were called into question on Saturday after criminal justice legislation collapsed in a whirl of partisan finger-pointing. Governor Tim Walz and other Democrats, who control the state House, had pushed far-reaching police overhauls including a statewide ban on so-called warrior training, new rules on the use of the deadly force and accountability measures that would make it easier to fire problem officers. Republicans, who control the state Senate, supported a shorter list of 11 changes, including banning chokeholds and requiring officers to stop colleagues from using excessive force. Late on Friday night, they also proposed reforming the arbitration process for officers, which many departments say makes it difficult to fire problem police officers, by shifting those cases to outside administrative law judges. If theyre not interested in this, I dont think personally that theyll ever be interested in something that we can agree to, said Paul Gazelka, the Republican leader of the state Senate, of Democrats during an early morning news conference Saturday. But Mr Walz called the GOP proposals weak sauce that did not rise to the urgency of the moment in the aftermath of Mr Floyds death. He criticised Republicans for moving to adjourn the special session before a deal could be reached. To take your ball and go home in the middle of this, this is an embarrassment for Minnesota, Mr Walz told reporters on Saturday afternoon. Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on 25 May after Minneapolis police officers handcuffed him and held him down for nearly nine minutes, with one officers knee pressing on his throat. The four officers were subsequently fired and charged in his death. Hordes of protesters have marched through streets across the globe to protest racism and call for systemic change to policing. Many local and state governments in the United States have taken up a range of police overhauls, including in Minneapolis, where the city council has pledged to disband the police department. But in state government, Republicans refused to address the warrior training issue which was formally banned by the Minneapolis Police Department only to be offered as a course by the police union. They also rejected two other measures supported by Democrats: a proposal that would have restored voting rights to tens of thousands of felons and put Keith Ellison, the states attorney general and a Democrat, in charge of prosecuting police killings. The legislature had originally been called into special session to address issues related to the novel coronavirus and the budget. But Mr Walz, who called lawmakers back to St Paul, and his allies said the need to respond and act on calls for change on issues of race and policing after Mr Floyds death were too much to ignore. Minnesota will change the way we do policing. Minnesota will change what accountability looks like, and Minnesota will start to lift up those voices that for too long have felt they havent been heard, Mr Walz said on 11 June, citing the destiny and history of the moment. A man argues with a Minneapolis Police officer at a crime scene on 16 June in Minneapolis, following a new wave of anti-police protests across the US (Getty) But Republicans did not share the urgency. Mr Gazelka said he would keep lawmakers at the capital for only a week. After days of fraught negotiations, including tense debates between black and white lawmakers, Mr Gazelka moved to adjourn the session after sunrise on Saturday morning angering Democrats who said it was proof that GOP lawmakers werent serious about tackling issues of systemic racism and police reforms. At the end of the day, white men have been in charge around here for a long time in this country and in this state, said state senator Jeff Hayden, who is African American and whose district includes the neighbourhood where Mr Floyd was killed. If they knew what it was like for me, we wouldnt be in this situation. On Saturday, Mr Gazelka pointed the finger at Mr Walz for behind-the-scenes arm-twisting that he said ended any hope of working together right now. He told reporters he would be willing to come back for a one day special session to take up criminal justice reform. We are not walking away from the table, but we do need to reset the table so we can move forward, Mr Gazelka wrote on Twitter. I do believe we will have another special session, but not until all the parties can agree. Recommended Police officer involved in Breonna Taylor killing to be fired Mr Walz has the power to convene the legislature again but declined to say on Saturday whether he would do so. The governor spent the day reaching out to allies, including Mr Hayden, to plot the next steps. And he expressed concern about how the legislatures inability to pass criminal justice reform might play with activists and other protesters who have openly been distrustful of elected leaders and their ability to change the system. Im really, really worried (about) the message this sends to all those tens of thousands of protesters who were on the streets, all those families, and all those people across Minnesota and across the country that expected this one was going to be different, Mr Walz told reporters on Saturday. Mr Walz said he was about to meet with Valerie Castile, whose son Philando Castile was shot and killed by an officer in the suburbs of Minneapolis in 2016. She thought this would be different, he said. I dont know what Im going to tell her. The Washington Post Good morning! This is the most Ive ever looked forward to a Monday, when New York City enters Phase 2 of its reopening. (Outdoor dining, here we come.) Heres what else you need to know for the week ahead in business and tech news. Charlotte Cowles Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara Whats Up? (June 14-20) Social Media vs. Politics Facebook has notoriously refused to block political ads or content that contains violent rhetoric or even outright lies. But the Trump campaign still managed to cross a line when it ran an ad last week featuring a symbol used by Nazis. Facebook removed the ad, claiming that it violated the companys policy against organized hate. Its the second time this year that Facebook has blocked a Trump campaign ad for breaking its rules. If youre tired of seeing political ads, period, Facebook also said it would start allowing users to opt out of receiving them. Separately, Twitter placed a warning on one of Mr. Trumps tweets about a racist baby on Thursday because it contained manipulated imagery. A Dubious Deal China is committed to buying an additional $200 billion of American products by the end of 2021, or so says the hard-won trade deal it struck with the United States in January. But analysts were skeptical of that lofty sum even before the pandemic. Now that Chinas economy has been crippled by the coronavirus, its imports of American products are lagging way behind the benchmarks it needs to meet if its going to stick to the plan. Still, the Trump administration doubled down on its claims that the deal was going strong. In related news, John R. Bolton, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser, wrote in his new book that the president pressured Beijing officials during the trade negotiations to help him win re-election by buying U.S. farm products. Vital Kamerhe, who was sentenced to 20 years hard labour on Saturday after an unprecedented trial for corruption, emerged from the bloodshed and turbulence of the 1990s to become one of DR Congo's most powerful men. For 14 years, the smooth-talking Kamerhe swam effortlessly in the dangerous political waters of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest country, becoming the close adviser to two presidents. But this role was not in the shadows, as the stereotype of confidant requires. Jovial and self-assured, Kamerhe was also a public face, as speaker of parliament and head of an influential party -- and last year hit the celebrity pages in a society wedding that was much criticised for its lavishness. But his fall from grace was dramatic. As recently as last November, he was able to speak with warmth and confidence of his relationship with President Felix Tshisekedi, who months earlier succeeded his former boss, Joseph Kabila, DR Congo's ruler for 18 years. "I have the head of state's total support. I never contradict him and the same goes for him with me," Kamerhe said. "Our wives have become friends. I think of his children as if they were my children, and he does the same with mine. All this is the glue of our alliance." Just six months later, the 61-year-old was arrested and charged alongside Lebanese businessman Jammal Samih, 79, with embezzling more than $50 million in funds earmarked for a housing project. Their trial swiftly became the emblem of Tshisekedi's proclaimed crackdown on the DRC's endemic corruption. The proceedings were televised live in a court set up in Kinshasa's central penitentiary, and the defendants were dressed in prison garb. In an extraordinary twist, the first presiding judge, Raphael Yanyi, died after just two sessions -- and an initial police announcement that he had died of a heart attack was overturned by an autopsy that determined he had been murdered. On Saturday, the court delivered its judgement, ruling that Kamerhe was guilty of diverting public funds. His sentence included other penalties such as disqualification from holding public office for 10 years. Suave orator Kamerhe emerged from the generation of Congolese marked by the final years of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, ousted in 1997; by the assassination of his successor, Laurent-Desire Kabila; and two wars that ran from 1998 to 2003. Able to move seamlessly between the country's four national languages and French, Kamerhe's skills helped him secure the job of campaign manager in the successful 2006 election bid of Kabila's youthful son, Joseph Kabila, and join in the launch of his party, the PPRD. Kabila rewarded him with the appointment of speaker of parliament. There he was appreciated for his skills at "rounding up endless debate and steering matters to a decision," says Belgian writer David Van Reybrouck. In 2009, Kamerhe was forced to step down after opposing the entry of Rwandan troops into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in a joint operation with DRC forces against Rwandan rebels. He followed the classic path of political disgrace in the DRC -- he recast himself as an opposition leader, created his own party, the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC), and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2011. Critics said they saw little opposition from Kamerhe but plenty of behind-the-scenes contacts with Kabila. In happier times: Tshisekedi, right, and Vital Kamerhe, wave to supporters at an election campaign rally in Kinshasa in November 2018. By John WESSELS (AFP) Presidential elections loomed in 2018 and Kabila declared he would step down, paving the way for the DRC's first-ever peaceful transition of power. In a spectacular about-turn, Kamerhe and Tshisekedi bolted from an alliance of opposition leaders that supported Martin Fayulu and cut their own deal. Under it, Kamerhe backed Tshisekedi on the understanding that he would be named prime minister and get his chance at the presidency in the following elections, in 2023. After taking office in January 2019, Tshisekedi appointed Kamerhe to be his chief of staff and gave the UNC several portfolios in a sprawling coalition cabinet headed by a Kabila loyalist. UNC MPs have lashed out at the "arbitrary arrest" and "humiliation" suffered by their leader while on social media, Kamerhe's supporters say the trial is a plot to remove him from the 2023 race. GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala replaced its health minister Friday amid the rising pace of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the Central American country. President Alejandro Giammattei pushed out Health Minister Hugo Monroy and named Amelia Flores, a former vice minister of health in an earlier administration, as his replacement. Monroy, who had held the position since January, had been harshly criticized for his management of the pandemic. Federal lawmakers called him in multiple times for questioning and complained that the Health Ministry was spending too little of its budget during the pandemic. During his tenure, doctors from the public health system protested that they werent being paid. Images of hospitals overwhelmed by the sick have increasingly painted a grim picture of the situation in Guatemala. Guatemala has reported more than 11,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 449 deaths. President Alejandro Giammattei has been under growing pressure from the business sector to loosen restrictions. Earlier attempts to reactivate the economy were followed by a surge in infections, prompting Giammattei to clamp down again. Flores is a doctor who served in the administration of President Oscar Berger from 2004 to 2008. America has been obsessed with student standardized tests for nearly 20 years. Now it looks like the country is at the beginning of the end of our high-stakes testing mania - both for K-12 "accountability" purposes and in college admissions. When President George W. Bush signed the K-12 No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, the country began an experiment based on the belief that we could test our way to educational success and end the achievement gap. His successor, Barack Obama, ratcheted up the stakes of test scores under that same philosophy. It didn't work, which came as no surprise to teachers and other critics. They had long pointed to extensive research showing standardized test scores are most strongly correlated to a student's life circumstances. Real reform, they said, means addressing students' social and emotional needs and the conditions in which they live, and making improvements in school buildings. Higher education was not immune to the testing frenzy, either, at least not in admissions. Scores on the SAT or ACT became an important factor in deciding who was accepted. College rankings - led by the annual lists of U.S. News & World Report, which were heavily weighted on test scores - became powerful as students relied on them and schools tried to improve their rankings with targeted reforms. Scholarship programs were linked to test scores, and some companies checked the scores of potential hires. Florida spent millions of dollars to give bonuses to teachers with high SAT scores - even decades after the tests were taken. Now, we are seeing the collapse of the two-decade-old bipartisan consensus among major policymakers that testing was the key lever for holding students, schools and teachers "accountable." And it is no coincidence that it is happening against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic that forced educational institutions to revamp how they operate. States are learning they can live without them, having been given permission by the Department of Education to not give them this past spring. Georgia has already announced its intention to get a waiver for 2020-21, too. A tsunami of colleges and universities have dropped the requirement for an ACT or SAT score for at least a year. The huge organizations that own the tests, ACT Inc. and the College Board, are clearly struggling in the new environment. Even high-stakes law exams are starting to be waived. Washington state's Supreme Court just decided to allow graduates from American Bar Association-accredited law schools who were registered to take the bar exam in July or September to be licensed without passing the test. The winning argument was that it would be too difficult for many students to study for and take the exam during the pandemic. The justices must have thought the education and grades the students received in law school were good enough. Politically, too, the stars seem aligned for a serious de-escalation of testing. President Donald Trump has never been a loud advocate for standardized testing and has repeatedly said his education priority is expanding alternatives to public school districts. His education secretary, Betsy DeVos, has not been a testing proponent either, with her eye instead on expanding school "choice." Former vice president Joe Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and ahead of Trump in many polls, has tried to distance himself from the pro-testing policies of the Obama administration. He was not a cheerleader of testing during Obama's two terms and has said recently he is opposed to high-stakes testing. That's not a promise that he will work to reduce it, but it is a promising suggestion. None of this means standardized testing will stop, or even that every state and district will cut back, or that all colleges and universities will stop requiring an SAT or ACT score to apply. But here are some developments in the testing world that show that more policymakers understand tests can't fix problems in schools - and that schools alone can't fix the nation's problems. This past spring, K-12 school districts across the country did something that for nearly two decades had been deemed unthinkable. With permission from the Education Department, they canceled annual high-stakes standardized testing after the covid-19 crisis upended the last several months of the school year. Millions of students were at home, learning remotely either on paper or on screens. And state leaders realized it wasn't plausible or fair to give students the tests. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, made the point that "the world will not come to an end" if the federally mandated tests weren't given - though for years, federal and state policymakers had acted as if it would. States require students to take standardized tests for different purposes. Some tests are mandated by K-12 law, and while that didn't start with No Child Left Behind (NCLB), it ushered in the high-stakes testing era in which punishments were meted out to schools and teachers based on how well students performed on the exams. It didn't matter that testing experts repeatedly warned that using scores for these purposes was not valid or reliable. States give standardized tests, too, for reasons including third-grade retention, high school graduation, and end-of-course exams. A two-year study released in 2015 revealed that kids were being forced to take too many mandated standardized tests - and that there was no evidence that adding testing time was improving student achievement. The average student in America's big-city public schools was then taking some 112 mandatory standardized tests between prekindergarten and the end of 12th grade - an average of about eight a year, the study said. Those were on top of teacher-written tests. The purported goal of NCLB - written with the input of not a single public school teacher - was to ensure that marginalized communities were not ignored by looking at test scores by student subgroups and targeting help where it was needed. Schools concentrated on math and English so students could pass the exams while giving short shrift to, or eliminating, classes in history, science, art, music, physical education and other subjects. Public education advocates hoped Obama would stop the country's obsession with standardized tests and address inequity baked into the funding system. His administration instead heightened the importance of the test scores by dangling federal funds in front of states that agreed to evaluate teachers through the exam results. States developed cockamamie schemes to do this, including grading teachers on students they didn't have and subjects they didn't teach. A grass-roots effort to get the administration to change course took hold, and some states tried to find ways to cut back on local testing. But then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan micromanaged education policy so much that the department was derided as a "national school board," and Congress, in late 2015 - eight years after it was supposed to - passed a successor law that sent policymaking largely back to the states. By early 2016, Obama and his second education secretary, John B. King Jr., said kids were, after all, over-tested. Still, the new federal law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), mandated the same testing regime, and states were still spending millions of dollars each year on testing programs. Ostensibly, the tests would provide data to schools about what students had learned and how effective teachers were. But research study after study showed that the highest correlation was between the scores and whether a child lived in poverty. This all made DeWine's statement about the world not coming to an end if tests were suspended for a year an unusual admission. On June 18, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, made it clear he doesn't think missing two years of standardized testing is a big problem, either. This past spring, DeVos gave all states a one-year waiver to suspend the federally mandated testing. Kemp announced that his state would be the first to seek a second testing waiver from the Education Department, this time for the soon-to-start 2020-21 school year. Other states are likely to follow suit amid so much uncertainty about the trajectory of the pandemic. Kemp also said that the "current high-stakes testing regime is excessive," and promised to keep pushing an initiative in the state legislature to eliminate four of eight end-of-course exams required for high school students, and another standardized test given in middle school. Georgia isn't the only state that is now moving to cut back on standardized testing. In late May, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation to reduce standardized testing. What could make this effort to cut testing different from earlier ones are the outside circumstances. Because of the pandemic, states and school districts are facing potentially unprecedented budget deficits - and school spending in some states has still not recovered from the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Because testing programs are extremely expensive, states could decide the costs aren't worth the dubious results. Many teachers say they don't need standardized tests to help them assess where students are in their learning. Add to that the effects of the national uprising for racial justice, sparked by the death in police custody of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis. Protesters in the streets are looking for justice not only in policing and the courts. They also want social, economic and educational justice. Though educators have long known that students need more than tests to thrive and that schools must address more than academics, there is a new awareness among the people who make policy. Spending mountains of money for inequitable testing accountability systems isn't compatible with calls for more holistic ways of educating and helping students grow and thrive. On the higher education front, the pandemic also interrupted the SAT/ACT college admissions testing juggernaut. With exam days canceled and aspiring college students getting frantic about not having a score to add to their applications, many colleges and universities said they would drop their requirements for an SAT or ACT test score for admission in fall 2021. To be sure, a "test-optional" movement had been building for years. A nonprofit group called the National Center for Fair and Open Testing (FairTest), which operated on a shoestring budget with a mission to end the misuse of standardized tests, worked with testing critics and compiled a list of colleges and universities that had dropped the use of ACT or SAT scores for admissions. Hundreds of schools had already done so, as research showed the test scores were linked to socio-economic factors and not predictive of college success, despite counter statements by the College Board and ACT Inc. Then the pandemic hit. Schools shut down and college students went home to finish their semesters virtually. The two testing giants canceled repeated administrations of their exams, losing millions of dollars and making it difficult for many students to get a score required by most institutions of higher education. The inevitable happened: Colleges and universities announced suspensions of testing requirements for 2020-21. Some said they would not require tests for a few years as an experiment to see how the admissions process would do without them. Then, in May, in what was called a seminal event in college admissions, the University of California system announced it would phase out SAT/ACT testing requirements over several years, with some members of the Board of Regents saying the tests were not helpful in creating diverse student bodies and one member labeling them "racist." The prestigious system has long been a force in public higher education, and its decision is expected to influence other schools. By mid-June, every Ivy League school had agreed to drop SAT/ACT requirements for students entering in the fall of 2020. FairTest's list includes more than 1,250 schools that in some way allow students leeway in including test scores on their applications, albeit some of them just for 2020-21. (The list includes for-profit schools.) The College Board and ACT have been struggling during the pandemic. Both were forced to cancel multiple administrations of the SAT and ACT, losing millions of dollars and leaving many students fearful they wouldn't have a score for applications. Both promised they would offer at-home exams this fall if necessary, but the College Board backed off after its experiment with at-home Advanced Placement tests. Though most students had no problem taking the AP tests, thousands did, and the College Board decided not to try an at-home SAT. The ACT said it will go ahead, but the Iowa-based organization has other problems. In May, ACT chief executive Marten Roorda, who aggressively lobbied against the UC decision, los this job. At the same time, ACT announced it was taking "a series of cost-cutting measures," including no raises and cuts in fringe benefits. Meanwhile students trying in May to sign up for future AP and SAT exams, should they be given, ran into online trouble. The fundamental notion that standardized testing is an effective way of gauging student achievement is being challenged more strongly than ever. Some K-12 schools will continue to use these exams extensively, seeing them as a valuable tool, including in Florida, where former governor Jeb Bush, a Republican, pioneered high-stakes accountability testing and still has influence in education policy. And many colleges and universities will require admissions test scores, seeing them as a useful data point in making decisions on whom to admit. But the combination of the pandemic, the uprising and disillusionment with the testing industry - which has been building among teachers, parents and students for years - points to a new chapter for public education, or, at least, the beginning of the end of our obsession with high-stakes standardized tests. What would a reasonable testing system look like? Here is a proposal from FairTest, with elements embraced by many educators: - Limit state standardized test requirements to no more than the minimum required by ESSA (once each in reading and math in grades 3-8, plus once in high school, as well as one science test each in elementary, middle and high school) - a total of 17 during a student's public school career. This means eliminating standardized exams in other subjects and grade levels that states (or districts) might have piled on top of federal mandates. - Seek federal waiver of testing requirements, at least for the 2020-2021 school year but preferably for a longer period. Suspend test administrations and all associated "accountability" measures. - Terminate high-stakes consequences that rely on test scores for students (grade promotion tests, exit exams, course/program placement), teachers (bonuses, job ratings), and schools/districts (simplistic grading systems). - Protect young children by banning mass standardized testing before grade 3. - Enforce testing transparency and enhance public oversight. Make questions and answers from previously administered exams available for review by students, parents, teachers, journalists and other stakeholders. Require test-makers to disclose all studies of their exams' technical qualities, including validity, reliability, and likely impacts on curriculum and instruction. - Develop and implement performance-based assessment systems that enhance academic quality and equity by focusing on improvements in student work done over time. BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Although the coronavirus-battered world economy has not yet gotten out of the woods, encouraging signs of the Chinese economy have raised hopes that a broad-based recovery is in the offing. Industrial rebound has been gaining momentum on the ground. The automobile market, hard hit by the pandemic globally, has seen a fast recovery in post-lockdown China, with sales hitting 2.19 million units in May, up 14.5 percent from the same period last year. Manufacturers related to the auto industry benefited from this recovery. Florent Menegaux, CEO of Michelin Group, the French tire manufacturer, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Michelin's three Chinese factories have all resumed production, and Michelin's business performance in China is expected to meet its June projections. As China's passenger transport and logistics rebounded with the steady resumption of business activities, its oil market is also on a track to recovery. Jim Burkhard, vice president and head of oil markets at IHS Markit, a London-based global information provider, took "the brisk resumption of Chinese oil demand" as "a welcome signpost for the global economy." "When you consider that oil demand in China -- the first country impacted by the virus -- had fallen by more than 40 percent in February -- the degree to which it is snapping back offers reason for some optimism about economic and demand recovery trends in other markets such as Europe and North America," he said in an online note. Wood Mackenzie, a global energy consultancy group, projected that by the third quarter, China's gasoline demand would have surpassed the same period last year by 3 percent to 3.5 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, diesel demand could grow by 1.2 percent to 3.4 million barrels per day over the same period. By the end of April, all major steel-using industries in China have returned to near-full production levels, and the recovery of steel demand will be more visible in the second half of 2020, driven by construction, especially infrastructure investment, the World Steel Association said. Foreshadowing a construction boom in China, the country's excavator producers reported robust sales in May, as China's 25 leading excavator makers sold a total of 31,744 excavators, up 68 percent year on year. From a broader perspective, official data showed China's factory activities continued to pick up in May with the value-added industrial output, a key economic indicator, rising by 4.4 percent year on year. As the COVID-19 pandemic entails contactless and efficient business models, such as virtual offices, online education and telehealth, digital transformation has become another meaningful prospective to track how economies recover. Standing at the forefront of digital infrastructure growth, China is expected to lead the digital economy and inject fresh impetus into the global recovery. China's three major telecom operators -- China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom -- have planed to build more than 550,000 new 5G base stations this year, bringing the total number across the country to 600,000. These 5G stations will enable uninterrupted outdoor connectivity in prefecture-level cities across China, and cover key areas in counties and townships, according to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), a government think tank. Boosted by a solid industrial foundation and evolving commercial products, China's 5G industry is expected to directly create more than 3 million jobs as of 2025, with 5G-induced aggregate information consumption surpassing 8.3 trillion yuan (about 1.17 trillion U.S. dollars), a CAICT report noted. Lim Jock Hoi, the ASEAN secretary-general, said China is a valuable partner of ASEAN in promoting the development of digital economy in the region, noting that by 2025, ASEAN's digital economy is expected to grow from 1.3 percent of GDP in 2015 to 8.5 percent. The growing optimism about China's economic recovery has also been backed up by the rising consumption enthusiasm in the domestic market. During a mid-year online shopping bonanza initiated by Chinese e-commerce giants from June 1 to June 18, sales in JD.com and TMall.com both shattered records. The combined sales in the two popular platforms came close to a whopping 1 trillion yuan. Imported products also saw robust sales. Noting that China's economy is overall on a good momentum, Zhang Liqing, chief economist of PwC China, said it is important to keep a clear head, as risks of imported cases of COVID-19 infections still loom. Apart from continued attention to the traditional indicators such as fixed-asset investment, imports and exports when they gauge the health of the Chinese economy, global investors are expected to watch closely government spending and progress in new infrastructure, new urbanization initiatives and major projects, as well as the risks of local government debt, he noted. "China looks like it could be the biggest engine of global GDP growth in 2020 and maybe 2021," Craig Allen, the president of the U.S.-China Business Council, was quoted Sunday by The Wall Street Journal as saying. It was June 10, 2008. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama had gathered with dozens of evangelical leaders many of them fixtures of the religious right at the urging of campaign aides. If he could offer genuine glimpses of his own abiding faith, they insisted he could chisel away at the conservative Christian voting bloc. At a rally in the Bible Belt, he talked about the church hed attended for two decades in Chicago. Calling for an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackle poverty, he promised churches and religious organizations would play a greater public role in delivering social services under his administration. And during a faith-based forum in Southern California, he said his own support for Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision on abortion rights, did not mean he wasnt interested in reducing abortion in America. The strategy worked. Obamas campaign stops at churches, sermonlike speeches and his professed belief in Jesus Christ earned him 24 percent of the white evangelical vote doubling Democrats support among young white evangelicals and gaining 3 percentage points with the overall demographic from the 2004 election. Now, allies of President Donald Trump worry his 2020 opponent, Joe Biden, can do the same snatching a slice of a critical voting bloc from Trump when he can least afford departures from his base. Biden, a lifelong Roman Catholic, has performed better in recent polling among white evangelicals and other religious groups than Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton did in 2016 and is widely perceived as more religious than the current White House occupant. A Pew Research study conducted earlier this year showed that a majority of U.S. adults (63 percent) think Trump is not at all or not too religious, versus 55 percent who said they believed Biden is somewhat or very religious. Many conservative evangelical leaders have argued that Bidens positions on cultural issues like abortion, judges and religious freedom are disqualifying. Still, anxiety is growing inside Trumps orbit about the former vice presidents ability to peel off Christian voters who supported Trump in 2016, including the 81 percent of white evangelicals he carried, according to eight administration officials, White House allies and people involved with the Trump campaign. Story continues Such an outcome could deal a fatal blow to the presidents reelection, which largely hinges on expanding his support among religious voters to compensate for enthusiasm gaps elsewhere. Heres the problem for Trump: He needs to be at 81 percent or north to win reelection. Any slippage and he doesnt get a second term, and thats where Joe Biden comes into play, said David Brody, chief political analyst at the Christian Broadcasting Network. In this environment, with everything from the coronavirus to George Floyd and Trump calling himself the law-and-order president, Biden could potentially pick off a percent or 2 from that 81 percent number. It would behoove him to take a play out of the Obama playbook in 2008, Brody added. Some of Bidens campaign appearances and debate answers have been infused with religious undertones, and his campaign reportedly hosts a weekly call with faith leaders to crowdsource policy and personnel suggestions. At a CNN town hall in February, Biden said his faith gives me some reason to have hope and purpose and praised the ultimate act of Christian charity shown by members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., after they forgave a white supremacist who murdered nine members of their congregation in a 2014 mass shooting. In an op-ed last December that included references to Scripture and Pope Francis second encyclical Laudato Si, Biden described the core concepts of decency, fair play and virtue that he learned through his Catholic upbringing as guiding principles in his political career. Biden attends services in February at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in South Carolina. A person familiar with the talks said the Biden campaign is also in the early stages of potentially scheduling an on-camera sit-down with Brody, who conducted several interviews with Obama during his 2008 campaign. The Biden campaign declined to comment on the record. Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist who has argued that Biden has an opening to make inroads with Christian conservatives, said the candidate should invoke his faith more often, as opposed to constantly referencing his accomplishments from his time as vice president and a member of the U.S. Senate. He would be well-served to talk more in those terms, instead of telling people to check out his record, Stutzman said. There are a lot of themes that fit the moment related to justice, authority and loving your neighbor and not in a way that would necessarily make white evangelicals uncomfortable if Biden could speak to them. Even Trump allies recognize Biden has an opening to strike the empathetic and compassionate tone that Trump eschewed in many of his comments about the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests over racial inequality. In addition to forcefully clearing out protesters so he could wave a Bible in front of Washingtons St. Johns Church the day after part of the sanctuary was set on fire a wildly unpopular move, according to recent polls Trump has labeled people involved in the anti-racism demonstrations thugs and recently struggled in a television interview with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer to cite examples of how hes grown in his faith since becoming president. Trump did sign an executive order outlining some police reforms on Tuesday, though it was panned by his political opponents for not going far enough or directly confronting the systemic bias that many Americans believe has long existed in law enforcement along with other institutions. The president's law-and-order mantra arrived at an already perilous time for his campaign, which has witnessed a steady erosion in support for Trump across key religious demographics and a leftward shift in voter attitudes on issues of race and criminal justice. Trump has already seen double-digit declines in his support from white Catholics, white evangelicals and white mainline Protestants since April unsettling trends that triggered his recent overtures to conservative Christians, including his visit to St. Johns and an executive order on religious freedom that he signed earlier this month. There are evangelicals who didnt vote for Trump in 2016 who will in 2020, but there are plenty of white evangelicals who are disappointed in his administrations response to coronavirus and are embracing for the first time ever some belief in systemic racism, said John Fea, a history professor at Messiah College. They are the ones who are just dying for a reason not to vote for Trump. On Wednesday, the Trump campaign announced a new Faith in America tour led by Vice President Mike Pence, who has been leading the administration's engagement with African American conservatives and clergy since the Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man. It was not immediately clear whether the tour, which Pence will begin with a visit to Wisconsin next week, will be focused on outreach to religious groups. The announcement came days after the Supreme Court upheld workplace discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, prompting widespread backlash from religious conservatives, many of whom were awestruck to find that Justice Neil Gorsuch a Trump appointee handpicked by the conservative legal activists wrote the majority opinion. The Supreme Court decision has caused some evangelicals to lose faith in the political playbook that says justices and judges can deliver what we care about, said Fea, noting that one of Trumps main appeals to white evangelicals is his record on judicial appointments and his promise to continue appointing conservative judges. Its not going to have a big effect on evangelical support for Trump, but in the mix of all these other things it does add up, he added. For its part, the Trump campaign has worked to paint Biden as an extremist on abortion, seizing on his sudden rejection of the Hyde Amendment last year after supporting the 43-year-old law, which prohibits most federal funding for abortion services, for decades. Two people involved with the presidents 2020 operation said its Catholics for Trump coalition plans to ramp up its criticism of Biden on abortion and religious freedom in the coming weeks. One of them said the issue has been discussed as a potential topic in campaign ads. Biden has previously said he accepts the Catholic Churchs position on abortion, which condemns the termination of a pregnancy as gravely contrary to the moral law, but is not prepared to impose that on every other person. At the same time, he has vowed to enshrine Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision on abortion rights, into federal law if elected and to restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood two positions that most white evangelicals oppose, according to polling. (Sixty-seven percent of white evangelicals backed restrictions that would make abortion illegal except in cases of rape, incest or when the mothers life is at risk in an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey conducted earlier this year). One adviser to the Trump campaign said Bidens record on abortion will make it difficult to peel away religious conservatives, for whom overturning Roe is the top priority, but it doesnt mean there arent white evangelicals and Catholics who care more about other issues or the character of either candidate and might be compelled to support the presumptive Democratic nominee. We shouldnt ever take a voting bloc for granted and if you look at Bidens appeal among cultural Catholics especially in the Rust Belt its all the more reason for us to ensure that every Catholic, every evangelical, every atheist who supported President Trump in 2016 does so again this November, said the adviser. Fea, who teaches in Mechanicsburg, Pa., added that hardscrabble working-class Catholics in the Philadelphia suburbs and across Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan should be a primary target for the Biden campaign. He noted that although Trump won the Catholic vote by a 7-point margin four years ago, his support has wavered far more with Catholic voters than it has with white evangelicals, providing his opponent a ripe opportunity. In some ways, just the fact that he is Joe Biden from Scranton, Pa., is going to win him Catholic votes in those states, Fea said. 436 Shares Share It is exciting to see so many American medical students join the protracted struggle for racial justice. Some students are involved in efforts within their institutions to affect changeboth curricular and extracurricular. Others are working beyond their institutions, in the streets, and on social media. While student activism is transforming American medical schools as we speak, an additional key to making sure that the movement both persists and succeeds lies with what residency programs do. Those outside of medical education may not be fully aware of the extraordinary power that residency programs wield. From the first day that they arrive on campus, medical students are told to be careful about what they say on social media. They make decisions about how to use their extracurricular time, including involvement in research and even joining organizations, largely based on how it will be perceived by residency programs. This dynamic has created a risk-averse environment within a population of students that we need, now more than ever, to be courageous. Instead of working with their mentors to develop a strong voice of civic engagement, many students participate in social media only with pseudonyms so that residency programs will not find them. They may speak up within their colleges, but they often do so in fear of what may get included in their residency letters. Almost without exception, they speak more circumspectly than they would like to. I have been approached by more than a few students who are concerned that their involvement in Black Lives Matters protests may impact their professional trajectory, if not formally, then informally because they know that not everybody around them is truly an ally. Many residency programs have issued strong statements condemning the killing of George Floyd and other black individuals killed by police and others. I have seen residents out in the streets of my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and many medical students with whom I have spoken have taken note of those residents presence. Seeing residents willing to participate in peaceful protest sends a signal to current medical students. It empowers them not only to be courageous themselves, but gives them hope that they might someday join a residency program that embraces an ethos of social change. It gives them hope that they may not have to choose between medicine and commitments to social justice. With many medical schools focused on ensuringoften myopically sothat their residency placement rates stay high, only residency programs themselves can really change this dynamic. Instead of Damocles swords hanging over students heads, we must turn the role that residency programs play in developing medical professionals into opportunities for change. The message that residency programs convey could have a powerful thawing effect on the fear that lingers in medical school halls. This is particularly true for students of color, many of whom already experience high levels of trauma and face unique structural barriers in their education, from being admitted into medical school in the first place, to persistent microaggressions, to curricular exclusion. As we know, many of these students also fear for their safety and lives for activities as seemingly mundane for white Americans as a jog or a visit to a store. These students shouldnt have to fear for their professional prospects as well, just for speaking up. To harness the full energy that committed future medical professionals bring to an issue that is increasingly being declared a public health crisis, residency programs should not only declare their support and solidarity, but make publicly clear that they will actively welcome students with dedicated social justice commitments into their programs. They should make clear that students arrested in the course of peaceful protest will be similarly welcomed, and that they distinguish arrests long-considered essential to the American civil rights movement as a sign of Hippocratic commitment rather than a potential red flag. There has been some conversation recently on social media about the residency interview process. Some have floated the idea that interviewees should ask prospective residency programs what they have done to join the anti-racism cause. This is a great question to raise at an interview, and resistance to it by interviewers will indicate that the program is a bad fit for that candidate. Aspiring physicians should never be discriminated against for standing up for the lives of others, whether those lives are their own, their family and friends, or those of othersincluding future patients. If applicants are discriminated against for speaking out, then they should not want to be part of those institutions. But we should also broaden the scope, with residency programs asking candidates about their anti-racist and social justice commitments as well. The effect would be a broader acknowledgment that racial justice is be a core health concern that manifests not only in persistent disparities in health outcomes, but trauma and violence inflicted on people of color. Residency programs surely know that while they have to work hard to attract some of the best candidates, they can also use the power that they hold over future physicians to affect real change. The most important step residencies can take is to issue strong statements speaking directly to anxious and fearful medical students to assure them that they will be rewardedand not punishedfor cultivating a strong and unequivocal voice in the service of justice. Black Lives Matter is one of the civil rights movements of our time. Whether or not our future physicians play a transformative role within that movement will depend on the signals sent by the powerful gatekeepers of medical education. Daniel Skinner is a health policy professor and host of the podcast, Prognosis Ohio. He can be reached on Twitter at @danielrskinner. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The Spanish government announced on Saturday that from Sunday EU member state citizens and those from the passport-free Schengen zone would be allowed freely into Spain, with no 14-day quarantines required Traffic flowed again across Spain's border with France on Sunday as the last of the strict Spanish coronavirus restrictions introduced in March were eased. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced earlier this month that Madrid would remove border checks with most other EU states from June 21, when its state of emergency also ended. Spain has been one of the worst affected countries, suffering more than 28,000 deaths, with its economy and especially the key tourist industry devastated. "This morning I was the first customer in the Spanish shop where I usually go but there was soon about 10 people behind me," said Daniel Angel-Nielleville, a French pensioner who lives in Perpignan near the border but shops in Spain, where it is cheaper. Madrid and Barcelona and their respective regions were badly hit and remained under the tightest restrictions for longer than elsewhere. On Sunday, AFP reporters at the Perthus crossing near the eastern end of the border saw cars crossing both ways every two or three minutes, with more going from Spain into France. There were no checks from midnight and the traffic flowed freely. The Spanish government announced on Saturday that from Sunday EU member state citizens and those from the passport-free Schengen zone would be allowed freely into Spain, with no 14-day quarantines required. However, Portugal has said it will keep its border with Spain closed until July 1. With the state of emergency lifted, Spaniards were also allowed to travel outside their home region for the first time since the lockdown was imposed on March 14. "I am a little afraid to travel, I remain cautious," said Alba Bartolome, 22, who was waiting for a train to Murcia from Madrid's main Atocha station. In the "new normal", Spaniards will have to wear masks in enclosed spaces, maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres (five feet) while access to pools, beaches, hotels and restaurants will be limited accordingly. Story continues About 600 health ministry staff meanwhile will monitor airports to check the personal details and temperature of arriving foreign passengers. Doctors will examine any suspected cases. Sanchez had warned Spaniards on Saturday not to let their guard down. "We are still vulnerable. We have to be careful and follow strictly the health measures," he said. From July 1, Spain will fully open all its borders. President Donald Trump said Saturday he's asked his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because robust testing turns up too many cases of COVID-19. Trump told supporters at his campaign rally that the U.S. has tested 25 million people, far more than any other country. The bad part, Trump said, is that widespread testing leads to logging more cases of the virus. When you do testing to that extent, youre going to find more people, youre going to find more cases, Trump said. So I said to my people, Slow the testing down, please. They test and they test. The campaign of likely Democratic presidential rival, Joe Biden, said Trump was putting politics ahead of the safety and health of Americans. Trump opted to hold his first rally in 110 days despite concerns from local health officials that it could lead to further spread of the virus in Tulsa. Most of those in attendance declined to wear a mask. President Donald Trump arrives on stage to speak at a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonights debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that hes putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people even as we just recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work, according to the Biden campaigns statement. The outbreak has killed about 120,000 people in the U.S., and nearly a half-million worldwide, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University, though the real numbers are believed to be higher. The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis. And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June. This virus has killed nearly 120,000 Americans and cost tens of millions their jobs, in large part because this president could not and would not mobilize testing as quickly as we needed it, according to the Biden campaign statement. To hear him say tonight that he has ordered testing slowed a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better is appalling. Rising case numbers can partially be explained by the wider availability of testing. Mild cases, previously undetected because of limits on who could be tested, are now showing up in the numbers. Lawyer appears while lying on bed during virtual hearing India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, June 21: A lawyer appeared in a virtual hearing in the Supreme Court while lying on bed and donning a T-shirt, drawing displeasure of the judge who observed that "minimum court etiquette" should be followed given the public nature of hearings. The apex court observed that lawyers appearing in matters via video- conferencing should be "presentable" and avoid showing images which are not appropriate. Congress moves Supreme Court on plight of migrant labourers Justice S Ravindra Bhat accepted the apology tendered by the advocate, who said it was "inappropriate on his part to make a court appearance, whilst lying on bed dressed in a T-shirt". "This court is of the view that when counsel appear in court video hearings, they should be presentable and avoid showing images, which are not appropriate and can only be tolerable in the privacy of their homes," the court noted in its June 15 order. "We are all passing through trying times and hearings by virtual courts has become an order of the day. Yet minimum court etiquette in terms of what can be considered decent dress, background, etc should be followed, given the public nature of the hearings," the apex court said. The incident had happened when the top court was hearing a petition seeking transfer of a case pending in a family court in Haryana's Rewari to a competent court in Bihar's Jehanabad. The apex court, which has restricted its functioning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is presently hearing matters through video-conferencing. Why was Vijay Mallya's plea not listed for 3 years: Top Court to registry In April this year, a similar incident had come to light when a lawyer had appeared in a bail hearing conducted through video-conferencing in vest, drawing the ire of the Rajasthan High Court. The high court had criticised the advocate for not appearing in proper uniform during the hearing. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, June 21, 2020, 8:06 [IST] The major aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said the voluntary exit of Governor Godwin Obaseki from the party will boost his chances of becoming the next governor of the state. Mr Ize-Iyamu disclosed this in an interview with The Nation newspaper on Sunday. The interview was published a day to the partys primary election where a candidate will be elected to represent the APC in the September gubernatorial election. When asked about what he felt about Mr Obasekis defection from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said: Interestingly, only a handful of people are exiting the party with the governor. The majority of party members and leaders in Edo State are happy to see his back because he has been a major barrier to achieving peace and unity. He was going about suspending people, even local council officials, for not supporting him or adopting his combative stance. All of these people are excited he is out. His voluntary exit has given room for talks and fence-mending in a conducive atmosphere. Therefore, I do not think it is going to have any negative impact at all. On the contrary, it has helped the party to sharpen its focus, put its house together, and rally loyal and committed members ahead of the election. Speaking further, Mr Ize-Iyamu said the disqualification of Mr Obaseki from the partys primary was not because Mr Ize-Iyamu was anointed by any godfather but because the screening committee could not reconcile the inconsistencies in the governors academic credentials. Even he (Obaseki) did not appear able to. We were all witnesses to how a similar situation cost the party dearly in Bayelsa State, and as they say, once bitten, twice shy. The leadership of the party learned from the situation and insisted on a painstaking, objective screening of aspirants without any form of bias or prejudice. We reasonably were not willing to take risks, not least because of a man who was neck-deep in anti-party activities, is unpopular in the state, and nearly jeopardized the status of the party with his incompetence and intolerance. I had, and still have, no problems going up against Godwin Obaseki. On the contrary, he has been the one running away from a fair contest. Everyone saw what happened in December 2019 when the Edo State chapter of the APC organised a rally to welcome me back ceremoniously. You saw how Governor Obaseki abused the powers of his office, passed emergency laws banning rallies and other legal gatherings, and deployed both security agents and thugs to deny our members and followers access to the event. He tried to block my return because he was afraid. READ ALSO: He also boasted that whether he runs under APC or any other party, he would defeat Mr Obaseki. Whether in the APC or any other platform, as long as the contest will be determined by Edo people, I am confident of victory against him. If you drive around the state today and feel the pulse of the people, you will understand why I am that confident. The verdict is out on Obasekis term as governor and in summary, the people are tired of his problematic leadership, which has focused only on personal battles and needless confrontations. Oshiomhole factor When asked if he is comfortable being seen as an Adams Oshiomholes loyalist, Mr Ize-Iyamu simply said he has a good relationship with the embattled national chairman. I have a relationship with him that dates back to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, so it is understandable if some people think that, as a result, we may have a special relationship that gives me an edge. However, the truth is that Adams Oshiomhole is a man of process and systems. In addition, like me, the other aspirants have worked with him in the past. In light of these past relationships, many people can be called his men. Dr Pius Odubu was his deputy for eight years when he served as Governor and they maintain a cordial relationship to the best of my knowledge. Mr Odubu and Osaro Obaze, a former chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, are the two people cleared to challenge Mr Ize-Iyamu for the APC ticket. So far in the Edo Governorship race, Oshiomhole, working through the National Working Committee of the party, has been led by the APC constitution and the ultimate goal of ensuring that the party emerges victorious after the election. That is his main objective to the best of my understanding. The Supreme Court of the United States issued two decisions that upended the conventional wisdom about the conservative tilt of the court. The justices ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LBGTQ employees from workplace discrimination, a major defeat for the Trump administration. The case was brought by Aimee Stephens, a transgender woman who was fired from her job as a funeral director. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, appointed by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy left by conservative stalwart Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the courts four liberal members. Gorsuch wrote the opinion for the 6-3 majority. In a 5-4 decision, the high court rejected the Trump administrations effort to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allowed the children of immigrants here without papers to remain temporarily. Roberts wrote the majority opinion, again joined by the liberal wing of the court. The ruling did not address the substance of the matter; it invalidated the administrations effort to rescind DACA because it failed to go through the proper administrative law procedure. Cartoonists also addressed Trumps first political rally since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the country. The rally was to be held Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mask-wearing was expected to be optional, despite warnings by public health officials that a crowded indoor rally would be conducive to spreading the virus. Several cartoonists accused Democrats of hypocrisy for praising street protests against racism and police violence while criticizing the Trump rally. Other topics in the cartoons include NASCARs ban on displaying the Confederate flag; rising coronavirus infections in the United States; former National Security Adviser John Boltons tell-all book; and Joe Bidens long legislative history on race. Cartoons were drawn by Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and A.F. Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. View more editorial cartoon galleries. Seven paramilitary personnel including four ITBP and three Central Reserve Police Force soldiers have tested positive for Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh. The security personnel are among 107 people who have tested positive for the infection in the state, a health department official said. Both the CRPF and ITBP are deployed in Chhattisgarh for anti-Naxal operations. With the new 107 cases, Chhattisgarhs coronavirus count has now risen to 2,134. ALSO READ| Maoists in Chhattisgarh pack off woman cadre suspecting she has Covid-19 An elderly Covid-19 patient died at a hospital in Raipur due to co-morbid conditions, taking the number of coronavirus fatalities in the state to 11. At least, 63 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals across the state. 53 new cases were reported from Rajnandgaon district, 25 from Janjgir-Champa district, seven from Raigarh, six from Balrampur, five from Durg, four from Narayanpur, three from Sukma and two from Korba while one patient each were found in Raipur and Bilaspur districts, the health department official said. ALSO READ | Tribal areas in Chhattisgarh and Odisha have less Covid-19 cases. Officials explain why Four Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, belonging to the 45th battalion of the force also tested positive in Narayanpur, a police official said. The security personnel had been kept in a quarantine centre of the paramilitary force in Narayanpur town after they returned earlier this month from their home states. Earlier, seven ITBP personnel had tested positive for coronavirus in Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Kondagaon districts. The worst Maoist-affected Sukma district has recorded coronavirus cases for the first time with three Central Reserve Police Force soldiers, belonging to the 2nd battalion, testing positive, the health official said. They too had been kept in a quarantine centre in Sukma town after they came back from their native states. Earlier on Saturday evening, the 70-year-old man who had been admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur, died due to co-morbidities and viral infection, an official of the institute said. The elderly person had advanced stage of lung cancer, he added. The numbers of active cases in Chhattisgarh state stands at 755, as 1,368 people have been discharged after being cured. At least 1,23,983 people have been tested for the infection till date. Among the biggest takeaways from the revelations reportedly contained in the upcoming book by former US national security adviser John Bolton is the extent to which the president, Donald Trump, has reached out abroad for political help at home. The biggest mistake by the Democrats, Bolton argues in his book, The Room Where It Happened, was not that they impeached Trump for attempting to finagle political help from Ukraine, but that their inquiry didnt go far enough. Trump had tried to win help from China, as well, and also sought to curry favour with Turkey. Since 1796, when France sought to change the outcome of a presidential election in the US after it signed a treaty with Britain, Washington has long been open to foreign interference and influence peddling. Under Trump, however, that intrigue has soared to levels not encountered outside of failed states such as Libya or Lebanon. Russia is accused of using so-called active measures to tilt the balance in Trumps favour during the 2016 elections. Tyrannical regimes in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates shower Washington with lobbyist money. Israel brazenly confers with local allies in attempts to win from the US long-sought items on its wish list. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday his government will discuss possible steps to halt the spread of the coronavirus after the country saw a major uptick in confirmed cases in recent days, warning that "we need to flatten the curve now." Israel has over 20,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with the number of new cases increasing by more than 300 in recent days. At least 305 Israelis have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak in March. "Tomorrow I will convene the Corona Cabinet and we'll discuss necessary steps for stopping the spread of the pandemic," Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. "If we don't change immediately our behaviour regarding wearing masks and keeping distance we will bring upon ourselves, against our will, a return to lockdowns," he said. Netanyahu added that every effort was being made to develop a vaccine. He also issued a condemnation of Iran, saying it was "lying to the international community in order to obtain nuclear weapons." Earlier this week, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated concerns that for more than four months Iran had denied his inspectors access to two locations to investigate possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities. Activities at the sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s, before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Iran maintains the IAEA has no legal basis to inspect them. The agency has said that Iran continues to provide access to sites covered by the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. Iran's representative to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said his country rejected the resolution. Over 160 million Americans have already received their first stimulus payments. The IRS still has millions more checks to send so its important for those who are still waiting to check the Gey My Payment website to track their money. Lawmakers have proposed several bills in the past few weeks in relation to a second round of stimulus relief payments. Democrats were the first ones to propose the HEROES Act back on 15 May, which was approved by the House of Representatives. This bill would provide a second payment of $2,000 for eligible individuals for a minimum of six months. Since the HEROES Act is a 1,800-page bill drafted by Democrats, the Republican-controlled Senate has called it dead on arrival. One reason why the HEROES Act will not be approved in Congress is because it is a $3.3 trillion bill and they want to reduce that budget to $1 trillion. This doesnt mean that a second payment won't be approved because earlier this month Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said they were working on a bill and he believes another stimulus payment is necessary. The White House is working on a proposal that could include money for infrastructure spending as well as some form of direct payment for Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic. Recently President Donald Trump said that he is in favor of a new tax credit worth up to $4,000 to encourage Americans to spend on dining out and domestic travel. The decision of a new bill could be reached before August It will take a while for the White House, Democrats and Republicans to reach an agreement on a new bill. Lawmakers will be taking a two-week break for the 4th of July holiday, and several senior administration officials have indicated Republican lawmakers will formally discuss the next stimulus bill when they return on 21 July. BOISE Students from Burley, Rexburg and Weiser earned top honors in Idahos first annual eCYBERMISSION competition, a national Web-based STEM challenge for students in grades six through nine. The Idaho STEM Action Center partnered with the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program and the National Science Teachers Association to bring the popular competition to the Gem State. They hosted three regional showcases in eastern, northern, and western Idaho in late February and early March. The teams were challenged to explore how science, technology, engineering, and math apply to their world while working as a team to solve problems in their communities. Scribbled Mushrooms from Madison Junior High School in Rexburg took first place among Idahos ninth-grade teams. BJHS STEM Leaders from Burley Junior High School in Burley earned first place among the states eighth-grade teams. And Danger-Zone from Weiser Middle School in Weiser garnered first place among Gem State sixth-grade teams. Zoobies from Weiser Middle School in Weiser was awarded second place among Idahos eighth-grade teams, and eighth graders Mechanical Caterpillar from Bear Lake Middle School in Montpelier earned an honorable mention. Thirteen teams from throughout the state took part in Idahos inaugural event, including six in grade six, one in grade seven, four in grade eight, and two in grade nine. More than 4,000 teams nationwide compete in the annual challenge, which the Army and NSTA launched in 2002. Teams must score at least 300 points to be considered for a state placement. The Army is giving each student on a first-place state-winning team a Series EE U.S. Savings Bond worth up to $1,000 in matured value. It is also giving each student on a second-place state-winning team a Series EE U.S. Savings Bond worth up to $500 in matured value. In addition, the STEM Action Center is awarding the advisors of first-place teams $750, second-place teams $500, and honorable-mention-earning teams $250 to further STEM learning and engagement. The advisors can use this money for STEM education in their classroom or support eCYBERMISSION at their school next year. According to STEM Action Center executive director Dr. Angela Hemingway, competitions like eCYBERMISSION are important to the states future. Just like with IDX [the Idaho Exhibition of Ideas] and ISEF [the regional Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs], our eCYBERMISSION students are engaging in a real-world research-based competition, which will serve them well as they transition into the workforce, Dr. Hemingway said. Plus, eCYBERMISSION is a virtual competition. There are important lessons to be learned from it in this time of COVID-19 regarding how students can work in small groups to conduct unique, relevant research and have the opportunity to present their findings in a virtual venue. In addition to facilitating critical and creative thinking, problem solving, innovation, and collaboration, she said STEM skills are needed for 17 of Idahos 20 fastest growing jobs and that STEM jobs pay more than twice as much as non-STEM jobs. The state anticipates 20 percent job growth in STEM careers including health care, computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing by 2026, Dr. Hemingway said. Currently there are nearly 86,000 STEM workers statewide, and the Idaho Department of Labor predicts we may have 105,000 STEM jobs by 2026 a 19,000-job increase just six years from now. It is critical we build the STEM talent pipeline so Idahoans have the knowledge and skills required to fill these high-demand STEM jobs now and in the future. She said these jobs will represent about $7 billion in personal income and about $352 million in tax revenue if Idahos workforce is poised to fill them. The Idaho STEM Action Center was created in 2015 because Idaho citizens are not entering the STEM pipeline fast enough to meet current and future Idaho workforce needs. Its goals are to increase access to STEM opportunities, align education and workforce needs, and amplify awareness of STEM throughout Idaho. The organization is working with industry, government, educators, and students to develop new resources and support high-quality professional-development opportunities to foster a STEM-educated workforce that ensures Idahos continued economic prosperity. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Of the total five tonnes exported on June 18, the remaining four tonnes are being transported by sea. Upon their arrival in Japan, the Vietnamese lychee will be put on shelves at AEON supermarkets and at focal points of importers including VIENT Corporation, Yufruit and Sunrise Farm. En route to admitting Vietnamese lychee into Japan, the two sides spent a long time, from 2014, organising lychee promotions in the Japanese market and introducing technologies in fresh lychee preservation, steam treatment, sterilisation and transportation. The inspection process was conducted in a strict manner under the supervision of authorities from both sides. Vietnamese trade counsellor in Japan Ta Duc Minh said that the Japanese market is not a large lychee importer, but it still has great development potential as most Japanese consumers are not familiar or do not know much about lychee, its taste or how to eat it. The first batch of fresh Vietnamese lychee lands in Japan. (Photo: VOV) He stressed the extreme need to enhance the promotion of Vietnamese lychee to Japanese people so that they may learn more about such a tasty fruit. Because lychee harvest takes place over a relatively short period of time, the volume of fruit exported in a single season is not very significant. Therefore, manufacturers need to consider products with deep processing and added value, such as frozen lychee, fresh lychee juice, lychee jelly or other products made from lychee, Minh stated. It is expected that nearly 200 tonnes of fresh Vietnamese lychee will be exported to the Japanese market this year. To ensure the volume of goods, the Vietnamese trade office in Japan has been coordinating with some Japanese import focal points, such as AEON, VIENT Corporation, Yufruit, and Sunrise Farm, and some Vietnamese export focal points, including Red Dragon, Chanh Thu and Ameii, to continue promoting the export of lychee shipments to Japan. A catastrophic brain injury from a skateboarding accident eight years ago left Lawson Smith using a wheelchair, without speech and reliant on others for his basic needs to be met. But the 27-year-old has found a way to express his passion for marine biology and conservation - which he had been studying at university at the time of the accident - in an equally meaningful form. Mr Smith, from Bunbury in Western Australia, fell from a skateboard while not wearing a helmet in 2012, and an aged care home was offered to his family as his best long-term treatment option. His mum, Sara Davies, said there was no way her son would be living out his days in a facility and decided to move him back to the family home in June 2013. Lawson Smith (pictured) suffered a brain injury in a skateboard accident in 2012. Source: Facebook/Lawson Smith Art Since then, Mr Smith, who has a twin brother, has made subtle but incredible strides in his rehabilitation, which have become increasingly noticeable since he first picked up a paint brush in late 2013. He did these gorgeous oval shapes. It spun me out at the time because it was like, is that a skateboard? Is that a head? Is that a brain?, Ms Davies told Yahoo News Australia. They then began considering artwork as not only an exciting way for Mr Smith to express himself, but a project that allowed him - for the first time in several years - to contribute to the world around him. For the subsequent 12 months, Mr Smith developed a body of work with the aid of a helper once a week - slowly building on his repertoire of both art and neurological ability. Because we treated it as part of his rehabilitation and we had that dedicated time each week, you could see and build on his progress, Ms Davies said. Mr Smith pictured with a collection of his artwork. Source: Facebook/Lawson Smith Art Mr Smith worked on multiple canvas paintings during each two-hour session, with each piece taking up to a month to create due to the paint layering process. Story continues It was decided his artwork was too special to be kept among close family and friends, and a website offering them for sale as prints was launched this year. We were going to launch in March but it didnt feel right [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. But then we thought his work is so colourful and uplifting, so lets run with it anyway, Ms Davies said. His world is getting bigger Evident in small examples of time spent in the art studio, Ms Smith said the momentous influence of her sons artistic venture had been abundantly clear. He never used to know which house he was living in, even when he was in the wheelchair, he would sail past the driveway. But by going to the studio over time, his world was getting bigger and he got to a point where he knew where he was going, she said. A large print of one of Mr Smith's pieces of work. Source: Facebook/Lawson Smith Art With the painting process itself, he initially wouldnt have known how to choose colours, so him looking at colour and choosing colours was a big step up. He went from doing oval shapes to diagonal crosses across the canvas. Then he learned to look at the whole canvas, and apply paint to the whole surface of it. Passion for environment displayed on canvas Mr Smith has a lot of fun doing it too, his mum said, and enjoys having music playing when hes painting. Im not sure he would have had the opportunity had he been institutionalised. Thats something that worries me especially for young people after a brain injury, Ms Davies said. She said one of the most obvious signs his art was connected to his long-time passion for the environment was when it came time to title his pieces. It dawned on me that hey this is relating to what he was into. It became really obvious that it was about the ocean. As a poor student on Youth Allowance, he was donating to Sea Shepherd and Australian Marine Conservation. Ms Davies said painting had offered an added dimension to her sons life, and the original copies of his colourful pieces now featured on the walls of their family home. One of the pieces pictured in a frame with a green background. Source: Facebook/Lawson Smith Art He came home not being able to move at all, and now hes able to choose colours and print paint onto canvas, and create these uplifting and colourful designs. His personality is and always was very upbeat and joyful, and I think that comes across in his work. Hes the one that will laugh first, he loves everyone and hes so good natured. Print copies of his artwork, also available on stubby holders, can be purchased from his website Lawson Smith Art, with his team hopeful to collaborate with other creatives on future projects. Ms Davies said it was really great he was still doing something relating to the environment, having been committed prior to the accident to helping save the planet. Ten per cent of profits made from his prints will be donated to marine conservation. 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. In a bid to revive its hard-hit economy due to COVID-19 outbreak, Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to start a tourism development fund with an initial $4 billion investment. According to an international media outlet, the ministry of tourism on June 21 reportedly said that the Tourism Development Fund will launch equity and debt investment vehicles in a bid to develop the tourism sector in collaboration with private and investment banks. As per a reported statement by the Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the launch of the new fund amid such unprecedented times is a testament to the investor and private-sector confidence in the long-term outlook for tourism in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the funding will also be deployed to support mixed-use destinations in a bid to address gaps in the tourism value chain and also to enable technologically-enhanced tourism. READ: Saudi Arabia's PIF Becomes 10th Investor In Jio Platforms, Buys 2.32% Stake Moreover, the recent announcement of the launch is also a part of the first phase of the National Tourism Strategy, which focuses on developing and enhancing 38 sites across seven destinations by 2022. Saudi Arabias tourism is one of the main pillars of economic reforms which are aimed at weaning the country off its dependence on oil revenue. Amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the kingdom also lowered its oil prices which severely impacted the economy of the country. It was just last year that Saudi Arabia opened up to international tourists. The government reportedly also dropped its strict dress code for foreign women in a bid to attract holidaymakers. With new visa regime, the kingdom hopes that the foreign companies would invest in the sector, which would later contribute over 10 per cent of gross domestic product and also create more than one million jobs by 2030. READ: WTO Issues Report Confirming Saudi Arabia Promoting Illegal Broadcasting By BeoutQ COVID-19 outbreak Meanwhile, according to Johns Hopkins University tally, Saudi Arabia has reported over 154,000 cases so far and nearly 1,230 deaths. Even with an increasing number of cases, the kingdom planned a phased reopening amid an economic crisis. While in the first phase, the Saudi authorities eased curfew in all areas, apart from Mecca and allowed cares to ply between 6am and 3pm, in phase two the officials allowed Friday prayers at mosques. The third phase, on the other hand, is expected to begin on June 21. Meanwhile, Domestic travel restrictions - including internal flights - have also been lifted. (Image: AP) READ: Saudi Arabia Expected To Call Off Or Scale Back Hajj Pilgrimage Amid COVID-19 READ: UN Chief Says Missiles, Drones Used To Attack Saudi Arabia Of 'Iranian Origin' San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting on Saturday denied published allegations that an extramarital affair had influenced his work as a legislator, but he apologized to his family and constituents for not being faithful to his wife. The public apology, which he made on Twitter, followed a story Friday by the conservative news website Communities Digital News that reported Ting had an affair with a woman he met on a dating site. The woman later testified on behalf of AB5, a controversial piece of legislation that took effect this year and makes it harder for many companies to claim workers as independent contractors. A strong majority of Sacramento Democrats supported AB5. Ting voted for it each time it came before the Assembly. The allegation that my bills or votes were ever driven by any personal consideration is false. I have fought for the rights of working people my entire adult life, Ting wrote in a Twitter thread. But I was not faithful to my marriage vows and for that, I am deeply, deeply sorry. Asked about the allegations in the Communities Digital News report, Ting spokeswoman Nannette Miranda said Saturday, Assemblymember Ting is letting his statement on social media speak for itself. Opponents of AB5 criticized Ting on Saturday, calling for the legislation to be repealed. At the same time, a number of Sacramento Democrats defended Ting. Sad personal news today from @philting, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) wrote on Twitter. The Assemblymember has made a sincere apology to his constituents and colleagues for his mistake in violating his marriage vows and I have personally accepted his apology. State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, added, Thank you for this sincere expression about a deeply painful situation. I wish you & your family the best in moving through this. Ting, who chairs the powerful Assembly Budget Committee, is known for his environmental legislation, particularly as a champion of electric vehicles. He recently joined other lawmakers in criticizing the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom for not providing more details about spending related to the coronavirus pandemic. 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. Communities Digital News reported Friday that Ting had an ongoing affair with Carmel Foster, a woman he met on the dating site Whats Your Price? in 2016. Foster testified in support of AB5 in April 2019. The site reported that Foster, who worked as a house cleaner and caregiver for the elderly and people with disabilities, felt exploited not only by Ting for four years but by the California Labor Federation and the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Reached by phone on Saturday, Foster declined to answer questions about the Communities Digital News report and said that an upcoming story would detail her concerns over both AB5 and AB2314, a bill she said Ting authored during their relationship. The 2018 bill, which was vetoed, would have established a labor standards enforcement pilot program overseeing domestic workers and their employees. The details of why I feel upset and exploited will be reported next week, she said. Cynthia Dizikes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cdizikes@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CDizikes Advertisement Police have released a further 12 CCTV images of people they want to speak to in relation to violent clashes in London this month. Violence broke out over recent weeks between Black Lives Matter protesters and people claiming to be protecting statues in the capital. The latest pictures from the Metropolitan Police feature people who are believed to have engaged in racial abuse and serious violence against members of the public and police officers. Commander Alex Murray described the behaviour of those in the images as 'abhorrent' and 'highly offensive'. The appeal for information on 12 individuals today comes in addition to the 48 others, who have been pictured by the Metropolitan Police over the last three days. Undated handout comp photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of persons police wish to speak to following the violent clashes in London during recent demonstrations. Issued Sunday June 21 Detectives have been analysing hours of CCTV, body worn video from officers and footage which has been widely circulated on social media to ensure those who committed offences are identified and are brought to justice, the Met said. Commander Murray has since confirmed members of the public had already helped to identify people from the images. He said: 'Our investigation into the various acts of violence, racial abuse and disorder by a small minority of those attending protests in London in recent weeks continues and we're releasing a further 12 images today of people we would like to identify in relation to this. Police fight to maintain control in Trafalgar Square amid both Black Lives Matter and pro-statue protests in London last weekend. There is no suggestion those pictured here and below are wanted by police A man identified as a far-right protester was carried to safety from protesters as animosity was briefly set aside on a day of clashes in London between rival groups and police Pictures also caught the moment another white counter-protester was left with a bloodied face after being hit during a scuffle with protesters 'These images are in addition to the 48 we have already released over the past few days. We have already seen a really positive response from the public, which is helping us with our enquiries to identify those who were involved, so that they can be brought to justice.' Commander Murray said: 'The vast majority of people who have attended the recent protests made their voices heard, and then left. However, a minority have attended with the sole purpose of attacking, abusing or violently confronting fellow protesters, detracting from the cause of their protest. 'We saw violence against police officers including verbal and racial abuse which is absolutely appalling. They do not come to work to be subjected to this. They come to work to keep Londoners and their families safe. Similarly, those people who wanted to have their voices heard and protest should not be subject to violence from others. Police armed with shields and riot gear reinforced the blockade on Whitehall as louts rushed up the police line Images released by police earlier this week of 13 people they want to speak to in connection with violence at protests in London this month Ministers are believed to be considering sentences of up to 10 years for the worst offenders, after the Cenotaph and a statue of wartime leader Winston Churchill were targeted by Black Lives Matter protesters Activists, some wearing face coverings or face masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, hold placards as they attend a Black Lives Matter protest march to Trafalgar Square in London on June 12. New laws proposed to crackdown on statue vandalism: The Justice Secretary says laws prohibiting the desecration of war memorials are 'inadequate' and has pledged to make sure vandalism is properly punished. Robert Buckland said there is 'no justification' for writing political slogans on the statue of Winston Churchill or climbing atop the Cenotaph to burn the Union Jack - adding that the Government will bring in legislation to allow harsher punishments. Mr Robert Buckland (pictured) Following a campaign by more than 120 Conservative MPs, backbenchers will present the proposed Desecration of War Memorials Bill this week, The Telegraph reports. Ministers have been considering legislating to make desecrating war memorials carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Mr Buckland has said that someone who vandalises headstones can face a sentence of just three months due to maximum terms being largely dependent on the monetary value of the damage - but if it is more than 5,000 the case can go to Crown Court where a sentence of ten years can be handed down. Advertisement 'Whilst investigations are underway to identify those we suspect of being involved in these offences, we ask members of the public to make it clear that they also will not tolerate such behaviour by helping us to identify these individuals and report anyone they recognise in the pictures. 'Thank you to those who have already helped to identify people from the images your help is having a real and positive effect on our investigation. Thank you also to those people who have actively challenged other protesters to stop them being violent and abusive.' Black Lives Matter protests erupted worldwide following the death of George Floyd, 46, who died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 for nine minutes. Demonstrators flooded the streets across Britain in protests against racial injustice and police brutality. While many protests remained peaceful, police and demonstrators were pictured suffering injuries during brawls at demonstrations. Statues and monuments to controversial figures from Britain's imperial past have become the focal point of many demonstrations since a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was torn down in Bristol and dumped in the harbour. Several hundred demonstrators, mostly white men, attended a protest organised by far-right groups, including Britain First, last weekend, claiming they wanted to protect statues such as Winston Churchill from vandalism. But fights erupted in areas near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square as demonstrators repeatedly hounded police officers with foul-mouthed chants and missiles, smoke grenades and flares. Following the violent clashes, Black Lives Matter protestors and some counter protestors headed over the River Thames towards Waterloo Station. Far right thugs have been accused of being the instigators of the violence by attacking police as well as BLM supporters, who then fought back as the scene descended into violence. After the violent incidents, the Prime Minister said protesters desecrating war memorials will face tough new laws and warned that attacks on public property will be 'met with the full force of the law'. Additionally, a far-right protester was jailed for 14 days for urinating next to a memorial to police officer Keith Palmer killed in a terror attack on Parliament, while at a demo ostensibly trying to protect statues. Mr Johnson also insisted he is a 'huge admirer' of one of his aides who has previously questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out at a 'culture of grievance' among anti-racism campaigners. Anyone with information about the images can contact the investigation team on 020 8246 9386 or Tweet @MetCC on Twitter. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Those with footage of the violent clashes which could assist detectives in the police investigation are urged to send it to officers by visiting: ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Joanna Wares and Sara Krehbiel (The Jakarta Post) The Conversation Sun, June 21, 2020 10:57 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066062db5 3 Health COVID-19,coronavirus,herd-immunity,immune-system,COVID-19-vaccine,new-normal Free Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, use of the term herd immunity has spread almost as fast as the virus. But its use is fraught with misconceptions. In the U.K., officials briefly considered a herd immunity strategy to protect the most vulnerable members of its population by encouraging others to become exposed and develop immunity to the virus. Others reignited the discussion by focusing on how far we are from herd immunity. But trying to reach herd immunity without a vaccine would be a disastrous pandemic response strategy. As mathematics and computer science professors, we think it is important to understand what herd immunity actually is, when its a viable strategy and why, without a vaccine, it cannot reduce deaths and illnesses from the current pandemic. What is herd immunity? Epidemiologists define the herd immunity threshold for a given virus as the percentage of the population that must be immune to ensure that its introduction will not cause an outbreak. If enough people are immune, an infected person will likely come into contact only with people who are already immune rather than spreading the virus to someone who is susceptible. Herd immunity is usually discussed in the context of vaccination. For example, if 90% of the population (the herd) has received a chickenpox vaccine, the remaining 10% (often including people who cannot become vaccinated, like babies and the immunocompromised) will be protected from the introduction of a single person with chickenpox. But herd immunity from SARS-CoV-2 is different in several ways: 1) We do not have a vaccine. As biologist Carl Bergstrom and biostatistician Natalie Dean pointed out in a New York Times op-ed in May, without a widely available vaccine, most of the population 60%-85% by some estimates must become infected to reach herd immunity, and the viruss high mortality rate means millions would die. 2) The virus is not currently contained. If herd immunity is reached during an ongoing pandemic, the high number of infected people will continue to spread the virus and ultimately many more people than the herd immunity threshold will become infected likely over 90% of the population. 3) The people most vulnerable are not evenly spread across the population. Groups that have not been mixing with the herd will remain vulnerable even after the herd immunity threshold is reached. Reaching herd immunity without a vaccine is costly For a given virus, any person is either susceptible to being infected, currently infected or immune from being infected. If a vaccine is available, a susceptible person can become immune without ever becoming infected. Without a vaccine, the only route to immunity is through infection. And unlike with chickenpox, many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 die from it. Sara Krehbiel , CC BY-ND By mid-June, more than 115,000 people in the U.S. had died from COVID-19, and the disease can have lingering health consequences for those who survive. Moreover, scientists dont yet know the extent to which people who recover are immune from future infections. A vaccine is the only way to move directly from susceptibility to immunity, bypassing the pain from becoming infected and possibly dying. Herd immunity reached during a pandemic doesnt stop the spread An ongoing pandemic doesnt stop as soon as the herd immunity threshold is reached. In contrast to the scenario of a single person with chickenpox entering a largely immune population, many people are infected at any given time during an ongoing pandemic. When the herd immunity threshold is reached during a pandemic, the number of new infections per day will decline, but the substantial infectious population at that point will continue to spread the virus. As Bergstrom and Dean noted, A runaway train doesnt stop the instant the track begins to slope uphill, and a rapidly spreading virus doesnt stop right when herd immunity is attained. If the virus is unchecked, the final percentage of people infected will far overshoot the herd immunity threshold, affecting as many as 90% of the population in the case of SARS-CoV-2. Proactive mitigation strategies like social distancing and wearing masks flatten the curve by reducing the rate that active infections generate new cases. This delays the point at which herd immunity is reached and also reduces casualties, which should be the goal of any response strategy. Herd immunity does not protect the vulnerable People who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, such as people over 65, have been urged to stay inside to avoid exposure. However, many of these people live and socialize in communities of people in the same cohort. Even if the herd immunity threshold is reached by the population at large, a single infected person coming in contact with a vulnerable community can cause an outbreak. The coronavirus has devastated nursing homes, which will remain vulnerable until vaccines are available. How to respond to a pandemic without a vaccine Without a vaccine, we should not think of herd immunity as a light at the end of the tunnel. Getting there would result in millions of deaths in the United States and would not protect the most vulnerable. For now, washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing remain the best ways to lessen the destruction of COVID-19 by flattening the curve to buy time to develop treatments and vaccines. --- Joanna Wares, Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Richmond and Sara Krehbiel, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Santa Clara University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 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. Targeting a Kurdish militia that they claimed trained some members of the international Anti-Fascist (Antifa) movement, Syria and Iraq bombed Turkey. Antifa is a left-wing organization that has been involved in most "Black Live Matters" protests in the US and recently has been threatened by US President Trump to be tagged as a terrorist organization. According to Newsweek, on Friday, the Defense Ministry of Turkey released a video amid its operations in the Great Zab region in Iraq which featured an F-16 fighter jet. Four members of the Kurdish militia, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was said to have been neutralized in the attack. Meanwhile, Syria was also a target of the attacks from Turkish forces and its rebel allies. Kurdish groups which settle in the northern Raqqa province's Tel Abyad countryside were also bombed according to the Wednesday report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The group that was targeted was Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces who also usually use the insignia of the PKK. Thus, Turkey said that they are a proxy of the group. However, since the Syrian Democratic Forces are supported by the US government, this has caused several complications with the attack from Turkey. Read also: Anti-Police Protesters in Cincinnati Burns American Flag PKK's alleged connection to Antifa. After a series of protests broke out in the US due to the death of George Floyd, one of the groups of activists that has been focused on is Antifa. This is after Trump blamed them for starting the violence during the protests across the nation. It can be recalled that Trump also claimed that Antifa is behind the civil unrest since 2017, and has come to a point last month that he said he would declare them as a terrorist organization. However, it faced several constitutional issues. In light of this, The Guardian reported that Turkey used the opportunity to put the alleged links between Antifa and PKK in the spotlight during their attacks. Turkey's government also issued a graphic which channeled the remarks of Trump against Antifa. Based on the poster, despite the fact that the full name of the group is Anti-Fascist Movement, some of its members are trained by the terrorist organizations PKK or YPD which they claimed has acted with the mentality of fascists. On June 3, the same day that the posters were released, Mevlut Cavusoglo, the foreign minister of turkey pushed Trump to take a stand on Antifa and separatist groups of Kurdistan. He also added that as allies of Turkey, the US should show support to the country when they are attacked by Antifa or the PKK organizations. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that there is no report or intelligence that supports the claim that Antifa is involved with the terrorist groups. In addition, Syrian Democratic Forces representative Sinam Mohamad said that there are no links between the said Kurdish militia and the Antifa Movement. Moreover, the bombings were condemned by the governments of Syria and Iraq who claimed that the attacks breached their sovereignty as nations. Related article: Trump Says Antifa Will Be Labelled as Terrorist Group with Constitutional Issue Arising @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A bill that would give New Mexicos governor expanded powers during a declared public health emergency appeared to be on life support Saturday after the Senate adjourned without addressing it. The proposal had been added to the special session agenda by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and bills on it were filed in both the House and Senate. However, one of the bills was pulled back on the House floor late Friday after it encountered fierce opposition from Republican lawmakers who argued the Legislature should not be giving more power to Lujan Grisham during the coronavirus pandemic. We ought to have a seat at the table to determine what direction the state is going in and how its impacting our communities, said Rep. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell. The matching emergency powers measures, House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 2, would give the governor the authority to suspend in-person requirements for signing certain official documents, including notaries and wills, during a declared public health emergency. The bills would also allow alcoholic beverages to be delivered with food orders during such times, though such authority would expire in June 2021. Before the House bill was pulled back from a vote, Nibert proposed an amendment that would have required the governor to get legislative approval to extend emergency public health orders beyond 30 days. Thats the same focus of a separate Republican-backed bill that was not considered during the special session because Lujan Grisham did not add it to the agenda. Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said Saturday that the partisan pushback against the emergency powers bill was predictable and disappointing. Those emergency powers are each things that constituency groups, stakeholders and New Mexicans have asked for repeatedly over the course of the pandemic, Stelnicki said. The governor has no interest in an expanded emergency power for its own sake. Its about finding a way to temporarily meet the needs of New Mexicans in the midst of this public health emergency. Many New Mexico Republicans have criticized the Lujan Grisham administration for overstepping its authority during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially when it comes to emergency spending. Although the Legislature is typically the branch of government that controls the states purse strings, the governor can authorize some emergency spending. After the coronavirus outbreak hit New Mexico, the state Department of Health filed a general purchase order covering up to $200 million that might be spent in coming months. That money is intended to be used on masks, broadband services, coronavirus testing and even attorneys to defend Lujan Grishams public health orders that have imposed business restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Black Lives Matter struggle is no longer confined to the national borders of the United States. Wherever we live in the world, we, Black Americans, cannot escape the feeling of collective grief that has overwhelmed our community after George Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Watching the widely circulated video showing the last moments of Floyds life, I felt the devastating pain and anger at the never-ending injustice that Black Americans face in their own country. It was not so long ago that we marched in New York over the brutal death of Eric Garner at the hands of the police another Black man who died pleading I cant breathe! It was not long ago that protests were held for other Black victims of white supremacy all clearly ignored by the system which supports and protects Black oppression. Sitting in my small apartment in Berlin, I also felt the survivors guilt the guilt of knowing that I have escaped the gruesome reality of Black life in America, which was once again laid bare by the recent cascade of Black death from the killing of Floyd to the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Rayshard Brooks and many others whose stories have not made it to mainstream media. And then the streets of America erupted. Hundreds of thousands braved a pandemic and sadistic police brutality to declare that Black lives matter and enough is enough. Hundreds of thousands persisted in their protest, as the US president threatened where there is looting, there is shooting and officials called for the army to be deployed and martial law. They resisted, as the media tried to distort their demonstrations and politicians and pundits conspired to shift the conversation towards piecemeal reforms. Despite the repression, slander and obfuscation, the new iteration of the Black Lives Matter protests led by Black women, men and transgender and other queer people, persevered and stayed on course. It was inspiring to watch from afar their political acuity and tenacity and their insistence on revolution, not reform. It was breath-taking to see their spectacular success at putting prison abolition and defunding the police on the current political agenda and drawing attention to divestment from oppressive policing to investment in communities to address housing precarity, economic inequality and health disparities. It was galvanising to see issues of marginalisation within the Black community raised. Some 15,000 people marched in Brooklyn for the visibility of Black transgender lives and an end to violence against Black transgender people, declaring We [transgender people] are not going to be left out. My pain was mixed with elation and pride watching people articulate versions of freedom that I have believed in for years a Black freedom struggle that does not leave anyone behind and that is grounded on full equality through revolutionary change, not symbolic reform. Indeed, I so wished I was in the United States to take part in this historic moment, in this revolutionary movement. But return home for me is not an option. I am in debt exile a consequence of the same economic oppression that leaves so many Black Americans destitute. Apart from a student loan of $120,000, what keeps me away from the US is also the trauma of Black life. My family, too, has been affected by the American carceral state which preys on Black people. In 2014, my brother who suffers from schizophrenia was incarcerated for more than eight months for trespassing on someones lawn and in 2019, he was shot and survived a gun wound. Some of my cousins are currently imprisoned in the state of Florida, awaiting their release, while being in solitary confinement to avoid contracting COVID-19. Similar to James Baldwin, who fled suffocating racism and spent some pivotal years living in Europe during the civil rights movement, I feel guilty about living abroad during this moment where I am afforded the space to write, breathe, and be debt-free. But unlike Baldwin, I cannot return. After three years of setting up a home in Berlin, building a community with local activists and artists, and finding stability for the first time in my life, a return to the US would be a reckoning with the full gravity of being Black in America it would be a return to the indebted and worried existence of physical and economic survival, and that is something I can no longer bear. But, we, Black American emigres, did not watch idle the revolutionary momentum that the George Floyd protests triggered. The anger, pain and despair that poured out in the streets of America were so powerful that they shook the whole world, inspiring solidarity protests in dozens of countries, which gave more ammunition to challenge police state violence and the legacies of colonialism. And we joined. In France, Black Parisians reignited the struggle for justice for Adama Traore, a 24-year old Black Parisian who died in police custody. In England, protesters attacked the statue of historic figures who played a leading role in British imperialism and the slave trade, starting a nationwide conversation about the whitewashing of British colonial history. In Belgium, after mass protests forced the removal of several statues of King Leopold II, notorious for his barbaric rule of Congo; they also prompted the head of parliament to call for a truth and reconciliation commission to address colonial time crimes. In the Netherlands, demonstrations elicited calls for the use of blackface to portray Black Pete in Christmas celebrations to be banned. In Brazil, the last country in the Americas to officially abolish slavery, there have also been protests in support of Black Lives Matter. The country itself is still struggling with the anti-Black racist legacy of its colonial period and the brutal US-backed dictatorship during the Cold War period. There, too, Black people are the main victim of police brutality and systemic discrimination. In Australia, protests have pushed to the fore public discussions about white settler colonialism and state violence against the Aboriginal people, which the white majority has long sought to suppress. In fact, the local authorities sought to ban protests in cities like Sidney, using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse. In Germany, local protests which were held not just in Berlin, but in other large cities across the country, also sparked national conversations about racism. Many people, including white Americans I know, insist that racism is not as bad in Germany as it is in the US. But official statistics, as well as testimonies of brown and Black people, tell a different story. These protests offered a much-needed space for me and other Black Americans to voice our pain publicly. I spent three weekends protesting with hundreds of people outside Brandenburg Gate, tens of thousands at Alexanderplatz, and several thousand in Hermannplatz, chanting, grieving, and decrying the ongoing assault on Black life in America and around the world. Indeed, deep-rooted, debilitating, structural racism is an international problem. It is a transatlantic creation, forged and maintained by white people in both Europe and the Americas and it is heavily interlinked. White supremacy and neo-colonialism do not stop at national borders but rather form transnational systems of oppression that subjugate, exploit, and brutalise for the benefit of the white elite at the top. I, as a Black Haitian-American, have experienced racism both at home and abroad and I see these experiences in a continuum. And I have come to believe that the anti-racism struggle may take different forms in different places, but if we want honest and concrete ways to address the violent histories that we have inherited, then we have to engage in the fight against racism globally. The renewed momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement sparked by the death of George Floyd has opened up spaces for this kind of global struggle against racialised violence, oppression and neocolonialism. And people like me, guilty survivors of racist oppression in the US, are able to find renewed meaning in our struggles. Once you find yourself in another civilisation, Baldwin noted, youre forced to examine your own. And it is from this distance, as a writer and an activist that I am honing in and participating in anti-racism activism here in Europe, the birthplace of white supremacy and colonialism. As a descendant of Africans who were enslaved and forcibly transported to the Americas, I am challenging racism on the very continent from where the enslavement and subjugation of my ancestors were organised, directed and justified. This gives me space and perspective to grapple with this complex centuries-old system of oppression from its roots all the way to its many modern-day manifestations both locally and internationally. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. A driver was facing charges after he struck and killed a 70-year-old man Friday evening in New Brunswick, authorities said. Juan Gonzalez, 43, of North Brunswick was charged with driving without a license and causing the death of another person in the third degree, according to a joint release from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office and New Brunswick Police. Gonzalez was driving a 2009 Dodge Avenger on Route 27 near Van Dyke Avenue at 9:04 p.m. when he hit Teddy Davis, 70, of New Brunswick, the office said. Davis was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was pronounced dead, police said. The crash remained under investigation Saturday evening and anyone with information was asked to call New Brunswick Police Detective Hector Lugo at 732-745-5200, or Middlesex County Prosecutors Office Detective Jonathan Berman at 732-745-4328. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. The Arab League said it will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday upon Egypts request to address the recently heightened tensions in the Libyan crisis. The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday before it was put off until Tuesday in order for the necessary arrangements to be wrapped up. The meeting was scheduled a few days after the Arab League said it had received a request from Egypt for an emergency meeting at the ministerial level to discuss the developments in Libya. The Arab League is also set to host a virtual meeting on Monday by the International Follow Up Committee on Libya (IFCL), an informed source at the Arab League Secretariat said on Sunday. The meeting, the third by the IFCL since its establishment during the Berlin Conference last February, will tackle the implementation of commitments and goals stipulated in the conferences resolutions. The source added that the meeting comes at a critical time, as it will review current military and security developments in the country, especially amid escalations in the Libyan city of Sirte. It will also discuss means of achieving an immediate de-escalation to resume negotiations on a ceasefire between the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA) under UN sponsorship. The scheduled meetings come a few days after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that Cairo has a legitimate right to intervene in the war-torn neighboring country to restore security and stability after receiving "direct threats" from "terrorist militias," stressing that Egypt has long been reluctant to make such a move. El-Sisi said that any intervention in Libya by Egyptian forces would be led by the Libyan tribes, stressing that the Libyan frontline of Sirte and Al-Jufra is a red line for Egyptian national security. Earlier this month, President El-Sisi, commander of the LNA Khalifa Haftar, and the speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh announced a peace initiative, dubbed the Cairo Declaration, to end the civil war in Libya through a ceasefire and an elected leadership council. The Cairo plan comes after the collapse of an offensive launched by Haftar in April 2019 to capture the Libyan capital, further extending the rival GNA control over most of northwestern Libya. Egypt, the UAE and Russia are backing Haftar in the east, while Turkey supports the Tripoli-based GNA. Search Keywords: Short link: COLUMBIA Two South Carolina companies jumped into action to meet the needs of the response to the coronavirus, manufacturing vital pieces of equipment at a time when they were urgently needed and unlikely to be easily available for import. In doing so, they played key roles as the country rushed to provide the medical supplies needed to protect the lives of the sick and their caregivers. In Columbia, ZVerse began March as a company that helped manufacturers by creating more effective computer files for their production processes. It had the capability to do some 3D printing but did not usually do manufacturing. With the economy stalling out in mid-March, CEO John Carrington was wondering how many of the approximately 25 employees to lay off when calls began coming in. There were pleas coming from hospital officials, doctors and nurses: We don't have the protective equipment we need. Can you help us? "It was pretty clear that people were hurting," Carrington said. "I felt like we didn't have a choice." Mostly working from home, the ZVerse staff began designing face shields and orders began flooding in. They began to work with manufacturers that could make their design in great numbers, and even to hire more employees as orders continued to come in, including an order for 2 million face shields from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. In seven weeks, they made 7 million shields. Delivering all those has been a constant scramble to take orders, line up materials, find warehouse space and get deliveries shipped. One example: ZVerse had no loading dock large enough to handle shipments carried by 18-wheelers, Carrington said. That's something the company is looking to fix in a hurry. It could have 100 employees before the end of the year, and its second face shield design, intended for workers such as waiters or hair stylists whose work brings them in close contact with customers. That face shield, introduced in mid-May, will be more popular than the first design if the early demand in any indicator, Carrington expects. By the end of the summer, ZVerse could make 20 million shields. Another company pitching in against the novel coronavirus did not have to reinvent itself in order to help out. Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing has been in Bamberg making washers and other plastic and metal machinery parts since the 1960s. The company constantly makes new items for its hundreds of customers, meaning that the process has to adapt hourly at times, sales manager Steve Cornforth said. Other companies also do the kind of stamping and parts manufacture that Phoenix does, but the business has done well in Bamberg because it will make smaller batches of custom parts more readily than bigger competitors will, Cornforth said. In late March, the company received two orders that were remarkable for the needs they were to fill: one was for a large number of parts for medical ventilator systems and another was a part to be used in hand sanitizer bottles. Both orders were from major national companies that Cornforth is not free to identify. It's not usual for Phoenix to get orders for parts it has never manufactured before. Phoenix has no catalog for standard parts, so everything is made to order, Cornforth said. The orders related to the coronavirus were similar to what Phoenix does for many companies, although the order for six different ventilator parts was larger than many it receives: about 2.2 million parts. Company employees were well aware, however, that they were making items that were critically needed for the response to the coronavirus. A sign next to the stamping equipment reminded employees of the important work being done there. "We wanted to meet this need to help our country and the world," Cornforth said. The company filled both initial orders within a few weeks. Both Cornforth and Carrington see the work their companies did as examples of how manufacturing items in the United States rather than overseas can make sense. Rethinking the assumption that importing items is the default choice might be one of the consequences of the coronavirus-related economic shutdowns. "There are a lot of things that can be brought back here, but it requires people to think differently," Carrington said. Yemens Houthis continue to tighten their grip and propagate their ideologies in territories under their control. The Houthi rise over the last five years would not have happened if they had focused on the military domain alone. Their policies have been comprehensive and they have been active at the social, political and ideological levels. All their activities have one target: to consolidate their rule and eliminate any opposition. In the areas falling under the Houthis control, any decision they make or laws they introduce will be unopposed by the population. The latest bylaw on "zakat," an obligation (tax) that constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam, is a case in point. A long document has been released, stipulating that citizens should pay "khums," a 20% tax on economic activities and natural resources including oil, gas and fishing industry. The document, which was signed by Houthi President Mahdi al-Mashat in late April, states that khums should be distributed in six ways: Share of God: This share should be used for public services and infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals and roads. Share of the Prophet: This share should be given to those at the helm of power. The ruling elite is Hashemite a term used to refer to those alleging direct familial links to the Prophet Muhammad, namely descendants of his great-grandfather Hashim ibn Abd Manaf. Presently, the Hashemites in Yemen are represented by the Houthi family, which is the supreme authority in several northern Yemeni provinces. The Houthi authorities appoint all governors or any other officials in areas under their control. Share of kinsmen of the Prophet: This share is allocated to the Hashemites. Share of the orphans: This share is distributed to orphans, including the Hashemite orphans. Share of the needy: This share is meant for those in need, including the Hashemites. Wayfarer share: This is meant for travelers Hashemites or other Muslims who find themselves with no money in a region other than their own and can't return home. The Houthis have based their new bylaw on a verse from the Quran, which they interpreted to benefit their own. The verse states, And know that whatever spoils you take as booty of war, a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the Messenger and for the kinsmen (in need) and orphans and the poor and the needy traveler. (Surah Al-Anfal [8:41]) Shamsan Abu Nashtan, head of the Zakat General Authority, told Al-Masirah newspaper June 9 that the bylaw is not new and was first issued in 1999. We have not changed anything in it, he said. Raising this matter comes in the context of targeting the Zakat General Authority and its activities that have contributed to mitigating poverty that has been caused by the aggression and the blockade, referring to the five years of airstrikes and blockade on Yemen by the Saudi-led Arab coalition. While the Houthis contend this bylaw is in conformity with the Yemeni law and Sharia, opposing voices have said such an illegal move is racist and it legalizes discrimination among Yemenis. Such a bylaw would give the Hashemites the right to collect money from citizens on the basis of family origin, a matter many believe contradicts the Yemeni Constitution that states all people are equal in rights and obligations. Officials in the United Nations-recognized government have described this Houthi bylaw as unconstitutional. On June 8, Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek Saeed took to Twitter denouncing the Houthi bylaw, writing, The Houthi release of what they have called the zakat law is based on racial and dynasty discrimination and unveils the extent of the groups deep involvement in ripping apart the social fabric and its rejection of the equal citizenship values. It also explains the degree of its disdain toward the [Yemeni] people and all peace opportunities and calls. The Houthi bylaw has roused the ire of opponents on social media platforms with angry, cynical and condemning comments. Minister of Information Moammar al-Eryani described the bylaw as the worst example of racial discrimination in the modern age. Political observers see the Houthi bylaw as a reflection of their ideology, or what the Houthis say is their divine right to the ruling. Nabil al-Bokairi, a Yemeni researcher focusing on politics, told Al-Monitor, We should not be surprised to see the Houthis introduce such a law. This law legalizes a racial idea that they already possess. The bylaw makes it clear that there [is a difference between] Bani Hashim [Hashemite] and other Yemenis, and both have different rights. The Houthis, who hail from Saada province, seized the capital Sanaa in September 2014, and they rapidly extended their military presence in many provinces, capitalizing on the fragile state and conflicts among the political parties on the heels of the Arab Spring uprising against the former regime. Bokairi said reaching a political solution with the Houthis is not possible. This group does not believe in politics and it alleges it has the divine right to govern people. So what can be discussed with them? Elections? Pluralism? Voting polls? Such discussions will be in vain because the group does not believe in such concepts, he added. Adel Dashela, a Yemeni researcher and writer, told Al-Monitor that the Houthi bylaw is undermining equality in society and makes classism worse. The aim of this bylaw is to spread their ideas [of] 'racial superiority' among the youth. This bylaw reminds us of apartheid in African countries, racism in Western societies and the caste system in India. However, Dashela thinks the new bylaw introduced by the Houthis could be an impetus for unity among Yemenis who oppose the Houthi dogma. Yemenis will not allow the pillaging of people's money by these racist militias, he noted. Although the bylaw has sparked a storm of controversy and infuriated the bulk of Yemenis who are not Hashemite, Dashela said this decision by the Houthis will not push people in Houthi-controlled areas against the Houthis under the current circumstances. Abdulla Mahdi, a Sanaa resident, told Al-Monitor that it is dangerous to display opposition to the Houthi authorities or criticize them at present. Whatever laws the Houthis make, the population is silent. They [Houthis] have been capable of combating the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led Arab coalition for five years, and they can easily punish all dissidents in areas they control, Mahdi said. File image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga Since 2015, June 21 has been celebrated globally as the International Day of Yoga. However, the forthcoming International Yoga Day will be celebrated quite differently than the previous years. Keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, people have been asked to celebrate Yoga Day indoors and the theme for the sixth edition of International Yoga Day is, Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family. But how and when did we start celebrating it on June 21? And why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi being credited for the growing significance of yoga in India? In September 2014, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Narendra Modi had proposed that June 21 be declared as International Yoga Day. While neighbouring China was the first country to co-sponsor Modi's proposition, others, including the United States, Russia, Germany, France and the UK, were not too far behind. The scope of making money out of it made yoga more appealing to countries like Mozambique, which became one of the early African sponsors of the proposal. It has a long Indian Ocean coastline dotted with yoga tourism retreats. Moreover, countries with a sizeable Indian diaspora and those where yoga schools already existed under well-known gurus also nodded in favour of Modis push for the plan. The move worked well and was eventually backed by as many as 177 nations and adopted merely 75 days after Modi tabled the resolution in the UNGA. Interestingly, when it comes to the passage of any international day resolution, both these figures are now records. Although many have termed the entire act a public relations exercise, one cannot disregard the PMs skill of turning yoga into a unique brand for India in a way that was similar to his push for Khadi. The move has reaffirmed Indias position on the global map while, at the same time, reaping profits for the country vis-a-vis the ever-growing number of tourists who visit India to undertake yoga lessons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the global media a nice photograph for their next days edition as he rolled out his yoga mat, slipped into the lotus position and became a part of the 37,000 strong crowd at Rajpath on the first International Yoga Day in 2015. He even performed the various asanas or poses throughout the 30-minute-long session. He has been a part of the yearly celebrations ever since, with his enthusiasm visible in his immediate appointment of a Yoga Minister under the Ministry for AYUSH. Modi skillfully weaved the narrative of yoga as an intrinsic part of the ancient Indian tradition. He repackaged the age-old practice, which has taken a modern form over the years, and cemented it as Indias contribution to the world after Aryabhattas zero. U.S. Iran Envoy Calls IAEA Resolution 'Significant,' Says Russia, China Votes Against Were 'Irresponsible' By RFE/RL June 20, 2020 The U.S. special envoy for Iran has welcomed a resolution passed on June 19 by the board of governors of the United Nations' atomic agency that urges Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activity may have occurred in the past. Brian Hook said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board's resolution "is significant and it raises serious concerns about Iran's nuclear program and its lack of transparency." The resolution, the first of its kind since 2012, calls on Iran to "fully cooperate" with the IAEA and "satisfy the Agency's requests without any further delay," including by providing "prompt" access to the two sites in order to clarify whether undeclared nuclear activity took place there during the early 2000s. Iran has been blocking access to the sites for months, prompting a growing diplomatic dispute. Hook, speaking in a conference call with reporters, said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on June 18 that Iran has nothing to hide. Hook said if this is true, "then it should have no problem granting full access to IAEA inspectors." The resolution, put forth by France, Germany, and Britain, was passed with 25 votes in favor. Russia and China voted against, while seven countries -- Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Niger -- abstained. Hook took issue with the votes cast by Russia and China, saying they tried to shield Iran from scrutiny. "As nuclear powers, China and Russia have special responsibilities not to support nations who play cat and mouse with the IAEA," Hook said. "Their votes were irresponsible, and the international community deserves better behavior." Kazem Gharib Abadi, the Iranian ambassador to the IAEA, said his country "strongly rejects this resolution and will respond appropriately in due course." Iranian officials have said that such a resolution could hurt relations between Tehran and the UN agency. Russia's ambassador to the UN in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that "the resolution can be counterproductive," while also "stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay." The sites in question are not thought to be directly relevant to Iran's current nuclear program. But the IAEA says it needs to know if activities going back almost two decades have been properly declared and whether all nuclear materials have been accounted for. The IAEA says it still has the access it needs to inspect Iran's declared nuclear facilities according to its mandate under the landmark nuclear deal reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers. The United States pulled out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions that have battered the Iranian economy. In response, Tehran has been progressively breaking the restrictions laid down in the agreement, saying that it can reverse them if the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia -- comply with it. U.S. sanctions make it difficult for other parties to abide by their commitments. The United States has also pushed for an extension of an arms embargo on Iran beyond October, when it was set to be progressively eased under the nuclear accord. After meeting in Berlin on June 19, the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany said that they too opposed lifting the embargo, saying that the move "would have major implications for regional security and stability." But the ministers also said their countries would not back U.S. efforts to unilaterally trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran. "Any unilateral attempt to trigger U.N. sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the U.N. Security Council," they said in a joint statement. However, they added that they "wish to address the issue in close coordination with Russia and China." With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, ISNA, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-iran-envoy-calls-iaea -resolution-significant-says-russia-china-votes -against-were-irresponsible-/30681125.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Donald Trump. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump has once again blamed China for the global spread of the deadly coronavirus which has killed over 450,000 people and infected more than 8.5 million others, terming the disease as Kung flu. Trump has repeatedly blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019 and accused Beijing of suppressing the details of the contagion. The Trump administration officials have described it as Wuhan virus due to its origin. Trump, addressing his first election rally on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the US early this year, said that the COVID-19 is a disease and has many names than any disease in history. I can name Kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names. Many call it a virus, which it is. Many call it a flu. What difference. I think we have 19 or 20 versions of the name," Trump said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic Kung fu refers to the Chinese martial arts in which people use only their bare hands and feet to fight. According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected over 8.5 million people and killed more than 450,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 2.2 million cases and more than 1,19,000 deaths. The COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a "severe recession". Scientists are racing against time to find a vaccine or medicine for its treatment. Trump, 74, is seeking re-election in the November presidential elections against former vice president Joe Biden, 77, who is the Democratic Party's candidate. Ghanaians have joined the rest of the world to honour and celebrate fathers for their sacrifice, leadership, mentorship and outstanding roles they play and continue to play in the lives of many. The day, which is observed on the third Sunday of June globally, was embraced in Ghana to complement the Mothers Day celebration through the giving of cards, gifts, dining out, sending of well-wishing messages and other forms of showing appreciation to fatherhood. The Ghana News Agency noted citizens sharing their experiences and sending well wishes to their fathers through radio platforms, television programmes and social media platforms ahead of the day. In a radio programme in Accra, listeners were asked to share some lies they had told their father and the confessions were interesting. One said he created a book list to get some money from his dad; another said she had to fake sickness in order to get some attention from her dad; and one confessed that, I lied to my dad, I was in school but was chilling somewhere. On TV viewers were given the opportunity to send in short videos or write-ups sharing fond memories and heroic stories of their fathers. Online shops, community gift shops and malls have created special packages and displayed gifts for potential customers to celebrate their Fathers. William Jackson Smart was a twice-married, twice-widowed Civil War veteran and father of 14 children- one of whom dedicated her life to the creation of Fathers Day in honor of her devoted and selfless dad. The story goes that Williams daughter, Sonora Smart Dodd, was attending one of the first official Mothers Day services in 1909 at her church in Spokane, Washington, when she had an epiphanyif mothers deserved a day in honor of their loving service, why not fathers? That first Fathers Day celebration in Spokane might have remained a local tradition if not for the perseverance of Sonora; the 1910 Fathers Day observance, William Jennings Bryan, one of the most famous politicians of the time, sent Sonora a congratulatory letter, which sparked a rush of national media attention on Sonora and Spokane. Sonora won the support of her congressmen, who began to lobby for the creation of a national holiday. It wasnt until 1972, six years before Sonoras death at the age of 96, that President Richard Nixon finally signed a Congressional resolution declaring the third Sunday in June to be Fathers Day. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped by five persons in Dewas city of Madhya Pradesh before being kidnapped and taken to Rajasthan, a police official said on Sunday. The girl has been rescued from Jaipur and six persons, including her female friend and two other minors, have been arrested in connection with the crime, the official said. The victim's father, who hails from Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, had lodged a complaint with the police on June 16, saying that his daughter who lived with her aunt in Dewas and went to a school, had gone missing, police said. "Police have arrested six persons, including a minor girl, and efforts are on to nab three other accused involved in the kidnapping and gangrape case," District Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishnaveni Desavatu said. "The accused girl helped others involved in the crime to kidnap the victim from Dewas railway station on June 15," she added. According to the SP, the accused girl took the victim on her two-wheeler to a hotel in the city, where Rohit Khatik (23), Ajay Khatik (20), Vishal Goswami raped her. Two other accused- Aman Khatik (18) and Netash Tiwari (19)- also raped her later and took her to Rajasthan, Desavatu said. The crime branch of Jaipur police later tracked down the victim and two accused there, she added. "Aman, Netash and three minors- the accused girl- and two staffers of the hotel, have been arrested along with the manager of the hotel, Lokesh Lal (35), for their involvement in the crime," she said. Three other accused Rohit, Ajay and Vishal are absconding, she said. All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and former Himachal minister Sudhir Sharma on Sunday accused the PM Modi government of feeding people lies on crucial issues. Sharma said that in past few weeks, there was a Chinese army intrusion on Indian territory in Ladakh but the PM denied it. He said that the recent violent face-off was Chinas attempt to unilaterally change status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, PM Modi said that no one has entered the Indian territory, he said. The assertion contradicted government statements about the circumstances in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Later, the PMO sought to clarify that the PM meant that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC and Indian soldiers had foiled an attempted transgression at the Galwan Valley. This is nothing less than a blunder in foreign diplomacy as it gives the Chinese an opportunity to put the blame on India, Sharma said. The Congress leaders said that the Chinese side of the LAC is also officially the Indian territory. GOVT DENYING COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19 Sharma said that coronavirus has entered community spread phase in India but the government is still in denial mode. With over 4 lakh Covid-19 cases and nearly 10,000 deaths in country, it is inconceivable that the virus is not spreading in the community. However, the government continuing to insist that there is no community spread is misleading and gives people false hope, he alleged. Sharma said that according experts both the numbers are rapidly increasing and are expected to reach peak in next two months. President Donald Trump arrives on stage to speak at a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music took partial credit for inflating attendance expectations at a less-than-full arena at President Donald Trump's first political rally in months, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. Social media users on platforms including the popular video-sharing app have said they completed the free online registration for the rally with no intention of going. Prior to the event, Trump's campaign manager Brad Parscale said there had been more than one million requests to attend. However, the 19,000-seat BOK Center arena had many empty seats on Saturday evening and Trump and Vice President Mike Pence cancelled speeches to an expected "overflow" area outside. The Tulsa Fire Department tallied the crowd at about 6,200 people. Expand Close A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump shoots a video with his mobile phone from the sparsely filled upper decks of the arena as the president addresses his first re-election campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 20, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump shoots a video with his mobile phone from the sparsely filled upper decks of the arena as the president addresses his first re-election campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 20, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Trump's campaign advisers had seen the rally as a way to rejuvenate his base and demonstrate support when opinion polls have shown him trailing his Democratic rival, former vice president Joe Biden. Oklahoma has reported a surge in new coronavirus cases, and the state's department of health had warned those planning on attending the event that they faced an increased risk of catching the virus. The Trump campaign said entry was on a 'first-come-first-served' basis and no one was issued an actual ticket. "Leftists always fool themselves into thinking they're being clever. Registering for a rally only means you've RSVPed with a cellphone number," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. "But we thank them for their contact information." Parscale said in a statement the campaign weeds out bogus phone numbers and did this with "tens of thousands" at the Tulsa event in calculating possible attendance. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat, responded with derision to a Twitter post by Parscale that blamed the media for discouraging attendees and cited bad behaviour by demonstrators outside. "Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID," she tweeted on Saturday. "KPop allies, we see and appreciate your contributions in the fight for justice too," she added. CNN had reported Tuesday that a TikTok video posted by Mary Jo Laupp, who uses the hashtag #TikTokGrandma, was helping lead the charge. The video now has more than 700,000 likes. Two K-pop fans who spoke to Reuters in Skype and phone interviews on Sunday said they had each registered for two spots, not using their real names and numbers. Raq, a 22-year-old student and Democratic voter in Minnesota who only wanted to be identified by her nickname, said a key reason she took part was that the rally was in Tulsa, the site of the countrys bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence against Black Americans some 100 years ago. "I heard it first from just BTS fans and then once I saw that it got to TikTok, I was like, oh yeah, this is going to blow up," she said, referring to a popular South Korean boy-band. Em, a 17-year-old student in Kansas who only wanted to be identified by her username, said she had first heard about the effort on TikTok. She said many of the original tweets sharing information about the rally had been deleted. "I think it was partially the TikTokers and the K-pop fans but also people are not as interested in Trump as he thinks they are," she said. Fans of K-pop have rallied around the Black Lives Matter movement on social media in recent weeks, taking over hashtags that opposed the movement and spamming a Dallas police department app that asked for evidence of illegal activity during the protests. On Saturday, there were some shouting matches and scuffles outside the event between around 30 Black Lives Matter demonstrators and some Trump supporters waiting to enter. A Reuters reporter said police did temporarily close the access gates after protesters arrived at the rally perimeter, but state troopers helped clear the area and the gates were reopened some three hours before the rally began. The Biden campaign denied having any role in the social media registration effort. "Donald Trump has abdicated leadership and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him," said a campaign spokesman, Andrew Bates. SAN JOSE, Calif., June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AnPac Bio-Medical Science Co., Ltd. (AnPac Bio, the Company or we) (ANPC), a biotechnology company with operations in China and the United States focused on early cancer screening and detection, announced today that it has entered into a record, three-year strategic cancer screening collaboration contract with Beijing Yuan Jian Health Management Co., Ltd. in China, which has been a client of the Company for the past two years. This contract contains a minimum of 76,000 paid cancer screening tests, including at least 6,000 paid tests in 2020, 25,000 paid tests in 2021, and 45,000 paid tests in 2022. The total value of the contract is slightly over US$3 million and exceeds the previous contract by more than double the number of paid tests per year. AnPac Bios CEO, Dr. Chris Yu, remarked, Our novel cancer screening technology and tests are receiving increasing acceptance from the healthcare market. Due to our CDA tests outstanding performance and competitive costs, we expect to see significant continued market opportunities and growth potential in China. Dr. Chris Yu continued, Our ability to continue receiving multi-year sales contracts demonstrates that our novel technology, quality and service have long sustainability with customers in the market place. At the same time, we are pushing ahead with our commercialization plan of CDA cancer screening tests in the US, with on-going commercialization efforts at our San Jose lab and opening of our second lab at Philadelphia. About Beijing Yuan Jian Health Management Co., Ltd. Beijing Yuan Jian Health Management Co., Ltd. is a Chinese health management firm with a focus on health care management. Its team consists of well-known experts and professionals in the fields of health care management and medicine, and it has collaborated with various well-known academic and medical institutions including universities, hospitals and other healthcare organizations in China and the U.S. Story continues About AnPac Bio AnPac Bio is a biotechnology company focused on early cancer screening and detection, with 121 issued patents as of December 31, 2019. With two certified clinical laboratories in China and one CLIA and CAP accredited clinical laboratory in the United States, AnPac Bio performs a suite of cancer screening and detection tests, including CDA (Cancer Differentiation Analysis), bio-chemical, immunological, and genomics tests. In a 2019 market research report by Frost & Sullivan, AnPac Bio ranked second worldwide among companies offering next-generation early cancer screening and detection technologies in terms of the number of clinical samples for cancer screening and detection, based on approximately 35,000 clinical samples as at June 30, 2019. AnPac Bios CDA technology has been shown in retrospective validation studies to be able to detect the risk of over 20 different cancer types with high sensitivity and specificity. For more information, please visit: https://www.Anpacbio.com . For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Company: Phil Case, Marketing and Investor Relations Phone: +1-267-810-6776 (US) Email: phil_case@AnPacbio.com Investor Relations: Ascent Investor Relations LLC Tina Xiao, President Phone: +1-917-609-0333 (US) Email: tina.xiao@ascent-ir.com Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are relating to the Company's future financial and operating performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminologies including "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "projects," "intends," "potential," target, aim, predict, outlook, seek, goal objective, assume, contemplate, continue, positioned, forecast, likely, "may," "could," "might," "will," "should," "approximately" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions and uncertainties involving judgments about, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the implementation of our business model and growth strategies; trends and competition in the cancer screening and detection market; our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our cancer screening and detection tests and our ability to expand our customer base; our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protections for our CDA technology and our continued research and development to keep pace with technology developments; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals from the NMPA, the FDA and the relevant U.S. states and have our laboratories certified or accredited by authorities including the CLIA; our future business development, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to obtain financing cost-effectively; potential changes of government regulations; general economic and business conditions in China and elsewhere; our ability to hire and maintain key personnel; our relationship with our major business partners and customers; and the duration of the coronavirus outbreaks and their potential adverse impact on the economic conditions and financial markets and our business and financial performance, such as resulting from reduced commercial activities due to quarantines and travel restrictions instituted by China, the U.S. and many other countries around the world to contain the spread of the virus. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the Risk Factors detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. Mary Lou McDonald has predicted she will eventually become Taoiseach, insisting Fine Gael and Fianna Fail can only delay Sinn Feins journey to power. The party president said the time was right for a woman to lead an Irish government. Mrs McDonald has also revealed her admiration for Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster, describing her as someone she likes. The Sinn Fein leader made the comments in a wide-ranging interview for Human Nature, a new podcast by Northern Ireland journalist Rodney Edwards. Expand Close Sinn Fein won the popular vote in Februarys general election (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein won the popular vote in Februarys general election (Niall Carson/PA) Asked if she thought she will ever become Taoiseach, Mrs McDonald said: Yes, I do actually, and I dont say that in a vain way, Im not trying to pat myself on the back. I think the time is right now for a woman to lead government here. Obviously, we have broken that glass ceiling in the North and I think similarly its time here in the South. I dont say that anybody should assume the role of Taoiseach simply because theyre a woman, thats not the point Im making, but I think its very important for society in general, but for women and girls in particular, that we prove without any fear of contradiction that women can occupy the most senior roles in public life, I think that matters. And then, maybe more importantly, down here theres a real palpable mood for change, like Ive never seen before, and a real understanding that your political choice doesnt have to be a binary choice between Fianna Fail or Fine Gael and whose turn is it now, that there is actually a different way of doing politics, that different forms of government are possible. On the prospect of a Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Green Party coalition government being formed, Mrs McDonald accused the two main parties of trying to cobble something together to keep us out. She added: They may succeed for now, but the truth is that even though the establishment might frustrate or slow down change, they may delay things, but theyre not going to stop change. Expand Close Mary Lou McDonald said she liked Arlene Foster (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary Lou McDonald said she liked Arlene Foster (Brian Lawless/PA) Sinn Fein won the popular vote in Februarys election and emerged with 37 seats just one behind Fianna Fail. But the partys efforts to form a left-wing coalition failed due to an inability to secure enough numbers to reach the 80 seats required for a Dail majority. In the interview, Mrs McDonald talks at length about her upbringing and background, including the impact her parents separation had on her formative years. Asked for her view of another female leader the DUPs Mrs Foster Mrs McDonald said: I like the fact that she stands up for herself, I actually like that. I find Arlene a really, really interesting character. I like her. Shes a leader in political life and I know as a woman you know, you earn your place, let me put it to you that way. So, I respect that immensely. Shes a mother of children, so she faces all of the issues that no more than myself, so I like all of those things about her actually. I like that shes from Fermanagh, and that shes very connected with her place and very proud of where she comes from. I like that. Asked what she liked about Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, she said he embodied many positive things, noting the fact he was an openly gay premier who is mixed race. I like the fact that he has achieved as a person and hes not just a category, hes a human being, she said. I think Leos smart, you know; I think hes got a good brain. I dont like his politics. Mrs McDonald also spoke about her recent experience contracting Covid-19, describing it as distressing. I was really quite sick, although I was still on the mild end of the experience, but I was quite sick, she said. I found it distressing that the virus had gotten into my house, because all of a sudden, you know, what had started as a story in China, then became grief and heartbreak in Northern Italy, poor Italy. And then all of a sudden, its in your neighbourhood, and then its in your home, and that was just distressing. Glow from fire near Cedar Ridge View Photo Update at 10:30pm: The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office reports that deputies have now completed notifying residents near the fire in the Rose Creek area about the advisory evacuation notices. It impacts the north side of Estailta Drive and those along Keltz Mine Road. The deputies are no longer needed at this time, per officials. Additional information about the fire can be found below. Update at 10pm: Additional firefighters will arrive throughout the evening and early morning hours to help fight an estimated 2-3 acre vegetation fire in the Rose Creek area near Cedar Ridge. Evacuation advisories remain in effect for the north side of Estailta Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Access remains a challenge because the fire is in a very secluded area. CAL Fire was initially the lead agency, but it is now being handed over to the Stanislaus National Forest. Air resources are parked for the evening, but they will likely be back in the air during the morning hours. Well pass along more information as it becomes available. Update at 9pm: Due to the three-acre fire in the Rose Creek area near Cedar Ridge, the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office is assisting with an evacuation advisory for residents on the north side of Estailta Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Residents in that area should be prepared for an evacuation, and others are asked to avoid the area. Original story posted at 8:53pm: Sonora, CA Officials are working to extinguish a three acre fire in the Cedar Ridge area of Tuolumne County. CAL Fire reports that it is in the Rose Creek area near Forest Road 3N11. Officials are working to gain access to the fire. It is not immediately clear if any structures are threatened. It is a challenging area for firefighters to access. Well pass along more information as it becomes available. The development came after two meetings between the Delhi government and Lietenant Governor Anil Baijal. New Delhi: The Delhi government has issued a revised order stating that the novel coronavirus patients who do not have comorbidities or require hospitalisation could opt for home isolation following withdrawal of the decision on five-day mandatory institutional quarantine. "All individuals who are positive will be referred to the COVID care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and presence of co-morbidities," it said in an order on Saturday. An assessment will also be done to check whether adequate facilities like minimum two rooms and a separate toilet exist so that the family members and neighbours are protected and a cluster of cases does not develop in that locality, according to the order. "If adequate facility for home isolation exists, and the person on clinical assessment is found to have no comorbidities and does not require hospitalisation, he would be offered to either continue to stay in COVID centre/paid isolation facility (hotels etc), or can opt for home isolation," the order said. Follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak here The order said the patients in home isolation should follow home isolation guidelines laid down by the Health Ministry and should stay in touch with healthcare providers so that if their condition deteriorates, they can be moved to the COVID hospitals. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had directed on Friday five-day mandatory institutional quarantine for every coronavirus patient, but the decision was revoked on Saturday following stiff opposition from the AAP government. The development came after two meetings between the Delhi government and Baijal. The AAP government had contended that the mandatory institutional quarantine rule would be seriously harmful as the facilities would not be able to take the burden of the rising number of coronavirus cases. Amanda Kloots reunited with her husband Nick Cordero on Friday after having to spend 79 days apart due to coronavirus safety guidelines. And on Saturday, the 38-year-old fitness instructor took to Instagram to provide her fans, family, and friends with another update as Nick continues to fight for his life against COVID-19 complications. 'It has been amazing being at the hospital with him, being by his side, and holding his hand. Nick is doing okay,' said Kloots with a smile on her Instagram Story. Update: Amanda Kloots took to Instagram on Saturday to provide her fans, family, and friends with another update as Nick continues to fight for his life against COVID-19 complications 'His blood pressure medication is either off or very limited, which is great news. White blood count is down, which is great news. I believe they were gonna do some CT scans today on his brain and see what his mental status [is doing],' explained Amanda to her 337,000 followers. Amanda said that her and Nick's doctors 'are hoping for a weekend of stability and just rest' for the Broadway star. 'Goals for next week would be to start weening him off of some antibiotics, weening him off steroids, and possibly trying to some dialysis trials. 'So that is it. Fingers crossed. Thank you so much for your prayers,' concluded Kloots. Amazing: 'It has been amazing being at the hospital with him, being by his side, and holding his hand. Nick is doing okay,' said Kloots with a smile on her Instagram Story Hoping for recovery: Amanda said that her and Nick's doctors 'are hoping for a weekend of stability and just rest' for the Broadway star Prior to her update, Amanda gushed over the letters and gifts she had received in the mail for Nick and their son Elvis. One of the thoughtful gifts was a puzzle made out of a picture of Nick and Elvis prior to Nick's diagnosis. Amanda made sure to flaunt the hefty stack of letters she had in her possession and promised to 'read them all to Nick.' Support: Prior to her update, Amanda gushed over the letters and gifts she had received in the mail for Nick and their son Elvis Spreading the love: Amanda gave an up-close look at some of the letters of encouragement Lovely sentiments: The fitness instructor opened some of the letters in front of the camera It takes a village: Many of the letters came from complete strangers wishing them well Creative: One of the thoughtful gifts was a puzzle made out of a picture of Nick and their son Elvis. Decorations: Kloots thanked actor Zach Braff for printing out a bunch of photos for her so that she could hanging them around Nick's hospital room Kloots thanked actor Zach Braff, 45, for printing out a bunch of photos for her so that she could hanging them around Nick's hospital room. On Friday, Amanda uploaded a picture that showed her holding Nick's hand from the ICU at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. She posted the poignant lyrics to the Andy Grammer "Don't Give Up On Me" along with the hashtag #Day79 accompanying the moving picture of her and Nick's hands together. 'I will fight for you': Amanda Kloots reunites with husband Nick Cordero after 79 days apart after posting this picture of them holding hands from inside the ICU at Cedars-Sinai in LA On her Instagram Stories, Amanda shared a picture of a visitor's pass for the hospital, excitedly telling followers: 'Guess where I'm heading!!!' She also posted a 'Hallelujah' GIF over her post, and another one of Cedars-Sinai which she captioned: 'Everyday.' Amanda has previously posted that she was unable to visit her husband in the ICU due to visitor restriction, but it seems that a special allowance was made. Visitor pass: On Friday, Amanda shared that she was going to visit her husband Nick in the ICU after spending almost 79 days apart Dedication: The fitness instructor also shared this picture of Cedars-Sinai where Nick has been in an ICU for the past 79 days Yesterday, Amanda revealed that Nick has lost 65lbs during his COVID-19 battle and can only answer questions with his eyes because he's too 'weak' to move or speak. 'He still can't move and his muscles are definitely atrophying,' Amanda said during an Instagram Live Q&A session on Wednesday. 'What's so heartbreaking is he's so weak,' said the former Broadway dancer in the candid chat. Throwback: Amanda posted this snap of Nick and their newborn son Elvis on Thursday 'He can't speak unfortunately. He can't really even move, you guys. That's how weak he is,' added Amanda. 'He looks up, he looks down, he looks left and right. And he answers questions, yes and no questions. A yes is looking up and no looks down.' She said she's also spoken to Nick about his amputated leg, which was lost due to blood clots, but isn't sure the Bullets Over Broadway star understands the appendage is gone. 'I have told him about his leg, and I've told him about the amazing prosthetics that are available now, and I told him that he's gonna be fine.' But, she admitted, 'It is hard when I'm talking to Nick to understand exactly what he's understanding.' Thoughts and prayers: Kloots wrote Wednesday on her Instagram story: 'Prayers for Nick. Please pray that Nicks blood pressure gets better' (pictured in August, 2019 with their son Elvis) She also disclosed that despite Nick's improvements, the road to recovery will be a long one. 'After Nick gets out of the hospital, 'cause he is getting out of this hospital, he would go to a rehab center and probably be at a rehab center for a year before even coming home,' said Amanda. The entrepreneur has been keeping a brave face for her 326,000 Instagram followers as Nick recovers from coronavirus complications. The couple most recently faced another obstacle, as she revealed that he's not a candidate for a lung transplant. Amanda wrote Wednesday on her Instagram story: 'Prayers for Nick. Please pray that Nicks blood pressure gets better. Goal surpassed: A GoFundMe page created to raise funds for Cordero's medical bills has raised more than $564,000 as of Friday after beginning with a $480,000 goal (pictured in January, 2020) When you think of cannabis stocks, the idea of receiving dividends probably doesn't come to mind. After all, many cannabis companies aren't generating profits yet. Paying dividends isn't even on their radar screens. However, there are a handful of companies with close ties to the cannabis industry that do offer dividends. Here are three cannabis stocks with the highest dividend yields of all. 1. Altria Group Altria Group (NYSE:MO) ranks as one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world. However, it is a major player in the Canadian cannabis industry as well thanks to its 45% ownership of Cronos Group. Altria invested $1.8 billion in Cronos early last year to expand into the high-growth cannabis opportunity. Altria has been a sought-after dividend stock for a long time. Its dividend yield currently stands at 8.1%. The company has increased its dividend for a remarkable 50 consecutive years (factoring in spin-offs during that period) and is likely to keep its streak going. However, the company faces some significant issues. There's a lot of uncertainty about e-cigarette regulation. Altria is under investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for alleged infringement of patents related to heated tobacco product technology. The company's investment in Cronos also hasn't paid off as the cannabis producer continues to lose money. 2. Imperial Brands Imperial Brands (OTC:IMBB.Y) is another tobacco company with cannabis connections that pays an attractive dividend. The company invested in British medical marijuana research company Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies in 2018. Last year, the company bought a minority stake in Canadian cannabis company Auxly Cannabis. Those cannabis investments haven't made money for Imperial Brands so far. However, the company's core tobacco business has enabled it to keep the dividends flowing. Imperial's dividend currently yields nearly 5.4%. Imperial Brands' dividend program is being pressured, though. The company cut its dividend by one-third. Imperial's earnings have fallen. Like Altria, it faces uncertainty about e-cigarettes. In addition, the company expects some headwinds related to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with its duty-free and travel retail business. 3. Innovative Industrial Properties Not every high-yield stock on our list has tobacco ties. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) focuses exclusively on the medical cannabis industry. The real estate investment trust (REIT) buys properties and leases them to medical cannabis operators. As a REIT, IIP must return at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Thanks to tremendous earnings growth, the company's dividend has skyrocketed more than 600% over last three years. IIP's dividend yield now stands at 4.3%. Keeping up those winning ways shouldn't be a big problem. IIP continues to grow through sale-leaseback deals, recently adding its 57th property in a deal with Holistic Industries. The company also increased its dividend yet again last week, boosting its payout by 6% from the previous quarter. Best pick If you're solely interested in income, you might think that Altria is the best pick because of its high dividend yield. However, my view that Innovative Industrial Properties is actually the most attractive of these three stocks. IIP is poised to deliver much stronger earnings growth than either Altria or Imperial Brands. That should translate to much faster dividend growth than either of the tobacco companies. I think that the combination of IIP's growth and its dividend will provide sizzling total returns for investors over the next few years. Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide has left everyone shocked and raised many questions as to why would the actor take such an extreme step of taking his own life. The police didn't find any suicide note. While the post-mortem report confirmed that the actor died due to asphyxia due to hanging, there have been reports that he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry. Sushant Singh Rajput Rhea Chakraborty |FilmiBeat The aforementioned angle and the following social media uproar resulted in advocate Kumar Ojha filing a complaint against eight Bollywood personalities including Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Salman Khan and Ekta Kapoor. The advocate told ANI, In the complaint, I have alleged that Sushant Singh Rajput was removed from around seven films and some of his films were not released. Such a situation was created which forced him to take the extreme. And now, a complaint has been registered against Sushant Singh Rajput's rumoured girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, in a court in Bihar on Saturday, June 20. For the uninitiated, Rhea Chakraborty was interrogated on 18 June for almost 10 hours by the Mumbai Police with regards to the actor's suicide. PTI reported that the case filed in a Bihar court accuses the actress of abetting the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput. Kundan Kumar who hails from Muzaffarpurs Patahi locality filed his petition before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mukesh Kumar. According to many media reports, the hearing of the petition will take place on June 24. Kumar in his complaint has allegedly accused Rhea of indulging in 'financial and mental exploitation of Sushant Singh Rajput. Kundan Kumars lawyer Kamlesh confirmed the news by stating, My client is a huge fan of Rajput and has been deeply distressed by his suicide. He has filed his complaint under IPC Sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 420 (fraud). ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput Suicide: After A Close Friend, Police Might Now Summon 5 Production Houses Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Were going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas, he told Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but ... This weekend in Tulsa, the president held his first campaign rally since March, after the coronavirus pandemic suspended the campaign trail. So we begin, Oklahoma we begin. Thank you, Oklahoma! It was also the weekend of Juneteenth. For many black Americans, Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in this country. This was a moment that resulted in scenes like this. You are a sellout! Black people die [inaudible] [shouting] The timing of the presidents rally, on the weekend of Juneteenth, also comes at a time where there have been weeks of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality. Hands up! Dont shoot! It is particularly poignant in the South, and in Tulsa, because of the history of racial oppression here. Rather than a president that showed deference to the racial history of this city or to try to further the efforts of racial reconciliation, we saw him upend them. About the first grade, we came to Tulsa. We moved to Tulsa. So, I kind of grew up on Greenwood. When I entered college and took black history, and my professor, he said, Do you all know about the race massacre? And we were all like, No. We had a riot here? You know. And he was just like, OK, so everybody sit down and listen to this story. In the early 1900s, the Greenwood area of Tulsa was a thriving black neighborhood. African-Americans, two generations out of slavery, pursued and exhibited black excellence. We had our own banks and hospitals and theaters and restaurants. But that success didnt sit well with the white community. And in 1921, after a black man was accused of disrespecting a white woman, things escalated. A white mob burned and looted Black Wall Street. The violence lasted roughly 16 hours. They shot. They looted. They bombed. They threw bodies in the river. They threw them in mass graves. When the dust settled, some 100 to 300 people were killed. At least 1,250 homes were destroyed in the black community. Schools, churches and business were destroyed as well. Total devastation, like a war zone. What happened here was a momentous tragic event. That was the worst horrific story that I ever heard in my life. This church, we were building in 1921, our sanctuary they destroyed that. And our basement miraculously survived. The damage on this pillar comes from when concrete burned. In this room, also we have soil collections from the different sites where people were killed. After years of ignoring the massacre, many in Tulsa want to make it front and center of the communitys conversation. They set up this bipartisan commission to do a number of initiatives to bring forward the issue of racial reconciliation and commemorate the centennial anniversary of the massacre. And some institutions have apologized. Im sorry that the police department did not protect its citizens during the tragic days of 1921. The hard part has been what to do next. We demand reparations in honor of all those Americans that were killed! We demand reparations now! Saying Im sorry is not repentance. You know, saying Im sorry just recognizes what you did is wrong. Repentance is turning away from what you did that makes you sorry. Before you can even get to atonement, we have to have a society that admits that white supremacy is wrong. Weve got to have a society that admits that black lives matter. The president has tried to present himself as a unifying figure, as someone who can bring the country together, particularly in times of these dual crises: the coronavirus pandemic and the national unrest around race and racial inequality. But this weekend shows his challenges on that front and the inability of this administration to, frankly, get out of its own way. Juneteenth is, for many black Americans, a celebration of the emancipation of slavery. The president initially announced a rally on Juneteenth. When you talk to people, they say there was a moment of disbelief that the president was coming to Tulsa. My first reaction was, How disrespectful. I felt like it was a slap in the face. And after pleas, even from Republican senators in the state, he moved the rally to the next day. Beep beep. Beep beep. Its important to me because its history, its freedom. Girl, youre looking good. Its good to see you, long time. Its education. You want to make America great again? You have to make Black Wall Street great again. And its important this year because people get to see that, hey, theyre still fighting for a cause, but theyre celebrating our freedom. To come on the weekend of Juneteenth shows that he has still not that much respect for our sacred day. Ultimately, the presidents rally wasnt as big as his campaign had hoped. But the significance of this weekend is seen in scenes like this. I see you back there shaking your head. Yes, sir, black lives matter. And one of the takeaways around this moment, around race in this country, has been the shifting public opinion about questions of systemic racism and persistent inequality. No justice! No peace! No justice! No peace! That lack of acknowledgement puts him at odds with even some members of his own party. The presidents strategy on race and on other issues has just narrowed his path to re-election. He has not shown a willingness to try to expand his base, leaving him fairly reliant on a similar group of voters that got him elected in 2016 to do so again in 2020. ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON UPDATES TO GHANAS ENHANCED RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, ON SUNDAY, 21ST JUNE, 2020. Fellow Ghanaians, good evening. It has been three and a half months since we begun our fight to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic in the country. It has, so far, been a co-ordinated and enhanced response, with tracing, testing, isolating, treating, and the maintenance of the relevant social distancing and hygiene protocols being the weapons we continue to employ to help contain the spread of the virus. We are all agreed that this novel disease has thrust the whole world into unknown and unchartered territory, and we are having to learn as we go along. As part of the phased approach to return our lives, safely, back to normal, final year students in our tertiary institutions returned to school on Monday, 15th June, to prepare for and sit their exit examinations. One week on, it has proved to be a relatively smooth exercise, with very few hitches recorded. I thank, in particular, the Vice Chancellors and other heads of our tertiary institutions for the support and co-operation offered Government towards its success. Indeed, decisions, like those being taken by the leadership of Sunyani Technical University, in the Bono Region, to sanction students, lecturers and non-teaching staff, who flout the COVID-19 protocols, reinforce the collective determination of the majority of Ghanaians to defeat the virus. From tomorrow, Monday, 22nd June, the next batch of students, who will be going back to school, are final year senior high school students (SHS 3), and second year Gold Track students. On Thursday, I held consultations with members of both the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), and the Association of Principals of Technical Institutes (APTI), to agree on the modalities for the return of the students. Despite the short notice for the meeting, I was happy to see the impressive turnout of their executives from all parts of the country, and I am grateful for the wholehearted co-operation they pledged to Government. Like their seniors at the University, SHS 3 students will be in school for a total of six (6) weeks, before sitting for the WASSCE exams over a period of two (2) weeks. SHS 2 Gold Track students, who are returning to complete their first semester like their Green Track colleagues have done, will be in school for six (6) weeks, before going on vacation. All one thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven (1,167) Senior High Schools in the country have been fumigated and disinfected. Each student, teaching and non-teaching staff, invigilator and school administrator, numbering some eight hundred thousand (800,000), will be provided with three (3) pieces of reusable face masks, i.e. two (2) being provided tomorrow, and the third within a fortnight. Nonetheless, I encourage parents to provide their wards and children with at least one (1) face covering on their way to school. A total of eighteen thousand (18,000) Veronica Buckets, eight hundred thousand (800,000) pieces of two hundred millilitre sanitizers, thirty-six thousand (36,000) rolls of tissue paper, thirty-six thousand (36,000) gallons of liquid soap, and seven thousand, two hundred (7,200) thermometer guns have been distributed. A maximum of twenty-five students will be permitted in each class. All day students in schools with boarding houses will be resident in these boarding houses, whilst day students, in schools without boarding facilities, will commute from home, and will be required to adhere to enhanced hygiene protocols; eating in dining halls will be in appropriate numbers; and no visitors to the schools will be allowed. There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks are obligatory in our schools. One dormitory block in each senior high school is to be used as an isolation centre, in the event of a student falling sick. Again, each SHS has been mapped to a health facility, and care will be provided to the sick by nurses assigned to these schools. Through the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, enough food supplies have been distributed to all schools. Government is also making available three hundred and fifty (350) buses and eight hundred and forty (840) pickup vehicles to senior high schools that did not receive vehicles in 2016. For the first time in our nations history, Government will absorb the WASSCE examination fees of the three hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred and thirty-seven (313,837) SHS 3 students who will sit for the exam. GH75.4 million will be spent on this. These SHS 3 students, also referred to by some as the Akufo-Addo graduates, are the first group of beneficiaries of Governments Free Senior High School policy to sit the WASSCE exams. 1.2 million children, the highest such enrolment in our nations history, because of this policy, are currently in senior high schools. Let us pause for a moment to consider what would have happened to the four hundred thousand (400,000) more students, who have entered Senior High School between 2017 and 2019, without this policy in place. We introduced Free SHS because history, and the experiences of developed nations, have shown that the most efficient way to empower the population, and, thereby, guarantee the future of the nation, is by investing in education and skills training of the youth. This is because it is the people of Ghana, Ghanaians like you and I, and especially the youth of today, who are going to build Ghana. Without an educated populace, it will be difficult to transition from the status of a developing to a developed nation. Summing it up, that most noble Ghanaian, James Kwegyir Aggrey, said, a hundred years ago, and I quote, I want all my people, my country women and men to be educated , and thus render Africa indispensable in intellectual, spiritual and commercial products of the world. I take this opportunity to assure all parents and guardians that Government is determined to protect the lives of the eight hundred thousand (800,000) students, teachers and non-teaching staff, who will be returning to school from tomorrow. I will be the last person to put the lives of the Akufo-Addo graduates at risk. It bears repeating that they must all adhere strictly to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands, and wear masks to protect themselves and others. These rules apply to all of us. Fellow Ghanaians, the experts told us right at the beginning of this pandemic that, whether the virus spreads or not, is dependent on our individual behaviour. Someone put it graphically that the virus has not got feet, and cannot move by itself, and that we, humans, spread it. The large majority of us continue to adhere to the protocols. Unfortunately, there are some who do not; others have slackened; and an unacceptably significant number have refused to obey them altogether. In such an atmosphere, if we do not take care, the virus will continue to spread, which will lead to intolerable pressure on our health facilities and care givers. Each one of us must be part of the fight to stop the spread of the virus. Our approach to dealing with the virus, as I have always said, will be informed by the evolving science and data. At the outset of the pandemic, the scientific community and the World Health Organisation (WHO), on 12th January, 2020, recommended two main criteria for declaring someone who has tested positive as having recovered from the disease. The first is that you no longer have symptoms, and the second is that you are no longer capable of infecting others. Initially, the scientific thinking was that, as long you continue to test positive, you are capable of infecting others. Hence, the requirement for the two consecutive, negative tests before you are declared as having recovered. This was the science that informed the guidelines that Ghana has, so far, followed. However, there is now new evidence which states that, after ten (10) to fourteen (14) days, a person, with no symptoms, is unlikely to transmit the virus to others, even if the person continues to test positive. It is on this basis that WHO has updated its guidelines, as published per its Clinical Management of COVID-19 Interim Guidance, of 27th May, 2020, as part of the clinical care pathway of a COVID-19 patient. According to WHO, asymptomatic patients, i.e. those who have tested positive for the virus, but are not exhibiting any symptoms after fourteen (14) days, are not likely to be infectious, and, therefore, are unlikely to be able to transmit the virus to another person. After three (3) weeks of analysing and studying this update and recommendation, and situating it in the Ghanaian context, in line with the admonition by WHO to Member States, this new patient discharge/recovery policy has now been adopted by Ghana, as have some countries in the European Union, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and in Dubai. As at Saturday, 20th June, the total number of positives, cumulatively, stands at fourteen thousand, and one hundred and fifty-four (14,154), out of the two hundred and seventy thousand, three hundred (270,300) tests conducted. Under the revised policy, five thousand, nine hundred and twenty-five (5,925) persons have recovered and been discharged. This brings the total number of recoveries to ten thousand, four hundred and seventy-three (10,473). The number of active cases is, thus, three thousand, five hundred and ninety-six (3,596). In our hospitals and isolation centres, we currently have twenty-four (24) persons severely ill, six (6) persons critically ill, with four (4) persons on ventilators. Eighty-five (85) persons have, regrettably, died. This increased number of persons being discharged from our isolation and treatment centres brings in its wake yet another issue that we have to deal with stigmatisation. It is obvious that stigmatisation is adding further dimensions to the already difficult problem of the pandemic. Part of the reason for the spread of the virus is the reluctance of some persons to admit they have tested positive, and go into quarantine for fear of being stigmatised, and, in the process, continue to be agents of the spread of the virus. Persons, who test positive for the virus, once they recover, do not pose any danger whatsoever to anyone, because the scientists tell us that they can no longer spread the virus. As I have said before, there is nothing shameful about contracting the virus, and, consequently, we do not have to lose our sense of community because of this pandemic. Fellow Ghanaians, in line with our policy of providing optimal care for the sick, and reducing COVID-19 related deaths, Government continues to mobilise holding-bay, quarantine, isolation and treatment centres across the country. I thank the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for their admirable, civic gesture of making available their facility in Ejisu in the Ashanti Region; and the Catholic Bishops Conference for agreeing to the use of their facilities across the country as isolation centres in the fight against COVID-19. These are timely offers, which will ensure that our overall healthcare systems are not unduly burdened and overrun. Such institutions deserve the sincere appreciation of the entire nation, as does the gesture of the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, who has offered his 70-bed hospital in Toase, in the Ashanti Region, as a COVID-19 treatment centre. As I indicated in my address to the nation last week, the great majority of cases are in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions. For these two regions, I have approved further investment in the following areas: additional ICU bed facilities in the Greater Accra Region; a new treatment center for Ashanti Region; additional laboratories to strengthen clinical care to allow for real-time results; more medicines, consumables and equipment; and formal arrangements for a pool of specialist health professionals to complement the respective resident multi-disciplinary health teams at various treatment centers. We continue to be indebted to our health workers, and express sorrow over the deaths of Dr. Harry Owusu Boateng, a paediatrician at the SDA Hospital in Kwadaso, Kumasi, and Sophia Addo, a nurse with the Ghana Manganese Company Hospital in Tarkwa, who both died in the line of duty. May their souls rest in peace. I also urge the media to continue the positive work of public education they have been engaged in, especially, now, as restrictions are being systematically eased. Before I conclude, let me remind all Ghanaians, once again, that the wearing of masks is mandatory. Leaving our homes without a face mask, a face covering, or a face shield on is an offence. The Police will conduct random checks in the enforcement of this directive. If you are arrested by the police defying this directive, your sanction could be severe. So, please, let us, at all times, wear our masks. I appeal to each and every one of you to take this as a personal challenge, and help rid Ghana of the virus. Even though, we now have a better understanding of the dynamism of the virus in our country; even though the majority of people who contract the virus do not show any symptoms at all; and even though Ghanaians are not dying in the hundreds and thousands that were originally anticipated, we cannot afford to be complacent, and let our guard down. Let us remain focused, and adhere to the enhanced hygiene, social distancing and mask-wearing protocols, that have, and must, become part and parcel of our daily lives for the foreseeable future. We can do it, if we work at it. Let me, in conclusion, wish the Akufo-Addo graduates, the SHS 3 students, and their seniors in Universities, the best of luck in their forthcoming examinations, which will be conducted in safety. Ghana needs them all for her progress. May God bless us all, and our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong. I thank you for your attention. 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 An influencer has set out to shatter the illusion of perfection often found on our social media feeds by sharing less than glamorous shots of herself next to her posed photographs. Rianne Meijer, 26, from Amsterdam, boasts a 648,000 following on Instagram but believes it is unfair to only show filtered and edited versions of herself online. Wanting to show what's actually 'real', she fills her Instagram account with more candid images - including a snap of her double chin after modelling with a defined jaw. An influencer (above) has shared less than glamorous shots of herself next to her posed snaps Rianne Meijer (pictured), 26, from Amsterdam, boasts a 648,000 following on Instagram but believes it is unfair to only show filtered and edited versions of herself online Wanting to show what's actually 'real', she fills her Instagram account with more candid images - including a snap of her double chin (seen right) after modelling with a defined jaw (pictured left) Another before-and-after composite captures the Instagram star posing in New York, looking every inch a model, before appearing considerably more ruffled. Showing what angles can do for your profile, a third image - shared by Rianne last week - sees her looking defined and slender. But as soon as she stops the forced pose and embraces a more relaxed stance, she doesn't appear as svelte. Showing what angles can do for your profile, an image shared by Rianne last week sees her looking defined and slender (pictured left). But as soon as she stops the forced pose and embraces a more relaxed stance, she doesn't appear as svelte (seen right) 'Trying on bikinis to go lie in the sun vs lying in the sun,' another one of her photographs (above) is captioned, showcasing the influencer with a stunning hourglass figure next to a snap of her leaning back with a double chin Another before-and-after composite captures the Instagram star looking every inch a model (seen left), before appearing considerably more ruffled (pictured right) Writing in a recent Instagram post, Rianne (pictured) said: 'In contrast to what most people think about social media, these platforms actually helped me love every corner and every shape of me' 'Trying on bikinis to go lie in the sun vs lying in the sun,' another one of her photographs is captioned, showcasing the influencer with a stunning hourglass figure next to a snap of her leaning back with a double chin. Writing in a recent Instagram post, Rianne said: 'In contrast to what most people think about social media, these platforms actually helped me love every corner and every shape of me. 'Sharing my unflattering pictures with you guys has helped me love myself so much,' she added. 'I dont want to be an advocate for eating fries and pizza every day. I think good nutrition and exercise is the number one priority for loving your body, but that doesnt mean all bodys arent beautiful, because they are. 'Sharing my unflattering pictures with you guys has helped me love myself so much,' the influencer (pictured above) added Rianne shares a snap with her dog, left, and shows what angles can do for your profile, right 'They all have a beautiful story. So heres to me and you and our awesome bodys.' The influencer previously explained her decision to share her candid photographs, claiming that the main reason was to send an important message to her younger followers. She commented: 'When I think about my 13-year-old niece who is online probably as much as me, it scares me as she is always seeing a very high standard of lifestyle and beauty. 'It's important to see the reality and take the pressure off younger people to reach "perfection" - which doesn't even exist.' In the left-hand picture Rianne poses in a stereotypical influencer snap, while in the right she shows more carefree side Indigenous communities across Manitoba are finding clever ways to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/6/2020 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Jaidyn Stevens and Alicia Trout demonstrate the potato dance at the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Brandon's Riverbank Discovery Centre last year. (Brandon Sun files) Indigenous communities across Manitoba are finding clever ways to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it's a community picnic that adheres to physical distancing protocols or an online fiddling concert, organizers have put safety first in an unconventional year. To read more about this story, first reported by CBC News, click here. The Winnipeg Free Press and CBC Manitoba recognize each other as trusted news sources. This content is made available to our readers as part of an agreement to collaborate to better serve our community. Any questions about CBC content should be directed to: talkback@cbc.ca The coronavirus, once an 'aggressive tiger' of a disease, has weakened and become more like a wild cat, according to a top Italian doctor. Professor Matteo Bassetti said he is convinced the virus is 'changing in severity' and patients are now surviving infections that would have killed them before. And if the virus's weakening is true, Covid-19 could even disappear without a for a vaccine by becoming so weak it dies out on its own, he claimed. He has said multiple times in recent months that patients with Covid-19 seem to be faring much better than they were at the start of the epidemic in Italy. Professor Bassetti suggests this could be because of a genetic mutation in the virus making it less lethal, because of improved treatments, or because people are not getting infected with such large doses because of social distancing. But other scientists have hit back at the claims in the past and said there is no scientific evidence that the virus has changed at all. Professor Bassetti, the chief of infectious diseases at San Martino General Hospital in Genoa, Italy, told The Sunday Telegraph the virus could wither away on its own. He said: 'It was like an aggressive tiger in March and April but now it's like a wild cat. Even elderly patients, aged 80 or 90, are now sitting up n bed and they are breathing without help. The same patients would have died in two or three days before.' Italy was one of the worst hit countries in the world during the pandemic's early stages, and has now recorded more than 238,000 positive cases and 34,000 deaths. Scientists have said the elderly population there, the virus spreading in rural areas and the suddenness of the outbreak contributed to the country's high death toll. Professor Bassetti suggests that one of the reasons the virus might be causing less serious illness is a genetic mutation which has made it less damaging to people's lungs. Or, he said, people may simply be receiving smaller amounts when they get infected, because of social distancing and lockdown rules, making them less sick. This theory depends on the severity of someone's illness being affected by their 'viral load' - the amount of virus that gets into someone's body when they're first struck by it. Professor Bassetti said: 'The clinical impression I have is that the virus is changing in severity. 'In March and early April the patterns were completely different. People were coming to the emergency department with a very difficult to manage illness and they needed oxygen and ventilation, some developed pneumonia. 'Now, in the past four weeks, the picture has completely changed in terms of of patterns. 'There could be a lower viral load in the respiratory tract, probably due to a genetic mutation in the virus which has not yet been demonstrated scientifically.' The infectious disease doctor has made similar claims in the past but sparked criticism for being over-optimistic. He said at the beginning of June: 'The strength the virus had two months ago is not the same strength it has today.' But other scientists did not welcome the idea and said there was no evidence to back up Professor Bassetti's claims. Source: Dailymail 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 David Tizzard David Tizzard A man who spent $40 on dinner at a Thai restaurant in Brisbane has sparked debate online after asking whether he was overcharged for the meal. The man took to Reddit on Saturday to share a photo of his takeaway seafood salad, garlic prawns and tom yum soup. '40 dollars worth of takeaway. Is this ridiculous?,' he wrote. The Brisbane man posted the picture of his three Thai dishes (pictured) asking if it was worth the $40 he paid for it and the question sparked a heated debate A handful of people were quick to agree with him, claiming the size of the meal didn't warrant the cost. 'I'm getting real sick and tired of people who have no idea about food costs claiming $40 for something like the above is remotely okay, it's absolutely not,' one person wrote. 'Yep. 100 per cent ridiculous. We started cooking again during COVID. Ordered take out twice since,' another added. 'Why would you pay 40 for that?' wrote a third. However most were quick to defend the restaurant, pointing out that most hospitality businesses were already struggling during the pandemic. 'There's an hour of somebody's time, from ordering to prep to cooking to cleaning up with expenses of electricity and probably rent in some of the highest per square meter cost and then profit for the business,' wrote one person. 'We can get angry.. but most restaurants are actually struggling,' argued another. 'No, frankly a lot of hospitality is on their last legs and margins in that industry are incredibly narrow to begin with.' One in three workers from Australia's food and accommodation sector have lost their job as a result of the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitality workers aged 20 to 29 and over 70 were the hardest hit, with more than 40 per cent of those age groups left out of work. A mother and homeowner has impressed millions with the simple five-step cleaning process she swears by for the perfect night's sleep. The Australian woman, who goes by the name Mama Mila online, shared a TikTok video, in which she revealed how you can clean your entire bed for improved slumber. 'This is how to make your bed smell like a dream for the best night's sleep,' Mila posted alongside the clip. So what do you need to do? A mother and homeowner has impressed millions with the simple five-step cleaning process she swears by for the perfect night's sleep (Mila's bed pictured) STEP ONE: Firstly, the mum said you need to strip down your bed, take off all the bedding and then vacuum your mattress STEP ONE Firstly, the mum said you need to strip down your bed, take off all the bedding and then vacuum your mattress. This should get rid of any dirt and grime hiding underneath the mattress, and means you're not sleeping on any of it. STEP TWO: The second step involves mixing baking soda with your favourite essential oil, before sprinkling it over your mattress STEP TWO The second thing Mila said you should do is mix baking soda with your favourite essential oil in a glass container and then sprinkle the mixture over your mattress. Leave this to soak in for a few hours so that the smell gets into the mattress. Mila loves Dream Drops by Eco Modern at the moment. STEP THREE: While this is happening, wash your linen. Mila recommends adding white vinegar to your wash to brighten linen without residue STEP THREE While all this is happening, Mila said you can take charge of your sheets. 'Wash your linen and sheets at the same time,' she explained. 'Don't forget to wash your pillows and doonas every three to six months too.' You can hang these outside on your washing line, making sure you rotate every so often so that all of the pillow and cover dries. When it comes to how to get brighter, whiter sheets, the mum recommends you wash your linen with half a cup of white vinegar instead of fabric softener, and put a little baking soda into your wash. 'Baking soda is a natural deodoriser. You can use less detergent by putting it into your wash,' Mila said. 'Vinegar softens and brightens linens without leaving a residue.' What are the five steps to the perfect night's sleep? The mum shared the secrets to the perfect night's sleep (pictured) 1. Strip your bed and vacuum your mattress. 2. Mix baking soda with essential oil in a glass container and then sprinkle the mixture over your mattress. 3. Wash your linen and sheets at the same time, and wash pillows and duvet covers every three to six months, leaving them to dry outside ideally. 4. Vacuum up the excess baking soda and re-make your bed. 5. Finish with linen spray. Source: Mama Mila Advertisement STEP FOUR: Vacuum to get rid of all the excess baking soda, and Mila said you shouldn't use a Dyson here as the baking soda could block the filter STEP FOUR Then, vacuum again to get rid of all of the excess baking soda that hasn't soaked in to your mattress and make your bed again with the clean linen. Mila recommends you don't use a Dyson for this step, as she has heard that baking soda can block the filter in these machines. STEP FIVE: Finish with your favourite linen spray for a hotel and spa-like feel, as Mila said this will give your bed a nice smell for days STEP FIVE 'Finish with linen spray,' Mila said. This will give your bedroom a spa or hotel-style feel and means it will smell fresh for the coming days. 'Treat yourself to a good night's sleep with this spring cleaning hack,' Mila said. Over two million people have watched the clip, with hundreds of thousands posting comments about how much it has helped them with their cleaning. 'Legit [sic] trying this right now,' one woman posted. 'Beautiful. Also let the sheets and duvet covers dry outside instead of tumble dryer and they smell so lovely,' another added. A third posted: 'Omg, just looking at this I would never want to leave the bed lol'. Mila has previously shared her simple trick to clean her microwave from dirt, grime and old food - and it will only take you four minutes (her trick pictured) This isn't the first time Mila has posted a viral cleaning video. Previously, she shared her trick for cleaning a microwave from dirt and grime in just minutes. For this, all you need is one cup of water and one teaspoon of washing detergent. Then mix them together inside a jug and put it inside the microwave for four minutes. Once you take the jug out of your microwave, you should simply wipe down the inside and door with a clean cloth. For this, all you need is one cup of water and one teaspoon of washing detergent, which you then microwave for four minutes (pictured) No more scrubbing,' Mila captioned her video. 'Gently wipe the microwave and watch the grime slide off. The steam environment softens all the stubborn, baked-on food and makes it very easy to clean.' This clip was another huge hit online, with more than 22,000 views and scores of comments from other impressed homeowners. WHAT'S NOW & HOW TO DO IT: BRUSH-ON SPF British beauty expert Elsa McAlonan, reveals a selection of the best brush-on sunscreens (file image) Applying SPF on the go has never been easier or more hygienic with new brush-on sunscreens. Cosmetic doctor Rita Rakus says: Powder SPF formulations are ideal when you are out post-lockdown, as they help limit the need to touch your face. Radiance-boosting ZO Skin Health Sunscreen + Powder SPF30 Radiance-boosting ZO Skin Health Sunscreen + Powder SPF30 adds a hint of colour while absorbing oil and disguising any imperfections. zo-skinhealth.co.uk Shop RACE YOU THERE Coca-Cola X Morphe The new Coca-Cola X Morphe Thirst For Life collection is just what we need to cheer up our summer. The limited-edition range includes the Artistry Palette (22) with 18 eyeshadows, and Glowing Places highlighters (15). But my favourite is the Lip In The Moment set (19), featuring glosses in caramel, nude pink, a clear shimmer, and brilliantly retro Coca-Cola red! morphe.com Shop ROSIES WOW BROWS Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured) shapes her eyebrows using Rubis Antibacterial Ion Classic Tweezers Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently shared the secret behind her perfectly shaped brows Rubis Antibacterial Ion Classic Tweezers (25.95, look fantastic.com). Made of surgical stainless steel, their coating neutralises germs and they have slanted tips for precision. No wonder make-up artist Bobbi Brown once called the Swiss brand the Ferrari of tweezers. THIS WORKS ARE CLEANSING BARS BETTER THAN SOAP? Yes, they usually are when it comes to the face, because traditional soap can leave skin feeling dry and tight. Celebrity facialist Michaella Bolder says: The new-generation cleansing bars are less drying for your face, and offer an alternative to lotions, balms or oils for daily cleansing. Look for one with a non-drying formula with super-moisturising ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil and fatty acids. Donna May London Rose Petal Beauty Bar Try the all-natural Donna May London Rose Petal Beauty Bar. Enriched with vitamin E, it removes make-up while reducing dark circles under the eyes and clearing away dead skin cells. donnamaylondon.com Shop 3 OF THE BEST: LASH-LENGHTENERS SHAMELESS INDULGENCE Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on World Yoga Day on June 21. Earlier his address was scheduled at Leh, as per the plans made before the pandemic outbreak, but now he will address the country from the national capital itself. Leh is in the Ladakh region that saw one of the bloodiest face-offs between India and China this week resulting in multiple casualties on both sides. While he will talk about the importance of Yoga in today's life, it is not yet clear whether he will touch upon the India-China face-off. He may himself practice a few yoga moves on live ... Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images Top public health officials in Donald Trumps coronavirus taskforce warned the US president about holding a mass public rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this weekend because of the health risks of the coronavirus, it has been reported. NBC News said that both Dr Anthony Fauci, Americas top infectious disease expert, and the taskforces response coordinator, Dr Deborah Birx, had raised concerns about the wisdom of such a large event in the middle of a pandemic that remains undefeated. The TV network reported the two experts had both vocalized concerns internally in the past week but to no avail. The news comes as officials at the Oklahoma arena where Trump plans to hold his first in-person rally since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the US have asked the presidents campaign for a written plan to keep attendees safe. Related: Tulsa still haunted by memory of white supremacist massacre on eve of Trump visit The 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa will host the rally on Saturday night, marking Trumps return to active campaigning in the 2020 election. The rally will take place amid national protests over police brutality and systemic racism, having been moved back a day to avoid a clash with the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in America. On Twitter on Friday, Trump said: Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene! The remark was criticized for conflating peaceful protests with outbreaks of violence in the weeks since George Floyd, an African American man, was killed by police in Minneapolis. At a White House briefing, the press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said Trump did not mean any protesters and was only referring to violent actors and looters. Tulsa implemented a curfew for protesters around the event, but most concern has focused on the effect of the event itself, an hours-long indoor rally amid what could be Oklahomas first large coronavirus outbreak. Story continues More than 9,300 people in the state have tested positive for the coronavirus since March, nearly 2,000 in Tulsa, according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University. At least 366 people have died from the disease in Oklahoma, including 65 in Tulsa. The BOK Center said in a statement it had asked the Trump campaign for a written plan detailing the steps the event will institute for health and safety, including those related to social distancing. The center said it made the request in light of recent reports of increases in coronavirus cases from the Tulsa health department, and the state of Oklahomas encouragement for event organizers to follow CDC guidelines. I wish we could postpone this to a time when the virus isnt as large a concern as it is today, Tulsas health director, Bruce Dart, told Tulsa World newspaper last week. Its an honor for Tulsa to have a sitting president want to come and visit our community, but not during a pandemic. The Trump campaign claims more than 1 million people have requested tickets for the event, although the president and his aids have a history of inflating rally attendance. Some people have nonetheless been camping out on the streets since at least Wednesday. Trump heralded such enthusiasm on Friday, adding: My campaign hasnt started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma! Trump is behind challenger Joe Biden in polling nationally and in most battleground states. Oklahoma is safely Republican. The Trump campaign has committed to checking the temperature of every rally attendee, and providing masks and hand sanitizer as they enter the building. All attendees are also being asked to sign liability waivers. The BOK Center has installed plexiglass between food vendors and customers, and plans to have workers disinfect surfaces throughout the event. Related: How coronavirus has created a new split in American life On Friday, the Oklahoma supreme court on Friday rejected a legal request to require everyone attending the rally to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing inside the arena. Masks have become a subject of partisan rancor across the US, with Trump and his supporters publicly eschewing them and Republican governors undermining health officials calls for universal masking. In just one recent instance, in Nebraska, the Republican governor, Pete Ricketts, told local courthouses they could not require attendees to wear masks. If they did, towns could be cut out of $100m in federal Covid-19 response aid. At the White House briefing, McEnany said she did not plan to wear a mask at the rally in Tulsa. Americas top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, meanwhile, said he would not attend an in-person rally, like Tulsa, at this point in the pandemic. Personally, I would not, he told the Daily Beast. In terms of spreading Covid-19, Fauci said this week, Outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd crowd is better than big crowd. A scene from the Korean production "Rent" staged at D-Cube Arts Center through Aug. 23 / Courtesy of Seensee Company By Kwon Mee-yoo "Rent" director Andy Senor Jr. / Courtesy of Seensee Company Rock musical "Rent," which celebrates its 24th anniversary this year, is showing its age as it revolves around a group of bohemian artists in New York in the early 1990s, but the show never gets old at the same time. A Korean production of the Broadway musical raised its curtain at D-Cube Arts Center in western Seoul last week, for the first time in nine years. The previous Korean productions were helmed by Korean directors who tried to interpret the resilient rock spirit for Korean audiences, but the show's producer Seensee Company decided to seek changes this time and invited a "Rent" expert from Broadway to breathe new, authentic life into the show. Andy Senor Jr., the director of this production, has a longstanding relationship with the show, written by Jonathan Larson. He debuted as an actor in "Rent" back in 1997, playing the iconic role of Angel, in shows on Broadway, in the West End and on U.S. and international tours. In 2011, he worked with the show's original director Michael Greif on the off-Broadway revival as an associate director and directed "Rent" in Japan and Cuba. "They wanted to get closer to the source of what the show is, using Michael Greif's original direction," Senor said in an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. Though Korea is one of the few countries in the world with theaters still opening up every night, the Cuban-American made a tough decision to travel to Seoul to mount this production in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Senor, who lives in Spain, arrived in Seoul at the end of April and quarantined for two weeks before joining the cast and crew at rehearsals here. "In January, I was putting up another show and as I watched the news, I thought there is no way I'm gonna make it to Korea. The cases were just rising. But we kept going with the visa process regardless. The process kept changing and every day it seemed like there is new information and new hurdles," he said. "For me, the most difficult part was mental. It was making the decision if I was going to do it or not and what that implies. Nobody was traveling at that time, so I was afraid of getting on a plane. That was the biggest fear." Mimi, played by Ivy, in a scene from "Rent" / Courtesy of Seensee Company Senor is one of the people who best understand the show's message as he has spent a long time with "Rent," both performing in it and putting it up all over the world. He decided to spread the show's message by serving as a model. "I knew there was a group of actors that were waiting for me. And Jonathan's words kept ringing in my ear Give in to love Or live in fear No other road No other way No day but today. How am I gonna profess this around the world and believe in Jonathan's lyrics and not to come. It would be such a contradiction," he said. With the COVID-19 crisis going on around the world, Senor said it worked as a way for actors to understand the impact of the AIDS crisis through this period piece. "Look at the news. There are riots going on and police brutality happening in the U.S. So they were able to understand what is happening as the piece is very similar to current events," he explained. Despite being decades old, "Rent" still resonates with contemporary audiences who haven't experienced the era. "The show is the show as it is with its original staging. The show takes place in 1991. At that time, being diagnosed HIV positive was a death sentence. It no longer is. But it is what these characters are dealing with. That is the biggest difference," he said. Joanne, left, played by Jung Da-hee, and Maureen, Jeon Na-young, in a scene from "Rent" / Courtesy of Seensee Company Senor pointed out that a lot of the characters in the show are considered "the others" in the marginalized community. "Although there has been a lot of progress on that subject in the U.S., I would say here in Korea, there hasn't been much as far as LGBT rights," he said. "I think Rent will help people think about it. And you can't not think about it. They may see Angel being a clown or a human being. It just depends on whether that person is moved past their beliefs," he said. Senor, a self-proclaimed "control freak" who has both experience as an actor and director, said he can use the whole of him when directing. "As an actor, I am a link in the chain. As a director, I am the chain," he said, adding that the most important role of a director is "to make sure everyone in the team is empowered, so all the links in the chain are strong." He had to make sure all cast members and the creative team in Korea were committed to the vision of the show. "Innately, all these characters have human truth. Although circumstances are different, we all have the same truth. Truth is timeless," Senor said. "People know what death is and love is. And we all had heartbreaks in some way. So my job is to dig in with each actor and see what that thing is." Senor tried to capture the sense of rawness yet incredible passion of "Rent." "Having been with the show for such a long time, I know the essence of Rent Jonathan and Michael's original vision. Living that vision for such a long time, I had to make sure we are all in the same world. You could teach it, but it's more experiential. Anybody could put up Rent anywhere in the world, but it's up to interpretation and I'm carrying the original vision of the show," Senor said. "The music is irresistible and it starts from there. The truth in lyrics and story are universal. It is just good musical theater, the medium at its best." To Mask or Not to Mask? By VOA News June 20, 2020 To mask or not to mask? That question is dividing Americans. While some would not even think of going out without a mask, others walk about without one. Wearing a mask, however, is serious business for nine mayors in Texas who sent letters to Texans imploring them to wear masks, according to a Washington Post report. "Infections are rising. Hospital capacity is filling up. This isn't meant to scare you, but it is meant to be very honest. The virus doesn't leave just because our collective urgency has gone away," the letter said in part, according to the late Friday report. Health experts say wearing a mask is one of the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. Coronavirus infections and hospitalizations in Texas have been on the rise since May, the newspaper said. Other warnings The warnings from the Texas mayors came as the coronavirus continued to spread throughout other southern U.S. states, prompting officials in those states to issue increasingly dire warnings. Health officials in South Carolina said Saturday that the state had set another single-day record for new infections, surpassing 1,000 cases for the second straight day. In Louisiana, two clusters of outbreaks were reported Friday. State officials said they were linked to a large high school graduation party in New Orleans and large gatherings outside the bars in a nightlife district in Baton Rouge. Arizona, Florida, California and Nevada reported record spikes in confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday as states continue their phased reopenings and increase testing. Despite the outbreaks in the U.S., states across the country were continuing to reopen this weekend. As of Saturday, the U.S. continued to lead the world in coronavirus cases, with over 2.2 million, about one-fourth of the more than 8.7 million cases worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics. Some reopening, some retreating Other countries were also reopening, including Spain, which was set to lift a state of emergency Sunday that was imposed in March. In Australia, the Victoria premier said Saturday that he would reimpose more stringent restrictions on Monday after the state recorded double-digit increases in COVID-19 cases for a fourth consecutive day. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that the country's efforts to contain the virus had regressed, two weeks after restrictions were lifted to allow businesses to reopen and people to travel. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the pandemic is accelerating. He said that more than 150,000 new cases worldwide were reported Thursday, the largest one-day increase since the outbreak began in December. Significant numbers of the new cases were in South Asia and the Middle East. Brazil has reported more than 1 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus. "We are in a new and dangerous phase," Tedros said Friday at a news conference in Geneva, and he warned that lockdown measures were still needed to halt the virus' spread. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 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 Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. California might not have any Confederate statues, but we do have plenty of monuments to Junipero Serra, widely known as the "father" of the California Missions. The story of the mass destruction of the Native population in California is less prevalent in the history books. On Saturday, a group of Native activists tore down the statue of Serra on Olvera Street. LA Taco producer Memo Torres captured a video: Natives just tore down the statue of Junipero Serra at Placita Olvera in solidarity with #BLMprotest #antiracism #antislavery pic.twitter.com/8ZDdv7vej7 L.A. TACO (@LATACO) June 20, 2020 The statue was torn down with a rope around the neck, it's head splashed with blood-red paint. As the statue lay on the ground, Native children used it as a bench. Red paint covers the fallen statue's face. (Chava Sanchez/LAist) Activists tore down a Serra statue in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park last week, as well as a statue of Francis Scott Key, author of the American anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," who was a known slave owner. Serra was a Spanish priest, who came to what was then Alta California (part of Mexico), to spread Catholicism to the indigenous population. (Here in L.A. that was mostly people from the Tongva tribe. And by "spread" Catholicism, we actually mean force it upon them. Serra eventually spearheaded 21 missions on the coast, from San Diego to San Francisco. The missionaries were responsible for the ultimate destruction of Tongva culture. Tongva people who joined the missions in California essentially became slaves, forced to do manual labor. They suffered from disease, many of the women were raped, and thousands died or were killed. Those who resisted and remained in the countryside often starved, as their hunting grounds were turned into farms by the colonizers. Juniper Serra, retrat de 1774 (Detroit Publishing Company Collection) Joel Garcia, a Monument Lab Fellow, and Native artist, said he and fellow activists behind the Olvera action are a community of various tribal nations, including those native to California -- Tongva, Tataviam, Chumash, and Acjachemen -- along with allies from various racial and ethnic communities. "This is our way of supporting our Black Lives Matter folks," Garcia said. The group supported Justice L.A. Now in 2017, installing prison beds as public art projects around the city to protest the expansion of the L.A. County jail system. Garcia was also involved in talking down the Columbus statue in Grand Park in 2018. He said his educational background includes specific knowledge of installing and de-installing art and that the group is planning more statue removals. "The Tribal Nations of this area also want the Serra statues up at the San Fernando Mission and around the counties here in Southern California [to come] down," he told LAist via email. The group said the act of removing the Serra statues is meant to remind the public that racial justice and Indigenous rights are inextricably linked: "As statues of Columbus and confederate monuments come down it is critical that these actions don't overwhelm other histories. Here, in what is currently known as California, the legacy of slavery was operationalized by and linked to the Mission system ... To ignore this legacy for the prettier and softer side of Serra's actions is to accept gifts from an abuser." Garcia said that Serra saw conversion to Catholicism by any means necessary as his calling, an attitude that contributed to ethnic cleansing of Native people and the eventual genocide of Indigenous people in the U.S. Pope Francis canonized Serra in 2015. Some 50 different tribes in California condemned the sainthood, according to Deborah A. Miranda, author of "Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir," a book about her ancestors' experiences in the Spanish missions. She is a member of the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation of California. A statue of Father Junipero Serra stands in front of the San Gabriel Mission in San Gabriel, California. In 2015, Pope Francis canonized the controversial Spanish missionary. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN The activist group pointed to this quote from author and poet Miranda: "I have a responsibility to my Ancestors and to my own descendants to speak up and try to create a clearer understanding about why Junipero Serra's canonization would be another historical flogging of California Indians. No, Serra was not the only one involved. Yes, he was part of an intricate machine run by the Spanish Crown's political desires, the Spanish military's might, and the Vatican's multiple ambitions to convert and acquire both souls and wealth. But Serra was also a man who, like many before him, was faced with a choice: go along with the program, achieve his own personal goals, and ignore the larger crimes - or take a stand against inherently inhumane and unchristian acts against a people who were obviously vulnerable to diseases and technologies far different from their own. Serra made his choice." This isn't the first time Serra monuments have been vandalized. In 2017 , a Serra statue outside the Santa Barbara Mission was decapitated and covered in blood-like red paint. Another lost its head in Monterey. Another in Mission Hills was tagged with the word "murderer." MORE READING: WE LOVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS: Gardai lined the streets as the coffin of murdered colleague Colm Horkan was carried through his home town ahead of his state funeral. The coffin of the detective garda was draped in the Irish flag with his cap and gloves laid on the top. Mr Horkan, 49, was shot dead on Wednesday night in the town of Castlerea in Co Roscommon. Other gardai across the country are observing a minutes silence at noon as the service takes place at St James Church in Mr Horkans home town of Charlestown, Co Mayo. Expand Close Floral tributes outside Ballaghaderreen garda station (Michael McCormack/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes outside Ballaghaderreen garda station (Michael McCormack/PA) President Michael D Higgins will lead a memorial service on the grounds of his residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublins Phoenix Park. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is paying his respects at Garda headquarters in Dublin. The Garda has planned the funeral to ensure the officer is afforded formal state honours within the current coronavirus regulations on public gatherings. One man Stephen Silver, 43, from Aughaward, Foxford in Co Mayo was remanded in custody on Friday night charged with Mr Horkans murder. On Friday, hundreds of people gathered in Mayo and Roscommon to pay their respects to Mr Horkan. Expand Close Stephen Silver arrives at Castlerea District Court on Friday night to face a murder charge (Michael McCormack/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen Silver arrives at Castlerea District Court on Friday night to face a murder charge (Michael McCormack/PA) There were emotional scenes in Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon as the hearse carrying the remains of Mr Horkan made its way through the town towards his home in Charlestown. The cortege was flanked by gardai on motorcycles while people lined the streets where Mr Horkan had worked for several years. Floral tributes were left outside Ballaghaderreen Garda station. There were similar scenes late on Friday night in Charlestown as hundreds of people lined the streets as the hearse passed by. Delhi added 3,000 new cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Sunday, taking the total infections in the city to 59,746. The government in its daily health bulletin on Sunday also added 63 deaths to the citys toll. So far, 2,175 people in the city have succumbed to the infectious disease. The national capital has consistently recorded 3,000 or more Covid-19 cases for three days now. Over the past week, Delhi has recorded an average of 2,652 cases every day. The Capital breached the 50,000 mark on Friday, and saw its highest single-day rise on Saturday, when the city 3,630 new infections to its total. Delhi has a case fatality rate of 3.64%, compared to the national average of 3.2%. The national capital currently has a doubling rate of nearly 13. As per Sundays bulletin, 33,013 patients have recovered, which leaves the city with 24,558 active cases. Of the active cases, 6,054 are in hospital with severe symptoms of the illness. However, more than half the citys beds were vacant, as of Sunday, even as the government continues an augmentation programme, to ensure the city can meet its projected estimates for hospital beds by the end of July. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier this month said that Delhi would need at least 150,000 beds for Covid-19 patients, if the facilities were to treat patients from across the country. According to the bulletin, Delhi has 261 containment zones, up from 249 a day earlier Gippsland residents have urged the states planning minister to order an environmental assessment of a proposal to turn the vast Hazelwood mine pit into a lake, which would take up to 25 years to fill and require almost twice the amount of water Melbourne consumes in a year. The rehabilitation of Hazelwood's mine pit will be the largest ever undertaken in Australia, after the heavily polluting power plant was closed in 2017. Josie and Angus Zilm on their farm property that has direct frontage to the lower Latrobe River that will be affected by plans to use the water to flood the Hazelwood mine. Credit:Simon Schluter The stations owner, global energy giant ENGIE, wants to fill the pit with water from the Latrobe River and an underground aquifer to create an artificial lake. It has submitted a works variation plan to the state government. But a coalition of Gippsland residents called Friends of Latrobe Water is worried the enormous amount of water needed to fill the pit around 725 gigalitres would reduce flows to the local Latrobe River system and harm the environment. The river system also flows into the Ramsar-listed Gippsland Lakes wetlands. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 18:09:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government allocated 106.5 billion yuan (about 15 billion U.S. dollars) for cultural and tourism development in 2019, up 14.7 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A report released by the ministry shows that the per capita expenditure in those sectors was 76.07 yuan, an increase of 14.3 percent over the previous year. By the end of last year, more than 5.16 million people were employed in cultural and tourism sectors. Enditem OPEN LETTER TO BIRMINGHAM LEADERS: DONT RENAME 16TH STREET NORTH Date: June 20th, 2020 To: Birmingham Council President William Parker Cc: Birmingham City Council City of Birmingham Fr: A Group of Movement Voices Re: The Proposal to Rename 16th Street North Birmingham is a dynamic city with a rich and powerful history of resistance and social justice. The narrative of justice and equality is critical to our communal consciousness and collective power. Our streets are stained with the blood and sweat of those who fought tirelessly for our civil rights. Every street is indeed sacred ground. Erasing our social justice history is, in fact, an act of violence. This is especially true of 16th Street and the 4th Avenue Business District. On Juneteenth, members of our Birmingham community were informed of the possible renaming of a portion of 16th Street North. The thought that our sacred grounds might be altered without any input from community members, activists, organizers, or elders - was traumatic. The potential long-term, damaging effects rash decisions can have on us all, especially by those we have trusted to represent us as elected officials, have sparked our immediate concern. We rise to speak in concert with our elders, those lost and those still here, and those yet to join the fight for justice to declare that this place matters. Sixteenth Street matters. Any alterations to this holy ground are an act of violent erasure of Birminghams global legacy of Human Rights and Liberation. Renaming 16th Street would disrespect the very movement that undergirds this current fight for justice. Names, like Black Lives Matter, matter. They hold power. If names didnt matter, then our ancestors would not have been stripped of their names. We are not against the renaming of a street to Black Lives Matter. Yet if we are to rename one, it should be done in the spirit of the original resolution which renamed the street leading up to the White House, " Black Lives Matter, as a strong political statement to those in power. And in concert with those now on the front lines of the battle for social justice and equity. To be clear - 16th Street North is already the home of Black Lives Matter. We challenge Birmingham leadership to move past performative gestures toward transformative governance. Without a social equity lens, your analysis of race, class, ability, and gender on matters such as the budget, policies, laws, and ordinances, your votes, and even your advocacy, can be harmful. So we invite you to show us that Black Lives Matter with substantial policy. We strongly urge the City Council and mayors office to consider and adopt the following policies with earnest and urgency: Participatory Budgeting - A peoples budget that is reflective of the values and needs of our community, prioritizing those most marginalized. Neighborhood Association Expenditure Reform - Guidelines that value and empower the leadership of neighborhood officers to address the needs they and their neighbors identify promptly. CDC Pandemic Safety Directives in the City Jail - In service to our Citys legacy of human rights and in the interest of public health, persons within the physical custody of the city should be given all appropriate tools and information to be kept safe and healthy. Healing from perpetual trauma is the only way to sustain social movements. This is especially important as social movements become more global and virtual. It is hard for activists and organizers to escape suffering. The extrajudicial murders of Black men, women, and children are readily accessible in the palms of our hands. At any given moment, we can bear witness to the ways in which the state harms vulnerable people. Our social media accounts are filled with these disturbing depictions. Seemingly inescapable pain also brings shared grief and communal support. We understand that there is so much work to do across the state. This current advocacy of Black Lives Matter isnt over. A movement is not marked by symbolic progressivism--a type of symbolic progressivism that ignores the real work of confronting issues around race and power. It is marked by substantial change in the material conditions of those most vulnerable. Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. As such, we are not putting forth recommendations but rather instructions. This is an opportunity to significantly strengthen your credibility with those of us working in this movement. This is not a calling out but a calling in--to join us as we continue the legacy we have inherited. Please do not rename any portion of 16th Street North and work with us to create immediate, substantive change for the betterment of us all. In power, Martez Files, M.A.T. Co-Founder When We Fight Celida Garcia Community Organizer Eric Hall Black Lives Matter Birmingham T. Marie King Activist and Organizer Carmen Mays, MPA Founder & CEO, Elevators Jilisa Milton Black Lives Matter Birmingham Cara McClure Black Lives Matter Birmingham Executive Director Faith & Works DeJuana Thompson Creator, Woke Vote Co-Founding Partner, Think Rubix Deanna Dee Reed Community Organizer Erica Star Robbins Executive Director Be A Blessing Birmingham Community Activist and Advocate for Marginalized Groups -- DeJuana L. Thompson Partner, Think Rubix www.ThinkRubix.com Chennai, June 21 : The International Yoga Day was celebrated in Tamil Nadu on Sunday at educational institutions, Army Headquarters of Dakshin Bharat area and at other places. At the SRM Institute of Science and Technology near here, Vice Chancellor Sandeep Sancheti and others performed various yogas at their grounds. They also performed breathing exercises which are believed to be effective against coronavirus. In a statement issued here by the Defence Wing, the headquarters Dakshin Bharat Area and its various formations in five southern states -- Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala -- celebrated the International Yoga Day. Owing to Covid-19 related restrictions, Yoga was made to practise in all individual homes by Dakshin Bharat Area. All ranks and their families including children joined through a video link circulated online to them. Those staying in military barracks conducted Yoga outdoors with social distancing measures in place, the statement said. The day also saw some yoga enthusiasts take to the water to perform aqua-yoga in the Palk Strait off the Rameswaram coast. The President of the Tamil Nadu unit of BJP, L. Murugan performed yoga on the day, said a party statement. About 90 percent of the Lacandon rainforest is believed to be already lost to deforestation. The last pocket of tropical rainforest in North America is in danger of becoming a thing of the past. About 90 percent of the Lacandon rainforest is believed to be already lost to deforestation. That is why biologists and Indigenous leaders in Mexico are battling to save it. Al Jazeeras Manuel Rapalo travelled into the heart of the jungle in southern Mexico. June 20, 2020 Release Naval Littoral Combat Ship USS Kansas City Joins the Fleet The U.S. Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS 22) today, June 20. The Navy commissioned Kansas City administratively via naval message due to public health safety and restrictions of large public gatherings related to the coronavirus pandemic and transitioned the ship to normal operations. The Navy is looking at a future opportunity to commemorate the special event with the ship's sponsor, crew, and commissioning committee. "This Independence-variant littoral combat ship will continue our proud naval legacy and embody the spirit of the people of Kansas City," said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. "I am confident the crew of the USS Kansas City will extend the reach and capability of our force and confront the challenges of today's complex world with our core values of honor, courage and commitment." Vice Adm. Richard A. Brown, commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, welcomed the ship that brings capabilities to counter diesel submarine, mines, and fast surface craft threats to the premier surface force in the world. "Like other littoral combat ships, Kansas City brings speed and agility to the fleet," said Brown via naval message. "Congratulations to Kansas City's captain and crew for all of your hard work to reach this milestone. You join a proud Surface Force that controls the seas and provides the nation with combat naval power when and where needed." Mrs. Tracy Davidson, the ship's sponsor, offered congratulations to everyone who played a role in delivering USS Kansas City to service. "I am so proud of USS Kansas City and her crew, and everyone involved, for all the tremendous work they've done to bring this ship to life. Their dedication to our nation and the Navy is very much appreciated," said Davidson. "I am privileged to be a part of this ship honoring Kansas City and look forward to remaining connected to USS Kansas City as her legacy grows, wherever she may sail." Kansas City's commanding officer, Cmdr. R.J. Zamberlan, reported the ship ready. "The caliber of crew required to prepare a warship entering the fleet is second to none," said Zamberlan. "This is even more impressive aboard an LCS, where every member of the minimally manned team is required to fulfill multiple roles and excel at all of them to get the job done. This crew has exceeded expectations in unprecedented times and I could not be prouder to be their captain." Kansas City is the 11th of the Independence variant to join the fleet and the second ship to be named for Kansas City. The name Kansas City was assigned to a heavy cruiser during World War II. However, construction was canceled after one month due to the end of the war. The name Kansas City was also assigned to the Wichita-class replenishment oiler AOR-3 in 1967. This ship saw service in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm and was decommissioned in 1994. The littoral combat ship is a fast, agile and networked surface combatant, and the primary mission for the LCS includes countering diesel submarine threats, littoral mine threats and surface threats to assure maritime access for joint forces. The underlying strength of the LCS lies in its innovative design approach, applying modularity for operational flexibility. Fundamental to this approach is the capability to rapidly install interchangeable mission packages (MPs) onto the seaframe to fulfill a specific mission and then be uninstalled, maintained and upgraded at the Mission Package Support Facility (MPSF) for future use aboard any LCS seaframe. https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2226954/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Masjid Sultan in Singapore. (PHOTO: Ore Huiying/Getty Images) SINGAPORE Mosques in Singapore will resume congregational worship with limited prayer spaces of up to 50 persons at a time in Phase 2 of reopening after the COVID-19 circuit breaker period. In a media release on Sunday (21 June), the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said that Friday prayers and daily congregational prayers will resume from Friday (26 June), with booking of prayer slots through an online prayer booking system. Mosques will offer 50 slots for each of the five daily congregational prayer immediately after the Azan (prayer call). Only congregants with a valid booking will be allowed entry for these daily congregational prayers. To enable more worshippers to perform their Friday prayers, the system will limit the number of bookings an individual can make for Friday prayers to only one reservation within a three-week window. Private worship beyond congregational prayer sessions will continue to be available and subjected to the same limit of 50 persons at any one time. Two half-hour prayers sessions every Friday To enable more congregants to perform the Friday prayers, MUIS said that two half-hour prayer sessions will be held every Friday, with about a half-hour interval between the two sessions, to ensure safe crowd management Sermons and prayers will be shortened to a maximum of 20 minutes. When delivering sermons, imams will stand at least two metres away from the first row and will be required to wear a face shield. Congregants will pray in marked designated individual spaces one metre apart. They should not mingle with others and should leave the mosque immediately after the prayer sessions. For individuals who are unable to obtain a slot for the Friday prayers, the Fatwa Committee has advised that it is sufficient and permissible to perform the regular noon (Zuhur) prayer in place of the Friday prayer. This concession also applies to those who are vulnerable and at risk of infection, such as seniors aged 60 years and above and those with pre-existing chronic conditions. These groups, as well as children below the age of 12, are discouraged from attending Friday prayers for the time being. Story continues MUIS said that it hopes to gradually increase the congregation limit if the situation remains stable during Phase 2 reopening, and mosques are able to implement the safe management measures. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: Partnerships important in forging Singapore's future: Heng Swee Keat Holland Village restaurant ordered to close after allowing crowds to mingle outside SDP chief Chee Soon Juan to contest in Bukit Batok SMC for upcoming GE PSP considering to compete in Nee Soon GRC: Tan Cheng Bock New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Sunday arrested four people for the murder of a 92-year-old woman at Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave. The arrests were made near the Nepal border, and the arrested people include the security guard Rajesh, Om, Gyanendra and Pramod. After the murder, the accused had taken a taxi from Delhi to Lakhimpur at a cost of Rs 12,000 since buses and trains are not available. They were looking to cross into Nepal. Apart from Pramod, the other three accused are Nepalese citizens. The police recovered the Rs 55,000 in cash and jewelery they had looted from the house. The woman Kanta Chawla and her husband B R Chawla, a retired official of the External Affairs Ministry were attacked on Saturday when they tried to resist a robbery bid, the police said. The husband sustained inuries as his hands were tied while they killed the woman by slitting her throat. The accused said that she was making a lot of a noise hence they killed her. With states continuing to lift coronavirus restrictions, people across the U.S. have felt more comfortable traveling, taking transit, eating out and even moving to a new home. Improvement across the travel and restaurant industries, as well as the housing market, could signal that a broader economic recovery is on the horizon even though the pandemic is still ongoing. These five charts illustrate trends in key economic indicators that help track reopening progress in the U.S. Direction requests Travelers are relying more on Apple Maps for help regarding public transportation, according to the latest data from the navigation app. Transit directions from the app are at almost half of what they were in January as more people return to work in urban centers like New York City and San Francisco. However, requests for walking and driving directions fell lower than what they were earlier in June. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Restaurant bookings Restaurant bookings are down more than 60% compared to last year, according to data from online reservation service OpenTable. Bookings were down 100% in part of March and all of April, as restaurants across the country could only offer pick-up and delivery instead of onsite dining. However, reservation bookings began to rise in May as states eased restrictions and enabled diners to eat out again. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Hotel occupancy Hotels are filling up more with an occupancy rate of about 42%, according to data from global hospitality research company STR. With more kids out of school and summer weather underway, families across the country may be looking forward to traveling. Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia was the only major travel market to achieve above a 50% hotel occupancy rate, but was followed close behind by Phoenix, New York City and Tampa, Fla., according to STR. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Air travel The number of daily travelers going through airport security checkpoints is down around 80% compared to last year, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. Passenger numbers have crept up steadily since they plummeted in March during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. The air travel industry is now waiting to see if passenger numbers make a bigger rebound during the busy summer season. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Home purchases Mortgage applications for buying a single-family home are now up 21% compared to last year as mortgage rates drop to record lows, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. "Purchase applications increased to the highest level in over 11 years and for the ninth consecutive week," said Joel Kan, associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting at MBA. "The housing market continues to experience the release of unrealized pent-up demand from earlier this spring, as well as a gradual improvement in consumer confidence." This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Millennials, I get that you may not drink wine. You like White Claw, that hard seltzer thats all over Instagram. But wine can be likeable, affordable and ready to drink, too. See, I love wine. And I want you to love it as much as I do. But if youre new to the wine game, there are definite entry points. Gateway wines, if you like. The wines Im about to recommend dont taste like White Claw obviously. But theyre refreshing, full of fruit and inexpensive. In fact, they all cost less per serving than White Claw. Those who like the idea of drinking red wine but have always found it too dry and bitter should taste NV Riunite Lambrusco Frizzante from Emilia, Italy (LCBO 13492, $9.95). This bottle has been wildly popular in the U.S. for more than 50 years and just hit shelves in Ontario last month. Each sip delivers a bright, bubbly hit of juicy red berry and poached plum goodness. Its not dry. Its not pretentious. And its better than any alcopop Ive tasted. Whats more, its best ice cold. Score: 90 Serve NV Riunite Lambrusco Frizzante with slices of spicy charcuterie and hard cheeses then snap and post. A great gateway white is NV Oggi Moscato Frizzante from the Veneto in Italy (LCBO 239517, $10.95). This juicy, easy drinking starting point is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys fruity, fizzy drinks. It teems with aromas of fresh pineapple and crushed grapes then blasts the taste buds with a sweet-and-sour hit of the same that tapers to a lovely, lingering flavour of mango. Quaffable, immediate pleasure that tastes best straight out of the ice. Score: 90 Serve NV Oggi Moscato Frizzante on its own, with a handful of chips or even cheeseburgers then snap and post. When you need to wow a roomful of guests that range from non-wine-drinkers to total aficionados, grab a bottle of the 2012 Jose Maria da Fonseca Moscatel de Setubal from Portugal (Vintages 14047, $16.95). This gorgeous, sweet wine hits shelves in Ontario on Saturday, March 21 and will thrill everyone at the party. It shines a beautiful amber colour in the glass. It teems with all sorts of compelling scents from orange peel and apricot to brown sugar and toasty pralines. Then it saturates the palate with cascading flavours of candied lemon and orange, pralines and cream, brown sugar and spice all shot through with mouth-watering acidity that keeps the wine tasting lifted and refreshing. Score: 93 Handy aside: Since this Portuguese Moscatel is a fortified wine with 17.5 per cent alcohol, the standard pour is three ounces rather than the usual five for table wine. Serve this golden thriller chilled. And pour it on its own, with nuts or with an old school cheese ball the kind they made in the 1980s for that perfect classic-retro combo. For the cheese ball, beat 500g of softened cream cheese in a bowl. Mix in two cups of shredded old cheddar. Add a dash of hot sauce and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Form it into a ball and roll it in chopped, toasted pecans. Then put it on a pretty plate surrounded by salty crackers. The creamy, salty, umami-rich goodness of this cheese-nut schmear on a cracker totally sets off each sip of this fabulous Moscatel de Setabul. Total snap and post situation. So there you have it: a few bottles of wine that may ignite in you a lifelong love affair with wine IRL. Carolyn Evans Hammond is a Toronto-based wine writer and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Reach her via email: is a Toronto-based wine writer and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Reach her via email: carolyn@carolynevanshammond.com New Delhi: The Delhi Police has been put on high alert after receiving information of a terrorist attack targetting the national capital. According to information shared by the security agencies, atleast four to five terrorists left for Delhi on a truck. Some of these terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir have already entered the city while some are trying to get inside. They are planning to attack the city and are likely to enter Delhi via any road transport such as a bus or a car or a taxi. All guest houses, hotels in the city have been put on a look out notice. Also, cars with Kashmir registeration numbers are being searched. An alert has been sounded at all bus stands and railway stations too. 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. A crowd of activists carrying rifles and handguns gathered at the San Jacinto Monument Saturday to warn Gov. Greg Abbott that if police dont do more to protect the states historic sites from vandals, then armed volunteers will do the job for them. Abbott, if you dont do it, then Texans are going to do it. And youre not going to like the way were going to handle things, said Brandon Burkhart, president of This Is Texas Freedom Force, a nonprofit group created to protect Texas history and Texans rights. Openly carrying firearms is legal in Texas, and the groups members say theyve been standing watch at San Jacinto, the Alamo and other historic landmarks after the death of former Houston resident George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked outrage and widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism in the U.S. The group blamed activists tied to Antifa, the Brown Berets and the Black Lives Matter movement for defacing a Christopher Columbus statue in Houston; a Confederate monument in Huntsville; a statue of Confederate leader Lawrence Sullivan Ross at Texas A&M University; and the Cenotaph at the Alamo, a memorial to the Alamo defenders who died in 1836 during the Texas Revolution. More than 100 people crowded under a cluster of oak trees during a lightning storm at San Jacinto as rally speakers pledged to use force to defend themselves if thats what it takes to protect historical landmarks from being vandalized or destroyed. Thunder occasionally punctuated their words. I want to remind you what General Patton said: Its not your job to die for your country, its to make the other poor dumb bastard die for his, said conservative radio host James Doc Greene, paraphrasing a quote by the World War II general George Patton. Im not so interested in what youre willing to die for, my friends, Greene said. I am interested in what is so important to you that youre willing to kill for it. David Amad, a speaker with Open Carry Texas, said armed volunteers will continue to guard the monuments. And if were attacked, were going to defend the hell out of ourselves, he said. Authorities in San Antonio and at A&M said its unclear who damaged the Cenotaph and the statue of Ross. One leader of the civil rights protests said anyone could have been responsible. There is zero proof that any of us have anything to do with those occurrences, said Kimiya Factory, a community activist who helped lead the recent protests in San Antonio. Its necessary to acknowledge that the people are mad, right? Factory said. Not just people who identify with the Black Lives Matter movement, but also members of the public who arent black. Theyre upset, too. So it really could be anybody. On May 29, red graffiti was found on the Cenotaph in San Antonio with the phrases white supremacy, profit over people and the ALAMO, with downward arrows painted before each phrase. Other messages were sprayed on the nearby wall of a building and on a sidewalk near Travis Park a few blocks away. San Antonio police officers arrested Noah-Benjamin Escamilla, 25, who was seen spraying the letters ACAB All Cops Are Bastards in red graffiti on the sidewalk at Travis Park, according to a police report. Escamilla faces a misdemeanor graffiti charge in connection with the sidewalk incident, but no one has been arrested for defacing the Cenotaph at the Alamo. Escamillas lawyer, Steven Gilmore, declined to discuss the case. At a tense, May 30 protest in San Antonio, armed members of freedom force faced a crowd of civil rights activists in Alamo Plaza while San Antonio police stood between the two groups. The groups leaders said that protesters had threatened to burn the Alamo to the ground. Thus far we have no confirmation if the taggings were associated with Antifa and if credible threats to burn the Alamo down were made, Officer Douglas Greene, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department, said in an email. At Texas A&M, the letters BLM, ACAB and Racist were painted on the statue of Ross, a former Confederate general, Texas governor and president of the school that would later become A&M. A rainbow-colored wig was placed on the statues head. We dont know about motives because we havent caught the guy yet, said Lt. Bobby Richardson, a spokesman for the university police department. But we did obtain the video footage. We know when it occurred, and we also know it was a white male who did it. Were working on trying to find out who that is. Police in Huntsville and Houston didnt respond to questions about the vandalism incidents in those cities. At Bell Park in Houston on Friday, city workers quietly removed the defaced statue of Columbus, the Italian explorer who was widely credited with discovering the New World but who also brutally enslaved the indigenous people he encountered. At San Jacinto, This Is Texas Freedom Force took credit for saving the monument on May 30. The group said its volunteers had just finished guarding the landmark when deputies with the Harris County Sheriffs Office found several individuals in a van with seven cases of red spray paint nearby on Independence Parkway. Once again, This Is Texas Freedom Force foiled another plan to damage our Texas Monuments, the group said in a news release. Chris Florance, a spokesman for the Texas Historical Commission, which oversees the monument, said the agency has received no reports from any law enforcement agencies about such an incident. Deputy Thomas Gilliland, a spokesman for the sheriffs office, said he was unable to find any record of arrests or traffic stops on Independence Parkway during that time frame. I dont want to say the people you talked with embellished anything, Gilliland said. But Im not able to find the event that theyre talking about. As the rain cleared and the rally ended, Burkhart said the armed volunteers had demonstrated remarkable restraint in San Antonio, and they would only resort to violence in self defense. One of their members was punched in the face during the protest at the Alamo, according to a video of the altercation, but he didnt punch back. Instead, he smiled like it was nothing. Three fourths of our membership are former veterans, and a lot have seen combat action, Burkhart said. Factory said shes glad society is starting to question the wisdom of erecting monuments that are icons of genocide and colonization. But tagging statues with graffiti simply isnt the mission of the Black Lives Matter movement, she said. They have far more serious goals to focus on. Fighting for change means more than tagging a monument, Factory said. Trust me. john.tedesco@chron.com MasterChef: Back to Win has proved to be a ratings success for Channel Ten. And now the contestants have revealed what really goes on behind the scenes, in an interview with News.com.au this week. Reece Hignell, Callum Haan and Laura Sharrad all agreed that judge Melissa Leong is the one they can always count on to lift their spirits. Secrets revealed: MasterChef contestants revealed to news.com.au this week what the judges are REALLY like, and the surprising reason why they don't taste their own dishes. Pictured from left to right: judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong 'Often she will stand with us during onset breaks to make sure we are all in good spirits,' Reece, 28, said, while Laura, 24, added that she gives 'the best pep talks' during challenges. Laura went on to describe fellow judge Andy Allen as being the most excited about challenges. 'Sometimes I swear he's just going to pull out a bench and start cooking with us,' she said. Praise: 'Often she will stand with us during onset breaks to make sure we are all in good spirits,' Reece Hignell (pictured), 28, said of judge Melissa 'Sometimes I swear he's just going to pull out a bench and start cooking with us': Laura Sharrad (pictured), 24, went on to describe judge Andy as being the most excited about challenges Tessa Boersma, 28, also revealed the surprise reason why they hardly taste their own dishes. 'We all lose our appetites during challenges from stress,' she said. 'So we don't even get to enjoy all the delicious food ourselves.' Meanwhile, Callum, 31, set the record straight on whether they are ever given extra time on challenges. 'The challenges are completely real,' he said, adding that producers and the judges are very 'strict' on time limits. Stress: Tessa Boersma (pictured), 28, also revealed the surprise reason why they hardly taste their own dishes: 'We all lose our appetites during challenges from stress' No extra time: Meanwhile, Callum Haan (pictured), 31, set the record straight on whether they are ever given extra time on challenges, saying producers are very 'strict' on time limits According to The Weekend Australian, MasterChef's average live-to-air and catch-up audience is 1,105,000 viewers - representing a 45 per cent increase to last year. In her usual self-deprecating manner, judge Melissa, 38, told the publication: 'Ratings aren't really within our control... (but) it's a wonderful thing to feel that it has resonated with the viewers in Australia and overseas.' The food writer and TV personality of Singaporean heritage went on to say that she can relate to the contestants as she knows what it's like to be judged. 'I know what it is like to put all of yourself in front of others and to be judged.' MasterChef: Back to Win continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten Forensic workers carry the body of Gholamreza Mansouri from a hotel in downtown Bucharest, Romania, on June 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Iranian Ex-Judge Dies in Romania, Falls From Hotel Window BUCHAREST, RomaniaA former Iranian judge sought by his country to face corruption charges died June 19 after a fall in a hotel in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, the head of the Iranian polices international department said. The confirmation of Gholamreza Mansouris death came from Romanian police, said Irans Interpol chief Gen. Hadi Shirzad, who was quoted by Irans semi-official INSA news agency. Shirzad said Romanian authorities told Iran that the 66-year-old Mansouri had thrown himself out of the window of his hotel in Bucharest. An investigation by Irans international police is underway, he said. Earlier, Romanian police had confirmed only that a man had fallen from a high floor at a Bucharest hotel and was found dead at 2:30 p.m. local time. They didnt identify him. Police cars are parked outside the Duke Hotel where Gholamreza Mansouri died after falling from a high floor inside a hotel, in Bucharest, Romania, on June 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Mansouri, who fled Iran last year after authorities there alleged he took about 500,000 euros ($560,000) in bribes, was facing an extradition request by Iran and had denied the allegations. He said last week in a video statement that he left Iran for unspecified medical treatment and that coronavirus travel restrictions prevented him from returning to face the charges. The spokesman for Irans foreign ministry, Abbas Mousavi, said that his country asked Romanian authorities to send an official report, state-run IRNA news agency reported. Mousavi said the judge had recently visited the Iranian Embassy and discussed how to return to Iran, and because he was wanted by the Iranian judiciary through the international police, he was arrested by Romanian Interpol. Earlier this week, journalist rights groups and Iranian dissidents urged Romania to not deport Mansouri, saying he should be prosecuted in Europe for ordering the mass arrest of reporters while serving as a judge in Tehran. The German chapter of Reporters Without Borders filed a complaint with federal prosecutors in Germany last week, urging that Mansouri be investigated on allegations of torture and human rights abuses for ordering the arrest of 20 reporters in Iran in 2013. German prosecutors confirmed June 17 that they were looking into the complaint, and Reporters without Borders said it had now filed a second complaint with Romanian authorities after learning Mansouri had slipped away from Germany already. It was not clear when Mansouri traveled to Romania, but Irans judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Esmaeili, said June 13 that Mansouri had been arrested there and was expected to be returned to Iran in the following days. According to Romanian authorities, Mansouri had been released from custody but kept under judicial control, during which he was banned from leaving the country and was obliged to present himself to authorities at their request. Mansouri is best known for ordering the mass arrest of the reporters in 2013 toward the end of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads time in office. But in 2012, he also banned the reformist Shargh daily newspaper and detained its editor-in-chief over a published cartoon that authorities deemed insulting to those who fought in the IranIraq war. By Vadim Ghirda Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:49:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GABORONE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Botswana dehorned at least 100 wild rhinoceros between March and May this year in order to save them from the marauding poachers in the northwestern part of the southern African country, an official said Sunday. Cyril Taolo, the acting director in Botswana's department of wildlife and national parks, made this revelation during a virtual media briefing held via a live broadcast through the national television, Botswana Television. "Over the past three months, as the department of wildlife and national parks, we undertook an operation to dehorn our rhinoceroses in the Okavango Delta situated in the northwestern part of the country," said Taolo. Taolo said this operation was necessitated by the poaching that Botswana is experiencing in its northern parts over the past eighteen months to two years where most of the wildlife is concentrated. At the beginning of this month, Taolo said Botswana found 58 carcasses of both white and black rhinos in the Okavango Delta and subsequent investigations establish that it was a the result of poaching incidents. "It was necessary for us to carry out this operation as a matter of urgency to protect our black and white rhino population as well as ensuring that we maintain the integrity and reputation of Botswana has built over the years as a safe haven for wildlife," he said. Between 2007 and 2017, only six rhinos were killed for their horns, but in the past two years the poaching of both black and white rhinos surged, further reducing the numbers from a population of approximately 300. According to Rhino Review, a non-profit organization established to stimulate passion about rhinos, rhino horns sell for 43,307 U.S. dollars a kilogram on the black market in Asia, where they are used as status symbols and in medicinal remedies. Enditem Hyundai Motor's Nexo / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Nam Hyun-woo Hyundai Japan Twitter account / Captured from Twitter Smart Health, the annual one-day conference which brings together a select group of key players from the health industry to discuss the latest innovations and products, was unable to physically take place this year because of Covid-19 restrictions. But on June 16, 150 carefully selected participants came together for the Smart Health 2020 webinar which was due to run for an hour but was extended to three hours as there was so much to discuss regarding the latest insights and trends in the sector. In previous years, fewer than 10 Irish companies have travelled to take part in the event, which is run by Swiss organisation Inartis Network, a lifesciences research network. This year, 25 companies from Ireland participated in the online event and two firms, S3 Group and Aerogen, presented as part of the programme, so Ireland was very well represented. This was important as Irish companies have long been suppliers into most of the large international pharma companies, both on the international market and at home in Ireland, where the top 10 pharma companies have sizeable operations. Indeed, many Irish SMEs started up with an innovative idea after having acquired experience working in one of those multinational companies, while many others form a vital part in these company supply chains - something which is very important right now with the current Covid-induced supply chain security considerations which have moved away from cheaper Asian supply to a more robust and predictable source. This traditionally holds true particularly in medtech - 18 of the world's 25 largest companies have operations in Ireland, where a significant portion of Irish exports into Switzerland are medtech sub-supply. Clinical trial services such as those supplied by Icon would come to mind as does R&D or research logistics, manufacturing intelligence or clean room technology and myriad other specialised last-mile services or solutions. There are some interesting developments coming out of Ireland, including from Aerogen, which has developed and is manufacturing the world's foremost nebuliser which transports drugs into the lungs via a vibrating mesh and its superior efficiency would have a dramatic impact in intensive care units, particularly during the current pandemic. S3 Group, the other speaker from Ireland on the webinar, developed in only 10 days a software solution for HSE hospitals which could predict intensive care requirements for incoming patients, which in turn makes decisions across all hospital staff levels, for the most effective resource allocation, easier and more structured. Sticking with Covid-related novel solutions, Technopath and its innovative clinical waste solution for PPE, which was adopted by Northwell Health in USA, is also worth mentioning, as are Hibergene and Serosep with their rapid Covid-19 tests - all great examples of Irish SMEs on a par with world-class innovators. So while there are uncertainties surrounding the future of many businesses after Covid-19, I would encourage Irish pharma companies to invest in market research on trends and opportunities, start planning long-term with regard to sales and strategies and use LinkedIn sales navigator and the Enterprise Ireland overseas offices for contacts, networking and in-market events. Cutting-edge research is very robust in Switzerland and the Swiss market is quite mature and sophisticated, so there are rich opportunities for joint initiatives which may spill over into sales opportunities - and that sometimes works better than direct commercial pitches to potential Swiss buyers who have become very selective in responding to too many pitches. This is why events such as Smart Health 2020 are a fantastic means of exchanging ideas and solutions among peers. I would also suggest making intensive use of Enterprise Ireland's market research centre at Eastpoint and get in touch with your local Enterprise Ireland market advisers on how we can help advance your Swiss agenda. COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the Irish economy. The nature of the statistics we are currently being exposed to, relating to the period from mid-March onwards, is truly extraordinary. I never believed I would be commenting on a monthly decline of 36pc in retail sales or an unemployment rate jumping from 4.8pc to 28.2pc over a two-month period, but such is the reality of life at the moment. On the upside, such statistics are reflecting a virtual shutdown of large swathes of the economy, and as it is gradually re-opened, many economic statistics will rebound quite quickly. On the downside however, my fear is that the crisis will leave a permanent legacy in the form of lost businesses and irretrievable damage to villages, towns and communities around the country. Justifiably, much attention has been focused on pubs, restaurants and smaller retailers, many of whom will struggle to survive without considerable support. However, some recent business statistics suggest to me that our already-pressurised post office network is also under very significant threat. The statistics show that since the crisis commenced, the volume of business has fallen significantly. In April, overall business volumes were 23.8pc lower than a year earlier, with social welfare volumes down 41pc due to the movement to double payments since the crisis commenced. BillPay has fallen 28pc, NTMA business is down 29pc, but mail business is only up by 2.7pc. A larger increase might have been expected on the mail side of the business, but I guess WhatsApp, Zoom and such technologies are being used to deal with cocooning and social distancing. These are pretty dramatic declines in business volumes and revenues for a network that was already under considerable pressure. It is now generally accepted and feared that more than 400 of the 952 post offices in the network at the moment could become commercially unsustainable over the next year. "So what?" some might argue. I tend to disagree. Post office closures of this magnitude would, in my view, have a detrimental impact on many villages, towns and communities around the country. The impact can be categorised in both economic and social terms. From an economic perspective, post offices provide a wide range of services; they help maintain footfall and retail activity on the streets of towns and villages; and they help support local employment. From a social perspective, post offices help support social interaction in rural towns and villages; they create social capital; and they help create and maintain a sense of community. Not all businesses can be or should be online. Face-to-face interaction is very important from a social perspective, with older customers in particular often visiting the post office and having social interaction with the staff. The post office plays an integral role in building economic and social capital in communities and it is only when they are closed does the real social and economic contribution become apparent. As a user of the post office, I have observed the varied level of services that post offices provide to the local population. It is clear to me that it is a valuable part of the fabric of the community. Villages and towns who have seen their post offices close in recent years have witnessed a significant diminution of local economic activity as cash paid out in welfare payments circulates less, and the important concept of "community" is damaged. The closure of so many post offices would go against the Government's stated aim of sustaining and promoting rural economic growth and development. Ireland would be a sadder place without the post office network. It is essential that as many as possible are enabled to survive. Ways to support the network need to be explored. Offering them new services is important, but it appears to me that they should be supported by a proper PSO (Public Service Obligation) mechanism. During the Covid-19 crisis, post offices have provided a very valuable and essential service to the public, not least through the facilitation of the online purchasing that has been an integral part of the Covid-19 lockdown. As lockdown restrictions lift, it is critical that post offices are encouraged to get back to their essential business such as weekly welfare payments, bill pay services and being a community hub. The programme for government expresses the view that "An Post can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-based services". I agree with this sentiment, but it is clear the next government is going to have to look seriously at delivering a PSO for post offices, as not doing would come at a far higher economic and social cost. For the sake of local economies and the social fabric in communities around the country, I believe that it is imperative to do whatever is necessary to save as many post offices as possible. Jim Power is an independent economist Authorities in Oregon believe they have found the remains of a 20-year-old woman who went missing three days before Christmas after she and her boyfriend became separated while on a hiking trip in the woods. Washington County Sheriffs deputies were called to a rural area of North Plains just before 5pm on Saturday after a property owner noticed something unusual while clearing brush. Investigators who arrived at the scene believe that the remains are those of Allyson Joy Watterson. Wattersons family has been notified of the development. Allyson Joy Watterson, 20, went missing three days before Christmas while she and her boyfriend were on a hiking trip in rural Oregon Benjamin Hunter Garland (left), Watterson's (right) boyfriend, was arrested on unrelated charges on December 23. Washington County sheriff's deputies on Saturday said they believe human remains found on private property in North Plains are those of Watterson Investigators plan to spend Sunday combing through the area looking for evidence. The remains were found just a day after Wattersons mother posted a heartfelt message on her Facebook page remembering her daughter. This is my beautiful, amazing courageous incredible daughter, Misty Watterson wrote on her Facebook page on Friday. The day she was taken out of my life will forever be the worst darkest day any mother could experience. To whom is responsible for taking my daughter out of my life I want you to know that you took my life my breath my soul my everything has been ripped away from me and my life and those lives around me that love and adore this child will forever be dark until she comes home to us. Misty Watterson wrote: They say that time heals all wounds and Im here to tell you that its just not true the time actually makes it more dark than you can even imagine. The remains were found just a day after Wattersons mother posted a heartfelt message on her Facebook page remembering her daughter To whomever is responsible for taking my child out of my life I want you to know that I will never stop looking for her I want you to know that she has the biggest most powerful and loving army of people behind her and we will never stop searching for her. Police and volunteers began searching for Allyson on December 23 when Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies received reports of a missing woman in a wooded area near North Plains, which lies about 20 miles northwest of Portland. Shortly after Allyson's disappearance, her boyfriend, Benjamin Hunter Garland, was arrested on unrelated charges. In April, Garland was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to several charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card and second-degree theft. Additionally, his probation was revoked on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, attempted coercion, fourth-degree assault and obliteration or change of a firearm identification number. Days after Watterson went missing, Garland was arrested on several unrelated charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, fraudulent use of a credit card and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to online records. In April, he pleaded guilty to several charges, resulting in a three-year prison sentence Watterson was last seen during the day on December 22 while she was hiking with Garland, 21. He is reportedly cooperating with the investigation into Watterson's disappearance. According to Fox 12, Garland was arrested the day after Watterson went missing. Garland reportedly told sheriff's deputies that they became separated during the hike and he was able to find his way out of the area. Police said Watterson's family hasnt heard from her since the morning of December 20. 'Allyson is a free spirit, kind of your true definition of like, hippie,' Wattersons aunt, Macy, told Fox 12. 'Shes our girl.' George Wallace won his last race for Alabama governor in 1982 by securing around 90% of the black vote and then went on to make a record number of black appointments to state offices. He had become repentant of his fiery pro-segregationist past in which the populist governor will forever be linked with 1963s Stand in the Schoolhouse Door and his inauguration address that same year in which he declared, segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever. Phillip Rawls, who covered Wallaces final term in office as a journalist with The Associated Press, said the controversial governor realized his years as a segregationist would always overshadow his final years. Nearly 33 years since he left the governors seat for the final time, Wallace and the Wallace namesake are colliding with the rapid push at renaming or removing symbols of the past viewed as racist. The push comes after the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd, who was black and who died while screaming I cant breathe after the white police officer kneeled on his neck for over eight minutes while others officers looked on. Efforts are underway to scrub the Wallace name from community colleges, buildings, roads, a tunnel, and other places throughout Alabama. Most of the push is contained online through the change.org website, but school and state officials are aware of the fledgling movement. Wallaces son, George Jr., is also aware and concerned. He wrote a letter earlier this month arguing that his fathers story is one of repentance. He said his father had gained respect from civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, before his death in 1998. Statewide push 53 Alabama Protests: May 31 - June 6 Petitioners, many whom are college students, are aware of Wallaces past apologies and contrition following an assassination attempt in 1972. But they also argue that Wallaces behavior and reputation as the global leader of segregation during the civil rights movement of the 60s outweighs those late-year apologies. The Wallace name isnt the only one targeted in the petition drives, but the former governor is by the far the most prominent person whos name is generating backlash in the wake of the Floyd killing and protests against police brutality that erupted nationwide. Most people outside Alabama and many young people only know George Wallace as the jut-jawed segregationist who stood in the schoolhouse door and condoned the use of fire hoses and police dogs to thwart civil rights demonstrators, said Rawls, a recently retired journalism professor at Auburn University. Alabama is still trying to come to terms with Wallaces impact and legacy. Some of the efforts spanning the state to erase the Wallace name that have emerged this month include Auburn University, where an effort is underway to rename Wallace Hall on campus after Harold Franklin, the first black student admitted to the school. The petition is sponsored by 21-year-old apparel design major Ashley Henton of Birmingham and 29-year-old Christian Campbell of Birmingham, who graduated from the university in 2014. Campbell said the effort isnt aimed at trying to fight the system but rather is an effort to make Auburn better. The petition drive has been effective, with over 11,600 people signed up. The building was constructed in 1984, during Wallaces final term in office. It currently houses the Department of Industrial Design, Department of Vocational and Adult Education. Like most Auburn students, I was really confused why in this day and age we had a building on campus named after George Wallace, said Henton, who said the petition amassed 5,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. We see George Wallace as this extreme segregationist who promoted these ideals so detrimental to the black community. We know that later in life, he did change his mind and go back to his previous stances (that were more moderate on race relations). But that really doesnt change what he did nor does it make him worthy of this building named after him. The university, in a statement, said the naming or renaming of buildings is a lengthy process that requires input from campus governance groups, approval by the Auburn Board of Trustees and review by a state agency. Renaming Wallace Hall is one of several actions recently recommended that will be addressed by a task force soon to be formed by President (Jay) Gogue. Wallace Jr., whose letter acknowledges the petition at Auburn, said his father should be afforded a balanced interpretation of his life. He said the young activists who are signing the petition will make many mistakes in their lives, just as all of us have. Some of those mistakes will be significant, some will be embarrassing, and some may very well hurt and affect others in ways they never intended, said Wallace Jr., 68, a former State Treasurer and member of the Alabama Public Service Commission. I hope beyond hope that no one judges the entirety of their lives solely by the mistakes they made, but rather, by the lessons they learned from them, the good deeds they accomplished and the progress they made as people in the great arc of life. At the University of South Alabama in Mobile, 21-year-old senior Katie Pfeiffer of Pensacola is petitioning for the removal of all symbols connected to Wallace including commemorative plaques. She said there is one plaque installed in the concrete in front of the universitys student center that shed like to see removed. She said removing Wallaces name from campus would send a message by the university to any racist or people with white supremacists ties on our campus that their rhetoric is not tolerated here. I know he apologized for his actions after his assassination attempt, but that does not erase the decades of damage he has caused nor the white supremacists he emboldened, said Pfeiffer. He does not get a free pass just because he had a change of heart. In the petition, Pfeiffer cited a racist incident that occurred on campus in 2018, in which a student hung a bicycle and two nooses from a tree on campus. The university suspended the student and an employee with Aramark, the universitys food service provider, was fired for writing an offensive tweet about the incident. A university spokesman, in a statement, said that USA leadership is aware of the petition and already had been in discussions to consider the Universitys options with regard to the concerns raised by the members of our community. A decision on this issue is forthcoming. Several efforts are also underway to remove the Wallace name at community colleges around the state including at the school that bears his name Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, which was founded in 1966 as George C. Wallace State Trade School of Cullman County. Another effort underway is to rename the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center at Gadsden State Community College after James H. Hood, who was a Gadsden native and one of the students Wallace attempted to block entry for at the University of Alabama. Ashton Gray, 30, of Gadsden, is pushing for the petition to rename a building that first bore the Wallace name in 1968. That same year, Wallace was running a pro-segregationist campaign for president and carried five Southern states Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana. When it comes to changing the name, which is what were petitioning, we know that if we do that, it will be a step in the right direction, said Gray, an employee at the university for the past seven years. We are hoping the school together, we can step forward. Rachel Adams, a spokeswoman with the Alabama Community College System, said in a statement that the institution has specific and thorough policies and procedures in place for the naming of entities across all 24 institutions. The ACCS is in the midst of a long-term strategic planning process ASPIRE 2030 and is looking at all aspects of Alabamas community colleges to help better serve all Alabama students, said Adams. An image of the east side entrance of the George Wallace Tunnel. Work on the twin tunnels began on Oct. 9, 1969 and cost over $40 million to build. After a snow storm delay, the Wallace Tunnel was opened on Feb. 10, 1973. (Press-Register Archives) In Mobile, a petition surfaced to remove Wallaces name from the tunnel that bears his name on Interstate 10. The petition has generated media attention in coastal Alabama, and a competing petition has since surfaced to maintain Wallaces name on the tunnel that can attract over 80,000 vehicles per day during peak travel months. The effort to get Wallaces name removed was started by Patrick and Liz Callaghan of Daphne. The couple was inspired to introduce the petition while watching TV news of various protest events going on throughout the country following Floyds death. Liz Callaghan, a Fairhope native, said the couple has received a lot of support from people around this area, as well as some negativity. Ive gotten some rude comments and people who saying that Im trying to erase history or rewrite history for the history books or teach children something different than what actually happened and that we have to keep those names out here so we dont repeat history, she said. The couple has three children ages 8, 14, and 15. Here we are in 2020, and that tunnel was built in 1973, said Callaghan. Are we repeating history? We have not made as much progress as we thought we had. The petition to keep the Wallace name on the tunnel says that its part of Alabamas history and shows what resilience the people in Alabama have when they come together and plan for the future. The tunnel cost nearly $48 million to construct during the early 70s and was named after Wallace through a decision in 1963 by Downtown Mobile Unlimited Inc. (unrelated to todays Downtown Mobile Alliance). The naming brought about some controversy. According to a Press-Register story, there had been speculation that naming the tunnel after someone who was living was illegal. In Troy, a petition is asking city officials to rename George Wallace Drive, a city street that abuts Veterans Memorial Stadium and the Troy University campus. The effort is being led by 25-year-old Bronte Pruitt of Montgomery, who is an applied behavior analysis therapist and a 2017 graduate of Troy University. The petition requests renaming the street after Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon. Pruitt said she hopes to 5,000 signatures (she has more than 2,700 so far) and plans to bring it to city officials for consideration. She said shes received no reaction, so far, from City Hall. Troy Mayor Jason Reeves did not respond to a request for a comment. Other colleges and universities are looking at changing structures with Wallaces name on it. A petition seeks to remove the Wallace name from a gymnasium at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Other colleges are taking a holistic examination of the names on their buildings, including Alabama State University in Montgomery, a historically black university. President Quinton Ross Jr., in a letter published online on June 9, said a review is underway for the consideration of removing names based on connections to or leadership of racist groups, policies or political activity. A report will be submitted to the universitys board of trustees for consideration. Renaming responsibilities The push for the name changes are out of local politicians hands. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson spokesman George Talbot, for example, said a petition to request the Wallace Tunnels name is not part of the citys jurisdiction. In Alabama, the petitions will likely have to go before the 10-member Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, which has infrequently met since the 2017 state law protecting historic monuments and creating the committee was established. The group is planning a meeting for July 9 in Montgomery. The matter of renaming memorial buildings is covered under the Memorial Preservation Act and subject to the same restrictions as monuments, said Steve Murray, director of the Alabama Department of Archives & History. A spokesman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that petitions for renaming structures will go the committee. The committee, on April 14, established administrative rules to guide the oversight of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act. The rules went into effect on June 14. The rules go into detail over what kind of structures are protected under the 3-year-old state law: monuments, buildings, schools, streets and other public venues. The code prohibits removing, renaming and relocating structures over 40 years old. Fines of $25,000 are assessed per violation, as has been the case in Birmingham and Mobile where city officials have authorized the removal of Confederate monuments since the Floyd killing. Rawls, the journalist who once covered Wallace, said there is precedent in removing other segregation-era politicians from facilities in Alabama. But the incidences occurred before the 2017 law. In particular, Rawls said that following the merger of Trenholm State Technical College (founded in 1963) and John M. Patterson Technical School (founded in 1961), state school officials agreed to renamed the new institution after Trenholm. Patterson won the 1958 governors race over Wallace and was a staunch segregationist, while H. Councill Trenholm was president of Alabama State College during the height of the student sit-in demonstrations during the 60s. The outcome was historically significant because Patterson threatened to fire Trenholm in 1960 if he didnt control Alabama State College students who were participating in the student sit-ins, said Rawls. At least one state politician doesnt believe the renaming push is something that advocates should be merely satisfied with. State Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, who is the Alabama House Minority Leader, said while he doesnt have a problem with removing names, other questions should surface. Removing the name may be good, but what happens after that? said Daniels. What are we doing to address the achievement gap of those of color and those who are not? What are we doing about businesses in communities in lower socioeconomic status? What are we doing to attract primary care physicians and dentists in those communities? He added, For me, the cosmetic piece is only one step and the most important step is how do we move to close the achievement gap and to ensure economic mobility is broader than it ever has bene and how small businesses in communities of color can have access to capital and how do we make certain there is quality health care in general? Sometimes we can get wrapped up into the cosmetic of it all but how do you transform the system? Internally, what are we doing to move the needle? Turning the page Historians believe removing Wallaces name from the buildings is a step in the right direction, especially on diverse college campuses in the aftermath of the Floyd killing and the protest movement that has spawned from it. Students are increasingly aware of the ironies of walking into a building named for someone associated with segregation or the Ku Klux Klan, as they also confront the legacies and realities of racism and white supremacy in their communities, said Brian Dempsey, assistant professor of history at the University of North Alabama where students are leading an effort to to remove the name of former Alabama Gov. Bibb Graves, who was supported by the Ku Klux Klan during his run for governor in the 1920s, from the building that houses the universitys administrative offices. For many, these names are incompatible with their values, said Dempsey. Rather than erasing history, I think these efforts reflect a real understanding of our complicated past; such that challenging names therefore represents a social justice critique, and a collective historical memory in action. Alabama's First Family ends a long day dancing during the 1963 inauguration. In this file photo, picture from left, Bobbie Jo Wallace and escort Jim Parsons; Governor George Wallace and Lurleen Wallace, Peggy Sue and George Jr. Wallace (file photo) Wayne Flynt, a historian and professor emeritus at Auburn University said with Wallace despite the late life repentance the former governors reputation will be remembered by what future generations see in TV footage in defense of segregation. He also said incidences of racial violence, which Wallace didnt personally advocate, should also be linked to his hyper-inflated racial rhetoric during speeches he delivered nationwide. Removing buildings with his name on them, and which do not evoke higher funding for education or free textbooks, but are fixed in historical memory by our heritage of apartheid and injustice, makes removal of his name a form of healing for African Americans who were not alive to hear him in their churches asking for forgiveness and therefore judge him by all the bad stuff, said Flynt. For the state as a whole, it would be like a cleansing of the past, or turning the page of history to something better. This story was updated at 12 p.m. on June 21, 2020, to show that its students who are leading the petition effort at the University of North Alabama to remove the name Bibb Graves from a building on campus. Rename the George Wallace Tunnel? To what? Quick facts of Mobile Bays tunnels and roadways with vintage photos Who is the rightful owner of Mobiles Confederate statue? The history behind Birmingham monuments damaged during George Floyd protest Watershed moment: Will removal of Confederate monuments lead to lasting change in Alabama? Bangladesh's national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed international flights on Sunday after a gap of three months due to the coronavirus outbreak. The maiden flight of BG001 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for London with 187 passengers on board, airline's Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) Tahera Khandaker told The Daily Star. Passengers from Dhaka to London route do not require health certificates declaring that they are not infected with COVID-19, said Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). But they will have to fill-up a health declaration form as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation's guidelines, he added. The CAAB chief also said that all London-bound passengers will have to stay in quarantine for 14 days as per the policy of that country. The national carrier will primarily operate one weekly flight - on Sundays - on the Dhaka-London-Dhaka route, the report said. The passengers were provided hand sanitiser, gloves and masks, said Tahera. Instead of usual in-flight dishes, passengers were provided dry meals in food boxes, in line with guidelines provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization following the global COVID-19 pandemic, she said, adding that passengers were also not served any cold drinks. Since mid-February, the airline gradually suspended flight operations on all 18 international routes due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. On March 30, Biman operated its last official flight on the London-Dhaka route, the report said. On March 21, the CAAB shut down all domestic and international flights in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. On June 1, CAAB permitted operation of all domestic flights maintaining social distancing and following health guidelines. The death toll from the novel coronavirus infection in Bangladesh has climbed to 1,464 after 39 fatalities were registered across the country on Sunday, bdnews24.com reported. Another 3,531 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the 24 hours, raising the tally of infections to 112,306, according to the health directorate. While schools in Delhi will reopen after the summer break next month, classes are likely to continue to be conducted virtually, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Officials at both government and private schools said that with infections surging in the national capital, chances of calling students to school are bleak for July. While junior classes (nursery to class 8) enjoyed a summer break from May 11, classes for the rest shut from May 29. With the country going into a lockdown to contain the spread of the virus on March 25, schools too were shut. Schools switched to learning via video conferencing, recorded video and audio lectures over WhatsApp, and activities on emails. Both the CBSE and the NCERT are revising the syllabi and the assessment process for the academic year 2020-21 in view of the disruption brought about by the pandemic. Several private schools in Delhi are conducting teachers training programmes next week to prepare them for online classes. Manju Sethi, principal of Bluebells School International, said that the school will first conduct two-day class-wise orientation for the students. On July 1 and 2, we will speak to our students via video conferencing to brief them about the situation. Its not a normal situation and well have to inform them about the changes CBSE and NCERT will bring to the syllabus and assessment process this year. This will be followed by regular online classes. Earlier in April, we had to suddenly switch the mode of learning. Our teachers are preparing themselves to better use technology now, she said. Ameeta Wattal, principal of Springdales School, said, From Monday onwards we will hold a week-long training session for our teachers to prepare the pedagogies of online classes. We will try to make them as inclusive and interactive as possible. The school will resume online classes in the first week of July. Following complaints from parents about their children spending a lot of time in front of the screens, some schools are also planning to increase offline activities. We have reduced the screen time by 25--30% for all the classes with more activities-based work to the students. Now, teachers will send them briefings and the students will do the work at home. We are even ready with the timetable also, said Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu School in Rohini. The school will resume online classes from July 1. The Directorate of Education (DoE) also plans to resume online activities in their schools from July first week. Binay Bhushan, director of the DoE, said the government schools will resume online classes through video conferencing and activities through WhatsApp and SMS. This time we will come up with a wider outreach programme to cover maximum students. We have also distributed books to the students. It will be easier for them now, comparatively, he said. The government has been planning to rope in a TV channel to broadcast classes. The schools under the east civic body have also been asked to prepare worksheets for students who do not have access to devices and the internet. Vibha Singh, principal of an east MCD school in Gandhi Nagar, said, The teachers have been asked to prepare the worksheets so that parents whose kids do not have access to online learning can collect them from schools. In this way, we can engage the students at home without devices. Some parents fear that their students will be excluded from the education system. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on the poor. My two sons could not attend any online class in April and May due to the lack of a device. The situation is still not favourable to open schools. How will kids like my sons study? said Joginder, a mason, whose two sons are enrolled in a government school in Karawal Nagar. Others such as Darshan Ram,17, a class 12 student at Bluebells School International, misses going to school. I had ever imagined that I would not get a chance to wear my uniform even once in the final school year. I miss my friends. I miss the classroom environment and the hundreds of activities we used to do in school. I am just hoping I get a chance to wear my school uniform just for once before graduating. There is so much uncertainty about the reopening of schools, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON HEALTH services in the Midlands were quickly overwhelmed by the Covid-19 surge and the management of the response proved extremely challenging, a leading public health consultant in the region has revealed. Dr Douglas Hamilton, a Specialist Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE in the Midlands region, said the initial Covid challenge was enormous with up to 40 cases a day in the four counties [Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford]. We had the onslaught from the end of March until the end of April and the work burden was great, he outlined. Dr Hamilton said waves and waves of new patients had to be treated right throughout April but the rate of infection tapered off quite remarkably in early May. There were nearly 30 cases per day at the end of April, seven per day a week later and two per day in the middle of May. Something happened . . . we cracked it, he outlined. The Tullamore based Medical Officer of Health, who was directly responsible for counties Longford and Westmeath, said there was huge pressure on resources and PPE [Personal Protection Equipment] was a major problem. He revealed his team had to deal with multiple outbreaks in nursing homes, supermarkets, direct provision centres and meat factories, many of which were linked. Outbreaks related to public houses, to people returning from the Cheltenham Races and from groups watching the races in pubs and other settings also had to be dealt with. In total, there were Covid outbreaks in 26 nursing homes in the four counties but, as of Monday last, there are no cases in the region in such facilities. He said the lockdown was the key to fighting the Covid threat and commended people for really following the directions and regulations which, he said, reduced the community spread. Many of those at risk of infection, noted Dr Hamilton, work in minimum wage employment sectors such as supermarkets, nursing homes and meat factories and called for a greater appreciation of their role in Irish society. Speaking in a personal capacity, Dr Hamilton said he is a firm believer in the use of face masks and views them as Public Protection Equipment. My advice would be to wear masks in close spaces where you will be within two metres of others, outlined Dr Hamilton. He said Covid was spread by droplets emanating from the mouths of people onto their hands, furniture and other people. All these then become vehicles for further transmission which would not happen if you wore a mask. You might not know you are infected as many are asymptomatic and those who become symptomatic have no symptoms two days prior to that. He said face masks did not provide protection to the wearer but to other people and that is why he favours the term Public Protection Equipment for them. Dr Hamilton said the use of hand sanitisers was also key as was the repeated cleaning of surfaces. Anywhere you have tea or coffee as those are places where you will not have a mask on. Originally from Sweden but now living in Banagher, Dr Hamilton is highly critical of the controversial approach to Covid taken by health authorities in his native country. I think Sweden will always suffer in terms of its reputation as a result, Sweden dropped the ball. They didn't realise that this would affect the vulnerable, especially the elderly, and based their interventions on theory, he pointed out. Dr Hamilton added: In Ireland we tried to protect everyone, it was our instinct, from the youngest to the oldest, from the poorest to the richest. In the four counties of the Midlands, to date, there has been a total of 1,732 Covid cases of which 184 were hospitalised, 30 in ICU [Intensive Care]. Total confirmed deaths in the region stand at 58 with a further seven possible/ probable deaths from Covid. At the outset of the pandemic, Dr Hamilton said he and his colleagues had to decide, in view of their very limited staff numbers in what would be regarded as a fairly small public health department, how their capacity would be split up and how they could draw from other areas, particularly community health resources. The management of the response was extremely challenging as we were quickly overwhelmed by the surge from St Patrick's Day towards the end of March. Some of those initial cases related to outbreaks in pubs and to people coming back from Cheltenham and other events such as funerals. He recalled the lockdown commenced on the evening of March 12 with the surge occurring in the weeks following because many had been infected prior to lockdown and continued to infect each other in households and other places. Our job was to identify all the cases and investigate each and everyone of them, outlined Dr Hamilton. He said they had to uncover how each case originated, how many were infected from that source and who were the contacts that might get it. The whole idea was to identify the source, the close contacts, separate them, test them and to make sure that isolation occurred right across all those contacts for 14 days, pointed out the Medical Officer of Health. He said the task was enormous and not just in terms of the Covid burden. The work burden was greater as you had to protect those not infected, protect the population against a hazard. The main work was protecting everybody else and we had to identify those most at risk. Dr Hamilton said experience from other health situations such as flu outbreaks was drawn upon in identifying the key risks and developing tailor-made interventions. Sometimes this involved interpreting national guidelines and making them appropriate for a regional level, he explained. Dr Hamilton said there was a huge pressure on resources with PPE being a major problem. There was also pressure on human resources in hospitals and nursing homes. Staff were under huge pressure and some of them became sick themselves and they had to receive the right clinical care. He said that many of the outbreaks in nursing homes, supermarkets, direct provision centres and meat factories were linked. There is definitely a social gradient here as well in a work context as where you have a large proportion of minimum wage workers they are more vulnerable, he outlined. Dr Hamilton said he hoped the work of people in such settings was now appreciated a bit more by society. He said there was also a huge language barrier for many of the minimum wage workers. How do we ensure that these workers we depend on are protected, get information in the right language, get access to primary care and social protection and understand public health directives. Dr Hamilton, who speaks Portuguese fluently having spent seven years working in Mozambique with Irish Aid and the European Commission, said there was a particular issue dealing with Brazilian workers in meat factories in the Midlands. I got to speak to them specifically and understand how vulnerable they were with many on short term permits, with no access to primary health care which is a basic human right, he outlined. He continued: When they became ill I had to ensure they got the care they required. Minimum wage workers, in particular permit holders, are not protected the way they should be, pointed out Dr Hamilton who added that many had to keep working through illness in order to get paid. They have a tremendous work ethic, like the Irish who emigrated to the United States . . . many will work until they drop, he outlined. Dr Hamilton added that these workers had been unfairly blamed for outbreaks in meat factories. He revealed that mass screenings of workers were conducted in meat factories so that he and his colleagues could gain an understanding of the magnitude of the problem. Dr Hamilton praised the work of human resource departments in the meat factories he dealt with. He said management in the factories was supportive while representatives of the Gardai and the local authorities spoke directly to workers to convey a message of unity against the virus. It was not a case of Brazilians against Poles against Irish or the people against meat factory workers, outlined Dr Hamilton. The public health consultant also revealed that outbreaks had been identified specifically in only three pubs in the region though there were other social gatherings where outbreaks occurred such as funerals. If you look at pubs and funerals you can understand why this would happen. People in pubs are very close at the bar and at funerals people come in close physical contact to sympathise. Despite his experiences, Dr Hamilton said he was confident normal life will return but there will be changes in behaviour. We have learned not to shake each others hands and to sit two metres away from each other, he noted. He continued: Everything is risk containment and the risk is much less in terms of transmission if we maintain the behaviour that we have learned. We have not had Covid-19 before, it is totally new to the human race and is a dangerous disease. Dr Hamiton said people had lived with other diseases such as measles for thousands of years, many had developed immunity and most had been vaccinated. He added that the Midlands had the highest vaccination rate in the country with over 90 per cent of people vaccinated. How do we ensure that these workers we depend on are protected, get information in the right language, get access to primary care and social protection and understand public health directives. In Ireland we tried to protect everyone, it was our instinct, from the youngest to the oldest, from the poorest to the richest. The whole idea was to identify the source, the close contacts, separate them, test them and to make sure that isolation occurred right across all those contacts for 14 days. In terms of Covid some of us have developed immunity but hopefully we will have a vaccine in the future, added Dr Hamilton. 21.06.2020 LISTEN As a people, are we playing with fire, and sleepwalking to a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions, with our insouciance, in the face of a highly infectious and deadly global COVID-19 pandemic? To quote an old wag I know: "Kofi the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries held today, to select the party's parliamentary candidates, has exposed the fact that neither the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), nor our nation's political class, care a hoot about the threat posed by COlVID-19, to ordinary people." According to him, all the absurd and inane claims about the strict enforcement of COVID-19 containment protocols, have been shown to be just that - absurdities and inanities: "Shame on all of them, Kofi!" I concur. Wholeheartedly. Case closed. He went on to say: "You can bet your last worthless Ghana cedi, that the same foolishness will be exposed, when students in second cycle institutions and at the tertiary level, go back to their schools and universities. Furthermore, Kofi, were bedbug-infestations not a regular feature of life in today's boarding schools, only yesterday, before we carelessly allowed COVID-19 to sneak into our country? In the same vein, they will become hotspots of coronavirus infections, too, as sure as day follows night, oooo, Massa." True, alas, in one's humble view. He is absolutely right of course - for all the good work of President Akufo-Addo's government will be undone: and COVID-19 positive-cases will spike, as the many careless people who ignored social distancing protocols, and also failed to wear nose masks, when they went to vote in the NPP parliamentary primaries, today, begin to fall ill in droves. The question is: Were the outrageous disregard for the sodden COVID-19 containment protocols, shown during the NPP primaries to select the party's parliamentary candidates for this year, not proof positive that registering Ghanaians for a new voters register, is sheer madness - and that it will lead to a spike in COVID-19 positive tests, nationwide? Yooooo... The BBC is set to grant a second reprieve to pensioners by delaying the scrapping of free TV licences for over-75s until October. The decision will be discussed at a board meeting next month and would create a further 80million hole in the public service broadcaster's finances. Millions of older people received letters this year telling them they would have to start paying the 157.50 fee from June 1. This was delayed however until August due to the coronavirus pandemic. When the changes come in only about 1million over-75s who receive pension credit will be entitled to a free licence. The BBC is set to grant a second reprieve to pensioners by delaying the scrapping of free TV licences for over-75s until October A Whitehall insider told The Times: 'They've said August, but we've been told from the top of the BBC that they're going to extend that to October. 'They say they won't go any later than that that's the crux point and the government won't intervene on that. It also won't bail them out.' If the change is delayed until August this year the new director-general Tim Davie, 53, will then be in charge. He is taking over from Lord Hall in September. It has been reported that Davie is not keen on the introduction of the charge and rumours have circulated that he might cancel it completely. In an internal message to staff, director-general Lord Hall (pictured) said delaying means-testing of the free TV licence for over-75s would cost a 'significant sum at a time when revenue from the licence fee is also down' because of the broadcaster's ability to collect the fee during lockdown 'It would look good for the new DG (director-general) to review the decision and protect the over-75s,' Claire Enders, founder of the media research company Enders Analysis, told the publication. 'To my mind, and I think Tim Davie agrees with this, (charging pensioners now) is a very dangerous decision. It comes as the BBC has invited staff to apply for voluntary redundancy as it attempts to make 125million in savings this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tim Davie (pictured) is set to replace Lord Hall as the broadcaster's next director-general The broadcaster has asked its public service staff not those in its commercial subsidiaries to make a voluntary redundancy expression of interest. It is feared that thousands of jobs may go as the corporation looks to make the saving after the pandemic blew a huge hole in its budget. The BBC has 19,231 staff working in these broadcasting roles, its most recent annual report says, and they now have a six-week consultation period for redundancies. Director General Lord Hall said in an internal message to staff that delaying means-testing of the free TV licence for over-75s would be costly. He said it would be a 'significant sum at a time when revenue from the licence fee is also down' because of the broadcaster's ability to collect the fee during lockdown. The delay to the introduction of means-testing costs the BBC about 40m every month. Caroline Abrahams, charity director for Age UK, welcomed the likely delay and said it would be 'almost impossible' to bring it in at this time. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The BBC has always made clear that we have delayed implementation of the new policy for over 75s until August 1 and that we are keeping that decision under review. No decisions have yet been made. The BBC will announce its decision in July.' Haiti - FLASH : The country crosses the bar of 5,000 cases The Ministry of Public Health informs that 97 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Haiti (the day before: +64), for a total of 5,077 cases throughout the national territory (40.35% women and 59.65% dmen) since the first case (March 19, 2020 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html ). Deaths : 1 new death has been recorded in the West bringing the national total to 88. Healings : 24 people healed (information not updated by the Ministry since May 31, 2020) Active cases : (less death and recovery): 4.965 (+96 in 24 hours), the day before: (+61). Number of suspected cases investigated since March 19 : 10,378 cases (+232) within 24 hours the day before (+333). All the details by departments and communes and more (USA, Quebec, France, Caribbean and Latin America), in our daily report of 11:00 a.m. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31076-haiti-covid-19-daily-report-june-20-2020.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31069-haiti-flash-the-country-on-the-threshold-of-5-000-cases.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html S/ HaitiLibre A worker at a shelter run by the Korea Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan was found dead earlier this month. Korea Times file By Kim Se-jeong Recently, much of the news on wartime sex slavery issues, related to atrocities committed against young women from Korea and other countries by the Japanese military in the 1930s and 40s, is coming from the prosecutors' office. Stories on survivors' testimonies at the United Nations and new statues have been replaced with stories about the prosecution investigation into an organization at the heart of the advocacy work, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Korean Council). Founded in 1990, the Korean Council has been at the forefront of advocacy work for the sex slavery survivors, involved with the famous Wednesday vigil in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and others. Yet, now the council finds itself in trouble. The trouble began in early May when Lee Yong-soo, one of the sex slavery survivors, publicly accused former director Yoon Mee-hyang of inappropriate use of funds. Lee also discredited Yoo by calling her politically ambitious and selfish Yoon left the Korean Council in April after winning a National Assembly seat as a proportional representative in the April 15 general election. By the time Lee had her second press conference bashing Yoon, prosecutors had searched the Korean Council's office and a shelter and summoned an employee responsible for accounting for the organization. The group was also facing additional allegations that Yoon had purchased an unnecessary shelter building and paid her father to take care of it. Then came the suicide of a Korean Council employee responsible for the operation of its shelter for the survivors. The director of the shelter, known only by her surname Sohn, was found dead, pushing investigators to expand the scope of its probe. Then came another layer of unexpected information. A granddaughter of Gil Won-ok, another survivor who had stayed at the shelter until recently, made a new accusation against Sohn, and Yoon, of money laundering. "The shelter's director laundered money by taking an enormous amount of money from Grandma's account and sending it to another account. I am sure people around her knew what she was doing," the granddaughter wrote on the internet in reply to a news article on the director's death. The prosecution summoned Gil's son who stood partly by his daughter's accusation. In a previous interview with a local news outlet, the son who Gil adopted demanded the shelter explain a big chunk of money withdrawn from her account three times in amounts of 4 million, 5 million and 20 million. In response, the Korean Council claimed Gil's money had never been withdrawn without her consent and said the adopted son had come to visit his mother once a month and taken 1 million won from her. Also, the council criticized the son of being more interested in his mother's money and getting the paperwork done recently to take 30 million won extra. Yoon is expected to have answers to many questions, but the prosecution now has limits to questioning her because she now has the right to ignore its summons as a sitting member of the National Assembly. During a recent press conference, Yoon claimed she was innocent. A teenage Laois girl has moved to the other side of the world where she is helping to run a 1,200 goat farm in New Zealand. Kelly Gorman, 19, from The Rock, Mountmellick is milking, feeding and now delivering kid goats on the huge farm, and is in her element, even finding time to do parachute jumps. Kelly is there as part of her course with Gurteen Agricultural College and intends to keep on travelling to other farms around the world now she has the bug. She told the Leinster Express where it all began. My love for animals started from a very young age. I was always animal mad. Visiting a friends house one day in Athy, he had a big white goat, a real beauty and I fell in love with it straight away. Mam always said that there was no goat coming back to The Rock to eat everything. One Sunday at the farmers market in Portlaoise we met a lady called Catherine and she had a little goat called Paddy that needed a good home and of course I had to have him, she said. Paddy became a part of the family, going everywhere with Kelly, even to school at The Rock National School. The family had only ever had a pet dog but Paddy McGinty heralded the start of what became almost a private pet farm. (below) I have a Vietnamese pot belly pig called Pippa, a Kune Kune pig called Pebbles along with donkeys, ponies, chickens, ducks and two pet Friesian calves called Rockie and Sully. Mammy had great patience. I am now a registered member of the Pygmy Society of Ireland and breed my own little herd, she said. Her mother Anne Marie Bentley is now left in charge of all the pets, including six sets of twins and a set of triplet goat kids born the week after Kelly left. She thought it was so funny, she said 'you won't have time to miss me', Ann Marie said. She is rightly proud of Kelly. She is only happy when she is working, She is very determined. She went on her own to New Zealand. I was worried she might get lost in Dubai airport but there wasn't a bother on her, she said. Kelly first began milking cows as a child thanks to a family friend Stephen who worked on Tom ODonnells farm in Togher in Portlaoise and got her work there. Tom ODonnell gave me a great opportunity to learn and gain experience in milking cows, looking after and feeding calves and learning the day to day running of a farm and I loved every minute of it and I tagged along with my brother Christopher to where he was milking to milk with him, she said. Kelly left school after her Junior Cert to pursue her love of farming. I am an outdoor girl and hated school, she said. She completed a Fetac Level 6 milking course through the Farm Relief Services (FRS). Then her friend Daire who had applied for the Agricultural course in Gurteen College advised her to do it too, It was on work placement in a goat farm in Westmeath milking 500 goats that Kelly's interest grew. After a talk from Dairy Farm Careers I jumped at the opportunity to go to New Zealand. In January I arrived in Tahuna in New Zealands North Island to work on D&C Aitchison Goat Farm. I love it here so much that when my boss Dave asked me to stay on I was delighted to. While my college placement was due to finish on May 15 I have completed my exam assignments through email and zoom calls with the different lectures and I hope to graduate and get my green cert in January on a visit home, she said. She is milking 1,200 goats twice a day starting at 5.30am each morning with a break for breakfast and dinner making it a 10 hour day. There are three of us milking and we milk 500 goats an hour. The milking parlour is an 80 unit parlour. After milking we have other jobs including keeping the feed pushed into the goats every two hours, cleaning and bedding their sheds and pens twice a week. Kidding season is starting soon, and I cannot wait. There will be about 700 goats born in the first three weeks of the kidding season, she said. The farm has mainly Saanen goats. They are one of the most productive milking goats in the world. A goat gives around four litres per day. New Zealanders are increasingly powdering their goats milk for export typically for the high value of infant formula sector. Goats milk is very popular here because it is easier to digest and people that are lactose intolerant can drink it. It also has plenty of health benefits and vitamins, she said. New Zealand goat farms are open plan with over 1000 goats. Despite that intensity Kelly has got to know the goats and named some. She has made them into pets, they come over when she calls them, Annmarie said. Kelly said she has learned the importance of good management and routine, and of good communication and teamwork. Those were not the only new skills she learned. All of a sudden I find myself on the other side of the world with no mammy to have my dinner on the table. I very quickly had to learn how to stand on my own two feet. The cooking was very scary at first and I now appreciate Mammys dinners. I go to the gym most evenings so I am eating healthy and cooking healthily and I feel great. The climate is a lot similar to home but the warm days are extremely hot and took a bit of getting used to, she said. She has found time for adventurous activities, including a bungee jump, river raft, a canyon swing and a 15,000 skydive. I am absolutely loving my time here and although I will go home it will only be for a visit. I have so much that I want to learn and places that I want to visit. Its safe to say that I am loving life and living the dream, Kelly said. I have to thank my mam Ann Marie Bentley for always being there for me and always encouraging me to follow my dreams. She has done so much for both Christopher and I. Also my brother for all his help especially now minding my goats at home. My mam kept telling me that the sky is the limit and the world is your oyster and I now intend to experience and enjoy all I can of it one farm and one country at a time, Kelly Gorman said. Locals and campaigners appeal for an end to the blackout as coronavirus fears grip the region. The internet shutdown in Myanmars conflict-ridden northwest, described by rights groups as the worlds longest, has entered a second year. Locals and campaigners are appealing for an end to the blackout as coronavirus fears grip the region. The Myanmar military has been embroiled in a bloody civil war since January 2019 against the Arakan Army (AA), a rebel group fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. The government shut down mobile data in several townships across Rakhine state and neighbouring Chin state on June 21 last year, causing panic among residents desperate for information about the unrest. On Friday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an immediate end to the worlds longest government-enforced internet shutdown. Its critical for civilians to get the information needed to stay safe during a global pandemic, said HRWs Linda Lakhdhir. The country has so far recorded 287 coronavirus cases, including six deaths, but experts fear the low numbers are due to a lack of testing. Most people in Myanmar rely on mobile phones to access the internet for communication and information purposes, making those under the blackout especially vulnerable to COVID-19 [File: Cape Diamond/Al Jazeera] Earlier this month, a government official said the internet shutdown would continue until at least August 1 in eight townships. Telecom companies said the government ordered the blackout to prevent illegal activities. The conflict has seen hundreds injured and tens killed as well as tens of thousands of civilians displaced, with both the military and the AA trading allegations of abuses. Few in Myanmar have personal computers, the majority relying on mobile phones to access the internet for communications and information making those under the blackout especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Rights groups have also condemned the blocking of several local media websites and are urging telecom firms to push back against the governments orders. Apartheid conditions Rakhine state is also home to the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority group who faced a brutal crackdown by the military in 2017. Some 750,000 fled to neighbouring Bangladesh from violence that has led to charges of genocide against Myanmar at the UNs top court. The 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Rakhine live in what Amnesty International has branded apartheid conditions, with little freedom of movement. Myanmar militarys crackdown on the Rohingya in 2017 led to charges of genocide at the UNs top court [File: Ann Wang/Reuters] We want to know more information regarding COVID-19, whats happening to the displaced people in Sittwe [Rakhines capital] and whats happening in Bangladesh, Abdullah, a Rohingya resident from Mrauk U township, told AFP news agency by phone. One aspiring medic, a Rohingya man in his twenties who declined to be identified, told Reuters news agency he had been learning English on YouTube and giving people medical advice through videos, but was no longer able to. It would be very easy if I got the internet, he said. Former UN human rights envoy Yanghee Lee said the shutdown could be used to conceal war crimes. Shes the favourite to win the Great British Sewing Bee after impressing the judges with her clothing creations. But jewellery designer Nicole Akong has already been a hit in the celebrity world with fashion icon Amal Clooney among her clientele. Mother-of-three Miss Akong, 42, will go up against doctor Clare Bradley, 37, and engineer Matt Gage, 43, in Wednesdays final. Mother of three Nicole Akong (pictured) is the favourite to win BBC game show 'The Great British Sewing Bee' on Wednesday night The BBCs ten-week sewing competition, hosted by comedian Joe Lycett and judged by Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant and costume designer Esme Young, has proved a huge hit during lockdown with nearly five million tuning in to last weeks semi-final. Miss Akong, from London, is an amateur sewer but has already enjoyed success with her self-taught jewellery skills since establishing her brand Akong London in 2010. Mrs Clooney has been seen wearing many of the brands pieces, with Miss Akongs jewellery website even including a page dedicated to Amals favourite Akong jewels. Amal Clooney (pictured) was wearing the jewellery designer's pieces and is already among Miss Akong's clientele for her 'Akong London brand' The British-Lebanese barrister, also 42, seems to be a particular fan of Miss Akongs earring and necklace collections. The designer, who grew up in Trinidad, in the Caribbean, was taught to sew as a youngster by her mother. On her way to the final, Miss Akong has triumphed in challenges including making a wrap skirt and creating something out of old clothes from the charity shop. RTHK: London City Airport reopens as UK slowly opens up London City Airport received its first commercial flight in nearly three months on Sunday as Britain moved another step closer to fully emerging from its coronavirus lockdown on July 4. The gateway to the once-bustling Canary Warf and City financial districts welcomed a short flight from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. The small turboprop plane's landing and quick departure for its return leg was the only one scheduled - but officials could hardly sound more pleased. "This clear early demand from our passengers to get back to flying is really encouraging," airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said. Initial routes will be domestic because of international travel restrictions and only a handful of destinations will be served in the first weeks. London businesses are also unhappy with the government's divisive decision to impose 14-day quarantines on most people arriving in Britain. "Both blanket Foreign Office advice not to travel abroad and the mandatory two-week quarantine for all arrivals into the UK should be limited to the highest risk countries," the London First business lobby said on the airport's website. Heathrow and London's smaller Gatwick and Stansted airports remained partially open throughout the crisis. Britain's official death toll of 42,632 is Europe's highest and third globally behind the United States and Brazil. But health officials lowered the alert level to three on a five-point scale on Friday - a signal the government needed to take a more business-friendly approach. British pubs and restaurants are most upset about a requirement for people to stay two metres apart in public. Business owners complain the restriction means they cannot seat enough people to make a profit. The measure is also partially blamed for the government's inability to reopen schools before the summer break. British newspapers and business figures have been waging a war against it for weeks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson - his approval ratings dropping as the economic toll of the health disaster climbs - is expected on Tuesday to give the formal go-ahead for pubs and restaurants to start seating clients on July 4. Some hair salons have also started taking bookings for July in anticipation. But most will be watching to see what he has to say about the two-metre requirement - an issue that some critics view as emblematic of Johnson's incongruous response to the crisis. The Telegraph newspaper said Johnson will announce a "one metre plus" rule that allows people everwhere to stand closer together if they wear masks. "There are all sorts of mitigations that can be put in place to be physically closer than two metres but not have the transmission of the virus or the risk of spreading the coronavirus," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC. But public frustration at the government's response to the crisis is becoming clear. A YouGov poll showed Johnson's approval rating slipping into negative territory for the first time since he took over last July. Surveys show that not everyone wants an immediate end to restrictions, but the list of grievances appears to be on the rise. "How can it be that it looks like we are going to end up with a higher death toll, a longer lockdown and a worse economic hit? How does that happen?" a Sky News presenter asked Hancock on a popular Sunday politics show. "Well, there will be a time for this sort of analysis and it's very important in terms of insuring all the lessons are learned," he replied. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) called off its strike on Sunday, one week after it began. Resident doctors make up a large percentage of doctors in Nigerias tertiary hospitals. The association in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES said its National Executive Council resolved to suspend the ongoing strike with effect from Monday by 8 a.m. It said the decision to suspend the strike was taken in order to give the federal and state governments time to fulfil the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and other stakeholders. The association, however, said its national officials shall continue negotiations with stakeholders and progress made shall be reviewed in four weeks during the next National Executive Council meeting in July. The association had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries, non-payment of hazard allowance, and a dearth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals, among several other reasons. The association said it decided to suspend the strike because some of its demands have been met by the government. The government had threatened to invoke the no work no pay rule rule if the union continued with its strike. However, the union called the bluff of the federal government. The president of the association, Aliyu Sokomba, said the decision to return to work was made by over 300 members of its association across the country. Mr Sokomba said the government has provided PPE to some hospitals. He said the government would need to keep restocking the PPEs as they are consumables and non-reusable. READ ALSO: On the other demands which focused on improving general welfare and protesting dismissals or pay cuts for doctors in two regions, Mr Sokomba said the secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, has promised to intervene. As part of measures to appease the striking doctors, the federal government on Friday released N 4.5 billion to 31 federal teaching and medical centres across the country which covers hazard and inducement allowances for the doctors for the months of April and May. Other matters resolved included the reinstatement of disengaged resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital. He said the Chief Medical Director has been directed to pay their withheld salaries and comply with the provisions of the Medical Residence Training Act. And there are others who have joined Mr. Lotoro in the quest to bring the music made in concentration camps back to life. In Boston, the Terezin Music Foundation, founded by Mark Ludwig, a former member of the Boston Symphony, sponsors concerts throughout the United States and Europe, focusing on music from Terezin. Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax are on its advisory board. But Mr. Lotoros vision is perhaps the most ambitious. His citadel known formally as the Istituto di Letteratura Musicale Concentrazionaria is to include a museum, a library and a theater at a cost of roughly $45 million. The city, which is home to a Norman castle, a statue of a Roman emperor known as The Colossus, and some 95,000 people, has donated the two-acre site of an abandoned brandy distillery. The Italian government has provided $5 million in funds and Mr. Lotoro said he was hopeful of receiving as much as $36 million more from the government by the end of the year. This would leave him with a gap of several million dollars to close through fund-raising. There are a lot of people who want to help us in the United States and Canada and other countries, and I have to meet them, he said. We are preparing a video on the citadel to show them. The city is also providing an additional $2.7 million for the construction of a 30-room hotel nearby for students, scholars and others to study the music. I want this project very strongly, Barlettas mayor, Cosimo Cannito, said in a telephone interview. It will be a symbol to remember the cruel part of history and that it should not be repeated. The owner of Eskimo Pie is changing its name and marketing of the nearly century-old chocolate-covered ice cream bar, the latest brand to reckon with racially charged logos and marketing. We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory, said Elizabell Marquez, head of marketing for its parent Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, the U.S. subsidiary for Froneri, in a statement. This move is part of a larger review to ensure our company and brands reflect our people values. The treat was patented by Christian Kent Nelson of Ohio and his business partner Russell C. Stover in 1922, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Eskimo Pie joins a growing list of brands that are rethinking their marketing in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in recent weeks triggered by the death of George Floyd. Quaker Oats announced Wednesday that it will retire the Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the characters origins are based on a racial stereotype. Other companies are reviewing their name or logo. Mars Inc. said its also reviewing its Uncle Bens rice brand. B&G Foods Inc., which makes Cream of Wheat hot cereal, also said this past week it is initiating an immediate review of its packaging. A smiling black chef holding a bowl of cereal has appeared on Cream of Wheat packaging and in ads since at least 1918, according to the companys website. Chicago-based Conagra Brands, which makes Mrs. Butterworths syrup, said its bottles which are shaped like a matronly woman are intended to evoke a loving grandmother. But the company said it can understand that the packaging could be misinterpreted. Critics have long claimed that the bottles design is rooted in the mammy stereotype. Citing the damages caused to aquatic life and endangered species as well as negligence and carelessness towards human life and property following the blow-out and the massive fire outbreak, the Assam Pollution Control Board (PCB) has directed the state-owned Oil India Limited (OIL) to close down all production as well as drilling operations in the Baghjan oil field at once and to take steps to put out the fire and cap gas leakage. AFP The PCB in a closure notice to the OIL also said that the regular annual report was not submitted seriously, violating the law, and it was liable to be punished under the law in force. "The PCB refused the OIL's request for extension of time for reply to the show-cause notice issued to the company on June 10. The OIL nonchalantly violated the provisions of law in force, causing pollution to the environment," the official said quoting the PCB notice. REUTERS The PCB notice said that in exercising the powers conferred upon the board under the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the OIL was directed to close down all production as well as drilling operations of all installations in Baghjan oil field immediately. The PCB notice, issued on Friday, asked the OIL to take all necessary measures for extinguishing the fire and control blow-out of the oil well No. BGN-5. AFP According to the OIL officials, the government-owned company has so far lost production of over 7,627 MT of crude oil from 33 wells and around 10 MMSCMD of natural gas from five gas wells due to blockades by protesters in two districts of Assam. On Saturday, local people and various students organisations had forced OIL to stop its operations at many drilling locations and nine work-over locations in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts. The agitators are blocking roads and obstructed oil and gas production for the past many days to demand higher compensation for the affected and holding OIL responsible for the mishap. The OIL has so far provided Rs 30,000 to each of the affected families. AFP The officials said that as experts from the US and Canada associated with Singapore-based firefighters M/S ALERT, the NDRF and engineers intensified efforts to douse the oil well fire in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district for the 12th day on Saturday. Locals said the fire had left a trail of devastation in the adjoining areas, including a famous lake. Farms with standing crops as well as ponds and wetlands in the adjoining villages have also been affected. By Nathan Layne and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, refused to step down after the administration abruptly said late on Friday it was replacing him By Nathan Layne and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, refused to step down after the administration abruptly said late on Friday it was replacing him. The standoff marks the latest in a series of unusual actions by Attorney General William Barr that critics say are meant to benefit Trump politically and undermine the independence of the Justice Department. It also comes as Trump seeks to purge officials perceived as not fully supporting him. In recent weeks he has fired a series of agency watchdogs, including one who played a key role in Trump's impeachment earlier this year. Barr, in a surprise late-night announcement, said the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was stepping down and that Trump would nominate Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to take Berman's spot. Berman, who leads a powerful office known for prosecuting terrorism cases, Wall Street financial crimes and government corruption, said he first learned of the move from Barr's press release and would not go quietly. "I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning my position," Berman said in a statement. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption." A Justice Department official, asked about Berman's refusal to leave until a successor is confirmed, told Reuters the "timeline remains the same" as Barr laid out in announcing the replacement. The move seemed to surprise the chairman of the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee, Lindsey Graham, who said on Saturday he had not been contacted by the administration. In a statement, Graham said Clayton's nomination would still be required to go through the usual practice of getting approvals from his home-state senators, in this case Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. "As chairman, I have honored that policy and will continue to do so," Graham said. That approval looked unlikely to be forthcoming, with Schumer, the Senate's Democratic leader, saying in a statement Clayton should withdraw his name from consideration, "and save his own reputation from overnight ruin." Gillibrand said in a statement that she would not be complicit in helping Trump and Barr fire a U.S. Attorney who is reportedly investigating corruption in Trump's administration, and that Clayton should "remove himself from this sham." House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, also a Democrat, said he intends to invite Berman to testify. Since being appointed in January 2018, Berman has not shied from taking on figures in Trump's orbit. His office oversaw the prosecution of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, indicted two Giuliani associates and launched a probe into Giuliani in connection with his efforts to dig up dirt on Trump's political adversaries in Ukraine. Prosecutors have not accused Giuliani of wrongdoing. TIMING QUESTIONED The move against Berman came as the Justice Department asked a federal court to block publication of a book by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, whose claims include an allegation Trump tried to interfere with a probe overseen by Berman's office. On Saturday, a U.S. judge denied the administration's request to block publication. Berman replaced Preet Bharara, who was himself fired as U.S. Attorney in early 2017 soon after Trump became president. Bharara, an outspoken critic of the president, said the timing of the push to replace his successor was strange. "Why does a president get rid of his own hand-picked US Attorney in SDNY on a Friday night, less than 5 months before the election?" Bharara wrote on Twitter, referring to the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election. Meanwhile, Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Barr said in his statement. It was not clear whether Barr can force Berman out. Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, the usual process for appointing U.S. Attorneys, and was instead appointed by the judges of the district in accordance with a U.S. law that says he can serve until the vacancy is filled. Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, said the vacancy needs to be filled by someone who is Senate-confirmed or chosen by a judge. Carpenito, Vladeck wrote on Twitter, is neither of those. But Vladeck also cited a conflicting law that gives the president the authority to remove U.S. Attorneys. Before Clayton joined the SEC, he was a lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions at Sullivan & Cromwell. He has been seen as a bipartisan consensus-builder at the SEC. The Justice Department official said Clayton, who had been planning to leave the administration and return to New York, "expressed interest" in the U.S. Attorney role in New York, and Barr "thought it was a good idea." Barr's announcement comes less than a week before Nadler's committee is set to hold a hearing where Justice Department officials are set to testify about political interference at the department. Earlier this year, Barr intervened to scale back the sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, prompting all four career prosecutors to withdraw from the case in protest. (Reporting by Nathan Layne, Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld; Editing by Noeleen Walder, William Mallard and Daniel Wallis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. How far off is IDOX plc (LON:IDOX) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. I will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for IDOX The method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK9.95m UK12.5m UK14.5m UK15.7m UK16.6m UK17.4m UK18.0m UK18.5m UK18.9m UK19.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 8.06% Est @ 6.01% Est @ 4.57% Est @ 3.57% Est @ 2.86% Est @ 2.37% Est @ 2.02% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.8% UK9.1 UK10.6 UK11.3 UK11.2 UK10.9 UK10.5 UK10.0 UK9.4 UK8.9 UK8.3 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK100m Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 10-year government bond rate of 1.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.8%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2029 (1 + g) (r g) = UK19m (1 + 1.2%) 8.8% 1.2%) = UK258m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK258m ( 1 + 8.8%)10= UK111m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK211m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.4, the company appears about fair value at a 6.4% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. AIM:IDOX Intrinsic value June 21st 2020 Important assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at IDOX as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.095. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For IDOX, We've compiled three relevant aspects you should look at: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for IDOX (of which 2 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does IDOX's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the AIM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Love or hate this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email 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. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. It was a scene straight from the pages of a Jilly Cooper bonkbuster. Three famous faces from the world of horse racing, all romantically linked, thrown together on live television. But few viewers would have picked up on the sexual tension and barbs between two of the presenters and a winning female jockey. Late last year, broadcaster Oli Bell, the perkiest member of ITVs horse racing commentary team, split from glamorous fellow commentator Francesca Cumani, 37, after two years. Late last year, broadcaster Oli Bell, the perkiest member of ITVs horse racing commentary team, split from glamorous fellow commentator Francesca Cumani, 37, after two years Mr Bell formed a close bond with 37-year-old jockey pin-up Hayley Turner, a friend he has known for many years Mr Bell once memorably described by the Queen as a lunatic after he ran on to the Ascot racecourse then formed a close bond with 37-year-old jockey pin-up Hayley Turner, a friend he has known for many years. In an apparent attempt to avoid any on-screen unpleasantness during coverage of last weeks five-day festival, held without crowds, ITV bosses arranged for the trio to be kept apart. While Ms Cumani was at Ascot with her sidekick Ed Chamberlin, Mr Bell, 35, took social distancing to extreme levels by hosting The Opening show ITVs pre-race programme from his London home in top hat and tails. In previous years, he presented from the racecourse. Mr Bell formed a close bond with 37-year-old jockey pin-up Hayley Turner (right) after splitting with Cumani (left) In a further sign that ITV bosses feared a chilly atmosphere, Ms Turner was left off its list of pundits, despite being involved during last years ITV broadcast from Newmarket. In 2017 there had even been rumours of her being awarded a presenting contract by the network. But after three days without a hint of any problems at Ascot, Ms Turner found herself the subject of some spiky banter between Ms Cumani, Mr Chamberlin and their fellow pundit Jason Weaver, just before the jockey took to the track for her win in the Sandringham Stakes on 33-1 shot Onassis. In what could be considered a renewal of hostilities, Ms Cumani sniped: Hayley wont like me mentioning it, but she has yet to find a winner since resumption. How good would it be to have her first winner back at Royal Ascot? Grinning broadly, Mr Weaver observed: Who needs enemies? Ms Turner found herself the subject of some spiky banter between Ms Cumani, Mr Chamberlin and their fellow pundit Jason Weaver, just before the jockey took to the track for her win in the Sandringham Stakes on 33-1 shot Onassis After the race, the commentators noted how Ms Turner had made a show of cupping her hand to her ear towards the stand side of the track. Mr Weaver asked if she was gesturing about the non-existent crowd, but Mr Chamberlin said: Or was it to Francesca, who said she hadnt had a winner since the resumption of racing. I reckon that was to you Francesca. To make things worse for Ms Cumani, she then had to conduct an awkward interview with the jubilant jockey. Ms Turner prompted comparisons with a Jilly Cooper heroine in 2010 when she had an affair with married jockey Jamie Spencer. When Joe Biden sewed up the Democratic nomination in April, the liberal rebellion in the party went quiet as its leaders rallied behind Biden with remarkable speed, fearing discord would damage his chances against President Donald Trump. But now, as Biden has built a lead over Trump in the polls and the nation confronts a once-in-a-generation upheaval, liberals are responding with a renewed attempt to push the party left. They are making forceful demands of Biden and increasingly embracing leftist candidates down the ballot, awakening the prospect of divisions that party leaders thought they had squelched. A group of mostly white liberal activists, for example, is aggressively pushing for Biden to choose Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as his running mate, challenging a call by African American leaders for Biden to choose a black woman. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., took herself out of the running in recent days amid criticism from many activists of her record as a prosecutor. Liberals have grown increasingly vocal in pressing Biden to take a harder line against law enforcement, frustrated that he and other Democratic leaders have flatly rejected calls to "defund the police." And a big test comes Tuesday. Socialist stars such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have endorsed left-leaning hopefuls in Democratic congressional primaries - including contests this week in New York and Kentucky - against candidates backed by party leaders. "I think the progressive left is just trying to figure out wherever we can get a toehold," Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview. The Democatic splits have grown more complicated in recent weeks, rooted in debates over race, ideology and class. Activists are pushing party leaders to do more to seize a moment that's seen historic demands for reform and a pandemic that has devastated poor and nonwhite communities. Leftists who never warmed to Biden but laid low after his victory are finding new channels for their energy. "There are a lot of problems, and there is an urgent need for change," said Rebecca Katz, a liberal strategist and adviser to Jamaal Bowman, who is challenging longtime Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y. "What you're seeing is there are not enough people in power - enough Democrats in power - who are fighting for that change." Still, it's unclear how effective the push will be, given the divisions in the liberal movement and the few solid wins under its belt. The movement itself is complex and sometimes fractured; many white liberals who focus on economic issues, for example, do not always see eye-to-eye with the black activists leading the current street protests. Biden has taken a nuanced approach to the left. He heaps praised on liberal leaders and causes, and has moved in their direction on such issues as health care by lowering the age for Medicare eligibility. But he has steadfastly refused to adopt more provocative ideas - including Medicare-for-all and defunding the police - that could prove a harder sell in the general election. At a fundraiser Friday, Biden echoed the language of liberal activists, saying the country is at "one of those inflection points" where "fundamental systemic change" is possible. He compared the moment to the time of Bull Connor, the Birmingham, Ala., official who unleashed violence against the Freedom Riders in the 1960s. Since 2016, Democrats have desperately feared a repeat of that year's bitter split between backers of Sanders and Hillary Clinton, which many believe helped Trump win. The left's renewed willingness to publicly take on Biden suggests a relaxation of those anxieties. Many activists say their goal is to turn this moment's historic energy into influence in the run-up to the election - and beyond, should Democrats win the White House and the Senate. That's given new life to a movement that was dispirited after the once-promising presidential campaigns of Sanders and Warren faded. "There were a few weeks there where we were kind of going through reflection and diagnosis," said Bill Neidhardt, who helped lead the Sanders campaign's operations in Iowa and Virginia. "The important part was to come out of that with either a really clear plan or a fresh sense of energy. And I do think that has happened." But channeling the energy of the movement has been a challenge for liberals in recent years, due in part to internal splintering. Many supporters of Warren and Sanders retain icy relations after a bruising primary. As some activists are criticizing Biden, other liberal leaders such as Sanders are still giving him positive marks. And the protesters now seizing the country's attention do not fit neatly into preexisting liberal groups. That's making it tougher to do things like topple centrist Democratic incumbents, said Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster who worked for Barack Obama. "The hard progressive left, or hard liberal left, has not shown the ability to be as organized as we've seen the hard conservative right at taking out Republicans in primaries," Belcher said. The divisions were evident recently in the competition to be Biden's running mate. More than 100 activists, leaders and celebrities from the left, most of them white, signed a letter urging Biden to pick Warren. It came as many black leaders were pressuring Biden to choose an African American, saying to do otherwise in the current moment would be an affront to a long-persecuted community. The liberals' letter contended, among other things, that Biden was already strong with voters of color and needed an ambassador to Sanders backers who have not yet warmed to him. Laurence Tribe, a prominent law professor at Harvard who signed the letter, told The Washington Post that while he is sensitive to the push for a black woman to join the ticket, "I think African Americans above all would be the first to say they are more interested in results than cosmetics." Several African American Democrats said they found the remark offensive. "That statement was very callous," said Nina Turner, who was a national co-chair on the Sanders campaign. Belcher said he found the letter "so condescending" and that Tribe's remark "set a lot of people off." Hours after his comments were published, Tribe said he was sorry. "I apologize for my choice of words," Tribe tweeted. He added in a subsequent tweet, "I've never doubted that racial identity is a significant variable in American governance. It should count heavily in favor of previously excluded groups as part of a person's full record of background, skills, and values. I'm FOR Warren, not ANTI-excellent others." White and black liberals are more united in pressuring Biden to embrace a more sweeping overhaul of the criminal justice system. More than 50 liberal groups signed a letter to Biden recently criticizing his response to the protest movement and panning his promise to add $300 million for community policing programs. Angela Rye, a civil rights leader and former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, said that advocating those funds "when people are calling for resources to be divested from police departments is not just tone deaf, it's irresponsible." Rye also took issue with Biden's plan for black America, titled "Lift Every Voice," saying the blueprint is full of "platitudes." Lenard Larry McKelvey, who goes by the name Charlamagne tha God as co-host of "The Breakfast Club," a radio show popular with black audiences, said early this month that the Lift Every Voice plan was "weak on atonement." McKelvey said Biden must go further than calling for a study on reparations. He also called on Biden to embrace legalizing rather decriminalizing marijuana. After interviewing Biden last month, McKelvey said he was left with the impression the candidate did not even recognize the name of his own proposal. More broadly, the turmoil of recent weeks - a surge of activism not seen since the 1960s - has revived the sense among some on the left that Biden is too wedded to the past to grasp the moment's potential. "Joe Biden is somebody who very much came up in the politics of the last 40 to 50 years, and I think what we're seeing right now in the streets of this country and in the rejection of establishment politics is a rejection of the status quo," said Evan Weber, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, a group of youthful climate activists. A Biden campaign official said the team is listening to activists, and that all factions of the party are unified by a strong desire to defeat Trump. "We understand the sentiment of what some activists are saying," said Symone Sanders, a senior Biden adviser. "We hear, we share their anger, we hear their pain. And I think we all have the same goals, frankly, in terms of stopping this horrible violence and undoing systemic racism." Biden has adapted in some ways to a landscape that has shifted dramatically since he sewed up the nomination. He delivered a speech in Philadelphia that received widespread praise in the party, embracing a ban on police chokeholds and calling for a national use of force standard. He has also begun sketching out a more transformational agenda to address public health, economic and racial problems. "This is not a man who won the Democratic nomination and then asked the progressive movement to bend the knee to him," said Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, who is black and voted for Sanders in 2016. "This is a person who made an active decision to govern in coalition with the entirety of the Democratic coalition, and that includes the progressive movement that is calling for big, bold change." Beyond the presidential race, Democrats face an array of heated congressional primaries, including a high-profile race in New York's 16th Congressional District on Tuesday where Bowman, a former middle school principal, is trying to unseat Engel, a committee chairman and three-decade House member. Bowman, who is black, recently won the support of Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and Warren. Engel, who is white, is supported by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The challenger has accused Engel of being absent from the district during the pandemic and has voiced support for calls to defund the police. Engel recently drew criticism after he repeatedly asked to speak at a Bronx news conference on racial justice, then said, apparently not realizing the microphone was live, "If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care." In a recent debate, Engel called himself "one of the real pains in the neck" to President Trump, stressing his participation in the president's impeachment. A Senate primary in Kentucky, for the right to face Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has also caught the attention of the left. Charles Booker, an African American state representative who has raised his profile amid the protests, is seeking an upset over Amy McGrath, a white former fighter pilot favored by many Democratic leaders. Like the New York race, the contest pits Schumer, who backs McGrath, against Sanders, Warren and Ocasio-Cortez, who are supporting Booker. Booker has long been the underdog, but rising anger over the police shooting of Breonna Taylor, who Booker has said was a family friend, has increasingly become a point of focus in the race. "Only a movement can beat Mitch McConnell," Booker tweeted Saturday. He added, "We were so invisible to him, he never saw us coming." - - - The Washington Post's David Weigel in the Bronx contributed to this report. People might need to register before going to the pub and order drinks using an app, Matt Hancock said today. The Health Secretary confirmed the options are being considered as ways to make it 'safe' to reopen the hospitality industry. Mr Hancock insisted that the government is 'on plan' to get more sectors of the economy up and running on July 4. Boris Johnson is expected to announce this week that the two-metre social distancing rule is being halved. But he made clear that there is little chance of bars and restaurants getting back to business as usual any time soon. Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme whether drinkers will need to register before going to the pub, and order using an app, Mr Hancock said: 'That is the sort of thing that we are looking at for how do you make it safe to open things... I wouldn't rule it out.' Crowds of people drank outside a bar in Wandsworth, London, yesterday as pubs and bars across the country served takeaway pints to eager revellers Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme whether drinkers will need to register before going to the pub, and order drinking using an app, Matt Hancock said: 'That is the sort of thing that we are looking at for how do you make it safe to open things... I wouldn't rule it out.' The step - previously taken in countries such as New Zealand - would allow for easier tracing of customers if someone who went to the venue is found to have been infected. The PM is set to unveil a new 'one metre plus' rule within days and give Britons the green light for holidays and haircuts as he tries to breathe life back into the economy. Mr Johnson now looks certain to halve the social distance - as long as other protections such as face coverings are used - in a crucial moment for the coronavirus battle on Tuesday. The next phase of lockdown loosening from July 4 will also permit hairdressers to roll up the shutters in a boost for thousands of barbers and millions of shaggy-haired Britons in need of a trim. The UK holiday season will start within a fortnight when the Prime Minister gives the green light to hotels and vacation parks to reopen. Although Downing Street insisted no final decision has yet been taken on restarting the 130billion-a-year domestic tourism industry, The Mail on Sunday has been told an announcement could come along with the other changes. New advice is then likely to be sent to British tourism chiefs by the end of the week. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing another huge package of tax cuts and spending to revive UK plc after lockdown. VAT is set to be slashed as part of efforts to prop up struggling businesses and stave off mass unemployment. Notting Hill in London was crowded with people enjoying the sunshine and clutching drinks yesterday as pubs and bars served beverages to go On when the hospitality industry will be allowed to open, Mr Hancock said: 'We're on plan, we will of course be setting out more details of that plan and in the plan it states that on around July 4 we will take further measures if it's safe to do so. 'We talk about hospitality and outdoor hospitality in that plan but there are a whole series of other services especially where you need to be physically close to someone to carry it out like a haircut - a lot of the country does need a haircut.' Pressed if that could mean haircuts resuming on July 4, he said: 'I'm not going to rule that out. We'll set out the details as soon as we can. 'We're clearly on track for that plan because the number of cases coming down and the plan does refer to hospitality and some of the other things that are closed that so many people want to see open.' Mr Hancock pointed out that other countries - such as New Zealand - have put in place registration systems for going to pubs and bars. Detailing other ways that are being considered to make venues safer, he said: 'Things like wearing a face mask which reduces the transmission clearly, about how the seating is arranged because face-to-face is much more dangerous than back-to-back and there's more transmission than side to side. 'And also the sorts of things you can put in place to strengthen test and trace because the whole approach is to move as much as safely possible from a national lockdown towards targeted local action when we see an outbreak.' A man was shot dead and another seriously injured Saturday in a police-free autonomous zone created by protesters in the US city of Seattle, where officers were prevented from accessing the victims, officials said. The area, set up as part of the nationwide protest movement following the death of unarmed African American George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer, has been a frequent target of Donald Trump. The US president has called it a "disaster" and said people there are anarchists from the "radical left." For nearly two weeks, protesters and activists have occupied the western city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, establishing an area described as a "no cop" zone -- an urban experiment mostly carried out with a festival-like atmosphere. "Officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims," the Seattle Police Department said in a statement. Police, who arrived at the scene around 2:30 am, were later told that the pair had been transported to the hospital by the zone's "medics," where one of the victims, a 19-year-old, was declared dead. The other victim, also a male "remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries," the police department said. Police said the shooter or shooters remained at large and that they had no description of a potential suspect. The Seattle Times reported that the shooting was not believed to be connected to the protest. Officers' body cam footage showed the police being confronted by the protesters who kept them from entering the area. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan defended the zone Thursday after Trump threatened to intervene, while Governor Jay Inslee told the president that a "man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business." At a rally late Saturday in Oklahoma, Trump referenced the episode again telling supporters: "I have an offer out. I said anytime you want we'll come in, we'll straighten it out in one hour or less." "Now I may be wrong but it's probably better for us to just watch that disaster," Trump said. Officials in Seattle have denied reports that left-wing activists are behind the setting up of the autonomous zone. The embattled Students Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI), Ogun state, Adegboye Emmanuel Olatunji who was arrested by men of the state police command for alleged cultism on February 9, 2020 has threatened to commit suicide. Olatunji who was arrested alongside Olarewaju Taiwo in a suicide letter he posted on his Facebook account with the name: Adejuwon Emmanuel Olatunji on Saturday, accused the management of the Polytechnic and the police of being behind his woes. While explaining the reason behind his attempted suicide, Olatunji said, he has been abandoned by everyone, saying no individual, group nor students union bodies rose to his defence. The embattled Ilaro Polytechnic SUG President, Olatunji, alleged that the management of the Polytechnic set him up in an attempt to silence him and perpetrate corruption in the school. The suicide note reads, Glory be to God for this probably the last breathe in my nostrils, no matter how fainting it may seem. More importantly, this may be the last thing I write since my hope to write statement of accounts, proffer economic solutions to the Nigeria financial problems has been dashed and shattered by the powers that be. I accepted to study Banking and Finance to fulfill my dreams but all I live to write now is suicide note. I was arrested on the 9th of February, 2020 and got transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarter, Eleweran, Ogun state. I was detained for 144 hours before being charged to court finally on the 17th of February, 2020. Its been 114 days now since my case got adjourned, and to my utmost dismay, no individual or group has done anything to revamp my hope. They say if you are silent in the days of adversity, you have taken the side of the oppressor. Now the question is, Who is raising a voice in favour? Is it a crime to stand against the annihilation of the management against the students that gave me a mandate to defend their interest? Is it a crime for me to object the hike in accommodation price in the interest of striving Nigeria students? Is it a crime for me to send a red signal to the management in their quest to increase school fees, while pointing them to other means of IGR to execute their projects? Let no one mourn me when I finally pass on into the luminary realm, for when I need the continued support of activists, comrades, stakeholders, and sane individuals in the society to make me sail this trying time, no one, I mean no one was seen, the note concluded. When contacted for reaction, the Spokesman of the state police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, insisted that the police has no business in anybody that wants to commit suicide. He said that he (Olatunji) wants to commit suicide is not the police business. It is none of our business. He (Olatunji) was arrested for alleged cultism, he has been charged to court and the case is still in court. So, if he says he is innocent, he should go and defend himself in court. Anybody that wants to kill himself doesnt need to tell everybody about it. He is only trying to whip up sentiment, unnecessary sentiment at that. He has been charged to court, so let him prove innocence in court, Oyeyemi said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A massive spying operation deemed "the most far-reaching malicious Chrome store campaign to date" targeting millions of Google Chrome users has been linked to an Israeli firm, according to a report from researchers at Awake Security. A newly discovered spyware effort attacked users through 32 million downloads of extensions to Google's Chrome web browser, researchers at Awake Security told Reuters https://t.co/lJKesBKMxq pic.twitter.com/sKeA4H5A7f Reuters (@Reuters) June 18, 2020 From Reuters, "Exclusive: Massive spying on users of Google's Chrome shows new security weakness": A newly discovered spyware effort attacked users through 32 million downloads of extensions to Google's market-leading Chrome web browser, researchers at Awake Security told Reuters, highlighting the tech industry's failure to protect browsers as they are used more for email, payroll and other sensitive functions. Alphabet Incs (GOOGL.O) Google said it removed more than 70 of the malicious add-ons from its official Chrome Web Store after being alerted by the researchers last month. "When we are alerted of extensions in the Web Store that violate our policies, we take action and use those incidents as training material to improve our automated and manual analyses," Google spokesman Scott Westover told Reuters. Most of the free extensions purported to warn users about questionable websites or convert files from one format to another. Instead, they siphoned off browsing history and data that provided credentials for access to internal business tools. Based on the number of downloads, it was the most far-reaching malicious Chrome store campaign to date, according to Awake co-founder and chief scientist Gary Golomb. [...] All of the domains in question, more than 15,000 linked to each other in total, were purchased from a small registrar in Israel, Galcomm, known formally as CommuniGal Communication Ltd. Awake said Galcomm should have known what was happening. In an email exchange, Galcomm owner Moshe Fogel told Reuters that his company had done nothing wrong. "Galcomm is not involved, and not in complicity with any malicious activity whatsoever,"Fogel wrote. "You can say exactly the opposite, we cooperate with law enforcement and security bodies to prevent as much as we can." Here is Awake's full report and a text list of 111 malicious extension IDs. Here's what some of the malicious software and websites looked like: Though ICANN regularly shuts down websites for using false registration information for opsec reasons, GalComm was allowed to skirt all the rules, according to Awake. "Throughout our research, we uncovered domains used for hosting malicious Chrome extensions, exfiltrating data, command and control, etc. All of these domains had something in common: they were all registered through a particular registrar: GalComm or Gal Communication (CommuniGal) Ltd (as shown in WHOIS). In fact, in 2019 , our threat researchers noticed that GalComm was becoming a common thread in our interactions with our customers. Since then, our analysis shows that almost 60% of the domains we have observed registered with this registrar are high risk for organizations," Awake reported. "[O]ur investigation found the United States Food and Drug Administrations Office of Regulatory Affairs Health Fraud Branch (HFB) filed an abuse complaint in 2019 against GalComm for a website selling non-FDA approved abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol to US consumers. While this specific complaint is not believed to be tied to nefarious activities included in this report, datapoints like this help paint a picture about the type of registrants (end users) seeking GalComm," Awake said. The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday that another Israeli firm, GlobeKeeper, is in talks to partner with multiple US states for a "contact tracing" spy app, despite privacy concerns. One leading developer of contact #tracing apps, #telaviv-based GlobeKeeper, is now in talks with various US states and private companies to deploy its COVID-19 tracking app #SAFE. Civil rights organizations and experts raise concerns over privacy rights. https://t.co/a2Hpcg3sMO The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) June 17, 2020 Politico reported in September 2019 that the US government concluded that Israel appears to have placed stingray cell phone spying devices near the White House and throughout Washington DC to spy on the president and congress. The devices that operated near the White House were likely intended to spy on President Donald Trump, as well as his top aides. It was pretty clear that the Israelis were responsible, a former senior intelligence official told me. https://t.co/uyEZJQCg6z Daniel Lippman (@dlippman) September 12, 2019 "[T]here were no consequences for Israel's behavior," Politico said, citing a former White House official. Even though the US economy is imploding and the country is potentially on the brink of a civil war, the US congress is moving quietly and swiftly to give Israel a minimum of $38 billion in military aid. I have said to people when they ask me, if this Capitol crumbled to the ground, the one thing that would remain would be our commitment to our aid, I dont even call it our aid, our cooperation with Israel. Thats fundamental to who we are. -Nancy Pelosi 2018 IAC National Conf pic.twitter.com/xnWSZOUVE8 Battle Beagle (@HarmlessYardDog) March 5, 2019 Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds. Amaravati, June 21 : Alleging threats to his life from leaders and cadres of his own party, YSRCP Member of Parliament K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju has appealed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to provide him with security. In a letter to the Speaker, the Lok Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh's Narasapuram constituency said he was frightened to go to his constituency because of the violent protests against him by the legislators and cadres of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Raju wrote that his own party MLAs from the parliamentary constituency are staging protests by burning his effigies and threatening him for raising certain issues. The MP said he opposed the recent proposal of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to sell a few properties donated by devotees. He stated that since he could not personally meet Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, he strongly objected to the proposal through the media. Raju said he also brought to the notice of the Chief Minister through the media some issues like steep increase in the price of sand which has paralysed the construction activity. "Since then my own party MLAs from my parliamentary constituency have started protests by burning my effigies and openly threatened by commenting that whenever I visit my parliamentary constituency similar treatment of burning me physically also," the MP wrote. He said though he belonged to the ruling party, because of the protests by YSRCP MLAs and cadre without police resistance, he was frightened to go to the constituency without protection. "Since these violent agitations and events were conducted by the state ruling party MLAs and cadre, visiting my constituency with 1+1 constable facility belonging to state police provided to me is not safe." Raju attached with his letter newspaper clippings of the protests against him. Earlier, the MP's personal secretary wrote to the Superintendent of Police of West Godavari district complaining about the inaction by the police on his complaints against the YSRCP leaders and cadre who threatened the MP. K.U. Krishna Varma said, apprehending threat to the MP's life, he lodged complaint at four police stations seeking necessary action but no case was registered. Lodging a complaint with the SP under section 154 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, he sought action against the erring officials and direction to book the cases against those threatening the MP. Mr. Felguerez decided to become an artist during his first trip to Europe, after drawing a scene on the River Thames in England from a boat, he said. He became known for abstract, geometric paintings and metal sculptures, joining a movement that broke from the realism of Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera, who often used the Mexican Revolution or the plight of the masses as their themes. His work was only about enjoying the search for beauty and harmony, Mr. Avila said. He obviously wasnt aiming to create paintings that were shocking or vibrant, but rather something pleasurable. Manuel Felguerez was born on Dec. 12, 1928, in Valparaiso, in the north-central state of Zacatecas, as Mexico was emerging from more than a decade of revolution and civil unrest. He told the magazine Mexico Desconocido that one of his earliest memories was of a battle between fighters defending his fathers hacienda and workers trying to claim the land as their own. The workers eventually overpowered their adversaries. He moved to Mexico City with his family when he was 7 so that his father could petition the federal government to be compensated for the lost property. A year later his father fell ill and died. Mr. Felguerez studied in Paris at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, an art school, and with the Russian-born sculptor Ossip Zadkine. He was later a professor at the Ibero-American University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, both in Mexico City. As a visiting researcher at Harvard University in the 1970s, he began using computer programming to create art. OTTAWA - Federal Conservatives have crusaded for a return to parliamentary business as usual but theyre opposed to the one thing Liberals and New Democrats insist is necessary to do that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: electronic voting. Conservative House leader Candice Bergen says her party is suspicious of anything promoted by the Liberals that would keep most MPs out of the House of Commons and, in her view, help the government avoid accountability. Besides, she says there are other options that would allow all 338 MPs to vote in person in the chamber while maintaining physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In a letter to Commons Speaker Anthony Rota earlier this month, Bergen suggested six different options, including having MPs line up in yea and nay queues in the courtyard space surrounding the chamber from where they could individually enter the Commons to have their votes recorded. Other options included having small groups of MPs vote in shifts, issuing paper ballots and allowing each partys whip to block vote on behalf of their colleagues. Allowances would be made for any dissenting MPs to cast their own votes. When Liberals dont want members of Parliament in Ottawa, Im suspicious, Bergen said in an interview. When they want MPs to do their jobs in a nice, far-away setting and where their powers are diluted, where their responsibilities are taken away, I am very suspicious. However, government House leader Pablo Rodriguez says he cant figure out why the Conservatives are so dead set against the one little thing that would allow the Commons to resume all normal operations and restore all MPs powers, including voting, without risk for transmission of COVID-19. This is the 21st Century, Rodriguez said in an interview. It would be very, very simple to bring back Parliament ... with MPs in the House, others virtually. That means 338 MPs participating which is what we want because this is whats best for democracy, with everything of a regular Parliament, the only difference (being) you vote electronically. The Conservatives are still opposed to that and I dont know why ... Theyre the only ones. Rodriguez says the Conservative position makes no sense because it would require MPs to travel back and forth from their ridings to Ottawa, increasing the potential for catching and spreading the infection. The Conservatives have been pushing for weeks for a full resumption of normal in-person parliamentary business, albeit with a limited number of about 50 MPs actually physically present in the Commons. The Bloc Quebecois recently sided with them on that front, after initially opposing the idea. But New Democrats joined forces with the Liberals to reject that option, arguing that normal business cant resume until a way is found to allow electronic voting by MPs not in the chamber. In the meantime, they agreed to continue having a special COVID-19 committee meet four times a week in the Commons, with a small number of MPs in the chamber and the others participating virtually. The last special committee meeting took place Thursday but there are to be similar sessions four times over the summer. Normal proceedings in the Commons have been suspended since mid-March, except for a handful of brief, single-day sittings to pass emergency aid legislation. It is currently scheduled to resume regular business on Sept. 21. However, if public health experts continue to recommend physical distancing in the fall, Rodriguez said the Commons could still safely resume all normal operations, with most MPs participating virtually and voting electronically from remote locations. Rota has said hes confident electronic voting can be done securely. The all-party procedure and House affairs committee has been instructed to recommend a precise procedure for doing so by next week. While it could be implemented on a temporary basis with the support of just one of the main opposition parties, Rodriguez said it would be better if they could all agree. But Bergen indicated thats not in the cards. While Conservatives were initially open to the idea of electronic voting, she said: I would say we have become progressively more opposed to it and more suspicious of the idea. The last straw was the hypocrisy of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mingling with thousands of protesters against racism two weeks ago, even as he argued that it wasnt safe for MPs to sit in Parliament. That was I think for Conservatives a clear signal that he was running more from accountability than he is ... concerned about health and safety, Bergen said. Parliament has sat during wars, depression and all kinds of crises and not had electronic voting ... I think all members of Parliament need to be there voting in person and being recorded as such. Rodriguez said the government has done what it could to remain accountable during the pandemic. Indeed, he said the special committee arrangement allowed opposition MPs to ask almost 3,200 questions of the government this spring, compared to just 1,800 that would have been asked had the Commons been operating normally. But Bergen dismissed that as lame excuses, arguing that simply posing questions is not Parliament and its insulting to every member of Parliament and really to Canadian democracy that that is what he defines as satisfactory. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2020. https://www.aish.com/ci/s/My-Experiences-as-a-Black-Orthodox-Jew.html The past several weeks have been overwhelming and heartbreaking for me. One of my most used slogans is that I dont fit in a box. And I say this as a black Jewish American who is Orthodox. I'm asked many times to share my story because people are so curious about my journey. But my story is quite long and complicated so I dont tell it as much anymore. Nevertheless, the short version is that I wanted to live a Torah-observant life which I found immensely fulfilling. And Im also blessed to have met my husband, Aryeh Klein, who has provided me with support and compassion every step of the way. As a black Orthodox Jew, I've had many different experiences that make me who I am, and one of them is the experience of being a person of color. The past several weeks have been overwhelming and heartbreaking for me. I want to first express my condolences to the family of George Floyd. No man, no matter the color of his skin, should die in that manner. It is a horrific tragedy. I also extend my condolences to retired police officer David Dorn who was killed by looters and rioters. Another terrible tragedy. I cant begin to tell you how deeply saddened I am about these tragic events. As a social worker who has worked for a police department and worked side-by-side with our officers, I have respect for our police officers who risk their lives to protect citizens every day. I truly appreciate them. Alyssa Bracha and Aryeh Klein On the other hand, I also understand the awful experiences and challenges that black Americans more specifically that black males face in the United States. George Floyd is just one of the many horrific incidents that describe what some black men face when interacting with the police. Unfortunately, there are some bad cops in the system. They need to be identified and not hidden within the police departments. I believe that police officers black and non-black could benefit from learning different arrest procedures and cultural competence training. Too many police officers and average citizens for that matter are suspicious of black males and hold racist beliefs. As the daughter of a black male, Ive experienced this with my own eyes. I remember when I was 15 years old, my parents and I took a cruise to Alaska where we were one of two black families on board, along with hundreds of people. We encountered a lot of stares, awkward conversations, and discomfort by others. As we were on our land-and-sea tour during our train ride through the Yukon Territory, there was an open seat next to my father. No one wanted to sit beside him. You could see the sneers and faces of displeasure as they passed him by, judging my father just by his skin, not by his character. In a Detroit Jewish News article, a black man shares his story about being pulled over every day at 5 AM while on his route to the gym where he was working as a trainer with a client. He asked this officer, Why do you pull me over every morning? You know who I am. Im the only black guy who comes over here. The cop gave him no reply. The outrage is understandable. It has been expressed through peaceful protests by multitudes of people, and sadly, it has also been expressed by destructive rioting The outrage is understandable. It has been expressed through peaceful protests by multitudes of people, and sadly, it has also been expressed by destructive rioting by a wide range of people, black and white, some who just want to start trouble, some who are angry and are expressing it inappropriately, and others who have different agendas. In 1966 while giving a speech, Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about rioting. He says: Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. This quote is usually taken out of context by individuals who support rioting. If you knew Dr. King, you would know that he believed in peaceful protests and did not support violence. Dr. King was merely providing empathy on the issues and concerns of black America, while also highlighting the reason as to why people were rioting. He did not condone it. Dr. King, who was a minister, spoke from many religious principles including peace, kindness, and respect for your neighbor. Just like Dr. King, my parents always taught me about kindness and respect for your neighbor. I was also taught that just because you may experience hurt, it doesnt mean that you have the right to hurt others. My mother's story is a prime example of this. My mom is a retired journeyman electrician for General Motors. During her time working there, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She also experienced racism and sexism on the job that exacerbated her medical condition and quickened her decline. My mom spent years in court battles over the way she was treated and never received justice. Despite the horrible mistreatment she received, she continued to have faith without being fueled by anger and hate against the world. I believe that my parents strong will and ability to continue to have faith no matter what challenges they faced are some of the reasons that motivated me to seek a more observant Jewish lifestyle. My dad often tells me that good things and blessings happen in difficult times. Hes right. Difficult times like this showed me that I have amazing family and friends that care about me and support me. Furthermore, these difficult times helped me see what obstacles I could face no matter how difficult -- especially when guided by faith. Last but not least, we can all combat racism with the specific principles of treating people the way you would like to be treated, learning about our fellow neighbors, and treating people with respect no matter where they come from. We can also learn to how to combat racism by: Amid the rising tensions between India and China over border issues, United States President Donald Trump on Saturday (June 20) said that Washington is talking to both New Delhi and Beijing to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions. It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there, President Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first election rally after COVID-19 outbreak. They've come to blows, and we'll see what happens. We'll try and help them out, Trump added. Over the past few days, Trump administration has supported India against the incursions of the Chinese troops into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. On June 15, violent clashes took place between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh which led to the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers. China has been accused by the US of escalating border tensions with India and other neighbours as these countries are currently tackling coronavirus pandemic. The PLA (People's Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world's most populous democracy. It's militarizing the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, in a major speech on China a day earlier. Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday clarified that Chinas untenable claims regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are unacceptable to India and contradicts its earlier stand on the issue. Responding to media queries about the India-China face-off and Chinese Foreign Ministrys statement, the MEA issued a statement saying, The position with regard to GalwanValley area has been historically clear. 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He could have been killed, Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Ed Penetar said Sunday. Garcia Mulero, 29, of Bethlehem, was convicted at trial in March of attempting to kill Cesar Rodriguez. He shot Rodriguez five times on May 5, 2019, outside a home in the 800 block of Argus Court in Bethlehem. Rodriguez must now use a wheelchair. Northampton County Judge Jennifer Sletvold sentenced Garcia Mulero on Friday to 23 to 46 years in state prison. Thats the sentence Penetar sought. I believe that was an entirely appropriate sentence given the seriousness of the offenses, the seriousness and permanent impact its had on the victim as well as his family as well as (Garcia Muleros) lack of remorse and inability to accept responsibility, Penetar said. Garcia Mulero maintains he shot Rodriguez in self-defense. Garcia Mulero was the former boyfriend of the woman who lived at that residence and has two children with that woman. He came there to visit the children, police have said. Garcia Mulero was previously threatened at gunpoint by Rodriguez and pulled from his car that day by Rodriguez, according to defense attorney George Nassif. Rodriguez denies making any threats or wielding any gun against Garcia Mulero, Penetar said. Nassif asked for a 10-to 20-year sentence. Garcia Mulero has never been convicted of a crime, he said. He contrasted the case with that of Jonathan Roselle, who was acquitted of manslaughter even though his shooting was captured on video. The South Whitehall Township police officer killed Joseph Santos in 2018. I appreciate the facts were different (in the two cases) but in my clients heart of hearts he truly believes he acted in self defense, Nassif said. My client always said from the beginning he had no choice but to defend himself. Penetar said the self-defense claim is tantamount to denying responsibility for the crime. Garcia Mulero was convicted of all four charges: attempted homicide, carrying a concealed weapon without a license and two counts of aggravated assault Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Flash The Chinese mission to the European Union (EU) on Friday said it is gravely concerned about and firmly opposed to a European Parliament resolution which makes unwarranted criticism against the formulation of the national security legislation in Hong Kong by China's National People's Congress (NPC). The mission has lodged stern representations with the EU, a spokesperson of the Chinese mission said, adding that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and the legislation for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is entirely China's internal affair. The spokesperson said safeguarding national security is an essential prerequisite for a country's survival and development and it is the core element of national sovereignty. No countries in the world, including those in Europe, would allow for any legal gaps in terms of national security, nor would any country allow any acts that endanger national security on its own territory, the spokesperson said. The NPC decision is a necessary step taken to close the legal loopholes regarding national security in Hong Kong. It is fully constitutional, legal, justifiable and reasonable, the spokesperson stressed. "The European Parliament is apparently applying double standards by adopting the resolution, which we would never accept," the spokesperson said. The national security legislation will not change Hong Kong's capitalist system, its high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law, or Hong Kong residents' lifestyle, the spokesperson said, adding the legislation will only improve Hong Kong's legal system, bring more social stability in the long run and contribute to the sound implementation of the "one country, two systems." The spokesperson said the Sino-British Joint Declaration is essentially about the resumption of exercise of sovereignty by China over Hong Kong. With the return of Hong Kong in 1997, UK-related obligations under the declaration had all been fulfilled, while the legal basis for the governance of Hong Kong by the Chinese government is the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. None of the paragraphs in the declaration give any country or organization any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the legislation only targets acts of separatism, subversion, and terrorism that seriously undermine national security as well as foreign and external interference in Hong Kong affairs. It will not impinge on and would rather better protect the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, the spokesperson said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 21:41:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed Sunday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The gunfight broke out in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "In a gunfight that broke out here at Zadibal-Soura area, three militants were killed," a senior police official posted in the city said. "The trapped militants were asked to surrender but they fired upon the joint contingents, thereby triggering a gunbattle." According to police officials, the operation was launched in the locality on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of militants. Indian paramilitary troopers or police have not suffered any damage in the stand-off. Enditem Ashley Comrie just wanted to go home. It was late May, and the 37-year-old had just spent three terrifying weeks at Toronto General Hospital, fighting a COVID-19 infection that landed her in the intensive care unit, where she narrowly avoided intubation. Lying on her stomach, hooked up to oxygen, she had felt as if she were underwater, breathing through a straw. Death seemed a distinct possibility. Now, with the worst of the disease finally behind her, Comries doctors wanted to transfer her to an in-patient rehabilitation program created for people like her, who had survived COVID-19 but faced a long road to recovery. Comrie was still on oxygen. She couldnt bathe herself or walk unassisted. She was also having trouble concentrating and carrying on conversations. But she missed her husband, who had suffered through his own coronavirus infection at home, alone. She was desperate to return to ordinary life. It wasnt until she was admitted to rehab at Bridgepoint hospital that she realized her healing had only begun. Three weeks later, she is doing puzzles on an iPad, and starting to tackle stairs. She is amazed at her progress and how much work lies ahead. I had no idea how much this part would be integral to my recovery, Comrie said in a phone interview from her room at Bridgepoint. As important as being in acute care and the ICU has been, this has been key. In the initial, frantic months of the pandemic, modern society was upended in the interest of saving lives. The economy was halted in a desperate bid to stop the spread, as hospitals scrambled to keep some of the sickest COVID-19 patients alive. So far, the disease has infected more than 100,000 people across Canada; roughly 8,400 have died. The next phase carries its own set of challenges. As lockdowns ease and governments tentatively roll out their COVID-19 recovery plans, there are now thousands of survivors of the disease in Canada who are also in recovery. Shortness of breath can linger for weeks, even after relatively mild bouts of COVID-19. Those hit with more serious infections, like Comrie, who is immunocompromised, have spent weeks in hospital, immobilized in bed, isolated from friends and family. Some have been hooked up to ventilators, and need support from a speech therapist to learn how to swallow, or sound like themselves again. The therapies are complex, and in some cases may be limited by the realities of the pandemic. I would hope that we could dispel the notion that if you survive COVID, youre better right away, said Dr. Larry Robinson, the chief of Sunnybrook hospitals St. Johns Rehab Program, which also has a dedicated unit for COVID-19 patients. The way the public thinks about (COVID) is you get a cold. If you get a bad cold you go to the hospital, but then youre OK, said Robinson. For many, its going to be a slow, slow recovery in the months kind of range before you get back to normal. There are still a lot of unknowns about the effects of COVID-19 on the body. But in Toronto, where several hospitals have hived off separate units for in-patient rehabilitation after serious bouts of COVID-19, those treating these patients say their needs can be complex. Dr. Ashley Verduyn, chief and director of medical affairs at Providence Healthcare, a rehab hospital in Scarborough that has also set aside space for COVID-19 patients, said these patients really benefit from a multidisciplinary program. Long stints in bed can rob people of the strength needed to perform even basic tasks, such as dressing and feeding themselves. And in some cases, these patients are also suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from being in the ICU, or are mourning a loss. Weve had patients who have lost their partner to COVID, she said. So not only are there physical challenges like muscle weakness and deconditioning They need a lot of psychological support as well. Verduyn said some patients also struggle with loss of memory and cognition. It is a very complicated rehab, she said. Its not just doctors. Its not just physio. Its not just (occupational therapy) Patients recovering from COVID really need everybody. When Joe Kotelniski, 83, arrived at Providence in late May, he was weak and delirious after several weeks in hospital, battling COVID-19. He wasnt intubated, but still couldnt get anything down besides purees. It was this place here that pulled me out of the quagmire and brought me back to my senses, he said in an interview last week, the day before he went home. My appetite is back. I could eat a horse if they put one up here. Laura Conway, the speech therapist at Providence who treated Kotelniski, said the muscles in the throat can become deconditioned, making it difficult to co-ordinate swallowing and breathing. To rebuild that strength, she said she asks patients to pretend theyre swallowing a ping pong ball. The best practice for swallowing is swallowing, she said. In some cases, patients who were intubated in hospital complain that their voices sound different the result, perhaps, of damage to the larynx, caused when the tube is removed. Ordinarily, Conway said she would refer these patients to a specialist to assess the damage, but these consultations are on hold during the pandemic because voice problems are not considered urgent. Where possible, health professionals providing rehab after COVID-19 are taking their cues from what they know about recovering from other illnesses. For instance, Robinson said that acute respiratory distress syndrome which, like COVID-19, can affect other organs such as the heart and brain, and lead to intubation is proving to be not a bad model. You have lost muscle mass, he said. You have lost some of your peripheral nerve function. You have lost some of your cognitive function. However, the big difference with COVID-19 is that because of strict and necessary social distancing measures in hospitals and rehab facilities, patients are battling illness and recovery alone. Patients get a little bit disoriented or delirious when theyre sick for that long, Robinson said. Thats usually offset by family visits and connecting with those who they know so well their loved ones. A big part of rehabilitation is family teaching. So how do you take care of your loved one after they get home? But we cant really do that. Predicting the size of the wave of patients requiring intensive rehab after COVID is difficult, in part, because it will depend largely on our adherence to physical distancing guidelines and other public health measures, and how long it takes to find an effective treatment or vaccine. But estimates suggest the numbers will be substantial. In Greater Toronto, for instance, Dr. Mark Bayley, who is vice-chair of the GTA Rehab Network, projected that over the next year 300 to 800 patients would need rehab services after COVID-19, based on the number of infections and the rate of ICU admissions as of last month. Although Bayley, the program medical director at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, is worried about a second wave of new infections in the fall, the drop in new cases in recent weeks suggests our lower estimates are probably more reflective of the needs. Unlike in some COVID-19 hot spots in the U.S., where there are reportedly significant wait lists to access in-patient rehab, the doctors interviewed for this story said there is currently enough capacity in the GTA to provide in-patient rehab to those who need it. However, some doctors expressed concerns about the availability of outpatient rehab during the pandemic, both for COVID-19 patients and for others living with disabilities. And there are still a lot of unknowns. We dont know what its going to look like in the future, said Dr. Chris Fortin, the head of the physical medicine and rehabilitation division at Sinai Health System, which includes Bridgepoint. Were going to have all these patients whove had serious illness, whose lives have changed because of COVID, and we dont know what kind of services theyre going to need in the future, or how were going to co-ordinate their services to meet their needs. Trevor Annon, 59, is trying to remain optimistic. Like Comrie, Annon initially pushed back against the idea of in-patient rehab after his battle with COVID-19. But (I realized) I cant move like this, he said. So I thought it was an opportunity to change my whole perspective. Annon, a musician, was sick before COVID-19, with a heart condition and another virus that left him with a cough he couldnt shake. Since arriving at St. Johns, he has sworn off meat, and has dedicated himself to a rigorous exercise program that includes squats, leg lifts and bicep curls. He said rehab has given him a chance to reflect and make necessary changes. Im not saying Ill never get sick, he said, but Ill never have the baggage that I have right now. New Delhi, June 21 : Heartfulness Institute on Sunday conducted one of this year's biggest virtual meets to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in collaboration with Ministry of AYUSH. Tending to lakhs of people from across the globe, the spirituality foundation brought together prominent personalities from the fields of yoga and music, including Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness; yoga guru Baba Ramdev; Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge); Taranjit S. Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the US; musicians Pandit Jasraj and Shankar Mahadevan. They discussed the need to practise yoga, its benefits and why compassion needs to take centre stage. The transformative powers of compassion have been chronicled extensively in all the great world scriptures. This event showcased the need for compassion and for inspiring people on how to live a life of compassion. The event began with a brief introduction from Daaji, followed by Shri Shankar Mahadevan's musical performance. Addressing the worldwide pandemic and its impact on resilience Daaji said, "Compassion is love in action for the wellbeing of humanity. There is nothing more contagious than compassion. We start with self compassion. We expand and embrace it with all of humanity. "It is compassion that will unify us. If we upgrade ourselves on being more compassionate, we will follow the trail placed by Swami Vivekananda and Babuji (the founder of Heartfulness)in uniting humanity on a higher aspiration of total oneness." Baba Ramdev shed light into the true meaning of yoga and demonstrated a few practical breathing techniques and exercises that help gain focus before meditating. "Let us take a pledge today that we will follow the eight limbs of yoga. We will elevate our lives by practicing Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi and Heartfulness," he said. The event also saw the support of the AYUSH Minister, who said, "This International Day of Yoga 2020 will be a significant milestone in the journey of bringing yoga practices to the world." "The tradition of yoga is time immemorial and is another contribution to the heritage of the world, a fact that should make all Indians proud wherever there are. It is our responsibility to nurture and share the benefit of this phenomenal practice so that the future generations are also able to enjoy this gift to mankind." The event also saw the presence of Pandit Jasraj who had a message for today's youth, "Service to your parents, devotion to your teachers and follow the guidance of your guru and your practice." The musical legend then performed for the viewers from across the globe. Heartfulness Institute offers a dynamic and practical approach to meditation. A complaint was filed before a court in Bihar on Saturday accusing actress Rhea Chakraborty, ex-girlfriend of Sushant Singh Rajput, of having abetted the deceased actor's suicide. Kundan Kumar, a resident of Patahi locality in Muzaffarpur, filed his petition before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar and the same has been posted for hearing on June 24. This is the second petition filed before the CJM's court in the north Bihar town of Muzaffarpur in connection with the suicide of the Patna-born actor, who was found hanging from the ceiling of his Mumbai residence on June 14. Earlier this week, a local advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha had filed a similar petition naming Bollywood bigwigs Salman Khan, Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ekta Kapoor as accused. Ojha had alleged that the heavyweights had tried to stall the career of the upcoming star. On the other hand, Kumar has accused Chakraborty of "financial and mental exploitation" of Rajput whom she dumped after her career was secure and her purpose was served. "My client is a huge fan of Rajput and has been deeply distressed by his suicide. He has filed his complaint under IPC Sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 420 (fraud)," Kumar's lawyer Kamlesh told reporters. Chakraborty has been interrogated by Mumbai Police though not charged with any offence so far. Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi visited the residence of Rajputs bereaved father in Patna and offered condolences to the grieving family members. Modi was accompanied by fellow BJP leader, and a cousin of Rajput, Neeraj Singh Bablu, who had travelled to Mumbai along with the late actor's father KK Singh for performing the last rites. Visitors to Rajput's paternal residence at Rajiv Nagar, during the day, also included Bhojpuri stars Khesari Lal Yadav and Akshara Singh. Emerging from the house after meeting the bereaved family members, Yadav said, "It is my appeal to the people of Bihar and UP to always shower their love and affection on sons of the soil who make a name for themselves in Bollywood enduring untold hardships". The drastic step taken by 34-year-old Rajput, the first actor from Bihar to have made a mark in romantic roles in Bollywood films, has triggered furious reactions across the state. Some political figures like former MPs Lovely Anand and Pappu Yadav, the latter distantly related to Rajputs family, have demanded a CBI probe into the suicide. LJP president Chirag Paswan recently wrote to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to put pressure on the Maharashtra government to ensure that all those who drove Rajput to suicide because of groupism were brought to justice. Paswan also starred in a Bollywood film which was commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed. Follow @News18Movies for more By Kathryn Krawczyk June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - President Trump has a "love it or leave it" mentality for the Republican Party. In an interview with Politico published Friday, Trump showed a "rare admission of concern" when it came to winning back the presidency this fall and retaining a GOP Senate majority. And the key to mitigating that concern, he said, was to keep every Republican senator in line, issuing a stern warning for anyone who dares break ranks. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter "If they don't embrace, they're going to lose, because, you know, I have a very hard base. I have the strongest base people have ever seen," Trump told Politico. Trump's aides, including his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, are apparently enforcing this ultimatum. Potential targets of this threat could include Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who said she hasn't decided whether to support Trump in 2020, and Michigan GOP Senate candidate John James, who has told voters he disagrees with Trump on "plenty, plenty of issues." Trump recently met with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to discuss Senate Republicans' re-election strategies, and seems to want to use his popularity to encourage party loyalty in all of them. For example, when Trump was handed a document during the interview comparing his and Senate candidates primary results, he specifically noted his 98 percent vote in North Carolina. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is considered at risk of losing this fall, got 78 percent of his primary vote. He then listed some GOP senators who broke ranks with him in 2018 and ended up being voted out: Arizona's Jeff Flake and Nevada's Dean Heller, to name a few. Read more, including what Trump thinks is his "biggest risk" in 2020, at Politico. Post your comment below A university student accused of killing his teenage girlfriend repeatedly told the court he was a 'murderer' despite pleas from his lawyer to stop talking. Jordan Brodie Miller, 20, is accused of killing his 18-year-old girlfriend Emerald Wardle at his parents' home in Maitland, north of Sydney, on Saturday morning. He appeared via video link in Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday charged with her murder. 'I am a murderer,' Miller repeatedly said into his microphone, The Daily Telegraph reported. 'I wrapped my hands around Emerald Wardle's throat.' Emerald Wardle, 18, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Jordan Brodie Miller, 20, at his parent's home He later told the court Emerald was lying down in bed in the moments before her death, before adding that he had stolen her car on the Thursday night prior. His legal aid solicitor Gillian Jewison repeatedly asked her client to remain silent. Miller reportedly again asked the court if he had a legal right to continue talking and wanted to say more. Registrar Steve Mannell eventually asked the court to end the video stream with Miller. Ms Jewison applied for a suppression order, and said her client's right to a fair trial could be compromised if his in court outbursts were made public. The court also heard there were concerns about Miller's mental health. When emergency services arrived at the scene on Saturday morning, neighbours claimed to have heard a man screaming about 'demons'. Ms Wardle (pictured left) was living with Miller and his parents in Maitland NSW According to the Daily Telegraph, the pair had not been dating long but it is understood both Miller and Ms Wardle lived at the property. Police arrived at the property about 1.30am where they allegedly saw Miller standing outside and unarmed. An altercation allegedly ensued between Miller and police before he was arrested. Following his arrest, police entered the home where they found Ms Wardle's dead body. Ms Wardle was found dead at Miller's parent's house (pictured) in Maitland, NSW Police found Ms Wardle's (pictured left) dead body inside the Maitland home Ms Wardle is the 32nd Australian woman tragically lost to murder or manslaughter in 2020. Her friends took to social media expressing their heartache upon hearing the news of her horrific death. 'You didn't deserve this baby girl, your life had only just started and it was taken... I treasure you, I treasure our memories and I'll forever love you Emmy,' one person wrote. 'RIP sweetie you didn't deserve this at all no matter what,' another commented. 'I'm devastated she was a lovely girl and she would wave and say hi. She is one house from me in a very small loving quiet neighbourhood we are all shocked and very sad rip beautiful girl,' someone else wrote. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. By Trend The Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to take part in the European Chamber's project within Eastern Partnership (EaP), Azerbaijans chamber told Trend. The organization is a member of the European Chamber, and the project to be implemented in 2021, is intended for representatives of small and medium business. The project is aimed at strengthening trade, economic and investment cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries in the areas of tourism, food production, textile products, wine, as well as the creative industry, Azerbaijans chamber said. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are key aspects of the economy. In the EaP region, the share of SMEs ranges from 83 percent to 99 percent of the total number of enterprises and forms 50 percent of all jobs. However, these figures still lag behind those in the EU countries, where the SME segment covers more than two-thirds of the total employable population. The SMEs share in creating new jobs has amounted to 85 percent over the past five years, said the report. SMEs have the potential to create additional jobs and ensure economic growth. For this purpose, the project will be aimed at eliminating limited access to finance, red tape and difficulties in entering new markets, the Chamber of Industry said. The chamber noted that the total active portfolio of EU support under the EU4Business initiative is almost 320 million euros, which helped to attract over 1.9 billion euros in loans provided by partner banks for the SME segment in the region. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), Gilan Holding, GAZELLI GROUP, Unibank, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and other organizations, are our long-term partners, noted the chamber. In the near future, were going to increase the number of partners of the chamber to increase both domestic and macroeconomic indicators of the country. The Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit public organization, which was created in 1922. The chamber's activities are carried out in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan, the current charter of the organization and decisions of a higher authority. It carries out activities in collaboration with enterprises, associations, organizations, entrepreneurs and their associations, regardless of ownership, subordination and location in Azerbaijan, as well as with entrepreneurs of other countries and international organizations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz When KJ Kearney created Black Food Fridays, he had no idea that a history-making period of protests, demands for justice and renewed support for the Black Lives Matter movement was about to happen. "That was just serendipitous," he said. The concept was simple: Order food from a Black-owned business on Friday, and share a photo of that food on social media with the hashtag "Black Food Fridays." It had a ring to it, like "Taco Tuesday," and Kearney envisioned it could easily become ingrained in a person's weekly routine. Follow Along Black Food Fridays: Follow Black Food Fridays on Instagram (@blackfoodfridays) and Twitter (@blkfoodfridays) to discover more Black-owned restaurants to support in the Charleston area and beyond. To help fund the project, which is in the process of becoming a "digital food content company that centers the Black culinary experience," you can contribute to this GoFundMe. Follow Black Food Fridays on Instagram (@blackfoodfridays) and Twitter (@blkfoodfridays) to discover more Black-owned restaurants to support in the Charleston area and beyond. To help fund the project, which is in the process of becoming a "digital food content company that centers the Black culinary experience," you can contribute to this GoFundMe. Black-Owned S.C. : Follow this Twitter account (@blackownedsc) to see posts about Black-owned businesses of all kinds in the state. : Follow this Twitter account (@blackownedsc) to see posts about Black-owned businesses of all kinds in the state. S.C. Buy Black Locally: Follow on Instagram (@scbuyblacklocally) and check out the online business directory at scbbl.co. "The hashtag-ability of it just works," Kearney said. "It rolls off the tongue." Kearney launched the hashtag April 5, right as restaurant owners were struggling through the coronavirus pandemic and in need of support. He had made a map of Black-owned restaurants in the Charleston area a couple months earlier that has since grown to feature about 80 businesses. It was catching on quickly, but Kearney said interest really started to spike when people took to the streets, and the national conversation turned to racism and racial inequality. More people started searching for local Black-owned businesses to support as a way to show solidarity. According to Google Trends, there was a surge in searches for the phrase "Black-owned businesses" in South Carolina from May 30 the first day large-scale demonstrations were held in the state to the following week. During a virtual conference with Charleston-area tourism officials last week, an editor from the magazine Conde Nast Traveler said that "Black-owned bookstore" was the top search term on their website. VaLinda Miller, the owner of Turning Page Bookshop in Goose Creek, has seen a spike in new business as people buy up titles like "White Fragility" and "How to Be an Antiracist." For some, this increase in support comes at a critical time, right as business owners are trying to recover from losses caused by COVID-19 and the ensuing economic shutdown. And, while businesses of all kinds were hurt by the health crisis, a recent study showed Black-owned small businesses were disproportionately affected. Businesses owned by African Americans closed at substantially higher rates than those owned by other races, according to the analysis from Robert Fairlie of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Black-owned businesses also appear to be benefiting less from federal aid programs. But there's hope right now that the support Black business owners have seen during the ongoing protests will be a shift rather than a temporary surge. I think this is the new normal now, said Ment Nelson, a Varnville-based artist who runs a Twitter account about Black-owned businesses in South Carolina. Nelson's own life has been significantly impacted by the rise in support, he said. Just about a month ago, he was posting on Twitter about how difficult it was to sell art and get eyes on his social media posts during the pandemic. But, at the beginning of this month, his Instagram posts started getting 1,000 likes in the first hour, and orders for his art started pouring in, he said. "In May, I thought I was going to get evicted," Nelson said. "That's just to show you how extreme a difference there was from last month to this month." Nelson said he also saw a bump in followers and participation on his account for Black-owned businesses, which he started more than a year ago. In addition to sharing posts boosting everything from skincare products to food trucks to fashion lines, his tweets on the account feature people like Kitty Black Perkins, a Spartanburg native who was the first Black designer for Barbie. "A lot of these people that I tweet about, I feel like they change the narrative about what it means to be from South Carolina," he said. The account is "an energy, a perspective and a mindset," he said. A simple follow can get these businesses and these messages in someone's social media feed on a regular basis. That's part of the appeal of Black Food Fridays, too, Kearney explained. It's a habit-forming model that gets people thinking about spending their dollars at a Black-owned business at least once a week. "What's encouraging is that I didn't hide it behind a cutesy message," Kearney said. "I'm telling everyone it's Black Food Fridays. I think it's showing, in some small way, a conscious awakening." The initiative is making a real difference, said Danetra Richardson, owner of Swank Desserts, a specialty bakery in Summerville. She's seen an increase in followers on social media and in business since Black Food Fridays began. "I've had a lot of people come into the shop that otherwise would not have known about us," Richardson said. The question, of course, is why this support and this interest hasn't happened to this extent until now. That same question is being asked about the protests themselves, pushes to remove Confederate monuments and other initiatives that many feel are long overdue. Online resources to find and support Black-owned businesses already existed, like S.C. Buy Black Locally, which lists about 250 businesses in the state. Candace Pringle, who started the directory about five years ago, said she wanted to create more visibility for these firms. "If you can find somebody, you can shop with them," Pringle said. The directory lists everything from real estate companies to event planning businesses to hair salons. Submitting an entry to the directory has always has been free, and Pringle said she's happy to help business owners who aren't tech savvy to set up an entry. Her hope is to "try to level the playing field for entrepreneurs," she said. Doing something like seeking out a Black-owned businesses in a directory or making a routine of eating at Black-owned restaurants on Fridays may seem small, Kearney said, but it can have a "grand economic impact" as people become more intentional about where their dollars go. "Where you spend your money is a political act," Kearney said. "If you go to a Black-owned restaurant on Friday, I want you to share it, but, at the end of the day, it's about the money you gave that restaurant. That's where the change happens." Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. In fresh jibe at PM Modi on India-China face-off, Rahul Gandhi again accuses govt of surrendering Indian territory Congress leader Rahul Gandhi further sharpened his attack on the government on the face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh region. And in his direct line of fire is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read more Goa gangsters attack rival, end up shooting one of their own; 9 held Nine persons, including two minors, were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of one Sonu Yadav in the wee hours of Saturday morning at Santa Cruz, a locality on the outskirts of the states capital Panaji. Read more 88-year-old woman killed in Delhis Safdarjung Enclave: Police An 88-year-old woman was killed with her throat slit and her husband, 94, was tied up in their house in south Delhis Safdarjung Enclave late on Saturday night, police said on Sunday. Kanta Chawla lived on the ground floor of a four-story residential building with her husband. Read more June 21 solar eclipse decades 23rd, one more to go this year: Report The solar eclipse on Sunday is the 23rd such celestial event in a decade, according to US space agency NASAs website on eclipses. Read more South Korea records 48 new Covid-19 cases, some outside Seoul South Korea has reported 48 new cases of Covid-19 as health authorities struggle to contain a resurgence thats erasing some of the countrys hard-won gains against the virus. Figures released by the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday brought the national caseload to 12,421 confirmed infections including 280 deaths. Read more How Sachin Tendulkars first India captain helped him become worlds best batsman, Sivaramakrishnan explains Kris Srikkanth may have captained India in just four Tests and 13 ODIs, but he had what it takes to have been given a longer captaincy rope, feels former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. Read more Rana Daggubatis pre-wedding celebrations begin, fiancee Miheeka Bajaj shares pic Baahubali actor Rana Daggubatis fiancee Miheeka Bajaj has shared a photo dressed in traditional finery on Instagram, fuelling the speculations that their pre-wedding celebrations have started. Read more Solar Eclipse 2020: Images of the celestial event from around the country. Theyre mesmerising Solar Eclipse which is happening today on June 21 is very special as its the last one visible from India this year until it occurs again on 2022. During a solar eclipse the moon passes in front of the sun and completely blocks its light. Read more Cycling in the times of Covid-19: From freedom to fitness to distancing Soon after Partition, a group of Hindi writers Bhisham Sahni, Nirmal Verma, Krishna Baldev Vaid, Manohar Shyam Joshi and others set up the Cultural Forum in Delhi. For four years, writes Sahni in his memoir, Todays Pasts (2015), they met regularly and read their works out to each other. Read more Watch| Covid & bickering within BJP: Himachal CM Jairam Thakur faces twin battle Sir Philip Green has come under fire for continuing to take millions in taxpayer cash to furlough workers. The Arcadia Group - whose brands include Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge - furloughed 14,500 staff in April under Rishi Sunak's job retention scheme. A source close to Arcadia has revealed that some staff had gone back to work after the reopening of 631 stores, but that others remained furloughed. It comes as Green, 68, was spotted in Monaco this week browsing multimillion pound luxury yachts. The source told The Times: 'Nobody's going to bring all their staff back, are they?There's way too many unknowns. We're living in a world where nobody's ever been before.' Sir Philip Green has come under fire for continuing to take millions in taxpayer cash to furlough workers. Pictured: he was seen strolling around Monaco looking at yachts this week Sir Philip Green has come under fire for continuing to take millions in taxpayer cash to furlough workers His decision to keep using the scheme - which pays 80 per cent of wages - is in stark contrast to other retailers who have refunded HM Revenue & Customs after deciding that they no longer need the financial assistance. The successful fast-fashion company Boohoo headed by billionaire Mahmud Kamani, 55, is returning furlough money. Kamani said: 'You always have to give back, especially when you're doing OK.' Critics have questioned how much Green needs to rely on taxpayers' money to keep his business afloat. He has lived in the tax haven of Monaco since 1998 and has a fortune of 930million according to The Sunday Times Rich List. The Topshop tycoon stopped to look at Khalilah, a 157ft gold super yacht with five bedrooms on the market for 28.5m (25.8m) before saluting and walking off in Monaco this week. It comes after Victoria Beckham abandoned plans to seek a government bailout to furlough 30 members of staff at her fashion brand following a major backlash in April. The Topshop tycoon stopped to look at Khalilah, a 157ft gold super yacht with five bedrooms on the market for 28.5m (25.8m) before saluting and walking off in Monaco this week Critics have questioned how much Green needs to rely on taxpayers' money to keep his business afloat. He has lived in the tax haven of Monaco since 1998 and has a fortune of 930million according to The Sunday Times Rich List. He is pictured with his daughter Chloe and wife Tina The former Spice Girl, whose family is worth 335million, had planned to use the Government's Covid-19 scheme to pay 80 per cent of the wages of some of her staff. The former Labour MP Frank Fields, who criticised Green when BHS collapsed in 2016 after he sold it, told The Times: 'He seems to replay the past when he's seen what the consequences are. He continues to play like that, with just so many people being hurt by his behaviour. 'He thinks there will be nothing to apologise for on the last day of judgment he'll just argue with God that he's got it wrong.' It comes amid fears the Covid-19 crisis has brought forward the demise of the High Street by up to three years as more people switch to shopping online, with thousands of traditional bricks and mortar stores set to be wiped out. Debenhams has revealed that 20 of its departments stores will never re-open, while many others are closing outlets. The fast fashion retailer Quiz is closing 11 stores permanently, while Victoria's Secret and Monsoon Accessorize recently went into administration. Sir Philip has faced repeated calls to lose his knighthood over his involvement in a string of controversies. Last year, a member of the House of Lords claimed the businessman had 'multiple' grievance claims against him. Green denied all the claims. The allegations were revealed by Lord Hain, who last year used the cloak of parliamentary privilege to identify the Topshop boss as the person behind a legal injunction preventing the Daily Telegraph from publishing allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse. Green, 68, - who was spotted in Monaco this week browsing multimillion pound luxury yachts - is also withholding rent payments from landlords, even though most of his high-street empire reopened last week. Pictured is one of his yachts 'Lionheart' The claims, which Sir Philip 'categorically and wholly denied', included allegations that the retail tycoon dragged a woman around in a headlock and smashed a male employee's mobile phone. It was also claimed that he mocked a male employee's dreadlocks and referred to him 'throwing spears in the jungle'. Sir Philip also faced allegations that he groped a female executive, paying her more than 1million to stay quiet. He has not been to Britain since the claims surfaced in October 2018 and has run Arcadia either from his penthouse in Monaco or from Lionheart, his family's 100m superyacht. Green enjoyed almost two decades of ruling the high street after lucrative takeovers of BHS in 2000 and Arcadia in 2002 Green enjoyed almost two decades of ruling the high street after lucrative takeovers of BHS in 2000 and Arcadia in 2002. The collapse of BHS - less than a year after he sold it for 1 - plunged Green into even more controversy. Arcadia was in trouble even before the current coronavirus crisis. It recorded an operating loss of 138m on turnover of 1.8bn in 2018. Last year Arcadia carried out an insolvency procedure known as a company voluntary arrangement to cut rents and close some shops. Arcadia Group have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Teachers may have quickly dabbled in it on MLK Jr. Day or at the beginning of Black History Month, but that was rare for the most part, Alexis said. Thats why I feel an event like this where we can have so many people listening and learning on a topic they may not know much about is immeasurably powerful. Suspected militants ambushed a Pakistani army vehicle in a former Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold near the Afghanistan border, triggering a shootout that killed two soldiers, the army said Sunday. It said two soldiers were also wounded in Saturday night's attack near the border village of Ghariom in North Waziristan and that troops retaliated and killed one of the attackers in an ensuing exchange of fire. The army provided no further details and only said troops later cleared a nearby militant compound in North Waziristan, a former tribal region that had served as a militant base until recent years when the Pakistani military said its successive operations there had cleared the area of the Taliban. The latest attack came as authorities prepared to reopen a key border crossing with neighboring Afghanistan to allow trade. Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan district on Monday. And there are some signs that a shift may be taking place. Many fathers I talked to over the past few months say that they will miss getting to spend more time with their kids and that they hope to be more active in the household even after a return to regular office hours. Sounds good, right? But for that to last beyond one generation, well also need changes both to policy and to corporate culture. The United States is currently the only industrialized country in the world with no guarantee of paid parental leave, for fathers or mothers. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 offers a paltry guarantee of 12 weeks of unpaid leave. By comparison, most rich countries offer six to 12 months of paid parental leave. Bringing America up to that standard would substantially improve conditions for families. But if corporate norms remain conservative, changes to public policy are not enough. Japan offers 12 months of parental leave, but only 6 percent of fathers use it. When I spoke to fathers in Tokyo last year, most said they would love to take more time off, but their bosses would be unhappy about it and they would never get promoted. So men continue to climb the corporate ladder after they have kids, while women fall behind. A similar dynamic plays out in American businesses, where one in three American men worry that taking paternity leave could hurt their careers, according to a 2018 Deloitte survey. But perhaps the unexpected joys more fathers are finding in this moment could result in significant pressure for both policy changes and new corporate cultures. In recent years, a small but growing number of companies, mostly in Silicon Valley, have begun to offer more generous paternity leave, while explicitly encouraging men to take advantage of it. The former chief executive of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, wrote an emotional essay in August 2019 about the need for paternity leave, contrasting his 16 weeks of leave with that of his own father, who took a single vacation day when Alexis was born. Silicon Valley companies are not leading the way on paternity leave because they are inherently progressive; its because their employees have been demanding it. Offering generous parental leave has become one way to attract talent to the most competitive jobs. Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, 43, has announced her engagement to boyfriend Richard Lavender, 60. Sharing the happy news to her Instagram followers on Sunday, the blonde journalist uploaded two photos of herself posing in the arms of her fiance, with a diamond ring sparkling on her engagement finger. 'What a year...' she wrote in the caption, adding several emojis including a ring, heart and a dog. 'What a year!' Samantha Armytage, 43, is ENGAGED to boyfriend Richard Lavender, 60, as Sunrise presenter debuts diamond ring on Instagram The photos appear to have been taken at a rural property. Both Samantha and Richard own estates in the New South Wales Southern Highlands. Wrapped up in a beanie and puffer jacket, the Channel Seven star beamed with joy as she placed her bejewelled hand on her man's chest. A flurry of Samantha's famous friends congratulated the happy couple, including Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac who wrote: 'Sam!!! Richard!!! Well bloody done! So great to see some happy news! @banjoarmytage for ring bearer duties, calling it early x.' It's official! On Sunday, the blonde journalist uploaded two photos of herself posing in the arms of her fiance, with a diamond ring sparkling on her engagement finger Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew added: 'Well, this is hands down the best thing to happen this year,' while former Studio 10 host Jessica Rowe added: 'Oh HOORAY!!!!!!! So happy for you beautiful girl & that is one very lucky fella!!' The couple, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year. They sparked engagement rumours in September, after they were spotted shopping for expensive jewellery in Sydney's Double Bay. So in love! Speaking to WHO magazine's Sexiest People issue, the Channel Seven host praised the businessman as a 'decent' and 'very honest' man Richard has two daughters, Grace and Sasha, while Samantha has no children but does own an adorable dog named Banjo. Speaking to WHO magazine's Sexiest People issue, the Channel Seven host praised the businessman as a 'decent' and 'very honest' man. She revealed they had been introduced by a mutual friend 'around Easter' and shared an instant connection. Smitten! The couple, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year Sam, who is notoriously private when it comes to her personal life, added that the most attractive thing about Richard is that he's 'comfortable in his own skin.' Meanwhile, Richard said that he was drawn to Sam because of 'the sparkle in her eye' and their shared passion for horses and the outdoors. On Valentine's Day this year, Richard called into Sunrise live on air to give her a romantic surprise. She's going to be a stepmother! Richard has two daughters, Grace and Sasha, while Samantha has no children but does own an adorable dog named Banjo (left) 'It's Rich! Happy Valentine's Day,' Richard said. 'I'm much more romantic than Sammy,' he added. 'You told me you wanted a surprise.' Richard went on to reveal that he had made Sam a gift for the special day and explained how he had been trying to 'throw her off the scent' to surprise her. Cute couple: Samantha recently shared this photo of her and Richard's legs as they cosied up on the couch together 'She prides herself on being a good journalist, Kochie, and she's been asking me what I've been doing the last couple of days and I've been having trouble throwing her off the scent,' he said. 'I made this little thing for you, Sammy. I'll send you a picture when I hang up, hopefully you'll like it!' Richard lives in a 40-hectare property in Bowral, NSW, the same country town where Sam owns a $2.2million five-bedroom retreat. 'I've been trying to throw her off the scent!' On Valentine's Day this year, Richard called into Sunrise live on air to give her a romantic surprise It's believed the couple spend most weekends together in the Southern Highlands, while Sam returns to her $2.5million Bondi home in the week. They are said to have met at socialite Skye Leckie's 60th birthday party in April last year. Interestingly, Sam's rumoured ex, jet tycoon Paul O'Brien, was also in attendance. Living the good life: It's believed the couple spend most weekends together in the Southern Highlands, while Sam returns to her $2.5million Bondi home in the week Meanwhile, on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph reported that Samantha will no longer host Sunrise on Mondays, starting from June 22. The TV host, has chosen to take a step back from her on-air responsibilities, and opt for a four-day working week, the publication reported. With Samantha absent from the desk on Mondays, journalist Natalie Barr will fill in. Natalie previously covered for the anchor for six weeks earlier this year, as Samantha fought off a 'respiratory infection'. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the pandemic, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran has found himself at the centre of a political storm after his Covid queen, Nipah princess remark on Health Minister KK Shailaja. While the controversial spin of words put the opposition UDF in a tight spot, the Left has unleashed a scathing attack on the state Congress chief. On Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed Mullappally a prisoner of his own insanity. A day after his remarks invited sharp criticism even from the BJP, the state Congress chief stood his ground and made it clear that he would not apologise.Though many UDF leaders wanted Mullappally to apologise or retract his words, he remained defiant and stressed that Shailaja had not done any meritorious work. He even went on to state that a British publication had termed the health minister a rock dancer. With both the UDF and Congress leaderships feeling the heat, there are indications that Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has asked Mullappally to put a stop to his tirade against the health minister. Meanwhile, the Left leadership came down heavily on the KPPC president, demanding an apology. The LDF alleged the remarks exposed a hidden agenda to sabotage Keralas Covid control measures. The most scathing attack came from the Chief Minister, who said, The KPCC president has become a prisoner of his own insanity. He is not even able to mention the name of sister Lini (nurse who died of Nipah) properly. If he feels agitated when the world praises Kerala, how degraded a mindset could that be! When Kerala has become a model for the entire world, heres a Congress leader whos bent on exemplifying how a political activist should not be. He said Mullappallys rant against Shailaja reflects a peculiar state of mind. Its also anti-women. Is this how you perceive women? Its unfortunate the KPCC president has fallen into a truly pitiable state of mind that such remarks can get him media attention, CM mocked. US threatens UAE with sanctions over Syria rapprochement Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 8:17 AM The US has threatened to slap sanctions on the United Arab Emirate as Abu Dhabi presses ahead with efforts to normalize ties with the Syrian government. US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey issued the warning during a press conference on Washington's recently enacted anti-Syria economic measures, known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which blacklists 39 entities and individuals, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma. Jeffrey said the US would not exclude the UAE from its coercive measures if it violates the Caesar Act. "Anyone who engages in economic activities, whether in the UAE or in other countries...may be targeted by these sanctions," Jeffrey said. The US envoy also rebuked Abu Dhabi for its policy of rapprochement with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, calling the reopening of the UAE embassy in Damascus a "bad idea." "The UAE knows that we absolutely refuse that countries take such steps," he added. The Caesar Act came into effect on Wednesday, six months after it was signed into law by US President Donald Trump, targeting individuals and businesses anywhere in the world that operate either directly or indirectly in Syria's economy. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the American sanctions as "a crime against humanity and a flagrant violation of the international law that targets the livelihood of the Syrians." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the bans "the beginning of what will be a sustained campaign of economic and political pressure to deny the Assad regime revenue." The measures are meant to "prevent the Assad regime from securing a military victory" in the fight against foreign-backed terrorists, according to US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft. The UAE has long been a supporter of anti-Damascus terrorists, but in recent years it has tried to made overtures to Syria as the national army inches closer to win the counter-terrorism battle. In late 2018, Abu Dhabi reopened its embassy in Damascus for the first time since an Arab diplomatic boycott of Syria. In December 2019, Emirati charge d'affaires Abdul-Hakim Naimi praised Assad for his "wise leadership," describing relations between the two Arab countries as "solid and special". In March 2020, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with Assad and vowed to support the war-torn Arab country during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 12:34 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406606768d 1 City FBI,pedophile,fugitive,Most-Wanted-List,police,Jakarta-police,Sexual-assault,sexual-abuse,child-prostitution Free The Jakarta Police have arrested a woman for allegedly procuring child prostitutes for American fugitive Russ Albert Medlin, who was recently arrested in Jakarta for suspected sex crimes against minors. We seized her in Banten. She is now in Jakarta Police custody, Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus told the press on Friday as quoted by tempo.co. During the arrest, she fled to a nearby hill. It takes four hours to climb the hill from the closest district. According to Yusri, the woman, identified as A, fled to Banten after the news of Medlins arrest surfaced earlier in the week. A allegedly received Rp 6.3 million (USD$ 447.50) for each child she procured for the American. Police arrested Medlin at his residence in Jakarta on Monday, after questioning three minors who accused the American of sexually assaulting them. Medlin was charged under the 2002 Child Protection Law and could face up to 15 years' imprisonment if found guilty. Police added that Medlin had twice been convicted of sexual assault against a minor by a district court in Nevada, the United States, in 2006 and 2008. He has been on the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) wanted list for crimes related to an investment scam in bitcoin stocks worth $722 million. (trn) Together with state governments across the county, and all other stakeholders, the Buhari administration is working harder to deal decisively with the problem of rape and gender-based violence in Nigeria, because every form of sexual assault are blemishes on the collective humanity and dignity of Nigerians as a people and a Nation. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this declaration today at a virtual meeting organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the Scourge of Rape, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria. We will work with all actors to detect and punish the perpetrators of these sickening acts and work even harder to prevent their occurrence Specifically, the Vice President further said the fight against rape and gender violence would be driven down to the states through the National Economic Council (NEC), which he chairs. We will continue to use the platform of the National Economic Council to encourage States yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act of 2003 to do so. Gender-based violence, rape and sexual assaults are a blemish on our collective humanity and dignity as a people and a Nation, he added. While violence against women has always been a challenge in Nigeria, the COVID-19 lockdown has occasioned a steep increase in sexual and gender-based violence across the country. I am told that between March 23, 2020 May 29, 2020, the FCT Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team received an overwhelming 105 incidents; an average of 13 incidents per week, up from the usual 5 to 6 incidents per week, pre-COVID-19. Also, a few days ago the Inspector-General of Police disclosed that the police had recorded about 717 rape incidents across the country between January and May 2020. And that 799 suspects had so far been arrested, 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court while 52 cases are still under investigation. What these figures show is an escalation of an already disgraceful trend of violence against women and girls in the country, Mr Osinbajo observed. He referenced the rapes and murders of Queen Igbinevbo, a pregnant woman in her home in Edo State on May 20, 2020, and Vera Omozuwa, a 22-year old student of University of Benin on May 27, 2020. According to the VP, there is also the case of Barakat Bello, an 18-year old female student of Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan on June 1, 2020, among others, saying these assaults should never have happened and must not be allowed to continue. Mr Osinbajo reassured that President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors recently undertook to take drastic actions against gender-based violence. READ ALSO: On June 11, State Governors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), agreed to declare a state of emergency on rape and gender-based violence against women and children, while renewing their commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law. Similarly, the President, in his June 12 address to Nigerians, reiterated governments determination to fight gender-based violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation, he said. According to him, there is need to look beyond just legislation to fix the problem, but rather, interrogate the deeply dysfunctional cultures, the systemic flaws in our institutions and the perverse social norms which enable sexual and gender-based violence. Mr Osinbajo also acknowledged that the Women Affairs Ministry, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the International Community and several Civil Society Organizations had also been at the forefront of finding solutions and transformative strategies to address the root causes of gender-based violence. Present at the virtual meeting was the Women Affairs Minister, Dame Paullen Tallen, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, representatives of the United Nations and Civil Society Organizations. Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the extension of Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), most of the countrys biggest lenders have decided to end the extra payments to employees who continued to work in public during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) spokesperson said that the bank will end its pay incentive on June 27. CIBC spokesperson Tom Wallis reportedly said that the bank is shifting to the next phase as the economy and many businesses begin to re-open. Workers were being paid C$50 per day to work on-site which will seize from June 27 but the bank will continue to offer employees up to 10 additional paid days off to deal with coronavirus-related issues, the spokesperson said. Extension of CERB On June 16, Trudeau had announced the extension of CERB by eight weeks to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work. Prime Ministers Office said in a statement that more Canadians are returning to work, but many people still face challenges due to COVID-19. As we begin to take steps to safely restart our economy, we will continue to support Canadians to protect their health and economic well-being, the statement read. Read: Asylum Seekers In Canada Become COVID Warriors Helping Govt Combat Coronavirus Pandemic Canada has reported over 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far with around 8,400 deaths related to it. The North American nation has continuously been witnessing a decline in the rate of daily cases, allowing the businesses to reopen again. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of a "new and dangerous phase" of the pandemic. During a media briefing on June 19, the WHO Director-General said that the pandemic still poses a major threat even countries are eager to open up their societies and economies. But the virus is still spreading fast, its still deadly & most people are still susceptible," said the top WHO official. Read: Canada Fails To Secure UN Security Council Seat, Loses To Ireland And Norway Read: Canada Won't Raise Taxes To Help Pay For COVID-19 Aid Programs: Finance Minister A cow was tied up with a rope and rescued by firefighters after it fell into the River Cam yesterday. The Red Poll cow became stuck in the river near near the Victoria Avenue bridge on Saturday at 12.05pm. She spent a few hours in the wading up and down the river before firefighters got into the water to direct her towards Midsummer Common bank. But she resisted and the firefighters were forced to tie a lasso around her neck to guide it to the banks as onlookers applauded. Firefighters dragged a cow out of the River Cam in Cambridge with the help of a lasso yesterday after it fell in The cow initially resisted firefighter attempts to direct her towards a bank, forcing them to use a rope and drag her out After friendly boaters moved their boats to block both ends of the river that they eventually were able to lasso the cow and pull her out. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said: 'Three crews were sent at 12.05pm to help a cow stuck in the water at Midsummer Common. 'With assistance from the City Pinder, the owner and a local vet, they eventually managed to get the cow out. 'This involved enlisting the help of two barge owners to manoeuvre their vessels to block the cow in as it was distressed and moving around. The cow spent a few hours in the wading up and down the river before firefighters got into the water to direct her towards Midsummer Common bank A large crowd gathers on the Victoria Avenue bridge to watch as the firefighters drag the cow onto the bank 'Eventually the animal settled and it could be assisted back on to dry land.' A witness said: 'It was pretty hilarious watching the poor firefighters trying to coral the cow as a crowd of about 300 looked on. 'They managed to coax it under the bridge and into an area where it could get out but the silly cow was having none of it and swam off downriver before getting stuck at the rowing houses. 'It was trapped between houseboats and rowing clubs with nowhere to get out,' they told CambridgeshireLive. The cow was not harmed in the operation. If you have a president you need one who is able to fire his own deputies. With a running mate, you need Parliament to institute impeachment proceedings to remove whoever is VP. We dont need that like the scenario which happened in Malawi when (Bingu wa) Mutharikadied, and the (ruling) party (there) no longer wanted Joyce Banda, but were forced to have her Those who are saying its the best practice are totally lost, Ziyambi added. Ian Holm, a virtuosic British actor celebrated for his performances in plays by Shakespeare and Harold Pinter and in movies from Sidney Lumets Night Falls on Manhattan to the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, died Friday in London. He was 88. Isabella Riggs, an employee of his agents, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin, confirmed that he died in a hospital. She said the cause was an illness related to Parkinsons disease. A character actor who eventually played leading roles, Holm had a kind of magical malleability, with a range that went from the sweet-tempered to the psychotic. In the theater, he ran the gamut of Shakespeare, from the high-spirited Prince Hal to the tormented King Lear, and he left his imprint on two roles in Pinters The Homecoming: the sleek, entrepreneurial Lenny and his autocratic father, Max. In films, Holm incarnated characters of diverse geographic origin and nature, including a tough New York cop in Night Falls on Manhattan (1996), a big-city negligence lawyer in Atom Egoyans The Sweet Hereafter (1997) and a bohemian genius manque in the title role in Stanley Tuccis Joe Goulds Secret (2000). Exploring the world of fantasy, he was a malfunctioning robot in Ridley Scotts Alien (1979) and the hobbit Bilbo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Return of the King (2003), from Peter Jacksons Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Jacksons subsequent Hobbit films. Explaining his ability to immerse himself in such disparate characters, Holm said simply, Im a chameleon. The transformation was emotional as well as physical, as he discovered new depths of compassion even in the most unlikely characters. In 1993, overcoming a serious case of stage fright, he returned to the theater after an absence of more than 15 years to star in Pinters Moonlight. Four years later, he set himself the monumental challenge of King Lear at the National Theater in London. It brought him the Laurence Olivier Award as best actor. Playing Lear, he said, was like climbing Everest with no oxygen. He is survived by Sophie de Stempel, his fourth wife; five children; and eight grandchildren, Riggs, of his agency, said. Holm was knighted in 1998. Mel Gussow is a New York Times writer. 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. Prabhu Chawla By For his sworn detractors, he is merely a bad political penny. But to their chagrin, he is set to return. As he turned 50, Rahul Gandhi is back with a vengeance. Striking here and there, speaking anywhere and everywhere, to anyone and everyone, the sixth generation Nehru-Gandhi scion is ensuring his ubiquitous visibility. For the past few weeks, his actions and utterances are quite indicative of his intent and intention, of challenging the Mighty Modi. His intention is to regain political relevance and credibility. For that, he has knocked at every door and explored all avenues. From sitting along the road side with distressed and stressed migrant labourers to Nobel laureates, global medical luminaries, outspoken industry tycoons and retired diplomats, Rahul has redefined his road map for his future political agenda. After a disastrous short stint as Congress president, he wants to learn by unlearning. His promoters have already drawn up a blueprint to re-launch him as a national leader who wants to change his party and restore to India its inclusive character. His spin masters are claiming that the Rahul of 2020 is a personality full of promise and performance. He has been in active politics since 2004. During the past 16 years, he has traversed through various hills and valleys during his political yatra. His worst performance was when not only he lost his own Lok Sabha election, but couldnt win enough seats to ensure even the status of a recognised opposition party in the Lok Sabha. His past doesnt inspire any confidence in him. Congress, as usual, hasnt got out of the mindset of surviving without a Gandhi which ensures a pan-India recall. But there are many in the Congress who feel that Rahul is yet to acquire the qualities of a statesman who can offer any alternative leadership or a vision for India. While his great grandfather and grandmother possessed all the skills to manage a complex party like the Congress and an equally culturally and socially diversified India, Rahul sounds like an adolescent. Senior Congress leaders, who have individually won the states for the party, have even started assessing Rahul on various parameters. While none of them is willing to risk his or her career by openly questioning his leadership, they have defined a few necessary qualifications which Rahul must possess before he takes up the mantle again. These are: Accountability: There seems to be a consensus that Rahul must develop a mindset in which he holds himself accountable for both success and failure. Normally, a great leader takes less credit for success and more for failure. But in the case of the Gandhis, it has always been the reverse. Rahul did own up to the responsibility for the partys debacle in 2019 and resigned. He also made a powerful statement against entitlement: It is a habit in India that the powerful cling to power, no one sacrifices power. But we will not defeat our opponents without sacrificing the desire for power and fighting a deeper ideological battle. I was born a Congressman. As president of the Congress Party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election. Accountability is critical for the future growth of our party. It is for this reason that I have resigned as Congress President. But he is on his way back without getting rid of those who were responsible for the Congresss defeat in many states. Delegation: Success of a leader depends on the extent to which he or she delegates. When Rahul was Congress president, there were hardly any powers given to the chief ministers or the state party chiefs to change and choose their teams. Even a junior minister or district-level office bearer was chosen by the high command. Even the portfolios were decided in Delhi. Rahul hasnt given any indication or ideas as to how he would like to change the basis character of the party which is almost on the verge of total collapse. It is because of the excessive concentration of power at the top that the Congress as an organisation has almost vanished from many states. If the Congress won power under the leadership of the Gandhis, it also shrank beyond recognition under them. Flexibility: A strong leader survives longer if he listens most and speaks the least. Rahul is perceived as a person who is quite inflexible when it comes to his likes and dislikes. While Indira, Sonia and Rajiv were able to carry their adversaries with them, Rahul is yet to make peace with many senior Congress leaders. He made an attempt to create his own Congress but failed. With Congress still divided in various factions, Rahul doesnt seem to be the person who can ensure unity. Connectivity & Confidence: Oratorial skills of a leader play the most important role in the success of any political party. Atal Behari Vajpayee could mesmerise his audience. Even Indira could connect emotionally. But Rahul is yet to develop as an effective communicator. Most popular Indian politicians have been powerful storytellers. Narendra Modi tells India the tale it wants to hear, of reinvention, of renewal, of looking even our strongest enemies in the eye, never mind the outcome. Rahul, in contrast, seemingly lacks authenticity. His struggles pale in comparison with those of the prime minister, and his dynastic roots seem to distance him from a young, hungry and angry new India. Forget the voters, Rahul hasnt been able to convey his idea of compassionate governance to his own party. Though Rahul sounds quite confident when he attacks the government, he is yet to display any expertise in rallying the party cadres behind him with energy or enthusiasm. Even after 16 years, Rahul is yet to prove he can win friends and influence people, let alone triumph in elections. Integrity & Transparency: Finally, it is the impeccable integrity of any leader which carries conviction with both voters and cadres. However, it is the financial integrity which is more important. While the Congress party has been accused of many scams, no one has accused Rahul of personal involvement so far. He is, however, responsible for leading a party whose leaders are facing numerous investigations. Even if he is personally clean, perceptibly Rahul is seen as a leader who isnt capable of reining in corrupt elements. In addition, many feel that Rahul operates under a cloak of secrecy and his political management is not transparent. According to Congress insiders it is a matter of time when Rahul assumes the Congress presidentship. But it would be more a testament to the need for feudal fealty that runs through the veins of Congress workers and less to his innate talent for politics. The informal rules of inheritance can deliver Rahul the throne, but the legitimacy of power can only come from the people. India needs an alternative leader with vision, mission and dynamism. Rahul 2.0 has to convince the country that he is its future. Being the bearer of one of Indias most famous last names is not enough. Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla Riyadh, June 21 : Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry announced the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on all the kingdom's cities starting from Sunday morning. The decision to return to "normalcy" will be effective on June 21, including the return of all economic and commercial activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported. However, all international flights and the Umrah pilgrimage will continue to be suspended until further notice, the ministry said, adding that land and sea borders remain closed, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. The ministry asserted the importance to follow precautionary measures against the spreading of coronavirus, noting that gatherings of more than 50 people are strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry announced on Saturday the registration of 3,941 new coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia, increasing the total to 154,233. The fatalities reached 1,230 cases after 46 more people died from COVID-19 in the kingdom. The recoveries rose to 98,917 with the reporting of 3,153 new recovered cases. Restaurant owners who had booked in diners, rostered on staff and bought thousands of dollars worth of food are dismayed at the extension of coronavirus restrictions. Brooke Pollock, owner of Moorabbin restaurant Arcobar, and her partner, Franz Madlener, stressed they understood the decision by the Andrews government on Saturday to prolong restrictions limiting restaurants to just 20 seated diners until at least July 12. Arcobar owner Brooke Pollock and partner Franz Madlener. Credit:Chris Hopkins Restaurants with sufficient floor space were to be allowed up to 50 diners from Monday. In preparation, we put $8500 worth of food into our coolroom to gear up for the week ahead, a frustrated Mr Madlener said. The Duke of Cambridge has shared two new photos to celebrate Fathers Day and his 38th birthday. The photos were taken by the Duchess of Cambridge and show William with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. In the first image, William is pictured wearing blue chinos and a navy sweater while perching on a swing, which was a wedding gift to the couple. The duke smiles as Prince George stands up behind him, Princess Charlotte next to him with her arm flung around her father, and Prince Louis sat on his knee. In the second photo the three children clamber on top of their father as he lies smiling on the ground. The images were taken earlier this month at the familys Anmer Hall mansion on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. William, who is second in line to the throne, is just one of a number of royals who have celebrated birthdays during lockdown. In April, the Queen and Prince Louis celebrated their birthdays, while Princess Charlotte turned five in May and Prince Philip celebrated turning 99 earlier this month. The royals have stayed apart during the coronavirus pandemic, and are scattered around the country at their various homes. William and Kate have been conducting a series of royal video calls, and in the past week, have stepped out for the re-starting of physical royal engagements albeit with social distancing as a key element. The images were taken by Kate Middleton at the. familys Anmer Hall mansion (Getty) William has opened up about his life in lockdown in a variety of calls with charities, saying the success of his family meals depend very much on whats on the table. On Tuesday, during his first face-to-face meeting with the public in months, when he met ambulance crews in Norfolk, he confessed he was looking forward to being able to go to the local pub for a pint when it was allowed. New photo shows Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis clamber on top of their father as he lies smiling on the ground (Getty) He also joked: Im worried about the waistline of the nation as well, with all the chocolate and cakes. Ive done a lot of baking at home. Chocolate goes down very well. But the smaller museums may not be interested in risking everything. The Underground Museum, in L.A.s Arlington Heights neighborhood, sounded a voice of caution about a pandemic that has hit Black and Latino populations disproportionately hard: We are prioritizing the care of our community over calls to restart our economy. Please stay safe, and if you can, stay home.' Los Angeles Times BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 25 times, Trend reports on June 21 referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. 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 the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts. New Delhi: In a big revelation, sources claimed on Sunday (June 20) that at least 45-50 personnel of the Chinese army were killed in the violent face-off with Indian Army troops in the Galwan valley. According to sources, the confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan took place for more than 4 hours, in which both sides suffered casualties. Sources said that Indian assessment is that while it is difficult to specify the exact number of casualties suffered by Chinese troops in the Galwan valley face-off, it said that the casualty number falls anywhere between 45 and 50. It further claimed that the 3 Medium Regiment of Indian Army had captured a Chinese colonel during the clash, who was later released by the Indian forces. Notably, this is first combat fatalities in 45 years along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between two nuclear-armed nations. China, meanwhile, has not stated anything about any losses in the hand-to-hand combat that took place in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, in which at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed and almost 78 were injured. In the meantime, Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh today held a key meeting with Tri-service chiefs and Chief of Defence Staff and reviewed the ground situation and preparedness of forces on the LAC in view of the escalating tension between India and China. The sources said that after the high-level meeting between Rajnath and top military brass, the armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given full freedom in giving a befitting reply to any Chinese aggressive behaviour. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. The sources said Rajnath told the top military brass to maintain strict vigil on Chinese activities around land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes, and asked them to adopt a tough approach in dealing with any misadventure by Chinese forces. Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in several areas of eastern Ladakh. The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between the two countries. They said the Army, as well as the IAF, have already been ramping up their operational capabilities along the LAC to effectively deal with any Chinese misadventure. On June 19, the MEA in an official statement had stated that China's claim to Galwan valley was 'exaggerated and untenable' and therefore 'unacceptable'. "The position with regard to GalwanValley area has been historically clear. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated & untenable claims with regard to LAC there aren't acceptable. They aren't in accordance with Chinas own past position," a statement issued by MEA read. At least 20 Indian Army personnel, including a Colonel, were killed in the clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on the intervening night of June 15-16, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff between the two countries. By PTI WASHINGTON: Amidst the "very tough" standoff at the China-India border, US President Donald Trump has said that his administration is talking to both countries to "help them" resolve their ongoing tensions. Trump's comments came in the backdrop of the violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese armies in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 in which 20 Indian military personnel were killed, significantly escalating the already volatile situation in the region. According to US intelligence sources, more than 35 Chinese soldiers were also killed during the skirmish. "It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there," Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first post-COVID-19 election rally in Oklahoma. "They've come to blows, and we'll see what happens. We'll try and help them out," Trump said when asked about his assessment of the situation between India and China. Over the past few days, the entire Trump Administration has rallied behind India against the illegitimate incursions of the Chinese Army into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. Trump last month offered to "mediate or arbitrate" the raging border dispute between India and China, saying he was "ready, willing and able" to ease the tensions. India virtually rejected his offer to mediate, saying it was engaged with China to peacefully resolve the ongoing border row. China also said both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve their issues through dialogue and consultations. The United States has accused China of escalating border tension with India and other neighbours by trying to take benefit of these countries busy fighting coronavirus pandemic. "The PLA (People's Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world's most populous democracy. It's militarizing the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, in a major speech on China a day earlier. In his virtual address on 'Europe and the China Challenge' during the 2020 Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday, Pompeo described the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a 'rogue actor. Early this week, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president is aware of the situation and the US is monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the line of actual control in Eastern Ladakh. "During a phone call on June 2 that Trump had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they did discuss the situation on the Indo-China border," McEnany said. "Trump and Modi have a terrific relationship and trust between them," Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee, said, adding that the statements coming from the White House, the State Department and the US Embassy in New Delhi is reflective of this. Coming out in support of India, Texas Congressman Lance Gooden said that China cannot be trusted. "As more news comes out about the deadly conflict between China and India, once again CHINA appears to be an aggressive bad actor," the Republican Congressman said. "The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) cannot be taken at their word, EVER," Gooden said in a tweet. On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that "on land, for the sake of grabbing territory, the PLA appears to have instigated the most violent clash between China and India since those nations went to war in 1962". "Needless to say, the rest of the world has watched with grave concern this violent exchange between two nuclear states. We are encouraging de-escalation and hoping for peace," McConnell said. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell earlier said that this Chinese activity is similar to activity the world has seen in the past on border disputes with the People's Republic of China. "I would point you to those, I think it was 2015 when Xi Jinping travelled to India the first time," he said. "The PLA (People's Liberation Army) invaded this contested area deeper and longer, with more people, than ever before historically. Whether that was a negotiating tactic or just a punch in the nose to demonstrate their superiority, I don't know," he told reporters early this week. "But then we saw the Doklam issue down near Bhutan, where we saw similar concerns. I wish I knew. Again, we don't have a lot of visibility and we don't have a lot of open dialogue with our Chinese counterparts, and honestly I'd like to see more of that if we can," Stillwell said. US experts feel that the latest Chinese behaviour will swing India towards China. "Even before the latest flareup, a majority of Indian strategists saw Chinese assertiveness as India's biggest foreign-policy challenge. This has resulted in an unspoken but unmistakable swing toward the US," Jeff Smith from The Heritage Foundation think tank said. "The bullying of US partners and allies needs to come at a cost," Smith said in a tweet. The US is currently involved in a tense showdown with China on the issue of trade, the origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Beijing's new security crackdown in Hong Kong and the communist giant's aggressive military moves in the disputed South China Sea. Nam Y. Huh | AP Hundreds of people participated in upbeat and celebratory marches through downtown Chicago on Friday, part of events citywide to mark Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. People gathering before one morning march danced to music played by a small marching band before hundreds marched into the citys downtown Loop. Participants kept up the festive atmosphere, chanting and singing along the route that wrapped up near City Hall. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Airlines for America (A4A), a trade organization that represents leading U.S. airlines, says that its member carriers are vowing to vigorously enforce face-covering policies put in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some passengers have reportedly been seen shirking the current requirements that they wear masks, or other nose-and-mouth coverings, in the airport and aboard their flights. All mainline U.S. carriers (except Allegiant) had implemented the mandatory wearing of masks by passengers back in May. As it turned out, most major airlines weren't prepared to back up those policies. In fact, American, Delta and United had all initially instructed crew members not to force passengers to wear masks if they encountered pushback from the customer. But, as the crisis wears on, it has become evident that noncompliance with these face-covering mandates is something that simply won't fly. "Face coverings are one of several public health measures recommended by the CDC as an important layer of protection for passengers and customer-facing employees," A4A president and CEO, Nicholas E. Calio, said in a statement. "U.S. airlines are very serious about requiring face coverings on their flights. Carriers are stepping up enforcement of face coverings and implementing substantial consequences for those who do not comply with the rules." Therefore, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have all stated that they will be applying the following policy updates: 1. Pre-Flight Communications: Each individual airline will clearly articulate its specific face-covering policy in communications with customers, and may require acknowledgment from passengers regarding their understanding of these rules during the check-in process. 2. Onboard Announcements: Crew members on board the aircraft will announce specific details regarding the specific carrier's face-covering policy, and outline the consequences that passengers could face if they violate the policy. 3. Consequences for Noncompliance: Whereas, at the gate, noncompliant customers may be prevented from boarding their flight, once they're on board the aircraft, means of enforcing these policies become limited. Each individual carrier will implement its own consequences for passengers who flout the airline's face-covering policy as it deems appropriate, up to and including suspension of flying privileges with that carrier. ___ (TravelPulse is a leading travel authority on the web, providing consumer travel news and insider tips and advice for an ever-changing travel world. Read more stories at travelpulse.com) Visit Travelpulse at www.travelpulse.com By Chris Megerian and Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times TULSA, Okla. President Donald Trumps first rally in months, intended as a triumphant return to the campaign trail after the coronavirus forced nationwide lockdowns, began with a fizzle Saturday night as the enormous crowds he anticipated in Tulsa failed to materialize. Although some hardcore supporters camped out for days for a spot, there were empty seats throughout the upper decks of the downtown arena when Trump took the stage. We begin! We begin our campaign, Trump said at the beginning of his speech. He called the crowd warriors for defying the fake news to attend his rally. The Trump campaign tried to boost turnout at the last minute, sending out a text message saying theres still space, but to no avail. Trump also canceled an earlier speech at an outdoor event where there was supposed to be an overflow crowd of thousands. Instead, there were only a few dozen, and workers began dismantling the expensive stage around the time the president landed in Tulsa. On Twitter, teens, 20-somethings and their gleeful parents bragged that teens and others by the thousands conspired to order tickets they never intended to use, in the process fooling the campaign by creating a false sense of demand. Raise your hand if you have a ticket to Trumps rally in Tulsa but arent using it. https://t.co/wWfgNGFV0T RanchBoy (@ranch_boy) June 20, 2020 Tim Murtaugh, a campaign spokesman, claimed that protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors. But police on site said the entrance was blocked only briefly and no one was denied entry. The sagging turnout in the deep-red state of Oklahoma may be a red flag for Trumps reelection campaign, which is trailing by nearly double digits to Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Its also a blow to a president who counts on the adulation from faithful crowds. Trump has been eager to start holding rallies again after months of being cooped up in the White House as coronavirus made public gatherings unsafe. Before Saturday, he had promised a wild night. But there was relief in some corners of Tulsa that more people didnt show up. Public health officials have feared that a tightly packed arena would supercharge the spread of the virus, especially with many of Trumps supporters downplaying the threat of the pandemic and declining to wear masks. There were also hopes that the city would be spared the violence that some feared as protesters and Trump supporters descended on downtown. There was still some tension outside the arena, especially as police in riot gear stood by as two men one Black and one white began fighting. Earlier, about 30 protesters approached a security gate at the edge of the arenas outdoor rally area, chanting slogans popular with the left-wing movement known as antifa and carrying anti-Trump signs and a banner that said, Revolution Nothing Less. They were surrounded by a group of Trump supporters, who recorded them on cellphones and chanted USA! Trump risks inflaming racial tensions with his rally at a time when protests have swept across the country over the killing last month by a white Minneapolis police officer of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man. Tulsa was the site of a race massacre in 1921, and Black community leaders have called Trumps visit an insensitive provocation, especially because it falls on the weekend of Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery. Across town from the arena, in the historically Black Greenwood district, the site of the 1921 massacre, activists covered memorials and murals ahead of an expected visit by Vice President Mike Pence. We dont want him using our monuments for a photo op, said Tyrance Billingsley III, 24, a local entrepreneur. He said the Trump administration was not welcome and is 100% diametrically opposed to what Greenwood stands for. Tykebrean Ty Cheshire organized a Rally Against Hate on Saturday evening and said she is expecting more than a thousand people, based on Facebook RSVPs. The rally is being staged at a park on the other side of the city to avoid conflict with Trump supporters. Weve just got to keep it peaceful and not stress out, Cheshire said, noting that she had heard from police that white supremacist groups were in town, including the Ku Klux Klan, Proud Boys and followers of the boogaloo movement. Hopefully they just want to listen to their man speak today and they wont target us, Cheshire said, noting that organizers had nevertheless planned a quick exit route from the park in case of trouble. Trump has appeared untroubled and even energized by the prospect of chaos in the streets, a scene that could bolster his calls for law and order. Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis, Trump tweeted Friday. It will be a much different scene! Crowds gathered Saturday morning at the arenas entrance gate, including Don Engle, the treasurer of neighboring Creek County. Were real excited, Engle said as he queued with his wife near the gate, where they had waited on and off for days. I dont think theres any controversy at all. Hes picked us because we were the best at opening back up. Thats why we got this honor thats what it is, its not a problem, its an honor. Some said they were worried about COVID-19 and brought masks, which were also being sold outside the rally, along with face shields and hand sanitizer. But most said they did not intend to wear masks inside unless it was required. It was important to me to support what I believe in. Im not going to let a bunch of people tell me I cant do something. Were still in a free country, said Janet Arnold, 64, a massage therapist who drove to the rally from Bolivar, Mo., and described herself as a gun-toting grandma. Oklahoma was among the first states to reopen in April and has remained open even as COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically in recent weeks. On Saturday, Trumps campaign said six staff members helping set up for his rally had tested positive for the coronavirus. Its been more than three months since Trumps last rally. Hes returning to the campaign trail after a cascade of setbacks in recent weeks, including Supreme Court decisions overturning his administrations policies and the pending release of a searing book by John Bolton, his former national security adviser. Trump became involved in a new controversy Friday night when Attorney General William Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who has led investigations of Trumps allies, was resigning. But Berman said he would not step down until the Senate approved a permanent replacement, creating a standoff over one of the most powerful posts in the Justice Department. Coronavirus cases are also rising again in many parts of the country, raising the prospect of another surge in deaths and a return to the kinds of lockdowns that have forced tens of millions out of work. Trump trails Biden, the former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee, by nearly 9 percentage points in an average of polls compiled by Real Clear Politics. -- Los Angeles Times via Tribune News Service As a result of the Digital Revolution that has happened around the world, smartphone usage has skyrocketed in the past few decades, with 60% of the world's population (4.57 billion people) using the internet in 2020. Of those people, 92% are using some type of mobile device to go online, and this shows no signs of slowing down in the future. Smartphone Usage Per Capita Mobile phone usage has been tied to an understanding how quickly the economy of a country is growing. Some developing economies experiencing the most growth had an incredible ratio of smartphones to smartphone users in 2018. China (Macao SAR) had an average of 3.45 smartphones per person in 2018, while China (Hong Kong SAR) had an average of 2.7 smartphones per person in the same year. The United Arab Emirates saw an average of 2.09 smartphones per person in 2018. Smartphone penetration rates have also been used to demonstrate upward economic growth, with a rate of greater than 70% usually demonstrating that an economy has become advanced, while a rate of less than 70% usually demonstrates that an economy is emerging or just beginning to develop. The following are some of the world's countries with the lowest number of smartphones per capita as per World Bank data. Developed economies have a high rate of per capita smartphone use. 1. American Samoa This unincorporated territory of the United States is located in the south-central Pacific Ocean, and 93% of the population is ethnically Samoan. Considering its geographical isolation, it is no wonder that the internet and cell phone plans in American Samoa are incredibly expensive for the average person. This is why in 2004, only 4% of Samoans had a mobile cellular subscription, however, this number is set to increase. 2. Korean Democratic People's Republic (North Korea) This nation next to Russia, China, and South Korea, and under a government considered by many to be strict and authoritarian is very isolated from the rest of the world when it comes to smartphone usage. Citizens have access to state-mandated radio and television broadcasting, but few people possess smartphones and internet usage is virtually non-existent. While the number of smartphones in the country has increased substantially, in 2017 only 15% of North Koreans possessed a smartphone. It is also likely that very few possessed access to the World Wide Web. 3. Eritrea An African man learning the use of smartphones from his friend. Image credit: i_am_zews/Shutterstock.com This country is located on the coast of the Red Sea and bordered by Sudan and Ethiopia. On May 24th, 1993, Eritrea was liberated from Ethiopian rule. While the country managed to create a collective national identity in the years leading up to independence, following this international trade was stunted by factors like ethnic and religious differences, the effects of conflict, extreme drought, and a general lack of state-sponsored supports. Due to these factors, in 2017 only 20% of Eritreans had smartphones, but that number is steadily growing. 4. Micronesia There are more than 600 tiny islands that make up the whole of Micronesia, and the people that live there can be divided into four main cultural and language groups. Most of the Micronesian economy is mostly made up of farming and fishing, and the majority of people live outside of urban centers, so it is no wonder that in 2017 only 21% of people in Micronesia had access to a smartphone. 5. Central African Republic This country in the heart of Africa is home to a population of mostly Aka (Pygmy) peoples, and due to mismanagement of finances and government corruption, its economy has been incredibly strained. For this reason in 2018 only 27% of Central Africans possessed smartphones. TN records highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases, tally now at 59,377 Nagaland's Covid-19 count at 211 with 10 new cases 14 new Covid-19 cases in ITBP in 24 hrs Mapping of containment zones in Delhi to be done again: MHA Contact tracing to be done for all Covid cases in Delhi: MHA Serological survey on 20k sample to ascertain scale of Covid spread in Delhi Healthcare workers write down details of residents during a check-up camp. After over seven months since the first case of coronavirus was reported in China, the outbreak continues to spread. Countries have tried their best to curb the disease by imposing lockdowns, ensuring social distancing and providing requisite treatment to the infected but the virus still lingers. India, the fourth most-affected nation in the world, recorded 410,461 cases and 13,254 deaths as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Click here for full coverage on coronavirus Delhi, which has now emerged as the countrys Covid-19 hot spot after Mumbai, was subjected to a controversial order wherein all delhiites who tested positive had to go through a mandatory five-day institutional quarantine. However, this order was rolled back immediately considering the lack of health infrastructure available to accommodate patients. United States continues to be the worst-affected nation from the outbreak. The total cases have crossed 2.3 million in the country, followed by Brazil and Russia. MBABANE A night of fun ended sadly for a female police officer after she was reportedly gang-raped during a drinking spree. The incident happened at a popular guest house situated in the Hhohho Region, where the police officer and her friends had booked the venue to enjoy alcoholic beverages. The two men, according to impeccable sources, took advantage of the 29-year-old law enforcer following a night of heavy drinking. The name of the female police officer, where she is stationed and the exact location of the guest house will not be revealed or disclosed to protect the identity of the complainant. Complainant According to sources and a report that was forwarded to the police by the complainant, the two men purportedly raped her twice while inside the guest house. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is now looking for the duo to assist them in their investigations. The men are reportedly unknown to the complainant. It is alleged that they (two men) came to the gathering with one of the police officers friends. The charge that is likely to be preferred against the suspects, once arrested, is that of contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018. The incident, as per the police report, happened on June 10, 2020 and was reported on June 12, 2020. The small party where there were many alcoholic beverages had been organised by the officer and her close friends. It lasted until midnight and some of those in attendance decided to leave as they felt they were too drunk, said the source. The source narrated that the other friends left the guest house for their respective places of abode, leaving behind the law enforcer and the two men. The source recounted that when the friends left, the female officer was already drunk. Seeing that it was now the two of them and the female police officer, they took turns in raping her, alleged the source. The source said she thought it would not be difficult for the investigators to locate the alleged perpetrators because during the gathering, they came with someone who was known to the complainant. Investigators I want to believe the investigators now do have a clue but they are following the stipulated procedures before effecting any arrest, the source added. Meanwhile, a legal expert, who preferred anonymity, said it was not an issue that the complainant reported the incident to the police a few days after its occurrence. It takes courage for one to report a case of sexual abuse, especially rape. Some even take a year or more to report, said the legal expert. The expert further pointed out that Section 50 of the SODV Act provides that: A court, in criminal proceedings involving the alleged commission of a sexual offence, shall not draw an inference solely on account of the fact that previous consistent statements have not been made or the length of any delay between the alleged commission of such offence and the reporting of the offence to the police. According to the legal eagle, the Act also defines consent when it comes to cases of sexual offences. The Act stipulates that an unlawful sexual act constitutes a sexual act committed; in any coercive circumstances; under false pretences or by fraudulent means, duress, physiological oppression or fear of violence. The circumstances in which a person who is incapable in law of appreciating the nature of the sexual act which causes penetration, include circumstance where such a person is; asleep, unconscious, under the influence of any medicine, drugs, alcohol or other substances to the extent that the consciousness of that person or judgment is adversely affected, reads part of the Act. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, when confirming the incident, said so far, no one had been arrested and police were still investigating the matter. Although unrelated, police have been in the news for different incidents in the past weeks and months. About three weeks ago, a police officer shot and killed his spouse and her male companion, who was a civil servant under the Ministry of Agriculture, after he found them kissing in a car parked at Madonsa in Manzini. Malangeni Dlamini was charged with two counts of murder for the offence. Stabbing In the same breath, another police officer by the name of Sibusiso Lusenga, stationed at the Mbabane Police Station, is currently arrested for allegedly stabbing his former girlfriend several times. The incident happened at Mbabane Government Hospital last Thursday, where the woman is employed. In his brief confession at the magistrates court, the accused revealed that he had planned the attack on his former girlfriend, who is still fighting for her life in hospital. The police officer also reportedly stated that he was depressed after his former girlfriend ended their relationship and dated another man. Lusenga is currently facing three counts which include; attempted murder, two charges of allegedly contravening the SODV Act 15/2018 and malicious injury to property. The Covid-19 pandemic is leading more businesses in the UAE to adopt sustainable building solutions as they reopen and return to 100% capacity, according to business leaders who spoke on the topic at a recent Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry webinar. The webinar, Ensuring Sustainable Health and Safety of Building Occupants during Covid-19, was organised by the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Networks Task Force on Green Buildings, and attended by business leaders who shared their experiences and best practices in implementing health and safety standards at the workplace. During the event, participants learned about the importance of ensuring the sustainable health and wellbeing of employees and building occupants, especially during the current stage when workers are gradually returning to the office. Marcos Bish, the managing director at Summertown Interiors, said health and safety concerns brought forth by Covid-19 have fast-tracked adjustments made to the companys offices, which include investments in new technologies improving air and water quality, preventative measures and social distancing. He stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive plan before reopening offices, and clearly communicating new policies and guidelines to staff. George Abraham, the deputy director engineering at Zulekha Hospital, shed the light on the significance of Sustainable Healing Environment to maintain advanced building safety. He emphasised the need to ensure the health and wellbeing of building occupants by adopting the healing environment approach and improving facilities, especially in hospitals. Abraham pointed out that Zulekha Hospital has achieved accreditation, Leed, ISO and other certifications, as well as being in the process of obtaining WELL platinum certification. These certifications support the adoption and implementation of Sustainable Healing Environment, he stated. Dr Belaid Rettab, the senior director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, said: It is crucial that companies understand their responsibility of making the wellbeing of employees a top priority as they begin to reopen offices, navigate new challenges and adapt to the new normal in the Covid-19 era. Rettab noted that the webinar provided an ideal platform to share case studies and shed light on how businesses are making the necessary adjustments to keep employees safe, while reducing their environmental impact. The webinar was the latest in a series of virtual events organised by Dubai Chambers Centre for Responsible Business, which advised the business community on a wide range of important business matters as they deal with the impact of Covid-19.-TradeArabia News Service Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2019 shows the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), as seen through the broken glass of a classroom, in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang) The Chinese mission to the European Union (EU) on Friday said it is gravely concerned about and firmly opposed to a European Parliament resolution which makes unwarranted criticism against the formulation of the national security legislation in Hong Kong by China's National People's Congress (NPC). The mission has lodged stern representations with the EU, a spokesperson of the Chinese mission said, adding that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and the legislation for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is entirely China's internal affair. The spokesperson said safeguarding national security is an essential prerequisite for a country's survival and development and it is the core element of national sovereignty. No countries in the world, including those in Europe, would allow for any legal gaps in terms of national security, nor would any country allow any acts that endanger national security on its own territory, the spokesperson said. The NPC decision is a necessary step taken to close the legal loopholes regarding national security in Hong Kong. It is fully constitutional, legal, justifiable and reasonable, the spokesperson stressed. "The European Parliament is apparently applying double standards by adopting the resolution, which we would never accept," the spokesperson said. The national security legislation will not change Hong Kong's capitalist system, its high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law, or Hong Kong residents' lifestyle, the spokesperson said, adding the legislation will only improve Hong Kong's legal system, bring more social stability in the long run and contribute to the sound implementation of the "one country, two systems." The spokesperson said the Sino-British Joint Declaration is essentially about the resumption of exercise of sovereignty by China over Hong Kong. With the return of Hong Kong in 1997, UK-related obligations under the declaration had all been fulfilled, while the legal basis for the governance of Hong Kong by the Chinese government is the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. None of the paragraphs in the declaration give any country or organization any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the legislation only targets acts of separatism, subversion, and terrorism that seriously undermine national security as well as foreign and external interference in Hong Kong affairs. It will not impinge on and would rather better protect the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, the spokesperson said. The Vatican is urging Roman Catholics to sell investments in arms manufacturers and businesses that specialize in oil and other fossil fuels. It also has asked Catholics to look closely at companies in areas such as mining to see if they are hurting the environment. The calls are part of a new document for Catholic religious leaders and workers. It marks the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si (Praised Be) on the need to protect nature, life, and defenseless people. The document suggests ways to reach the goals of the Popes letter. The encyclical expressed support for agreements to contain global warming. It also warned against the dangers of climate change. The new document says people could favor positive changes and remove from their investments companies that do not satisfy certain parameters. It listed these as respect for human rights, bans on child labor and protection of the environment. The document is called Journeying Towards Care For Our Common Home. One part urges Catholics to refuse to use or invest in companies that are harmful to human or social ecology, such as abortion and arms, and to the environment, such as fossil fuels. Another part calls for the monitoring of mining industries to prevent air, soil and water pollution. Last month, more than 40 religious groups from around the world promised to sell investments in fossil fuel companies. More than 50 percent of those organizations were Catholic. The Vatican bank has said it does not invest in fossil fuels. Many Catholic dioceses and educational groups around the world have said the same. The document urges Catholics to defend the rights of local populations to have a say in whether their lands can be used for oil or mining. It also defends the right of Catholics to take strong positions against companies that cause environmental disasters or exploit natural resources such as forests. Im Susan Shand. The Reuters News Agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story encyclical n. a letter from the Pope sent to all bishops in the Roman Catholic church global adj. worldwide positive adj. a successful outcome parameters n. the line of definition ecology - n. the study of the relations between one organism to another abortion n. the termination of a pregnancy monitoring n. watching over dioceses n. an area watched over by a bishop in the Christian faith exploit v. to make use of Bhopal: In a landmark verdict, the MP State Information Commission took strong objection to a government department not only hassling an RTI applicant for desired information but also asking the applicant to furnish certain information. The officer concerned was issued a show cause notice and levied a penalty of Rs 1 lakh for denial of information in four cases. Madhya Pradesh Information commissioner Rahul Singh has issued a show cause notice and penalty against the deputy director of mining department in Satna town, which is notorious for violations of mining norms and flouting environmental laws. Normally, a maximum penalty of Rs 25,000 can be levied against a guilty Public Information officer (PIO). As this case relates to four different RTI appeals regarding mining activity, thus a penalty in each case of Rs 25,000 adds up to Rs One lakh. Appellant Amit Singh Chouhan had filed four RTI applications seeking queries related to mining activity of Prism Johnson limited Satna in July 2019. Amit, an advocate by profession, was shocked when instead of receiving information he was quizzed by the PIO to furnish details such as the land record of the company in order to avail the information under RTI. Singh, in his order on Saturday, said that PIO Deepmala Tiwari, Deputy Director in Satna districts mining department, with an intention to harass the appellant and to delay the information, quizzed the RTI applicant about the known facts held by the department itself. Singh further questioned how an RTI applicant was supposed to get information which is in possession of the PIO office. Besides, the company has large areas under mining operations which are well known to the district mining department, Singh said during the hearing. Sensing penal action, the PIO admitted before the commission that information related to mining is available and can be easily provided. Singh said that Section 5 (3) of RTI Act, states clearly that PIO would extend support and possible help to the RTI applicant, but in this case it was more of harassment and less of cooperation and as a result the information, which should be ideally processed in 30 days, is yet to be provided even after 300 days. Chouhan in his RTI application has also raised queries like land schedule and mining plan, production and royalty and excavation details at the mining site. The State Information Commissioner ruled out that this case merits disclosure of information as media reports often suggest most of the companies flout mining norms and cause losses to the exchequer and often pose a threat to the environment due to rampant mining beyond the permissible limits. During the hearing, PIO Deepmala Tiwari also raised a point that one of the information requested is not held by her department. This plea also fell flat before the commission. Singh said, If the information is being held by any other department, then PIO must have transferred the RTI query within the stipulated period of 5 days under section 6 (5) of the RTI act. But under no circumstances, PIO should sit on the RTI application for close to a year. Singh concluded that Tiwari erred in turning down few points of RTI query, citing that these are not in question form. Singh says RTI applicant sought to know the details of royalty pending from the mining company and it cant be turned down merely on the basis that the query is in question form, queries must be answered if the information is available on record. Another query from Amit Chouhan was circumvented by Tiwari, saying schemes of mining plan is neither prepared nor approved by the district office. Singh ruled out that the PIO purposefully circumvented the query saying, The local mining officer is entrusted with the task to keep a check of mining activity of the miner which cant be possible, without local department having access to the mining plan, says Singh in his order. Mining department had also turned down a query from Amit Chohan, saying land acquisition details of miners are not available with the department as it gives only NOC on land acquisition. Singh rejected this excuse as well, calling it a violation of Public Record Act 1993 and Public Records Rules 1997 which demands proper maintenance of records in government offices. Asking the PIO to respond to show cause notice and penalty of Rs 1 lakh in the next hearing on July 6, the SIC ordered the PIO to make the records available free of cost to the applicant. No, Paris Hilton doesn't have a secret baby nor she is pregnant. However, she is showing how much she loves kids! In a recent post on Twitter, the businesswoman and socialite shared a video of her spending time with her niece. She captioned the post "In love with my beautiful baby niece Milou" along with a couple of heart and heart-eye emojis, as well as a baby icon. It certainly looks like that Paris is enjoying taking care of her baby niece, and it won't be surprising if it sparks wedding or baby rumors any time soon. Hilton is currently in a solid relationship with Carter Reum, whom the hotel heiress has been seeing for the past year. Just like the 39-year-old model and TV personality, Carter is a successful businessman who is known in Hollywood. Reum, who is also 39 years old, is an author and investor as well. Along with his brother, Carter have invested in major companies such as Lyft, Classpass ad Snapchat. Since both Paris and Carter are successful in their respective careers, it is not wrong to assume that they could be thinking of tying the knot as well. For what it's worth, in an interview last year, Hilton opened up about her desire to have kids and be a mother some day. While she acknowledged that she is still busy with her work, she is still thinking about starting a family -- something she believes will give a whole new meaning to her life. "I'm totally immersed in my work, but I would love that one day," Paris Hilton told Us Weekly exclusively. "I think that having a family and children is another meaning of life. One day I would love that, but with my schedule, I just honestly don't have time for it right now. One day I will, and I'll be the best mom." It remains to be seen what's next for Paris and her new man Carter, but it is certainly exciting to think of Hilton having her own kids and showing the world how much she loves them. READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II Receives Sad News From Prince Harry, Meghan Markle By Express News Service KADAPA: There has been a surge in coronavirus positive cases in the district after relaxation in lockdown. As many as 239 COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the district in the last 11 days. The number of containment zones are also on the rise in the district. As many as 1,100 expatriates from Kuwait arrived by special flights from Chennai and Vijayawada flights in four phases. From there they were shifted to quarantine centres at Kadapa, Rajampeta, Railway Kodur, Badvel and Rayachoti before sending them to their native places. Of the 1,100 expatriates, 111 expatriates tested positive for coronavirus. They are undergoing treatment at district COVID-19 hospital Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences (FIMS). Some of them were sent home after they tested negative for coronavirus twice. Similarly, one expatriate from Qatar and one from Saudi Arabia tested positive for virus. It may be mentioned that a thief, who was caught by II Town police, was remanded to Kadapa Central Jail. The prison inmate tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and was shifted to FIMS for treatment. Following which, the II Town police station was sanitised and Central Crime Station (CCS) police and fingerprint teams, who cracked the theft case and nabbed the thief, are getting themselves tested for coronavirus. Circle Inspector SM Ali and Sub-Inspector Jeevan Reddy, along with police personnel, got themselves tested at a health camp. The police officials advised people not to visit I Town and II Town police stations to file a complaint, instead submit their grievances through Dail 100 or contact police official concerned via phone. As many as 55,975 throat swab samples have been collected so far and the results of 4,380 samples are awaited. The district has reported 485 coronavirus positive cases so far. With the discharge of 167 persons, the district has 296 active cases. Proddatur and Nawabpeta in Mylavaram mandal reported 100 coronavirus positive cases each. Nawabpeta, a small village with 300 families, reported 100 COVID-19 positive cases. District Collector C Harikiran said that they have directed all shopkeepers and commercial establishments to follow COVID-19 protocol. Shopkeepers flouting norms will be penalised in four categories - first offence - Rs 300 fine, second - Rs 500, third - Rs 1,000 and fourth - closure of shop and cancellation of licence, he explained. US President Donald Trump returned Saturday to one of his favorite spots -- a campaign rally stage -- defying the pandemic and attacking Democratic rivals at an event with crowds far smaller than promised. Gathering his political faithful for a much-hyped rally in Oklahoma, his first in three months, the Republican president sought to reinvigorate his flagging campaign in the face of a crushing health and economic crisis as well as protests against racial injustice that have swept the nation in recent weeks. Trump all but claimed victory over the pandemic that has killed some 120,000 Americans -- "I have done a phenomenal job with it!" he insisted -- even as six members of his own Tulsa advance team tested positive for COVID-19. The event -- which the White House promised would be flooded with up to 100,000 people, but actually did not fill the 19,000-seat arena where Trump spoke -- has emerged as a flashpoint in the pandemic era. But Trump was more interested in reviving his political fortunes after several bruising weeks that saw continued economic woes tied to the pandemic, nationwide protests over racial injustice, the toppling of Confederate and other statues and critics including former aides savaging his performance. "The silent majority is stronger than ever before," Trump said in a rowdy, freewheeling speech in which he blasted his 2020 election rival, Democrat Joe Biden, as a "helpless puppet of the radical left." "Five months from now we're going to defeat 'sleepy' Joe Biden," he said. Many rally-goers wore red "Make America Great Again" hats or T-shirts, but very few wore masks and there was little social distancing, even though coronavirus cases have recently been skyrocketing in Oklahoma. The president has downplayed the risk that the evening rally -- with thousands of shouting, cheering attendees -- might trigger a fresh outbreak, ignoring danger warnings by Tulsa health and municipal officials. And he suggested that the "double-edged sword" of comprehensive coronavirus testing had led to the United States having the world's highest number of cases. "Here is the bad part: When you do testing to that extent, you are going to find more people, you will find more cases," Trump argued. "So I said to my people, 'slow the testing down,'" he boomed. A White House official later told AFP that Trump was joking. The narrative of a trouble-free campaign event was punctured, however, when the campaign announced just hours before the rally that six members of its Tulsa advance team tested positive for coronavirus. Trump nevertheless reverted to full-on campaign mode, reviving themes that dominated his 2016 campaign: smearing immigrants, building a wall on the southern border, demanding flagburners be sentenced to jail and highlighting a rising stock market. "If you see it happening on November 3," he said of America's potential rebound, "you don't have the guts to vote against Trump." - 'Unhinged leftwing mob' - He notably steered clear until well into his one-hour, 45-minute speech of the racial tensions that have swept the country in the weeks since a handcuffed African American, George Floyd, was killed by police in Minneapolis. Instead he warned that Democrats were seeking to erase American heritage, a reference to the tearing down of several statues of Confederate slave owners and other figures. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control," he said. The stakes Saturday could not have been higher -- both for the health of thousands spending hours at the arena and for Trump's political fortunes, five months before an election in which he trails in the polls. "Today we're here to show we support President Trump and that we, the people, we'll win the 2020 election, no matter what the fake news media and other liberal, leftist, mind-controlling big firms are saying," said attendee Brad, who declined to provide his last name. The rally has been controversial in part because it originally was scheduled for Friday -- the Juneteenth commemoration of the end of slavery in the US -- in a city known for one of the deadliest-ever massacres of African Americans. Racial tensions have roiled the nation following the police killing of a black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis, and Trump has fanned the flames with provocative rhetoric. Dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters did gather at rally checkpoints and confronted attendees, but no violence was reported. After the rally, officers were seen using pepper spray to disperse protesters who temporarily blocked a police convoy. - Viral danger - This was the first of Trump's signature rallies since March 2, when the country went into pandemic lockdown. The virus dramatically disrupted a once-booming economy, which had been Trump's strongest re-election selling point. With polls showing him trailing Biden, Trump is eager to change the narrative, and rallies have long been his favorite political tool. But while Trump rolls the political dice, the crowd gambled with their health. Oklahoma virus cases have spiked recently, and the state's total as of Saturday surpassed 10,000. Rally organizers provided everyone with hand sanitizer, temperature checks and optional masks. Attendees were required to sign a waiver protecting organizers from any liability in the event COVID-19 spreads at the venue. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: In the wake of BJP's instability in Manipur after being reduced to minority post support withdrawal from NPP, national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rushed to Imphal on Sunday to hold an emergency meeting. Sangma met with all four party MLAs, who were serving as Cabinet Ministers including one who served as a Deputy Chief Minister until they had resigned three days ago, to know their position. Despite their support to opposition Congress, the BJP had won the lone Rajya Sabha seat. An NPP insider told this newspaper that during the meeting, differences cropped up among the MLAs. Some favoured going back to the BJP while others wanted to sail alongside the Congress. The NPP has received a similar offer from the Congress one Deputy Chief Minister and three Cabinet Ministers. Every party wants to be in power but the problem is most NPP leaders are averse to working with the incumbent CM againWe dont have any problem with the BJP. If the NPP lends its support to the BJP-led government with N Biren Singh at the helms of affairs, they feel it will be loss of face for the party because it was due to his autocratic style of functioning that the NPP had pulled out of the government. They are ready to work with the BJP again but they want a change of guard, the NPP insider said. However, replacing the incumbent CM could not just be humiliating for the BJP but it could also trigger a fresh problem for the party. NPP state president Thangminlien Kipgen on Sunday issued a statement listing out reasons why the party had withdrawn its support. He said despite it being a coalition government, there was no steering committee or a common minimum programme or the name of the coalition government. Just after the formation of the BJP-led government in 2017, the BJP forgot the existence of the NPP and the role it played during the formation of the government, Kipgen said. He said the BJP never consulted the NPP at the time of taking any major decision for the state. Even they failed to serve an invitation to us at any national or state function, he said, adding the BJP had not also consulted the NPP while selecting candidates during elections. The government was reduced to a minority as three BJP MLAs resigned from the party and the Assembly and six others four from NPP, one from All India Trinamool Congress and an independent MLA withdrew their support to the government. Currently, incumbent CM Singh enjoys the support of 23 MLAs 18 from BJP, four from Naga Peoples Front and one from Lok Janshakti Party. Opposition Congress has 20 MLAs. The four NPP MLAs and the independent MLA are now with the grand old party. The Congress on Sunday reiterated its demand for the dismissal of the government. How long will the minority government of BJP with 23 MLAs stay in power? How long will it take for the Governor to dismiss the government? How long will it take for a special assembly session to be convened? How can 23 MLAs in 52-member Assembly be in power? Congress spokesman Ningombam Bupenda Meitei tweeted. 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Alasdhair Willis, who is married to designer Stella McCartney, will reportedly stand down from the business but continue to advise its new majority shareholder. The 49-year-old has been creative director since 2013, when he was tasked with making Hunter a lifestyle giant. It is official boot-maker to the Queen and was founded as North British Rubber Company in 1856. Willis and McCartney have been pictured together wearing the brand's boots at Glastonbury music festival in recent years, while they have also proved popular among other famous faces including the Duchess of Sussex and broadcaster Fearne Cotton. Two years ago Hunter reported profits of 6m on record sales of 113m as it pushed to extend its appeal. However, the firm was laid low recently by poor winter sales in the US and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. A major story to emerge from President Trumps rally in Tulsa, Okla, on Saturday evening was the unexpectedly low turnout at the event. The rally was an extremely high-profile kickoff of the POTUSs 2020 re-election effort after 3 months of being kept off the campaign trail due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Rather than happenstance, it appears that the disappointing attendance was the result of a conspiracy of Trump haters both radical left and RINO right to suppress the turnout. YouTube screen grab YouTube screen grab For days prior to the event, campaign reps and the president himself had predicted a record-setting turnout of MAGA supporters, citing a million requests for tickets to the deep red state venue, the BOK Center, the capacity of which was only 19,000. The predictions of a mega event were buttressed by several days worth of media coverage of Trump die hard attendees lining up and camping out in order to get a good seat. The Trump campaign even announced a second rally, to be held outside the BOK arena to accommodate the expected overflow crowd of thousands of Trump supporters who wouldnt be able to get into the indoor venue. The outdoor rally, set to take place an hour before the indoor one, never happened. It was canceled at the last minute, and the stage set up for the event was taken down a damaging visual confirmation of the deflated attendance numbers. Inside, meanwhile, cameras broadcasting and streaming the event live showed the venue, according to Breitbart, only about half full, the first time in memory that a Trump campaign rally had not been standing room only. Campaign representatives initially blamed protesters for depressing the turnout. As the Washington Times reported: Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally, said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the presidents supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out. Enter AOC and Trump-hater Steve Schmidt The fact is that the huge numbers of MAGA fans just werent there. And why was that? Trump nemesis Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave more than a hint in a tweet she issued at 8:27 PM ET less than a half hour after the president began speaking at the indoor rally. AOCs tweet was a reply to one tweeted 57 minutes earlier by Brad Parscale, the Trump 2020 campaign manager, blaming the lower than expected turnout on radical protesters. . . [who] interfered with @real DonaldTrump supporters at the rally. They even blocked access to the metal detectors, preventing people from entering. According to AOC, however: Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID Shout out to Zoomers. Yall make me so proud. Five hours after AOCs tweet, it had been retweeted almost 70,000 times and liked over 300,000 times by her 7.3 million Twitter followers. Tending to confirm AOCs version of events were quotes from Steve Schmidt, the late Sen. John McCains failed 2008 presidential campaign manager, who tweeted, as the Washington Times noted, that the Trump campaign was duped by anti-Trump teenagers requesting tickets. Schmidt added: My 16-year-old daughter and her friends in Park City, Utah, have hundreds of tickets, Mr. Schmidt tweeted at Mr. Parscale minutes before the rally was set to begin. You have been rolled by Americas teens. @realDonaldTrump you have been failed by your team. You have been deserted by your faithful. No one likes to root for the losing team. According to the Times: Mr. Schmidt, a collaborator in the Lincoln Project of Republican operatives opposing the president, suggested the group was responsible for undermining the rally attendance. This is what happened tonight. Im dead serious when I say this. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump, Mr. Schmidt said. All across America teens ordered tickets to this event. The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets. lol. @ProjectLincoln. Steve Schmidt tweets Saturday evening With both AOC, representing the radical left (her tweet complimenting teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations) and Schmidt, a Deep State RINO conservative, claiming credit for these goings-on, this may be a rare case of hard left and RINO right coming together to try to sabotage a campaign event by President Trump. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. He also appears in the media, including recently as a guest analyst on BBC World News. Peter's website is http://peter.media. For updates on his work, follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka. Technologists who discovered spyware made by an Israeli company targeting journalists in several authoritarian countries said they found the same spyware used against a Moroccan journalist three days after the company announced a policy against such uses. Amnesty International's Security Lab, the forensic technology arm of the human rights organization, said it found telltale signs that NSO Group's Pegasus software had been used to infect the cellphone of an award-winning Moroccan journalist and human rights defender, Omar Radi. On Sunday, the group released its analysis of Radi's phone. In its report, Amnesty said its research "demonstrates NSO Group's continued failure to conduct adequate human rights due diligence and the inefficacy of its own human rights policy." Because NSO says it sells its software only to governments, Amnesty assumes the surveillance was conducted by Moroccan authorities. RELATED: In the 1970s the CIA created a spy drone the size of a dragonfly In a statement, a company spokesman said: "NSO is deeply troubled by the allegations in the Amnesty International letter. We are reviewing the information therein and will initiate an investigation if warranted." It would not confirm or deny whether Morocco is a client. The Moroccan government did not respond to requests for comment from The Washington Post. NSO says it markets its tools to governments for fighting terrorism and crime. Israel classifies Pegasus as a weapon and must approve any exports of the technology. The software can surreptitiously gain access to a phone's camera, microphone, text messages, emails and location information. NSO has become the target of intense scrutiny by nongovernmental technologist groups and journalists in recent years, and lawsuits have said Pegasus software was used against nonviolent dissidents, journalists and human right activists. The firm, founded in 2010, has denied that its products have been misused and has said it conducts due diligence of potential clients. NSO software was instrumental in the capture of Mexican cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. In 2018, the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School issued a report alleging that Pegasus was used by six countries with a record of spyware abuse against civil society: Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. RELATED: Popular app could have huge security risks, expert says A lawsuit filed in Israel by a Saudi dissident says Saudi authorities used Pegasus to infect his phone and track his friend Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi before Khashoggi was killed and dismembered on orders, U.S. intelligence officials concluded, of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. WhatsApp, a communications application owned by Facebook, also is suing NSO, alleging it inserted spy software through its application in violation of federal anti-hacking laws. NSO in September adopted a policy pledging to continue to uphold United Nations human rights standards, to conduct due diligence before sales, to forgo sales if the risk of abuse of its software is high and to investigate serious allegations of abuse of its software. David Kaye, the U.N. special rapporteur for human rights, said in an interview that NSO's new human rights policy "is a first step" but that "there is nothing about their statement that's enforceable by anyone outside the company." NSO has declined to make public the list of countries that use Pegasus or details about the technology, saying both are confidential. In the Radi case, Amnesty said it discovered the same type of "network injection" attacks it had documented against another Moroccan journalist, Maati Monjib, in 2019. During such an attack, the software hijacks the victim's browser momentarily and reroutes the victim's request for a particular website to one that is infected by the spyware. Radi, who works for the LeDesk media outlet, was arrested by Moroccan authorities in December 2019. He was charged with "insulting a public servant" for a tweet he posted that criticized a judge who had convicted 43 people and sentenced them up to 20 years in prison for their participation in a 2017 protest in the northern Rif region. Radi was convicted of the charge and given a four-month suspended sentence. Morocco, a monarchy with an elected legislature, has in recent years increasingly cracked down on speech, independent media and protests. In an interview, Radi,who lives in Rabat, said his job has been hampered by the government surveillance and publication of some of his private conversations on a website he described as friendly to police authorities. RELATED: Cellphone monitoring is spreading with the coronavirus. So is an uneasy tolerance of surveillance. "The biggest negative effect is that it makes people reluctant to talk," he said. "It's a deterrent if they know that I'm being bugged." Other Moroccan journalists have reported having their cellphones infected with spyware when they clicked on a link. In Radi's case, he said he was using the Twitter app to visit the Ministry of Justice website when the website address went "change, change, change. . . . That's when I got infected." Bill Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab who read the Amnesty report on the Radi case, called its technical analysis "very compelling" and said the method of inserting Pegasus software when calling up a website was harder for a cellphone user to detect. "It's very scary, the prospect that visiting a benign website can become a vector for [infecting] your phone." Radi said government surveillance has become an expected part of journalists' life in Morocco. "You have to live with it," he said. "It's like the coronavirus." Amnesty's report was released to Forbidden Stories, an international consortium of journalists, including The Post, which investigates threats and violence against journalists. HOLYOKE A driver plowed into the back of a police cruiser which then struck a firefighter while the two were responding to a tractor-trailer truck fire on Interstate-91 Sunday afternoon. The driver, the West Springfield firefighter and the state trooper, who was in the cruiser when it was struck, were all brought to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. Massachusetts State Police officials said. The crash and the fire caused the entire southbound side of the highway to be closed for at least an hour. Several northbound lanes were also closed during the incident, police said. State police and the West Springfield and Holyoke Fire departments had responded to a tractor-trailer truck that caught fire at about 12:15 p.m. near Exit 14. No one was injured in the original incident, police said. While they were working at the scene, a driver traveling northbound hit the cruiser at about 12:45 p.m., police said. The force of the crash pushed the cruiser into a (West Springfield) firefighter who was at the scene, on foot attending to the fire, police said. The crash is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police. No charges were immediately issued, police said. Guy Penrod says nows the time to push Hell backward; encourages dads to lead by example Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment One of gospel music's most awarded vocalists and Gospel Music Hall of Famer Guy Penrod is gearing up to deliver a powerful Father's Day concert to encourage men of God to step up in these hard times and lead by example. Penrod says he hopes Christian men will fight the evils of this world amid the coronavirus pandemic and unrest and injustice in America. And he's inviting families to enter into worship with him on Father's Day for his music special, "Concert On The CouchA Father's Day Celebration From Franklin Theatre." The following is an edited transcript of Penrod's interview with The Christian Post where he discusses the live concert and the importance of men and fathers worshiping God from a place of vulnerability that will, in turn, change the world and help others resist the evil in it. CP: Can you tell us about your Father's Day special, "Concert on the Couch"? Penrod: We actually just kind of backed into the Father's Day understanding of it. We were going to do it on June 21, and then, as someone got to talking, they were like, "Hey, that's Father's Day." And I said, "What a great day for us to do it, worshiping the Lord, our Heavenly Father, and get to celebrate our earthly fathers. I have eight kids, seven sons and one little girl. So Father's Day is kind of crazy at our place. I try to play it up as much as I can, get all the good stuff and get them to grill me something good. So we figured that would be a good time for the family to gather around the screens these days. [Families] can sit on the couch, make some popcorn, relax, and worship Jesus together. CP: Can you speak of the importance of staying encouraged in these times? Penrod: These are heavy times and we don't make light of that at all. But we read all through history, it's usually in those heavy times when we realize our needs. As humans, I'll speak for myself, I'm so forgetful. In prosperous times and peaceful times, we tend to forget a lot of the needs that we actually have on a daily basis. But oftentimes, I think that I can meet my own needs and I really can't. I have to be dependent on the Father day by day. It's times like these, with this pandemic and the virus that has just wreaked havoc all over the world. And even here in our country, we're experiencing unrest and injustice and the results of man running things. You know, in the Old Testament, God told the children of Israel, "It'd be best if I don't give you an earthly king; just let me be your King. But they clamored and clamored to have a king, and you see the results all down through history of what happens when men get power, power tends to corrupt. It's part of the fall. It's what happens. So when we can usher in the Kingdom of God, in the model of prayer, Jesus gave us that good instruction: "Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." This is why I said it's exciting times to be alive even though they're heavy times. It was heavy times when Jesus was here and it has been with every generation at one time or another. And it's our good time to shine the bright light of the love of Christ and the hope and the grace that He gives, the mercies that are new every morning, and they can come to Him. Jesus wipes everything clean. He has paid for everything. He can restore everything. He can bring peace where there is no peace. He can bring comfort where there's troubled hearts. He can mend relationships. He brings dead things to life. So the music and the message, when you couple those things, you've got both sides of the brain working. So we lift up old hymns in these days, in this time, and then couple it with the new stuff that is worship music that has moved our hearts and souls, and live music as well that we've put into this particular event. We believe that coupled with some spoken word to lead people to Christ, to encourage believers to tell them, "Jesus loves you. He is for you. He's not against you. He's with you. He's pleased with you. He even likes you; He likes you so much that He came and He reconciled us to the Father. He brought life where we were walking in death. And it's just a fabulous time to be alive and to be lifting up the King in this season and watch Him change the world as we boldly go back and push the gates of Hell backward. CP: For this concert, you're singing songs like "I Surrender All" and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." They're pretty vulnerable songs. For fathers, sometimes that can be hard to get to, and it's hard for children to see their fathers in that way. Will you talk about the importance of that vulnerable exchange? Penrod: It is. As fathers humble themselves before the Lord in front of their children and wives and family, the power of the Holy Spirit fills. It's that type of positioning when we're humbled. We were studying the other day and my wife looked up the word believe, and the posture indicated in the word believe is to bow, to get on your knees. That is accompanied with the word believe, we are to be on our knees. I just think it's a beautiful time for us to reawaken that, especially as fathers, and lead from that position of humility before our maker. And then to be bold regarding our expression. I think it's been quite some time now that fathers have, and I can include myself, that there's times we abdicate our responsibility, and our wives tend to have to pick up the slack. They're not supposed to have to lead like that. Fathers are supposed to do these sorts of things, and children tend to respond, especially in worship. I noticed as I go into different settings, if the men sing, everybody else is singing the kids, the ladies, everyone joins in. But if the men are standing there silent, and they're spectating, watching someone else sing, then the participation is much less. I don't do it perfectly, but for men to be transparent, and we've lived that way, the mistakes I've made, I make them pretty well right out in the open. The successes and the good decisions are right alongside and we try to show our kids as we've raised them: this is life; it tends to have messes all around. Gloria Gaither explained this way one time, she said, "Kids' life is a lot like a tapestry. And if you're looking at a tapestry, and most of the tapestries I've seen are just exquisite works of art, just beautiful. But if you turn a tapestry around and look at the back of it, it's a mess. It's a bunch of strings just dangling at the back, you can't make heads or tails of what the strings represent. But when you turn it around, you see the picture. That's a lot like our lives, they're kind of like that. But the Lord says, His mercies are new every morning. He did all the work. He took the performance part out. So man, hear the word of the Lord, the performance has already been done and Jesus did it. He did it perfectly! Then He said, yes, this truth is so incredible. It's going to take faith to believe that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, even in the middle of our messes. That's faith. Whereas, if you trust in your work yourself, like, "Well, I'm so good, therefore, I've done a good job, therefore, I am righteous." That's going to be a miserable place to be because you cannot perform that, nobody can, only one could, Jesus. So He's just kind enough to say, I'm going to credit you with that. I'm going to take all the junk, I'm going to pay for it and give you my righteousness. Now get out there and love people. CP: What would you say to those who don't have an earthly father to look to, but this special is just as much for them as it is for anyone else? Penrod: We love, period. Even the challenges that we face, we know our Heavenly Father loves. Even when we, as earthly fathers, don't love perfectly, He does. He doesn't fail you, He's not angry. But sometimes we earthly fathers imprint our kids with an image of God because they look to Him when we call Him Father. They think, "Oh, well, you're a father and you yell at me sometimes," or "you're a father and you told me a lie," or "I bet the Heavenly Father would do the same thing." Not so! His word says He cannot lie. He says, "My ways are not your ways. He says trust in me and I will lead you into all truth. Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest. Cast your cares upon me my burden is light, my yoke is easy. Ask anything in my name and I will do it, you have not because you ask not." I mean, it is just on and on and on the love of the Father. So even when we fall short as fathers, and if you happen to be listening and you had a father who was not a good father, a good person to you, understand your Heavenly Father is perfect and perfectly loving. He's all love. So come to Him and humble yourself in your need. All you have to do is see your needs. It doesn't take long to see that and then realize where the source is to fill that need, end of story. We know everybody that's out there breathing has a father. So let's just turn the tides even if it was a difficult one and let's thank God for our fathers. Because you wouldn't be here if there wasn't a father out there somewhere. He may not have been a good one; he may have been more of a surrogate in some ways. But trust me, your Heavenly Father will move into that void and fill it, and you'll be surprised at the short time it takes for His spirit to fill you with love, even when you don't understand it. That's the work of the Lord. CP: Is there anything else you want to share about the Father's Day special that we can look forward to? Penrod: In this day and time you can't gather in large groups. So we tried to figure out how to do it. I have a good friend who came up with a wonderful platform for doing this with beautiful audio. With all these fancy stereos we have these days hooked up to the TV, it works well. It sounds just like you're at a concert and the picture is beautiful, and what better seat than your couch. So I would go to guypenrod.com and click on the link "concert on the couch." There's a picture of my ol' head on there. There's no cost to attend this concert. So you just reserve your online viewing and then come back on June 21 to the site you're directed to, and click in the virtual doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 6 p.m. Central time. There's also an opportunity for you to donate. We've given you that capacity on those pages to click around and donate if you are capable. We know that the times have been tough, so we wanted to make it available to everybody regardless of their ability to pay. But all this stuff costs money, so we encourage you to donate if you can and we're busy getting the word of Jesus out with new music, new artists, new books, new films, ideas, all sorts of things coming that we're just launching into right now. And we're kind of using this as an impetus to get that word out there. So let's join, link arms, and push the gates of Hell backward so that we can set the captives free, in Jesus name. Nepal has started radio warfare in bordering villages of Uttarakhand. The residents of these villages can catch Nepali Radio stations that are now playing anti-India songs from the last few months. These songs mainly state that areas like Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in Uttarakhand are part of Nepal and India should return them. Nepal has recently included these areas in its new map. These songs are played several times between shows, including news bulletins. Along with anti-India sentiment, these songs also taunt Nepalese politicians for not doing enough to take control of the land that belongs to Nepal. Locals raised concerns on increasing anti-India propaganda In a report, TOI shared statements of several residents living on bordering villages. Babita Sanwal, a school teacher in Dharchula, district Pithoragarh, said that she was a regular listener of Darchula FM of Nepal. But now she has stopped listening to Nepalese radio since they started playing anti-India songs. The lyrics of one song she shared were Hamrai ho tyo Kalapani, Lipulekha, Limpiyadhura Utha, jaga, veer Nepali (Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are ours Wake up, brave people). Another Nepalese song popular on such FM channels says, Lipulekh and Kalapani should be ours, its our land that has been stolen. As per the reports, these songs are not new and have been making rounds from almost a year and a half. However, they have resurfaced with increased frequency recently, and they were premiered on Youtube and other platforms between March and June. Some of Nepals FM channels who broadcast such content are Kalapani Radio, Lok Darpan, Mallikarjun Radio, Naya Nepal, Darchula Radio, and many more. These channels are easily accessible by the villages on Indias side. Shalu Datal, a resident of Dantu village, talked to Hindustan Times and claimed that these channels play anti-India speeches between the songs too. Some old channels like Mallikarjun Radio and a website named annapurna.online are also broadcasting reports depicting Kalapani as Nepalese territory, she said. A local trader from Dharchula, Krishna Garbiyal, was a regular listener of news on these radio stations. He stopped listening to these channels when they started broadcasting such content. Some songs even stated that Shillong and Darjeeling were part of Nepal. Chief secretary of Uttarakhand, N S Napalchyal, said, The state government and even the central government should start its own community radios in the area to give a clear picture to locals about the present scenario. He hails from the Dharchula area of Pithoragarh. Madan Kaushik, a state government spokesperson, stated it is a genuine concern and the government is focusing on setting up community radios. Nepalese Radio denied propaganda An RJ from Nepalese Radio Manju Tinkari said in a statement that they do not exaggerate or underplay anything. They mainly concentrate on news bulletins as they have happened. The listeners dictate song requests and they just oblige to them. A senior Nepalese official stated such anti-India songs are not common in Nepal. He said that they might be prevalent in the areas along the border. Radio warfare is nothing new for India. Pakistan has been indulging in such tactics both on radio and television alongside the border for a long time. India has countered such propaganda in the past. However, as of now, the local administration has shown ignorance towards the propaganda. Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Preeti Priyadarshini said in her statement that the intelligence units had not shared any intel on such propaganda. Dharchula Circle Officer V K Acharya said, Our intelligence units have not yet spoken about any such anti-India propaganda by Nepal. The local leaders are, however, urging for strong action. A leader from Vyas Valley Ashok Nabiyal said that the intelligence agencies, alongside the border, need to take cognizance of the situation and take immediate action to counter the propaganda. New Delhi: Television producer and host Vikas Gupta on Sunday revealed that he is bisexual, with pride. In a social media post, the former Bigg Boss contestant said that he falls in love with humans regardless of their gender and now, he is done with hiding his emotions. Hi, just wanted to let you know a tiny detail about me. I fall in love with the human regardless of their gender. There are more like me. With Pride, I am Bisexual. PS: No more being blackmailed or bullied. Priyank Sharma and Parth Samthaan, Thank you for forcing me to come out, Vikas tweeted. Hi Just wanted to let you know a tiny detail about me. I fall in love with the human regardless of their gender. There r more like me. With #Pride I am Bisexual #VikasGupta PS No more being blackmailed or bullied #priyanksharma #ParthSamthaan ThankU for forcing me to come out pic.twitter.com/0N403EDukp Vikas Guppta (@lostboy54) June 20, 2020 Meanwhile, in a separate Instagram post, he thanked actor Karan Kundra and TV czarina Ekta Kapoor for standing by him. Vikas also added that he is no longer ashamed of his sexuality. Here I am, how I am - Standing tall and I will not be shamed bullied or blackmailed for what God has made me. It has been years of torture and humiliation and hiding my emotions but that has not stopped me from being a good human being who is constantly evolving, read an excerpt from his post. He also mentioned that he has been bullied by actors Priyank Sharma and Parth Samthaan. Both Priyank and Parth have done terrible things, but I will not shame them either of what all has happened because mud-slinging is what one of them loves. I spoke today because they pushed me to this extent, Vikas said. Check out his entire post here: Vikas Gupta is a popular name in the television industry. He was earlier associated with Balaji Telefilms. He emerged as the second runner up in Bigg Boss 11. Here are top new WhatsApp updates you may missed this week. What a week WhatsApp had! The instant messaging application suffered a rare outage that affected last seen and privacy settings features. In another development, WhatsApp showed its readiness to launch payment service in India. Here is everything you may have missed about WhatsApp this week. Rare outage On late Friday, many WhatsApp users reported facing issues with the last seen feature on the app. Users also complained that they were unable to make changes to privacy settings. Because of the glitch, Who can see your Last seen status had been changed to Nobody for the affected users. If users tried to manually change it, the privacy settings showed an error. Soon, users took to social networking platforms to report the problem. The outage lasted for some hours as the app was back to normal on early Saturday. Such glitches are very much common for internet services. WhatsApp users have faced bigger outages in the past. Unlike the app going down completely, the new glitch affected privacy features which was a first for WhatsApp. WhatsApp Pay WhatsApps long-awaited payment service WhatsApp Pay has remained in the beta phase since February 2018. After the launch, WhatsApp Pay has faced many compliance issues. The company recently told the Supreme Court of India that WhatsApp Pay was fully compliant for Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. WhatsApp, in the meanwhile, has rolled out WhatsApp Pay in Brazil. We're making sending and receiving money as easy as sharing photos. We're also enabling small businesses to make sales right within WhatsApp, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post. Voice message WhatsApp was slightly late to offer voice messaging features. Since its debut, the layout has not changed much. WABetainfo published a concept image which imagines a voice message head. This is said to help WhatsApp users to continue browsing the app as the audio plays in the background. WhatsApp Web WhatsApp is testing Dark Theme for desktop users. According to one of the recent beta updates, WhatsApp Web will be getting a different Dark Theme using alternative dark colours. Dark Mode fix WhatsApp is reportedly working on an update to fix Dark Mode on Android. The newer colour scheme is said to be better compatible with lower quality displays on Android phones. The update may feature a bubble colour for the dark mode. The Government tried to stop people from making coronavirus-tracking apps which would rival the one it was making with the NHS, developers say. A leading scientist behind the COVID Symptom Tracker app, which is used by around a million people in the UK, said his team was seen as 'the enemy'. The NHS's digital arm, NHSX, had been working on a home-grown coronavirus app that it hoped to roll out in the middle of May but trials proved it didn't work on iPhones and it was abandoned this week. As the weeks and months have passed by with politicians promising a mobile app as part of the UK's test and trace scheme, one app has been widely used across Britain. The COVID Symptom Tracker, run by King's College London, is using mass reporting from members of the public to calculate how common the virus really is in the UK. Its most recent data suggests that 3,400 people in the community are catching Covid-19 each day in England - an estimate strikingly similar to the official Office for National Statistics' guess of 3,800. But it was 'hampered from the beginning', its developers said, because NHSX didn't want the public to think it was the official app. Another company said it was approached by the Ministry of Defence and had 'not friendly' discussions about its own app, The Observer reports. The health service technology unit behind the Government's embarrassing failure of a coronavirus tracing app hampered its own efforts by attempting to block rivals The COVID Symptom Tracker app is run by Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at King's College London, and the health tech company ZOE. Professor Spector said NHSX had treated his app, which was launched on March 24 just a day after lockdown begun, as a rival rather than a useful aid. It works by users logging in regularly to report how they are feeling and updating the app if they get tested for the virus, and tries to connect certain symptoms with the likelihood of someone testing positive for Covid-19. Professor Spector told The Observer: 'We were hampered from the beginning, in March when we first contacted NHSX. NHS COVID-TRACKING APP DITCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT The Government on Thursday abandoned plans for its NHS contact tracing app in a dramatic U-turn after finding it could only spot four per cent of people using iPhones. Once praised by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as crucial for lifting lockdown, the app has now been scrapped and officials say they will try to help improve one being developed by Apple and Google. Health bosses said the app the NHS spent months developing was unable to spot 25 per cent of nearby Android users and a staggering 96 per cent of iPhones in the failed Isle of Wight trial. Meanwhile, the Apple and Google technology can spot 99 per cent of close contacts using any type of smartphone - but it cannot tell how far away they are, officials said. People standing three metres away with their phone in their hand appear in the system in the same way as someone one metre away with the phone in their pocket. The leaders of Britain's test and trace system said neither of the apps are fit for purpose and that one will not be available to the public any time soon. Developers in the NHS will now work alongside the tech giants to try and roll its detection software and the NHS app's distance-measuring ability - which they said was significantly better - together to make a hybrid app that actually works. Baroness Dido Harding, who runs test and trace, and NHS tech boss Matthew Gould said they had discovered 'technical challenges' with using apps to contact trace. They have not revealed a time frame for rolling out an app and say the focus is now on human contact tracers. Health minister Lord James Bethell has said it is unlikely there would be an app ready before winter. Officials refused to reveal how much money has been spent on developing the NHS's now-scrapped app and on trialling it on the Isle of Wight. The Labour Party said the Government 'precious time and money' had been wasted in the fiasco, which represented further 'poor management' of the Covid-19 crisis. Advertisement 'They were very worried about our app taking attention away from theirs and confusing the public. 'Lots of signals went to places like the universities, my university, the medical charities and the royal colleges not to back our app because that would interfere with their one.' Professor Spector now says it was 'naive' for him to think that the Government would want to work with him on the app rather than do all their own work. He said he would have been willing to join forces with the NHSX team when their app was released but it never came - 'nothing ever happened', he said. He told the Observer: 'The idea was that this NHSX app was going to be the saviour, another world-beating thing. 'It was going to be an all-singing, all-dancing app that does everything: diagnoses you, it tells you about tests for you and who youve come into contact with. 'They were saying: "This will make your app redundant". Their app would come out, thered be a huge blaze of publicity and everyone would drop our app.' Another developer, a company called Agitate, created a similar app called INK C-19 which allowed people to report if they had Covid-19 so people could track where the virus was spreading. Ian Gass, Agitate's CEO, said the company was contacted by the Ministry of Defence and the conversation was 'not friendly'. He told the newspaper: 'I got the impression that there was just a lot of panic going on in governmental circles, and they didnt know what to do or how to do it.' Mr Gass added that the Government seemed 'paranoid' in that it was asking for help from private companies but not accepting it when offered. The NHSX app was supposed to have been rolled out across the UK a month ago but trials on the Isle of Wight revealed it was disastrously unsuccessful for iPhone users. Because of the way the Bluetooth worked on it the app would only detect four per cent of people nearby if the user was running it on an iPhone. In the damaging U-turn, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the system the Government had spent months developing would not work on millions of phones. Instead, he said, the NHS would be reverting to a technology, developed by Google and Apple, which ministers had previously chosen not to use. They insist that one still isn't up to scratch either, and was not good enough at detecting how far apart two phones were - a crucial element of contact tracing. However, officials have no idea whether the new smartphone app will be effective or indeed if it will be ready in time for winter when coronavirus is expected to be resurgent. The setback is a fresh embarrassment for the Government after a string of policy U-turns over testing, protective equipment for health workers, the return of schools and the quarantine system for travellers. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is still committed to developing a Covid-19 contact tracing app, despite the embarrassment of the Government at its initial failure The app was supposed to have been rolled out last month as a key part of what Boris Johnson promised would be a world-beating test-and-trace system to help Britain track cases and ease lockdown restrictions. Ministers hoped the technology would work alongside human contact tracers to identify local outbreaks of the virus and shut them down before they spread. Officials confirmed the problems on Thursday, and announced they would be switching from the technology run by NHSX the Health Services digital arm to a version jointly provided by Apple and Google. This is because a major trial on the Isle of Wight had revealed that the app didnt work properly on Apple iPhones, one of the UKs most popular handsets with seven million sold last year. Figures from the trial had shown the app would detect just four per cent of contacts on iPhones, compared with 75 per cent on Android devices. The Apple-Google system detects 99 per cent on either operating system. When the pandemic hit the UK, technology workers, academics and health professionals responded to Prime Minister Boris Johnsons call for a national effort by creating smartphone apps to help track the spread of the virus. Yet the collective rival apps could still form a vital part of the early warning system if, as some scientists fear, a second wave of Covid-19 hits the UK. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has snapped up shares in BT as it searches for stockmarket bargains. The kingdom's 263billion Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought shares in the telecoms giant as they languished at lows not seen since 2009. On the lookout for a bargain: Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund bought shares in BT as they languished at lows not seen since 2009 BT's shares closed at 118.6p on Friday. Under boss Philip Jansen, the company has focused on rolling out fibre broadband across the UK and promised this will deliver long-lasting returns. But the share price is already down by nearly 40 per cent this year. With the pandemic knocking shares, the PIF has been bargain hunting. Its stake in BT is reportedly 'significantly lower' than 5 per cent. MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Saturday that Spain would open its doors to British tourists from Sunday without the need for them to spend two weeks in quarantine because of the coronavirus. 'We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen area from 21 June freely and without the need for the quarantine,' she told BBC News MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Saturday that Spain would open its doors to British tourists from Sunday without the need for them to spend two weeks in quarantine because of the coronavirus. "We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen area from 21 June freely and without the need for the quarantine," she told BBC News. Spain will end its state of emergency, called on March 14, on Sunday, and will open its borders to EU and Schengen area countries for a much-needed tourism boost. Gonzalez Laya said British travellers would be subject to the same "triple check" as other European visitors, which consists of checking their origin, taking their temperature and providing contact details in case they need to be traced. "We want to make sure we welcome visitors but do so in safety and security for them as well as for Spaniards," she said. Spain is still in discussions over whether the UK will similarly lift quarantine measures for Spaniards, she said, but was opening its borders "out of respect for the 400,000 British citizens who have second residences in Spain" and who are "dying to benefit" from them. Britons account for more than a fifth of the roughly 80 million tourists Spain receives every year. Britain, with more than 42,500 documented coronavirus-linked deaths, and Spain, with over 28,300, are among the countries hardest hit by COVID-19. (Reporting by Jessica Jones; Editing by Jan Harvey and Christina Fincher) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission over the weekend suspended alcohol permits at a dozen bars, including two in the Houston area, as part of a statewide crackdown to enforcement Gov. Greg Abbott's COVID-19 business restrictions. Handlebar Houston and Barge 295 in Seabrook were issued 30-day permit suspensions for not implementing proper protocols to slow the spread of the virus, the agency announced Sunday. Abbott has required bars to remain at 50 percent capacity and restaurants at 75 percent as part of the state's COVID-19 response. The businesses also must ensure proper social distancing of at least 6 feet between groups. From 1619, when slavery was introduced in the American colonies to the current day, African Americans have been devalued, tortured, beaten and torn asunder by self-anointed guardians of family values and high moral standards. Nevertheless, we have looked to the heavens and the North Star for our help and freedom. Weve survived the hot boxes of slave plantations. Through swampy lands, we ran to freedom. Weve given our lives for the right to read and write. We fought for the right to fight for our freedom during and after the Civil War yet we are accused of being unpatriotic. We are the only race of people I know of that had to petition the Supreme Court to be acknowledged as being human. From the failed promises of Reconstruction, through the dark ages of Jim Crow and Ku Klux Klan lynchings, we remained united in our hope for freedom and equality. Our children and men, like Emmett Till, have been falsely accused and brutally murdered for alleged slights against white women. Emmett Tills brave mother allowed the world to see what prejudice and hate had done to her child, and yet we had hope for a better future. Between May 31 and June 1, 1921, mobs of white citizens, supported by the governor of Oklahoma, massacred black citizens of Tulsas Greenwood community, known as Black Wall Street yet this history remains largely buried. Read more from this series >> In the 1960s, we peacefully marched for our freedom, but were met with vicious hate and violence at the hands of Bull Connor, politicians, the police, the national guard and even some clergy. We rallied at the Lincoln Memorial and were enraptured by the prospect that one day, our children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. This Dream has yet to be realized. Instead, we have had to cope with false promises and more violence. As recently as 2019, white citizens deputized themselves to demand identification and proof of residency for us to access swimming pools, and have called the police against black children for selling cold water without a license. Just weeks ago, a white women weaponized race against an African-American bird watcher in Central Park. And then came the moment the nation will never forget. We saw George Floyd, face down in the street with his hands cuffed behind his back, a policemans knee embedded in his neck, gasping: I CANT BREATHE! Those who could bear to watch the footage witnessed a man, a fellow human being, drawing his final breaths. Murdered like so many of our ancestors by a man seemingly unconcerned about retribution. We were shocked, horrified and for those of us who look like Mr. Floyd, we understood that there but for the grace of God, go I. Our hearts mourned for him as he cried out for his mother. The grieving and groaning of our souls have not abated, because we know in our bones that justice could be delayed and denied; our history tells us so. But now, were angry, and if youre not as outraged as us, then you must recalibrate your moral compass. This wanton and blatant disregard for black lives MUST STOP! The lives of black folk have rarely mattered throughout the history of America, but weve come (with our ancestors) to say that our BLACK LIVES MATTER. This nation owes a deep debt of gratitude to the millions of black lives lost to our struggle to be free and equal in the eyes of all mankind. And white Americans should understand that you will never uphold its ideals, or realize Americas promise until all people, especially black people, have their full measure of justice and equality. So where do we go from here? First, we have to acknowledge that we want and need a well-trained and effective police force. Not all black or white people are bad, and not all police are bad. Its always a minority that tarnishes the reputation of the group. Second, we have to understand that there is an urgency to turning the corner on racism and the distrust of policing in America. This is hard work worthy of our dedication, and its not for the faint of heart. Its been 400 years and counting, and we cant turn back now. We must begin with specific steps, including: An unreserved commitment to broad based diversity at the highest levels; Immediate adoption of President Barack Obamas 21st Century Policing plan; Prison reform; Eliminating health disparities (including food insecurity) affecting people of color; Addressing the impact of technology on the employment of black and brown people; Eliminating voter suppression efforts; All citizens, especially African-Americans, must vote, and aspire to political office; American history must include a comprehensive history of African-Americans and other ethnic groups that built this country; and We must press the Supreme Court to reverse the doctrine of qualified immunity, and the requirement that victims show a clearly established judicial precedence has been violated. This doctrine is at the heart of police abuse and has allowed those who have dishonored their uniform and badge to escape the consequences of violating citizens constitutional rights. This, among many other policies, practices and laws, define the concept of institutionalized racism. Even more steps will need to be taken to right the wrongs of the past 400 years, but, if as people and as a nation we have been awakened to this tragic history of brutality, injustice and inequality, then this is our moment to end it. Now is the time to be courageous, to end our divisions, to peacefully reconcile with our tortured past and at long last to live up to America being The Land of Promise. Victor Woolridge serves on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, which he formerly chaired, and chairs the UMass Building Authority. He is a member of Gov. Charlie Bakers Black Advisory Commission. He grew up in Springfields Hill McKnight neighborhood and is managing director for real estate debt capital markets for Barings in Hartford. shooting, panic, arrests and finally tear gas and rubber bullets. Throug the years, I have photographed many prayer vigils and protests and have normally felt at ease. And through the years I have dealt with several of the people who were at Mondays scene. But Monday was different. Armed militia members were a sharp contrast to the norm. And several of the protesters were young men and women who spoke with a much angrier and more aggressive tone than in years past. The tension that built was far greater than any Id experienced in previous demonstrations in Albuquerque. I also noticed the absence of police, a big difference from the Downtown demonstrations, where police were present to block streets and direct traffic. Tension grew, with shoving and pushing that escalated for a good half hour before the shooting occurred. Below is a timeline of what I saw Monday evening mostly through the lens of my camera. Various Chicano and Native American speakers take the stage at Tiguex Park on Mountain Road addressing atrocities attributed to conquistador Juan de Onate. Some of the 250 participants burn sage as they observe social distancing. Many wear masks. Across the street, a different kind of gathering has already taken place. A half-dozen heavily armed members of the New Mexico Civil Guard are keeping a vigil, determined to protect their beloved statue. After the prayers, several participants join several demonstrators already standing in front of the statue. In a jarring scene, I photograph a curandera burning incense while standing next to an armed militia member. A young protester climbs the statue of Juan de Onate and proceeds to mimic having sex with it. Militia members watch but do not intervene. The crowd grows to about 50 mostly young men and women. The situation becomes tense when a group of young demonstrators climb the statue, some raising their fists in the air in defiance of the armed men. Satya Vatti, a young member of the Party For Socialism and Liberation, who Ive seen at past protests, grabs a bullhorn. She exhorts the crowd to tear down the statue. Chants of Take it down, take it down follow. She passes the bullhorn to another demonstrator as two members of the militia climb onto the statues platform to try to protect it. One gets into a heated argument with Vatti and another woman. Tensions continue to escalate. A lot of pushing and shoving is going on. A young man drapes the head of the controversial conquistador with a T-shirt and a garbage bag. One of the demonstrators grabs a pickax and begins to chisel at the statues feet. A struggle ensues. A chain is attached to the neck of the statue, and several demonstrators start pulling on it. Tempers flare. Fearing for my own safety, I walk across Mountain Road to the north and seek shelter behind a 3-foot-high cinder block wall. I still have a sharp eye on the action. The situation evolves. A scuffle breaks out at the bottom left of the sculpture. (At this point video shows Stephen Baca shoving demonstrators, pushing one to the ground.) The man (Baca), clad in a blue T-shirt, shorts and black UNM Lobo hat, is pushed into the middle of Mountain. Instinctively, my camera is trailing him. He retreats backward into the turning lane on Mountain toward 20th Street. Vehicular traffic is still flowing on Mountain. Im still focusing on him. He is confronted by a man dressed in black (Scott Williams) and several others. He pulls a can of mace from his pocket, extends his right arm and sprays a mist on approaching demonstrators. My view is then obstructed by a large tree to the right. I look to the left for a split second to make sure that Im not missing the action at the statue. Thats when I hear four loud gun shots. Panic. Screams. Bystanders yell: Shots fired. Shots fired. Call the police. My phone rings, and its my editor. I yell into my phone: Shots fired. I have to go. Journal reporter Anthony Jackson is also on the scene and captures these shots of the shooting victim, Scott Williams, on the ground several feet from Baca, who is kneeling at this point. I venture onto the sidewalk. A figure in black (Williams) lies in the middle of the street while a man rushes to help. He is joined by a few more, including members of the militia. Two women run past me screaming and head east on Mountain to get away from the scene. One is holding a cell phone. Members of the militia approach Baca, who is sitting on the ground, and stand between him and members of the crowd. With rifles drawn, about a dozen APD members of the tactical team wearing green uniforms arrive and secure the scene, taking members of the militia into custody one by one. Feeling safer, I venture a bit closer, capturing as much as I can. Surprisingly, my access is not restricted. Some members of the tactical team kneel to treat a wounded Williams. Two paramedics along with Williams father, Dan Williams, assist. The elder Williams, his hand still bloody from his sons wound, stands up and urgently waves to an oncoming rescue ambulance. A few minutes later, sirens pierce the air. I look to the left and see a separate group of APD officers wearing black riot gear followed by two armored vehicles. They walk in formation, covering the entire width of Mountain, heading west toward the shooting scene. (Video and witnesses say police lobbed tear gas and used their batons to clear the scene.) The area around the statue has temporarily cleared, and the chain remains around the statues neck. At 19th and Mountain, several protesters slash the tires of a SunVan vehicle parked in the middle of the intersection. I consult with my editor by phone and with a reporter on the scene, head to my car to transmit more photos and finally drive home. And yes, I was late for dinner with my wife for our 29th wedding anniversary. By Express News Service KOCHI: THE condition of a 54-day-old child who sustained severe head injuries after being slapped on the head by her father, continues to remain critical at the MOSC Medical College Hospital at Kolenchery. According to the hospital authorities, a clear picture will emerge only after 48 hours. "It is too early to comment on her condition. The child suffered continuous seizures initially, but the frequency has come down," said the hospital spokesperson. The child was admitted with bleeding in the brain on Friday. 40-year-old Shaiju Thomas a pastor hailing from Kannur, was arrested by the Angamaly police in connection with the incident on Saturday. He is currently lodged at the Covid first line treatment centre at Angamaly, after being remanded to judicial custody. Shaiju has been residing at Angamaly for the past 12 years along with his mother and sister, besides his wife, a Nepal national, and the child. Of late, he was staying at a rented house in Paliyekkara. The police have charged him with IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) and under the Juvenile Justice Act. He was produced before the court and remanded on Friday. The accused was always doubtful of his wife and raised questions over the parenthood of the child. He had slapped the child on multiple occasions. She fell unconscious on Thursday night after a similar attack and was taken to the hospital, the police said. Shaiju himself took her to the hospital in an autorickshaw of his neighbour. Meanwhile, Mary, the mother of Shaiju, said her son would never attack the child. "I have never seen him attacking the child," she told reporters on Sunday. A police officer said that Shaijus police custody was not required. The police said they have so far received enough evidence against the accused. As record numbers of Oregonians have tested positive for coronavirus over the past two weeks, many wondered if thats simply due to increased testing -- or if the virus also is spreading more rampantly. Friday, an eye-opening report from the Oregon Health Authority confirmed the latter: COVID-19 is transmitting at higher rates statewide. But the two friends, who started the company in San Diego 10 years ago with just an iPad, an old truck and some kayaks, didnt want to give up. They had been on a pace for a banner 2020: Sales were up 50% in the first two months, and March was looking just as good. And they realized the water might be one of the most socially distant places someone could be. By Trend Appointment of the Armenian war criminal Samvel Babayan as head of the so-called Security Council of the puppet regime created in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan once again confirms that Armenia is a terrorist state, Azerbaijani political analyst Jeyhun Ahmadli told Trend. The heroization of war criminals and terrorists is one of the main components of the state policy of Armenia, said Ahmadli. As for Samvel Babayan specifically, we know him from his war crimes committed during the Karabakh war. Samvel Babayan, who was born in Khankandi district, has been an active participant in the Miatsum separatist movement since 1988, demanding the annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan, who spoke earlier with the notorious dictum of Karabakh is Armenia, is still guided by the ideology of the aggressor when choosing the personnel, the political analyst noted. In the 1990s, Samvel Babayan actively participated in military operations against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He directly supervised the killings of the Azerbaijani civilian population, as well as the military personnel who defended the Azerbaijani land. The appointment of war criminal Samvel Babayan to the high post of the illegal regime once again confirms that Armenia is pursuing a destructive policy that isnt conducive to peace and security in the region, he said. It once again becomes clear that Armenia has not changed its essence, and behind any step of this country in connection with Nagorno-Karabakh is the task to legitimize the fact of occupation. The aggressor country, which disgraced itself to the whole world with this disgusting intention, must understand that neither the so-called "elections" nor "political activity" in this direction will yield results. The conflict can be resolved only in accordance with international law within the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The document adopted by the European Parliament on June 11, 2020, once again proved that the policy of aggression of Armenia is condemned by the entire international community, Ahmadli emphasized. According to international law, Samvel Babayan must answer to Azerbaijani justice for war crimes committed in Nagorno-Karabakh, and must also appear before the international court, the political scientist said. Ahmadli stressed that the appointment to a high position in the so-called "NKR" of a person who was involved in the killings of Azerbaijanis, once again shows that the Armenian side is interested in maintaining the status quo in the conflict. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz In the wake of George Floyds death, activists and thought leaders have spoken openly about white people needing to be proactive allies in fighting racism. As Angela Davis says, its not enough to just not be racist, you must also be anti-racist. Silence is complicity. I would take that sentiment one step further for my wealthy peers. Just like its not enough to not be racist, the wealthy must do more than not actively support the economic marginalization of minority communities. We have benefited immensely from an economic and political system that degrades and persecutes Black and brown Americans. We must take active, forceful steps to reform those systems. Thanks to centuries of government policies that have prioritized securing and expanding the wealth of the already well off over protecting the lives and livelihoods of Black people, Black people in this country have less access to health care and quality education, lower incomes and family wealth, higher unemployment, and lower life expectancies. Police brutality is just one hazard that Black communities across America are forced to deal with on a daily basis. Addressing only that one issue fails to overturn centuries of systemic oppression, yet its the only one I see many of my wealthy peers talking about. Press for racial equity, not tax cuts Its easy for the rich to call out police violence because, for most of us, the police play very little role in our lives. As a 60-year-old white guy who lives on Park Avenue in Manhattan, my interactions with police officers mostly consist of hearing someone say Good evening, sir, as I walk into Gracie Mansion or talking with someone from the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York at a political event. Its a lot harder for rich people to rethink how their own economic success is tied in with the oppression of others, but its absolutely necessary. The rich and powerful in this country need to start reexamining the role that they play in widespread racial inequality that goes well beyond police violence, and if theyre uncomfortable with what they see, they need to take real action to change the status quo. Story continues Morris Pearl, chair of the Patriotic Millionaires, in 2014. Family photo Its not enough for the rich and powerful to post a hashtag on Twitter and claim that theyre doing their part. We know what it looks like when millionaires and billionaires really want the government to do something they use their money and their connections to influence government leaders, and more often than not they get their way. If wealthy Americans cared one-tenth as much about equity for Black and brown people as they did about tax cuts, this would have already been resolved. Overcoming history: Pandemic and police killings reveal brutal status quo. We can fix this. Why won't we? Heres what we can do: We can actively donate to political candidates who prioritize demilitarizing the police and redistributing funds to community programs and alternatives to policing. We can withhold our campaign donations for incumbents who continue to approve budgets that have bloated policing budgets. We can invest in Black-owned businesses and we can donate sums of our not inconsiderable wealth to any number of causes now and in the future, including the NAACP, White People 4 Black Lives, Color of Change, Equal Justice Initiative, and many, many more. This is just the start to addressing all of the issues that plague and have plagued the Black community in the United States because of a broken system that we have helped propagate. Instability is bad for business To my fellow wealthy Americans, ignoring the role that you play in perpetuating an unjust system (and hiding from your responsibility to fix it) isnt just amoral and selfish, its stupid. Even if you care about no one but yourself, instability is bad for business. Your businesses and investments depend on a stable country with a strong consumer base. Leaving vast swaths of the population economically disenfranchised and unable to pay their bills will put many of the same opportunities that made us rich out of reach for our children. It should go without saying that policies that lead to almost annual mass protests and rioting like an unspoken acceptance of widespread police brutality threaten the stability that your prosperity and safety rely on. Debt slavery: Trump's Tulsa rally evokes a tragic 1921 example of the systemic racism he won't face So if you must be selfish. Be selfish in recognizing that your life, your success, your worth is inseparable from those of your neighbors. I want to need to live in a country where all of the people are able to feel safe and make a living and pay their bills every month and save for their retirement and send their kids to college. I need to live in a country where all of the people feel confident that their votes count and that their leaders reflect their values. If we dont have that, no amount of police and no amount of security is going to make it possible for my children and my grandchildren to grow up with the opportunities that I had when I grew up. Morris Pearl, chair of the Patriotic Millionaires, is the former managing director of BlackRock Investments. Follow him on Twitter: @morris_pearl You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rich Americans should spend to end racism that plagues people of color India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist India logs over 3.17 lakh new Covid cases in last 24 hours; daily positivity rate up at 16.41 per cent India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff New Delhi, Aug 27: Three months after the stand-off at the Galwan valley, a survey was conducted on India-China relationship by the Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times, and the results show that the Chinese citizens are not happy with the actions of their leaders. In this survey, it has been revealed that the Chinese citizens like India with more than 50 per cent holding a favorable impression of China. Almost 51 per cent respondents appreciate the Modi government. Newest First Oldest First For India, the LAC runs along 16 districts across one union territory (Ladakh) and four states (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh). Chinas biggest tech company Huawei is trying to woo India by running big advertisements on all leading dailies of India. More than 30 per cent feel the ties will improve, and almost nine per cent of the respondents said they see improvement in the short term, while 25 per cent feel things will improve in the long term. Nearly 70 per cent believe the anti-China sentiment in India is excessive. As efforts are on to de-escalate ongoing tension at Line of Actual Control, China on Wednesday said that it sees India as a partner instead of a rival and an opportunity instead of a threat. Relations between India and China have been tense after Indian troops clashed with PLA soldiers at Galwan Valley on June 15 leading to the death of 20 Indian soldiers, although Chinese troops also suffered casualties but China's foreign ministry has refused to divulge figures. Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong speaking at the China-India Youth webinar said that China sees India as a "partner instead of a rival and an opportunity instead of a threat." Darcha is 147 kilometres from Manali and lies on the highway to Leh after Jispa and Keylong across Rohtang La. The Darcha-Padum-Nimu route requires only a single 4.5 km tunnel through the 16,570 feet Shingo La between Darcha and Padum to ensure that the road is closed only for two months in winter. According to military commanders, the need to build the third axis was felt as tunnelling would be required under four more high mountain passes on the existing Manali-Leh route if the road has to be kept open throughout the year. In an effort to ensure that the project meets its two-year deadline, Gadkaris ministry has proposed that the task to build the tunnel should be given to the company that constructed the 9.02 km tunnel at Rohtang La on the condition that it meets the timeline. The project, which has been in the pipeline for a decade, is scheduled to be completed by the defence ministry within two years. Officials said the third route requires upgrading the Darcha-Padum-Nimu trekking route into a metalled road and building a 4.5 kilometre tunnel under Shingo La on the Darcha-Padum route. New Delhi perceives Beijings reluctance to disengage despite reminders as an effort to set a new normal at the border. The defence ministrys road project is being given its hardest push by road and highways minister Nitin Gadkari and his colleague Gen VK Singh after China provoked a standoff along the Line of Actual Control in East Ladakh and started mobilising troops in depth areas. Senior military commanders said the third route to feed Ladakh by road is urgently needed given how Pakistan and its all-weather friend, China were eyeing the Siachen Glacier and Daulat Beg Oldie. Nimu is 35 kilometres from Leh town and headquarters of XIV Corps responsible for the defence of East Ladakh and Siachen Glacier. Indias national security planners are pushing hard to complete an all-weather strategic route to Ladakh that will link Darcha in Himachal Pradesh to Nimu via Padum in Kargils Zanskar valley, people familiar with the matter said The Chinese ambassador also said that they will encourage language learning and communication. With the help of Indian colleges and universities, Chinese colleges and universities carry out the study of Hindi, Tamil and Bengali. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India 70 years ago, Sun said, bilateral relations have withstood tests and become more resilient. He said Chinas President Xi Jinping has said that Beijing will neither import foreign models of development, nor export the Chinese model and ask other countries to copy its practice. On a question on support to Indians aspiring to learn Chinese language, Sun said a strong team of Chinese teachers will help cultivate more Indian students who understand Chinese and love Chinese culture. China and India, neighboring countries, should live in peace and avoid conflicts, he said. Sun said that in order to achieve development goals, both countries need a peaceful and favourable external environment. In the webinar, Sun said, As two rising major neighbours, China and India should abandon the old mindset of drawing lines by ideology, and get rid of the old game of ones gain is anothers loss and zero-sum game. The CMC, which is the overall high command of the Chinese military is headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. On August 14, Misri met Maj. Gen. Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of Chinas Central Military Commission, (CMC) and briefed him about Indias stance vis-a-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh Union Territory. On August 14, Misri met Maj. Gen. Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of Chinas Central Military Commission, (CMC) and briefed him about Indias stance vis-a-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh Union Territory. In recent weeks, Misri met a senior official of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and senior General of Chinese military and briefed them on Indias stance on the situation at the borders in eastern Ladakh Union Territory. Indian Embassy officials told PTI here that the closed-door meeting was part of the continuing outreach activities with all shades of Chinese opinion on the state of relations between the two countries. The Indian Army officer killed the clash was the commanding officer of a battalion at Galwan. There was no firing. Apparently the two sides clashed with stones and rods. There are various accounts on the number of casualties on the Chinese side. Some accounts suggest 5, while the others say it is 3. However there is no official word on the same. The visit by Army Chief General M M Naravane to Pathankot has been cancelled. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said if the Chinese can "shoot dead" three Indian soldiers during the 'de-escalation process', one can imagine how serious the situation must have been in the first place. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army said an officer and two soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be discussing the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a short while from now. Singh has already met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. We will eventually learn about the details of what happened in Ladakh. That is our right. But right now, we must grieve with & stand by the families of our martyred soldiers. And stand solidly in support of our armed forces. anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 16, 2020 Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's tweet: Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation along the Line of Actual Control. Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter to say that the nation wants to know why there is no talk of retaliation. Taking to Twitter, Mufti wrote,''Seems like China has hijacked the aggressive ghar main ghuske marengay militaristic approach. Nation deserves to know why there is no talk of retaliation to avenge the death of three Indian army personnel!.'' Congrress leader Shashi Tharoor: The tragic news from Ladakh is shocking & calls for resolute handling by our Govt. Meanwhile, let us bow our heads in tribute to the three martyrs who gave their lives to protect India, and honour those who serve on our borders every day, risking their lives for our nation. Both sides have been ascertaining that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines says Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has met with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and discussed the situation along the LAC. Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines, Lijian said. "Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash", tweets Editor In Chief of Chinese Newspaper Global Times The happening in the #Galwanvalley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men are being killed and injured defending our borders. (1/2) Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 16, 2020 Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the happening in Galwan Valley is a continuation of violations by China and added that it is time now that India stood up to these incursions. The talks are being held between Major General Abhijit Bapat, the commander of the Karu based HQ3 Infantry Division and his Chinese counterpart. The talks are being held at the site of the clash. Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to Twitter and wrote, "Received the report of a commanding officer and two soldiers of Indian Army being killed in a 'violent face-off' with Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. Heartfelt condolences." He also said that he expects a clarification on the ground reality of situation. UPA LAC ? ? Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) June 16, 2020 Congress leader Kapil Sibal slammed the Union government for failing to respond to Chinese action in Ladakh. He also took pot shot on Prime Minister's 56-inch chest. Indian troops seriously violated consensus of the two sides by illegally crossing the border twice and carrying out provocative attacks on Chinese soldiers. This resulted in serious physical clashes, Chinas Global Times said while quoting foreign minister, Wang Yi. Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday termed as 'disturbing' the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley and said the government should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue. He sought to know as to how Indian soldiers lost their lives during a de-escalation process and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clearer picture. "Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice," said VK Singh. The editor of Global Times posted on Twitter, based on what I know, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash. I want to tell the Indian side, dont be arrogant and misread Chinas restraint as being weak. China doesnt want to have a clash with India, but we dont fear it. The talks between the two sides are still continuing and efforts are on to defuse tensions between India and China after a violent clash occurred. The situation still remains fluid in Ladakh. Hectic talks are on to defuse the tensions along the Line of Actual Control. The Congress has termed as "shocking" and "unacceptable" the death of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in a violent face-off with the Chinese troops, and asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the development. "Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable! Will the Raksha Mantri confirm," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter. Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness & sacrifice. Jai Hind!! Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) June 16, 2020 Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice, Union Minister, General V K Singh said. AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to condemn the killings of three Indian army personnel. "India stands with the 3 brave martyrs who were killed by China today in Galwan. My thoughts are with families of Colonel & 2 brave soldiers. The commanding officer was leading from the front. The government must avenge these killings & ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain," Owaisi tweeted. MECOSTA, OSCEOLA COUNTIES Mecosta and Osceola counties each confirmed new cases of the coronavirus throughout the weekend. According to the District Health Department No. 10, Mecosta County confirmed one new case on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing the county total to 26 cases, with two confirmed deaths. Osceola County was previously reporting 19 confirmed cases, but Sunday's daily report from the state of Michigan brought the county total to 21 cases, with zero deaths. With no new cases to report, Lake County remains at six cases, with zero deaths. Overall, Michigan is reporting 61,230 confirmed cases, with 5,846 deaths. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, health officials recommend the following: Socially distance at least 6 feet from non-household members. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash 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 sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Wear face coverings in public. Stay home when sick. Covering coughs and sneezes. Throw used tissues in the trash right after use. Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning wipe or spray. Screen heart-throb KJ Apa tested in I Still Believe Becoming a teenage heart-throb is the dream of every young actor. But while the pull of stardom is very strong, reaching that heart-throb status is never a guarantee of a long and successful Hollywood career. World-Entertainment By David Griffiths Sunday 21 June 2020, 02:00PM KJ Apa puts the audiences emotions through the wringer in I Still Believe. Photo: IMDB Flash back to the late 1990s and Dawsons Creek was one of the biggest shows on television. Its male stars James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Kerr Smith were on posters on every teenage girls wall around the world. Today all three are lucky to get small roles in television shows and B-Grade movies. The next actor following in those footsteps is young star K.J. Apa. The New Zealand local has risen to stardom as the star of Netflixs very own Gothic teenage mystery show Riverdale where he plays comic book legend Archie Andrews, while his new film I Still Believe opens in cinemas across Thailand this week. Apas movie career to date has been successful from a critical point of view. Films like A Dogs Purpose and The Last Summer have certainly earned him more fan attention while his work on the gritty The Hate U Give gave him a chance to show the world his acting ability. I Still Believe sees Apas career take a whole new direction though a direction that many of his young fans probably didnt see coming the starring role in what many people would label a faith-inspired film. In I Still Believe Apa plays Jeremy Camp one of the worlds highest-selling Christian musicians. The movie follows Camps life from the moment he leaves the countryside home of his parents (played by Gary Sinise and Shania Twain) and heads to college. It is there that he meets musician Jean-Luc (Nathan Parsons The Originals) who recognises Camps musical ability and starts him out on his career. From there though things dont exactly go the way that Camp wants them to. First he and Jean-Luc find themselves competing for the affection of the same woman the beautiful Melissa (Britt Robertson Tomorrowland). But even that doesnt run a smooth path when Melissa is diagnosed with cancer and is soon battling massive odds to just survive. Unlike many religious films, I Still Believe doesnt come across as a preachy film. While both Jeremy and Melissas faith is there for all to see, the film also explores themes of hope and love as it depicts a young couple facing one of the biggest challenges of their lives. The screenplay also brilliantly allows the plot to explore the story of a man who begins to doubt his own faith as the odds stack up against Melissa. While many religious films are also plagued by soap-opera style writing and bad acting that certainly isnt the case with I Still Believe. Directors Andrew and Jon Erwin (October Baby) doesnt hold back at all with this film. The audience will find themselves tested as the plot causes you to start to think about your own beliefs and how you would cope in circumstances where it appears that your partner may not survive. While Camp is a Christian the film would cause people of any faith or belief to look deep inside and explore how they would react in the same circumstance. Likewise the directors also test their young stars. Britt Robertson is at times unrecognisable as she plays the terminally ill Melissa but the acting tour-de-force here is Kapa. In Riverdale we have had to watch Kapa deal with the death of his on screen father, which was brought about due to the off-screen death of actor Luke Perry, and once again here Kapa is put through an absolute acting wringer. Some of the sequences here as Camp goes through a personal and faith-driven breakdown would have been brutal and emotionally-toiling on Kapa. To the young stars credit though he pulls them off with ease and many of his scenes have the power to have the audience in tears. If there was any question at all over whether Kapa had the acting ability to forge a career outside of Riverdale this is the film that proves the world is his oyster. I Still Believe may be an emotional viewing for some audience members, but it is well worth packing the box of tissues and sitting through. A thought-provoking and challenging storyline mixed with a young star putting in the performance of his young career makes I Still Believe one of the biggest surprises of 2020. 3.5/5 Stars I Still Believe is now screening in cinemas right across Thailand and has been classified G. David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years. That time has seen him work in radio, television and in print. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/subcultureentertainmentaus Nigeria recorded more deaths linked to coronavirus last week than in the previous week, a PREMIUM TIMES review of official data shows. The 99 deaths reported between last Sunday and Saturday are a 34 per cent increase on the 65 recorded the week before. The rate of recovery from the killer disease also dropped significantly last week compared with the previous week. PREMIUM TIMES analysis of data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that 1077 patients recovered and were discharged last week, representing a 13 per cent reduction from the 1239 recorded in the previous week. Increasing cases The pandemic continues to spread in Nigeria with thousands of new cases recorded last week. For five weeks consecutively, the number of new cases has soared. Recall that a total of 3,449 new infections was recorded by NCDC in the previous week (June 7 to 13), meanwhile, it recorded 4,162 new cases last week (June 14 to 20) a 17 per cent increase. The NCDC also conducted 20,588 tests last week, the highest in the past four weeks. The NCDC had warned that increasing the number of tests could result in an increase in new infections recorded. Following the trend of increasing deaths and new infection, some state governments have rescinded their decision to reopen places of worship. For instance, Lagos and Ogun state governments, last week, announced an indefinite suspension of reopening of churches and mosques. Also, the federal government that had planned to allow resumption of domestic flights on June 21, said that date is no longer feasible. The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, added that the aviation industry is yet to meet up with conditions that can enable compliance with the safety protocols. Nigerian cases so far So far, Nigeria has recorded 19,808 cases. While 10,174 of the cases are active, 5,101 have recovered and have been discharged. As of the time of filing this report, 506 persons have lost their lives to the disease. A breakdown of the 19,808 confirmed cases shows that Lagos State has so far reported 8,407 cases, followed by FCT 1,549, Kano 1,184, Oyo 860, Edo 779, Rivers 866, Ogun 623, Kaduna 552, Borno 476, Gombe 451, Bauchi 447, Katsina 426, Delta 502, Jigawa 317, Ebonyi 234, Plateau 220, Imo 205, Nasarawa 184, Kwara 180, Sokoto 135, Ondo 134, Bayelsa 155, Enugu 126, Zamfara 76, Kebbi 67, Anambra 66, Niger 66, Yobe 56, Osun 54, Akwa Ibom 65, Adamawa 42, Benue 39, Ekiti 34, Taraba 18, Taraba 18, and Kogi 3. Only Cross River State is yet to record a single case of the infection, although a lawmaker in the state was reported to have died after showing symptoms of the infection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre around 12:30 pm on Thursday. Nigeria has so far tested 111,052 samples since the beginning of the outbreak in Nigeria in February. Timeline last week On Sunday, 403 new cases of COVID19 were reported in the country, bringing the total to 16085 cases, from which 5220 had recovered and 420 deaths recorded. On Monday, 573 new cases were reported, taking the total to 16658. Advertisements On Tuesday, 490 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded. A total of 587 new cases were reported on Wednesday which brought the number of confirmed cases to 17735. On Thursday, 745 new cases were reported, taking the total to 18480 cases with 6307 recoveries and 475 deaths. On Friday, 667 new cases were reported, bringing the tally of confirmed cases to 19147. On Saturday, 661 new cases were recorded. This took the total number of cases to 19808, out of which 6,718 have recovered and 506 have died. Yoga can reduce not just the pain, but also the treatment cost of migraines, a new study has found. The study conducted by AIIMS was published in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, according to a statement by AIIMS. The statement comes ahead of the International Yoga Day on June 21. The new research suggests that yoga may help people with migraine and result in headaches that happen less often, dont last as long and are less painful. Medications are the first-line treatment for migraine, but they work for only about half of patients, and many drugs have side effects that make about 10 percent of people stop using them, it said. The results (of the study) showed that yoga can reduce not just the pain, but also the treatment cost of migraines. This is, until now, the largest randomised trial evaluating yoga as a therapeutic tool for migraine, it said. For the study, about 114 patients with episodic migraine were recruited to one of two groups. The first group received conventional medical therapy as prescribed by their doctors, while the second got conventional treatment, plus a yoga program that included breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and yogic postures, the study said. The yoga protocol was prepared by yoga physicians at the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR) at AIIMS. Patients learnt the program in one-hour sessions for three days a week in a month under the supervision of yoga therapists at CIMR, and then practiced the routines at home, five days a week for the next two months, the study said. The study found that both groups showed a reduction in the frequency and intensity of headaches. But the yoga group tended to get significantly fewer headaches and had less intense headaches. For headache frequency, the yoga group started with an average of 9.1 headaches per month, and ended the study reporting just 4.7 headaches per month, a 48 per cent reduction, the study said. The medication-only group reported an average of 7.7 headaches per month at the start of the study and 6.8 at the end of the three months, a 12 per cent decrease, it said. The average number of pills the yoga group used decreased by 47 per cent after three months, while the usage of pills by the medication-only group decreased by about 12 per cent, the study said. The main contributory authors for the study are Rohit Bhatia, Professor, Department of Neurology, AIIMS, Gautam Sharma, Professor in Charge, Center for Integrative Medicineand Research, AIIMS, and Anand Kumar, Senior Resident, Department of Neurology, AIIMS. They concluded that yoga as an ancillary therapy in episodic migraine is superior to medical therapy alone. It may be useful to integrate a cost effective and safe intervention like yoga in the management of migraine patients, the authors added. Eight Minnesota corrections officers filed a discrimination lawsuit claiming they were forbidden from guardingor even being on the same floor asDerek Chauvin, the former police officer who has been charged with killing George Floyd, because they are not white. When Chauvin, who was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyds death, was brought to the Ramsey County jail on May 29, all minority officers were ordered to go to a separate floor. A supervisor told them that they would be a potential liability around Chauvin because of their race, according to the discrimination charges that were filed with the states Department of Human Rights and reviewed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Advertisement All the guards who were told to leave the fifth floor where Chauvin was going to be housed were people of color, and they were replaced with white officers, Bonnie Smith, the attorney representing the eight corrections officers, said. That decision humiliated and debased the affected officers, Smith said, noting that decisions on work should be based on performance and behavior rather than race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BREAKING: Derek Chauvin booking photo just released by Ramsey County jail @KSTP pic.twitter.com/6JNJbMOTQT Alan Hoglund (@alanhoglund) May 30, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement One of the affected officers pointed out that white officers had never been told they couldnt guard someone. I understood that the decision to segregate us had been made because we could not be trusted to carry out our work responsibilities professionally around the high-profile inmatesolely because of the color of our skin, one acting sergeant, who is Black, wrote. I am not aware of a similar situation where white officers were segregated from an inmate. Ramsey County jail superintendent Steve Lydon has pushed back against the accusations, claiming he only received short notice that Chauvin would be arriving and his decision was made as a way to protect and support corrections officers. Recognizing that the murder of George Floyd was likely to create particularly acute racialized trauma, I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin, Lydon said in a statement. Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made the decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings. Lydon, who has since been demoted, said the reassignments were brief, but he realized he had erred in judgment and issued an apology to the affected employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, however, characterized Lydons claim as an after-the-fact justification, noting that her clients never asked for protection and he did not explain it as an action taken out of concern for the officers until later. By segregating them on the basis of skin color, Lydon isnt preventing racial traumahe is creating it, Smith said. The admission that officers were reassigned, albeit briefly, marked a change from officials who had earlier denied any officers of color had been reassigned. That allegation had led Reuters to publish a fact check article that said claims that Black officers had been banned from guarding Chauvin were false. That denial had angered the affected officers even more. They were calling us all liars, one said. Vietnam clear of community infections, 16 positive cases left The country confirmed no fresh COVID-19 cases of local transmission on June 21 and the overall number of infection currently stands at 349, including 16 active cases left, according to the Ministry of Health. FILE - In this April 23, 2019, file photo, Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a news conference in New York. Berman is stepping down as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) In Attorney General William Barrs most recent public assessment, Geoffrey Berman was doing an exemplary job as Manhattans chief federal prosecutor. There was talk of naming him to another weighty position in the Trump administration, including chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission or chief of the Justice Departments Civil Division in Washington. With tenacity and savvy, Geoff has done an excellent job leading one of our nations most significant U.S. Attorneys Offices, Barr said late Friday night, adding that the prosecutor had achieved many successes on consequential civil and criminal matters. The only problem: Berman, whose office has prosecuted and investigated several of President Donald Trumps allies, had no interest in leaving to make way for the presidents favored replacement current SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, whose resume is absent any previous experience as a prosecutor. Less than 48 hours after a battle for control of the Justice Departments most prestigious office ended with Trump ordering Bermans dismissal, the urgency of the administrations action has not been fully explained. By some accounts, Clayton had expressed interest in the Manhattan post to both Barr and Trump while preparing to leave the SEC. Others have suggested that the abrupt move, initially revealed on another late Friday night, mimicked the recent actions to remove a number of government watchdogs cast as disloyal or a threat to the administration. United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey Berman announces the indictment against Lawrence Ray on February 11, 2020, in New York City. Barr announced then that Berman was "stepping down" to make way for Trump's intended nomination of Clayton, prompting the prosecutor to fire back that he had "no intention" of resigning. The standoff was ultimately broken Saturday when Trump formally dismissed Berman, who indicated that he would not challenge the action. The common theme in this multi-trade proposal," said a person familiar with the matter, is a desire to get Geoff Berman out of the Southern District of New York. Story continues Lawmakers on Sunday continued to raise questions about the sudden removal of the prosecutor who oversaw the prosecution of Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and who also is managing investigations of the president's current lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, along with two of Giuliani's former business associates. "You really have to question this Friday night attempted massacre now completed one," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told NBC's Meet the Press. Schiff pointed to Berman's initial refusal to resign in which the prosecutor referenced ongoing investigations within his office and his desire to advance them "without delay or interruption." The prosecutor did not elaborate on the nature of specific inquiries, but his ultimate ouster comes just days after former Trump national security adviser John Bolton revealed in a book that the president once sought to interfere in an investigation of a Turkish bank to pacify Turkeys president, Recep Erdogan. The inquiry is being led by Bermans now-former office. "Berman clearly had a concern for why he was being pushed out," Schiff said. Separately, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the vice-chairman of the Intelligence Committee, told CBS's "Face the Nation" that the Justice Department, under Barr's leadership, has "repeatedly" intervened in politically-sensitive cases. Earlier this year, the attorney general overruled prosecutors to recommend a lighter prison sentence for Trump adviser Roger Stone. More recently, he has become embroiled in an effort to abandon the prosecution of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. In both cases, the attorney general's action drew a hail of criticism and sharp rebukes from a court-appointed arbiter in the Flynn case who called the Justice Department action a gross abuse of power. DOJ rebuke: Justice Department showed 'gross abuse of prosecutorial power' in Michael Flynn case, court-appointed arbiter says "So, there seems to be a pattern from this administration that the president and his henchman, Mr. Barr, are willing to get rid of anyone that's investigating people that get close to Donald Trump," Warner said, adding that he had no direct evidence that the removal was connected to ongoing investigations. In a Saturday letter informing Berman of his dismissal, Barr rejected the prosecutor's suggestion that ongoing cases might be thwarted by the action. "Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately," Barr wrote. "This is obviously false. I fully expect that the office will continue to handle all cases in the normal course and pursuant to the departments applicable standards, policies, and guidance." He urged supervisors to take any allegations of "improper interference" to the Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz for review. In his Friday night statement, the attorney general said that the president was appointing New Jersey's chief federal prosecutor, Craig Carpenito, to serve in New York, pending Senate action on Clayton's nomination. But Barr walked that back Saturday, saying that Berman's top deputy, Audrey Strauss, would take charge as acting U.S. attorney until a replacement was seated a move that appeared to mollify Berman's initial concerns. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of Trump's most vocal allies in Congress, said the president possessed the authority to remove Berman. He also expressed "confidence" in Strauss to run the Manhattan office "in a professional and ethical manner." President Donald Trump gestures as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks about an upcoming afternoon vote in the Senate during an event in the East Room of the White House about Trump's judicial appointments, Nov. 6, 2019, in Washington. Graham, whose committee would weigh the confirmation of a nominee to replace Berman, said that he knew Clayton and "believe him to be a fine man and accomplished lawyer." But the chairman also signaled that he would not move forward with the nomination without sign off from New York's two senators. Both Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., have called on Clayton to remove his name from consideration. I will not be complicit in helping President Trump and Attorney General Barr fire a U.S. attorney who is reportedly investigating corruption in this administration," Gillibrand said. Senate Minority Leader Schumer has called on Justice's inspector general to review the action. Trump, meanwhile, sidestepped on Saturday the firestorm raging over Berman and his own decision to fire the prosecutor. The decision to remove Berman, the president said, was Barr's to make. "I'm not involved," Trump told reporters before departing for a campaign rally in Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Geoffrey Berman firing: AG Barr's glowing account clouds dismissal Washington: Daily counts of new coronavirus cases in the US are the highest they've been in more than a month, but public health experts say "second wave" is probably the wrong term to describe what's happening. "When you have 20,000-plus infections per day, how can you talk about a second wave?" said Dr Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health. "We're in the first wave. Let's get out of the first wave before you have a second wave." A woman has her temperature checked before entering SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. The theme park reopened on June 11. Credit:AP Florida and South Carolina had their third straight day breaking single-day records, and Missouri and Nevada both hit their records on Saturday. Quarantine procedures have been implemented immediately, health concerns of rally goers will be taken seriously, say campaign communication officials. Six staffers working on Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for coronavirus, the presidents campaign said on Saturday. Just hours before the President was expected to arrive in the state, Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement cited by CNN that As per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented. No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at todays rally or near attendees and elected officials, he said. The Trump campaign has dismissed concerns about the ongoing pandemic, moving forward with the scheduled rally despite a rising infection rate in Oklahoma. Also read: China creating wedge in US-Europe relations, undoing free world progress: Mike Pompeo Also read: Trump slams China over coronavirus, says saved lives by shutting Chinese from coming to US As of Saturday afternoon, Tulsa County reported the most cases 2,206 total of any county in the state, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The state also recently reported its largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the BOK Center, where Saturdays rally is taking place, said theyd asked Trumps campaign for a written plan accounting safety measures for the event. Given the Tulsa Health Departments recent reports of increases in coronavirus cases and the State of Oklahomas encouragement for event organizers to follow CDC guidelines, we have requested that the Trump campaign, as the event organizer, provide BOK Center with a written plan detailing the steps the event will institute for health and safety, including those related to social distancing. Once received, we will share the plan with local health officials, Meghan Blood said in a statement. Earlier this week, Trump campaign principle deputy communications director Erin Perrine told CNN that the campaign was taking the concerns seriously. The campaign takes the health and safety of rally-goers seriously and is taking precautions to make the rally safe. Every single rally goer will have their temperature checked, be provided a face mask and hand sanitizer, Perrine said. We are also taking precautions to keep rally-goers safe in the Oklahoma heat including providing water bottles to keep people hydrated, Perrine added. Attendees will not be required to wear a mask, however. Those attending the rally must agree to not to sue the campaign if they contract coronavirus. Rallygoers who RSVPd to gain admission to the event had to agree to a disclaimer that states they acknowledge the inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Public health officials both on the ground in Tulsa and within the Presidents administration have warned about the potential risks. The Tulsa city-county Health Department Director David Bart said he wished the event would be postponed, while the BOK Center has cancelled or postponed all other events at the venue through the end of July. Also read: China blames India for Galwan valley face-off For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Sunday handed over a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to Government Primary School, Rurka village, for construction of classrooms. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Punjab health and family welfare minister The grant has been given out of Lok Sabha MP (Sri Anandpur Sahib) Manish Tewaris local area development fund. On the occasion, the health minister said, Education and health are priority sectors for the state government. It is always striving to upgrade the infrastructure in these two sectors to ensure quality education as well as sound health for our future generations. Encouraging students to excel in studies as well as sports, the minister said that no stone was being left unturned to transform the condition of the schools of the constituency. The schools in the Gobindgarh and Gigemajra villages are great examples of the same, Sidhu added. The health minister even called upon the panchayats, NRIs, and progressive youth to come forward and contribute towards the development of schools. The Summer issue of Town & Country, Americas leading general interest magazine, has featured Smt. Nita Ambani and the Reliance Foundation among the Top Philanthropists of 2020 who are saving lives and our sense of hope given the circumstances of COVID-19. The coverage spotlights Smt. Ambani for leading Reliance Foundations efforts in feeding frontline workers and the poor, its financial contributions, and for setting up Indias first COVID-19 hospital. She is the only Indian in the list that features prominent global individuals, such as Tim Cook, Oprah Winfrey, Laurene Powell Jobs, the Lauder Family, Donatella Versace, Michael Bloomberg, Leonardo Di Caprio and more. Town & Country is the leading American lifestyle magazine and the oldest continually published (since 1846) general interest magazine in the United States. It dedicates one full issue annually to the philanthropists who impress with their commitment, ingenuity, and largesse. This years list has an added sense of urgency: Under historic circumstances, these people are saving our lives, and our sense of hope, right now, the magazine noted. The magazine further noted, Weve seen it time and again: In the aftermath of terrorism, tragedy, and trauma, the generous and the just respond with speed and flexibility to help those most affected. This agility and responsiveness make philanthropy unique and it makes philanthropy a vital public good, in these times and all times. Philanthropy is a word. From the Greek, it roughly translates as love for humankind. But it also is an idea. Philanthropy brings light to the darkness, hope in moments of despair, and in moments of crisis, relief and response and resolve. It translates generosity into justice for all. Recognizing the effort of Smt. Nita Ambani and the Foundation, the magazine stated, the Reliance Foundationthe philanthropic initiative of Reliance Industries, founded and chaired by Ambanidistributed millions of meals and masks to frontline workers and the poor, set up Indias first hospital for COVID-19 patients, and donated $72 million to an emergency fund. 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 Speaking at this occasion, Smt. Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said, Crises almost always demand immediate and urgent attention, of relief, of resources, of ingenuity and most importantly of compassion. Over the years, we have equipped ourselves at the Foundation and at Reliance Industries to respond to crises with immediate, multi-pronged as well as systematic and calibrated responses to make our effort impactful and sustained. We are pleased and humbled that our initiative is being recognised at the global level. Our philanthropy is committed to support our government and our community whenever the need arises. Reliance Foundation, under Smt. Nita Ambanis leadership stepped up its efforts to address the health and the humanitarian crises that the nation faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In one of the first initiatives in the country, Reliance Foundation worked with local authorities in Mumbai to build a 100-bed COVID-19 Hospital in less than two weeks in the month of March. The facility, which started taking COVID-19 patients by the end of March, was further expanded with Reliance Foundations support to more than 220 beds in April. In response to the fast-developing humanitarian crisis related to loss of livelihoods for millions, Reliance Foundation started a nationwide Food service called Anna Seva which has served 50 million meals so far and has become the worlds largest corporate meal programme. Reliance Foundation has also continued its multi-pronged efforts including starting online medical assistance for people, home quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients in Mumbai, support to rural communities and food and healthcare for pets, strays and livestock animals across the country. Reliance Industries also commenced manufacturing of masks and PPEs and has contributed to the country achieving self-sufficiency in production of these critical items in the fight against the pandemic. : Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. C oronavirus is "increasingly under control" in the UK, Boris Johnson has declared, as he prepares to relax a range of restrictions this week. Mr Johnson said "you'll certainly be hearing more this week", with the PM expected to announce further changes to lockdown on Tuesday. He will reportedly announce a new "one metre plus" social distancing rule, and is expected to allow hospitality businesses and hairdressers to reopen from July 4. He said he is "sticking like glue" to the Government's coronavirus response plan, which would also mean hotels and holiday parks getting the green light to reopen their doors in early July. The Government may allow pubs to reopen in the coming weeks (Louis Hansel ) / Louis Hansel Mr Johnson said: "The disease is increasingly under control and I just want people to reflect on that important fact. "It's going down, we are getting it down. So, of course, as we make that progress it will be possible to open up more and you will be hearing more about what we want to do with not just non-essential retail but with the hospitality sector from July 4 and we're sticking absolutely like glue to the road map to the plan that I set out on May 10." But Mr Johnson said that it was important to keep to the rules to continue managing the spread of the virus. And he added: "On the progress on social distancing, watch this space and you won't have much more to wait now. You'll certainly be hearing more this week." More than 1,000 people are still testing positive for coronavirus every day in the UK / PA It comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil a range of tax cuts to help boost the economy this week. Mr Sunak is set to cut VAT to help support businesses that have struggled through coronavirus lockdown. Mr Johnson's words follow comments made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Sunday morning about easing the lockdown. Matt Hancock: "We're on plan" Mr Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: Were clearly on track for that plan because [of] the number of cases coming down, and the plan does refer to hospitality and some of the other things that are closed that so many people want to see open. The UK is still recording more than a thousand new coronavirus cases every, but infection rates appear to be declining slightly. There were just over 1,200 positive tests recorded on June 21, compared with around 1,500 a week previously, according to official Government figures. Let's keep practising yoga and create a healthier planet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday responding to various world leaders, international organisations and personalities who took part in International Day of Yoga events across the world. Responding to a tweet by the United Nations, he said that world over, people have marked Yoga Day with immense fervour. In line with this year's theme, people have marked Yoga Day at home and with their families, the prime minister said "Let's keep practising Yoga and create a healthier planet," Modi posted on Twitter. The UN had earlier in the day said that yoga can be a powerful tool to help people deal with the stress and isolation faced by many amid COVID-19. "It's also an effective way to maintain physical well-being," the world body had said. Modi said he was delighted to see Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's passion towards yoga. "Thankful to the people of Sri Lanka for embracing yoga. The benefits are many," the prime minister said. In another tweet, he thanked Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and the people of Bhutan for their enthusiasm towards yoga. "Fully agree on the physical, mental and emotional benefits of Yoga," he said. Earlier, Tshering had said it was rejuvenating to pause and celebrate a day that expounded meaning of emotional, mental and physical wellbeing during the pandemic. Modi also thanked Sophie Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for her support for yoga. "Mrs Trudeau's words will go a long way in popularising Yoga globally," Modi said. In a video message, Sophie Trudeau had said that yoga is a great gift of ancient wisdom and Canada has adopted it as a means of achieving health. Yoga Day went digital for the first time since June 21, 2015, when it began to be celebrated annually across the world, coinciding with the Summer Solstice each year. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga'. PTI NAB http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 21:53:27|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close KUNMING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province busted a drug trafficking racket, catching three suspects and seizing 58.65 kg of methamphetamine. Acting on a tip-off that peddlers were planning to smuggle drugs into China, police in the city of Baoshan dispatched a task force to investigate the case. On May 14, police nabbed a suspect in Menglian county. The border police later went to the provincial capital Kunming to further investigate the drug trafficking case and nabbed the other two suspects. Further investigation is underway. Enditem The reproduction rate of the coronavirus in Germany has soared to 1.79, putting the country at risk of a surge in new cases. A report from the Robert Koch Institut, the country's disease control organisation, revealed that the predicted R rate almost doubled in a day from 1.06 on Friday. It is crucial that countries around the world keep their R rates below one in order for the pandemic to come under control. The number means simply how many people an average Covid-19 patient will infect - 1.79 means every 10 people infected will pass it on to 18 (17.9) others and the outbreak will continue to grow. In the UK the R is believed to be between 0.7 and 0.9, with it highest in London and the Midlands where it could be up to 1. Germany has been hailed for getting its Covid-19 epidemic under control faster and with fewer deaths than many comparable countries, but suffered a disaster this week when more than 1,000 employees at a slaughterhouse caught the virus. The country also recorded its highest rise in cases for more than a month on Friday, with 770 people testing positive, taking the total to almost 190,000. The R rate of the coronavirus in Germany has risen to 1.79 amid an outbreak at a meat-packing plant in the northwest of the country (Note: Data for June 16 is the most recent and was published on June 20. Test results for the 16th must have been received before experts could calculate the change in case numbers) The German military has had to set up a coronavirus testing facility at the Tonnies meat factory in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, western Germany, where more than 1,000 staff have now tested positive for Covid-19 Police vans are pictured outside the headquarters of Tonnies in Germany - hundreds of staff working for the meat-packing company have caught the coronavirus this week The Robert Koch Institut (RKI) attributed the rising R to a number of local outbreaks. The most high-profile of these has been a surge in cases at a slaughterhouse run by the company Tonnies in Rheda-Wiedenbruck in the northwest, near Dortmund. At least 1,029 staff there have now tested positive for Covid-19, Deutsche-Welle reported, and the military has had to set up a testing facility on-site. Officials in the North Rhine-Westphalia region said they have also seen outbreaks in logistics centres, refugee centres, church communities and after family parties. Scientists have reassured, however, that the R value becomes less important when overall numbers of cases are low. If there are fewer people infected it is more likely that a sudden outburst of cases will make the R look higher than it is because of one 'super-spreading' event. This does not mean that the outbreak is out of control, as long as the R can be returned to normal soon. The RKI said: 'Since case numbers in Germany are generally low, these outbreaks have a relatively strong influence on the value of the reproduction number. WHAT IS THE R NUMBER? AND HOW IS IT CALCULATED? WHAT IS R0? Every infectious disease is given a reproduction number, which is known as R0 - pronounced 'R nought'. It is a value that represents how many people one sick person will, on average, infect. WHAT IS THE R0 FOR COVID-19? The R0 value for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was estimated by the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team to be 2.4 in the UK before lockdown started. But some experts analysing outbreaks across the world have estimated it could be closer to the 6.6 mark. Estimates of the R0 vary because the true size of the pandemic remains a mystery, and how fast the virus spreads depends on the environment. It will spread faster in a densely-populated city where people travel on the subway than it will in a rural community where people drive everywhere. HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER VIRUSES? It is thought to be at least three times more contagious than the coronavirus that causes MERS (0.3 - 0.8). Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, and has an R0 value of 12 to 18 if left uncontrolled. Widespread vaccination keeps it suppressed in most developed countries. Chickenpox's R0 is estimated to be between 10 and 12, while seasonal flu has a value of around 1.5. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LOW R0? The higher the R0 value, the harder it is for health officials control the spread of the disease. A number lower than one means the outbreak will run out of steam and be forced to an end. This is because the infectious disease will quickly run out of new victims to strike. HOW IS IT CALCULATED? Experts use multiple sources to get this information, including NHS hospital admissions, death figures and behavioural contact surveys which ask people how much contact they are having with others. Using mathematical modelling, scientists are then able to calculate the virus' spread. But a lag in the time it takes for coronavirus patients to fall unwell and die mean R predictions are always roughly three weeks behind. Advertisement 'A nationwide increase in case numbers is not anticipated.' When smoothed for short-term effects, the RKI estimated the countrys true reproduction rate was 1.55, up from 1.17 on Friday. On Friday the RKI reported Germany's highest daily increase in coronavirus cases in a month when it listed 770 new confirmed cases, taking the countrys total to 188,534. A flurry of positive tests from the slaughterhouse outbreak contributed to the biggest daily increase since May 20. The German government has stuck to its course of gradually reopening the country while seeking to clamp down swiftly on localised outbreaks. A free app launched on Tuesday to help trace people who may have been exposed to the virus has already been downloaded 9.6million times in Germany, which has a population of 83million. In Britain, the coronavirus's R rate is still on the brink of spiralling out of control in three regions of England. SAGE scientists estimate the R to be hovering close to the dreaded number of one in London, the North West and the Midlands, despite being lower for the UK as a whole. But scientists told MailOnline that using the R to assess the UK's crisis is becoming less useful because of falling prevalence of the disease in the community. The R is thought to be between 0.8 and 1.0 in the Midlands, the highest of any region in Britain, and slightly lower in London and the North West, where estimates put it in the range of 0.7 and 1.0. Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University, said the fewer infected patients there are, the greater the margin for error when estimating the R value, especially when looking at specific areas of the UK. For example, if there are only 10 cases and one of them infects three people, it would push the R rate up significantly and skew the average. Professor Heneghan told MailOnline: 'There is a problem with using the R rate now, as infection comes down to very low levels. 'The R will fluctuate, so you would expect the R to become a less accurate measurement of the epidemic. 'No-one will get a handle on the R rate when 80 per cent of people are asymptomatic and the virus is circulating at such low levels. 'What really matters is looking at data such as hospital admissions, 999 calls, GP consultation rates and NHS 111 interactions. And when we look at these, all of them are reassuringly coming down.' Britain's 'Covid-alert' level was downgraded on Friday from level four to level three after scientists confirmed that the epidemic is shrinking by four per cent every day. Government scientists published growth rate data for the first time on Friday. Until now, SAGE had only provided details on the R rate - the average number of people an infected person is likely to pass the virus on to. For the UK as a whole, the current growth rate is minus 4 per cent to minus 2 per cent and the estimate of the reproduction number, referred to as R, remains at 0.7 to 0.9. The growth rate reflects how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, and, as the number of infections decreases, is another way of keeping track of the virus. If the growth rate is greater than zero, and therefore positive, then the disease will grow, and if the growth rate is less than zero, then the disease will shrink. It is an approximation of the change in the number of infections each day, and the size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change. It takes into account various data sources, including government-run Covid-19 surveillance testing schemes. For example, a growth rate of 5 per cent is faster than a growth rate of 1 per cent, while a disease with a growth rate of minus 4 per cent will be shrinking faster than a disease with growth rate of minus 1 per cent. The coronavirus reproduction 'R' rate - the average number of people each patient infects - is still hovering around the dreaded level of one in three regions in England. Rising above one would cause infections to grow exponentially R estimates - which are at least three weeks behind - do not indicate how quickly an epidemic is changing and different diseases with the same R can result in epidemics that grow at very different speeds. Growth rates provide different information from R estimates, by suggesting the size and speed of change, whereas the R value only gives data on the direction of change. To calculate R, information on the time it takes for one set of people in an infected group to infect a new set of people in the next group is needed. However, the growth rate is estimated using a range of data similar to R, but it does not depend on the 'generation time' and so requires fewer assumptions to estimate. Neither measure - R or growth rate - is better than the other but each provides information that is useful in monitoring the spread of a disease. Experts say each should be considered alongside other measures of the spread of disease. Businesses in Bahrain have expressed wide concern over the economic implications of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with a majority of them foreseeing recovery in 12 months after the end of the Covid-19, provided they survive the pandemic. A recent survey says that around 59 per cent of them are facing the risk of shutting down in the next 6 months amid fears of significant layoffs if the pandemic continues, writes Abdulaziz Khattak. Called The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on Business Owners, the survey was carried out by The Studies and Initiatives Center at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Around 1,180 companies, ranging from micro to large establishments in nearly a dozen sectors, were surveyed during the full and partial closure of business in the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The survey said 83% of business owners have been impacted by the decision to close commercial and industrial businesses to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the kingdom. According to the survey, 32 per cent businesses expect closure and bankruptcy if the pandemic lasts any longer, with 59 per cent of these saying they face high risk of closure in the next 1 to 6 months. About 21 per cent said they face low risk of closure and 20 per cent see no closure. The government of Bahrain has rolled out several generous initiatives to support businesses during the pandemic. These include exemption of industrial and commercial organisations from the fees associated with renting government industrial lands in April, May and June 2020. Businesses have also been waived tourism fees associated with tourism facilities. About 73% of business owners have benefitted from the government support provided through the economic stimulus/Tamkeen/Liquidity Support Fund, said the survey. By company size, an overwhelming majority of businesses (66%) seeing closure in six months are micro establishments, while 25 per cent of large establishments also felt they faced the same risk. The tourism and hospitality industry will be the hardest hit with 71 per cent businesses expecting closure in the next 6 months if things dont improve, followed by education (63 per cent), commercial markets (58 per cent), real estate and construction (55 per cent), technology (54 per cent), transportation and logistics (53 per cent), industry and energy (49 per cent), health (47 per cent), food (46 per cent), and finance, insurance and tax (27 per cent). Some 67 per cent businesses expect a significant decrease in revenue in the upcoming period, and 84 per cent businesses expressed concerns regarding payment of salaries. The BCCI survey further revealed that 39 per cent businesses were expected to lay off more than 20 per cent of their employees during the upcoming period, while the rest said layoffs would be under 20 per cent. According to company size, the most number of redundancies will be done by medium-sized companies (67 per cent) while only 34 per cent of large establishments said they would lay off more than 20 per cent of their workforce. The tourism and hospitality industry will be the most affected with 52 per cent businesses saying they would sack more than 20 per cent employees, followed by commercial markets (58 per cent), transportation and logistics (52 per cent), food (50 per cent), education (45 per cent), real estate and construction (41 per cent), health (37 per cent), finance, insurance and tax (33 per cent), technology (31 per cent), and industry and energy (26 per cent). The survey showed that businesses are hard pressed for cash, with 36 per cent saying their cash flows would only last them a month, while 49 per cent said their cash flows were enough to last them up to six months. Businesses have taken various measures to manage cash flows. Some 73 per cent said they had secured government support, 55 per cent reduced operating expenses (salaries, training and marketing), 45 per cent delayed debt payment, 33 per cent delayed or cancelled planned investments, 30 per cent took loans, 27 per cent negotiated payments terms with creditors, and 20 per cent said they had rescheduled their existing loans. The survey also notes that the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning has said it would not collect rent and beneficiary allowance from businesses that utilized the ministry's properties for a period of three months, starting April 2020. These include central markets, vendors, and tenants of small shops in malls. Similar measures were taken by the Supreme Council for Environment and Eskan Bank of waiving off rent of shops and lands leased from the entities for a period of three months. This is in addition to several private sector initiatives to support businesses. The government has meanwhile allocated BD215 million ($569 million) towards paying the salaries of Bahrainis in the private sector. A promising sign was seen in the businesses hope for recovery. According to the survey, 77 per cent businesses expected to recover within 12 months after the pandemic ends. -TradeArabia News Service As a midwife, Ive developed a new approach to address fetal position and overall comfort. The result? Progress in labor and less pain in childbirth. Spinning Babies, champion of a physiological approach to maternity health, pregnancy, and birth, have just announced that the Spinning Babies 2020 World Confluence Pre-Conference and Main Conference will be delivered online. This development is offered as a response to the world health situation and pandemic, which may limit travel and group gatherings. The 2020 World Confluence will be held in-person in Caloundra, Australia on October 17 & 18, 2020. The Pre-Conference - Informed Consent will be held on October 16, 2020. Participants may now attend in person in Caloundra, Australia or online through a virtual event platform. Spinning Babies will provide 56 hours of on-demand streams of expert speakers from around the world. Participants will have access to the event streams for thirty days after the event streams live. Participants will also be able to connect with event speakers, network with other participants, collect a virtual swag bag, and plan their own conference agenda using the virtual platform. Up to 30 hours of continuing education credits will be available for approved speaker presentations. Spinning Babies promotes a unique approach to pregnancy comfort, labor progress, and easier birth using Physiology Before Force for pregnant people, midwives and nurses, childbirth educators, and pregnancy-focused bodyworkers. As a midwife, Ive developed a new approach to address fetal position and overall comfort. The result? Progress in labor and less pain in childbirth. - Gail Tully, CPM, Spinning Babies Founder & CEO More information on the 2020 World Confluence speakers, schedule, and offerings can be found online at https://spinningbabies.com/2020confluence/. T en people have been charged with offences in connection with Black Lives Matter protests and far-right counter rallies in London over the past three weekends, the Metropolitan Police has announced. The Met has also released images of a further 35 suspects they want to speak to in connection with violence at the demonstrations, which have taken place despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and seen attacks on police horses and missiles thrown at officers. One man, Andrew Banks, has already been jailed for urinating next to the memorial of PC Keith Palmer, who died in the 2017 Westminster Bridge terror attack. Mr Banks, 28, was handed a 14-day immediate jail term on Monday after admitting one count of outraging public decency after coming to London to defend statues. Wanted: Suspects sought over violent disorder at London protests 1 /48 Wanted: Suspects sought over violent disorder at London protests Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot told him the offence had caused public revulsion. On the same day two other protesters were remanded into custody after admitting assaults on police officers. Daniel Allan, from Sunderland, admitted one count of violent disorder for kicking a police officer in the back. The court heard Mr Allan, 36, had travelled from his home as groups of right-wing protesters sought to protect statues around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. Previously, South African backpacker James Meikle admitted two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker for charging at police lines separating protesters in Soho. Mr Meikle, 38, had decided to spend his last day in London marching in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, but found himself remanded into custody until his sentencing on July 14. On the same day Ferirai Mzila, 24, appeared in court charged with assaulting an emergency service worker during the protests of June 13. Three further protesters have been charged in connection with last weekends demonstrations. They are: Hasan Khan, 21, who has been charged with possession of a class B drug and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 13. Liam Hanley, 29, who has been charged with possession of a class A drug and is due at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 10. Matthew Cardwell, who has been charged with criminal damage and will also appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 10. So far, just two people have been charged for their role in the Black Lives Matter protests of June 6. They are: Christopher Scott, 28, who has denied two counts of assaulting an emergency worker after allegedly stubbing a cigarette out on the body-worn camera of one police officer, and kicking out at another. Orson Shandilya, 23, who has been charged with harassment and possession of a class A drug and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 3. And the Met said Brendon Cummins, 18, of no fixed address, will appear at the same court on June 30 charged with assaulting an emergency service worker in relation to a protest on June 1. The force gave no further details of the circumstances, although a Black Lives Matter protest took place in Brixton that day. On Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel called for swift justice as she told the Commons at least 100 officers had been injured, as well as three horses and a police dog, while 280 arrests had been made. She said on Monday the Government was considering all options for those involved including implementing the proposed Desecration of War Memorials Bill. The Home Secretary and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland also said they were considering fast-tracking cases for violent protesters to deliver justice within 24 hours, although did not give further details. The Met's charging of ten suspects meanwhile came as police prepare to deal with a fourth consecutive weekend of Black Lives Matter protests in cities across the UK since the death of George Floyd in the United States last month. Police are expecting crowds in London as well as cities including Glasgow and Birmingham this weekend. Forces have urged demonstrators to socially distance amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and warned protesters against using any violence. Met Commander Alex Murray said: We remain in a health pandemic, and once again would encourage people to comply with the regulations of not gathering in groups larger than six people, this is to keep you, your family and friends safe. "We value democracy and the right for people to have a voice, but would ask people to do so in another way, and not come to London to demonstrate." Mr Murray added: "Officers will be making arrests if there is violence. We would encourage those planning to attend, to use your influence and spread the message that criminal activity and violence will undermine the messages you are wanting people to hear and must be avoided." A white school board member in Louisiana has apologised for telling people who are offended by a local school named for Confederate general Robert E Lee should "learn a little more about" him. Baton Rouge resident Gary Chambers, who noticed East Baton Rouge School Board member Connie Bernard shopping online during a meeting about the school's name change, condemned her remarks at a board meeting on 18 June, footage of which has since gone viral. "This is a picture of you shopping while we're talking about racism and history in this country," said Mr Chambers, who is black. "Only white members of the board got up while we're talking. You don't give a damn." Mr Chambers pointed to Lee's history as a "brutal slave master" and disputed a false narrative or Mr Lee as an anti-slavery champion perpetuated by the Lost Cause narrative of the civil war propagated by some pro-Confederacy historians. "You sit your arrogant self in here and sit on there shopping while the pain and the hurt of this community are on display," he said. "You should walk out of here and resign and never come back because you are the example of racism in this community. You are horrible." On Thursday, the school board voted unanimously to consider renaming the 61-year-old school, which had voted in 2016 to drop Robert E from its name. Ms Bernard was among school board members who had voted to keep the Lee in Lee High School. Ms Bernard denied shopping online in a statement to The Advocate. Before the meeting, she told a local news outlet: "I would hope that they would learn a little bit more about General Lee, because General Lee inherited a large plantation and he was tasked with the job of doing something with those people who lived in bondage to that plantation, the slaves, and he freed them." Lee had not only enslaved people but beat them and fought in court to keep them while relying on their labour for several years to pay off legacies associated with his father-in-law's estate, John Reeves, author of The Lost Indictment of Robert E. Lee: The Forgotten Case Against an American Icon, told the Associated Press. The school board's meeting follows weeks of unrest and renewed debate, as well as the physical toppling of statues and monuments to the Confederacy, examining their white supremacist legacy as the US boils over in its reckoning with systemic racism and police violence. "Between owning a handful of slaves from his own family and then managing his father-in-law's 200 slaves, Lee was very, very involved with slavery during his life up until the end of 1862," he said. At least 178 schools in 17 states across the US are still named for men with ties to the Confederacy, according to an Education Week analysis of federal data. Fifty-three schools are named for General Lee and more than a dozen are named after Stonewall Jackson, and more than a dozen others are named for Sidney Lanier. In her apology, Ms Bernard said: "My comments last week about the naming of Lee High School were insensitive, have caused pain for others, and have led people to believe I am an enemy of people of colour, and I am deeply sorry. I condemn racial injustice in any form. I promise to be part of the solution and to listen to the concerns of all members of our community. I stand with you, in love and respect." Recommended How abolitionists see an America without police and prisons Mr Chambers suggested if the school must be named after someone, it be named "for the people who fought for abolition," including the state's first Black governor PBS Pinchback. "Honour the right people on the right side of history," he said. Other board members have also criticised Ms Bernard following the meeting. After Mr Chambers's video was widely shared, board member Dadrius Lanus, who had proposed the name change, said: "You had every opportunity to apologise during the board meeting but instead you chose to shop for dresses while members from our community, including parents and teachers, waited 7 hours to speak on an item that concerns our students! "That same video has now gone viral and has been seen by over 2 million people all over the world," he said. "Think about how this makes our city and parish look! Had this been myself or any other black board member there is no question we would been off the board 2 years ago! If it were a teacher or support worker they would have been fired immediately so why should she receive special treatment!?" Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan has had a difficult year so far. He currently faces two felonies and three misdemeanor charges, all of which stem from incidents where Lujan allegedly assisted, or attempted to assist, former Espanola city councilor Phillip Chacon evade arrest by the Espanola Police Department. Police have arrested Lujan on two separate occasions, the first time for refusing to unlock a cellphone that was subject to a search warrant. Espanola Police Chief Roger Jimenez stated in a criminal complaint that Lujan used the phone to contact Chacon, whom police were trying to arrest in relation to a stabbing. During that same incident on March 21, Lujan arrived out of uniform at the scene and demanded that other officers leave so he could arrest Chacon. Multiple officers stated they smelled alcohol and believe Lujan was intoxicated. These incidents have led to many in Rio Arriba County calling for Lujan to step down or be removed from office. No matter the outcome of Lujans trials, the arrest of a sheriff in New Mexico for allegedly breaking the law is not without precedent. In counties across the state, even when New Mexico was just a territory, multiple sheriffs have faced their day in court for abusing the power of their office. One of the earliest examples found was Sheriff Francisco Chavez of Santa Fe County, who pleaded guilty in 1890 to assaulting a prisoner in the county jail. An article from the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican, as it was then known, states Chavez confessed to the crime on the witness stand after pleading his innocence only days prior. The courtroom, being crowded with spectators, barely knew what to make of it, the article states. But evidently, the accused felt that a conviction of assault was certain. Chavez was accused a month later of embezzling tax dollars. Its not clear if Chavez served any jail time, but he was assassinated a year later by four men who used wooden keys to break out of their jail cells, articles show. The governor of the territory refused to make any arrest while he was in office, as he was politically opposed to Chavez. Some crimes committed by New Mexico sheriffs were more innocuous. An ex-Taos County sheriff was arrested in 1930 for allegedly stealing his neighbors chickens (detectives noted a pile of feathers on the ex-sheriffs living room floor). In 1976, a Sandoval County sheriff was arrested for allegedly transporting two undocumented immigrants from El Paso. Others, however, were far more sinister. Then-Dona Ana County Sheriff A.M. Happy Apodaca, along with two deputies, were found guilty in 1949 of torturing a murder confession out of an African American. It is a novel case since it involves for the first time as a defendant the highest police officer of a state and the torture methods employed rival those of the Inquisition for sheer brutality, a Department of Justice bulletin read. Apodaca later claimed the all-white grand jury racially discriminated against him after the local district attorney filed a petition to remove Apodaca from office. In 1983, Guadalupe County Sheriff Juan Lopez and former sheriff Willie Ronquillo pleaded guilty, along with multiple other county officials, to conspiring to buy votes in the next election. The grand jury said some voters were given $10 to vote, while others were given gasoline and liquor. Lopez and Ronquillo were each sentenced to 200 hours of community service. Lujan, though, has not been the only sheriff recently in trouble with the law. In 2011, former Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano served several weeks in jail for selling department equipment on eBay. Lujans predecessor, Tommy Rodella, is serving a 10-year sentence after a road-rage incident ended in Rodella assaulting and pointing his gun at a man while out of uniform. In total, the Journal identified at least 20 sheriffs across the state convicted of criminal activity, many of whom were subsequently removed from office. Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb, assigned by Attorney General Hector Balderas to prosecute Lujan, said she would need to be assigned before petitioning for Lujans removal. She also said she would want to secure a conviction before making such a decision. First Judicial Attorney Marco Serna has the authority to petition for Lujans removal now, but it is unclear whether he will do so. Voters in Rio Arriba County also have the option to gather signatures for a recall of Sheriff Lujan. It would require almost 3,000 signatures, around 7% of all the countys residents. San Francisco, June 21 : Google has announced an additional $300,000 grant to help the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) further prepare refugees for the changing nature of work. Google.org would host online training to help refugees and host community members in the MENA region including Algeria and Morocco learn digital skills throughout a course of a year, the company said in a statement late Saturday. More than 79 million were displaced at the end of last year as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations - 29 million of which were refugees. "Since 2015, we've given more than $30 million in Google.org grants to help provide emergency support and access to vital information and educational resources to more than one million refugees," said Jacquelline Fuller, President, Google.org on World Refugee Day. "We're supporting the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with $550,000 Google.org and YouTube grants to provide refugees with necessary materials to endure the pandemic, digital skills training series and updates to Google Search in affected countries so people have access to reliable information at all times," Fuller explained. YouTube has already donated $250,000 to UNHCR to help provide life-saving support, including water, medical care and hygiene materials to refugees and the communities who host them in affected countries. According to UNHCR, 47 per cent of the refugee population in 2019 was between the ages 18 and 59, and the unemployment rate in this demographic is expected to rise. Google is also helping UNHCR navigate its developer platform to provide refugees with authoritative answers clearly displayed on Google Search to questions like "What happens during the Refugee Status Determination interview?" and "How to qualify for cash assistance?" These results are already available in Arabic, English, Turkish and Farsi, to help refugees who are staying in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, informed Google. The Minnesota Department of Health originally included me in its daily press briefings upon my request from April 11 to April 27. They sent me notices with the conference call call-in information, they took my questions by email, and they provided written responses. My questions focused on the nursing home crisis implicit in the data. I wondered why Governor Walz had instituted a statewide shutdown when the crisis involved a limited at-risk population. On April 27 I submitted this question by email following the briefing: Referring to the 286 total deaths to date, [I note that] every decedent under age 70 has died in long-term care or similar setting. The youngest person to die outside long-term care was in his 70s. Why is it necessary to close the schools and shut down the state to protect the at-risk population? I posted MDH press officer Doug Schultzs response to my question verbatim in part 24 of my Coronavirus in one state series. The Department of Health excluded me from the daily briefings on April 27 without any explanation to me. MDH press officers have failed to respond to any of my messages asking why they have cut me off. Nothing. Zip. Nada. The sound of silence. On May 4 I filed a Minnesota Data Practices Act request with Governor Walz and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm seeking documents bearing on my exclusion from the daily briefings. On May 19 I received Governor Walzs response to my Data Practices Act request. I have embedded it below via Scribd. It is completely unilluminating except in one respect. On page 8 MDH press officer Michael Schommer forwards my question (the one quoted above) to Jeremy Drucker and Emmalynn Bauer in Governor Walzs office. Schommers message reads: Flagging as an FYI for future discussion. I draw the following inferences. My exclusion from the MDH briefings comes after consultation with Governor Walzs office. They didnt like the question(s) I was asking or my commentary on their answers. They knew not to put the reason for my exclusion in writing and have withheld it from me because it is unflattering to Governor Walz. It would not make him look good. My exclusion from the daily MDH press briefings goes right to the door of Governor Walz. We see it here in documentary form. The players are careful to keep the substance of their deliberations oral. They dont want anyone looking over their shoulder. They think they are quite clever, and perhaps they are. We shall see how Judge Frank assesses this in the lawsuit I brought against Schommer and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm following my receipt of the response to the Data Practices Act request. At the hearing on my lawsuit this past Thursday morning, Assistant Attorney General Oliver Larson assured Judge Frank that there is nothing to see here; it is all routine. Responsive Data Redacted by Scott Johnson on Scribd The owner of Dockside Willies and members of Harrisburg-based nonprofit Capital Rebirth, as well as Black Lives Matter, agreed that a perceived racial incident at the restaurant on Friday was a misunderstanding. Several protesters who attended a Juneteenth march on Friday went to Dockside Willies after the march was over. When they were there, they felt that they were being denied service because they were wearing Juneteenth t-shirts. Mikell Simpson, founder and CEO of Capital Rebirth, published Instagram posts sharing his concerns of a potential racial bias, which in turn led to a silent protest outside the establishment Saturday evening. About 30 people stood outside the restaurant as leaders of both organizations Capital Rebirth and Black Lives Matter met with the owner, Don Carter, Jr. Protesters met at Dockside Willies in Wormleysburg on Saturday. Photo: Submitted After an hour-long conversation among them, everyone agreed that a misunderstanding had happened. Carter didnt dismiss his customers hurt feelings, but rather he said he wants to support both groups efforts and move forward as a community. He said he welcomed the conversation. During it, he said the indoor seating chart became messy because of the rainy weather. People were being sat out-of-order, he explained, which is why the Capital Rebirth group appeared to have been overlooked. The protesters stood in a line outside the establishment as the conversation took place Saturday. There were no signs and no chanting. When the talk was over, Carter joined the protesters. He also had bottled water set outside for them to drink. He agreed there was a problem Friday night with seating, but added, were going to couple with you guys. This was one of the greatest things thats happened, unexpectedly, Carter said, adding he wants to be part of upcoming events. He emphasized that he was impressed by the mature behavior and open communication of both groups. The feeling was mutual. Simpson told the group that everyone needs to put the misunderstanding behind them. Capital Rebirths mission is to create a synergistic rebirth in the city and surrounding area to create a peaceful community through various events and relationship building. The tone during the conversation set a positive example that both Capital Rebirth and Black Lives Matters want to continue to work toward, leaders said. This is my favorite restaurant, Simpson said. When they opened from the fire, I was here on the first day. When they opened from COVID, I was here the first day. Carter has their support as well, he added. Black Lives Matters leader Claudie Kenion said the way everyone communicated can change a lot of things in life. We can learn from this, yall because all we need is open communication, he said. PennLive initially reported that someone in the Capital Rebirth group said they were called a racial slur. When asked at the silent protest, members of the group emphatically said that that wasnt true. A silent protest was held at Dockside Willies Saturday. Photo: Jana Benscoter JBenscoter@pennlive.com READ MORE Enough is enough: Weekend protests in Harrisburg highlight Black history, lack of opportunity for community Patrons flock to Harrisburgs Restaurant Row for both indoor, outdoor dining experience Some wearing Juneteenth shirts said they were denied service at Dockside Willies restaurant Lady Frederick Windsor has revealed she has found lockdown 'frustrating and tiring' and admitted her attempt at homeschooling has not gone 'brilliantly'. Sophie Winkleman, 39, who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, 41, the son of the Queen's first cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, spoke about her experience in an interview with Tatler. The former Peep Show actress, who lives in London, said it has been difficult teaching six-year-old daughter Maud, who attends Thomas's Battersea, the same school as Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, five. Sophie Winkleman, 39, who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, 41, the son of the Queen's first cousin, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, is mother to Maud (left) and Isabella (middle) She said: 'Children need to socialise and they get extremely bored if they dont, and Ive not been covering myself in glory with this online learning thing. 'The teachers have been really brilliant, but Ive been loath to stick my six-year-old in front of a screen all day long. 'She hasnt done a lot of the lessons, so shes probably a bit behind. Im not doing brilliantly, thats for sure.' Fellow school mother the Duchess of Cambridge has offered some insight into the work being set by Thomas's Battersea teachers, revealing George had been doing 'literacy work' while Charlotte was busy reading children's book Spider Sandwiches. Sophie, who is half-sister of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman, is well known for playing 'Big Suze' alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb in Channel 4 comedy series Peep Show, which aired between 2003 and 2015. The actress, (pictured with Prince Harry) who is now the royal patron of London-based charity, The Children's Surgery Foundation, spoke of the impact of the coronavirus restrictions on youngsters The actress is best known for her portrayal of Big Suze in the Channel 4 comedy series Peep Show, which she starred in alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb She married Lord Frederick - a great-grandson of George V - in September 2009 at Hampton Court and the couple welcomed their first child, Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina in August 2013. Their second daughter, Isabella Alexandra May, was born in January 2016. Speaking to Tatler, she admitted she didn't enjoy video calls and preferred to speak to loved ones on the telephone. She said: 'I cant concentrate on hearing what the other persons saying when Im looking at my knackered face. I cant bear the delay in time, the fuzziness, the faux bonhomie that you dont get from staring at a screen.' It was announced this week that Sophie has become patron of the Childrens Surgery Foundation which raises money for hospital equipment. A councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil was arrested early on Saturday after his 'highly objectionable' audio clip mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Army in the wake of the recent face-off between India and China went viral on social media, officials said. Leh: A councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil was arrested early on Saturday after his highly objectionable audio clip mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Army in the wake of the recent face-off between India and China went viral on social media, officials said. The action against Zakir Hussain, a councillor from Shakar constituency in Kargil district, followed registration of an FIR against him by police on Friday even as the councillor submitted a public apology over his remarks, the officials said. Hussain, a long time Congress activist, was expelled by the party on the issue, while both LAHDC Leh and Kargil said the entire population of Ladakh has been patriotic and always fully behind the Army in protecting the country's sovereignty. In the audio clip, the councillor is heard using highly derogatory language against the Prime Minister and mocking the Army over the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh which left 20 soldiers including a colonel-rank officer dead. Tendering his apology for hurting the sentiments of the people by his words, Hussain said, As a Ladakhi and as an Indian, I have always been proud of my country and our people and I can assure that I will never do such a thing that would bring harm to the motherland. Accusing his friend of back-stabbing him, he said, As a human being, all of us have private casual conversations between friends where we swear, abuse, and say all kinds of things without meaning them literally. The councillor was arrested from a house in Kargil town during an early morning raid and is being questioned while efforts are on to get hold of his friend with whom he was heard holding the conversation over the phone, a police official said. A police spokesman said an FIR was registered against him after receiving reliable information that an audio clip was going viral, containing incriminating content, on various social media platforms. The conversation is between a sitting LAHDC-Kargil councillor with one of his known persons with content prejudicial to the regional or religious peace and tranquillity, spreading rumours and also seditious in nature, the spokesman said. After conducting a preliminary probe, he said Kargil police station registered the case following an inquiry under relevant provisions of the penal law. Taking serious note of the conversation between Hussain and his friend, Ladakh Congress president Rigzin Jora expelled the councillor from the party without waiting for the reply of the show-cause notice served to him by the Kargil district unit of the party two days ago. Condemning the telephonic conversation between Hussain and his friend, LAHDC-Kargil said, "People of Kargil have a long history of standing behind to defend the nation and stand with the Indian Army during toughest of times. We reiterate our unflinching loyalty to our nation". The content of the conversation is highly objectionable and condemnable. LAHDC-Kargil deplores the content of this conversation in the strongest possible terms and also disassociates itself from it, a statement issued by the office of the chairman and chief executive councillor LAHDC-Kargil said. Beatrice is a lawyer. It sometimes seems that shes always been a lawyer. But before law school, Beatrice was an art history major and as to the kind of art she likes, well, the weirder the better. I remember her telling me about a movement from the 1970s called Viennese Actionism and then wishing she hadnt. Lets just say they were gross, those Viennese Actionists. All of Melbourne's 31 local government areas have been declared COVID-19 hotspots for Queenslanders, meaning anyone who travels to the city must self-quarantine for 14 days on their return to Queensland. On Sunday morning Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young updated the list of hotspots, adding all of Melbourne's local government areas and another five council areas bordering that city. The update comes as Queensland forges ahead with the easing of restrictions. Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced on Sunday morning that stadiums would be allowed to have up to 10,000 spectators for football matches from next weekend. Meghan Markle had big goals and ambitions to save the world. While being in the royal family could have been her only solution to make a change, that notion has now been long gone. Since officially stepping down and moving to the US, the Duchess of Sussex has come to certain realizations on why things didn't work out for her in the UK and being with the British royal family. In a report by The Daily Mail, Meghan Markle allegedly told her friends that her instinct to leave the UK "all made sense" now as she was destined to do another important thing back in her home country. Meghan, 38, believes that she is back in the US to help fight systematic racism in the country. The unnamed friend further claimed that the former "Suits" star felt that her "gnawing urgency to uproot from England" was destiny so she could be at the forefront of the anti-racism movement. "Meghan said her work as a leader is more important than ever right now that she's been speaking with Oprah and other community leaders on how she can be part of the solution," the tipster told The Daily Mail. The mother-of-one also felt like her mission went far beyond acting, with the source revealing that Meghan Markle wants to use her voice for change. In line with this report, the source claimed that Meghan, who was born in Los Angeles, is also not ruling out jumping into politics. As per British and American media, despite her marriage to Prince Harry and her short stint in the UK, Meghan Markle remains a US citizen. Bookmarkers have previously considered that Meghan Markle could run for US President in 2024. Early this month, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about the death of an unarmed black man named George Floyd, whose death sparked massive riots and violent protests for the Black Lives Matter movement across the US. Meghan Markle revealed that she had not made a statement earlier about what's going on because she had been "nervous." "I wasn't sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing, and I was really nervous that it would get picked apart. And I realized the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing." Meghan hoped issues of racism would have been addressed by now, saying, "That should be something you have an understanding of as a history lesson, not as your reality." She apologized for not getting the world "to be a place that you deserve it to be." The former "Deal or No Deal" briefcase girl has also recently distanced herself from her best friend, Jessica Mulroney, after threatening to sue a black lifestyle influencer and blogger, Sasha Exeter. The 40-year-old Canadian have been fired from her show, ABC's Good Morning America, and her reality show "I Do, Redo" has also been cancelled following the entire controversy. A source close to the Duchess told The Daily Mail, "Meghan is absolutely mortified that she's been dragged into this complete mess. She said Jessica is in no way a racist, but the way she handled the situation was tone-deaf and heartbreaking." Because of the entire Jessica Mulroney racist news, Meghan Markle believes that friends "reflect" friends and can no longer be associated with the TV host and stylist. "She has to do what she has to do in order to preserve her dignity and her own reputation." READ MORE: Meghan Markle OVERSHADOWED! Prince Harry Obsessed With 'Princess Material' Jennifer Aniston Express News Service By NEW DELHI: The aviation sector is likely to return to pre-Covid stage by the end of this year. While the domestic operation of flights took off on May 25, number of domestic passengers has gone up by almost 100% during last 25 days of operations. Civil aviation minister Hardeep Puri on Saturday said that currently nearly 70,000 passengers use domestic flights on daily basis. Talking about success of Vande Bharat Mission, Puri said that during phase 3 and phase 4, private domestic airlines have been approved to operate 750 international flights apart from Air India operating nearly 300 flights to repatriate people stranded amid the coronavirus pandemic. On starting International operation, the minister said that India needs airspace to be open for international operations along with border acceptance. Resumption of international flights depends on the opening of airports in other countries. Secretary P S Kharola explained further that to resume any international flight operation, both ends have to be ready and there has to be traffic. He also said that the ministry may open up flights with North America on case to case basis as there has been significant air traffic on the route. On Air India disinvestment, the minister said he is now more confident on that. I have never been as hopeful and confident on Air India, divestment or disinvestment whatever you choose, as I am now. Air India is a first-class asset. On the cap on air-fare, Kharola said that the upper and lower limits on airfares may be extended beyond August 24 depending upon how the situation turns out. The government resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after nearly two months of suspension to combat the coronavirus outbreak, but placed lower and upper limits on airfares depending upon the flight duration. It had said on May 21 that these limits would be in place for a period of three months. On May 21, the aviation regulator DGCA issued the government- decided fare limits for these bands domestic flights with less than 40-minute duration to have lower and upper limits of Rs 2,000 and Rs 6,000, for 40-60 minutes Rs 2,500 and Rs 7,500, for 60-90 minutes Rs 3,000 and Rs 9,000, for 90-120 minutes Rs 3,500 and Rs 10,000, for 120-150 minutes Rs 4,500 and Rs 13,000, and for 150- 180 minutes Rs 5,500 and Rs 15,700. Ex-Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens' private investigation firm has been linked to the bugging of Sir Frederick Barclay at the Ritz Hotel. Sir Frederick, 85, is involved in a bitter High Court battle with three of his twin brother Sir David's sons. It is over 94 hours of secret recordings made over a number of months as part of what his lawyers have described as 'commercial espionage on a vast scale'. The businessman and his daughter Amanda are suing Alistair, Aidan and Howard Barclay, Aidan's son Andrew, and Philip Peters - a director of a number of companies in the Barclay Group - after the 'elaborate system of covert recording' was discovered in January. In the High Court it has been alleged that the bugging operation breached data-protection laws because other people could have been recorded, as reported by The Times. Sir Frederick Barclay (right) and his twin brother Sir David (left) posing after receiving their knighthoods from the Queen at Buckingham Palace Lord Stevens, the former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, is involved with Quest Global Evidence in a court judgement shows Quest Global was invoiced for 405 hours to listen to and transcribe the recordings and it is also alleged to have provided a wi-fi bug. Lord Stevens has been Chairman of the company since 2014. It now faces a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). A defence document has already conceded that the bugging of the tycoon breached the Data Protection Act 2018. It stated: 'The defendants accept that the claimants are entitled to compensation.' Quest Global is not a defendant in the case. Lawyers have described the conservatory area Sir Barclay was recorded in as semi-public. Sir Frederick, 85, is involved in a bitter High Court battle with three of his twin brother Sir David's sons. It is over 94 hours of secret recordings made over a number of months at the Ritz Clive Mackintosh, a data-protection lawyer at Harper James Solicitors, said: 'Your right to privacy doesn't just rest at home, but extends to wherever you are. 'So if you are being secretly recorded for a commercial purpose, there is no lawful basis for that.' On its website the Quest group says it is a 'global advisory firm that enables private and public sector clients to respond to a range of security and integrity issues.' It adds: 'Established over two decades ago, we have offered bespoke services to guard and maintain critical organisation assets and capabilities, such as key people, property, technology systems and proprietary information.' The ICO told the newspaper it did not keep information in its register on the categories of information Quest Global was authorised to process under data protection laws, and declined to comment further. The French bulldog puppies who survived were exhibiting symptoms such as dehydration, vomiting and weakness. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is launching an investigation after the arrival of a Ukraine International Airlines flight from Kyiv to Toronto's Pearson International Airport with approximately 500 puppies on board, 38 of whom were found dead. The incident occurred on June 13, Deutsche Welle reported on June 20. The French bulldog puppies who survived were exhibiting symptoms such as dehydration, vomiting and weakness. The breed is popular in Canada. Read alsoCanada to provide over $2 mln in aid to Ukrainian police "CFIA officials are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine next steps once the investigation is complete," the agency said. Ukraine International Airlines condemned the incident on their Facebook page, saying they were working with local authorities to determine what happened. A spokesperson for Transport Canada told Global News that there were no set Canadian Aviation Regulations for pet transportation in airline cabins or in cargo holds, and that air operators set their own policies regarding pets on board. Professor Scott Weese from the University of Guelph told Canada's CBC news that puppy sales are a lucrative business in the country. "We have no idea how many dogs come in, where they go, where they come from," he said. Animal welfare advocates have expressed concern that the incident could be just the latest example of dogs being being crowded onto flights from Ukraine and Eastern Europe bound for Canada to be resold. Pink has long made her disapproval known of President Donald Trump, frequently calling him out on social media. And the three-time Grammy winner has definitely not let up amid his bid for a second term ahead of Election Day in November. She hilariously roasted Trump Saturday on Twitter after his much-hyped Tulsa rally was met with poor attendance amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Low turnout: Pink hilariously roasted President Donald Trump Saturday on Twitter after his much-hyped Tulsa rally was met with poor attendance amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Sold out: The 40-year-old posted a clip of CNN's coverage, writing: 'I think I sold that same place out in five minutes. #donkeyshow' The 40-year-old posted a clip of CNN's coverage, writing: 'I think I sold that same place out in five minutes. #donkeyshow' She said in the background: 'I don't know, there's a lot of people dressed as seats. Maybe they're in catering.' Pink was predictably met with sour grapes from Trump supporters, one writing: 'No, that theory would be that the pandemic played a part in it. Does that work,has been?' She responded: 'Heres my theory; dont hurt the people that love you. I would never ask people to come to an arena right now. No good person would.' Empty seats: She said in the background: 'I don't know, there's a lot of people dressed as seats. Maybe they're in catering' (pictured in November, 2019) Blame it on COVID: Pink responded to one Trump supporter who blamed the low turnout on COVID-19: 'Heres my theory; dont hurt the people that love you. I would never ask people to come to an arena right now. No good person would' (pictured in June, 2019) Full recovery: It comes two months after Pink announced that she and son Jameson, three, recovered from their own illnesses with COVID-19 It comes two months after Pink announced that she and son Jameson, three, recovered from their own illnesses with COVID-19. She subsequently donated $1million to healthcare professionals, while criticizing Trump's response to the pandemic on Instagram. The Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle actress wrote: 'It is an absolute travesty and failure of our government to not make testing more widely accessible. This illness is serious and real. 'People need to know that the illness affects the young and old, healthy and unhealthy, rich and poor, and we must make testing free and more widely accessible to protect our children, our families, our friends and our communities.' Pink tweeted earlier this month: 'People who love trump at this point are an insult to humanity, goodness and human rights. And theres less and less of them every single day.' New Delhi: Thirteen employees of the National Human Rights Commission, including some senior officials, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past ten days, sources said on Sunday. The NHRC office is located in the six-storeyed Manavadhikar Bhawan in INA area in south Delhi. "Thirteen employees have tested positive for COVID-19, including some senior officials. We have informed the surveillance team of the government. Many people have gone into home isolation already and full contacting-tracing is being done," a source told PTI. Sources said these cases have come up in the last ten days, adding that several employees were coming to office after the lockdown was eased. "From Wednesday-Friday this week, floor nos. 5 and 6 were closed for sanitisation. Maximum cases have been reported from floor no. 5," the source said. Recently, a team of NHRC, led by its member, had visited the LNJP Hospital, a dedicated COVID-19 facility under the Delhi government, for on-spot inspection. Construction output in Ireland is expected to suffer a contraction that would surpass any single-year decline during the financial crisis, according to figures from industry forecaster Euroconstruct. New figures show output in the sector is expected to fall by 37.7pc this year. According to stockbroker Davy, this would be worse than the most significant fall during the financial crisis of 33.6pc in 2009. Expectations regarding the fall are the worst in Europe, though reflect the UK figures, where a fall in output of 33.4pc is expected. Annette Hughes, a director at EY-DKM Economic Advisory, which compiled the figures for Ireland and is a member of Euroconstruct, said the drop in output is expected due to the shutdown of construction sites after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic here. She believes on-site health guidelines may also affect productivity. "The Covid-19 global pandemic stopped the construction sector in its tracks on March 28," she said. "There is no clear visibility as to how the Covid-19 pandemic will materialise over the coming months or as to its duration." Hughes said she hopes the industry recovers stronger than expected as events transpire over the coming months. Hughes, who said forecasting output was difficult as the sector waits to see how the new regulations bed in, added other downside risks. These include the possibility of a second wave jeopardising public capital investment and potential additional housing supply constraints adding to affordability issues. She warned more firms might cease operations, leading to workers becoming unemployed. Hughes said there could be delays in the supply chain, with an estimated 28pc of inputs coming from imports. EY-DKM's preliminary assessment shows that there could be a rebound in construction output of 17.6pc in 2021, and 7.6pc the following year. Hughes said, due to the pandemic, the volume of construction output for 2022 is forecast at just below 80pc of the corresponding amount in 2019. She said the level of new house building could fall by 95pc in the second quarter of the year, 40pc in the third and 20pc in the fourth, relative to the corresponding levels last year. This would mean around 14,000 units would be built in 2020, down from the 21,138 units completed in 2019 and below the 25,000 target contained in the Government's 'Rebuilding Ireland' strategy. Housing completions for 2021 are projected to be 23,000. Audrey Strauss, deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, who just in the past year took over the office's investigations into President Donald Trump's business and campaign finances, will now serve as the top prosecutor following the sudden firing of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman. "By operation of law, the Deputy United States Attorney, Audrey Strauss, will become the Acting United States Attorney, and I anticipate that she will serve in that capacity until a permanent successor is in place," Attorney General William Barr wrote in a letter Saturday informing Berman of his termination. The death toll from Saturdays attack on Ruwan-Tofa community of Zamfara State has risen to 23, residents said. Residents also said they got a hint of the planned attack three days before and were shocked that despite alerting relevant authorities, the armed bandits attacked the community unchallenged. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that at least 10 people were killed in the attack on the community which is in Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area. The police also confirmed, on Sunday morning, that 10 people were killed. Residents, however, said some of the injured people taken to the Dansadau hospital died while some bodies of slain residents were also found in the bush, thus raising the death toll. Over a dozen injured residents were still receiving treatment at the Dansadau hospital as of Sunday evening, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. The Saturday attack is the deadliest in three years since bandits began attacking the area, said resident Muazu Yusuf, who was recently appointed special assistant to the state governor Mr Yusuf said Ruwan-Tofa, unlike other communities in Dansadau district of Maru local government had not suffered attacks for three years because of the bravery of the residents. He said three years ago, some gunmen had attacked Ruwan-Tofa but were repelled with many of them killed when volunteers and the military combined forces to rout the assailants. He confirmed that residents got wind of Saturdays attack three days earlier and passed the information to the relevant authorities. He lamented that nothing was done to prevent the attack despite the warnings. I specifically called the states commissioner for security affairs, Abubakar Dauran, and soldiers in charge of the operations around the area. Also, I informed the traditional ruler in Dansadau but nothing was done, Mr Yusuf told PREMIUM TIMES. He said security agents only arrived the community after the bandits had fled. He said the security agents later participated in the burial of those killed in the attack. Mr Yusuf and other residents confirmed that 23 people were buried between Saturday and Sunday, following the attacks. When contacted, the security commissioner, Mr Dauran, said the government has deployed more security officials to the area to check the infiltration of bandits from neighbouring Katsina and Kaduna states. He said 14 people and not 23 persons were killed in the attack on Ruwan-Tofa. The commissioner did not dispute the allegation that the government got intelligence report from residents but failed to respond to avert the attack. But he said efforts were ongoing to protect the residents amidst a difficult terrain. Its not that we didnt do anything, the area is a bushy terrain and connects Katsina and Kaduna states. The gunmen are now infiltrating the Maru Dansadau axis because of the ongoing operations in Katsina State, Mr Dauran said. The spokesperson of the militarys Operation Hadarin Daji, Y. A. Ibrahim, did not call back after asking for time to comment on the allegation that they were tipped about the attack but failed to act. He also did not respond to several phones calls after. The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the pandemic's largest single-day increase of confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 183,000 cases reported in the last 24 hours, according to AP. Why it matters: The staggering number of new cases underscores the degree to which the pandemic is accelerating worldwide, not slowing down. By the numbers: Brazil, the epicenter of the virus in the Southern Hemisphere, reported 54,771 new cases, while the United States reported 36,617. India reported 15,400 cases, bringing the total global case count as of Sunday evening to over 8.7 million. 461,000 people have died from the coronavirus, with more than two-thirds of new deaths coming from North and South America, per AP. Between the lines: In the U.S., spikes in states like California, Texas, Arizona and Florida are a product of both community spread and increase in testing. President Trump has brushed off the surge in cases, stating at a rally on Saturday: "When you do testing to that extent, youre going to find more people, youre going to find more cases." However, the growth in testing does not fully account for the surge in new cases. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, warned on Sunday that he does not believe the epidemic will slow down in the summer or fall. Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb also warned that the outbreaks in some states could tip into "exponential growth" in the next week, and he urged Americans to wear masks in public. Go deeper: Tracking the coronavirus pandemic, by the numbers Editor's note: This post has been corrected to show that two-thirds of new deaths come from North and South America (not the United States). So, the deal is done; the votes are out. As we are reading the Sunday Independent today, members of all three parties around the country will have already voted or be making up their minds. It is premature to say what way it will turn out. For me, I am voting yes, and it is my belief it will pass Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. The votes of the Green Party remain in doubt. I will talk about the politics of the whole arrangement, but first I want to talk about education. I was education minister from March 1987 to November 1991 - almost five years. I loved that job; it was the most productive in my whole career. The issue at the moment in education is whether the schools are going to reopen in full at the end of August/beginning of September. Weeks ago, Leo Varadkar said there will be a Leaving Cert "by hook or by crook". We know where that ended up. To my mind, full consideration was not given to how, in a structured sense, the ordinary written Leaving Certificate could have been planned for, arranged and carried out. But it appeared to be too late when serious planning began. Be that as it may, I hope that the present arrangement will work out satisfactorily, but my strong belief is there will be lots of repercussions and heartache before we can draw the curtain on Leaving Cert 2020. But now we come to the really serious one, the return to school. It seems as if it is more important to satisfy the pubs and restaurants than the parents, teachers and pupils of Ireland. The Taoiseach has again said the intended destination is that we will have all schools full by September 1. So that is the destination but the road to get there is not at all clear. I am glad to note that the INTO and other teachers' unions have said they will do everything they can to ensure that it is a trouble-free opening, paying due regard to the health information. It is clear that social distancing will have to be down to one metre, as is being discussed for the pubs and restaurants, if education is to have a chance of returning to normality. I've always had very good relationships with the various teacher unions. Yes, they really mean well for their pupils, I've no doubt whatsoever about that. Primary teachers are the real heroes and heroines of education. They take in youngsters from age four upwards, they love them, they teach them, they mould them and they provide the stability, comfort and integration that are so needed in a young person's life. In the Department of Education, I hope there are frantic efforts now to ensure that full enrolment can proceed come September 1. There are more than two full months to go before that date, so there should be no excuse. They need to really seek every way to ensure the roadmap is laid out and the parents, pupils and teachers can see quite clearly how they can reach their destination. The whole upset caused by the coronavirus could end up being a blessing for education. In the programme for government, there are many references to education, but to me the first big one, which must be addressed, is the need to improve the pupil-teacher ratio. There is a real chance now for a three-party government to ensure that it happens, and that we will no longer be bearing the tag of having the largest class sizes in Europe. So what about the politics of this three-party government? It is going to need strong determination by all three leaders to cope with the changed situation. After performing with great gusto in recent months, Leo Varadkar will be leaving behind the trappings of the office of Taoiseach. That will require some readjustment, in his mind and in his personality. Micheal Martin is going into the role of Taoiseach, and I wish him every good luck with it - go n-eiri an bothar leat, a Mhicheail. You can say I am idealistic, and I suppose I am, but to me he will make a very good Taoiseach. There are reserves of personality and resilience in Micheal which have yet to be fully explored. Think back to his introduction of the smoking ban some years ago; there are thousands of people alive today because of that. Eamon Ryan has the experience of having been in Cabinet and I know personally that during the last economic crisis he was of very valuable support to the then finance minister, Brian Lenihan, as he trod an often very lonely path. Yes, for Fianna Fail it is a political risk. There is much in the plethora of communications which I've already received from Martin. He places great emphasis on strengthening the ties within the party. This is now urgent, because over the past number of years there has been a gradual disconnect between Fianna Fail at top level and the grassroots. If this is not attended to, in a determined fashion, we will face oblivion in time. To be sure, the programme is aspirational. But what is politics if there is not aspiration and hope in it? Mary O'Rourke is an author and former government minister NEW YORK, June 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo or the Company) (NYSE: WFC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and indexed under 20-cv-03697, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo securities between April 5, 2020, and May 5, 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 Wells Fargo securities during the class period, you have until August 3, 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] Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions in the U.S. and internationally. On April 5, 2020, Wells Fargo announced that it had received strong interest in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), and was targeting to distribute a total of $10 billion to small business customers under the requirements of the PPP. On April 8, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it would allow Wells Fargo to exceed the asset cap that it had imposed on Wells Fargo in 2018 after revelations that the Company had opened millions of accounts in customers names without their permission, a change which would allow Wells Fargo to make additional small business loans as part of the PPP. That same day, Wells Fargo issued a press release stating, in relevant part, that, beginning immediately, in response to the actions by the Federal Reserve, [Wells Fargo] will expand its participation in the [PPP] and offer loans to a broader set of its small business and nonprofit customers subject to the terms of the program. The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Wells Fargos business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Wells Fargo planned to, and did, improperly allocate government-backed loans under the PPP, and/or had inadequate controls in place to prevent such misallocation; (ii) the foregoing foreseeably increased the Companys litigation risk with respect to PPP allocation, as well as increased regulatory scrutiny and/or potential enforcement actions; and (iii) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 19, 2020, after at least one lawsuit was filed against the Company, reports emerged that Wells Fargo may have unfairly allocated government-backed loans under the PPP. For example, USA Today reported that [t]he lawsuit filed on behalf of small business owners on Sunday alleges that Wells Fargo unfairly prioritized businesses seeking large loan amounts, while the governments small business agency has said that PPP loan applications would be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the lawsuit, [t]he move by Wells Fargo meant that the bank would receive millions more dollars in processing fees, and, [m]aking matters worse, Wells Fargo concealed from the public that it was reshuffling the PPP applications it received and prioritizing the applications that would make the bank the most money. Following this news, Wells Fargos stock price fell more than 5% over two trading days to close at $26.84 per share on April 21, 2020. Finally, on May 5, 2020, Wells Fargo filed a quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosing, in addition to multiple PPP-related lawsuits initiated against the Company, that Wells Fargo had received formal and informal inquiries from federal and state governmental agencies regarding its offering of PPP loans. Following this news, Wells Fargos stock price fell by more than 6% over two trading days from its closing price on May 4, 2020, closing at $25.61 per share on May 6, 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 After receiving complaints that some vendors in Aurangabad were forcing farmers to buy farming material along with urea, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dada Bhuse on Sunday visited a shop here posing as a customer. The minister first sent a dummy customer to the shop located in Jadhav Wadi area to verify the complaint before visiting it himself. Bhuse, a Shiv Sena legislator who represents the Malegaon Outer Assembly constituency in Nashik district, himself told about the incident to reporters here. "I had received complaints that some shopkeepers are compelling customers to buy farming material along with urea. I sent one dummy customer to a shop named Navbharat Fertiliser to verify the complaint," he said. "When the dummy customer told me that the shopkeeper was indeed forcing him to buy some other things, I went to the shop on a two-wheeler. Covering my face with a handkerchief, I went there as a customer and asked for urea. However, the vendor refused to give it," the minister added. After that the minister revealed his identify and ordered a detailed review of the stock in the shop. "An officer from the quality control department was sent on compulsory leave in this connection and a probe was ordered," Bhuse said. Area animal shelters showered with funds in memory of Betty White The online fundraiser challenged fans of actress Betty White to donate to a local animal rescue or shelter in honor of her Jan. 17 birthday. One of the four officers charged in the killing of George Floyd was confronted by a shopper while buying groceries on Saturday in Minnesota. J. Alexander Keung, 26, was released from Hennepin County Jail on Friday night on a $750,000 bond. He was approached by a woman while shopping at a Cub Foods grocery store the next day. So youre out of prison and youre comfortably shopping in Cub Foods. As if you didnt do anything, said the woman who confronted him and filmed the incident. Did you think that people werent going to recognise you? she added. You killed somebody in cold blood. You dont have the right to be here. Keung responds: I understand. Ill get my stuff paid for. To which the woman replies: No we dont want you to get your stuff, we want you to be locked up. Keung is facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder for his part in Mr Floyds death. According to court documents, Keung helped to hold Mr Floyd down on the ground during an attempted arrest over the alleged use of a counterfeit $20 bill. During the fatal incident, another officer, Derek Chauvin, held his knee on Floyds neck despite constant pleas that he couldnt breathe. Do you feel any remorse for what you did? she asks him. The video was posted to Twitter by a user named Josiah, who wrote: "look who my sister caught at Cub Foods in Plymouth. J. Alexander Keung, one of the officers who lynched #GeorgeFloyd in cold blood." It has since been shared tens of thousands of times. Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Mr Floyds neck, is facing charges of second-degree murder. Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and Kueng were charged with aiding and abetting murder earlier this month. All of the officers were fired from their jobs. The killing of Mr Floyd on 25 May sparked global protests against police brutality and racial injustice that continue to this day. Young people have been warned that Covid-19 can affect people of any age by the doctor leading the fight against the pandemic in Ireland. Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, issued the appeal this weekend noting nearly half the new cases were detected among young people. Of the 22 confirmed cases we are reporting to you on Saturday, 9 of these were diagnosed in people under the age of 35. It is important for us all to remember that Covid-19 is a disease that can affect everyone, of any age or background. No one should feel that this is a disease that does not affect them," he said. This virus is highly infectious and, as a result, the return of widespread community transmission remains a very real risk. To protect us all, especially our oldest and most vulnerable, personal preventative behaviours such as good and frequent hand washing, social distancing and respiratory etiquette remain as crucial as they were at the outset of this crisis, he said. Hundreds of people in Paris protested Saturday against racism and police violence and in memory of Black men who died following encounters with French police or under suspicious circumstances. Many protesters congregated in the central Place de la Republique. Some carried a placard bearing the words Justice For Ibo, a reference to Ibrahima Bah, 22, who died in an October motorbike crash in the Paris suburbs of Villiers-le-Bel while allegedly trying to escape a police check. Bah's family blames the police for his death. The protesters marched to the former home of Lamine Dieng, a 25-year-old Franco-Senegalese man arrested in 2007 who died in a police van. Speaking to the Associated Press at the protest, Ramata Dieng, sister of Lamine Dieng said she hoped the protests were not just a moment of "brief awareness." A separate demonstration in support of undocumented workers that drew hundreds of protesters planned to join up with the anti-racism march. Last week, it emerged that the French government agreed to pay 145,000 euros (162,000 US dollars) to Diengs relatives after protracted legal wrangling. The protest comes in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, an African American man whose death in the US city of Minneapolis galvanized protesters around the globe to rally against racism and police brutality. Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump, center, walk toward the stage while supporters cheer during his campaign rally at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP) OAKLAND, Calif. - Did teens, TikTok users and Korean pop music fans troll the president of the United States? For more than a week before Donald Trumps first campaign rally in Tulsa on Saturday night, these tech-savvy groups opposing the president mobilized to reserve tickets for the rally they had no intention of attending. While its not likely that they were responsible for the low turnout, their antics may have inflated the campaigns expectations for attendance numbers that lead to Saturday's disappointing show. My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been trolled by Americas teens," tweeted veteran Republican campaign strategist Steve Schmidt on Saturday. The tweet garnered more than 100,000 likes and many responses from others whose kids or who themselves said they did the same. Reached by telephone Sunday, Schmidt called the rally an unmitigated disaster days after Trump campaign chairman Brad Parscale tweeted that more than a million people requested tickets for the rally through Trumps campaign website. Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said the turnout was a sign of weakening voter support. Donald Trump has abdicated leadership and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him, he said. In a statement, the Trump campaign blamed fake news media" for warning people away from the rally" due to COVID-19 and protests against racial injustice around the country. Leftists and online trolls doing a victory lap, thinking they somehow impacted rally attendance, dont know what theyre talking about or how our rallies work," Parscale wrote. Reporters who wrote gleefully about TikTok and K-Pop fans without contacting the campaign for comment behaved unprofessionally and were willing dupes to the charade." On midday Sunday, it was possible to sign up for a livestream a Tulsa Team Trump on Tourevent later in the day through Trump' website. It asked for a name, email address and a phone number. There was no age verification in the signup process, though the site required a pin to verify phone numbers. Inside the 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa Saturday, when Trump thundered that the silent majority is stronger than ever before, numerous seats were empty. Tulsa Fire Department spokesperson Andy Little said the city fire marshals office reported a crowd of just less than 6,200 in the arena. City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa but that never materialized. That said the rally, which was broadcast on cable, also targeted voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. Social media users who've followed recent events might not be surprised by the way young people (and some older folks) mobilized to troll the president. They did it not just on TikTok but on Twitter, Instagram and even Facebook. K-pop fans who have a massive, co-ordinated online community and a cutting sense of humour have become an unexpected ally to American Black Lives Matter protesters. In recent weeks, they've been re-purposing their usual platforms and hashtags from boosting their favourite stars to backing the Black Lives Matter movement. They flooded right-wing hashtags such as white lives matterand police apps with short video clips and memes of their K-pop stars. Many of the early social media messages urging people to sign up for tickets brought up the fact that the rally had originally been scheduled for Friday, June 19. The date is known as Juneteenth because it marks the end of slavery in the United States. Tulsa, the location for the rally, was the scene in 1921 of one of the most severe white-on-black attacks in American history. Schmidt said he was not surprised. Today's teens, after all, grew up with phones and have absolutely" mastered them. They are also the first generation to have remote Zoom classes and have a subversive sense of humour, having come of age in a world of online trolls and memes. Most of all, they are aware of what is happening around them, he said. Like salmon in the river they participate politically through the methods and means of their lives," Schmidt added. That said, the original idea for the mass ticket troll may have come not from a teen but an Iowa grandma. The politics site Iowa Starting Line found that a TikTok video posted on June 11 by Mary Jo Laupp, a 51-year-old grandmother from Fort Dodge, Iowa, suggesting that people book free tickets make sure there are empty seats. Laupp's video, which also tells viewers how to stop receiving texts from the Trump campaign after they provide their phone number (simply text STOP"), has had more than 700,000 likes. It was also possible to sign up for the rally using a fake or temporary phone number from Google Voice, for instance. As Parscale himself pointed out in a June 14 tweet, though, the ticket signups were not simply about getting bodies to the rally. He called it the Biggest data haul and rally signup of all time by 10x" meaning the hundreds of thousands emails and phone numbers the campaign now has in its possession to use for microtargeting advertisements and reach potential voters. Sure, it's possible that many of the emails are fake and that the ticket holders have no intention of voting for Trump in November. But while it's possible that this bad data might prove useless or even hurt the Trump campaign in some way, experts say there is one clear beneficiary in the end, and that is Facebook. That's due to the complex, murky ways in which Trump's political advertising machine is tied up with the social media giant. Facebook wants data on people, and whether that is good or bad it will be used to train its systems. No matter who signs up or if they go to a rally, Trump gets data to train retargeting on Facebook. FBs system will use that data in ways that have nothing to do with Trump," tweeted Georgia Tech communications professor Ian Bogost. Might these fake' signups mess up the Trump teams targeting data? Maybe it could, to some extent. But the entire system is so vast and incomprehensible, well never really know." Four Green General Election candidates, including two with links to Longford, are calling on members in the midlands, north east, north west, and west to vote no to the proposed Programme for Government. Julie ODonoghue, a teacher in Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon since 2009, and Green candidate in Roscommon/Galway constituency; along with Saoirse McHugh, whose grandmother hails from Moydow, a Green candidate for the European elections in the Midlands-North-West in 2019 and GE2020 candidate in Mayo, are calling on party members to reject the Programme for Government. Also read: New government deal facing uphill task to win Longford councillors backing Ms ODonoghue, Ms McHugh, Tate Donnelly and Sean McCabe have written an open letter to Green Party members in this region advocating a no vote. They say the proposed Programme for Government does not offer the type of assurance necessary to give them confidence that the next government will take effective, fair and enduring climate action while also addressing the crises the country faces in housing, health, homelessness and agriculture. The letter reads: Dear Members, As candidates in rural constituencies who campaigned on the strength of the Green Party election manifesto in the early months of 2020, we feel we cannot support the Programme for Government which has been produced. The Programme for Government does not offer the type of assurance necessary to give us confidence that the next government will take effective, fair and enduring climate action while also addressing the crises we face in housing, health, homelessness and agriculture. We are especially concerned that the measures in the Programme for Government will have a disproportionate, negative impact on young people in Ireland. It is particularly disappointing to see the Programme use the term Green New Deal. A true Green New Deal recognises that action to combat climate change will not be successful unless it simultaneously ushers in social and economic reforms that will distribute opportunity more fairly and tackle inequality. At its core is an understanding that adequate housing, a decent healthcare system, economic security and workers rights all constitute the building blocks for the transition our society must make to a zero-carbon future. It understands that climate action which makes life harder for people will be resisted, successive targets will be missed, and the opportunity to avoid catastrophe lost. The Programme for Government does not offer a Green New Deal, but something more akin to a greener business as usual. The economic vision commits to annual deficit cuts and balanced budgets at a time of huge uncertainty where deficit spending may well be necessary, and cuts are almost certainly going to hit upon the most vulnerable the hardest. Commitments on housing and healthcare do not offer assurances that these key issues of the last election, and drivers of inequality in Ireland, are to be robustly addressed. We are deeply concerned that provisions agreed on housing, in particular the role of the Land Development Agency, will not lead to an end to the housing crisis but rather provide subsidies to developers while prolonging it. We cannot, in good conscience, support that. The commitment to significantly increase carbon tax without the Green Partys fee and dividend model will make life harder for people already struggling with fuel poverty and will impact most severely on rural communities who do not have low carbon alternatives available to them. Commitments on agriculture do not seek to address the power imbalances and inequality in the sector that have caused hardship for a great many family farms around the country, but rather seek to expand export markets to the benefit of industry interests over the family farm. Our desire to see people-centred policy making is not an idealistic position, it is a pragmatic one. A recent report by the St Vincent de Paul found that the state spends approximately 4.5 billion every year addressing issues of poverty - that is more than recent Government budgets for housing, justice, transport and agriculture. Systemic inequality is unacceptable and imprudent and we cannot support the continuation of policy making that enriches a few while increasing precarity for many. We acknowledge the commitments made in areas of climate action and transport are improvements relative to existing policy. However, it is widely accepted that we have lagged far behind our European neighbours on both for decades. Viewed on their own merits, the new commitments will not make us leaders in these areas. The heads of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill which was published by Fine Gael in January of this year, contains much of what is being celebrated as wins in the PfG - for example the binding carbon budgets and sectoral targets. Commitments on renewables, retrofitting and heat pumps are the same as existing targets under the Climate Action Plan. We have the utmost respect for the Green Party negotiation team that worked tirelessly to secure the very best deal they could from a challenging negotiation process. We recognise that people are anxious to see a government formed at this time of uncertainty, and we know that the climate crisis requires urgent action. However, the need for urgency makes it all the more important to consider inequality. To be fast, climate action must be fair. Policies that hit the most vulnerable in society the hardest and exacerbate inequality are neither just nor effective. We accept that a no vote comes with uncertainty, but we must make our decision based on the evidence before us. That evidence consists of the Programme for Government, the track record of our potential coalition partners on issues of climate and social justice, and the successes and shortcomings of junior coalition partners in recent governments. We want to see deep, transformative change that sets us on a course to a safer and fairer future, one in which all people in Ireland can live lives of dignity and share in the benefits of the actions we must take to avoid climate breakdown. We want to realise a just transition to a zero carbon future. What is on offer in this PfG and the proposed coalition is not this. We all urge Green Party members to vote against the proposed Programme for Government. Signed, Tate Donnelly, GE2020 candidate, Cavan Monaghan Julie ODonoghue, GE2020 candidate, Roscommon-Galway Sean McCabe, GE2020 candidate, Meath East Saoirse McHugh, GE2020 candidate, Mayo Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) remains one of the most talked-about cannabis companies on the market. Its rise and fall (and the beginning of another rise) have without question intrigued investors seeking to profit from the expansion of the global cannabis industry. The marijuana stock has made investors a lot of money over the last three months: Aurora's shares are up more than 75%. But what kind of returns have the company's early investors made? If you have invested $10,000 at Aurora's initial public offering (IPO), you might be disappointed at how much money you'd have now. When to begin? We have a problem right out of the gate in determining when to begin with Aurora. It's easy if we only look at the company's debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 23, 2018. However, Aurora was a publicly-traded stock well before it listed on the NYSE. The company listed its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on July 24, 2017. We could use that as our start date in determining how much money you'd have with an initial investment of $10,000. But you could have bought shares of Aurora prior to that point, too. Aurora moved up to the TSX from the TSX Venture Exchange. It had traded on the smaller exchange since Oct. 5, 2016. So we can use that as our beginning point, right? Um, not so fast. Prior to listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, Aurora's shares traded on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE). Its predecessor company, Prescient Mining listed on the CSE in 2014. $10,000 turned into... If you had $10,000 in July 2014, you would have been able to buy 934 shares of the company that would soon become Aurora Cannabis. Fast forward to today, and that investment would now be worth close to $12,500. A 25% return over a five-year period isn't too exciting. What if you had instead waited until Aurora listed on the NYSE? That $10,000 initial investment would have bought 110 shares at the market open for Aurora's NYSE debut. You'd now have at little under $1,500. That dismal 25% return over five years is starting to sound a lot better. Since we're talking about hypothetical scenarios, let's look at how you would have fared had you bought Aurora in 2014 and sold the stock at its peak. On Jan. 23, 2018, Aurora closed at its all-time high of $141.67 per share. You would have had to be more prescient than Nostradamus to sell on that exact date. But if you had, you would have walked away with more than $132,300. In January 2018, Canada was still on the way to legalizing recreational marijuana. The hype about how big the market might grow had reached a fevered pitch. Aurora didn't hit its peak market cap of $11.2 billion, though, until a couple of days before the Canadian recreational pot market opened on Oct. 17, 2018. And it's been mainly downhill since then for Aurora. Looking ahead Aurora's previous track record is all water under the bridge now. What really matters is what the stock does moving forward. And the jury is still out on how Aurora will fare in the future. The company faces plenty of challenges, with its continued lack of profitability at the top of the list. Aurora's better-than-expected fiscal 2020 Q3 results bolstered hopes that the cannabis producer will be able to achieve its goal of positive adjusted EBITDA by the end of the current fiscal year. However, that still won't translate to clear-cut profitability. On the other hand, the opportunities for Aurora are enormous. The Canadian cannabis derivatives market is just getting cranked up. Aurora is finally entering the U.S. hemp CBD market with its acquisition of Reliva. The prospects that U.S. marijuana laws could be changed in a way that allows the company to move into the huge U.S. cannabis market are looking better than they have in a while. There's no guarantee buying Aurora Cannabis stock now won't lead to as great of a disappointment as investors who bought shares when the company first listed on the NYSE experienced. However, there's also at least a real chance that Aurora could deliver better returns than it has since it began trading on the CSE in 2014. Either way, it seems likely that Aurora Cannabis will continue to attract plenty of attention from investors looking to cash in on the expanding cannabis market. By Kathryn Moore, PhD student in Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Jun Uetake, Postdoctoral Atmospheric Scientist, Colorado State University, and Thomas Hill, Research Scientist, Colorado State University. Originally published at The Conversation. The Southern Ocean is a vast band of open water that encircles the entire planet between Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere landmasses. It is the cloudiest place on Earth, and the amount of sunlight that reflects off or passes through those clouds plays a surprisingly important role in global climate. It affects weather patterns, ocean currents, Antarctic sea ice cover, sea surface temperature and even rainfall in the tropics. But due to how remote the Southern Ocean is, there have been very few actual studies of the clouds there. Because of this lack of data, computer models that simulate present and future climates overpredict how much sunlight reaches the ocean surface compared to what satellites actually observe. The main reason for this inaccuracy is due to how the models simulate clouds, but nobody knew exactly why the clouds were off. For the models to run correctly, researchers needed to understand how the clouds were being formed. To discover what is actually happening in clouds over the Southern Ocean, a small army of atmospheric scientists, including us, went to find out how and when clouds form in this remote part of the world. What we found was surprising unlike the Northern Hemisphere oceans, the air we sampled over the Southern Ocean contained almost no particles from land. This means the clouds might be different from those above other oceans, and we can use this knowledge to help improve the climate models. Ice Clouds and Liquid Clouds Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals, or often a mixture of the two. These form on small particles in the air. The type of particle plays a big role in determining whether a liquid droplet or ice crystal forms. These particles can be natural like sea spray, pollen, dust or even bacteria or from human sources like cars, stoves, power plants and so on. To the untrained eye, an ice cloud and a liquid cloud look much the same, but they have very different properties. Ice clouds reflect less sunlight, precipitate more and dont last as long as liquid clouds. It matters to the weather and to climate models what kinds of clouds are around. Climate models tend to predict too many ice clouds over the Southern Ocean and not enough liquid clouds when compared to satellite readings. But satellite measurements around the poles are hard to make and less accurate than other regions, so we wanted to collect direct evidence of how many liquid clouds are actually present and determine why there were more than the models predict. This was the mystery: Why are there more liquid clouds than the models think there are? To solve it, we needed to know what kinds of particles are floating around in the atmosphere around Antarctica. Before we went down there, we had a few clues. Previous modeling studies have suggested that the iceforming particles found over the Southern Ocean may be very different from those found in the Northern Hemisphere. Dust is a great ice cloud seeder, but due to the lack of dusty land sources in the Southern Hemisphere, some scientists have hypothesized that other types of particles might be driving ice cloud formation over the Southern Ocean. Since most models are based on data from the Northern Hemisphere, if the particles in the atmosphere were somehow different in the Southern Hemisphere, that might explain the errors. Bacterial maps Its hard to directly measure the composition of particles over the Southern Ocean there simply arent very many particles around. So, to help us track down what is inside the clouds, we used an indirect approach: the bacteria in the air. The atmosphere is full of microorganisms that are carried hundreds to thousands of kilometers on air currents before returning to Earth. These bacteria are like airborne license plates, they are unique and tell you where the car or air came from. Since scientists know where most bacteria live, its possible to look at the microbes in an air sample and determine where that air came from. And once you know that, you can predict where the particles in the air came from as well the same place the bacteria usually live. In order to sample airborne bacteria in this remote ocean region, one of us headed out on the Australian Marine National Facilitys R/V Investigator for a six-week expedition. The weather was unruly and the waves were often white-capped, but for one to two days at a time, we sucked air from the bow of the ship through a filter that caught the airborne particles and bacteria. We then froze the filters to keep the bacterial DNA intact. Ocean Bacteria Alone In most ocean regions around the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where there is a lot of land, the air contains both marine and terrestrial particles. Thats what we expected to find down south. With the frozen filters safely back at our lab in Colorado, we extracted DNA from the bacteria and sequenced it to determine what species we had caught. Much to our surprise, the bacteria were essentially all marine species that live in the Southern Ocean. We found almost no land-based bacteria. If the bacteria were from the ocean, then so were the cloud-forming particles. This was the answer we were looking for. Ice nucleating particles are very rare in seawater and marine particles are very good at forming liquid clouds. With mostly marine-based particles in the air, wed expect the clouds to mostly be made of liquid droplets, which is what we observed. Since most models treat clouds in this region the same way they do clouds in the dustier Northern Hemisphere, its no wonder the models were off. Going Forward Now that we know the summertime Southern Ocean clouds are being formed from purely marine particles, we need to figure out if the same is true in other seasons and at higher altitudes. The larger project, which involved planes as well as ships, has given atmospheric scientists a much better idea of the clouds both close to the ocean surface and high up in the atmosphere. The climate modelers among us are already incorporating these new data into their models and will hopefully have results to share soon. Discovering that the airborne particles over the Southern Ocean are mostly coming from the ocean is a remarkable finding. It not only improves global climate models, it also means we confirmed the Southern Ocean is one of the most environmentally pristine regions on Earth a place that has probably changed very little due to human activities. Our work will hopefully improve climate models, but has also given researchers a baseline for what a truly pristine marine environment looks like. The thought of being away from your kids is difficult, but for front line male doctors, this has become a reality. From warm hugs to bedtime stories, we all have cherished these moments at some point in our lives. The fatherly duties have taken a backseat in the wake of duties they took up as medical professionals. Male health care workers are trying to cope with the fact of being physically distant from their kids while trying to balance their fatherly duties. Dr Shuchin Bajaj of internal medicine department at a South- Delhi hospital, who has been craving the warm greetings and hugs from his kids, says, I have a 16-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. They both understand the situation but still there is always a constant fear that runs in my mind that what if I am transmitting the virus to my kids. I have forgotten when was the last time we watched a movie or show on TV together. Life has become an emergency drill. Its highly fulfilling to serve your nation at this time of need. I havent been able to attend the digital parents meet from last three-four months because they usually happen during my operating hours. But during this time also, I am trying to give my best to my kids. I try to utilize the time with my family as I know I can just spend limited time with them. It is very hard to express those feelings as a father, who cant hug his children or spend some time with them. They are sacrificing a lot during this time, so whatever time I get at home, I try to just spend it with my kids now. A doctor of Indian Council of Medical Research taking blood samples. (Photo:Satish Bate/HT ) Being away from kids is very difficult but at the same time, it is a necessity for these doctors. Dr Akhilesh Yadav, orthopaedic surgeon, says that his sons have adapted with this lifestyle of him going out for COVID duty. As a father, at least the last three to four months have been very difficult with restricted family time. I have two sons, one is seven years old and the other is 12-years-old. Recently, both of them have gotten into the habit of getting up early because of me and we try to have breakfast together before I leave for work. Though I take all the precautions while I step out but still there is a fear in the mind. Before the pandemic, the warm greetings and hugs that I used to get when I returned from the hospital are missing now. It was tough during the initial lockdown to make them understand the importance of social distancing, self hygiene and the time that I need to provide to the affected and those in need, but gradually, he has understood this very well, he says. Read: International Yoga Day 2020: A virtual Yoga Day celebration in Texas and other American states And for Dr Saurabh Nanda, an anesthesiologist, it is all about doing that one activity with his kids everyday. As healthcare workers, we are very much exposed to the virus everyday. Everytime, we head out of the house, there is a risk. All the time, there is fear in my mind that I might carry something back from the hospital. I have a separate room in my house which has an exit, so I mostly operate from that room only. We all have one specific thing, which is like a routine with our kids and for me, it is teaching my three-year-old daughter. I try to do that through a video call from my room or teach her from a very safe distance. It is very tough psychologically also because I am unable to hug my kids or have a quality time with them but if we do not go out to serve then who will? he says. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:27:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Demonstrators take part in a "Black Lives Matter" protest commemorating Juneteenth in the Brooklyn borough of New York, the United States, June 19, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) The United States habitually lectures other countries on human rights but turns a blind eye to its chronic and deeply-rooted racial discrimination. GENEVA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday adopted a consensus resolution strongly condemning the continuing racially discriminatory and violent practices perpetrated by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent. The resolution, in particular, denounced police brutality that led to the deaths of U.S. citizen George Floyd in Minneapolis and other people of African descent. It is ironic that the United States, which has an ingrained habit of finger-pointing at other countries over so-called human rights issues, is now in the hot seat. For the first time in history, the UNHRC held an urgent debate regarding racism and called an urgent meeting to discuss the human rights issue in the United States. Many participants believe Floyd's tragic killing has crossed the bottom line of humanity and exposed chronic and deeply-rooted racial discrimination in the United States. A demonstrator is arrested during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the United States, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua) The nationwide protests over Floyd's death demonstrate that more and more people cannot brush aside the growing social injustice in the United States and are crying for change. However, Washington has been quite unwilling to face up to this human rights issue and cure the malady in a systematic fashion. In 2016, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent from the UNHRC said in its U.S. country report that killings of unarmed African Americans by police were "only the tip of the iceberg in what is a pervasive racial bias in the justice system." In two universal periodic reviews -- a process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states -- of the United States over the past decade, concerns have been expressed about racial discrimination, impunity, disregard for life and brutality. However, Uncle Sam turned a deaf ear to such criticisms while the situation worsened in the country. "The anger we have seen in the U.S., erupting as COVID-19 exposes glaring inequalities in society, shows why far-reaching reforms and inclusive dialogue are needed there to break the cycle of impunity for unlawful killings by police and racial bias in policing," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said earlier in June. A sign is seen during protests against racial injustice to mark Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, June 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The frustration and discontent of the American public stem from increasing social fragmentation in the country. Americans are becoming more divided economically, socially and racially, but Washington is doing little to change things and meet the basic needs of its citizens. The United States likes to lecture other countries on human rights issues, but regrettably fails to address its disturbing human rights problems at home. What has happened in the past month in the United States has further exposed the hypocrisy of U.S. politicians over human rights issues. They call violent demonstrations elsewhere "a beautiful sight to behold" and normal law enforcement as "abuse of power," nevertheless turning a blind eye to its own problems. Their double standards on human rights have been laid bare. George Floyd's tragic death has sparked anger, disappointment and protests across the United States and around the world. It is high time that Washington listened to the calls of the people and the international community, reflected on its double standards, and took action to address its own problems. MBABANE The country had an addition of eight covid-19 cases which were confirmed yesterday, putting the total at 635. That was according to a statement shared by the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, in a press release yesterday. The cases came from 142 results that were received yesterday of which 134 were negative. From the new cases, five are from Manzini Region, two from Shiselweni Region and one from Hhohho Region. They are between the ages of 17 and 52 years old. By gender, there are five males and three females. Only three presented with a mild disease while five were asymptomatic. There are no new recoveries and the total still stands at 285. The minister implored patients put on home care and those awaiting results to adhere to self-isolation advice which includes using a single room at home without sharing, keeping physical distance whenever other people were encountered and wearing a mask to avoid contaminating surfaces. MIDLAND, MI - Belle Fawcett was 10 minutes into her shift at Dow Chemical Co. in Midland when the flood alert went out. Fawcett and her fellow employees were being told to evacuate. Though it had rained several inches in the area over the previous 48 hours, Fawcett didnt believe there was much to worry about. Shed lived through a 2017 flood and her house wasnt damaged. Nonetheless, she knew she didnt want to be stuck at Dows facilities along the Tittabawassee River if flooding did reach Midland. Tehran, June 21 : Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed concerns over the test launch of a nuclear ballistic missile by France, official IRNA news agency reported. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Saturday described the launch of a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by the French Navy as "incompatible with Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and France's commitment to nuclear disarmament treaty", Xinhua news agency reported. Mousavi urged Paris to "fully comply with its international obligations in the field of nuclear disarmament." On Friday, the French Navy announced a test launch of ballistic missile M51 SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ) from "Le Temeraire" (S617), a Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarine. The Temeraire is one of the four SSBN (Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear) submarine of the French Navy. Mumbai, June 21 : Actor Rajniesh Duggal celebrated Father's Day by practicing yoga with his daughter. With that, he also marked the occasion of International Yoga Day. Both these special days have fallen on Sunday, June 21. Rajniesh has shared a series of pictures and a video that show him engaged in a fun yoga session with his 10-year-old daughter. Teeyaa. In his Instagram post, he wrote: "Tu mujhse hai, aur main tujhse... What better gift on Father's day to have a loving daughter who motivates me to do Yoga regularly.. love you." Rajniesh has always been a yoga enthusiast and believes in training mind and body equally. On the work front, the actor is working on two films that are in post-production stage, besides a web show. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text China denounces as 'improper' UN rights chief's remarks on Hong Hong's new security law Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 12:55 AM China has lambasted as "improper" the remarks made by the United Nations Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet regarding Beijing's national security law proposed for Hong Kong, saying such comments are "gross" interference in China's internal affairs. On Friday, Bachelet issued a statement claiming that any new national security legislation imposed on China's global financial hub "must fully comply with China's human rights obligations" and international agreements safeguarding civil and political freedoms. Hours later, China's mission to the UN in Geneva in a statement condemned Bachelet's comments, saying they "grossly interfere in China's sovereignty and internal affairs and violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, to which China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition." It further said that "solemn representations" were made to Bachelet and her office, stressing that legislation on national security "falls within the sovereignty of a State." In June last year, unprecedented anti-government protests began in Hong Kong over a proposed extradition bill. It was shelved under pressure from rallies later on, but the turbulent demonstrations continued the next several months and became more violent, endangering the lives and property of citizens. The demonstrators have been demanding Hong Kong's full independence from China since then. Beijing says the US and Britain have been fanning the flames of the unrest in the semi-autonomous hub by supporting the separatist protesters. Last month, Hong Kong's legislature debated and passed a Beijing-proposed bill, criminalizing sedition, secession and subversion against the mainland. The law drew harsh criticism from some Western governments, particularly the US and the UK, which claim that the law threatens the semi-autonomous stance of the city. Beijing, however, says the law is aimed at improving the legal system and protecting the region's prosperity and stability. The new legislation has sparked fresh protests in Hong Kong, which returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TRIP REPORT INDEX Written by Teodor Parolo Tasevski Trip: Phoenix-Atlanta-Amsterdam-Sofia / Delta & Bulgaria Air / First Class Trip Taken: 5 June 2020 After spending close to 3 months stuck in the United States, I decided it was time to return home to Skopje, pandemic or not. Since both airports in Macedonia have been closed since March, I booked a flight through Atlanta and Paris to Sofia, and arranged for a taxi to the Macedonian border. After arriving in Atlanta, I found that the flight to Paris had been delayed for over 2 hours, meaning that Id certainly miss my connection to Sofia. The gate agent then rebooked me on another Delta flight to Amsterdam for the next day, and gave me a voucher for a free hotel room at the Crowne Plaza. Phoenix (PHX)- Atlanta (ATL) June 5 2020 6:30AM - 1:03PM Delta A321 First Class Sky Harbor was, as expected, not very busy at 5 in the morning in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. I arrived at the airport approximately 1.5 hours before departure, in order to allow for any issues that might arise at check in. When I presented my Macedonian passport to the agent, she had to make a few phone calls to verify my eligibility for travel to Bulgaria. It was resolved in about 20 minutes, and I was on my way. Waiting at the security line was almost non-existent, and I was airside in no time. Wearing a mask was mandatory inside the airport building, as well as on all flights. The interior of the brand-new Terminal 3 The A321 we flew to Atlanta is one of the most recent additions to Deltas fleet Although Im not exactly a fan of US air carriers, I must say that Delta is among the most decent ones available. Compared to American Airlines and United, they are better in both hard and soft products, and even flying with them in economy class gives a more premium feel, one that is reflected in the prices, of course. Boarding was conducted according to rows, starting from the back and moving progressively toward the front, with first class passengers invited to board at their leisure. Delta Connection E75 bound for LAX Air traffic was light that morning, and I was able to see a bunch of aircraft grounded in PHX due to the pandemic. These AA birds dont seem like theyve been anywhere in a while! Taxi was short, and we had a timely departure. Take-off view of Phoenix Arizonas arid landscape My modest breakfast The snack box was tastier than I expected, and I managed to finish it all. Of course, this would not be considered acceptable for first class service under normal circumstances, but all things considered, it was understandable. The flight was generally comfortable, but I felt that the cabin was pretty cold. When I asked the attendant for a blanket, he said that they are no longer distributing them due to Covid. We started our descent into ATL less than 3 hours after departure. Pre-landing view Landing was smooth, and taxi to the gate only took a few minutes. Ive never been to ATL before, so I was excited to visit the worlds busiest airport. Atlanta is Deltas largest hub Upon disembarking, I was surprised to find out that the domestic terminal was quite busier than I expected. It didnt quite feel like a normal time, but there still was a good deal of traffic. I found the scene encouraging with regard to the hope that air travel will recover quickly. Masks were apparently not mandatory at ATL as many passengers and staff werent wearing one. Since my next flight was international, I hopped on the Skytrain to the F-terminal, which handles most of Deltas intercontinental flights. The scene I encountered once I got off the skytrain at the F-gates was radically different to the one at the domestic terminal. Since there were only a few flights scheduled out of there for the entire afternoon (Paris, Amsterdam, and Seoul if I recall), the large terminal seemed almost abandoned. After buying some books and magazines in one of the shops, I decided to try Deltas business lounge. It was, as expected, not busy at all, with a few Europe-bound passengers scattered around. The buffet had a sad offering of stale looking pre-packaged sandwiches, so I skipped eating altogether, and just ordered a coke from the bar. An hour or two later, I started heading to the gate for what was supposed to be my flight to CDG. Our faulty A330 When I arrived at the gate, the agents announced that there was going to be a delay of around 30 minutes. Since they said this quite early, and I was counting on a shorter than scheduled flight to Paris, I initially wasnt worried. Then, as almost an hour went by, and they showed no signs of boarding, the gate agents finally announced that there had been a technical issue with the aircraft, and that we were going to move to another gate so they could prepare a different plane. At this point, the delay was going to be around 2 hours, so I joined a long queue at the counter to inquire about my connection status. After my turn finally came, the gate agent (who was very helpful by the way) apologized and quickly rebooked me on a new flight to Sofia via Amsterdam the next day. He gave me a voucher for a free stay at the nearby Crowne Plaza for the night. My luggage stayed at the airport, and I grabbed a taxi for the short ride to the hotel. What I found ironic about the whole situation was that with everything that could have gone wrong with the virus, this delay had been caused by a completely unrelated, technical issue! Atlanta (ATL)- Amsterdam (AMS) June 6 2020 5:35 PM- 8:00 AM+1 Delta A330-300 Delta One The next morning, I decided to get to the airport early (around 1PM) since there was no point going into the city, and there wasnt anything to do at the hotel. I took the free shuttle, since there were only two other passengers staying at the hotel, so there wouldnt really be any risk. When I went to get my new boarding passes, the check-in procedure involved the same round of phone calls and document verification as in PHX, which took roughly 15 minutes. Check-in area at ATL The security line was pretty long, with no priority lane. Most of the passengers were, once again, domestic-bound. After another ride on the Skytrain, I again went to the lounge, where the same puzzled receptionist welcomed me for the second time. The food offering was the same, so I decided to only go for a drink instead. Our AMS bound A330-300 This flight was on time, and boarding went very smoothly. Distancing wasnt very strictly observed, and there was some congestion inside the jet-bridge. The Delta One product was a reverse herringbone configuration, which was on par with many first class products (such as that on Kuwait Airways A330 for example). Even though I was seated in the middle section, the fact that the neighbouring seat was vacant gave me more than enough privacy. The airplane did show some signs of aging, but it was still a solid offering overall. The crew once again distributed wet wipes, and we took off a mere few minutes behind schedule. What I found positively surprising was that Delta offered the traditional full meals, albeit served on a tray all at the same time, rather than the snack box I was anticipating. They took our orders prior to departure, and had the food ready quickly after reaching cruising altitude. My short rib dinner. The meal was very tasty Perhaps the only glitch I could notice in the catering service were the cheap plastic cups in which the wine was served. Turkish does better in Economy class! The rest of the flight was uneventful, but I was [not-so] surprised to find that every passenger got a pre-packaged set of a blanket and pillow, when the flight attendant on the previous flight told me they dont offer them anymore because of the virus. Seems like someones looking for excuses to cut costs. After a few movies and some reading, we started our descent into rainy Amsterdam. We landed roughly on time, and taxi to the gate took around 15 minutes. Ive never been to AMS before so I was excited to see yet another new airport. The jet-bridge discharged us directly into the transit zone, so there was no need for the security check. AMS seemed quite a bit busier than ATL, although surely not what itd look like during normal times. Most of the shops and restaurants were open, and masks were apparently optional. One thing I noticed was that the queue for passport control to enter the Schengen area was very long, extending to the duty free area due to the mandatory distancing. Thankfully, Bulgaria still isnt in part of Schengen, so my flight was from the international terminal. Since I had about an hour to kill before going to the gate, I decided to give the KLM business lounge a go. I wasnt sure if I was eligible because my flight was on Bulgaria Air, but the lounge attendant genuinely didnt care- they werent exactly busy. Entrance to the lounge I apologize for not taking any photos of the lounge. It was quite ordinary with what were supposed to be apron views, but they were blocked. After spending about an hour over there, I started heading to the gate. Amsterdam (AMS)- Sofia (SOF) June 7 2020 10:15 AM- 1:55 PM Bulgaria Air A320 Business Class It took me about 20 minutes to walk to the gate, as it was in some far-away corner of the terminal. There was a delay of the inbound flight from Sofia, and even though the airplane still wasnt present at the gate, there was already a large queue of people waiting to get in! Ive found that this is almost always the case with flights to the Balkans, why- I have no idea. It appeared to be a full load for the flight to Sofia that morning, and because the gate area was very small, the concept of distancing was non-existent. We waited in the cramped area for about 30 minutes, during which several passengers started getting upset because of the delay. The gate agent seemed particularly un-interested and responded to everyone with How should I know, Im not from the airline! When boarding finally started, they had to move quickly, so people were basically on top of one another. As I predicted, LF in economy class was close to 100% (photo was taken when I first sat down). Business class was euro-style, with the only customary curtain distinguishing the two cabins. The A320 definitely showed signs of wear-and-tear, and the seats were especially hard and uncomfortable. Legroom was horrible, in fact I could classify Pegasus and Wizz Air as premium airlines when compared to Bulgaria Airs legroom. Pushback at AMS Take-off was smooth, and the flight was generally uneventful, lasting a little more than 2 hours. Im not usually one to complain, but I have to say that Bulgaria Airs business product is a total scam. Not only is there absolutely no difference in the hard product between business and economy, but also no difference in service whatsoever. There was a small bottle of water on each seat when we boarded, and this was literally all we got for the two hour flight! They could have at least offered crackers or juice, as almost any European or US airline would do in economy class! We landed in Sofia a few minutes ahead of schedule. Taxi was short, and I was surprised to see that we parked at a remote stand. Every time Ive flown in and out of SOF, wed always get a jet-bridge, so this was definitely something new. When I got off the plane, there were two buses outside. One was the regular passenger bus, while the other was a mini-bus with VIP written on it. I knew that there was no way theyd provide a separate bus for business class passengers, and when I tried asking the guy outside, he replied No business class- this VIP. Disembarking in SOF Im guessing this one is here for maintenance The bus accommodated about half of the entire passenger load, so once again no distancing was possible. When we got off at the terminal, airport staff first collected the health forms that everyone completed in the plane, and we then proceeded to immigration. The first thing that the lady at the counter asked when she saw my Macedonian passport was: Imate li Blgarski dokumenti- i.e. Do you have Bulgarian documents. Those familiar with Macedonia know that many of our citizens have Bulgarian citizenship. When I convinced her I didnt, she had to make sure that my arrival was announced by the Macedonian consulate, as Bulgarias borders are currently closed to Macedonians. Since I took care of everything before departing, there was no problem and I was quickly on my way to the border. Final Verdict: 5/10. This trip was unlike any other Ive ever taken, so it was pretty hard to rate. If we take the virus out of the picture, I would have rated it as much worse, but with the huge consequences posed by the virus, it makes sense to be understanding. Deltas hard product was solid, and their soft product was as consistent as possible all things considered. The only problem I had with them was the delay, and the subpar hotel they offered. Bulgaria Air was bad on all counts, and I wouldnt fly them again unless absolutely necessary. All in all, Im happy that I (finally) got home without catching coronavirus. Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com LF in first class was exactly 50%, with every passenger having a vacant seat next to theirs. The crew wore masks at all times and distributed wet wipes shortly after boarding.Meal service in first class consisted of a pre-packaged box of snacks. The attendant offered three options, one with meat, one vegetarian, and one lighter version. They didnt offer any drinks apart from the water bottles that had been placed on the armrests prior to boarding. Tulsa, Okla. President Donald Trump's attempt to revive his re-election campaign sputtered badly Saturday night as he traveled to Tulsa for his first mass rally in months and found a far smaller crowd than his aides had promised him, then delivered a disjointed speech that did not reckon with the multiple crises facing the nation or scandals battering him in Washington. Visiting a 2016 electoral stronghold, Trump had hoped to declare a "great American comeback" before a jam-packed arena like he repeatedly had during his first presidential campaign. Instead, the event only raised questions about his drawing power and political skills at a time when his poll numbers are falling and allies are worried about his electoral prospects for a second term. While the president's campaign had claimed that more than 1 million people had sought tickets to attend the rally, the 19,000-seat BOK Center was still half empty by the time Trump landed in Tulsa. A second, outdoor venue where Trump was set to declare a "great American comeback" was so sparsely attended that he and Vice President Mike Pence both canceled appearances there. Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, falsely blamed the small numbers on "radical protesters" and the news media who he said frightened away supporters. But there were few protests in the area, a strong security presence and no one blocking entrances. The disappointing turnout came as Trump already found himself under siege about his sudden firing of the U.S. attorney in Manhattan and his losing legal battle over the release of a memoir full of damaging revelations by John Bolton, his former national security adviser. And in Tulsa, Trump faced criticism for ignoring pleas from officials about health risks to rallygoers and restarting his "Make America Great Again!" rallies in a city where a white mob massacred hundreds of Black residents 99 years ago. In rambling, grievance-filled remarks, Trump made no reference to George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis sparked global demands for racial justice. Instead, he railed about "left-wing radicals" who he falsely claimed were rioting in cities across the country. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control," Trump said. He was referring in part to attempts to remove Confederate monuments, efforts that have support in both parties. The president once again shrugged off the threat from the coronavirus, at one point calling it the "Chinese virus" and the "Kung Flu." He bragged that he had done "a phenomenal job" fighting the pandemic but admitted that increased testing for the virus revealed more cases of infection that he felt made the country look bad. "So I said to my people, 'slow the testing down,'" he said. Many of the thousands of Trump supporters at the rally did not wear masks or stand 6 feet apart health precautions that Trump himself has ignored. The campaign conducted temperature checks and handed out masks, yet health experts remained concerned that the event could be a dangerous incubator for the virus, spreading through the building's recirculated air. It was unclear whether fears about the virus kept Trump supporters away despite the president's repeated efforts to dismiss the need for social distancing and other precautions. A few hours before the event, the campaign disclosed that six Trump campaign staff members who had been working on the rally had tested positive for the coronavirus during a routine screening. Two members of the Secret Service in Tulsa also tested positive for the virus, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump, who was made aware of the sick campaign aides before departing for the rally, was incensed that the news was made public, according to two people familiar with his reaction. While rallies are Trump's favorite events, election-year politics have changed since his last one, on March 2. The coronavirus has largely shut down the campaign trail, and more recently the national political conversation has been dominated by a fierce debate over police violence against Black Americans after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd's death has sparked global protests against systemic racism and demands for police reform. But the altered political landscape has had little effect on the president, whom advisers describe as feeling like a caged animal during the national lockdown that forced him to abandon most travel. They say he is determined to recapture the excitement of his pre-virus campaign rallies, but this one seemed unlikely to offer much relief to Trump. He flew to Oklahoma amid mounting questions about the firing of Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, whose office had investigated some of the president's closest allies, imprisoning Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer, and beginning an inquiry into Rudy Giuliani, his current lawyer. On Saturday morning, Attorney General William Barr announced that Trump had personally approved Berman's firing. But only hours later, as Trump left the White House for the trip to Tulsa, the president said that "we have a very capable attorney general, so that's really up to him. I'm not involved." Nominate your favorite people and places now Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Nominate your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The campaign had chosen to return first to Oklahoma, which the president won by 36 points in 2016, because they assumed he would be wildly popular there. Aides to Trump spent the week boasting about enormous interest from people in the rally, and Trump bragged Saturday as he left for Oklahoma that "the crowds are unbelievable" a fiction that could raise questions about whether Trump rallies still have political potency. Speaking at the rally before the president took the stage, Pence urged the crowd to bring the enthusiasm that helped sweep Trump into office in 2016. "Get ready. Buckle up," he said. "It's on. We've got a little more than four months to win four more years for President Donald Trump in the White House. So get ready to bring it." During the first half of Trump's speech, he delivered a 15-minute explanation of images that showed him ambling slowly down a ramp after delivering the commencement address at the West Point military academy. He blamed his slow walk on "leather soles" on his shoes and said he was trying not to fall on his behind. Many people in Tulsa, worried about the record numbers of coronavirus cases in Oklahoma in recent days, did not welcome the rally. On Saturday afternoon, local Black leaders held a news conference in the city's historic Greenwood neighborhood, where the 1921 massacre took place, pleading with the city's mayor, G.T. Bynum, a Trump ally, to cancel the rally. In the streets around the BOK Center, the president's supporters some of whom had lined up for days in the hopes of ensuring a seat in the stadium gathered not far from Black Lives Matter protesters and people in town for the Juneteenth celebration. Many wore red MAGA hats while others wore caps with patriotic emblems or colors. Some waved red, white and blue banners with the Trump 2020 logo, the American flag, or the "Don't Tread on Me" flag. Some wore them like capes. Almost none wore masks. "If it is God's will that I get coronavirus that is the will of the Almighty. I will not live in fear," said Robert Montanelli, a resident of Broken Arrow, a Tulsa suburb. The president and his advisers hope the return to campaign trail will help deflect attention from a daily stream of crises engulfing the White House. On Saturday, a federal judge refused to block the release of Bolton's book, although he said the former national security aide might be personally liable for revealing classified information. Driven in part by poll numbers showing his support slipping as he prepares to face former Vice President Joe Biden in the fall, Trump had initially scheduled his rally for Friday. He later said he was unaware of the significance of the Juneteenth holiday, which celebrates the end of slavery in the country. Under fire, the campaign moved the event to Saturday, leaving Trump to make the wild claim that he had revealed the existence of the holiday to many people despite the fact that millions of Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth annually for years. "I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous," Trump bragged in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. "It's actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it." Local officials expressed anxiety about the possibility of clashes between supporters of Trump and protesters, a fear that was heightened when the president on Friday appeared to threaten the use of military force to quell any violence that might erupt during his visit. But the protests leading up to the rally were peaceful and relatively small. Trump's rally took place amid a spike of coronavirus cases in Oklahoma recently. The state reported its highest number of cases in a single day on Thursday, with more than 450 people testing positive for the virus, more than twice the average number of positive cases during the last several months. Still, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Friday that Trump's rally could move forward in its usual, boisterous manner, turning back a lawsuit by local business owners and others in Tulsa who had demanded that the president's campaign adhere to social distancing rules or cancel the rally altogether. By late morning in Tulsa on Saturday, a steadily growing line of rallygoers had assembled. Some had traveled significant distances, but many other attendees were Tulsa locals or came from nearby states, like Kansas and Missouri, or elsewhere in deep-red Oklahoma. Advertisement President Donald Trump looked fatigued as he returned to the White House early Sunday following his first campaign rally in nearly four months, where he claimed 'thugs' blocked his supporters from filling the noticeably vacant seats at his speech. Trump was seen stepping off Marine One onto the South Lawn of the White House early in the morning with his red tie undone - a rare sight for the president - and a red 'Make America Great Again' cap clutched in his hand. He shared a small wave upon returning from the rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where cameras showed scores of empty blue seats available in the 19,000-seat BOK Center. In his Saturday night speech Trump praised the supporters who showed up saying, 'Thank you warriors. Thank you.' Saturday night marked Trump's first rally since campaigning was sidelined by the coronavirus crisis and since Joe Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Polls show Biden leading Trump in their match up as voters give the president low marks for his handling of the pandemic and for his response to race relations after the death of George Floyd. The rally in Tulsa was painted as the event that would reset the Trump campaign, bring the president back up in the polls, and let Trump enjoy the cheers of supporters - the kind of energy he craves and thrives off of. But the BOK Center was marked by row after row of empty seats and a scheduled stop for the president for the outside overflow area had to be canceled after the expected crowds didn't appear. President Donald Trump looked fatigued as he touched back down on the South Lawn of the White House early Sunday, returning from his campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a red MAGA hat in hand The president shared a small wave after stepping off Marine One and returning to the White House following the rally Saturday night marked Trump's return to the trail since campaigning was sidelined by the coronavirus crisis and since Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee, however the crowds he anticipated didn't show up. The BOK Center was marked by row after row of empty seats and a scheduled stop for the president for the outside overflow area had to be canceled after the expected crowds didn't appear President Donald Trump steps off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington following his first campaign rally in four months in Tulsa that saw rows of empty seats President Donald Trump kicked off his campaign rally by thanking the supporters who showed up after cameras showed empty seats in the BOK Center The floor area surrounding the stage where Trump will speak was only half filled - it is usually packed at Trump rallies - and empty seats were in the stands President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he enters the BOK Center for his first campaign rally since March Supporters cheer on President Trump at his rally 'There's still space,' the Trump campaign texted supporters who signed up for the Tulsa rally The president and his team had a variety of reasons for the lack of a crowd, including media reports on the rising number of coronavirus cases in Oklahoma and protesters outside of arena, claiming they blocked the security lines so people could not get inside 'There's still space!' the campaign texted supporters before Trump took the stage. After the rally was over the campaign argued that 4 million people watched it online, calling it an audience Biden 'can only dream of.' The president and his team had a variety of reasons for the lack of a crowd, including media reports on the rising number of coronavirus cases in Oklahoma and protesters outside of arena, claiming they blocked the security lines so people could not get inside. 'I have been watching the fake news for weeks now. And everything is negative,' Trump said in his remarks. 'We had some very bad people outside. They were doing bad things. But I really do appreciate it,' he told those who showed up. 'You saw these thugs that came along,' Trump complained of the peaceful demonstrators outside the BOK Center, many of whom wore 'Black Lives Matters' t-shirts. In his nearly 1 hour and 41 minute speech, Trump railed against his rival 'Sleepy Joe' and claimed he was controlled by the 'radical left.' His speech painted a fearful picture of life in America under a President Joe Biden, where people wouldn't be able to own a gun or go to church, and where mob rule would be a way of life. His speech also contained the kind of political red meat his supporters like to hear: his support for a strong military, his criticism of protesters tearing down statues of Confederate Army officers, his demand that other nations stop 'ripping off' the United States, and his call for people who burn the American flag to serve one year in jail. Empty seats are visible in the BOK Center as President Trump waves to the crowd at his rally 'Black Lives Matter' protesters were outside of President Trump's rally Protesters fill a street after President Donald Trump's campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa Tulsa Police officers arrive with pepper balls as they confront protesters near President Donald Trump's campaign rally President Trump boards Air Force One after his rally to return to Washington D.C. He also defended his record in two areas that voters have given him low marks: his handling of race relations and his response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 119,000 Americans. 'You are so lucky I'm president,' he told the crowd. He claimed he's done more for Black Americans than Biden. 'I have done more for the black community in four years than Joe Biden has done in 47 years,' he said. 'Racial justice begins with Joe Biden's retirement from public life.' But he made no mention of Juneteenth, the date marking the end of slavery, which was the day before his rally. Trump talks health President Donald Trump spent more than 10 minutes of his rally defending his health after questions arose when he had trouble lifting a water glass and needed help walking down a ramp at his commencement speech at West Point. The crowd cheered him on and laughed at many points during his riff, where Trump blamed the media for exaggerating his health after he stood out in the sun for hours and gave about 600 salutes to the graduating cadets. 'I didn't want to drink it. But I wanted to wet my lips a little bit,' he said of footage that showed him having trouble lifting the glass to his lifts. He had to use both hands to do it. Then he lifted a water glass with one hand to show he could. 'Four more years,' the crowd shouted in response. President Trump spent almost 15 minutes at his Tulsa rally defending his health after questions arose following his commencement speech at West Point Trump had several reasons for his shaky performance at West Point on June 13, saying he gave a nearly 45 minutes speech, had left early in the morning, saluted 'essentially almost 600 times' and stood in the sun so long 'I had a nice sunburn.' He said he told the general escorting him off that stage that 'I'm wearing leather bottom shoes which is good if you are walk on flat surfaces. It's not good for ramps.' 'This was a steel ramp. It has no hand a rail. It was like an ice skating rink. I said general, I have a problem. He didn't understand that at first. I said there is no way. I just saluted 600 times. I'm being baked like a cake,' he noted. 'I said general there is no way I can make it down that's ramp without falling on my ass,' he added. President Trump said he just wanted to wet his lips and not drink from the water glass Trump, a couple of times, walked over to the ramp that led to the stage where he spoke at the rally, and made an exaggerated walk, like he was having trouble going down it, moving hunched over and shifty slowly. The crowd roared with laughter and cheered him on. 'I can't fall with the fake news watching,' Trump said of West Point. He slammed the media coverage of his walk. 'I would have been better off if I fell and slide down the damn ramp,' he joked. Advertisement Instead, Trump bragged about his tough stance on the protests that sprung up across the country after Floyd died. The president had called on mayors and governors to bring out the National Guard against the demonstrators. He labeled himself the 'law and order president.' 'We are the party Abraham and we are the party of law and order,' he told the crowd. He tied the protests to the 'radical left.' 'No president or administration has done more in the first 3 1/2 years than the Trump administration. Not even close. Our incredible success in rebuilding America stands in shark contrast to the extremism and destruction and violence of the radical left. We just saw it outside. You saw these thugs they came along. They call them protesters,' he said. He claimed the protesters many of whom were peaceful were Democrats who destroyed businesses and hurt cops. 'Let's see what radical far left Democrats will do to our country. But Americans have watched left-wing radicals burn down buildings, loot businesses, destroy private property, injure hundreds of dedicated police officers. The police officers get injured. They don't complain. They are incredible. And injure thousands upon thousands of people only to hear the radical fake news say what a beautiful rally it was,' he said. He specifically mentioned Seattle - which has been a repeated target of his wrath - for its handling of the protests. 'The Seattle Democrat mayor and the Seattle democracy council surrendered control of six city blocks - they are anarchists, they are not protesters,' Trump said. And he accused them of vandalizing history by tearing down statues, many of which were of officers who served in the Confederate Army. 'The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our beautiful monuments. Tear down our statues,' he said. He also claimed his response to the coronavirus pandemic saved lives and again referred to it by his derisive moniker the 'China virus.' 'You don't hear them talking about covid. Covid. To be specific covid-19. That name gets further and further away from China as opposed to calling it the Chinese virus. Despite the fact that we, I have done a phenomenal job. I shut down the United States to heavily infected people from China in late January which is months earlier than the other people would have done it if they would have done it at all. I saved hundreds of thousands of lives,' Trump bragged. He also described the disease by the racist term 'kung flu.' 'It's a disease without question that has more names than any disease in history,' he complained. 'I can name kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names. Many call it a virus which it is. Many call it a flu. I think we have 19 or 20 versions of the name.' But he also repeated his complaint that increased testing increases the reported numbers of people with the virus. 'Testing is a double-edged sword,' Trump said. He also claimed he told staff to slow down on testing the coronavirus because it was increasing the numbers of infections. 'They called me and said the job you are doing - here is the bad part. When you do testing to that extent, you are going to find more people, you will find more cases. So I said slow the testing down,' he said. He called on schools to be reopened. The president has pushed the country to reopen as he is banking his re-election campaign on a strong economy. His handling of the economy is one of the few areas where the president wins high remarks for his performance and the rally was billed as a 'great American comeback.' In his remarks, Trump painted the November election as a choice between himself and Joe Biden, who he claimed his controlled by the radical left. 'The choice in 2020 is very simple. Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans?' he said. He attacked Biden multiple times. 'Joe Biden and the Democrats want to prosecute Americans for going to church. But not for burning a church. They believe you can riot, vandalize and destroy, but you cannot attend a peaceful pro America rally,' he said. He also threw out several attack lines at Biden, many of which he's used before, including claiming Biden was hiding in his basement, questioning the former vice president's health, and claiming that Biden's policies will destroy the economy. But he also threw out new lines of attack at the man he will face on the November ballot. 'Joe Biden's record could be summed up as four decades of betrayal, calamity and he never did anything. He was a senator and vice president,' Trump said. 'Biden is always on the wrong side of history,' he noted. 'When the chips are down Biden will always cave to the radical left, he will always bow to the angry mob, and he will never protect you and your family. And you know that. Joe Biden will always let you down,' he said. He warned people of a bleak life they would face under a Biden presidency. Trump's speech contained several attacks on Joe Biden; it was his first campaign rally since Biden became the presumptive Dem nominee 'They will expel anybody who disagrees them. You use a term they don't like and they are not happy with it. They call you a racist. They call you a horrible person. They don't want religion,' he said of the Democrats. Trump claimed Biden, who has a long record as a moderate Democrat, as controlled by the 'radical left.' 'Joe Biden is not the leader of his party, Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left. And he's not radical left. I don't think he knows what he is any more. He was never radical left. But now he's controlled by the radical left,' Trump said. He tied Biden to some of the most famous liberal names in the Democratic Party: Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. 'He installed socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be in charge of his environmental policy as his energy - you can forget petroleum. How does Oklahoma feel about being petroleum free? Not good, right?' he said. And then he turned to Omar, one of few Muslim-American women in Congress: 'Ilhan Omar is going to be have much involved in a Biden government. They will put the hate-filled America bashing socialist front and center in deciding the fate of our family and deciding the fate of your country. I don't think so. She would like to make the government our country just like the country from where she came. Somalia. No government, no safety, no police. No nothing. Just anarchy. And now she is telling us how to run our country. No, thank you.' He also tied Biden to Beto O'Rourke, who called for a mandatory buyback of all assault weapons. 'They want to take away your guns and your second amendment as sure as you are sitting there. You can even put the big gun grabber, Beto O'Rourke who made a fool of himself when he ran for president. They put him in charge of guns. Hopefully it won't matter,' he said. He also claimed Biden is a 'puppet' for China and made a passing reference to Hunter Biden's ties to China. 'Biden is a puppet for China. His son walked out with $1.5 billion,' he said. President Trump spent more than 10 minutes of his rally talking about his speech at West Point, lifting his shoe to explain that it was the reason he had trouble walking down the ramp after his commencement address Trump even gave a mocking performance of his walk Saturday's rally in Tulsa marked Trump's return to the campaign trail A young supporter wears a 'Trump 2020' face mask at Saturday's rally A supporter of President Donald Trump in the crowd wears a shirt reading 'It's OK To Be White' President Donald Trump lands in Tulsa for a rally intended to reset his re-election bid Air Force One with flies over the Tulsa arena where President Trump will speak Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma hugs President Donald Trump as he arrives at Tulsa International Airport The Trump campaign said a million people requested tickets for the president's rally but there were many empty seats in the BOK Center Police surround protesters outside the arena where President Trump was speaking Before the rally began, the president told Fox News that he lost political momentum because of having to stay inside due to the coronavirus. 'He acknowledged that lot of the momentum has been lost because he has been sitting in the White House for three months. He wanted to be out here tonight saying we have done the best we can with the coronavirus,' Fox News' John Roberts reported, saying he spoke to the president before the rally started. The rally was designed by the campaign to reboot for the Trump 2020 campaign. 'Today is the start of a new chapter and a brand new campaign for President Trump,' Kimberly Guilfoyle, a Trump campaign adviser and girlfriend to Donald Trump Jr., said in her opening remarks. Teens and K-pop fans sabotaged Trump's Tulsa rally Teens reserved hundreds of tickets for Donald Trump's Tulsa rally on Saturday night with no intention of attending, social media users have claimed. Political strategist Steve Schmidt tweeted on Saturday night: 'My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been rolled by America's teens. '@realDonaldTrump you have been failed by your team. You have been deserted by your faithful. No one likes to root for the losing team.' He then added: 'This is what happened tonight. I'm dead serious when I say this. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump. All across America teens ordered tickets to this event. The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets. lol.' Trump's campaign said a million tickets had been requested for the event but the BOX Center, which seats 19,000 people, was barely half full. The Trump campaign blamed media reports about the rising coronavirus cases in Oklahoma and protesters outside keeping people out. Advertisement 'The great American comeback has begun and President Trump is leading the way,' Vice President Mike Pence told the crowd ahead of President Trump's remarks. Trump's last rally was March 2 and the country looked vastly different. The economy was strong with the unemployment rate at about 3.5 per cent. The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91. Now, the unemployment rate stands at 13.3 per cent and the number of coronavirus cases stands at about 2.2 million. More than 119,000 people have died. Pence warmed up the crowd by offering his own line of attacks on Biden, portraying him as a liberal who will cost the country jobs and touted President Trump's accomplishments. 'Joe Biden will cost America jobs,' the vice president said as the crowd shouted 'Sleepy Joe, Sleepy Joe,' which is Trump's nickname for Biden. Ahead of the rally, Trump's campaign canceled the president's scheduled speech to the overflow crowd outside after the supporters failed to materialize and 'radical protesters' were blamed for their absence. An outdoor stage had been set up to accommodate the thousands who would not be able to fit inside the BOK Center. The Trump campaign said they had a million requests for tickets. Any one from anywhere can request a ticket online. But the area outside the arena - six blocks were blocked off by police for the expected crowds - was devoid of people. Both Trump and Pence's scheduled speeches were canceled by the campaign. And the outdoor stage was being torn down before Trump took the stage inside. The Trump campaign, after the rally was over, touted its large online audience. 'President Trumps rally in Tulsa attracted over 4 million unique viewers across all of the campaigns digital media channels. The live-streamed pre-rally shows drew an audience of more than 2.5 million unique viewers by themselves. These numbers dont even include television viewers. The news media, which encouraged protesters and bombarded Americans for more than a week with dire warnings against attending a Trump rally, are still unable to prevent President Trump from reaching the people. These numbers represent unmatched enthusiasm behind the Presidents re-election and a massive audience that Joe Biden can only dream of,' Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. The Trump campaign blamed the protesters for the lack of a crowd. 'Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the President's supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out,' Murtaugh said. Additionally, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, who was in charge of planning and implementing the rally, took to Twitter to blame the 'radical protesters' for the empty seats. 'Radical protestors, fueled by a week of apocalyptic media coverage, interfered with @realDonaldTrump supporters at the rally. They even blocked access to the metal detectors, preventing people from entering. Thanks to the 1,000s who made it anyway!,' he wrote. Empty seats were seen inside the BOK Center too as the rally began with an opening round of speakers, including Eric and Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Diamond and Silk Trump promised a great night before he left for Oklahoma. 'The event in Oklahoma is unbelievable. The crowds are unbelievable. They haven't seen anything like it. We will go there now. We'll give a hopefully good speech, see a lot of great people, a lot of great friends,' he told reporters at the White House before he left for the event. National Guards form a line in front of 'Black Lives Matter' protesters outside of the arena where Trump held his campaign rally Vice President Mike Pence warmed up the crowd ahead of President Trump's remarks Empty seats were seen in the BOK Center, which holds 19,000 people; although the campaign handed out face masks, few people were seen wearing them Eric Trump throws hats to the crowd at the president's rally in Tulsa Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, wearing a face mask watches as people enter the BOK Center for the rally The rally was plagued by problems and criticism before it started. Six members of the advance team - the staff that arrive on the ground weeks ahead of time to set up the arena and take care of logistics - tested positive for COVID-19. 'No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today's rally or near attendees and elected officials,' said Murtaugh. Two of the six were reportedly Secret Service agents. Oklahoma has seen a spike in coronavirus cases as the state moved through the re-opening process. It is one of the state's furthest along - in stage three - which is one of the reasons it was picked for Trump's comeback event. On Saturday, 331 new cases were recorded. Oklahoma set a new state record for COVID-19 increases in a single day on Thursday, confirming 450 new infections. The state has more than 10,000 cases. Protesters mingled with Trump supporters outside the BOK Center but there were no reports of violence. Trump issued a veiled threat via Twitter on Friday, warning protesters they would be dealt with in a harsh matter. Many of the demonstrators wore t-shirts or carried signs expressing their support for the Black Lives Matters movement, the protests that sprung up around the country after Floyd died. The majority of Trump supporters at the event are white. Members of the Oklahoma National Guard and law enforcement officers were in the secure area around the center. Inside that space, Trump supporters sold campaign merchandise. Some supporters had camped out overnight to make sure they got inside to hear the president. Trump was ready to get back out on the trail. 'We have to get back to living our lives' Trump told Axios on Friday, adding 'we're going to have a wild evening tomorrow night at Oklahoma.' The rising number of coronavirus cases raised safety questions ahead of the event. Attendees had their temperature checked before they went inside as they went through the security line. The campaign handed out face masks but few people inside the BOK Center appeared to be wearing one. Most donned red 'Make America Great Again' caps or 'Keep America Great' caps and t-shirts expressing their support for the president. Lynnette Hardaway, left, and Rochelle Richardson, known as Diamond and Silk, also addressed supporter MyPillow founder Michael J. Lindell (left) greets people before the start of the campaign rally The Trump campaign emphasized the safety measures put in place for the rally, including having temperature checks done before people were let inside Counselor to the President Hope Hicks (left) walks with White House social media director Dan Scavino (right) to board Air Force One with President Trump Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was spotted in the stands wearing one. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who's traveling to the event, said at her briefing on Friday she would not be wearing one, pointing out she is tested for the coronavirus regularly and that it's a personal choice for those attending. Asked about whether people attending the rally should wear face coverings, as is now recommended by the CDC, Trump told Axios: 'I recommend people do what they want.' Trump, who has been loath to appear publicly in a mask, said he has no intention of wearing a mask at the rally. 'I don't feel that I'm in danger,' he said. 'I've met a lot, a lot of people, and so far here I sit.' 'You know, there was a time when people thought it was worse wearing a mask,' he said, referring to earlier guidance from the CDC saying that the general public should not wear masks. 'I let people make up their own decision.' Trump's rally has been deeply problematic ever since it was announced on June 10. It survived a lawsuit by local residents and businesses which tried to get it shut down, citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Local health officials also recommended it be postponed, to no avail. The original date of Friday, June 19, was switched to Saturday after an uproar about the clash with Juneteenth - the annual celebration marking the end of slavery. The anger at the date - which takes place on the holiday celebrating the end of slavery - meant that the rally got off to a bad start. Critics pointed to the Trump's administration handling of protests that sprung up around the country in the wake of George Floyd's death. Tulsa was the site of one of the country's bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence in 1921. Called the Tulsa Race Massacre, as many as 300 people were killed, more than 10,000 remained homeless, and, according to the Tulsa Race Riot Report of 2001, an estimated $1,470,711 was incurred in damage - equal to about $20 million today. Trump has show some insensitivity on race relations. He also bragged he made 'Juneteenth very famous' in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. He also admitted he learned about it from a black Secret Service agent and was surprised to hear the White House had put out a statement on the holiday last year. 'I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,' he told the newspaper. 'It's actually an important event, it's an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it. Actually, a young African-American Secret Service agent knew what it was. I had political people who had no idea.' Eric and Lara Trump helped warm up the crowd ahead of Trump's Tulsa rally The Baby Trump blimp, a symbol used by Trump protesters, was sighted Scott Hilliard, left, argues with Black Lives Matter protester Eugene Smith ahead of President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa Black Lives Matter protesters are stopped by police at the entrance to the Brad Parscale, Trump's campaign manager, chose the site and the date, The New York Times reported. Oklahoma also was chosen for its Republican support - Trump carried the state by 36 points in the 2016 election. Additionally Tulsa has a Republican mayor. Most cities in the country are run by Democrats. Many people are concerned about their commute, the constant changes to their working environment and what their employers are doing to ensure their safety when they return. (Getty) After spending several months under lockdown, were all looking forward to some sort of return to normality in the future. But with non-essential shops reopening and more employees heading back to work, the change is causing anxiety and stress for a lot of people. More than two-fifths of UK workers are anxious about the prospect of returning to the workplace following the coronavirus outbreak, according to a poll of 1,000 adults by YouGov for the CIPD. But its not just the general health risks employees are worried about. Many people are concerned about their commute, the constant changes to their working environment and what their employers are doing to ensure their safety when they return. A recent survey by Totaljobs.com found that nearly half of us dont actually know what our employers intend to do next about returning to work safely. Although 54% of the workforce wants to return to work by the end of June, 48% of employees dont know what their back-to-work strategy is. Less than half (43%) of people polled said they trusted their employer to guarantee their safety through special measures and a further 12% believe that nothing will be in place to allow them to return to their workplace safely. READ MORE: Why women need to stop apologising at work The lack of clarity surrounding the new measures to gradually ease lockdown is a source of concern for many businesses and employees as they return to work, says Dr Shainaz Firfiray, associate professor of human resource management at Warwick Business School. In some workplaces, adhering to social distancing guidelines might be impossible and as such employees will be worried about the health risks they might face when businesses reopen, she says. There will also be a lot of anxiety on how workers can safely commute to work as avoiding public transport may not be a workable option for many workers. Before coronavirus arrived in the UK, taking the train or bus to work was something many people did without a second thought. Now, the government has advised people returning to work to avoid public transport and to walk, cycle or drive instead. Story continues For many people, though, taking the bus or train is unavoidable, which is leading to further anxiety. Just under a third of workers across the UK are concerned about their commute, particularly those living in London, despite the decision to make face masks mandatory for public transport users. It can take a while for people to settle into a new working routine, particularly those who havent worked from home before, or who have had to change jobs during the pandemic. Working parents, in particular, have had to adjust to a new schedule of caring and home-schooling while trying to get work done. And now, the thought of going back to work and changing routines again with short notice is causing additional stress. Far from just getting on the Tube and heading back to the office, there are multiple issues to consider. Any sustainable return to work would also be dependent on the reopening of schools and childcare and the ambiguity on these issues will cause obvious concerns for people who are being asked to return to work, Firfiray says. READ MORE: Can employers limit staff toilet breaks? Recognising the psychological impact of returning to a 'new normal', which for many is an alien environment, is as important as addressing the logistical issues. So what can employers do to help people return to work safely, while alleviating any anxieties they may have? People who return to work in the coming weeks must have reassurance from their employer that their health and that of their colleagues and family members is being put first, says Jon Wilson, CEO of Totaljobs. As employers, it is our responsibility to shape this, following the latest government advice, and help drive and develop clear, evidence-based plans for the safe return of our employees into the workplace be it in offices, customer facing shops, schools or construction sites. Instead of expecting employees to return to the office with no questions asked, businesses may also want to consider allowing people to continue to work flexibly. Giving staff the option to work from home if needed will help reduce the stress of having to commute or find childcare. If people are having to take public transport to work, being able to start later in the day will allow them to avoid rush hour. READ MORE: The psychology behind why we love routines and schedules Its also crucial for companies to be transparent about what they are doing to ensure people can return to work safely. Going back to work isnt going to be easy for a lot of people and it may take its toll on their mental health, so a supportive environment that encourages open conversations about wellbeing is key. People who are prone to anxiety might find it particularly hard to deal with the uncertainty and may experience a heightened sense of threat. Dont expect too much from employees straight away, but allow them to ease themselves back into work. During times of non-stop change like these, it is understandable that employees are seeking as much stability and predictability as possible, Wilson says. We have needed to adapt over the past couple of months, but the reality is that we are all going to go through change at least one more time as we settle into a new normal. San Francisco, June 21 : The US Seattle Police Department said that a Saturday morning shooting in the Capitol Hill protest zone left one person dead and another in critical condition. According to Seattle police, a 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center. A second man, who suffers life-threatening injuries, is being treated. The victims have not been identified yet, Xinhua news agency reported. The police are reviewing public-source video and body-camera video for clues. "The suspect or suspects fled and are still at large. There is no description at this time," police said in a statement. The fatal shooting occurred early Saturday morning at 10th Avenue and East Pine Street. "On June 20th, at approximately 2.30 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to a report of shots fired in Cal Anderson Park. This is inside the area referred to as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest," police said. Homicide detectives responded and are conducting a thorough investigation, despite the challenges presented by the circumstances, according to the police. These are Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits, RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits Accurate testing is important to get out of the clutches of novel coronavirus. Stepping up efforts in this regard, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in association with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), has developed low-cost diagnostic kits. These are Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits, RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits. The VTM kits are the first-stop source used to collect nasal and oral swab specimens from an individual source to a laboratory safely for culture and testing. During this period, the virus, if present, in the sample specimens should remain intact until the testing procedure is completed. The kit consists of a comprehensive solution specially formulated for the collection and transport of SARS-CoV-2. To bring down the cost of kits, we have used material that are available in the local market and they are as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation. We have handed over two batches of these kits to the National Health Mission, Assam, and GMCH. We are making them in bulk to make it available to larger population, said Prof. Parameswar Krishnan Iyer, lead researcher, IIT Guwahati. Image caption- (From L to R) Laxmi Raman Adil, PhD student (IIT Guwahati), Dr. Pankaj Choudhury (RR Animal Health Care), Prof. ParameswarIyer and Prof. Siddhartha Ghosh (IIT Guwahati), Dr. Anil Bidkar (RR Animal Health care) Advertisement The people of Agwa Community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State have appealed to Governor Uzodimma to increase the presence of security operatives in their area as a way of warding off the activities of Fulani herdsmen. They specifically requested that the Governor commissions a Divisional Police Headquarters which the community built for the purpose of enhancing the security of lives and property in the area. The community made the appeal at the weekend when a delegation of Imo Council of Elders paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa, HRH, Eze (Dr.) Ignatius Asor, to commiserate with him on the death of his subject, Mr. Ozoemena Iriaka, in the hands of herdsmen recently. Advertisement The community through Eze Asor told the Imo Elders Council led by Dr. (Sir) EJK Onyewuchi that they no longer go to their farms as a result of fear of being attacked by herdsmen. Eze Asor also told the delegation that the community habours other forms of vices like cult, rape, drug abuse, kidnapping, ritual killing, and appealed to the Governor to urgently commission the police station in their midst. He noted that Agwa is highly populated, having three Electoral Wards and six autonomous communities, and that adequate security at the place will enhance businesses and help to guarantee safety of lives and property. Eze Asor maintained that their greatest challenge today in Agwa is insecurity. Earlier on arrival at the palace of the traditional ruler, Dr. Onyewuchi told the hosts that they were in the community to show sympathy and condole with them on the death of one of their sons, late Mr. Ozoemena Iriaka and to reassure them of Governors efforts to secure Imo State. Dr. Onyewuchi told the people that Imo State Government and Governor Uzodimma are pained by the way their son was killed, and that his death will not be taken for granted. He assured the people that there will not be a repeat of such in that area and appealed to them to continue to be peaceful and go about their normal business. He appealed to the youth to keep their calm, respect their elders, expect progress and development in the nearest future. The younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Clifford Alamezie Mbakwe informed that the family and other community members no longer go to their farms because of the fear of being murdered by the herdsmen who, they suspect, hide in their farms to lay ambush on them. He appealed for security from the state government to ward them off since they have no other means of livelihood except proceeds from farm work. He thanked the elders and the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa, Eze Asor that led the team to their family for the condolence visit. Highlights of the visit were prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased, peace and progress of the family and the entire people of Agwa Community. Imo Elders Council leadership that accompanied the Chairman to the visit were Chief Bernard Anyanwu, Deputy Chairman; Chief John Enyogasi, Okigwe; Bishop Gideon Nwaeze, native of Agwa Community; Chief Bon Ohiri, Ideato South; Evang. Rogers Ekeledo, Ikeduru; Chief Godwin Oguoma, Owerri North; and Lady Bernadette Okeke. Chicago Southeast Side Residents to Mayor: Deny General Irons Move if You are Serious about Equity NRDC Hires Troy Riddle as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Ohio Needs a New Energy Vision Trump Administration Rubber Stamps Pebble Mine Review Court Upholds Californias Coordination with Quebec to Cut Climate Pollution NRDC: EPA Gives Uranium Miners Free Pass to Pollute EWG News Roundup (7/23): House Passes PFAS Reforms in Military Spending Bill, Bodies of Water Infested With E. Coli and More Historic PFAS Investments Proposed in House Spending Bills New Senate Data Underscores Urgent Need for Federal Moratorium on Utility Shut-Offs (Newser) With statues of Christopher Columbus falling around the country, places named after the explorer face a bigger issue. A petition on Change.org suggests a solution for the Columbus in Ohio: Name the city "Flavortown." More than 17,000 people so far have signed on to honoring TV chef Guy Fieri, who's from Columbus, UPI reports. Tyler Woodbridge writes in the petition that the city's name is tarnished by Christopher Columbus record of "raping, slave trading, and genocide." One signer said Fieri raised money for foodservice workers hurt by the pandemic shutdown. "This act ALONE makes him far more worthy of a town named in his honor than Christopher Columbus," the signer wrote. story continues below "Flavortown" also would recognize the Ohio city's role as a major test market for the food industry, the petition says. Fieri, who left Columbus for California, hasn't commented on the idea. Woodbridge plans to deliver the petition to City Hall in person, per Mashable. The mayor said Thursday that the Columbus statue outside the building will be replaced by artwork that reflects the values of the city and its people, per Fox News. "For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness," Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past." (Read more Guy Fieri stories.) WASHINGTON From Hong Kong to the South China Sea to the India-China border, Beijing is flexing its muscle and trying to extend its reach at a time when the world is preoccupied with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, according to current and former U.S. officials and regional experts. China has taken an aggressive stance on multiple fronts, tangling with its neighbors in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, tightening its grip on Hong Kong and entering into a violent clash with Indian troops last week along a disputed border. "I think the pattern is pretty clear now," said Michael Green, director of Asian Studies at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. At a moment of doubt for U.S. allies who question Washington's reliability, China sees "a moment of opportunity," said Green, who served on the White House National Security Council in President George W. Bush's administration. Image: (Narinder Nanu / AFP - Getty Images) China is calculating that President Donald Trump, preoccupied with crises at home, is unable or unwilling to rally allies as a counter-weight to Beijing's bold moves, and that Beijing can prevail in any standoffs with less powerful neighbors, Green and other experts said. "I think the Trump administration has not been able to effectively mobilize allies and partners on a common position on China," said Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank. "What China does fear is when coalitions mobilize against China," but no effective coalition has emerged so far, he said. Instead, China has confronted its neighbors one-by-one, displaying its military might and asserting sweeping territorial claims even as it offered deliveries of medical supplies to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the region. For Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is presiding over his country's first economic contraction in years, the confrontations tap into nationalist sentiment and could help bolster his standing at home, experts said. Story continues Its no coincidence that China is testing the limits of its power when other countries are reeling from the pandemic and a global economic downturn, said former NATO commander ret. Adm. James Stavridis. The recent skirmishes and incidents with regional neighbors are part of Chinas long-term strategy to build a massive global network of infrastructure projects known as One Belt, One Road stretching from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean, the Horn of Africa and into Europe, Stavridis told NBC News. China is absolutely taking advantage of COVID to move out aggressively on the entire One Belt, One Road strategy, said the retired four-star admiral and MSNBC contributor. If you lay the recent controversies over the map, it's a perfect alignment with the One Belt, One Road initiative. The most serious clash came on Monday along the rugged border between India and China in the Himalayas. India said 20 of its troops died in fighting with Chinese troops that involved rocks, iron bars and fists but no guns. It was the worst violence on the disputed border in 45 years, and India accused China of carrying out a premeditated action to target Indian troops. China blamed India for the fighting in the Galwan valley. Commercial satellite images appeared to show movement of Chinese troops and machinery in the days before the confrontation, according to an analysis by The Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The imagery "strongly suggests People's Liberation Army forces have been regularly crossing into Indian territory temporarily on routine patrol routes," the institute wrote. In the disputed waters of the South China Sea, as much of the world struggled to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak, a Chinese maritime surveillance vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Paracel Islands in April, according to Vietnamese officials. China denied the account, and accused the fishing boat of ramming its ship. Image: South China Sea (AFP / Getty Images, file) China also ventured into Malaysia's coastal waters with a scientific survey ship and trailed an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia's state oil company. The stand-off lasted a month and amounted to "high-risk intimidation" designed to send a message that any country or company would need Beijing's permission before carrying out oil or gas exploration in the region, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, which tracks South China Sea tensions. The U.S. called it "bullying behavior" but China's Foreign Ministry insisted the Chinese ship was conducting routine activities. To underscore its claims to the South China Sea, Beijing recently renamed 80 geographic features in the waterway and declared two new "administrative districts" around the Paracel and Spratly islands, prompting protests from Hanoi. Vietnam and five other countries have rejected China's declarations and have competing claims over the sea, a vital transit route for global shipping and home to potential oil and natural gas resources. In May, Chinese officials unveiled a "national security" law for Hong Kong that pro-democracy activists fear will crush civil liberties and strip away the island's autonomy from mainland China. Hong Kong, once a British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 on the agreement that it would retain for at least 50 years additional freedoms distinct from those of mainland China. China chose not to make the move on Hong Kong last year amid mass street demonstrations, when international attention was focused on the dramatic clashes, Cronin said. "China is doing by fiat during the pandemic what they were not able to do last year when they were embarrassed due to the street protests," he said. Throughout the pandemic, Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its own, has come under mounting pressure from Beijing. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has won international praise for her government's handling of COVID-19 and accused Beijing of trying to shut it out of global health discussions. Sending a signal to Taiwan, China in April deployed a naval battle group including the country's aircraft carrier Liaoning to sail off of Taiwan's eastern coast. China has staged air force drills near the island and has announced plans for a military exercise later this year that analysts say will simulate the seizure of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. "What ultimately determines the direction of the situation across the Taiwan Strait is a contest of strength," China's state-run Global Times warned in May. To the north of Taiwan in the East China Sea, China set a record on Wednesday by maintaining ships near contested islands controlled by Japan for 65 consecutive days. Both Japan and China claim sovereignty over the Senkaku islands, which are known as the Diaoyu Islands in China. Japan lodged a protest to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese maritime research ship near the islands. Under a 2001 accord, the two governments are supposed to provide advance notice before any maritime survey operation in each other's territorial waters. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday said the situation was "extremely serious." But China said it had an inherent right to patrol the area. Since the coronavirus outbreak, China also has adopted a more aggressive tone in state-backed media and in statements from government officials, including embracing conspiracy theories about the pandemic, according to analysts who track information operations. The approach resembles Russia's methods of manipulating information, designed to fuel doubts about established facts or undermine faith in democracies, according to Jessica Brandt, head of policy and research at the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy in Washington. Green agreed, saying, "Chinese interference in social media is now following the Russian pattern." Beijing's assertive actions reflect Chinese President Xi Jinping's hawkish idea of a "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," a new superpower able to compete and prevail, experts said. In the past, China has tended to calibrate tensions with adversaries and refrain from confrontation on all fronts, but that seems to have changed, said Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "We do seem to be at the start of a dangerous new phase," he said. The United States and other countries in the region have responded to China with "freedom of navigation" naval patrols and plans for more joint exercises. The Pentagon has deployed three aircraft carriers in the Pacific over the past week, an unusual move not seen since 2017, when tensions rose over North Korea's nuclear arsenal. India has signed a defense agreement with Australia that permits both countries to use each other's military bases. And Australia is expected to join naval drills with Japan, India and the U.S., amid concern about China's growing sea power. Speaking to a virtual Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China often seeks to "single out" countries with coercion and prevent governments taking concerted action. But he said China was sowing increasing resentment with its hardline tactics, and that foreign officials privately expressed concern to him about China's actions. "We need to raise this to another level, to where countries are prepared and in position to respond to these things in a public way," Pompeo said. But the potential impact of a U.S.-led response to China has been undermined by President Trump's ambivalence about America's alliances, illustrated most recently in a dispute over how much South Korea should pay for the cost of stationing U.S. troops on its soil, experts said. This administration is singularly poorly aligned to deal with all of this. China has a coherent and synchronized strategy. Our approach is extremely episodic and idiosyncratic, Stavridis said. A new book by President Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton likely will reinforce questions about Trump's willingness to confront China. In his book, Bolton claims that Trump asked for China's help in winning reelection in 2020 and that he encouraged China to build detention camps for Uighur Muslims in western China. The White House has dismissed the book's allegations as false. Clear all pending applications for pension by June end: Delhi govt to officials India pti-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, June 21: The Delhi government has ordered officials concerned to clear pending applications for pension by senior citizens, widows and differently-abled persons by June end. The order comes after Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam conducted surprise inspections across Delhi "to check the status of pension cases" and found that a large number of online applications for financial assistance were pending. Coronavirus Drug: Maharashtra, Delhi in list of 5 states to get first set of remdesivir "Applications continue to remain pending for months despite several directions from time to time. The minister has now directed that all pendency be cleared by June end," an official order said. "All district officers are directed to resolve pendencies in all three financial assistance schemes, including all cases pending at the operator level and applications under objection," it said. The officers have been directed to submit a compliance report, stating that applications pending up to June 15 have been disposed of, on July 1. Gautam had earlier ordered an immediate audit of district offices to remove pendency in disbursal of pension to specially-abled persons, widows and the elderly. During a high-level meeting, the minister had also asked officials to issue a login ID and password to him so that he can himself monitor the status of pension and any pendency in each district. "The pendency in pension cases is disappointing. I have ordered an immediate audit of all district offices under Social Welfare and Women and Child Development departments. I have also issued directions to fill all vacancies to ensure smooth functioning of offices, Gautam had said. The minister had also ordered formation of district monitoring committees for both departments which will look after, resolve and monitor all pension cases. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the livelihood of people, the Delhi government had in March doubled the pension amount for five lakh senior citizens, 2.5 lakh widows and 1 lakh differently-abled persons. The pension amount for widows and differently-abled persons was increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000. For senior citizens, it was increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. Australias First Aboriginal Man to US Diplomatic Post Trailblazer Benson Saulo has become Australias first Indigenous consul-general appointed to the United States. The 32-year-old Wemba Wemba, Jardwadjali, Weregia and Gunditjmara man who grew up in Tamworth New South Wales will be posted to Houston, Texas. Being the first Aboriginal person to hold the position of an Australian consul-general comes with a huge weight of responsibility, he told the West Australian newspaper. But then also a sense of achievement and encouragement and a sense of being able to share my culture in the US and connect with other Indigenous people and highlight and showcase the global Indigenous economy. Saulo has become well known in the finance and banking industry most recently through his roles at insurance company Australian Unity. He has also been on the board of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria and has worked for Good Shepherd Microfinance and consultants PWC. Benson was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, and was the lead negotiator on the Rights of the Child Resolution in 2011. He joined the honour roll as a nominee for Young Australian of the year in 2014. In 2019 on an episode of SBS show Insight about casual racism, Saulo said that his Papua New Guinea-born father had raised him to never think the worlds not yours. Its up to you to go out there and make your mark, he said. Houston is the home town of George Floyd, whose death while being arrested in Minneapolis sparked a revival of the leftist Black Lives Matter movement. By Andi Yu Serbia is holding parliamentary and local elections on June 21 as President Aleksandar Vucic looks to consolidate his position amid splintered opposition. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) hold 105 seats in 250-seats strong National Assembly and has been ruling the government with the help of allies. Serbia has a unicameral legislature with 250 proportionally elected deputies by secret ballot for a 4-year term. The electoral threshold has been reduced from 5% to 3% for all parties to obtain seats in the 250-member parliament, although, the threshold is waived for ethnic minority parties. Over 6.5 million people are eligible to vote in the elections that were scheduled to be held on April 26 but postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to IPSOS poll, Vucics party is expected to get an absolute majority and Socialist Party of Serbia, currently in the coalition government, is expected to finish second. Most of the opposition parties are boycotting the elections, questioning its legitimacy due to systemic corruption and lack of independent media. Read: Coronavirus Live Updates: PM Shares Benefit Of Yoga To Boost Immunity; Total Cases 410,461 Contained virus outbreak The Balkan nation has been able to flatten the curve of virus infection with 12,803 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far. On June 20, Serbia reported 94 new cases of coronavirus one death related to the infection. The virus containment paved the way to hold elections but the WHO Director-General said that the pandemic still poses a major threat even countries are eager to open up their societies and economies. According to the latest report, almost nine million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide with more than 467,000 deaths, overwhelming the health care facilities across the globe. On June 18, more than 150,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported globally, the highest single-day number so far. Tedros said that nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East. Read: Latvia: 20-feet-tall Statue Unveiled To Honour Healthcare Workers Fighting Coronavirus Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was founded in 1845. Slavery played a significant role in its formation, a fact for which the denomination has expressed great remorse. In a resolution adopted on its 150th anniversary, the SBC stated, We lament and repudiate historical acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest and added, We apologize to all African Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime. The denomination further stated, We ask forgiveness from our African American brothers and sisters, and then committed to pursuing racial reconciliation in all our relationships. Now the nations largest Protestant denomination has taken a significant step in this pursuit. The SBCs Executive Committee, the group that runs the business of the denomination outside its annual meetings, has elected its first African American chairman. Rev. Rolland Slade, senior pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, California, was elected unanimously in what the outgoing chairman called a wonderful and historic moment. He was previously vice chairman of the committee and chair of its Cooperative Program Committee. How Tony Evans and Robert Morris are making a difference I became a Christian through the outreach of a Southern Baptist church and graduated from a Southern Baptist seminary. While Denison Forum is nondenominational, I will forever be grateful for the contributions made by Southern Baptists to my faith and life. But I have never been as proud of Southern Baptists as I am today. Nor have I been more committed to their goal of pursuing racial reconciliation in all our relationships. To that end, this week we have been answering Benjamin Watsons call to respond to racial injustice with awareness, advocacy, and action. Yesterday we discussed awareness, examining the history of racism in American culture and asking God to reveal any vestige of this sin in our lives. Today, lets focus on advocacy, defined by Merriam-Webster as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. We practice advocacy when we use our influence in the service of a value or purpose. The Executive Committee of the SBC practiced advocacy when it elected an African American chairman. Dr. Tony Evans practiced advocacy when he wrote a brilliant article for the Dallas Morning News stating that the church must address racial, economic, health care, and opportunity inequity, as well as recognize the systems that work against the fair treatment of people. Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church practiced advocacy by talking with ministers of different races to hear the stories from these precious men and women of God of the racism and prejudice that they faced and that their families have faced, their parents, their grandparents. He adds that their tragic stories will break your heart. His churchs website states, We acknowledge the evils of racism and discrimination fighting so hard to tear us and our nation apart at the seams. It adds: While these issues can be difficult to talk about, we want to keep talking about them and empower you with resources to help you in your own conversations. Three steps to justice and truth The Bible calls Eve the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). We are all created by the same Father and descended from the same parents. How can you and I be effective advocates for the value of every human being of every race as created in the image of God? One: Identify your platform God has given you resources, abilities, and spiritual gifts that are uniquely yours. Ask the Lord to help you define your mission and influence in our culture today. (For more, see my latest Faithwire article, Are There At Least 36 Intelligent Civilizations in Our Galaxy? Why Our Uniqueness Is Relevant to COVID-19 and Racism Today.) Two: Pray for Gods words and Gods heart Human words cannot transform human hearts, but Gods word spoken in the power of Gods Spirit will advance Gods kingdom in our culture and impact others for eternity. Ask the Lord to lead you to the biblical truth he intends for you to share with grace (cf. Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 3:15). (For more, see my latest Stream article, How to Talk about LGBTQ Issues and Racism: Speaking the Truth in Love.) Three: Use your influence to stand for Gods inclusive love God called his prophet to run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her (Jeremiah 5:1). There is no justice that is not built on truth, and no truth that does not lead to justice. Once you know your platform and you have prayed for Gods leading, look for ways to advance truth and justice in the lives of those you influence. And know that, however they respond, your obedience will bear eternal significance (Matthew 25:23). The urgent question of the hour The hymn, God is Love, closes with these words: Sin and death and hell shall never Oer us final triumph gain; God is love, so Love for ever Oer the universe must reign. What part of the universe will you influence with Gods love today? Originally posted at denisonforum.org Spain reopened its borders to British tourists on Sunday in a bid to kickstart its economy while Brazil and South Africa struggled with rising levels of coronavirus infections. US President Donald Trump said he told his government to reduce testing for the virus, an apparent attempt to avoid unflattering statistics. The head of the World Health Organisation has warned that the viruss global spread is accelerating after a daily high of 150,000 new cases was reported last week. At a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Mr Trump said he has told his administration to slow down virus testing. He said the US has tested 25 million people but the bad part is that it found more cases. When you do testing to that extent, youre going to find more people, youre going to find more cases, Trump said. So I said to my people, Slow the testing down, please. The outbreak has infected 2.2 million people in the United States, killing nearly 120,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. The campaign of Joe Biden, Trumps Democratic rival in Novembers presidential election, accused Mr Trump of putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people. As European governments eased more lockdown restrictions, virus case numbers are rising in South Africa, Brazil, the US and other countries. Brazils Health Ministry said on Saturday the total number of cases had risen by more than 50,000 from the previous day. President Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the risks despite nearly 50,000 fatalities in three months, the second-highest death toll in the world after the US. Expand Close Bride Jazmin Sanabria and her groom Joel Adorno walk down the aisle in Virgen del Rosario church in Luque, Paraguay (Jorge Saenz/AP/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bride Jazmin Sanabria and her groom Joel Adorno walk down the aisle in Virgen del Rosario church in Luque, Paraguay (Jorge Saenz/AP/PA) South Africa reported a one-day high of 4,966 new cases on Saturday and 46 deaths. Despite the increase, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a further loosening of one of the worlds strictest lockdowns. Casinos, beauty salons and sit-down restaurant service will be allowed to reopen. In Europe, Germany reported 687 new cases, its highest one-day toll in a month, after earlier managing the outbreak better than other large European nations. Over 1,000 cases have been found at one meatpacking plant alone. Spain dropped a 14-day quarantine requirement for British visitors effective from Sunday. British travellers make up a large part of Spains vital tourism sector, which has been especially hard-hit. In Asia, China and South Korea reported new coronavirus cases on Sunday in outbreaks that threatened to set back their recoveries. Chinese authorities reported 25 new confirmed cases 22 in Beijing and three in neighboring Hebei province. In South Korea, authorities reported 48 new cases. Half were in the capital, Seoul. Ten were in the central city of Daejong, suggesting the virus was spreading more widely as lockdown measures are relaxed. Amid surging coronavirus infections nationwide, President Donald Trump said at his campaign rally in Tulsa Saturday night that he told officials to administer fewer coronavirus tests to keep case numbers down. The comments drew a chorus of criticism from congressional Democrats, who said it validated fears that the president was more focused on saving face amid the pandemic than on protecting public health. A White House official told The Washington Post that Trump was joking, a common defense from Trump's aides when he says something controversial. Eight states on Saturday reported their highest single-day case counts since the pandemic began, and daily new infections nationwide exceeded 30,000 on both Friday and Saturday. The country has not seen daily totals that high in more than seven weeks. One of the country's leading public health experts said Sunday that he was worried that Trump's rally in Tulsa could become a "super-spreader" event resulting in many people being infected with the coronavirus. "We have seen in the past few months around the world that indoor gatherings have been the source of most super-spreading events," Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University, told Fox News, responding to a question about possible contagion at the rally. "There's an opportunity for much more spread in a short period of time, so I am worried about that." Attendance was reported to be significantly lower than expected, but Inglesby said the rally was still "concerning in terms of public health risks." He noted that attendees were packed close together, shouting and shaking hands, and that many were not wearing masks. "All of those things will increase the risk of spread," he said. Host Chris Wallace asked whether there was "some hypocrisy" among health officials who did not express the same level of concern about mass protests this month over racism and police brutality. Inglesby responded that there was a danger of increased spread at large-scale demonstrations, as well, but that the risks were lower outdoors than indoors. "It's quite different in an indoor setting," he said, "where people are sitting shoulder to shoulder for a long period of time and really in close quarters like that." Inglesby also cautioned that spikes in infections across the country were not just the result of increased diagnostic testing, saying rising hospitalizations and positivity rates indicated that the virus was accelerating in some places. So far, the situation was not so bad that states needed to reinstitute lockdowns, Inglesby said. Instead, he said, officials should encourage people to do the things that have already proved effective in containing the virus, including wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings. A Trump administration official on Sunday blamed the "press and others" for the president's comments about slowing down coronavirus testing to keep case numbers down. "Instead of focusing on the actual progress that this administration has made in revamping and an antiquated testing system and testing record millions of Americans, they're focused just on the rising case numbers," acting secretary of homeland security Chad Wolf said during an appearance on CBS News's "Face the Nation." "So I think what you heard there from the president was frustration," Wolf added. At a Saturday night rally in Tulsa, Trump had downplayed the seriousness of the virus, recalling that "I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down,' " because more testing would mean more cases were discovered. Other Trump officials have said the president's remarks, which have drawn criticism from congressional Democrats, were in jest. These remarks were a "light moment" and the president was joking, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union." "Come on now, Jake, you know it was tongue in cheek. That was tongue in cheek, please," Navarro said. Wolf also defended the Trump campaign's decision to hold a political rally during the pandemic, pushing back against criticism of the safety of the event. "I think what we saw, particularly in Tulsa, when you talk about the president's rally, is a state in a Phase 3 reopening. And so activities like this are allowed." Wolf said during an interview on NBC News's "Meet the Press." Oklahoma has recorded an increasing number of cases over recent weeks, with a spike in cases in Tulsa, which led the local health department director to initially ask that the rally be postponed. The Trump campaign announced Saturday morning that six staffers working to stage the event that evening had tested positive. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said Sunday it was an "open question" whether China had deliberately created the novel coronavirus, despite no public evidence to suggest that is true. Navarro, known in the administration for his hawkish views on China, made the remarks during an interview with Tapper on "State of the Union," in which he said in passing that China had "created" the virus. "You did not hear me wrong," he responded when asked about it. "That virus was a product of the Chinese Communist Party, and until we get some information about what happened in those labs, what happened in that wet market, we know that that virus was spawned in China." The comments come after months of speculation about the virus's early spread in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Experts say any link to a deliberate biological weapons program is extremely unlikely, but some U.S. officials have suggested the virus may have leaked inadvertently during scientific research at a facility in the city. However, virologists have downplayed this scenario, too, suggesting spread through nature remained by far the most likely cause of human infection. After U.S. allies did not publicly back the lab-leak scenario, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other U.S. officials backed away from the language. In his interview with Tapper, Navarro repeatedly emphasized he said "spawned" and said CNN should be asking China for evidence, rather than the White House. "In terms of the code of justice, I'm a Napoleonic code of justice for the Chinese Communist Party," Navarro said. "They are guilty until proven innocent." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged Saturday that surging coronavirus cases in his state were not solely the result of expanded testing, shifting from his previous explanations about the trend. "Even with the testing increasing or being flat, the number of people testing positive is accelerating faster than that," DeSantis, a Republican, said at a news conference. "You know that's evidence that there's transmission within those communities." Last week, he linked the spike to outbreaks among migrant farmworkers - a connection widely disputed by public health experts and agriculture officials. Daily new case totals have reached record highs in Florida over the past week, with new infections on Saturday exceeding 4,000 for the first time since the pandemic reached the state. It is one of eight states that have tallied record numbers in recent days. Florida's total caseload stands at roughly 94,000. The state's seven-day case average of 2,892 is also a record, up 88 percent from the past week's average of 1,542. Saturday was the 13th straight day that the state hit a new average high. DeSantis said there was a potential bright spot amid the alarming numbers: The median age of people contracting the virus was trending downward, he said. Still, he added, the virus was spreading among 20- and 30-somethings "faster than we would like to see." The spike has not caused DeSantis to publicly reconsider his phased reopening of the state, which began in early May. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., condemned Trump for referring to covid-19 as "kung flu" during his Saturday night rally in Tulsa, writing on Twitter that the president made a "racist joke" in response to a pandemic that has killed more than 121,000 people in the United States. At his rally, Trump used the term "kung flu" to refer to covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. After Trump made the remark, Duckworth retweeted "Captain America" actor Chris Evans, who said he was "speechless" after seeing a racist joke get applauded by rallygoers. Noting the pandemic's devastating toll, Duckworth wrote, "Donald Trump's response is to make racist jokes." White House officials have previously distanced themselves from the term "kung flu," which combines a word for Chinese martial arts and a shortened term for influenza, with counselor Kellyanne Conway called"highly offensive" in March. Duckworth's mother is Thai; she is the first Asian American lawmaker to represent Illinois in Washington. Stand-up comedian D.L. Hughley has announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus after he was hospitalized for collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville. Hughley, 57, lost consciousness while performing at the Zanies comedy nightclub on Friday night. In a video Saturday, he told fans that he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration at Nashville's Saint Thomas hospital. While there, doctors ran a "battery of tests" on him and made his coronavirus diagnosis. "I also tested positive for covid-19, which blew me away," he said in the video. "I was what they call asymptomatic. I didn't have any symptoms that are the classic symptoms." In the video, he says he would quarantine in his hotel room. "Hopefully, I won't get symptoms," he said after encouraging others to get tested if they have a similar experience. "Maybe this is as bad as it gets." Among Hughley's television and film credits, he wrote, produced and starred in "The Hughleys," a show that aired from 1998 to 2002. He previously hosted a CNN program and now has a radio show "The D.L. Hughley Show." He has also written at least three books, including his latest, "How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice From White People." Hughley's publicist didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about his upcoming shows. An Arizona sheriff who tested positive for the coronavirus right before he was scheduled to meet Trump last week said he still has no plans to wear a mask in public or enforce any mask mandate. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb told the Arizona Republic that he would continue to maintain social distancing once his isolation period is over, but he opposes any government requirement for people to wear masks to reduce the spread of the virus. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, said it's up to local officials whether they would want to create and enforce a face-covering rule. "When I come back out, I don't like to wear masks," Lamb told the Republic. "And I respect people's personal choices to not wear a mask." In early May, Lamb told Fox News that he wouldn't cite or arrest those in violation of Ducey's stay-at-home order when it was in effect. Lamb visited the White House on Tuesday and tested positive for the coronavirus during screening before he was to attend a meeting with Trump and other law enforcement, as well as the signing of an executive order on policing. He didn't attend the events and returned home in a rental car, Lamb told the Republic. Lamb said he believed he was infected at a campaign event the weekend before his Washington trip. A video of a campaign event in San Tan Valley, Ariz., over that weekend showed him hugging, shaking hands with and taking pictures with supporters. Lamb is running unopposed. Pinal County has recorded 2,171 cases of covid-19, and at least 671 of those were reported since last week. About 517 per 100,000 county residents have become infected, according to Washington Post data. County officials say 47 people have died of covid-19, three since last week. Arizona, which began reopening May 1, has experienced a recent spike in cases and hospitalizations. The state reported 2,592 new cases Sunday, bringing its total to 52,390. The death toll stands at 1,339. Supporters of President Donald Trump gather to enter a campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Trump Campaign Staffers Tested Positive Before Tulsa Rally Six staffers of the Trump campaign advance team tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, hours before Trumps rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday. Per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive, Trump Campaign Communication Director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. Quarantine procedures were immediately implemented. Murtaugh said that hundreds of tests were performed to the campaign staff and those COVID-positive staffers will not be allowed to attend the rally or stay close to rally attendees and elected officials. As previously announced, all rally attendees are given temperature checks before going through security, at which point they are given wristbands, facemasks, and hand sanitizer, he added. Saturdays rally is the first one since Marchwhen the CCP virus pandemic put a halt to all in-person campaign eventsand has received ticket requests from over one million supporters, the Trump campaign announced earlier this week. Almost One Million people request tickets for the Saturday Night Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020 Registrants of the event were required to sign a waiver releasing Trumps campaign from responsibility for potential exposure to the CCP virus. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said on Friday that Trumps first post-lockdown rally will be safe and he will attend the event. Were going to be very safe and we think its the right time, Stitt, a Republican, said during an appearance on Fox News Americas Newsroom. My question back to all the folks who say you shouldnt have a rally: When is the right time? Do we really think that in July or August or in November, coronavirus is not going to be here? Weve got to learn to deal with thisweve got to learn to be safe, take precautionsbut weve got to learn to also live our lives. Zachary Stieber contributed to the report. Bringing the total value of MCC assistance to Burkina Faso to nearly $1 billion since 2008 On June 17, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors approved a compact for Burkina Faso, bringing the total value of MCC assistance to Burkina Faso to nearly $1 billion since 2008. The MCC provides highly impactful, life-changing development work. The Boards approval of the Burkina Faso compact highlights the Government of Burkina Fasos dedication to standards, economic development, and impactful reform. The MCCs work is an example of the American peoples generosity and commitment to results. The Government of Burkina Faso and the MCC developed the compact to address the most binding constraints to Burkina Fasos economic development. MCC funding under the compact is provided as a grant to the government and does not add any debt. As an independent U.S. government agency, the MCC provides grants based on sound data and analytics that take into account a countrys commitment to good governance, fighting corruption, and democratic rights. This methodology ensures American funding creates lasting development impact in developing countries. The work of the MCC promotes growth, stability, and opportunity. Police at Forbury Gardens in Reading town centre where they are responding to a "serious incident" PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 20, 2020. See PA story POLICE Reading . Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Three people have died and another three are seriously injured after multiple stabbings at a park in Reading, Thames Valley Police have confirmed. Police said a 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody. Officers added the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "This evening we saw a senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening with family and friends. "My heart, prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident. "I am in contact with the police and will ensure they have all the support they need. I would like to thank Thames Valley Police and the emergency services for their response. "For now, I ask the public locally to share any information they may have with the police and to continue to avoid the area." Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said officers were keeping an open mind as to possible motives for the incident. He said: "We have made one arrest and at this stage we are not looking for any other people in connection with this incident. There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public, however we urge people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious by calling police. "This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident, however officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation for the incident and are being supported by colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing South East. "There have been some reports that this incident was linked to the Black Lives Matter protest which took place in Reading earlier this afternoon. I can confirm that this incident is not connected. It occurred around three hours after the protest had concluded." Trump is presiding over a Depression-style economy, a global pandemic and boiling social unrest. His administration has lost several high-profile Supreme Court cases, his former National Security advisers new book has painted a damning portrait and he is now in perhaps the weakest position of his presidency with less than five months before the general election. The images of a half-empty arena for Trumps much-hyped rally in Tulsa on Saturday only underscored the perception of a diminished incumbent, one who has long seen crowd size as a barometer of success. TDT | Manama An amount of BD330,000 from the Feena Khair national donation campaign has been allocated to the Fael Khair project launched by the Ministry of Interior. This follows the directives of His Majesty the Kings Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs representative, National Security Advisor and Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) Board of Trustees chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HH Shaikh Nasser instructed the Feena Khair Coordination and Follow-up Committee to support convicts with unpaid fines who are facing financial problems, which is in line with the goals of the Interior Ministrys Fael Khair project, which is being held in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. HH Shaikh Nasser said that the directives to support Bahraini citizens with unpaid fines, who received court verdicts and who are facing financial problems, are in emulation and appreciation of the humanitarian initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the efforts of the government, spearheaded by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. He added that they are also in line with the national efforts of Team Bahrain, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). He noted the initiative aims to bring joy and happiness to Bahraini citizens with unpaid fines and their families. RHF secretary general and Feena Khair Coordination and Follow-up Committee head Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed expressed his sincerest thanks and respect to HH Shaikh Nasser for his kind humanitarian gesture, stressing that it reflects his humanitarian role. He noted that the directives embody HH Shaikh Nassers keenness to direct the donations of citizens and residents in Feena Khair to people in need of them, due to the current situation resulting from the exceptional and unprecedented global circumstances. In line with the directives of HH Shaikh Nasser, Dr. Al Sayed revealed that coordination has been made with the Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry on the donation. Convicts can benefit from the Fael Khair programme after meeting the set-up requirements in this respect. The RHF secretary general said the support is part of the third phase of the Feena Khair Coordination and Follow-up Committee. He pointed out a line-up of projects adopted by HH Shaikh Nasser to serve citizens and those affected by COVID-19. He added a budget of BD17.43million has been earmarked to support needy people, productive families, and business owners who are not registered with the insurance system. Dr. Al Sayed noted that the support also includes providing students from needy families with computers as well as contributing to the disinfection and sanitisation of cities and villages, providing food baskets within the Your Food in Your Home project, studying the establishment of a centre to study and treat pandemics, backing learning-at-a-distance technologies, and supporting convicts with unpaid fines. Turkey hopes to restart the tourism season and welcome more international travelers in upcoming weeks as more than 2,000 hotels finalize measures to receive the tourism ministrys safe to visit certificate after halting business for months due to the coronavirus outbreak, the countrys tourism minister said, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made his remarks Saturday at an event in the southern resort city of Antalya, where ambassadors of more than 50 countries and tourism sector representatives gathered for the launch of the ministrys new campaign ReTurkey promoting the new healthy tourism certificate program. The minister said 400 hotels have implemented the entire 132 criteria and received the certificate so far, adding that the ministrys actual goal is to restart the entire industry and open half of the tourism facilities in line with the new program. Ersoy noted the ministry is working with international companies that have operations in more than 50 countries to ensure the certificate program meets the highest global standards and is recognized across the world. He added that the details of the program have been shared with more than 70 countries and that the ministry is ready to help other governments implement similar programs. The campaigns goal is to show that the health and quality standards at tourism facilities in Turkey are at a much higher level than those in Europe, Ersoy said. The "healthy tourism certificate" program was launched jointly by several ministries, including the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Health Ministry. Its aim is to convince travelers that despite the pandemic, Turkeys beaches and historic treasures will be safe to visit this year, with rigorous checks on airlines, local transport and hotels receiving the utmost safety guidelines. Foreign tourists from certain countries began to gradually to arrive in Turkey last week, but numbers will increase in the upcoming weeks as more countries lift restrictions on international travel, Ersoy said. The minister earlier said nearly all the tourism facilities in the country are expected to have their doors open in July. Turkey recently resumed limited international flights and only allows foreign tourists from certain countries to enter. Air traffic is expected to increase in July, Ersoy had said, adding that the reopening of flights for most nations will be completed in August. Most of the travelers are expected to arrive in Turkey's leading touristic areas, which includes the southern resort city of Antalya and the vacation towns of Bodrum and Dalaman, as well as western Izmir province and Istanbul. 75 million tourists target for 2023 remains Ersoy said the country is keeping its official target of attracting over 75 million tourists and generating $65 billion in tourism revenue by 2023, the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. He said early reservations show that the sector will pick up significantly in 2021 as international travelers who were forced to delay their holiday plans return to the countrys Mediterranean coasts. Ersoy also noted that he does not expect another wave of infections strong enough to cause a suspension of business activities. The minister said the tourism ministry's priority is to increase the average expenditure per capita by attracting higher-income visitors. In order to achieve this, the country needs to increase its service quality and hygiene standards gradually each year, he said. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 2019 data, Turkey ranks sixth in the world in terms of the number of tourists and 14th in terms of tourism income, with the sector accounting for around 12% of the nation's economy. Tourism revenues hit $34.52 billion and nearly 52 million visitors arrived in the country last year, a rise of 13.7% from 2018. Of those, 86.2% were made up of foreigners and 13.8% Turkish citizens residing abroad, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). The number of foreigners visiting the country plunged 51% on an annual basis to 4.3 million from January to April this year. According to the Culture and Tourism Ministry data, this was down from 8.7 million in the same period last year. The country saw a 99.3% year-on-year decline in foreign visitor numbers to 24,238 in April. 'Turkey performed better than Europe in handling the pandemic' Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu, who was also present at the launch event, told reporters that Turkeys strong management of the pandemic has proven the strength of its health care infrastructure, giving further relief to those planning to spend their holidays in the country. He said Turkey delivered medical assistance to more than 120 countries during the outbreak and began the normalization process before most of the other states. Our tourism industry is ready to host foreign tourists. We have the full confidence in ourselves and are prepared for the new normal, Cavushoglu said. The foreign minister also criticized Germany's decision to extend travel warnings for non-European countries, including Turkey. He said Turkey performed much better than its European peers in tackling the COVID-19, which Cavushoglu said was evident in the nation's number of infections and recoveries. By Azernews Akbar Mammadov President Ilham Aliyev has said that Armenia is illegally settling Armenians in Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabak region. Aliyev made the remarks during the Summit of the Eastern Partnership countries via video conference on June 18. Aliyev highlighted the fact that four UN Security Council resolutions call for the unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian troops from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Instead of complying with these [UN] resolutions, as well as the relevant documents adopted by the OSCE, the Non-Aligned Movement, NATO, the European Parliament and other international organizations, Armenia pursues a policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories. Contrary to what the Prime Minister of Armenia, who is trying to destroy the essence and format of the negotiations, Nagorno-Karabakh is not Armenia, but Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijan, and the whole world recognizes this so, the president said. In this regard, Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be restored. Armenia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory. Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 other regions of Azerbaijan have been under Armenian occupation for almost 30 years. As a result of Armenia's policy of ethnic cleansing, more than 1 million Azerbaijanis have become refugees and internally displaced persons, the president noted. Furthermore, the president spoke about racism and glorification of ASALA terrorist in Armenia. Aliyev mentioned Varoujan Garabedian (Karapetyan), a convicted Armenian terrorist who was sentenced to life imprisonment for planting a bomb in Paris airport that killed eight people in 1988. Armenian terrorists are known across the world. Karapetyan, who committed a terrorist attack at Paris' Orly airport, was later extradited to Armenia and pardoned by the Armenian president, Aliyev said. It should be noted that ASALA has been recognized as a terrorist organization by the US and a number of European countries. Student loan borrowers were targets for scams before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The longer people struggle, the more desperate they become, and that's when scammers and fraudsters thrive. "They're using the same playbook, but more aggressively," said Seth Frotman, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. There's no single scam related to coronavirus relief or specific company to pinpoint that is being prosecuted right now, said Leslie Tayne, a debt-relief attorney and founder of Tayne Law Group. But fraudsters are still out there. There are two main types of scams, Frotman said. In one scam, a company will charge to enroll you in a benefit you could have accessed for free, such as a federal income-driven repayment plan. Tayne said she most often sees scammers promising to get borrowers into a loan deferment program in exchange for payment. In another scam, you're promised something too good to be true like forgiveness in exchange for payment. Then they take your money and run. "It used to be called the Obama Loan Forgiveness scam, and now there's the CARES Act Forgiveness scam," said Persis Yu, director of the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. "Borrowers should always look upon advertising that is promising forgiveness with skepticism," Yu said. No student loan forgiveness was included in the March coronavirus relief package. How to figure out what is legit As you're assessing what is real and what is not, take a beat to independently verify a company on third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau's. Here's what else you can do: See if there are news stories about scams alongside a business's name in an online search. Remember: Anyone can pay for a domain name and start a website. Logos, addresses and mailers are easy to replicate, too. Be wary of solicitations that arrive in your inbox or that you see on social media ads. Even if you're contacted by a party that has your personal information, it doesn't mean it's a legitimate organization, Tayne said. If you get a robocall regarding student loan repayment during the coronavirus pandemic, don't call back. The Federal Communications Commission has seen these and is warning consumers not to fall for these scams. Real relief measures available The coronavirus relief package did include provisions for most federal student loan borrowers, but not private loan borrowers. Individual private lenders are offering benefits such as short-term emergency deferment or waived late fees. Federal loan borrowers are in the midst of a six-month automatic forbearance with no interest retroactive to March 13 and lasting through Sept. 30. Borrowers with loans in default also get relief from collection activities like wage garnishment. However, the implementation of these benefits hasn't been smooth, said Yu. The National Consumer Law Center and another nonprofit, Student Defense, sued the U.S. Department of Education over allegations that the department continued garnishing wages despite the provision in the law that prohibits it. Implementation mistakes have left borrowers more vulnerable to getting scammed, Yu said. "They're desperate, and they might be entitled to relief and they're not getting it," she said. "Our policymakers and the Department of Education need to step up to get this right so borrowers are not driven to companies leeching off their desperation." You should be receiving all relief automatically for federal loans. If you're not, contact your servicer and make a complaint in writing. If you've been scammed If you've been scammed, the first thing you need to do is get control of your accounts. "One common iteration of these scams is the company will take over the FSA ID or servicer account and redirect any communications to that company," Yu said. (The FSA ID is the unique username and password used to log into the federal student aid online system.) If you've given a scam company your password, change it. You may need to change the email address your account is linked to. Make sure to report the scam to authorities as well, said Tayne, and hold onto copies of those reports. The Federal Trade Commission, your state attorney general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are options for reporting scams. Each one actively pursues student loan scammers, but they rely on borrowers to self-report. If you're looking to take legal action, contact a legal services organization (if you're income-eligible) or hire a lawyer. Frotman, Yu and Tayne each said that borrowers sometimes get their money back, but it takes effort. A 111-kilometre trail for European-style walking holidays and a water recycling project to boost food production form the centre of a $320 million infrastructure plan to resurrect the Mornington Peninsulas pandemic-ravaged economy. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is calling for state and federal support to lift the region from its economic slump by supporting a range of projects, including road upgrades and a new technology precinct. Mornington Peninsula mayor Sam Hearn is lobbying for new infrastructure projects, including a bay trail for European-style walking holidays. Credit:Eddie Jim Council figures show the Mornington Peninsula has lost almost 6000 jobs this year and there has been a 21 per cent fall in gross regional product. It now wants to launch the "shovel-ready" projects to kickstart its economy. Much of the proposed 111-kilometre bay trail already exists for walking and cycling, but the $15 million project would fill in the missing links to complete a circuit around the peninsula. The Victorian government is offering a $1,500 cash incentive to encourage people to stay home if they're feeling sick amid the coronavirus crisis. The one-off payment is part of a wider Hardship Fund announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Saturday, and will be offered to confirmed confirmed coronavirus cases and close contacts who can't rely on sick leave as they self-isolate. It comes as the state is experiencing a spike in diagnosed COVID-19 cases, with 57 new cases identified since Friday. 'This is about making sure there's no financial reason for these people not to isolate and to go to work themselves,' Mr Andrews said. Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) made the announcement on Saturday, and payments are part of a wider Hardship Fund and will be offered to confirmed cases and close contacts who can't rely on sick leave A medical worker takes a sample from a person at a drive-through COVID-19 pop-up testing clinic at the Keilor Community Hub in Melbourne 'People are, sadly, making the choice that public health is less important than the welfare and survival, in a financial sense, of their family. 'They're wrong to make that judgment but I can appreciate that is a judgment that is being made.' In response to the spike in case numbers, state authorities have taken measures to backtrack on plans to begin reopening the state. The Premier spoke to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the possibility of reintroducing a stay at home order to ensure Victorians follow the rules. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days,' Mr Andrews said. 'That's why we need to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities.' People shop at the Queen Victoria Market while wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of novel coronavirus Victoria is experiencing a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases. Pictured: People leave Flinders Street Station while while wearing face masks Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12. They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday. The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people. From midnight on Sunday, the number of visitors in a house will be reduced from 20 to five. Outside, people will only be allowed to gather in groups of 10 - a decrease from 20. Mr Andrews also threatened authorities would go door-to-door to make sure close contacts of coronavirus patients who were ordered to self-isolate were doing so. 'We will go door-to-door, getting the message out there to communities across the state that these restrictions are there for everyone,' he said. 'We'll go door to if we have to make sure people are doing the right thing. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos, and Premier Daniel Andrews arrive to give more bad news about coronavirus outbreaks in the state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday announced the state's infectious total had reached 1,836 cases, of which 121 remain active. 'It is still a very serious situation,' Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Sunday. 'We have had particularly some concerns around family gatherings, extended family members across many households, visiting each other even when they have been exhibiting mild symptoms.' Two clusters are driving the outbreak - a family that has 11 infections over nine households, and 13 contractors who worked at the Stamford Plaza hotel. One of Sunday's new cases was from the family outbreak and three were workers at the hotel. The other eight cases are under investigation. All but one of Saturday's 25 cases were local transmissions, including infections that health authorities are yet to trace to a source. Mr Andrews said Victorian families were mainly responsible for the coronavirus spike, spreading it between members during social events. Mr Andrews said families gathering (file image pictured) were mainly responsible for the spike which caused him to halt the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on Saturday 'The experts tell us that, largely, the numbers are being driven by families - families having big get togethers and not following the advice around distancing and hygiene,' he said. Mr Andrews said about half of the state's cases since the end of April have come from transmission inside someone's home. 'You can see how this could happen. People feeling relaxed at home. Letting their guard down. Letting old habits creep back,' he said. The state's Chief Health Officer said Victoria is 'absolutely at risk of a second peak' of COVID-19. 'We are at a point where we have to turn it around or the numbers get beyond us,' Professor Brett Sutton said on Saturday. 'We are indeed at a crossroads.' Those who are currently working from home are required to continue to do so until July 31. COVID-19 is nowhere close to being contained. With the number of cases skyrocketing and people still not taking social distancing seriously, things seem to be slipping out of hand in some parts of the nation. All this is surely making many anxious and at unrest. Unsplash However, in case you didnt know, 21st June is also International Yoga Day and it's a celebration of yoga. World Yoga Day 2020 In 2014, United Nations General Assembly passed 21st June as the International Yoga Day, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed it in his speech at the assembly on 27 September 2014. He said, Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. Reuters He added, By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.And since 2015, we all have been celebrating June 21st as International Yoga Day. World Yoga Day Theme 2020 Obviously staying all locked at home means you can't go to group yoga sessions but you can always involve tech to practise World Yoga Day 2020 at home with your family. Here are a few apps that can help you learn, rejuvenate and have fun while celebrating International Yoga Day. Apps to try this World Yoga Day 1. Snapchat Bitmoji stickers While Snapchat is not as big of a thing as it used to be, doesnt mean it isnt trying. They recently revealed new Bitmoji stickers of some popular and easy-to-do yoga asanas that you can mimic and share your images along with your digital avatars with your friends on the platform. Snapchat The stickers include asanas like Sukhasana, Samarthithi, Vrikshasana and others. 2. ThinkRight.Me Meditation Sessions In case you dont know how to do yoga on your own however, you wish to learn meditation and make it a part of your lifestyle. ThinkRight.Me ThinkRight.Me -- a meditation app has announced complimentary virtual sessions for anybody who would be interested in guided meditation and sound healing meditation to either achieve peace of mind or transform their professional lives or to acquire better cognitive abilities, among other things. 3. Cosmic Kids Yoga App The benefits of meditation and yoga on our health are known by all. However, when you try explaining it to kids, they wont really be excited to do something like this. However, with lockdown in place and kids not running out to play, you can encourage and get them hooked to yoga on World Yoga Day 2020 with the help of the Cosmic Kids app. Cosmic Kids This app has videos for kids with fun elements to entertain them while also making them do yoga. They take help of different environments like one set in Star Wars-like planet with lightsabers, one in a dreamy fairyland etc to entertain kids of all ages and groups. 4. Fittr Pune-based fitness startup, Fittr connects 200+ consultants on board with people who are trying to lead healthier lives with personalised training routines to fit their body style and workouts that can be easily done at home. Google Play Store The app is available to download for free on Android and iOS however, subscriptions for internal services may vary depending on your routine. 5. Daily Yoga App Another cool yoga training app -- Yoga Daily is for all people, whether you are a beginner or advanced. This yoga app has more than 200 yoga classes and 500+ poses with detailed voice instructions. Google Play Store Some classes are free whereas others you might have to pay for, which you can if you feel comfortable with free sessions. 6. Yoga Studio Another cool yoga app designed for both advanced and beginners, the app consists of more than 80 yoga & meditation classes in sharp high-definition for an enjoyable viewing experience. Google Play Store The app allows you to create your own list of yoga and track your fitness growth with daily, weekly class scheduling. 7. Yoga Tools By Sadhguru Designed by Sadhguru, this app consists of short-duration yoga asanas based on Upa-Yoga which is focused on physical and psychological benefits derived from the discipline. Google Play Store The app offers guidelines and explanatory videos to help you get the right form. The videos are available offline too, so once downloaded, the app needs no internet connection. OTTAWA, June 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To address Corona Virus symptoms, health officials have recommended to use ventilators, but as of yet, fewer medicine have been used to test and treat COVID-19 in humans. Photo: Meladul Haq Ahmadzai:Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, CEO of Taleam Systems. A researcher has been looking at the Coronavirus situation in Canada and he is hoping that his proposal might be the solution to control the outbreak in the present challenging time. According to Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, a Global Health student at the University of Manchester, and CEO of Taleam Systems says, people who are infected with COVID, will have better prognosis with longer duration of sleep. Research shows that humans require 12 to 20 oxygen breaths per minute, but if it is lower or higher than this amount, it is time to seek expert advice states another source at the Cleveland Clinic. Meanwhile, breathing problem is one of the symptoms of Corona Virus as per WHO risks for COVID-19 . The virus first originated in China in late 2019, but gradually transmitted to other nations including Canada and the UK by mid March 2020. The virus has infected over 100,000 people in Canada and has killed about 8,300 more to date according to health Canada statistics. With the use of ventilators, it has helped majority of the people ( including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnsons recovery from COVID-19 ), but still the vulnerable population i.e. Seniors, and those with serious respiratory illnesses have fallen through the cracks. Pharma companies are also working on expensive vaccines, but already available medicine have yet to be tested. The COVID-19 vaccine being developed in Canada and elsewhere may not be too helpful since people are now mandatory required to wear face masks, and those with positive symptoms may not benefit from the vaccine since they are already infected. Ahmadzai adds, No information is readily available from Chinese authorities to prove what kind of virus this is other than its purpose which is to create a major public health outbreak everywhere. Story continues Increase in sleep may help to control Corona Virus symptoms since breathing patterns are lower in COVID patients than the normal standard, signals Ahmadzai. Taleam Systems is a technology company based in Ottawa, Canada which provides computer support to medical clinics and hospitals. To learn more about Taleam Systems, visit www.taleamsystems.com Media contact: Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, CEO melad@taleamsystems.com 613-521-9229 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02a05c58-e5b9-486b-a47d-cdb64a3a964a Late last month, after successfully launching astronauts into orbit, Elon Musk - founder of SpaceX, the company which manufactured the spacecraft propelling the two men upward to dock with the International Space Station - admitted a concern. "The part I worry most about," Musk told a reporter, "would be re-entry." The astronauts are not set to return until the end of July at the earliest. Which makes me wonder on behalf of many of you, my dear readers, when are you planning to return to your offices and are you worried? For months now, orbiting around new, unfamiliar work environments, we've been in similar situations, haven't we? We've been at risk of floating aimlessly, so we needed to craft new ways of engaging, communicating, interviewing, motivating and, yes, parenting. To keep us tethered. Grounded. Together. Now that we are readying ourselves for re-entry, what are we considering? How are we preparing? What are we feeling? From an employee perspective, our emotional coronacoaster likely careens from exhilaration at the thought of seeing colleagues again to anxiety around a virus that is still not contained. From a management point of view, it's an interesting mixture of a desire to regain control combined with an understanding for flexibility. 1) Considering everything and everyone = more flexibility "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design our next new normal," Amanda Zahringer told me on a recent Zoom call. As a partner and head of learning and development at ByrneWallace, one of Ireland's largest law firms, she said she's not surprised employees are responding to re-entry in different ways. "Some are eager to return to the office as they miss the social interaction and collaboration, or perhaps find their workspace is more conducive for their work," Amanda said. "Others might understandably be concerned and uncertain, for any number of reasons including mental or physical health, parental or caring responsibilities, or feel that they thrive whilst working remotely. "We are reaching out to employees to give them an opportunity to discuss their circumstances and preferences so we can align them as best we can with our new working environment. We've also expanded our resilience, wellbeing and mentoring programmes to a wider group of people, to support them in the move from potentially being overwhelmed to overcoming. Communication and connection are key." In organisations with a combined workforce of essential employees and home workers, sensitivity to emotions is also important. Liza O'Brien, HR director of multi-national pharmaceutical company Ipsen, reminded me their manufacturing facilities never closed. "We produce medicine in the supply chain and many of our employees got a great sense of pride from going to work every day knowing they were helping people." Managers will want to provide reassurance that the same level of safety precautions applied for manufacturing teams will be put in place in the office. Floor plans, desk configurations and other logistics need sorting. "Because of social distancing, we won't have the capacity to bring everyone else back in immediately," Liza said. "Fortunately, flexibility is working and mental health remains a top priority. We're not monitoring hours. We're seeing that working from home works. People are being trusted to do their workload. Now as we prepare to invite some team members back, we're encouraging everyone to come forward and share. From every disaster there is opportunity." With a team of 150, Cubic Telecom's chief people officer Gillian French echoed Liza and Amanda's call for communicating with employees. "There's a minute amount of details," Gillian said. "We have a comprehensive plan with 75 steps to take before we get back into the office. We are personally checking on everyone's individual circumstances." 2) People-first leadership approach = accelerated innovation and change While companies juggle complexities of personal preferences, government policies and social safety protection, the result is a rapidly evolving post-pandemic workplace. Avinash Nair, learning head for Lenovo's Asia Pacific divisions who spoke to me from India last week, credits their leaders for setting cultures that encourage accelerated change. "It's significantly different when you have managers who put people first, who are committed to making their lives better and keeping them engaged. Developing people to help them gain knowledge, build skills and modify behaviours is a part of Lenovo's culture and that foundation accelerates change and improves margins. "We did not lay anyone off during shutdowns, and in most regions we are still paying bonuses." Next Tuesday, I will facilitate a virtual 'Idea-fest' hosted by a large multi-national. Among the questions the six teams will be asked to tackle will be the return-to-work challenge. Each team will have two rounds of 20 minutes each to suggest preliminary solutions. We're intentionally condensing the exploration times to put accelerated innovation to the test. 3) Embracing flexibility and people-led innovation = Galvanisation of new models Adapting a more people-first approach is what many companies long talked about but now exponentially more of them are putting words into real action. As Amanda said: "We can't go back. We are different people now. When in our lifetimes have we had such time to reflect and learn in such a way? People, positive work cultures and mental health have been on the agenda for 15-20 years and now we can all put it at the top where they have belonged." One step into the office for man, one giant leap into a new way of working for mankind. 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The condition of the 55-year-old minister is improving and he is being monitored by doctors, officials said. Jain was on June 20administered plasma therapy at the Max Hospital in Saket and his condition is stable now, they said. A team of doctors from a few government and private hospitals has been kept on standby to assist the doctors attending to him, if needed, sources told PTI. The additional team includes doctors from Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH), Maulana Azad Medical College, and another leading private hospital, they said. Jain was shifted to the ICU of the Max Hospital from the RGSSH, a city government facility, after his condition had deteriorated. 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 Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic RGSSH is a dedicated COVID-19 facility but does not have permission to conduct plasma therapy. "We had done all the formalities for it before sending him to Max Hospital for the plasma therapy, as his condition was deteriorating," a source at the city government hospital said. Doctors at the RGSSH on June 18 said the minister had been diagnosed with pneumonia and his oxygen saturation level had also dipped, prompting hospital authorities to shift him to an intensive care unit. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on June 17, a day after he was admitted to RGSSH, after running high-grade fever and suffering a sudden drop in oxygen levels. The Victorian governments decision to extend its public health emergency and delay the relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown laws should serve as a warning to all Australians not to let down our guard in the fight against the disease. Loading The number of confirmed cases in Victoria in the past week has jumped to 117, the highest in two months, sharply up from 32 the week before. Worryingly, in many of these cases there is no known source of infection. The virus is spreading undetected through the community. In response, Premier Daniel Andrews has tightened the lockdown rules, including on family visits. The maximum number of household visitors will go back down to 5. Many businesses that had been allowed to reopen from this weekend will be frustrated that the conditions for reopening have been tightened. Cinemas and gyms for instance will still be allowed to open their doors, but they will be restricted to just 20 patrons rather than 50. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over a media report about two girls being found pregnant at a state-run child shelter home, saying it shows that facts were being suppressed in the name of investigations at such facilities. The media report, tagged by Priyanka Gandhi in a Facebook post, claimed that during coronavirus tests at a state-run child shelter home in Kanpur, it was found that two girls living there were pregnant and one of them was HIV positive. A shocking fact has come to light after 57 girls were tested for coronavirus at the government child shelter home in Kanpur, with two girls being found to be pregnant, including one HIV positive, the Congress general secretary in-charge UP East posted on Facebook. "The entire story of the Muzaffarpur shelter home case is in front of the country. Such a case had also come to light in Deoria in UP," Priyanka Gandhi said. In this scenario, such an incident again coming out shows that everything is suppressed in the name of investigations, but very inhuman incidents are taking place in government child protection homes, she said. June 21 (Reuters) - British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is ready to cut the value-added tax (VAT) as part of the government's latest efforts to tackle economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, the Sunday Times newspaper reported. Sunak has ordered officials to prepare options for reducing the sales tax, including a cut in the headline rate, and zero rating more products for a fixed period, the newspaper reported https://bit.ly/2Ym7T8y. The finance minister may announce lowering the VAT and business rates in a speech in early July, the report added, citing officials. Britain temporarily cut its value-added tax in 2008 during the global financial crisis, and Germany will do the same from July 1 for six months. Sunak earlier suggested he was open to the idea but would first need to see how quickly consumers resumed spending. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Brown) Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Ghana's positive cases of the coronavirus have gone up by 514 bringing the total number to 13,717, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) announced on Saturday Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 18:11:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DHAKA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh recorded over 3,500 more COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total in the country to 112,306. Senior health ministry official Nasima Sultana said in a briefing on Sunday afternoon that "3,531 new COVID-19 positive cases and 39 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh." "The total number of positive cases is now 112,306 and the death toll stands currently at 1,464," she added. According to the official, 15,585 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh. She said 1,084 more COVID-19 patients were announced as recovered during the last 24 hours, bringing the total recoveries so far to 45,077. Enditem Over 57,000 students have registered on a Delhi University portal for admission to undergraduate courses within 24 hours, according to official figures.The portal went live at 5 pm on Saturday and will remain open till July 4. According to the data shared by a varsity official, 57,312 aspirants registered on the portal for admission to undergraduate courses, while 18,837 students registered for postgraduate courses and 2,071 registered for PhD admissions till 5.30 pm on Sunday. The university will hold a webinar on June 23 to address doubts on the admission process. This year, the entire process right from registration to verification of documents will be online and contactless. According to figures shared by the varsity, 5,889 registrations for postgraduate courses, 457 registrations for PhD courses and 19,543 registrations for undergraduate courses, had taken place within four hours of the portal going live on Saturday. This year, the varsitys registration process was delayed in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Last year, the registration process commenced on May 30. HISTORY can vouch how Filipinos fought long and hard for freedom. From colonial governments suppression of freedom of expression, to Japaneses gag of mainstream media, up to press censorship during the Martial Law era. The triumph of the people in the 1986 Edsa Revolution opened the doors once again for freedom of the press. Or so the Filipinos thought. A few months ago, during a media engagement at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar reassured that press freedom in the country is very much alive since the start of the Duterte administration. He further added that the administration has created an enabling media environment and a safe space for journalists. However, the alleged effort of the executive branch to influence and block the renewal of ABS-CBNs legislative franchise, which ultimately led to its shutting down, and the latest conviction of Rapplers CEO Maria Ressa for cyberlibel, not only proves the contrary, but also demonstrates the curtailment of and direct attack on press freedom. The Filipinos can only expect that what follows next is the death of democracy as they know it. Gone were the days when press was the voice of the people and the voice of the voiceless. Gone were the days when the media acted as a bridge between the government and the people. Gone were the days when the media influenced opinions and decision-making. Gone were the days when journalists were brave enough to do investigations and find out the reality about corruption in the government, unfulfilled promises of politicians and misuse of power. Gone were the days when the media could applaud and criticize the government. Now, the government put in a lot of effort to control the press, to threaten and even kill the members of the press for reporting or covering a story detrimental to it and to target press workers for hate campaigns, trolling and character assassination. In fact, the country continues to rank poorly in the annual Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. This means that the country is not safe for journalists and the freedom of the press is abridged. It is as if today was foreshadowed in 2016 when Duterte issued the cryptic but grim warning: Just because youre a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination, if youre a son of a bitch. Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong. So, today more than ever should the Filipinos call on each other to defend the freedom of the press and to protect journalists to ultimately defend democracy. Today more than ever should the Filipinos stop being blind, deaf and mute to all the human rights violations committed by the government. Today more than ever should the Filipinos hold the line against the administrations attacks. After all, an attack to press freedom is an attack to all other human rights. From the words of Thomas Jefferson, The press is the only tocsin of a nation, when it is completely silenced, all means of general effort are taken away. The neighborhood a child grows up in may influence their health for years to come in previously invisible ways. A long-term study of 2,000 children born in England and Wales and followed to age 18 found that young adults raised in communities marked by more economic deprivation, physical dilapidation, social disconnection and danger display differences in the epigenome -- the proteins and chemical compounds that regulate the activity of their genes. The researchers say the study lends support to the hypothesis that gene regulation may be one biological pathway through which neighborhood disadvantage "gets under the skin" to engender long-term health disparities. The differences were identified in genes previously linked to chronic inflammation, exposure to tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, and lung cancer and may put these people at risk for poorer health later in life. Epigenetic differences remained even after taking into account the socioeconomic conditions of children's families, and were seen in young adults who did not smoke or display evidence of high inflammation. "These findings may help explain how long-term health disparities among communities emerge," said Aaron Reuben, a Ph.D. candidate at Duke who was the study's lead author. "They also tell us that children who look the same physically and are otherwise healthy may enter adulthood wired at the cellular level for different outcomes in the future." It's not possible to know yet whether these differences are lasting or could be modified, Reuben said. "That is something we will need to continue to evaluate." The study, appearing this month in the journal JAMA Network Open, drew from diverse data sources to characterize the physical, social, economic, and health and safety characteristics of children's neighborhoods across their childhood and adolescence. Data were gathered from local government and criminal justice databases, systematic observation of neighborhood conditions (via Google Street View) and detailed surveys of neighborhood residents. Researchers combined this high-resolution multi-decade neighborhood data with epigenetic information derived from blood drawn from participants at at age 18. "The research is an important reminder that geography and genes work together to shape our health," said Avshalom Caspi, the Edward M. Arnett Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke and a senior author on the study. In a journal commentary that accompanied the study, psychiatric epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School Erin Dunn noted that neighborhood-induced gene regulation differences "are likely implicated in many adverse health outcomes, spanning from mental health disorders to cancer, obesity, and metabolic diseases." She writes, "I hope that studies like this by Reuben and colleagues will prompt researchers to explore these complex concepts and to bridge social determinants of health with epigenetic processes." The research was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (UKMRC), the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , Google, the American Asthma Foundation, the Jacobs Foundation, and a joint Natural Environment Research Council, UKMRC and Chief Scientist Office grant (NE/P010687/1). Data-support was provided by Duke University's Social Science Research Institute and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The Odisha government, which has accepted the Supreme Court's stay on the Rath Yatra in Puri this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, has come under pressure amid growing demands from different quarters for holding a "devotee-less" festival, instead of giving it a miss. Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb who is the titular king of Puri and considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, Puri Shankaracharya Swai Nischalananda Saraswati and associations of servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple in the pilgrim town urged the state government to hold the festival sans the presence of devotees. There was also a suggestion that, to honour the sentiment of the public, the administration bring an ordinance to bypass the apex court's order, as was done by the government to continue with the practice of Jallikattu, a bull-taming sport, in Tamil Nadu. Opposition political parties attacked the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government on the issue. A senior official said the administration is closely watching the situation and will respond at an appropriate time. Deb, the chairperson of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, claimed that the state government did not properly apprise the Supreme Court of plans to hold a crowd-less festival this year, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the globe. The committee had earlier recommended to the state government that a devotee-less Ratha Yatra was possible as was done during the Lord's 'Snan Purnima' (bathing rituals) on June 5. However, Deb alleged that the state government did not inform the SC of the recommendations, because of which the apex court decided to put a stay on the world-famous festival which is scheduled to start from June 23. Deb further said the devotees can witness the festival through television as it has been done during the Snan Purnima. Instead of opposing the petition seeking cancellation of the Ratha Yatra, the state government's counsel seemed to have supported it which led to the passing of an order to stay the festival. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on June 18 said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra at Puri can't be allowed. Puri Shankaracharya Swai Nischalananda Saraswati welcomed the SC order in the wake of the pandemic but said, "The festival can be held with a limited number of servitors in the absence of devotees who can have darshan of the deities through television." The Shankaracharya said the age-old tradition in the 12th century shrine should not be stalled. The Chhattisa Nijog, the apex body of the servitors of the temple, also did not accept the idea of cancelling the Ratha Yatra of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra. Deb said the managing committee and the Chhattisha Nijog have urged the state government to move an application in the Supreme Court for modification of the June 18 order and sought steps to conduct the festival in a restricted way. Hundreds of servitors on Saturday staged a silent protest in front of the shrine by holding placards urging the Supreme Court to modify its decision and allow the Rath Yatra. "Even during the British Raj, the Rath Yatra was not stopped," said Ramakrushna Mohapatra, a member of the Daitapati Nijog, a body of servitors. A delegation of the Daitapati Nijog also met the Shankaracharya and sought his intervention. "We urged the Guruji (Shankaracharya) to mount pressure on the government to hold the festival as stoppage of the tradition will hurt the sentiments of lakhs of devotees across the world," said Daitapati Nijog president Rabinda Dasmohapatra. Meanwhile, the 'Naba Jouban Darshan', a ritual when the deities give darshan to the devotees 15 days after the Snan Purnima, was performed inside the temple. With the Ratha Yatra day coming close, the sentiments and emotions among the devotees across the state were running high. Multiple petitions were filed on Friday in the Supreme Court seeking modifications to the original stay order on the festival. One Aftab Hossen, the Odisha Jagannath Sanskruti Janjagran Manch, Daitapati Nijog and the International Hindu Mahansangha have filed separate petitions in the apex court. One Laxmidhar Biswal of Puri district also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to bring an ordinance for smooth functioning of the Rath Yatra. He urged the authorities to bring an ordinance akin to the one made by Tamil Nadu government for allowing Jallikattu in 2017, after the sport was banned by the Supreme Court. The state also witnessed a political slugfest with opposition parties alleging that lack of inclination on the part of the state government has led to a stay on the festival. "I think the state government is afraid of the consequences of COVID and therefore it told the court that 10 to 12 lakh people could congregate for the Ratha Yatra. The government did not say a word on the managing committee's proposal of holding a devotee-less festival," said Odisha Congress president Niranjan Patnaik. BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, gave a calculated statement by saying that all have to wait till Monday when the Supreme Court takes up several petitions seeking modification in its June 18 order. Senior BJD leader Prafulla Ghadai said the Supreme Court will take the final decision and all should abide by it. On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there... In October 2018, Dr. Raeford Brown was attending a meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in San Francisco when, back in Washington, the Food and Drug Administration advisory committee he headed met to review Dsuvia, a powerful new opioid. Brown had long believed that the drug agency had scheduled the critical vote specifically for a date when he couldnt attend. He had asked the FDA to move the meeting, and agency officials had refused, he later recalled. A few weeks later he was working from his home office in Lexington, Ky., when Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, called to tell him that Dsuvia had just been officially approved. I told her that I thought that was a bad decision, Brown, an anesthesiology professor and clinician at the University of Kentucky, said in a recent interview. I told her exactly why. Brown, who until recently headed the FDAs advisory committee on analgesics and anesthetic drug products, was upset. In his absence, the committee had voted 10-3 to recommend approving Dsuvia, which likely influenced the FDAs final decision. Woodcock, according to Brown, said there had been pressure from the Pentagon to approve the drug, which the military had paid to help develop. It was her trying to get me to shut up, he said. Dsuvia, which is delivered as a pill that is smaller than a Tic Tac, is a close chemical relative of fentanyl. A Drug Enforcement Administration scientist recently testified that it is 1,000 times stronger than morphine. Browns opposition to Dsuvia was based on the belief that approving this new drug, amid a nationwide opioid epidemic, would lead to more addictions and deaths. It turns out he was not alone in his concerns. Just six months later, in May 2019, the FBI, in an intelligence bulletin marked for official use only, warned that this new painkilling drug would likely exacerbate the nations opioid crisis. The FBI warning about Dsuvia was dire. Because of its potency, Dsuvia likely will cause deaths at a rate surpassing that associated with fentanyl, increasing the overall opioid-related death rate in the near term, said the bulletin, which was obtained by Yahoo News and has not previously been made public. Story continues Members of Congress, patient safety experts and public health advocates share the FBIs worry and say that with several hundred opioids already on the market there is no need for another one. The drugs critics point out that Dsuvia may be particularly dangerous because it is available only in a single dosage, and therefore cant be adjusted for a given patients weight or overall health. They are outraged that the FDA would approve a highly potent new opioid at a time when a nationwide epidemic is raging. About 68,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slightly fewer than in 2017, but still tens of thousands more than died annually from AIDS at the height of that epidemic. Dsuvias development and approval are in large part the result of interest from the Department of Defense, which had invested in the drug to help wounded soldiers and, last month, finally cleared it for use in military kits. But a number of people connected to the military medical community say they fear Dsuvia may be unsafe without more understanding of how to dose it, and believe the Defense Department will never end up using it widely. Advocates of Dsuvia say that it addresses a military need, and that particularly now, with the coronavirus pandemic driving shortages in some drugs, it could fill a significant niche in hospitals and prevent possible accidental overdoses using liquid opioids. And patient advocates say the opioid crisis has led to hysteria that threatens access to medication for the estimated 50 million Americans living with chronic pain and the 20 million afflicted with severe chronic pain. All opioids are not bad, says Kelly Dineen, who worked as an intensive care and neurology nurse for 11 years and is now a health policy law professor at Nebraskas Creighton University. Prescription opioids can be and are an effective tool. Dsuvia placebo. (Sam Matthews/Yahoo News) The controversy over Dsuvia, a synthetic opioid, illustrates the competing pressures of a country whose attention has turned from an opioid epidemic to a coronavirus pandemic in the course of just a few months. The government spent several years trying to crack down on painkiller abuse and limit production, and now hospitals are seeing shortages of some opioids needed to intubate patients. Even with those shortages in hospitals, the opioid epidemic continues to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year. While the most recent CDC statistics available suggest opioid overdose deaths are in decline overall, death rates involving synthetic opioids increased by 10 percent from 2017 to 2018. The company behind Dsuvia argues that it spent years developing a better drug that will save lives by reducing frequent mistakes made with injectable opioids. Critics say that neither the Pentagon nor the drugs manufacturer has laid out a convincing need for a new opioid, particularly one as powerful as Dsuvia, and that profit, not pain management, is behind the push. And the FDA, which focuses on a drugs safety and effectiveness, not its need, is caught in the middle. The Pentagons interest in a better painkiller dates back to the early days of the Iraqi insurgency, when U.S. troops were being injured or killed in increasing numbers by roadside bombs. In 2003, Chester Trip Buckenmaier III, a specialist in acute pain management and now a key advocate of the militarys use of Dsuvia, traveled to Iraq to help treat some of the early victims of these crude bombs. Injuries from what are called improvised explosive devices were gruesome: severed limbs, horrific burns and bodies torn apart by shrapnel. But battlefield treatment for soldiers with traumatic injuries hadnt changed much since the Civil War they were given morphine injections, which often werent effective at blocking the pain. When I arrived in Iraq, three months after we had gone over in 2003, that was the only drug we had for pain at the time, and it was not optimal for the environment that we were working in then, recalled Buckenmaier, a retired colonel who is now director of the pain clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in an interview with Yahoo News. And so the need was clearly defined. That was obvious to everybody. Around the same time, aware of the need for better painkillers, military medical experts decided to try out fentanyl lollipops, which were then used to treat intense pain in cancer patients. Sugary lozenges containing the powerful painkiller fentanyl, the lollipops were given to 22 injured soldiers fighting in Iraq and were found to be very effective battlefield pain relievers. The following year, the Pentagons Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, which sets guidelines for battlefield medicine for the entire military, recommended the use of fentanyl lollipops off label meaning that while they were not specifically approved for battlefield use, they could be administered there. The lollipops were portable and easy to make use of in a combat environment. They were also better at relieving pain than the morphine shots the Pentagon had largely relied on previously. But the dosing was imprecise, so Buckenmaier was still looking for better solutions. Package and example of fentanyl lollipop. (Crohnie via Wikicommons) As the military researched options for pain management on the battlefield, back in the United States, Pamela Palmer, then the medical director of the Pain Management Center at the University of California, San Francisco, was getting calls from malpractice lawyers about an entirely different problem with painkillers. Hospitals were seeing a large number of accidental overdoses due to frequent mistakes dosing injectable opioids. The answer, she thought, might be a drug called sufentanil, which could be delivered in pill form and thus, Palmer said, would not be as likely to trigger an accidental overdose. Everyone would take a pill if they could, she said, if it worked as well and as quickly. Excited by the prospect of being an entrepreneur, she founded her own company, AcelRx, with plans to develop and market sufentanil-based products to hospitals. For Palmer, starting her own company meant leaving a tenured university position, but Silicon Valleys booming biotech sector beckoned. In 2009, Palmers quest for a better postoperative opioid crossed paths with Buckenmaiers interest in acute pain at a conference of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans. The two doctors met, and it appeared sufentanils properties made it just what the Defense Department was looking for. At that time, many American soldiers were falling victim to roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, and medics were relying on morphine shots that were often ineffective, particularly for soldiers with substantial blood loss, leaving the wounded in excruciating pain. A powerful drug that could be administered orally and held the potential to relieve pain quickly would be easier to administer on the battlefield than IV morphine, which works well but is not practical in a war zone. Buckenmaier, according to Palmer, said he loved her idea of using sufentanil, but the military needed something twice as strong. Medics couldnt realistically re-up individual soldiers pain medication every 20 minutes during a combat fight. Dsuvia founder Pamela Palmer. (Morgan Schmidt-Feng/Yahoo News) Soon after that, Palmer and her company applied for a Department of Defense grant to develop a more powerful version of her oral opioid pill, and the Pentagon money followed. In 2011, Palmers company received an initial $5.6 million contract from the Defense Department through Army Medical Research and Development Commands Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program. It was the first chunk of what would become a $22 million investment in the powerful new opioid. The contract was a significant milestone for the drug, but the timing for a government-funded opioid could not have been worse: That fall the CDC issued a dire press release declaring that prescription painkiller overdoses were at epidemic levels. As AcelRX collaborated with the military to develop Dsuvia over the next seven years, the opioid epidemic continued to explode in the United States. Fentanyl deaths increased 520 percent from 2009 to 2016, according to one estimate. Heroin overdoses also soared in that same period. At the same time, U.S. military casualties were falling as the U.S. drew down forces from Iraq and Afghanistan. While battlefield deaths may have been declining, the Pentagon was still looking at how it dealt with pain from injuries. One increasingly popular option was ketamine. Military medical specialists describe ketamine as a nearly ideal battlefield drug, due to the fact that it does not slow breathing or lower blood pressure the way narcotic opioids do. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy for medics to carry. In 2012, military medical leaders recommended that ketamine be used more often, and two years later, after traveling around Afghanistan by helicopter and talking to leaders on the ground, military trauma specialists issued a new set of guidelines: Fentanyl lollipops should be given to soldiers who were not in shock, but medics should otherwise rely on ketamine, which, as a non-opioid, doesnt affect respiration and is ideal for patients who are losing a lot of blood. But the Defense Department was also still investing in Dsuvia, which was beginning to draw attention in military medical circles. A military official familiar with the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Cares work, who spoke to Yahoo News on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the Pentagons investment decisions, blamed a dysfunctional Defense Department culture for allocating millions to study Dsuvia without having any sense of whether it worked. In 2014, this person said, both the committee and the Pentagons Joint Trauma System requested a study to determine how Dsuvia compared with fentanyl lollipops. The committee also recommended that military health leaders explore all options and make intramuscular ketamine auto-injectors and intranasal ketamine available to medics treating injured soldiers in the battlefield. A comparison study should have been funded as a high-priority item, and it wasnt, the military official said. Neither study was ever done. The failure to do those studies appeared to be a disconnect between those in the Defense Department who control research and those who are responsible for determining treatment. You dont invest millions of dollars in a product and then not do the necessary studies to make sure that we have all of the information that we need to decide whether or not its better than what were currently using, said the official. Despite that, in 2015 the Defense Department awarded an additional $17 million to AcelRx to continue developing Dsuvia and help pay for stage III trials, which are designed to test the effectiveness of the drug. The military official was unaware of any other painkilling drug where the military has funded the stage III trials: There is nothing else like this. If some in the Pentagon thought the military was moving too fast, for Palmer, whose company is situated in fast-paced Silicon Valley, it was a snails pace. In the biotech world, if we move that slowly, we would disappear as a company, she said, noting that her company paid for its own phase III work until the Pentagon money kicked in. So we actually were like, Oh, my gosh, we got to do this on our own for a little, until they get caught up. So, in fact, we funded a lot of our first study on our own that first phase III, because we just couldnt keep waiting. By the time AcelRx was ready to submit for FDA approval, in 2017, the situation for the company was dire. At that point it had been in business for more than a decade, with nothing ready to market in the United States (its sufentanil-based product, Zalviso, was approved by the European Commission in 2015). Its fate rested largely on the FDA, and the response was not good. In October of that year the FDA rejected Dsuvia, saying it could easily drop on the floor or in bedsheets. The agency cited the drugs extreme potency and the relatively high number of dropped tablets in clinical trials to justify the decision. (An unusually tiny pill, Dsuvia proved difficult to position in patients mouths.) If a child or elderly person were to pick up and ingest a dropped dose, the FDA warned, they could die from respiratory depression, or not being able to breathe. If one of those Tic Tacs drops on the floor and a child picks it up, theyre going to be dead, says Brown, the former FDA advisory committee chair, who went public with safety concerns about Dsuvia after it was approved. But the process was not over. AcelRX, with support from the Pentagon, reapplied for approval, conducting additional clinical trials and amending the directions for use to make them clearer and enhance safety. The timing was fortuitous, because the FDA was in the middle of a battle with the Pentagon. The Department of Defense and its champions in Congress were frustrated by what they saw as the FDAs slow pace in considering other drugs and devices prioritized by the military, including a blood plasma product the Pentagon urgently wanted. At one point, Defense Department allies in Congress became so frustrated by the FDAs slow progress that they proposed shifting the authority to approve certain high-priority battlefield drugs and medical devices from the FDA to the Pentagon. The chairman has perfect moral clarity on this provision, and there is no doubt in his mind that it is the right thing to do for the troops, a House Armed Services Committee spokesman told Politico at the time. (The spokesman, Claude Chafin, recently told Yahoo News that the House committee agreed with the proposal to give the Pentagon greater authority over approvals, but this really was a Senate push.) Scott Gottlieb, then the FDA commissioner, told the health news site STAT that the FDA almost lost the ability to approve products for the military. Then-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb at a Senate health committee hearing on the opioid addiction crisis in 2017. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) The two sides were working on an agreement as these long-standing tensions boiled over, according to a person who was involved in Dsuvias FDA approval. Terry Rauch, the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for health readiness policy and oversight, was pushing to get the FDA out of the way of the Pentagons priority medicines and medical devices by putting a special carve-out in place for Pentagon approvals, this person said. While some in Congress were backing the Pentagon, others were worried about the opioid epidemic. Four senators weighed in to implore the agency to reject Dsuvia. The potent pills formulation a small, single tablet taken orally allows for rapid absorption into the blood stream, the senators wrote. These properties also make the product highly divertible. Fentanyl and sufentanil (the latter is Dsuvias chemical name) are the most common drugs for which anesthesiologists enter addiction treatment, the senators argued, and an easily consumed pill delivering a powerful high would make Dsuvia an attractive street drug. Despite those warnings, a year after initially rejecting the drug, the FDA voted again on Dsuvia and this time approved it. This time, however, it failed to invite all but a few members of the safety committee, according to Brown, the Kentucky-based anesthesiologist, and a second committee member who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Brown, who was not invited, would later argue in a Washington Post op-ed that this move made a favorable vote for the drug more likely because of decreased focus on safety. A whole new group of new people that had some history with the FDA were inserted in the line, Brown told Yahoo News. One has to presume that there was a reason that they didnt want people who were going to ask hard questions to be at the meeting. (FDA spokesman Nathan Arnold said that while certain members couldnt attend the meeting due to scheduling conflicts, the FDA did not disinvite anyone.) Brown was not alone in his concerns. This was a drug that was a solution in search of a problem, said Steven Meisel, the patient safety director at M Health Fairview in Minneapolis, one of three members who voted against approving Dsuvia in 2018. The military, he noted, says Dsuvia is wanted for the battlefield, where inserting an IV line is not feasible. But the problem is the studies that were done and presented to our committee were done in postoperative settings, said Meisel. The idea that a patient in a hospital undergoing surgery doesnt have an IV line is absurd thats surgery 101. He said he worries that Dsuvia could cause accidental overdoses, particularly since clinical trials showed it took a surprisingly long median time of 54 minutes to offer meaningful pain relief. When ER or surgery patients are suffering, nurses want to help and might not carefully track when patients last received a pill, giving a second dose of Dsuvia too soon after the first. For patients who are already sicker or smaller than average, Meisel said, that raises a real risk of accidental overdose. Brown believes that the FDA approved the drug because of pressure from the Pentagon, something the Pentagon doesnt deny. Rauch of the DOD told Yahoo News that as a result of the pressure from Congress and the agreement between the FDA and the Pentagon that resulted from it, he now holds quarterly meetings with the FDA commissioner to monitor progress on drugs and medical devices that the Defense Department prioritizes. The agreement now in place was the result of a request for a close collaboration and working relationship between the Pentagon and the FDA, he said. Terry Rauch, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for health readiness policy and oversight at the Department of Defense. (Stefani Reynolds/CNP via ZUMA Wire) How critical the Pentagons support for Dsuvia was to the approval is up for debate, but the same day that Dsuvia was approved, the FDA announced a new focus on collaborating with the Department of Defense. The initial memorandum of understanding authorized the FDA to expedite the development of medical products deemed important to the military. Gottlieb, then the FDA commissioner, also appeared to indicate that the FDA decision was influenced by the Pentagon. I dont want to say [Dsuvia] was only approved because we thought it had application in battlefield settings, Gottlieb told STAT. But this was a product priority for the military. AcelRXs Palmer, however, said she didnt think the Pentagons support helped with the FDA approval. Its been delay, delay, delay. No, go back and do another study. Get older people. Get people with comorbidities. Oh, no, Im giving you a complete response letter, because you need to change that wording and you need to put this number here, she said of the FDA process. I mean, if the DOD was behind us, I dont know what it helped. But the FDA did appear on the defensive about its decision. In its approval, Gottlieb included an unusual statement indicating that the agency was considering whether to begin studying new opioids not just on their own merits but also in light of the epidemic of opioid misuse and abuse thats gripping our nation. Gottlieb, who left the FDA in April of last year and is now a venture capitalist and a prominent national voice on the coronavirus pandemic, defended the FDAs approval of Dsuvia as appropriate, but says the agency should have greater latitude when considering new opioids. I think we need to have an explicit discussion in this country about whether or not there should be a higher standard applied to the approval of opioids and whether or not the agency should have the authority to look at therapeutic superiority or some kind of comparative effectiveness standard in the setting of approving new opioids, he said in an interview earlier this year. Opioids should be evaluated based primarily on whether they are better than what is already on the market, Gottlieb said: In the setting of an opioid epidemic, I think the agency ought to have that authority. While Gottlieb supports stricter standards, he still doesnt see Dsuvia as a unique threat. When Dsuvia was approved, he emphasized that the FDA was requiring an unusually strict safety program that had been established to protect the public. There are very tight restrictions being placed on the distribution and use of this product, he said at the time, citing the deaths caused by OxyContin and other opioid pills. Those restrictions, however, have a poor track record, according to Joshua Sharfstein, an opioid expert and public health professor at Johns Hopkins University. He co-authored a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last year showing that neither the FDA nor manufacturers monitored or punished doctors who failed to follow the rules when dispensing a highly potent class of fentanyl products known as TIRF drugs. The study, based on nearly 5,000 pages of FDA reports obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed that even though as many as half of patients taking fentanyl medications should not have received them, neither the FDA nor the manufacturers reviewed records for even a single physician responsible for prescribing them to ensure they were complying with agency rules. Sharfstein said it is vital that the FDA change protocol to make the safety programs and their enforcement more transparent. The agency has historically relied too much on drug companies to implement them, he said in an interview. And, in the end, the companies are making promises that they arent keeping. Palmer insists Dsuvia wont be easy for addicts to get their hands on. While she acknowledges that no amount of regulation can ever be foolproof, Dsuvia is available only in medical settings, and doctors cant write prescriptions for its use elsewhere. AcelRx also created a single-use applicator to make it easier for hospitals and clinics to detect if doses are stolen. Dsuvia will be harder for medical personnel to steal than liquid morphine, Palmer said, pointing out that many addicts working in hospitals have been known to swap morphine with saline and water, leaving patients writhing in pain. Critics arent convinced. Brown told Yahoo News that he has resuscitated at least three fellow anesthesiologists who have overdosed on the intravenous form of sufentanil. He said that when he has had to revive colleagues who have overdosed, his training kicks in immediately and he begins CPR. You dont have time to think about it being horrifying, he said. The controversy Brown spearheaded with his public remarks didnt die down quickly. Advocates for drug addicts mounted a campaign decrying the decision dubbed Wake Up FDA. And Massachusetts Sen. Edward Markey and Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette sent Gottlieb a letter in February 2019 requesting all documents that the FDA had relied on in concluding that Dsuvia filled an unmet military need. Sufentanil has been known for decades to be diverted in its current intravenous form, they wrote. It can deliver a potency that has been known to be lethal in small dosages. Sen. Edward Markey, Rep. Diana DeGette. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, Bill Clarke/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images) The FBI appears to share those concerns. The intelligence bulletin obtained by Yahoo News stated that the agency assumes Dsuvias high potency will be attractive to criminals seeking to divert and abuse synthetic opioids. The bulletin went on to note the historic abuse and diversion of IV sufentanil, despite the strict delivery methods and limited number of medical professionals with access to the drug. The potency and ease of administration of Dsuvia tablets increase these risks. The bulletins conclusions were alarming: Because of its potency, Dsuvia likely will cause deaths at a rate surpassing that associated with fentanyl, increasing the overall opioid-related death rate in the near term. The FBI declined to comment on the bulletin specifically, but a spokesperson wrote that the illegal diversion of opioids that are required by law to be administered by a healthcare professional in a certified medically supervised setting remains a concern for the FBI and our federal, state, and local partners. Opioid prescription diversion and the illicit production of opioids contributes to the opioid epidemic our country is facing and leads to abuse and increased overdose deaths across many U.S. populations. Yet 13 months after that bulletin was issued, Dsuvia has not been widely diverted or misused, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. As with all controlled substances, we are continually working with our partners, including FDA, to monitor trends in diversion, DEA spokesman Michael D. Miller told Yahoo News. At present, there is very limited evidence that DSUVIA is being diverted and misused. Back in California, the FDA approval meant things were finally looking up for AcelRx, but time was critical for the small company. With relatively little cash on hand, only two closely related opioids in its portfolio and only one with FDA approval, it was critical that the company sell something to keep itself alive. The FDA approval for Dsuvia may have been based on the militarys interest and support, but now there was just one problem: The military wasnt actually starting to buy the drug for battlefield use. Despite the fact that Dsuvia advocates in the research community were funding the drug, it wasnt clear that those responsible for buying would do so. Special Operations Command, which was thought to be one of the primary users of the drug, appears to be uninterested. SOCOM is aware of sufentanil but did not officially request the drug, said a spokesperson, who added that no special operations units have requested Dsuvia. In late April, the Pentagon held a milestone C review for Dsuvia which usually determines when a product is ready for military use and approved the drug. At this point, however, no one in the military has committed to buy it, and its not clear they ever will. The roadside bombs that drove the initial military interest in Dsuvia have dropped precipitously as the U.S. has drawn down troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lori Salvatore, a spokeswoman for the Army Medical Research and Development Command, said in a written statement that the military believes Dsuvia is a safe and effective option for treating battlefield pain. Citing numerous advantages to our nations warfighters, the statement said that Dsuvia is safer than fentanyl with a therapeutic index nearly 100 times greater. It also provides more consistent dosing than the fentanyl lollipop, the statement said, making it a vital addition to the DODs inventory of pain management tools. Even so, its possible Dsuvia will never be widely used by the military. The Army Medical Research and Development Command doesnt dictate what gets bought thats typically determined by commanders and Dsuvia isnt yet included in the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines, and its unclear when that will happen, if ever. Maj. Stephen Schauer, an emergency physician and researcher at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, says that, in theory, commanders can deviate from those guidelines and request Dsuvia, but they are not likely to do so. I dont think thats going to happen anytime soon, he said of the chances that Dsuvia will make it to the battlefield. That may not matter to AcelRx, which is now focusing most of its efforts on the civilian market. Even though the drugs origins are with the Defense Department, once its approved, Dsuvia is not restricted to military customers. On a November call with investors, Palmer and other AcelRx executives said the company is now targeting 1,100 ambulatory surgery centers along with hospitals. The company has had more success signing contracts with ambulatory surgery centers where colonoscopies, orthopedic surgeries and similar outpatient procedures are performed than with hospitals, which typically move more slowly to adopt new medicines. As of November, AcelRx said, Dsuvia had been approved for use at 105 outpatient facilities, with a goal to reach 125 by the end of 2019. Palmer said AcelRx also sees ERs a natural fit, though emergency medicine standard bearers have begun to warn clinicians about giving powerful opioids to patients who report to the emergency room with relatively minor trauma. This is a no-brainer in an emergency room, Palmer said in an interview at her office. Thats like the battlefield except moved inside. You come in with a broken leg. Youre in a lot of pain. Why not give you something like this instead of jamming an IV and trying to start, do all that hassle? The possible uses for Dsuvia, Palmer said, are already expanding rapidly in the civilian market. The drug, she said, is proving popular with time-pressed ambulatory surgery centers and dental offices, in part because it can be used on autopilot, an attractive feature for ER doctors. Oral surgeons are using it for a lot of the dental extractions that they have to do, she added. That description alarms critics like Andrew Kolodny, medical director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis Universitys Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Removing teenagers wisdom teeth is among the most common forms of oral surgery, he said, and oral surgeons are the No. 1 prescribers of opioids to young adults and teenagers. Its likely Dsuvia sales reps are going to be making this sound like a much better product than anything else existing despite the fact that it is an extremely dangerous, potent opioid, he said. While AcelRx has long asserted that the FDAs safety program, known as a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, will keep Dsuvia from harming people, Kolodny pointed out that the wording the FDA used to limit where it can be administered medically supervised setting is nebulous at best. AcelRx headquarters in Redwood City, Calif. (Sam Matthews/Yahoo News) AcelRx isnt likely to just sit on their hands and hope that doctors prescribe this new product that theyve invested millions in, Kolodny said. They will do everything they can to see a return on their investment. At AcelRxs headquarters in Northern California, Palmer, whose company is now in its 15th year, is cautiously optimistic about its future, even amid the economic crisis. In fact, the opioid shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic have prompted renewed interest in Dsuvia, she says. The military had reached out to us and said, Hey, people are coming to us and were asking them, well, have you considered Dsuvia? So now the company is making a renewed push to hospitals, pointing out that Dsuvia could be used to help intubate patients. Palmer acknowledged that a couple of anesthesiologists here and there might abuse Dsuvia, but said the federal database that tracks such abuse consistently shows that just 0.5 to 0.7 percent of abused opioids originate from medically supervised settings. The company now has about 50 employees, 40 of whom are salespeople focused on Dsuvia. Its still small, says Palmer. Its hard to develop and change peoples patterns of behavior and what theyre used to. But shes encouraged by the fact that those who do order Dsuvia appear to like it, a lot. Were excited in that everyone who tries it is like, Oh, my gosh, this is great, she says. And they want to reorder and use it, but its just trying to get them to try it the first time. Jana Winter and Sharon Weinberger contributed reporting to this story. Cover thumbnail Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos AcelRX, Getty Images _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 4:11PM Image courtesy of BMW and Mercedes It looks like we won't be seeing what self-driving vehicle BMW and Mercedes could've developed together. The two automakers have called quits on their ongoing partnership to develop automated driving technology. BMW and Mercedes say the split is "mutual and amicable." They are open to renewing the partnership in the future. According to a joint statement, the decision was reached after considering several factors. One is that developing a shared autonomous vehicle platform became a more complex and expensive undertaking than they expected. Another is the agreement delayed how quickly they can have joint discussions between their in-house experts as well as communicate with suppliers regarding product roadmaps. Engadget points out how BMW and Mercedes may have been too ambitious with their goals. When they announced the partnership in July 2019, they were hoping to sell Level 4 autonomous cars by 2024. These self-driving vehicles are supposed to handle freeway driving and parking on their own at that level. With how development in the segment is going, that timeline seemed too optimistic. This collaboration isn't the only project the two carmakers are working on. BMW and Mercedes' parent company Daimler, together with Audi, bought Nokia's Here maps platform back in 2015 for 2.8 billion (around CA$4.3 billion) Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 18:17:42|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory on Sunday issued a yellow alert for rainstorms as heavy rain is expected to lash parts of the country's southern regions. Heavy rain or storms will batter parts of Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces as well as Chongqing and Shanghai from Sunday to Monday, according to the National Meteorological Center. Some regions in Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei and Anhui provinces could receive up to 280 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the center said. According to forecast, a strong downpour will hit Guizhou and Chongqing, as well as some areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the following five days, with rainfall likely to reach 70 mm per hour in some regions. The national observatory warned local authorities to take precautions against flooding and possible geological disasters. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red being the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem Traditionally, ombudsmen would regularly go to nursing homes. In March, though, ombudsmen and residents families were required to stop visiting. Evictions followed. It felt opportunistic, where some homes were basically seizing the moment when everyone is looking the other way to move people out, said Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, a long-term care ombudsman in New Jersey. Nursing homes are allowed to evict residents if they arent able to pay for their care, are endangering others in the facility or have sufficiently recovered. Under federal law, before discharging patients against their will, nursing homes are required to give formal notice to the resident and to the ombudsmans office. They must also find a safe alternative location for the resident to go, whether that is an assisted living facility, an apartment or, in rare circumstances, a homeless shelter. But some homes have figured out a workaround: They pressure residents to leave. Many residents assume they have no choice, and the nursing homes often do not report them to ombudsmen. That is what David Mellor said happened to him. Mr. Mellor, 54, was recovering from spinal surgery that left him numb from the neck down at a nursing home in Fremont, Calif. In April, Mr. Mellor said, the staff at the Windsor Park Care Center, an 85-bed facility, told him that he had to go to a hotel to clear the way for coronavirus patients. Mr. Mellor, who had been trying to arrange long-term housing, felt he had no choice and agreed to leave. I saw what was going on, Mr. Mellor said. They were forcing people out. At the Radisson Hotel in Oakland, which was being used to house the homeless, Mr. Mellor said there was no one to help him learn to walk again or to assist him with the medications he takes to control his blood sugar and pain. A spokesman for the Windsor Park Care Center declined to comment. It is part of a chain owned by Lee Samson, a major fund-raiser for President Trump. Whatever my political affiliation, Windsors commitment to protecting its residents will never be compromised, Mr. Samson said. New Delhi: Mahatma Gandhi breathed his last on January 30, 1948 after he was assassinated while he was on his way to a prayer meeting at the Birla House. On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, here are 10 things to know about Mahatma Gandhis assassination: 1. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated at the Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi on January 30, 1948. He was 79 then. 2. Reports say he was shot at 5:12 PM and died after sometime. 3. Gandhi was going for a prayer meeting when Nathuram Godse, a 36-year-old prominent member of Hindu Mahasabha, interrupted him. 4. Godse shot Mahatma Gandhi thrice in the chest at point-blank range using a Beretta M 1934 semi-automatic pistol. 5. It is said that after being shot, Gandhi was carried inside the Birla House, where he died. 6. Godse and Narayan Apte, a fellow conspirator, were awarded death in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case, while six others, including Godse's brother, Gopal were given life imprisonment. 7. Gandhis last words were Hey Ram, it is widely stated. 8. Reports say there had been five prior attempts to kill Mahatma Gandhi that were unsuccessful. 9. First attempt was a bomb attack in 1934. In 1944, Godse tried twice to approach Gandhi with a dagger. 10. It is said that Gandhi made this statement two days before his assassination: "If I'm to die by the bullet of a mad man, I must do so smiling. God must be in my heart and on my lips. And if anything happens, you are not to shed a single tear." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Passengers donned masks as they arrived at Madrid's main airport as Spain opened its borders to most European countries and ended a state of emergency on Sunday (June 21). Spain's borders are now open to all European Union countries except Portugal, as well as Schengen Area members outside the bloc and Britain. It's a much-needed boost to the country's tourism industry which accounts for more than 12% of the economy. On Saturday (June 20), Spain said that British tourists will be allowed to enter without mandatory quarantine, however they will still be subject to 14 days isolation upon their return home. Spaniards were also allowed to move freely around the country from Sunday, after being made stay in their own provinces since mid March. For most travelers, the relaxation of rules is a relief; Alessandra from Milan says she feels good because she can 'finally go home'. All arriving passengers will have their temperature taken, submit information about where they have come from, and provide their location in Spain in case they need to be traced. Spain's border with Portugal will reopen on July 1. On Sunday, under the shadow of Covid-19, several leaders and politicians, including President Ram Nath Kovind, chief ministers of various states, and several Union ministers, among others, performed yoga at their residence, along with their families. For the first time since June 21, 2015, Yoga Day is being celebrated digitally. This years theme is Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of Yoga Day and said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for yoga more than ever. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal practices yoga at his residence in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Kejriwal has long been practising yoga. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind performs Yoga, on the occasion of International Day of Yoga 2020, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Photograph: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu does deep breathing exercises on the occasion of International Day of Yoga 2020 in New Delhi. Photograph: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Information & Broadcasting and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise, Prakash Javadekar performs Yoga. Photograph: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla performs Dhanurasana as he celebrates International Day of Yoga. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal practices yoga at his residence, on International Day of Yoga, in Dibrugarh. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Family that does yoga together, stays together. BJP President J P Nadda performs yoga at his residence in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur takes part in a yoga session with party leaders in Bhopal. Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu practises yoga. Posting images, he wrote, "Yoga at 11,000 ft in the environs of pure, serene and peaceful Mandala Top, Dirang. The cold mountain air makes yoga a real treat for the body and the mind. I welcome you to experience it." Photograph: ANI/Twitter House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) listens next to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) during a press conference to announce articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 10, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) House Judiciary Committee Will Open Investigation Into US Attorneys Firing: Nadler House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said his panel will immediately open an investigation into the Trump administrations move to fire Manhattan U.S. attorney Geoffrey Berman. The House Judiciary Committee will immediately open an investigation into this incident, as part of our broader investigation into Barrs unacceptable politicization of the Department of Justice, Nadler, who had served as an impeachment manager in President Donald Trumps Senate trial, said in a statement on Saturday. Nadler said that two whistleblowers will be called on Wednesday to explain why Barrs attempt to fire Mr. Berman is part of a larger, ongoing, and wholly unacceptable pattern of conduct. Nadler added that the panel might attempt to secure Bermans testimony as well in the future. On June 19, the Department of Justice announced that Berman was being replaced, adding that he was stepping down from his New York-based post. But an hour later, Berman wrote in a statement that he had no intention of resigning from his job, adding that he was appointed by judges from the Southern District of New York. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman for the Southern District of New York at a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, on Oct. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate, he added. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. That statement prompted Attorney General William Barr to write a letter to Berman that he is surprised and quite disappointed, adding that because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so. Trump, before his rally in Oklahoma on Saturday evening, told reporters that he was not involved in the firing of Berman. Thats all up to the attorney general, Trump said. Attorney General Barr is working on that. Thats his department, not my department. But we have a very capable attorney general, so thats really up to him, Im not involved. President Donald Trump (L) and Attorney General William Barr arrive together in the East Room of the White House on May 22, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) But on Saturday, Berman confirmed that he is stepping down. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as this Districts U.S. Attorney and a custodian of its proud legacy, but I could leave the District in no better hands than Audreys. Nadler added in his statement that Barr may have abused his authority and accused both Barr and Trump of being incompetent. Bermans office had been tasked with investigating former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen as well as Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who had been associates of Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and another personal attorney of Trump. Berman also oversaw an investigation into convicted pedophile and multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in an apparent suicide attempt in a Manhattan jail cell last August after he was arrested on new sex trafficking charges. The White House hasnt responded to a request for comment. The government is working on a sectoral strategy to reduce import dependence by building local capacity, creating value chains and quickly attaining self-reliance in at least half-a-dozen areas ranging from footwear and furniture to technical textiles and medical equipment to electronics and defence production, people aware of the development said. The sectors will receive fiscal incentives credit support and tariff protection from an influx of cheaper imports, particularly from China, the people said, requesting anonymity. All custom duty exemptions would be comprehensively reviewed and many of them will go as they are hurting domestic manufacturing. A view on this is expected by the end of this quarter [FY-2021], one of the people, who works for an economic ministry, said. The sectors are being identified carefully on the basis of availability of supply chains and skilled workers, besides their potential to create job opportunities, the people said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spelled out a vision for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown that is expected to cause an economic contraction this financial year. India has also been concerned about the size of its trade deficit with China, a concern that has been accentuated by this months military faceoff in the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh. The balance of trade between India and China is hugely tilted in the favour of the latter. According to recent trade figures released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Indias trade deficit with China was $56.77 billion in 2019. Bilateral trade between the two countries was about $92.68 billion in the year. The governments strategy is a combination of its ongoing Make in India policy and Atmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Initiative). It should not be seen as a reaction to the Chinese misadventure at the border, the first person said. Relations between New Delhi and Beijing have soured after Chinas Peoples Liberation Army engaged with the Indian Army in a brutal brawl at the Galwan valley on June 15, leading to the loss of 20 Indian personnel. The unprovoked Chinese aggression has triggered calls for a boycott of Chinese goods. The policy to reduce import dependence predates the recent Chinese aggression. The finance minister did mention it in her budget speech. However, a popular sentiment against Chinese imports [after Chinas recent aggression], will certainly also help us in our objective, a second person, who advises the government on trade issues, said. While presenting the Union budget on February 1 this year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the unhindered imports of goods under free trade agreements (FTAs) were hurting domestic industries, particularly MSMEs and such imports required stringent checks. The government is also considering persuading big industries to use locally produced raw materials such as steel. This is the policy even in some of the developed countries where Indian MNCs own automobile companies. The automakers are told to use locally purchased steel, a third person, who works in the steel ministry, said. The government is taking measures to curb dumping of steel and steel products that are sub-standard in quality, he added. The ministry has already issued a directive for state-run firms asking them to prefer domestically manufactured iron and steel products. Experts said the governments sectoral strategy was a step in the right direction, but import curbs should be calibrated to avoid any abrupt disruption in supply. Yes, a sectoral strategy is the only way to reduce dependence on imports. India should immediately consider sector-based clusters, on plug and play model, Mohit Singla, chairman of the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), said. The vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat would be achieved gradually, DK Aggarwal, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said. Imports need to be reduced gradually in a phased strategy, he said adding that the cost-competitiveness of Indian businesses should be enhanced. Ram Singh, a professor at the Delhi School of Economics, said India has the potential to become self-reliant, but in some sectors its production was critically dependent on Chinese imports. Matthew Soltesz, currently of Hudson, N.Y., sands down a piece of wood that will be part of a counter in the galley, or kitchen, of the schooner Apollonia, which was docked at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, N.Y.. on Friday, June 19, 2020. The sailboat set sail to Albany on Saturday, June 20, 2020, along with the sun-powered Solaris, which is owned by the museum. The two vessels are part of the North Hudson Voyage. The educational fleet sail will be featuring daily blog and social media posts, plus live streams so people can follow along with the journey and learn more about the rivers unique features and history. The ultimate goal is to record footage of the river and interviews to create a series of documentary films. The museum is also fundraising and people can pledge by the mile. Visit the museums website, hrmm.org, for more information. Nor did Trump mention George Floyd, the African American man whose death at the hands of Minnesota police late last month sparked a national uprising over police brutality. But he did add new fuel to the nations culture wars, defending Confederate statues while making racist references to the coronavirus, which originated in China and which he called kung flu. He also said Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who came to the U.S. as a refugee as a child, whom he said would like to make the government of our country just like the country from where she came, Somalia. By the early 1980s, Morgan and Evans were leading figures in what was then called the Australian New Right, a loose network of conservative men and a few women in high places, who combined a zeal for free-market economics with opposition to the progressive causes of the 1970s, including land rights and environmentalism. Through think tanks such as the Institute of Public Affairs and the Centre for Independent Studies, through newsletters and conferences, private dinners and informal gatherings, they developed arguments and strategies to counter what they saw as a dangerous left-wing grip on public opinion. Politicians can only accept what is accepted in the public opinion polls, so you have to change public opinion, Morgan told Paul Sheehan of The Sydney Morning Herald in 1985. By then he had become a vehement opponent of Indigenous land rights. Gough Whitlam had taken a commitment to land rights to the 1972 election. In government, he appointed Justice Edward Woodward to conduct a royal commission into Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory. Woodwards recommendations were revolutionary. Here are some: all Aboriginal reserve lands were to be returned to their Aboriginal inhabitants; Aboriginal people could claim vacant Crown land on the basis of traditional ties with the land; and - most importantly for the subject of this essay - entry into Aboriginal land for mining and tourism required the consent of the local community. Aboriginal people were to be given the possibility of vetoing mining developments, and mining companies would have to pay royalties to the traditional owners, though the Commonwealth retained the power to overrule any Aboriginal veto in the national interest. After the Whitlam government was dismissed at the end of 1975, the incoming Liberal prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, generally supported Woodwards recommendations, and his government passed the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act in 1976. AMIC wanted the veto abolished and royalties reduced, as did the Northern Territory government, which saw the Act as a brake on development. Then prime minister Malcolm Fraser (top) sits in the bed of the Todd River in the Northern Territory speaking to Indigenous locals in April 1978. Credit:Age archive By the early 1980s, a patchwork of laws and practices governed land rights across the continent. Labor took a commitment to uniform land-rights legislation to the 1983 election, promising to use Commonwealth powers to override unco-operative states. The draft proposed minimum uniform land rights across the states and territories, including protection of sacred sites, a veto over mining, and royalties. A fear campaign began, led by AMIC and the Western Australian Chamber of Mines, with media releases, opinion pieces and press, radio and TV advertising, including full-page advertisements in national newspapers. The public campaign was designed to make ordinary Australians with no direct involvement in mining feel they had a stake in disputes happening far from where they lived. The centrepiece was the argument that Aborigines should not have special rights. AMIC distributed speakers notes with arguments such as: Land rights should be equal rights, not greater rights; Australia is one country and there should be one set of laws for everyone; No country can be divided against itself and survive. It claimed that the proposed legislation had the power to lock-up a quarter of Australias surface, bring mining exploration to a halt and damage the nations prosperity. In Western Australia, a TV ad showed a black hand reaching across the state to build a wall: the message was that land rights would lock-up vast areas of territory. The appeal to equality rejected arguments that Aboriginal peoples distinctive relationship to the land, and their distinctive suffering as a colonised people, entitled them to special rights or treatment. It was a powerful appeal and support for land rights started to fall, among both the public and elected politicians. The WA premier, Brian Burke, told Hawke that the commitment to uniform land rights could cost Labor up to eight seats in his state at the 1984 federal election. Hawke dropped the veto over mining exploration, and by 1986 the government had effectively abandoned the promise of uniform legislation, leaving the states to do as they wished. Demonstrators in Sydney march on John Howard's office in December 1997. Credit:Paul Jones Then came the High Courts 1992 Mabo judgment, when the miners needed to defend themselves all over again. Land rights were legislated rights, created by the state and federal parliaments, and they did not challenge European Australias foundational assumption that when Captain Cook claimed Australia for the Crown there were no pre-existing property rights, that it was terra nullius. The High Courts finding that in certain circumstances a form of native title might still exist unleashed an even nastier and more divisive campaign than the one waged against uniform land rights. Hugh Morgan called on the Coalition to overrule the Mabo decision if they won government by passing legislation to extinguish native title. As this would open the government to unknown claims for compensation for the extinguished rights, conservatives also called for the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act to be overturned so that native title rights could be abolished without compensation. Victorian premier Jeff Kennett played on fears by falsely suggesting that even suburban backyards could be at risk. John Howard speaks to the media after a special meeting with premiers in April 1997 called to discuss a response to the High Court's Wik decision. Credit:Mike Bowers Paul Keating, who was now prime minister, saw the Mabo judgment as a historic judgment that laid the foundation for reconciliation. Others saw it very differently. State governments did not want to concede their rights over land titles; mining and pastoral interests were alarmed about the potential impact on their leases; and many, but not all, of the Coalition opposed Aborigines being treated any differently from other Australians. After extensive consultations, including with Indigenous groups, the Native Title Act passed at the end of 1993. Native title holders could negotiate over development, but they did not hold any veto powers. The Mabo judgment was clear that freehold title extinguished native title, but it said nothing about leases. At the end of 1996 another High Court judgment in a case bought by the Wik people of Aurukun found that leases did not necessarily extinguish native title. In response the new prime minister, John Howard, held up to a television camera a map of Australia showing just how much of the continent might be subject to claims. The National Partys leader, Tim Fischer, toured the bush calling for bucket-loads of extinguishment, as if native title was a fire threat. Loading Howard rejected extinguishment because of the unknown compensation it would trigger, but the 10-point plan he developed severely curtailed the rights of native title holders and did not include the right to negotiate with mining companies on pastoral leases. The campaigns against uniform land rights and then native title built an alliance between the National Party and Australias miners. Miners could spruik their contribution to Australias national prosperity, but they were hard-pressed to give this a human face. The National Party could provide any number: weathered old farmers talking about their pioneering forebears and their deep love of the land; or young couples living in the outback and raising their kids far from city amenities. These tough men and women wearing Akubras and standing in outback landscapes were invaluable to the miners campaign to associate the fight against native title with a shared national heritage, to make it seem relevant to the vast majority of Australians, who would never be affected by a native title claim. The campaign was also invaluable to the National Party. Beginning life in 1920 as the Australian Country Party to represent farmers and rural communities, its base was shrinking. When Fraser defeated Whitlam at the end of 1975, the National Country Party won 11.04 per cent of the national first preference vote and 22 seats. In 1996, when Howard defeated Keating, it was 8.2 per cent and 18 seats. Loading The problems facing the National Party were not just a shrinking base but uncertainty about what it stood for. Its Coalition partner was enthusiastically embracing free-market policies, which threatened the many subsidised services country people enjoyed. Yet it could not openly break with the Liberals and risk its cabinet positions. Fighting against Aboriginal land rights gave it new relevance, and the miners paid for advertisements which reminded the public that the Australians at the heart of the country were the men and women on the land. After John Howard won the 1996 federal election, policies seen to favour Indigenous Australians were an immediate target, frequently justified with one-line arguments about equality straight from AMICs 1980s speakers notes against land rights. The miners were defending their economic interests but in doing this they had weakened public sympathy for Aboriginal people and popularised arguments against their distinctive rights. Here was the resource curse in action. Pauline Hanson rode into parliament on such arguments, and they are trotted out regularly by conservatives. The big miners did subsequently work hard to repair their credentials with Indigenous Australians, developing strategies to boost employment, offering scholarships and cadetships, employing archaeologists and anthropologists to advise on cultural heritage. BHP, Rio Tinto, Glencore and Fortescue all proclaim a commitment to engaging with Indigenous people and outline various targeted programs on their websites. They could be generous once they had won. Quarterly Essay 78, The Coal Curse by Judith Brett Across the planet LNG prices in May-June 2020 have dropped to unprecedentedly low levels landed seaborne prices still remain below $2 per MMBtu, compelling rivals of LNG to counteract the trend. In the vanguard of those affected is the Russian pipeline gas monopoly Gazprom which expects its exports to drop from the peak of 199-200 BCm per year attained in the last 2 years to some 167 BCm in 2020. Pipeline gas supplies to Europe seems somewhat paralyzed currently with little to no availability of ramping up exports despite producers curbing natural gas production concurrently to oil. With this in mind, Gazprom is looking to beat its competitors on their own field, having no liquefaction facility that could realistically target European customers. In the first days of June 2020, the Greek industrial holding Mytilineos announced that it had concluded a long-term contract with Gazproms commercial arm, Gazprom Export, to import Russian natural gas. The news in and of itself should not be considered as anything surprising Mytilineos had several short-term contracts with the Russian firm in the past couple of years and imported 0.6 BCm in 2019. Were one to examine the details of the deal though, it gets much more interesting the tenor of the deal is for 10 years until 2030, i.e. even longer than the main import contract with Russia, the one state-owned DEPA has until 2026. Under DEPAs contract Greece has imported an average of 2.5 BCm per year from Gazprom, via the Soviet-era TransBalkan pipeline. Graph 1. Russian Pipeline Gas Exports to Greece (in billion cubic meters). Source: Gazprom. Neither of the parties provided additional information on the long-term contract, yet an increasingly manifest trend in Greeces energy provision provides a seemingly fitting explanation as to why would the Russian gas giant act now. The thing is that this March-April 2020 LNG imports to Greece surpassed pipeline deliveries, a traditional domain of Gazprom. Landed LNG prices to Greece have started off this year at $3.5 per MMbtu, oscillated around the $2.5 per MMbtu mark in March-April and then took a plunge below $2 per MMbtu in the last days of April, remaining there ever since. Were it not for the increase of US LNG exports to Greece, this might not even trigger a response from Russia Revithoussa has traditionally relied on a combination of Qatari, Algerian, Nigerian and Norwegian LNG deliveries. As indicated above, the onset of continuous US LNG deliveries to Greece bears a much harsher reputational blow to Russian energy interests than Qatari or Algerian supplies. This year has already seen 13 LNG cargo arrivals to Revithoussa, a manifold increase over the 2019 end result of 3 cargoes in total. Coming from a fairly extended list of LNG hubs (Sabine Pass, Cameron LNG, Cove Point), US LNG calls into question Kremlins claim that the American shale gale would not be able to supplant Russian deliveries it turns out it can, albeit at highly adverse market conditions. Thus, instead of the initial question whether US LNG can reach Southern Europe, the issue to follow through lies with American producers ability to withstand such low gas prices for a long-term period. Graph 2. Greeces LNG imports in 2017-2020 (in million tons LNG). Source: Thomson Reuters. The winter of 2019/2020 has seen the most intensive LNG import dynamics in Greeces history instead of the usual 2-3 cargoes per month, the Revithoussa LNG terminal has received 5-6 per month. Purportedly this is only the beginning of a forthcoming Greek LNG ramp-up as neighboring countries in the South Balkan region turn towards LNG supplies, the bidirectional conduits and relevant infrastructure is already in place. The 2019 utilization rate of the 7 BCm per year Revithoussa LNG plant stood at a rather meagre 40%, however this years statistics will be significantly better unless the LNG market takes an unforeseen twist the Q1 2020 utilization rate already climbed to 63%, rendering LNG the main source of natural gas imports. Related: The Oil & Gas Sector Could Already Be In Terminal Decline The Revithoussa LNG terminal, the only existing LNG plant in the Balkans as of today, lies 45km to the west of Athens and serves predominantly the needs of the capital area. Concurrently to Revithoussas increasing intake, Greece might see the launch of another LNG import facility, this time serving the countrys north, in the form of the 5.5 BCm per year Alexandroupolis FSRU. The development of a second LNG plant coincides with Greece and Bulgaria finishing the IGB interconnector, assumed to go onstream in 2021 to allow for the cross-border movements of TANAP-supplied Azerbaijani gas the same route would be used for Alexandroupolis volumes (Bulgarias Bulgartransgaz already took a 20% stake in the project company and Romanias Romgaz seeks to do the same). The Mytilineos deal in and of itself will not witness any major breakthrough in the upcoming years the metallurgy and energy-focused portfolio of the Greek company necessitated some 0.6 BCm in 2019, around 12-13% of the countrys annual gas consumption. Yet it is a testament to renewed Russian interest to the Greek market, a harbinger of things to come be they in the form of advantageous price formulas for pipeline deliveries or even straight LNG supplies sourced from reliable sources. Hence, the struggle for Russias share not to decrease in the Mediterranean will encompass Turkey, the hotspot of vying so far, Greece and most probably Italy, too, as all of them have seen increased levels of LNG imports in general and US supplies in particular. By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: File image The International Yoga Day has been celebrated every year on June 21 since 2015. It was in 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address in the United Nations General Assembly, had proposed that a day to practice and celebrate yoga must be globally recognised. He had said, Yoga is an invaluable gift of Indias ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day. PM Modi proposed that June 21 be picked for celebrating International Yoga Day because it marks the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere the longest day of the year which is considered auspicious in many cultures. The first-ever Yoga Day saw the participation of nearly 36,000 people, including PM Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations, perform 21 asanas for 35 minutes at Delhis Rajpath. The arrangements for the same were made by the AYUSH Ministry. The event created two records: one, for the largest yoga class; and two, for the highest number of countries to have participated. 2020 will mark the sixth edition of the International yoga Day. In view of the coronavirus pandemic and consequent restrictions on movement and public gathering, the theme for this year has been decided as Yoga at home, yoga with family. In a statement, the Ayush Ministry said, Due to the contagious nature of COVID-19, no mass gathering would be advisable this year. Hence, this year the ministry is encouraging people to practice yoga at their homes, with participation from the entire family. Days before International Yoga Day 2020, PM Modi had invited citizens to participate in a video-blogging competition called My Life My Yoga. The initiative was taken by the AYUSH Ministry and Indian Council for Cultural Relations to encourage people to stay fit and active during the coronavirus-driven lockdown. Many celebrities including Milind Soman, Akshay Kumar, and others have posted their videos in response. Jockey Manny Franco reacts after winning the Belmont Stakes by 3 lengths aboard Tiz The Law in Elmont, N.Y. It was Franco's first Belmont start. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press) The Belmont Stakes' debut as the first race in the Triple Crown had little of the suspense that normally accompanies the Kentucky Derby. Instead, Tiz The Law, winner of the Florida Derby, erased any doubt of being the best thoroughbred currently running by winning by 3 lengths. The race in Elmont, N.Y., was run without spectators and went pretty much to form as Tiz The Law sat third off the front-running Tap It To Win and Fore Left. But by the time they hit the top of the stretch it was clear who was going to win. Jockey Manny Franco even tipped his hand entering the short Belmont straightaway, looking under his arm to see whether anyone looked as if they might challenge. There wasnt anyone. "It looked to me like everything just went like clockwork," said Barclay Tagg, the winning trainer. That's the way the horse likes to run, and that's the position the horse likes to be in. Manny knows the horse very well. We discussed it quickly before I put him up on the horse, and I felt very confident Manny would ride him that way. I felt pretty solid about halfway down the lane. It's a good feeling. The Belmont was thrust to the front of the line when Churchill Downs moved the Kentucky Derby to Sept. 5 after the COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with all live sports. The Belmont is normally third in the rotation and at the grueling distance of 1 miles. But there is no way the race could be that long this year when no 3-year-olds have even gone the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 miles. Instead, the race was shortened to 1 1/8 miles, the distance normally associated with the final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. In some ways, Saturdays Belmont victory was vindication for Tagg, 82, and Sackatoga Stables, which flirted with history in 2003 when Funny Cide won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and was looking to be a Triple Crown winner if he could take the Belmont. Funny Cide finished third. Tiz The Law and jockey Manny Franco approach the finish line en route to an easy victory in a shortened Belmont Stakes. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press) "Before that, I was hoping to win the Belmont," Tagg said. Funny Cide got us close, anyway, and we topped it off with Tiz The Law here [Saturday]." Story continues Sackatoga Stables was one of those made-for-Hollywood stories of a group of six high school friends who decided to get into horse racing and bought a yearling for $22,000. It was Funny Cide. It's tremendous [to win the Belmont]," said Jack Knowlton, the operations manager for Sackatoga Stables. We've been with Barclay Tagg for 25 years, and I keep telling everybody: 'Barclay doesn't get a lot of big horses, big opportunities, but when he does, he knows what to do.' Tiz The Law, the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since 1882, paid $3.60, $2.90 and $2.60. Dr Post was second, followed by Max Player, Pneumatic, Tap It To Win, Sole Volante, Modernist, Farmington Road, Fore Left and Jungle Runner. It was also the first Belmont Stakes start and win for Franco. "I'm not going to lie. I was little bit nervous [in the gate], but at the same time I was confident because I know what I have under me, Franco said. Like I said, I'm in good hands with Barclay." The race lost a lot of its luster when Nadal, Charlatan and Maxfield, all considered top-flight colts, backed out of the Belmont after injuries. Nadal, who was the top-ranked 3-year-old, was retired, while Charlatan and Maxfield hope to return to racing. Tiz The Law was the only Grade 1 winner going into the 10-horse race. With such a long wait before the Kentucky Derby, Tagg plans to keep Tiz the Law in New York. "The long-range plan would be the Travers [at Saratoga on Aug. 8], the Derby and then the Preakness [on Oct. 3], Tagg said. After that, they'll probably want me to take him to the Breeders' Cup." Saturday's win was Tiz The Laws fifth in six starts. His only loss was on a sloppy surface in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Nearly two years after Charlottesville kicked off the process to create a police oversight panel, a permanent board has been scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting. But both publicly and behind the scenes, it appears the board may already be running into some of the same problems that plagued its predecessor. The Police Civilian Review Board will hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. June 29. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting will be held online. The board was briefly scheduled to meet in March before the pandemic put much of the city governments business on hold. The board, which was an ongoing point of contention during its creation, has been thrust to the spotlight in recent weeks as national protests and calls for police reform have amplified since the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes May 25. The official board so far has been silent on the protests. Other groups, such as the People's Coalition, have called for intense reviews of the Charlottesville Police Department's budget, because documents released to community members after recent records requests don't provide much detail. "The CPDs budgets were made public in the vein of 'transparency,' after numerous residents requested the complete line-itemized budgets," the coalition wrote to the council in a letter on Friday. "CPD produced these one-page budgets indicating either (1) that these are the most complete and comprehensive budget documents they have created for the City, or (2) that the City has a more comprehensive budget and simply chose not to provide it." Gloria Beard, a member of the initial CRB, said in an interview earlier this month that the current climate was ripe for the CRB to weigh in. When we created the bylaws it was really for the community so they could feel free to talk to somebody, she said. The Charlottesville City Council approved the ordinance and bylaws for the police oversight panel in November, although some community members remained frustrated with the final proposal. Those frustrations have reemerged recently, with board member Nancy Carpenter advocating for a return to the initial proposal during the City Councils most recent meeting. An initial panel worked from August 2018 to July 2019 to create a draft of the bylaws eventually approved by the council. The panel is meant to improve public trust in the police department after the violence of 2017 and the Unite the Right rally. The permanent board received its final appointment earlier this month. Scope of review Activists have said the final proposal is a watered-down version of the initial panels recommendation. They have been lobbying the council to return to the initial proposal, which would have increased its power and ability to review and request information from CPD. Three of the current councilors Sena Magill, Lloyd Snook and Michael Payne took their seats after the bylaws were approved. During the campaign, each said that they supported the proposal for the initial panel. However, Councilor Lloyd Snook said at the most recent council meeting that he does not support changing the bylaws right now. He said the council could tweak it once the board is up and running. I am not interested in trying to revisit and rehash things that other councils have done, he said. I think its much more important that we get the CRB up and running. Charlottesville has a terrible habit of making the perfect be the enemy of the good and we never get around to doing anything because were always trying to redo everything. Beard said that the councils changes were frustrating because We did our homework. We worked hard. We wanted something with a lot of teeth in it, she said. We didnt just rush through it and put something on paper. Tough starting point The new board is already in a tough spot, even on top of national protests around police brutality. Last week, Police Chief RaShall Brackney and the council received heat from the community after Virginia State Police troopers were seen driving city vehicles in response to a rally calling for police defunding. When confronted with the information during a City Council meeting, Brackney appeared to lie by saying troopers didnt use city vehicles. Later in the week, the city issued a press release acknowledging VSPs role and said that Brackney didnt know about it when asked at the meeting. The press release acknowledged that Brackneys answer and the citys slow response hurt public trust. Brackney also has been accused of resisting the board before it even starts. Activists and some board members have called out her quote in a C-Ville Weekly article where she said I dont know what the next steps are. Im not as familiar with the individual members [of the new board] to understand collectively what their work might look like as a team. I would be remiss if I tried to get ahead of that without engaging with that board first. Behind the scenes, board members have run into problems communicating with each other and the city. Board member Stuart Evans emailed and called Brackney about her comments but, as of Saturday morning, had received no response. He has been trying to get information from the city since mid-June. Evans reached out to the council with concerns that board members had received no communications since mid-March and noted that he didnt even have contact information for other CRB members. Evans began trying to figure out how to schedule a meeting of the CRB and, after some effort, he said, received some information from City Attorney John Blair and spokesman Brian Wheeler. Evans then received an email with possible meeting dates, but noted in an email to council that it came only after I made several phone calls to City officials/employees during the week prior trying to find out when the PCRB might meet and what the cause of the delay for the meeting was. I am still concerned that I have received no clear explanation for why it has taken so long for the PCRB to have an initial meeting, he wrote earlier this month. The board has been officially silent as protests against police brutality have enveloped the nation. The Daily Progress has had difficulty requesting comment on the issue from board members, whose emails are not publicly available. The Progress sent an email to four board members and the general CRB email earlier this month for comment on the protests and next steps for the board and received a response directly from Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas. The City Manager and City Attorney will communicate a plan for the initial meeting of the PCRB, she wrote. Until the PCRB is authorized to meet, any opinions expressed would be that of individuals. Evans told the council that his push for a meeting was amplified by the ongoing protests. Even under normal circumstances, I believe it is vital for the PCRB to meet and begin to take action this need is only amplified by the pandemic and current events, he wrote in an email to the council. Mendez, a semi-retired data scientist, wrote in an email that he has felt deep sorrow and anger at the cruel and racially motivated deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. Like many, I've felt I have been heartened at the overwhelmingly nonviolent protests, and equally disgusted by the senseless violence of a few and the bellicose, divisive response of our President, he wrote. I hope that the recent events continue to serve as a catalyst for constructive change in our society, from changes in policing procedures to removal of divisive symbols of the nation's racist past. Because the permanent board has not met and did not put out any statement about the ongoing protests, the initial panel put out its own statement earlier this month. The initial board members called on CPD to commit to working with the CRB to draft a memorandum of understanding; endorse the board at an operating budget of 1% of the departments budget; increase transparency in its current spending; hold listening sessions; and communicate its attempts at police reform. CPDs press releases will be nothing but performative if they are not backed with concrete action, the statement says. We demand that the Charlottesville Police Department respond to its community with action, not just lip service. 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. Artificial insemination (AI) has greatly impacted the dairy industry since its conception in the in 1950s. The AI process begins when semen is collected from superior sires, and is frozen. Dairy farmers then obtain information on the various sires, and use that data to determine a match for each of their cows. The producer purchases frozen vials of semen from various sires, and services his cows as they come into heat. When the practice began, technicians from companies that handled semen came to farms to service herds. Today, most large dairies have their own technician. In its initial stages, AI breeding was used mainly for the purpose of increasing milk production in dairy herds. The practice relieved small herd owners from having to buy and maintain a herd sire, which provided some safety as dairy sires have been known to be aggressive around human handlers. In an article (compiled by et al, Journal of Animal Science, 2009) comparing dairy herds from 1944 when only herd sires were used on farms, to herds in 2007 when 70 percent of dairy cows were AI breed, research revealed milk production rose more than 400 percent. While herd nutrition, improved facilities, better health management, and herds moving toward the larger Holstein breed contributed to the amazing gains, AI genetics also had a major impact on the increased milk production. The study showed the 1944 cow herds only produced 4,563 pounds of milk per lactation, while predominate Holstein herds produced 20,225 pounds of milk in 2007. That is an increase of 15,662 pounds of milk over the six plus decades. It would have taken about four and a half cows in 1944 to produce what one cow produced in 2007. Also, a USDA-NASS Publication (2-20-2020) shows that production per cow in the U.S. climbed from a little over 21,000 pounds of milk in 2010 to nearly 23,500 pounds in 2019, which was an 11 percent increase over one decade. Genetics has played a vital role in dairy efficiency over the years, but today local producers also use AI for various other reasons. There are numerous traits that our bulls are graded on, because each dairy farmer has unique goals in what they are looking for, said Cassie Endres, North American Marketing and Design Coordinator for ABS Global, a major distributor of dairy semen. Sire traits include total milk production, and fat and protein content in the milk. Other traits herdsmen look for are health traits for healthier off springs with less disease incidents, and fertility problems, calving traits, and conformation, which include offsprings height, body size, udder, and feet and leg conformation. Endres said that dairy producers are using beef sires to impregnate lower producing cows, because herdsmen will not be using replacement heifers from those cows. Beef-dairy crossbred calves bring more money than dairy calves when sold as calves or feeders. Most dairymen only breed their top producing cows with sexed semen from dairy bulls to obtain dairy heifers, which will become their future milk cows. Sexed semen provides about a 90 percent chance that top producing cows will give birth to a heifer calf. AI breeding gives herdsmen a wide variety of choices in selecting the genetics that will continue to improve their herds, and their milk production. Nathan Nedved of Nedved Family Farms in Hancock County said he picks sires that will help his cows to be uniform for the efficiency of the farm's robots. "If the cow we breed is larger we use a smaller Jersey sire, if she is smaller we use a Holstein or Fleckvieh sires semen," Nedved said. "We also pick sires semen that will produce off springs that produce higher milk protein and butter fat content. In our breeding program we also look for sires whose off springs will milk quickly, and have good teat placement so they will be efficient while milking in the robots. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Pat Sajak is one of televisions most iconic figures. For decades, he has hosted the hugely popular reality TV game show Wheel of Fortune, along with his co-host, the charming Vanna White. He has won many awards and honors over the years, but one of the biggest gauges of his success has been the warm way that fans continue to respond to Sajak. Thousands of viewers have grown up watching Sajak on TV over the years, and many cannot imagine the television landscape without the host. Still, there was a time when Sajak wasnt the top pick for Wheel of Fortune and he very nearly lost out on the job of a lifetime. How old is Pat Sajak? Pat Sajak | Mike Pont/Getty Images Pat Sajak was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1946. Sajak was raised by working-class parents, including a father that was a factory worker. Sajak was exposed to tragedy at an early age, losing his father when he was very young. After Sajak graduated from high school in 1964, he entered the workforce, taking a job as a hotel desk clerk all while taking college courses. Sajak served in the Vietnam War as a radio disc jockey, putting his years as a teen DJ to good use. After leaving the military, Sajak continued to work in media and broadcasting, working as a radio announcer all throughout the early seventies. In 1977, Sajaks focus shifted slightly when he took a job as a weatherman for a TV station in Los Angeles. The job gave Sajak the exposure he hadnt received as a DJ and radio host, and he began catching the attention of prominent producers. Pat Sajak almost missed the chance to host Wheel of Fortune RELATED: Jeopardy!: Alex Trebeks Wildest Successor Could Be Wheel of Fortune Host Pat Sajak By the early 80s, television game shows had started to become wildly popular, and one show, in particular, had started to stand out. Wheel of Fortune first debuted in 1975, the brainchild of Merv Griffin. The syndicated game show had gone through several hosts over the years, and in 1980, Griffin was on the lookout for the perfect person to host the beloved show. Griffin noticed Sajak when he was working as a television weatherman, and believed that Sajaks outgoing and effusive personality was perfect for the gig. Griffin approached Sajak about the job, and he was receptive to the offer however, Fred Silverman, the then-CEO of NBC, wasnt Sajaks biggest fan at first. In fact, according to Good Housekeeping, he reportedly flat-out rejected Sajak for the job, saying that the candidate was too local to work as the host of a nationally syndicated game show. Ironically enough, Silverman lost his job shortly after rejecting Sajak, and Griffin was able to hire Sajak for the role of host. Pat Sajak is a television icon Ever since initially getting hired in 1981, Pat Sajak has been the face of Wheel of Fortune. He probably never could have foreseen how popular he would become after accepting the role, and he has since gone down in pop culture history. Sajak has been spoofed on cartoons and late-night talk shows and has been mimicked by many top comedians. Throughout all of his fame and fortune, Sajak has remained grounded. He is happily married with two children and has rarely been involved in any sort of tabloid scandal or crisis. He is also still a workhorse and has only notably missed filming on one major occasion when he had to undergo major surgery in late 2019. Fortunately, Sajak had people, like Merv Griffin, who believed in him from the very beginning. ALTON After outgrowing its former space Glisson Law, in conjunction with WWF&G, has moved its Henry Street office to the newly updated Millers Mutual building at 111 E. 4thSt., Alton. Our staff is more energized than ever before to help the people of Illinois and Missouri, said firm partner and owner Mike Glisson. Weve operated in Alton for over 45 years and its a pleasure to now meet clients in a space that shows off the history and beauty of this great town. Florida reported 4,049 new cases of COVID-19 Friday - the highest daily total yet in a state that has now seen a consistent resurgence since reopening. The coronavirus outbreak continued its fevered escalation in Florida on Saturday, as Gov. Ron DeSantis again tried to calms fears over another record-breaking spike in infections since reopening restaurants, bars, gyms and other public places. Across the United States there were 30,000 new infections Friday - the highest numbers since May 1, according to figures reported by John Hopkins University. There are now more than 2.2 million confirmed cases; the death toll is 119,719. Donald Trump on Saturday complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad and suggested the testing effort should slow down. His comments come as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in many states. The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis. FLORIDA CASES: Florida reported 4,049 new cases of COVID-19 Friday - the highest daily total yet in a state that has now seen a consistent resurgence since reopening FLORIDA DEATHS; Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona states that all loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June Gov. Ron DeSantis again tried to calms fears over another record-breaking spike in infections since reopening restaurants, bars, gyms and other public places. And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June. The Florida Health Department also reported 40 more people have died from the virus, bringing the state's tally to more than 3,140. During an afternoon press conference at the Florida Capitol, DeSantis tried to shift focus away from the sheer number of new cases that has begun to raise alarm. 'I think it's also important to provide context and perspective in terms of what that actually means,' the governor told reporters. With more people being tested, DeSantis said the number of cases was bound to rise. He said there was a noticeable jump in the number of asymptomatic younger people in their 20s and 30s testing positive. The governor acknowledged that complacency might be a factor as Floridians fail to heed social distancing measures as they begin resuming their daily lives. 'We're now three months into this. There's a lot of fatigue in terms of the social distancing,' he said. Young people in particular have been among the most persistent offenders, DeSantis suggested. Over the weeks, the median age of people testing positive has been declining. The governor has rejected calls for making masks mandatory in places like supermarkets and other public places, saying he will leave it to localities to decide to impose stricter measures. Instead, he ordered the state's surgeon general to reissue a public health advisory that merely recommends that Floridians wear masks to help keep the virus from spreading and to refrain from attending gatherings of more than 50 people. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a South Florida Democrat, called on local officials to immediately require masks be worn in grocery stores and other retail establishments. 'With COVID-19 increasing at an alarming pace, everyone must do their part to stop its transmission,' she said. Since the outbreak began earlier this year, nearly 94,000 Floridians have tested positive for the virus. The state said new test results were reported for 34,400 people Friday and showed an infection rate of more than 12% a clear indication of the the widened public spread of the disease. The rate has tripled from about 4% a week ago. Daniel Milian, from right, Miguel Martinez, and Laura De Armas chat as they relax on South Beach in Miami Beach, FL on Friday Donald Trump on Saturday complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad and suggested the testing effort should slow down. His comments come as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in many states. A boat parade for President Donald Trump in the Indian and Banana Rivers across Brevard County in Florida on Saturday The new daily infections record comes just a day after the previous record was set, when the state announced more than 3,800 additional confirmed cases. DeSantis also suggested, though without any immediate proof, that recent mass gatherings to protest police brutality against Blacks, including the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, might be contributing to the rise in infections. The state has allowed bars, restaurants and some theme parks to reopen, and since then cases have spiked. With the rise in infections, hospitalizations have also increased, but at a much slower rate, state health officials said. But there are no shortage of beds for those who need treatment. While the governor has resisted calls to pull back from his push to reopen the state's economy, some of Florida's largest cities have slowed their plans to reopen. With the Florida's economy badly damaged from the outbreak and its unemployment rate at 14.5% in May DeSantis has been under pressure to get his state back in business. Iran strongly condemns E3 ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 20 June 2020 / 14:19 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has dismissed as unconstructive and irresponsible the recent move by the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors to adopt a resolution on Iran, and strongly condemned the measure from EU3 to initiate the resolution. In a statement, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi categorically dismissed the political and non-technical resolution adopted on Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors. "While the Islamic Republic of Iran has been working at the highest level of cooperation with the IAEA, the resolution issued by the Board of Governors is a totally unconstructive and disappointing measure," he added. "The move by certain governments, above all by the US, to overplay the IAEA's requests while the basis and principle of such requests from the IAEA are open to question- amounts to brazen attempts to create a new crisis in the way of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA," Mousavi added. The spokesman further called on the IAEA Board of Governor Members to be vigilant about the attempts from the US and Israel at reopening the old false cases which had been already proved to be groundless and had been dismissed by the Board of Governors itself. Mousavi also praised the governments that have refused to endorse the resolution with a careful analysis of the situation and understanding of the political purposes behind it, adding, "Those Board of Governor Member States that voted in favour of the resolution were expected to realize the hidden objectives of Israel and the US ruling regime and not to side with their attempts at creating a new unnecessary tension in the international arena." The Iranian spokesperson strongly condemned the move by the three European states of the UK, France and Germany to initiate the resolution, denouncing it as a measure made under the US pressures, IFP reported. "The three (EU) states which have failed completely to honour their JCPOA commitments have taken this measure with the purpose of shifting the blame and shirking their JCPOA responsibilities to Iran," Mousavi added. "This resolution is a blatant excessive demand and a political claim from the US and the three European states, and the Islamic Republic of Iran does not approve of excessive demands from any country and organization," he underlined. "The sponsors of this resolution are accountable for creating tensions in the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IAEA, and those countries must accept responsibility for the consequences of their move," Mousavi concluded. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address (CNN) Jason Mraz is honoring Juneteenth by donating all of the profits from his new album to Black Lives Matter and other organizations working toward equality and justice. The two-time Grammy winner released "Look For The Good" on Friday, the same day that African-Americans celebrate the black community's emancipation from slavery in the United States. "On June 19th, a historic day in the advancement of equality, I am proud to stand in solidarity with and be of service to Black Lives by donating all of my earnings from sales and streams of my new LP recording, Look For The Good," Mraz tweeted. Juneteenth has received increased attention in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice, sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in Minneapolis. The self-proclaimed "Geek in the Pink" will immediately start by donating his $250,000 advance on royalties, he said in a news release. The first six organizations to receive a portion of his donation are Black Lives Matter, San Diego Young Artists Music Academy, RISE San Diego, Grassroots Law Project, Center on Policy Initiatives, and the Equal Justice Initiative. "I am announcing my contributions publicly in hopes of inspiring other creators and leaders in business to do the same -- to share the wealth, to share the profits, and to acknowledge that life is only great when it's great for everyone," Mraz said. Every year, the artist will choose various organizations that work on advancing "equality and justice" to receive donations from the album's profits. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Jason Mraz is donating all the earnings from his new album to Black Lives Matter and other groups." Most students will leave history lessons knowing about the Stolen Generations and campaigns for Indigenous rights, such as the freedom rides and 1967 referendum. Their understanding of frontier wars, forced labour or blackbirding, however, might be less robust. The NSW curriculum gives teachers scope to cover different aspects of 50,000 to 60,000 years of Indigenous history. But insufficient teacher training and discomfort about confronting content, as well as limited teaching hours, can mean students graduate with gaps in their knowledge. What's included in the syllabus? Former History Teachers Association of Australia president Paul Kiem said Indigenous history had been a feature of NSW history syllabuses and school textbooks for decades. Energy companies were prepared for an activity boom. They were prepared for an activity bust. They were not prepared for a global pandemic that halted economic activity around the world. During the downturn, OTA Compression/OTA Environmental created a series of weekly webinars looking at various topics. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association has signed on as a co-sponsor. The topic on Wednesday was addressing the pandemic. Stephen Robertson, executive vice president of the PBPA, asked speakers Wesley Fowler, environmental, industrial hygiene and cccupational health manager at Cudd Energy Services and Paul Peacock, health, safety and environmental director at Callon Petroleum, how they responded. As out of the blue as this was anyway for us to deal with, what plan has come about because of this? As you responded to help employees and tried to implement policies, what has helped you respond? Robertson said. Fowler said Cudd had some element of response in place but what he found was that the supply chain didnt hold up for supplies critical to responding to the pandemic. There were issues with masks, he said, even the ones Cudd uses for protection from silicone in its manufacturing process. All those lines were turned to make N95 respirators for health care; we luckily had a stockpile, but not enough. (And) thermometers were virtually impossible to get hold of. Peacock said the biggest takeaway, not just for Callon but for the entire industry, was remote working, how we learned to do that. Information technology systems were stressed, he said, but we made it work. Some went well, some we struggled with. You can never do enough planning, Ill say that. Its hard to plan for an emergency because you dont know what it will be, Peacock said, but preplanning is when companies benefit the most. The big takeaway is we live in a world where we dont always know what were trying to prepare for, Robertson said. Im sure whatever comes next, we wont be fully prepared because we cant, but we need to be as prepared as possible. Fowler said education was one of the most important things as Cudd looked at its processes and procedures. But it was a struggle to keep up with the rapid amount of information being released and revised by the government and also the 24/7 news coverage. Youd read one headline stating everyone should wear a mask, and then the next day theyd walk that back. As it became apparent the virus was spreading, he said the companys first move was to try to cut the transmission chain by getting everyone out of the office. We looked at the business continuity plan, what was required to maintain operations. Everyone else was sent out of the office to work from home, he said. Cudd partnered with emergency medical technicians to help with screening those who had to come to field facilities checking temperatures, asking them if they had recently been to any virus hot spots. Peacock said Callon realized early on that its human resources and health, safety and environmental directors were not medical professionals. We certainly recognized we needed to find a health professional to help with case management, if you will; potential exposure seemed to be everywhere. We had a partnership with a medical provider assisting us with case management We worked with them to put protocols in place so when we referred employees, and in some cases contractors, that provider made the call to quarantine or self-isolate that employee. Like Cudd, Peacock said Callon also checked its field employees before they went to work, having them fill out health questionnaires and performing temperature checks. Robertson asked what they did to address not only the possible exposure of their employees but possible exposure of their family members. Peacock said Callon required face coverings for employees who couldnt practice social distancing. He said there were at least three instances when an employee had come into contact with an individual who had tested positive but as long as mitigation measures were in place and the health provider screened and made the decision on whether or not further testing was required, the company didnt have any exposure. We were lucky, he said. But then we have an executive team that puts employees over everything else operations, production work. If we cant do it safely, we wont do it at all, and that caution helped minimize exposure to the virus. Fowler said Cudd implemented a phased-in approach that considered the transmission rate and spread of the virus in a particular region and will keep those protocols in place as long as the virus continues to spread as Texas continues to open up its economy. (Texas) is still seeing a high rate of spread, he said. Cudds caution is why weve been successful in eliminating the transmission in our workplace. Our executive team is strong about protecting employees and ensuring safety is at the forefront. Both Fowler and Peacock said they expect their protocols to be in place until there is a vaccination or a treatment for the virus. Both men also said they received a lot of information about the pandemic and possible response protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as the Texas Department of Public Health. Fowler said the American Petroleum Institute also has a response plan template available that is really good. He also noted that Canada has also implemented a number of good response plans. TORONTO - When Mark Zuckerberg hosted a townhall in late May with Facebooks 48,000 employees, some were tuning in from new cities they had scrambled to move to as the pandemic hit. Zuckerberg had a clear message for them: if you plan to stay, expect a change to your pay. That means if you live in a location where the cost of living is dramatically lower, or the cost of labour is lower, then salaries do tend to be somewhat lower in those places, he said on the video conference, where he announced more employees would be allowed to work remotely permanently. Zuckerberg gave Canadian and American workers until Jan. 1, 2021 to inform the company about their location, so it can properly complete taxes and accounting and use virtual private network checks to confirm staff are where they claim. The demand is part of a new reality Canadian workers are being confronted with as employers try to quell the spread of COVID-19 and increasingly consider making remote work permanent. The shift means many companies are having to rethink salaries and compensation, while grappling with the logistics of a new work model. Only one-third of Canadians working remotely expect to resume working from the office as consistently as they did pre-pandemic, while one-in-five say they will remain primarily at home, according to a June study from the Angus Reid Institute. Like Facebook, Canadian technology companies Shopify Inc. and Open Text Corp. have already announced more employees will soon have the option to permanently work remotely. Both declined interviews with The Canadian Press, but Richard Leblanc, a professor of governance, law and ethics at York University, said he wouldnt be surprised if their staff that relocate will see their pay change. Its inevitable because the cost and expense structure of work has changed, he said. If you, for example decide, that you could do the majority of your work from well outside the Greater Toronto Area...and you want to buy a home in Guelph or in Hamilton, should we expect the base salary for those individuals might change? Yes, because your cost of living has changed and your expenses have changed. If companies calculate salaries properly, neither the business nor workers should feel their salary adjustments are unfair, Leblanc said. However, figuring out what to pay staff transitioning to permanent remote work is tough, especially with a pandemic raging on and forcing some businesses to lay off workers or keep companies closed. Owners have to consider what salaries will help them retain talent, but also how their costs will change if workers are at home. Companies, for example, may be able to slash real estate costs because they dont need as much or any office space, but may now have to cover higher taxes, pay for their workers to buy desks or supplies for their homes or offer a budget for them to use on renting spaces to meet clients. (Businesses) are looking at every line item on their on their income statement....because they want to make sure they can survive and thrive over the long-term, said Jean McClellan, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPs Canadian consulting practice. Companies like GitLab, an all-remote company in San Francisco focused on tools for software developers, may offer some clues about how Canadian companies opting for permanent remote work can tackle salaries. When GitLab started offering permanent remote work years ago it built a compensation calculator combining a workers role and seniority with a rent index that correlates local market salaries with rent prices in the area. Anyone can visit GitLabs site and plug in a role, experience level and location to find a salary. GitLabs junior data engineers, for example, make between $50,936 and $68,913 if they live in Whitehorse, Yellowknife or Iqaluit, where the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation said the average rents for a two-bedroom home last October were $1,695, $1,100 and $2,678 respectively. That salary shoots up to anywhere from $74,359 to $100,603 for those living in Toronto, Vancouver or Victoria, where CMHC reported the average rents for a two-bedroom home last October were $1,562, $1,748 and $1,448 respectively. Leblanc warned that varying remote work salaries can create a global competition for talent in an online world. People who apply for permanent remote jobs, he said, may find they're fighting for the role against far more people than ever before because companies will be able to source talent living anywhere in the world. The companies that dont offer remote work at all could also find themselves at a disadvantage, if their industry starts to value flexibility and look less favourably at companies that dont offer it. GitLab settled on its model and calculator because the company said they offer transparency and eliminate biases around race, gender or disabilities. Its co-founder Sid Sijbrandij wrote in a blog that the calculator was dreamed up because every time he hired someone, there was a conversation around reasonable compensation. The negotiation would usually revolve around what the person made beforehand, which was dependent on what city they were in. Gitlab scrapped that model in favour of the calculator and also started letting workers know if they move their salary could change. However, GitLab acknowledges that many people see paying someone less for the same work in the same role regardless of where they live as harsh. The company disagrees. We cant remain consistent if we make exceptions to the policy and allow someone to make greater than local competitive rate for the same work others in that region are doing (or will be hired to do), it says. We realize we might lose a few good people over this pay policy, but being fair to all team members is not negotiable. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2020. Companies in this story: (TSX: SHOP, TSX:OTEX) Salim Mehajer's girlfriend has paid tribute to her convicted criminal partner by sharing a series of sweet videos to celebrate his 34th birthday. Missy Tysoe, 30, made an Instagram video offering an insight into their private relationship, sharing never-before-seen pictures of the couple cuddled up to one another. In the short clips, Ms Tysoe showed off her partner's softer side, which included small love notes, playful dancing and lots of affection. The tribute ended with a short video of Mehajer sitting on the edge of his bed. The entire room was covered in gold and white balloons and streamers, and he was watching a longer version of the tribute video on a television. In the short clips, Ms Tysoe showed off her partner's softer side, which included small love notes, playful dancing and lots of affection The tribute ended with a short video of Mehajer sitting on the edge of his bed. The entire room was covered in gold and white balloons and streamers, and he was watching a longer version of the tribute video on the television 'Cutie watching his video,' Ms Tysoe captioned the post. 'Sorry IG, you got the edited down version.' In another photo, Mehajer showed off his huge back tattoo as he relaxed in an outdoor spa. The couple appeared happier than ever in the video, constantly laughing, cuddling and smiling for the camera, after disappearing from each other's social media feeds in recent months. The last time the disgraced former deputy mayor of Auburn appeared on Ms Tysoe's Instagram channel was near her birthday on December 7, 2019. Mehajer had just thrown her an extravagant 30th birthday celebration on a boat travelling through Sydney Harbour. The couple appeared happier than ever in the video, constantly laughing, cuddling and smiling for the camera The video included cute hand written notes, which appear to have been left by Mehajer for Ms Tysoe to find The birthday bash was held during the day as Mehajer had to be back home in Lidcombe to abide by his curfew while on bail. Birthday girl Ms Tysoe made several wardrobe changes over the multi-day event, rotating figure-hugging yellow, white, and pink dresses. Pink, yellow, white, and purple roses were pressed into the shape of her nickname against the back of the boat, along with multiple floral arches and hearts. Across the top of the boat were dozens of similarly-coloured balloons, and food inside included tiny ice cream cones, chocolates, and several decadent birthday cakes. Ms Tysoe said last year the couple had not yet slept together as they were waiting to have an 'Islamic marriage' Bankrupt businessman Salim Mehajer threw an extravagant boat party on Sydney Harbour for his girlfriend Melissa Tysoe's 30th birthday Just last year, she shared another gushing tribute to her property developer partner, recalling how they met at a New Year's Eve party. 'I believe everything happens for a reason and every moment in our lives led us to be in the same place at the same time that fateful night,' she said. 'I remember we missed the midnight countdown because we were too busy staring at each other. The end of a year. The beginning of a lifetime.' 'I don't know where my life would be if our paths never crossed. I just know I never would have found love if I didn't find you.' Much of their relationship was while Mehajer was in jail for electoral fraud, but was released on parole in May 2019. Mehajer came to national attention in 2015 after he illegally shut down a western Sydney street for his extravagant wedding. In 2018, he was jailed after being found guilty of 77 counts of electoral fraud and was released after 11 months. Earlier that year, the property developer was declared bankrupt with a long line of creditors, totaling about $25million owed including ACE Demolition which was owed $6.2 million and the Australian Taxation Office which was owed about $8.6million. He was also found to owe $743,000 to BMW and $100,000 to Mercedes Benz for the loss incurred on the sale of a repossessed car. Mehajer last appeared in court on allegations he staged a 2017 car crash and drug supply charges. Aamir Khan is one of the most loved and talented actors of the Hindi film industry. He has worked in a wide range of films over the years, making a special place for himself in the industry while also acquiring the tag of a perfectionist. Not many people are aware of the close connection that he shares with the Indian independence movement between 1857 and 1947. The actor is related to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and also former president, Dr Zakir Hussain. Aamir Khans connection with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Aamir Khans strong connections with renowned personalities are not known to many people in the country. The actor is the great grand-nephew of Muslim scholar and senior political leader, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The great personality had a huge role to play in the freedom struggle movement that happened between 1857 and 1947 and also became the first minister for education in independent India. The actor is also reportedly related to former president of India, Dr Zakir Hussain. Aamir Khan is also the second cousin of former Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, Dr Najma Heptullah. There have also been reports about his roots being traced back to western Herat province of Afghanistan, similar to that of late actor Madhubala. Aamir Khan also has deep roots in the Indian film industry as his family has always been active in curating the craft over the years. His father, Tahir Hussain, was a film producer while his late uncle, Nasir Hussain, was a producer as well as a director. Actor Raj Zutshi, who is the stepfather of actor Imran Khan, is the ex-brother-in-law of actor Aamir Khan. Read Aamir Khan Or Saif Ali Khan: Whose Chemistry With Kajol Was Loved More By Fans? Also read 'Baahubali' Writer KV Prasad In Talks To Script Aamir Khan's 'Mahabharat' Previously, actor Aamir Khan had expressed his wish to make a film on the life of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He had said at an inauguration event in the year 2014 that someday he hoped to use his capabilities to make a film on the Muslim scholar and nationalist. He had also added that it was his dream to bring his life to a larger populace of India through the art form. Read Mona Singh Talks About 'Laal Singh Chaddha' And Her Co-star Aamir Khan; Read Here Also read Aamir Khan Or Imran Khan; Who Is Better In The Lead With Anushka Sharma? Image Courtesy: Aamir Khan Instagram 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. Chandigarh, June 21 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday greeted the people on the 6th International Day of Yoga and practiced it in his home here. "Yoga is the true art of living our life, the core of physical, mental and spiritual education," he tweeted in a message with his video doing exercises. "Do yoga every day, stay healthy throughout your life," he added. "This year since the International Yoga Day is being celebrated amidst a health emergency, it is important to ensure that all measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are practised," he had said. Health Minister Anil Vij had asked the people to use social media to promote the yoga in such a way that it became a part of life. This column is an opinion from Dr. Michelle Corfield, Jennifer Turner, Dr. Harrie Vredenburg and Liana Wolf Leg, all with Project Reconciliation. CBC Canada's energy industry, our largest export industry, has taken a serious hit during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the demand destruction caused by the worldwide lockdown combined with the Russia-Saudi Arabia oil price war. Should Ottawa reach out with more help to the industry, beyond the programs that have thus far been made available? Should climate/environmental activists and their Indigenous community partners calling to shut down the industry win the day? Or is there, perhaps, a third way? Innovation is what Canada urgently needs to reconcile the oil and environmental/social justice dilemma. We need social innovation and business model innovation in the industry, as well as technical innovation to address emissions. Social justice for Indigenous peoples, combined with transitioning to the low-carbon global energy future while monetizing Canada's natural oil resource wealth, is the way forward. Addressing the root causes and avoiding a ratcheting up of the acrimonious environmental activist-Indigenous pipeline protest standoffs of earlier this year must be part of any economic recovery plan. Prosperity linked to trade Canada's prosperity and our growing government assistance programs is inextricably tied to international trade. We are a country endowed with an abundance of natural resources but have a small domestic market. Canada is the world's fourth largest oil exporter. The industry is Canada's largest exporter (over 20 per cent of Canada's exports, followed by the auto industry at under 15 per cent), generating jobs and government tax revenues. We believe that the most productive and cost-effective thing that the federal government can do to keep generating that revenue as we pivot to a new energy reality is to make a majority interest in the Trans Mountain pipeline available to a coalition of western Canadian First Nations. Story continues Dennis Owen/Reuters Indigenous communities in Western Canada have been organizing to acquire 51 per cent of the Trans Mountain pipeline from the federal government. Their objectives are: To give First Nations a real voice in major projects on their traditional territories to ensure that the highest environmental standards and Indigenous cultural protection measures are applied. To provide First Nations with income independent of government for current and future generations. To play a major role in the global energy transition to a low-carbon economy. Discussions have been held with financial institutions, with the result that an Indigenous acquisition would be financed through a syndicated bond issue led by one of Canada's largest banks. The existing pipeline assets and long-term pipeline shipping contracts with Canada's largest oil companies would serve as collateral. The financing would be "nonrecourse," meaning that it is secured by the pledge of the collateral only. Pipeline revenue would fund energy transition It is proposed that part of the pipeline income would be paid out as regular disbursements to Indigenous communities, while most of the pipeline income would go to an Indigenous sovereign wealth fund. This fund would be professionally managed and invested in a portfolio focused on renewables and low-carbon global energy transition infrastructure projects and assets. Many such infrastructure projects in Canada and abroad are situated on or adjacent to Indigenous traditional territories. The Indigenous sovereign wealth fund would be in a favourable position as financer of choice for these projects. The concept of such an Indigenous fund has already attracted interest around the world. The fund would effectively repurpose the natural oil wealth of the traditional territories of Western Canada's Indigenous peoples to financial wealth in the low-carbon global economy. This would provide income, independent of government, for First Nation communities for many generations into the future. What's driving this movement to acquire a majority stake in Trans Mountain is that Indigenous communities want a seat at the decision-making table to ensure that protection of the rivers, streams and the Salish Sea, especially of the salmon and the whales, is paramount. Dave Ellifrit/Centre for Whale Research Many marine species, including the southern resident killer whale, sacred to many coastal Indigenous peoples, are impacted by underwater vessel noise. Underwater noise pollution can reduce their ability to find prey, effectively navigate and communicate with each other, while also creating stress. Discussions are now underway for an Indigenous coalition to become a partner in a venture to build and operate high-tech, low-noise tankers, fuelled by cleaner burning liquefied natural gas (LNG) designed to decrease underwater noise, which will help in the recovery of Canada's endangered, iconic whale populations. The ships will reduce noise by up to 90 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. Using cutting-edge science and Indigenous traditional marine knowledge, these ships will sail safely through British Columbia coastal waters and transport commodities to Asia. Canada can lead the world As part of acquiring a majority stake of Trans Mountain, Indigenous communities plan to implement the First Nations Fisheries Council's Marine and Environmental Response Program. It would be used to train and certify marine and environmental response workers in coastal First Nations communities, and to connect them to employment opportunities across the marine sector. First Nations have an important environmental role to play, from operating the tugboats that accompany tankers through coastal waters, to monitoring and maintaining high-tech systems that ensure rigorous marine safety. Indigenous ownership and decision-making throughout the value chain helps to weave Indigenous reconciliation further into Canadian society. Today, Canada can lead the world in the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) oil exports. Indigenous ownership of the Trans Mountain pipeline would be an important first step in reaching that goal. This column is an opinion. For more information about our commentary section, please read this editor's blog and our FAQ. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 23 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 on May 23 referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The Armenian armed forces were using large-caliber machine guns. 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 the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 06:27:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge on Saturday denied the Trump administration's request to block the publication of former national security adviser John Bolton's memoir. "While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," Royce Lamberth, district judge for the District of Columbia, said in a memorandum order. The order came days before the release of Bolton's book, "The Room Where It Happened," on Tuesday, which, according to Lamberth, "has been printed, bound, and shipped across the country." "In the Internet age, even a handful of copies in circulation could irrevocably destroy confidentiality. A single dedicated individual with a book in hand could publish its contents far and wide from his local coffee shop," the judge wrote. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe -- many in newsrooms -- the damage is done. There is no restoring the status quo." Charles Cooper, Bolton's attorney, said in a statement that they hailed the decision. "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book," Cooper said. "The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told -- but it will be." The Department of Justice filed an emergency order earlier this week, seeking to prevent Bolton's book from becoming public. The manuscript "still contains classified information, as confirmed by some of the Government's most senior national-security and intelligence officials," read a memo by the Department of Justice supporting the argument. "Disclosure of the manuscript will damage the national security of the United States," it continued. A foreign policy hawk who served as President Donald Trump's third national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, Bolton was ousted over disagreements with the White House on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters Saturday afternoon at the White House before leaving for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump said "we had a very good decision" in the Bolton book case. "I think the judge was very smart and very indignant at what Bolton did. I think it was a great ruling," Trump said. "Obviously, the book was already out; it leaked and everything else. But he leaked classified information, so he's got a big problem." In a separate statement, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the government "intends to hold Bolton to the further requirements of his agreements and to ensure that he receives no profits" from his book. Enditem KITCHENER A new kind of settlement for the homeless falls between the regulatory cracks, but organizers hope they can convince the city and region that it fills a need and makes sense to create an exception during exceptional times. The Better Tent City is a collection of small cabins on an industrial site on Ardelt Place in Kitchener for people who cant or wont access the formal shelter system, and is the brainchild of entrepreneur Ron Doyle, who owns the site. About 20 people who used to live in tents are living in one-room cabins that have windows, a lock on the door, and access to a kitchen, shower and a laundry room. The Kitchener settlement fills a need, argues Jeff Willmer, who retired as the top bureaucrat at the City of Kitchener in 2017. More than 20 municipalities and community groups, from Hamilton, St. Thomas, Brantford, and even as far away as Duncan, B.C., have asked for more details about the project. That need is clear in the comments from residents, Willmer says. When Im here, I feel like a person, one told him. Everywhere else I go, they make me feel like a problem. Organizers hope the project would set up for two or three years on the land of a willing owner, ideally near downtown Kitchener, close to social services, on vacant land slated for development. Once the land is ready to be developed, the settlement would move to another willing site. The settlement is modelled on one in San Jose, Calif., which has a tiny house community on city land that provides supports, enabling homeless people to transition to permanent housing. The hope is to stay at Ardelt at least until next spring, so that people have safer, warmer shelter than the nylon tents many of them have relied on in past winters, said Willmer. Proponents have been in regular talks with the city and the Region of Waterloo, trying to overcome zoning and other regulatory hurdles. The city and the region are not yet willing to take the plunge, Willmer said. They havent taken steps to shut us down, but on the other hand, theyre still assessing what exactly are we in terms of land use. The cabins were designed to be movable and to be no larger than 10 square metres, because any structure that small, without plumbing or electricity, doesnt need a building permit, Willmer said. He believes a solution will be found. San Jose figured their way around this, Willmer said. In a crisis, youve got to do things differently. Anything that gets people out of the elements and sleeping rough is a very positive first step, said Chris McEvoy, manager of homelessness prevention at the Region of Waterloo. But its not clear how the initiative fits in with the overall regional housing policy, he said, until bylaw and zoning issues are sorted out. The region has to be able to assure the province and federal government that emergency shelters meet all sorts of regulations, and the ultimate oversight of the settlement still needs to be worked out, he said. Kitchener is monitoring the situation and co-ordinating on high-priority life safety considerations such as smoke detectors to ensure the safety of occupants, said city spokesperson Shawn Falcao. The conversations have been open and productive, Falcao said, adding that Kitchener recognizes that this is serving an immediate need during the pandemic. The city, region and the project organizers must collaborate on a longer-term solution, Falcao said. The City of Kitchener will do its part, he said, adding that its affordable housing strategy is due later this year. Community response has been positive, with more than $45,000 in cash donations, as well as donations of food and other items. The site does not need household items, clothing or furniture. Donations of toiletries, food and cash are welcome. Contact abtc@waterlooregion.org. Another site on King Street East near Borden Avenue had earlier been considered for the settlement, but is no longer under consideration, Willmer said. Depression is very real and it is severely affecting the lives of many. Recently we saw Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput lose his battle with depression, and like him, many have in the past. Getty images However, now researchers have found a link of depression with poor sleep in teenagers. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. They looked at self-reported sleep quality and quantity from teenagers and they found that there was a crucial link between poor sleep and mental health. Depression in teenagers The team based at the University of Reading and Goldsmiths and Flinders University conducted a study with 4,790 participants. Among these, participants who experienced depression also reported poor sleep quantity as well as quality. Participants who experienced anxiety only reported poor quality of sleep. Dr Faith Orchard, a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Reading explained, "This latest research is another piece of evidence to show that there is a significant link between sleep and mental health for teenagers. This study highlights that those young people who have experienced depression and anxiety had overwhelmingly experienced poor sleep during their teens. Getty images She added, "What's noticeable is that the difference in the average amount of sleep between those who experienced depression, which amounts to going to sleep 30 minutes later each night compared to other participants. Within the data, there were some participants who reported hugely worse quality and quantity of sleep, and the overall picture highlights that we need to take sleep much more into account when considering support for teenager wellbeing." Depression study learnings The study asked teenagers to report sleep quality and quantity over a series of issues. Researchers discovered that the control group of teenagers were able to get 8 hours of sleep a night on average on school nights and around 9 and a half hours over weekends. On the other hand, students suffering from depression were reporting less than 7 hours of sleep during the weekday and just over nine hours over weekends. One of the co-authors of the study mentions that the National Sleep Foundation recommends teenagers from the age of 14-17 to get around 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. However, this study revealed that kids with depression were way off this recommendation during the weekday. The depression group was reporting an average 3,325 minutes of sleep a week, on the other hand the control group was reporting 3597 minutes of sleep -- 272 minutes or roughly three and a half hours more per week. Depression in children Getty images Dr Orchard further explained, "What we are now seeing is that the relationship between sleep and mental health for teenagers is a two way street. While poorer sleep habits are associated with worse mental health, we are also seeing how addressing sleep for young people with depression and anxiety can have a big impact on their wellbeing. She concluded stating, "It's also important to note that the numbers of young people who report anxiety and depression are still low overall. Good sleep hygiene is important, and if you are concerned about yours or your child's wellbeing we strongly encourage you to seek support from your doctor, but any short term negative impact on sleep is not a cause for alarm." John Bolton has claimed Donald Trump told Turkey's President Erdogan he would intervene in a Southern District of New York investigation of a state-owned Turkish bank. In an interview with ABC set to air Sunday the former National Security adviser said the move 'did feel like obstruction of justice to me'. Bolton, promoting his tell all memoir, said he had 'never heard any president say anything like that. Ever.' His comments were recorded before Geoffrey Berman, head of the Southern District of New York attorney's office, was fired Saturday. His removal sparking uproar and triggering an inquiry by Democratic lawmakers. Exclusive DailyMail.com pictures show Berman, known for probing allies of Trump, leaving his office for the final time Saturday. He had been in the role 2018. Bolton alleges that Trump sought to cut a deal to stop federal prosecutors in New York from investigating whether Halkbank violated U.S. sanctions against Iran in order to free an American pastor imprisoned in Turkey. Six weeks after the pastor's release, Bolton writes that on a call with the Turkish president 'Trump then told Erdogan he would take care of things'. In an interview with ABC John Bolton claims Trump told Turkey's President Erdogan he would intervene in a Southern District of NY investigation of a state-owned Turkish bank Geoffrey Berman, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, after leaving his office for the last time on Saturday Exclusive DailyMail.com pictures show Berman, known for probing allies of Trump, leaving his office for the final time Saturday. He had been in the role 2018 Asked about those claims Bolton told ABC: 'What Erdogan wanted was basically a settlement that would take the pressure off Halkbank. And the president said to Erdogan at one point, 'Look, those prosecutors in New York are Obama people. Wait till I get my people in and then we'll take care of this'. 'This idea that you give Erdogan and his family, who use Halkbank like a slush fund -- in exchange for, what, some hope down the road of some other kind of treatment for Trump or the country -- was very troubling.' The Room Where It Happened portrays Trump as a president solely motivated by re-election efforts with a penchant for misconduct - including agreeing to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators that make up a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit The episode Bolton describes occurred in December 2018, months after Berman assumed the role of U.S. attorney. Acknowledging the prosecution of Halbank has continued Bolton said: 'I don't think I know enough about all the circumstances, but I tell ya, it did feel like obstruction of justice to me.' Bolton's tell all memoir, The Room Where It Happened, portrays Trump as a president solely motivated by re-election efforts with a penchant for misconduct. Allegations included agreeing to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators that make up a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit. Set to be released on June 23, the book also contains a claim that Trump pleaded with Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost U.S. food purchases, describing it in terms of his own election. Trump regularly touts a deal to pause the China trade war as one of his chief accomplishments. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who in the book is portrayed by Bolton as being disloyal to and dismissive of the president, has also waded in calling Bolton a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people. EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS MADE IN BOLTON'S BOOK: Trump agreed to 'back off' criminal probes as 'personal favors' to dictators Told Chinese President Xi Jinping he should go ahead with building camps the regime was constructing for Chinese Uighurs Put Jared Kushner in charge of several foreign policy matters Spent part of Osaka summit 'pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win' reelection by buying US crops' Believed Finland was part of Russia Said invading Venezuala was 'cool' and said the nation was 'really part of the United States' Made it a 'high priority' to get Mike Pompeo to hand a copy of Elton John's 'Rocket Man' to North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-Un Did not know Great Britain was a nuclear power Defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi to distract attention from Ivanka Trump using her personal email Postponed removing the US from the Iran deal so Melania Trump could announce her Be Best campaign Claimed he was going to be nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for his North Korea summit Said he always broke up with women he dated be cause he didn't like being dumped Referred to his former UN.Ambassador Nikki Haley as a 'c***' while Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump wanted her to replace Mike Pence Berman discovered his job was in jeopardy via a press release late Friday from Attorney General Bill Barr saying the prosecutor was stepping down. The top prosecutor responded that he had 'no intention' of quitting, and that his office's 'investigations will move forward without interruption.' But Barr sent him a letter Saturday saying Trump had agreed to fire the official 'as of today.' A DOJ spokesperson said of Bolton's claims: 'There was no discussion of 'personal favors' or 'undue influence' on investigations, nor did Attorney General Barr state that the President's conversations with foreign leaders were improper. 'If this is truly what Mr. Bolton has written, then it seems he is attributing to Attorney General Barr his own current views -- views with which Attorney General Barr does not agree.' The fast-intensifying crisis surrounding Berman's firing has pitted the government against much of Washington's legal community and has apparently set Barr against Trump, who denied any involvement in the case. In his letter, circulated widely by US media, Barr accused Berman of having 'chosen public spectacle over public service' through his defiance. Berman -who later confirmed in a statement he would be leaving 'immediately' - finds himself at the center of the latest controversy in what Democrats have characterized as the politicization of the Justice Department under Barr. The veteran prosecutor had overseen the prosecution of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and probed advisor Rudy Giuliani's efforts to discredit the president's political opponents. But Trump, speaking to reporters ahead of a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, denied sacking Berman -- further adding to the confused messaging coming from the administration. 'That's all up to the attorney general... He's working on that, that's his department, not my department,' Trump said. 'I'm not involved.' Berman discovered his job was in jeopardy via a press release late Friday from Attorney General Bill Barr saying the prosecutor was stepping down Bolton, right is currently promoting his tell all memoir about his time working with Trump, left Berman, a Republican who held a position in Trump's transition team and was once a law partner of Giuliani, has pursued cases against tycoon sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell last year. He has also investigated two associates of Giuliani accused of campaign finance violations and helping dig up dirt on Trump's election challenger Joe Biden as part of the Ukraine scandal over which Trump was impeached. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Justice Department's inspector general to launch an investigation into 'blatantly corrupt DOJ interference.' Meanwhile Jerry Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Barr of repeatedly interfering in 'criminal investigations on Trump's behalf.' The committee said in a statement it would 'immediately open an investigation into this incident, as part of our broader investigation into Barr's unacceptable politicization of the Department of Justice.' Two whistleblowers are scheduled to testify Wednesday on 'why Barr's attempt to fire Mr Berman is part of a larger, ongoing, and wholly unacceptable pattern of conduct,' the statement added. The Trump administration has in recent months fired or demoted inspectors general for the Pentagon, the intelligence community and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as a senior health official who questioned Trump's promotion of unproven drug therapies for COVID-19. State Department inspector general Steve Linick was removed last month after running a misconduct probe into Washington's top diplomat and steadfast Trump ally Mike Pompeo. Bolton alleges Trump, pictired, sought to cut a deal to stop federal prosecutors in New York from investigating whether Halkbank violated U.S. sanctions against Iran Meanwhile Barr has been accused of repeatedly acting as Trump's personal lawyer instead of in the interests of the public following the Justice Department's intervention in several cases involving Trump allies. More than 1,000 former department officials signed a statement calling for Barr's resignation over his interference to get a lighter sentence for longtime Trump friend Roger Stone. Since then Barr has been berated for his department's decision to drop the case against Trump's first national security advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying about his Russia contacts to the FBI. 'I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was `stepping down as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning,' he announced in a statement shortly after 11 p.m. Friday. He showed up for work Saturday morning, telling reporters he was doing his job. He explained he was appointed by Manhattan federal judges and wouldn't budge until a successor was confirmed by Congress. 'Our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption,' he promised. Barr waited until midafternoon Saturday to respond in a way that mimicked what happened to Bharara. 'Unfortunately, with your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service,' Barr wrote a day after meeting Berman in Manhattan and offering him other jobs. 'Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so.' Set to be released on June 23, the book also contains a claim that Trump pleaded with Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost U.S. food purchases, describing it in terms of his own election. Trump regularly touts a deal to pause the China trade war as one of his chief accomplishments By dinnertime, Berman had said he would leave his job, saying in light of Barr's decision to 'respect the normal operation of law' and ask the deputy U.S. attorney to step in, he'd go immediately. Since Berman was appointed in early January 2018 by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, his job security has always seemed precarious. A few months into his work, Manhattan judges appointed him permanently because Trump never formally nominated him. Although he was recused from the prosecution of Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, he proceeded with other probes surely drawing interest from the president, including an insider trading prosecution of the first member of Congress to endorse Trump in 2016 and probes of Trump's inaugural fundraising and efforts abroad on the president's behalf by Giuliani. Trump has asked aides if John Bolton will go to jail for his tell-all White House book as federal prosecutors mull charges for releasing classified information against the former NSC By Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com Donald Trump has asked whether his former national security advisor, John Bolton, will be going to jail for releasing his new tell-all book exposing what it was like to work within the Trump administration. Trump, who previously called the book highly inappropriate, is said to have casually asked his advisors, Do you think hes going to go to jail for this? as tensions boil over in the days before the controversial memoir is released, the Daily Beast reported. The president's inquiry comes as federal prosecutors are said to be weighing up whether to criminally charge Bolton for disclosing classified information within the book, which is titled The Room Where It Happened, due for release June 23. Though it's highly unlikely that any prison time will result, that hasn't stopped the president from denouncing his former aid, calling Bolton a 'despicable man' who will be facing some 'criminal problems'. 'I will consider every conversation with me as president highly classified. If he wrote a book and if the book gets out, he's broken the law and I would think you would have criminal problems,' Trump insisted earlier this week. If this guy is writing things about conversations or about anything and maybe he is not telling the truth. He's been known not to tell the truth, a lot, he continued. Trump, who previously called the book highly inappropriate, is said to have casually asked officials within his administration, Do you think hes going to go to jail for this? as tensions boil over in the days before the controversial memoir is released Bolton's memoir claims Trump agreed to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators as part of a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit In a bid to prevent some of the allegations made by the 71-year-old from seeing the light of day, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block the book from being released in its current form. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC District Court on Saturday morning, who ruled the Justice Departments arguments werent enough to block the books release. Lamberth added that the book had already been widely distributed, and could be distributed further on the internet, even if the court said it couldnt be. For reasons that hardly need to be stated, the Court will not order a nationwide seizure and destruction of a political memoir, Lamberth wrote in his ruling. 'It seems to me, as we used to say in Texas, that the horse is out of the barn. In response, Trump fumed on Twitter that Bolton will have a really big price to pay, and called his former aid a despicable man who has broken the law. 'Wow, I finally agree with failed political consultant Steve Schmidt, who called Wacko John Bolton a despicable man who failed in his duty to protect America.' he tweeted. 'Also stated that he should never be allowed to serve in government again. So true! Plain and simple, John Bolton, who was all washed up until I brought him back and gave him a chance, broke the law by releasing Classified Information (in massive amounts).' Trump added that Bolton must pay a 'very big price': 'He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him. This should never to happen again!!!' Trump slammed the decision on Twitter branding Bolton a 'despicable man' and claimed he was 'all washed up' until he 'brought him back and gave him a chance' Bolton became Trump's national security adviser in April 2018 and left in September 2019. Trump claims he fired him but Bolton has said he actually stepped because he clashed with the president on several policy issues, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Ukraine. In a September 10 tweet, Trump wrote on Twitter that he had informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. However, just hours later that same day, Bolton tweeted that he offered to resign last night and President Trump said, Let's talk about it tomorrow. Bolton's memoir claims Trump agreed to back off criminal probes as 'personal favors' to certain dictators as part of a foreign policy characterized by 'chaos' and aimed at the president's personal benefit. Bolton describes a 'pattern of fundamentally unacceptable behavior that eroded the very legitimacy of the presidency.' Bolton writes that in cases involving China and Turkey, Trump was willing to 'in effect, give personal favors to dictators he liked.' 'The pattern looked like obstruction of justice as a way of life, which we couldn't accept,' Bolton writes. In the case of China, Bolton describes Trump as begging the leader, with whom he regularly touts his good relationship. Trump was 'pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win. He stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome,' according to the book. China agreed to billions in purchases of U.S. agriculture product to end the trade war that began when Trump slapped on tariffs to protest China trade practices. Trump implored Xi during a one-on-one meeting during their summit in Osaka, according to Bolton. Xi complained about China critics in the U.S., and Trump immediately assumed he meant Democrats, according to another excerpt that appeared in the Washington Post. 'He then, stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election, alluding to China's economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns, pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win,' according to Bolton. 'He stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome. I would print Trump's exact words but the government's prepublication review process has decided otherwise. Trump cast the deal as a breakthrough when he described it from Osaka. 'For the time being we won't be lifting tariffs on China,' Trump told reporters. 'We will work with China. They are going to negotiate and start spending money.' 'Cooperation and dialogue are better than friction and confrontation,' said Xi, prompting Trump to say: 'It would be historic if we can do a fair trade deal.' China had imposed retaliatory tariffs in a way that maximized pressure by focusing on key farm states including Iowa. When the 'Phase One' deal was finally inked in January of this year, China agreed to buy $12.5 billion in additional U.S. agriculture products. Bolton describes a meeting in New Jersey in 2019 where Trump tears into journalists amid his ongoing consternation about leaks and says they should be forced to give up their sources. 'These people should be executed. They are scumbags,' Trump said, according to Bolton. Trump fumed on Twitter that Bolton will have a really big price to pay, and called his former aid a despicable man who has broken the law In another episode, Bolton writes, Russian President in May last year compared Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to Hillary Clinton in a gambit to win Trump over. The U.S. recognized Guaido as the legitimate leader amid protests to the rule of Nicolas Maduro. Bolton called it a 'brilliant display of Soviet style propaganda' to boost Maduro that 'largely persuaded Trump.' 'I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that wasn't driven by reelection calculations,' Bolton writes. Trump also believed that Finland was a part of Russia, according to the book. Trump also told Xi: 'You're the greatest Chinese leader in 300 years.' Then later, in a nation that still reveres Mao Tse Tung, Trump called him 'the greatest leader in Chinese history.' One passage depicts Trump showing contempt for a persecuted religious minority that U.S. policy seeks to protect by calling out repression of mostly Muslim Uighurs.' 'Trump asked me at the 2018 White House Christmas dinner why we were considering sanctioning China over its treatment of the Uighurs, a largely Muslim people who live primarily in China's northwest Xinjiang Province,' Bolton writes. 'At the opening dinner of the Osaka G-20 meeting in June 2019, with only interpreters present, Xi had explained to Trump why he was basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang,' he continued. 'According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps, which Trump thought was exactly the right thing to do. The National Security Council's top Asia staffer, Matthew Pottinger, told me that Trump said something very similar during his November 2017 trip to China.' Protests to bring attention to systemic racism and police brutality were widespread again in the Bay Area on Sunday. The fourth weekend of unrest since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis included demonstrations from San Francisco to Oakland, Fremont to Santa Rosa and many other cities in the region. On a sun-soaked morning in San Francisco, Buddhist groups held a sit, walk and listen demonstration in Civic Center Plaza. Sandwiched between City Hall and the Civic Auditorium, protest organizers created a memorial to those killed by police. A group of about two dozen sat for 30 minutes, staring mindfully across Polk Street, which had giant, newly painted yellow letters that spell out: Defund the police and BLM. Wearing masks and generally maintaining 6 feet of distance, the group marched around the area and tripled in size to nearly 100 participants by the time it returned to its starting point and began a listening circle. A few miles north of Civic Center, a Disband Police rally began at Fort Mason. We want to disband police, organizer Don Poisson said, by any means necessary. The demonstration started with about 30 gathering for a moment of silence for those killed by law enforcement. The group then set out on a march past the Marina Safeway and into the neighborhood. One of the organizers strapped a speaker to his back and pumped out inspirational music as the marchers danced and waved signs of protest. Another protest Sunday featured skateboarders, with about 50 people gathering in the shadow of the Bay Bridge for a Skate 4 Black Lives demonstration at Cupids Span. 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. Many participants wore shirts that read Black people originated from love. They cruised up the Embarcadero to the cheers of pedestrians and honks from passing cars. They zipped past the Ferry Building and reassembled at Harry Bridges Plaza. After adding about 50 onlookers along the way, the group showcased skating tricks and shared personal stories of racism theyve experienced. In downtown Oakland, about 30 people gathered to pick up trash off Frank Ogawa Plaza and Broadway, the site of recent protests, and to enjoy an art walk to admire new murals, according to Stephen Chun, who helped organize the gathering through the group Urban Restoration. We wanted people to feel inspired by the BLM movement and also for artists to get some recognition, Chun said by email. Chronicle staff writer Matthias Gafni contributed to this report. Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron A 34th District judge has been suspended with pay following a domestic violence assault and battery charge. The Michigan Supreme Court suspended Judge David Parrott in connection with an incident involving his 55-year-old live-in-partner. The suspension took place June 17. The alleged assault occurred on Feb. 8, in Van Buren Township, where the two share a house. Parrott was ordered not to have any contact with the woman. Upon the arrival of police, the woman was upset and alleged that Parrott had assaulted her, causing a bump on her head, a laceration on her right hand and pain to her tailbone. Parrott also was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated on Dec. 25, 2018, in Manistee County. It is a misdemeanor charge. Parrott voluntarily decided to step away from his duties on the bench shortly after the alleged assault incident. In a letter he wrote announcing he would be stepping away for some time, Parrott said regardless of the merits of both charges, he needed to evaluate his relationships, as well as physical, emotional and mental state. He said he was deeply disappointed in himself. I have always strived to hold myself to the highest standards my position demands. Because we as judges are held to a higher standard, my ability to fairly and impartially adjudicate their cases may be called into question. Parrott is up for reelection this year and has filed paperwork to run for another six-year term. Four others also have filed to run. The race will be narrowed to two candidates during the Aug. 4 primary election. Judge facing drunken driving, domestic violence charges stepping away from bench, for now 34th District judge charged with domestic violence assault and battery; also has alcohol-related incident Police chiefs, mayors, NAACP join forces; tour launched to address racial divide, national unrest Pit bull, Thor, stolen from Trenton house during break-in returned; criminal charges could follow Taylor police officers help save 11 ducklings Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar trades a glance with his wife, Richelle, at an election night party in 2015 at Bishop Mora Salesian High School. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) For years, Richelle Huizar stood by her husband, Jose Huizar, as his political star rose. She stuck with the Los Angeles city councilman in 2013, when he admitted to having an extramarital affair with an aide. She was beaming at his reelection party two years later. And she was seen as a strong contender to replace him on the City Council once he reached his term limit. Then, FBI agents descended on their home and her political plans were shattered. Now, as a federal investigation of City Hall corruption zeroes in on the councilman, filings by prosecutors raise questions about whether Richelle Huizar could be called to testify in a case targeting her husband. Federal prosecutors have laid out a devastating series of allegations against Councilman Huizar, portraying him in court filings as the head of a criminal scheme who used bribes and other illegal tactics to enrich himself and maintain his grip on power. Richelle Huizar has appeared repeatedly in those filings, but whether she knew of any criminal activity is not clear. Four people have agreed to plead guilty so far in the pay-to-play investigation. Although prosecutors do not name Jose Huizar or his wife in those plea agreements, numerous details in those filings, and the accompanying documents, make clear that the councilman is at the heart of the inquiry. Those same filings show that investigators have been documenting Richelle Huizar's activities, including her bank deposits and her attendance at a meeting to discuss a consulting agreement that prosecutors later characterized in a plea agreement as an "indirect bribe." Federal investigators have not said whether they think Richelle Huizar knew that the alleged arrangement was a bribe. Unlike her husband, she has not been identified as a member of the "criminal enterprise" described in their filings. Neither Huizar nor his wife have been arrested or publicly charged. Attorney Alyssa Bell, who is representing Richelle Huizar, declined to answer questions about the case, saying her client is "not comfortable speaking publicly at this stage." Story continues Lawyers for Jose Huizar declined to comment. Richelle Huizar is identified in filings only as "Relative A-1" an unnamed relative of the councilman who worked for a law firm and as a high school fundraiser, who launched a campaign in September 2018 to succeed him. Those biographical details all match up with Richelle Huizar. Los Angeles City Council member Jose Huizar speaks during a council meeting on June 16, 2015. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Investigators have depicted Relative A-1 as being involved in discussions about a consulting agreement involving an L.A.-based real estate consultant and an unnamed associate of the councilman. In federal filings, they have characterized the consulting payments as an indirect bribe from a hotel developer to the councilman, provided in exchange for help with a high-rise project. The consulting agreement resulted in payments of $11,000 per month to an unnamed associate of Huizar for part of 2016, according to a deal between prosecutors and George Chiang, a real estate consultant who has agreed to plead guilty to a racketeering charge. According to the filings, Huizar told Chiang that his wife would be involved in arranging the deal. Richelle Huizar met with the developer's relative at a Pasadena cafe to discuss the complex arrangement, according to the narrative laid out by prosecutors. Filings in the case also describe repeated trips by Richelle Huizar in 2016 to deposit cash in her Bank of America account in amounts of up to $1,000. In several instances, those deposits were made around the time that the monthly payments were made in that consulting deal, the filings said. Investigators have portrayed Richelle Huizars short-lived council campaign as another component of the criminal scheme. By getting Richelle Huizar elected, the councilman and his associates hoped to preserve their political power over real estate projects, ensuring they would continue receiving cash bribes and other financial benefits from developers in the district, according to the filings. Prosecutors allege that the councilman and his associates repeatedly pressured developers to give to a political action committee supporting Richelle Huizar's council bid in exchange for favorable treatment of their projects at City Hall. Councilman Huizar allegedly sought a $100,000 contribution from a real estate developer to assist his wifes candidacy in exchange for helping their project, according to details in the filings. His aide George Esparza said in one phone call that the councilman was going to strong-arm everyone, according to prosecutors. The councilman also encouraged developers to hire the law firm where Richelle Huizar was paid approximately $5,000 per month, investigators said. The ongoing federal investigation has already resulted in plea deals from Esparza, Chiang, political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim and former City Councilman Mitchell Englander. All have agreed to plead guilty, and federal filings have hinted that more is to come. FBI agents also have been looking into other members of the Huizar family. In a 2018 search warrant, they sought bank records for Huizars mother and brother. Neither has been arrested or publicly charged with any crimes. :: Jose Huizar made his wife a prominent part of his campaigns for years. His campaign mailers have featured photos of the couple on their wedding day, sitting with their children in front of a Christmas tree, and posing together at a Halloween pumpkin patch. The couple have four children three girls and a boy. In 2017, Mayor Eric Garcetti chose her to serve on a city commission focused on womens issues. When she was appointed, Councilwoman Nury Martinez praised her as a fighter, a champion and a warrior on behalf of children, calling her a good friend. "I can't think of anyone that has ever said anything bad about Richelle," said Samuel Robles, former principal of Bishop Mora Salesian High School, where Richelle Huizar worked from 2012 to 2016. "On the contrary, everything I've ever heard was positive she's nice, she's smart. Everybody liked her." Richelle Huizar ended her council campaign in November 2018, weeks after FBI agents searched the Huizars home and the councilmans offices. By then, former aides to the councilman had also filed lawsuits alleging that staffers were ordered to work on Richelle Huizars council bid during city time. They also alleged they were tasked with picking their kids up from school, raising money for the high school where she was employed as a paid fundraiser, and even moving her car to avoid a parking ticket on street sweeping days. The councilman denied their allegations. Several claims in those lawsuits, including the allegations about campaigning on city time, have since been dismissed, said Linda Savitt, Huizar's lawyer. (Savitt has represented The Times in unrelated litigation.) The federal corruption inquiry is posing only the latest test of the Huizars marriage. In 2013, a former Huizar aide sued the councilman alleging he sexually harassed her and retaliated against her for refusing his advances. Huizar denied the allegations, saying instead that he had engaged in a consensual affair one that had forced him to apologize to his wife. During the corruption probe, Esparza alleged that a Chinese developer helped Huizar secure a $570,000 loan to pay off the staffer in 2014 allowing him to resolve the case in secret, according to his plea agreement. In recent years, former Huizar staffers have alleged in court filings that the councilman engaged in an affair with another aide. Huizar has repeatedly called those allegations false. :: Richelle Huizar, originally known as Richelle Rios, grew up in Downey and went on to earn degrees at UC San Diego and UCLA Law School, according to a biography filed with the city. She began dating Jose Huizar while both were law students, according to a 2011 interview with "Political Sazon with Sylvia Robledo." After they became a couple, they moved into a "small, little apartment" with a futon in the living room, the councilman told Robledo. Richelle Huizar was hired to work at L.A.s Commission on Children, Youth and Their Families in 1996, eventually rising to become its assistant executive director. Years later, while appearing before a council committee, she said her personal experiences including being adopted as a child propelled her to use her law degree to advocate for children. "I'm raising three daughters here in Los Angeles, so I care deeply about the status of women and girls," she said. "I care about the future of my daughters and all the other daughters that are out there in Los Angeles." Former L.A. City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who agreed to plead guilty in the ongoing federal corruption investigation. (Los Angeles Times) By 2006, Jose Huizar was on the council and their family was living in a newly renovated, nearly 3,000-square-foot Spanish Colonial home in Boyle Heights. She left her post at the commission that year and in 2007 secured a job with Vanderford & Ruiz, where she continued working for more than a decade. Managing partners at Vanderford & Ruiz did not respond to requests for comment on Richelle Huizar, who has described herself as a consultant for the law firm. In the federal corruption inquiry, prosecutors have alleged that Huizar repeatedly set up meetings to pressure developers with projects in his district to hire his wife's law firm, according to details in the filing. One City Hall lobbyist, who is not involved in the FBI case, told The Times that Jose Huizar asked him at a breakfast meeting to refer potential clients to Vanderford & Ruiz. During that conversation, Huizar made clear that his wife worked for the firm and would benefit from the additional business, said the lobbyist, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to discuss the meeting. "I said, 'Yes, of course I will do that,'" the lobbyist said. "There's no other answer you can give a councilman when he asks, 'Can you send business to my wife?'" The lobbyist said he did not ultimately refer any business to the firm. By 2012, Richelle Huizar was working as a paid fundraiser for Bishop Mora Salesian High School, the Catholic school in Boyle Heights that is her husband's alma mater. The Times reported in 2018 that companies with business before the councilman, many of them real estate developers, donated repeatedly to Salesian during the four years that his wife was employed by the school. Jose Huizar repeatedly solicited the donations, according to documents and former staffers. Salesian High became a sticking point with some Huizar aides. In one lawsuit, a former aide accused the councilman of improperly assigning staffers to work on Salesian's yearly fundraiser. Legal and government experts said it would be questionable for an elected official to use his office staff to raise money for a charity that employed his wife as a fundraiser. Jose Huizar denied many of the allegations in the lawsuits, saying in 2018 that they were part of a coordinated attack by former employees who have the same lawyer. Terrence Jones, an attorney for both aides, said he has negotiated a proposed $200,000 settlement in those cases. Times staff writer Joel Rubin contributed to this report. There is a criminal lack of foresight on the part of lawmakers for delaying the due processes legitimising the exploitation of cannabis to kick-start the rebuilding of an economy long ruined by bad governance and presently further exacerbated by the COVID-19-causing coronavirus that has led to wholesale shutdown of economies across the globe from which the Kingdom of Eswatini has also not been spared. But before knuckling down to the cannabis issue that somewhat has become controversial of late, I will briefly detour to the topic of our times, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Without being an alarmist, the high numbers of those testing positive for COVID-19, especially in the past week, is enough to cause panic. Panic because the ever rising numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19 suggests that what is abroad now may just be a tip of an iceberg considering that testing thus far is selective. Positive As I see it, the sum total of those testing positive for COVID-19 in the past week alone suggests that the pandemic has a foothold and poses a real time threat to the nation. Indeed we ought to be worried because this speaks to inherent weaknesses in leadership and peoples inability to adapt to and follow the immediate prevention interventions such as wearing of face masks in public spaces, social distancing, regular hand washing hygiene regime and, where possible, staying at home and keeping away from crowded places. While expectations were that the most vulnerable and likely to be victims of the pandemic would be the elderly above 60 years old, it seems the most affected now are between 30 and 39 years old the economically active falling within the youth age bracket and, therefore, the future. If anything, this nation cannot afford mass fatalities given the small size of the population and the concomitant challenges this would bequeath to those lucky enough to survive the pandemic. At this rate it would not be far-fetched to expect the worst if there is no paradigm shift, albeit it may already be too late, in the way the country has confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic As I see it, the incapacity of government to mount full scale mass testing given the high numbers of those testing positive for COVID-19 is feeding to the anxiety of how far the pandemic has imbedded itself before translating into dead bodies. Typically, it is like walking in the dark without any clue of what is lurking out there thus making the future uncertain. Manifestly, government has failed or refused to throw the full might of its resources at countering the COVID-19-causing coronavirus since it declared a partial lockdown and opted, as usual, to leave this to donors.Back to the issue of cannabis that our legislators seem to be treating like a game of ping-pong when the herb could be catalytic to resuscitating a crippled economy. It would appear the honourable ones who are handsomely rewarded by the taxpayer and, therefore, insulated from poverty are only too happy to take the country back to the days when there was no hurry in Eswatini. Yet other nations, especially from within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) led by none other than Lesotho, with good and decisive leadership, did not have the luxury to procrastinate but took the huge quantum leap forward and quickly formulated the requisite legislative framework to exploit the economic value of cannabis as catalytic to the development of their economies. This has placed these countries on a strategic and competitive pedestal in terms of market share and domination while Eswatini remains undecided on whether or not to reinvent the wheel. Now we have been told the matter of decriminalising cannabis has been parked for six months, and possibly longer, to allow for consultations. What consultations exactly when the last Parliament constituted a committee to go around the globe to gather best practices for domestic adaptation to legitimise cannabis, one may ask. Could it be that exercise was a waste of scarce resources because, I am sure, that committee compiled a report that should have been instructive in moving the matter and the country forward? There ought to be no question about farming licencing being exclusively a preserve for indigenous farmers. In this scheme of things, external investors should only be allowed to contest the processing and possibly research spaces but not participate in farming. Put differently, the two industries, farming and processing and research should be distinct from each other, unlike in the sugar value chain where producers/manufacturers are also the primary source of the sugar cane. As it were, this is the perfect window to reconstruct the economy of the kingdom and to directly empower emaSwati to give meaning to independence. Additionally, if there was a need to reinvent the wheel mindset that Eswatini would be the first country in the world to decriminalise cannabis - instead of adapting best practices from elsewhere and tweaking these with a domestic flavouring, lawmakers should have rather used the old colonial law to create a transitional vehicle legitimising cannabis for other uses than recreational with a sunset clause once the substantive law once it is finalised. This transitional vehicle would enable for the creation of an authority to regulate the industry, in the meantime, as envisaged by the old colonial law. This would bring to an end the continued persecution and prosecution of dagga farmers, not to speak of the periodic destruction of millions of Emalangeni worth of dagga by the police while the economy is bleeding. Dozens of dead puppies have been discovered on a passenger plane travelling from Ukraine to Canada. The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight from Kiev was carrying approximately 500 young French bulldogs, 38 of which were dead upon arrival at Torontos Pearson International Airport last Saturday. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which is investigating the incident, told The Independent that many of the dogs were suffering from dehydration, weakness and/or vomiting. Animal welfare campaigners allege that the case is merely the tip of a thriving puppy farming business in Ukraine, driven by demand for thoroughbred puppies from unwitting consumers who are unaware of their new pets history. These commercial operations are run by large puppy mills that house and breed hundreds and thousands of dogs every year in typically unsterile conditions where the dogs are crammed together, Lucas Hixson of SPCA International told CBC News from Slavutych. Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Show all 10 1 /10 Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Pangolins confiscated from smugglers are put inside a container during a press conference in Medan, North Sumatra AP Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale A puppy being sold for food at a market in Vietnam We Animals Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale A bear under anaesthetic is strapped to a metal fram and taken away to have have its bile drained to be used in medicine AFP/Getty Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Bears are caged before having their bile drained at a farm in China. Bear bile has been in use in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries. The active ingredient, ursodeoxycholic acid, is often used to treat liver diseases. It is available across the world as a synthetic drug Getty Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Squirrels for sale at Chatuchak market in Thailand We Animals Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale A dog sits in a cage destined for the dinner table in Xin Yuan wild animal market in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou AFP/Getty Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Pangolins are believed to be the worlds most trafficked animal. This pair were saved from local traffickers and kept at the Ugandan Wildlife Authority in Kampala AFP/Getty Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Factory farming of tens of millions of mink, fox racoon dogs, chinchillas and rabbits in other countries "presents an unnecessary and unacceptable risk for both human and animal health,' Humane Society International says Yuri Tutov/AFP via Getty Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale Live birds for sale at Bird Alley in Taiwan We Animals Stop the Wildlife Trade: Live animals for sale A customs officer gives water to seized pangolins before a news conference at the customs department in Bangkok Reuters Concerns were first raised in Kiev by purported witnesses at the airport who recorded footage appearing to show a significant number of animal crates being unloaded from a car. Another person who was at the cargo area of the Toronto airport to pick up her friends cat described the scene as a horror show and a nightmare, taking pictures purporting to show dead puppies in bin bags outside the cargo warehouse the following day. Describing the scene on Facebook, Abby Lorenzen, a professional show dog handler, said: Those animals didnt need to suffer like that. That airline should of never taken on so [many] live animals to begin with. In a social media post on Friday, UIA acknowledged the incident, writing: Everyone at UIA offers its condolences for the tragic loss of animal life on our flight. UIA is working with local authorities to determine what happened and to make any changes necessary to prevent such a situation from occurring again. However, in an earlier statement to Facebook on Tuesday, screengrabbed by the Global News TV channel before it was deleted, the airline alleged that 24 hours after the incident it had received no official confirmation from Toronto airport or Canadian aviation authorities that animals had died. The statement acknowledged that some 500 animals had been on board, adding: UIA regularly undergoes an IOSA operational safety and quality audit, the standards of which govern the transport of live animals in a very strict and rigorous way. UIA is a member of the International Air Transport Association, which has voluntary measures intended to restrict the transport of live animals. In Canada, most airlines only allow two animal crates per flight and only fly with caged animals in temperatures below 29.5C, CBC reported. The Independent has contacted UIA for comment. Canada has rigorous standards for animal imports in order to protect Canadian animals from the introduction of serious animal diseases, the CFIA said, adding that Canadas dog import requirements are determined by the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations. All import requirements must be met before an animal is imported. If an animal does not meet the import requirements, an investigation will be made on the specifics of the case. Depending on the results of the investigation, the animal may be ordered to be removed from Canada, monetary penalties may be applied or legal actions may be pursued. Berlin, June 21 : The total number of people infected with the coronavirus due to a fresh outbreak at a slaughterhouse in Germany has risen to 1,029, according to officials. The outbreak at the Rheda-WiedenbrAck meat processing plant, in the district of GAtersloh, near Bielefeld, was made public on June 17, a report by the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle said on Saturday. The plant is run by TAnnies - the largest meat processing firm in Germany. The factory has been closed for 14 days following initial reports of the outbreak, said the head of the crisis team Thomas Kuhlbusch. Regional official Sven-Georg Adenauer told a the media on Saturday that there had been no "significant introduction of coronavirus" into the community. A quarantine has been ordered for all 6,500 staff - most of them from Romania and Bulgaria who lived in cramped company-provided accommodation. More than 3,000 workers have been tested so far. A mass screening for COVID-19 went ahead at the site on Saturday, according to the Deutsche Welle report. Meanwhile, About 60 people gathered outside the TAnnies factory on Saturday to protest against the consumption of meat and against the unsafe conditions they say workers are forced into. AS of sunday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Germany stood at 190,670, while the death toll increased to 8,895. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Illegal border crossing by walking has become the biggest concern for the officers monitoring the Kerala- Tamil Nadu border at Parassala in the wake of the Covid-19 spread. Several people are feared to have sneaked into the state through the minor roads numbering around hundred on the 40 km-long border.The government has set up checking points on 13 roads besides Inchivila, the check-post on the NH connecting both the states. Passengers of all vehicles passing through these points are subjected to thermal scanning. But there are people who walk into the state skipping the scanning. Sometimes they take a short deviation from the checking point or come through the minor roads which do not have a checking point, said C K Hareendran, Parassala MLA.On Friday, he had convened an official meeting to devise ways to check the illegal entry. A slew of measures have been planned, including surveillance by local-level vigilance committees and awareness programmes, he told TNIE. The vigilance committees will include members of the local self-government, police and revenue departments. Patrolling teams would be formed with members of the governments volunteer programme. The idea is to deploy some 200 persons for the surveillance. Besides, the police will start mike announcements on the health and legal consequences of illegal crossing and aiding the offenders, he said. Curbs on border crossing is a sensitive issue as people living in border areas of both states are heavily dependent on the other state. The border line is a technical demarcation. People have to cross the border, sometimes several times a day, for buying groceries or visiting hospitals. Close relatives would be living on either side. Hence our aim is to minimise difficulties for the people without compromising safety, he said.Recently, three people who had come from Tamil Nadu were tested positive for the pandemic. They had sneaked into the border and the disease was identified when they sought treatment at the community health centre at Vellarada. The drug has been granted approval by DCGI for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease, the company said. New Delhi: Drug firm Hetero on Sunday said it has received approval from regulator DCGI to launch investigational antiviral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. Domestic pharma firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals had on Saturday launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet Hetero has received the manufacturing and marketing approval for Remdesivir from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. Hetero's generic version of Remdesivir will be marketed under the brand name 'Covifor' in India. The drug will be available in 100 mg vial (injectable) which has to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner, it said. Asked about the price of the drug, Hetero Group of Companies MD Vamsi Krishna Bandi told news agency PTI it will be in the range of Rs 5,000-6,000 per dose. Currently, the drug is being manufactured at the company's formulation facility in Hyderabad. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is being made in the firm's Visakhapatnam facility, he added. The drug will be available only through hospitals and government, and not the retail channel, Vamsi said. The company is focused on providing one lakh doses in the next few weeks, and the production can be ramped up based on demand, he added. Follow Latest Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak here The drug has been granted approval by DCGI for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease, the company said. "In the light of increasing COVID-19 cases in India, the approval of 'Covifor' (Remdesivir) can prove to be a game-changer given its positive clinical outcomes. Backed by strong backward integration capabilities, we can ensure that the product is immediately made available to patients across the country,"Hetero Group of Companies Chairman B Partha Saradhi Reddy said. The company is prepared for ensuring enough stocks to cater to the present needs, he added. The product is being launched under a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to expand access to COVID-19 treatment in low and middle-income countries, Hetero said. In May, domestic pharma firms Hetero, Cipla and Jubilant Life Sciences had entered into non-exclusive licensing agreements with drug major Gilead Sciences Inc for manufacturing and distribution of Remdesivir. The medicine has been issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to treat COVID-19 patients. Actress and director Eliza Scanlen has deleted a scene from her first short film as writer-director and apologised after a racism outcry that followed it winning a prize at the Sydney Film Festival. The star of the American TV series Sharp Objects and Hollywood movie Little Women won the $7000 Rouben Mamoulian Award for best short film director for Mukbang, a drama about a schoolgirl getting caught up in the trend of binge-eating food online that has been popular in South Korea for the past decade. The jury of actor-producer Bryan Brown and directors George Miller and Sophie Hyde described Scanlen as "a director with a fresh voice" at the virtual festival's awards ceremony on Thursday night. After the win, writer and actress Michelle Law attacked Mukbang for being "profoundly problematic in the way it appropriates Korean culture in order for a white girl to find herself" and raised concerns about the deletion of a short scene that had a drawing of the white schoolgirl at the centre of the film violently attacking a black schoolboy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 21:56:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MADRID, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The State of Alarm which was imposed on Spain on March 14 to halt the spread of the coronavirus expired at midnight between Saturday and Sunday, allowing the country to progress into what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the "new normality." All of Spain (with the exception of the northern regions of Galicia, Cantabria and the Basque Region, all of which moved into the "new normality" earlier this week) now progresses into a condition which will remain in place until a vaccine or a reliable treatment for coronavirus is discovered. "A new period is starting now...our economy is starting to beat. We are in a situation where we can move forward," said Sanchez in a televised speech to the nation on Saturday. With the ending of the State of Alarm, Spaniards are now able to move freely around the country for the first time since March 14. Spain has also reopened its frontiers to travelers from the European Union and Schengen travel regions (although the land border with Portugal will remain closed until July 1 at the request of the Portuguese government) and the first flights from abroad began to land on Sunday morning. The Spanish government has confirmed that visitors from the UK are also allowed to travel to Spain, despite a 14-day quarantine for travelers to the UK. Meanwhile, visitors from non-EU or non-Schengen countries will be allowed to enter progressively from July 1. Although frontiers are now open, visitors to Spain will see many changes: the use of face masks remains obligatory in closed areas and in places where it is impossible to maintain a safe social distance of 1.5 meters, while beaches, shopping centers, bars, restaurants, cinemas and swimming pools will continue to open with a limited capacity, to be determined by each regional government. Meanwhile, Sanchez said that although Spain is winning its battle against the coronavirus, after over 28,000 deaths, Spaniards need to remain vigilant. "We have an individual and collective responsibility, the virus could return and plunge us once more into a second wave, and we have to avoid that at all costs," he warned. Enditem Eight Minnesota correctional officers of color have filed a discrimination complaint alleging they were barred from guarding the white former police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, a Black man. The eight minority officers assigned to the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center in St. Paul complained to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights that the decision to segregate them and keep them away from fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, and the entire floor he was being housed on at the jail, was based solely on the color of their skin. "I am not aware of a similar situation where white officers were segregated from an inmate," reads a statement in the complaint from a Black officer that was anonymously filed on Friday with the Department of Human Rights through his lawyer. The employee called his superintendent's order "the most overtly discriminatory act that has occurred during my employment" and that it left some of his colleagues of color in tears and demoralized that their superiors thought they couldn't professionally carry out their duties because of their race. PHOTO: Derek Chauvin was booked into the Hennepin County Jail after being transferred from the Ramsey County Jail. (Hennepin County Jail ) "My fellow officers of color and I were, and continue to be, deeply humiliated, distressed, and negatively impacted by the segregation order," the officer wrote in the complaint. "The order and Ramsey County's failure to adequately address it have caused a hostile work environment for officers of color at Ramsey County Correctional Facility -- Adult Detention Unit." Another minority officer, who described herself as Hispanic, said she and other officers of color were reassigned to the third floor of the jail once Chauvin was brought to the fifth floor of the facility, and that they were instructed to remain there even when an all-hands emergency response was called. "When we arrived on the 3rd floor, we realized that the facility's employees of color were all on that floor, and that we had been segregated from the 5th floor," the Hispanic officer said in a statement contained in the complaint. "During the same afternoon, an 'A-Team Response' was called, which normally means there is an emergency and correctional officers are to drop what they are doing in order to assist the affected inmate and help transport the inmate to the 5th floor. Several officers of color responded to the call, but were prohibited from taking the inmate to the 5th floor due to the order to segregate." Story continues Bonnie Smith, a Minneapolis attorney representing the eight officers, said during a news conference on Sunday outside the jail that her clients have chosen to remain anonymous for "fear of retaliation." The incident occurred on May 29 when Chauvin was brought to the jail's fifth floor to be processed after he was initially arrested on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death. The murder charge against Chauvin was later upped to second-degree murder and he has since been moved to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights, where he is being held on $1.25 million bail. He has not yet entered a plea. Chauvin was captured in a citizen cell-phone video on May 25 kneeling on the back of Floyd's neck as he lay in a prone position with his face to the pavement, calling out for his dead mother and repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" until he became unresponsive. Floyd was later pronounced dead at a hospital, setting off protests and acts of violence in Minneapolis and in cities throughout the nation. Three other Minneapolis police officers involved in the fatal encounter with Floyd have also been fired from the police department and criminally charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. PHOTO: Ramsey Detention Center (Google Maps Street View) Jail Superintendent Steve Lydon admitted issuing the order to keep minority officers from Chauvin after he was given 10 minutes notice by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that Chauvin would be arriving at the facility, according to a statement he gave investigators that was provided to ABC News on Sunday by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. "Recognizing that the murder of George Floyd was likely to create particularly acute racialized trauma, I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin," Lydon's statement reads. "Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made the decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings." MORE: Timeline: The impact of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis and beyond The sheriff's office claims three minority officers were reassigned to different posts at the jail prior to Chauvin's arrival and that the order was only in effect for 45 minutes, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Lydon, in his statement to investigators, said he realized he'd made an error and reversed the order after staff members expressed concern. MORE: How 2 doting dads, George Floyd and Nicholas Farah, died in the hands of police "I then met with the individuals that were working at the time and explained to them what my thought process was at the time and assured them that the decision was made out of concern for them and was in no way related to a concern regarding their professionalism or Chauvin's safety," Lydon statement reads. "I realized that I had erred in judgment and issued an apology to the affected employees." Asked if Lydon has been disciplined, Roy Magnuson, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, said Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is reviewing the matter "to determine if any additional action is necessary." MORE: People are going to protest George Floyd's death. Here's how to do so more safely. Fletcher met with the complaining officers on June 4 and plans to hold an additional meeting with them following the investigation, Magnuson said. Smith alleged that instead of immediately offering her clients a formal apology, the sheriff's department issued a false statement to the Reuters news agency over a week ago insisting there was no truth to the employees' claims of the segregation order. "Superintendent Lydon's action created lack of trust and respect for minority officers," Smith said. "Ramsey County's segregation order caused immediate and long-lasting damage. It has made going to work difficult for the affected employees." Smith said Lydon remains employed by Ramsey County "and in the same building as my clients, despite promises that he would be reassigned from the jail." "To address the harm they've faced, these eight officers are asking for the removal of Superintendent Lydon and swift discipline of any other leadership who were involved or complicit in this action," Smith said. She said the officers are also demanding a retraction of the statement the sheriff's office gave Reuters, that comprehensive in-person diversity and anti-bias training to instituted for all jail staff, and that a concrete plan be developed "to ensure that this discriminatory behavior never happens again at Ramsey County." Smith said her clients are also asking for a formal apology from the sheriff's office and compensation for their emotional stress and lost earnings, adding that some of the officers have had to take time off or give up overtime and promotions due to their distress. While a sheriff's office spokesperson said on Sunday a chief deputy with the agency is conducting a probe, Smith said none of her clients have yet to be interviewed for the investigation. ABC News Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report. Minority jail officers were barred from guarding ex-cop charged with George Floyd's murder: Complaint originally appeared on abcnews.go.com We didnt pay that much attentionor have much in the way of retentionwhile enduring an English literature class at the University of Kentucky, but we remember a quote from poet James Russell Lowell given to us by famed broadcaster Jim McKay in an introduction to the national television coverage of the 1991 Belmont Stakes (G1): And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days. It was a glorious June afternoon at Belmont Park, one in which Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Hansel held off Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Strike the Gold by a head in the main event. Nearly 30 years later these are indeed truly rare days. The Belmont Stakes will be June 20two weeks later than originally slatedand will be the first classic in the Triple Crown series. In late May we learned of a few horses whose connections thought waiting for the July 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) was a better path to the Sept. 5 Run for the Roses, which is quite a classic shift. Soon came the news that Godolphins gritty Maxfield had suffered a condylar fracture that dropped him from further 3-year-old events. Several other sophomore contenders have gone by the wayside in recent weeks, which has diluted the cast for the nine-furlong Belmont. While the topsy-turvy 2020 continues in the insular world of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, as well as outside of it, its refreshing when some conversations come off as relatively normal, so to speak. Checking in with Mill Ridge Farms Headley Bell after longtime clients John and Jerry Amermans Admission Office narrowly won the June 13 Louisville Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs, we asked him to recap handling a breeding season during a pandemic. Like everybody we went through it day by day just trying not to get sick, number 1, and thankfully it doesnt sound like anybody did get sick, which is incredible. Everybody took precautions, to the best of their abilities. We dealt with the noncardioform placentitis issue (BloodHorse of Feb. 15) at the beginning, which was a real nuisance, but we got through that. Overall, people have told us fertility has been really good on stallions. Mill Ridge stands only one stallion: the Amermans Oscar Performance. We had 120 mares for Oscar Performance, which was more than in 2019 when we had 118; its been fantastic, Bell reported. His foals were really good, but we are an isolated situation. Bell has plenty of clients, the Amermans included, that breed to the major stallions in Central Kentucky. COVID-19 didnt seem to slow business in the breeding sheds. That side of things didnt seem to vary too much, Bell said matter-of-factly. We just carried on. We dont chase the first-year stallions. Well breed to Uncle Mo and those types that have really big books, but the farms work with you. There werent any changes from year to year. By mid June, Bell can report: We had a good breeding season, and now we are just checking mares. So, now were all trying to figure out the next stepthe next phase of everything. The immediate next phase is the juvenile sales market that was jump-started at the Ocala Breeders Sales June auction that concluded June 12. The auction was the first major venue for commerce since the OBS March sale that ended March 18. The sale was the first step, Bell said. Considering it all, there seemed to be plenty of money around. Hearing from the guys that are in the trenchesthey said it was selected before and its even more selective now. All of the withdrawns are a huge factor. Now you have inventory, and what are we to do with this inventory? That is the biggest question: How are people going to manage that? There might not be a whole lot of choices other than to race, and that is going to affect the next phase, which is the yearling sale purchases. As for the yearling market, You always have to be cautiousyou had to be cautious before, and its even more so now, Bell said. There is demand for the horse, but the big question is going to be the foreign contingent. That is a big thing. Will they be able to travel over here; whether they are able to interact, or will they even want to interact? Those are questions in June that beg for answers before Septembers song. On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020, people across the country were seen performing yoga asanas and pranayama. While some stayed indoors and followed this years theme Yoga at home and Yoga with family, many others were seen performing pranayama in small groups, adhering social distancing norms at the same time. The spirit of Yoga Day was exhibited in Sikkim and Ladakh where security personnel were seen performing yoga in sub-zero temperature. Also read: In pics: India celebrates International Yoga Day 2020 amid Covid-19 pandemic Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel performed yoga at an altitude of 18,800 feet in North Sikkim on the occasion of International Yoga Day today. ITBP personnel in Ladakh also followed suit and performed yoga at an altitude of 18,000 feet in freezing weather. Visuals also came in from across the country, showing security forces taking part in yoga events. Indian Armys Jammu Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) Battalion performed yoga in Rangreth of Srinagar today. In Uttarakhand, ITBP personnel were seen performing yoga at an altitude of 10,000 feet in Auli. Scored of leaders and politicians also performed pranayama in the spirit of International Day 2020 - from President Ram Nath Kovind, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, BJP president JP Nadda to Union ministers Prahlad Patel, Giriraj Singh and Prakash Javadekar, among others. Ladakh: ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel and Buddhist monks practice yoga at Thiksay monastery in Leh. (ANI) Today marks the sixth edition of the International Yoga Day 2020 which saw people across the country take part in various yoga events to commemorate the day. International Yoga Day is Prime Minister Narendra Modis brainchild who proposed the idea in the year 2014, right after assuming charge as the prime minister during his first term. The prime minister rallied for the observance of a day dedicated to yoga and pranayama at the global level. International Yoga Day is observed every year since 2014 on June 21. It was with deep regret that we heard of the peaceful death, in his 90th year, of Eamon Finn, Moigh, Ballymahon in Mullingar Regional Hospital on Wednesday, June 10. A thorough gentleman at all times, Eamon was a great character with a lovely smile, a most obliging neighbour, a man who was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a great conversationalist and had a wealth of knowledge of local history and a genius with horses. A farmer and stud-farmer, he was highly respected and admired by all in the racing community. Together with his brother Jack, they trained and bred horses all their lives and indeed inspired and influenced many young people in the industry over the years. Many well-known jockeys rode out for the Finn Stable and the Finns won many prestigious races during that time. Having bred many great horses, Eamon and Jack were regular visitors to Goffs Bloodstock Sales and Tattersalls buying and selling horses. Their horses competed in many race courses all over Ireland and were also very well known in the Point to Point circuit. Son of the late John and Ciss, Eamon is predeceased by his brothers Mick and Bernie, sisters Beattie, Lucy and Sr Ann. His Funeral Mass on Friday morning last was celebrated by Fr Liam Murray following which his remains were interred in Shrule Cemetery. Many neighbours and friends lined the route from the Church to the Cemetery, passing Eamons home which bore testament to the respect which has always been held for the Finn family in Ballymahon. We extend our sincere sympathy to Eamons brother Jack and sister Carmel (USA), his sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, the racing fraternity and wide circle of friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Scientists from the University of Florida have rediscovered a species of bee so rare it was thought to be lost. The blue calamintha bee was first described in 2011, and it hasnt been seen since 2016. Initial sightings located the bee in only four places within a 16-square-mile area at Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida, which is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, according to a press release. The species is highly localized and feeds on the blooming Ashes calamint plant, which is endangered. Among its most remarkable features visually, however, is the bees striking blue color. On March 9, postdoctoral associate Dr. Chase Kimmel and his adviser, Jaret Daniels, director of McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, were on a bee-finding excursion, setting traps, when they came across the unmistakable bobbing-head movement the blue bees are known for. I was open to the possibility that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting, Dr. Kimmel said in the release. The pollinators distinctive head movement is, in fact, the insect transferring pollen from its head to its stomach. The researchers managed to capture a bee specimen for further examination. So little is known about the species that it has yet to be labeled as endangered despite its sparse numbers. English: Osmia calaminthae visiting flowers of Calamintha ashei at Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida. Date 2011 (Tim Lethbridge/CC BY 3.0) Since their initial discovery, the researchers were able to locate the blue calamintha bee in several locationsgood news for the speciessome at distances of up to 50 miles apart. The localized nature of the bee species has to do with the fact that the Florida panhandle was once submerged to a level where it almost acted like island environments with isolated habitats, thus forming pockets of uniquely specialized plants and animals, Daniels said. Its one thing to read about habitat loss and development and another to be driving for 3040 minutes through miles of orange groves just to get to a really small conservation site, Kimmel said. It puts into perspective how much habitat loss affects all the animals that live in this area. With so little known about the rare species, the researchers would like to learn more about its population status and distribution, as well as nesting and feeding habits, and further study could help bring the bee under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Were trying to fill in a lot of gaps that were not previously known, he said. It shows how little we know about the insect community and how theres a lot of neat discoveries that can still occur. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc Tamil Nadu, the state with second highest Covid-19 cases in the country, added over 2,500 new infections on Sunday, taking it near the 60,000 mark. The southern state reported its highest single-day spike of 2,532 coronavirus cases, according to the state health department. With this, the total count of virus cases in Tamil Nadu stands at 59,377. The state now has 25,863 active cases. With 53 deaths due to Covid-19 reported in the last 24 hours, the toll has risen to 757, news agency ANI reported quoting the health department. The state government tested 33,231 samples for Covid-19 on Saturday, the highest number of tests carried out in a day so far. The state has tested 8,61,21 samples to date. The state has 83 testing centres 45 government and 38 private ones. Giving details of the number of recovered Covid-19 patients, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday said that 54 per cent of the Covid-19 patients have been cured so far. We implemented the lockdown announced by the Central government and kept people inside their homes. 300 medical camps have been set up and the state government is planning to increase it to 450, he said. To stop the coronavirus infection from spreading further, the state government had announced maximised restricted lockdown earlier this week. The lockdown, which began on June 19, will continue till June 30 and has been imposed in four districts - Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet. The Covid-19 lockdown will remain in place here till June 30. During the 12 day lockdown period, only essential services are being allowed with restrictions. To ensure strict implementation of the lockdown, the Chennai Police is making announcements and using drones to monitor the situation. In the light of the India-China Galwan conflict leading to the martyrdom of 20 Indian Army Jawans, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given complete authority to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the three chiefs of Indian Armed Forces and the corps commanders to act and react as deemed fit according to the situation on the ground. In a meeting with CDS General Rawat and the three chiefs of Armed Forces, the Defence Minister reiterated that India is a peaceful nation but the repeated acts of aggression by the Chinese has compelled the Indian Army to change the rules of engagement with the hostile neighbour. READ | PM Actually 'Surender Modi': Rahul Gandhi Launches New Attack Over India-China Clash READ | China Deploys Mouthpiece Stooge Again; Calls India Provoker, Claims 'reckless Patriotism' The change in rules of engagement seemingly points out that the armed forces will no longer be bound by restrictions on the use of firearms and will have full authority to respond as deemed fit for the prevailing situation if the neighbour turns hostile. Rajnath Singh has also asserted that he will speak to Russia regarding the ongoing dispute with China as he is scheduled for a three-day visit to Russia from Monday to attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. The defence minister's visit holds significance as it occurs soon after the border standoff between India and China of June 15-16 claiming lives of Indian soldiers and as per reports heavy casualties on Chinese People's Liberation Army as well. Indian Army 'armed', but adhered to 1996 agreement The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded to Rahul Gandhi's question as to why Indian soldiers were sent 'unarmed,' Jaishankar clarified that it was not the case. EAM said that the army cannot use firearms during faceoff as per 1996 and 2005 agreements. The agreement of 1996 between two nations states that 'neither side shall open fire or conduct blast operations within 2 km of the Line of Actual Control' and that "in a face-to-face situation due to differences on the alignment of the line of actual control or any other reason, they shall exercise self-restraint". Thus, even though both sides had weapons, they indulged in a physical jostle. What happened at Galwan? 20 Indian Army soldiers including Commanding Officer were martyred when a violent faceoff took place on Monday night when the de-escalation process was underway in the Galwan Valley. As per US intelligence reports, the Chinese side has suffered 35 casualties including a Commanding officer, during the physical clash. Sources revealed that an Indian colonel was attacked by Chinese Army personnel with iron rods without any provocation leading to hand-to-hand combat. While three soldiers were killed in action, 17 other succumbed to their injuries and hypothermia, four others are in critical but stable condition, while 72 others are recuperating from minor injuries at various hospitals. Currently, both countries have disengaged at LAC, while talks via diplomatic channels and Army-level. READ | Telangana CM KCR dents Cong's India-China Spin; Says PM Modi 'spoke On Our Behalf' READ | Trump Offers Assessment Of 'tough' India-China Situation; Touts 'we're Trying To Help' As with the five other cases reported last week after 24 days, the two new cases were recent arrivals from overseas and both were detected within the managed isolation facilities, Xinhua news agency reported citing the statement as saying. Wellington, June 21 (IANS) New Zealand reported two new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the total case number to 1,161 in the country, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. Sunday's first case was the child of the couple announced on Saturday as cases who recently arrived from India. The child was under 2 years old. The second confirmed case on Sunday was a 59-year-old woman who travelled from Delhi and arrived in Auckland on June 15. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield had reiterated that as New Zealanders returning home from overseas, there were always new cases to expect. "It is good that the systems are in place to detect these cases. Testing, particularly at the border, will continue to be an important part of our COVID-19 response," said Bloomfield. New Zealand's laboratories completed 5,950 tests on Saturday, bringing the total completed tests to date to 341,117. The total number of confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization was currently 1,161 in the country. The number of COVID-19 related deaths in the country remained at 22. --IANS ksk/ Forcibly displaced by drought and extremist violence in southwestern Somalia, Fadumo Mohamed Abdi thought she had found safety in the Puntland region's northeastern city of Bosaso. But one day in May 2019, while she and three other women were gathering firewood on the outskirts of their camp, they were accosted by four armed men, she said. "The other three women managed to escape, but unfortunately I could not. They raped me repeatedly and left me unconscious," Abdi told VOA's Somali service in a phone conversation Friday. Abdi was hospitalized for several days and, more than a year later, still bears trauma from the episode. Her disabled husband and their nine children had depended on her to collect fuel, but she remains too fearful to venture back into the woods. Instead, she relies on her sisters and friends. The toll of sexual violence extends well beyond a single person or family, the United Nations said in marking Friday's annual observance of International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. "It reverberates throughout communities and societies, perpetuating cycles of violence and threatening international peace and security," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the challenges in areas with armed conflict, Guterres said, because "reporting crimes may be difficult; shelters and clinics may be closed." Guterres commended frontline workers who have found ways to support survivors "despite lockdowns and quarantines." And, his statement concluded, "We must prevent and end these crimes; place survivors at the center of our response; hold perpetrators accountable; and expand support for all those affected." Abdi said that, as far as she knew, there has been no investigation and her attackers are still at large. "We are poor. We cannot afford a lawyer" to help the family seek justice, she said. According to U.N. Women, an estimated 35% women globally have suffered sexual violence. Risks exist even at home. The group reported in April that an estimated 243 million females experienced sexual violence by an intimate partner within a 12-month span. In Somalia last year, 241 of 744 reported rapes involved conflict-related sexual violence, the U.N. office there found. Rape and other acts of sexual violence often go unreported and unpunished in the Horn of Africa country, groups such as Human Rights Watch say, because of a culture of impunity and stigma. Somalia, wracked by civil war since its central government collapsed in 1991, divided itself into regions and fiefdoms ruled by rival clan leaders and warlords. There's no strong, common rule of law. Legal changes Changing attitudes have brought some legal developments. In 2016, semiautonomous Puntland became the first regional state in Somalia to criminalize sexual assault. In February, authorities executed two men convicted of the abduction, gang rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in 2019. In 2018, the northern region of Somaliland passed a law that allows prison sentences of up to 30 years for convicted rapists. That same year, Somalia's cabinet ministers drafted legislation, still being considered by the Parliament, to outlaw sexual offenses, including exploitation, trafficking, slavery and forced marriage. It would require investigations into rape allegations and ban clan-based settlements of sexual violence charges. Abdulkadir Mohamed Warsame, an activist in Puntland, said assaults on minors have brought "a traumatic pain in the hearts of Somalis. Although steps were taken toward bringing the culprits to justice, that is not enough to eradicate the crime," he added, calling for establishing "a special unit that monitors sexual violence in conflict." An assault in April sparked a public outcry and more demands for action. Two girls ages 2 and 3 were abducted from their home in Afgoye, a town about 30 kilometers southwest of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, in an area frequented by al-Shabab militants. The next day, a farmer found them in a field, alive but sexually assaulted and traumatized, the town's mayor told VOA. James Swan, the U.N.'s special representative for Somalia, is urging the country's leaders and residents to do more "to assist and listen to victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence." "Conflict-related sexual violence inflicts deep personal wounds and remains a violation of the human rights of the victims," he said. "It also scars the fabric of society and the country and has no place in the modern, emerging Somalia." (Newser) President Trump's rally in Oklahoma Saturday night is believed to be the biggest indoor event in the US since coronavirus restrictions beganbut it wasn't quite as big as expected. There were thousands of empty seats at Tulsa's 19,000-capacity BOK Center, though the campaign said it had received more than a million ticket requests, the Guardian reports. Trump, who spoke for almost two hours, described COVID-19 testing as a "double-edged sword." "When you do testing to that extent ... you're going to find more cases," he said. "So I said to my people, slow the testing down please." A White House official later said the president, who was holding his first rally in three months, was "obviously kidding." More: Trump blamed protesters for turnout. Health officials warned that the rally would cause a surge in coronavirus infectionsand six staff members who helped set the rally up tested positive earlier in the daybut Trump appeared to blame the turnout on protesters and the media. There were "very bad people outside, they're doing bad things," he said in his opening remarks. There were "some volatile scenes outside the venue but no serious trouble," reports the BBC. Plans for Trump to address an outside "overflow area" were dropped. AP reporters said they did not see protesters block entry to the area where the rally was being held. story continues below Familiar targets . Politico reports that Trump attacked plenty of "familiar targets" during his speech, including Joe Biden, the media, and the Washington, DC, "swamp." He referred to the coronavirus as the "China Virus" and the "Kung Flu." He also slammed the "unhinged left wing mob" he said was "desecrating our monuments, our beautiful monuments." "They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place," he said. Trump also called for the burning of the US flag to be made illegal. . Politico reports that Trump attacked plenty of "familiar targets" during his speech, including Joe Biden, the media, and the Washington, DC, "swamp." He referred to the coronavirus as the "China Virus" and the "Kung Flu." He also slammed the "unhinged left wing mob" he said was "desecrating our monuments, our beautiful monuments." "They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place," he said. Trump also called for the burning of the US flag to be made illegal. AOC: Trump was tricked by teens . Rep, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezanother Trump targetpoked fun at the Trump campaign over the disappointing turnout, Fox reports. "You just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID," she tweeted after campaign chief Brad Parscale said "radical protesters fueled by a week of apocalyptic coverage" stopped Trump supporters entering the venue. . Rep, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezanother Trump targetpoked fun at the Trump campaign over the disappointing turnout, Fox reports. "You just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID," she tweeted after campaign chief Brad Parscale said "radical protesters fueled by a week of apocalyptic coverage" stopped Trump supporters entering the venue. He spoke about West Point for 14 minutes . The Washington Post reports that Trump spent more than 14 minutesaround an eighth of his speechdiscussing his speech at West Point last weekend and complaining about how the media covered his slow walk down a ramp and his use of two hands to drink a glass of water. After he demonstrated that he could drink a glass of water with one hand, the crowd cheered and chanted "Four more years!" . The Washington Post reports that Trump spent more than 14 minutesaround an eighth of his speechdiscussing his speech at West Point last weekend and complaining about how the media covered his slow walk down a ramp and his use of two hands to drink a glass of water. After he demonstrated that he could drink a glass of water with one hand, the crowd cheered and chanted "Four more years!" Fact-checkers were busy . CNN fact-checks numerous statements from Trump's speech, including his claim that Biden apologized for criticizing his China travel restrictions. . CNN fact-checks numerous statements from Trump's speech, including his claim that Biden apologized for criticizing his China travel restrictions. "Brief skirmishes." Police say there were "brief skirmishes" and pepper balls were fired after Trump supporters leaving the rally clashed with protesters, but things remained largely peaceful, the Tulsa World reports. Police say there were "brief skirmishes" and pepper balls were fired after Trump supporters leaving the rally clashed with protesters, but things remained largely peaceful, the Tulsa World reports. Quake felt after rally. The AP reports that a 4.2 earthquake, the state's strongest in more than two years, hit northern Oklahoma around 10:15pm, after the rally concluded, and was felt in Tulsa. (Read more President Trump stories.) The headquarters of Wirecard AG is seen in Aschheim near Munich By Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA (Reuters) - None of the $2.1 billion missing from scandal-hit German payments firm Wirecard AG appears to have entered the Philippine financial system, the central bank said on Sunday. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement the Southeast Asian country's biggest lenders, BDO Unibank and Bank of the Philippine Islands , suffered no losses, despite having been named in connection with the missing funds. The chief executive of Wirecard, Markus Braun, who built the company into one of the hottest financial technology investments in Europe and a rare tech champion for Germany, quit on Friday as the company faces a cash crunch after saying it may have been the victim of fraud. The search for the missing cash hit a dead end in the Philippines, but the two Philippine banks have said documents purporting to show Wirecard had deposited funds with them were false. "The initial report is that no money entered the Philippines and that there is no loss to both banks," Diokno said, though he added that the central bank was investigating. "The international financial scandal used the names of two of the countrys biggest banks BDO and BPI in an attempt to cover the perpetrators' track," he said. BDO and BPI have stated that Wirecard was not their client and that they had no business relationship with the German firm, Diokno said. BPI, however, told Reuters on Saturday that it had suspended an assistant manager whose signature appeared on one of the fraudulent documents. BDO told the central bank that it appeared one of its marketing officers had fabricated a bank certificate. Diokno reiterated the Philippine banking system was in a strong position going into the coronavirus pandemic and well-capitalised. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by William Mallard) Theres generations coming up after us, and Im honored to be a representation for young queer black women growing up in the city of Chicago that want to be a DJ, said DJ Ca$h Era. But if Im the only one, Im not reaching many people. There needs to be more black people booked, period. A 62-year-old convict n Mandoli jail died of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on June 15, the first Covid death in citys prisons, prompting the high powered committee constituted to decongest the jails in Delhi to issue a slew of measures, including conducting rapid tests on the new inmates and installation of oxygen concentrators at the jail hospital, officials said on Sunday. Director general (prisons) Sandeep Goel informed the committee about the death of the inmate on Saturday. The committee headed by Justice Hima Kohli was told that 62-year-old Kanwar Singh passed away in his sleep. His Covid test came out positive on Saturday. Kanwar Singh was serving life imprisonment in a 2016 murder case registered at the Aman Vihar police station and was sent to jail on July 6, 2018. Goel said he was sharing the jail cell with 28 other inmates who were doing fine. The committee directed the officials to test the 28 inmates immediately to prevent the spread of the disease in the prison complex. The DG (prisons) also informed the committee that till Saturday, 36 jail staffers and 20 prisoners in Mandoli, Tihar and Rohini, the three prisons in Delhi, have been found Covid positive. The DG said that all Covid positive jail staff were relieved of their duties and asked to remain in home quarantine, as all of them were asymptomatic. He said all those who had come in their contact were also tested. Goel said of the 36 jail staff who were found positive (till June 20), seven have already recovered and tested negative. Only two of those jail staff required hospitalisation, two are in institutional quarantine facility whereas the remaining 25 are in home quarantined, Goel said. He also said that till Saturday, 20 inmates had tested positive out of which 16 have recovered and one has died. Following this, the committee resolved that new prisoners between 18 and 21 years of age be kept in isolation wards and asked the DG (prisons) and special secretary (home) of the Delhi government to turn the 360 vacant police quarters, situated close to Mandoli jail, into a temporary jail to create isolation ward for new prisoners and those who test positive. The committee also said that all jail hospitals must be equipped with oxygen concentrators and two such machines for each of the two jail hospitals must be procured at the earliest. The committee also sought to know about the availability of some other space which can be converted into a temporary jail. DG (prisons) Goel stated that in consultation with Delhi Police, they have identified police quarters in Mandoli are being used as governments medical quarantine facility for Covid patients. He said that they have spoken to the Delhi government for making the quarters available for making a temporary jail. He informed that the quarters comprises of 12 towers with 30 flats each. He said the flats can be used for holding 1800 new inmates. The committee directed the DG (prisons) as well as special secretary (home) to make concerted efforts for getting the nod from the Delhi government at the earliest. It also added two new category of prisonersundertrial prisoners facing jail in 498A (domestic violence) and 304B (dowry death) --who can be now released on interim bail. The committee was told that till date 4,129 inmates/ convicts/undertrial prisoners have been released on parole/interim bail. Despite that, the prison population continue to be 13,677 as on June 19. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Modi Says No Border Intrusion in Wake of Deadly Clash with China By Anjana Pasricha June 20, 2020 Days after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a bloody clash with Chinese soldiers along their Himalayan border, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has not lost any territory. "Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured," Modi said in televised comments that followed a meeting on Friday with top opposition leaders to discuss the crisis. His remarks are being seen as an effort to cool tensions following the most serious clash in nearly five decades between the nuclear-armed neighbors whose border in the high Himalayas has many disputed stretches. India and China have accused each other of instigating the clash that occurred Monday night in eastern Ladakh, an icy, barren desert mountain region that has strategic significance for both countries. Earlier in the week, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had told his Chinese counterpart that the dispute was triggered after "the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC," according to a statement by the Indian foreign ministry. The LAC refers to the Line of Actual Control that demarcates the unsettled border between them. "The entire country is hurt and angry at the steps taken by China," Modi said. "India wants peace and friendship, but upholding sovereignty is foremost." Angry reaction The clash has led to a wave of popular anger in India. The hand-to-hand fighting involved crude weapons that included stones and clubs -- a photo doing the rounds on social media in India apparently shows rods studded with nails. For its part, China says that it was Indian troops who crossed the LAC and built fortifications and barriers on the Chinese side. "The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Friday. A long-standing protocol between the two armies prohibits the use of guns and explosives along the border, which is patrolled by troops that are often close to each other. According to reports in the Indian media, 76 Indian soldiers were also wounded in the clash. Modi vowed to defend the border, saying that India's armed forces had been given a free hand to take all necessary steps and were capable of protecting Indian territory. The incident has intensified a standoff that began in early May when Indian officials accused Chinese troops of crossing the border at three places. Attempts to defuse tension The Times of India newspaper reported Saturday that India has moved fighter jets to air bases facing China and deployed additional warships in the Bay of Bengal region in a signal that it is prepared for an escalation. In the past month both countries had already deployed additional forces following tensions that were sparked by Indian accusations that China has entered Indian territory. Military commanders have been holding talks since the clash to defuse the tensions and both countries have said they want a peaceful resolution. But so far there appears to be no breakthrough. Both countries say they are also communicating through diplomatic channels. Opposition parties have slammed the government for not detecting what it says are Chinese intrusions and called for tough action in getting China to leave Indian territory. "Does the government not receive, on a regular basis, satellite pictures of the borders of our country?" Sonia Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress Party, has asked. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allied ships patrol in the Black Sea NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 18 Jun. 2020 Last updated: 20 Jun. 2020 09:47 The United States Navy dock landing ship USS Oak Hill joined the guided missile destroyer USS Porter in the Black Sea on Thursday (18 June 2020) for maritime security operations and to train with Allies and partners in the region. Porter entered the Black Sea on Wednesday. NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu welcomed the deployment, saying: "The Black Sea is of strategic importance to NATO. Since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, the Alliance has increased its presence in the region. This includes maritime security operations such as this one, as well as training for partner navies and coast guards, and information sharing. By working with Allies and partners, we continue to ensure the security of the Black Sea region." The arrival of the USS Oak Hill marks the fourth time a US Navy ship patrols the Black Sea in 2020. The two vessels will not be making any port calls in the region, but stay at sea to avoid any potential COVID-19 exposure. The US Navy and other NATO navies routinely operate in the Black Sea, consistent with international law, patrolling the waters for around two-thirds of the year. Three NATO members Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey are littoral Black Sea states, with their own forces in the region. NATO is also strengthening support for its partners Georgia and Ukraine. In April, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to conduct more Black Sea exercises with both countries, as well as stepping up joint work to counter hybrid warfare and share more air traffic radar data. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By PTI BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has set the criteria to appoint a chairperson to the state pollution control board. The aspirants to the post should hold a master's degree in environment engineering or equivalent degree from a recognised university or institute. Through a gazette notification, the government on Friday fixed the criteria. The chairperson would be selected by a search-cum- selection committee comprising the Chief Minister, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment and Chief Secretary. The notification said the government should nominate a person having knowledge or practical experience in matters relating to environmental protection or a person having knowledge and experience in an institution dealing with environmental issues. Also, the government fixed a maximum age limit of 56 years as on the last date for the receipt of applications. The government would have to call for applications three months prior to the expiry of the term of the chairman by publishing in two national newspapers. The rules were fixed against the backdrop of a public interest litigation filed in November 2019 requesting the Karnataka High Court to direct the state government to frame the recruitment rules for the appointment of chairperson and members of the Pollution Board. New Delhi, June 21 : In a landmark development, China has lost a dispute to the European Union at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a market economy status, as the former allowed the dispute to lapse. The development comes after four years of battle for the market-economy status by China. The designation would have put the country in a stronger position in respect of its commercial and trade partners. A note by the WTO Secretariat said China allowed the dispute to lapse. "At the request of China, the panel suspended its work on 14 June 2019 (WT/DS516/13). Since the panel has not been requested to resume its work, pursuant to Article 12.12 of the DSU, the authority for establishment of the panel lapsed as of 15 June 2020," read the Secretariat's note. According to the EU, China subsidises its industries to a great extent, particularly steel and aluminum, making their sales prices in the international market unfair. After the latest development, to protect their industries, the EU and the United States will be able to apply high anti-dumping tariffs on goods from China. Similar issues have also been faced by India in terms of "dumping" of low-cost products by China. India has imposed anti-dumping duties on several occasions on several items. Further, amid the ongoing border tussle, India may impose higher tariffs on products that are mostly imported from China. Seneca McIntosh, in a "Straight Outta the Rez" t-shirt, talks to locals in front of the "Black Wall Street" mural in Greenwood. Daniel Shular Tulsa residents are ambivalent about all the attention and visitors President Donald Trump's rally is bringing to their city. "There's a lot of anxiety and anticipation. We're hoping it's going to be very peaceful," Mary Johnson said. Counterprotesters have been kept away from the BOK Center by police, though at least one woman was arrested. While the rally happens, Sen. Kamala Harris and former Attorney General Eric Holder will participate in a virtual Juneteenth Block Party. "Everything is going to be peaceful in all areas today," Seneca McIntosh said. "There are not going to be any issues at all." Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. While thousands eagerly anticipate Donald Trump's appearance tonight at Tulsa's Bank of Oklahoma Center, not everyone is happy. Many locals are ambivalent, both about the president and the spectacle he has brought to the city of 400,000. "I was here when both Bushs were here and when Clinton was here," said former Oklahoma state trooper Jerry Pierce, "and I don't remember it being this big of a deal." Pierce, 61, is handling security for a news crew. CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman and his crew were already surrounded and shouted away from outside BOK on Friday. Jerry Pierce, 61, waits for a news crew he is doing security for to return. Daniel Shular At least 250 Oklahoma National Guardsmen have been called in to secure the downtown area. Their presence alone has set some locals on edge. "This is every day," veteran Melvin Johnson said of the heightened security and police presence. "It needs to be addressed." Mary Johnson, who rode by on her bicycle, said she and her friends "are very unsure" about the day's proceedings. "There's a lot of anxiety and anticipation. We're hoping it's going to be very peaceful," Johnson, 45, added. Fellow cyclist Staci Benton said she was more concerned about outsiders: "Anything negative will not be from Tulsans." Story continues Another local, Mary Noble, said the choice to have a rally in Tulsa, a city with a dark racist past, felt intentional. "The fact that this happening just miles from the Greenwood District that was burned down by a white mob 99 years ago is significant," the 31-year-old Noble said. "I just hope it doesn't escalate to anything violent and nobody gets hurt." Mary Noble, 31, says Trump's choice to have his rally in Tulsa, where whites massacred a Black community in 1921, "is significant. Dan Shular Tulsa artist Greg Stivers was painting an anti-hate mural on Saturday morning. He said he felt like Trump chose the weekend of Juneteenth to have his first re-election rally in months as a way to steal focus away from Black Lives Matters and calls for racial justice. "It feels like he's kind of doing like a show of force, trying to intimidate anybody from speaking otherwise," Stivers, 30, told Insider. Artist Greg Stivers works on a mural in downtown Tulsa on June 20, 2020. Dan Shular Other murals read "Love all," "Peace will prevail," and "An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," a line from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." Atop the Shrine, a downtown music venue, critics with more bite erected an inflatable Donald Trump. The larger-than-life effigy was wearing a diaper and tweeting from his cellphone, Tulsa World reported. "Since he's been president look at everything that's been happening, and what continues on a daily basis," David Gayle, a 16-year-old Black man, told Insider. "He divides us." David Gayle. Daniel Shular Gayle was riding an e-scooter to the "Black Wall Street" mural in Greenwood, one of the few signs of the neighborhood's storied past. Protests have been going on all Saturday, but between security blockades and the threat of the coronavirus, the response has been somewhat muted. Police use security fencing to block Black Lives Matter protesters at the entrance to President Trump's rally. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images A vigil Friday night was mostly rained out. Less than 200 people confirmed on Facebook for Saturday's "Trump Campaign Trail Counter-Protest," Newsweek reported. While the rally is happening, the city is hosting a global Juneteenth Block Party, both online and on the ground, "to reclaim the airwaves and keep the focus of the weekend on freedom," organizers said in a statement. Sen. Kamala Harris, "Watchmen" creator Damon Lindelof, Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, and former Attorney General Eric Holder are among the speakers, as is Tiffany Crutcher, whose brother was killed by a Tulsa police officer in 2016. Trump supporters look on at Black Lives Matter protesters near the entrance to the TOK Center. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Tykebrean Natrail Cheshier, who is organizing a separate "Rally Against Hate (a peaceful rally)"in Veterans Park, told Newsweek she wanted to create "a safe place for Tulsans to have their voices heard." The park is about 40 minutes from BOK Center, "Close enough for you hear us, far enough for us to stay away from y'all," Cheshier said. Like others, she believes it's people from outside Tulsa "that wants to start drama," she told Newsweek. But while at least one woman has already been arrested for trespassing, many believe Trump's rally will come and go without much fuss. "Everything is going to be peaceful in all areas today," Seneca McIntosh, a member of the Cherokee Nation who lives just outside of Tulsa in Glenpool, told Insider. "There are not going to be any issues at all." Read the original article on Insider Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) workers look into a hole at a job site in San Francisco, Calif., on July 30, 2014. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) PG&E Says Bankruptcy Court Approves Its Chapter 11 Reorganization Plan PG&E Corp said its Chapter 11 reorganization plan has been confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, bringing the power provider one step closer to emerging from bankruptcy and participating in a state-backed wildfire fund. The courts approval follows the confirmation of the plan by power regulator California Public Utilities Commission in May. Todays ruling in the Chapter 11 proceeding concludes the process of approving PG&Es Plan of Reorganization, the San Francisco-based utility Chief Executive Officer and President Bill Johnson said in a statement on Saturday. The company said that it expects to emerge from bankruptcy in July and that it is on track to participate in a state-backed wildfire fund, which reduces liability for investor-owned utilities but requires them to spend billions of dollars upgrading equipment. The utility filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January last year, citing potential liabilities exceeding $30 billion from major wildfires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018. Firefighters battle a fire following an explosion at Geary Boulevard and Parker Avenue as PG&E officials dig up the ground to reach the pipe in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2019. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle/Reuters) Earlier this week, the company pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a devastating 2018 wildfire in Northern California touched off by the utility companys power lines. The guilty plea, part of an agreement with prosecutors in Butte County, is intended to end all criminal proceedings against PG&E from the Camp Fire, which broke out on Nov. 8, 2018, and destroyed much of the town of Paradise. The Camp Fire killed at least 84 people and destroyed some 18,000 buildings. It is considered the most destructive wildfire in California history. The company said earlier in June that it plans to raise $5.75 billion from public offerings as it tries to emerge from bankruptcy. By Kanishka Singh In just this past week, Texas hospitals have experienced a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, climbing to a record number of 3,148 on Friday, according to Texas Health and Human Services. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has grown to 103,305 in Texas. Harris County now leads the state with 18,552 cases. As the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have climbed, Houston hospital ICUs have seen an increased influx in patients. According to Houston Methodist Hospital's ICU lead, Dr. Faisal Masul, ICU admissions have shot up in the last week. CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Judge Hidalgo to issue new mask order "In the the last 5 days, ICU admissions have risen 30 or 40 percent," Masud said. "We are very, very full. Initially, the uptick has been more than regular." Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital has also seen a marked increase in their ICU admissions, according to Dr. James McCarthy. "Volumes have definitely been increasing," McCarthy said. "We have vigilantly tried to increase capacity." Masud said Houston Methodist's plan of action is to meet the need within the Houston community. "Our strategy is that we going to be adding more beds," he said. Masud said the influx of ICU patients is concerning. "This has to stop. This is not good," Masud said. "After Memorial Day, this is what has happened. Everything depends upon people complying with these mask orders and businesses actually enforcing the orders." COVID-19 CASES RISE: Amusement parks, carnivals reopen in Texas as COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases rise Masud reiterated that Houstonians must stay vigilant and avoid a false sense of security. "We did such a good job as a city and a state early on," Masud said. "Now we have a lot to do. To lose all this ground, its disturbing." The message he wants to send to Texans is simple. "Stop thinking only about yourself. Think of everyone else around you," Masud said. "Please put your mask on. It's a big deal. Please keep your social distancing. If nothing changes, the choice will be out of our hands. Help us help you." [June 20, 2020] NETREALTY Enables Southern California Homeowners to Save Money and Help the Environment When They Buy and Sell Property Online Despite COVID-19 EASTVALE, Calif., June 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California's housing market is still going strong amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Area buyers want to jump into homeownership, but realtors are facing an unusual challenge in today's market apprehensive sellers. Many sellers are expressing unease about bringing buyers in to view their homes. NETREALTY, an online real estate start-up is keen to automate real estate transactions and provide the most convenient, affordable and contactless service to assure clients that every safety precaution is being taken. "Some sellers have expressed concern that people coming in to view their homes are going to be touching surfaces and bringing in germs," explains Abby Ronquillo, founder and CEO of NETREALTY. "We of course understand their worries, but we are taking extreme precautions against that. Potential buyers must wash their hands when they come into the home, they cannot touch any surface in the home until they have washed their hands. We are also providing hand sanitizer, booties, face masks and gloves as well as staggering appointments to ensure only a limited number of people are in the home at one time." NETREALTY handles real estate transactions in Southern California, with their online service. Core to NETREALTY is the personalized service and attention it pays to each of its clients, while still conducting online, paperless real estate transactions. Their ualified, licensed realtors bring together buyers and sellers, ensuring safe and convenient service at a considerable discount. While NETREALTY offers the same services as a traditional real estate brokerage, the commission structure offers sellers an ultra low 1.5% listing fee if their home is listed using the NETREALY app. "I originally launched NETREALTY because I wanted my business to align with my lifestyle," explains Ronquillo. "I believe in having as little carbon footprint as possible. My husband and I believe in sustainability. We both drive electric cars, eat organic food from our backyard, compost most of our waste, and reuse gray water." With the coronavirus pandemic, many of NETREALTY's clients are also willing to limit as much face-to-face contact as possible. NETREALTY's goal is to disrupt the industry by automating the real estate process and saving sellers money, while saving a few trees in the process. "We are all taking steps in order to keep safe and healthy," says Ronquillo. "We are trying to eliminate as much risk as possible and streamline our client's lives while still ensuring that they can get essential transactions, like buying and selling a home, done. In this environment, the real estate market is proving to be a challenge. I'm proud to say that we are helping clients to complete their real estate transactions, safely, quickly, at the best rate and in the most environmentally friendly way possible." NETREALTY is available for download from the Appstore, the Google Play store or online at www.netrealty.com. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Abby Ronquillo (949)701-9992 [email protected] www.netrealty.com About NETREALTY NETREALTY is a digital real estate company that offers full-service in Southern California without the high fees. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netrealty-enables-southern-california-homeowners-to-save-money-and-help-the-environment-when-they-buy-and-sell-property-online-despite-covid-19-301080693.html SOURCE NETREALTY [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Getvisibility, a Cork-based technology company, believes it could win up to 20m in business following new data protection requirements announced for suppliers to the US Department of Defence. The department, which has a budget of around $700bn (623bn), introduced the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements regarding data at the beginning of the month. It sets out a five-level framework for cybersecurity processes and best practices for US government contractors to stop the theft of intellectual property and sensitive information. CMMC means any businesses hoping to win or run a contract for the US Department of Defence must demonstrate it complies with the new data security rules. Getvisibility makes software which helps companies identify, protect and understand the data they produce. It believes it is the only Irish company providing security products that can match the demands of the Department of Defence in Washington. Ronan Murphy, chief executive of Getvisibility, said the opportunity for his company was significant, as every company on the supply chain of the US Department of Defence, from grass cutters to fighter jet manufacturers, will need to show compliance. "We are very well positioned as a technology stack to get those companies to a level of maturity," he said. "There are over 300,000 companies in that supply chain vying for that $700bn annual pot. "I think this is a multi-million opportunity for companies like us with a solution - you could put a number of 20m on it." Murphy, who also founded Smarttech247, said Getvisibility had already won a "significant" contract with one supplier to help them understand and protect the data. It is now ramping up activity in the US to help companies demonstrate compliance when they get audited by the US Department of Defence. Getvisibility is planning on expanding from Atlanta and San Francisco in the US. By the end of 2020, it hopes to have 12 employees in the market. Fraud is on the rise in 2020, with losses from COVID-19 scams surpassing 5m. Photo: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/Sipa USA Scams are on the rise in the UK as fraudsters exploit the COVID-19 crisis to deceive Brits and steal their money and personal information. During March alone, scam reports shot up by a massive 400%. Meanwhile, Action Fraud figures show losses from coronavirus-themed scams have now surpassed 5m ($6.17m). To help, the financial crime Team at Hitachi Personal Finance has listed the most common scams to look out for in 2020, and provided some top tips to avoid them. The most common scams in 2020 Phone and holiday scams Phone scams, disguised as cold calls or even calls from companies you are a customer with, are on the rise, with the latest research from Ofcom suggesting up to a quarter of nuisance calls in 2020 could be scam calls up from just 4% in 2017. Often during the summer months, scammers will cold call or email, pretending to be a travel company, offering low prices on holidays to get hold of your personal info and bank details, Hitachi Personal Finance said. Top tips for avoiding being scammed over the phone: Never disclose any personal information to anyone asking you to make a transaction over the phone and hang up if they are insistent or rushing you to make a decision. A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account for safe keeping. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by. If youre unsure, hang up immediately and contact your bank using the number on the back of your card or statement. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. For holiday related calls, research the company using the Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) and Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) databases, and ask friends if its something theyre familiar with. READ MORE: Coronavirus: a third of Brits eating into savings in lockdown Story continues Phishing emails Most people are used to deleting spam emails, but what about those sent from your bank or a service that you use? Scammers are becoming increasingly clever and are now cloning legitimate emails in order to send ones that look identical to those from big names. Top tips to avoid being scammed by phishing emails: Never click on any links or open any attachments from suspicious emails, as this is how the scammer accesses your data. Double check the address that the email has been sent from, malicious emails will often have an obscure email address (although be wary as some do appear genuine at first glance). Report any emails you are unsure about as a phishing attempt, and delete from both your inbox and your deleted folder. If an email from a particular company seems suspicious, e.g. from a bank youre not a customer with, contact the company to verify whether its real or fake. Social media Photo: Getty Research by Which? shows 21 people are defrauded every minute due to sharing too much information on social media. Top tips to avoid social media scams: Think about what youre sharing and who can see it, especially if your profiles arent set to private. Double check the background of your photos for any private info e.g. letters, bank cards or driving license. Fraudsters can follow your posts and piece together your personal information over time leading to possible identity theft. READ MORE: Coronavirus Brits lose 3.5m to COVID-19 scams Coronavirus scams In March of this year, the City of London police reported a 400% increase in scams as a result of Coronavirus-related fraud. Over 100 reports had also been sent to Action Fraud around this time, with total losses reaching nearly 970,000. Some of the most recent email and text phishing scams relating to coronavirus include: A Northumberland County man is facing charges after police in Ocean City, Maryland, say he shot a juvenile on Friday. Colin K. Heckman, 21, of Milton, fired multiple gunshots at a boy, striking the youth in the buttocks and arm Friday, according to the Ocean City Police Department. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. Friday at 6th Street and Washington Lane, when officers heard the gunshots. They found the boy, whose age was not released. He was rushed to the hospital and released a short time later. As police investigated, they learned the shooting occurred after a confrontation between two groups at a hotel. Heckman has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault reckless endangerment, and discharging a firearm within city limits, police say. 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. Southern trees bear a strange fruit, Blood on the leaves and blood at the root, Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze, Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees... Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck, For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop, Here is a strange and bitter crop Like Abel Meeropol's landmark song on the lynchings of Blacks in America, there is a strange and bitter fruit swaying in the wind in Maharashtra. On May 27, or two days after the killing of George Floyd at Minneapolis in the United States by a white police officer, a young Dalit activist Arvind Bansod died in suspicious circumstances at Nagpur. Bansod was rushed to hospital, but died during treatment. A leader of the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been booked for alleged abetment of suicide in the incident, which occurred in the constituency of state home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh. On June 7, Viraj Jagtap, a Dalit youth and self-made entrepreneur, was murdered at Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune by upper-caste assailants in an alleged case of honour killing. Bansod and Jagtap can be called Maharashtras own George Floydsthe victims of a regressive system that discriminates and bestows privilege based on an accident of birth. However, unlike Floyds murder, which led to protests across the United States, the reaction to these killings has been largely muted in Maharashtra sans some battles on social media. Though one reason for the lack of any grassroots assertion is the ongoing lockdown and spread of coronavirus, this can also be attributed to the larger retreat of the Dalit-Bahujan and progressive movements, ironically in the state which birthed them. While Mahatma Jotiba and Savitribai Phule birthed the anti-caste movement and an indigenous form of feminist thought, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Chatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur have been icons for social reform movements. Maharashtra also saw the emergence of the Dalit Panthers, which was an organization of educated Dalit youth brimming with anti-establishment rage that birthed an avant garde genre of literature and catalysed similar movements across India. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshiram also began his activism in Maharashtra. The reasons for this drift are manifold. For one, mainstream Dalit leaders and their parties have been either politically run into the ground or co-opted by political parties, leading to a dilution of conviction and purpose. For instance, former Dalit Panther activist Ramdas Athavale is now firmly with erstwhile ideological foe, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and is a union minister of state. Other leaders of the Republican Party of India (RPI) factions like Jogendra Kawade, and Rajendra Gavai are aligned with either the Congress or the NCP. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars grandson Prakash Ambedkar, who had emerged as a potent political force after the Lok Sabha elections last year, has seen his Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) being reduced to a pale shadow of its former self. This ensures that the simmering rage in the Dalit community against such incidents is not vented out in an organised, mainstream route. In a system where strength lies in numbers, a legacy issue confronting the Dalit movement is the lack of a larger socio-political alliance with other marginalised groups. The RPI is staffed largely by leaders and cadre from the Neo-Buddhist community, which is seen as the most militant among the Scheduled Castes (SC) in Maharashtra. These RPI factions and leaders have been unable to form a rainbow coalition with other Dalit castes and subalterns like tribals and nomadic and de-notified communities. Hence, non-Neo Buddhist Dalit communities like the Matangs, Charmakars and Holars, are now part of other political formations like the Congress and the Shiv Sena. The VBA, which was formed in the aftermath of the attacks on Dalits visiting the Bhima-Koregaon war memorial near Pune on January 1, 2018, and a counter-protest called by Prakash Ambedkar, had managed to strike alliances with OBC communities. This had also come in the backdrop of the caste cauldron in Maharashtra being put on the boil after a series of massive silent protests since 2016 by the dominant Maratha-Kunbis, who form around 31.5 per cent of the states population. These Maratha Kranti Morchas were organised after disgruntlement about the Maratha communitys depiction in the runaway Marathi hit movie Sairat which is based on honour killings, the brutal gang-rape and murder of a Maratha girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar, and agrarian distress. These agitations also protested against the misuse of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and sought quotas for the community. This led to a counter-polarisation by non-Marathas, including Dalits. But, despite putting up a good performance in the Lok Sabha polls, the VBAs strength has been on a steady decline since then. The Dalit movement, as many leaders admit in private, was largely concentrated around issues like reservations in government jobs and education. It is unable to react to the shrinking role of the public sector in an era of globalisation, and demand an equitable and humane distribution of resources. Activists also attribute the drift in the Dalit movement to the gradual disassociation of the Dalit middle-class from socio-political movements and a general sense of ideological rigidity. They stress that it is necessary to re-mould the Dalit and Bahujan movements to encompass a larger coalition with other marginalized groups. This will birth a new idiom which will evolve with the changing nature of caste-based discrimination and link identity politics with the struggle for basic necessities in an era where the welfare state is in retreat. Dhaval Kulkarni is a Mumbai-based journalist and author of The Cousins Thackeray: Uddhav, Raj and the Shadow of their Senas. Views expressed are personal. A man was shot dead and another seriously injured Saturday in a police-free autonomous zone created by protesters in the US city of Seattle, where officers were prevented from accessing the victims, officials said. The area, set up as part of the nationwide protest movement following the death of unarmed African American George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer, has been a frequent target of Donald Trump. The US president has called it a "disaster" and said people there are anarchists from the "radical left." For nearly two weeks, protesters and activists have occupied the western city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, establishing an area described as a "no cop" zone -- an urban experiment mostly carried out with a festival-like atmosphere. "Officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims," the Seattle Police Department said in a statement. Police, who arrived at the scene around 2:30 am, were later told that the pair had been transported to the hospital by the zone's "medics," where one of the victims, a 19-year-old, was declared dead. The other victim, also a male "remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries," the police department said. Police said the shooter or shooters remained at large and that they had no description of a potential suspect. The Seattle Times reported that the shooting was not believed to be connected to the protest. Officers' body cam footage showed the police being confronted by the protesters who kept them from entering the area. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan defended the zone Thursday after Trump threatened to intervene, while Governor Jay Inslee told the president that a "man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business." At a rally late Saturday in Oklahoma, Trump referenced the episode again telling supporters: "I have an offer out. I said anytime you want we'll come in, we'll straighten it out in one hour or less." "Now I may be wrong but it's probably better for us to just watch that disaster," Trump said. Officials in Seattle have denied reports that left-wing activists are behind the setting up of the autonomous zone. The Seattle 'no cop' zone is described as an urban experiment, mostly carried out with a festival-like atmosphere A 94-year-old retired external affairs ministry official was attacked and his 88-year-old wife stabbed to death during a robbery bid, allegedly by their security guard, at their home in south Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave, police said on Sunday. B R Chawla and his wife Kanta Chawla lived alone in the upper ground floor of the building after the death of their two children a few years ago. The incident took place around 9 pm on Saturday when their personal security guard, who was hired recently through a domestic help, arrived at their home with his two-three associates, the police said, adding that the accused have been arrested. According to police, the guard and his associates barged inside the Chawla house, overpowered the couple and forced them to sit on a sofa. They tied the man's hands and legs with a a rope. When Kanta tried to resist the robbery bid, one of the accused stabbed her with a sharp object. She became unconscious and fell on the sofa, a senior police officer said. The men then went to their bedroom and took away all the cash and jewellery kept in their cupboard, he said. While his wife was lying injured, the retired MEA official managed to go outside the house to alert their neighbours, who informed the Residents Welfare Association president. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to the injuries, he said. According to the building security guard, Jitendra Kumar, this is for the first time that such an incident was reported in the colony in his 25 years of experience. Recalling the incident, Kumar said he had just come for his shift in the night when he received a call from Chawlas' neighbours from the third floor about the robbery. Kumar said he immediately rushed to their home and found that the man was sitting on a chair while his wife was lying injured on the floor. She had injuries in the neck and her clothes were soaked with blood stains. "Mr Chawla was in shock. He told us that robbers took away all the cash and jewellery. I along with my reliever then placed her body on a bed and called up the RWA president to inform him about the incident," said Kumar. He said the society is under 24x7 watch and has eight CCTV cameras. RWA president V K Malhotra, who lives in the adjacent building of the Chawlas' said the couple was registered with Delhi Police's Senior Citizen Scheme. "We have a security guard here 24 hours, one in the morning while another in night hours. The couple had also hired a separate guard recently," he said. The couple's personal guard was not verified by police, he said. A case has been registered and teams have been formed to nab the culprits, police said, adding that CCTV cameras in the area are also being scanned. KENOSHA For Lauren Dupey, 29, and Jake Larsen, 30, any day fishing is a good day. But Saturdays excursion aboard the LuAnn Kay on Lake Michigan at the Kenosha Harbor was unlike any other. They each got a keeper before they even cast a line. Despite some showers, and a delay, this charter began with Dupeys father Mark Dupey, walking Lauren, dressed in a bridal gow, down the dock to the boat. After heading out to the harbor, the Pleasant Prairie couple, both graduates of Tremper High School, recited their handwritten vows surrounded by A small group of immediate family and friends. The one that almost got away The couple first started dating after high school in 2009, after Laurens friend Kayla Tover introduced them at a bonfire. Lauren was student at Michigan Technological University and Jake was an electrical apprentice. I knew I wanted to travel around the country and he wanted to stay here, Lauren said. I really just wanted to just go get my degrees and be a powerhouse. Jake said he knew she was the one in 2011 when they took a trip to Eagle River. We sat in the back of a pick-up truck for approximately 13 hours one weekend just talking and right then and there, I just knew, he said. Lauren, who never dreamed of marriage, said she knew Jake was the one when she started picturing them living in a one-story brick house, him pulling into the driveway in is work truck and kids running around the side to greet him. But, school came first and the couple separated. They started dating again in 2017 when Lauren was pursing her doctorate degree in natural resources management in Utah. We dated long-distance for a year-and-a-half, Lauren said, adding she moved back to Pleasant Prairie in 2018. He set the hook Jake said he bought the engagement ring last September, but plans to propose in a sunflower field fell apart when the field was destroyed by heavy rain. Determined to propose before the new year, Jake hid the ring in his tool box and on Christmas Eve when they were wrapping gifts, he pulled it out and popped the question and she took the bait. Mike Williams, a friend of Laurens mother Denise Piquette, of Mount Pleasant, a former master charter boat captain offered to perform the ceremony on the boat. As a master captain, his licenses allows him to officiate on the water. One of the things that Jake and I have always done together is fish, Lauren said, adding they had gone out fishing with Mike several time. Lauren said it was also the perfect setting because the couple wanted something intimate. She carried a wooden flower bouquet from a shop in Utah where she did her field work and Jake wore a flower boutonniere she made using shotgun shells. Jakes parents Cathy and Jim Larsen, of Eau Claire, joined them on the boat. After reciting their vows, the couple planned to fish, weather permitting, before taking their wedding party to the Hobnob for dinner. A larger reception with more family and friends will be held at a later date. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have backed Egypts right to defend its national security in neighbouring Libya. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya and ordered his army to be prepared to carry out any mission outside the country if needed. The Saudi foreign ministry said the Gulf kingdom stands by Egypt in its right to defend its borders and people against extremism, terrorist militias and their supporters in the region. The security of the Arab Republic of Egypt is an integral part of the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab region, the ministry said in a statement late on Saturday. "The Kingdom supports President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisis statement that Egypt has the right to protect its western borders from terrorism, the statement, carried by Saudi state news agency SPA, added. It urged the international community to respond to calls by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to reach a comprehensive solution that ensures the safety and security of Libyan territories" and "put an end to the illegitimate foreign interventions that fuel terrorism in the region. The Egyptian president stressed that any intervention by Egypt would mainly be aimed at to protecting Egypts western border, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in the country. He also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Libyan National Army (LNA) forces of rival military commander Khalifa Haftar in the east, which Egypt supports. The UAE has also expressed support for all measures Egypt is taking to protect its security and stability from the repercussions of the developments in Libya. It said El-Sisis keenness to restore security and stability in Linba stems from an authentic Arab approach regarding the matter an integral part of Egypts security and stability and Arab national security, the Emirati foreign ministry said. Bahrain also threw its weight behind Egypts announcement, saying Cairo has the right defend its national security against developments in Libya The Bahraini foreign ministry said it supports Egypts determination to protect its western borders from the threats of terrorists and militias, and to swiftly support the restoration of security and stability in Libya. The three gulf countries have backed Egypts new Egyptian peace initiative for Libya as a move towards a ceasefire and political solution. The initiative, announced earlier this month, proposes an elected leadership council for the country. The plan had been welcomed by Russia and the United States. Search Keywords: Short link: - The bhang was being ferried to Mandera town from Moyale for distribution to neighbouring towns - Suspects were arrested at Busle area after police were given tip-off from members of the public - Police said the narcotics worth over KSh 800,000 was from neighbouring Somalia Police in Mandera county have arrested two suspects who were transporting bhang worth over KSh 800,000 from neighbouring country Somalia. Ali Ibrahim Ali and his accomplice were arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Busle area of Mandera town after a tip-off from members of the public. READ ALSO: Viongozi kutoka Magharibi washikilia watazidi kuwa na msimamo mmoja hadi debeni 2022 Bags of bhang seized in North Eastern Kenya during a past arrest. Photo: DCI Source: UGC READ ALSO: African Union suspends South Sudan over failure to pay annual contributions Confirming their arrest, Mandera East sub-county police commander Richard Ng'etich said the bhang is believed to have come from Moyale to Mandera and was in transit to other major towns within the region, as reported by Citizen. Ng'etich blamed the use of illicit drugs for the rising crime activities experienced in the town and called on the religious leaders to take up the lead in advising the youth to desist from abusing them. During a recent tour in the region, North Eastern regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana said he was concerned with high rate of consumption of bhang in the town. READ ALSO: Jubilee Asili: Herman Manyora says William Ruto's new outfit is first blow to Uhuru-Raila handshake Ndalana said ferrying of hang in the region had been normalised as some youths were using donkeys to distribute it and transport it like cargo to nearby towns. He said proceeds from the illegal businesses were being used by al-Shabaab group to finance their operations and attacks on Kenyan security forces. The latest arrest adds to the many cases of drug trafficking in the north which has been linked to web of traffickers who are well connected in carrying out their businesses. On May 24, two police officers from Mariara Police Station in Meru were arrested after they were found ferrying hang worth KSh 15 million in a government vehicle. A roll of bhang costs between KSh 50 to Ksh 100 in the streets of Nairobi. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Wakenya wahisi kusalitiwa na Tanzania kwa kupigia Djibouti kupata uanachama UN The duo, from the General Service Unit (GSU), were nabbed in Gotu area in Isiolo county with sacks of bhang in the trunk of a government Land Cruiser assigned to them. Also in Garissa, three people died in an accident involving an ambulance that was ferrying hang. The ambulance which belonged to Takaba, a private hospital in Mandera, was transporting the narcotics worth KSh 3 million when the accident happened. 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 The scheme implemented by New India Assurance was to end on June 30 as part of Rs 1.70 lakh Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package in March New Delhi: The government has extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for about 22 lakh healthcare providers for another three months till September as there is no respite from COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme implemented by New India Assurance was to end on June 30, 2020 as per the announcement made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of the Rs 1.70 lakh Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package in March. The insurance provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from coronavirus infection and who may be at risk of being impacted by this. Insurance Scheme for health workers in government hospitals and healthcare centres operationalised with effect from March 30, 2020, an official statement said, adding the scheme has been extended up to September. The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers and a few others working in hospitals under the central and state governments will be covered under the insurance scheme. While announcing the scheme, the Finance Minister had said, safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered by the special insurance scheme. "Any health professional, who while treating COVID-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he/she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50 lakh under the scheme," she had said. All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of the Centre as well as states would be covered under this scheme, she had said. This week in Christian history: Jonathan Edwards dismissed, Reformation leader born, Moravians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christianity is a faith with a long and detailed history, with numerous events of lasting significance occurring throughout the ages. Each week brings the anniversaries of significant milestones, horrid tragedies, unbelievable triumphs, telling tribulations, inspirational progress, and everything in between. Here are just a few things that happened this week, June 21-27, in Church history. They include the birth of a Protestant Reformation leader, Jonathan Edwards being dismissed from the pastorate, and the first recorded Moravian worship service in Alaska. 1 2 3 4 Next Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said during his daily update on Saturday that 115 people died overnight, taking the total fatalities over the virus to 9,507, Xinhua news agency reported. Tehran, June 21 (IANS) Iran reported 2,322 new cases over the past 24 hours, taking the total confirmed novel coronavirus cases to 202,584, according to official IRNA news agency. So far, 161,384 have recovered and 2,842 remain in critical condition, said Lari. According to the health spokeswoman, 1,395,675 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran as of Saturday. The Iranian health official said that seven provinces are still in high-risk condition. Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on February 19. Iran and China have offered mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-February, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China. In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On February 29, a five-member Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic. --IANS rt/ ALBANY A bill introduced in the state Senate last week would bar state employees from downloading the popular video-sharing app TikTok on their work phones. State Sen. Chris Jacobs, R-Buffalo, introduced the bill on Thursday, citing security threats. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which has sparked data privacy concerns and accusations it censors content critical of the Chinese government. The app has already been banned within a number of federal agencies, including the departments of state and homeland security. The legislation is titled the "No TikTok on Government Devices Act" and would not apply to any activity involving investigations, cybersecurity research, disciplinary action or intelligence collection. It mirrors federal legislation of the same name introduced in March by two Republican senators that would prohibit the app on U.S. government-issued electronic devices. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill that month. Both local and federal elected officials across the aisle have raised concerns that TikTok poses a counterintelligence threat and could feed sensitive user data to the Chinese government, which in 2017 approved a law requiring Chinese companies to cooperate with intelligence efforts if asked. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York's senior senator, has repeatedly raised concerns over the app's presence on government devices. "Due to the obvious untrustworthiness of TikTok and the nature of the data that it collects, it is more than reasonable to conclude that this application should not be downloaded or used on government-issued electronic device," Jacobs' bill memo states. The measure does not yet have a companion bill in the state Assembly. The app is increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults, who use the app to create short dance videos or comedy skits. TikTok and its Chinese equivalent, Douyin, surpassed 2 billion downloads in April, TechCrunch reported. TikTok has also attracted a wider audience of adults in recent months and found its way into business' social media strategies, many of which both run their own accounts and sponsor "famous" TikTokers to use and advertise their products. It has also become a hub for social media activism. Most recently, thousands of teenagers on the app claimed victory Saturday after they say an online campaign to register and then not show up for President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., inflated expected turnout, The New York Times reported. TikTok has repeatedly asserted that it is independent of the Chinese government, though representatives have previously declined to testify publicly before or meet privately with members of Congress to discuss company policy and security concerns. After the Transportation Security Administration banned TikTok from government devices in February, an app spokesperson told Business Insider: "While we think the concerns are unfounded, we understand them and are continuing to further strengthen our safeguards while increasing our dialogue with lawmakers to help explain our policies. We recently reached out to several members of Congress to express an interest in meeting in the near future." A representative for TikTok did not respond to a request for comment. kapil Sibal By On 11 June 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted the Kolkata-based Indian Chamber of Commerce to convert the pandemic-related economic crisis into an opportunity. For the PM to address the Kolkata-based industry lobby instead of other apex chambers of commerce to deliver this message to industries around the country was somewhat surprising. He perhaps chose Kolkata because of the impending state Assembly elections in early 2021. This was yet another speech without a road map in place. He talked about taking the Indian economy from command-and-control mode to plug-and-play. He exhorted the industry to take bold decisions and make bold investments going forward. He spoke of a self-reliant India in sectors like medical devices, defence, coal and minerals, edible oil, fertilisers, electronics, solar panels, batteries, chip manufacturing and aviation. The PM, before making such an exhortation, should have been and hopefully is aware of a possible economic pandemic. Any economy that has self-reliance as its goal must commit itself to make policy shifts and invest heavily in research and development (R&D). Indias gross national expenditure on R&D is 0.7% of GDP, lowest even among BRICS countries. Amongst developed economies, Israel spends 4.4%, Germany 3%, the US 2.8% and Canada 1.6% of their GDP on R&D. The share of expenditure in higher education is merely 3.8% of the gross R&D expenditure, whereas it is 7% in China, 13% in the US, 17% in Germany, 21% in France, 31% in Australia and 41% in Canada. The foundation of a nations wealth lies in unleashing the innovative spirit of young minds who seek to explore and discover new ways to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. It is funding and freedom to experiment and discover through multi-disciplinary collaborations that will help lay the foundations of a self-reliant India. In the last six years, the Modi administration has shown no interest in moving in that direction. There is no point asking industry to be innovative. Factories produce goods. They use existing technology. They do not innovate. Talking of medical devices, the PM knows that 70% to 90% of our domestic requirement for medical devices is met through imports. We lack a robust indigenous ecosystem for large-scale manufacture of medical devices. In respect of solar panels, the Indian solar power sector itself imports solar modules. In 2018 alone, these imports cost us $2.59 billion. We import $60 billion worth of electronic equipment, assemblies, components, raw material, etc. Around 88% of the components used by the mobile handset industry are imported from countries like China. We are not self-reliant in fertilisers, a key input towards achieving self-sufficiency in food grains. At present, India imports two-thirds of its requirement for fertilisers. Similarly, we are the worlds leading vegetable oil importer of which the share of palm oil imports is more than 60%. Despite having the fourth largest coal reserves in the world, our coal imports have been rising to meet growing demand. We imported 247.1 million tonnes (MT) of coal in 2019-20, about 5% higher than the 235.35 MT imported during 2018-19. Though the government has opened up commercial mining to the private sector, commercial coal mining projects have long gestation periods, and thus unlikely to support the power sector in the near future. If we look at our telecom sector, there is hardly any device that is manufactured in India. The 4G equipment used by Reliance Jio is supplied by Samsung while the same equipment used by Airtel and Vodafone is supplied by Huawei. Given these facts, it is difficult to digest that the PM genuinely believes that industry will help India become self-reliant. Surprisingly, the PM talked about chip manufacturing. For years, we have tried to set up a semiconductor wafer fabrication (FAB) unit in India. We lost out to Vietnam since we were unwilling to extend concessions and tax rebates that the investors demanded. Upfront investments are huge and the gestation period for manufacturing semiconductors is long. In the last six years, I am not aware of any attempts made by this government to attract foreign investment in a FAB unit. The aviation sector the PM talked about is in the doldrums. With Air India up for sale, there is little room for plug-and-play. If self-reliance is an imperative, there was no need to buy Rafale aircraft off the shelf rejecting manufacture by state-owned HAL. The Make in India slogan remains a chimera given that globally we are the second largest importer of defence equipment. In the near term to achieve self-reliance in these sectors, given the lay of the land, is an act of self-delusion. The PM has no well-thought-out road map for it. Self-reliance as a policy prescription in a highly interconnected world is a throwback to the import substitution policy that was given up long ago. Under that policy, Indian consumers were short-changed by the monopolistic regime of over-priced consumer goods of poor quality. We are likely to run into an economic recession. In times like these, what we need is to take care of those at the bottom of the pyramid. With unemployment reaching unprecedented levels, industrial production falling to a new low, along with plummeting demand, the dream of a self-reliant India will fall apart. It will meet the same fate as other slogans, meant only to seduce the public in the false belief that PM Modi cares. Politics is at the forefront of all such slogans, both in terms of their articulation and the place of articulation. With S&P global (BBB-), Moodys (BAA3) and Fitch (BBB-) downgrading Indias rating at the lowest investment grade, World Bank projecting Asias third largest economy to shrink by 3.2% during the year and OECD projecting that the Indian economy may contract by 3.7%or in the case of a second wave of Covid infections, decline by 7.3% in 2020-21it is time to think of self-reliance in terms of protecting ourselves from the consequences of the pandemic. I hope Aatm Nirbhar Bharatthe latest of many superfluous campaignsdoes not mean that the government has given up and left us to be self-reliant in our tryst with survival. The time has come for the PM to talk of the challenges facing the country today instead of mouthing slogans and selling dreams. Kapil Sibal Senior lawyer, Congress leader and member of Rajya Sabha Julie and Anthony Mead brought their three children, ages 4, 3 and 1, to watch the parade for the first time this year. Both White, Mead said she and her husband only recently learned about the significance of the day despite growing up in Texas. Theres just a need, we feel, to know and learn more about our nations history, all of it, Mead said. So were excited to be here today, to learn about it and teach our kids about it so they can grow up knowing all they can about it. Rachel Pate, parade organizer and vice president for economic development for the chamber, said the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce, Startup Waco, Shepherds Heart Food Pantry and Salvation Army all joined for the first time. These are a lot of the relationships that weve built over the last (year), Pate said. Black families, many who have been attending the parades for years, made up the majority of the attendees. Karen Thompsons extended family, the Jeffersons, Burtens and Caufields, return home to Waco every year for the celebration. The Queen's granddaughter revealed her father-in-law had spent five weeks on a ventilator (Getty Images) Earlier this week, it was revealed that Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank had been told to prepare for the worst during his dads battle with coronavirus. Now, the Queens granddaughter has thanked the NHS for saving her father-in-law Georges life after he spent five weeks on a ventilator at the Royal Brompton Hospital. In a post on Instagram, the 30-year-old royal revealed that the 71-year-old had been discharged this week, with photos showing him assisted by healthcare workers as he arrived home. Speaking in a short video clip, she said: "I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at the Brompton Hospital for what you've done in saying my father-in-law's life. Read more: Princess Eugenie turns 30 in lockdown George came back home to us the other day so happy, and as the 'miracle man' as he called himself. "From the bottom of my husband's and my heart we just want to thank you for everything you've done on the frontline. For risking your lives and those close to you and just for making sure that we can all be safe and sleep well at night." The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson added: "So thank you so much and thank you for giving us all hope, thank you for changing the course of this pandemic and making sure that we're all happy in what we're doing. George Brooksbank pictured with his wife Nicola at their son Jack's wedding to Eugenie in 2018 (Getty Images) Read more: Fans applaud Princess Eugenie and husband Jack for Salvation Army work I wish everyone all the best and thank you so much again for everything you do." Captioning the clip, she wrote: "The Covid-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for so many and I want to say a HUGE thank you to every frontline worker who have kept us all safe and well, whilst sacrificing so much. In particular, Id like to send an enormous thank you to all the teams who saved my father in law, George's life during his stays at St Marys, Chelsea and Royal Brompton Hospital after he contracted the virus. Story continues "To quote George, There was always somebody at hand. I want to offer profound thanks to everyone who was involved. It was a real eye-opener for somebody who has not been in hospital before for any length of time. I certainly owe them my life." Read more: Princess Eugenie urges people to join in round of applause for NHS workers from their homes Eugenie added: "I can't begin to express the thanks I have to you all for bringing him back to our family, my husband Jack, his brother Tom and his beloved wife Nicola. We are forever grateful. @imperialnhs @rbhcharity @chelwestft." The post has received more than 58,000 likes with many leaving kind words of support. George, who was pictured at his sons wedding to the royal in 2018, became ill in mid-March following a trip to France. According to a spokesman for the Duchess of York, he spent five weeks on a ventilator before being moved to a ward which specialises in heart and lung conditions in people recovering from coronavirus. After a total of nine weeks in hospital, he then spent time rehabilitating at an institution in Roehampton. Three months after the pandemic brought life to a standstill, some offices and non-essential business will be allowed to partially reopen. New York City is getting ready to loosen a number of coronavirus restrictions, three months after the pandemic brought life there to a standstill. On Monday, some offices and non-essential business will be allowed to partially reopen, but the United Nations campus in New York will not be following suit. Al Jazeeras diplomatic editor, James Bays, has more. KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2020 - 14:02 | All, Japan, Coronavirus Japan Airlines Co. plans to provide up to 150,000 yen ($1,400) in special allowances to some 36,000 people, or almost all employees of the carrier and its group companies, in early July, company sources said Sunday. The measure is intended to boost the morale of employees, with the carrier eyeing halving their summer bonuses from year-earlier levels because of a tumble in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the sources said. Chairman Yoshiharu Ueki and President Yuji Akasaka will receive no bonuses, while other executives will have their bonuses cut by 70 percent, they said. The allowance payments will total about 5 billion yen, and JAL hopes the money will also help make up for communications and other costs linked to teleworking. Since March, the company has been encouraging employees to work from home, aiming to reduce the office attendance rate to 60 percent or lower. In the first quarter of 2020, JAL posted a group net loss of 29.9 billion yen to stay in the red for four straight quarters for the first time since it relisted in 2012 following a business failure. On Friday, JAL said it was looking to raise 500 billion yen from lenders to bolster its financial standing as it navigates a severe downturn in demand for travel due to the pandemic of the pneumonia-causing virus. Like other airlines, JAL has significantly reduced domestic and international flights. But it expects to see a recovery in passenger numbers on domestic flights starting this month, after the government on Friday lifted its last-remaining advisories recommending against inter-prefecture travel. Berlin: Hundreds of people ran riot in Germany's Stuttgart city centre in the early hours of Sunday, throwing stones and bottles at police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows. Several arrests were made, a police spokesman told AFP, adding that he did not have a firm figure of the number detained. Some police officers were also hurt, he said. Tensions built up shortly after midnight when increasing numbers of people began gathering close to the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz. Clashes then broke out between several small groups, with police estimating around 500 people were involved. Shops along the neighbouring Koenigstrasse, a key shopping thoroughfare, were attacked and looted. Police called in reinforcements and said they could not immediately give a reason for the outbreak of violence. Videos posted on Twitter showed people breaking shop windows, with their goods strewn on the streets. A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked, according to regional broadcaster SWR. Smaller scale clashes had broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people. Why it is celebrated on June 21 every year? Yoga should be part of our lifestyle in fight against Covid-19: Nepal PM 'Yoga is a great gift of India to humanity' Yoga on the mountains of Uttarakhand Yoga practitioners have less chances of getting Covid19: AYUSH minister Yoga can be solution for stress created by Covid-19: Vice-president Naqvi performs 'asanas' with people of different communities People across the world celebrated International Yoga Day on June 21 from confines of their homes as restrictions continue due to the coronavirus outbreak. In India, the celebrations kicked off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation where he emphasised on the importance of yoga in our lives and urged people to practice Pranayam, breathing exercises, to improve their respiratory system amid Covid-19 pandemic. It is a day of universal brotherhood, said PM Modi in his address on the sixth International Yoga Day. Following PM Modi's address, a team from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga demonstrated a 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) which was live broadcast on the television as gatherings were cancelled to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing. To encourage people to celebrate the occasion at home, with their family members, 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family' theme was set for this year's Yoga Day. Yoga is a set of physical exercises that calm the mind and benefit the body. It originated in ancient India. Following International Yoga Day's inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the day is celebrated every year since June 2015. Follow live updates on International Yoga Day here: Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 13:23:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, June 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 260 Mongolian nationals onboard a chartered flight arrived at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport from Southeast early Sunday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's State Emergency Commission (SEC) said Sunday. The passengers consisted of pregnant women, the elderly, children, disabled and sick people, and those with financial and other problems, the SEC said, adding that they flew to the South Korean capital Seoul from eight Southeast Asian countries before boarding the flight. The repatriated people will be isolated at designated facilities for 21 days. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Mongolia has chartered flights and evacuated around 11,000 nationals from different parts of the world, according to the SEC. As of Sunday morning, Mongolia has reported a total of 204 COVID-19 cases, all of which were imported. No local transmissions or deaths have been reported in Mongolia so far. Enditem Six Trump saffers tested positive for coronavirus as crowds ignored health warnings and gathered to hear the US president speak Saturday at his first rally since March, while cases and deaths rose in several Latin American countries. The figures were particularly alarming in Chile, where the death toll nearly doubled to more than 7,000 under a revised tallying method, and passed 20,000 in Mexico. Europe meanwhile chalked up more than 2.5 million cases. Although the spread has slowed, Europe is still the worst-affected continent. Almost half of its cases have been registered in Russia, Britain, Spain and Italy, according to an AFP tally on Saturday. The continent is easing its way out of strict lockdowns that have caused crippling economic damage, even as the WHO warns against giving in to isolation fatigue. The virus has now killed more than 461,000 people and infected 8.7 million worldwide. A vaccine remains months off at best despite several trials, and scientists are still learning more about the virus, its symptoms and the extent to which it may have spread before being identified. 'Still spreading fast' As people gathered at an arena in the US city of Tulsa for the Trump rally, it emerged that six of the Tulsa advance team there had tested positive for coronavirus and been quarantined. Critics, including Tulsa city officials, had already expressed concern that the event -- at a venue with a capacity of 20,000 -- violated guidelines issued by the US health authorities. Trump, who has been critical of lockdown measures, has ignored health concerns about the Tulsa rally. By Pete Marovich (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP) However, Trump has been consistently critical of lockdown measures. Those attending Saturday's event will have to sign a disclaimer to ensure the president will not be held liable if they contract the virus. One supporter, who gave her name as Jody while waiting in line with her five-year-old son dressed as a mini-Trump, said she would be wearing a mask but expected that many others would not. "I wish people would wear them, but you can't force people to do something they don't want to do," she said. The United States remains the country worst hit by the pandemic, having recorded 119,460 deaths from more than 240,000 registered cases. The world's largest economy is taking a beating in a year when Trump seeks re-election. Latin American numbers rise Chile nearly doubled its coronavirus death toll Saturday to more than 7,144 under a new tallying method that includes probable fatalities from COVID-19, the health ministry announced. The announcement of the new counting system was meant to end weeks of controversy over the death toll numbers being released by the government. A vaccine remains months off at best despite several trials. By NOEL CELIS (AFP) After investigative news organisation CIPER revealed that Chile was supplying the higher figures to the World Health Organization, health minister Jaime Manalich resigned last week. The new health minister, Enrique Paris, insisted that the government never meant to deceive. "No data has ever been hidden," he said. Chile's latest figures came a day after Brazil followed the United States past the one-million cases marker; and Mexico announced it was delaying plans to reopen the economy until the number of infections had dropped further. "The world is in a new and dangerous phase," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Friday. "Many people are understandably fed up with being at home... but the virus is still spreading fast." 'I cried with joy' The Palestinian Authority announced Saturday it was temporarily closing the cities of Hebron and Nablus in the occupied West Bank for after a sharp rise in infections. Only goods will be allowed in, Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told journalists. Authorities have reported a total of 687 cases in the West Bank, including two deaths so far. World toll of coronavirus infections and deaths, as of June 20 at 1900 GMT. By (AFP) In Europe, researchers in Italy said they had found evidence the virus was present in December -- about the same time the disease was first reported in China. They discovered genetic traces in samples of waste water collected in several cities, the ISS institute said. Italy only confirmed its first cases in February, imposing a strict lockdown in March. Much of the continent followed Italy into lockdown and shops, restaurants and other businesses have only slowly reopened. Millions more children in France are preparing to return to school on Monday after three months away. "I cried with joy when I got the confirmation from the teacher that my two children would be going back to school full time," said Noemie from Nice. France is also reopening cinemas from Monday and stadiums for team sports, and in another sign of returning normality, actors have also started kissing again on film shoots. Spain meanwhile, announced it would let British nationals in without a two-week quarantine -- despite Britain enforcing those measures on foreign nationals there. Spain opens its borders from midnight to EU states, in a bid to get its tourism industry back up and running. burs-jj/ach Television The Chi: Creator Lena Waithes drama about the challenges and struggles of people living in Chicagos south side returns for Season 3. (9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) NOS4A2: Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings return for more supernatural horror in Season 2. (9 p.m. Sunday, AMC) Perry Mason: Matthew Rhys (The Americans) gives a magnetic performance in this series that focuses on Perry Mason when he was still a cash-strapped private investigator in early 1930s Los Angeles, before he evolved into the defense lawyer with a habit of winning cases. (9 p.m. HBO) Related: HBOs Perry Mason: Matthew Rhys stars in a moody, 30s-set origin story for the future super-lawyer (review) Yellowstone: The popular contemporary Western starring Kevin Costner is back for Season 3, with Josh Holloway (Lost) on board as a big-money developer who comes into conflict with the Dutton family. (9 p.m. Sunday, Paramount Network) Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am: An American Masters special that takes what the program description calls an artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller that examines her life, her works, and the themes that Morrison confronted throughout her award-winning career. (8 p.m. Tuesday, PBS) Greenleaf: The family drama returns for Season 5. (9 p.m. Tuesday, OWN) Lifetime Presents Varietys Power of Women: Frontline Heroes: Robin Roberts hosts a special that features celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Patti LuPone and Janelle Monae as they pay tribute to women on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. (10 p.m. Thursday, Lifetime) Streaming Eric Andre: Legalize Everything: The comedian stars in his first Netflix original special, which was filmed in New Orleans. (Available to stream beginning Tuesday, Netflix) Crazy Delicious: A new cooking competition from the U.K. featuring celebrity chefs Carla Hall, Niklas Ekstedt and Heston Blumenthal, which challenges cooks to create dishes that taste and look good. This features what is being called the worlds first edible set, which will be stocked with produce, herbs and other items that can be added to the meal. (Available to stream beginning Wednesday, Netflix) Doom Patrol: The series about an unusual group of superheroes returns for Season 2. The cast includes (Available to stream beginng Thursday, HBO Max) Alia Shawkat in "Search Party" Season 3. (Photo: Jon Pack/HBO Max)Jon Pack/HBO Max Search Party: The first two seasons of the dark comedy blended satire and murder, which sounds like a combination that shouldnt have worked. But, thanks to clever writing and terrific performances by a cast led by Alia Shawkat, as Dory, Search Party was outstanding. In Season 3, which moves from TBS to the new streaming service, HBO Max, we find Dory and her self-absorbed friends dealing with the consequences of their actions, and those consequences dont sound like theyre at all good. But then, neither were their actions (you know, murder, conspiracy to cover it up, that sort of thing). (Available to stream beginning Thursday, HBO Max) The Twilight Zone: Season 1 of Jordan Peeles revival of Rod Serlings classic science fiction/suspense series had its ups and downs, but it was largely a solid reboot, blending creepy scares and social commentary. Season 2 sounds worth getting excited about, even though details are scarce, because the guest stars are an impressive bunch. Billy Porter, Morena Baccarin, Tony Hale, Jenna Elfman, Joel McHale, Jimmi Simpson, Gillian Jacobs, Damon Wayans Jr., and more are among the talents, and Peele will again take on Serlings duties as the wry narrator. (Available to stream beginning Thursday, CBS All Access) Already streaming The Politician: Ryan Murphys satirical drama about an ambitious office-seeker returns for a second season in which our hero sort of is trying to win a New York State Senate race. Ben Platt stars, and the cast includes Judith Light and Bette Midler, who may help make Season 2 more satisfying than Season 1. (Available to stream beginning Friday, Netflix) -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Veteran Honorary Captain Tashi Chhepal contributed in evicting the Pakistanis from the mountain peaks during the Kargil conflict. A feat that won him the Vir Chakra. He says the current stand off has stark similarities with the 1999 Kargil conflict. He is angry about the loss of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan valley. In Ladakh veterans who played a pivotal role in the previous escalations with China and Pakistan are reminiscing about the times gone by. They say they may not be in service anymore but their passion to serve the country remain strong as ever. "During 1962 China war, we didn't have enough equipment, but we have a very advanced army," he says. "It is sad though that soldiers got killed in the Galwan Valley." He said the soldiers should have the full liberty to use arms when they come under such an aggression. "If the jawans don't use these weapons when they are getting killed, when would they?" he asked. Ladakhis have scripted stories of bravery and valour fighting as regular soldiers or as volunteers helping to move materials on the mountain tops and stand against the adversary be it the Indo-China war of 1962 or the Kargil conflict of 1999. Retired Hawaldar Tsering Angdus said he served the army for 22 years and has patrolled the Galwan Valley and other sensitive spots at the LAC in the past. He says China always had its eyes fixed on the Indian territories at the LAC but India will never allow the Chinese to infringe on its sovereignty. He says if orders come by he will fight shoulder to shoulder with the army. "I am trained in using weapons, whenever need arises I would be ready to serve my country again on the frontline," he said. --IANS zi/in UN Sends Aid to Venezuela as Country Faces Coronavirus Crisis By VOA News June 20, 2020 UNICEF has sent a third shipment of humanitarian aid to Venezuela to help the country cope with the coronavirus crisis. A plane with 90 tons of medicine, sanitation and water supplies landed in the capital, Caracas, on Friday. "We are here in Maiquetia Airport in Caracas receiving the third cargo plane with humanitarian assistance for Venezuela in the framework of the response to COVID-19 and the general humanitarian response in the country," Peter Grohmann, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Venezuela, said. Friday's shipment brought the total humanitarian aid to Venezuela to about 200 tons since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. "We hope that this [aid] will help the Venezuelan people in their fight against the coronavirus and in general to support them with their most urgent needs," Grohmann said. Venezuela's health system has had great difficulty bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, since the Latin American country is under U.S. economic sanctions. Caracas has confirmed about 3,600 infection cases with the virus, and 30 deaths. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The COVID-19 pandemic has put societies everywhere under extreme stress, and collective stress is often a precursor to outbreaks of violence. Striking features of this global health crisis have been the collective anxiety of the population, the wide variations in the way governments have responded, and the varying degree of their success. While there is significant scientific research showing that meditation has a positive influence on the health and well being of individuals, is there any evidence that large-scale meditation can have a similar influence on societies in reducing stress and levels of violence? "Yes" is the surprising inference from the authors of a new book. Published June 26, An Antidote to Violence: Evaluating the Evidence provides evidence that the level of collective anxiety and tension in society, or incoherence in collective consciousness, is the key element, which determines the success or failure of a government in tackling crime, violence, social unrest and ill-health. Barry Spivack and Patricia Saunders describe how a rise in collective tensions spills over into increased social unrest, crime, violence, accidental deaths and hospital emergencies. They examine 20 peer-reviewed studies from over four decades, indicating that it is possible to neutralize or reduce stress in collective consciousness through the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and its advanced programs by a sufficient number of individuals, which is amplified in groups. "These findings are more relevant now than ever before at a time of pandemic, protest, and social unrest," says Spivack, and offers three examples from the studies cited in the book. Each of these experiments consisted of sufficient numbers either meditating on their own or together for a period of weeks or months, and in some cases, years, in societies wracked by violence: on 93 experimental days in Lebanon between 1983 and 1985, Cambodia between 1990 and 2008, and the USA between 2007 and 2010 compared with the previous four years. In each case measured statistically, significant drops in violence occurred during the periods when the numbers meditating were above the predicted threshold. The authors emphasize this is the first book that draws on all the peer-reviewed research and looks at the implications of the research as a whole rather than just individual papers. "Compiling so many consistent experimental results may indicate more than a statistical correlation; it justifies further research into a causal hypothesis." Written for the social scientist and the lay reader alike, An Antidote to Violence offers answers to key questions, including: does group meditation actually influence society? If so, how does it work? What is the evidence? What do skeptics say? Weaving together psychology, sociology, philosophy, statistics, politics, physics and meditation, the book provides evidence that we have the knowledge to reduce all kinds of violence in society by creating coherence in collective consciousness and thereby neutralizing collective stress. In his introduction to the book, quantum physicist Dr. John Hagelin, and President of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace, suggests "the existing research, while compelling and rigorous, presents a direct challenge to established mainstream sociological paradigms and may be difficult for some to accept. Even more rigorous and repeated testing of the theories presented here is therefore essential to ensure widespread acceptance of this demonstrated sociological phenomenon." In the Foreword to the book, Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, and author of the NY Times bestseller, Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation, writes: "Barry Spivack and Patricia Saunders have opened our eyes to an entirely new vision of possibilities about human potential that is both sweepingly grand but also immediate and practical." Changemakers Books publisher Tim Ward was struck by the book's thought provoking premise and explained his reasons for publishing it. "While the evidence gathered in this book is striking, more research needs to be done to prove it true. And that's why I chose to publish An Antidote to Violence. Too much is at stake to let this possibility slip through our fingers. Just as we must explore every scientific means for beating COVID-19, so we must follow every lead for defeating the virus of violence." Barry Spivack was invited to speak about his new book to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Indian Traditional Sciences in the UK, Sunday, June 21, the International Day of Yoga 2020. Speakers will include High Commissioners and Members from both Houses of Parliament. Research provides evidence consistent with a causal interpretation Establishing causality in the social sciences is difficult. "Nevertheless," says Spivack, "there are at least 6 reasons why the research provides evidence for the hypothesis that Transcendental Meditation reduces conflict and divisions in society, and improves economic performance, which is consistent with a causal interpretation." 1) Repetition: There are 20 peer-reviewed studies, which show statistically significant results. 2) There is a dosage effect--the bigger the group the larger the impact. 3) The independent variable--the numbers practicing Transcendental Meditation--often varies at random in these experiments so you get a repeat effect within the same experiment whenever the relevant threshold of numbers is passed within the same study. 4) Studies have controlled for other possible causes in social changes, such as population density, median years of education, per capita income, the ratio of police per population, weather, holidays, seasons, political events, percentages of people in the age range 15-29, of the unemployed, of those below the poverty line, and of people over 65. 5) Normally unconnected variables, such as crime, accidental deaths, infant mortality, deaths from opioids, all move in the same direction at the same time when the relevant threshold of people practicing Transcendental Meditation is surpassed. 6) The independent variable--the numbers practicing Transcendental Meditation and its advanced programs--changes before the dependent variables change, such as crime or war fatalities or the misery index. What people are saying about An Antidote to Violence I was initially skeptical that such a simple solution could be effective. However, after examining the evidence, I changed my mind. An Antidote to Violence is a serious and well-researched book that offers an unconventional but effective peaceful solution to violence and terrorism. Lieutenant General Clarence E. McKnight, Jr, Former Director of Command, Control and Communications Systems for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington DC This book is especially good at discussing the evidence and the alternative explanations that have been advanced for the results. I can recommend the book to all readers with an open mind. Huw Dixon, Professor of Economics, Cardiff University Barry Spivack and Patricia Saunders address the problems of preventing violence and war with a high level of professionalism, and, by examining a means to achieve sustainable peace supported by long-term research, have created a book that is hugely relevant. Most importantly, they highlight the interdependence of power, violence, security, and individual and collective consciousness. This book will be extremely useful for people of all nationalities, regardless of their status, different religious beliefs, personal preferences and life strategies. The theoretical and methodological principles outlined here deserve to be studied carefully and disseminated in the world. Lieutenant General Vasyl Krutov, former First Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine and First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine My most sincere congratulations to the authors for their research and presentation of this book. I hope it will be read and applied by leaders of government and by all in general for the good of society and each person in particular. Lieutenant General Jose Marti Villamil de la Cadena, former Chief of Staff of the Army and Commander of Ground Theatre Operations, Chief of Staff of the Joint Command, Vice-Minister of Defence, and General Secretary of the National Security Council in Ecuador Based on hard evidence corroborated by rigorous scientific studies, ...the book compiles an array of incredible success stories from all over the world in an easily readable style for all those interested in addressing the monumental challenge of eradicating violence and conflict. Ved P. Nanda, Professor of Law, University of Denver Recently, Senator Tim Kaine spoke on the Senate floor and made a provocative statement: "The first African-Americans sent into the English colonies came to Point Comfort in 1619. They were slaves, they had been captured against their will, but they landed in colonies that didn't have slavery there were no laws about slavery in the colonies at that time." Senator Kaine went on to say, "The United States didn't inherit slavery from anybody. We created it. It got created by the Virginia General Assembly and the legislatures of other states. It got created by the court systems in colonial America that enforced fugitive slave laws." The mention of the year 1619 was certainly not random. It coincides with the New York Times' 1619 Project, which attempts to conflate Britain's slavery with that of the United States. Senator Kaine is wrong in two regards. First, the United States didn't invent slavery not even close. Slavery was universally practiced by every civilization at one time or another since time immemorial. And second, we did in fact inherit slavery from the British. King George III had opposed anti-slavery laws and vetoed every anti-slave law in the colonies in 1774. So prolific was slavery that it would have been impossible to change it overnight. However, an early attempt to address the ills of slavery was made with the founding of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, in the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, directly condemned slavery: He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation hither[.] ... And he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he had deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another. It may seem odd that Thomas Jefferson would condemn slavery when he himself owned slaves. He had inherited them at just 14 years of age. However, Virginia laws prohibited Jefferson from freeing his own slaves due to the fact that he was in debt. The mention of slavery was ultimately omitted to placate three Southern states that had objected. At the time, it was more important to get all the colonies on board with the Declaration of Independence. Otherwise, the American Revolution might have died in its infancy. Ultimately, it was a declaration of independence and not a declaration of emancipation. Besides, at the time, the new states had much bigger concerns. They were currently at war with the superpower of their day for their very survival. Slavery would have to be addressed later. However, when Jefferson famously wrote "all men are created equal" in the Constitution, it was the first shot across the bow against the institution of slavery. The slave trade was ultimately abolished in 1808, 31 years after our founding. Slavery was ended in 1865, 89 years after our founding. In all, slavery was abolished in the United States within a single lifespan. That the United States ended slavery in less than a century after its conception should be commended, not condemned. Other nations held slaves for far longer before ending the practice. In fact, many nations fought wars to acquire slaves, but the United States was unique in that it fought a war to end slavery. Senator Kaine and other Democrats are guilty of anachronism. Anachronism is defined as the chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs with regard to each other. They have anachronistically imposed their modern-day ethics and values onto those who lived hundreds of years ago. There's a saying that when you point a finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you. It's not surprising, then, that Democrats, who were the pro-slavery and pro-segregation party, are now blaming all of America for their past sins. If anyone should take responsibility for America's past slavery, it should be they. Whether its Yoga Yuppies tiptoeing around sidewalk drunks or students hawking Che Guevara tees you might think you know all the signs of a gentrifying area. But what lets you know a suburb has reached, or is about to reach, peak value? While your tastebuds might tell you theres no such thing as too many Sonoma bakeries, your wallet might tell a different story. And as Australias market goes through more uncertain times than the Melbourne weather, theres more reason to be a smarter buyer than ever. As the ABC reported last year, the tide is turning on Australias $7.6-trillion property market. When the ABC wrote that, home prices in more than four out of five council areas had reached their peak and begun sliding towards an unknown nadir. UBS chief economist also told the ABC, It seems quite plausible to me that house prices will continue to fall for all of the next year into 2020. That was said before coronavirus smashed into Australia (or, at least, its economy). Now the situation is even worse and though certain wealthy areas appear to be retaining their value we are heading for an economic downturn. This makes it crucial now more than ever to make smart decisions with your hip pocket, even as you take advantage of the opportunities cropping up in the Australian housing market. So: how do you tell a suburb has been gentrified to the point where it will increase in value no further? The cold hard truth, according to leading Eastern Suburbs real estate agent Gavin Rubinstein, is that there is no real indicator of a suburb reaching its peak. What you can do, however, is look for suburbs that represent good value when the market dips or flattens, Rubinstein told DMARGE exclusively. It is more a case of picking a slower growth cycle as a better time to buy. We then asked him: once somewhere has a Sonoma bakery, is it too late to buy (and think it will keep getting more valuable)?. While Rubinstein told us its impossible to know for sure when an area has reached peak value (patisseries are evidently a flakey yardstick), he agreed that getting your head around a places culture and geography is crucial to a smart purchase. Location location location this fundamental of real estate never changes. The property experts over at Open Agent back this tasty insight up, while adding a few more cultural factors into the mix, in their article, How do you know if a suburb is booming? It comes down to these 5 indicators. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonoma Baking Co (@sonomabakingco) on Mar 30, 2020 at 12:58pm PDT Have at em. Property values Days on market Rental yields Clearance rate Vacancy rates Sellers going the auction route, rather than listing for sale Major infrastructure projects in the works Uptick in renovation activity, shops, cafes and local businesses (e.g. that bakery youre so addicted to) Read Next New Delhi/Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the state government has taken decision not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Earlier on Saturday, the Karnataka government on Saturday moved the Supreme court seeking a review of its order directing the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu even as it faced strident calls from opposition parties not to release the water at any cost. Here is what all Siddaramaiah said in a Press Conference: # We have taken decision not to release the water # As far as the releasing of the water is concerned, we'll go back to the assembly # Assembly has passed a resolution, so it is binding on us # We have not defied the orders of the Supreme court, there is no wilful disobedience or deliberate disobedience # Special session of Karnataka legislature called on Monday # We have taken decision not to release the water # It is a defective order, so we have decided to file a review petition on Monday # We have decided to file a review petition on Monday ALSO READ | SC chides Karnataka, says release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu from October 1 to October 6 The Karnataka government filed a review petition in the apex court against its three recent orders on Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu and direction for constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board by Centre saying it would cause undue hardship to the state. In the petition, it said that grave miscarriage of justice has been caused to it pursuant to three orders of the apex court dated September 20, 27 and September 30, by which it directed the state to release 6,000 cusecs of water till October 6 and constitution of board by Centre till October 4. It said that apex court has committed an error in directing the Centre to constitute Cauvery Management Board, without considering the fact that three judges of apex court has held in 2013 that direction to constitute the board can wait and may be heard along with the Civil Appeal. The court has not taken the cognizance of the fact that the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board, being Legislative in character, depends upon the authority exercising the power as well as the nature of the function and obligation arising from the Legislation, it said in the review plea. The plea moved by Karnataka said further water release orders from the reservoirs of Karnataka would cause irreparable injury to Karnataka as once the release are made from the reservoirs of the state, the water cannot be retrieved in case of good normal North-East monsoon. The apex court had on Friday taken Karnataka to task for its repeated defiance by flouting its orders for release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and had directed it to discharge 6,000 cusecs water from today till October 6. It had warned Karnataka that no one would know when the wrath of the law would fall on it. Emerging out of a more than a three-hour long all-party meeting in Bengaluru, BJP and JDS leaders said they told the government to stick to the resolution passed by both the Houses of state legislature on September 23 that water should be used only for drinking purpose, and not be spared for any other use. The opposition parties also asked the Siddaramaiah government to oppose the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board. We should not obey the Supreme Court order at any cost as it is unimplementable. The House (legislature) decision should be upheld. Government should stick to the decision, Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar told reporters in Bengaluru. JDS leader Y S V Datta said the state should not release 6,000 cusecs of water as directed by the apex court at any cost. Whatever may be the consequences, we will all face it together. We are with the government, he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Several waterspouts were spotted in the Gulf of Mexico off Alabama and Florida beaches on Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile. Forecasters were urging mariners and beachgoers to stay alert: Folks, we continue to get multiple reports of waterspouts off the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. We are seeing increased activity on radar south of Pensacola Beach. Waterspouts are likely. Please remain alert! NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) June 21, 2020 Now getting waterspout reports from the Perdido Key area. The line of showers with the the waterspouts has been moving slowly offshore on the land breeze, with the showers themselves moving east southeast around 10 to 15 mph. NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) June 21, 2020 Hey @NWSMobile and @morganabigail quite the waterspout action going on at the beach this morning! At least 5 or 6 funnels with a few touching the water! pic.twitter.com/uDroJtXLFz Krissy Hurley (@WCM_Krissy) June 21, 2020 Waterspout this morning at Navarre Beach Photo from Tiasha Fuller pic.twitter.com/KTe6KqcvU7 James Spann (@spann) June 21, 2020 Waterspouts have been seen off Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key among other areas, according to the weather service. Waterspouts will be possible through early afternoon. The weather service issued a marine weather statement just before 11:30 a.m. and said offshore areas from Pensacola, Fla., to Pascagoula, Miss., could potentially see them. Forecasters added that waterspouts can easily outrun boats and create dangerous waves and boaters should seek safe harbor immediately if one is spotted nearby. Forecasters said a land breeze was the culprit behind the waterspouts. A land breeze is basically a sea breeze that reverses course and pushes back over the water. Showers produced by the land breeze can form waterspouts over the warm Gulf waters. The waterspouts are generally on the weak side. The weather service said waterspouts will be possible through the mid-morning hours. The summer months, June, July and August, when the Gulf waters are at their warmest, can make for prime conditions for waterspouts, according to the weather service. Unlike tornadoes, waterspouts typically develop closer to the surface of the water and reach upward. A typical waterspout will have winds of 30-40 mph. By PTI MUZAFFARNAGAR: A charge sheet has been filed against 12 Tablighi Jamaat members from Nepal for assembling here in violation of the lockdown orders imposed to combat the coronavirus threat, police said on Sunday. According to the prosecution, the members of the Tablighi Jamaat have been charged under the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act. The charge sheet was filed in a court here on Saturday. A case was registered against them in early April, they said. The Jamaat members have already been released on bail. Meanwhile, the police have also filed separate charge sheets against 22 other Tablighi Jamaat members hailing from Delhi, Manipur, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. A congregation of the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi in March was blamed for spreading the novel coronavirus after many of its attendees carried the infection to different parts of the country. SYRACUSE, N.Y. Evidence at the scene of a mass shooting at a party Saturday night on the Near West Side suggests more than one shooter opened fire, according to Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick. The gathering of several hundred people for an annual birthday party near Wyoming and West Fayette streets was wrapping up before 9 p.m. Saturday when gunshots rang out. Nine people were shot, and one of the victims - a 17-year-old boy - was listed in critical condition Sunday, police said. Since the shooting, Syracuse police have been in the middle an intense investigation to find answers and suspects, Fitzpatrick said Sunday, in addition to working on a cluster of recent unsolved homicides. So far, evidence points to multiple shooters, and there is no clear evidence of a motive, Fitzpatrick said. A one-minute video posted to social media captures what sound like more than 25 shots that scattered the crowd. A young woman in the video appears to shout that people are fighting before the camera blurs as screams erupt. Then the gunshots ring out in rapid succession. The shooting that injured nine people is the biggest in Syracuse in recent memory, and the event made national news. In January 2019, five people were shot, including an 8-year-old girl, in front of a home on Midland Avenue. The shooting last night occurred at the end of Rye Day, a birthday gathering for Ryedell Davis that has occurred for more than 10 years, according to his mother. Its a well-attended event featuring music and a cookout. This was the first year it was held on the Near West Side. It is usually held on Syracuse Housing Authority property near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and South State Street. However, housing authority officials told organizers that the event would cause traffic and safety concerns, with hundreds filling a public square and possibly impeding emergency vehicles, Bill Simmons, executive director of the housing authority, said Sunday. So organizers moved the party to a square near the headquarters of WCNY. A witness told Syracuse.com that the party had wound down and the music stopped when the shots were fired. The crowd quickly scattered, and many attendees fled northeast. Some of the victims transported themselves to area hospitals to seek treatment for their gunshot wounds. One such victim was involved in a car crash with a Syracuse police officer near East Fayette Street and Bank Alley, police said. The victims include: 17-year-old boy, shot in the head, critical condition 18-year-old girl, shot in the leg, non-life threatening 19-year-old, girl, shot in the leg, non-life threatening 20-year-old woman, shot in the leg, non-life threatening 22-year-old man, shot in the leg, non-life threatening 23-year-old man, shot in the groin and the leg, non-life threatening 29-year-old man, shot in the neck, non-life threatening 37-year-old woman, shot in the shoulder, non-life threatening 53-year-old woman, shot in the back back and midsection (police did not release the womans condition) Contact reporter Patrick Lohmann at (315)766-6670 or PLohmann@Syracuse.com. It is a good way to get to know your more boutique politicians. Thats one of the lovely things about stories on the venal, corruption-adjacent inner workings of political parties and the power lust of their apparatchiks. The faceless men are revealed to a grateful public, and we get to take a good long look at what we are paying for. For a population that cannot recognise its own Deputy Prime Minister (a 2019 survey showed only one in three Australians knew who Michael McCormack was), this can only be a good, educational thing. Factional disputes: Former powerbroker Adem Somyurek. Credit:AAP This week, taxpayers beyond the Victorian border were introduced to a cast of The Swearing and the Strange. The central figure was (now former) Victorian cabinet minister and ALP national executive member Adem Somyurek, a man with a gift for accumulating branch members, a former taxi driver whose use of colourful language made Malcolm Tucker look like a sweetie. Surrounding our protagonist was a cast of players who undoubtedly benefited from his power and reach, including Anthony Byrne, a hitherto-obscure federal MP from Victoria, who is deputy chairman of the joint committee on intelligence and security. Statement: WY / KC bishop/priest MAY yet be charged - prosecutor reverses himself "We're puzzled but encouraged by the reversal of a prosecutor and the possible criminal charges against Bishop Joseph Hart, a long time Catholic cleric in Kansas City MO and Cheyenne WY. Our hearts ache for the likely dozens of his deeply wounded victims who have waited so patiently for justice. "To protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and help law enforcement, we again beg parents, parishioners and the public to call police and prosecutors with even the slightest, oldest, smallest fact, rumor or observation about Bishop Hart. "And we beg both Catholic and law enforcement officials to re-double their work to get this dangerous serial child molesting cleric off the streets. Mere age is no real impediment to a determined predator." Case against retired bishop now in limbo as DA tells police he will again review investigation The criminal investigation into retired bishop Joseph Hart has not been officially closed, Cheyenne police said Friday, after authorities realized that a prosecutor had misunderstood police files describing the allegations against the cleric. Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen, who would prosecute any case against Hart, spoke with Cheyenne police officials on Friday, a spokesman for the agency said. Analysis: Two years after McCarrick, questions are unanswered On June 20, 2018, American Catholics woke up to discover that retired Cardinal Theodore McCarrick stood accused of sexually abusing a teenager. The cardinal said he was innocent. The New York archdiocese said it was a singular allegation. Dioceses in New Jersey said they had received isolated allegations of misconduct with adults. A bishop who rose to power in Kansas City still confronts allegations of abuse . . . Here's perspective on the status of his case from local activists for reform among clerics:David G. Clohessy, former director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests########Further reading . . .Developing . . . A Queensland Transport Inspector signals to a driver approaching the border in Wallangarra, Australia on April 2. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Victoria CCP Virus Spike Keeps Queensland Borders Closed Well Into July Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles has suggested the states borders could remain shut well into next month because of a feared second wave of coronavirus in Victoria. Miles said the state will be closed until at least July 10, when the next easing of restrictions is triggered, although the reopening date may even stretch beyond that if Victoria cannot get on top of outbreaks. Queenslands borders have been effectively shut since late March to stymie the spread of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the novel coronavirus that emerged from China last year and causes the disease COVID-19. The last thing we want to do is lift the borders, have lots of people come here for school holidays, spread coronavirus in our state, and then force us to go backwards on restrictions, Miles said. Clearly whats happening in Victoria will be a matter we will need to take into account in those considerations. On Sunday, Victoria recorded another day of double-digit cases while Queensland again had no new positive test with just three active across the state. The spike in CCP virus cases in Melbourne has prompted Queenslands Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young to include all 31 Local Government Areas in Greater Melbourne as well as bordering areas of Murrindindi, Mitchell, Moorabool, Macedon Ranges and Greater Geelong. It means Victorians can expect to spend two weeks in confinement if they do step foot in Queensland even as the state government next weekend welcomes crowds of 10,000 at major sporting venues. However, opening up stadiums has been a much easier proposition for the Labor government. Miles announced major sporting venues can have 25 percent capacity, up to 10,000 spectators, which includes the Broncos NRL clash with the Titans at Suncorp Stadium on June 27. The decision to throw open the gates to thousands of fans comes after almost 2000 spectators watched the Lions defeat West Coast in an AFL clash at the Gabba on Saturday night and the Dragons beat the Titans at Suncorp Stadium. That trial of a small number of spectators has been very successful, Miles said. The increased capacity will also see an increase in employment, with up to 800 jobs opening up at Suncorp alone for the Broncos-Titans clash. The Brisbane Lions host Adelaide at the Gabba next Sunday. LNP opposition leader Deb Frecklington said Queensland businesses have suffered enough and state borders should be opened from July 1 to spare further pain. She said there is no medical advice calling for border closures and the economy can no longer be suppressed when there are just three active cases across Queensland. Im deeply concerned about peoples health and wellbeingpeople are losing their jobs. The figures are terrifying, Frecklington said on Sunday. We have flattened the curve. Now its time to reopen the economy. Miles labelled the call to open up borders on July 1 as reckless. By Darren Cartwright Coronavirus cases in Mumbai are advancing towards the 70,000 mark with 1,159 new cases on Sunday taking the maximum citys tally to 66,488. The metropolitan also recorded 41 new fatalities taking the death toll to 3,671. Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, on the other hand, have surged to 1,32,075more than double of Mumbais figures. The state has also registered 101 deaths in a single day, which has led to the statewide death toll climbing to 6,170, as per the health bulletin released by Maharashtra health department on Sunday. For Coronavirus Live Updates The state has also managed to discharge 1,591 patients on Sunday after they were cured of the contagion, taking the total number of recoveries from Covid 19 to 65,744- almost half of the total number of infections recorded in the state since the outbreak. The current number of active cases under treatment stands at 60,147. On the testing front, so far 7,73,865 samples have been tested. Despite the gloomy numbers, Maharashtra does have a success story to tell. Earlier today, the Union health ministry praised the Mumbai civic body for effective containment of coronavirus in Asias largest slum of Dharavi. The central government credited proactive measures taken by the civic body for reducing the growth rate of the infection to 1.02 per cent in June from 12 per cent in April. The government also pointed out a steep decline of daily Covid-19 cases in Dharavi from an average of 43 a day in May to 19 a day in the third week of June. In sharp turnaround, Covid-19 growth rate dips to 1.02% in Mumbais Dharavi in June Centres assessment of containment strategies across the country also had a nice word for the Maharashtra government. It lauded the efforts of the Maharashtra government along with the BMC and said it had shown encouraging results. As part of these efforts, they have actively chased the virus and aggressively conducted targeted tracing of COVID suspects, the ministry said. Centre pointed out that Dharavi was densely populated-2,27,136 persons/sqkmand therefore the threat of its 491 cases in April leading to a exponential spiral of cases was real but the 12% growth rate which translated into a doubling period of 18 days was reduced to a growth rate of 4.3% in May and even further to 1.02 % in June. These measures also ensured an improved case doubling time to 43 days in May and 78 days in June, the Centre said. The Maharashtra government has declared to procure the first oral anti-viral drug Favipiravir for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. We have decided to give Remdesivir and Favipiravir drugs to Covid-19 patients of the state. The state health department will procure both the drugs and distribute them in all the districts of the state, Tope told a Marathi news channel on Sunday. Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has recently allowed Glenmark Pharmaceuticals to sell Favipiravir in the brand name FabiFlu for treatment of mild and moderate Covid-19 symptoms. Favipiravir has led to up to 88% improvement in mild to moderate coronavirus patients during clinical trials, making it the first oral anti-viral drug available under emergency use authorisation to treat Covid-19 patients. With more than 1.32 lakh cases, Maharashtra has the highest number of Covid-19 patients in the country. The state had recently requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide Remdesivir drugs on compassionate grounds and at affordable price for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in Maharashtra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 06:48:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Combo photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump and former national security adviser John Bolton (In Small Photo) delivering their respective speeches on different occasions. (Xinhua) "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book," says Charles Cooper, John Bolton's attorney. "The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told -- but it will be." WASHINGTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge on Saturday denied the Trump administration's request to block the publication of former national security adviser John Bolton's memoir. "While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," Royce Lamberth, district judge for the District of Columbia, said in a memorandum order. The order came days before the release of Bolton's book, "The Room Where It Happened," on Tuesday, which, according to Lamberth, "has been printed, bound, and shipped across the country." "In the Internet age, even a handful of copies in circulation could irrevocably destroy confidentiality. A single dedicated individual with a book in hand could publish its contents far and wide from his local coffee shop," the judge wrote. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe -- many in newsrooms -- the damage is done. There is no restoring the status quo." Charles Cooper, Bolton's attorney, said in a statement that they hailed the decision. "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book," Cooper said. "The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told -- but it will be." Combo photo shows the cover of John Bolton's new book "The Room Where It Happened" and the White House. (Xinhua) The Department of Justice filed an emergency order earlier this week, seeking to prevent Bolton's book from becoming public. The manuscript "still contains classified information, as confirmed by some of the Government's most senior national-security and intelligence officials," read a memo by the Department of Justice supporting the argument. "Disclosure of the manuscript will damage the national security of the United States," it continued. A foreign policy hawk who served as President Donald Trump's third national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, Bolton was ousted over disagreements with the White House on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters Saturday afternoon at the White House before leaving for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump said "we had a very good decision" in the Bolton book case. "I think the judge was very smart and very indignant at what Bolton did. I think it was a great ruling," Trump said. "Obviously, the book was already out; it leaked and everything else. But he leaked classified information, so he's got a big problem." In a separate statement, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the government "intends to hold Bolton to the further requirements of his agreements and to ensure that he receives no profits" from his book. Rishi Sunak looks increasingly certain today to slash VAT in a bid to kickstart the economy amid coronavirus meltdown. Amid fears many businesses face going bust due to the fallout from lockdown, the Chancellor has ordered officials to draw up options for cutting the sales tax in the coming months. The move could be a boost to shops, which were forced to close for months as part of the draconian restrictions to combat the pandemic. Although there was a surge when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen last Monday, trade is still running at just 40 per cent of normal levels, according to the Sunday Times. The country is facing the worst recession for 300 years with 1980s levels of unemployment. It comes as Boris Johnson is set to unveil a new 'one metre plus' social distancing rule within days and give Britons the green light for holidays and haircuts. Rishi Sunak (pictured visiting a bookshop last week) looks increasingly certain today to slash VAT in a bid to kickstart the economy amid coronavirus meltdown VAT was reduced in the aftermath of the Credit Crunch, and there are growing signs that the headline rate could be lowered from the current 20 per cent to 17 per cent or even 15 per cent. That would cost the Treasury billions and drive up public debt even further, but give businesses more headroom to offer discounts and shore up their finances. The PM looks certain to halve the existing social distancing guidance - as long as other protections such as face coverings are used - in a crucial moment for the battle against the disease on Tuesday. The next phase of lockdown loosening from July 4 will also permit hairdressers to roll up the shutters in a boost for thousands of barbers and millions of shaggy-haired Britons in need of a trim. The UK holiday season will start within a fortnight when the Prime Minister gives the green light to hotels and vacation parks to reopen. Downing Street insists no final decision has yet been taken on restarting the 130billion-a-year domestic tourism industry, but the Mail on Sunday has been told an announcement could come along with a raft of other moves on Tuesday. New rules are then likely to be sent to British tourism chiefs by the end of the week. As the rate of infection continues to wane, scientists have rubber-stamped the reopening of salons as safe, in a change of tack cheered by the nation's 30,000 hairdressers. 'There'll be a big rush to get an appointment when this is formally announced,' a Whitehall source told the Sun, while cautioning that it will not herald a return to 'normal' as face coverings will be mandatory. Figures last week showed that the public finances are already creaking under the strain - with the government borrowing 55billion in May alone The UK yesterday reported 128 new coronavirus deaths, the lowest Saturday figure since lockdown was imposed in March, bringing the total to 42,589. The threat level was downgraded on Friday after scientists confirmed that the epidemic is shrinking by four per cent every day, and the reproduction R rate remained below one. As ministers' attention turns from wrestling down the virus to rescuing the economy, they are poised to revise the two-metre rule down to 'one-metre-plus'. The halving permits people to keep just one metre apart as long as they take precautions such as meeting outside and with a face covering, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Mr Johnson's relaxation of the draconian restrictions will provide a lifeline to the beleaguered holiday industry, which will open for business also on July 4 - America's Independence Day. But it is understood that while hotels and bed and breakfasts will be allowed to open then, tourist sites with shared facilities, such as campsites, will have to wait longer before being given the green light. The encouraging signs have fed a growing clamour from the tourism industry for a clear date from which it can start accepting bookings again and clear guidance about how it will have to operate. Millions of families are desperately waiting to find out whether they will be able to enjoy a summer holiday after spending three months in lockdown, while holiday bosses say that the limbo has cost them billions of pounds in lost revenue. On the day before terrorists flew airliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in 2001, a remarkable court case began in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. Osama bin Ladens attack pushed reports of the hearing out of the papers, burying an astonishing tale that has now become the compulsive six-part documentary McMillion$. The series unearths the full story of how fraudsters managed to scoop every $US1 million prize in the promotional Monopoly game run by McDonalds in America for 12 years. Selected items on the McDonalds menu included peel-off tabs with the names of the properties youd find on a Monopoly board. Find and complete individual sets and you could claim a cash prize. There were also "instant win" pieces, which in the US had prizes ranging from a free hamburger to $US1 million. When it was first introduced in 1987, the game boosted McDonalds sales by 40 per cent, even though the chances of winning one of the top prizes was around 250 million to one. In fact, between 1989 and 2001, they were zero. Not one of the high-value "game pieces" made it on to products to be sold to McDonalds customers. Amazon is excited about expanding its operations in South Africa, a spokesperson told MyBroadband. The company recently announced that it will hire for 3,000 new customer service jobs in South Africa. Those who take up these jobs will work remotely and will provide support to Amazons North American and European customers. The 3,000 new jobs will almost double Amazons total workforce in South Africa, taking the total to 7,000. An Amazon spokesperson told MyBroadband that it is excited to add these 3,000 virtual jobs in customer service in South Africa. These remote positions in the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Cape Town enables us to recruit from a wider demographic area and provide opportunities for remote and flexible work across the country, said the spokesperson. When asked, Amazon said it does not break down the number of its South African employees who are currently working from home. However, it said it remains committed to its South African employees during the national lockdown. We continue to employ and invest in the thousands of individuals that work at our Customer Service Centre in Cape Town, said Amazon. The spokesperson added that Amazon is impressed with the talent in South Africa. We are excited to add 3,000 skilled jobs this year in customer service, and to help keep people working during this unprecedented time, said Amazon. The new jobs reflect our continued commitment to South Africas economic development, and we are proud to have South Africa be a growing part of our ability to deliver a great experience to Amazon customers. Welcomed by government South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Ebrahim Patel welcomed the decision by Amazon to locate more of its services in South Africa. This decision by Amazon to locate these jobs in South Africa shows our ability to offer a good value proposition, said Patel. Government has focused part of our incentive programme on the industry, and with our talent, strong ICT infrastructure and digital capabilities, we aim to secure thousands more jobs like these in years to come. Those who wish to apply for one of the new positions must pass the following requirements: Matric/Grade 12/NQF Level 4 qualification or higher Excellent command of English South African citizenship Applicants must have a quiet, private workspace, and a dedicated Internet connection to execute their job optimally. Anyone interested in these jobs can apply by navigating to Amazons jobs portal and searching for the term South Africa. Geophysicist Damian Kelly is no stranger to international air travel, but his return home to the Sunshine Coast amid the COVID-19 pandemic is one trip he will never forget. After eights weeks in isolation under strict Irish lockdown laws, Mr Kelly and wife Felicity Thomson arranged a quiet flight to Brisbane via the eerily empty Doha airport the beginning of a long journey to freedom. Flight stewards in full personal protective equipment greet passengers. While singing the praises of Queensland authorities in controlling the spread of COVID-19, Mr Kelly felt some elements were not being evenly applied to the almost 1500 people still in hotel quarantine. Back in May, having been let go from a job in Dublin, his employer was obliged to fly him back to Australia in business class, which the couple had to themselves. Rahul Gandhi gives adjournment notice on giving unhindered access to pasture lands in Ladakh 'Do you work for govt?' Rahul Gandhi asks reporter; BJP calls him entitled brat Word 'lynching' practically unheard of before 2014, 'Thank You Modi-Ji': Rahul Gandhi Hindu and Hindutva are not different things: Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi Even teleprompter could not take so many lies: Rahul's dig at PM Modis Davos speech 'Surender or Surrender': Twitterati in a fix over Rahul's latest jibe at PM India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, June 21: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the government on the face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh region. "Narendra Modi is actually Surender Modi," Gandhi tweeted on Sunday along with a news article, which takes a look at India's policy towards China. Rahul's reaction comes in response to the Prime Minister's statement in the all-party meeting on Friday wherein he said that ''neither is anyone inside our territory nor have any of our posts been captured'. Wayanad MP also questioned why and where were the Indian soldiers killed, if the land, where the "violent face-off" happened, was Chinese territory. He also alleged that Prime Minister Modi has "surrendered to the Chinese aggression". Meanwhile, Gandhi's today's tweet garnered over 20,000 likes. Several Twitter users also reminded him that it is 'surrender' and nor 'Surender'. They also asked him to correct the spelling. PM has surrendered Indian territory to Chinese aggression: Rahul Gandhi "Surrender Modi you mean?", asked Bhavika, a Twitter user. "Bhai delete kar do spelling galat hai (Brother please delete this as spelling is wrong)," said another Twitter user Akshay Singh. However, another user pointed out that the Congress leader was playing with words. "I am pretty sure that you don't need to tell him how to spell. He was just playing around with words to make it sound more like Narendra," Angad Sohi said. Nigerian hotelier, Lanre Gentry issued a warning to his ex-wife, Mercy Aigbe after she wished herself happy fathers day. Aigbe ignore her ex-husband as she took to her Instagram page on Sunday to celebrate herself and all responsible fathers. Sharing a photo of herself, the single mum of two wrote; Happy Fathers Day to me, to all the responsible fathers out there and all single parents who play the dual role, may we eat the fruits of our labour in Jesus name Thank you Jehovah for Grace Happy Sunday my lovelies Advertisement Reacting to the post, Gentry stated that any woman that celebrates Fathers Day should be prepared to pay their childrens school fees henceforth. In his words; Happy fathers day and happy Sunday to my good people all over the world.any woman in the world that witch her self happy fathers day should prepare to be pay for the children school fees again happy fathers day to me. Read Also: Iyabo Ojo Celebrates Her Son As He Turns 21 (Video) See the post below: Mumbai, June 21 : Bollywood actress Kajol has shared some tips for new actors, saying that they should be original. Kajol treated her fans and followers with a chat session on her Instagram Stories, where a user asked her "a tip for upcoming actors". The actress replied: "Please be original and no ones copy!" A fan asked Kajol about how she deals with hate. "Hate cannot be dealt with. You can only keep shining brighter! And be more positive," Kajol said. "DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)" or "Dilwale", a user asked Kajol to choose one. She chose: "DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)". Kajol agreed, when a user said superstar Shah Rukh Khan is the best. Does she plan on launching her daughter Nysa in Bollywood? Or does Nysa want to be a part of the industry, asked another. Kajol simply wrote: "No." The "Fanaa" actress described late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death as "Tragic", when she was questioned about him. Asked if she likes actress Rani Mukerji as an actor, Kajol said: "I think she is a very very fine actor." A fan of Ajay Devgn and Kajol asked about the best dish she has prepared for her actor husband. She replied: "Kichda." On the work front, Kajol will be seen making her digital debut with the film "Tribhanga", which is directed by Renuka Shahane. It is drama set in Mumbai, weaving a complex tale that goes back and forth through three generations of the same family, from the late 1980s to modern-day. Mithila Palkar, Tanvi Azmi and Kunaal Roy Kapoor also play pivotal roles in the Netflix release. A group of locals came together and braved the rain Saturday morning in an effort to better downtown Albany. The Albany Downtown Association was forced to cancel its annual spring cleanup earlier this year due to COVID-19. So Keith Kolkow, a volunteer with ADA, took it upon himself to put together an event in lieu of the one that had been canceled. Kolkow and a group of 10 others cleaned up trash downtown and cleared leaves and pulled weeds at the parking lot on the corner of Ferry Street and 1st Avenue. Its something that is really important that happens in our community, because its all volunteers that maintain a lot of these lots, Kolkow said. I came downtown once businesses started opening back up and I saw how many weeds there were and was like, We need to do something to take care of our downtown and our business owners. Republic Services supplied a yard waste bin for free to help with the cleanup. Kolkow knew the combination of bad weather and it being Fathers Day weekend might make for a lower turnout than the spring cleanups typically draw. But the Facebook event for Saturdays cleanup drew plenty of interest, and he plans to organize more events throughout the summer. He hopes to do them at least on a monthly basis, with the long-term goal of getting all the local parking lots cleaned up. Kolkow, who works as development officer for Family Tree Relief Nursery, has been volunteering with ADA for about five years. Its just something thats really important to me, it really brought me to be more involved in the community, Kolkow said. Despite a constant pouring of rain throughout the first hour of cleanup, Adrienne Kume and her children, Macy and Maddox, were excited to help out however they could. Kume, who owns Merrime Bride & Soiree, wanted to give back after years of seeing similar cleanups take place downtown. Its our first time doing this, Kume said. Ive owned my business for five years and Ive very much appreciated everyone who has done this. I think we have a wonderful, clean, safe downtown area that is kept up really nice. We wanted to be a part of that. With neighboring downtown businesses working to support each other through the coronavirus pandemic, Kume is glad to see the cohesiveness of the community during a difficult time. Just going through the recent events,you really appreciate everything so much more and realize how there are different ways to be involved, Kume said. It is interesting to note that the first television ads from the Biden camp are coming from independent groups. At least four of these groups are Republican conservatives who view Biden as more stable and less threatening to the country than the current President. The Lincoln Project has asked Republicans directly to put country above party and has presented a relentless case about the presidents unfitness for office. Others have picked up on President Trumps unsteady response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his Bible toting militaristic actions regarding the peaceful police reform protests. One ad even notes his odd speech patterns and chronicles an array of head-scratching pronouncements that should give all of us pause. Biden himself has begun a modest campaign buy in several battleground states. While these are mostly biographical feel good ads, the campaign has not shied away from taking direct shots at some of the presidents most egregious policies and actions. For President Trump, there was no hesitation to sink right into the mud. After all, this is the man who was impeached over pressuring a foreign government to jump into our elections. This is the man who leveled unfounded charges against his opponent and his opponents family long before any primary votes were cast. As the general election campaign gets underway, the president, true to form, dispenses with any pleasantries. The first Trump ads feature edited snippets of Biden speeches relating to energy and China. An ad being run heavily in Pennsylvania accuses Biden of opposing mining and drilling. Specifically, they catch Biden in a partial answer to a question about coal and fracking and imply that he is opposed to both. The truth is that Bidens follow-up explained how the country would gradually move away from fossil fuels but the spinmeisters are content to present only the soundbite. The China attack on Biden is even more ludicrous. He is shown defending the Chinese people saying: Theyre not bad folks. The ad goes on to blame Biden for the loss of manufacturing jobs to China. This, even though 30 million people are currently unemployed in the Trump era. The tag line of the ad twists into a conclusion that Biden has been so wrong for so long. What is most disturbing is that it hides the presidents own flattering comments about Chinese President Xi and his blatant pandering to the Chinese as outlined in the new John Bolton book. Who really is wrong about the Chinese? And there is no bottom to the messages that the Trump team is willing to spread. As the entire nation comes to terms with issues of racism and law enforcement reform, the Trump team seems to have its own bizarre take on the events of the day. An ad released on face book focuses on a handful of looters and leftists who may have shown up at a few of the rallies. The Trump ad did not suggest a thoughtful way to racial harmony, instead it suggested that we should turn on our own citizens with imagery of an upside-down red triangle the symbol worn by political prisoners in Nazi concentration camps. Facebook pulled the ad for using hate group imagery. The early going has seen its share of carpet bombing from both sides. This was to be expected from the presidents supporters. They are used to a style of campaigning that makes personal attacks on opponents rather than debates the issues. It is not in Donald Trumps character to wage a civil campaign. While there may be no bottom to the Trump campaign, it presents a dilemma for Vice President Joe Biden. Does he respond with equally incendiary rhetoric and risk his solid reputation as a good guy or does he refuse to take the bait and appeal to the better angels of our nature. And what about the conventions? Clearly the president will insist on a mega-rally of some sort even if it imperils the health of his convention- goers. Biden will be hard-pressed to pass up the opportunity to show his own strength at a typical convention carnival, but it is likely that there will be less crowds and more deference to the lingering coronavirus. We have never witnessed an election season like this one. A pandemic has ripped through our communities, the economy has tanked, and racial tensions have sparked a reform movement like we havent seen since the 1960s. Whether the candidates can rise to a thoughtful debate about these and other issues remains to be seen. But the early indicators are that the campaign is going to be loud and ludicrous. And its only June. Mark S. Singel is a former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. He and Republican Charlie Gerow can be seen at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday on CBS21s Face the State. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on International Yoga Day on Sunday focussed on the importance of one of the techniques of controlling the breath in yoga and its benefits to fight the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), which has affected and killed millions across the world. As the Prime Minister delivered his message to the nation on the International Yoga Day, he said the coronavirus disease specifically attacks our respiratory system and pranayama is one asana which will help us the most in strengthening it. PM Modi said the anulom-vilom pranayama is more popular and is also very effective. But, he said there are many types of pranayamasheetali, kapalbhati, bhramari, bhastrika. All these forms and techniques of yoga help a lot in strengthening both our respiratory system and immune system. Therefore, my special request to you is that you must include pranayama in your daily practice, and along with the Anulom-Viloma, also learn many pranayama techniques, he said. A large number of Covid-19 patients are experiencing the benefits of these methods of yoga all over the world today. The strength of yoga is helping them to defeat this disease, he added. He said anybody can embrace yoga as all one needs is some time and empty space. If we can fine-tune our chords of health and hope, the day is not far away when the world will witness the success of healthy and happy humanity. Yoga can definitely help us make this happen, the PM said. This is the sixth edition of the International Yoga Day and it is being observed digitally for the first time since June 21, 2015. This years theme is Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Anambra state police command have arrested a 20-year-old man identified as Chikwado Anijiofor, for allegedly raping his neighbours 6-year-old daughter in Ogbudike Okpoko in Anambra state. Haruna Mohammed, spokesperson of the state police command, told newsmen that Chikwado committed the crime on Wednesday, June 17 and has since confessed to the police. On the 19/6/2020 at about 10:am following a tip off, Police operatives attached to Okpoko Division arrested one Chikwado Anijiofor m aged 20 years native of Agbaumana in Eziagu LGA of Enugu State but reside at Ogbudike Okpoko. Suspect had on the 17/6/2020 allegedly defiled a six-year old girl who happens to be his neighbours daughter. Scene was visited by police detectives and victim taken to the hospital for medical examination. Advertisement Meanwhile, suspect has voluntarily confessed to the offence. the statement read READ ALSO Korede Bello Advices Fans Against Rape (Photo) Haruna said the state Commissioner of Police, John Abang has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for further investigation after which suspect would be charged to court for prosecution. MONTMORENCY COUNTY, MI - The body of a teenage boy with Down syndrome whose disappearance sparked a community-wide search was found in a pond near his familys home Friday, police said. Charles Cordes, 15, was last seen riding his bike in a hayfield at his home in Atlanta on Thursday night, police said. His body was found Friday afternoon. Authorities continue to investigate his death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cordes family, Montmorency County sheriffs officials said. We would like to thank the community for the overwhelming support during this difficult time. Authorities were called to the familys home on M-33, southeast of Atlanta, after the teen was reported missing. Officers initially found the boys bike, slippers, belt and glasses in the hay field. (Natural News) In a statement opposing President Trumps recent designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, the United Nations made a declaration that Antifas right to peaceful assembly is now under attack by the administration. A cohort of UN experts reportedly decided to post the flag of Antifa on the international bodys Twitter page along with a plea of profound concern over a recent statement by the U.S. Attorney-General describing Antifa and other anti-fascist activists as domestic terrorists. In the UNs view, Antifa is just like any other protest group that gathers peacefully to air grievances. And President Trump is getting in the way of this peaceful expression of Antifas First Amendment rights by classifying violent and destructive behavior as terrorism. International human rights law protects the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, says Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the UNs Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. (It is) regrettable that the United States has chosen to respond to the protests in a manner that undermines these fundamental rights. Ni Aolain also just so happens to be the Board Chair of the Open Society Foundations Women Program, a plaything of left-liberal billionaire activist George Soros, to quote the words of Breitbart News Kurt Zindulka. Listen below to The Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about how left-wing terrorism is only going to help President Trump win reelection this fall: Since when is violence and destruction considered to be free speech? While the Trump administration has yet to act in actually combatting Antifa terrorism, the UN is concerned that this new designation might violate the Constitution in some way, opening up the door to more abuses down the road. The loose use of terrorism rhetoric undermines legitimate protests and dampens freedom of expression in the United States, Ni Aolain further stated, adding that this freedom of expression has been a hallmark of U.S. constitutional values, and a beacon far beyond its shores. What is interesting is that the UN has never been concerned about the muzzling of free expression when it occurs against conservatives, particularly online. Free speech was tossed aside years ago, and yet the UN is only concerned now that Antifa is the recipient of the crackdown. Truth be told, nobody is telling Antifa that it cannot express itself. What they are saying is that Antifa cannot throw bricks through the windows of businesses and burn down public buildings, both of which constitute acts of terror, if you will, against innocent Americans. At an even more baseline level, what Antifa is doing throughout the streets of America is criminal whenever it involves destruction of property or violence. There is no room for such behavior in a free and open society, and yet the UN apparently considers it to be free speech. For even suggesting that violence and destruction somehow constitute free speech, the UN has become a target for defunding all on its own. Many conservatives are urging President Trump to remove the U.S. from the clutches of the UN by parting ways with the globalist entity. Many are also calling out the hypocrisy of Antifa in gathering closely and defying social distancing guidelines, even as conservatives and other non-terrorists are told that they must stay home and not attend church services or go play in the local park. Observe how Antifa and far-left demonstrators who defy virus health guidelines, sometimes violently, havent been treated with the same public contempt as conservative protesters asking for states to open up, says journalist Andy Ngo, who himself was a victim of Antifa violence. Far-left extremists are empowered to be violent by the legitimacy and pass given to them by mainstream society and media. For more related news about the social collapse of todays America, visit CivilWar.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Two researchers and some parents are calling for the removal of police officers from schools across the state, arguing that their presence could be harmful to students and that the money districts are spending on cops would be better spent elsewhere. The call comes amid civil unrest after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, sparking protests and demands for change to law enforcement operations across the country. The movement to get officers out of schools is gaining traction, with school districts in Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, pledging to remove officers from campus, according to The New York Times, which also reported that Denvers school board has voted to terminate its police contract. In Albuquerque, University of New Mexico School of Law associate professor Maryam Ahranjani and Hope Pendleton, a board member of the Black Law Student Association at UNM, are saying now is the time to remove officers from schools. Theres a lot of unfortunate downstream negative repercussions for children from having police officers in schools, Ahranjani said. APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta wrote in a statement that district officials have been examining this topic for years. The primary responsibility of school police officers is to maintain order and security on school campuses while nurturing positive and respectful relationships with students. The challenge is always to strike a balance so that the lives of our students and staff are never compromised, at the same time ensuring our diverse student population doesnt feel threatened or unfairly targeted by our officers, Armenta wrote in an emailed statement. An American Civil Liberties Union report said officers on campus can lead to greater student alienation and a more threatening school climate, adding that research shows that school health staff such as counselors are more beneficial for students overall. The report says the ratio of students to counselors in New Mexico is 391 to 1, citing 2015-2016 federal data. Pendleton and Ahranjani helped write a letter to APS Superintendent Raquel Reedy and her leadership team that says funds earmarked for the APS Police Department would be better spent addressing this counselor-to-student ratio and investing in other personnel. Reallocating funds away from law enforcement and toward teacher training and additional supports such as social workers, counselors and school psychologists is an evidence-based way for APS and other districts to keep children and school personnel safe in a cost effective way, the letter says. According to Armenta, $6.5 million of the districts operational funds was budgeted for the APS Police Department which includes 58 officers for fiscal year 2020. There are also Albuquerque Police Department officers, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies and service aides on some campuses. Roy Dennis, former president and current member of the Educational Police Officers Association of New Mexico, said it would be a mistake to remove officers from schools. A sergeant with APS police, Dennis said his experience has been that the officers serve a mentorship role with students. Right now, its like everyone is lumping us all in the same barrel with the officers in Minneapolis and thats not the case, especially not with APS police, he told the Journal. He said having school police ensures a faster response to an emergency, if needed. We give students an added feeling of safety, Dennis said. We are there to protect them. Ahranjani has researched education law, co-written a textbook on student rights and followed the issue of police in schools for decades. And Pendleton has done national research on school security environments. They write in their letter that theres no evidence based support for the idea that having police officers stationed in public schools yields positive outcomes. Lisa Peterson, an assistant professor in New Mexico State Universitys school psychology program, says research shows that adults feel safer with officers in schools, but thats not necessarily the case for middle school and high school students. Peterson who was a teacher and school psychologist in Texas said research shows Black and female students feel less safe in school due to police presence, whereas white and male students tend to feel safer. If you think about the concept of safety, if you dont feel safe in your environment, thats going to affect you psychologically your focus and ability to learn, Peterson said. Pendleton said she saw her childrens Black classmates in Illinois being targeted for arrests by officers at schools because of behavioral issues. Ahranjani said that based on national information available, because of implicit biases, children of color and children with disabilities are the ones who get much more harshly treated by law enforcement. APS police officers have the authority to make arrests. Seven students were arrested last school year by APS police officers, according to Armenta, who added that arrests are a last resort but inevitable when guns are found on campuses or lives are threatened. We understand many of our students and their families experience public education through a lens not always understood by all, and we will continue to do what we can to eradicate racism where it exists, Armenta wrote. APS police are trained in restorative justice practices. But the district didnt return questions from the Journal on what that training entails. Pendleton and Ahranjani are also urging for more accessible data on school discipline. Amber Heard was seen with bruises while her ex-husband Johnny Depp was out of the country, according to a witness for his legal team. The concierge Trinity Esparza claims she only saw hand marks on Heard's neck two weeks after the 57-year-old Pirates Of The Caribbean star allegedly threw a phone at her, as reported by The Mirror. The witness contends she saw a mark on the left side of the 34-year-old Aquaman star's face, though Heard had claimed it was the right side of her face that had been hurt. Nowhere to be seen: A witness for Johnny Depp claims that he was out of the town when Amber Heard was bruised in May 2016, and the injuries don't match her description of what happened, according to The Mirror Esparza, the head concierge at Los Angeles' Eastern Columbia building, where Depp owns multiple units, said she saw a bruise on Heard's cheek and two finger marks around her neck. 'She dropped her keys down the elevator chute,' she said, explaining how Heard obtained the marks. 'She had bruises on her neck and a Band-Aid.' Esparza also claims that Depp wasn't even in the country when Heard was injured as part of her deposition in his defamation suit against the actress, in which he's asking for $50 million. Heard claims that Depp threw the phone at her on May 21, 2016. Injured: Trinity Esparza, a concierge for an LA building Depp owned multiple units in, claims Heard had a bruise on her left cheek and two finger marks on her neck, which she claimed was from Depp throwing a phone at her Out of sight: Esparza says Depp wasn't in the country when Heard was bruised, and she claims Heard got them because she 'dropped her keys down the elevator chute'; shown in 2016 Depp's legal team will also use the deposition in his libel suit against News UK in response to The Sun labeling him a 'wife beater.' His lawyer Adam Waldman says Esparza's deposition proves the Sweeney Todd star couldn't have injured his ex-wife. 'It turns out, Amber Heard actually was damaged in June 2016, with finger shaped marks on her throat, bandaged arm and a bruised left eye,' said Waldman. 'The one person we know did not do it is Johnny Depp, who had been on tour and out of the country for [two] weeks.' Different sides: Esparza's claim that Heard's left cheek was bruised contradicts the actress' claim that Depp threw the phone at her right cheek; pictured in December Timeline: 'It turns out, Amber Heard actually was damaged in June 2016, with finger shaped marks on her throat, bandaged arm and a bruised left eye,' said Depp's lawyer Adam Waldman; shown in February in Berlin Depp is expected to arrive in London on Saturday to begin a two-week quarantine before his libel suit to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Depp, who she was married to Heard from 2015 to 2017, is suing her for defamation based on a 2018 Washington Post essay in which she implied he had abused her, though she didn't use his name. The Edward Scissorhands star has turned the tables by arguing that Heard was the true abuser, though text messages and recordings suggest both may have been engaged in a mutual campaigns of physical and emotional abuse. In November 2013, Depp allegedly sent text messages to his friend, Avengers: Endgame actor Paul Bettany, that seemed to admit to abusing alcohol and drugs and behaving abusively toward Heard. Legal challenge: Depp, who she was married to Heard from 2015 to 2017, is suing her for defamation based on a 2018 Washington Post essay in which she implied he had abused her, though she didn't use his name; pictured together in February 2016 'Im gonna properly stop the booze thing, darling Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA, this past Sunday,' he wrote. 'Ugly, mate . No food for days powders half a bottle of whiskey, a thousand red bull and vodkas, pills, 2 bottles of Champers on plane and what do you get??? An angry, aggro Injun in a f***in blackout, screaming obscenities and insulting any f*** who got near Im done I am admittedly too f***ed in the head to spray my rage at the one I love For little reason, as well Im too old to be that guy. But, pills are fine!!!' In January, DailyMail.com acquired audio of Heard admitting to hitting her husband and pelting him with pots and pans. A subsequent recording caught her mocking him for claiming to be a domestic violence victim. The case is expected to begin in August, after it was pushed back from the original February star date after Depp missed the deadline to submit records on his drug and alcohol use. This is a remarkably precise description of what Trumps actions at home and abroad have wrought. Supporters of free institutions everywhere are aghast at what has become of us. The Xis and Putins of the world mock us, all the while knowing that the self-seeking simpleton in the White House will make deals with them on his own behalf. They can point to the abrupt firing of Geoffrey Berman, the independent-minded U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to question whether our nation lives up to its claims of placing the rule of law above the whims and wishes of any chief executive. More Than 100 Opposition Supporters Detained In Belarus After Lukashenka Says He Stopped 'Revolution' By RFE/RL's Belarus Service June 20, 2020 MINSK -- Police in Belarus have detained more than 100 people at opposition rallies in the capital, Minsk, and elsewhere after President Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced his government had thwarted a "revolution" amid a widening crackdown on opposition leaders and activists, including the arrest of a potential presidential challenger. People were urged to turn out on June 19, the last day to sign ballot petitions for those seeking to run in the Belarusian presidential election on August 9, when Lukashenka, 65, will be seeking a sixth term in office. Lukashenka, in power since 1994, is facing what experts say is his biggest challenge yet as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus after the president ignored calls to institute any social-distancing measures or restrictions. In Minsk, several hundred people lined the streets on June 19 before police moved in to make arrests in the early evening, detaining not only opposition supporters but members of the media. RFE/RL reporter Alyaksandra Dynko and her cameraman, Andrey Rabchyk, were detained while reporting live from the event. Acting RFE/RL President Daisy Sindelar said the journalists' detentions represent "direct attacks on the independent press and the rights of Belarus citizens to be informed about important developments in their country." There were also reports that Internet access had been disrupted for several hours in Minsk on June 19. Elsewhere, police threatened protesters in the city of Mahilau with force, while in Homel demonstrators were told their gathering was illegal, according to local media. According to the Belarusian rights NGO Vyasna (Spring), some 140 people were detained by police across Belarus on June 19. Meanwhile, Lukashenka announced on June 20 that this government would raise pensions, although he did not disclose by how much. "This isn't populism for the sake of some election. I would never do that," the Belarusian leader was quoted as saying. On June 19, Lukashenka claimed to have thwarted an attempt to foment revolution in the Eastern European country, which he has ruled with an iron fist for more than a quarter of a century. Lukashenka told a government meeting that forces "in the East and West" were trying to destabilize Belarus but that their "masks have been torn off" and the "puppets and puppet masters abroad" identified. His comments came a day after thousands of people took to Independence Boulevard in Minsk in what was dubbed a picket of solidarity after Viktar Babaryka, who headed the Russian-owned Belgazprombank for 20 years, was detained on suspicion of financial crimes, as well as his son who heads his presidential election campaign. Belarusian authorities on June 15 took control of the bank and arrested more than a dozen top executives on charges of tax evasion and money laundering. Babaryka, 56, has said the actions taken against Belgazprombank were part of an intimidation campaign conducted on "political orders." On June 19, the European Union called on Belarus to immediately release Babaryka and his son from detention and to guarantee full respect of the rule of law. "Any investigation must be impartial and without political pressure," EU foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement. In a post on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk urged Lukashenka's government to "uphold its international commitments to respect fundamental freedoms." The crackdown on Babaryka and Belgazprombank -- which is nearly 100 percent owned by Russian natural gas giant Gazprom and its affiliate Gazprombank-- comes as Lukashenka faces what experts say is one of the biggest challenges ever to his rule, which stretches back to 1994. Belarus, with a population of some 9.5 million, has one of Europe's highest infection rates for the coronavirus, which Lukashenka dismissed as a "mass psychosis" and ignored calls by the World Health Organization and others to institute any social-distancing measures. The World Bank predicts that the Belarusian economy will contract by 4 percent this year as a result of the pandemic, while some informal, online polls put Lukashenka's public support at just 3 percent. Lukashenka on June 4 named 46-year-old Raman Halouchanka, who previously oversaw military industries, as prime minister. The appointment came a day after Lukashenka, who had been promising a government shake-up ahead of the election, dismissed Syarhey Rumas along with his government. Lukashenka said that "we need to clench our teeth" and to show more discipline in order to repair the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and "save what we have built." In the election on August 9, Lukashenka, will be seeking a sixth term in office. No election either for president or parliament during his rule has been deemed free and fair by Western governments and institutions. Babaryka has risen in popularity as the vote nears, and his election campaign says it has collected nearly 435,000 signatures -- more than four times the required 100,000 minimum to get on the ballot -- to support his bid to get on the ballot by a June 19 deadline. The Belarusian Central Election Commission cleared 15 would-be candidates to collect signatures to get on the ballot, while rejecting others, including potential candidates like popular vlogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski and opposition politician Mikalay Statkevich, who challenged the authoritarian leader in 2010 and was imprisoned for protests that followed that disputed vote. Both Tsikhanouski and Statkevich are now in jail, with Tsikhanouski facing a possible three-year prison term for organizing pro-democracy rallies. The Committee for State Control (KDK) said on June 18 that Babaryka was arrested for allegedly attempting to influence witness testimony and illegally withdrawing large amounts of cash from bank accounts, among other things. KDK head Ivan Tertel said that almost 20 employees of Belgazprombank had been arrested, adding that many of the suspects "confessed" that they had illegally transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to Latvia via a scheme organized by Babaryka. Babaryka's election campaign staff said lawyers for the two men were not allowed to be present during the questioning, and that Babaryka's home in Minsk was searched by law enforcement officers. In recent weeks, opposition rallies and gatherings in support of would-be candidates have attracted thousands of people across Belarus. Several opposition activists, politicians, and bloggers were sentenced to up to 15 days in jail this week for taking part in what authorities called "unsanctioned rallies." In his statement, Stano demanded that Belarus "refrain from any restrictions of the rights of potential candidates, avoid any detentions of peaceful protesters, and immediately release all arbitrarily detained activists." "No potential candidate should be prevented from fulfilling the registration procedure due to politically motivated restrictive measures," he added. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-100- opposition-supporters-detained-lukashenka- stopped-revolution-/30681719.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi: Actress Sanjana Sanghi, Sushant Singh Rajputs last co-star, has paid an emotional tribute to the late star yet again in a heart-wrenching post. Dil Bechara, a remake of The Fault In Our Stars, will be Sushants last film and Sanjanas first. It was supposed to hit the screens in May, but the release date got shifted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sharing pictures from the happier times spent with Sushant, Sanjana penned a poetic send-off note for him and mentioned that she would try to fulfill all the dreams that he saw. Whoever said time helps heal all wounds, was lying. Some feel like theyre being ripped open, again and again, and bleeding Of moments that now will forever remain memories Of laughs together that were but will never again be Of questions that will remain unanswered Of disbelief, that only keeps growing. But these wounds also contain a film, a gift that everyone is yet to see, Wounds that contain dreams, plans, and desires for our countrys children, their education and their future that will be fulfilled, Wounds that contain a passion for an endless creative zest for every artist there is, Wounds that contain the hope for a world that promises to uphold honesty, integrity, kindness and embraces individuality - rid of all toxicity, I vow that I will do everything to make sure each of these dreams are fulfilled, like you always wanted me to. Except, youd promised wed do it all together.. Sushant died by suicide on June 14 at his apartment in Mumbai. He was said to be under stress and depression for some months. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves to the entire nation. In her tribute to Sushant earlier, Sanjana broke down while remembering him. Sushants last rites were performed in Mumbai in the presence of his family members and close friends from the industry. WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Saturday rejected the Justice Department's emergency request to block publication of John Bolton's White House memoir but said the former Trump national security adviser "likely jeopardized national security" and exposed himself to criminal prosecution. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth of the District of Columbia denied the Trump administration's request for a restraining order on the book, set for publication Tuesday, citing his publisher's declaration that more than 200,000 copies have already shipped for sale. But Lamberth noted that it appeared Bolton failed to complete a pre-publication government review and get written authority that his manuscript contained no classified information before publishing. "While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," Lamberth wrote. "For reasons that hardly need to be stated, the Court will not order nationwide seizure and destruction of a political memoir." However, Lamberth said a private review of passages the government alleged contain classified information persuaded him that Bolton "has gambled with the national security of the United States... [and] has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability." "The Room Where It Happened" recounts Bolton's 17 months as Trump's top national security official and offers a withering portrait of the president as an "erratic" and "stunningly uninformed" leader. Bolton called Trump incompetent and "unfit for office" in promotional interviews. Bolton, a veteran diplomat and security expert, denied the book contained any classified information. He asserted that after a painstaking, months-long review, a career White House official, Ellen Knight, effectively cleared his manuscript in April before Trump political appointees undertook to stall it through November's election. Bolton in that case could have sued the government, Lamberth said, instead of"unilaterally" opting out of the review process. "This was Bolton's bet: If he is right and the book does not contain classified information, he keeps the upside [of publicity and sales]; but if he is wrong, he stands to lose his profits from the book deal, exposes himself to criminal liability, and imperils national security," the judge said. "Bolton was wrong," Lamberth concluded. On Saturday, reaction from Trump was swift. The president - who previously said he thought and hoped Bolton would have "criminal problems" - wrote in a tweet: "Bolton broke the law and has been called out and rebuked for so doing, with a really big price to pay. He likes dropping bombs on people, and killing them. Now he will have bombs dropped on him!" The judge's ruling came after the government sued Bolton on Tuesday, seven days before the book's planned June 23 publication, which has been excerpted and widely covered in the media. The court's denial applied only to the government's follow-up request Wednesday for an emergency injunction blocking publication, based on declarations by four of the government's highest-ranking national security officials that the manuscript contained classified information. The government's request included a sealed submission of what they said were six examples. Legal experts said the ruling in some ways marked a "symbolic" victory for the government as far as stopping Bolton's book. The government waited to the 11th hour to file suit, and Bolton's attorney argued Friday it was political "theater" intended to placate the president. But Lamberth's decision also dealt a personal and professional blow to Bolton, while the government continues to litigate to clawback any of his book profits, including a reported $2 million advance, by alleging he violated government nondisclosure agreements. Mark S. Zaid, a lawyer who has represented more than two dozen current and former government employees who have sought to publish books, said the likelihood of the government being able to show "irreparable harm" now that an injunction was denied is "literally impossible." "But absent some cataclysmic event occurring, Bolton is facing loss of millions of dollars," he said. The Justice Department also could seek to prosecute Bolton for publishing the book without authorization. The government did not name publisher Simon & Schuster as a defendant but asked the court to enjoin it along with Bolton. In a statement, company spokesman Adam Rothberg said, "We are grateful that the Court has vindicated the strong First Amendment protections against censorship and prior restraint of publication. We are very pleased that the public will now have the opportunity to read Ambassador Bolton's account of his time as National Security Advisor." Bolton attorney Charles J. Cooper said, "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book." Cooper added, "We respectfully take issue, however, with the Court's preliminary conclusion at this early stage of the case that Ambassador Bolton did not comply fully with his contractual prepublication obligation to the Government, and the case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told - but it will be." At a hearing conducted by videoconference Friday, Deputy Assistant Attorney General David M. Morrell said he did not know whether the president was involved in the process of clearing the book for publication and acknowledged he knew of no precedent in which high-level officials intervened in classification reviews. The government acknowledged that after Knight on April 27 said Bolton had completed required edits, Trump appointees began another review. That process was led by Michael Ellis - a former aide to Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., and the National Security Council's new senior director for intelligence - who received his classification authority March 1 and was not trained on it before he completed the Bolton manuscript review. Morrell acknowledged the government could confirm that only three of the six samples it gave the court were classified before Ellis's re-review. One of those included a matter described in a government declaration Wednesday, in which Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, director of the National Security Agency, said a limited portion of the draft manuscript "implicates" TS/SCI. He said "compromise of this information could result in the permanent loss of a valuable [signal intelligence] source and cause irreparable damage to the U.S. [signal intelligence] system." Bolton in a court filing Thursday argued that "sweeping" changes demanded just two days earlier by the White House after Ellis's re-review apparently would eliminate passages describing most of Trump's conversations with advisers, foreign leaders and numerous others portraying him in an unflattering light, Bolton said in a court filing. Among its disclosures already reported, the book states Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win the 2020 U.S. election, confirms Trump attempted to use military aid to pressure Ukraine on political investigations, and says Trump expressed willingness to halt or obstruct criminal investigations as personal favors to authoritarian foreign leaders. Trump has previously responded on Twitter by calling Bolton a "Wacko" and claimed that the former close aide's account is "a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad." A 1,000-page journal written by Australian Cardinal George Pell during his time behind bars is set to be released by a US-based Catholic publisher that is appealing for donations to help fund the project. Pell, a former Vatican treasurer, spent more than a year in prison on child sex abuse charges before he was acquitted and freed by Australia's High Court in April. Ignatius Press said it will now publish the "extraordinary" diary, which was written in solitary confinement, and appealed to supporters to help fund an advance to Pell -- who would use it to cover outstanding legal fees. In a letter to subscribers posted on the company's website, editor Father Joseph Fessio said he had read the first half of the tome and predicted it was "going to be a spiritual classic". "The entire journal is about 1,000 pages, so we will print it in three or four volumes," he said. "With your help, we can proceed with this project and offer Cardinal Pell appropriate advances on these volumes, which he can then use to remove much of the worry he now has about his legal debts." Fessio said his "good friend" Pell was still dealing with the "ongoing challenge of meeting the many legal expenses which were necessary to right the terrible injustice done to him". "This is not just about Cardinal Pell. His victory was not just a victory for one man. It was a victory for the Church," Fessio added. "And not just the Church in Australia. It revealed to all the world just how far the Churchs enemies will go and how deceitful they will be to discredit her." Pell, 79, was convicted in December 2018 of sexually abusing two choirboys in the 1990s when he was the archbishop of Melbourne. He strenuously denied the charges and the High Court later overturned his conviction after hearing his second appeal. However, Pell is still facing a civil suit brought by the father of one choirboy after the latter died in 2014. A report released in May after a top-level Australian inquiry said Pell was aware of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Australia as far back as the 1970s and failed to seek the removal of accused priests. Pell has said he was "surprised" by the inquiry's findings, which he said were "not supported by evidence". By Express News Service KOCHI: Aluva East police have arrested a person who led the seven-member gang that attacked a family, including a woman and girl child, on Thursday night over a drunken spat. The group led by Suresh, 44, a daily wage worker, attacked Keezhmadu Mullankuzhi native Ummar and his wife Raihanath and daughter Afna by barging into their home. They also attacked neighbours Ali and Sadique who tried to prevent the attack.According to police, the team came for the son of Ummars brother Ajmal who was engaged in a spat with Sureshs brother. Though both parties had engaged in the brawl, it was Ummars family which approached us with the complaint. There is a minor injury on Raihanaths hand and Suresh has a wound on his head. Ajmal, son of Ummars elder brother, had a spat with 50-year-old Vijayan, brother of Suresh, in front of a bar on Thursday. The incident led to the attack, said Vinod R, CI, Aluva East Police Station. The accused have been charged under IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 ( causing hurt with dangerous weapons) and 452 (House-trespass after preparation for hurt). Other than the drunken spat, there is no other motive, he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) About time to meet Mama's "favorite child." Over the weekend, actress Bea Alonzo shared on social media her encounter with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto as she turned over relief and medical supplies in the city as part of her organization's campaign for Father's Day. "Hi Mama! Nakilala ko na ang paborito mo! (I finally met your true favorite)" Alonzo's Instagram post read on Saturday, in reference to veteran actress Coney Reyes who played her mother in the movie "Four Sisters and a Wedding." Alonzo then bared that she met Sotto to turn over 100 relief bags and disinfectants for the city's frontliners under the "I Am Hope" foundation. She also thanked Sotto and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo for their assistance. "In line with Father's Day, we intend to celebrate the fathers who choose to serve the community by cleaning the streets and picking up our garbage," she said. Sotto then replied to the actress' post to thank her for her initiative. "Thank you for helping and congrats for the success of @iamhope_org!" the mayor said. Alonzo received praises from fans and netizens following her post. "Imagine all the good you can do together," said @g3cafe. "OMG the crossover I never thought I needed," @theshaynego said. Alonzo's foundation has raised over 9 million in cash and in-kind donations last month to help communities affected by the COVID-19 crisis. (Newser) Lori Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, died in December, but it was pings to his cellphone that led investigators to the bodies of Vallow's kids, who went missing in September. Human remains belonging to JJ Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, were discovered earlier this month on rural Idaho property belonging to Chad Daybell, Vallow's fifth husband (who is not the father of either child). Both Vallow and Daybell have been arrested in connection with the children's disappearances, though neither has been charged with murder and authorities have not said how the children died. But East Idaho News reports that, per court documents, JJ was found wrapped in plastic and duct tape while Tylee was found dismembered and burned. CNN reports that authorities found, via Cox's cellphone, that Cox had visited Daybell's Fremont County property four times in Septemberincluding visits on the days after each of the kids was last seen. story continues below A friend says Vallow, who along with Daybell was said to be obsessed with doomsday prophesies, had described both children as zombies before their deaths. Tylee was last seen in Yellowstone National Park Sept. 8, and Cox was on that trip along with Vallow and JJ. Cox's phone shows he was then at Vallow's apartment three times immediately following that trip, the final visit starting at 2:42am Sept. 9. Later that morning, pings show Cox was in Daybell's yard for more than two hours, with a possible jaunt to a city five minutes away. About 14 minutes after Cox was last in the backyard, per the phone, Daybell texted his then-wife, Tammy Daybell (who died in October), to tell her he shot a raccoon that morning and buried it in their pet cemeterythe same part of the property where Cox's phone pinged. Neighbors also recalled seeing a fire on the property Sept. 9, which was described as unusual, the AP reports. JJ was last seen Sept. 22, and Cox's phone pinged from Daybell's backyardagain from the location where the bodies were later foundon Sept. 23. (Read more Lori Vallow stories.) The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the SouthWest Monsoon is likely to further advance into some more parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Uttarakhand around June 23 and in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and most parts of Punjab during June 24-25 due to favourable conditions. According to the special daily rain forecast issued by the national weather department, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over northeast India is very likely to continue during the next 5 days. It adds that similar conditions may prevail and over east India and adjoining areas in central India during the next 2-3 days. Also Read: Rains, cloudy weather keep mercury in check in Delhi Giving further information about the expanse and advance of Monsoon, the IMD bulletin said that from June 23 onwards, widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy to very heavy rain falls was also very likely over the western Himalayan region, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan. According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre cum Regional Meteorological Centre situated in New Delhi, the northern limit of Monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Kandla, Ahmedabad, Indore, Raisen, Khajuraho, Fatehpur and Bahraich. Also Read: Parts of UP receive rainfall; thunderstorm likely on Monday A cyclonic circulation extending up to mid-tropospheric level lies over north interior Odisha & neighbourhood. A trough runs from north Punjab to northwest Bay of Bengal in the lower tropospheric levels and it is likely to shift southwards during the next 3 days. As a result, strengthening of easterly wind and high moisture feeding from the Bay of Bengal is very likely over north India during the same period, it says. The tropospheric layer is the lowest layer of earths atmosphere where all weather activity impacting the earth takes place. It has also dealt out a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha and heavy rainfall over isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Saurashtra and Kutch, Konkan and Goa, Telangana Coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Kerala and Mahe. Thunderstorms are expected at isolated places over Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Telangana. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tensions between Israel and Iran have intensified over the last few years, especially because of Irans activities in Syria and counteractivities attributed to Israel against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in that country. Many are worried about the well-being of Irans small and isolated Jewish community. It is only natural to think that tensions between Israel and Iran could threaten it. Al-Monitor spoke with Rabbi Yehuda Garami, chief rabbi of the Jewish community in Iran, about the state of Jews in the country in general, their relationship with the regime, as well as with the general population, and their attitudes toward the State of Israel. The basic question centered around the size of the Jewish community in Iran. Official numbers have it at around 8,000 members, but Garami claims, based on information he has, that the number of Jews is actually much higher. I estimate that there are between 20,000 and 25,000 Jews in the country. Most of them live in Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan and Karmanshah, though there are other, small communities too, he told Al-Monitor. Then he went on to discuss the state of the community, saying, We have total freedom of religion. All the synagogues are open, and Torah classes take place there. We have all sorts of educational institutions too, including elementary and middle schools. According to the rabbi, Jewish religious activities take place openly, without any restrictions. He is personally responsible for providing kosher food to those groups that want it, and the kosher slaughter of meat takes place according to Jewish law. Over the years I formed several shohets [ritual slaughters]. We even have some excellent kosher restaurants, which are under round-the-clock supervision by a kashrut [dietary law] supervisor. Because we are a small community, it is only natural that we cannot provide kosher certification services to food producers, because there is not enough demand, but every Jew knows what they can and cannot buy as far as kosher food is concerned." Garami said that the members of the community bond over Jewish tradition, adding that there are almost no secular Jews in the country. In Iran, there are Jews who know more Torah and Jews who know less, but everyone is traditional. All Jews observe the Sabbath, lay tefillin [phylacteries] and respect tradition. At the same time, there is also a very Orthodox community that studies Torah on a very high level and observes all the laws. According to Garami, the community is also organized socially and maintains various organizations intended to meet the needs of different groups. These include organizations for youths and students. And of course, there are also charitable organizations that assist needy Jews throughout the country. We support at least 150 needy families regularly by providing them with food, and we help young couples get a start in life. There is plenty of mutual aid. We try to help everyone who needs it. The coronavirus pandemic and international sanctions on Iran have taken a dire toll on the countrys economy. Garami admits that the difficult situation has hurt the Jewish community as well. It is only natural that the people to suffer most from sanctions are from the middle class. As a result, we exert an even greater effort to help them. Most Jews in the country are business owners, particularly clothing store owners, and they are part of the middle class. While there is a small minority of people [in Iran] including a few Jews who are wealthy and are not affected directly by the sanctions, most people really do feel the pressure. Garami can take credit for the fact that the coronavirus crisis barely affected Irans Jewish community. It certainly didnt have the same effect in Iran as it did in other Jewish communities around the world, which suffered severely because of the pandemic. In early March, he already ordered that all synagogues in the country be closed, avoiding mass infection and preventing disaster from striking the community. I immediately understood where this was heading, so I ordered that all the synagogues be closed and that people pray privately, without a quorum. "At the same time, on [the Jewish holiday of] Purim, I authorized just this once to have the 'Megillah' [Scroll of Esther] read via livestream, and I forbade people from fasting on the Fast of Esther. I continued giving my classes through Instagram and Skype. I am convinced that we came out of it [the corona crisis] relatively unscathed because of all the precautions we took, he added. One of the most interesting issues is the relationship between this small community and the local Muslim population. Our Muslim neighbors have a lot of respect for us as Jews living in Iran, he said. Unlike in Europe, for example, we do not have guards outside our synagogues and schools, and our personal safety is excellent. Of course, we sometimes encounter people who are anti-Semitic, but that happens everywhere. Most of the population respects us and lives in peace with us. What is important is that in Iran there is no such concept as organized attacks on Jews. Garami noted that while Jews in Iran do not have the custom of walking down the street in a yarmulke (skullcap), anyone who wants to wear identifiably Jewish clothing can. You can walk around with a yarmulke, and there are in fact people who wear a yarmulke. It just attracts attention, because it is unusual, and it can become unpleasant. On the other hand, it would not pose any danger to the person wearing the yarmulke. The overall sense of safety among the Jews is excellent. We do not feel threatened in any way, either by the government or our neighbors," he said. He explained that the countrys Jewish community has a history of good relations with its neighbors. We have been living here for 2,700 years, ever since the Assyrian exile. From then until now, Jews lived in peace with their Muslim neighbors except in a few isolated cases. It is important to remember that we are the biggest Jewish community in the Middle East after Israel. We have very strong ties to this place. Our ancestors lived here for years and many of our prophets are buried here. The Prophet Daniel is buried here, and we have the Tomb of Habakkuk, the Tomb of Mordechai and Esther, and other important sites." One of the most volatile and sensitive issues for the Jews in Iran is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. It places them in an uncomfortable position with the government. We are always emphasizing that we do not like getting involved in all the disputes, wars and politics between the two countries. It is a debate between politicians and has nothing to do with religion, Garami said very determinedly. People tend to get confused, but there is a big difference between Zionism and Judaism. Judaism is a religion that is 3,300 years old, while Zionism is a national and political movement that is just 100 years old. As a country, the State of Israel has nothing to do with religion in general and Judaism in particular. This is not a war between religions. All the Jews here emphasize that. The worst thing that could happen would be to give the impression that this is a war of religion. Garami went on to claim that based on its actions, the Israeli government is very far from religion. The Israeli government doesnt care about Judaism at all. Everything that they supposedly give to the Orthodox is because of some political deal or other, and not because of their religious approach. He even mentions a municipal order in Tel Aviv that banned the installation of stands to put on tefillin in the city. In Tel Aviv, for instance, they do not allow stands to encourage people to put on tefillin, and they fine anyone who operates those stands. At the same time, they pride themselves on eating dog, he added. Garamis comments hint at remarks made by Mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai in January 2018, who admitted that he ate dog meat when he visited Vietnam. In January, Garami paid a highly publicized condolence call to the family of Iranian Quds Force commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the United States. When Al-Monitor asked him to explain his visit, he said, First of all, I wasnt the only one going. Representatives of all the religions in Iran participated in the visit, including representatives of the Christian faith. They wanted to stress that this is not a war of religion, and that no one should think that this is a war between the different religions. Garami then asked to talk about general attitudes toward Soleimani. He noted, What the Western world does not fully understand is that Soleimani is an Iranian national hero. He is really admired in our country. He showed great bravery in the Iran-Iraq War. Then, in the war in Syria, it was Soleimani who defeated the Islamic State, and this was very important to the people of Iran. Our visit, as representatives of all the religions, was to respect his memory after everything he did on behalf of Iran." At the end of the interview, Al-Monitor asked Garami to express his aspirations for peace. He said, We sincerely hope that there will finally be peace in the world, that all war will disappear and that we will witness the fulfillment of Isaiahs prophecy [Isa. 11:6]: The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat nation shall not lift up sword against nation. It is what we pray for every day. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has quarantined thousands of people in hotels, some in luxury suites, to combat COVID-19, throwing a temporary lifeline to an industry struggling just months after tourist visas were launched. Faced with nearly 4,500 novel coronavirus infections -- the highest in the Gulf -- the petro-state has halted air travel, locked down cities and imposed nationwide curfews in a crisis that has dealt a blow to the nascent tourism sector. Offering a ray of hope, however, the government is splurging millions of dollars to quarantine thousands of overseas travellers and those exposed to infected people in otherwise empty hotels around the kingdom. One four-star hotel in central Riyadh with 100-plus rooms was left with only five guests in mid-March when the Saudi government offered four million riyals ($1.06 million) a month for it to be used as a quarantine facility, an industry source told AFP. One of its larger sister hotels was offered six million riyals, added the source, who requested the names of the properties be withheld because of the stigma attached to the disease. "This is better than running an empty hotel," the source said. "The staff had been preparing for layoffs, up to 50 percent pay cuts or leave without pay." But things are looking up, for now. Such was the desperation from a slump in business that multiple hotel chains are chasing similar deals with the government, despite some reservations that being linked with COVID-19 could hurt their brand image in the long term, the source said. Nearly 1,900 rooms in hotels and other tourism facilities in Riyadh had been reserved for quarantine cases, along with more than 2,800 in Mecca and another 1,900 in the kingdom's eastern region, the tourism ministry said on its website at the end of March. This week the ministry said 11,000 rooms around the kingdom had been prepared to quarantine Saudis stranded abroad who are expected to return to the country. Story continues The government spending comes despite a precipitous fall in state revenue as oil prices plunge to multi-year lows. - 'Vacation' - The ministry has said it is committed to hosting Saudi returnees, including in the "most prestigious hotels". Saudi football coach Abdulhakeem al-Tuwaijri told AFP his free-of-charge quarantine experience in Mecca after he returned with his team from a football training camp in Barcelona "beats any five-star hotel in Europe". Despite the pressures of round-the-clock confinement, Tuwaijri -- who was put up in a plush suite -- said it felt like "going on a vacation". A group of South Asian transit passengers at one Riyadh hotel took advantage of the all-expenses-paid quarantine to order "too much" room service, the industry source said. But the quarantine system has also seen complaints of misplaced luggage and food delays from some passengers who were hauled by authorities from Saudi airports to hotels without any prior warning. Saudi nationalists have attacked such critics online as being ungrateful. "Saudi Arabia is not a champion of human rights, but it is keen to show it is pampering people quarantined in hotels," Quentin de Pimodan of the Research Institute for European and American Studies told AFP. "With this, it is hitting two birds with one stone -- it is also trying to save hotels and its nascent tourism industry." - 'Associated with virus' - Saudi Arabia's hotel industry faces a sharp downturn after the kingdom launched tourist visas last September with much fanfare and ambitions to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030. The kingdom has spent billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch, one of the main planks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's drive to wean the economy off its decades-long dependence on oil revenues. The announcement led to a rush to build new hotels, with officials at the time estimating 500,000 rooms will be required nationwide over the coming decade to fill the current infrastructure gap. More than 138 hotel projects with 54,143 rooms were due to be unveiled in the kingdom in 2019-20, according to industry projections. But the projects are bound to suffer delays and funding setbacks amid COVID-19 shutdowns, said the manager of a five-star Riyadh hotel that declined government offers to be used to quarantine people. He said such deals offered a "short-term cash benefit" at a time when his hotel was forced to slash staff salaries and force many to go on unpaid leave. But, he added, the move could affect the hotels' brands and guests will be afraid to return to a "hotel associated with the virus". A 16-year-old student fell prey to cybercrime and lost 67,495 from his fathers bank account while purchasing a headphone and webcam. The students father, Shrinivas Pankala, 51, filed a complaint at Santacruz police station. With classes being conducted through video-conferencing due to the lockdown, Pankalas son was looking to buy headphones and a webcam for attending online classes. On June 13, the student found an anonymous website while searching for high-resolution devices and contacted the number mentioned on the site to inquire if there was any discount on the devices. A police officer said, The accused told him he is selling these products on special discounted rate. The teenager asked him to dispatch the products and agreed to settle the bill through online payment. According to the police, the accused contacted the student after sometime and said he has dispatched the products. The accused also sent a QR code to the student which, he said, needs to be scanned for the payment. After the student scanned the code, 67,495 was deducted from his fathers account. The teenager then informed his father about this, after which they tried to contact the seller, but failed. His father then approached the police. The police on June 18 registered a first information report (FIR) against an unknown person under sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and section 66 (C)(D) of the Information Technology Act. The nationwide lockdown imposed in March to curb the spread of coronavirus resulted in a massive fall in hospitalisations in India, with cancer treatment and institutional deliveries being among the most severely affected. An analysis done by the National Health Authority showed a 64 per cent decline in oncology services, while institutional child deliveries fell by 26 per cent. The survey, called PM-JAY Under Lockdown: Evidence on Utilization Trends, was from January 1 to June 2 and included a large portion of the lockdown period. The report, seen by News18, shows that access to essential services was a major problem during the first 10 weeks of the lockdown. The average weekly claim volumes under the Ayushman Bharat scheme during these ten weeks were 51 per cent lower than the weekly average observed during the twelve weeks prior to the lockdown. The decline in claim value was even steeper, says the report. There was wide variation in claim volume trends across states, with the steepest declines (over 75 per cent) in Assam, Maharashtra and Bihar, while much smaller declines (about 25 per cent or less) were observed in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala, it reads. Among demographic groups, women, younger and older populations (under 20 and over 60) reduced their utilization by more than men, young adults or the middle-aged. Speaking to News18, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist of the World Health Organisation, acknowledged that setback to delivery of these services will have a ripple effect. Apart from people dying due to Covid-19, we do not want to see people dying due to other diseases, like cardiovascular diseases, strokes, tuberculosis because people did not get the services they needed at the time. It is going to need some strategic planning and investment, Swaminathan said. There was a small but perceptible shift in utilization of Ayushman Bharat funds from public to private hospitals, with several possible explanations for this trend. Among procedures, planned surgeries such as cataract operations and joint replacements suffered a decline of over 90 per cent, while hemodialysis declined by only 6 per cent. There was also a sharp fall in cardiovascular surgeries. Of particular concern are significant declines in admissions for child delivery and cancer care. The report says that the reason for the decline was that hospitals were preoccupied with Covid-19 preparations or caseloads resulting in fewer resources for non-Covid-19 cases. This may be particularly relevant in public hospitals, which have been the primary focus of the policy response, and could extend to activities such as submitting pre-authorization requests or claims documents as required under Ayushman Bharat. Private hospitals possibly reduced services out of fear among health workers that they will become infected or among owners that their business outlook will be jeopardized if they are perceived to be treating Covid-19 patients. On the demand-side, beneficiaries of the government scheme might delay or forego treatment due to fear of infection at a hospital, they may not be able reach hospitals due to public transport shutdowns and mobility constraints, or the nascent economic crisis may affect financial considerations related to seeking care. Speaking to News18, health activist and lawyer Ashok Agarwal, who works with needy patients, says this dip is not least surprising. Patients were repeatedly turned away by hospitals and were forced to leave for their villages. Many patients are also fearful. This does not mean that the tuberculosis is no more a problem in India, he said, adding that the system is ignoring such patients. Both Covid and non-Covid patients deserve adequate care and attention, he said. The fall in childbirth claims was also quite consistent across both public and private hospitals, the report said. There was a nearly 80 percent decline during the early lockdown in claim volumes for relatively common but higher-cost cardiovascular surgery procedures, such as PTCA/stents and CABG/bypass The report concludes that it is possible that intermittent tightening and loosening of pandemic suppression measures will be necessary for many months to come. Ensuring that these have the least possible impact on key health programs will be an ongoing challenge that merits continued close monitoring. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 18:30:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's parliament speaker on Sunday ruled out the likelihood of any talks with the United States over the existing thorny issues. "Smart and active resistance" against the United States is a strategic option for the Iranian nation, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told the parliament's open session on Sunday. Iran is not opposed to diplomacy and negotiations, but negotiations with the United States "are strictly forbidden and detrimental." U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Iran to renegotiate the Iranian nuclear deal he unilaterally withdrew from in 2018. The Islamic republic has dismissed the calls by the United States for the renewed talks over multilateral 2015 landmark nuclear deal. Enditem About 75 people rallied to show support for law enforcement on the overpass over Route 222 in Spring Township Saturday afternoon. The hour-long rally on Berkshire Boulevard was organized by Berks County Patriots. It drew honking horns from the roadway below as participants held up American flags and cheered. Many of the participants wore red, white and blue clothing. They waved flags, large and small. Organizer Donna Merritt said the rally was an outgrowth of regular rallies that have been held by Berks Patriots to show support and patriotism. Today, we just thought our police officers are getting a bad rap so we decided to take our opportunity here on the overpass to support them, to show our support, Merritt said. And that its nothing more nothing less than to support the police officers and show them our gratitude. Merritt was joined by John Reber Sr., retired Wolmelsdorf police chief and Republican delegate. We arent anti anything, said organizer Helen McMinn. We are pro blue. Our officers put their lives on the line every single day. Their families dont even know if theyre going to come back home again and we have to stick up for them because without our men in blue you will see utter chaos in this country. And (if) you think its bad now, just wait if we defund the police. Merritt estimated the crowd was about 75 and said it was the biggest crowd the group has had at a rally. She was pleased with the response as well as the turnout. She said she received a letter from the chief of police in Reading thanking the group. Sam Brancadoro said he came to the rally to show his support for police officers who are under stress and feel they dont have community support. If police officers resign, Brancadoro said it would put the community at risk. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-20 22:13:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A medical worker helps a student wear face mask before she goes to the exam room in Ankara, Turkey, on June 20, 2020. Over 1.5 million secondary school students across Turkey took a high school entrance exam on Saturday amid a nationwide partial lockdown against the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ISTANBUL, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Over 1.5 million secondary school students across Turkey took a high school entrance exam on Saturday amid a nationwide partial lockdown against the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the recommendation of the Health Ministry's Scientific Committee, Turkish authorities earlier announced a partial curfew in 81 provinces from 9 a.m. local time (0600GMT) to 3 p.m. (1200 GMT) over the concerns of the spread of coronavirus due to the crowd. Students and one of their family members were exempted from the lockdown. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said at a tweet that the curfew aimed to prevent people from forming crowd on streets during examination hours, and spare the day only for the youth. Turkey reported 1,214 new COVID-19 cases and 23 more deaths on Friday, taking the tally of infections to 185,245, and the death toll to 4,905. In a brief speech to Virginia Democrats on Saturday, presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden highlighted the states importance come November. Biden, who served as vice president under Barack Obama, formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this month, aided by a strong showing on Super Tuesday that included a decisive victory in Virginia. He said Saturday during the Democratic Party of Virginias virtual convention that hes hoping to see that same success against President Donald Trump in the November general election. Virginia is an important battleground state for our campaign in 2020 and we have to do everything we can to make sure Democrats on the ballot across Virginia are successful in November, Biden said. The stakes in this election have never been higher for our country. He added: We have to work harder than we ever have. We need to stand up as a nation and stand with the Black community, communities of color and come together as one America to deliver justice for all America. I know if we stand together, well win the battle for the soul of this nation. Biden spoke for roughly 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the second day of the state partys convention, which Democrats moved online in April because of COVID-19. The convention was originally scheduled for Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Biden, 77, also talked about the need to end racial injustice, and the coronavirus pandemic. Were dealing with multiple national crises, Biden said. We need real leadership right now. Virginias 13 electoral votes have not gone to a Republican since 2004, when President George W. Bush received roughly 260,000 more votes than Democratic challenger John Kerry. Republicans have not won a statewide election in Virginia since 2009. Since Trumps election in 2016, Democrats have made substantial gains in the state. Democrats control the legislature and the Executive Mansion for the first time in roughly 25 years. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez told the virtual convention on Saturday: Donald Trump speaks frequently about flipping Virginia so we need to make sure we continue to be organized and continue to show the country why Virginia is always held up as the model for up-and-coming swing states. Virginia Democrats will be critical to making sure we send Joe Biden to the White House. A Trump campaign spokeswoman said Saturday, As Joe Biden streams another speech from his basement bunker, President Trump is celebrating the reopening of our country with his rally in Tulsa. The contrast couldnt be more clear. Saturday mornings speakers also urged attendees to re-elect Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who was first elected to the Senate in 2008 and is seeking a third term. Republicans will decide his opponent during a primary Tuesday. DACA recipients and their supporters rally outside the Supreme Court on Thursday in Washington. (Getty Images) To the editor: Our ill-conceived and poorly executed immigration laws epitomize our political divisiveness. That successive presidential administrations have failed to bring the parties together on this issue highlights the government's inability to solve major problems. ("With its DACA decision, the Supreme Court makes it clear Congress must fix this," editorial, June 18) Because of our failure to enact a viable policy and legally admit necessary workers, we have millions of people who came illegally and provided necessary labor but were denied wage and benefit protections. During the pandemic they have been on the front lines in hospitals and the food industry. They and the young children they brought here do not deserve to live in constant fear and underprivilege. We need to provide a path for legalization and citizenship. On the other hand, our borders have been too porous for decades. We need to better define our laws and provide an adequate system of speedy adjudication. I legally immigrated as a child with my parents. We waited five years to get our visas. For people living with the yoke of illegality, the opportunities that my parents and I enjoyed are far more dream than reality. We can solve this if we only try. Michael Telerant, Los Angeles .. To the editor: The Supreme Court has spoken. California can continue to "not help" federal immigration officers. That, however, does not mean the federal government has to stop enforcing immigration law. It will just be harder and therefore more costly. By making enforcement more costly, other states will help bear the increased cost of apprehension and deportation. That is not fair. The federal government should seek to recover this increased cost from California and other states. Since a separate tax is not feasible, the most fair way is to reduce federal money going to local law enforcement. California and other sanctuary governments should put forth a statement on what type of immigration policy they would support. Do they favor open borders? Unless they do, some enforcement is necessary. Story continues Rich Malone, Rancho Cucamonga .. To the editor: The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board has become very forthright in calling out President Trump's illogic and inhumanity. It should do the same for Congress. The Times says that Congress' failure to enact immigration reform "is a testament to its dysfunction." On the contrary, Republicans in Congress have been quite successful in achieving many of their goals, including enacting huge tax breaks for the wealthy and filling the judiciary with staunch conservatives. They are also very effective at obstruction, and the failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform is a prime example. It should be made more plain that it's the Democrats in Congress who are fighting to save the U.S. Postal Service and fending off cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats are no saints, but there is a distinct difference between the two parties, and they should not be painted with the same brush. Grace Bertalot, Anaheim New Delhi: A petition has asked the UK government to "strongly condemn Pakistan for providing safe haven for terrorists". The petition has received nearly 6, 491 signatures so far and the number is increasing frequently. The petition was posted on the UK Parliament website after 19 soldiers were martyred in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri, triggering massive outage in India and leading to surgical strikes across the LoC by the Indian Army. In the UK, the government responds to such petitions if they reach 10,000 signatures. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the petition is considered for debate in Parliament. A day after the Uri attack, UK's Foreign Minister called on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and told her that the UK stood shoulder-to shoulder with India in defeating terrorism. On September 21, an Indian-American petition was started asking the Obama Administration to declare Pakistan a 'State Sponsor of Terrorism.' The UK petition reads: Pakistan continues to double speak on issue of terrorism. It has aided & abetted enemies of the international coalition (of which Britain is a leading partner with the US) against terrorism. Osama Bin Laden's hide out was in Pakistan. Pakistan continues to harbour UN sanctioned terror networks. The Inter-Services Intelligence has often been accused of playing a role in major terrorist attacks across the world including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, terrorism in Kashmir, Indian Parliament Attack and Mumbai terror attacks. It has been noted by many that several militant & criminal groups are backed by senior officers in the Pakistani army & the country's ISI intelligence establishment. Daniel Byman says Pakistan is probably today's most active sponsor of terrorism. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Criminal case still pending against black pastor arrested after calling 911 on white trespassers, lawyer says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A black Virginia pastor who was arrested and charged with brandishing his licensed firearm to scare off five white trespassers who threatened to kill him because he tried to stop them from dumping trash on his land still has a criminal charge pending against him, his lawyer said. Chris Kowalczuk, the lawyer for Pastor Leon McCray Sr., who leads Lighthouse Church and Marketplace Ministries International, told The Northern Virginia Daily that a criminal case against his client is still pending even though Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter apologized for the inappropriate charge and promised it would be dismissed on June 12. The case is still live, its still a pending criminal case, Kowalczuk said. The charge is still a pending criminal charge. McCray explained in a broadcast on Facebook Live that on June 1, he saw two people trying to dump a refrigerator on his property in Edinburg, when he told them to stop. One person, he said, verbally attacked him and the other one went to get three other people. I informed these individuals that they were trespassing and that they couldnt dump their refrigerator on my property and I asked them to leave. They became irate and verbally attacked me, he said. Soon five people, three men and two women, surrounded the preacher and allegedly threatened him. In his statement to police, he claimed, "One male ran up to me at full speed into my face up against my chest with his nose bumping my nose while threatening to kill me. The other male ran full speed up to me while taking off his shirt and stood up against me from behind. The other 3 individuals surrounded in a group mob position to attack me/kill me following through with their verbal attacks of threats to take my life." He noted in his Facebook video that they "were threatening my life, telling me that my black life and black lives matter stuff did not sit well in the town, he explained. Being threatened and being in fear for my life I took and felt compelled to pull my concealed weapon, legal concealed weapon to save my life. And when I did that finally these individuals backed up long enough for me to call 911, he said. When officers arrived on the scene, it was McCray who was arrested and charged with brandishing his weapon. In a statement posted on Facebook last Friday, Carter said he spoke with the pastor on June 3, two days after the arrest and realized the police had make a mistake. Mr. McCray met with me on Wednesday the 3rd of June, and after talking with him about the incident, it was apparent to me that the charge of brandishing was certainly not appropriate. Actually, as I told Mr. McCray, if I were faced with similar circumstances, I would have probably done the same thing, Carter said. I initiated an immediate review of Mr. McCrays charge I met twice with the Shenandoah Commonwealths Attorney, and she has reviewed the case, and agreed with the assessment of the brandishing charge, in that she would drop this charge. Kowalczuk told The Northern Virginia Daily that he contacted the Commonwealths Attorneys Office on Tuesday, requesting the charge be dismissed with prejudice so that it could not be revived later. But he was informed in writing that day that the Commonwealths Attorneys Office intended to file a dismissal of nolle prosequi. This means there would be a discontinuation of the prosecution but it leaves the door open to reopen the case against McCray at a later date. Kowalczuk is asking the court to completely dismiss the charge against McCray. The five trespassers involved in the attack on McCray have since been arrested on charges of assault by a mob and hate crime assault. Four of the five were also charged with felony abduction. Amanda Dawn Salyers, 26, was charged with one count of hate crime-simple assault and one count of simple assault by mob. Four others Farrah Lee Salyers, 42; Donny Richard Salyers, 43; Dennis James Salyers, 26; and Christopher Kevin Sharp, 57 were each charged on one count of hate crime-simple assault, one count of simple assault by mob and one count of abduction. All five are being held without bond on hate crime charges. The initial court date is scheduled for July 17. I have apologized to Mr. McCray, and I appreciate his patience as I have worked through these matters," Carter said. "I do listen to citizen complaints and I take them seriously. I want the people of Shenandoah County to know I and the Sheriffs Office staff appreciate and care about the minority communities, and especially our Black community, in Shenandoah County. Also, I continue to support and recognize the importance of your Constitutional rights, especially your 2nd Amendment right to protect yourself and your family. Package holiday company TUI will start flying in the next three weeks as Spain said Britons can now visit without a two-week quarantine. The travel firm's announcement came as Spain ended its state of emergency and passengers wearing masks and wheeling suitcases arrived at Madrid's main airport. TUI - the UK's largest tour operator - announced it will serve eight destinations across Spain and Greece from 11 July. Commercial director Richard Sofer said he has "absolute confidence" the British government will have lifted the 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK by then. TUI will be offering holidays to the Greek islands of Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Corfu, as well as Tenerife and Lanzarote, two of Spain's Canary Islands, and Mallorca and Ibiza in the Balearics. Spain has said it will lifting a two-week quarantine for Britons entering the country from 21 June. That brings the UK in line with Spanish rules for the rest of the European Union and Schengen area, in a much-needed boost for the country's tourism industry which accounts for more than 12% of the economy. Spain's 400,000 British expats and Britons with second homes there had a large impact on Spain lifting the rule for the UK. Travellers will still have to have their temperature taken, their origin checked and contact details recorded in case they need to be traced. French people have started crossing the border to buy bargain alcohol and tobacco and stickers on the floor of airport arrivals halls laid out social distancing rules. Ryanair used the announcement to schedule flights to Spain from 21 June. TUI's commercial director said the Foreign Office would need to stop advising against all non-essential overseas travel, and "air bridges" would need to be created so people can travel between certain countries and the UK without having to self-isolate at either end. Mr Sofer said: "Due to the size of our organisation we've been able to have a presence in each of those government conversations through our aviation team or through the senior members of the UK business. Story continues "We're well-informed of where those discussions are. "Obviously many of those conversations are confidential but that gives us great confidence to open up a small programme to a couple of really key countries, eight key gateways for us. "We have absolute confidence that we're going to be getting a positive result from the government in time for July." Rival travel firm Jet2holidays plans to resume its holiday programme on 15 July. TUI has already resumed holidays from Germany, with trips to Portugal's Algarve operating this week. Mr Sofer said the FCO's stance on travel advice has been "slightly unhelpful from a planning point of view", whereas other European countries have "had clear lines in the sand and dates to work to". TUI will be enforcing social distancing rules this summer, but Mr Sofer insisted guests will "still have a brilliant experience". The death message was initially only a side note in the newspaper. "Yet you know nothing about the identity of the man," reported the AP news Agency, as in the late summer of 1992, a body was found in an abandoned Bus on the Stampede Trail in Alaska, a desolate piece of the Hinterland in the vicinity of Denali,. "But his diary the story of a desperate struggle for Survival told." It was the story of Christopher McCandless, a man in his early 20, who left his well-off parents on the American East coast, to live in the spirit of Tolstoy and Thoreau without the burdens of wealth and largely without the resource. His Odyssey in the Alaskan Wilderness, was later with the book "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, a best-seller. It McCandless posthumously became the most famous dropouts of the world, and for many adventurers to the projection figure of your dreams. In 2007, his fate of Sean Penn, was filmed. hundreds lost their way in the search for the "magic Bus" residents of the area, McCandless was not suffered, probably, was regarded as naive and suicidal. In addition, the Bus in which he spent the last 113 days before his lonely death by starvation, countless onlookers attracted. However, for many there was a lack of respect for the Wilderness. Two women drowned while trying to reach the "magic Bus" (2010 and 2019), more than a dozen adventurers had to be alone since 2007, saved. Hundreds have lost their way in all the years and be hurt. In March had argued in the district Assembly of Denali therefore unanimously for the removal of wrecks for reasons of General safety. The Bus, built in 1946, was originally from the city of Fairbanks in the line of transport used and came in 1960 in the Wilderness, to house employees during the construction of an access road. On Thursday, he was of the twelve national guards, among them pilots, flight engineers and mechanics, in the framework of a training mission removed. With a heavy-duty helicopter type Chinook CH-47 they were flying pit the Bus to Kies, where he was loaded onto a trailer and to a "safe place" was brought up. His whereabouts is unknown. The sister of Christopher McCandless said the "New York Times" that she was "dismayed" by the news. "Nevertheless, I am convinced that the Parties have acted from the best of intentions." A case with Memorabilia from the Bus was handed over to the family. Updated Date: 21 June 2020, 12:19 She told me, Im terrified Im going to get this virus thats spreading all over the world, and worried that it would hurt her baby, he said of the March encounter. Travis, who practices at the Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Medical Center, told the woman he understood that she was scared and tried to assure her she was safe and could trust him. Asking many questions and carefully listening to the answers, Travis was exercising the craft of narrative medicine, a discipline in which clinicians use the principles of art and literature to better understand and incorporate patients stories into their practices. How do we do that really difficult work during the pandemic without it consuming us so we can come out whole on the other end? Travis said. Narrative medicine, which he studied at Columbia University, has helped him be aware of his own feelings, reflect more before reacting, and view challenging situations calmly, he said. The first graduate program in narrative medicine was created at Columbia University in 2009 by Dr. Rita Charon, and the practice has gained wide influence since, as evidenced by the dozens of narrative medicine essays published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and its sister journals. Learning to be storytellers also helps clinicians communicate better with non-professionals, said writer and geriatrician Dr. Louise Aronson, who directs the medical humanities program at the University of California-San Francisco. It may be useful to reassure patientsor to motivate them to follow public health recommendations. Tell them a story about having to intubate a previously healthy 22-year-old whos going to die and leave behind his first child and new wife, and then, you have their attention. At the same time, telling that story can help the health professional process their own trauma and get the support they need to keep going, she said. Teaching Storytelling To Doctors This fall, USCs Keck School of Medicine will offer the countrys second masters program in narrative medicine, and the subject also will be part of the curriculum in the new Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine in Pasadena, which opens its doors July 27 with its first class of 48 students. (KHN, which produces California Healthline, isnt affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.) Narrative medicine trains physicians to care about patients singular, lived experienceshow illness is really affecting them, said Dr. Deepthiman Gowda, assistant dean for medical education at the new Kaiser Permanente school. The training may entail a close group reading of creative works such as poetry or literature, or watching dance or a film, or listening to music. He said theres also real, intrinsic value for patients because a doctor isnt only being trained to care about the body and medications. Literature in its nature is a dive into the experience of livingthe triumphs, the joys, the suffering, the anxieties, the tragedies, the confusions, the guilt, the ecstasies of being human, of being alive, Gowda said. This is the training our students need if they wish to care for persons and not diseases. Dr. Andre Lijoi, a geriatrician at WellSpan York Hospital in Pennsylvania, recently led a virtual session for 20 front-line nurse practitioners who work in nursing homes. Two volunteers recited Mary Olivers 1986 poem Wild Geese, which reads, Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile, the world goes on. Sharing the poets words helped the nurses relieve their pent-up tensions, enabling them to express their feelings about life and work under COVID-19, Lijoi said. One participant wrote, As the world goes on around me I mourn seeing my aging parents, planning my daughters wedding, and missing my great nieces baptism. I wonder, when will life be normal again? Processing Fear to Provide Better Care Dr. Naomi Rosenberg, an emergency room physician at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, studied narrative medicine at Columbia and teaches it at Temples Lewis Katz School of Medicine. The discipline helps her metabolize what she takes in while caring for COVID-19 patients, including the fear that comes with having to enter patients rooms alone in protective gear, she said. The training helped her counsel a worried woman who couldnt visit her sister because the hospital, like others around the country, wasnt allowing relatives to visit COVID-19-infected patients. Id read stories of Baldwin, Hemingway, and Steinbeck about what it feels like to be afraid for someone you love, and recalling those helped me communicate with her with more clarity and compassion, Rosenberg said. (After a four-day crisis, the sister recovered.) Close readings can also help students understand the various ways metaphor is used in the medical profession, for good or ill, said Dr. Pamela Schaff, who directs the Keck Schools new masters program in narrative medicine. Recently, Schaff led third-year medical students through a critical examination of a journal article that described medicine as a battlefield. The analysis helped student Andrew Tran understand that describing physicians as warriors could promote unrealistic expectations and even depersonalization of us as human beings, he said. Something similar happens in the militarized language used to describe cancer, he added: We say, Youve got to fight, which implies that if you die, youre somehow a failure. In the real world, doctors are often focused narrowly, devoting most of their attention to a patients chief complaint. They listen to patients on average for only 11 seconds before interrupting them, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Narrative medicine seeks to change that. While listening more carefully may add one more item to a physicians lengthy to-do list, it could also save time in the end, Schaff said. If we train physicians to listen well, for metaphor, subtext, and more, they can absorb and act on their patients stories even if they have limited time, she said. Also, we physicians must harness our narrative competence to demand changes in the health care system. Health systems should not mandate 10-minute encounters. Telling the Patients Whole Story In practice, narrative medicine has diverse applications. Modern electronic health records, with their templates and prefilled sections, can hamper a doctors ability to create meaningful notes, Gowda said. But doctors can counter that by writing notes in language that makes the patients struggles come alive, he said. The schools curriculum will incorporate a different patient story each week to frame students learning. Instead of, This week, you will learn about stomach cancer, we say, This week, we want you to meet Mr. Cardenas, Gowda said. We learn about who he is, his family, his situation, his symptoms, his concerns. We want students to connect medical knowledge with the complexity and sometimes messiness of peoples stories and contexts. In preparation for the schools opening, Gowda and a colleague have been running Friday lunchtime mindfulness and narrative medicine sessions for faculty and staff. The meetings might include a collective, silent examination of a piece of art, followed by a discussion and shared feelings, said Dr. Marla Law Abrolat, a Permanente Medicine pediatrician in San Bernardino, California, and a faculty director at the new school. Young people come to medicine with bright eyes and want to help, then a traditional medical education beats that out of them, Abrolat said. We want them to remember patients stories that will always be a part of who they are when they leave here. This KHN article was first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. Stephanie Stephens writes about health, health care, and science articles for magazines and websites, hospitals, associations, insurance companies, and TV networks. Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Delimitation will happen, J&K statehood to be restored: Amit Shah in Srinagar India requests Pakistan government to allow Srinagar-Sharjah flight to use its airspace J&K: Militant killed in encounter with security forces in Srinagar J&K: Three militants gunned down in encounter in Srinagar; mobile Internet suspended India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, June 21: Three militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Srinagar on Sunday. "#ZadibalEncounterUpdate: Third #terrorist killed. Search operation going on. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone police tweeted. J&K: 5 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian ''Encounter breaks out between security forces and militants in Srinagar; mobile Internet services suspended as precautionary measure.'' Officials said. The encounter between terrorists and security forces had erupted after a cordon and search operation was launched by joint troops of CRPF Valley QAT (Quick Action Team), 115 Bn, 28Bn CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police in Zadibal and Zoonimar Pozwalpora localities following inputs about their presence in the areas. This is the second encounter in Srinagar in the just over a month. It was June 21, 1949, a Tuesday, the first day blacks were allowed entry into St. Louis municipal swimming pools that were previously white-only. The decision to integrate the pools resulted in what was considered the most widespread outbreak of racial violence in the city's post-World War II history. Here is our original coverage of the event. An order restoring the former policy under which segregation of Negroes and whites was observed at municipal swimming pools was issued late yesterday by Mayor Joseph M. Darst after the first of a series of disturbances occurred at the Fairgrounds Park pool. Only the day before, Mayor Darst's director of public welfare, John J. O'Toole, had issued a statement saying that Negroes would not be denied swimming privileges in any of the city pools. A Negro man and a white youth were stabbed and at least 10 other persons were injured in the series of disturbances that started shortly shortly after Fairgrounds pool opened at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. At Marquette pool, Osage street and Minnesota avenue, which is the only other outdoor municipal pool, no disturbances were reported. 400 Police Restore Order. Approximately 400 policemen and detectives were called out to restore restore order early last night as crowds of white youths attacked Negroes in Fairgrounds Park and in streets near the park. As word of the disturbance spread, several thousand persons began to mill through the park area. The crowd was made up largely of curious onlookers, and included men and women with children in their arms. The disturbances in large part were created by irresponsible teenagers, with a few older persons participating. The Mayor announced today that the Fairgrounds and Marquette Marquette pools and the indoor Mullanphy pool will be closed for the time being. The city's six other indoor pools Soulard, Cherokee and Sherman for whites and Tandy, Adams and Buder for Negroes were open as usual. Mayor to Call Conference. Mayor Darst said he will hold a conference in a few days with white and Negro civic leaders to discuss the general problem. He is now working on appointment of a new Race Relations Commission to replace the advisory group of 72 white and Negro members organized by his predecessor in office, he added. Plans for construction of an outdoor swimming pool in a predominantly Negro area possibly at Vashon Community Center, 3153 Market street will be considered, the Mayor announced. He said funds for this are available from the 1944 bond issue for postwar improvements, which earmarked $775,000 for swimming pools. He estimated that a pool could be built and equipped for about $200,000, and could be ready for use next summer. Referring to the statement of policy in which his public welfare director last Monday had ordered discontinuance of segregation at the city pools. Mayor Darst asserted he had not known about O'Toole's statement before it was made public. Of the Fairgrounds Park disturbances the Mayor said: "Last night was a horrible experience and had a bad effect, I am sure, on race relations everywhere. It is regrettable." Statement By Darst. The Mayor's order restoring the segregation policy was announced yesterday afternoon in the following prepared statement: "Notable progress has been made in race relations in St. Louis in recent years. It would be extremely regrettable if any interpretation should be placed upon the recent statement of Director of Public Welfare John J. O'Toole relative to municipal swimming pools which would have the effect of destroying the good relationship existing among our citizens. "Mr. O'Toole is on sound legal ground in stating that there is no authority in either state law or city ordinance which would deny any citizen the right to use publicly supported facilities. "On the other hand, there has existed for many years in St. Louis a community policy with respect to public swimming pools, voluntarily complied with by both white and colored citizens. Our white citizens have customarily used the pools conveniently located to them, while the colored citizens have patronized the pools in their neighborhoods. "This practice has worked well. St. Louis has become noted for its spirit of fair play, its tolerance and its progress in the field of amicable race relations. "I am therefore directing Mr. O'Toole, in the general public interest, to adhere to this time-honored policy. At the same time I appeal to our citizens for voluntary compliance and to the leaders of both races for co-operation with city authorities in maintaining and further improving our splendid race relations record. "The division of pool facilities seems fair six for white citizens and three for colored citizens. In the event it is shown, however, that pool facilities for the colored are inadequate, it will be my purpose to expand and improve them, either using 1944 park bond issue funds or calling for an additional bond issue for this purpose." Policy on Playgrounds. The Mayor said his order restoring segregation at the swimming pools also applied to the 37 city playgrounds. In this connection he declared: "In view of the fact that playgrounds are established in certain communities to take care of children in those neighborhoods, it seems the policy already has been set and they will continue to function for the benefit of neighborhoods in which they are located." O'Toole's order had called for admission of Negro children to all the playgrounds. The trouble started shortly after the Fairgrounds Park swimming pool opened at 2 p.m. The pool operates on six one-hour shifts, being cleared every hour for a new group or swimmers. Juveniles use the pool from 2 to 5 p.m., and adults are admitted between 7 and 10 p.m. During the first shift, approximately 35 Negro boys lined up at the entrance and were admitted to the pool with white youths. There were no disturbances in the pool, but groups of white youths, gathering outside the wire fence surrounding the pool, booed the Negro swimmers. They were shoved around by white youths and their bicycles were smashed before police rescued the two and escorted them out of the park. In an effort to avoid further trouble, the Negro swimmers leaving leaving the pool at the end of the first shift were instructed to remain in the locker room for a time. A group of white boys on bicycles bicycles pursued a group of Negroes to Hebert street, two blocks south of Natural Bridge avenue, where some of the Negroes were beaten up. Another group of Negroes carrying bathing suits arrived at the pool entrance, but did not get in line to enter. When they departed, some white boys tried to follow them, but police intervened and prevented an attack. Large Crowd Gathers. Things quieted when the pool closed at 5 o'clock, but more detectives were assigned to the area. By 8 o'clock, a crowd of several thousand persons had gathered along the south side of the park from Grand boulevard to Vandeventer avenue, and Police Chief Jeremiah O'Connell, who arrived to take personal charge, ordered this section of Natural Bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Gangs of youths roamed through the park area and some, armed with clubs and sticks, circled the park area in trucks. A truck in which several Negroes were riding was halted by a crowd in the 3700 block of Kossuth avenue. The driver was pulled out and was beaten. Police made their way to his side and formed a protective cordon, the injured man sitting in the street in the center of the circle while police awaited reinforcements. Before a cruising patrol arrived and carried the man away to the hospital, he was stoned by the crowd, and some of the flying bricks and rocks struck police. Rolland H. Erbar, 20 years old, 2421A North Nineteenth street, was stabbed in the chest near the heart shortly after 7 p.m. He told police he "felt a sting in the left side" as he entered the Fairgrounds pool locker room, but did not know who had stabbed him. His condition was termed serious by doctors at City Hospital. FOLLOW UP: The St. Louis Council on Human Relations commissioned an investigation in the weeks after the riot. The report blamed civic leaders and the segregated school system for leaving St. Louis "psychologically unprepared" for the changing economic and social conditions. "It is not a case of some people wanting to move too fast, but of a large majority wanting to move too slowly," the report concluded. In 1950, a federal judge ordered the pools open to all residents. The ruling later would serve as a basis for the Supreme Court decision that found separate educational facilities were inherently unequal (Brown v. Board of Education in 1954). BRUSSELS (AP) European Union leaders found that a quick deal on the blocs future long-term budget and a multibillion-euro post-pandemic recovery plan remained beyond their reach Friday as the coronavirus ravages their economies. Following a four-hour video summit aimed at paving the way for a compromise this summer, there was common ground on the need for a quick response but divergences persisted among the leaders of EU member nations. It is essential to take a decision as soon as possible," EU Council President Charles Michel said, announcing he plans to call an in-person summit for the leaders of the 27-nation bloc for mid-July. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU's executive arm, said she hopes a deal can be secured before the EU closes for an August summer holiday. Leaders unanimously agreed that the severity of this crisis justifies an ambitious common response, one that combines solidarity, investment and reforms," von der Leyen said. Many leaders stressed that we must do everything in our power to reach an agreement soon in the European Council before the summer break." Devised to help member states economies cushion the impact of the coronavirus, the package is far from being unanimously welcomed. Von der Leyen said differences remain on such topics as the size of the package, how the money will be dispatched and the balance between grants and loans in the recovery fund. We dont underestimate the difficulties, Michel said. To tackle the economic crisis, von der Leyen has proposed a revised long-term budget for the 2021-2027 period that would represent around 1.1% of European GDP after the U.K.s departure, coupled with the temporary reinforcement of the 750 billion euros set aside to combat the virus. The whole package represents a huge 1.85 trillion stimulus for the bloc's struggling economies. A blend of debt mutualization, grants and loans, the aid plan has failed to gain the approval of a group of countries known as the Frugal Four the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Sweden. They oppose issuing too much common debt to support the hardest-hit countries and argue that the money should mainly be handed out in loans instead of grants. Story continues Under the commissions plans, two-thirds of the recovery fund a half-trillion euros would take the form of grants. The plan is backed by France and Germany, the blocs two most powerful countries. With their allies, they need to convince the countries opposed to debt mutualization or increases in the EU budget that grants will benefit the whole bloc. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the quartet of frugal countries once again expressed their skepticism toward grants, though not so specifically, in general form. But the position has not changed there. Insisting the 500-billion-euros in grants proposed was a bare minimum, a senior French official nonetheless described progress from discussions that took place in a studious and quiet atmosphere." We werent in a spirit of confrontation and tension," said the official, who was not authorized to publicly talk about the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. We've made considerable progress in a few weeks on the issue of the common borrowing. None of the participants is challenging the idea anymore. There is no agreement on an amount, but everyone agrees on this ambitious and exceptional recovery plan. There is work to be done, but it is possible." Among the divisive topics, the allocation of the money remains problematic. The European Commission proposed basing it on criteria that include population size, gross domestic product per capita and unemployment figures during 2015-2019. Merkel and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis questioned whether the criteria reflect the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. We should try, as far as possible, to put a figure on the economic damage that has been done now by the pandemic, although of course it is barely possible to do that very substantially because it is so current," Merkel said. "But as far as it is possible, we should do it. To fund the plan, the European Commission proposed borrowing money on financial markets. The European Commission has a triple A credit rating, which would give it favorable loan terms. Repayments would not begin before 2028, with the full amount due after 30 years. To facilitate the reimbursement, several member states pushed for the rapid development of new EU funding sources that could take the form of taxes on carbon or single-use plastic. Such revenues would make the EU budget less dependent on national contributions from member states, which are reluctant to pay more. ___ Raf Casert and Lorne Cook in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Karel Janicek in Prague, contributed to this report. Phuket Opinion: Starting over PHUKET: New Phuket Governor Narong Woonchiew arrived on the island on Friday and started making the right noises before he walked through the front door of Provincial Hall. Just being aware of the huge number of people in need in Phuket because they have been left high and dry by the restrictions enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is a good place to start. opinionCOVID-19tourismeconomicshealth By The Phuket News Sunday 21 June 2020, 09:00AM Governor Narong Woonchiew at Phuket Provincial Hall on his first day as Governor of Phuket on Friday (Jun 19). Photo: Supplied By the end of the day he had been briefed about the COVID situation on the island by the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO), and instead of bleating on about the number of people tested and the great work done by our islands officials, he recognised the efforts by volunteers and that what people here need to show potential tourists is that all sectors of the community are COVID compliant. That one factor alone can boost confidence among Thais elsewhere in the country first, and international tourists later, so that those who do have funds and the inclination to come to Phuket will not have to counter that argument when deciding whether or not to come here even for a short holiday. The message is boring, it is repeated ad nauseam and yes, it is needed. These are good early signs from our new Governor and we hope this continues, and keep in mind that this not from a person elected to office, he is Bangkoks leading representative on the island. The position of Provincial Governor in Thailand is an odd one, as the sole job is to make sure that instructions from superior-ranking bureaucrats in the capital are being carried out at the provincial level. For some reason the fact that every single government office all 76 provinces each have their own superior-ranking officials in their own ministries and government departments seems not to matter regarding this position. Regardless, what Mr Narong has up his sleeve is that he originally hails from Phattalung, a province that borders both Trang and Satun provinces, as well as Songkhla and Nakhon Sri Thammarat. It is very difficult to have any links to any of those provinces and not know that Phuket is different. Phuket has been exposed to Western thinking for so long that the expectation for problems to be tackled locally, and directly, has seeped into much of, but admittedly not all, the local mindset. This was clearly not appreciated by Mr Narongs predecessor, whose handling of the COVID-19 restriction orders alone saw Thai locals openly publicly criticise him for his performance. Even his parting gift to the island was a notice announcing that people entering or leaving Phuket are longer required to register their travel details through the gophuget.com web platform. That notice is not even being publicly recognised by the Phuket Provincial Police themselves, the very law-enforcement branch tasked with upholding that requirement. What many newly arrived Governors to Phuket over the years have often misunderstood is that people are not looking for a Governor to land on the island and fix all the islands problems in one fell swoop. That will not happen. What people are looking for at the very least is clear communication and a genuine concern for the people who live here. Everyone knows that officials in Bangkok call many of the shots around here, even when they say decisions are being left to provincial governors to make. Our previous Governor publicly recognised this only once. He should have explained that with every issue that he was being held accountable for when in reality he was not involved in the final decision at all. All that was required to gain peoples understanding was a little more honesty in explaining matters to the public, and not issuing orders at the last hour or even seemingly backdated without any notice so people could prepare. We wish Governor Narong the very best during his term in Phuket. He has arrived on the island during hard times. The coming 12 months at the least will test not only his ability as an public administrator, but also his principles as a person and his duty of care for the community is tasked with overseeing. Welcome to Phuket, Governor Narong. US President Donald Trump has declared that "the silent majority is stronger than ever before" as he held his first rally since March. But it appeared that many of his "silent majority" had stayed at home, amid warnings from health officials about the risk of spreading the coronavirus . The stadium has a capacity of 19,000 but organisers had said only 10,000 people would be allowed to enter. The rally at the BOK stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma, had been promoted as a comeback opportunity for Mr Trump - a chance to boost his campaign for re-election in November. He is currently behind Democratic rival Joe Biden in many polls. But in the hours before Mr Trump started speaking, crowds appeared to be significantly lighter than expected and campaign officials scrapped plans for him to first address an overflow space. Mr Trump blamed the news media for saying "don't go, don't come, don't do anything", adding: "We begin our campaign... the silent majority is stronger than ever before." He also blamed a group of Black Lives Matter protesters outside, a group also smaller than expected but largely peaceful, described by him as "the unhinged left-wing mob". The Trump campaign's communications director, Tim Murtaugh, had said earlier: "Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. "Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the president's supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out." There were confrontations between some protesters and Trump supporters but police said only one person had been arrested. Mr Trump also told the crowd that he had "saved hundreds and thousands of lives" by closing the US off to flights from China at the end of January as the coronavirus threat became clear. He went on to describe testing for the coronavirus as a "double-edged sword", saying that 25 million people had been tested in the US but "when you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people, you're going to find more cases, so I said to my people 'slow the testing down please'." Story continues A White House official said later that Mr Trump was "obviously kidding" with that remark. The US is still struggling to contain COVID-19 - which Mr Trump described as "Chinese kung flu" during the rally - leading many to question the wisdom of holding the rally, even if social distancing and mask-wearing were encouraged. Just hours earlier, it had been revealed that six members of Mr Trump's campaign team had tested positive for coronavirus . Those in attendance were even asked to waive their rights to sue the Trump campaign should they catch the virus, which has killed 463,000 people worldwide, including almost 120,000 in the US. At least 10,040 people have tested positive in Oklahoma and 368 people have died. :: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Mr Trump also suggested anyone burning the American flag should be jailed for a year, despite this being an act of protest protected by the First Amendment. The Biden campaign said the rally was a "debacle", adding: "President Trump just admitted that he's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people - even as we just recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work." China said the Galwan Valley high up in Himalayan border region where Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a deadly brawl this week falls entirely within China, boldly laying claim to the disputed area as the Asian giants continued using military and diplomatic channels to reduce tensions. The confrontation in the Galwan Valley, part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier, was the deadliest in 45 years. India blames China for instigating the fight by developing infrastructure in the valley, which it said was a breach of the agreement of what area remained in dispute. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement Friday that the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary. He blamed incursions by Indian troops in the area from early May for a midnight clash on Monday that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. China has not said whether its side suffered any casualties. Soldiers brawled with clubs, rocks and their fists in the thin air at 14,000 feet above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said. The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute. Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures. The valley falls within a remote stretch of the 2,100-mile Line of Actual Control the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce. Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Anurag Srivastava declined to comment on Chinas claim to the valley. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a meeting with political opposition leaders on Friday that neither anyone has intruded into our territory, nor took over any post. Modi said India was hurt and angry about the deaths of its troops. He said India wanted peace and friendship, but had the capability that no one can even dare look towards an inch of our land. Story continues Also on Friday, Zhao said that China was not holding any Indian soldiers, without addressing media reports that China released 10 of them late Thursday. My information is that at present there are no Indian personnel detained on the Chinese side, Zhao said, according to an English version of his daily briefing posted on the ministry website. Indian officials have denied that any soldiers were in Chinese custody. Figures obtained by The Age this week show more than 400 applications have been lodged by terminally ill Victorians since the state's landmark euthanasia laws came into effect a year ago this week. But a severe shortage of euthanasia-accredited neurologists across the state meant Allan and his family spent the final months of his life desperately trying to find doctors willing to approve his application for a voluntary assisted dying. Kristin Cornell and her sister Heather say those who want to use assisted dying laws have to jump through too many hurdles. Credit:Eddie Jim A kind-hearted, fiercely independent and stoic man, Allan was adamant after being diagnosed last November with MND, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, he wanted to use the state's voluntary assisted dying laws to end his own life before he became a burden. The laws allow access to a lethal substance for terminally ill adults who have only about six months to live or no longer than 12 months for those with a neurodegenerative diagnosis and who meet other strict eligibility criteria such as being able to give informed consent. Under the laws, two doctors who have undertaken mandatory training including one who is a specialist in the person's disease must conduct favourable assessments of a person's eligibility. Allan Cornell with his daughter Kristin not long before his death. It allows me to be a better man to the end," Allan told his family. The disease stole control of his limbs one by one. First, it robbed him of his ability to walk. His son-in-law found him one day clutching the clothesline in the backyard, his legs buckled beneath him. Soon, he was unable to lift himself and, eventually, to get out of bed. Ms Cornell, an obstetrician familiar with the state's complex healthcare system, described the process of helping her wheelchair-bound father navigate the laws as "heart-achingly painful and near impossible". She said while her father was immensely grateful for the compassion and support he received from his doctors and palliative care team, the difficulty in securing three specialists willing to approve his wish for peaceful, swift death had caused him unnecessary distress. Allan Cornell as a young man with his daughters Kristin and Heather. "We don't want another family to ever go through what we did," she said. "I am so encouraged by the existence of these laws, but we must do better. It shouldnt be so hard to find a doctor willing to help that you are tempted to give up." Fifty-two Victorians suffering a terminal illness died using the laws in their first six months alone, far surpassing preliminary estimates of 12 people in the first year. Melbourne oncologist Cameron McLaren, who sits of the board of Dying with Dignity, said he only knew of "one or two" neurologists who were accredited and able to do home visits. Commonwealth laws prohibit tele-health being used to discuss euthanasia, which means immobile, bedridden terminally ill Victorians in intolerable pain are being forced to travel hours to be assessed by doctors, prompting Dr McLaren to call called for an immediate review of this legislation. Allan's GP determined in March that he would be dead in less than a year. The family contacted neurologists working in surrounding areas, but none were willing to help. Weeks later, a neurologist visiting the Geelong region was able to examine Allan, reaffirming his GPs diagnosis. "Sometimes there can be up to three neurologists involved in any one case making it near impossible for people with neurodegenerative diseases in rural areas," Dr McLaren said. "It can even very difficult if they are living in Melbourne." To date, 410 doctors have registered or completed the training. The government has so far refused to provide a breakdown of doctors by speciality and geographic location, citing privacy reasons, but insists the laws are working well and as intended. Under the act, the laws will not be reviewed until the fifth year of the scheme's operation. "Thing that worries me is there won't be review for four years time," Ms Cornell said. COVID-19 has shown us we can change the healthcare system quickly. How many more people will go through the pain we did before something changes?" Those struggling to find a specialist are urged to contact the voluntary assisted dying care navigators. "Victorias voluntary assisted dying system is the safest and most conservative model in the world and was developed after lengthy consultation and consideration to give people suffering with an incurable illness at the end of their lives another compassionate choice," Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, which assesses every application, will release its next report in July, which will reveal the number of people who have taken their own life using the laws in the first year. Celebrations of the Juneteenth holiday marking a milestone in the abolition of slavery continued Saturday in Portland, with bike rides, protests, marches and solemn commemorations. Several hundred people gathered under the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge in the early afternoon to hear speeches, listen to music, and enjoy free food from local businesses and organizations. Local activist groups and businesses set up booths to sell clothing and merchandise to raise money for pro-black justice groups and hand out literature on history, politics and policing. The party continued until sunset. The event was organized by Snack Bloc, a community resource that provides support for rallies, protests, events and vigils. The event was put on in place of the nightly Black Lives Matter march led by Rose City Justice, which has consistently started at Revolution Hall. The gathering fell on the 24th straight day of protests in Portland after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. Floyd, who was Black, died in late May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Dave Shirkhani, a former merchandise manager for R&B artists and owner of Black & Gifted, came to the event under the Hawthorne Bridge Saturday to sell t-shirts to raise money for the NAACP. He said he wanted to teach his daughter an important lesson: If something isnt right with the system, you have to speak up. We have the continue to raise awareness to show our people in politics that were serious and we mean business, he said. They cant just brush us under the rug anymore. Booths set up under the Hawthorne Bridge promoted justice for Black Americans and raised money for groups that support the movement, including Snack Bloc, which provides food, supplies and water to protesters. (Photo by Jamie Goldberg) Portland resident Claire Johnson, who came to event with her two young sons, said it was impossible to watch the horrific video of Floyds death and hear him calling out for his mother and not think about her own children. She said she has spent the last few weeks trying to educate herself about the criminal justice system in America. I think about my own journey in the last couple of weeks and frankly, its embarrassing, Johnson said. I didnt realize the disproportionate number of black people in prisons. ... I also didnt realize the proportion of folks in prison who are mentally ill or suffering from addiction, the people who struggle to get out on bail because they are lower income. Looking at some of the data, its really staggering. During the event, some protesters and speakers called for Portland to not only defund, but abolish the police and reinvest that money into community programs and crisis intervention. Shannon, who did not provide her last name, spoke on behalf of grassroots organizations Critical Resistance and Care Not Cops. She called on the crowd to imagine a world without cages, policing, surveillance and violence. This is a movement and not a moment and we need you to see it as such, she said. If you are new, we are glad you are here. We have room for you, we have the analysis for you, and we need you on board. We need you to be ready to listen and to learn. We need you to do political education, so you have a core history and context of how these systems of power we are up against work. The crowd at Saturdays event was large, despite the rain and grey weather, and it was appreciative and mellow. Large, appreciative, mellow crowd at Black Lives Matter Juneteenth event on the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland today (Video by Jamie Goldberg) pic.twitter.com/Ldaiz8UpUP Oregonian Politics (@OregonianPol) June 20, 2020 The Salem Statesman Journal reported that hundreds of demonstrators gathered for a Together We Rise rally at the Oregon State Capitol Saturday afternoon as part of the nationwide movement against racism and police brutality. Later, participants marched through downtown Salem, where streets had been cleared for the event. Benny Williams, president of the Salem-Keizer branch of the NAACP, energized the crowd: As weve seen in the last four weeks of protests, it doesnt matter how many people are here, every one of these protests is a reflection of reminding everyone of us that we have the power to bring about the change that we are marching and protesting for, he said, according to the Statesman-Journal report. The Oregon Legislature is slated to meet in a special session starting Wednesday that will have at its core a mission to pass long-stalled reforms to Oregons police accountability systems. This post will be updated. -- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. A sophisticated Covid-19 testing machine has been installed by the ICMR at the Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS) here for carrying out faster testing of samples. The COBAS 6800 machine, capable of conducting up to 1,500 tests per day, would help ramp up testing facility in Patna, a top official of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said in a press release. The machine, enabled with robotics, minimises the chance of contamination as well as the risk of infection to healthcare workers since it can be operated remotely with limited human intervention. "This is the first facility of its kind in Bihar and will help in capacity building of COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory in the institute," Prof Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR, said in the release. The move will help increase the testing capacity in Bihar, which needs testing in high numbers as migrants are coming to the state from different parts of the country, said Bhargava. At present, the RMRIMS is testing around 2,000 samples per day with the help of 4 RT-PCR machines, with 25 people working 24x7 in three shifts. After the COVID-19 spread is controlled, the machine can also be used to detect other pathogens such as viral hepatitis B and C, HIV, mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), cytomegalovirus (CMV), chlamydia, neisseria and dengue, the release said. The RMRIMS, so far, has tested close to 65,000 samples. The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between the two countries. New Delhi: The armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given "full freedom" to give a "befitting" response to any Chinese misadventure, government sources said after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in eastern Ladakh at a meeting with the top military brass on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. India has already mobilised fighter jets and sent thousands of additional Army troops to forward locations along the border with China after 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in a brutal attack by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on 15 June. The clash in Galwan Valley, the worst cross-border violence in 45 years, significantly frayed ties between the two countries, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a strong message to China that India wants peace but if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply. In the meeting on Sunday, Singh told the top military officers to maintain a strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, the airspace and in strategic sea lanes, the sources said. Following the Galwan incident, military sources said Indian troops will no longer be bound by the long-held practice of not using firearms in faceoffs. The armed forces were told to be fully ready to give a befitting reply to any Chinese misadventure, the sources said, adding a "tough" approach is being adopted to guard the border. Seventy-six Indian soldiers were also injured in the Galwan Valley clash. China's People's Liberation Army has not yet talked about the number of casualties it suffered. The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between the two countries. The two armies had mutually decided not to resort to use firearms during face-offs in sync with provisions of two agreements on border management. The agreements were signed in 1996 and 2005. "Henceforth, our approach will be different. The ground commanders have been given full freedom to take decisions depending on the situation," a top military official told PTI on the condition of anonymity. The IAF has already moved a sizeable number of its frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters to several key air bases including Leh and Srinagar in the last five days. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria on Saturday said the IAF is "well prepared" and "suitably deployed" to counter any security challenge along the border with China and even hinted that his force has flown combat air patrols in the Ladakh region as part of heightened preparedness. Under combat air patrols, fully armed fighter jets can be scrambled at short notices for specific missions. The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since 5 May when their troops clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on 5 and 6 May. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on 9 May. Prior to the clashes, both sides had been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it was necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Singh's review of the situation in eastern Ladakh came a day before he embarks on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. Advertisement One of the four officers charged in the death of George Floyd told an angry shopper 'I'm sorry you feel that way' when she admonished him as he bought groceries while out on bail. J. Alexander Keung, 26, on Saturday was shopping at a Cubs Food grocery store in Plymouth, Minnesota - just one day after he was released from the Hennepin County jail on $750,000 bail. Keung was arrested earlier this month after standing by when former officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck as he yelled 'I can't breathe!' A woman at the the grocery store spotted Keung and recorded the interaction on her cell phone. Former Minneapolis Police Officer J. Alexander Keung (pictured) was confronted by a woman in a Cub Foods grocery store on Saturday after being released from jail When the woman asks for Keung's name, he responds 'Oh, yeah that's me.' 'So it is you,' the woman says. 'So you're out of prison and you're comfortably shopping in Cub Foods as if you didn't do anything?' Keung, while holding a pack of Oreo, replies that he wouldn't call it 'comfortably' and that he was stocking up on 'necessities.' 'I don't think you should have that right,' the woman says. 'I don't think you should be out on bail.' Keung admits that 'he can understand that,' before adding 'I'm sorry you feel that way.' The woman recording the exchange with Keung (pictured) said: ''You don't have the right to be here. You killed somebody in cold blood. You do not have the right to be here' This upset the woman, prompting her to chastise him as other residents continue to shop in the grocery store. 'No you're not sorry!' she says. 'You're literally out here, comfortably as if you didn't kill that man? Did you think people weren't going to recognize you? 'You don't have the right to be here. You killed somebody in cold blood. You do not have the right to be here.' Keung says that he understands and will check out with his items, but the woman interrupts. 'No, we don't want you to get your stuff. We want you to be locked up!' Keung again says he will leave with his items. The woman then yells across the grocery store that he is one of the officers involved in George Floyd's death. 'You're not going to be able to comfortably go around Minnesota like this,' the woman says. Woman: 'No, we don't want you to get your stuff. We want you to be locked up!' 'This is crazy that you're here...thinking everything is okay. I mean, you don't want to apologize, you don't want to say anything?' she adds. She then questioned how Keung was able to pay off the $750,000 bail as he waited in line to checkout. J. Alexander Kueng, 26, was released from Hennepin County jail shortly before 7.30pm on Friday The incident was shared to social media and has been viewed over 700,000 times on Twitter. Kueng was one of the three former Minneapolis police officers had have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter during the incident on May 25. Kueng and former officer Thomas Lane, 37, were the first to respond to the call that a man - later said to be Floyd - had been trying to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a deli. Kueng and Lane discovered Floyd sitting in a nearby car. They handcuffed him and attempted to put him inside their squad car. Later, after the arrival of officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao, witness video shows Kueng holding onto Floyd's back while he was lying in the street. Kueng then told the other officers that he 'couldn't find' Floyd's pulse. Authorities said Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for about two minutes after Kueng's statement. According to charging documents, Lane - who initially took Floyd into custody - held down the father-of-five's legs, while Kueng held his back and Chauvin knelt down on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. During the arrest, Floyd pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving. He was handcuffed at the time. In witness video released last week, a man and a woman are heard urging the officers to check Floyd's pulse before more bystanders are heard pleading with the officers to help Floyd. 'You think that's okay? Check his pulse!' a man is heard yelling as Thao argued with a woman nearby. 'The ain't moved yet bro,' the man continued. 'He has not moved not one time!' Kueng can be seen here (left) with Floyd as he takes Floyd into custody on May 25 The man then asked Thao: 'You're going to let him kill that man in front of you?' The woman then yelled: 'Tell me what his pulse is right now!' Another woman is heard asking in the background: 'Did they just f**king kill him?' As a crowd gathered, others are heard shouting, 'Get off of his neck!' and 'He's not moving!' Despite their pleas for help, not once did Thao try to get Chauvin off Floyd's neck. Instead, he continued to argue with the witnesses, yelling for them to remain on the sidewalk and not come any closer. A short time later, paramedics arrive and lift Floyd's lifeless body off the pavement and onto a stretcher. Police bodycam footage has not been made available to the public yet, because it is being investigated by the FBI. Former police officers have said that the bodycam footage will 'prove' there was a struggle. During a CNN interview, Lane's attorney, Earl Gray said that 'It wasn't a violent resistance but it wasn't a kind of non-resistance that an individual should do when police officers are arresting him. He also noted: 'He should get out of his vehicle and follow the orders of the police officers. He didn't do that.' Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Derek Chauvin (left) is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in relation to George Floyd's (right) death, with his bail set at $1.25 million Kueng's co-defendants (left to right), Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao and Thomas Lane Kueng's attorneys said that he had been working on his third shift as a police officer when the incident occurred. Thao remains behind bars, as does Chauvin, who was seen kneeling on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes as he lost consciousness and stopped breathing on Memorial Day. Chauvin was fired from the Minneapolis Police Department and arrested after Floyd's death. He was initially charged with third-degree murder before that charge was upgraded to second-degree murder. Chauvin's bail was set to $1.25million. Chauvin, Kueng, Lane and Thao were all fired from the police department following Floyd's death. Immediately following Floyd's death, Black Lives Matter protests erupted globally. While the majority of protests remained peaceful, buildings, businesses and police departments have burned after some demonstrations turned violent in major US cities. Protesters have not only demanded justice for Floyd, but they've called for justice for Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and most recently Rayshard Brooks. Demonstrators have also marched for Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot dead by a white man in Georgia in February. Floyd was laid to rest June 9 in Houston, Texas. LAFAYETTE, Ind. Indiana's attorney general's office is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court's ruling that sided with a gay married couple who challenged the state's birth records law. The petition, filed June 15, comes after the appeals court ruled in January that same-sex couples should have the same rights as other couples to be named as parents on birth certificates without having to go through the expense of an adoption process. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed a lower court's ruling and sided with Ashlee and Ruby Henderson of Lafayette by finding that the state should recognize the couple's children as their own. Tom Fisher, solicitor general for Indiana, said in the state's petition with the high court that the lower courts misinterpreted the intent of Indiana's laws surrounding paternity and parental rights by extending presumption that a husband is the biological parent "in absence of contrary evidence" to the wife of a biological mother, the Journal & Courier reported. The Hendersons' Indianapolis-based attorney, Karen Celestino-Horseman, expressed disappointment that "Indiana continues to fight against families headed by same-sex spouses." CGTN Extremism takes many forms, and among its most vulnerable victims are women. At 14, Bahargul Erkin was forced by her father to marry a 52-year-old man who had six wives. Erkin spoke to CGTN about the influence of extremism in Xinjiang as well as her escape from her forced marriage. This is one of many human stories in our exclusive documentary 'Tianshan Still Standing: Memories of fighting terrorism in Xinjiang.' You can watch the full documentary here. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit back at Pakistan saying that India has never coveted territory. Speaking after the inauguration of Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi, PM Modi said, India has never attacked another country, Pakistan was responsible for all four wars against India. India has not attacked anyone. It is neither hungry for any territory. But in the two World Wars (in which India had no direct stake), 1.5 lakh Indian soldiers had laid down their lives fighting for others, the Prime Minister said at the inaugural ceremony of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a modern complex dedicated to overseas Indians here. His statement came days after the Indian armys surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control as also in the backdrop of Pakistans constant clamour for highlighting the Kashmir issue at the international fora. Modi lamented that despite the great price paid by Indians, India could not make the world realise the importance of its sacrifice. He said whenever he went abroad, he made it a point to visit the memorials for the Indian soldiers. The Prime Minister said the Indian diaspora did not believe in indulging in politics or grabbing power abroad, but on the other hand, they mingled with other communities. Indians, the Prime Minister noted, lived abroad with the principle of social well-being. They are like water. They change their colour and shape as per the need, he said. Observing that the Indian diaspora should not be looked at in terms of its numbers, but in terms of its strength, he said there were countries where the Indian community was more powerful than the Indian missions and could help removing the fear of unknown amongst the people there towards India. While much has been spoken about brain drain, if the strength of the Indian diaspora was channelised, we can convert it into brain gain, Modi said. Like dams channelise the energy of water to make electricity, a source is needed to utilise the energy of the 2.45 crore strong Indian diaspora to light up India,he said. He also commended the role of the Ministry of External Affairs in helping people of Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and evacuating Indians and other nationals from hotspots like Yemen. He said, In past two years you have seen how Government has rescued people from conflict regions, not only Indians but also foreigners. Modi said India has made a place for itself and the world now accepts India as a major contributor in extending humanitarian aid and added that other nations now sought Indian help in pulling out their citizens from trouble spots. Also read: PM Modi, President Mukherjee pay homage to Father of the Nation at Rajghat Crediting the success of Pravasi Bhartiya programme to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said that Connecting with the diaspora is important. Atal ji coined idea of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and it has been continued since then, he said. The Prime Minster also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi saying that the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra has been inaugurated on October 2 because even though Bapu had left the country love of people and call of the nation brought him back. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Los Angeles Dave Franco says the drive-in premiere for his directorial debut was "perfect" but admittedly "a little weird." The 35-year-old actor found himself at the center of Hollywood's evolving response to the coronavirus pandemic Thursday as he premiered his directorial debut "The Rental" to more than 1,300 people at the Vineland drive-in theater in Southern California. Joined by stars including wife Alison Brie, Dan Stevens and Sheila Vand, he took off his mask to pose for photographers in a massive parking lot, then answered questions via Zoom from his car after the film ended. It beat a traditional, more buttoned-up red carpet event, Franco said. "It didn't feel like there was a spotlight on me or the cast. It felt more like this communal experience where everyone was just excited to get out of their homes and, you know, let loose with a group of fellow movie lovers. It was perfect," he said Friday. Franco says Brie calmed him down about the shortcomings of an outdoor screening. "Trust me, it is not what I do. I am a crazy perfectionist. I annoy everyone around me because I won't stop until it's perfect. And so it was hard for me to let go, but it was nice having Alison next to me," he said. His movie is set to be released via video-on-demand and at drive-ins and traditional theaters on July 24. But the nation's largest theater chains have been adjusting their reopening plans regularly in response to health officials. Franco is hoping to hold another premiere event closer to the film's release maybe even in a traditional theater. "Just seeing how many people are flocking to drive-ins around the country, it just proves that the movie-going experience is so special," Franco said. "There's a lot of talk about the future of film being mainly digital. But I think right now we're really seeing how much people love going to the movies." Delhi: Delhi Police on 1st October launched a mobile application for senior citizens to enable them to reach out to the police quickly in emergency situations. On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the app 'Delhi Police Senior Citizen' was launched by Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma in the presence of senior police officials. It will serve as an aid to the elderly in times of distress or in case of medical emergencies. They will be able to send an SOS through the application that will immediately be transferred to the SHO and beat constable concerned. "Those registered on the app will have the facility of pressing an SOS button for emergency call to the senior citizens helpline 1291. An alert will go to 24X7 control room with location of the caller and a simultaneous alert in the form of an SMS will go to the area SHO, beat officer and a pre-assigned contact," Verma said. The application will be available on Google Play Store. While speaking at the event, Jung asked the police to hold awareness camps so that the elderly who are not tech- savvy get to know about the app. "A lot of us would not know about things like Google Play Store and mobile applications. I would request the commissioner to organise camps at a local level so that elderly people who are not well-versed with technology can be made aware about the application," he said. Addressing the gathering of elderly people at the event, he said, "It's my request to you to take this app seriously. Even if you fall in the bathroom, you can call the police. We need to reciprocate to make this app successful. We have to help Delhi Police and trust them." Presently, 27,645 senior citizens are registered with Delhi Police. "A senior citizen can register himself/herself with Delhi Police after downloading the app. The registered senior citizen will get to know their beat officer's name and mobile number. They can also check the last date of visit by beat officer to them," Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Taj Hassan said. The application will also help senior officers to monitor the beat staff and their visits to the elderly. "Whenever the beat officer will be visiting the registered senior citizens, he will take a selfie with them and upload it on the application. The area SHO will be able to keep a tab on the visits of beat officers to the registered senior citizens," Hassan said. Many of the elderly who attended the event said they don't have smartphones and even if they have it, they don't know how to operate it. "We have advisory bodies for senior citizens at different levels and their meetings are held regularly. Through them, we can easily tell senior citizens about the app. We will create awareness about it through advertisements in newspapers," Hassan said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), America's largest food and retail union, has called on the country's largest supermarket chains to immediately reinstate hazard pay "in light of an explosion of COVID-19 cases nationwide." "Across the country, America's food retailers have ended hazard pay even as COVID-19 health risks have increased for grocery workers on the frontlines of the pandemic," the UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in a statement released Friday. "Even worse, multi-billion-dollar companies like Kroger are raking in record sales just weeks after cutting hazard pay for the very grocery workers who made that success possible," the statement continued. As of Saturday afternoon, over 2.2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the United States, with death toll surpassing 119,000, according to a data tracking tool developed by Johns Hopkins University. Some 19 states, mostly in the South, West and Midwest, saw rising cases on Friday, and the nation reported more than 30,000 new infections, the highest daily total in over a month, The New York Times reported. "As long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, every grocery worker in America must receive the hazard pay they have earned for the vital work they are doing to serve our communities as the danger continues," Perrone said. The UFCW represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries, according to its website. In May, the UFCW sent a letter to top grocery CEOs across the country condemning them for suggesting that the health risks of this pandemic have diminished, and failing to provide the pay and protections necessary given the risks that America's grocery workers face. About 2,000 additional troops of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) may be sent to forward locations along the Sino-Indian border to strengthen vigil amid the standoff between the Indian Army and Chinese troops in Ladakh. The ITBP personnel, currently engaged in different duties in various parts of the country, is being requisitioned in view of the prevailing situation in Ladakh. About 20 additional companies (2,000 troops) are likely to the deployed in different locations of the Sino-Indian border, a senior government official said. The ITBP guards the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control between India and China, along with the Indian Army. ITBP personnel are deployed around 180 border guarding posts --from Karakoram pass to Jachep La -- located in Union Territory of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and and Arunachal Pradesh. Twenty Indian Army personnel were killed in a clash with Chinese troops on June 15 in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, raising tension in the relations between India and China. MONTCALM COUNTY, MI A 24-year-old man was thrown from his motorcycle after rear-ending a vehicle while riding on M-66 near Sessions Road on Sunday morning. Sheridan resident Dillon Deal was riding his 2010 Harley Davidson south on M-66 at about 11:35 a.m. June 21 when he rear-ended a 2009 Toyota Camry driven by an 82-year-old woman from Sanford, according to Michigan State Police. Troopers from the Lakeview Post arrived on scene and learned Deal, who had not been wearing a helmet, was ejected from the back of his motorcycle after colliding with the car, police said. Deal suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown by AeroMed to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment, police said. The driver of the Toyota was not injured in the crash, police said. Also on MLive: Body found in St. Joseph River believed to be of missing Michigan man 1 dead, 1 hospitalized in head-on crash between motorcycle, SUV 2 teen bicyclists injured when struck by car on dark road in Holland By Kim Hyun-bin LG Chem is considering shutting down its phthalic anhydride (PA) production plant in Yeosu as the company's product lost price competitiveness due to China drastically increasing production and flooding the market in recent years. According to the company, the plant which produces 50,000 tons of PA a year is under review to be withdrawn. The company gave notice to related plant departments and the union earlier this month. This is the company's only PA plant in and outside of Korea and the closing will totally withdraw LG from the PA business. PA is a raw material used to develop plasticizers which are used to increase flexibility in plastic. The company cited environmental factors and lack of long-term competitiveness for shuttering its PA production line. "We are not closing the entire factory, just the PA sector, which takes over a single line of production and accounts for producing 50,000 tons of PA annually. Mergers and withdrawal of the production lines are conducted regularly," an LG Chem official said. Currently, the PA line is in operation. Industry watchers believe the rapid increase of PA production by Chinese firms has drastically reduced profitability. In addition, a recent LG Chem India plant gas leak and an explosion at its Daesan factory have raised safety issues, which led to a review of the withdrawal. The staff at the PA plant are scheduled to be transferred to other production plants. The PA business started to decline in 2018 as Chinese companies drastically increased production of the material forcing a significant price drop. India marked International Yoga Day with low-key events Sunday as the nation battles coronavirus, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the crisis had made the ancient practice even more relevant. The annual event -- proposed by Modi and adopted by the United Nations in 2014 -- is observed mostly in India, but also worldwide on the Northern Hemisphere's longest day. As the virus crisis forced practitioners to celebrate the occasion indoors, or with small outdoor sessions, Modi -- an avid yogi himself -- called on people to draw strength from the practice's physical and mental benefits. "Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the world is realising the need of yoga now more than ever," Modi said in Hindi in a video speech shared on social media Sunday. "COVID-19 virus attacks our respiratory system. Pranayam (breathing exercises) helps the most in making our respiratory systems strong." Since taking office in 2014, the Indian leader has spearheaded an initiative to reclaim the practice as a historic part of Indian culture. Indian scholars believe yoga dates back 5,000 years, based on archaeological evidence of poses found inscribed on stones, and references to Yogic teachings in the ancient Hindu scriptures of the Vedas. The event came as the South Asia nation of 1.3 billion people reported a record single-day spike of 15,413 new coronavirus infections on Sunday. It took the nationwide total to over 410,000 cases, including more than 13,250 deaths. President Donald Trump opened his first rally in more than three months by saying it was a new beginning for his 2020 re-election campaign. We begin, Trump said at the outset of his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We begin our campaign. Technically, Trump launched his re-election bid a year ago, but Trump needed the rally in Tulsa to be symbolic reset for his floundering campaign. Trump is trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden by a nationwide average of nearly 9 points, according to Real Clear Politics, and losing to the former Vice President in nearly every swing state. The last time Trump held a rally was in March, before the coronavirus outbreak had shut down most of the country; now, more than 120,000 Americans have died from the virus and more than 40 million are out of a job due to its economic impact. The country has been roiled by unrest as it reckons with systemic racism in the wake of George Floyds death, with Trumps response only deepening the racial divide and provoking further protest. This week, Trump lost a court bid to block former national security advisor John Bolton from releasing a book this week that contains several shocking allegations about the presidents dealings with law enforcement and foreign leaders. Now he is facing questions over the firing a Manhattan U.S. attorney who oversaw investigations into two of Trumps personal lawyers. Trump rally attendees wait for the President to arrive at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 20, 2020. | Peter van AgtmaelMagnum Photos for TIME The event failed to deliver the optics of a resounding comeback, and Trumps 1 hour and 41 minute stump speech spent little time comforting worried Americans or laying out detailed plans for Trumps second term. Trumps campaign had bragged days before that more than a million tickets had been sold for the rally at Tulsas Bank of Oklahoma Center, but the arena was far from full, swaths of empty blue seats facing the President as he spoke. The BOK Center has a capacity of just over 19,000, but there was ample empty space visible on the floor and in the upper levels of the arena. The campaign had planned to have a separate overflow area at a stage outside, but they abruptly canceled the outdoor portion amid lower than expected turnout. Story continues Sadly, protestors interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. Oklahoma National Guard soldiers were stationed to provide security outside the rally, although the protests appeared to be largely peaceful. Nevertheless, Trump appeared to enjoy being back in front of a crowd, telling lengthy stories and blaming familiar foes for his problems: the media, the radical left and Democrats like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar. These people are stone cold crazy, Trump said about the movement to defund the police, telling a hypothetical tale about a bad hombre climbing in a womans window at night while her husband is off being a traveling salesman, and 911 no longer being in service when she tries to call for help. He did not address Floyds death directly or offer concrete solutions on police reform. He was dark in his warning over what would happen if Biden wins in November: In Joe Bidens America, rioters, looters, and criminal aliens have more rights than law abiding citizens, Trump said. If Biden wins, An emboldened left will launch a full-scale assault on American life, he continued. Theyll expel anyone who disagrees with them. The President regularly returned to the topic of the coronavirus during his speech, at one point referring to it as the Chinese virus and another as the racist moniker the kung flu. Trump stuck to the line that he has done a phenomenal job with the coronavirus and mocked his own Administrations emphasis on ramping up testing, saying that testing is a double-edged sword because, he claimed, more testing means uncovering more cases. I said to my people, Slow the testing down, please,' Trump said, indicating that he had personally requested that fewer Americans be tested for the deadly virus during the global pandemic. When asked about that line in the speech, Murtaugh told TIME the President was making a joke. A top Tulsa health official publicly appealed to the Trump campaign to postpone the rally earlier this week, due to concerns it could cause a spike in cases. The Trump campaign handed out masks at the Tulsa rally but did not mandate their use, and most attendees at the indoor event did not appear to be wearing them, even though six Trump campaign staffers who were helping organize the Tulsa rally tested positive for COVID-19, which the campaign revealed the day of the event. National Guard and vendors selling Trump memorabilia near an entrance to the Trump rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20, 2020. | Peter van AgtmaelMagnum Photos for TIME Trump, 74, dismissed concerns over his own health that were raised after he appeared to struggle to lift a glass of water to his lips and walked gingerly down a ramp at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point last week. He spent more than 10 minutes talking about the incident, reenacting the ramp walk and blaming slippery shoes for his careful steps, and then lifting a glass of water to his lips onstage in Tulsa to prove he could do it with one hand, before throwing it on the ground, to which the crowd cheered. Theres something wrong with Biden, that I can tell you, he said. Throughout the speech, Trump made veiled attacks on Bidens mental capacity, saying Biden, 77, often forgets what state hes in and that hes not in control of his own campaign. Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left, Trump said. Hes not radical left. I dont think he knows what he is anymore. Trump said Biden is soft on immigration enforcement and on China, and criticized him for voting for the Iraq War and supporting The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Biden is always on the wrong side of history, Trump said. He never made a correct foreign policy decision. Trump touted highlights from his first term as president, including stocking the federal bench with conservative judges, passing tax cuts, making trade deals and working to lower the price of prescription drugs. It wasnt until the final minutes of the speech that he advanced any specific policy goals or overarching vision for what he would do with a second term in office. Appearing to read his list of priorities from his prepared remarks, Trump promised to protect Medicare and social security for seniors, appoint more conservative judges, finish building the border wall, work with Republicans in Congress on immigration reform, and become the first country to land on Mars. The best, Trump promised, is yet to come. The former Atlanta police officer facing murder charges in the death of Rayshard Brooks was reprimanded for pointing his gun at a car he and other officers were pursuing in a 2016 chase that violated policy, according to personnel records released by the Atlanta Police Department. Hundreds of pages of personnel records regarding the former officer, Garrett Rolfe, were made public Friday, including investigations into several misconduct allegations made about him. Hundreds of pages of personnel records regarding the former officer, Garrett Rolfe, were made public Friday, as the city continued to face upheaval over the June 12 shooting in a Wendy's parking lot. At least nine officers have resigned since June, interim police chief Rodney Bryant said Saturday. Others have called out sick, citing unease over prosecutors' swift decision to charge their colleagues, questions over their training or concern over being challenged and attacked. The agency has shifted resources to ensure proper coverage of the city, added Bryant, who was appointed to lead the agency after former chief Erika Shields resigned following Brooks's death. He asked for patience from officers and the public as the department works toward change. "The Atlanta Police Department has not given up on the city that we love," Bryant said, "and we ask that you not give up on us." He said he was surprised by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard's decision to swiftly charge Rolfe and the officer at the scene of Brooks's shooting, Devin Brosnan, noting that the agency had called the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in to investigate. "I was surprised that the district attorney would get to that conclusion that fast," Bryant said. Meanwhile, the records released by the police department Friday offered a fuller account of Rolfe's seven-year tenure as a police officer, including details of the previous firearms policy violation that resulted in a written reprimand. In what appears to be the most serious misconduct case previously lodged against Rolfe, the former officer was issued a written reprimand for pointing his gun at a fleeing car. The police department's office of professional standards found the September 2016 chase, which hit speeds over 100 miles per hour, violated policy and culminated in unreasonable force against a 15-year-old suspect, who was black. One officer was arrested, while several others faced disciplinary actions. A sergeant retired before the investigation concluded. The police department's office of professional standards found the September 2016 chase, which hit speeds over 100 miles per hour, violated policy and culminated in unreasonable force against a 15-year-old suspect, who was black. One officer was arrested, while several others faced disciplinary actions. A sergeant retired before the investigation concluded. "The entire pursuit consisted of erratic, unsafe driving riddled with serious traffic violations, by the suspect vehicle and the units involved in the pursuit," said a report by investigators within the police department. "The units and supervisor failed to recognize that the risk to the public and themselves was far greater, and significantly outweighed the benefit of stopping a vehicle." Although the chase ultimately ended in arrests and the recovery of a stolen vehicle and weapon, they added, "it also culminated in a use of force situation that was clearly unreasonable and unnecessary considering the actions and movements of the suspects involved once the vehicle was stopped and they surrendered." The incident began when officers noticed a stolen tag affixed to a BMW. Department policy allows for chases only when the officer believes a suspect possesses a deadly weapon, poses an immediate threat of violence or has committed a crime involving serious physical harm. Several of the officers later acknowledged there was no indication of any of those conditions, yet three patrol cars chased after the car. At one point, as the cruiser Rolfe was riding in drove alongside the BMW, Rolfe trained his gun on the car, later telling investigators that he "was placed in a poor tactical position" and "afraid that they might be armed." "I drew my weapon to protect myself if they began firing at us through the window," he said during questioning by the department's Office of Professional Standards, adding that he wasn't intentionally pointing the gun at any particular occupant and that his finger was off the trigger. "I made a split-second decision in a very dynamic situation and did what I thought was best to protect myself given the circumstances." The police department investigation found his actions violated policy, noting that a gun cannot be pointed at a person unless discharging it would be justifiable. Remedial training was recommended for Rolfe, though it was not immediately clear whether he ultimately received it. Rolfe's lawyers did not respond to multiple requests for comment through a spokesman Friday. Rolfe was also questioned about another officer at the time, Matthew Johns, who repeatedly kicked and hit the suspect once the BMW stopped and the teenager got out. After Rolfe had the suspect handcuffed, a report said, Johns flashed a middle finger in his direction. Rolfe denied seeing the other officer kick or strike the suspect, but noted he was bleeding from the mouth. The teenager, who was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and obstruction of law enforcement, had a concussion. Johns said he was trying to gain control of the suspect, but investigators found his statements to be inconsistent with video footage. His conduct was described as "egregious" and "considered to have brought discredit upon the department." Johns was fired and arrested in the wake of the incident. He was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to numerous counts of aggravated assault against the teenager and other charges in 2019, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rolfe is charged with felony murder for shooting a fleeing Brooks in a Wendy's parking lot last week after a DUI stop, a case that sparked a new wave of demonstrations against police brutality. Brooks, a 27-year-old black man who drew police attention after falling asleep in a drive-through line, broke free while being handcuffed and scuffled with Rolfe and another officer, Devin Brosnan, before grabbing one of their Tasers and running away, according to video of the incident. After Brooks turned to aim the Taser at Rolfe, the officer fired his gun. An autopsy said Brooks died of two gunshot wounds to the back. Rolfe waived his first appearance in court Friday. He is being held without bond. Rolfe's attorneys on Friday filed an emergency motion seeking bond. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, with the former officer expected to appear via video. In another incident in Rolfe's personnel file, he and another officer were accused of harassing and citing a man because he was black. According to the report on the 2015 encounter, the officers stopped a man in his driveway after he failed to maintain his lane and didn't use a turn signal. They also noted that his music was loud. The man said in a complaint filed with the department that the officers gave him frivolous citations because he was black, laughed at him "like it was a joke" and then blared their sirens outside his home. Rolfe and the other officer denied profiling or harassing the man and said they were merely testing whether the sirens worked. Investigators cleared Rolfe and the other officer of wrongdoing, writing that their accuser appeared to have "attempted to use the allegation of racism against the officers to distract, intimidate and avoid a citation." Rolfe's personnel file also shows that his performance evaluations improved from satisfactory to "exceeds expectations" after a few years on the force, though evaluations past 2018 were not included. He worked at Six Flags, Burger King and a video store and obtained a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University in 2013. He was hired by the Atlanta Police Department soon after. - - - The Washington Post's Nick Miroff and Haisten Willis contributed to this report. The United states is talking to both India and China to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. "It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there," Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first post-COVID19 election rally in Oklahoma. "They've come to blows, and we'll see what happens. We'll try and help them out," Trump said when asked about his assessment of the situation between ... gettyimagesbank By Lee Min-hyung The government should not make any rash decisions in levying a "cryptocurrency tax," as the new taxation scheme may end up blocking industrial growth in the emerging digital currency market, economists said Sunday. The nation's financial authorities headed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance have discussed for years whether to impose taxes on virtual currencies in line with the global rise of bitcoin. The cryptocurrency market has been considered a tax-exempt safe haven here despite its rapid growth, as regulators and experts remained poles apart over whether to accept virtual currencies as universal assets subject to regulations. Wrapping up the years-long discussion, the finance ministry decided recently to impose taxes on cryptocurrency transactions. Minister Hong Nam-ki said Thursday it will announce a reformed tax system in July with details over the encrypted currency taxation. "It is premature for the government to impose cryptocurrency taxes at a time when the market has not developed enough in a stable manner," Yonsei University economist Sung Tae-yoon said. From an economic viewpoint, he said, cryptocurrencies cannot be considered a universal asset like traditional paper currencies. He also raised worries that any tough regulations or taxation schemes may block growth in the overall digital currency market. "The financial authorities should think twice before imposing taxes on the market, as the digital currency industry is still in its infancy," he said. "Any rash taxation or introduction of regulations can be a stumbling block for sustainable growth of the industry." The finance ministry is in internal discussion over how to levy taxes on cryptocurrency transactions. For now, the authority is likely to impose a capital gains tax over revenues generated by encrypted currency transactions. Chances are the financial authority will follow in the footsteps of its counterparts from the world's leading financial powerhouses such as the United States and Japan all of which impose taxes on transactions involving bitcoin and other encrypted currencies. The U.S. identifies cryptocurrencies as financial assets, and is imposing income taxes on revenues from their transactions. Japanese financial authorities are also applying a tax rate of up to 55 percent on revenues from digital currency transactions. Korea's upcoming introduction of the new taxation system comes amid growing concerns over the nation's fiscal soundness after the government executed its third round of expansionary budgets due to an economic downturn induced by the coronavirus pandemic. Against that backdrop, some critics argued the government aims to offset the budget expenditures by collecting more taxes from the new market. "By reforming the taxation system this year, we are going to consider introducing new types of taxation, such as digital tax," Hong said in a recent National Assembly session. The digital tax refers to an additional tax imposed on overseas IT companies such as Google and Amazon for their online business activities. Even if cryptocurrency taxation and regulations may get in the way of industry growth, such steps should be taken in no time, according to Korea University economist Kim Jin-ill. "It is true regulations can block the market's near-term growth, but the steps are essential," Kim said. This is because regulations are the most effective measure to minimize the aftermath of a potential financial crisis, according to him. "A fiasco involving commercial banks' mis-selling of derivative-linked funds last year clearly showed how important regulations are in the financial industry," he said. "To prevent the recurrence of such financial accidents, the government needs to introduce more careful regulations on the emerging digital currency market." COVID-19: Meghalaya extends night curfew, ban on inter-state movement of people till June 30 India pti-PTI Shillong, June 21: The Meghalaya government has extended the night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am till June 30 to contain the spread of coronavirus, officials said on Sunday. The night curfew was to be in force till Monday. The state government has also extended the ban on inter-state movement of people till June 30, they said. "District deputy commissioners have been asked to issue extension of night curfew orders and directives to extend ban on inter-state movement of people," a senior government official told PTI. The official orders, however, will not apply to security forces, medical teams on duty, wholesale and retail pharmacies and other essential services, he said. As part of measures to ease the lockdown norms, the Meghalaya government has allowed operationalisation of over 400 shops out of the 1,222 shops identified at the IewDuh market, from Monday. Coronavirus: Amit Shah holds meet with Arvind Kejriwal; Third in a week It has also allowed operations of beauty parlours, salons and barber shops but in strict adherence to social distancing norms and stipulated time limits, the official said. Weekly markets across the state, except the ones in areas along the India-Bangladesh border and the inter-state border with Assam, have got the nod to open, too. Educational institutions will continue to remain closed along with religious places, he said, adding, large public gatherings are also not allowed. Meanwhile, the state's COVID-19 recovery rate rose to 84 per cent after five more patients were cured on Saturday, a health official said. Meghalaya has reported a total of 44 coronavirus cases, making it the state with the "least number of infections", the official said. "Meghalaya - 5 more persons have recovered and test negative for COVID19. Total cases: 44. Total active cases: 6. Recovered: 37," Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said in a tweet. Karl Stefanovic has made no secret of the fact he can't wait to get back to the pub as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease in Australia. And on Saturday, the Today show host was all smiles as he stopped off at a Sydney tavern for a beer before heading to the Randwick Races. The 45-year-old father-of-four looked stylish in a black business suit paired with a white button-up shirt and blue tie. Boy's day out! Today host Karl Stefanovic, 45, (left) was all smiles as he stopped off at a Sydney tavern for a cheeky beer with NOVA FM radio presenter Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald,43, (right) before they headed to the Randwick Races on Saturday Karl completed his elegant look with black coloured rounded sunglasses black leather shoes and a watch. The Channel Nine star was joined by radio host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald, who was also dressed up for the occasion. The 43-year-old Nova presenter opted for a navy blue suit paired with a purple tie and black Ray Bans. Dressed to impress: Karl, whose wife Jasmine Yarbrough recently gave birth to their first child together, wore a black business suit, which he paired up with a white button-up shirt and blue tie Trendy: Karl completed his elegant look with black coloured rounded sunglasses black leather shoes and a watch Friends: Fitzy opted for a navy blue suit paired with a purple tie and black Ray Bans Down the hatch! After ordering their drinks, Karl and Ryan decided to sit outdoors and mingle with the locals as they enjoyed their quick pint After ordering their drinks, Karl and Ryan decided to sit outdoors and mingle with the locals as they soaked up the sun. Karl's unexpected visit to the pub took many onlookers by surprise, with some peering over their seats to catch a glimpse of the TV star. Once at the races, the pair were seen mingling with Karl's former Nine colleague, Ben Fordham, who shared several selfies of the trio enjoying a laugh. Quenching his thirst! It comes after Karl told Today show's Brooke Boney last month that he couldn't wait to get back to the local pub It comes after Karl told Today show's Brooke Boney last month that he couldn't wait to get back to the local pub. 'I can't wait to go to a pub and have a basic XXXX Gold, ice cold, or a Carlton Draught,' he began. 'Just sitting there and have a schnitty [chicken schnitzel] with chips that's smothered in gravy,' he said. Karl's unexpected visit to the pub had many onlookers taken by surprise, with many turning their heads as the television icon made about his day Friendly: Karl was seen talking to the locals on his way back to his car [June 20, 2020] Bittrex Global Now Accepts Mastercard to Fund Accounts NEW YORK, June 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex Global has announced that it will now accept Mastercard as a source for funding user accounts. The well-known trading platform will accept Mastercard payments from 36 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, subject to a 3% processing fee. Depending on the country deposits are made from, daily and weekly funding limits vary between $2,500-$10,000 USD/EUR and monthly limits between $7,500-$50,000 USD/EUR. The Mastercard funding option joins a diverse list of previously accepted payment forms including Visa, debit cards, and USD wire transfers. The move to accept Mastercard to fund accounts on the Bittrex Global exchange platform supports the company's goal of increasing adoption and accessibility to distributed ledger technology. More users worldwide will be able to choose the payment method that is most convenient to them to fund their accounts and tade cryptocurrency and other digital assets on the platform. In order to fund an account using a Mastercard, users must choose to make a credit card deposit to their holdings, select the desired amount, and input their Mastercard details. Some payment transactions may require additional authentication via the 3DSecure security protocol. This verification process is bank specific. The funds are credited to a user's wallet after the transaction is processed and approved. Detailed instructions and additional information regarding credit card payments can be found on the Bittrex Global website. About Bittrex Global Bittrex Global is an international digital asset trading platform that is widely recognized for its high performance, security, and transparency. The platform has been applauded for its strict listing process, by which it accepts only the most innovative and technically sound projects. Bittrex Global aims to introduce customers to one-of-a-kind blockchain projects that have the potential to transform the way people interact with technology and services globally. The trading platform has been ranked in the top 5 exchanges worldwide based on CoinGecko's "Trust Score 2.0" report. Bittrex Global continues to expand the international operations of its US-based parent company from its headquarters in Liechtenstein, Europe. Bittrex CEO Bill Shihara has previously stated that the company is focused on doing the right thing by customers with security as a top priority. Adding secure Mastercard payments to the accepted forms of account funding is just the latest example of this commitment. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bittrex-global-now-accepts-mastercard-to-fund-accounts-301080691.html SOURCE Bittrex Global [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco firefighters, assisted by United States Park Police officers, contained a two-alarm vegetation fire on Yerba Buena Island Saturday afternoon to about two acres, firefighters said. The fire was first reported about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, and the California Highway Patrol closed the off-ramp from eastbound Interstate Highway 80 on Yerba Buena Island about 10 minutes later. The fire was contained by about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. No one was injured, and no structures were damaged. The San Francisco Fire Department's Fireboat No. 3 was used in fighting the fire. 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. Drone footage shows the aftermath of the massive fire that ravaged the former Strathmore Paper complex and destroyed Mill Number Two. The footage was taken Saturday by Samuel Mazzaferro, the owner and operator of West Branch Aerial Photography located in Chester. Mazzaferro said he made sure to follow all rules and regulations and avoided any interference as firefighters continued to work the scene. The cause of the fire inside the vacant mill in Russell is considered suspicious by investigators, who are now offering a reward for information that helps identify those who are responsible. The fire was reported around 8:30 p.m. Friday and burned for more than 12 hours. More than 125 firefighters responded to the scene on 34 Valley View Ave. Investigators are asking for the publics help with the large fire in a vacant mill, said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Fire Marshals office. The fire is considered suspicious. Russell fire and police authorities and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire. 18 Strathmore Mill #2 Authorities are offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the case being solved. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 800-682-9229. All calls are confidential. Investigators are also interested in seeing any relevant video or photos. Russell Fire Chief Niles LaValley said first responders found heavy flames coming from a part of the building where rolls of paper, left from when the plant was operational, were stored and became fuel for the fire. The plant shut down roughly 20 years ago and the town sold it at auction last year. Pittsfield developer Jacob Trudeau bought the 233,000 square-foot complex and 34 acres of property for $15,000 at a tax auction. At the time he said he had no concrete plans for its use. Drone footage from The Republican/MassLive in 2018 shows what the plant looked like before Fridays blaze. In a response to social media abuse amid the 'outsider versus insider' debate in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput's death, Sonam Kapoor on Sunday said though she acknowledges her privilege as a star child, her identity is a matter of pride for her. Sonam, who comes from a family of Bollywood producers and actors, shared screenshots of the expletives-laden messages, directed towards her, veteran actor father Anil Kapoor, producer sister Rhea, among others in the next of her kin. "This is some of comments coming my way. All the media and all the people who've encouraged this sort of behaviour and instigated it. This is on you. People talking about how one should have been kind to someone are doing worse to others. "I encourage you guys to see my comment section. And I'm sure you don't hope that the same comes your way. I hope your parents don't have to see this sort of stuff," she wrote on Twitter. Sonam said the remarks she made public aren't even the "worst of it". The actor and her team are reporting these comments to the authorities, she added. Rajput, 34, was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. His death has reignited discussions around the struggle of survival in Bollywood, navigating cliques, particularly for outsiders. The Neerja actor said she is proud to be the daughter of a movie star who has worked hard to sustain in the industry. "Today on Father's Day I'd like to say one more thing, yes I'm my fathers daughter and yes I am here because of him and yes I'm privileged. "That's not an insult, my father has worked very hard to give me all of this. And it is my karma where I'm born and to whom I'm born. I'm proud. To be his daughter," she wrote. Today on Fathers Day id like to say one more thing, yes Im my fathers daughter and yes I am here because of him and yes Im privileged. Thats not an insult, my father has worked very hard to give me all of this. And it is my karma where Im born and to whom Im born. Im proud Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) June 21, 2020 The 35-year-old actor said she has disabled the comments section from her and her father's Instagram pages to avoid the barrage of hate. "I don't want my 64 year old parents to go through this. They did nothing to deserve this. And I'm not doing it out of fear you morons, I'm doing it out of common sense to preserve my mental health and my parents," she said. Follow @News18Movies for more New Delhi The Opposition kept up pressure on the central government on Sunday over the Galwan valley clash that left 20 Indian Army soldiers dead, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi citing a satellite image to allege that China has occupied Indian territory. The PM had said neither anyone entered into our territory nor anyone has occupied our land. But satellite photo clearly shows that near the Pangong lake sacred land of India has been captured, Gandhi said on Twitter. In another tweet, Gandhi, who has been unrelenting in his criticism of the government on the issue, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrender Modi. His fresh tweets came a day after the Prime Ministers Office said there was a mischievous interpretation of PM Modis comments made at Fridays all-party meeting, which discussed the Galwan valley skirmish. At that meeting, Modi categorically said that neither has anyone present in the Indian territory currently and nor is any Indian post captured. He also praised the valour of the 20 army personnel killed in the clash, and said they taught a lesson to those who were eyeing Indian territory. The PMO statement on Saturday said: The prime ministers observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC (Line of Actual Control) pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces. On Sunday, the Congress again sought a clarification from the PM in what it called contradictions in the governments position. Why did the PM tell the All-Party Meeting that no one intruded into our territory? Why did PMO delete these words from the official statement? asked senior Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal. How were 85 jawans seriously injured and how were 10 officers and jawans captured by the Chinese? Why does the statement of the External Affairs Ministry dated June 20th, 2020, contradict the PMs statement on incursions by the Chinese? Sibal asked, addressing a virtual press conference. The Congress alleges that the PMs comments are contradictory to what the defence minister and the external affairs minister have said on the issue of the Chinese trying to erect a structure in the Galwan Valley on our side. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), too, hit out at the government. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, PMs remarks came as a major setback to the legitimacy of the act of heroism of our brave soldiers. Further, this undermines the strength of our diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, Sambit Patra approached the Supreme Court on Sunday seeking a modification of the top courts June 18 order which had barred the annual Hindu festival of Rath Yatra at Jagannath temple in Puri this year in view of Covid-19 pandemic. Patra, who himself was hospitalized for Coronavirus symptoms and later discharged, prayed that the Rath Yatra should be allowed to be held without public participation. He submitted that the Ratha Yatra can be conducted by employing the services of Lord Jagannaths 800 sevayats, who are persons who perform the ritual services of Lord Jagannath and other deities at the Puri Jagannath temple. In 2019, Patra had contested Lok Sabha elections from Puri and lost to Biju Janata Dals Pinaki Misra by 11, 714 votes. At least a dozen such applications including one by Janardhan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, who is the hereditary chief servitor of Lord Jagannatha of the Jagannatha Temple, are already pending before the apex court seeking modification of its order. These applications will be heard in chambers by a single-judge bench of justice S Ravindra Bhat at 11 am on Monday. The Rath Yatra is a festival associated with Lord Jagannatha. It was scheduled to commence this year on June 23. The festival lasts for 10 to 12 days and involves a procession of chariots containing the deities Lord Jagannatha, his brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra. The Supreme Court had ordered a stay on the festival and all activities associated with it this year stating that allowing the same would lead to a congregation more than 10 lakh devotees in violation of social distancing norms which could compromise public health and safety. This order was passed in a petition filed by an NGO, Odisha Vikas Parishad which had moved the top court pointing out the public health risk involved if the annual event is allowed to take place. The NGO referred to the Tablighi Jamaat incident which was Muslim religious congregation held in mid-March at Nizamuddin area in Delhi resulting in a spurt in Covid cases across the country after people from various parts of India and even foreign countries had attended the event. Of about 4,400 COVID-19 positive cases in India as on April 7, nearly one third were related to the religious gathering at the Markaz, Delhi. Thus, in order to avoid any similar instances of outbreak of COVID-19 cases, a religious gathering in the nature of Rath Yatra festival ought to be avoided, the petition had stated. Having regard to the danger presented by such a large gathering of people for the Rath Yatra, we consider it appropriate in the interests of public health and safety of citizens who are devotees to restrain the respondents (state and district authorities and managing committee of Jagannatha temple) from holding the Rath Yatra this year, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde had ordered on June 18. The court had also directed that no such Rath Yatra should be allowed in any other part of Odisha. Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty On election day 2016, senior Obama administration officials were prepared for chaos. Federal law enforcement agencies planned for the possibility of riots in the wake of a contested election outcome and a special White House crisis team braced for the possibility that Russian hackers were on the verge of altering voter data in a handful of key precincts. The working hypothesis was that Clinton was going to win, and that [Trump] was then going to go and incite people to violence by claiming that the system was rigged, according to Amy Pope, the former deputy homeland security adviser. Celeste Wallander, the top Russia expert on the National Security Council at the time, wondered what would happen to a tranche of as-yet unreleased compromising material that Russian hackers had stolenfrom both Republicans and people who might serve in a Clinton administration. Would Moscow use it in a post-election influence operation against Team Hillary? Those revelations and others are included in a new book obtained by The Daily Beast and set to be published this week. The book, Rigged: America, Russia, and One Hundred Years of Covert Electoral Interference, is authored by David Shimer, a doctoral candidate at Oxford and a fellow at Yale, and details the century-long history of covert operations to interfere in elections. Its based on interviews with more than 130 key players, including eight former CIA directors, 26 former advisers to Barack Obama, 11 former advisers to Donald Trump, and a former KGB general. Russian DNC Hackers Launch Fresh Wave of Cyberattacks on U.S. The book breaks news about the history of covert election interferenceincluding the CIAs efforts to oust the government of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 and delves deep into the Obama administrations handling of the 2016 presidential election interference and the Trump White Houses lack of focus on preventing Russian interference in the current election. The picture that emerges from it is of an Obama administration divided on both the nature of the threat from Russian interference and how to respond to it. The most senior Obama advisers fixated on the possibility that Russian hackers would alter the vote tallies or registration databases on election day and feared any retaliation before then would trigger an escalation. But another group of officialsthose with more experience dealing with Moscowsaw a catastrophe already taking place across leaked dumps of Democratic emails, and viewed a firmer response as crucial to preventing further escalation. Story continues Now nearly four years after the still-debated 2016 election, a number of former Clinton campaign and Obama officials say in the book that the administrations narrow focus on the cyber-threat to election systems at the expense of a broader effort to counter Russias influence campaign was misguided. Thats where all their energy went and thats where their warnings went to the Russians, former Clinton campaign chairman and Obama adviser John Podesta told Shimer. They went to the direct interference rather than this indirect interference. I think that was a mistake. In their defense, Obama administration officials interviewed for the book like Susan Rice, Anthony Blinken, and John Brennan, pointed to a steady stream of daily reporting indicating that Russian hackers were probing and penetrating election systems across the country. In August, according to Shimers reporting, the intelligence community issued warnings that Russian hackers were capable of breaking into some election systems and altering the votes. The possibility of Russian escalation against election systems dominated the administrations thinking and ultimate decision to postpone retaliation. If we did that, it could have had very unknown consequences, in terms of whether or not Russia would have doubled or tripled down during the campaign, Brennan told Shimer. The U.S. was vulnerable, according to Brennan, because Russian hackers could have done things as far as voter registration rolls; they could have done things as far as tallies. But those more skeptical of Russian intentions, like Victoria Nuland and Celeste Wallander, felt those arguments let Moscow off the hook for the damage it was already doing by the summer of 2016 and only invited further mischief. Nuland told Shimer she had sounded the alarm bells about Russian intentions for the upcoming election as early as spring of 2016 and called for the administration to use light deniable countermeasures against Moscow in July. As the debate raged on how and whether to impose costs on Moscow throughout the summer, Obamas National Security Council drew up a menu of options that the U.S. could use to push back against Russias nascent interference and deter further operations. The options, Wallander told Shimer, included sanctions, information revelations, quiet private messages, louder public messages, disruption operations, among other measures. The option of retaliating in kind and deploying an American disinformation campaign against Russia, however, was rejected almost immediately, according to Blinken. Rice claimed that retaliation against Russia was a foregone conclusion from the beginning and the only question was whether any pushback would be more productive before or after the election. And the Obama administration had drawn up a list of harsh countermeasures to use against Moscow in the event Russia tampered with the vote, according to the book. But some officials dont believe that the administration gave enough consideration to countermeasures while the Russian influence operation was playing out. Senior Obama officialsconvinced that a Clinton victory was inevitable and focused on election network securitydecided to shelve the committees options and wait until after the election. Wallander and White House cybersecurity coordinator Michael Daniel ignored the brushoff and instead wrote their own, more highly classified memo in August 2016 outlining ways to punish Russia through revelations about Putins ill-gotten wealth, vacations, and associates. In the book, Shimer argues that the Obama administrations narrow focus on protecting election systems at the expense of ignoring a raging influence campaign represented a profound misunderstanding of how election interference has historically been practiced. The history of covert electoral meddling, the book argues, includes efforts to both change vote tallies and influence the opinions of voters. Thats how the U.S. and Soviet Union had historically carried out electoral interference throughout much of the Cold War. But the book also reveals that the CIA carried out one last operation to meddle in a foreign election before it turned its back on the practice. Former President Bill Clinton told Shimer that he authorized a covert campaign in 2000 to oust Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic during the countrys elections that year. I didnt have a problem with it, because Milosevicwho later died while on trial in the Hague for genocidewas a stone-cold killer and had caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, Clinton said. The former president defended the effort by characterizing it as a more restrained influence operation. The CIA, Clinton argued, did not rig the vote nor knowingly lie to the voters to get them to support the people we hoped to win. He blessed the effort because, he said: Theres a death threshold, and Milosevic crossed it. The operation, briefed to and approved by congressional leaders of both parties, involved millions of dollars handed out to Serbian opposition figures at meetings outside the country, according to former CIA officer John Sipher, whom Shimer interviewed for the book. Three former Obama administration CIA directors quoted by Shimer ultimately cited Obamas unwillingness to escalate against foreign adversaries to the administrations pulled punches in the summer and fall of 2016. Former CIA directors Leon Panetta and David Petraeus, as well as deputy director Mike Morrell, pointed to Obamas unwillingness to forcefully respond to Russias invasion of Ukraine and the Assad regimes use of chemical weapons as contributors to the Kremlins belief it could interfere in the election without facing significant costs. That was a message of weakness, and I think Putin read it as weakness, and read it as an opportunity to be able to not only do Crimea, but to go into Syria without having anyone stop him from doing that, and thirdly then going after our election institutions as well, Panetta is quoted as saying in the book. I think he felt that he would be able to do it and to get away with it. Dennis Blair, Obamas first director of national intelligence, was equally critical of his former bosss handling of the Russian operation. We needed to impose penalties and I think we needed to give a lot more information to people as to whats going on, and it was derelict not to. The Russians Are Coming Again, and Theyre Winning As for the 2020 elections, former Trump administration National Security Council officials told Shimer that the president still remains hostile to acknowledging that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. One anonymous senior adviser is quoted saying Trump interprets the subject of Russian interference in 2016 as an attack on his legitimacy that causes him to go off the reservation. The book also reveals that planning for the possibility that hackers could attack election systems in November doesnt appear to be a high priority for the Trump administration Elaine Duke, Trumps former acting homeland security secretary, told Shimer that its a subject that is definitely not consuming a lot of time operationally in the White House. 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. At least three fighters killed in gun battle in Srinagar, raising the rebel death toll to more than 30 in past 20 days. Three fighters have been killed in a shoot-out with Indian government forces in the heart of Kashmirs main city of Srinagar, police said on Sunday, two days after eight rebels were killed in another gun battle. New Delhi has stepped up military operations in the disputed territory since the nationwide coronavirus lockdown was imposed in late March. Indian-administered Kashmir has been under a security lockdown since August last year when the Muslim-majority regions limited autonomy was revoked. The rebels were killed in a firefight in the Zoonimar area of the densely populated old city of Srinagar, a police officer who asked to remain anonymous told AFP news agency. One home was destroyed during the clash. This was the second such gun battle in the old city in a week and took the death toll of armed fighters to at least 100 this year. More than 30 rebels have been killed in the past 20 days of this month, according to the local media. Rebel groups have fought for decades for the regions independence or its merger with Pakistan; they enjoy broad popular support. Just over a month ago, the son of a top pro-independence leader and his associate were killed in the city. The May incident a day-long firefight that saw 15 homes blown up by police and soldiers was the first armed encounter between rebels and government forces in Srinagar in two years. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians, since 1989, when armed rebellion erupted against Indian rule. India has more than 500,000 troops stationed in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory also claimed by Pakistan. Indian fire kills Pakistani girl Meanwhile, local officials and Pakistans military said Indian troops backed by artillery and long-range guns fired on villages along the border in the Pakistani-administered side of the Kashmir region, killing a 13-year-old-girl and wounding her mother and brother. In a statement on Sunday, Pakistans military blamed the Indian army for initiating Saturday nights unprovoked ceasefire violation in the villages of Hajipir and Bedori. It said Pakistani troops effectively responded to the Indian fire, without elaborating. Mortars fired by Indian troops also damaged several homes, according to local media reports and government officials. In neighbouring India, local police blamed Pakistani troops for initiating the gunfire, saying Pakistani mortar shelling wounded five civilians on their side of Kashmir. Pakistan and India often trade fire in the disputed Himalayan region, with each blaming the other side for initiating the fire. The latest incident comes days after Indian fire killed four villagers in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. To discuss the latest development, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir will hold an emergency meeting via videoconference on Monday. The online meeting will bring together the foreign ministers of the Contact Group member states: Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the OIC said in a statement. The meeting is part of a series of continuous Jammu And Kashmir Contact Group meetings to address the issue, OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen was quoted as saying. Tensions have soared between Pakistan and India since last August, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist-led government removed Article 30 of the constitution that guaranteed special status to the Muslim-majority region, touching off anger in Indian-controlled Kashmirand in Pakistan. Pakistan wants the changes reversed. Since early May, China and Indian troops have been engaged in a standoff on their disputed border in Ladakh region, which was carved out of Kashmir last August. Defence experts say China has objected to New Delhis decision to change the status of Kashmir. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. A San Francisco man was charged Thursday after he allegedly threatened to shoot a family with three young children who were wearing Black Lives Matter t-shirts. Steve Cibotti, 55, is alleged to have yelled 'Blue Lives Matter' at Anthony Colon, his wife Ciara Doherty, and their children - Arya, 7, Arlo, 5, and Etta, 2 as they dined out on June 7. He then threatened to shoot them, according to the family and other diners at the restaurant. Cibotti was arrested by Burlingame police on four counts of felony threats, each with a hate crime enhancement, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Steve Cibotti, 55, is seen here in a grab of surveillance footage from the restaurant on June 7 when he allegedly threatened the young family. He was arrested and charged Thursday Anthony Colon, his wife Ciara Doherty, and their children, Arya, 7, Arlo, 5, and Etta, 2, all pictured had been at a protest and were wearing Black Lives Matter t-shirts According to ABC 7 News, Cibotti also lost his job at United Airlines as a result of the incident. The San Mateo Daily Journal says he is the father of a sergeant in the San Francisco Police Department. 'We believe the evidence shows he was motivated by the Black Lives Matter shirts,' Wagstaffe said. The young family, who is multiracial, says they had just returned from San Francisco and their first family protest when Cibotti approached them in Flights restaurant in Burlingame at around 5.30pm on June 7. 'He basically banged the table, slammed his hands on the table looked directly at my son and said "Black lives matter. F**k black lives. Blue lives matter",' Colon told ABC 7 News. Cibotti then allegedly returned to the table a second time when he threatened 'F**k you, B. I'll f*****g shoot you.' 'We were just a family trying to have dinner,' Colon said. 'I don't believe that if we were a white family that he would have come near us,' Doherty added. 'I'm upset that the kids were exposed to that, I'm upset at the effect it's going to have on them. After this, Arlo didn't want to leave the house today because he thinks the guy's going to come back and bring his gun.' San Mateo County District Attorney Steve said he believes it was these Black Lives Matter t-shirts that the children were wearing that sparked Cibotti's alleged threats 'I'm upset that the kids were exposed to that': Ciara Doherty said that her two eldest children, pictured here, were traumatized by the alleged threats from 55-year-old Steve Cibotti Police were able to view surveillance footage of the incident from the restaurant and interview other diners who backed up the family's story as part of their investigation. 'The little girl she was trembling so hard, she didn't want to come out of the bathroom. She was telling her mom, "I'm scared",' another customer Amanda Hermosillo told ABC 7. 'He shoved the father. 'It looked like he had an agenda to come specifically to that father, that family or something. It might have been because the kids had the black lives matter shirts,' Cibotti's lawyer Paula Canny told ABC 7 that he had since signed up for rehab and had too much to drink on the day of the incident. Steve Cibott is pictured here after posting a $150,000 bail and being released on Thursday The attorney for Steve Cibotti, pictured, claims he didn't threaten to shoot the family She says he and his family had left the restaurant but he returned to use the restroom when he decided to approach the young family. Wagstaffe confirmed that Cibotti had been eating and drinking heavily with friends and family at the restaurant prior to the altercation with the other family. Canny denies, however, that Cibotti threatened to shoot them, despite the testimonies gathered from other diners. 'Right now, on what people reported to the detective, who interviewed them, those words were spoken,' said District Attorney Wagstaffe. 'This wasn't just somebody who was yelling at the people next to them because their kids were crying or making noise. The incident happened in this Flights restaurant in Burlingame at around 5.30pm on June 7 'This one has that added element that it's based on race at a time in our world, our community is very concerned about this issue and he is railing against a family for exercising their right,' Wagstaffe continued. 'According to the evidence we have, he added in, "If I had a gun, I would shoot you".' Police said that Cibotti did not have any guns registered. The family alleged he threatened them said they were relieved to hear that charges had been filed in a statement issued after Cibotti's arrest. 'We are relieved to hear that the District Attorney has filed charges. We look forward to the resolution of this matter so that we and everyone else affected by this incident can put it behind them and begin the healing process,' it said. Cibotti was released again Thursday after posting a $150,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday. He faces a maximum prison sentence of ten years if convicted of all charges. Advertisement Police have released images of 15 individuals they want to speak to in relation to the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol by Black Lives Matter protestors. The statue commemorating the 17th century merchant was dramatically pulled from its plinth by protestors at 2.30pm on June 7 after being attacked and vandalised with graffiti. Demonstrators then pushed the monument into Bristol Harbour near the city centre, with Avon and Somerset police launching a criminal investigation following the incident after the force's officers chose not to intervene during the incident. Avon and Somerset Police have asked the public to help identify 15 individuals captured on CCTV (pictured) in connection with the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol on June 7 The statue, which commemorates the 17th century merchant, was taken down from its plinth by Black Lives Matter protestors before being thrown into Bristol Harbour (pictured: stock images not part of police appeal). The incident took place at around 2.30pm. Detective Superintendent Liz Hughes called for the public to help police identify the CCTV images, saying: 'We've made a small handful of identifications and we've spoken to some of those individuals.' 'They will be coming in for voluntary interviews in the coming days. 'However, despite every effort being made to identify the remaining people we'd like to talk to, we still don't know who they are which is why we're now releasing images of them in the hope the public can help. 'Some of the images are not as clear as we'd like, and some of those we want to identify are wearing masks but we're confident someone will know them and be able to provide us with their name.' Protestors attacked the statue and sprayed it with graffiti, before pulling down the monument (pictured), which received criticism over Colston's role in the Atlantic slave trade. (Note: this is a stock image and is not related to the police appeal) The Grade II-listed sculpture was created in 1895 and recognised Colston's philanthropic acts, which include building schools, hospitals and churches in Bristol, London and other areas Protestors then threw the statue into the water, with Avon and Somerset police officers choosing not to intervene. The force then launched a criminal investigation a short time later. (Note: this is a stock image not related to the police appeal) Colston's statue was the subject of controversy as Colston is believed to have earned some of his fortune by the buying and selling of slaves. (Note: this is a stock image not related to the police appeal) New laws proposed to crackdown on statue vandalism The Justice Secretary says laws prohibiting the desecration of war memorials are 'inadequate' and has pledged to make sure vandalism is properly punished. Robert Buckland said there is 'no justification' for writing political slogans on the statue of Winston Churchill or climbing atop the Cenotaph to burn the Union Jack - adding that the Government will bring in legislation to allow harsher punishments. Mr Robert Buckland (pictured) Following a campaign by more than 120 Conservative MPs, backbenchers will present the proposed Desecration of War Memorials Bill this week, The Telegraph reports. Ministers have been considering legislating to make desecrating war memorials carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Mr Buckland has said that someone who vandalises headstones can face a sentence of just three months due to maximum terms being largely dependent on the monetary value of the damage - but if it is more than 5,000 the case can go to Crown Court where a sentence of ten years can be handed down. Advertisement When the statue was taken out of the habour's water, it was taken to Bristol City Council where it has since been kept in safe storage. The monument was created in 1895 by sculptor John Cassidy and commemorates the merchant's philanthropic works across England, such as helping to create schools, almshouses, hospitals and churches. However, the Grade II listed sculpture has been the subject of intense criticism due to Colston's role in the Atlantic slave trade. It is believed the merchant made some of his fortune by buying and selling slaves. The toppling of the statue earlier this month was condemned by major political figures, with Home Secretary Priti Patel describing the vandalism as 'utterly disgraceful' and 'completely unacceptable'. Prime Minister Boris Johnson branded the incident as a 'criminal act' and called for police to take action against the protestors involved, while Sir Keir Starmer described the manner in which the statue was toppled was 'completely wrong'. However, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees argued: I am of Jamaican heritage and I cannot pretend ... it was anything other than a personal affront to me to have it in the middle of Bristol. Det Supt Hughes added: 'The incident attracted worldwide attention and there's no denying it has polarised public opinion - but in the eyes of the law a crime has been committed and we're duty-bound to investigate this without fear or favour. 'I'd like to reassure people we're carrying out a thorough, fair and proportionate investigation and have sought early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.' Anyone with information relating to the CCTV images has been asked to contact the Avon and Somerset Police on 101, providing the reference number 5220123926, or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity. Edward Colston's statue was not the only monument under threat from protestors this week. Two days after the Bristol sculpture fell at the hands of demonstrators, a monument to slaveholder Robert Milligan was removed from the London Docklands. Liverpool University has announced it will rename a hall of residence dedicated to 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone, whose father was one of the biggest slaveholders in the West Indies. Last week, Oriel College at Oxford University voted to remove a statue of Cecil Rhodes, who believed in white supremacy. Backbenchers will present a proposed Desecration of War Memorials Bill this week. MPs have called for jail terms of up to ten years. Police issue 12 new CCTV images of people they want to question after violence surrounding Black Lives Matter demos in London earlier this month By Milly Vincent For MailOnline Police have released a further 12 CCTV images of people they want to speak to in relation to violent clashes in London this month. Violence broke out over recent weeks between Black Lives Matter protesters and people claiming to be protecting statues in the capital. The latest pictures from the Metropolitan Police feature people who are believed to have engaged in racial abuse and serious violence against members of the public and police officers. Commander Alex Murray described the behaviour of those in the images as 'abhorrent' and 'highly offensive'. The appeal for information on 12 individuals today comes in addition to the 48 others, who have been pictured by the Metropolitan Police over the last three days. Undated handout comp photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of persons police wish to speak to following the violent clashes in London during recent demonstrations. Issued Sunday June 21 Detectives have been analysing hours of CCTV, body worn video from officers and footage which has been widely circulated on social media to ensure those who committed offences are identified and are brought to justice, the Met said. Commander Murray has since confirmed members of the public had already helped to identify people from the images. He said: 'Our investigation into the various acts of violence, racial abuse and disorder by a small minority of those attending protests in London in recent weeks continues and we're releasing a further 12 images today of people we would like to identify in relation to this. Police fight to maintain control in Trafalgar Square amid both Black Lives Matter and pro-statue protests in London last weekend. There is no suggestion those pictured here and below are wanted by police A man identified as a far-right protester was carried to safety from protesters as animosity was briefly set aside on a day of clashes in London between rival groups and police Pictures also caught the moment another white counter-protester was left with a bloodied face after being hit during a scuffle with protesters 'These images are in addition to the 48 we have already released over the past few days. We have already seen a really positive response from the public, which is helping us with our enquiries to identify those who were involved, so that they can be brought to justice.' Commander Murray said: 'The vast majority of people who have attended the recent protests made their voices heard, and then left. However, a minority have attended with the sole purpose of attacking, abusing or violently confronting fellow protesters, detracting from the cause of their protest. 'We saw violence against police officers including verbal and racial abuse which is absolutely appalling. They do not come to work to be subjected to this. They come to work to keep Londoners and their families safe. Similarly, those people who wanted to have their voices heard and protest should not be subject to violence from others. Police armed with shields and riot gear reinforced the blockade on Whitehall as louts rushed up the police line Images released by police earlier this week of 13 people they want to speak to in connection with violence at protests in London this month Ministers are believed to be considering sentences of up to 10 years for the worst offenders, after the Cenotaph and a statue of wartime leader Winston Churchill were targeted by Black Lives Matter protesters Activists, some wearing face coverings or face masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, hold placards as they attend a Black Lives Matter protest march to Trafalgar Square in London on June 12. 'Whilst investigations are underway to identify those we suspect of being involved in these offences, we ask members of the public to make it clear that they also will not tolerate such behaviour by helping us to identify these individuals and report anyone they recognise in the pictures. 'Thank you to those who have already helped to identify people from the images your help is having a real and positive effect on our investigation. Thank you also to those people who have actively challenged other protesters to stop them being violent and abusive.' Black Lives Matter protests erupted worldwide following the death of George Floyd, 46, who died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 for nine minutes. Demonstrators flooded the streets across Britain in protests against racial injustice and police brutality. While many protests remained peaceful, police and demonstrators were pictured suffering injuries during brawls at demonstrations. Statues and monuments to controversial figures from Britain's imperial past have become the focal point of many demonstrations since a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was torn down in Bristol and dumped in the harbour. Several hundred demonstrators, mostly white men, attended a protest organised by far-right groups, including Britain First, last weekend, claiming they wanted to protect statues such as Winston Churchill from vandalism. But fights erupted in areas near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square as demonstrators repeatedly hounded police officers with foul-mouthed chants and missiles, smoke grenades and flares. Following the violent clashes, Black Lives Matter protestors and some counter protestors headed over the River Thames towards Waterloo Station. Far right thugs have been accused of being the instigators of the violence by attacking police as well as BLM supporters, who then fought back as the scene descended into violence. After the violent incidents, the Prime Minister said protesters desecrating war memorials will face tough new laws and warned that attacks on public property will be 'met with the full force of the law'. Additionally, a far-right protester was jailed for 14 days for urinating next to a memorial to police officer Keith Palmer killed in a terror attack on Parliament, while at a demo ostensibly trying to protect statues. Mr Johnson also insisted he is a 'huge admirer' of one of his aides who has previously questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out at a 'culture of grievance' among anti-racism campaigners. Anyone with information about the images can contact the investigation team on 020 8246 9386 or Tweet @MetCC on Twitter. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Those with footage of the violent clashes which could assist detectives in the police investigation are urged to send it to officers by visiting: ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk. A 25-year-old Libyan man named Khairi Saadallah was arrested by British police after a stabbing attack in the English town of Reading, according to a Western security source on Sunday. British police have so far not named the man but said they had arrested a 25-year-old man from Reading on suspicion of murder. The Daily Telegraph newspaper also named the man as Khairi Saadallah. The Western security source told Reuters that the man was Libyan and named Khairi Saadallah. Leaves of Delhi govt hospital staff cancelled as cases rise A day after Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal directed five-day mandatory institutional-quarantine for every coronavirus patient, he revoked his decision on Saturday following stiff opposition from the AAP government. Now all individuals who test positive will be first examined at Covid care centres to find out if they need hospitalisation. It will also be checked if they have adequate facilities for home isolation. Only if they do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would they be required to undergo institutional isolation. The development came after two meetings between the Delhi government and the L-G. It was attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and other senior officials of the Delhi government. The AAP government had contended that the mandatory institutional quarantine will seriously harm the city as its facilities will not be able to take the burden of the rising number of cases. In a meeting chaired by Mr Baijal, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) also approved recommendations of the high-level expert committee for fixing rates of hospital beds for treatment of Covid patients. Rates for isolation bed, ICUs without and with a ventilator in all hospitals have been capped at `8,000-10,000, 13,000-15,000 and 15,000-18,000 respectively. The Delhi government on Saturday also issued an order advising hospitals and medical institutions under it to recall their staff who are on leave, asking then to report for duty immediately. Leave of any kind will be granted only under most compelling circumstances, the order said. The order comes at a time when there has been an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases in Delhi. The national capital, where the Covid-19 tally has gone past 53,000, has been battling a massive surge in the rate of infections in recent weeks. In conversation with leaders of the Opposition recently, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi clarified that no one had entered Indian territory or captured any border post with reference the deadly border clashes with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakhs Galwan Valley. The Opposition asked him several questions on the border stand-off at the virtual meeting. It is not clear whether they were satisfied with the answers they got. But one thing is clear. There is little at the moment to reassure people on the nature of the conflict with a resurgent and belligerent China. India has officially fought four wars since Independence. In all these, there are many unanswered questions which successive generations have been exercised about. Across the world, narratives about wars are scripted to suit political interests. But the people have a right to know what were the circumstances in which Pakistan and China dared to take India on and what has been done to minimise this possibility in the future. To understand this, let us take a walk down history. Till today, it is not clear whether China actually attacked India in 1962 or, as some claim, Jawaharlal Nehru ordered this offensive, completely overlooking ground realities.Whatever the truth, the official stand is that China stabbed us in the back even as Nehru sought friendship with it and that our brave soldiers were defeated despite putting up a valiant fight. But it was more than just a defeat; China occupied a few thousand square kilometres of Indian territory at that time. Our Parliament has always sworn that we will not rest until we get all of it back. Also read: Playing the long game with China | Opinion I wonder if todays generation knows that this land is still with China. Five years after that war, there were bloody clashes in 1967 and again in 1975. These were not wars but underlined the threat posed by China. When the late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was foreign minister, during the Janata Party government, he visited Beijing. But by then, there was a perception that ties with China should be normalised even with issue remaining on the back-burner. This is why Indira Gandhi stepped up efforts to cement ties with Beijing in 1981. Her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi took this forward, and his historic 1988 visit laid the framework for India-China ties, which has persisted till data. Subsequent prime ministers , PV Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and, now, Narendra Modi have all held out the hand of friendship to China, seen as a great Asian power and counterpart to India. Over time, the resolve of Parliament and the pain of defeat faded away. But this cannot be the basis for diplomacy. Chanakya, Indias great ancient philosopher, said that your immediate neighbour is your natural enemy as he covets your territory and resources and is positioned to take them if he is more powerful than you. The only exception to this trend towards considering China as a potential friend was the late George Fernandes, defence minister in the Vajpayee government. He was emphatic that China is our enemy number one. He was roundly attacked for this. Though he was under pressure, he kept discussing this informally with military officers. As defence minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, too, saw China as a clear threat and raised some serious questions about the Tibet policy. After the Galwan Valley clashes, I thought of George Fernandes. Why did we choose to ignore the issues he raised? Why did Indias establishment continue to focus on a much weaker country such as Pakistan and view it as our main enemy? We merely managed the border with China; New Delhi did not put in place concrete infrastructure until recently. China, on the other hand, prepared ceaselessly. It built roads close to the Line of Actual Control, laid railway tracks and put together all the necessary infrastructure its army would need for an eventual confrontation. Today, we are paying the price. It is this same lackadaisical attitude to defending Indias borders that allowed Pakistani soldiers to enter Kargil in 1999. Even that conflict did not teach the government the right lessons. Those in charge feel that the answer is to blame everything on Nehru and the Congress But that is not good enough. When PM Modi was holding his conversation with Opposition leaders, I was busy in an online conversation with General VP Malik, Indian Army chief during the Kargil war. Let me quote him. National security is the biggest issue. It is a matter of great sadness that our political parties are publicly raising their fingers on the issue of national security. Of course raising questions is your right, but instead of doing it publicly, discuss it in the meeting, it would do more good. Shashi Shekhar is the editor-in-chief, Hindustan The views expressed are personal Shortly after 5 p.m., two teenagers, identified as Charles Riley, 16, and Jasean Francis, 17, by the medical examiners office, were shot in an alley, police said. The 17-year-old was shot in the back, chest and left hand, and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The 16-year-old was shot in the back and left flank, and was also taken to U. of C. Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police in Brooklyn are investigating the shooting death of a man who was washing his car before a gunman calmly walked up and shot him in the neck. Terrifying footage of the moment the killer approaches shows him walking toward a man kneeling on the ground by a car before he appears to shoot him twice within seconds. The shooting happened on 334 Milford Street at around 11am Saturday morning in the 75th precinct. The NYPD confirmed that the shooting was fatal and that a homicide investigation is now ongoing. Scroll down for video The victim in a shooting on Saturday morning in Brooklyn was washing a car when a gunman calmly approached him and shot him fatally in the neck within seconds The gunman quickly fled on foot after killing the 35-year-old man in Brooklyn The victim in the killing, a 35-year-old male, has not yet been identified pending family notification. NYPD said a suspect or motive has also not yet been identified. No arrests have been made. Earlier today, police officers from the 75th Precinct responded to a call of a male shot in front of 334 Milford Street. When they arrived, they discovered a 35-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the neck, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison. Shocking video footage released by the NYPD of the killing shows the unidentified suspect casually walking along the street before he veers toward his victims and shoots him After the victim fell to the ground, the suspect appears to walk closer to fire another round As you can see in the video, the victim was washing his car when the unidentified suspect approached him from behind and shot him, he added. In the video released by NYPD of the death, the suspect is shown walking along the street where the victim is washing his car. His head and face appear covered by a large-brimmed hat as he swings up to the right-hand side of the victim, who does not seem to notice his presence. NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison called for information in the suspect He added that the victim was washing his car when the shooting happened The shooting happened here at 334 Milford Street at around 11am on Saturday morning The suspect can be seen firing one shot which causes the victim to fall lower down on his knees. He then takes a step closer and seems to fire a second shot causing the man to fall completely to the ground and knock over the bucket of water he was using as the suspect instantly flees on foot. Anyone with information pertaining to the suspects identity is asked to call NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Low-income people of color are getting sick and dying from COVID-19 more than other groups in the Bay Area a discouraging pattern mirrored across the U.S. that has exposed significant health and socioeconomic disparities. Much has been learned in the 100 days since shelter-in-place orders settled across the state. In particular, that the highly contagious virus targets people living in crowded housing or who have been unable to stay home throughout the crisis because they work in jobs deemed essential, many of which pay relatively low wages. Most often, these are people of color. By contrast, wealthier and safely housed people typically white have generally been able to work from home since mid-March. The pandemic has not only exacerbated socioeconomic divides that have festered for decades, it has made the plight of the Bay Areas low-income communities impossible to ignore as public health departments have shared the stunning data daily on their websites, and the press have written about the impact on communities of color. What has become clear is that the virus affects low-income communities of color in different ways, with Latinos accounting for a significant number of infections and Asian American and black people dying disproportionately from the illness. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Here is a sampling of significant trends that have emerged in the past 100 days: African Americans: Black people are about 6% of California residents, yet account for for 9% of COVID-19 deaths (491 of 5,360). Latinos: Latinos disproportionately test positive for, and die of, the coronavirus in three Bay Area regions. Alameda County: Latinos make up more than half of the countys coronavirus cases (2,320 of the total 4,585) and 28% of deaths (33 of 118). Santa Clara County: Latinos make up nearly 43% of cases (1,450 of 3,398) and 31.6% of deaths (48 of 152). San Francisco County: Latinos make up just 15% of the countys population, yet account for 50% of cases (1, 525 of 3,057). Similar patterns exist in other Bay Area counties, where Latinos generally account for a higher number of cases. Asian Americans in San Francisco: Asian Americans are just over a third of city residents, yet account for nearly half of COVID-19 deaths (22 of 47). Asian Americans account for 12% of cases (370 of 3,057). John Blanchard A UCSF testing initiative in the Mission District revealed Thursday that low-income Latinos who continued going to work throughout the spring accounted for a large number of the people previously infected with the virus. Results of antibody and nasal swab tests of nearly 4,000 residents revealed about 6% tested positive for antibodies in late April and early May, which means theyd been previously infected. Around 2% were actively infected when they were tested. Mario Paz, executive director of the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center in San Francisco, said low-income Latinos have been in crisis mode for years. 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 werent surprised about the health data that came out because we know the majority of our low-income Latino families live in substandard housing. They live in crowded conditions. They don't have places to isolate if they get sick, said Paz, whose clients are largely low-income Latinos. There should have been more attention paid to this. Socorro Diaz, who works as a housekeeper for several families in Sonoma County, said local and state officials should have done more to protect vulnerable, at-risk communities. Shelter-in-place orders have prevented Diaz from working since March. She said two of her employers recently let her go. While many essential workers fell victim to the virus, people like Diaz lost their financial lifelines. Californias unemployment rate hit 16.3% in May, state officials reported Friday. She and her husband, Felix Vasquez, are relying on meager savings to scrape by, but the couple is behind on their rent. This should not be happening, said Diaz. We didnt expect any of this and it exploded like a bomb and everyone is wondering what to do. For being the United States, the most powerful country in the world, were not handling the pandemic the way we should. Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez. Jihadists linked to the Islamic State have killed six people in raids on herding villages in northeast Nigeria, militia and residents said Sunday. Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked Bunuri and Gaderi villages as well as a nearby herding settlement in Gubio district late Saturday, stealing livestock and killing residents, they said. "The insurgents killed six people in the attacks and stole more than 3,000 cattle," militia leader Ibrahim Liman told AFP. The assailants riding in pickup trucks fitted with machine guns stormed into Bunuri around 1630 GMT, killing three people and taking hundreds of herds, according to Umara Kyari from nearby Tungushe village. "We buried three people killed in the attack this morning," said Kyari, who attended the funeral. The jihadists attacked Gaderi after dark, taking along "more than 2,000 cows" after killing three residents who tried to stop them, Liman said. ISWAP has in recent days carried out deadly attacks on herding communities in the area. The attacks have raised fears the group is changing tactics to target civilians who have been largely spared in the past. The group has previously targeted troops and military installations. Late on Saturday ISWAP fighters made a foiled attempt to overrun a military base in the town of Konduga, 38 kilometres (23 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri, military and militia sources said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Nigeria's decade-long conflict which has spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, has killed 36,000 people and displaced 1.8 million in the country's northeast alone. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Why, why, why? Last weekend, Rayshard Brooks was shot in the back and killed by a police officer in Georgia. He had been found asleep, intoxicated behind his steering wheel. I know of a college student who faced the same situation, but in her case the officer allowed her to phone a friend to get a ride home, and this student was given a simple warning. Granted, laws are different in different states, but it is my understanding that police have some latitude with decision-making in these cases. Why were police called in the first place? Couldnt someone have knocked on his window to check on him? Once the officer arrived, there is audio and video evidence that Brooks was respectful and compliant for the ensuing 30-minute discussion. He asked permission to walk to his sisters home, two blocks away. Instead, the officers attempted to handcuff him. Yes, he should not have resisted arrest, and, yes, he should not have turned and fired the taser while fleeing. But we have been told repeatedly by authorities that tasers are nonlethal weapons, so the officers were not in fear for their lives. Brooks was running away from a nonviolent crime, and he was killed by two gunshot wounds to his back. Editorial Board livestream: Mandating masks Join us Monday morning for another Editorial Board livestream. We will speak with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff about his order mandating masks for employees and customers at businesses. The meeting will air at 9 a.m. on ExpressNews.com. If tech glitches keep us from livestreaming, we will record the meeting and post video excerpts. See More Collapse Comparing this situation to the college student whom I just described, all I can ask is, Why, why, why? Deborah McNabb On ExpressNews.com: Officer charged with murder for shooting Rayshard Brooks Not all on Abbott Re: If face masks not required, COVID rise is on Abbott, Editorial, Wednesday: This editorial seeks to blame Gov. Greg Abbott for any rise in pandemic numbers in our state. The author unlike a scientist doesnt acknowledge that every result comes from a number of causes, many of which are never discovered. Outside many stores stands a lone guard at the designated entrance. What can that lone watcher do when someone bigger, stronger and meaner refuses to obey? Consent of the governed is an important phrase in the Declaration of Independence. Too many folks think that means they need not obey a law that is inconvenient. I shop wearing a mask and nitrile gloves. I avoid touching and steer clear of all others. Back in my car, I soak my gloves in 70 percent alcohol before doffing them. Too many other shoppers refuse to make the effort to protect me as I protect them. Bill Gisler No scale, no gain? I recently returned to my gym, which was closed during the coronavirus shutdown. The place looked great, but there was no scale. But thats OK. I hadnt gained a pound. What? How did I know? Well, let me quote the president. Referring to the coronavirus, he said, If we stop testing right now, wed have very few cases, if any. So, Im good. Ill never gain any weight, as long as I never step on a scale. Carl Lloyd Information control Re: Times editorial page editor Bennet resigns, Nation & World, June 8, and The Gray Lady suffers a self-inflicted free speech fiasco, by Kathleen Parker, Other Views, June 13: These items reported that the editorial page editor of the New York Times resigned over the publication of an op-ed piece by a U.S. senator that expressed a viewpoint with which the publisher disagreed. In her piece, Parker aptly observed that this incident portends the gradual shrinking of the free marketplace of ideas. Freedom of the press guaranteed by the First Amendment was intended to enable the people to govern themselves by being informed. It was not intended to enable the press to govern the people by managing what the people know for the purpose of manipulating what they believe. Control of information is control of knowledge; control of knowledge is control of thought; control of thought is control of belief; control of belief is control of behavior. When the peoples behavior is controlled by those who control their information, there is no self-government. Bob Barton, Kerrville A fine jurist Re: William Sessions 1930-2020, Front Page, June 13: I was saddened to learn of Judge William Sessions death last week. I was honored to be a juror on four of his trials in early 1979 in El Paso (foreman on three of them). I, like many others, was disappointed to receive a summons to be a juror in federal court. However, once I got into the courtroom, I became very interested in the proceedings. I likened Sessions to be what I thought a very good law school professor should be. He explained the law to us in a way an average person could understand. There was certainly no nonsense in his courtroom. His dress code was very strict coats and ties for men, and dresses for women. I was captivated by the proceedings and learned much about how our legal system works. After my final trial, I wished there was a way I could be called again very soon. Later, I wrote Sessions telling him how much I enjoyed being one of his jurors and how much I had learned about a federal court. I received a very nice letter in response, which I have framed. David F. Herron, Boerne On ExpressNews.com: William Sessions: Former prosecutor, judge and FBI director, dies at 90 HAM RADIOnline event June 26-29 Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen had to be cancelled as so many other events world wide but there will be a HAM RADIOnline event instead DARC decided to offer instead an online event, the HAM RADIOnline from June 26th to June 29th. This online event will feature many interesting topics related to our hobby, such as operating and broadcasting technology, honors, talk groups and interviews. In charge of this online event is the Software Defined Radio Academy team and the "Fascination HAM RADIO" crew. HAM RADIOnline will start on Friday, June 26th evening (CEST). Furthermore, the event organisation company "Messe Friedrichshafen" is presenting a virtual trade fair at https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/news/2020/virtual-fair-presents-novelties/ where exhibitors will present various product innovations. Together, the DARC and the event organizers are thus creating a virtual trade fair experience bringing the volunteers, dealers and manufacturers to your home. The HAM RADIOnline broadcast schedule (in German language) is available at https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/assets/projects/ham/pdf/virtuelle_Messe/HAMOnline _Sendeplan _aktuell.pdf 73, Thomas DF2OO DARC International Affairs Team HAM RADIOnline https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/news/2020/ham-radionline/ It is just nonnegotiable for us that were going to keep our volunteers and our voters in our community safe, and if health experts think that a particular tactic could actively spread coronavirus, were just not going to do it, Wikler said of the partys decision so far not to hold in-person events, open campaign offices and commence door-to-door canvassing. There are lots of seniors who are active party members and there are lots of doors of people who might be immunocompromised, and you dont know when you get there. Were not going to risk becoming a public health menace. In May 2020, the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) received 112 new armed speedboats. Most of these were Zolfaqar, Heidar and Meead type boats. The Zolfaqar is a speedboat with a top speed of 120 kilometers and capable of carrying two Nast 1 anti-ship missiles. It is unclear how effective these 350 kg (550 pound) missiles are when fired from a fast-moving 16.3-meter (52 foot) Zolfaqar. The rocket propelled Nasr 1 has a range of 35 kilometers and uses a small radar in the nose to detect and home in on the largest ship it encounters. In clear weather, the crew of a Zolfaqar could spot the superstructure of a warship or large commercial ship up to 15 kilometers away. Then you turn the boat towards it, fire a Nasr 1 and hope for the best. It would take less than a minute for the missile to reach the target. A warship, if its defensive systems were turned on, could probably destroy or mislead (jam the radar) of the missile. A commercial vessel, like a tanker or cargo ship would probably get hit. If a tanker were loaded the missile would probably start a fire if the hull was hit. If the superstructure was hit the 100 kg (220 pounds) of explosives in the warhead would do a lot of damage but not sink the ship and would probably not even stop it. Large commercial ships have proved quite capable of taking a missile hit and keep going. While Zolfaqars can haul around two 350 kg Nasr 1 missiles, none have been seen firing them and hitting a distant target. Nasr 1 is meant for use from larger surface ships, shore batteries (fired from a truck) or launched from a helicopter. Zolfaqar is one of two Iranian speedboats based on the British Bladerunner fast boat, one of the fastest in the world. Normally Zolfaqar is only armed with two 12.7mm machine-guns and smaller rocket launchers. Iran smuggled in a 16-ton Bladerunner 51 in 2010 and has since manufactured dozens of Seraj 1 and Zolfaqar versions of it. Most of the IRGC speed boats are smaller and armed with machine-guns and small rockets. Some will be loaded with explosives and used as manned or unmanned suicide boats. Iran has had some success with unmanned suicide boats in the Red Sea, where they supply Shia rebels with large rockets and the tech to produce remotely controlled suicide boats locally. The IRGC operates most of the 1,500 small boats used by the IRGC seagoing forces and the regular navy. Because of this, the U.S. Navy has had to develop two sets of tactics for dealing with Iranian naval forces. Irans two navies are very different from the other. The traditional navy exists along with less well equipped but more fanatical forces of the IRGC, which is the personal army of the clerics that hold ultimate power in Iran. Both forces are equipped, trained, and led very differently. The Iranian Navy has had little access to foreign shipbuilders since the 1980s, but recently become capable of building their own warships. These are crude but they float and their weapons generally work. These surface ships are small craft (1,500-ton corvettes and 2,200-ton frigates) while the submarines are largely of the miniature variety. There are only a few of each and construction is proceeding slowly so that, apparently, mistakes in the previous one can be discovered and fixed. Currently, the only major surface warships it has are three of the new corvettes and frigates, three elderly British built frigates (1,540 tons each), and two U.S. built corvettes (1,100 tons each). There are about fifty smaller patrol craft, ten of them armed with Iranian versions of Chinese anti-ship missiles. Chief among these is the Nasr 1. There are another few dozen mine warfare, amphibious, and support ships. The three most powerful ships in the fleet are three Russian Kilo class subs. There are about fifty mini-subs, most of them built in Iran. There are several thousand marines and twenty or so aircraft and helicopters. The IRGC Navy of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution has about as many personnel as the navy (23,000), including marines and naval aviation, with about 40 large missile and torpedo boats (100-200 tons each) and over a thousand smaller craft, many of them just speedboats with dual outboard engines and machine-gun mounts. Up to a dozen revolutionary guardsmen will be found on these, armed with assault rifles, machine-guns, and RPGs. Some boats are equipped as suicide bomb craft and only carry a crew of two or three, plus half a ton or more of explosives. Some of these craft have been seen with anti-tank missiles. The Guardian Navy also has a few helicopters and several thousand marines. The small boats spend a lot of time at sea, mainly patrolling the 2,800-kilometer-long coastline. This includes 740 kilometers in the Caspian Sea. The most active coastline is in the Persian Gulf but the IRGC mission is to keep an eye on the entire country, especially the regular military and any new threats or opportunities. As a result, these small boats wear out quickly and new ones are constantly being delivered, often in large batches. That is usually turned into a media event. The IRGC is a major practitioner of Information War (militarized public relations.) Information from refugees and radio chatter indicates that the revolutionary guard naval force is mainly good for intimidation as their speedboats often come close to foreign warships and merchant vessels. The IRGC boats have also been used for suicide attacks. This worries Western naval commanders because fanatics can be unpredictable and prone to extreme audacity. Its not just suicide bomb boats you have to worry about but naval mines and combat swimmers. These are scuba divers hauling small bombs that attach to the warships and blow a hole in the hull. On the plus side, the chances of the fanatics winning a decisive naval victory are very low but these maniacs are determined and could get lucky. The Iranian Navy is led by officers who think along more conventional lines. Western ship commanders generally have good professional relationships with their Iranian counterparts, even when the Iranian Navy is under orders to give Western ships a hard time. If an Iranian captain radios that he has his orders it means he will follow through with whatever bizarre actions he has been ordered to carry out but will be apologetic about it to his foreign peers. The Iranian Navy has fewer options than the Revolutionary Guard, simply because the navy has fewer and larger (easier to spot and hit) ships. Since 2005 the navy has generally been stationed on the Indian Ocean and the Caspian Sea, while the Revolutionary Guard has been given responsibility for the Persian Gulf and protecting all those Iranian oil facilities along the coast. Actually, the Revolutionary Guard is there more as a threat to Arab oil fields and tankers because the Arabs and their Western allies have control of the air and can destroy Iranian oil fields and tankers that way. What the Iranians hope to do at sea is create as formidable a threat as possible, even if this threat, in the form of suicidal speedboats and missile boats backed up by shore-based anti-ship missiles, is short-term. In the long run, any Iranian naval power is toast. NEW YORK, June 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Votes PAC is proud to announce the endorsements of more than 100 Senate and Assembly candidates competing in the 2020 New York primary election. On June 23rd New York voters have the chance to elect champions for reproductive rights and to send home politicians who've leveled attacks on abortion access, reproductive health care, education and so much more. PPGNY Votes PAC proudly stands by a roster of trusted incumbents and promising challengers across the state, including candidates in key, competitive races: Jeffrion Aubry (D) - Assembly District 35, Yuh-Line Niou (D) - Assembly District 65, Diana Richardson (D) - Assembly District 43, Stefani Zinerman (D) - Assembly District 56, Tremaine Wright (D) - Senate District 25, Chantel Jackson (D) - Assembly District 79, Gina Sillitti (D) Assembly District 16, Corey Mosher (D) Assembly District 121, and Chad McEvoy (D) - Assembly District 101. These candidates recognize the urgent need to advance and protect sexual and reproductive health care and education in New York as other states across the country work to restrict access to vital services - including safe, legal abortion. Statement from Laura McQuade, President and CEO, PPGNY Votes PAC: "During a time that is anything but ordinary, we are faced with one of the most crucial election years of our lives. PPGNY Votes PAC refuses to let malicious politicians dictate how we live, who we love, or when to grow a family. Our patients, especially women of color and LGBTQI+ people, deserve leaders who will proactively advocate for their health care needs and human rights. On June 23rd, we not out-of-touch politicians will decide what we do with our own bodies. We decide who our leaders are. We decide our future." With a 95% win rate for endorsed candidates and an aggressive, multifaceted electoral program, in 2018 PPGNY Votes Political Action Committee was instrumental in securing a pro-reproductive health legislature for the first time in decades. As a direct result of our work in the 2018 election cycle, New York celebrated major legislative victoriesbills that had been languishing for years. New York passed the Reproductive Health Act to help ensure New Yorkers' right to access safe, legal abortion and to make their own health care decisions, regardless of what happens on the federal level. This, plus passage of the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act, the Boss Bill, GENDA, the conversion therapy ban, and the maternal mortality review board, solidifies New York State as the progressive leader we always knew we could be. Click here for the full list of endorsements SOURCE Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Votes PAC https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Becoming-a-Jew-All-the-Perks-of-Membership.html Becoming Jewish is a wonderful journey, but it isnt always easy. Early last summer, I visited Israel and tucked a prayer into the Western Wall. It had been at least ten years since Id made any serious attempt at prayer, but I was at a point in my life where the decisions I was making were not yielding the results I was looking for. I wanted to break the patterns that I learned in a difficult and abusive childhood, but I seemed unable to do so. I had already been married once to someone who treated me terribly; my boyfriends before and after usually werent any better. Wading through the quagmire of online dating was exhausting and depressing. So I found myself divorced at 28 years old, standing in front of the Western Wall with a folded-up receipt from an Israeli gas station with just two words written on it: Husband, baby. I figured if there was power in prayer, it was to be found in the yearning of the heart and not so much in the power of the pen, so I kept it simple and tucked it into a crevice. I had rarely experienced such a longing, nor such a willingness to make the changes I needed to make to get where I wanted to go. That night, I swiped right on a tall, good-looking Mizrahi man who is now my fiance. It sounds like a love story from a novel, and in many ways it feels like it is (a lightning strike of luck, a handsome foreigner), but it is also challenging and complicated. The least of the complications was the fact that I would have to convert to Judaism. In theory, this was no problem I had seriously considered it before, because I had spent several years nannying for an observant Orthodox family and loved what I learned from them but in practice it meant moving, changing jobs, and making all the lifestyle changes that go along with being an Orthodox Jew. Gradually integrating the mitzvot into my life has provided structure and meaning that sustains me on difficult days and uplifts me further on good ones. In many ways, transitioning into a Jewish lifestyle feels easy and familiar. I was raised a devout Mormon, so although I left that church in high school, I was intimately familiar with the "Old Testament" and found Jewish values to be already ingrained deep within me. I love the rich intellectual tradition of Judaism and find Jewish history and Judaisms prominent figures, like Rabbi Akiva and Maimonides, fascinating. Gradually integrating the mitzvot into my life has provided structure and meaning that sustains me on difficult days and uplifts me further on good ones. So far, so good. But in March, things got a little more complicated. I created a Twitter account to connect with other writers and advocate my own writing, and I began to publish more of my own tweets and get involved in others conversations. Many of these were positive about Israel, and many of them covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Before Twitter, my experience with anti-Semitism had been anecdotal: The shooting in Pittsburgh, the increasing reports of anti-Semitism, were sad and alarming but they all still felt somewhat remote. Then, within one week on Twitter, I was called a liar, white supremacist, Hasbara agent, dumb Jew, lying Jew, and a Nazi, among other names which are not fit to print. Someone threatened to dox me and publish my address so I could get the punishment I deserved. Of course, it didnt matter that I was not actually Jewish yet, nor that I had never even heard of Hasbara until someone accused me of working for them. It was made very clear that merely associating with Jews, or advocating for Israel, was enough to provoke the most inhuman rhetoric. For the most part, I took this in stride. It bothered me, but I wasnt surprised by it. Then one morning I met the limits of my ability to distance myself. It was the day after Amit Ben Yigal, a 21-year-old IDF soldier, was killed by a large rock dropped directly on his face from the roof of a Palestinian home. What a price I have paid, Amits father told reporters of the loss of his only son. I read that over and over again: What a price I have paid. The seriousness with which I take a childs life indeed, the sacredness which Judaism attributes to every human life makes me grieve when I see that a Palestinian child has been killed. I didn't know what I expected the reaction in the Twitterverse to Ben Yigals death to be, but it certainly wasnt what I saw: Dozens of people earnestly rejoicing over his death in the most ugly and explicit terms. When I objected, they told me they hoped I, and every other Zionist Jew, would be next. Ive raised enough kids as a nanny and older sister to know that when you love a child, the thing you fear the most is the moment that occurs in the blink of an eye, a swift and irreversible tragedy. Now, I can tell you that it is also possible to lose sleep over the fear of the death of a child you dont even have yet. My fiance proudly served in the IDF and we will be proud to see our children serve as well, but it is impossible to consider their future service without knowing that what happened to Ben Yigal, what might happen any of the youth who fight for Israel, might also happen to us. Might happen to me. Becoming a part of Judaism is one of the best decisions Ive ever made, but it has forced me to confront real human ugliness and to take on responsibilities that I would rather not. I went to a wonderful Jewish friend of mine and cried bitterly into her arms. She was very sympathetic, but she wasnt shocked or horrified. It is unfortunate, she said, but if you want to be a Jew, this is just one of the perks of membership. As usual, she was right. We finished talking, and she gave me a warm hug, advised me to be brave, and buttressed me with a big bowl of homemade matzoh ball soup. Still blowing my nose, I sat at the table with her kids and the mood shifted quickly from sadness to silliness. Becoming a part of Judaism is one of the best decisions Ive ever made, but it has forced me to confront real human ugliness and to take on responsibilities that I would rather not. It is simultaneously one of the most joyous processes, and also one of the most sobering. As I move deeper into my own practice, and realize more about what it means to really take on the mantel of Judaism, I am having to learn an old Jewish tradition that of holding gladness in one hand and grief in the other. Its a hard lesson to learn, but Ive never doubted my decision for a moment. Indeed, having such behavior directed at me made me realize it had always been there, and that it always would be there, directed at people I love. How could I do anything else but stand beside them? After all, as Im finding out, being part of a community is one of the most beautiful parts of Judaism; no matter what happens, you arent Jewish alone. Uganda, Strapped for Funds, Admits 4,000 Refugees From DRC By Halima Athumani June 20, 2020 Ahead of Saturday's World Refugee Day, Uganda admitted another 4,000 people fleeing clashes in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, but a top Ugandan official said more funding was needed to support the new refugees, 44 of whom have tested positive for COVID-19. At a recent news conference in Kampala, Hilary Onek, Uganda's minister for relief, disaster and refugees, accused some members of the international community of causing conflict in countries such as the DRC and South Sudan. Onek said that even though Uganda had said it would not accept more refugees until after the COVID-19 pandemic passed, thousands of refugees from the DRC were stuck in the no-man's land in Zombo district, northern Uganda. "What the government has done deliberately is move in and cordon off those 4,000 and take them to a school somewhere, away from the border, where they are now being screened from Zombo," Onek said. "If the international community will not cooperate with us to get a solution on how to manage these refugees, we might have to be forced to return them back to their countries. Because we don't have the money. As a government, our budgets are very lean." Uganda already hosts Africa's largest refugee population, about 1.4 million, with DRC refugees accounting for about a third of the total. Many live in crowded conditions and are vulnerable to the coronavirus if it begins to spread in the camps. Gerald Menyha, the commissioner for refugees, said Uganda has activated all its quarantine centers in refugee hosting districts to take care of those who are infected. "Of the 870 quarantined refugees in different quarantine centers in the country, 44 have tested positive and they are being managed by the Ministry of Health," Menyha said. "And they are improving, but they are yet to be released from these health centers and quarantine centers." Joel Boutroue, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees' representative to Uganda, said that because of the protracted refugee situation, donors are fatigued and are failing to sustain support extended to refugees. As a result, he said, the World Food Program has cut rations by 30 percent and cash handouts by the same percentage. "Come September, what happens? Well, for education, around $10 million" is at stake, he said. "We may have to totally discontinue financing the over 4,000 teachers that we pay. We will not have any more funds to continue supporting the over 100 health centers that we support throughout the refugee hosting districts. We will not have any more funds to continue livelihood activities or distribute soap and other nonfood items to the refugees." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address While the entire country is facing a severe health and financial crisis, Karnataka is on the verge of fostering another. The state government is considering dilution of the principles and purpose of the Panchayat Raj system. With the gram panchayat (GP) members term ending in June-August, the BJP government is keen on postponing the elections to 6,025 GPs keeping the health issue as an excuse. It is favouring nominating members to the GPs. Extending the term of the present members would be an appropriate ad hoc measure at this juncture. But if the government is not in favour of it for any reason, then a pragmatic approach would be entrusting more authority to the executive at the panchayat level. COVID-19 must teach us quarantine policy and not democracy. Nominating members amounts to a gross dereliction of democratic principles at the grassroot level. Mahatma Gandhi had said, a good government is no substitute for self-government. In the words of famed historian and author John Motley, Local self-governmentis the life-blood of liberty. These wise words today are more apposite than ever. With the coronavirus crisis and re-centralisation of power in order to facilitate swift decision making, it is easy for one to forget and undermine the legitimacy and importance accorded to local self-governments. This is especially so in rural areas with Panchayat Raj institutions (PRIs). At this juncture, let me reiterate the history of and the rationale behind PRIs in Karnataka which is a model to the entire country. The first prominent legislation was enacted in 1959 providing for a three-tier structure. These institutions had limited and sometimes no independent power. In the 1960s, then Panchayat Raj Minister Ramakrishna Hegde favoured an overhaul of PRIs in order to give them more power and autonomy. At that time, every bill used to be placed before the Congress Legislature Party meeting prior to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. The bill was not approved by the CLP, due to shortage of a solitary vote. Hegdes commitment to decentralisation was so strong that he resigned from the ministry. In 1967, my father P M Nadagouda became rural development and panchayat raj minister. After having studied the nuances of the system, he tabled the bill in the House in 1970. Unfortunately, the government collapsed before the bill could be passed. Through the years, the efforts of these political heavyweights kept the issue of PRIs in the forefront of Karnataka politics. Hegdes dream was realised only after more than two decades when he became the chief minister. The concerted efforts of Hegde along with then panchayat raj minister Abdul Nazir Saab fructified in the enactment of a new legislation in 1983 which received presidential assent in 1985. Thus, the humble beginning of grassroot level democracy in 1959 was given a renewed thrust with the new Act which was passed 1983. The Act provided for 25% reservation for women, reservation for the backward classes, SCs/STs among others. The Karnataka model was replicated across country by Rajiv Gandhi when he was the prime minister. The three-tier system was given constitutional status with the advent of the 73rd amendment to the Constitution. The system of local self- governance in Karnataka has emerged as a means by which participative decision-making takes place. Though this system of local self-governance in the state is seen to be a success story, the panchayat system in Karnataka has its fair share of fallacies. Power groups Studies by George Mathew from the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, has shown that the power in the districts is enjoyed mainly by dominant castes belonging to the top power groups, and the interests of the poor are sacrificed for strengthening the vested interests of the district leadership. In spite of these pitfalls, the necessity and contribution of the local governance in the state cannot be ignored. These institutions take care of the day to day administration of the local areas by mobilising local resources and by managing the administration of local facilities like drinking water, other sources of water, primary school, cleanliness, primary health etc. The local bodies in the state have also contributed to planning and implementation of programmes in sectors like agriculture, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, household industries, public works, input supply and their distribution etc. As a legislator, on many occasions, I have had discussions with Hegde and Abdul Nazir Saab regarding the strengthening of these institutions. The tenets of Gramaswarajya, socialism, social justice, secularism and adequate opportunity for women who form the backbone of the rural household, should be the hallmark of the PR system. Thus, local bodies have ensured equality of opportunity and bestowed upon our people access to the corridors of power as active stakeholders in decision-making. It is extremely necessary to ensure that this system of local self-governance thrives as they not only strengthen the rural voice but also the rural economy. Accountability of such governments may be increased by introducing Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayans novel idea of right to recall at least at the gram panchayat level to begin with. Though the tenure of the GPs is getting completed in Karnataka, in the interest of health and safety of our people during the pandemic, elections have to be deferred. The decision of the government to nominate members is not only illegal but also serves as a precedent to more such condemnable decisions in the days to come. (The writer is a former member, Karnataka Legislative Council) To suggest that the ongoing Net2TV programme The Seat is long overdue is an understatement. The programme is a call to arms that should have happened years ago. Many see it as the opening of a Pandoras box, but this is one hell of a box that most Ghanaians are cheering to bring it on, because theyve had the water up to their neck. The problem of false men of God dates back to the time of the disciples. It has always been with us and each generation produce their own. The current problem that we are battling with took roots in the early eighties when our social and economic hardships escalated exponentially overnight. It was an era that can be described as a watershed in our political and economic history. The country was fighting a series of adverse nation changing events, drought, military takeover and bushfires. The last straw of these unfortunate events was in early 83 when over a million Ghanaians were repatriated from Nigeria aggravating conditions in a country already on its knees. It was a doomsday scenario and it fuelled the staple of small talk. The effects of the hardships created manifold anxieties, which coupled with lack of proper nutrition made a lot of people sick. Substantial number of Ghanaians were cash strapped. It was literal economic depression in the country. Even Rawlings described our hospitals as death traps. It was a period that tried the souls of Ghanaians and many turned to God for solution. Poor sick Ghanaians turned to their pastors for healing because the hospitals were de facto graveyards. As the crisis deepened, the fake pastors took advantage of the vulnerability of their fellow countrymen as conditions morphed into the survival of the fittest. These fake pastors, since that low point in the 80s, hitched a ride on the back of our constitutional freedom of worship and fundamentally destroyed the fabric of the Ghanaian society. There are a whole lot of people who fall prey to these evil people, but the ones that break my heart are the plight of our helpless citizens. Due to their poor circumstances, they easily succumbed to sicknesses and this paves the way for the agony to fester. Jesus Christ said the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, and these pastors, who happens to be the last option of the vulnerable, callously break the only safety net that the person has the family. They tell these defenceless people its their mother, their octogenarian grandmother who is waiting for a rendezvous with death, their sister, brother and every conceivable member of the family is a target. When this happens, the family is fractured. The victim is deprived of their healing because they are fake. Regrettably, they die and leave in their wake division and bitterness. What is being exposed on Net2 pales in comparison to what is going on around the country. Anyone with half a brain knows we cannot continue like this, but nobody has the guts and resources to tackle this problem that is eating the country alive. We all know these fake pastors and fake churches needs to be shut down. Constitutionally, it cannot be done by an edict, hence the need to prove that they are fake. Because we live in a country structured on the rule of law. And due to the fact that it is difficult to prove their illicit business, these charlatans have used it as a shield to ply their evil and murderous business. They are classic organised mafia criminals who pursue their destructive business with intimidation and fear. About six years ago, I wrote an article about TB Joshua when an accident in one of his facilities claimed the lives of 115 people. One of his foot soldiers put out my location and threatened that they know where I live in the comment section on ghanaweb. Anybody who cares can verify the article: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/T-B-Joshua-Is-Dangerous-To-Your-Health-329181 . Can anybody quantify and make sense of what happened to the pastor in Kumasi who had a corpse dumped in his church. The people of Ghana are not dealing with ordinary criminals; these are evil nation wreckers who will stop at nothing to acquire their criminal wealth. So, sometimes I find it very difficult to comprehend why some commentators are against what Ken Agyapong is doing. And their biggest refrain is that Manasseh and Demon Breaker should be arrested as well. There are certain crimes that you need unique dispensation and tactics to curtail it. Sometimes, you might have to plant an informer or recruit from within. It happens all over the world, but I am drawing reference from here in England. Quite a few criminal gangs operate successfully under the security services radar. Though they are aware of their existence, they do not have the evidence on them to put them away. What the law enforcement institution do is to co-opt someone within their ranks and offer them immunity to testify against the gang. Because it is a very dangerous operation, they offer the witnesses what they call witness protection programme. In extreme cases, they even change the identity of the witness completely with a new name. They do this because there are certain crimes the physical evidence only might not be sufficient and it might not be available, therefore, the testimony of a credible witness is required to effectively prove the case against them. Unless we want these criminals, who have memorised the bible and hiding behind our constitutional freedom of worship, to continue duping people we should all support Kennedy Agyapong together with people like Manasseh to stop these homicidal criminals once and for all. Ghana deserves better. Philip Kobina Baidoo Jnr. London [email protected] Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 05:29:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on Saturday that President Donald Trump has fired Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman, who refused to step down over unfinished investigations. In a letter to Berman, Barr accused of him choosing "public spectacle over public service." "Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning. I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr wrote. Speaking to reporters at the White House before leaving for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday afternoon, Trump claimed that Berman's firing was up to Barr and that he was "not involved." Trump announced late Friday night his intention to nominate Jay Clayton, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to replace Berman, who served as the attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2018. In a stunning response, Berman, who ran the probe that sent Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to prison and is reportedly investigating his current personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said that he has not resigned and that he has "no intention of resigning." "I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight I was 'stepping down' as United States Attorney," Berman said Fright night. "I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption." Besides Cohen and Giuliani, Berman's office also subpoenaed Trump's inaugural committee over an investigation into potential illegal contributions from foreigners and charged former Congressman Chris Collins, a Trump ally, with insider trading. Barr said Saturday that he was "surprised and quite disappointed" by Berman's statement and that he was "hoping for your cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition." "Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately," the attorney general continued in the letter. "I fully expect that the office will continue to handle all cases in the normal course and pursuant to the Department's applicable standards, policies, and guidance." U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday called for Clayton to withdraw his name from consideration for the nomination to the position and for an investigation into the dismissal of Berman. Clayton "can allow himself to be used in the brazen Trump-Barr scheme to interfere in investigations by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, or he can stand up to this corruption, withdraw his name from consideration, and save his own reputation from overnight ruin," Schumer said in a statement. U.S. Congressman Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said that he thinks "Barr's letter provides no justification for Berman's removal." "Barr rushed so quickly to do damage control after being caught in a lie and an act of blatant corruption that he didn't inform the Judiciary Committee Chair. What are they trying to cover up?" Beyer tweeted. "This will not end here." Clayton, a corporate lawyer who has never served as a prosecutor, is a member of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and the Financial Stability Board. He also participates on the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. The Southern District of New York is among the most prominent districts in the United States. Enditem "Mission accomplished!" That joyful declaration came from Juan Manuel Ballestero, an Argentine sailor who, unable to fly home from Portugal due to the pandemic, crossed the ocean alone in his modest sailboat to see his aging parents. "I did it! I did it! I did it!" Ballestero exclaimed at dockside last week when he reached his hometown of Mar del Plata. The 47-year-old had completed an exhausting 85-day odyssey in his small boat, the nine-meter (30-foot) "Skua." After testing negative for COVID-19 on arrival, Ballestero was cleared to set foot on dry land to see his mother 82-year-old Nilda and father Carlos, aged 90. "I've achieved what I've been fighting for these last three months," he told AFP. "It came down to this: to be with the family. That's why I came." He had hoped to arrive in Argentina by May 15, for his father's 90th birthday. He missed that date, but instead was able to celebrate Father's Day with his family. Ballestero, who works in Spain, hatched his ambitious plan for a single-handed sea passage after flights back to Argentina were canceled because of the pandemic. He learned during the long trip home that "people were dying every day, by the thousands," a jarring realization at a time when he was "in the middle of nature, seeing how the world goes on. "There were dolphins and whales... even as humanity was passing through this difficult moment." For 54 long days, his family had no word from him. "But we knew he was going to come," said a smiling Carlos. "We had no doubt. He was coming to Mar del Plata to be with his parents." The coronavirus has claimed 1,000 lives in Argentina, many of them elderly people like Carlos and his wife. The younger Ballestero's first stop on the 12,000-kilometer (7,200-mile) trip was at Vitoria, Brazil; the last one before arrival was in La Paloma, Uruguay. The Skua now sits docked at the Mar del Plata nautical club, and probably won't be leaving soon. Ballestero has no immediate travel plans. Beijing: The International Yoga Day was celebrated in China on Sunday with low-key events owing to the coronavirus pandemic and the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control. China, where Yoga has been very popular, usually celebrates the occasion with numerous events ever since its inception by the United Nations in 2014. This year, the main event was held at the India House where Indian Ambassador Vikram Misri led International Yoga Day (IYD) celebration, with the participation of Indian, foreign diplomats and their families. Misri said this year's International Yoga Day was full of challenges. "Even with the challenges we faced, we had thought of an event slightly at a larger scale but with the recent outbreak of coronavirus once again in Beijing, we have to scale down our plans to make it a small event," he said. "Nevertheless, when the pictures of this go home there will be a small surprise for many of our friends in India who see that we actually managed to come out and hold the IYD outdoors not simply with our families but also friends who are also our extended family," Misri added. China has seen fresh cases of coronavirus in recent weeks after being able to control the contagious viral disease after it broke out for the first time last year in Wuhan. The NHC said on Saturday that mainland China till now has reported 83,352 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 4,634 deaths. The officials alleged the new strain of the virus in Beijing came from Europe. Misri said the value of yoga is much more than ever. "In these times the value of yoga is much more than ever. The stresses and strains that are upon us in the era of COVID-19 can perhaps be addressed very well by yogic technique," he said. Few yoga associations in China have held yoga day events to mark the occasion, according to media reports. In Beijing, Yogi Yoga, a popular Yoga institution with branches all over China has held an online yoga conference, according to its founder Mohan Singh Bhandari Considering the popularity of yoga, China has established a Yoga college in Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province in joint collaboration with India. The low key yoga events also comes in the backdrop of the violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese armies in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday in which 20 Indian military personnel were killed, significantly escalating the already volatile situation in the region. India has already dismissed China's claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley, saying such "exaggerated" and "untenable" claims are contrary to the understanding reached during a high-level military dialogue on June 6. Pre-monsoon showers lashed parts of north India on Sunday, including Delhi, bringing a much-needed relief to people from sultry weather, but the clouds disappointed those waiting patiently to see a 'ring of fire' in the skies during the solar eclipse. At many places, people failed to penetrate the cumulonimbus clouds to see the spectacular celestial event, when the moon covered most -- but not all -- of the Sun, creating a ring of fire. At other places, like in parts of Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, they were able to see only a partial solar eclipse. The ring of fire was clearly visible in Dehradun and Tehri in Uttarakhand, where the monsoon is likely to arrive on Monday, and in Sriganganagar district of the desert-state Rajasthan, where it will reach later in the week. The southwest monsoon has completely covered the southern and the eastern India and its curve is now passing eastern Uttar Pradesh through the middle of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, according to weather forecasting agencies. But pre-monsoon showers have been lashing parts of western UP, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana. Weather experts say the monsoon is likely to arrive in Delhi two-three days earlier than its usual date on June 27, because of a cyclonic circulation that developed over West Bengal and moved towards southwest Uttar Pradesh on June 19 and June 20, and will almost simultaneously cover Haryana and Punjab. "It helped in further advancement of the monsoon, which has reached eastern Uttar Pradesh and central Madhya Pradesh. It is expected to reach west Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Uttarakhand by June 22," said Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre of the India Meteorological Department in Delhi. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting agency, said intermittent rainfall will continue till the onset of the monsoon on June 24-25. On Sunday, the maximum temperature in Delhi was 36.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal. The humidity levels oscillated between 62 and 92 per cent, leading to a sultry weather. During the next three days, the maximum temperature will hover around 35 degrees Celsius, IMD's Srivastava said. In view of the approaching monsoon, the Delhi government has said it will not allow field staff of its maintenance units leave without prior approval. The PWD has asked its staff to inspect all drainage pumps to ensure minimum waterlogging. There are often complaints of waterlogging on roads during the monsoon season. The IMD has forecast rain and thundershower in eastern Uttar Pradesh and at few places in western parts of the state on Monday. Thunderstorm and lightening with winds gusting up to 40 kmph are very likely at some places in western UP on Monday, it said. The day temperature in most places in Rajasthan has dropped by up to 2 degrees Celsius since Saturday and the highest in the state was in Sri Ganganagar at 41.9 degrees. The weather department has predicted light-to-moderate rainfall and dust storm at several places in the state during the next 24 hours. In Punjab and Haryana, the maximum temperature hovered below normal limits. Coastal Maharashtra is likely to receive widespread rainfall on Monday while other regions are expected to receive isolated to fairly widespread showers, the IMD said. It said Konkan region, which took the brunt of cyclone Nisarga on June 3, would receive widespread rainfall in most places. Reverend Dr Emmanuel Adjei Amey, Clerk of the General Assembly of the E. P. Church of Ghana has said the congregations' stewardship to the Churches has dipped resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the pandemic, lockdowns and physical closure of churches and the observance of legitimate protocols should not affect one's stewardship including financial support. Rev Amey was delivering a virtual sermon at its headquarters in Ho under the theme, "Fear Not." He said stewardship responsibilities of members should be sustained even in abnormal times for the continuum of churches activities and programmes. He noted that fears, anxieties, failures and other uncertainties of life had forced some faint-hearted Christians and Pastors to dabble in occultic powers, which had landed them in obvious troubles and disgrace. Rev Amey prayed the peace of God, which surpasses these fears would reign, urging God's authority to lead Christians into the path of righteousness. He said "nothing will separate mankind and God, be it hunger, sickness, failures or COVID-19, if we trust Him". "God you worship is still alive, this pandemic will also come to pass," he said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A 20-feet tall statue of a medical worker was unveiled in Riga, capital of Latvia, to honour the frontline medical staff around the world battling the pandemic. The sculpture, created by Arts Academy of Latvia, was unveiled at the Latvian National Art Museum on June 16. Sculptor and professor Aigars Bikse from Arts Academy of Latvia created the statue depicting a masked female medical worker with eyes closed and arms outstretched, praising their selfless courage and care during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the sculptors website, Bikse is best known for his interactive sculptures and installations for public spaces, most of which bear historic, socio-cultural and political connotations. Bikse creates sculptures and outdoor installations, many of which are large scale and constitute the urban environment in various cities in Latvia and abroad, like Japan, The Philippines and elsewhere. The themes in his works draw parallels between his fascination with mythology and socio-political processes in society. Bikse told The Baltic Time that the three-month-long lockdown period and fear for their lives have made people change their perspective towards doctors, nurses and other medical staff. He added that for the first time, many people are realising the vital importance of the medical staff. Read: Delhi Govt Cancels Leaves Of All Staff Of Hospitals, Medical Institutions Overwhelmed medical facilities According to the latest report, almost nine million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide with more than 467,000 deaths, overwhelming the health care facilities across the globe. The United States, Brazil, and Russia are the worst-hit countries while India reporting a sharp rise in the coronavirus cases. On June 18, more than 150,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported globally, the highest single-day number so far. During a press briefing, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East. He called on all countries and all people to exercise extreme vigilance and continue maintaining distance from others. Read: Trump Admin Rolls Back Healthcare Protection For Transgenders On Pulse Remembrance Day Read: SC Issues Notice To Centre Over Plea Seeking Adequate PPE Kits For Healthcare Workers Independence rally offers support to law enforcement KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A rally in support of law enforcement prompted about 40 people to gather Saturday in Independence. The rally took place across the street from the Independence Police Department. Sonja Griffith, whose husband is a police officer, said she attended to show support for a profession that she believes is "not getting the credit or respect that it's due." Another, equally important sign of the times and a glimpse at a crowd of people willing to take the streets for law enforcement.Credit to KSHB for offering the only coverage of this widely downplayed event today . . . Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 13:42:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Once a displaced refugee, Alan Ghumim now owns the 1st Syrian restaurant in Lisbon thanks to the local people's help. So when the coronavirus struck, he decided to repay the kindness of the Portuguese people by giving free meals to frontline doctors and nurses. "At least what we can do is food," said Ghumim. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Saturday, Federal Judge Royce Lamberth rejected the Trump administrations attempt to block publication of John Boltons memoir of his time as National Security Adviser, The Room Where it Happened. The book hits bookstores Tuesday June 23 and has already hit President Trump hard. Its a tell-all of Trumps incompetence and impeachable offenses. Its a tell-all-too late for the House Impeachment inquiry, but not too late to impact the Presidential campaign and election in November. Bolton not only confirms that Trump was guilty of what he was accused of in the House Impeachment Hearing and Senate trial, involving Ukraine, but that he also sought Chinas interference in the 2020 presidential election. The Republican Conservative and former Fox News analyst also recounts Trump endorsing China concentration camps, calling for executing journalists and a pattern of obstructing justice for his own political benefit. Bolton details a Commander in Chief so incompetent he thought Finland was part of Russia and didnt know Britain was a nuclear power. The book amounts to 577 bound campaign flyers to elect Joe Biden the next President of the United States. With over 100 nominations of both individuals and teams of innovative contributors, selecting the best of the best was a challenge. The editors of POWER magazine and the organizers of the ELECTRIC POWER Conference + Exhibition announced today that the following POWER Awards will be given during an in-person program in Kansas City, Missouri. New in 2020, ELECTRIC POWER and POWER magazine will honor innovative leaders from the power generation industry. A worldwide call for nominations went out and the editors of POWER magazine narrowed the submissions down to a short list of award-worthy contenders in the following categories: Clean Energy Promoter Creative Problem Solver Digitalization Technology Adoption Leader Emerging Technology Developer Environmental Health and Safety Manager Team Executive/Plant Manager/Supervisor Project Team Safety Team Up and Coming Under 30 Women in Power Training Programs-Individual/Team The finalists include leaders from the following companies: ACWA Power AMPIRICAL BioStar Renewables Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. DKY (for Donaldson Company, a filtration supplier) Electrical Builders Inc (EBI) Enchanted Rock ENMAX Farmers General Infrastructure Guidehouse (Formerly Navigant) Homer Electric Association, Inc. Humless Los Alamos National Laboratory National Grid National Institutes of Health Navajo Tribal Utility Authority NYSERDA Phillips Lytle LLP Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. Co Sargent & Lundy Southwest Power Pool Stanwell Corporation Limited TerraPro Solutions To the Point Trevi Communications Xcel Energy With over 100 nominations of both individuals and teams of innovative contributors, selecting the best of the best was a challenge. Finalists demonstrated exceptional ingenuity and dedication to excellence, making them worthy of recognition by their peers. It is our honor to highlight the achievements of these leaders and teams that continue to work for the betterment of the power industry. Help us celebrate as we recognize the winners and runners-up on Tuesday, September 29th during the ELECTRIC POWER/POWER magazine Awards Luncheon. Register today for the ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition. More details about the event, including registration and pricing details, can be found at https://www.electricpowerexpo.com. About ELECTRIC POWER: The ELECTRIC POWER Conference and Exhibition is the event that draws more power generators than any other and helps improve power plant profitability, performance, and efficiency through high-level content, products, and services that deliver solutions to current challenges facing the power generation industry. For more information, go to https://www.electricpowerexpo.com. Register today! ### Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:17:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Head of the Health Department at the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Abdul Hakim Shanaa announced Sunday that COVID-19 is no longer a threat to refugee camps but it exists inside some of them, LBCI local TV channel reported. "We urge all refugees in the camps to adhere to health guidelines and maintain a safe distance away from crowded places," Shanaa said. He stressed that his department is making every effort to preserve the dignity and health of refugees and it will spare no effort to preserve their health. The Ministry of Health and UNRWA have conducted a number of PCR tests in Beddawi, Mieh Mieh, and Shatila camps. Over 1.5 million Syrian refugees left their homeland to Lebanon following the eruption of the Syrian civil war and there are 174,422 registered Palestinians in Lebanon, according to a study by the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee in 2017. The UNRWA faced severe financial challenges in 2019 with a deficit valued at 50 million U.S. dollars which will be added to this year's deficit despite the increase in support by donor countries in November and December of last year. Enditem The Hungarian-American, who is Jewish, has also been the subject of anti-Semitic attacks and conspiracy theories for decades. Not just for the Black Lives Matter protests, George Soros is also being blamed by conspiracy theorists for the pandemic. In this image, a man holds a sign with the images of Hungarian-US billionaire George Soros (L) and Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, reading "Virus = expropriation of companies" during a demonstration called by small businessmen affected by the government's mandatory quarantine imposed for more than 13 weeks, to protest against the quarantine and the expropriation of the Vicentin agro-industrial company on the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, June 20, 2020. (Photo | AFP) Washington: They say he hires protesters and rents buses to transport them. Some say he has people stash piles of bricks to be hurled into glass storefronts or at police. George Soros, the billionaire investor and philanthropist who has long been a target of conspiracy theories, is now being falsely accused of orchestrating and funding the protests over police killings of Black people that have roiled the United States. Amplified by a growing number of people on the far right, including some Republican leaders, online posts about Soros have skyrocketed in recent weeks. They have been accompanied by online ads bought by conservative groups that call on authorities to investigate George Soros for funding domestic terrorism and his decades-long corruption. Soros, 89, has donated billions of dollars of his personal wealth to liberal and anti-authoritarian causes around the world, making him a favoured target among many on the right. The Hungarian-American, who is Jewish, has also been the subject of anti-Semitic attacks and conspiracy theories for decades. Such hoaxes can now travel farther and faster with social media. Over just four days in late May, negative Twitter posts about Soros spiked from about 20,000 a day to more than 500,000 a day, according to an analysis by the Anti-Defamation League. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London think tank focused on extremism and polarization, found an even more pronounced jump on Facebook, where there were 68,746 mentions of Soros in May. The previous record of 38,326 Soros mentions was in October 2018, when angry posts alleged he was helping migrant caravans headed to the US. The new wave began as nationwide demonstrations emerged over George Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police. Some insist Soros financed the protests, while others say he colluded with police to fake Floyds death last month. But all available evidence suggests the protests are what they seem: gatherings of thousands of Americans upset about police brutality and racial injustice. I think partly its an attempt to distract from the real matters at hand the pandemic, the protests or the Black Lives Matter movement, Laura Silber, chief communications officer for Soros philanthropic Open Society Foundations, said of the theories. Its pretty demeaning to the people out there protesting when someone says theyre all paid. Its insulting. A look at some of the claims: Soros pays protesters. No evidence has been presented to suggest demonstrators were paid by Soros or his organizations. Its a new take on an old hoax: past versions claimed Soros paid for a long list of other events, including the 2017 Womens March held just after President Donald Trumps inauguration. Soros pays to transport protesters. Last week, a photo claiming to show two buses emblazoned with the words Soros Riot Dance Squad got widespread attention. The photo was cited as proof of Soros involvement in the protests, but it was bogus. The original photo showed two unmarked buses; someone later doctored it to add the language supposedly implicating Soros. Soros organizes stashing piles of bricks near protests. Several false claims involving stockpiles of bricks have been debunked, and no evidence has turned up showing they were purposefully placed. Experts who study conspiracy theories say the new claims about Soros are a way to delegitimize the protests and the actual reasons behind them. Some see anti-Semitism, or a new spin on the age-old hoax that a shadowy cabal of rich men whether its the Illuminati, the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers, Bill Gates or Soros is manipulating world events. The theories have had real-world consequences. In 2018, amid news of caravans of migrants making their way toward the U.S.-Mexico border, online misinformation about Soros was linked to violence. Cesar Sayoc, a Florida man who was obsessed with Trump, mentioned Soros dozens of times on social media before mailing pipe bombs to newsrooms, top Democrats and Soros himself. Despite significant scrutiny, no evidence was ever found to tie the caravan to Soros. Trump, however, helped fan the flames when asked whether Soros was involved. I wouldnt be surprised. A lot of people say yes, the president said. Still, some Republicans have begun pushing back on false claims of Soros connection to the protests and those spreading the rumors. After several Republican Party chairpeople in a Texas county shared posts claiming Soros was behind the demonstrations, the state party leader called on them to resign. Experts say conspiracy theories can become a problem when they lead to threats of violence or cause people to lose trust in important institutions. They can fade into the background only to reemerge at times of crisis. Conspiracy theories are like themselves viruses, said Josh Introne, a Syracuse University information studies professor who researches conspiracy theories. The characters may change a little, and the theory itself may mutate. But they stick around. A soon-to-be-released report nearly a year in the making could shed light on decades of sexual abuse by clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and forever change how one of its most influential bishops is viewed. Last July, retired Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis was asked by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct made against the late Bishop Christopher J. Weldon dating back to the early 1960s. The report is expected to be released before Rozanski is installed as Archbishop of St. Louis on Aug. 25. The findings will impact not only the alleged victim who reiterated to Rozanski a year ago his claim that he was sexually abused as a boy by Weldon and two diocesan priests but also questions that continue to linger around how early in time the diocesan hierarchy may have participated in, covered up and enabled clergy sexual abuse of minors. It could either encourage or discourage other alleged survivors of clergy sex abuse to continue to come forward. Weldons 27 years as Springfields fourth bishop, starting in 1950, were influential ones in the growth of the diocese. However, they also have emerged as ones during which many allegations of sexual abuse by clergy occurred as well as the murder of an altar boy in which a former priest, Richard R. Lavigne, remains the only publicly identified suspect. Weldon has been alleged to have interfered with investigations into that murder. There have been reports that those in the diocesan hierarchy with ties to Weldon and had sexual abuse allegations made against them destroyed files related to pedophile priests over the years. Diocesan lawyers have denied any such documents were destroyed. The Weldon accusers appearance before the diocesan review board was the first-time that testimony before the board involved the name of the dioceses fourth bishop, but not the first time Weldons name had been linked to abuse. After the alleged victim met last summer with Rozanski, the diocese said that a "careful review of its files revealed two prior instances when Weldons name was part of either a lawsuit or complaint received directly by the diocese. However, the diocese said neither was deemed credible. Velis report is expected to make recommendations on how the diocese can improve how it addresses claims of sexual misconduct that a 10-member task force appointed by Rozanski in recent months will review. In announcing that Velis would undertake the investigation last year, Rozanski called the retired judge "a truly objective person who will investigate the Bishop Weldon matter thoroughly. It was Velis who in 2003 ordered the release of documents filed in the investigation of Lavigne in the brutal 1972 killing of 13-year-old Daniel Croteau of Chicopee. The state Appeals Court overturned Velis ruling only to have the Supreme Judicial Court uphold it in 2004, The diocese, which is paying Velis, has said his complete report will be released" and that he has been "provided access to whatever he needed. Greenfield-based attorney John J. Stobierski, who litigated and negotiated more than five dozen clergy sexual abuse cases with settlements totaling more than $10 million but no longer handles such cases, has maintained that Velis findings will depend greatly on what the retired judge "has access to and what accountability is given to the public. Stobierski, whose clients included the Croteau family, as well as some 25 alleged victims of Lavigne, said that Weldons name was very prominent in the Croteau case in his interaction with Lavigne. Further, Stobierski said he knows from his work in securing what he called the complete diocesan personnel file on Lavigne that there are documents that are not there that should be there. Stobierski noted that after he represented a young man who was allegedly abused by Lavigne in 2002, others felt empowered" to come forward. Something similar could happen if Velis finds Weldon to have been a perpetrator, he said. It is helpful reassurance, said Stobierski, adding, If Weldon is found to be a perpetrator anything that honors him in the diocese with his name should be removed and any other perpetrators name removed." As of last week, Stobierski said he had not been contacted by the Velis investigation, suggesting that Judge Velis had enough information at his fingertips and did not need patterned behavior or he had limited charge. Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, whose Boston-based law firm has settled countless clergy sexual abuse and misconduct claims, including those against Lavigne, raised similar issues around the investigation as Stobierski, though he is not involved either in the investigation. The thoroughness of the investigation will be limited by the amount of information given to the investigator by the Diocese of Springfield, Garabedian said. The investigator does not have subpoena powers and so whatever documentation the Diocese of Springfield gives him is the documentation he has to review." Garabedian said he continues to represent numerous victims of pedophile priests spanning decades from Springfield and characterized them as highly skeptical that the Diocese of Springfield will not be hiding further information about clergy sexual abuse. He sees whatever change has incurred in the Catholic Church in terms of reforms to identify pedophile priests and protect children as not coming from within the Catholic Church; the change is coming from outside the Catholic Church. Clergy sexual abuse victims are to be commend in having the strength to come forward and report they have been sexually abuse and in doing so they empower themselves, other victims and make the world a safer place for children, Garabedian said. If the Diocese of Springfield truly cares about transparency it would release the secret files, and that is what they are called in canon law, which the bishop holds and which indicate who the pedophile priests were, reports of pedophilia by the pedophile priests and names of supervisors who covered up sexual abuse. This would help clergy sexual abuse victims try to heal and parishioners gain confidence in the Diocese of Springfield." It was Weldons accuser who requested last years June meeting with Rozanski after the diocesan review board said the individual did not allege sexual abuse by Weldon during his June 2018 appearance before the board. Three individuals attending that meeting with the accuser supported his account, which was described as very specific. A letter sent three months after that 2018 meeting by the review board to the accuser and obtained by the media reads in part said, On behalf of the diocesan review board, we want to thank you for sharing details of your abuse as detailed in narrative relating to Bishop Christopher Weldon, Rev. Edward Authier and Rev. Clarence Forand. It added, "This letter, along with a copy of your request for the support you would like to receive from the diocese, will be forward to Bishop Mitchell Rozanski advising him that the diocese review board finds your testimony compelling and credible. As we explained to you the board has no other authority but to notify the bishop that we find your allegations credible. After the Berkshire Eagle published a story last spring about the allegations against Weldon and the other two priests and questioned whether their names would be added to the dioceses list of credibly accused clergy, the review boards chairman released a statement through the diocese, saying, There was no finding against Bishop Weldon as the individual also indicated that the former Bishop never abused them. Following the June meeting with Weldons accuser, Rozanski filed a report with the Hampden District Attorneys Office. The alleged victim said in a statement at the time that he was thankful I was able to tell my story to Bishop Rozanski today and reiterate the sexual abuse I continually suffered at the hands of Forand, Authier and Bishop Weldon. He said his impression was that the bishop got it" and that, as I survivor, he wanted to tell all survivors out there that you dont have to be silent anymore, you are not going to be hurt again. There are safe allies who want to help you. You do not have to carry the secrets of your abusers anymore. In the interview with the Berkshire Eagle last June, the survivor, in contrast, said he was crushed" by the review boards statement that he did not accuse Weldon in his appearance before them. "Youve got to understand that with victims, the most important thing is being believed, he is quoted as saying. Thats a big part of not coming forward. The accusers allegations against Weldon, regardless of the Velis report, will not lead to any additions to the diocesan list meant to give accountability and transparency around the credibly accused nor will the diocesan review boards undisputed finding of credible in terms of his allegations of sexual misconduct against the other two priests, both also deceased. The diocese has said it lists on its website of credibly accused clergy the names of priests with credible findings and who were alive when an allegation came forth" as the "thinking is that a deceased person would not have had the opportunity to defend themselves. Forand had been named by another victim whose allegations were found credible by the diocese in 1993, though his name was not listed on the diocesan website until after a reporters inquiry in 2004. Forand, who denied the allegations against him, was ordained in 1945 and died in May 2005 at age 87. Authier, who was ordained in 1930, served as pastor of St. Annes Parish in Chicopee from Feb. 1, 1955 until his death Sept. 7, 1970. He concelebrated the parishs 50th anniversary Mass with Forand, then parochial vicar at the parish, on Nov. 11, 1962, and Weldon officiated at groundbreaking ceremonies for Authiers addition to the church on April 27, 1964. The fact that the alleged survivors dispute with the diocesan review board played out in the media is the only reason the name of Authier against whom the alleged survivors claim of sexual abuse was found credible by the board has been made public. Some lawyers have released the names of clergy accused of sexual misconduct in diocesan settlements with the alleged victims, while others have become known through civil suits filed against them or being named in criminal investigations. When an alleged survivor claims an accusation of sexual misconduct with the diocese, the diocese reports it to the appropriate District Attorney for investigation first, and has said any allegation is also reported to the bishop, the diocesan review board and the civil attorneys for the diocese, Egan, Flanagan, and Cohen. The allegations against Weldon were also reported to the Vatican. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a national website for reporting allegations of sexual misconduct against bishops. Related content: TULSA, Okla. - Black Lives Matter protesters took President Donald Trump to task for hosting a political rally in Tulsa, the site of the worst racial violence in U.S. history, on Juneteenth weekend. Black activists said the rally stoked racial tensions in the city. In the district of Greenwood, black leaders rushed to cover up Black Wall Street memorials hours before a scheduled visit by Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday. The memorials honor the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. They also pay tribute to the Tulsa community of Greenwood, one of the richest black communities in the country before the 1921 massacre. Activists said they did not want Pence to use the historic district for a political event. "I just think his visit is an opportunity for a photo op," said community activist and educator Kristi Williams. "We say, 'Don't come for a photo op when you have not come to sit down and talk with black leaders in the community.' We are beyond symbolism." Others hung signs calling for reparations for the massacre at Greenwood, when white mobs killed more than 300 black people, burned homes and businesses, and left the 40 square blocks of the community smoldering. Saturday's protests come after weeks of anxiety and activism around Trump's campaign event, which was initially scheduled on Juneteenth, which celebrates the anniversary of the day more than 250,000 enslaved black people in Texas received news of their freedom in 1865. After days of criticism, the administration postponed the event by a day. But that concession did little to quell the anger over the event, coming after weeks of protests against racism, oppression and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis as a white police officer knelt on his neck. Pence arrived about 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Dream Center, in North Tulsa, where he met with a roundtable of black ministers. Pence told them he was there to listen after Floyd's death, according to White House pool reports. "There is no excuse for what happened to George Floyd," Pence told the ministers. "There is no excuse for the rioting and looting and violence that ensued." Across the city, Black Lives Matter protesters calling for racial justice lined the streets near the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, where Trump was hosting a campaign rally. Near an entrance on Fourth Street, a person wearing a Juneteenth T-shirt shouted at a Trump supporter wearing a flag as a cape. Dirk Baker, a resident of Tulsa, said black residents were upset that Trump chose the Juneteenth weekend for the political rally. Stephen Fuhri, a Trump supporter, responded that he was there to defend Tulsa from violence. "You destroyed Chicago," Fuhri shouted. "We won't let you destroy our neighborhoods." As tensions escalated, protesters shouted, "Black Lives Matter" in a megaphone. A Trump supporter retorted, "All Lives Matter." Blocks away, outside the historic Vernon AME Church, black leaders called for Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, to use his executive powers to stop Trump's campaign rally. "We are trying to defuse a rising situation," said Greg Robinson, a community organizer who last week announced a "nonpartisan" bid to run against Bynum. "We are asking the mayor to step in and delay this rally and call for people on all sides to show restraint." On Friday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court turned down an appeal of a lawsuit requesting an injunction against the rally. Paul DeMuro, one of the lawyers who filed an injunction against Trump's rally, said many people were nervous about Saturday's events. "The only recourse for the case right now is prayer," said DeMuro, who has practiced law in Tulsa for 23 years. "It's not about the legal issue. It's about a moral issue." DeMuro said he has received death threats since filing the case in Tulsa's district court Tuesday. "There is direct linkage between the threats I've been receiving and the president's hateful language," DeMuro said. Others have expressed frustration with the mixed messaging about Tulsa's curfew. The mayor imposed - then rescinded - a curfew for Saturday night. Bynum said he rescinded the curfew after consultation with the Tulsa Police Department. "The area previously under curfew is now a security zone under federal law enforcement purview," Bynum said in a statement. Tulsa's police said in a statement that the curfew was rescinded after Bynum talked with Trump. Oklahoma state Rep. Regina Goodwin, a Democrat, said the curfew is needed in Tulsa, as thousands pour in for Trump's rally. "The mayor needs to be consistent," Goodwin said. "He is the mayor of Tulsa, and we should not be left to govern ourselves." On Saturday, just blocks from Greenwood, crowds clashed at the intersection of Fourth and Boulder, when a group of protesters confronted Trump supporters near the entrance to the rally. A few dozen protesters carried a "Black Lives Matter" so long that it required three people to carry, bore the words, "Trump/Pence #Outnow." Trump supporters mostly lined up on the south side, and counterprotesters on the north. Police repeatedly cleared the streets as they edged toward one another, and traffic knotted up behind them. A handful of people gathered along side the Trump supporters, punching their fists into the air and shouting, "No Justice! No peace." A man shouted, "Black babies matter" into their ears through a bullhorn. Meanwhile, other protesters took their orange banner into the Boulder Avenue in downtown Tulsa, where they attempted to march down the street before local police guided them back to the sidewalk. A woman on a bullhorn, who said she was with the group Refusefascism.org, chanted, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA." A black Trump supporter standing nearby accused the woman on the bullhorn of saying, "Black lives don't matter." She retorted, "Blacks for Trump is like Jews for Hitler." The woman then shouted in her bullhorn for "Americans to take to the streets in a peaceful protest." Police disentangled the two groups. The demonstrators turned on their heels and took the orange banner up and marched down Boulder Avenue, where lines of Trump supporters have camped out since Wednesday, snarling traffic. Kyrgyzstans COVID - 19 cases reached 3,151 on Sunday, including 170 new confirmed cases, Trend reports citing Kabar. Of the new confirmed cases, 10 are medical workers, bringing the total number of contracted medical workers to 556, the countrys Deputy Health Minister Nurbolot Usenbaev told a news briefing. He said that 2 more new virus related death was registered the past day, raising the total number of fatalities to 37. The deputy minister noted that 30 more patients have made full recovery from the virus and discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 2,011, including 387 recoveries among medical workers. Meanwhile, 528 people are still in hospitals, with 11 patients in intensive care units. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 10:17:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A recent survey found that 88.6 percent of new Chinese college graduates celebrated their graduation in digital form amid the COVID-19 epidemic. The graduates surveyed mainly celebrated their graduation by making graduation videos, watching graduation ceremonies and buying academicals online, according to a report carried by the China Youth Daily. "This year's graduation was a special and unforgettable experience for me," Zhang Hanqi (a pseudonym), a graduate in Beijing, was quoted by the newspaper as saying. "Although I couldn't bid farewell to my teachers and classmates in person, and was unable to take a final tour of the campus as a student, this feeling of regret gave me a greater appreciation for campus life and engraved these youthful memories deep in my heart." Around 64.5 percent of the respondents think this year's graduation is of special significance, and 68 percent of them say they know how to better cherish the people around them as a result. In order to reduce the risk of infection, colleges across the country have adopted an unprecedented form of graduation to ensure students can graduate as scheduled, Shu Man, a researcher with East China Jiaotong University, told China Youth Daily. Both students and colleges have displayed great ingenuity and come up with personalized graduation activities, which is a new experience for the graduates and an opportunity to use their creativity, Shu added. Among the 2,505 respondents covered by the survey, 52.3 percent were male and 47.7 percent were female. Enditem took a mammoth effort from the government machinery to help migrant workers from Maharashtra to get back home. But, at the Childrens Home at Dongri unfolds another story of minor children whose loneliness, anxiety and cries, to be reunited with their families, remain confined to the four walls of the childrens home. There are 75 children, rescued from child labour and trafficking, waiting to be reunited with their families. Some of these children had also been missing or had run away from their homes. Usually once the children are rescued, their parents come and take custody. But the lockdown made it difficult for these poor families to obtain an e-pass for Mumbai. Only one family has managed to take custody of their child in the past three months, said Rahul Kanthikar, superintendent, Dongri Children Home. A man from Mumbai who frequently travelled to Uttar Pradesh had offered job to the teenage sons of a villager from Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. He promised his sons aged 17 and 15 years that the job would fetch them 6,000 a month. The brothers, however, were made to work in a bangle manufacturing unit at Malad. Within a few days, the 15-year-old could not cope up with 14-hour shift and he returned home. But the 17-year-old was forced to continue with his job at the unit. In February this year, a team of police officials raided the bangle unit and rescued the 17-year-old, along with other children, and sent him to the Childrens Home in Dongri. The rescue was communicated to his family and they expected their son to come back home. In another case, a 13-year-old boy was kidnapped from Mysore, Karnataka, and brought to Mumbai by a man who had sedated his drink. The man along with his accomplices had kept the child in a small room from where he managed to escape. He, then, went to a police station and narrated his ordeal. Counsellors at the Childrens Home say that the child is bright and is worried about his studies. All these children, from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, West Bengal, are staring at an uncertain future now. Uncertainty due to Covid-19 outbreak The other arrangement made by the concerned authorities was to send these rescued kids to childrens home of their respective state. Then, the Childrens Welfare Committee of that state would help these children reunite with their parents. But there was no approval from the respective states due to the spread of the Covid-19, said Kanthikar. To make matter worse, a nurse and two kids at the Childrens Home tested positive for the virus. Many kids were anxious, and faced sleep-related issues, loss of appetite, mood-swings, drop-in daily activities etc, said Kadambari Dube, a counsellor at Dongri Childrens home. The kids are anxious about the uncertainty this pandemic has brought. They are anxious about their academic year, exam results, condition of their parents, etc. It is very difficult to make the kids understand what exactly Covid-19 is and why the lockdown was necessary, Dube said. Signs of anxiety and depression seen among children While officials at the childrens home help the rescued children by enabling them to talk to their families over the phone, but counsellors say that longer stay of a child at the childrens home harms the childs psyche. We have observed signs of anxiety and depression among the children, and ask us about their families, and are adamant that they be reunited with their parents in the shortest possible time, said Sachi Maniar, director of Ashiyana Foundation, that works with Dongri Childrens Home. Home states are reluctant to accept rescued children Urmila Jadhav, one of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members, Mumbai, said, other states are not willing to accept children back easily. It is a known fact that the CWCs of other states are reluctant to accept these rescued children and now they are giving an excuse of the spread of a contagious disease. We are ready to send the kids after conducting their Covid tests, but they are delaying the paperwork. Hrishikesh Yashod, commissioner of Women and Child Development, Maharashtra state, said, Its a stressful situation for everyone. Children are even more vulnerable, and they need care and protection. There is no denial to the fact that kids in Children Care Institutions [or children homes] are anxious, panicked and are in stress because of the lockdown. Usually other states approve, but because of the lockdown the procedure is affected. One cannot deny the reluctant approach of administration of other states. Unavailability of a police escort party is also an issue. But the department is taking all possible measures to reunite the kids, Yashod added. As tensions simmer along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, where aggressive military posturing by Indian and Chinese forces has garnered global attention, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday made a detailed assessment of the ground situation at the disputed border, where 20 Indian and scores of Chinese soldiers were killed in a skirmish in Galwan valley, two senior officers familiar with the developments said on Sunday. Singh held an hour-long meeting with chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs at his residence. He was briefed about the preparations of the military and its readiness to respond to any provocative actions by the Chinese forces, one of the officers said on condition of anonymity. The meeting came before Singh heads to Russia to participate in the Victory Day parade in Moscow on June 24. He will meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu during the visit (June 21-25), and the spike in border tensions with China is set to figure in the discussions, said the second officer cited above, asking not to be identified. Moscows relations with New Delhi and Beijing are currently very good, and Russian diplomats, in recent remarks to the Indian media, have spoken about the need to ease tensions between India and China for regional stability. The minister told the military brass that India will not escalate the border dispute but it will respond to threatening actions with firmness and reiterated that local commanders at the LAC have full authority to do what is necessary to safeguard Indian interests, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an all-party meeting last week, the second officer said. A significant change in the rules of engagement (ROE) by the Indian Army following the June 15 Galwan valley skirmish has given complete freedom of action to commanders deployed along the LAC to handle situations at the tactical level. The commanders will no longer be bound by restrictions on the use of firearms and will have full authority to respond to extraordinary situations using all resources at their disposal, as reported by Hindustan Times on Saturday. The government has given financial powers worth ~500 crore per project to the armed forces to fast-track the purchase of critical weapons and ammunition to deal with any kind of scenario, the second officer said. Similar financial powers for emergency purchases were bestowed on the military after the 2016 Uri terror attack and the 2019 Balakot air strikes. While no violent face-offs have been reported after the deadly Galwan valley clash that has hurt bilateral ties, India and China have significantly beefed up their deployments in the extended region on both sides of the unmarked and volatile border, said the first officer sited above. The two armies have marshalled thousands of soldiers on their respective sides of the LAC and the military buildup consists of fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, artillery guns and missile systems. The army has strengthened its posture across the length of the LAC from Ladakh to Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh where reinforcements have been sent and the IAF has also has kept its contingency plans ready to respond to any provocative actions. Apart from Sukhoi-30s and upgraded MiG-29 fighter jets, the IAF is operating Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters both imported from the United States in the Ladakh sector that has been the focus of current border tensions. Satellite imagery has revealed a Chinese buildup in the Galwan valley and fresh inputs also suggest heightened Chinese activity in the Finger Area (a cluster of strategic features) near Pangong Tso, where new Chinese positions, bunkers and observation posts have come up between Finger 4 and Finger 8 in the last seven weeks, restricting the scope of Indian patrols to reach areas that New Delhi considers its territory. The Chinese PLA is fully deployed in Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) with air, artillery and missile support, and the PLA Air Force has activated its bases in both Xinjiang and TAR, with fighter aircraft making a show of strength in Aksai Chin area, as reported by Hindustan Times on Friday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pat Eaton-Robb / Associated Press Nine more people in Connecticut have died after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, numbers released by the state Sunday show. The newly reported deaths bring the state total to 4,260. 'In recent years, social media platforms have come under increased pressure from governments to quickly remove violent content and disinformation from their platforms' (Stock image) From bombings and protests to the opening of a new health centre, student journalist Baraa Razzouk has been documenting daily life in Idlib, Syria, for years - and posting the videos to his YouTube account. But this month, the 21-year-old started getting automated emails from YouTube, alerting him that his videos violated its policy, and that they would be deleted. As of this month, more than a dozen of his videos had been removed, he said. "Documenting the Syrian protests in videos is really important. Also, documenting attacks by regime forces," he said. "This is something I had documented for the world and now it's deleted." YouTube, Facebook and Twitter warned in March that videos and other content may be erroneously removed for policy violations as the coronavirus pandemic forced them to empty offices and rely on automated takedown software. But those artificial intelligence-enabled tools risk confusing human rights and historical documentation like Razzouk's videos with problematic material such as terrorist content, particularly in war-torn countries such as Syria and Yemen, digital rights activists warned. "AI is notoriously context-blind," said Jeff Deutch, a researcher for Syrian Archive, a non-profit organisation which archives video from conflict zones in the Middle East. "It is often unable to gauge the historical, political or linguistic settings of posts. Human rights documentation and violent extremist proposals are too often indistinguishable," he said. Erroneous takedowns threaten content such as videos which are used as formal evidence of rights violations by international bodies such as the International Criminal Court and the United Nations, said Dia Kayyali of digital rights group Witness. "It's a perfect storm," the tech and advocacy co-ordinator said. After reporters flagged Razzouk's account to YouTube, a spokesman said the company had deleted the videos in error, although the removal was not appealed through their internal process. It has now restored 17 of Razzouk's videos. "With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call," the spokesman said. "When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it." In recent years, social media platforms have come under increased pressure from governments to quickly remove violent content and disinformation from their platforms, increasing their reliance on AI systems. With the help of automated software, YouTube removes millions of videos a year, and Facebook deleted more than a billion accounts last year for violating rules such as posting terrorist content. Last year social media companies pledged to block extremist content following a live-streamed terrorist attack shown on Facebook of a gunman killing 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Governments have followed suit, with French president Emmanuel Macron vowing to make France a leader in containing the spread of illicit content and false information on social media platforms. But the country's top court this week rejected most of a draft law which would have compelled social media giants to remove any hateful content within 24 hours. Companies such as Facebook have also pledged to remove misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak which could contribute to imminent physical harm. These pressures, combined with an increased reliance on AI during the pandemic, puts human rights content in particular jeopardy, said Kayyali. Social media firms typically do not disclose how frequently their AI tools mistakenly take down content. So the Syrian Archive group has been using its own data to approximate change over time in the rate of deletions of human rights documentation on crimes committed in Syria, which has been battered by nearly a decade of war. The group flags accounts posting human rights content on social media platforms, and archives the posts on its servers. To approximate the rate of deletions they run a script pinging the original post each month to see if it has been removed. "Our research suggests that since the beginning of the year, the rate of content takedowns of Syrian human rights documentations on YouTube roughly doubled (from 13pc to 20pc)," said Deutch, calling the increase "unprecendented". In May, Syrian Archive detected that more than 350,000 videos on YouTube had disappeared - up from 200,000 in May 2019, including videos of aerial attacks, protests and destruction of civilians homes in Syria. Deutch said he had seen content takedowns in other war-torn countries in the region, including Yemen and Sudan. "Users in conflict zones are more vulnerable," he said. Other groups, including Amnesty International and Witness, have warned of the trend elsewhere, including in sub-Saharan Africa. Syrian Archive was not able to test for takedowns at Facebook, because outside researchers are restricted from the platform's application programming interface (API). But earlier this month Syrians began using the hashtag "Facebook is fighting the Syran revolution" to flag similar content takedowns on the platform. Last month, Yahya Daoud, a Syrian humanitarian worker with the White Helmets emergency response group, shared a post and a photo showing a woman who died in a 2012 massacre by the forces of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the Houla region. By the end of the month Daoud said his account - which he had used since 2011 to document his life in Syria - was automatically deleted without explanation. "I was depending on Facebook to be an archive for me," he said. "So many memories have been lost: the death of my friends, the day I became displaced, the death of my mother," he said, adding that he had unsuccessfully tried to appeal the decision through Facebook's automated complaints system. Facebook did not respond to requests for comment. Researchers say they are only able to detect a small slice of erroneous content takedowns. "We don't know how many people are trying to speak and we aren't hearing them," said Alexa Koenig, director of the University of California Berkeley's Human Rights Centre. "These algorithms are grabbing the content before we even see it," said Koenig, whose centre uses images and videos posted from conflict zones such as Syria to document human rights abuses and build cases. YouTube said that 80pc of videos flagged by its AI were deleted before anyone had seen them in the second quarter of 2019. That concerns Koenig, who worries that erasing these videos could jeopardise ongoing investigations around the world. In 2017, the International Criminal Court issued its first arrest warrant that rested primarily on social media evidence, after video emerged on Facebook of Libya commander Mahmoud al-Werfalli. The video purportedly showed him shooting dead 10 blindfolded prisoners at the site of a car bombing in Benghazi. He is still at large. Koenig worries this kind of documentation is now under threat. "The danger is much higher than it was just a few months ago," she said. "It's a sickening feeling, to know we aren't close to where we need to be in preserving this content." Thomson Reuters Foundation Environmental groups in Zimbabwe are urging the government to crack down on building in wetlands. Years of drought in Zimbabwe have led to water shortages. And in many urban areas, landowners are being blamed for invading and building on wetlands. Environmentalists say this has led to a drastic decline in groundwater levels. Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa reports from Harare, Zimbabwe. On Saturday, the Prime Ministers Office issued a much-needed clarification about Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modis statement, on Friday, that there was no (external) presence in Indian territory. It said that PM was referring to the situation pertaining to the Galwan Valley, where Indian Army personnel had bravely foiled Chinas attempts to erect structures and transgress on June 15. The clarification came a day after the PMs statement, at an all-party meeting, created a political and diplomatic row. The original statement, read independently, had the potential of undermining Indias sovereign claims and its negotiating position, confusing Indias friends, providing diplomatic ammunition to China, and appearing contradictory to earlier positions of the external affairs and defence ministries. It also seemed contrary to reports about the situation in Pangong Tso namely Chinese occupation of a central portion of the shore that was behind the Indian claims line, but is disputed and not under the sovereign control of either country. It also prompted other questions. If there had been no intrusion in Galwan Valley, what led to the violence on June 15? What is the restoration of status quo ante that India wants if there is no transgression? While the clarification has helped, Beijing will throw the original statement back at the Indian side during the coming negotiations. The considerable support India has overseas can potentially get eroded as friendly governments presume New Delhi is prepared to concede land. Domestically, the PMs remark deepened political polarisation and led to accusations about government being less than transparent. The PM has been remarkably sure-footed in the international arena and Fridays statement was not in character. It is impossible to know whether it was a slip, or whether it was a strategic message meant to China to offer room for quiet de-escalation, or whether it was a political counter to the Oppositions critique that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) had been breached, or whether, as the clarification noted, it was only about Galwan Valley. But irrespective of the motivations, the message sent out an ambiguous signal. The PM must speak again, and categorically address three issues: on Chinese transgression across the LAC, if any, in recent months; whether China is attempting to change the facts on the ground in Pangong Tso; and the current status in Galwan Valley. It is important to establish that the area that India has always claimed as its own is firmly under Indian control. There is sometimes value to strategic ambiguity in international politics. But this isnt one of those. A new statement will help restore Indias stand. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Mining and commodities marketing company Glencore says it has been informed that it is under criminal investigation by Switzerland's attorney general in connection with alleged corruption in Congo. The company said in a statement Friday that the attorney general was investigating suspected failure to have organizational measures in place to prevent corruption, and that it was cooperating with the investigation. Glencore International AG, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, operates around 150 mining, metallurgical and oil production sites in 35 countries. Many people believe that research studies conducted across universities are too theoretical and abstract, limiting their relevance and value to their everyday lives. Therefore, there is now a greater call for universities to become more engaged with their local communities to explore more possibilities of conducting community research. Conducting community research is becoming more appealing as they allow academics to be exposed to wider perspectives and alternative ways of thinking, which can assist them in challenging received truths and spur more creativity, innovation, and productivity. Throughout the process, those research problems often drive academics to employ, synthesize, and integrate theories, concepts, methods, and tools across different disciplines. Although the very idea of conducting community research sounds promising, there is always a need for having an accessible starting point. The most appropriate platform is perhaps the inquiry-based and interdisciplinary research that is emerging across many prestigious universities. These studies often touch upon a wide range of important daily issues, meaning they have more explicit reference to practical relevance and societal values. Through these platforms, academics can better connect with outside stakeholders in the community through conversations and interactions. In short, it is more like a dynamic two-way engagement that involves putting the research process into their communities and having the communities feeding back to the research. In January 2018, the State Council issued guidance on intensifying basic research and advocating interdisciplinary research. Meanwhile, there are also more interdisciplinary research institutions and funding established across many universities. All these reflect the ongoing changes of the disciplinary boundaries where the whole world is more diverse and complex than the academic world that is often categorized into specialized and narrow disciplines. Take the recent global outbreak of COVID-19 as an example. Many professional researchers and experts are working together to identify the pathogen and ways of transmission, which help better formulate remedial and preventive measures after acquiring more evidence-based epidemiological information. This is particularly crucial when there is no pre-existing immunity for defense and resistance against the virus as well as no vaccine for prevention. But apart from physical health, many people are psychologically wounded due to the sadness and uncertainties brought by the disease, be it home confinement, social isolation, or even disruption of daily routines. There is a need to better understand the perceptions, needs, and difficulties the public face to offer them more effective mental support. Sadly, these are often research areas that are neglected by many academics. There is still a long-standing insulating layer existing between academia and the community. Since the community does not purely focus on academic or research-oriented goals, this creative difference can lead to more innovative solutions to a wide range of genuine problems. Therefore, universities should establish ongoing dialogues and close collaborations with various parties within the community, which constitute a meaningful and sustainable synergy. For example, under the influence of the COVID-19 outbreak, academics can reach out to underprivileged students to see how they can overcome the digital divide and continue their e-learning during the ongoing school suspension. Meanwhile, academics can explore how to better support the elderly with high psychological and medical risks who are living alone. Furthermore, there can be detailed studies by academics regarding how the government should prioritize their directions of offering epidemic financial support for the public. Without reaching the community, academics can hardly reach the frontline practitioners and general public with firsthand information and tactic knowledge, which allows them to analyze the problem holistically and advise ways for targeted assistance through conducting research. Meanwhile, they seldom understand the emotional and sensitive aspects of the issue, which are often excluded when research is conducted objectively. Although problems come into layers that need to be separated and analyzed, the relevant solutions should be addressed as a holistic system rather than as fragmented pieces. Nonetheless, a good inquiry-based interdisciplinary research should look into the interplay of various elements, which help better unfold and reveal the complexities of the research problem. Most importantly, the addition of such an engagement element allows knowledge to be broadly, pragmatically, and meaningfully realized, which can eventually benefit a wider set of stakeholders. In fact, all these real-life research projects also need not be deemed as less rigorous or objective than that of the academic variety under strong publication pressure. Although academics may eventually frame these projects as particularly local or regionwide, what they are attempting to address or tackle will still be important for the global reference. They can also easily scale up these preliminary products for larger and more powerful projects. Without such an intrinsic connection, academics will continue to be too concerned about uncovering general patterns and developing theoretical frameworks. Currently, some research studies conducted within the closely confined walls of universities are translatable and have value externally. Therefore, conducting more inquiry-based interdisciplinary research allows academia and society to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate continuously. This eventually allows a strong synergy when they are utilizing their strength in arriving common propositions and enhancing overall productivities. Mathew Wong is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Education University of Hong Kong. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. John Bolton, President Donald Trump's third and longest-serving national security adviser, is speaking out against his former boss in a bombshell new book about his 17 months at the White House and an exclusive interview with ABC News. A veteran of the past three Republican administrations, Bolton is a well-known and active voice in Republican foreign policy circles who has advocated for hard-line, militaristic positions on North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and other countries. At times during his tenure in the Trump White House, that appeared to put him at odds with Trump the deal-maker. But the president repeatedly praised Bolton as a patriot, highly respected, smart and a tough cookie -- praise he has countered now that Bolton has assaulted his presidency and fitness for office. MORE: Ex-national security adviser John Bolton responds to Trump's tweets about his memoir "He wasn't liked at all and wasn't respected very much, and as we got to know him, he was respected less and less. Personally, I thought he was crazy," Trump told The Wall Street Journal Wednesday. Here's what you need to know about Bolton: Name: John Robert Bolton Age: 71 Birthplace: Baltimore Time in the Trump White House After initially being considered for multiple top roles in Trump's administration, Bolton joined the White House as Trump's third national security adviser in April 9, 2018, after Trump fired his first two: Michael Flynn and H.R. McMaster. "He's going to be a fantastic representative of our team. He's highly respected by everybody in this room," Trump said on his first day. "You are going to do a fantastic job." Bolton was at Trump's side for nearly all his major meetings with foreign leaders, including his two summits with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, that infamous meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin and on the sidelines of major meetings like the G-20 with China's Xi Jinping. Story continues MORE: John Bolton's book recounts chaos, turmoil in Trump White House Bolton also drove Trump's tough stance on foreign adversaries like Iran and Venezuela, pushing the administration to ramp up sanctions and tighten economic pressure on both governments. But his influence only extended so far. According to his new White House memoir, "The Room Where It Happened," Trump pulled some punches on Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and suddenly reversed course on retaliatory strikes on Iran after its military downed a U.S. drone. "In my government experience, this was the most irrational thing I ever witnessed any President do," Bolton wrote of the decision, saying he and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were close to resigning over it. Trump's personal diplomacy with Kim also irked Bolton, who has advocated for a preemptive strike on North Korea's nuclear facilities. Among the last straws for Bolton was when Trump leaned toward meeting Iran's leaders, who Bolton has previously called for overthrowing. PHOTO: In this file photo taken on Feb. 17, 2020, former national security adviser John Bolton speaks at Duke University in Durham, N.C. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images, File) His role in Trump's impeachment Bolton coming forward now to speak has brought him a barrage of criticism. While the House was investigating Trump's hold on military assistance to Ukraine in exchange for investigations of his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, Bolton was silent. His lawyer signaled he would challenge a House subpoena in court after the White House ordered him not to testify. Later, he offered to appear before the Senate trial as a witness if subpoenaed, but Senate Republicans killed a vote to question witnesses. But Bolton would have been the first -- and so far, only -- witness to testify that Trump directed the hold on nearly $400 million of aid to Ukraine until it announced probes of his Democratic rivals. According to his new book, he also would have contradicted Trump's legal defense by saying the Ukrainian government and senior U.S. officials were aware of that connection. MORE: Beyond the bombshells: 5 other memorable takeaways from Bolton's book Bolton now says his testimony would not have mattered in the midst of a partisan fight over impeachment, which he attributes to House Democrats leading a narrow inquiry into Trump's Ukraine pursuit. Instead, Bolton told ABC News, Congress should have investigated a broader "pattern" of behavior where Trump put his personal and political interests above the nation's. What he used to do A graduate of Yale University and Yale Law School, Bolton began his federal service in President Ronald Reagan's administration, first at the U.S. Agency for International Development and then as an assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice. He joined the State Department under President George H. W. Bush and again under President George W. Bush. In August 2005 during a congressional recess, Bush appointed Bolton to temporarily serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Unable to win confirmation from a majority-Democratic Senate, Bolton resigned in December 2006, when his recess appointment would have expired. He was seen as a controversial choice to serve at the United Nations in part because he was so vocally critical of the institution. In 1994, he famously said, "The Secretariat Building in New York has 38 stories. If you lost 10 stories today, it wouldn't make a bit of difference." PHOTO: Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton campaigns for Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Jan. 13, 2012. (Charles Dharapak/AP Photo) But Bush praised Bolton's efforts during his 16 months at the U.N. "Ambassador Bolton led the successful negotiations that resulted in unanimous Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea's military and nuclear activities. He built consensus among our allies on the need for Iran to suspend the enrichment and reprocessing of uranium," Bush said in a statement at the time. After leaving the Bush administration, Bolton was a foreign policy adviser to presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012 and an informal adviser to Ted Cruz in 2016 after briefly flirting with his own presidential run. He is currently a counsel in the Washington office of Kirkland & Ellis and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. ABC News' Elizabeth McLaughlin and Cindy Smith contributed to this report. Everything you need to know about John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Romee Strijd has revealed her firstborn baby will be a daughter. The 24-year-old Dutch supermodel broke the news with an Instagram album showing her backyard gender reveal party. In the photo she could be seen beaming as her husband Laurens Van Leeuwen stood beside her and fired pink smoke off into the air. 'We can't wait: Romee Strijd has revealed her firstborn baby will be a daughter, breaking the news with an Instagram album showing her backyard gender reveal party The album also included a video where their guests could be heard counting down in Dutch until Laurens sprayed the smoke around. When the big moment arrived and Laurens made the reveal, the guests cheered wildly and Romee melted into laughter. 'We cant wait to meet our little girl,' captioned the Victoria's Secret Angel, adding a heart emoji for good measure. Romee also used her Insta Stories to let her fans in on the festivities, although first she polled them on what they thought the result would be. What a moment: In the photo she could be seen beaming as her husband Laurens Van Leeuwen stood beside her and fired pink smoke off into the air Incoming: The album included a video where their guests could be heard counting down in Dutch until Laurens sprayed the smoke around She looked excited as she sat in the car with Laurens while they were 'On our way.....' to the outdoor location where the party would take place. The Zoetermeer native filmed herself looking delighted as the pink smoke billowed around her during the fete. Romee, whose father-in-law Bert Van Leeuwen is a famous TV presenter in their native Netherlands, married Laurens in 2018. She announced on Instagram last month that she is expecting a baby after undergoing a battle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a.k.a. PCOS. Polling the public: Romee also used her Insta Stories to let her fans in on the festivities, although first she polled them on what they thought the result would be En route: She looked excited as she sat in the car with Laurens while they were 'On our way.....' to the outdoor location where the party would take place Glowing: The Zoetermeer native filmed herself looking delighted as the pink smoke billowed around her during the fete Romee wrote that '2 years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for 7 years. I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream..' She added: 'I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.. I started to research PCOS and came to the conclusion that mine was not the typical pcos..' The model revealed: 'Mine was because of my body being in fight or flight mode.. which means my body was under constant stress. I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard te understand this, but my life consisted of travelling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods).' Thrilled: When the big moment arrived and Laurens made the reveal, the guests cheered wildly and Romee melted into laughter Having a ball: Romee also used Insta Stories to let fans in on the festivities She continued: 'I think I pressured my body to much, and honestly every body is so different but I think my weight was not good for my body to function properly and couldnt handle the constant traveling.' Romee wrote: 'This was the point where I started to research natural healing for PCOS and came to the conclusion that I should do way less high intensity training, dont restrict foods, be nice to myself, and take breaks when needed.' The Zoetermeer native specified: 'I also tried some natural supplements, acupuncture and we got a place back in the Netherlands as well, so we could spend more time with Family (since im such a family person).' Romee concluded: 'Im so happy and grateful to say that I got my period back last november AND that WERE SOON A FAMILY OF THREE & to the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself and be nice for yourself and your body and dont let those thoughts get to you to much.' TwoTowers Private Equity CEO Paik Hui-jung Ex-prime minister's grandson joins hands with former US ambassador By Park Jae-hyuk The United States has always been a land of opportunity for private equity firms (PEFs) from around the world, but it has also been a challenge for Korean investment companies to achieve success there especially through buyouts. Even for leading Korean PEFs that have made several investments in the U.S. market, acquiring an American company has not been an easy decision to make, so most opted to expand their presence in the emerging Asian market over the past decade. TwoTowers Private Equity CEO Paik Hui-jung, however, told The Korea Times that he always looks at U.S. companies as buyout investment targets that can act as platforms through which small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here can enter the North American market. "One of our long-term investment goals is to provide Korean SMEs with as many small- to mid-sized proof-of-concept projects in the U.S. market as possible," he said. "With these new projects, Korean SMEs will be able to access a new market, develop new business models and scale-up to a new level of business growth." Starting his own corporate advisory firm, TwoTowers & Company, in 2012, the 38-year-old founded the buyout firm in September last year to seek opportunities from the U.S. aerospace and defense sectors which he said are the most competitive and attractive due to their low cyclicality. Aiming to take over controlling stakes in affiliates and partnering companies of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, he is raising a $50 million blind-pool fund which will close by the end of this year. "In the past decade, South Korean IT and biotech companies like Samsung, Kakao, and Celltrion, have dominated and been the driving force in the success of our economy," he said. "However, everyone is aware that we are continuing to lose competitiveness in these sectors and desperately need new growth engines to carry us into the next decade and beyond." The CEO also joined hands with former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Christopher Hill for his project, as investing in the U.S. aerospace and defense industries requires a vast network there. "I am very pleased and honored to invite and partner with Ambassador Hill on our project," he said. "Thanks to his seasoned experience and wealth of knowledge, I am confident that our company will be able to successfully manage U.S. funds for the long term, all the way from company selection to post-investment integration." Grandfather's influence Paik expects the COVID-19 pandemic will raise the valuation of the U.S. aerospace and defense sectors, accelerating the restructuring of the industries. However, profitability was not the only reason for his investments. Mentioning social contribution as another huge reason for his business, the CEO said his philosophy was largely influenced by his late grandfather Paik Du-jin, who served as the Prime Minister during the late period of the Korean War and the early period of the Park Chung-hee administration. "Being that he was not a businessman, nor an entrepreneur, he never placed his focus on how to make money or amass personal wealth. Rather, he often shared with me how much his personal wealth declined after a series of currency reforms he actively worked on and helped to pass," he said. "This is a perfect example of the integrity and philosophy that defined my grandfather's role as a public officer. Based on the nature of private equity management, the role of a general partner is a lot like that of a steward and requires an extreme level of integrity and honesty as well." Aiming at multinational PEF Although Paik ambitiously vowed to place integrity which he regards as the most valuable inheritance he received from his late grandfather above any goal or objective, he admitted there were problems he faced in managing a newly established PEF, saying there were already more than 300 private equity and venture capital houses in the Korean market. Recent scandals involving banks that sold high-risk derivatives and the collapse of market-leading hedge fund management companies, such as Lime Asset Management, also surprised him, because those incidents signaled the end of a decade-long, overheated, liquidity-led market cycle. However, he said those difficulties have led TwoTowers to be different from top to bottom from fundraising to project selection. His company's ongoing social impact investments in startups is part of this effort, according to the CEO. Emphasizing his company has tried to bridge the gap between the two towers social value and profitability Paik said his vision for the next ten years is to see his company help increase the national wealth by becoming a multinational PEF and a major player in the global market. Signs indicating up to 30% off and Everything Must Go have appeared on the windows of Pier 1 Imports at Southmont Plaza in Bethlehem Township. A woman who answered the phone Sunday at the location, however, said itll be awhile yet before that location -- and the store in the Hamilton Crossings shopping mall in Lower Macungie Township -- shut down for good. One of the deepest discounts going so far in Bethlehem Township, she said, is all outdoor patio furniture is 40% off with an additional 15% discount on top of that. At the store Sunday afternoon, such things as faux florals were just 10% off. The same went for fragrances and vases. Lamps and LED candles were 20% off, and dining chairs were marked down 30% off. Some Easter items -- likely in inventory just prior to Gov. Tom Wolfs March 19 shutdown of non-essential business -- were listed as much as 60% off. How deep will the discounts be as the weeks go on depends on liquidators, the employee said. She said the Lower Macungie location right now has the same discounts but that could change in coming weeks. As several big box stores at Southmont were eager to reopen on June 5 when the state moved to the yellow phase of Wolfs three-tired plan, Pier 1 remained closed until at least Friday. A small crowd wearing face masks and social distancing by six feet was seen that morning lining up outside the store, 4423 Birkland Place. Pier 1 announced in a statement last month its seeking court approval to liquidate all of its roughly 540 stores as soon as possible. On Sunday afternoon, additional guests waited outside as posted signs indicated only 25 customers were allowed inside at a time. Patrons also are being required to wear face masks. All sales are final, an employee explained as patrons entered. Pier 1 announced in a statement last month its seeking court approval to liquidate all of its roughly 540 stores as soon as possible. The 58-year-old company said the permanent store closures are due to the profound impact of COVID-19, which prevented the retailer from securing a buyer after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February. The chain proposed July 1 as the asset bid deadline, July 8 as the auction date and July 15 as the sale hearing date, according to the statement. A Whitehall Township location closed in mid-2019 along MacArthur Road. The building was razed and has since become the site of a new four-tenant commercial building. Township plans earlier this year showed a Starbucks with a drive-through slated to be constructed at the west end of the building and a 1,600-square-foot Jersey Mikes sandwich shop to be constructed at the east end, facing the highway. A Supercuts also was expected to take up one of two available center spaces. Gerrit F. Curran, owner of Pursuit of Subs LLC, told lehighvalleylive.com the grand opening for the Jersey Mikes in Whitehall is planned for July 1. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. In New Jersey cities, many thousands of families will soon be homeless, once the governor lifts his moratorium on evictions during the pandemic. Some are already being evicted, illegally. Yet even a decent landlord is in an impossible situation without federal help. And Mitch McConnell is standing in the way. The Senate Majority leader and President Trump have been blocking any more help to states, including as much as $100 billion for tenants and landlords, in rent and utility assistance. Miserly Mitch also pledged not to renew the unemployment benefits that have been helping tens of millions of Americans to make rent. Maybe we should hang his portrait in the foyer of every overcrowded shelter in this state, to welcome all who enter. The coming deluge of evictions is way too big a problem for New Jersey to solve alone. Even the feds probably couldnt help all the people who will need it. But Republican leaders, who refuse to vote on aid measures passed by the House, arent even trying to get halfway there. Congress missed the boat on this, says David Brogan of the New Jersey Apartment Association, which represents landlords. It should have been part of the original stimulus. If you knew that people were going to be jobless, you knew that they were going to need rental assistance. Its disappointing. Small landlords who invested all their money into their properties are especially hurting, he says. Gov. Phil Murphys $100 million in renter assistance would help about 10,000 to 15,000 families pay rent going forward, for six months to a year, advocates estimate a great start, but far less than whats needed. Our state has about a million tenants. About 40 percent of New Jerseyans have someone in their household who has lost a job, so hundreds of thousands are likely already struggling to pay rent, according to Adam Gordon of Fair Share Housing. Every month, more fall behind. A bill now working its way through our Legislature would put tenants on a repayment plan: six months to make up each months rent they missed. Its not ideal, but better than nothing. The help would be exponentially greater under the federal bill being blocked by McConnell, which would provide the rent owed due to coronavirus-related job losses. We have a few months, at least, until the monster wave of evictions hits. But these cases are already being filed and heard in court. What matters most now is that everyone else is straining to do all they can, because a tidal wave of homelessness would be catastrophic for those evicted. We all have an interest in preventing that, and its going to take a collective sacrifice to stop it. It cant land entirely on tenants. Landlords and taxpayers are going to have to chip in, too. Families crammed into shelters get exposed to the virus. Homelessness traumatizes kids. Landlords may blacklist any evicted tenants from future rentals, creating what housing advocate Staci Berger calls a cycle of displacement and despair. Some landlords cant pay their taxes and could end up in foreclosure, bringing in new investors who dont necessarily have a stake in the neighborhood. Theyll sit on a property until the market gets hot, leaving the lot vacant. You lose the fabric of that community, Berger says the neighbors looking after each others kids, or helping to drop off groceries for the elderly. And tenants face the enormous stress of trying to find a place to live in the middle of a pandemic. McConnell, and of course Trump, dont seem to care. Neither do the landlords who are illegally evicting people. But theyre not the only bad actors here. Anyone who shows apathy or incompetence adds to this crisis. From our governor to state lawmakers, it demands nothing less than an all-out rush to the rescue. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Ms. Nguyen could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday. Professor Hubbard said Ms. Nguyen was in his online trigonometry class, which had about 30 students. Professor Hubbard, who has taught at the college for 15 years, said in a phone interview on Saturday that there were two people in his class with the surname Nguyen. He said he sent his initial email on Wednesday night partly to prevent confusion with the other student, and partly because he was uncomfortable using Ms. Nguyens name. Seeing that another student had changed his online name inspired Professor Hubbard to ask Ms. Nguyen if she would do the same. Eventually, he asked all of his students to change their Zoom names for Thursdays class to their last name and their first initial, he said. The first email was a mistake, and I made it thinking about another student willing to Anglicize, Professor Hubbard said. But its a big difference with someone doing it voluntarily and asking someone to do it. The second email is very offensive, and if I had waited eight hours, I wouldve written something very different. The Peralta Federation of Teachers, the union that represents Laney College faculty members, said on Saturday that it was hoping to institute diversity and equity training by the fall but that plans were still in the early stages. I am shocked and appalled by the racist comments we are seeing online from a Laney faculty member to a student, Jennifer Shanoski, the unions president, said in a statement. In no way are these comments or assertions acceptable in our diverse, welcoming, educational environment. John C. Yang, president and executive director of Advancing Justice AAJC, a nonprofit organization that works to advance civil and human rights for Asian-Americans, said he was deeply offended by the professors actions. President Akufo-Addo in his 11th address confirmed reports that Health Minister, had been infected with COVID-19 and was responding to treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). Let us also wish our hardworking Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, MP for Dormaa Central, a speedy recovery from the virus, which he contracted in the line of duty and is in stable condition, the President said The 64-year-old minister was however released from hospital few days later. In a one-on-one discussion on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme, Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Fifi Fiavi Franklin Kwetey reacted to the Health Minister's status. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that he does not believe the coronavirus pandemic in the United States will ease over the summer or in the fall. Driving the news: The country on Saturday reported more than 33,000 new cases of the coronavirus the highest total since May 1 despite claims from Trump administration officials that concerns over a second wave of the virus are "overblown." Osterholm countered that he believes a second or third wave of coronavirus is unlikely because the first wave has yet to slow down. What he's saying: "I'm actually of the mind right now I think this is more like a forest fire. I don't think that this is going to slow down," he said. "Wherever there's wood to burn, this fire is going to burn, and right now we have a lot of susceptible people." Osterholm added that he does not think the influenza model of multiple waves applies to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. "Right now, I don't see this slowing down through the summer or into the fall. I don't think we're going to see one, two and three waves. I think we're just going to see one very, very difficult forest fire of cases." The big picture: As of Sunday afternoon, the country has reported more than 2.2 million coronavirus cases the highest caseload in the world and has suffered at least 119,744 deaths from the virus. The European Union, which has a population of around 446 million, is seeing average new confirmed case numbers of around 4,000 per day, compared to about 24,000 for the U.S. This is at least in part attributable to increased testing by the U.S., but there are surges in infections in several states that outpace the growth in testing. The U.S., which has a total population of around 328 million, has conducted around 26 million coronavirus tests since the beginning of the pandemic. Screenshot: Meet the Press Go deeper: Navarro says Trump's call for less coronavirus testing was "tongue-in-cheek" Paid for by SK-II If you've never heard of skin essences, youre not alone. And if youve ever found yourself confused by the hype around them, you're not alone. But there's a reason why millions of women trust this lightweight yet powerful product to smooth, soften and even out skin texture and tone. Its not a toner. Its not a serum. Its an all around beauty routine game-changer. Essences are potent, deeply penetrating skin treatments that hydrate and transform skins look and feel. No matter your skin type or skin concern, this product should be an essential part of your beauty routine. And SK-II Pitera Essence is one of a kind. SK-II is arguably the most familiar name in the world of essences. 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The essence was formulated after an exhaustive number of studies were conducted among millions of yeast strains and hundreds of fermentation conditions, which is why SK-IIs cultivation method remains one of the companys most coveted trade secrets. And because the make up of Pitera is so similar to your skins natural moisturizing factors, your face can absorb it quickly and completely, unlike other thicker serums and essence products. Just ask Dana Oliver, Beauty Director of Yahoo Life and longtime explorer of what works and what doesnt for womens 21st-century beauty needs. Shes covered the ins-and-outs of the beauty industry, from red carpets to street fashion, and shes hammered out the details of a near perfect skincare routine for herself in which SK-II Pitera Essence plays a major role. We asked Oliver to divulge how she first found it, and why she fell in love with it. Story continues Youve been using Pitera Essence in your daily skincare routine for several years. Why? 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To learn more visit http://www.sk-ii.com. Ms Ellis' book will explore how the experience of being female and a politician in Australia marks people, but also how women who have been there believe their time and contribution was worthwhile. Gabrielle Williams was the latest woman on the political stage to experience gendered abuse. Credit:Penny Stephens She hopes the stories that high-profile women have shared will "shine a light on what women are exposed to and how women are treated in the Federal Parliament" but also "tell the other side of the story ... to encourage more women to put their hands up, and to give advice along the way". Ms Ellis fears young women are being turned away from entering politics due to what they see happening to female politicians. Such factors as a focus on women's looks, maternal and marital status, their sexuality (or speculation about it) and "weaponised gossip" are tailor-made to affect their standing. The phenomenon is so pervasive that only one (former) politician refused to speak on the record for the book. "Focus on physical appearance is much greater for women, focus on their private lives, issues around motherhood ... slut-shaming, personal attacks, rumours and gossip [are] used to undermine women in a way men don't have to face to the same extent in Parliament," Ms Ellis said. Former Democrats senator Natasha Stott Despoja supports Ms Ellis' observations. "For most of my parliamentary life, certainly before and during my leadership, barely a day went by without a sexist reference or jibe. Certainly my appearance seemed to be fair game ... it was perpetual," she told The Sunday Age and Sun Herald. Former Democrat Natasha Stott Despoja is also speaking out about gender-based treatment of political women. Credit:Ben Searcy "I sometimes called it out and I often blocked it out. It was meant to be debilitating and offensive. "It occurred in the media, in the chamber and elsewhere. It was perpetuated by men, but also by women who felt their political future was safeguarded by condoning this behaviour, or because they didnt want to become targets themselves. "I will never forget a meeting with a female party colleague, when she said: 'You know what they call you?', referring to her close friends who were journalists: the Whore, the Media Whore'. I think her use of that word rattled me more so than anything else even waking up to a bullet on my doorstop," said Ms Stott Despoja, now chair of Our Watch, which was established to prevent violence against women and children. Loading Former Labor MP Emma Husar is the only person who told Ms Ellis that she would not be involved in political life again. She told The Sunday Age that attacks on women's reputations using sexual innuendo, such as what she and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young had experienced, were "dehumanising and humiliating". Tanja Kovac, consulting CEO of Gen Vic, Victoria's peak body for gender equity and prevention of violence against women, said sexism towards Australian women politicians exists in "pandemic proportions". "Not a day goes by when this isn't impacting on women at some level of their political engagement," she said. "Clearly across all political parties we see in Australia a significant issue around a culture that is often unsafe and unhealthy for women. "The high-water mark was when within the same few weeks [in 2018]; Sarah Hanson-Young was catcalled and verbally abused, the activities were going on around Julia Banks ... and Kelly O'Dwyer, who had been attempting to make some inroads into gender equality in the coalition was also struggling," said Ms Kovac. She said it was "really clear to me this was a significant issue and going to have an impact on getting more women to participate in politics and have an impact." Loading As Julia Gillard's anniversary is celebrated with a webinar interview by Labor MP Tanya Plibersek today, Kate Ellis wonders if things could have turned out differently had more attention been paid to lower-level sexism before it was deployed so heavily against her. "I've been pondering why, when we're in Parliament, we don't speak about those issues generally ... One is because our job is to speak about the community, and not ourselves. Two, because that's not normally the kind of attention people want to have. There have been two new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, both in isolation. There are now seven active cases in this country. One of the new cases is the infant child of the couple who tested positive yesterday, and the other is a 59 year old woman who travelled from Delhi. The Ministry of Health said in a statement they would not provide the exact age of the child who arrived with its parents from India, but it was under two years old. "We are pleased to report that all family members are doing well at the Jet Park Hotel, the quarantine facility in Auckland." The second case arrived in Auckland on June 15 on flight AI1316. "She was tested while at the Grand Millennium managed isolation facility and was travelling with her partner who has also been tested and whose result is pending. Active follow up is now underway. "An update will be provided on Monday on this case and the follow up of other cases from last week." The total number of confirmed cases remains at 1161. The combined total of confirmed and probable cases is still 1511. Yesterday, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there were two new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in New Zealand - a couple in the 20s who had returned from India with an infant child. The couple showed no symptoms and returned a positive result after being tested on day 12 of isolation, and taken to the Jet Park quarantine hotel. On Tuesday it was revealed that two women who had arrived from the UK had tested positive after they were released from isolation on compassionate grounds. The Ministry said there were 386 people close contacts of the two women who being followed up and tested, and 288 negative tests had now been recorded. 25 people are still being contacted. Thursday's positive case was a man in his 60s who is in quarantine after arriving from Pakistan. The Ministry said 207 people were identified for follow up to this case, including those on the same flight. Of those, 25 people have been tested, with 15 negative test results to date. It said 177 further people will be captured by testing around day 12 in the managed isolation facility. To date, 94 of these people have been tested. "Efforts continue to follow up the small number of people who we have not managed to reach yet." Dr Bloomfield said the country can expect more new cases of Covid-19 as New Zealanders return home from overseas. "It is good that the systems are in place to detect these cases. Testing, particularly at the border, will continue to be an important part of our Covid-19 response. "Yesterday New Zealand's laboratories completed 5950 tests, bringing the total completed to date to 341,117. "This is a very high Saturday total, which again underscores the high capacity of our laboratories and the testing that continues in the community and across our managed isolation facilities." RNZ Nigerian entrepreneur, Olakunle Churchill took to his Instagram page on Sunday to celebrate Fathers Day after his ex-wife, Tonto Dikeh claimed paternity over their son. Dikeh had dedicated a Fathers Day message to herself because according to her, she plays the role of a mother and father to her son. Taking to the photo-sharing app, the 35-year-old actress shared the message alongside a picture of a mug which shows a image of her holding her son, with the words; Mr Mum. Happy Fathers Day. Since he wasnt acknowledged, Churchill penned a message in which he wished all fathers around the words a happy Fathers Day. Advertisement The entrepreneur also prayed for other fathers around the world, saying that he hopes their children will not be used as a tool of jealousy because of broken relationships like its done in old Era. The 37-year-old, whose marriage to Tonto ended in 2017, wrote; Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers in the world. A father is a father irrespective of marital challenges. A father is not only by way of giving birth to a child; but by way of taking caring of children around you, and children around the world who are in need. I pray for all the fathers in the world that your child/children will not be used as a tool of jealousy, because of broken relationships like its done in the old Era. As I celebrate this day, I pray this wont be the era when single parenting ends up affecting a child/ childrens mentality thereby confusing them. This is a new Era and things have changed. Relax, youll reconnect with your child at the right time. You Are A father! We Are Fathers!! I Am A Father!!! Happy Fathers Day To You! Read Also: Bobrisky Sends Fathers Day Message To Tonto Dikeh See his post below: United States President Donald Trump has once again blamed China for the global spread of the deadly coronavirus which has killed over 450,000 people and infected more than 8.5 million others, terming the disease as Kung flu. Trump has repeatedly blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year and accused Beijing of suppressing the details of the contagion. The Trump administration officials have described it as Wuhan virus due to its origin. Trump, addressing his first election rally on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the US early this year, said that the COVID-19 is a disease and has many names than any disease in history. I can name -- Kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names. Many calls it a virus, which it is. Many calls it a flu. What difference. I think we have 19 or 20 versions of the name," Trump said. Kung fu refers to the Chinese martial arts in which people use only their bare hands and feet to fight. According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected over 8.5 million people and killed more than 450,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 2.2 million cases and more than 1,19,000 deaths. The COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a "severe recession". Scientists are racing against time to find a vaccine or medicine for its treatment. Trump, 74, is seeking re-election in the November presidential elections against former vice president Joe Biden, 77, who is the Democratic Party's candidate. As schools reopen partially and novel coronavirus cases cross 14,000 , President Akufo-Addo is assuring that the state remains committed to safeguarding teaching staff, non-teaching staff and students from the virus. President Akufo-Addo in an address to the nation assured all parents and guardians that Government is determined to protect the lives of the expected 800,000 students, teachers and non-teaching staff who will be returning to school from Monday. I will be the last person to put the lives of the 'Akufo-Addo graduates' at risk, he stressed. He, however, reminded that all persons returning to school must all adhere strictly to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols. These include regular handwashing with soap under running water, refraining from shaking hands and the wearing of masks to protect themselves and others. In line with the wearing of masks, each student, teaching and non-teaching staff, invigilator and school administrator will be provided with three pieces of reusable face masks. Two of these will be provided when the schools resume and third within a fortnight, the President said. Eighteen thousand Veronica Buckets, 800,000 pieces of 200-millilitre sanitizers, 36,000 rolls of tissue paper, 36,000 gallons of liquid soap and 7,200 thermometer guns have also been distributed to schools, according to the President. The students in high schools are returning to prepare for the West Africa Senior School Certification Examination (WASSCE). The WASSCE in Ghana will take place from August 3, 2020, after six weeks of studies. The government will absorb the full examination fees of all students sitting for the examination. This is expected to cost GHS 75.4 million, according to the President . citinewsroom (Newser) Teen TikTok users and K-pop fans are apparently patting themselves on the back for what they claim was a successful prank related to the attendance at President Trump's Tulsa rally on Saturday. While Trump's re-election campaign trumpeted last Monday that it had received more than 1 million ticket requests for the event, the 19,000-seat stadium ended up going unfilled; the Tulsa World estimates the audience numbered about 10,000 people. The New York Times reports on what TikTok users and fans of Korean pop claim they did: Following a June 11 tweet from @TeamTrump instructing fans on how to register for free tickets to the rally, K-pop lovers started retweeting the info with a call to register but fail to show. On TikTok, videos popped up instructing teens to do the same, and those videos reportedly got millions of views. story continues below Bloomberg reports that many of the TikTok videos took the same format: Teens danced in front of screenshots about the Tulsa registration while the song "Macarena" played. No word from TikTok on the claim, but a 26-year-old who says he took part told the Times that TikTok users knew to delete their videos after 24 hours or so, in order to keep the Trump campaign from uncovering what was going on. And it apparently wasn't just teens involved. A 51-year-old Iowa woman says she posted a TikTok video pushing the false registrations late on June 11 and woke up to see her video had been watched more than 2 million times; she figures it led to a minimum of 17,000 prank registrations. GOP strategist Steve Schmidt tweeted this on Saturday: "My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been rolled by America's teens." (AOC weighed in on the prank, too.) By Mohammed Mukhashaf ADEN, June 21 (Reuters) - Southern separatists have seized control of Yemen's island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea, deposing its governor and driving out forces of the Saudi-backed government which condemned the action as coup. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self rule in the south in April, complicating U.N. efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire in a war that has separatists and the government fighting as nominal allies in a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi group, who control the north. On Saturday, the STC announced it had seized government facilities and military bases on the main island of Socotra, a sparsely populated archipelago which sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The government which is led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi condemned the action as a "full-fledged" coup on the island and accused STC forces of attacking government buildings in "gang-style behaviour". Socotra governor Ramzi Mahroos accused coalition leaders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of turning a blind eye. The UAE has previously backed STC forces with air strikes in fighting against the government in the south. The coalition's Saudi spokesman and the UAE foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Sources told Reuters last week that Saudi Arabia, which has tried to broker a deal between the STC and Hadi's government, had presented a proposal to end the separatist stand-off, but the STC subsequently denied receiving it. Riyadh wants to prevent another front developing in Yemen's multifaceted war, which has been locked in military stalemate for years. The coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Iran-aligned Houthis ousted the Saudi-backed government for power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system. Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique fauna and flora, is located in the shipping lane linking Asia to the Europe via the Red sea and Suez Canal. (Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days. BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars: GoDaddy Namesilo Uniregistry NameCheap Google Domains Network Solutions Name.com Dynadot Amazon Route 53 123 Reg Gandi 2. We request the name from the seller. Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process. 3. Transfer the name into your account As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process. 4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. In a major success in its anti-terrorism operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on Sunday eliminated four terrorists in two different operations in central and south Kashmir. While three terrorists were killed in an encounter in Srinagar city, one was eliminated in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. "Three terrorists have been eliminated in the operation that started in the Pozwalpora area of Zunimar in Srinagar district and one has been eliminated in an anti-terror operation in South Kashmir's Kulgam district", Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told Republic World. READ | 102 Terrorists Neutralised In Kashmir Valley In 2020; 22 In Just 12 Days In Shopian He said that on the tip of about the presence of terrorists in the area, security forces launched a combing and search operation in the area and when they reached near the house where the terrorist were hiding, the terrorists started firing towards the security forces. "The terrorists were given ample opportunity to surrender, the local also appealed to them, but they started firing towards the security forces, the fire was retaliated in which three terrorists were neutralized", Singh said. Singh said that it was a clean operation in which there was no causalities to the security force side and that no collateral damage was also reported. READ | Punjab Police Nabs 2 Khalistani Operatives, Unravel Pak-backed Terror Plot New tactic A source in the security agencies said that the terrorists have adopted a new strategy wherein after the initial fire fight they either take shelter in the civilian house or the nearby mosque with the hope that in the encounter the house or the mosque could get destroyed. "Terrorist want to use the sentiments against the forces, but the forces are professional enough and well trained to handle such situation, just two days ago there was an encounter in south Kashmir where two terrorists escaped in a nearby mosque, but because of the professionalism of the forces, there was no damage to the mosque and both the terrorists were eliminated", the source said. In the last couple of weeks large number of trained terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces in South Kashmir. "The backbone of terrorism in south Kashmir has been broken with the elimination of large number of terrorists in the area. We continue to appeal the local youth to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream", the DGP said. (Representative image) READ | Pakistan-origin Man Convicted Of Terrorism In US Faces Charges In 26/11 Mumbai Attacks READ | Pakistan To Use Indo-China Standoff To Push Terrorists, Says J&K Police Chief U.S. President Donald Trumps campaign promised huge crowds at his rally in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday, but it failed to deliver. Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say theyre at least partially responsible. Brad Parscale, the chairman of Trumps re-election campaign, posted on Twitter on Monday that the campaign had fielded more than one million ticket requests, but reporters at the event noted the attendance was lower than expected. The campaign also cancelled planned events outside the rally for an overflow crowd that did not materialize. Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaigns spokesman, said protesters stopped supporters from entering the rally, held at the BOK Center, which has a 19,000-seat capacity. Reporters present said there were few protests. TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music groups claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets for Trumps rally as a prank. After @TeamTrump tweeted asking supporters to register for free tickets using their phones June 11, K-pop fan accounts began sharing the information with followers, encouraging them to register for the rally and then not show. The trend quickly spread on TikTok, where videos with millions of views instructed viewers to do the same, as CNN reported Tuesday. Oh no. I signed up for a Trump rally, and I cant go, one woman joked, along with a fake cough, in a TikTok posted June 15. Thousands of other users posted similar tweets and videos to TikTok that racked up millions of views. Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It spread mostly through Alt TikTok we kept it on the quiet side where people do pranks and a lot of activism, said YouTuber Elijah Daniel, 26, who participated in the campaign. K-pop, Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly. They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos to get where they want. Many users deleted their posts after 24 to 48 hours in order to conceal their plan. The majority of people who made them deleted them after the first day because we didnt want the Trump campaign to catch wind, Daniel said. These kids are smart, and they thought of everything. Twitter users Saturday night were quick to declare the social media campaigns victory. Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted in response to Parscale, who had tweeted that radical protestors had interfered with attendance. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump, added Steve Schmidt, a longtime Republican strategist. Mary Jo Laupp, a 51-year-old from Fort Dodge, Iowa, said she had been watching Black TikTok users express their frustration about Trump hosting his rally on Juneteenth. (The rally was later moved to June 20.) She vented her own anger in a late-night TikTok video June 11 and provided a call to action. She recommended that people who want to see this 19,000-seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing there alone on the stage, Laupp said in the video. When she checked her phone the next morning, Laupp said, the video was starting to go viral. It has more than 700,000 likes, she added, and more than two million views. She said she believed that at least 17,000 tickets were accounted for based on comments she received on her TikTok videos but added that people reaching out to her said tens of thousands more had been reserved. Laupp said she was overwhelmed and stunned by the possibility that she and the effort she helped inspire might have contributed to the low rally attendance. There are teenagers in this country who participated in this little no-show protest, who believe that they can have an impact in their country in the political system even though theyre not old enough to vote right now, she said. The effort to deprive Trump of a large crowd spread from Twitter and TikTok across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat. Erin Hoffman, an 18-year-old from upstate New York, said she heard from a friend on Instagram about the campaign. She then spread it herself via her Snapchat story and said friends who saw her post told her they were reserving tickets. Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of Americans in so many ways, and to me, this was the protest I was able to perform, said Hoffman, who reserved two tickets herself and persuaded one of her parents to nab two more. He doesnt deserve the platform he has been given. Laupp said that many of the people who shared her video added commentary encouraging people to procure the tickets with fake names and phone numbers. In the comment section under her own video, TikTok users exchanged advice on how to acquire a Google Voice number or another internet-connected phone line. We all know the Trump campaign feeds on data; they are constantly mining these rallies for data, said Laupp, who worked on several rallies for Pete Buttigiegs campaign for president. Feeding them false data was a bonus. The data they think they have, the data they are collecting from this rally, isnt accurate. She added that several people who took part in her campaign complained that once they signed up for the rally with their real phone numbers, they couldnt get the Trump campaign to stop texting them and sending them messages. Mary Garcia, a 19-year-old student from California, said that she used a Google Voice number to sign up for the rally but that two of her friends who also signed up used their real numbers and had been inundated with texts from the Trump campaign. Garcia said she decided to sign up on a whim after seeing Laupps video, but after she saw the Trump campaign boasting about its record-setting ticket numbers she regretted what she had done. I feel like it doesnt even matter if the rally is full or not, Garcia said. They are going to boast about a million tickets being registered, and then theyll just lie or whatever about how big the audience was. K-pop stans have been getting increasingly involved in American politics in recent months. After the Trump campaign solicited messages for the presidents birthday June 8, K-pop stans submitted a stream of prank messages. And earlier in June, when the Dallas Police Department asked citizens to submit videos of suspicious or illegal activity through a dedicated app, K-pop Twitter claimed credit for crashing the app by uploading thousands of fancam videos. They also reclaimed the #WhiteLivesMatter hashtag in May by spamming it with endless K-pop videos in hopes to make it harder for white supremacists and sympathizers to find one another and communicate their messaging. Whether or not the prank to call in false tickets was the reason for the empty upper rafters at Trumps rally, teenagers online celebrated. On Twitter, several accounts tweeted, best senior prank ever. Read more about: She's always been private about her past relationships, at times even calling out 'rubbish' media for delving into her personal life. But as she announces her engagement to businessman Richard Lavender, 60, one thing's for certain, Samantha Armytage has never given up on love. From dating Sydney hotelier Peter De Angelis, to a rumoured dalliance with Channel Seven newsreader Michael Usher, Daily Mail Australia takes a look back at the 43-year-old's quest for The One. From dating playboy hotelier Peter De Angelis to a rumoured dalliance with newsreader Michael Usher: How Samantha Armytage (left), 43, found her Prince Charming in fiance Richard Lavender (right), 60, as she announces their engagement Peter De Angelis The Seven star dated the playboy hotelier in 2011 after her split from her long-term builder boyfriend, known just as Sean. Despite often being pictured together at social events, Samantha and Peter's relationship was short-lived, splitting in 2012. Peter only has the highest regard for his former love, telling media back in 2014: 'I wish her all the best and every success on her book [Shine].' Short-lived: The Seven star dated hotelier Peter De Angelis (pictured) in 2011 after her split from her long-term builder boyfriend, known just as Sean. Samantha and Peter split in 2012 Eric Stonestreet Samantha got people talking when she enjoyed a lunch date with Modern Family actor Eric Stonestreet back in 2014. Calling into The Kyle and Jackie O Show in May 2015, the 48-year-old U.S. star confirmed their date, saying: 'I can tell you 100 per cent that...we had lunch.' 'Is that code for something?' host Kyle Sandilands pushed. Famous date: Samantha got people talking when she enjoyed a lunch date with Modern Family actor Eric Stonestreet (pictured), 48, back in 2014 Not giving in, Eric added: 'It was well documented. She tweeted me and I said you organise it and I'll be there and we had lunch.' Eric and Samantha had a five hour lunch at Matt Moran's Chiswick restaurant in 2014, after he extended his stay Down Under once filming wrapped on the Modern Family episode that was being shot. Russell Crowe Samantha described the actor, 56, as 'very charming' when he gifted her with a mix tape of his music, after she interviewed him for Sunrise in 2013 for his role in blockbuster Man Of Steel. No truth? In 2014 - with another Russell Crowe interview under her belt - Samantha denied Woman's Day's claims of a budding romance. Russell, 56, is pictured in 2018 And a year on - with another Russell Crowe interview under her belt - Samantha strenuously denied Woman's Day's claims of a budding romance. Speaking on Sunrise in December 2014, Samantha deflected claims that there's anything more than professional conduct between herself and the Oscar winner, saying: 'I'm denying, I'm strenuously denying.' Before adding: 'It's [the reports of romance] all a bit of fun.' Michael Usher Samantha and the Channel Seven newsreader, 51, were the subject of romance rumours as early as 2015. Their first attempt at a romance happened in 2015 when Sunrise's Natalie Barr tried to arrange a dinner date for her two single friends. Sydney Confidential reported the pair had been 'flirting' for a while before Michael decided to ask Samantha on a date again in 2017. Rumoured: Samantha and newsreader Michael Usher (pictured), 51, were the subject of romance rumours as early as 2015. They reportedly called it quits in June 2017 Reports: They had allegedly been 'spending time together' in her Southern Highlands retreat in a bid to escape the spotlight in Sydney They had allegedly been 'spending time together' in her Southern Highlands retreat in a bid to escape the spotlight in Sydney. However they reportedly called it quits in June 2017 after a short-lived romance. Samantha's representatives have denied the reports, insisting they have always been just friends. Shaun White and Peter Fegan Silencing the claims: In December 2016, Samantha hit back at claims she was dating her Seven colleague Shaun White (pictured) after they were seen looking cosy together In December 2016, Samantha was linked to two Seven colleagues - Shaun White and Peter Fegan - after looking cosy with both on separate occasions. However, Samantha slammed the claims in an Instagram post at the time, writing: 'In the past week or so, I've been "in love with" with; a gay colleague, a straight colleague, a bloke I stood next to at the races 3 months ago, a Gladiator, a British boy-band member & 17 other people I've never met.' She continued: 'All these men & I have a bedtime of 7.30pm...I'm amaaaazing (sic). (Why haven't they linked me to Prince Harry yet!? I'm insulted...) 'If I stand next to someone, it DOES NOT MEAN I'M DATING THEM? As you were... #happysunday.' Speculation: Also in December 2016, Samantha was rumoured to have been dating another Seven colleague, Peter Fegan (pictured) Paul O'Brien Samantha was said to have been dating private jet tycoon Paul O'Brien 'for several months' in June last year, after previously breaking off their romance in late 2018. The pair were first spotted publicly in March 2018 on a dog walking date in Sydney, and seen again in September that year while having breakfast in Melbourne. According to Now To Love, the couple then 'took a break' in January 2019, before briefly reconciling but they 'split' again in late April 2019. Case of the ex: Samantha was said to have been dating private jet tycoon Paul O'Brien (pictured) 'for several months' in June last year, after previously breaking off their romance. They split for good in April 2019 The One - Richard Lavender Samantha announced her engagement to the equestrian businessman in an Instagram post on Sunday. The blonde journalist uploaded two photos of herself posing in the arms of her fiance, with a diamond ring sparkling on her engagement finger. 'What a year...' she wrote in the caption, adding several emojis including a ring, heart and a dog. 'What a year!' Samantha announced her engagement to boyfriend Richard Lavender, 60, to Instagram on Sunday, debuting a diamond ring The photos appear to have been taken at either Samantha or Richard's rural property, both of which are located in New South Wales' Southern Highlands. Wrapped up in a beanie and puffer jacket, Samantha beamed with joy as she placed her bejewelled hand on her man's chest. A flurry of Samantha's famous friends congratulated the happy couple, including Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac who wrote: 'Sam!!! Richard!!! Well bloody done! So great to see some happy news! @banjoarmytage for ring bearer duties, calling it early x.' It's official! On Sunday, the blonde journalist uploaded two photos of herself posing in the arms of her fiance, with a diamond ring sparkling on her engagement finger Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew added: 'Well, this is hands down the best thing to happen this year,' while former Studio 10 host Jessica Rowe added: 'Oh HOORAY!!!!!!! So happy for you beautiful girl & that is one very lucky fella!!' The couple, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year. They sparked engagement rumours in September, after they were spotted shopping for expensive jewellery in Sydney's Double Bay. So in love! Speaking to WHO magazine's Sexiest People issue, the Channel Seven host praised the businessman as a 'decent' and 'very honest' man Richard has two daughters, Grace and Sasha, while Samantha has no children but does own an adorable dog named Banjo. Speaking to WHO magazine's Sexiest People issue, the Channel Seven host praised the businessman as a 'decent' and 'very honest' man. She revealed they had been introduced by a mutual friend 'around Easter' and shared an instant connection. Smitten! The couple, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year Sam, who is notoriously private when it comes to her personal life, added that the most attractive thing about Richard is that he's 'comfortable in his own skin'. Meanwhile, Richard said that he was drawn to Sam because of 'the sparkle in her eye' and their shared passion for horses and the outdoors. Richard lives in a 40-hectare property in Bowral, NSW, the same country town where Sam owns a $2.2million five-bedroom retreat. It's believed the couple spend most weekends together in the Southern Highlands, while Sam returns to her $2.5million Bondi home in the week. The United States has deported the author of NeverQuest banking malware, the computer programmer Stanislav Vitaliyevich Lisov to Russia. The United States has deported the computer programmer Stanislav Vitaliyevich Lisov (35) to Russia, he is the author of NeverQuest banking malware, Lisov was arrested in January 2017 at the Barcelona airport by the Guardia Civil. The Russian hacker was suspected of being the author of the Neverquest malware, aka Vawtrak malware, and the person who administrated the control infrastructure. The Neverquest was used by cyber criminals to steal login credentials from banking customers, it leverages on injection mechanisms to provide users fake forms into legitimate banking websites. The banking trojan is able to record keystrokes, to steal passwords stored on the PC, and take screenshots and videos from the victims machine. The Neverquest malware is able to log in to the victims online banking account and perform fraudulent transactions. The arrest is the result of the collaboration between the Spanish law enforcement and the FBI. Lisov operated the infrastructure behind the NeverQuest malware between June 2012 and January 2015, he managed a network of servers containing lists of millions of stolen login credentials. In February 2019, the man has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer hacking in Manhattan Federal Court. Lisov and his co-conspirators attempted to steal at least approximately $4.4 million using the NeverQuest malware, according to the authorities they stole at least approximately $855,000 from their victims online financial accounts. In November 2019, the United States Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman sentenced Lisov to 48 months in prison and to 3 years of supervised release. The man was also ordered to pay a forfeiture of $50,000 and restitution of $481,388.04. Now the United States decided to deport the man to Russia on June 16. Lisov was detained six days in an immigration detention facility before being transferred from a prison in Pennsylvania on June 10. Then the programmer was transported to New Yorks JFK International Airport, where he boarded a flight to Moscow. Alexei Topolsky, a spokesperson for the Russian Consulate General in New York, declared Lisov arrived to the airport without handcuffs. [he ]looked like a person who was happy to be going home. said Topolsky. Lisov arrived at Sheremetyevo International Airport where his wife, Darya Lisova, was waiting for him. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs hacking, malware) Reckoning with another dangerous time for Black people in America Descriptive transcript Four Brandeis professors explored the complex intersections of history, politics, the law, race and white supremacy in a panel discussion last week. "America's Racial Reckoning," a 90 minute, live-streamed conversation featuring University Professor Anita Hill, Louis Stulberg Chair in Law and Politics Daniel Kryder, and Harry Truman Associate Professor of History Leah Wright Rigueur examined and contextualized the national uprising sparked by the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. The event was organized and moderated by Chad Williams, the Samuel J. and Augusta Spector Chair in History and Chair of the African and African American studies department. Williams opened the discussion with remarks James Baldwin gave to teachers at an event in 1963: Lets begin by saying that we are living through a very dangerous time. And yet, 57 years later, here we are again, Williams said. In so many ways, when we think of the long history of Black people in this country, we have always been in the midst of a very dangerous time. The current movement is revealing the vastness of Americas ongoing racial crisis and how deeply embedded anti-blackness is in every aspect of American society, Williams said. From the dismantling of police departments to the toppling of Confederate monuments, we are seeing how the structures, symbols, and myths that have undergirded the very idea of America are no longer sustainable, Williams said. We are at a true tipping point in this country's history. The question is, now what will we do? What will all of us do? What risks are we willing to take? How far will we expand our imaginations of what is in fact possible? How truly committed are we to reckoning with America as well as reckoning with ourselves? Here are a few of the subjects discussed. Watch the video above for the full conversation. 1968 to today Wright Rigueur, an expert in 20th Century U.S. political and social history, said there are many differences between the events of the late 60s and today, but there are lessons that could be taken from the results of protests and riots from the 1960s. Several commissions were created in the aftermath of the race riots and protests of the late 1960s, most notably the Kerner Commission, which resulted in a comprehensive, in-depth report that showed systemic white supremacy and discrimination in America to be the source of race riots that occurred in 1967, and offered solutions that would require significant government spending to improve the quality of life in Black neighborhoods and encourage integration. "What is interesting to me is that of all of the suggestions, the only ones that are really implemented are ones that increase the scope and power of the police in communities," Wright Rigueur said. The 1968 Civil Rights Act was the most transformative positive change that resulted from the movements of the 1960s, but even that included a civil disobedience provision, Wright Rigueur said. While there is finally a comprehensive presidential task force that gives us an understanding of what the root cause of inequality in America is, there was a real reluctance to actually deal with it and institute the reforms, even in progressive legislation, she said. A look back at the Burger Court Hill reflected on four Supreme Court decisions of the 1970s and early 80s: Milliken v. Bradley, San Antonio v. Rodriguez, Memphis v. Green and City of Los Angeles v. Lyons. Each case, in its own way, upheld local government structures and policies that have contributed to the community and individual vulnerabilities self-evident today, Hill said. In each case, Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote the dissenting opinion. "As I think about all of these cases, I ask the question, how many schools, streets, and neighborhoods and jobs might be more available and better-financed had Marshall's legal reasoning been adopted and prevailed in just these four cases? How many monuments to racial hostility may have been removed or never erected? How many lives might have been saved from police brutality?" Hill said. "Now, of course, we don't know the answer. These are the 'What if?' questions that we don't know the answer to. But I think we can surely believe that the words of Justice Marshall, the words that he had penned in his dissent, can inform us today about how to move forward from these unprecedented times that we exist in." The American policing system Kryder, who is at work on a book on police and social protest in America, described the modern American policing system as an incredibly complex and elaborate system of white power." About 700 per 100,000 Americans are incarcerated in prisons, while 4,000 African-American men are incarcerated per 100,000, Kryder said. We can find evidence of racist anti-Black outcomes across all dimensions of American government and American society, and I think many of these statistics and trends are clear to everyone, Kryder said. The Trump administration has turned its back on court-supervised consent decrees, limits on the transfer of military-grade vehicles and weapons, and has overseen a hollowing out of the Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice, Kryder said. The policies show a sea change in the federal relationship to local police agencies from the Obama administration to the Trump administration, he said. These are real institutional changes that have led to a relaxation of the sense of federal oversight and the sense of deterrence that a more active Department of Justice and national, federal administrative oversight would provide to start to bend white power back towards a social justice outcome, Kryder said. There are obstacles to understanding American policing because it is decentralized, but it is time that more resources went toward examining the police system, he said. We've made great progress documenting and understanding our system of incarceration over the last 15 or 20 years, and I believe that it's time now to shift some of our intellectual resources towards focusing on police agencies and police organizations, Kryder said. New Delhi: An inmate of Mandoli jail in Delhi who died six days ago, was found to be positive for coronavirus COVID-19 a post-mortem report confirmed, police said on Sunday. Kanwar Singh (62) had died on June 15 in his sleep with no apparent cause of death, prison officials said. Singh was convicted and sentenced for life imprisonment in 2016 for a murder case. He was lodged in senior citizen barrack of CJ-14, sharing the cell with 28 other inmates, officials said. "After his death, the COVID-19 test was conducted on the dead body, the result of which came as positive. The COVID-19 test is being conducted for all the inmates of this barrack. Presently their health is alright," officials told ANI. As many as 23 prison inmates lodged in Delhi jails have been found to be COVID-19 positive which includes 16 recovered cases and 1 death. Whereas, atleast 45 prison staff members have reported to be COVID-19 positive including seven recovered. Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley are among the stars who have today urged Londoners to bid on sections of Sir Peter Blakes pop artwork Our Fans to raise money for Help the Hungry. Last Friday, The Independent announced that the giant mural draped over the London Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge during its 2017 renovation would be cut into 100 sections and auctioned off. The work, which echoes Sir Peters famous 1967 artwork for The Beatles Sgt Pepper album, is his largest piece, the size of 38 London buses. Each section features a famous face, including Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Paul McCartney, and is signed by Sir Peter, 87. Proceeds will go to two beneficiaries, including The Independent's Help The Hungry Now appeal partner The Felix Project. Today, Ms Lumley said it was an honour to be part of the fundraising effort. She said: Double honour to be a face in Peter Blakes awesome collage for the Mandarin and to be a tiny part of helping Help the Hungry. It is a fabulous way of making life worth living. Dame Judi said: How wonderful that Peter Blakes amazing artwork will have a new lease of life for such good causes. Im very glad that maybe my left eyebrow has gone to good use. Italian actress Caterina Murino, who also stars in the work, said: The world is upside down. We fight for our life, we fight for the life of our brothers, and this is the feeling I have when I contemplate Sir Peter Blakes masterpiece! A hundred stars that reflect the diversity of our world fighting to help Help the Hungry. I cant be more honoured. The piece was originally commissioned by London Advertising, whose founder Michael Moszynski said: Were looking forward to seeing the final figures raised." BJP's Lok Sabha member from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur on Sunday attributed her health issues, including alleged loss of vision, to "torture" she suffered under the Congress regime. Thakur, who participated in the International Yoga Day event at the state BJP headquarters here, told reporters that she had "swelling and pus from retina to brain", adding she lost vision from one eye. "I sustained several injuries due to torture by the Congress for nine years. Many injuries resurface due to this torture. There was formation of pus and swelling in my eyes and brain. I have blurred vision in the right eye and I cant see at all from the left one," she said, apparently referring to her imprisonment in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Asked about her posters appearing in Bhopal claiming she was 'missing' during the coronavirus outbreak, Thakur said she could not return to Bhopal from Delhi earlier because of travel restrictions due the lockdown. Thakur said she along with her staff and security could not get tickets on time due to the travel restrictions. Congress MLA and former state minister P C Sharma claimed that Thakur was in Bhopal when the lockdown began and left for Delhi later for treatment of a small ailment. Talking to PTI, Sharma also rubbished her claim that she was tortured under the Congress regime. "We respect women. How can the Congress torture her when there was a BJP government for 15 years in Madhya Pradesh and six years at the Centre? These allegations are aimed at creating confusion," he said. Several MLAs in Madhya Pradesh have opted for Covid-19 testing or quarantined themselves at the advice of the state assembly secretariat after a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus disease, according to the secretariat officials. The test results of the MLA and his wife came late on Friday night, the day of voting in Rajya Sabha polls at the state assembly premises. The positive result caused panic among the other MLAs who were present there that day. As many as 206 legislators had participated in the voting. They included a Covid-19 positive Congress MLA who came for voting dressed in a PPE kit. Congress MLA and former minister PC Sharma said, It was mainly BJP MLAs who were close to the infected (BJP) MLA. But we are also keeping watch on our health and have consulted doctors. Principal secretary, Health, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai said, The MLA himself approached a hospital to get tested along with his wife at 3.30 pm on June 19. They quarantined themselves and got the reports of tests at 10.30 pm on the day. The administration in his district was immediately informed about his health condition and a separate team was given the work of contact tracing. However, the MLA and his wife are in good health and they both are asymptomatic. The principal secretarys statement assumes significance after the Opposition Congress accused the BJP legislator of keeping others in the dark about his health condition, alleging he had tested positive for coronavirus two days prior to the RS poll. A state assembly official who didnt want to be named said, Of the 206 MLAs who cast their votes in RS poll, one was already infected with Covid-19 and the second tested positive on the very day of polling. Of the remaining MLAs , 25 are staying in MLAs rest house in Bhopal, some of them with their family members. All of these legislators, their family members and security personnel were screened on Sunday and five of them went for the tests as they had meetings with the infected MLA. Meanwhile, all the legislators across the state are being given Ayurvedic decoction for boosting their immunity. He added, During examination of the CCTV footage of the state assembly, four MLAs were identified who were standing close to the infected BJP MLA in the queue for casting their votes on the day of polling. These MLAs left for their home towns the next day. All these legislators were advised to get themselves tested immediately. Health department additional director Dr Santosh Shukla said, The health department officials in Bhopal and other districts are in touch with all the MLAs. So far, samples of nine MLAs have been tested and all the reports have come negative. A man died and another person was injured in a shooting early Saturday inside Seattle's autonomous demonstration zone known as Capital Hill Organized Protest, police said. The violence was reported about 2:30 a.m. near Cal Anderson Park, the Seattle Police Department said in a statement. Image: Caution tape at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone in Seattle on June 20, 2020. (Ted S. Warren / AP) One victim, described as a 19-year-old man, was declared dead at a hospital, and the other, described only as a male, was being treated for life-threatening injuries, the department said. "Officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims," Seattle police said. "Officers were later informed that the victims, both males, had been transported to Harborview Medical Center by CHOP medics." At a noon coronavirus news conference, Gov. Jay Inslee said he wasn't aware of the details of the attack. "One way or another we have to be able to provide protection for people all over the state of Washington, including that particular area," he said. The zone was set up as an extension of demonstrations seeking racial justice after the death of George Floyd. A police station about a half-mile from the attack is inside the area and has been abandoned. Police on Tuesday installed concrete barriers to protect those within the zone. On June 7, a man allegedly drove into the area and opened fire on another man, injuring him. A suspect, Nikolas Fernandez, 31, was charged with felony assault. No one has been arrested in Saturday's attack. "Homicide detectives responded and are conducting a thorough investigation, despite the challenges presented by the circumstances," the Seattle Police Department said. The Liberian National Bar Association has expelled Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson Nbudusi Nwabudike due to his alleged failure to justify how he obtained Liberian citizenship, piling pressure on President George Weah to dismiss him from several other top posts. The President of the Bar Association, Tiawon Gongloe, says the Nigerian-born lawyer refused to comply with the committee probing his nationality status. President George Weah appointed Nwabudike to chair three key government portfolios the Governance Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Elections Commission, as well as the Special Presidential Review Committee that was established to probe the Global Witness Report on the National Oil Company of Liberia. But Weah withdrew his appointment as electoral commission chief immediately after the Liberian senate discovered the lawyer had questionable naturalisation papers. Nwabudike told senators that he had been naturalised in 1982 at age 17, which is in violation of Section 21.3 of the country's Aliens and Nationality Law. Section 21.3 of the law says no person can file a petition for naturalisation before the age of 21. When I had my declaration of intents, I was a minor and because of that, I was required to bring a parental consent and an adult to stand to take the oath behind me, said Nwabudike. But popular Liberian lawyer Varney Sherman, who doubles as Senator of Grand Cape Mount County, says there is nothing in the law that stipulates parents standing in for minors. Response casts doubt The doubt raised by the Senate over his citizenship cast a very dark cloud over the integrity and credibility of the Liberia Bar Association and the judiciary in evaluating applicants for admission into the legal profession, says Gongloe. According to the Bar, Nwabudike allegedly failed to honour citations sent to him by the Ethics Committee probing the validity of his citizenship. The Bar wrote the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) on 3 April, which replied that it had no record on the lawyer's residency or naturalisation status. Additionally the Bar pointed that the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes B Temple of Justice also wrote the Committee informing it that it had no record of his status. On 6 April, the Bar indicated that Nwabudike wrote to the committee arguing that his citizenship was given by the Liberian government and it is only the Liberian government that can challenge or revoke it. He also said the issue of his citizenship was now moot, since the issue was not raised when he was admitted as attorney-at-law and subsequently as counsellor-at-law. Scrutiny of his passports and national documents reflects four different dates of birth. His 2004 Liberian Passport carries his date of birth as 2 October 1963 and his name as A. Nkwuka Ndubuisi Nwabudike, instead of the name that appears on the roster of the Liberian National Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar which is A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, the Bar stressed. The body noted that his Liberian national identification card carries his date of birth as 2 October 1969 and his name as A. Ndubuisi Nkwuka Nwabudike, and his application for marriage certificate, dated 22 January 1992, filled in by hand, carries his name as A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, his date of birth as 19 October 1960 and his nationality as Nigerian. Procedural questions Liberian legal practitioner Arthur Johnson disagrees with the procedures that lead to Nwabudike's expulsion from the Bar Association. The Bar has the authority to regulate the conduct of lawyers. The Bar should have forwarded the recommendation of expulsion to the Supreme Court, he tells RFI, saying that institution is the only one with the authority to suspend and expel a lawyer. He believes the court could reverse the Bar's decision if Nwabudike sought redress. Other positions in doubt Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County is one of several lawmakers calling for Nwabudike to also be dismissed as anti-corruption boss. He argues Part IV Section 6.3 of the act creating the Liberia AntiCorruption Commission (LACC) requires that only citizens of Liberia are eligible to serve as chair. Dillon has urged the senate to uphold the integrity and credibility of LACC by calling on Weah to remove Nwabudike. The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, an anti-corruption NGO, has backed Dillon's calls. Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen told RFI that people serving public positions must not have integrity issues. You cannot be going after people for doing the wrong thing, and you have the LACC boss doing the very thing, says Miamen. It's a contradiction, so we think the best is for him to resign, or the president to dismiss him, he adds. Iran's efforts to resume diplomatic relations with Canada while the country is under international pressure to release flight information and conduct a transparent investigation into the downing of Flight 752 has some worried that Iran is using the tragedy as a bargaining tool. "At this moment, they need to show some level of co-operation ... before starting to talk about a diplomatic relationship," said Reza Akbari, the president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton. "It's absolutely inappropriate." Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in January, killing all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadians. Iran initially denied responsibility for the incident, but later admitted its role in downing the jetliner. The country has since been accused of stalling international efforts to conduct a transparent investigation as Canadian officials continue to push for the country to release the flight recorders involved in the crash. Canada cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012 over concerns about human rights abuses committed by the Iranian regime, expelling Iranian diplomats from Canada and closing its embassy in Tehran. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said at the time that he viewed Iran as the world's "most significant threat to global peace and security." Last week, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign affairs ministry said the country had spoken to its Canadian counterparts about renewing diplomatic relations between the two countries. In an email to CBC News, Global Affairs Canada confirmed that Iran had raised "the issue of re-establishing consular relations" with Canadian officials, though the department says its "focus and priority is on making progress on issues related to PS752." Iran taking advantage of tragedy, victim's mother says On Friday, the family of a University of Alberta student killed aboard the plane gathered in Edmonton to commemorate the life of Amir Hossein Saeedinia and to call on the Canadian government to hold Iran accountable for its actions. Story continues Saeedinia's mother, Leila Latifi, said she hoped Canada would not allow Iran to reopen its embassy in Ottawa. Her family fled Iran after Flight 752 over concerns for their safety and have now filed for refugee status in Edmonton. Speaking to CBC News in Farsi through an interpreter, Latifi said she felt that Iran was using the tragedy to "take advantage" of improving its international relationships. Peter Evans/CBC Akbari, who was also attending the remembrance for Saeedinia, called any talks to restore diplomatic ties "gut wrenching". Edmonton lost more than a dozen people in the downing of the plane. "Iran must be prosecuted in the International Court of Justice for the tragic crime that they have done, for the many unanswered questions," he said. Canada's leverage with Iran Thomas Juneau, an associate professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa, said it was not unusual for the two countries to be discussing the state of their diplomatic relations. "Both sides have said that they are open to the prospect of relaunching these discussions at some point," Juneau said. "So just speaking in general terms, it is not necessarily surprising." But it would be a misstep to advance those discussions, Juneau warned, before securing the release of the airplane's so-called black boxes, getting compensation for victims' families and ensuring that a fully transparent investigation will be conducted. "Right now, the incentive of eventually having that level of diplomatic representation is one of the only sources of leverage that we have with Iran. So giving that away ... I think would probably weaken our hand." Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via The Associated Press Juneau said that although details of talks between Canadian and Iranian officials are not known, it's not likely that either country would go as far as reopening their embassies any time soon. There are more plausible alternatives, Juneau said, such as hosting an office within another country's embassy in order to handle matters like consular services. The international relations expert said it's not surprising that Iran would be stoking conversations about improving its relationships at this time, given that it is currently under "massive" economic, diplomatic and domestic pressure. But Canada should be very cautious about navigating such talks, Juneau said. "To move towards any form of diplomatic re-engagement before these issues [are] fully resolved or at least on the way to being resolved politically, that would be very difficult for Canada from the perspective of the families of the victims." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) Actress Sharon Cuneta has reached out to the Justice Department to ask for help in dealing with the netizen who publicly threatened to assault her daughter Frankie Pangilinan, its secretary said Sunday. In a message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Cuneta also expressed strong desire in suing the man who posted the rape threat. Ms Sharon Cuneta has brought this matter to my attention and has expressed her strong desire to file a criminal complaint against the person who posted the offending message in social media, Guevarra said. The Justice chief noted the veteran actress has also already identified the respondents location and place of work. However, if Cuneta decides to push through with the case, DOJ would still have to verify the gathered information, Guevarra added. In a series of heated online posts over the weekend, the megastar lashed out at the netizen who wrote the viral rape threat against her 19-year-old daughter promising to come after him soon. You crossed the line. God help you when I find you. Hindi kita patatahimikin (I wont let you live in peace), Cuneta wrote on her social media pages, noting how she is checking his location abroad. RELATED: Gabriela Partylist rallies behind Frankie Pangilinan against rape threat Guevarra, for his part, said a complaint may be filed in the country even the respondent is abroadgiven that an essential element of the offense was committed in cyberspace. Should the complaint prosper, however, our courts must acquire jurisdiction over the person of the defendant before he could be tried, the Justice chief added. Pangilinan earlier made headlines as she stirred online debates regarding victim-blaming women subjected to assaults. She has also criticized a police station and TV host Ben Tulfo for implying that rape was a consequence of women wearing scanty clothing. The bands, venues and speakers were booked and the tickets sold for Canadian Music Week when COVID-19 intruded. It was March and the music conference, held in Toronto each year, was set to launch at the end of June. We had to undo everything, said CMW president Neill Dixon, adding the production is now $1.5 million in debt as a result of the cancellation. This is probably the biggest crisis in 38 years of running this event. Canadian Music Week, which includes a new music festival and offers networking opportunities for professionals, is not alone. Fairs and events in Toronto and around the country are suffering through one of the worst years in memory as measures remain in place to stem the spread of a disease that has killed more than 1,000 people in the city to date. While rules have been relaxed around small gatherings of a couple of households, a ban on large gatherings remains in place. Mass gatherings is what were built on, so its been very difficult, said Christina Franc, executive director of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE). The future is definitely uncertain. Dixon tried rebooking his event for September, so he wouldnt lose the deposits he had made on venues, but the new date quickly fell apart. It wasnt economical for bands that had planned to swing by Toronto as part of a tour to book travel to a single city, and speakers from abroad either couldnt travel internationally or didnt want to come, only to face a 14-day quarantine when they returned home. So we cancelled it a second time, if you can believe that, and just said that were taking a pause until 2021, said Dixon. Now, from everything Ive read, 2021 might be early. Dixon had to give up the Mississauga offices the event had moved into just two years ago and furlough most of his 20-member staff. CMW is working on providing some online content. In fact many events, including Pride, have moved events online. The Beaches International Jazz Festival is working on a virtual event scheduled for July. But about 30 per cent of sponsors have cancelled their support, said founder and executive director Lido Chilelli. Basically theres sponsors that will not participate in a virtual festival because they want to interact with the clientele at the festival. For example, samplers say theyre sampling a soft drink or a chewing gum or a taco chip so all of a sudden they just sort of disappeared, said Chilelli. Their main sponsor TD, has continued to fund the festival. Its because of their co-operation and their assistance and their expertise that were able to function this year, said Chilelli. Aneesa Oumarally, Toronto Caribbean Carnival CEO, said she is concerned about all the large and small industries that rely on the event for income from the music trucks to the artisans who craft the costumes and decorations. The carnival is supported in part by federal, provincial and municipal funding, but has lost numerous sponsorships and is working with a skeleton staff of four or five key people, down from 20 or more, said Oumarally. We are in the process of figuring out how do we work on recovery. For others, the intermission is an opportunity to rethink things. Beverly Bain, a lecturer at the University of Toronto, Mississauga and member of the No Police in Pride Coalition, says its time for Pride to return to its political roots instead of focusing on ceding to the authority of the city and corporate sponsors. Its an opportunity for many of us to think about how Pride, as a festival, can be re-imagined, she said. Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA said cancelling a Taste of the Danforth in August this year was devastating to local businesses, already suffering financially as a result of the lockdown that began in March that shuttered all but essential businesses and limited restaurants to selling take-out. Several businesses have closed in the areas, including the popular Pappas Grill, after more than 30 years in operation. Fragedakis is hoping the citys new liberal policy towards patios will draw customers back to the popular strip. At the moment were just trying to help our businesses survive. Thats our number one priority. Oumarally and Franc are also concerned about the societal impact on cities without their popular festivals, which they say have significant cultural and heritage value, especially events that are held year after year over decades or even centuries. It becomes a community reunion for a lot of people, said Franc. Franc said CAFE is lobbying the federal government for funding to keep fairs and events afloat through COVID and is working with the Tourism Association Industry of Canada for broader opportunities for funding. TIFF declined to comment for this story and Pride did not respond to request for comment. Francine Kopun is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @KopunF I was raised by an overprotective single mother. She did her best to prepare me for the realities of being a black man in America, but she also made sure to let me know that not everyone white was a racist. Still, she was terrified of one group of people: the police. And of her son encountering them. She warned me that the police would treat me differently because, as she put it affectionately, of the beautiful ebony hue of my skin. She implored me to never do anything that would raise their suspicions, and, above all, never to drive at night with a white woman in the car. I would nod my head. Yes, yes, yes. But I was a teenager and not given to listening. Her warnings went in one ear and exited the other. I just did not take her seriously. It was the 90s in Oklahoma, and I was ignorant of the world around me, of what had happened in Los Angeles in 1992. To me, things had gotten better. Then I saw a Spike Lee movie. And I began to understand. It was the first of many lessons his films would teach me. I was developing into a film nerd. I devoured all the classic films I could, then I began to look at contemporary filmmakers. The first Spike Lee movie I saw and my first glimpse of his depictions of the violent and otherwise deeply problematic ways that cops interact with black people was Jungle Fever in 1993. I was too young to understand it all, but even in seventh grade, the message came through. In the drama, a black architect played by Wesley Snipes falls in love with an Italian-American woman from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, played by Annabella Sciorra. Victoria's Health Minister Jenny Mikakos says a total of 222 coronavirus cases in Victoria since the beginning of the outbreak are believed to be due to community transmission, an increase of 12 since yesterday. That increase of 12 is the largest single-day increase in community transmission for more than two months. A case is classed as community transmission if the person who tested positive is not a returned traveller from overseas or a close contact of an existing case. As this graph shows, there has been an uptick in community transmission in recent days. Keep in mind that it can take contract tracers more than a day to determine whether an infection source was from community transmission, so increases in community transmission do not necessarily line up with an increase in cases. Of Victoria's 16 new confirmed coronavirus cases since overnight, six were from known clusters and four where in people in hotel quarantine, five were found through routine testing and one is under investigation. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said it was concerning that for six of the state's cases overnight the source remained unknown. He would not rule out Victoria going back into lock-down if cases continued to soar, saying there was "no silver bullet" solution. "We have had very low levels of community transmission that have been ongoing right throughout from the very beginning as established in February," Professor Sutton said. "This is a long battle and a complex one and there is no single silver bullet, it is re-emerging because people are not doing things as stringently as they might have done a month, two months ago." He said the Black Lives Matter protest did not appear to significantly contribute to the spread. According to a press release from GDELS (General Dynamics European Land Systems), June 17, 2020, the Spanish Secretary of State for Defence, Angel Olivares, chaired on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, a follow-up meeting, held at the GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas factory in Alcala de Guadaira (Seville), for the Wheeled Combat Vehicle (VCR) 8x8 technological programs. Such meeting included a dynamic demonstration where the progress on the agenda and the capacities achieved were shown. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link VCR Dragon future 8x8 wheeled armored combat vehicle for Spanish Army. (Picture source Spanish MoD) The event brought together senior representatives of the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the General Directorate of Armament and Material (DGAM), the Spanish Army and the companies that constitute the partnership, which manages these technological programs, Santa Barbara Sistemas, Indra Sistemas and Sapa Placencia. The attendees have made a positive appraisal of the progress on the agenda and the advances made in its development. The delegation got to know first-hand the degree of progress of the demonstrators and toured the assembly chain of the five VCR 8x8 prototypes, which is installed in one of the factorys workshops and at full production capacity in compliance with the prevention measures, related to the Covid-19. Then, then witnessed a dynamic demonstration of the 8x8 VCRs on the test track and personally checked the maturity of the designs and their mobility allowance and power performance in a display. The first two demonstrators are supposed to conduct test firing in early July. The Spanish Secretary of State for Defense recently reiterated that the contract for the acquisition of VCR 8x8 348 serial units is expected to be signed in August 2020. The General Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army, General Francisco Javier Varela Salas; the Director-General, Admiral Santiago Ramon Gonzalez Gomez and the Deputy Director, General Francisco Javier Abajo Merino, of the DGAM, attended the event. The Managing Director of GDELS-SBS; Juan Escrina, Indra's Executive Director-General of Transport and Defence, Ignacio Mataix; and Sapa's CEO, Ibon Aperribay, also participated. Indra Sistemas, Santa Barbara Sistemas, Sapa Placencia and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering will set up a company that will be in charge of executing the VCR 8x8 Program, after the Ministry of Defense has signed the commitment that allows the creation of said company. This newly established company will deal with the supply of 348 8x8 VCR series units, as well as maintenance and support through the life cycle and its international commercialization. These vehicles will be delivered within an estimated period of seven years from the signing of the Program Agreement. The objective of the four companies through this Partnership is to satisfy all operational objectives and meet all the Spanish Army and the Ministry of Defense needs, while the VCR 8x8 Program becomes a driving force in the national industry. Along these lines, the development of this program entails an ambitious national Industrial Plan, which facilitates the maintenance of the design authority in Spain and encourages high participation of the national industry at a percentage of no less than 70%. The program will have a special impact in Asturias, Seville, Guipuzcoa and Madrid, where the creation of 650 direct jobs and another 1,000 indirect ones are expected. The program will additionally generate industrial property for the national industry and will contribute to preserving national sovereignty over a product that represents an essential capacity for national defense. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 464 new coronavirus cases Sunday, raising the statewide total to 81,730. Across Pennsylvania, 6,423 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, according to the health department. The state reported 4 new fatalities Sunday. More than two-thirds of the states coronavirus deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. The health department released new data Sunday; the figures reflect the coronavirus cases and deaths reported as of midnight. There are 576,015 people who have tested negative. The number of new cases has dropped in recent weeks and fewer patients are being treated in hospitals. The health department said 729 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, which is about a quarter of the peak. Most people who contract the virus suffer mild symptoms and recover at home, but the virus poses greater risks for seniors and those with health complications. Going green With the state seeing a decline in new cases, Gov. Tom Wolf has been pulling back some of the most aggressive restrictions he had put in place to slow the spread of the virus. On Friday, June 26, Wolf announced that 12 more counties will be moving to the green phase, the least restrictive in the governors color-coded plan to reopen Pennsylvania. These counties will move to the green phase on June 26: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Susquehanna. Philadelphia will maintain some restrictions until July 3. By June 26, only one Pennsylvania county - Lebanon County - will remain in the yellow phase. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Lebanon County is seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases. Levine also pointedly criticized Lebanon County elected officials for defying the Wolf administrations recommendations in reopening businesses. Lebanon County lawmakers and businesses sharply criticized the Wolf administration for not moving the county to the green phase. On Friday, eight new counties moved to the green phase. These newly green counties are: Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill. For counties in the green phase, schools can open and restaurants can once again offer indoor dining, with limits on occupancy. Other businesses, such as casinos, hair salons and gyms, can open their doors again, albeit with some restrictions. Nursing homes Statewide, 4,384 deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and personal care homes. The health department said 17,066 residents of those facilities have been infected, along with 3,047 employees. Altogether, 20,113 people in long-term care facilities have contracted the virus. Cases have been found at 663 facilities in 49 counties. The health department reported 6,212 health care workers have been infected. More from PennLive Protesters, owner of Dockside Willies restaurant say incident on Juneteenth was a misunderstanding Coronavirus deadly to those over 80, but many are surviving Patrons flock to Harrisburgs Restaurant Row for both indoor, outdoor dining experience CBS21 anchor Robb Hanrahans wife provides update, says hes still on life support in ICU Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan arrived at the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction in Shengavit Administrative District. When asked what he expects from the court, leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan said his participation in the criminal cases instituted against him havent been substantiated yet. This is a political order. You all see it. I was a partner, signed a memorandum with the government, was a proprietor and would see what I could do to represent my country in a good way. Whatever I have done, I have done it for my countrys honor, the people and the future of our country. The authorities are misleading the people. Its not right to compare the old and new authorities all the time. If the chairman of the Central Electoral Commission was the very first falsifier of the elections, how come he is still in office? he said, adding that the case against him is a political order. Touching upon his cooperation with ex-director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan, Tsarukyan said he is currently holding discussions with him. Before entering the court, Tsarukyan held his fist in the air and encouraged the deputies of Prosperous Armenia Party, to which the deputies said they will stay near the court to support him. The court will announce the decision on Gagik Tsarukyans arrest soon. There are many police troops and deputies of Prosperous Armenia Party surrounding the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction in Shengavit Administrative District. Tsarukyan is charged with obstructing the will of voters through electoral fraud, but doesnt accept the charge and views the case against him as unlawful. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 21 (ANI): Even as Mumbai continues with its battle with COVID-19 cases, many Mumbaikars are stepping up to help others through this adversity. A city-based builder has handed over a 19-storey newly constructed, ready-to-move-in building to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to house COVID-19 patients. Mehul Sanghvi, of Sheeji Sharan Developers said "We decided to do this willingly after discussing with tenants. The building is being used as a quarantine centre for COVID patients." The building, located on SV Road in Malad, has 130 flats, for which it had received an occupation certificate from the state government. It was, in fact, ready to be handed over to the flat owners. Till now, 300 patients have been transferred to the building, with four patients to a flat. Their treatment is continuing within the building premises. Gopal Shetty, MP from Malad played an essential role in this move. The North Mumbai legislator said he got in touch with Mehul Sanghvi and convinced him to provide the building for the cause, in view of the rising number of cases in Malad. "We're happy that people like Mehul Sanghvi have set aside personal interests, in a bid to serve the greater good during these difficult times. We hope that others come forward and collaborate for such gestures, helping us save as many lives as possible," he said. On Saturday, Maharashtra had reported a single-day rise of 3,874 new COVID-19 cases. With this, the total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 1,28,205, said the state health department. With 160 deaths, the toll in the state is at 5,984. Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai had said that 136 deaths and 1,197 new cases have been reported in Mumbai, taking the total tally in the city to 65,265. The toll is at 3,559. (ANI) Some of the march organizers in their 20s and 30s said they have a generational mission: to shift the images of dads to black men more of their generation. To them, that includes more frank talk about mental health needs, what one speaker called toxic masculinity, and the need to care for black fathers who may not look like you. On many occasions have I rhetorically asked myself if the Ghana police and the other Secret Intelligence Services are credibly professional in the execution of their national duties for which they are employed and paid with the taxpayers' money. This question keeps running through my mind whenever I cogitate about the professionalism of the country's law enforcement agents in the face of the continually unfolding acts of criminalities engulfing the country. They seem not to be on top of their job. They seem not to be proactive and are even sluggish in reacting to obvious cases of suspected crimes. This is my personal observation or view about the Ghana police and the National Security agents. It hurts to tell the truth but in the end it brings comfort to both the teller and the hearer hence telling the gospel truth about the country's security services. The police and the National Security agents are there to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens through the prevention of crimes, and the enforcement of the citizens' obedience to the laws of the land. Anyone seen, reported or suspected to be breaching the law to endanger lives or properties must be arrested, interrogated and prosecuted. Right? Let my fellow Ghanaians, those who reason as human beings but not as subhuman without an iota of brain, understand that videos made without doctoring or malicious editing, don't lie. Therefore, such recorded videos are credible, permissible and acceptable in any court of competent jurisdiction. Am I right? Find below a recorded video of, and by, one Reverend Obofour, in Ghana, claiming to know a person or persons in Ghana who drink blood, human blood of course, and has or have time and patience to go about killing people. He was issuing threats to an unmentioned wealthy Ghanaian who is into the media industry that should he dare him, he, Obofour, will publicly expose his nefarious activities of murders for the whole country and the world to know. Should it take Rockson Adofo, the fearless and no-nonsense son of Kumawu/Asiampa soil, to come out to request the police or the National Security to invite or arrest Rev. Obofour for interrogation? Are people not being kidnapped, going missing without any trace of them, or being murdered without those behind the committal of such crimes ever arrested? Therefore, if someone emerges from nowhere to inform the public that he is cognizant of one such expert murderers, what should be expected of professional police and national security agents? Should they not rush to invite or arrest the unofficial informer for interrogation in order to arrest the alleged murderer? Why are they not doing so? In any civilized country with professional but not corrupt police force, Rev. Obofour would have been visited or invited by the police long ago. Nevertheless, here we are in Ghana that he has been left off the hook to go about boasting that he has caused the arrest of one of his accusers and will deal ruthlessly with anyone that wrongly accuses him. I am sorry but this is completely bollocks of him and the Ghana police! From the video below, he is celebrating his victory, power and wisdom, for getting one Nana Osei Bonsu Ohoahi arrested for falsely accusing him. Should Rev. Obofour not be arrested for asserting to be knowledgeable of uncovered murders of some innocent Ghanaians or people by an unnamed wealthy Ghanaian who is into the media business? Get him arrested to tell the nation who the alleged murderer is before the murderer kills many more people. Is it not the job of the police to protect lives? Why then are they not acting to save people's lives when it has become public knowledge that someone only known to Rev. Obofour, is lurking in the dark killing some Ghanaians? I am taking the Ghana police force headed by Inspector General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, and the National Security headed by Honourable Albert Kan Dapaah, to task to prove that they are competent, professionals, proactive or sensibly reactive by quickly apprehending Rev. Obofour for interrogation and arraignment. He was serious about his assertion so he cannot tell me or you that he was joking. He meant what he was saying. Finally, he could possibly be a fake prophet or pastor if the allegation by a guy in France as contained in the video below did actually happen. For how long will these notorious criminals sauntering about in Ghana, driving luxury cars and living in opulence, be allowed to commit crimes with impunity? Almost all the so-called powerful pastors, prophets and evangelists appearing on televisions and in radio stations claiming to perform miracles to helping vulnerable persons are all fake. The good ones preaching the word of God do not go public to blow their horns. Fake pastors and prophets, shame on you! I shall like to read that Rev. Obofour has been invited by the police or the National Security over his knowledge of that rich person who kills people in Ghana. We cannot continue to have murderers in our midst to kill innocent people with impunity. Rockson Adofo Sunday, 21 June 2020 Turkey says Haftar forces must withdraw from Libya's Sirte for lasting truce Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 5:13 PM Turkey says forces loyal to Libya's renegade General Khalifa Haftar need to pull out of the strategic city of Sirte for a lasting ceasefire, denouncing France for "jeopardizing" NATO's security by supporting the strongman. Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin made the remarks on Saturday, reiterating that Ankara fully supports Libya's UN-backed government and that Sirte and al-Jufra should be cleared of the presence of Haftar's forces for a "sustainable ceasefire." Since 2014, two rival seats of power have emerged in Libya, namely the internationally-recognized government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA), and another group under Haftar's command and based in the eastern city of Tobruk, which is supported militarily by forces loyal to him and is collectively known as the Libyan National Army (LNA). The strongman, supported by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan, launched a deadly offensive to capture Tripoli, the seat of the GNA, in April last year. His forces, however, failed to advance past the city's outskirts. Early this month, they even lost those areas to the advancing GNA forces. Turkey has been of significant help to the Tripoli-based government in its defense against the LNA by sending sophisticated drones and air defense systems, and also dispatching Ankara-backed militants from Syria there. The latter move has drawn criticism from some regional countries and international organizations, including the Arab League. Multiple international attempts to bring about peace between the two warring sides in Libya have failed. "This is the position of the GNA and we support it because right now the Haftar forces are using strategic locations as their launching pad against the legitimate government," said Kalin on Saturday, adding that Haftar's forces are also "using these places to use Libyan oil resources to finance their war." Turkey's Presidential Spokesman also warned against a rushed truce, saying such a "premature ceasefire will not lead to what we want to achieve for all Libyans there." Elsewhere in his remarks, Kalin lambasted France for "jeopardizing" NATO's security by supporting Haftar. Both Turkey and France are member states of the Western military alliance. "In Libya we are supporting the legitimate government and the French government is supporting an illegitimate warlord and jeopardizing NATO security, Mediterranean security, North African security and Libya's political stability." On Wednesday, a high-level Turkish delegation, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Kalin, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and National Intelligence Organization head Hakan Fidan paid a visit to Tripoli on an unannounced trip. According to Turkey's top diplomat, the visit pursued a clear purpose and that is "to strongly reiterate that Turkey stands with Libya." On Friday, GNA's Foreign Minister Mohammad Taher Siala announced that the government would boycott talks on the Libyan conflict to be held by the Arab League foreign ministers next week. The talks, scheduled to be held via video conference due to the coronavirus pandemic, have been called for by Egypt, a key supporter of Haftar. Siala told the Arab League's executive council that the planned meeting would "merely deepen the rift" between Arab governments on the conflict. The GNA's top diplomat complained that there had been no prior consultation with his government, even though the meeting concerned Libya. He also protested that the virtual format of the meeting was not suitable for tackling the thorny issues involved. Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster, and later killing, of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address RUSSELL The cause of a fire in a vacant mill that burned for more than 12 hours is suspicious and investigators are offering a reward for information that helps identify the person or people who set it. The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m., Friday, at the former Strathmore Paper complex and destroyed Mill Number Two. More than 125 firefighters responded to help extinguish the massive fire on 34 Valley View Avenue that blanketed Westfield, Russell and other surrounding communities in smoke. Investigators are asking for the publics help with the large fire in a vacant mill, said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Fire Marshals office. The fire is considered suspicious. The fire is being investigated by Russell Fire and Police detectives and the State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Other agencies are also involved in the probe, she said. Investigators are offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the case being solved. The money is provided through the Arson Watch Reward Program funded by property and casualty insurance companies, Mieth said. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 800-682-9229. All calls are confidential. Investigators are also interested in seeing any relevant video or photos, she said. Russell Fire Chief Niles LaValley said first responders found heavy flames coming from a part of the building where rolls of paper, left from when the plant was operational, were stored and became fuel for the fire. They called for mutual assistance from fire departments as far away as New York and Ware. Fighting the massive fire was further complicated by the fact firefighters had to truck in water to try to douse flames. The plant shut down about 20 years ago and the town sold it at auction last year after members of the Select Board said they were concerned about the liability of owning such a large, vacant building. Pittsfield developer Jacob Trudeau bought the 233,000 square-foot complex and 34 acres of property for $15,000 at a tax auction. At the time he said he had no concrete plans for its use. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: As many as 2,322 people have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours in Iran, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Trend reports citing the ministry. According to Sadat Lari, 115 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day. Sadat Lari added that the condition of 2,842 people is critical. Sadat Lari said that the situation is more dangerous in Iran's, Khuzestan, Razavi Khorasan, East Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, West Azerbaijan, Golestan, and Kurdistan provinces. So far, more than 1.39 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus. Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 202,500 people have been infected 9,507 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 161,300 have reportedly recovered from the disease. 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 Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. The British Health Secretary has said England is clearly on track to further ease the coronavirus lockdown, with the hope pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could reopen as early as July 4. On Sunday, Matt Hancock promised the next steps would be set out this week, along with any alteration to the two-metre social distancing guidance. With the two-metre rule placing severe constraints on the hospitality sector, it looks increasingly likely to be reduced as long as other mitigations such as face coverings can be used to help prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections. Ministers believe that cases of coronavirus are sufficiently low after three months of lockdown that a greater reopening can take place in order to revive the ailing economy. Mr Hancock told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday: Were clearly on track for that plan because (of) the number of cases coming down, and the plan does refer to hospitality and some of the other things that are closed that so many people want to see open. Acknowledging that a lot of the country does need a haircut, he said that he is not going to rule out hairdressers and barbers also being able to reopen on July 4. Later on The Andrew Marr Show, he said the British Government will announce the results of a review into the two-metre rule, and the next step for the lockdown, this week. I think we are about to see another step in the plan and this week we will announce further details of the measures that we can take to relieve some of the national lockdown measures at the start of July including on July 4, he said on the BBC programme. Were going to set out those details absolutely this week. Its very much a matter for the Chancellor He gave perspex screens, masks and altered seating arrangements as examples of measures to mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus if the two-metre rule is changed. And he floated the idea that punters at pubs and bars could have to sign a guest book with their names and contact details so they could be swiftly traced if they come into contact with an infection. Hotels are also awaiting the go-ahead to reopen and revive the chance of holidays within the UK and boost the economy. To aid the recovery, Mr Hancock did not rule out suggestions that Rishi Sunak could slash VAT to encourage spending, telling Ridge: Its very much a matter for the Chancellor. The Health Secretary also said a reduction in the distance rule would undoubtedly help with schools, pointing to Northern Ireland where it will be reduced to one metre. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 18:01:17|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- YTO Express Group, a leading express delivery firm in China, saw an increase in its courier business revenue in May. Last month, the company's revenue from express delivery stood at 2.42 billion yuan (about 341 million U.S. dollars), up 11.56 percent year on year. According to its quarterly report filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the company's net profit decreased by 25.74 percent to 270 million yuan in the first quarter. The courier sector bore the brunt of the COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of this year, but it has been getting better as the epidemic wanes. Enditem Photo: Silas Stein/dpa (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images) Philipines central bank said none of the 1.9bn (1.7bn, $2.1bn) missing from troubled German payments firm Wirecard (WDI.DE) entered the countrys financial system. According to a Reuters report, BDO Unibank and Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) said documents appearing to show Wirecard had deposited funds with them were false. The initial report is that no money entered the Philippines and that there is no loss to both banks, said the banks governor, Benjamin Diokno, adding that investigations are still ongoing. The international financial scandal used the names of two of the countrys biggest banks BDO and BPI in an attempt to cover the perpetrators track, he said. According to Diokono, BDO and BPI have stated Wirecard they had no business link with the firm. BPI told Reuters earlier it had suspended a employee whose signature appeared on one of the fraudulent documents and BDO told the central bank it believed one of its marketing officers had fabricated a bank certificate. READ MORE: Second COVID wave, key PMI data to impact markets as UK preps to reopen restaurants It was reported last week that CEO Markus Braun is stepping down, after news that the company cannot account for the $2.1bn in cash missing from its accounts. News of the missing cash prompted Wirecards stock price to plunge by over 60% on the DAX last Thursday (18 June), and to collapse again on 19 June by almost half, chopping around 10bn off its value in less than two days. The stock recovered slightly on news of Brauns resignation. Wirecard has hired US investment bank Houlihan Lokey to come up with a new financing strategy after Moodys slashed its rating to junk. Meanwhile, Matthew Earl, a short seller and former City analyst, has accused the Financial Conduct Authority as well as Visa and Mastercard of ignoring Wirecards problems. He claimed he contacted them several times from early 2016 to warn that Wirecard looked to have far riskier clients than it let on, The Times reported. READ MORE: Wirecard seeks new financing strategy after slashed rating Canada is considered a global leader in refugee protection. As a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Canada has the obligation to respect the rights of refugees and not turn them away from its border. Since Justin Trudeau became prime minister in October 2015, Canada has admitted more than 60,000 Syrian refugees. The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily halted the trend. As part of its pandemic containment measure, Canada closed its border to refugees on March 20. With the pandemic curve starting to flatten, Canada is slowly reopening its economy and lifting some of its containment measures. But as Canadians return to a semblance of normal life, Ottawa must fulfil its commitment to protect refugees and reopen its refugee protection programs. In 1951, the United Nations adopted the Refugee Convention to guide countries around the world to protect refugees and asylum seekers. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently 26 million refugees worldwide, which is about the same size as Australias population. But as COVID-19 forced many governments to close their borders, the future of refugees and asylum seekers have become uncertain more than ever. Many refugees live in dense camps where access to water is scarce and physical distancing is practically impossible. In refugee camps in Greece, quarantine measures have exacerbated a problem of overcapacity in camps such as on Samos, which shelters over 6,000 refugees living in a camp with a capacity of less than 700. This has led to shortages of food and other essentials like medicines and hygiene products which are critical to the well-being of refugees. In May, the UN reported the first COVID-19 outbreak in the Kutapaling settlement in Bangladesh, which shelters around 860,000 Rohingya refugees. Officials in the field are concerned that the virus could lead to thousands of deaths and decimate the settlement. Human rights groups have criticized Ottawas move to close its borders to refugee claimants as a violation of Canadian law and its commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention. After months of intense restrictions, the COVID-19 infection rate in Canada has started to decline. In response, many Canadian provinces are beginning to reopen their economies. Prime Minister Trudeau has recently announced that Canada will allow immediate family members of citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada. But Ottawa has yet to announce its approach regarding refugees and asylum seekers who have been in limbo since the government temporarily closed its borders to all but essential travel in March. It is time for Ottawa to start readmitting refugees and asylum seekers. Reopening Canadas refugee protection programs during a global pandemic while protecting the health of Canadians will be challenging. Therefore, there are areas that Canada needs to improve to ensure that its refugee protection programs are consistent with the new global situation. First and foremost, Ottawa must work with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to enhance medical checks for refugees at all ports of entry. Second, Canada should use this moment to heighten its partnerships with the UNHCR, which, as of March 17 has suspended its resettlement travel programs. As a designated referral organization, the UNHCR is responsible for identifying and referring refugees for resettlement in partner countries. Ottawa can start co-ordinating with UNHCR to gradually resume its suspended activities and ensure that its health screening process meets Canadas standards, which can help Canada reduce the health risks associated with the movement of people. Third, Ottawa should increase its support for not-for-profit and civil society organizations that help resettle refugees in various communities across Canada. These organizations can assist newly landed refugees to access COVID-19 prevention resources, health services and protection tools such as medical masks and disinfectants. These are measures that Canada can do right now to comply with its own law and meet its obligations while ensuring that the health of millions of Canadians is protected. The coming years will continue to pose new challenges to Canadas refugee protection program and Ottawa will need to be up for the challenge. For the last 70 years, Canada has been a world leader in the protection of displaced peoples. And with the World Refugee Day on June 20, Canada must reaffirm its international commitments to the protection of refugees. Elmer DySalvador is a researcher and a graduate of the Master of Public Policy and Human Development program at the United Nations University-MERIT, Netherlands. Luthfi Dhofier is a policy analyst based in Vancouver, B.C. He holds a master of public policy and global affairs from the University of British Columbia. Read more about: A Royal Navy frigate has shadowed a Russian destroyer as it sailed through the English Channel. Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, along with patrol ship HMS Tyne, monitored the passage of the Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov on Sunday. The Russian warship conducted itself in a safe manner, according to the frigate's commanding officer. Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, a type 23 frigate (pictured centre), as she escorts Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov (behind) through the English Channel on Sunday, above and below The Russian warship conducted itself in a safe manner, according to the frigate's commanding officer Commander Will Paston, the commanding officer of the Type 23 frigate, said: 'The Royal Navy routinely monitors the passage of warships through the UK's area of interest as part of its ongoing mission to support the defence of the UK. 'The Vice Admiral Kulakov conducted itself in a safe and professional manner throughout its transit.' A navy spokesman said: 'Royal Navy sailors and aircrew monitored every movement of the Russian warship using state-of-the-art radar, surveillance cameras and sensors, allowing them to track the ship's course and speed as it passed the British Isles.' Minister for the Armed Forces James Heapey said: 'Once again the Royal Navy has proven its ability to maintain the sovereignty of the United Kingdom territorial waters. 'I am hugely impressed by the professional way the sailors of HMS Westminster and Tyne have responded.' Madrid, June 21 : Spain on Sunday lifted its state of emergency imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening its borders to visitors from most of Europe and allowing British tourists in without having to quarantine. For three months Spain has been under one of Europe's toughest lockdowns to stop the spread of coronavirus, the BBC reported. The state of emergency was decreed on March 14, and for several weeks people could not go out to exercise and children were not allowed to leave their homes for any reason. Spain normally attracts 80 million tourists a year, with tourism providing more than 12 per cent of the country's GDP. Arrivals will have their temperature taken at the airport, state if they have had the virus and provide contact details. Spain is opening up again to the rest of the European Union (EU) and Schengen zone countries outside the bloc. And now Spaniards can once again enjoy unrestricted travel in their own country. But social distancing rules remain in place: people have to stay 1.5-metres apart in public, wear masks in shops and on public transport, where that rule cannot always be kept, and clean their hands frequently. In a statement, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "We must remain on our guard and strictly follow hygiene and protection measures." He warned of the risk of a second coronavirus wave, "which must be avoided at all costs". Spain's land border with Portugal remains shut until July 1, at the latter's request. Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told the BBC that there would no longer be a two-week quarantine for British tourists. Spain is still in discussions over whether the UK will reciprocate. But she said Spain's move was "out of respect for the 400,000 British citizens who have second residences in Spain" and who are "dying to benefit" from them. In recent weeks Spain has been gradually easing restrictions, like its EU neighbours, reopening businesses and public spaces such as parks. Spain, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, has so far reported 245,938 COVID-19 cases, with 28,322 deaths. Senate President Ahmad Lawan, on Sunday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari over the worsening security situation across the country and the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Lawan briefed State House journalists after the meeting with the president at the State House in Abuja. He said he briefed the president on the need to provide more funding for security agencies for equipment and to recruit more personnel. we believe we need to provide more resources for recruitment by the security yet agencies army, the navy, air force, police, immigration, the paramilitary generally. We need to have more manpower or personnel and this is not something you get on platter of gold, he said. On the APC crisis, Mr Lawan said he told the president that efforts must be made to ensure it does not get worse. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the ruling party is enmeshed in multiple crises with the main one involving the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, whose suspension was recently approved by the appeal court. Two people currently claim to be the acting national chairmen of the party while a sitting state governor (Edo) and a sitting deputy governor (Ondo) decamped from the party to the opposition PDP in the past week. I also had the opportunity to talk to my president and my leader about the challenges in the APC. I believe that we have to deal with these challenges, this is the ruling party of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the president, with the control of the National Assembly, with more governors than any other political party. The situation should not, must not be allowed to degenerate further than it has, Mr Lawan said. Read the full transcript of Mr Lawans speech below. You know the country is facing very deep and serious security challenges and I have come to discuss with Mr President what we discussed previously that we should do whatever it takes to improve the security situation in the country. And we believe that the senate and indeed the National Assembly is positively disposed to receiving even supplementary budget purposely to address the fundamental needs of the security agencies of our country; so that we able to empower them, enable them to fight the Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and other security challenges across the country. Secondly, in the senate, we believe we need to provide more resources for recruitment by the security yet agencies -army, the navy, air force, lolice, immigration, the paramilitary -generally. We need to have more manpower or personnel and this is not something you get on platter of gold. Whoever wants to make an omelette will break an egg. Section 14 subsection 2b of the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria is very categorical and crystal clear, that the purpose of government shall be to provide for security and welfare of the people. Therefore, we must, we have no luxury of any option other than to address the security challenges more than any other thing. We provided for N500 billion intervention for COVID for the revised budget, and various agencies, the CBN, the NNPC and the IOCs provided for palliatives and some kind of interventions for the COVID challenge. I think we must tell ourselves the truth, that the security situation in the country especially in the northern part of the country, require that we give much more resources to the security agencies. And those who are heading these agencies especially the service chiefs, must sit up, in fact we must have milestones and timelines on how we are going to deal with this, we cant just go on without any time frame for dealing with these issues. If after we provide some support and someone is found short of expectations, he should be shown the way out if he refuses to go. Because the lives of Nigerians are so precious and therefore must be more important than any other considerations or sentiments. I believe that today, the most essential thing in government is to address the security challenges. READ ALSO: But I also had the opportunity to talk to my president and my leader about the challenges in the APC. I believe that we have to deal with these challenges, this is the ruling party of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the president, with the control of the National Assembly, with more governors than any other political party, the situation should not, must not be allowed to degenerate further than it has. And I believe that must go into the constitution of our party and see how we are to address this but we must not allow this to continue as it is today. Because, the stability of APC is the stability of Nigeria, this is the party that is running the affairs of this country. So I believe that we have to sort this out and that will make our work even better and easier when we have a stable party. Because the party is supposed to be part of the apparatus of running government. We are supposed to run or operate or implement or execute the manifesto of the party. And therefore the party is so key, so central, so essential to ensuring that government whether on the executive or legislative side continues to face those issues in the manifesto and of course the manifesto will be to make Nigeria better. So, I had the opportunity to discuss that with the president who is the leader of the party in Nigeria and by the grace of God in the next few days we will see certain actions will be taken and we are praying that all our leaders in the party across the country will make every possible effort to get the party reconciled. Hundreds of people turned out for a rally outside the Serbian parliament on June 20, one day before a general election. The Belgrade protest was organized by right-wing independent lawmaker Srdjan Nogo, who claimed the polls were unlawful. Some of the demonstrators tried to enter the parliament building, but police stopped them and only Nogo was allowed in. Part of the Serbian opposition is boycotting the elections, saying coronavirus restrictions have hampered a fair campaign. A 27-year-old man who recently cut his birthday cake with a sword in Nagpur was arrested under the Arms Act with police claiming he was planning to commit a crime with it. An Ajni police station official on Sunday identified the man as Aman Vakil Ufade, a resident of Rahate Nagar. "We were alerted that he cut a birthday cake with a sword. We arrested him as he was plotting a crime with the sword. He has been charged under the Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act," he added AUBURN An artist whose work already adorns downtown Auburn and his daughter added more color to the city on Saturday. Tony Clubine, who was involved in a mural of iconic abolitionist Harriet Tubman with a mosaic background on the outside of Genesee Center, was across the street from that artwork at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center where he and his daughter Kayli Clubine took part in the Lets Chalk About it Again! competition. The third annual event, which at 1 p.m. had 13 people registered, had artists creating their works on a slice of sidewalk with enough feet apart to allow for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were child, teen and adult categories, with walk-ins allowed. Participants were allowed to work on their concrete canvases from noon to 6 p.m. Afterward, judges from the Finger Lakes Art Council were set to decide the winners. The Clubines came prepared, armed with a large box filled with their own multiple smaller boxes of chalk. Tony, who used to work as an artist for a living, said that while he was in the event he was also watching Kayli's work and spending time with her. Kayli gazed intently at the photos of poison dart frogs she brought with her as photo reference for her frog chalk art. It was readily apparent what she was drawing before she finished rendering its body. She occasionally used her feet to erase parts of the drawing that didn't meet her standards, as she wanted to get the proportions and colors right. The Clubines, who have now been participating in chalk events together for four years, said they both enjoy the event. Tony added that he felt the Auburn competition could expand. "I'd like this to develop into something more than just a small gathering," Tony said. "This could be a huge event for Auburn." Around the beginning of the event, organizer Kim Bauso showed competitors the spots where they would work. Bauso, a clerk for Auburn's Parks and Recreation department and the organizer for the city's summer events, said that even though many festivities have been canceled this year due to the pandemic, this one could still be pulled off while meeting safety requirements because of the outbreak. She said people need the competition's six-hour time frame, since some people go all-out with their expansive creations. Anything was fair game to draw except business advertisements or vulgarity. She said she was glad the event could offer "a good time and some beautiful artwork for people to walk by and look at." Other competitors included Peggy Pelletier, who won the child competition last year. Peggy, 9, with chalk in one hand and a rainbow umbrella in the other, worked on a piece that was meant to be a person with rainbow makeup and rainbow flags around her for Pride Month. With her fingers caked in chalk, Kyra White worked on her piece,which was based on an image of one of her friends with a Pride Flag for Pride Month. Kyra said she had never been in a competition like this before and wanted her piece to include something meaningful. She made the effort to color in her image, which is why she was worried about completing it by 6 p.m. but was confident nevertheless. "I'm feeling pretty good about it," she said. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 5 Funny 1 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. A former Metropolitan police officer has dramatically named his uncle as the man responsible for one of Britains most notorious unsolved murders. The 1987 killing of private eye Daniel Morgan, found in a London pub car park with an axe embedded in his skull, is the most investigated case in British history but despite five inquiries costing tens of millions of pounds, no one has been brought to justice. Now former PC Dean Vian says his uncle Glenn Vian, a career criminal, was responsible. Former Metropolitan police officer Dean Vian has dramatically named his uncle as a killer In a Channel 4 documentary to air tomorrow, Dean, whose father Garry faced trial for the murder alongside Glenn, says: I asked my mum who was responsible... my mum told me that Glenn had killed him. Obviously Im just repeating what Ive been told but I believe it to be true. Asked why he is speaking publicly now for the first time, Dean says that Morgans children and his wife and his mum and his brother deserve to know the truth. In another startling development, The Mail on Sunday has learned that Glenn, 62, died last week following a long illness, just 24 hours after the first episode in the three-part documentary, Murder In The Car Park, aired. Glenn, Garry and two others went on trial for murder in 2011 but the case collapsed because of police misconduct. They sued for malicious prosecution, and last year won their case: Glenn received 155,000 damages and Garry was awarded 104,000. Career criminal Glenn Vian had been a suspect in the 1987 car park murder of Daniel Morgan Glenn told the Channel 4 programme that he wasnt there, didnt do it, suggesting that if he had wanted to kill Morgan he would have done it in his garage 20 seconds from where I live. All I had to do was wait for him to turn up at the garage, do him and leave him in there, if I had a grievance against Danny. Dean made a statement to police about the murder in 2009, but told The Mail on Sunday his career was then destroyed by the Met because of his family link to the case. It was only after detectives bugged Glenns home buying the house next door so they could drill through the walls that they realised Dean was related to him. Former Met Commander David Zinzan recalls being really p***** off that Dean had passed the vetting. Dean was also ostracised by his family, who branded him a grass for making a statement implicating his uncle. I was on my own with no one to turn to, Dean told this newspaper. And its pretty much been that way ever since. Dean, who at the time was attached to CID as a trainee detective, was told that his life was in danger and put into witness protection. Mr Morgans body was found slumped next to his BMW in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South London, on March 10, 1987. Struck four or five times around the head with an axe, the ferocity of the final blow left the blade embedded in his face. A 800 Rolex watch had been taken, but an envelope containing 1,100 in cash in his pocket was not touched. Over the years there have been many intriguing, often contradictory, claims about motive, but the dominant theory was that Mr Morgan was about to expose a network of corrupt police officers and their links to drugs money. Private eye Morgan was found slumped next to his car with an axe embedded in his face Glenn told Channel 4 of his dislike of the victims brother, Alastair, who has been campaigning for justice. He said: Ive got no hate on for anybody really. But Ive got a hate on for him... I want to punch that mans f****** lights out. With all those charged denying involvement in the murder, where does that leave the case now? Former Met Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick says it has been a stain on the Mets reputation adding that it brings together undercurrents of corruption, cover up, incompetence. Seven years after it was set up, the official inquiry into the murder has yet to deliver its findings, with Alastair Morgan suspecting police obstruction. Scotland Yard have said police corruption was a factor in the first investigation and say: We will continue to explore any new information. lMurder In The Car Park is on Channel 4 at 9pm tomorrow. BOMBSHELL: Dean Vian, right, says it was his uncle Glenn, centre, who murdered private eye Daniel Morgan, left WEAPON: An axe similar to the one used to kill Mr Morgan so savegely Victims family deserve to know the real truth Global food production is incredibly efficient, and the world's farmers produce enough to feed the global population. Despite this abundance, a quarter of the global population do not have regular access to sufficient and nutritious food. A growing and more affluent population will further increase the global demand for food and create stresses on land, for example, through deforestation. Additionally, climate change is a major threat to agriculture. Increased temperatures have contributed to land degradation and unpredictable rainy seasons can lead to crop failure. While climate extremes impact the ability to produce food, the guarantee of food is more than just agricultural productivity. Today's globalized food system consists of highly interconnected social, technical, financial, economic, and environmental subsystems. It is characterized by increasingly complex trade networks and an efficient supply chain, with market power located in the hands of few. A shock to the food system can lead to ripple effects in political and social systems. The 2010 droughts in wheat-producing countries such as China, Russia, and Ukraine, led to major crop failures, pushing up food prices on the global markets. This in turn was one of the factors that led to deep civil unrest in Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, as people were facing food shortages, which possibly contributed to the 2011 revolution spreading across the country. Not all shocks to the global food system are directly linked to agricultural productivity or climatic conditions. The vulnerability of the interconnected food system has become painfully evident in recent months following the appearance of a different type of shock: a global pandemic. Although it started as a health crisis, COVID-19 quickly filtered through the political, social, economic, technological, and financial systems. Business interruptions resulted in a chain reaction that is projected to contribute to food crises in many parts of the world. "Although harvests have been successful and food reserves are available, global food supply chain interruptions led to food shortages in some places because of lockdown measures," writes the author of the commentary Franziska Gaupp, an IIASA researcher working jointly with the Ecosystems Services and Management (ESM) and Risk and Resilience (RISK) programs. "Products cannot be moved from farms to markets. Food is rotting in the fields as transport disruptions have made it impossible to move food from the farm to the consumer. At the same time, many people have lost their incomes and food has become unaffordable to them." The World Food Program has warned that by the end of 2020, an additional 130 million people could face famine. In the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic, borders have been closed and a lack of local production has led to soaring prices in some countries. In South Sudan, for example, wheat prices have increased 62% since February 2020. Difficult access to food, and related stress could then lead to food riots and collective violence. According to Gaupp, a systems approach is needed to address the challenges of a globally interconnected, complex food system. Systemic risk and systemic opportunities need to be incorporated into food-related policies. It is important to highlight that the threat to food security is not just a result of potential disruptions of production, but also shocks to distribution as well as shortfalls of the consumers' income. COVID-19 has shown how interconnected our world is, and how a simultaneous shock - such as a pandemic - also affects our food system. She further points out that the issues are supply chain imbalances. There is enough for everyone, however, some countries are panic buying, and some are banning exports: This is why the whole supply and demand system is experiencing challenges, leading to more difficult access to food, especially in poorer countries. There will likely be more shocks hitting our global food system in the future. We need global collaboration and transdisciplinary approaches to ensure that the food chains function even in moments of crises to prevent price spikes and to provide all people with safe access to food." Franziska Gaupp, IIASA Researcher Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes cabinet rose by nine percentage points to 36% despite the recent arrest of his former justice minister on suspicion of vote-buying, a poll by the Mainichi Shimbun daily showed on Sunday. The approval rating had fallen to 27% in the papers previous survey conducted soon after a senior Tokyo prosecutor who was seen close to the premier resigned in late May for gambling during Japans coronavirus state of emergency. A drop in voter support below 30% is often seen as a danger sign. The Mainichi report on its latest survey does not give specific reasons for the rebound in support, but 55% of those polled welcomed the governments decision on Thursday to lift curbs on domestic travels. That compares with 32% of those surveyed who said the restrictions should have remained in place. Prosecutors on Thursday arrested former justice minister Katsuyuki Kawai, a one-time foreign policy adviser close to Abe, and Kawais lawmaker wife, Anri, on suspicion of vote-buying in a 2019 upper-house election. Although support for Abes government rebounded, 59% of those surveyed believe Abe has heavy responsibility for the matter. Abe has apologised to the public over the scandal, saying he felt his responsibility strongly for his appointment of Kawai to the post. The Mainichi survey also showed that 59% of those polled do not believe the Tokyo Olympics, originally scheduled for July and August this year but postponed by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic, can be held next year. Only 21% believe the event can be held in 2021. Japan has not suffered the explosive surge of coronavirus infections seen in some other countries, with about 18,000 confirmed cases and 954 deaths, according to public broadcaster NHK. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Stephen Coates) Human rights researcher says the draft of the national security law not just means the end of 'One Country, Two Systems' but can also ensue far-reaching consequences for universal values. With China releasing draft of the national security law, the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong are making desperate attempts to save their countrys special status. While desperately calling out for help, Patrick Poon, an independent human rights researcher, told the local media that the content of the draft law could have a far-reaching impact on universal values. The details mean that its really the end of not only One Country, Two Systems, but also really the end of Hong Kongs autonomy and judicial independence. The international community needs to respond to such arrangement more strongly than ever, he said while adding It will be a disaster for everyone if Beijings interference in Hong Kongs affairs is not effectively countered with real international pressure. The Chinese authorities on Saturday divulged details of the new national security legislation for Hong Kong after the three-day meeting of the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, Sputnik reported. Also read: Demonstration held outside UN office in Geneva to protest Paks treatment of Christians Also read: China creating wedge in US-Europe relations, undoing free world progress: Mike Pompeo The controversial legislation comprises of six chapters and 66 articles. The chapters, inter alia, cover general provisions, duties and mechanisms for ensuring Hong Kongs national security, issues of crimes and penalties, jurisdiction and law enforcement. The draft document lists the main responsibilities of the Chinese authorities regarding national security, as well as Hong Kongs constitutional responsibility to maintain it. The bill sets out rules for the prevention, suppression and punishment of secessionist activities, attempts to undermine the state authority, terrorist activities, and colluding with foreign states or forces to jeopardize national security. According to the bill, the Chinese government will establish a national security agency in Hong Kong, which will be responsible for analysing security situation in the special administrative region, making recommendations on the policy in the field of national security, as well as monitoring, coordinating, guiding and supporting Hong Kong in the implementation of national security obligations. Moreover, the body will have to set up a mechanism for cooperation with the regions law enforcement and judicial authorities. The bill stresses that the central government of China will have very limited jurisdiction primarily confined to special national security matters. Also read: Top ISI officer succumbs to Covid-19 in Balochistan For all the latest World News, download NewsX App By Marco Aquino LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's miners are revving up stalled operations with mass testing, isolation periods and revamped shift patterns, setting up the world's No. 2 copper producer to hit 80% of production capacity by the end of June, industry officials said. The restart is key to Peru's economic engine and metals output which was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and a nationwide lockdown. But unions for mine workers have voiced concerns that some planned shifts are too long while testing and protective measures need to be strengthened. The mining and hydrocarbons industry, the top driver of Peru's exports, fell over 40% in April, with output of copper, gold, zinc and silver down sharply. Companies are scrambling to avoid falling further behind larger neighboring producer Chile, which has maintained production through the pandemic. At least 41 large Peruvian firms have put in place government-mandated hygiene protocols as they seek to reach full production capacity in the third quarter, industry sources said. "Around the end of June I think we should be reaching 80% of production levels that we were at before the quarantine," Pablo de la Flor, executive director of industry body the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy, told Reuters this week. He said every company was carrying out rapid tests on workers before deploying them, with around 90,000 such tests done so far. That had allowed an estimated 160,000-170,000 miners to return to operations out of 210,000 formal workers. "Some tests have come out positive, but the important thing is that cases are identified before workers arrive at the camps," he said. Shift systems had been reorganized he added. Distancing rules of 1-1.5 meters was a challenge at the mines, which was something the sector was "trying to solve". Industry concern had centered on the massive Antamina mine, controlled by BHP and Glencore, which reported 210 COVID-19 infections in April. It was the biggest mining outbreak in the country and one of the worst worldwide. "Antamina must have been a world record," said Jose de Echave, a former vice minister at Peru's environment ministry who now works at local NGO CooperAccion. Story continues "That created a suspicion around mining protocols." VULNERABLE WORKERS Mine workers have staged sit-in protests at some mines demanding stronger protective measures, Jorge Juarez, leader of Peru's mining and steel workers' federation told Reuters. Juarez said unions objected to 42-day shifts that some firms were imposing, with 21-day breaks. He said the federation was pushing for more checks to ensure worker safety. He added rapid coronavirus tests didn't always work. "Rapid tests aren't reliable so we want molecular tests that give more accurate diagnosis," he said, adding there were 821 confirmed cases in the sector. "Workers want to work, of course. We only ask for guarantees they can work in a safe environment." Mining companies defended their plans. "We have rigorous distancing protocols in transport vehicles and dining rooms. Also, all personnel who could be vulnerable due to age or illness have been removed," said Raul Jacob, vice president of finance at Southern Copper. "Operating capacity today is above 90%," he added during a virtual call with Reuters and other analysts and reporters in early June. Southern Copper, which said one worker was infected while outside work, is part of Grupo Mexico. Peru's government in May allowed mines to resume larger-scale operation, expected to now drive a recovery in output. Smaller mines have also since been given the green light. As for Antamina, the firm said in a recent internal memo seen by Reuters and later posted online that workers who tested negative for COVID-19 would be isolated before starting their shifts and distancing of 1.5-2 meters would be maintained. SHIFT PATTERNS Peru has some 240,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the second highest in Latin America after Brazil, and among the top 10 globally, according to a Reuters count. The Andean country was among the first in the region to impose a quarantine in March and has extended it until June 30, though it also has moved to allow the restart of several key sectors to reactivate the economy. Industry sources said some important mines were up and running, including the Las Bambas copper project operated by MMG and Toromocho controlled by Aluminum Corp of China. Nexa Resources said this month it was operating its Peruvian mines at near full capacity. Victor Gobitz, general manager of precious metals producer Buenaventura, said the length of shifts had been doubled to 28 days with 14 days off. At some sites workers are now being housed with their families to reduce the amount of travel. "We're organizing groups of 5 to 10 people and if there's any suspicion of contagion, the cell withdraws and another cell enters," Gobitz said in a virtual conference with international reporters in late May. "That way the entire workforce is not put at risk." (Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Dave Gregorio) News LATEST Economy Politics Modi speech highlights on International Yoga Day 2020: Yoga is needed more than ever in COVID-19 times, says PM Feedback Modi speech highlights on International Yoga Day 2020: Yoga is needed more than ever in COVID-19 times, says PM PM Narendra Modi Speech on International Yoga Day 2020: PM says yoga 'asanas' and techniques can help people with various respiratory illnesses Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that Texas schools will be able to open for in-class instruction for the 2020-21 school year, and that more details from TEA will be made available Tuesday. Since closing in March due to COVID-19, school districts in Montgomery County have been taking things day-by-day while creating plans for multiple scenarios. Now, districts have a better idea of what to expect as the new school year starts in just two months. TEA: Here's what the 2020-21 school year calendar may look like It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall, according to a statement from TEA. But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely, if the parent so chooses. Less than two weeks ago, CISD Superintendent Curtis Null told the Courier that his district was planning for both in-class and online instruction for next year but was waiting for guidance from TEA. Since the pandemic closed schools, TEA has given last-minute instructions to districts for both graduation ceremonies and summer instruction. It was unknown when instructions for the fall semester would be presented. Conroe ISD is actively preparing for in-person instruction as well as a potential online learning option for the 2020-2021 school year, CISD Director of Communications Sarah Blakelock said in a statement to the Courier. We expect to receive further guidance from the Texas Education Agency next week. We are currently surveying our families to gather information that will help us in this process. The survey will be available on the Conroe ISD website until Monday, June 22. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Texas schools will be safe to reopen in August, education commissioner says After the TEA releases more guidelines and districts have had a chance to review them, district communities will have more clarity about what next year will look like. Splendora ISD is making plans for students to return to school or, if needed, to learn from home, said Deittra Johnson, Director of Communications for Splendora ISD. We want to be sure that students have the best education in the safest learning environment and are working towards that goal." Back in May, the CDC released its own COVID-19 related recommendations and guidelines for schools, which include wearing masks or face coverings, spacing desks six feet apart, and installing barriers like sneeze guards at reception desks, among many others. jamie.swinnerton@chron.com The concert featuring Egyptian and Chinese musicians was released on the YouTube channel of Egypt's culture ministry yesterday Celebrating the 64th anniversary of the start of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt, musicians from both countries gave a joint concert that was live-streamed on the culture ministry's YouTube channel and on China's online outlets. The concert featured the Liaoning Chinese Symphony Orchestra performing on stage in Shenyang, joined by Egyptian musicians from the Cairo Symphony Orchestra performing online under the baton of the orchestra's musical director and principal conductor Ahmed El-Saedi. The concert was made possible through cooperation between the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Cairo, and their counterparts in China. Commenting on the event, Egypt's Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem expressed that the strong bond between the two nations will help their battle against the novel coronavirus. She added that while both countries share the values of being great and old civilisations, culture is a soft power that creates channels of communication between peoples. Abdel-Dayem confirmed that the partnership between Egypt and China in various fields strengthens ties and creates a common future between the two countries. China's Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang underscored the strength of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China during the past 64 years and which will remain strong regardless of situations on the international scene. He stressed the importance of a rich cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries to consolidate friendship between the two peoples. For his part, Magdy Saber, chairman of the Cairo Opera House, added that the music event is first such a big concert held online with the cooperation of musicians from both countries. He pointed to the profound history of Egyptian-Chinese artistic cooperation, which he hopes will be resumed as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic is over.' The event was preceded by screening a documentary film about close ties between Egypt and China, including rare scenes of Beijing people organising a mass rally in Tian Tian Square in support of Egypt preserving its national sovereignty in the time of the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. The film also showed clips of the most important Chinese investments and projects in Egypt in the fields of construction, education, information technology, and cultural and artistic exchanges, in addition to mutual visits between the political leaderships of the two countries. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: The Bachelorette New Zealand made history by having two female leads during its debut season in 2020. And now they are casting for season two! TVNZ put the call out for 'men and women ready to find their potential soulmate' via an Instagram post on Sunday. Looking for love? Bachelorette New Zealand has opened applications for its second season after the debut series had a shock double female lead earlier this year Single Kiwis over the age of 18 are encouraged to apply. The advertisement claims they are on the hunt for 'a leading lady who's ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime'. It also states males are welcome to apply, no matter their profession. Will they double up again? It's unclear whether the second season will also feature two female leads on the popular dating series. Pictured: Season one's Bachelorettes Dr Lesina Nakhid-Schuster, 32, and Lily McManus, 22 It's unclear whether the second season will also feature two female leads. Only one woman in its debut series walked away with a partner. Bachelorette Lily McManus, 22, chose clothing designer Richie Boyens in the finale, while Bachelorette Dr Lesina Nakhid-Schuster, 32, turned down both her finalists. One happy ending: Bachelorette Lily McManus, 22,(right) chose clothing designer Richie Boyens (left) in the finale, while Bachelorette Dr Lesina Nakhid-Schuster, 32, left single Lesina refused to give a rose to Aaron McNabb and Quinn Ryan, explaining that she didn't want to 'pretend' she'd found her 'forever person', when she hadn't. With New Zealand's COVID-19 transmissions low, this could be the first realty TV dating series to commence filming after production shutdowns. Applications are now open via tvnz.co.nz Latest News Westpac makes first fixed rate move of 2022 New year, same rate action as major lenders continue rate hikes Inside the property market explosion in regional Australia Regional broker explains just how crazy the property market has been in one NSW town According to KPMG Futures new report, Our New Reality: Predictions after COVID-19, the pandemic has exposed existing weak links across industries, government and our economy. The urgency and importance of addressing these weak links has radically shifted, and many decisions and discussions have been brought forward. As a result, we see four distinct stages on the path to recovery. 1. Reaction Were currently in the first stage of the recovery process. After the initial shock, professional and personal lives have been disrupted as the primary focus is on limiting damage to lives and livelihoods. Many of us have been navigating our way through working from home while homeschooling, missing social interaction with friends and family, with pending or real unemployment keeping us awake at night. We are hypervigilant and unexpectedly tired. One reality for most working people is that the nine-to-five routine of the office has been turned upside down, and remote working is an everyday experience. 2. Resilience This second stage is the one Australia and some other nations are moving into. As the virus spread is contained, controls start to loosen. Consumer demand begins to return but is constrained by lost wages, investment losses and recession fears. Its likely that certain industries will maintain stricter controls and reduced operations for longer. Airlines, for example, may need to keep measures in place until there is a vaccine or a means of establishing the health and safety of passengers. Building business continuity and resilience will be a core competency. Cash/liquidity has become critical to survival, and organisations will have a sharper focus on how best to balance what they can control with the things they cant. 3. Recovery With schools and businesses reopening, hiring, investment and consumer sentiment will cautiously improve. Recovery paths for organisations will vary based on their ability to limit damage from the reaction stage, the length and severity of the recession, post-COVID-19 industry demand, and willingness to adapt. Hybrid workforces with some staff working from home part or all of the week will remain, with work measured by outcome rather than input. Business leaders will need to be more flexible. A shift to flatter and more fluid, task-based structures will follow and require new management skills and changes to performance measurement and reward programs. The need for national and international travel will continue to fall as organisations realise both time and cost savings along with productivity gains. This will mean significant impacts on the business travel industry, including airlines, hotels, the car rental business and insurance services. Another permanent change will be a shift in our relationship with consumerism ... with an increased focus on family time, health and wellbeing 4. The new reality The final stage is recognising that the world will never be quite the same. New behaviours born out of the crisis will become central to the new normal. With more people working from home, demand for large built infrastructure projects wont uniformly return to pre-COVID levels. Instead there will need to be a rethink when it comes to commercial real estate used for office space: how can it be repurposed to serve the new needs of companies and the community? Competition will come from the home office, with commercial real estate needing to offer more than just a place to work. Meanwhile, reliance on connectivity has skyrocketed. There will be increasing demand for the accelerated rollout of 5G networks to boost speed and reliability. Mass adoption of video conferencing and collaboration apps will grow the need for virtual reality and augmented reality technology, moving it into mainstream use. Another permanent change will be a shift in our relationship with consumerism. People will think differently about money and material goods, and what they value. The environment and community will be more important, with an increased focus on family time, health and wellbeing. Cost consciousness and value will be front of mind and a generational hallmark. The sudden shift to remote working has been jarring for many, compounded by other impacts of the crisis. Large shifts take time to smooth over, but further improvements will come as we create better home office set-ups, start managing by output versus input, adapt leadership and management styles and improve technology. Compared to other nations, Australia was relatively shielded from the heaviest impacts of the 2008 GFC. From here, we are likely to see significant changes to tax and welfare regimes, health and safety regulations, and businesses required to pay social dividends for the bailout theyve received. James Mabbott Partner-in-charge, KPMG Futures This town of about 180,000 people centers on a historic town square of boutiques and breweries, most of them locally owned. Very early on, there were concerns among county supervisors about a policy that seemed, without much evidence, to allow some businesses to remain open and force others to shut down. The reopening appeared to be managed in that same way, which struck some as arbitrary and beyond an otherwise liberal local governments authority. Oman's Cabinet will soon take decision on a long pending proposal permitting foreigners, including expatriates in the sultanate, to own properties across the country. At present, expatriates can buy units only within the integrated tourism projects, said a report. The decision, when implemented, will let expatriates buy properties from a range of specified housing projects in the country, reported Oman Daily Observer, citing a senior housing ministry official. Any decision to allow ownership of properties for non-Omanis outside ITCs will have a major impact as expatriates officially constitute around 41 percent of the total population, with a sizeable number of potential buyers, he stated. The draft resolution on the subject has been approved by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and is now awaiting Cabinet nod, he added. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Ocean Springs is often referred to as the jewel of the coast, a community with one of the states highest per capita education levels, one of the highest median incomes and a top-rated school district. Its also a community often listed among the countrys best coastal towns, or having one of the best small downtown districts. Its known for its beaches, its many festivals and other community events, as well as its many fine dining establishments and vibrant nightlife. Ocean Springs is also the only municipality in Jackson County still flying the embattled Mississippi state flag. Why? Perhaps a refresher is in order. At the time Hurricane Katrina hit the coast in August 2005, the state flag was flying outside Ocean Springs City Hall, as well as other municipal buildings. But the storm badly damaged the flag at city hall and, after it was taken down, then-Mayor Connie Moran made the decision to not replace it. So for nearly 12 years, no state flag flew at city hall, with little in the way of complaint at least publicly. But when current Mayor Shea Dobson took office in July 2017, among his very first actions was to order the state flag returned to the flag pole. Immediately, many in the community took issue with his decision, including the Mississippi Rising Coalition, which organized protest marches and appeared at numerous board of aldermen meetings to take the mayor to task for his decision. After months of contentiousness, Dobson reversed course in November 2017 and ordered the state flag taken down. About a week later, however, alderman Mike Impey introduced an amendment to a city ordinance which would require the state flag flown at all municipal properties with a flag pole, including city hall. The measure passed 6-1, with only Rickey Authement voting nay. A lawsuit by Mississippi Rising and others followed, but went nowhere, and so for more than 2 years, the state flag has flown over Ocean Springs City Hall. During the November 2017 meeting when aldermen approved the flag amendment, they also adopted a resolution asking the legislature to schedule a new vote on the issue. This week, clearly in response to the current national climate, aldermen again passed a resolution, this time requesting the state legislature change the state flag, without a statewide vote. Both are nice gestures, but the time has come for aldermen to put action to their words and lead, rather than wait for state legislators to grow a collective spine and act. Given Ocean Springs reputation as one of Mississippis top communities, the city should be a leader, not a follower. As it relates to the state flag issue, however, Ocean Springs officials have lagged behind, while surrounding communities in Jackson County and across the coast have taken the appropriate step in removing a state flag which for many residents recalls much of Mississippis disgraceful past. Ive always suspected why the board took the action it did in approving the amendment requiring the state flag be flown. They had been backed into a corner by Mississippi Rising and others, had thinly-veiled accusations of racism thrust at them, even had white sheets mailed to each of them at city hall. So rather than appearing to give in to those who had attacked them, aldermen went in the opposite direction and passed a law requiring the state flag be flown on city property. The trouble is it was the wrong direction, one resulting from bruised egos, rather than what was right. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, African-Americans make up 8.7 percent of Ocean Springs current population. That equates to a little over 1,500 residents. Nearly 83 percent of Ocean Springs residents are white. Whether its five people, 15 or 1,500, however, those people are just as important to the fabric of Ocean Springs as any other. Its time Ocean Springs officials remember that and understand many of those residents, along with a growing number of others, both black and white, have grown weary of waiting for someone, somewhere, to do the right thing and put the current state flag where it belongs under glass in a museum. Given the number of cities including fellow Jackson County cities Moss Point, Gautier and Pascagoula, as well as other coast cities Gulfport, Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, and Waveland -- which have already made the decision to take down the state flag, as well as all eight of Mississippis public universities, it may be too late for Ocean Springs to be a leader on the issue. But its never too late to do the right thing. Warren Kulo is a Senior Staff Writer and columnist for The Mississippi Press/Gulflive.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-08 00:10:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 2,020 after 86 more people were confirmed, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) said in a statement on Sunday. The ministry revealed that from the total of 6,092 medical tests that were conducted in the last 24 hours, 86 of them tested positive for COVID-19, eventually bringing the total number of cases to 2,020. According to figures from FMoH, all 86 cases are Ethiopian nationals, 51 males and 35 females. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health also said that 63 more patients who tested positive for COVID-19 recovered on Sunday, raising the total number of recoveries to 344. The ministry also disclosed seven more people succumbed to the disease on Sunday, bringing the number of COVID-19 related deaths to 27. Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation with about 107 million people, confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 13. Enditem During his 15 years as a Malawian tobacco farmer, Boniface Namate has had to overcome many difficulties growing the plant that is the country's biggest export earner. Namate had banked on a bumper crop this year and had hoped the proceeds would enable him to buy a new car and even build a new house. However, the coronavirus pandemic has seen the 56-year-old's dreams go up in smoke. Due to restrictions imposed to control the spread of the virus in Malawi -- one of the world's poorest countries, and one of the top 10 tobacco producers -- growers were barred from physically attending the auctions where prices are set. That has left farmers feeling cheated by buyers. "We are not operating normally as there is no interaction between the buyer and the grower," said Betty Chinyamunyamu of the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi. "Because of this, there are trust issues," she said. When the auction season opened in April, Namate and other small-scale farmers said their earnings had indeed evaporated. "The prices that came from the auction are not what we expected. We are devastated", said Namate. Burley leaf from Malawi makes up 6.6 percent of the world's tobacco exports. Without interaction with buyers at auctions, as seen here in 2015, farmers feel they are being cheated. By AMOS GUMULIRA (AFP/File) Known locally as "green gold", it is Malawi's top crop in terms of employment. It also accounts for over 50 percent of foreign exchange earnings and 23 percent of tax revenues. So, when its 50,000 growers suffer, the country has every reason to be worried. Last November, the United States restricted tobacco imports from Malawi over allegations of worker exploitation and child labour. And the coronavirus has turned up the heat on farmers even more. In trouble Once he saw the prices being set in the first round of auctions, Namate immediately knew he was in trouble. He had been expecting his first bales of 1,116 kilograms to fetch up to $1,500. Instead, he received a meagre $540. And out of three tonnes overall from this year's harvest, he had hoped to make around $6,000 in total. But now he says he will be lucky even to make $1,500. "I was devastated because I had planned a lot of things with the money," said the farmer from Ntcheu. He is even contemplating abandoning the crop altogether. "Even my family have threatened to stop helping me in the fields if I insist on tobacco farming," Namate said. Another farmer Alick Munthali, who has harvested eight tonnes of tobacco in Rumphi in northern Malawi, finds himself in a similar predicament. Malawi's farmers used to call it "green gold", but the crop has lost its glitter as earnings have taken a wallop. By AMOS GUMULIRA (AFP/File) "We don't know how much the tobacco is fetching and we have no opportunity to negotiate the price with the buyer," said Munthali, who has been farming the crop since 1989. "It is difficult to sell your crop when you are not physically present," he said. Nevertheless, auctioneers and large-scale growers insist that the farmers are being short-changed by buyers. "Farmers are not cheated on the sales," said Felix Thole, chief executive of the Tobacco Association of Malawi Farmer's Trust, which represents large-scale growers. He pointed out that growers continue to be represented on the market by farmers' associations. "Auction sales bidding continues by the individual buyers, only this time around there is no chanting of the prices. Buyers continue competing and the highest bidder gets the bale," Thole argued. Nevertheless, Malawi's main opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera believes farmers have been unfairly treated. "The farmers basically have been abused," he told AFP. "The government gets a lot of foreign earnings through this particular industry and yet the farmer is treated like a labourer that should not even prosper," he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) The missing $2.1 billion cash of German payments firm Wirecard AG did not make any entry into the Philippine financial system, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Sunday. "The initial report is that no money entered the Philippines and that there is no loss to both banks," BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement. The central bank has launched an investigation into reports saying BDO Unibank, Inc. and the Bank of the Philippine Islands held the billions of cash in question, which have yet to be found. Both banks have since denied claims Wirecard was their client and that they had any business relationship with the firm. They have also informed external auditor Ernst & Young that the documents proving the concerned funds are in their possession are "spurious," added the official. In a separate statement on Friday, BDO said "[t]he document claiming the existence of a Wirecard account with BDO is a falsified document and carries forged signatures of bank officers." This led to the termination of a marketing officer of the bank, according to a highly-placed source. READ: Local bank officer sacked for fake document on Wirecard deposits "The international financial scandal used the names of two of the country's biggest banks BDO and BPI in an attempt to cover the perpetrators' track," commented Diokno. Wirecard, which had been involved in allegations of suspected fraud last year, is facing scrutiny again for postponing the publication of its 2019 financial statements after trust accounts supposedly holding 1.9 billion euros (about 107 billion) in overseas accounts were not acknowledged by both local lenders. The amount is approximately a quarter of the consolidated balance sheet total, said Wirecard in a statement on June 18. Around 2 billion euros of loans made to the German company can be terminated if the concerned funds aren't successfully located, it added. Amid the controversy, the firm's board had suspended member Jan Marsalek until the end of the month, while long-time CEO Markus Braun resigned on Friday. James Freis Jr. has since been appointed as member of the management board and interim CEO. Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia held a virtual meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during which a report by VK Paul committee on the issue was presented, according to the Union Home Ministry. New Delhi: The coronavirus cases in Delhi neared the 60,000-mark on Sunday with 3,000 more people testing positive, even as worried authorities were mulling steps to strengthen the containment strategy to arrest the spread of the infection in the National Capital. Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia held a virtual meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during which a report by VK Paul committee on the issue was presented, according to the Union Home Ministry. Mapping of all containment zones in Delhi again for better management of the COVID-19 situation and vigorous contact tracing of positive cases for quarantining are among the measures related to the containment strategy suggested by the high-level committee set up Shah. It had also favoured strictly restricting activities in containment zones as well keeping a vigil on houses outside these areas. The home minister has advised the Delhi government to implement the recommendations of the committee, officials said. The issue is also expected to come up at the crucial meet of Delhi Disaster Management Authority to be held on Monday, amid a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital. It was the third day on the trot that over 3,000 fresh cases have been reported. On Saturday, Delhi had witnessed 3,630 cases, the highest single-day spike here. On Friday, the number was 3,137. As many as 63 fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 2,175 and the total number of cases at 59,746, according to the latest Delhi health department bulletin The condition of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has improved and his fever has subsided, a day after he was administered plasma therapy at a private COVID-19 facility here. Also, a team of senior doctors from a few government and private hospitals has been kept on standby to ensure the best medical care for Jain who is admitted in ICU of Max hospital, Saket, sources said. The condition of the 55-year-old minister is improving and he is being monitored by doctors, officials said. "His fever has subsided and his oxygen saturation level (Spo2) has increased. He is likely to come out of the ICU by Monday," an official said. On the meeting held by Shah, an official said that "a detailed discussion was held to make contact tracing robust in the city. All participants discussed the strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Delhi". On Saturday, Lt Governor Anil Baijal amended his order on home isolation, saying "only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institutional isolation." A Delhi government official said that the administration will have uphill task to get the clinical assessment of all new COVID-19 cases done every day. "As Delhi is witnessing an alarming spike in cases daily, it will be a difficult task to get such a huge number of cases done. After the assessment, the decision will be taken on whether the infected person requires hospitalisation or he can get treatment in home isolation," the official said. This issue is also likely to come up during a meeting of DDMA on Monday where officers concerned will make presentation to execute the LG's order. Meanwhile, a 62-year-old inmate lodged in Mandoli Jail in Delhi has died of coronavirus, a first COVID-19 casualty in Delhi's prison, prompting authorities to test 28 other inmates who were sharing the barrack with the man, officials said on Sunday. Kanwar Singh passed away on June 15 and his COVID-19 test report came out positive on Saturday, they said. Singh was serving life sentence in a 2016 murder case. He was lodged in Central Jail number -14, Mandoli and was asymptomatic, the officials said. Delhi Prison comprises Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli Jail. Till now, 23 inmates of Delhi Prison have been found positive for COVID-19, out of them 16 recovered from the disease and one has died. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has sought more time to convert five-star Taj Mansingh hotel into a coronavirus facility in order to augment beds for patients amid a spike in infections. According to an order issued by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Chanakyapuri on 16 June, rooms in the luxury Taj Mansingh Hotel in Lutyens' Delhi were placed at the disposal of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) for using them as an attached COVID-19 facility. According to sources at the hospital, a letter has been written to the SDM seeking more time to develop the hospital into a Covid facility. As the COVID-19 cases continue to rise, resident welfare associations in the city have started coming up with their own isolation facilities for infected patients. An eight-bed isolation centre set up by the residents of Antariksh Apartment in sector 14 of Rohini was inaugurated on Sunday. "The isolation centre has been set up using four rooms of a guest house of Antariksh Apartment. Each room has two beds and there are also facilities of oxygen support, medicines and medical care for corona patients," local municipal councillor Alok Sharma said. Work on an isolation centre for the residents of the apartment complex began as asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and those with mild symptoms are being placed in home-isolation, he said. The National Capital on Sunday celebrated the International Day of Yoga under the shadow of COVID-19, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal practising ''asanas'' at his residence, while several other Delhi leaders performed yoga in small groups. The celebrations were muted this year in the city due to the coronavirus scare as compared to previous years when people in large numbers gathered at prominent places including India Gate lawns to participate in mass yoga sessions. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:41:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Sarah Wanjiru's bakery business that is located in the eastern edges of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, used to generate gross revenue of 50 million shillings (about 47,000 U.S. dollars) before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. For the last three months, the overall sales have dropped by 95 percent, triggering anxiety over the future of a once-thriving enterprise that was initiated in late 2018. "I have not experienced this level of financial distress since I started this business," Wanjiru said. Her Shiloh Loaf enterprise had employed 38 people drawn from Nairobi's Utawala residential estate but she was forced to lay off 20 of them in the middle of March due to a slump in sales. Closure of learning institutions as a swift measure imposed by the government to break the chain of transmitting COVID-19 also dealt a blow to Wanjiru's enterprise. She has been selling bread to schools, colleges and universities in Nairobi, Coastal, Central, Eastern and Western regions through suppliers. Wanjiru retained staff on a half-pay but admitted that she was not making enough money to cater for their wages due to low sales of bread. "The fact that I cannot make enough sales means I am short of revenue to run the bakery operations and that is a threat to any business," said Wanjiru, the former banker. Wanjiru's venture is among nearly seven million Kenyan small, micro and medium enterprises that have suffered amid roll-out of anti-COVID-19 containment measures like curfews and partial lockdowns. The Kenyan Treasury last week announced the roll-out of a credit scheme to help revive small business ventures that were struggling due to disruptions linked to COVID-19. "I believe I am qualified for the seed capital as my cash flows can provide proof of my financial performance last year," said Wanjiru. "The credit will help me get back on track. My number one plan is to get back the staff I sent home so that we can start full scale operations," she said. Even as she looks forward to the financial boost, prolonged closure of schools, colleges and universities poses the greatest challenge to the revival of her business. "My business is largely dependent on learning institutions and without them, I am not guaranteed a sizable profit margin. I hope the government will soon contain the situation," said Wanjiru. Faith Awiti, a small business owner, is also eying the seed capital from the government's kitty while at the same time worried about a lean customer base. Until late March, the second-hand cloth dealer operated from Gikomba market in Nairobi's central business district, where she rented a stall for a monthly rate of 70 dollars. Awiti was forced to close the business and started selling from her house located in a working-class district in Nairobi. "I had to close the clothes stall and started selling them from home. The daily expenses were more than the money coming in," said Awiti. "But selling from home is neither better. Selling even one piece a day is turning out to be a miracle," she added. Wanjiru and Awiti's predicament mirrors the dilemma facing many Kenyan small business owners as they endeavor to reopen despite uncertainties worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom Nyamache, a professor of economics at Turkana University College in northern Kenya, said that massive capital injection from the national Treasury and banks is required to keep small businesses afloat. "We cannot increase consumption of goods or services without money in the pockets of people," Nyamache said. "Getting this economy out of the shock of lost jobs, lost incomes and reduced or depleted savings requires a strategy that finds the balance of all factors that catalyze an economy. You can have a business but you will close it in no time if no one is buying your product," he added. Enditem Markus Braun, CEO of Wirecard AG, an independent provider of outsourcing and white label solutions for electronic payment transactions attends the company's annual news conference in Aschheim near Munich, Germany April 25, 2019. (Michael Dalder/Reuters) Wirecard CEO Exits as Search for Missing Billions Hits Dead End in Asia FRANKFURT/MANILAWirecards chief executive quit on Friday as the German payments firms search for $2.1 billion of missing cash hit a dead end in the Philippines and it scrambled to secure a financial lifeline from its banks. Markus Braun, who built Wirecard into one of the hottest financial technology investments in Europe before questions over accounting saw it crash in value, leaves the firm facing a looming cash crunch and mired in allegations of fraud. Braun resigned just hours after releasing a video blaming Wirecards problems on fraud, saying he accepted responsibility for all business transactions lies with the CEO. Wirecard, which has seen nearly 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) wiped off its market value in just two days, had been a welcome technology success story in Germany, a country better known for its prowess in heavy industry. But it has been under scrutiny since a whistleblower alleged that it owed its success in part to a web of sham transactions, a scandal that some fear will now damage Germanys reputation. Wirecard said in a statement that James Freis, a former compliance officer at Germanys stock exchange, had been appointed as the firms interim CEO. It is holding emergency talks with banks to secure a financial lifeline, three people with knowledge of the matter said, after its auditor, EY, would not sign off on its accounts. On Thursday, Wirecard warned that loans of roughly 2 billion euros ($2.24 billion) could be terminated if its annual report is not published on Friday and it has until evening to strike a deal with the banks, the sources told Reuters. Wirecards share price dropped by as much as 50% on Friday in a continuation of Thursdays rout, with the stock hitting 20 euros, a far cry from the 200 euros it was priced at when it joined Germanys prestigious blue-chip Dax index in late 2018. Wirecard is a company that has caused serious damage to the credibility and trust of the Dax with international investors. This will have significant consequences for the image of the German capital market, Carola Rinker, a German economist specialising in accountancy fraud, said. Wirecards shares tanked again on Friday after two Philippine banks, BPI and BDO, said it was not a client of theirs and alleged that documents had been falsified. Spurious Document Braun, who has aggressively defended Wirecard against allegations of accounting fraud, had earlier said that the firm could itself have been the victim, without giving details. Attempts by Wirecard to appear as the victim in the missing 1.9 billion euros have been undone within hours of Wirecard managements video yesterday evening, said Neil Campling at Mirabaud, the only analyst to have a price target of zero. EY had regularly approved Wirecards accounts in recent years, and its refusal to sign off for 2019 confirms failings found in an external probe by KPMG in April. While Wirecard did not give any details of where the missing money is alleged to have gone, statements by the two Philippine banks denying any involvement spooked investors in the firm. The document claiming the existence of a Wirecard account with BDO is a falsified document and carries forged signatures of bank officers, BDO said, adding that it had reported the matter to the Philippines central bank. BPI also said Wirecard was not a client, adding: Their external auditor presented to us a document that claimed that they are a client. We have determined that the document is spurious. We continue to investigate this matter, BPI said in a statement. The Wirecard scandal, which was extensively investigated by the Financial Times newspaper and has been the subject of several reports by so-called short sellers, has also damaged the standing of German financial regulator Bafin. Bafin looked on for far too long, Fabio De Masi, a German lawmaker said, adding that the agency must be improved. By Patricia Uhlig, John ODonnell, and Neil Jerome Morales After Sushant Singh Rajputs death, social media has become a battleground as many debate whether Bollywoods nepotistic climate wronged him and did not give him his due, pushing him to take this drastic step. But, Jitendra Kumar says that its not fair on anyones part to blame the film industry. First of all, its sad and shocking. Its not about the film industry, this is a problem everywhere. I feel the film industry is more visible and exposed, so its more out there. But, the problem is there in every industry, shares Kumar. However, the Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan actor feels that its indeed sad when it happens to people, and when they take such extreme steps. He asserts that sharing is what will help ease any such pain. Its alarming. As an industry, we should take care of each other, look out for one another. If, in any case, we feel that something is off, we must share it. Its all about connection and connectivity. We do neglect a lot of things in general we dont talk to family, friends or siblings. We must reach out, he explains. Stressing on the importance of mental health, Kumar actor calls success and money secondary. First comes health, both physical and mental. Its important to involve people in your life and keep yourself happy. Help people and help yourself, says the actor. An alumni of IIT Kharagpur, the Chaman Bahar actor says instances of depression are also prevalent in educational institutions, but steps are being taken to tackle the issues, and that the film industry should also take such measures. When I was studying there, many cases of depression came to light. But, extreme actions were taken by the institutes, via campaigns, internal dialogue and channels to help students. Mental health should not be a stigma. People coming out and seeking help is a great achievement in itself. If mental health is taken care of, everything else falls in place, he says. TDT Manama A 23-year-old patient who was in a precarious medical condition was flown home yesterday to get medical assistance and treatment in his native country India, as advised by his doctor. Subhas Mandal, the patient, was diagnosed with a rare condition that left his hands and legs too weak to move fully. In such extraordinary cases, airlines allow passengers to travel on a stretcher. And that is exactly how Mandal travelled onboard a repatriation flight to India that left Bahrain yesterday with 144 other passengers and an infant. Last October, he was admitted at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) when he went in complaining of weakness in all four of his limbs. He was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) that affects the bodys immune system. Since his condition was so rare and was worsening, SMC neurologist Dr Isa Abdulla advised him to travel back to India for urgent medical assistance and rehabilitation as soon as possible. Mandal had arrived in Bahrain only four months before the tragic turn of events. Being so young, he is the sole breadwinner for his family back home in India. A resident of the Indian city of Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal, Mandal travelled from Bahrain to the Indian city of Bhubaneswar, under the Indian governments Vande Bharat repatriation mission. Arrangements have been made for him to travel onwards to Kolkata, after following all the medical clearance protocols to ensure that he is not COVID-19 positive. In an effort taken under special consideration by the Indian Embassy, World Non-Resident Indian Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, he managed to go back home safely Egypt's president warned Saturday that advances by Turkey-backed Libyan forces on the Libyan city of Sirte could prompt an Egyptian military intervention in the neighbouring country in support of Cairo's ally Khalifa Haftar. Meanwhile, Ankara has urged forces led by the eastern-based Haftar to withdraw from the strategic city for a ceasefire agreement to be reached. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has made major military gains against Haftar's forces recently thanks to increased support from its backer Turkey. The key city of Sirte, which lies some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of the capital, is under the control of Haftar's forces, who last year launched a recently aborted attempt to seize control of western Libya. In a televised address, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Sirte is a "red line" for Egypt, citing the need to protect its porous border as grounds for "direct intervention" in Libya. "If the Libyan people asked us to intervene, it is a signal to the world that Egypt and Libya share ... common interests, security and stability," Sisi said on Saturday. The GNA denounced Sisi's warning, saying any intervention would be a threat to Libya's security. "We strongly reject what was said by al-Sisi and consider it a continuation of the war on the Libyan people, interference in Libyan affairs and a dangerous threat to national security," said Mohammed Amari Zayed, a member of the GNA's presidential council. "There can be no 'red line' within our borders. We reject any bid aimed at dividing the Libyan people or their territory... (and) we categorically reject any bid to impose guardianship on Libya," he added. Turkey also vowed to continue supporting the GNA's push for Sirte and demanded the evacuation of Haftar's forces from the city for a "sustainable ceasefire." - Rival administrations - Libya has been torn by violence, drawing in tribal militias, jihadists and mercenaries since the 2011 toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a Western-backed uprising. The oil-rich country is split between rival administrations in the east and west, with the conflict recently attracting increasing foreign involvement. Besides Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates back Haftar, while the GNA is supported by Turkey and Qatar. "Any direct intervention by Egypt now has international legitimacy, whether under the UN charter on self defence or at the discretion of the only legitimate elected authority in Libya: the Libyan parliament," Sisi said. Like Haftar, the head of the Libyan parliament is based in the east of the country, where they are both supported by Egypt. The GNA has vowed to take Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown and a strategic access point to Libya's key oil fields. It is also the last major settlement before the traditional boundary between western Libya and Haftar's stronghold in the east. "Some think they can trespass on the Sirte or Al-Jura frontline. This for us is a red line," Sisi said. Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told AFP in an interview that a ceasefire in Libya would be possible if Haftar's forces withdrew from Sirte and Al-Jufra. "It should be a sustainable ceasefire, meaning that the other side, the LNA (Libyan National Army), should not be in a position to launch another attack on the legitimate Libyan government any time it wants," Kalin told AFP in an interview in Istanbul. - Saudi, UAE support - Later, Saudi Arabia and the UAE voiced their backing for Sisi. "The kingdom stands by Egypt on its right to defend its borders people from extremism, terrorist militias and their supporters in the region," said a foreign ministry statement carried by state-run Saudi Press Agency. Similarly, the UAE's foreign ministry said it "is siding with Egypt on all the measures it takes to protect security and stability from the repercussions of the concerning developments in Libya," according to the country's official WAM news agency. Cairo proposed its own ceasefire in Libya earlier this month but it was dismissed by the GNA. That proposal also called for withdrawal of foreign mercenaries, and disbanding of Libyan militias. The Egyptian president blamed "external forces" supporting "extremist militias and mercenaries" in Libya for blocking the initiative. He further urged Egyptian troops to "be prepared to carry out any mission, inside our borders, or if necessary, outside our borders." On Friday, the Arab League announced plans to hold an urgent virtual foreign ministers meeting on Libya this week at Egypt's request. But the GNA said it would boycott the meeting as it would "merely deepen the rift" between Arab governments on the conflict. (CNN) In a shocking admission during his Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila), US President Donald Trump said he had told officials in his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because of the rising number of cases in America, and used a racist term to describe the coronavirus. "You know testing is a double-edged sword," Trump said while complaining about press coverage of his handling of the virus. Claiming the US has now tested some 25 million people, he added: "Here's the bad part ... when you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people; you're going to find more cases. So I said to my people, slow the testing down please." It was a stunning revelation given that nearly 120,000 people have died in the United States from the coronavirus and medical experts have long said that testing is critical to identifying cases, tracing them and stopping the spread of the virus. An administration official told CNN that the President was "obviously kidding." But the Biden campaign and Democratic organizations are now racing to get this comment in as many ads as possible, a Biden aide and operatives from multiple Democratic super PACs tell CNN. At another point during the rally, which drew a smaller-than-expected crowd, he said Covid-19 has more names than any other disease: "I can name Kung Flu," he said using the racist term, "I can name 19 different versions of them." In a nearly two-hour speech that marked his return to the campaign trail after a three-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, Trump relished the opportunity to slash at the media, "leftist radicals" who he said are taking over America's streets, and his rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, who he portrayed as weak and mentally incapacitated. Biden's national co-chairman, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, responded to Trump's speech by saying that the President had once again focused entirely on himself, instead of the concerns of the country. "I want Trump out there every day, talking and rambling and doing what he does best, because it was a disaster tonight," Richmond told CNN's Boris Sanchez. "Objective people watching that speech, they do not see a Commander-in-Chief. They see a guy having a temper tantrum who -- it's all about him." Though Trump read, at times, from a teleprompter and homed in on his vow to be a "law and order" president, he rambled through a long list of other grievances -- giving a lengthy soliloquy about the circumstances that led to his halting walk down a ramp after his speech at West Point last week. He railed against press coverage of Covid-19, claiming that he has saved lives and reporters have not given him credit. It was in that context that he said he had urged aides to slow testing. Trump's speech Saturday night, however, centered on what he frames as America's need for a law-and-order president who can push back against the ideas of the radical left, which he argued Biden is too weak to do. When warning against calls from some progressives to defund the police, Trump again used racist language as he told a fictional story about a woman calling for help during a break-in of her home. "It's one o'clock in the morning," Trump said, and "a very tough hombre is breaking into the window of a young woman, whose husband is away, as a traveling salesman or whatever he may do. And you call 911, and they say, 'I'm sorry this number is no longer working.'" Vilifying protesters He touted the accomplishments of his administration while vilifying protesters -- whom he referred to as "radicals" and "thugs" -- for taking to the streets to protest racism in the days since George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. He argued that his administration's "incredible success in rebuilding America" stands in stark contrast to "the extremism, and destruction, and violence of the radical left" and said he sent the National Guard into Minneapolis to restore order when the situation was getting out of control. "Americans have watched left wing radicals burn down buildings loot businesses, destroy private property, injure hundreds of dedicated police officers," he said. "Does anybody honestly think he controls these radical maniacs?" Trump said of Biden. "He will surrender your country to these mobsters." "If the Democrats gain power, then the rioters will be in charge and no one will be safe," the President added. He pledged to protect the Second Amendment in light of the protests, saying, "When you see those lunatics all over the streets, it's damn nice to have arms." He charged that Democrats are trying to "demolish our heritage" -- referring to the tearing down of Confederate monuments -- and replace it with their "oppressive regime." "These people are stone-cold crazy," Trump said. Trump also advocated for jailing protesters who burn the American flag, calling on the two Oklahoma senators in the crowd to craft legislation. "We ought to come up with legislation that if you burn the American flag, you go to jail for one year," the President said. "You know, they talk about freedom of speech, and I believe in freedom of speech. But that's desecration." He described Republicans as the "party of liberty, equality and justice for all" and "the party of Abraham Lincoln." Trump did not take the opportunity to address the systemic racism that the country is grappling with, instead lobbing attacks against his opponent. "Racial justice begins with Joe Biden's retirement from public life," Trump said. "Five months from now we're going to defeat Sleepy Joe Biden," he said, repeatedly mocking Biden by suggesting that he often doesn't know what state he's campaigning in or what subject he's talking about. Smaller-than-expected crowd In the days leading up to Trump's rally, he and his allies ginned up expectations for a massive crowd with campaign officials telling CNN that more than a million people had registered to attend, and one local official stating they expected 100,000 to show up near the arena. But those crowds didn't appear as large as expected Saturday afternoon, leading to an abrupt change of plans by the campaign. The team abandoned plans for the President to speak to an "overflow" area outside the arena in Tulsa where only a couple dozen people were standing near the outdoor stage less than two hours before the rally. As soon as he came on stage, Trump suggested that protesters had kept away the crowds away from his rally. He called attendees at the Tulsa arena "warriors," and said there were "some very bad people outside," although CNN reporters on the ground saw no evidence of that interference. A rally amid controversy Though many medical experts, including top health officials within his administration, have warned against large gatherings at a time when coronavirus cases are rising in Oklahoma, Trump held Saturday's event at the indoor Bank of Oklahoma Center arena, creating the potential for what medical professionals refer to as a "super spreader" event. Few rallygoers wore masks in the arena and many took seats that were right next to one another, and six Trump campaign advance staffers on the ground in Tulsa tested positive for the virus before the event took place. Trump initially was scheduled to hold the rally on Friday, which would have fallen on Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. That decision angered many progressive leaders and protesters who have been in the streets demonstrating against racism in the weeks since Floyd was killed. The decision was fraught because of Tulsa's history as the site of one of the worst racially-motivated massacres in US history in 1921 when a White mob attacked Black residents and business owners in the Tulsa neighborhood known as Greenwood. The President changed the rally date to Saturday in what he described as a gesture of respect to the observance of Juneteenth, but he has continued to antagonize protesters. On Friday, he warned in a tweet that protesters could be roughly handled. "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" he tweeted. The quick trip to Tulsa was a welcome respite for Trump from the controversy over yet another firing that looks like it's meant to protect him -- this time of a powerful prosecutor investigating his associates. This weekend, the Trump administration was engulfed in a new controversy after Attorney General William Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, was stepping down. Berman said in a statement Friday night that he had no intention of leaving his office. That led Barr to write a letter to Berman stating that he had asked the President to remove him, "and he has now done so," Barr wrote. As he departed from the White House Saturday for Oklahoma, Trump said he is "not involved" in the attempted firing of Berman, and that the decision was up to Barr. Berman later announced he is leaving his post. Earlier in the day, the administration suffered a blow when a federal judge denied its attempts to block the upcoming publication of a book by former national security adviser John Bolton. Trump spent much of Saturday upset because he believes the coverage of Berman's firing and the campaign staffers testing positive for coronavirus overshadowed his return to the campaign trail, one person familiar with the matter told CNN. A public health gamble The Trump campaign gambled by holding a big rally when Tulsa County reported a new record of daily coronavirus cases on Saturday -- the fifth record-setting day this week. Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was in the arena ahead of the rally wearing a mask, but Trump's son Eric Trump and many other GOP officials were not wearing masks. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford wore a mask in the crowd, but his colleague, Sen. Jim Inhofe, whose age puts him in a high risk category, did not. The President, who has never worn a mask in front of the media, told The Wall Street Journal earlier this week that he was comfortable with his supporters wearing masks. "They can wear them or not," he told the newspaper. "I want them to be happy." Campaign aides are tested before events, per the Trump campaign's safety protocols. And the campaign said it took extra steps to keep rallygoers safe, like temperature checks and handing out masks and hand sanitizer. But Dr. Rochelle Walensky, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, told CNN's Ana Cabrera on "Newsroom" Saturday ahead of the rally that the set-up was "a confluence of conditions that lead to thriving of the virus." "People are inside; they're close to one another; they're (not) wearing masks; they're yelling. This is exactly the condition in which the virus can really spread quickly from one to another, that leads to super-spreader events." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump says he wanted testing slowed down, uses racist term for coronavirus." IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami has appointed Brigadier General Hossein Nejat as his deputy commander in charge of Sarallah, the most important security command in Tehran. In theory, Sarallah is under the direct command of the IRGC's commander in chief. But as he is too busy fulfilling his other responsibilities, he delegates his authority to a deputy commander. Therefore, Hossein Nejat is effectively the commander of Sarallah in Tehran. But why this appointment is significant? Sarallah is the Iranian capital's most important security headquarters and is tasked with protecting the capital and important government institutions in the city against any threats including riots, widespread anti-government protests or military threats against the government such as a coup. This makes Sarallah the most important one of the IRGC's ten regional security headquarters spread around the country. Three provincial garrisons, Mohammad Rasoulallah in the greater Tehran, Sayed ol-Shohada in the Province of Tehran, and Imam Hassan in the neighboring Alborz Province as well as hundreds of Basij militia bases, the 27th Division in Tehran and the 10th Division in Karaj, and if needed, the entire police force in Tehran and Alborz Provinces also come under Sarallah's command to eliminate possible threats and suppress protests. In the past, Sarallah has been the most important tool used in suppressing major anti-government protests in 2009, 2018 and 2019 in Tehran and the small towns surrounding the capital. Sarallah's new commander Hossein Nejat, is one of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's most trusted officers. He has previously served for 10 years (2000 - 2010) as the commander of the IRGC's Vali Amr Unit which is Khamenei's own special guard. Hossein Nejat, whose real name is Mohammad Hossein Zibaee Nejad, has been serving with the IRGC for 40 years now. He has worked for many years with former IRGC Commander Mohsen Rezai at the IRGC's intelligence unit. During the war with Iraq in the 1980s, Nejat was the counter-intelligence chief of Khatam ol-Anbia, Iran's most important headquarters during the war. After playing a key part as a senior commander in suppressing the 2009 protests in Tehran, he was appointed as one of the commanders of The Muslim Combatants Association, an affiliate of the IRGC with branches all over Iran. He has also been a key element in holding the large Arba'in rallies in Iraq, which is an annual tour de force event showcasing Irans and IRGC's power in Iraq and the region. In 2016, Nejat was appointed as a senior deputy to IRGC Intelligence Chief Hossein Taeb and remained in that position until spring 2019. During this period the IRGC Intelligence Organization became more and more powerful and closer to Khamenei's office with its power gradually overshadowing the might of the Ministry of Intelligence. Following the latest changes in the structure of IRGC's command network in 2019, Nejat moved on to become IRGC's deputy commander for cultural affairs. And now he has been appointed as the commander of Sarallah Headquarters. As well as being a confidante of Ayatollah Khamenei, Nejat maintains close ties with his politically active son Mojtaba, a possible candidate to succeed Khamenei as the Islamic Republic's next Supreme Leader. Nejat is actually a member of a whole network of IRGC commanders who are close to Mojtaba Khamenei. The network is better known as Habib battalion named after a similar unit in the Iran-Iraq war where Mojtaba served as a young man. The network is a circle of hardliner and most aggressive members of the Islamic Republic's security and intelligence forces, as far as critics and dissidents are concerned. One of its members is the highly influential and powerful IRGC Intelligence Chief Hossein Taeb. Many of the members of this network now hold the most important military, intelligence and security positions in the Islamic Republic. If we assume that Khamenei's concern about a new round of major protests like the ones in 2018 and 2019, especially in light of his concerns regarding succession are the two main preoccupations of the government in Iran, then we can better understand various measures such as Nejat appointment. He and others trusted by and obedient to Khamenei are prepared to suppress the people, and are appointed to top political, military and security positions. The Islamic Republic fears that the current economic crisis might lead to more widespread protests and urban riots in the future. Therefore, it is appointing its most trusted and oppressive commanders and officials on top of important military, security and intelligence institutions. These measures show that Khamenei is preparing to hand over power to the next leader. At the same time it reveals the Islamic Republic's serious concern about recurring major anti-government protests at the time of Khamenei's death that could endanger the Islamic Republic's stability and even its existence. The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 460,000, with more than 8.8 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness. Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions. Azerbaijan Highlighting the difficulty of keeping a balance between the need to reopen hard-pressed economies and the risk of a new surge in infections, Azerbaijan on June 21 reinstated a tight lockdown to contain a spike in new cases that followed the easing of restrictions weeks ago. Azerbaijan imposed a state of emergency to contain the outbreak on March 24. It was then lifted on May 31, with most restrictions relaxed. But now Azerbaijanis will only be allowed to leave home "once a day for a maximum of two hours after receiving permission via text message" from the authorities, Prime Minister Ali Asadov said in a statement on June 21. The new measures will remain in force until August 1 in the capital, Baku, and several other major cities and provinces. Shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, and hair salons were meanwhile ordered to close as of June 21, along with cultural and educational institutions. The move came after the number of infections in the oil-rich nation doubled in the space of the last two weeks. Overall, the country of around 10 million people has so far reported 12,238 cases of the coronavirus and 148 deaths. Pakistan Pakistan announced it was reopening a key border crossing with Afghanistan on June 22 to allow trade between the neighbors. Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables, and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in northwestern North Waziristan district. Pakistan has already reopened its border with Iran. Pakistan put its entire population of 220 million in lockdown in March, but the government last month eased restrictions, saying it was necessary to save the economy even though cases went up. On June 21, Pakistan reported 119 more COVID-19 deaths and 4,951 new cases, raising its total to 176,617 cases including 3,501 fatalities. Critics say, however, that a lack of sufficient testing is preventing a clearer picture of the extent of the outbreak in the country. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa In two separate bomb attacks in southern and central Somalia, nearly seven people have reportedly been killed. The police and military officers on June 21 informed that the first attack took place on Saturday evening, while the second on Sunday. According to an international media report, no group has claimed responsibility as of now, however, it was also noted that such attacks are common in Somalia, where Islamist militant organisation al Shabaab have been waging a 12-year campaign to topple the central government. While speaking to the media outlet, the officers said that in the first incident, two bombs were planted in front of the house of a military official in Wanlaweyn town. The bombs exploded on June 20 and killed nearly four people, including soldiers and civilians. Mohamed Nur, a police officer, reportedly said that he first heard the blast at the house, however, fortunately, the military officer was absent. After the first bomb went off and several people, including guards and residents, came out the second blast went off, said Nur. READ: Morocco Opens New Field Hospital As Coronavirus Cases Surge READ: Kenya Wins Africa Seat At United Nations Security Council, Defeats Djibouti Three soldiers killed, two wounded As per reports, in the second incident, nearly three militants in a car carried out a suicide bomb attack at a military checkpoint in Bacadweyn town in central Somalia's Galmudug state. Major Abdullahi Ahmed, a military officer in the nearby town, reportedly informed that the soldiers shot at the vehicle after its occupants ignored orders to stop. He added that three soldiers died and two others were wounded. Al-Shabaan is an al-Qaida-linked extremist group in Somalia. The group reportedly wants to establish its own rule in the region based on its own strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. READ: Congo President's Chief Of Staff Guilty In Corruption Trial READ: South African Choir Adapts To COVID-19 By Making New Music Egypt's Al-Azhar said on Sunday that it supports the Egyptian leaderships stance on the Libyan crisis, hailing the country's enduring keenness on a peaceful solution to the crisis. In an official statement, Al-Azhar said that it seconds the Egyptian leadership in all measures it will take to maintain the country's national security and protect its borders. It added that it supports Egypt's keenness on a peaceful solution and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's call for a ceasefire in all Libyan territory and resumption of negotiations under the aegis of the United Nations. El-Sisi on Saturday said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya, while assured that any intervention would be mainly aimed at protecting Egypts western border, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in the country. He also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Libyan National Army (LNA) forces of rival military commander Khalifa Haftar in the east, whom Egypt supports. The Sunni Muslim worlds top religious institution said it is following with concern the ardent conflict between its Libyan brothers and external interference, which leads to more fragmentation and fuels disputes. The institution underscored its rejection of the principle of guardianship that some countries are attempting to impose on the Arab world, and which it said is used as a pretext to violate sovereignty. The statement called for a joint and decisive Arab position to resolve the crisis, appealing to the Libyan people to unite and reject the differences which makes their country susceptible to colonial ambitions and external interference. No single government has had full control over the oil-rich country since 2011 when then-leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed. Ben Margot / Associated Press The Vallejo Police Department is investigating a suspected homicide after a man died in a local hospital Friday night from at least one gunshot wound. Officers received a report that the victim had been transported to the hospital in a private car shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday. Medical staff attended to the persons wounds but could not save him. As the coronavirus swept across the globe this spring, Southwest Virginias coal industry felt the pandemics impacts as companies furloughed employees and idled production at several sites amid safety concerns and reduced demand for electricity and steel. COVID-19 is the latest challenges for an industry already under pressure from cheap natural gas, a rise in renewable energy sources and big bankruptcies, among other factors. Coal has been declining in Appalachia for the past 30 years, said Matt Hepler, an environmental scientist with Appalachian Voices, a nonprofit advocacy organization. Virginia mines produced more than 45.9 million tons of coal in 1990, and by 2019, that annual figure fell to 12.4 million, according to federal data. As production fell, so did employment in the states mines, from about 10,662 workers to 2,576 over the same 30-year period. The coal industry was in a bad place to begin with going into the COVID crisis, and I definitely think it will exacerbate the situation, Hepler said. Coal industry furloughs in Southwest Virginia Arcelor Mittal Extra Energy Mine in Tazewell County remains idled 51 workers furloughed with small maintenance crew on site Coronado Global Resources Owns the Buchanan No. 1 Mine in Buchanan County Longwall mining section and another continuous mining section open Employed 543 when pandemic started; about 100 people estimated to be working on site Contura Energy Deep Mine 44, 88 Strip and Long Branch Surface Mines in Dickenson County closed and resumed operations; 274 workers employed across these sites The Four O contract mine remains idled; 12 people worked at that mine INMET Mining D-31, North Fork, Pigeon Creek and Osaka mines in Wise County remain idled 96 workers were employed at these mines; small maintenance crews still working Patriot Mining Operations in Wise County were halted and then resumed 40 total employees Source: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy At least 11 mining sites saw operations come to a halt at some point this spring, affecting over 900 workers, according to reports received by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Most significantly, production came to a halt at the states leading underground coal mine in Buchanan County at the end of March. The facility employed 543 people and produced about 4.94 million tons of coal in 2019 or about 40% of the states overall annual tonnage, DMME figures show. DMME spokeswoman Tarah Kesterson said the agency estimates that about 100 people are currently working at the site. The Buchanan facility mines metallurgical coal used in steelmaking. While metallurgical coal doesnt face the same competitive pressures from natural gas and renewable energy as coal used to generate electricity, the U.S. Energy Information Administration observed in a report earlier this month that metallurgical coal mines in Appalachia have slowed production based on reduced demand from global steel production and coking coal. The EIA forecast a 35% drop in annual coal production in Appalachia for this year, from 193 million short tons in 2019 to 125.7 in 2020. The EIAs Appalachian coal region includes parts of Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Harry Childress, president of an industry group called the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance, also noted the ties between the states coal production and steel. Most of Virginias coal is metallurgical. The steel market rises and falls on the worldwide economy, Childress said in a recent interview. If everybody is building and producing a lot of steel, theres a lot of demand for it. First-quarter production for Virginias coal industry was about 3.13 million tons, a decrease from 3.18 million over the same period in 2019. Hepler said he expects the pandemics impacts including the effects of the Buchanan mine furloughs to be reflected in next quarters figures. Coal comeback? Despite coal-friendly rhetoric from the Trump administration, the federal governments own figures document coals continued decline. Last month, an EIA analysis described how U.S. coal-fired electricity generation fell in 2019 to a 42-year low of 966,000 gigawatt hours. The EIA analysis said increased output from natural gas-fired plants and wind turbines was the main force behind this trend. U.S. coal-fired capacity peaked at 318 gigawatts (GW) in 2011 and has been declining since then because many plants retired or switched to other fuels and few new coal-fired plants came online. By the end of 2019, U.S. coal-generating capacity totaled 229 GW, the EIA analysis states. Nationwide, coal mining employment fell 42% from 92,000 in 2011 to 54,000 in 2018. The EIA noted a slight increase between 2016 and 2018 for Appalachia occurred at the same time as an increase in coal exports overseas. But both steam and metallurgical coal exports from the U.S. fell last year, the former dropping 30% in 2019 from 2018 and the latter 12%, according to the EIA. Childress, a former coal miner, said he tries to be frank when it comes to questions about the future of his industry. Coal is never going to come back to what it was, especially in Virginia, he said. Theres no way we would ever get back to 40-plus million tons of production a year. Yet Childress still sees opportunities for the industry for example, infrastructure legislation could lead to higher demand for metallurgical coal used in steel for public projects. We can still be there, especially on the metallurgical side, he said. Diversifying the regions economy As the once-dominant coal industry has receded, the region continues to look at ways to attract industries like manufacturing, information technology and renewable energy. The Abandoned Mine Land Pilot Program is one way that local and state leaders are trying to support these efforts. This federal program provides grant funding to reclaim former coal sites and develop new uses. A total of $20 million has previously been distributed to projects through the AML Pilot in recent years. A group of 10 projects in Southwest Virginia are currently being vetted by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for an additional round of $10 million in funds, according to Kesterson with the DMME. The projects are aimed at infrastructure and industrial improvements, as well as boosting the regions tourism economy. The projects with the greatest funding requests are two separate $2 million proposals. One would be for Project Greenhouse in the South Clinchfield area of Russell County, where the local Industrial Development Authority is proposing to construct a 35,000-square-foot commercial greenhouse with related infrastructure, according to the application provided to the Bristol Herald Courier. The other is for Project Thoroughbred in Norton, where an abandoned coal loadout facility would be redeveloped into a grain processing, storage and distribution terminal. A Southwest Virginia grain terminal will be a catalyst for creating economic activity in two areas: the upstream agriculture base and the downstream craft beverage industry, states the application from the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority. Once projects receive final approval, Gov. Ralph Northam and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, will announce the awards, Kesterson said. There may also be an influx of solar projects in Southwest Virginia in the coming years due to laws passed in this years General Assembly session. Part of the problem has been to date that there have been significant policy barriers to renewable energy development in this region, so weve been working on tackling those, said Chelsea Barnes, the new economy program manager at Appalachian Voices. Laws passed in the recent session will allow for the expansion of power purchase agreements a financing mechanism used for solar projects for customers of Appalachian Power and Old Dominion Power, Barnes said. Net metering caps were also lifted for these utilities from 1% to 6%, which gives clean energy developers a lot more long-term certainty for coming in and establishing businesses here, she said. The Virginia Clean Economy Act requires Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power to be 100% carbon-free by 2045 and 2050, respectively. As part of the transition to renewable energy, Dominion has to secure 16,100 megawatts of energy from solar and wind sources by the end of 2035. According to the law, at least 200 megawatts have to be on previously developed project sites, which could include former mine lands. While the VCEA doesnt guarantee that renewable energy projects will be built in Southwest Virginia, it does open up the market to the region, Barnes said. The VCEA generated controversy in Southwest Virginia during the General Assembly session, when an early version of the law would have closed Dominions Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County by 2030. The final version allows the coal and biomass plant to stay open through 2045. In response to an inquiry about the future of the plant, which opened in 2012, Dominion spokesman Rayhan Daudani wrote in an email that VCHEC plays a vital role in the region and to the reliability of the electric grid in Virginia and the dedicated employees of VCHEC provide a critical service to our customers. The Virginia City facility generates about $6 million annually in property tax payments and has a $25 million annual local economic impact, according to the utilitys website. Asked what he wants people to understand about the coal industry at this time an era marked by unfavorable market conditions for coal, continued movement toward clean energy and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic Childress said, Were still here. We may not be the engine driving the train, he said, but we think were still one of the engines pushing the train. 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) has urged both state and federal leaders to adopt pooled sampling as a means of increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacities. Pool sampling tests entails taking between two and 20 samples at once to preserve crucial testing supplies and resources. If a pooled sample tests positive, each person will be retested individually. Until we have a coronavirus vaccine, testing on a massive scale is critical to safely reopening, Rose said. Regular and ongoing testing is essential to keeping workers safe and businesses open. I believe the most efficient and effective way to do so is through pooled sampling, especially when positive test rates are as low as they currently are. Rose recently penned a letter to Admiral Brett P. Giroir, M.D., assistant secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the countrys lead official on coronavirus testing, asking that the innovative testing technique be implemented. I strongly urge you, as our nations testing czar, to develop and execute a plan for the United States to adopt pooled sampling, the latest innovation in COVID-19 testing, Rose wrote. As you know, pooled sampling is when large numbers of test samplesanywhere from two to 20 specimens at onceare pooled together and then screened at once. If you get a positive result from a pool, you then test each person in the sample. As we continue to see the number of positive cases hover at just 1-6% of those tested, pooled sampling can make a huge impact to help us identify those infected and isolate them while getting our economy back in track. The Congressman also wrote to New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie imploring them to adopt pooled sampling to allow for increased testing capacities. Pooled sampling can be a game changer to get large numbers of people tested quickly including for nursing homes, hospitals, businesses, and public housing among many others. For businesses of all sizes, this can help them reopen and stay open knowing they can test workers in large numbers and on a regular basis if needed. I look forward to working with you to bring pooled sampling to New York, Rose wrote to Cuomo. The coronavirus, once an 'aggressive tiger' of a disease, has weakened and become more like a wild cat, according to a top Italian doctor. Professor Matteo Bassetti said he is convinced the virus is 'changing in severity' and patients are now surviving infections that would have killed them before. And if the virus's weakening is true, Covid-19 could even disappear without a for a vaccine by becoming so weak it dies out on its own, he claimed. He has said multiple times in recent months that patients with Covid-19 seem to be faring much better than they were at the start of the epidemic in Italy. Professor Bassetti suggests this could be because of a genetic mutation in the virus making it less lethal, because of improved treatments, or because people are not getting infected with such large doses because of social distancing. But other scientists have hit back at the claims in the past and said there is no scientific evidence that the virus has changed at all. Professor Matteo Bassetti, the chief of infectious diseases at San Martino General Hospital in Genoa, Italy, said the virus has changed since March and April Professor Bassetti, the chief of infectious diseases at San Martino General Hospital in Genoa, Italy, told The Sunday Telegraph the virus could wither away on its own. He said: 'It was like an aggressive tiger in March and April but now it's like a wild cat. Even elderly patients, aged 80 or 90, are now sitting up n bed and they are breathing without help. The same patients would have died in two or three days before.' Italy was one of the worst hit countries in the world during the pandemic's early stages, and has now recorded more than 238,000 positive cases and 34,000 deaths. Scientists have said the elderly population there, the virus spreading in rural areas and the suddenness of the outbreak contributed to the country's high death toll. Professor Bassetti suggests that one of the reasons the virus might be causing less serious illness is a genetic mutation which has made it less damaging to people's lungs. Or, he said, people may simply be receiving smaller amounts when they get infected, because of social distancing and lockdown rules, making them less sick. This theory depends on the severity of someone's illness being affected by their 'viral load' - the amount of virus that gets into someone's body when they're first struck by it. Professor Bassetti said: 'The clinical impression I have is that the virus is changing in severity. HOW AND WHY CAN VIRUSES LOSE POTENCY OVER TIME? Viruses are known to change over time because they are subject to random genetic mutations in the same way that all living things are. These mutations can have various effects and many will only happen briefly and not become a permanent change as newer generations of viruses replace the mutated ones. However, some of the mutations might turn out to be advantageous to the virus, and get carried forward into future generations. For example, if a virus becomes less dangerous to its host - that is, it causes fewer symptoms or less death - it may find that it is able to live longer and reproduce more. As a result, more of these less dangerous viruses are produced and they may go on to spread more effectively than the more dangerous versions, which could be stamped out by medication because more people realise they are ill, for example. The mutation may then be taken forward in the stronger generations and become the dominant version of the virus. In an explanation of an scientific study about HIV, the NHS said in 2014: 'The optimal evolutionary strategy for a virus is to be infectious (so it creates more copies of itself) but non-lethal (so its host population doesnt die out). 'The "poster boy" for successful long-living viruses is, arguably, the family of viruses that cause the, which has existed for thousands of years.' Advertisement 'In March and early April the patterns were completely different. People were coming to the emergency department with a very difficult to manage illness and they needed oxygen and ventilation, some developed pneumonia. 'Now, in the past four weeks, the picture has completely changed in terms of of patterns. 'There could be a lower viral load in the respiratory tract, probably due to a genetic mutation in the virus which has not yet been demonstrated scientifically.' The infectious disease doctor has made similar claims in the past but sparked criticism for being over-optimistic. He said at the beginning of June: 'The strength the virus had two months ago is not the same strength it has today.' But other scientists did not welcome the idea and said there was no evidence to back up Professor Bassetti's claims. Dr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, from the University of Wollongong in Australia, told MailOnline that the idea the virus has disappeared 'seems dubious'. The epidemiologist warned Italy - which was the centre of Europe's coronavirus crisis in March - was still recording new Covid-19 cases and deaths, showing the virus was still a danger. At the start of June, in response to Professor Bassetti's claim, Dr Angela Rasmussen, from Columbia University, tweeted: 'There is no evidence that the virus is losing potency anywhere.' She added less transmission means fewer hospitalisations and deaths - but warned: 'That doesn't mean less virulence.' The virulence of a virus is how dangerous the illness is but may not directly relate to how contagious it is. Dr Seema Yasmin, an epidemiologist from Stanford University, said the idea was 'bulls***'. Dr Oscar MacLean, of the University of Glasgow, added: 'These claims are not supported by anything in the scientific literature, and also seem fairly implausible on genetic grounds. 'The vast majority of SARS-CoV-2 mutations are extremely rare, and so whilst some infections may be attenuated by certain mutations, they are highly unlikely to be common enough to alter the nature of the virus at a national or global level... 'Making these claims on the basis of anecdotal observations from swab tests is dangerous. 'Whilst weakening of the virus through mutations is theoretically possible, it is not something we should expect, and any claims of this nature would need to be verified in a more systematic way. 'Without significantly stronger evidence, no one should unnecessarily downplay the danger this highly virulent virus poses, and risk the ongoing society-wide response.' One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 EDUCATION GIRLS EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE Brianne Szopinski joined as a board member of the Buffalo-based nonprofit, which provides gender equity education to underserved regions of the world. She will serve a three-year term on the board. Szopinski is an associate attorney at Hodgson Russ LLP. She earned her bachelor's degree from state Univeristy at Geneseo and a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. WOODLAND HILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Erika Solomon and Sara Stevens joined the board of trustees. Solomon is a global business advisor at IBM. She has a masgter's degree from the Graduate College of Union University and a bachelors deree from the Universty at Albany. She has been a WHMS parent since 2014. Stevens serves as vice president of analytics operations at Capital District Physicians' Health Plan. She has a master's degree from the University at Albany and a bachelor's degree from Marist College. She has been a Woodland Hill Montessori School parent since 2016. HEALTH CARE ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER Dr. Joseph Wayne, an internal medicine physician at Albany Med and professor of medicine and pediatrics at Albany Medical College, has been selected as a fellow of Royal College of Physicians of London. Fellowship at the college is a prestigous honor that recognizes physicians' ongoing contributions to the profession. Wayne also serves as director of the Clerkship in Internal Medicine and associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency for Albany Medical College. He earned his medical degree from state University at Buffalo and completed his residency at St. Louis University Health Sciences Center. PROFESSIONS NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION Appointed Erica F. Buckley to co-chair the condominiums and cooperatives committee. Buckley, the former chief of the Real Estate Finance Bureau of the New York Attorney General's Office, is the leader of Nixon Peabody's Cooperatives and Condominiums practice team, which serves New York City and upstate New York. Buckley focuses her practice on the Martin Act, the state's blue-sky law that governs real estate securities, representing for profit and nonprofit developers, lenders and government agencies on issues involving luxury, middle market and affordable for sale housing. Rick Clemenson By PTI MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has appealed to his fans to extend support to Sushant Singh Rajput's family and admirers after a criminal complaint was filed against him for abetting the suicide of the late actor. Rajput, 34, was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. Earlier this week, a Muzaffarpur-based advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha filed a petition naming Bollywood bigwigs like Khan, producers Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali as accused. Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Khan asked his fans to understand the emotions Sushant's admirers were going through after his demise. A request to all my fans to stand with sushant's fans n not to go by the language n the curses used but to go with the emotion behind it. Pls support n stand by his family n fans as the loss of a loved one is extremely painful. Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) June 20, 2020 "A request to all my fans to stand with Sushant's fans and not to go by the language and the curses used but to go with the emotion behind it. Please support and stand by his family and fans as the loss of a loved one is extremely painful," he wrote. Ojha had alleged that the heavyweights had tried to stall the career of the upcoming star. The Patna-born actor was known for films including "Kai Po Che!", "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story", "Chhichhore". A couple of other filmmakers have also been named as co-accused in the case. A complaint was also filed before a court in Bihar on Saturday accusing actor Rhea Chakraborty of having abetted Rajput's suicide. Rajput's death has reignited discussions around the struggle of survival in Bollywood, navigating cliques, particularly for outsiders. (Natural News) A tax-funded college newspaper is under fire after launching a dishonest attack on the University of Wisconsins most prominent conservative professor, Dr. Duke Pesta, without adhering to even the most basic recognized standards of journalistic ethics. (Article by Alex Newman republished from FreedomProject.com) The scandal raises serious concerns about the quality of the universitys journalism department, and the institutions stewardship of public money. Among other problems, the student reporter and student editor did not even mention a dozen witness statements contradicting the primary allegation contained in the hit piece. This glaring omission occurred even though Dr. Pesta personally handed the documents to the student reporter before the story ran. Perhaps even more troubling is that the newspapers faculty advisor, a left-wing activist who doubles as a journalism professor, saw nothing wrong with the failure to mention the exculpatory evidence. The university itself refused to comment on the scandal. The Story: On December 5, 2019, the tax-funded student paper known as The Advance-Titan published an article about an investigation of Dr. Pesta over alleged hate speech and gender identity discrimination against a student who rarely showed up to class. Of course, Dr. Pesta is nationally known as a conservative leader who calls out liberal bias on college campuses. He has appeared on Fox on multiple occasions, has given hundreds of speeches across America, hosts his own talk show, and regularly appears in other media. He also has among the highest student ratings of any professor at the university. That made him an enemy to more than a few people. Writer M.D. Kittle put it this way in a piece published by Townhall.com: As an outspoken conservative on a liberal campus, its not a stretch to say Dr. James Duke Pesta has a target on his back. The original complaint by a transgender student accused the conservative English professor of political discrimination. However, since no such investigative offense exists, it was apparently changed by administrators to a complaint about gender identity discrimination a key fact The Advance-Titan failed to mention. Dr. Pesta was not even notified of the altered charges by the university when he was under investigation. The story involved a formal 2017 complaint filed with the Equal Opportunity, Equity & Affirmative Action Office at UW-Oshkosh alleging, among other things, that Dr. Pesta had referred to students as snowflakes and had declared that girls are girls and boys are boys. Under the headline Hate speech or big misunderstanding?, student journalist and managing editor Joseph Schultz purported to tell the story about the complaints filed against Pesta. However, calling the article shoddy journalism would be an understatement. After reading numerous witness statements refuting the allegations leveled against Dr. Pesta, it is clear that the entire premise of The Advance-Titans reporting was a fraud. Instead of the transparently false complaint, what comes through repeatedly in the student testimony is a picture of a professor who genuinely values free expression, even when an opinion is different from his own, or from the opinion held by the writers of the texts being taught. The student letters also lament that such open-mindedness is not often found in other classes across campus. It is a sad truth that many of my classes at UW-Oshkosh have been intolerant of differing opinions, explained Shannon Radcliffe, one of the students who debunked the accusations against Dr. Pesta. Although I am a female and a person who, for various reasons, is often marginalized in other classes, Dr. Pesta allowed me to have a voice without silencing or discouraging the voices of those who did not share my beliefs, she added. All twelve statements reviewed by this reporter were filled exclusively with praise for Dr. Pesta and his strong belief in promoting diversity of thought and an open exchange of views. Indeed, the documents show that not only does Dr. Pesta tolerate all views, he encourages students to express themselves. The Problem: While student reporter Schultz gave Pesta the chance to respond, the article did not even mention the most important exculpatory evidence: 12 witness statements conclusively debunking the original complaint, from students who were actually in the classroom along with the complaining student. Dr. Pesta gave copies of these statements to Schultz, along with contact information for each of the witnesses who were actually in the classroom with the complaining student. The statements were obtained by this writer, and the students have been more than willing to speak about what they heard and saw. When reached for comment, Schultz himself acknowledged the problem. Honestly I regret that I didnt include at least a graph in there that we had the 12 documents, he said in a phone interview. Were really strapped for resources. We dont have a large staff, Schultz continued. If we had time and manpower we would have called the students to verify the statements. Claiming that hindsight is 20/20, Schultz said repeatedly that he should have mentioned the exculpatory evidence in the article. I should have at least mentioned it in the article, he added, saying he was not out to get Dr. Pesta and had tried to quote him accurately and fairly. I did learn from the experience, Schultz said. However, when pressed on whether the paper would do the right thing and set the record straight, Schultz said no. Theres nothing factually inaccurate, he said, apparently forgetting that not telling the whole truth in cases like this is almost universally regarded as tantamount to lying and for good reason. He got to deny everything, Schultz said about Pesta, ignoring the fact that a person denying something is far less persuasive than 12 witnesses backing up those denials. Parroting what he learned in journalism school, Schultz added: If you quote government documents fairly and accurately, its OK. Schultz also said that the matter had been investigated internally, that the copy chief had looked over the documents, and that there was no bias in the story. Pesta was not buying the excuses, though. Not only did Joe have the student letters in his hand, but I also offered to connect him to those students that very day, he said, adding that some of the students were ready and waiting for a call. It is especially galling when you realize that this so-called journalist didnt just write a purposely slanted and sensationalized story about me, but the entire Advance-Titan staff silenced the voices of a dozen other students, Pesta said. Further, I brought a graduate student with me during my interview with the reporter, said Pesta, referring to Andrea Toms, a black female student who has taken seven classes with Pesta and confirmed that the student complaint was bogus. TheAdvance-Titan has a history of shoddy reporting and political bias, continued Pesta, so I wanted the interview to take place with a witness present. Joe [the reporter] was not interested in what she had to say at all, and didnt even take a statement from her, despite her desire to comment, Pesta added. On top of all that, the reporter waited until the very end of the story the most likely part to be skipped by a reader to acknowledge that even the university had concluded that Pesta did not discriminate against the complaining student. Dr. Pesta called on The Advance-Titan to do the right thing by acknowledging the existence of the 12 documents and apologizing for misleading readers by failing to mention them in the hit piece. Journalism and Ethics: Aside from Schultz, both the editor-in-chief and the faculty advisor also defended the decision to ignore the most important exculpatory evidence undermining the validity of the accusations. In short, the story gave both sides of the issue and was not only factual, but also unbiased, claimed Carter Uslabar, the top editor at the paper, after discussing word counts. Meanwhile, UW Journalism Professor Barbara Benish, the faculty advisor to the paper, tried to blame the students for the scandal, while still maintaining that the story was unbiased, using the exact same language as Uslabar. The Advance-Titan student staff aims to be factual and unbiased in its coverage, she said. But like all media organizations, student reporters and editors must decide what can be included due to space limitations. In short, the story gave both sides of the issue and was not only factual, but also unbiased, concluded Benish. She did not respond to follow-up questions on whether she believed omitting any mention of exculpatory evidence from an article was appropriate. However, even the most elementary understanding of basic journalistic ethics reveals glaring misconduct and gross ethical violations in the way the paper reported this issue. Indeed, the reporting violates even the most basic journalism-ethics standards that would typically be taught to a first-year student journalist in any journalism college. According to Scripps very concise Journalism Ethics Guidelines Introduction, for instance, there are multiple journalistic norms that were violated. We make every effort to be fair to all sides regardless of deadline. If a response requires specific research, our deadlines should be extended to reflect that whenever possible, the guidelines state under Fairness. We seek documents, public statements or testimony that may support or explain the person or organizations position or defend their side. Clearly, The Advance-Titan did not adhere to those basic standards. Dr. Duke Speaks Out: Pesta noticed as well, saying the response shows an incredible ignorance of basic journalistic protocols. Responding to the claims that there was no bias in the story, Pesta was flabbergasted. It does not require a high intellect to realize that the bias is what he intentionally left out, not in what he included, the popular English professor said. He knew that there was potentially exculpatory evidence, and willfully ignored it, as he himself admits, creating instead a false narrative about a he said/she said that painted me in a horrible light, Pesta said. Even the title of the article skews the narrative: there is another option between hate crime and misunderstanding that is purposely ruled out: the possibility that the student was lying, a possibility reinforced by significant evidence from a dozen other students ignored by The Advance-Titan staff, Pesta continued. While the editors claimed the story was factual and unbiased, Pesta disagreed. And so would readers, if they had not been deprived of the facts. The facts include, unequivocally, the exculpatory evidence, not just the complaint, Pesta said. To not even mention the existence of such material is, by definition, bias. If someone accuses another person of murder, and a reporter writes a version of that accusation, but leaves out the fact that presumed murdered person is actually alive, well, thats bias, Pesta remarked. Unbelievable. UW-Oshkosh communications chief Peggy Breister refused to comment on questions involving the use of taxpayer money to publish biased hatchet jobs against conservatives, who are an endangered species on college campuses. She did, however, provide the papers financial information. The great majority of its funding is from student fees (taxes) and taxpayers. When asked if the university would have any comment on university oversight over the paper to ensure that taxpayer and student dollars and interests are protected, Breister responded with just one word: No. Pesta summed up the situation by remarking that it is a sad commentary on the state of student journalism that student reporters and editors have so little accountability. Schultz and Uslabar should be ashamed of their behavior, and media outlets should be wary of hiring such dishonest brokers in the future, continued Pesta. He concluded: This is also an indictment of the incompetent faculty advisor and feckless university administrators who cannot be bothered with actual oversight of the resource-sucking tax-payer money pit that is The Advance-Titan. Full disclosure: Alex Newman works with Dr. Pesta regularly on matters related to education through FreedomProject Media and FreedomProject Academy. Read more at: FreedomProject.com Worcester City Councilor Khrystian King has filed an order for the council to reconsider the fiscal 2021 budget, which was just approved days ago despite demands from dozens of residents to reallocate an increase for the Worcester Police Department. On Tuesday, after hearing about an hour of calls from residents asking the city to divert police funding into social services, the council during a virtual meeting unanimously approved the fiscal 2021 budget. Residents were only heard for an hour even though not everyone who called in had a chance to speak. Callers who were still waiting to address the council were booted off the line. The same thing happened the previous week after dozens called in and spoke from 6:30 p.m. until about 10 p.m. Khrystian has filed an order to re-consider the Citys FY21 budget in hopes that all voices can be heard, as too many who wanted to speak did not have the opportunity. The order will come up Tuesday night but all re-consideration motions are non-debatable, reads a Facebook post on Kings campaign page. Khrystian has filed an order to re-consider the Citys FY21 budget in hopes that all voices can be heard, as too many... Posted by Khrystian King for City Council At Large on Friday, June 19, 2020 Worcesters fiscal 2021 budget includes $163.2 million in city operations, 32% of which goes to the Worcester Police Department, the highest allocation of the budget. The council on Tuesday approved a $254,320 increase for police, bringing the departments budget to a total of $52,766,614. Councilors also last week approved an order from King that requested that City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. work with Superintendent Maureen Binienda to adjust the school budget to eliminate or reduce the charge for assigned police officers and further request Augustus to reallocate those funds to the positions of a school social worker and/or adjustment counselor. Defund WPD, a group organizing to reduce funding of Worcester police and put that funding toward things like public health and public schools, is urging residents to contact their councilors and ask for support of Kings order. We need you to call, email, and send letters to everyone in the Worcester City Council to support Kings motion to reconsider last weeks budget vote! If the motion passes, the $250K increase to WPDs budget will be back open to deliberation. DefundWPD (@DefundWPD) June 20, 2020 Conversations about police funding come after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in the custody of a now-former Minneapolis police officer who is white. During last weeks meeting, councilors stated Black lives matter several times following the budget vote. Some councilors and city officials noted that crime rates have gone down in Worcester in the last five years. Councilor Sean Rose said he was not voting to defund the police but instead to create good policy. Councilor Matt Wally said he believes criminal justice reform is needed on a local, state and national level, but that he doesnt think the way the council votes on the police budget increase should be a litmus test on how councilors feel on issues of racial equity. Related Content: By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/21/2020 ADVERTISEMENT [ spoilers warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Karine and Paul are still together and married, as well as the latest on the : Happily Ever After? couple's relationship]. ADVERTISEMENT So is the couple still together? What occurred with Paul and Karine after they moved to America together? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Paul Staehle and Karine Martins will soon appear on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, but until then, what's the status of their relationship -- is the couple still married and together?TLC announced Paul and Karine will be part of Season 5 of : Happily Ever After? in a teaser promo video posted to 's official Twitter account in late May."After living as a family in Brazil, Paul and Karine are starting over in the states! Follow their journey on the new season of #90DayFiance: Happily Ever After, premiering Sunday June 14 at 8/7c," the show tweeted.Paul and Karine appeared on Seasons 1 and 2 of : Before the 90 Days and then also returned for a new spinoff, the debut season of : The Other Way, which wrapped in late October 2019.Paul and Karine fell in love in Brazil and married in 2017, but their wedding didn't air until the following year on Season 2 of : Before the 90 Days.After two devastating miscarriages, Paul and Karine happily announced in October 2018 that Karine was pregnant again. And later that month, Paul revealed they had a son on the way.Right before baby Pierre was born on March 22, however, Karine threatened to file for divorce from Paul because of his ongoing trust issues.Karine couldn't stand how Paul frequently lost his temper and would argue with her over other men, and the pair's dire financial situation always put more stress on them and created tension.Karine wanted to feel loved, supported and taken care of, but Paul repeatedly insisted he was doing everything he could to provide for his family and be a good father and husband and that it was never enough for Karine."I really want a divorce. I am tired of what Paul does to me," Karine said in a confessional during an episode of the series."He lives in the past and too many fights make a relationship fall apart. There's no more hope. I'm thinking of my son now.": The Other Way's first season even featured Karine and her mother leaving Paul behind in Tonantins and traveling to Manaus via boat to file for divorce shortly before Pierre was born.Paul and Karine's relationship has been full of ups and downs ever since meeting in person, with multiple breakups and makeups along the way.However, Karine opted to give Paul another chance since she still loved him and he stepped up in the delivery room and was there for her when she was in labor with Pierre.In a trailer released in late May for : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, Paul told the cameras, "Me and Karine decided to move to America. I'm hoping things go positive, but then again, things could go terribly wrong."Paul was then shown saying he and Karine had been "through a lot" together."In a lot of ways, it brought us closer together. We decided to go back to America to start a new life there," Paul noted.But the trailer showed the couple searching for a place to live, and Karine looked disgusted and unhappy with the options Paul had presented her in a trailer park.After looking at one messy trailer in particular, Karine complained to the cameras, "This place is gross."Karine rolled her eyes and Paul said of his wife, "She's just not being receptive to anything I'm showing her so far."And at the end of the most recent episode, Paul was shown venting in a confessional how he didn't think Karine was happy with the life they were building in the United States.A few months after Karine gave birth to Pierre, she obtained a CR-1 spousal visa and moved to the United States to live with Paul in Louisville, Kentucky.Karine and Paul documented their time together in America over the course of several months, and they appeared to be a happy family last summer.But speculation the couple's volatile relationship was once again on the rocks first began in early September when Paul had made an Instagram Stories posting claiming Karine was threatening him with divorce -- again."Doing a poll strictly out of curiosity. For someone I know very well...... Should a wife divorce her husband over his mother buying gifts daily spoiling their son?" he wrote in the Instagram Story."Should a grandmother be banned from seeing her grandchildren over spoiling them. And a husband be divorced for defending his mother's actions?"Although Paul seemingly tried to play it off like the scenario was happening to some other couple, most of his Instagram followers knew better as the couple's social-media postings openly showed they were living near Paul's mother in the Louisville at the time with Pierre.As a result, it appeared Karine was angry with Paul's mother for "spoiling" her son as well as Paul for taking his mom's side.Things seemed to go back to normal until late September, when Paul suggested, once again, the couple's marriage was ending and Karine had initiated a divorce.According to the comments, Karine told Paul that she didn't want him in her life anymore and had retained a divorce lawyer.Paul revealed the news in a pair of since-deleted Facebook postings from September 27, according to screenshots captured by his followers."Karine asked me to remove our photos. And let everyone know that she doesn't want me in her life," he wrote in his first Facebook posting.Paul then also wrote a subsequent posting in a mix of Portuguese and English. When translated, the text states, "Karine's divorce lawyer called me. Guess I need a lawyer."Shortly afterward, Paul deleted both postings and removed most photos of Karine from his page.In October 2019, the cloud seemed to pass because Paul asked fans on Instagram for great haunted-house recommendations in the spirit of Halloween.Not only did Paul have a date planned for his wife, but he also posted a photo of them smiling at the time.Paul and Karine also celebrated their second wedding anniversary in early November 2019.But later that month, the pair openly discussed filing for divorce again.Paul claimed Karine had "started divorce proceedings in Manaus," and Karine told Us Weekly on November 12 that she was "looking for a lawyer.""Over the course of our Christmas dinner Paul and Karine broke up, got back together, broke up, got back together, broke up and this just in -- are back together. Stay tuned for more on this developing story," Instagrammer John Yates posted on December 25.In December 2019, Paul alleged Karine had taken off with their baby and was with a new man named Blake. He also said Karine was demanding a divorce again at the time.Although Paul and Karine have broken up and gotten back together numerous times throughout the course of their relationship, it appears they are still married and living together in Kentucky.Paul just posted an Instagram video on May 19 of a bike he had purchased and was putting together for Karine.Paul is nowhere to be seen on Karine's Instagram account in recent months, but it's likely he's been the one taking most of her photos.Paul also took to Instagram in early May to announce Karine is pregnant with the couple's second child It appeared Karine was already several months along into her pregnancy at the time.It wouldn't be surprising, however, if Karine wanted to keep her pregnancy under wraps for the first few months of her pregnancy considering she has a history of miscarriage and could be superstitious.The baby's gender and due date have yet to be announced.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump was outraised by Joe Biden in May, taking in $74 million for his reelection, but he maintains a sizable advantage in cash on hand over the presumptive Democratic nominee. The pro-Trump effort, which includes fundraising by the Republican National Committee, on Saturday reported its total days after Biden and Democrats said they had amassed nearly $81 million last month for his White House bid. Trump reported having $265 million in the bank at the end of May. Biden, for his part, reported having just over $82 million at the same point. Trumps campaign announced this week that it raised $14 million last Sunday, which was the presidents birthday. Biden on Monday brought in $6 million at a single event featuring Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a onetime rival for the nomination. He plans a fundraiser Tuesday with former President Barack Obama. Trumps campaign has begun wide-scale general election ads, spending about $24 million on television and digital spots over the past month, but it has come as the presidents standing in both public and private surveys has taken a hit. OAKLAND, Calif. Did teens, TikTok users and Korean pop music fans troll the president of the United States? For more than a week before Donald Trumps first campaign rally in Tulsa on Saturday night, these tech-savvy groups opposing the president mobilized to reserve tickets for the rally they had no intention of attending. While its not likely that they were responsible for the low turnout, their antics may have inflated the campaigns expectations for attendance numbers that lead to Saturday's disappointing show. My 16 year old daughter and her friends in Park City Utah have hundreds of tickets. You have been rolled by Americas teens," tweeted veteran Republican campaign strategist Steve Schmidt on Saturday. The tweet garnered more than 100,000 likes and many responses from others whose kids or who themselves said they did the same. Reached by telephone Sunday, Schmidt called the rally an unmitigated disaster days after Trump campaign chairman Brad Parscale tweeted that more than a million people requested tickets for the rally through Trumps campaign website. Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said the turnout was a sign of weakening voter support. Donald Trump has abdicated leadership and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him, he said. In a statement, the Trump campaign blamed fake news media" for warning people away from the rally" due to COVID-19 and protests against racial injustice around the country. Leftists and online trolls doing a victory lap, thinking they somehow impacted rally attendance, dont know what theyre talking about or how our rallies work," Parscale wrote. Reporters who wrote gleefully about TikTok and K-Pop fans without contacting the campaign for comment behaved unprofessionally and were willing dupes to the charade." On midday Sunday, it was possible to sign up for a livestream a Tulsa Team Trump on Tourevent later in the day through Trump' website. It asked for a name, email address and a phone number. There was no age verification in the signup process, though the site required a pin to verify phone numbers. Inside the 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa Saturday, when Trump thundered that the silent majority is stronger than ever before, numerous seats were empty. Tulsa Fire Department spokesperson Andy Little said the city fire marshals office reported a crowd of just less than 6,200 in the arena. City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa but that never materialized. That said the rally, which was broadcast on cable, also targeted voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. Social media users who've followed recent events might not be surprised by the way young people (and some older folks) mobilized to troll the president. They did it not just on TikTok but on Twitter, Instagram and even Facebook. K-pop fans who have a massive, coordinated online community and a cutting sense of humor have become an unexpected ally to American Black Lives Matter protesters. In recent weeks, they've been re-purposing their usual platforms and hashtags from boosting their favorite stars to backing the Black Lives Matter movement. They flooded right-wing hashtags such as white lives matterand police apps with short video clips and memes of their K-pop stars. Many of the early social media messages urging people to sign up for tickets brought up the fact that the rally had originally been scheduled for Friday, June 19. The date is known as Juneteenth because it marks the end of slavery in the United States. Tulsa, the location for the rally, was the scene in 1921 of one of the most severe white-on-black attacks in American history. Schmidt said he was not surprised. Today's teens, after all, grew up with phones and have absolutely" mastered them. They are also the first generation to have remote Zoom classes and have a subversive sense of humor, having come of age in a world of online trolls and memes. Most of all, they are aware of what is happening around them, he said. Like salmon in the river they participate politically through the methods and means of their lives," Schmidt added. That said, the original idea for the mass ticket troll may have come not from a teen but an Iowa grandma. The politics site Iowa Starting Line found that a TikTok video posted on June 11 by Mary Jo Laupp, a 51-year-old grandmother from Fort Dodge, Iowa, suggesting that people book free tickets make sure there are empty seats. Laupp's video, which also tells viewers how to stop receiving texts from the Trump campaign after they provide their phone number (simply text STOP"), has had more than 700,000 likes. It was also possible to sign up for the rally using a fake or temporary phone number from Google Voice, for instance. As Parscale himself pointed out in a June 14 tweet, though, the ticket signups were not simply about getting bodies to the rally. He called it the Biggest data haul and rally signup of all time by 10x" meaning the hundreds of thousands emails and phone numbers the campaign now has in its possession to use for microtargeting advertisements and reach potential voters. Sure, it's possible that many of the emails are fake and that the ticket holders have no intention of voting for Trump in November. But while it's possible that this bad data might prove useless or even hurt the Trump campaign in some way, experts say there is one clear beneficiary in the end, and that is Facebook. That's due to the complex, murky ways in which Trump's political advertising machine is tied up with the social media giant. Facebook wants data on people, and whether that is good or bad it will be used to train its systems. No matter who signs up or if they go to a rally, Trump gets data to train retargeting on Facebook. FBs system will use that data in ways that have nothing to do with Trump," tweeted Georgia Tech communications professor Ian Bogost. Might these fake' signups mess up the Trump teams targeting data? Maybe it could, to some extent. But the entire system is so vast and incomprehensible, well never really know." ___ Associated Press writer Ali Swenson contributed to this story from Seattle. We will never know the full effect of Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolffs recent order mandating that businesses require masks for employees and customers. All we can say is this order will save many lives in Bexar County and across Texas as other counties and metro areas follow Wolffs lead. How many lives? Perhaps a model might offer a reasonable estimate. We prefer to simply think of the birthdays celebrated, families kept healthy, anniversaries marked and lives lived thanks to this simple act. Wear a mask for others, not just for yourself. As reported COVID-19 cases have surged across Texas and in Bexar County, Wolff did what Gov. Greg Abbott has refused to do. He issued a mask mandate and put the health and safety of Texans before politics. It wasnt the first time Wolff has issued a mask mandate. Earlier in the pandemic, Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg required masks to be worn in public. But in reopening Texas, Abbott overruled these orders, stripping away mask requirements. Not surprisingly, many people stopped wearing masks, even as Abbott strongly recommended them. Also, not surprisingly, COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths have also increased as Texas reopens. While Abbott has said he is concerned about this increase in infections, he has resisted mandating masks, or even allowing local governments to mandate masks. Until, that is, Wolffs order. Its a simple workaround, really. Instead of mandating people to wear masks, Bexar County and the city of San Antonio are requiring businesses to mandate customers and employees wear masks. We expect retailers and employers to follow the order because it is the right thing to do for public health. Failing to follow it could mean a $1,000 fine. And, of course, Abbott has expressed no objection to it, although his political contortions about this have been painful. Like when Abbott said this has been in his plan all along. All that was needed was for local officials to actually read the plan that was issued by the state of Texas, Abbott said. It turned out earlier today (Wednesday) that the county judge finally figured that out. Abbott went on to explain that government could not infringe on someones liberty by mandating a mask, but it could require stores and businesses to mandate masks. Theres a lot to unpack here. First, we are in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed, as of Friday (our deadline), more than 117,000 American lives, including more than 2,100 Texans. This is not the time for political puzzles. If this was Abbotts plan all along, he could have explained it loud and clear instead of tasking local governments to figure it out. This is coordination between the state and its major metro areas? Second, was this really the plan? We have our doubts because a May 12 letter from Attorney General Ken Paxton to Wolff and Nirenberg sure sends a different message. Your orders impose certain restrictions on essential and reopened businesses, the letter says. For example, all essential and reopened businesses must provide masks to employees under the terms of your order. Insofar as such a requirement restricts essential and reopened services, they are superseded by Executive Order GA-21, and are, therefore, invalid. Third, there is nothing to celebrate here. Sure, its surprising and welcome that Abbott has endorsed Wolffs order, but the governor is in a position to do so much more. Masks are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts, and Abbott could still mandate masks across all of Texas or allow local governments to make that call. He could slow down his phased reopening of Texas, limiting capacity at restaurants or requiring bars to serve customers via takeout. A mask mandate doesnt inhibit the economy, but facilitates it during a pandemic because it helps limit the spread of disease. While COVID-19 has magnified our inequities and disparities we are not all in this equally together its a disease that has the potential to infect us all. A mask mandate is not a political statement, its a public health best practice. Thank goodness Wolff sees this. Think of all the lives his order will save. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad The strict quarantine regime restricting citizens movement entered force today in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Under the quarantine, citizens will be required to obtain SMS permits leave their place of residence. The Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers announced on June 19 that the quarantine regime will be effective from 00:00 on June 21 to 06:00 on July 5 in the territories of Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Masalli, Jalilabad and Absheron region. In order to obtain permission, citizens must send an SMS to number 8103. The text of the SMS should contain one of the following 2 indices and personal identification data. Number 1 - in order to leave the place of residence due to urgent medical need or undergoing treatment according to the schedule (permission for 2 hours within the district and city. If there is a need for movement between regions and cities, the distance between the residence address and the destination address is taken into account and the time of the treatment procedure, the time of return is set by the certificate issued by the doctor, which, if necessary, is presented to the police); Number 2 - in order to leave the place of residence due to the need to purchase food and other daily necessities, as well as medicines, use banking and postal services (permission is issued once a day for 2 hours). Identity data includes: -For a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan - a series and number of an identity card (for example, AZE1111111); -For foreigners temporarily or permanently residing in Azerbaijan, or stateless persons - the series and number of the certificate of permission for temporary or permanent residence in the territory of Azerbaijan (MY? (DY?) 1111111), -For foreigners and stateless persons whose term of temporary stay in the territory of Azerbaijan has been extended - the series and number of the decision to extend the period of temporary stay (MOM1111111). Example: in order to leave the place of residence due to the need to purchase food and other everyday goods, as well as medicines, use banking and postal services, you should send an SMS of the following content - 2 AZE1111111. The response SMS received from the electronic government information system indicates the validity period of the permit. A person can leave his place of residence only after receiving a positive response. In case of a situation that directly threatens life and health, it is not necessary to send SMS information to leave the place of residence and location. Additionally, when summoned to court or law enforcement agencies, people can leave their place of residence and location without sending SMS information. In this case, they must present a summons to court or law enforcement authorities at the request of the police. It is mandatory to have identification documents with oneself when leaving the place of residence. If citizens have any difficulties in using the SMS permission system and sending SMS, they can contact the Call Center 9108 of the State Agency for the provision of services to citizens and social innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN Xidm?t). Violation of the rules for introducing restrictions on movement will be regarded as a violation of the special quarantine regime and envisages liability established in the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code. Azerbaijan has extended until August 1 the special quarantine regime. Operation of shopping centers, catering facilities, beauty salons, as well as museums, exhibition halls, sport and beaches have also suspended until July 5 under the new quarantine regime. Azerbaijan registered its first coronavirus case in February and introduced a quarantine regime on March 24. Google is once again celebrating with an interactive doodle on its home page through which users can creatively express their love for their fathers and craft an e-card to share on email or social media. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, as we all continue to stay home and practice social distancing, or if were distanced by miles owing to our responsibilities towards work and home, this virtual card comes to the rescue. The six feet or more space required between us physically cannot stop hearts from feeling the love and staying connected. Google says, Whether theyre near or far, make Dad a little piece of art from your heart in todays interactive, digital card-maker Doodle. Just like the Mothers Day interactive doodle, this Fathers Day, Google has added elements such as animated hearts, Emperor Penguins, Sea horses, Bumble bees, macaroni art, stars made of glitter and more. Once this virtual Fathers Day card has been created from the Google Doodle, the link can then be shared which opens the custom-created, animated card. Whether it is making a home-made card, baking a cake for dad or doing something extra special, take this opportunity while ensuring social distancing to show your father what he means to you and that you appreciate his presence in your life every day. The third Sunday of June every year is celebrated as Fathers Day in most parts of the world. Fathers Day is a celebration of fathers, honouring fatherhood, and the role they play in the society. This day was proposed in 1909 to complement Mothers Day celebrations, that is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in most parts of the world. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter If you had any doubts, rest assured that summer is really here with scorching temperatures expected for Fathers Day Sunday. Environment Canada issued a heat warning for most of southern Ontario as a warm and increasingly humid air mass streams in from the south. Sunday is expected to see a high of 30C, which will feel like 35C with the humidex, plus a UV index of 9 also very high. Borderline heat warning criteria is expected to be reached today and Sunday, read Saturdays statement. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can cause the air quality health index to approach the high risk category. Temperatures are expected to dip slightly on Monday, but it will remain humid until Tuesday. Raneem Alozzi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @r_alozzi Eight people of color who work as correctional officers in Minnesota filed a discrimination lawsuit Friday alleging that they were barred from guarding or being on the same floor as Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. When Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder May 29, he was taken to the Ramsey County Jail, where, eight complainants say, the superintendent segregated the correctional officers so Chauvin was guarded only by white people. Bonnie Smith, the attorney for the eight guards, told NBC News on Sunday that her clients were told that they had to leave the fifth floor, where Chauvin would be held. All those told to leave were people of color, and they were replaced by white officers, Smith said. Image: Derek Chauvin (Hennepin County Jail / via AFP - Getty Images) The officers were "humiliated and debased," said Smith, who said the decision made them feel as though they weren't trusted by their supervisors "My clients came to work that day fully prepared to do their work. They are highly trained, experienced professionals in dangerous and volatile situations and were just as well equipped as their white counterparts to perform their work duties on May 29," she said. "The fact that they weren't allowed to do so has devastated them." In the suit, the clients are seeking monetary compensation, training on racial bias for all jail employees and a formal and public apology, as well as for the supervisors responsible for the decision to be disciplined. "Their primary goal is to make sure it doesn't happen again," Smith said. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office said only three officers were reassigned for a total of 45 minutes. "Recognizing that the murder of George Floyd was likely to create particularly acute racialized trauma, I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin," Ramsey County Jail Superintendent Steve Lydon said in a statement. "Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made the decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings." Story continues Full coverage of George Floyd's death and protests around the country Smith said Lydon's response "appears to be an after-the-fact justification," adding that her clients "never asked for protection" and that Lydon's "care and concern" were not mentioned to the officers while they were being segregated. "If he is really trying to protect my clients from racial trauma, he shouldn't be segregating them on the basis of skin color," Smith said. "He isn't preventing racial trauma he is creating it." The sheriff's office said that while it reviews what happened, Lydon's responsibilities have been modified and it has installed an interim supervisor. Editor's note: This is the final installment of Inside the Capitol for this year's Iowa legislative session. Rep. Jacob Bossman, R-Sioux City Child care is a huge area of need for our community. Whether to address a barrier to workforce in the time of historically low unemployment that we saw earlier this year or in a time of pandemic when essential workers struggled to find care for their loved ones, access to child care has been and continues to be an urgent deficit that needs to be addressed. This session, to that end, I introduced bills to bring the state reimbursement rate more in line with the private sector, establishing a tax credit program to encourage employers to provide child care for their employees, and creating incentives for developers to build child care facilities. The House passed legislation that would end the cliff effect by allowing families on the state child care assistance program to better themselves without fear of losing needed child care. This legislation passed the House with bipartisan support but did not advance in the Senate. I am proud that the House kept our commitment to Iowans on a number of priorities. In addition to child care, legislation seeking to expand access to broadband, telehealth and EMS services received wide bipartisan support. Unfortunately, Im disappointed that these priorities did not advance in the Senate and will have to wait another year to be considered. I will continue to work with my colleagues and all stakeholders to find resolutions that can get support next session. Even in the midst of unprecedented times, I am proud that we were able to enact a responsible state budget for the people of Iowa that still funds our priorities (such as increasing the investment in K-12 education to an all-time high level of nearly $3.4 billion). This was only possible because of our disciplined approach to budgeting over the past few years. We will weather this storm together and continue to push for common-sense solutions for all Iowans. Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City We came to the Statehouse in January with a lot of optimism about the future. Then, COVID-19 arrived. We had no idea how a pandemic would affect our state. It was impossible to gauge its magnitude with information changing daily. Despite this, we were all certain that Iowans would face it with courage and resolve. We began the year with record-low unemployment. In efforts to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, many restaurants, shops and stores had to shut their doors. Unfortunately, some of those doors were shut permanently. One of our main tasks was to get Iowa's economy on a path to recovery. The pandemic obviously had a major effect on what type of tax reform was possible this year, but we were still able to make some reforms and ensure the stimulus payments many people received would not be taxed. A license ensures consumers can depend on reliable and professional service. However, Iowa's excessive licensing is a significant burden for low-income Iowans. HF 2627 starts to ease those burdens by waiving first-time licensing application fees for low-income individuals, and credits work performed/licenses from other states. We also passed a conservative budget that focuses state spending on the areas that matter most health care, K-12 education and public safety. In addition, we passed common-sense voter identification security features for absentee ballots and legislation that will help teachers facing violent students in the classroom. The session concluded with the passage of Alfie's law. It included a pro-life amendment requiring a 24-hour waiting period prior to having an abortion. I am very confident in the resilience of Iowans. Please feel free to email me with questions or concerns during the interim. Rep. Tim Kacena, D-Sioux City Good Sunday to all. As I sit today writing my final Inside the Capitol article as a state legislator, I want to thank the voters in the 14th District for giving me the opportunity to be your voice at the Capitol the past four years. When I became the ex-facto candidate four years ago, I had no idea that I would witness the changing of our state in front of my eyes with no power to stop it. Over the past four years I had to sit and watch the majority party Republicans gut workers rights, change workers' compensation benefits, limit the availability to seek justice within the courts, restrict voters' rights to make it harder to vote, take away local control from those that we have elected to make decisions that are unique to our community, and tell a woman that she does not have the right to choose what decision she makes regarding her health. I have witnessed special outside interests dictate the agenda of the Legislature with exuberant support so they will have the financial backing to win their next election. It is beyond me that the Legislature continues to restrict your right to vote, the one right that truly does make us so very different from other nations and states. The latest change came in the middle of the night on the last day of session, restricting our elected county auditor from using best means available to correct absentee ballots to ensure that everyone has the right to make sure their vote is counted. I am humbled and honored to have served you. Thank you. Sen. Jackie Smith, D-Sioux City The state budget is paid for with Iowans hard-earned tax dollars and should reflect your priorities. Thats why a balanced budget based on the latest revenue estimates is the first and foremost obligation of the Legislature. Unfortunately, the $8 billion bundle approved for the fiscal year beginning July 1 failed Iowans on many levels. Not only was the giant budget passed quickly in the middle of the night with no chance for Iowans to review it and offer feedback, it fails to address immediate concerns in need of balanced solutions, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes: Protecting the health and safety of all Iowans. Stabilizing the economy and Iowans financial security needs. Creating a comprehensive Iowa-focused COVID-19 recovery plan. Instead of spending their time making Iowans' lives better, many legislators focused on divisive, partisan issues in the closing days of session. Most strikingly, Iowas successful, record-setting June 2 primary election was met with more efforts to discourage Iowans from exercising their constitutional right to vote. Iowans expect action from leaders. People are paying attention, speaking out and demanding results. Theyre making it clear that they want us to work together for healthier, happier, safer and stronger communities. As leaders, we have a responsibility to listen, learn and deliver for all Iowans those who may not share our interests or political views, who dont look like us or have our resources, and who havent had the opportunities weve received. Throughout the interim, I will continue working toward these goals and providing updates through e-newsletters, social media and local meetings. For the latest progress on whats happening in state government and its impact locally, stay tuned to senate.iowa.gov/democrats. To contact me, follow my social media channels or subscribe to my updates, go to senate.iowa.gov/senator/jackie-smith. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Boys Basketball: Watertown wins over Rapid City Stevens Reese Stark and Drew Norberg combined for 41 points to propel Watertown to a 61-51 high school boys basketball win over Rapid City Stevens. Should Christian apologists be doing more to combat socialism? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Multiple polls have indicated that socialism continues to gain support in the United States, especially among younger generations and political liberals. A Harris Poll from March 2019 found that nearly half of millennials and Generation Z Americans said they would prefer to live in a socialist country. A Gallup poll from May of last year found that 43% of Americans believed socialism would be a "good thing" for the country, well above the 25% reported back in 1942. Last October, a YouGovVictims of Communism Memorial Foundation poll found greater support for socialism among millennials and Generation Z than Generation X and Baby Boomers. According to that poll, 70% of millennial respondents said they were either somewhat or extremely likely to vote for a socialist presidential candidate, with 51% of the same generation having a negative view of capitalism. In February, an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll reported that while the socialism label remained unpopular among the general population, it found popularity among self-identified Democrats. The NPR poll found that 50% of Democrats rated socialism favorably, versus 46% of them who rated capitalism favorably, with the findings also noting increased support for socialism among younger respondents. Commonly defined as advocating for collective or state-sponsored control of production and distribution of goods, socialism has also garnered a great deal of election-year attention from the political right. The Conservative Political Action Conference, the largest annual gathering of conservatives in America, made their theme for this year, "America vs. Socialism." President Donald Trump also invoked anti-socialism rhetoric, denouncing the economic theory in his 2019 State of the Union speech. "Here in the United States, we are alarmed by the new calls to adopt socialism in our country," he said at the time. "America was founded on liberty and independence and not government coercion, domination and control. We are born free and we will stay free." The rhetoric has also been part of the Trump reelection campaign, with his campaign site including such declarations as "NEVER SOCIALISM." Notable apologist Alex McFarland told The Christian Post that he felt the need to address socialism more in his work because he has seen "the growing interest in socialism among young people." "I hear and see about it so much, just almost every day, and not only among teens and 20-somethings that I talk to and dialogue with, but among concerned parents, concerned ministers, concerned educators," McFarland said. Matt Slick of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry also said he's seeing a rising interest in socialism among those he engages with on apologetics. "Yes, I have seen a definite increase in the topic of socialism from Christians. I have a call-in radio show where people ask me questions. I've noticed a definite increase in inquiries regarding socialism," Slick said. Kerby Anderson, host of the "Point of View" radio talk show, told C.P. that he's had multiple guests talk about socialism and has witnessed what the polls indicate about socialism and young people. "For years, we have documented the fact that the younger you are, the more likely you are to believe socialism is better than capitalism," Anderson said. Should Christian apologists and apologetic groups make a greater effort to tackle the issue of socialism? Are socialism and Christianity fundamentally incompatible? The Christian Post interviewed multiple apologists on that question, and asked a scholar about the relationship between American Christianity and socialism, to analyze the issues. 'A topic that deserves more attention' Some Christian leaders and apologists have offered recent critiques of socialism. This includes an April 19 episode of McFarland's "Truth for a New Generation" series, an essay on the CARM website by Slick published on April 28, and a YouTube video by Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "I hate socialism," declared Moore in the 2019 video, arguing in part that socialism holds "a faulty view of human nature." It can seem attractive to people. But I think it's only attractive to those who have never seen it really up close." Apologists like Anderson believe that Christian apologists should do more to focus on socialism, telling C.P. that while he saw many Christian political commentators and "worldview ministries" tackle the matter, he was "not aware of too many Christian apologists who are addressing the issue." "We have been addressing the issue of socialism for decades and believe that this is a topic that deserves more attention. Thousands of young people are graduating from high school and college with an inaccurate understanding of socialism," Anderson said. McFarland also believes Christian apologetics should be doing more to address socialism, telling C.P. that apologists "should speak out in favor of free-market capitalism" and "should overtly speak against the rise of socialism." "When it comes to defending God or the Bible or Jesus, there are a lot of great apologists," McFarland said. "But in terms of apologists specifically addressing the political schemes of the left, and by name calling out people that have malicious designs for America, most apologists don't have the fortitude to really get in the down and dirty fray of defending the country or the economic model that has been our M.O. for two centuries plus." McFarland attributed this apparent refusal to engage on the topic of socialism to his belief that many apologists "often are reticent to say publicly what they might be thinking privately." "I could not name an apologist other than myself that came out for President Trump in late 2015, early 2016," he added. "In fact, most of my fellow apologists castigated me when, by February of 2016, I was saying Trump would be the nominee and Christians ought to vote for him." As with Anderson, McFarland believes that education played a major role in the increased support for socialism among younger generations. McFarland has spoken at around 200 universities and colleges in the U.S., about half of which were public institutions. "Overwhelmingly, faculty leans left of center and not only socially and morally and theologically, but politically and economically," McFarland said. "Many of the educators that young people sit under or have sat under lean toward socialism, if not overt communism. And this has had a big influence on their view of economics and America." 'Biblically uninformed' support When it comes to whether Christianity and socialism are compatible ideologies, McFarland and other apologists view it as a definite no. McFarland reasoned that socialism is contrary to Christianity because it is inherently secular and advocates for forced charity rather than voluntary giving. "I know people are well-intentioned, but socialism inherently is secular and it's secularism that denies moral absolutes," he said. "If you are a Christian, if you are a follower of Jesus, and I would say a thinking reflective Christian who's willing to really sort through this, you really could not in good conscience advocate for socialism." Slick of CARM told C.P. that when it comes to socialism, "its principles contradict Scripture" and that Christians who lean socialist are "biblically uninformed" and indoctrinated by "the leftist media and school system." "However, Christians who have studied this issue in light of Scripture, which is rare, soon discover that socialistic principles are not biblical. Therefore, the Christian ought not to affirm the basic tenets of socialism," Slick stressed. Socialism, he added, "demotivates people by confiscating their production and giving it to others." "Socialism reduces and removes private property rights, lessens the self-governance of the people, removes or restricts liberty, and contradicts the capitalist principles found in God's Word," he said. William Federer, a conservative Christian author and speaker, has tackled the topic of socialism in a few of his books, namely Change to Chains: The 6,000 Year Quest for Global Control and Rise of the Tyrant How Democracies & Republics Rise & Fall. In an interview with CP, Federer described socialism as "a perversion of biblical covenant" and said "socialism and communism" are "effectively just varying degrees of repackaged dictatorship." "There is no biblical command for government to help the poor, or take care of the sick, or operate schools, or provide jobs, healthcare, education, or other entitlements," said Federer. "Early Christians sold their property and brought the money to the feet of the apostles for the church to distribute. They did not lay their money at the feet of Pilate for the Roman government to redistribute." Federer sees the Bible as commanding churches and individuals to give, with the government having as its chief purpose to "protect the innocent and punish the guilty." "Most hospitals, as well as schools and universities, historically, have been started by religious orders or denominations," he continued. "Christian organizations have been at the forefront of carrying out these responsibilities on the mission field." Socialism has a track record of failure, he said, noting that, for a time, the Pilgrims of colonial America had a society centered on redistributing wealth. "It did not work and the Pilgrims almost starved to death, until Governor William Bradford abandoned this 'communistic plan of life' and gave everyone their own plot of land," Federer said. Federer also referenced a 1926 speech from then-President Calvin Coolidge, in which the commander-in-chief rejected the idea of any "plan of centralization." "No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline. Of all forms of government, those administered by bureaus are about the least satisfactory to an enlightened and progressive people," stated Coolidge. "Being irresponsible, they become autocratic, and being autocratic, they resist all development. Unless bureaucracy is constantly resisted, it breaks down representative government and overwhelms democracy." Anderson also viewed socialism as a threat to human liberty, telling C.P. that socialism "places too much power in the hands of the state and leads to authoritarian governments." Christians on 'different places on the political spectrum' In his YouTube video criticizing socialism, Moore of ERLC said, "of course" someone can be a Christian and a socialist, adding that they can be "right or wrong" about most every political issue "and still trust in Christ." In his book, The Prodigal Prophet, pastor and theologian Timothy Keller recounted an anecdote from a friend who knew a conservative Christian Republican from Mississippi. According to Keller, the Mississippi Republican visited a Presbyterian community in Scotland for a month and found them to be conservative on social issues and theology. "However," wrote Keller, "one day he got into a discussion with several of his admired Scottish Christians and discovered, to his shock, that they were all (in his view) socialists. That is, their understanding of tax structure and government economic policy was very left-wing." "He realized that thoughtful Christians, all trying to obey God's call, can reasonably appear at a number of different places on the political spectrum, with loyalties to different political parties." James Patrick Holding of the popular apologetics website Tektonics.org, told C.P. that he believed apologists should be "more engaged with the subject" but offered some caution over errors that he feared Christian critics of socialism often fall into. He fears that too many apologists fail to distinguish between government-sponsored socialism and church-sponsored socialism. "The early church clearly sponsored an aspect of voluntary socialism (Acts 4:32-35) under the premise that God was the ultimate owner of all they had, so they were obliged to be generous with, and be good stewards of, the resources entrusted to them. Jesus makes the same point in the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19)," Holding said. "This type of socialism is inherent in Christianity, but the critiques I have seen don't even seem to realize that it is socialism." Another error, said Holding, is the notion that "socialism encourages or is based on some moral failing like envy or materialism." "I'm sure it can be used as a tool to encourage such failings, but so can capitalism. These moral failings are endemic in humans who find ways to abuse whatever system is at hand, so it's not a valid argument against socialism," he continued. Holding also cautioned against elevating American culture too highly in the debate, noting that American individualism goes against the "collectivist" mindset often found in the Bible. "The people of the biblical world were collectivist in social outlook. They related to each other in terms of their embedded identity in groups and their standing in their network of relationships," he explained. "In a society like that, what you do for the group is paramount. What you do for yourself as an individual was less important, especially when it might impair the group's ability to survive." The idea of socialism and Christianity being incompatible would have also been a surprise to many Christians living in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jack Jenkins, a reporter at Religion News Service and author of the recently released history book, American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country, told C.P. that "it's difficult, if not impossible, to cleanly extricate early American socialism from its religious roots." Notable Christian socialists included African American intellectual and author W.E.B. DuBois and Baptist minister Francis Bellamy, who authored the original Pledge of Allegiance. "Arguably even more influential was an overlapping phenomenon known as the Social Gospel movement, a Christian effort that was stalwartly critical of capitalism," Jenkins said. "Social Gospelers didn't always identify as socialist, but many of the movement's loudest voices such as Walter Rauschenbusch, a Baptist minister, railed against what they saw as the evils of the American capitalist system. As Rauschenbusch put it in his A Theology of the Social Gospel, 'if we can trust the Bible, God is against capitalism, its methods, spirit, and results.'" Jenkins did note that over time the movement lost strength, explaining to C.P. that "the Christian socialist movement" was a lot "stronger in 1920 than it is in 2020." Nevertheless, he cited multiple examples of religious socialists in modern American politics, such as academic Cornel West and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Regarding the issue of apologists critiquing socialism, Jenkins believes that as socialism continues to garner support and attention, such critiques will likely grow. "Generally speaking, as the profile of democratic socialism in the United States grows, and with it, the profile of religious socialists, Christian or otherwise, I fully expect challenges to Christian socialist theology to emerge," Jenkins said. "Or, perhaps more appropriately, reemerge. While Christian socialism isn't new, neither are critiques against it." Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 22:24:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FRANKFURT, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Police officers, patrol cars and shops were attacked during violent clashes in the city center of the German city of Stuttgart in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to a statement by the Stuttgart police. More than a dozen police officers were injured and parked police cars were massively damaged, with windows smashed, the police said. Rioters also threw stones and other objects at passing patrols. Police officers were "approached, attacked and injured in an extremely aggressive manner," the statement said. Many downtown shops were damaged indiscriminately and some were looted, according to the statement. German media reported that several hundreds of people were involved in the riots. The rioters covered their faces with balaclavas and other materials to conceal their identity, the police said. Meanwhile, more than 20 people were arrested and an investigation is underway, the police said, without providing much information about the nature of the riots. Enditem A meat stall at a market in Nantong city, Jiangsu Province, China, on September 10, 2018. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Customs Officials Seize Nearly 10 Tons of Prohibited Meats from China U.S. customs officials intercepted 19,555 pounds of prohibited meat products from China between April 6 and June 6 in Los Angeles, intercepting them before they reached American consumers. The meat products contained prohibited pork, chicken, beef, and duck. They were packaged in boxes that had other consumer products such as headphones, door locks, kitchenware, trash bags, and cellphone covers, in a clear attempt to smuggle the prohibited means, according to a June 19 statement from the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP). .@CBP agriculture specialists & @USDA protect the livelihoods of US farm workers, our food supply & our nations agriculture prosperity. Great job by @CBPLosAngeles intercepting over 20,000 lbs of prohibited meats from China. Were keeping America safe. https://t.co/xOO3dlYcW1 pic.twitter.com/2y2pwuZJRz CBP Mark Morgan (@CBPMarkMorgan) June 20, 2020 These productsplaced in 12 different shipments containing a total of 834 cartonswere intercepted by CBP agriculture specialists at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identifies China as a country affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Newcastle Disease (ND), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Swine Vesicular Disease (SVD). ASF, a highly contagious disease that is lethal to pigs and wild boars but not dangerous to humans, was not found on the Asian continent prior to an outbreak in China in August 2018. Since then, ASF began appearing in neighboring countries. In March, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that the disease was affecting many countries in Asia, including China, the Philippines, Burma, and Indonesia. China has continued to battle the ASF, with new ASF cases reported in multiple provinces in recent months, including Yunnan, Gansu, Sichuan, and Shaanxi, according to Reuters. Pigs can contract the disease by eating ASF-contaminated products or being exposed to farmworkers shoes and clothing tainted with the disease. As a result, U.S. customs officials warned that shipments of prohibited meats into the United States could potentially contaminate U.S. livestock and cripple the U.S. pork industry and its exports valued at $6.5 billion annually. Foreign plant pests and animal diseases like ASF and exotic fruit flies can cause devastating losses to the agriculture industry, said Helene Wright, USDA State Plant Health Director for California, in the press release. Customs officials said the interception of prohibited meats from China at the LA/Long Beach Seaport increased 70 percent in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period a year ago. In February last year, U.S. customs officials at the Port of New York/Newark seized over 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) of prohibited animal products in 23 sea cargo shipments originating from China, according to a press release. Other countries have also seized ASF-contaminated products from China. In January, Filipino customs officials announced that a shipment of pork balls and dumplings that arrived at the Manila International Container Port a month earlier tested positive for the disease, according to local media. PLEASANT HILL (BCN) The Pleasant Hill City Council, which generally approves city budgets two years at a time, is poised to pass a one-year budget in light of the financial uncertainties presented by the ongoing COVID-10 coronavirus pandemic. The one-year budget, which would cover the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, is being recommended by the city's Budget Committee. The city's $27,289,206 overall budget for 2019-2020 is forecast to go down to $25,848,225 for 2020-2021. That represents a 5.6 percent decrease. While property tax revenue is expected to go up about 2.4 percent in 2020-2021, other tax revenues - transit occupancy (hotel guest) tax, sales taxes and business license taxes, are all expected to go down in 2020-2021 before going back up again as the economy recovers. The city also imposed a hiring freeze in April, and that likely will continue through this coming fiscal year, according to a city staff report. The city expects general fund revenues of $22.6 million during the upcoming fiscal year, and expenditures of $25.8 million. The city, according to its staff report, said the use of reserve funds will forestall "extreme service reductions." The city staff report says that if the economy recovers quickly, or if Pleasant Hill receives some form of federal or state relief, "impactful reductions can be restored. However, if the downturn is deeper or longer, more severe actions will need to be taken." Specific "severe actions" are not mentioned. The coronavirus and its economic impacts have had devastating effects on city and county budgets throughout California. The League of California Cities has said that every single city in the state faces significant projected revenue loss for their 2019-20 and 2020-21 budgets - a total shortfall of more than $7 billion. More than 90 percent of California cities are considering employee layoffs or furloughs, or cutting public services, the League said; 72 percent are considering doing both. Monday's Pleasant Hill City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. It is being held over the Internet; go to www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The recent border issues with China have drawn into focus the relationship between the two Asian giants, fractious since at least 1962. While the international Global Firepower ranking of countries military strength puts China and India at third and fourth position, respectively, the gap is much wider than the positions suggest. The engagement more than half-a-century ago had marked one of the few times when India spent generously on increasing its military capabilities. Spending has since seen the occasional surge but has largely been trending downwards (chart 1). Lower allocations has meant a widening gap between India and China in terms of the absolute amount being spent on meeting military objectives, especially over the past decade or so. China spends over 3.6 times the amount India spends every year now (chart 2). This has translated into a better-equipped air force (chart 3) as well as rising naval capabilities (chart 4). India has more people if one includes reserve personnel (3.5 million vs 2.7 million), though China has more in active service. But there is a significant difference in terms of land equipment and weaponry (chart 5). There have been calls for an economic response. Boycotting Chinese goods has been suggested as a disincentive against military adventurism. However, data shows that India accounts for only around 3 per cent of Chinas total exports (chart 6). China is a bigger part of Indias export basket, which means a reciprocal action is likely to affect India's exports more than it would affect China's (chart 7). The trade deficit that India has with China reduced from its recent high of over $63 billion. In absolute terms, it is at the same level as in 2014-15 (chart 8). While no official action is taken during study sessions, developers are able to address any questions the Plan Commission might have prior to its next regular meeting. Phase 3, block 1 of the subdivision will have a mix of R-1, R-2 and R-3 lots, which is consistent with Three Springs as a whole, Rettig said. There will be 13 R-1-sized lots, seven R-2-sized lots and three R-3-sized lots, he added. "It's a nice plan," Rettig said. "This will get Dave moving for this year, and then we can talk about what we want to do on the south side." Rettig said the developer plans to come in for a primary plat for the northern portion "almost immediately," since engineering is done and there already is a sanitary sewer permit for the development in place. When it comes to the southern portion of the development, Rettig said plans will be presented at a later date. "Dave needs to get some lots online and that's why we're pursuing it like this," Rettig said. "We'll come in for a possible rezone, it may not even be this year, maybe later this year, whatever he decides." "We're going to start fresh on the south side of the project and revisit the whole thing." The United Kingdom health secretary Matt Hancock on June 20 revealed that the country will unveil further plans this week to ease coronavirus lockdown. Hancock while speaking to the press said that the government will announce more details of the measures that will help ease the national lockdown starting from July. Hancock said the new measures will lay down details for businesses that have been restricted in their operations by the rule that requires people to stay two-meters apart from each other. Read: Coronavirus: UK Ditches Its Contact-tracing App, Eyes Apple's & Google's For Their Model Hancock said that people might have to register themselves before going to a pub or a bar so that authorities can track them if the coronavirus cluster emerges. Hancock said that the provisions that the government will bring forward will instruct people on how to safely reduce the two-metres with precautionary measures so that leisure businesses like pubs and bars can resume normal operations again without any fear of disease spread. Read: France Pledges Funding UK Begins Coronavirus Vaccine Trial COVID-19 in Britain According to the department of health and social care, the United Kingdom has tested 77,14,201 people as of June 20, of which 2,30,550 were tested on June 19 alone. So far, 3,03,110 people have tested positive in the country with 42,589 deaths. The United Kingdom is one of the worst-hit countries in the world with the third-highest death toll, just behind Brazil and the United States. Read: Coronavirus Crisis Could Aggravate Britains Existing Inequalities: Think Tank Meanwhile, the world has recorded over 8.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases, and more than 4,64,700 deaths with the United States constituting 28 percent of the total lives lost across the globe. The United States alone has reported over two million cases and 1,19,719 deaths. Read: UK Makes Face Coverings Compulsory In All Public Transports From June 15 (Image Credit: AP) Hyderabad, June 21 : Two Telangana ministers on Sunday slammed BJP President J.P.Nadda for making an "irresponsible" statement on the state's handling of Covid-19 situation and asked him not to play petty politics over the issue. Health Minister E. Rajender and Finance Minister Harish Rao questioned the BJP chief over the handling of Covid-19 in BJP-ruled states. The two ministers reacted to the remarks made Saturday by Nadda while addressing a virtual rally to highlight the achievements of Modi government in the first year of its second term. Rajender said it was unfortunate that at a time when the entire country is grappling with the pandemic, the BJP President made an uncalled for and irresponsible statement. "BJP should stop doing cheap politics over the issue. A Delhi leader speaking gully (street) language is unfortunate," Rajender said and asked Nadda not to make baseless allegations without evidence. He said the virus was spreading fast in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and in other BJP-ruled states and the President of that party had the temerity to criticise Telangana for its COVID-19 response. Rajender also launched a counter-attack on the Centre saying a high-end medical diagnostic device procured by Telangana to enhance its Covid-19 testing capacity, was diverted to West Bengal. The minister said the machine could have increased the testing capacity in the state to 4,500 per day but the Centre diverted to West Bengal from Chennai by the Centre. Rajender said when he took-up the issue with Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan and Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Balram Bhargava, they said this was done as the situation in West Bengal was not good. He said the Centre gave only two lakh N95 masks and some PPE kits like 'alms' to Telangana. He claimed that the state on its own procured the necessary equipments to battle Covid. The minister claimed that without much protest over the issue, Telangana focused on developing its own capacities and abilities. Rajender reminded that Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was among the first leaders to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call of clapping and lighting lamps for healthcare workers fighting Covid-19. He said while the Chief Minister rose above the politics to back Modi, the BJP leaders were politicizing the pandemic. He also reminded Nadda that even teams from the Centre appreciated Telangana's response to COVID-19. Finance Minister Harish Rao also hit out at Nadda and asked him how a former Union Health Minister could speak in a tone demeaning the services of healthcare professionals. Harish Rao tweeted that politicising coronavirus was akin to demeaning national security. He said the BJP chief's statement will demoralize the frontline workers who are risking their lives to defeat Covid-19. "We believe that soldiers guarding the country's borders and doctors fighting against Coronavirus without caring for their lives are the same. Prime Minister Modi has also been saying the same. You say it is not appropriate to criticise the government over the issue of national security. You lecture others that soldiers will get demoralised. Is criticising the state on the issue of coronavirus politics?" Harish Rao asked. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) He was released back into the wild on Thursday and will be tracked Vets gave the 50-pound cat fluids and vitamins, and tagged and collared him A mountain lion cub seen roaming the streets of San Francisco has been captured and released to a nature preserve, after being suspected of killing a kangaroo and two wallaroos in the city zoo. The 15-month-old cub was caught with a net after it was spotted lurking in the bushes in the city. Deb Campbell, Animal Care and Control spokeswoman said that officials get reports of cougars roaming in San Francisco about once a year, but it was unusual to find the animal in the city center. The mountain lion cub was spotted in downtown San Francisco, and caught with a net before being transferred to Oakland Zoo. Staff said it was the biggest cougar they had encountered The 15-month-old animal was spotted hiding in the bushes in San Francisco Security camera footage showed the animal trotting across a parking lot in the city 'We never had a mountain lion right in the middle of downtown San Francisco,' Campbell said. The animals come up along the Pacific Coast from the hills south of the city, but eventually find their way back to the wild, she said. Earlier in the week the San Francisco zoo had found three of its marsupials dead in their outdoor pens, with a 'local wild carnivore' suspected of killing them. The red kangaroo and two wallaroos - a smaller cousin to the kangaroo - are kept in the zoo's Australian WalkAbout section. Red kangaroos, the largest living marsupials, weigh between 80 and 200 pounds. 'They'll kill it and not necessarily eat it,' said Zara McDonald, a biologist with the Bay Area Puma Project. She told ABC News: 'We call it surplus killing. That usually happens when there's an abundance of prey that's sort of trapped in an enclosure that the predator can easily access.' Two wallaroos such as this one were killed at San Francisco zoo earlier in the week San Francisco Zoo on Friday announced that three of its animals had been found dead in pens The mountain lion was taken on capture to the Oakland zoo - the 12th such animal rescued by the zoo in the last few years. Weighing 68lbs, the youngster was the biggest cougar yet treated by the team. Vets gave the cat fluids and vitamins, and tagged and collared him, before he was crated and released. 'The important thing for all of us to remember is that these are magnificent animals that we want to keep in the wild - and in order to do that, we need to find ways to coexist with them,' said Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research at the Oakland Zoo. Fish and wildlife will do a DNA analysis of scat found in the marsupial enclosure at the San Francisco zoo and compare it to samples taken of the mountain lion's fur. The mountain lion was released near Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo County. The University of California Santa Cruz Puma Project will continue to track him with the collar he is now wearing. The big cat was released into the wild on Thursday in San Mateo County Many people are excited about the revelations in the Duke of Duchess of Sussex's, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, autobiography, "Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family." Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have detailed that the book will talk about the driving reason for the couple's exit from the royal family last January. Though little is known about what's in the book, more and more juicy tidbits come to light each month. This weekend, it was reported that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's book would blame the future King, Prince William, for their rift and departure from the UK. Royal aides are worried that Prince William is painted as the bad guy. An insider described how the 38-year-old heir could be portrayed as "unsympathetic, unfeeling, and unsupportive" towards his Sussex in-laws when they decided to split from the monarchy. According to The Sun, royal aides have been discussing among themselves that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's biography will unfairly show only the couple's side of the rift. "They are worried William especially will be portrayed in a bad light. This sort of family spat shouldn't be out there in public." The source further claimed that a family issue like this shouldn't have to blow out in public, especially when it's about the future monarchs. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's biography could be the most damaging thing to the royal family, just next to the late Princess Diana's interview with Martin Bashir. "The concern is it will somehow paint him as unfeeling baddie against kind and philanthropic Harry and Meghan." Despite not knowing what exactly is written in the book about Megxit or Prince William, royal aides are extremely worried about the Duke of Cambridge. After all, it was also reported that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have contributed to the making of this book. Prince William, Prince Harry Relationship EXPOSED In another book by Robert Lacey, "Battle of Brothers: William and Harry - the Friendship and the Feuds," will reportedly address the "unique and complex relationship" of the brothers. Set for an October 2020 release, the book has put the two Dukes' relationship into historical context. It will allegedly examine how the "heir" and the "spare" dynamic have run throughout royal history. Lacey revealed how shocked and "moved to tears" he is with the new details and insights he had discovered while researching about Prince Charles' sons. "It has been both enthralling and painful to trace the drama through the memories of close witnesses and some of the people most intimately involved." In a report by People magazine, the book's synopsis reads, "Much reported on but little understood, Diana's boys lived under constant scrutiny since birth." "Raised to be the closest of brothers, the last 18 months has seen a devastating breakdown of their one unbreakable bond." The book will also explain how Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship has been affected by their wife, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, respectively. One promise from the book is that it will also address why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to step back as senior members of the royal family and then move to the US with their one-year-old son, Archie. READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth Heartbreak: Prince Harry Truly Chose 'Demanding' Meghan Markle Over Monarch The police in Anambra State have arrested a 34-year-old man, Ifeanyi Apulosi, for allegedly killing his two children. Police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He said the man went berserk and used a wooden pestle to club the children to death and injure his 72-year-old father on the head. On the June 21 at about 1a.m., police operatives attached to Ogbunike Police Station arrested one Ifeanyi Apusiobi, m aged 34 years, of Azu Ogbunike in Oyi LGA of Anambra State Suspect allegedly ran amok in a circumstances yet to be ascertained and attacked two of his biological children namely Chinecherem Apusiobi f aged 7 years and Obinna Apusiobi m aged 5 years with a wooden pistle on their heads while they were sleeping. Suspect equally used same object and injured his father one Dominic Apusiobi, aged 72years on the head, Mr Mohammed said. He said that police detectives rushed victims from the scene to the hospital where the two children were certified dead by a medical doctor while the aged father is responding to treatment. He said the corpses had been deposited at Isienyi hospital morgue for autopsy. Mr Mohammed added that the officers recovered the weapon used by the man for the attacks, adding that the case has been transferred to the State CID, Awka, for discreet investigation. In another development, the police also arrested a 20-year old man, Chikwado Anijiofor, for allegedly raping his neighbours daughter in Ogbudike Okpoko in Anambra state. Mr Mohammed who disclosed this said the suspect confessed to the crime. He said the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, had directed the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for discreet investigation. According to him, on June 19 at about 10:am following a tip off, Police operatives attached to Okpoko Division arrested one Chikwado Anijiofor m aged 20 years native of Agbaumana in Eziagu LGA of Enugu State but reside at Ogbudike Okpoko. He said the suspect had on June 17 allegedly raped a six-year-old girl who is his neighbours daughter. Scene was visited by police detectives and victim taken to the hospital for medical examination. Meanwhile, suspect has voluntarily confessed to the offence. The Commissioner of Police, John Abang has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal investigation Department, Awka for discreet investigation after which suspect would be charged to court for prosecution., he said. Crude oil prices screamed higher last month. WTI, the leading U.S. oil price benchmark, zoomed 88%, pushing back over $35 a barrel. That big-time bounce back gave several oil producers the confidence to restart oil pumps they idled earlier this year. However, not all oil producers are ready to pump at full capacity just yet. That caution shows their skepticism in oil's recent rebound, which some producers think has gone too far, too fast. Using extreme caution Continental Resources (NYSE:CLR) delivered one of the biggest production curtailments in the U.S. oil patch earlier this year, when it shut-in 70% of its output in May. That was a major shift for a company that had grown its total production by 9% year over year during the first quarter to an average of 360,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D). However, with crude prices crashing because of cratering demand and a lack of storage capacity, Continental started shutting down its operations since it didn't have any hedging contracts to protect its production against lower prices. While crude prices have surged since it began shutting down its pumps -- West Texas Intermediate was recently back above $40 a barrel -- Continental isn't ready to resume its full operations. Instead, it expects to keep more than half its output curtailed this month by only producing an average of 150,000-160,000 BOE/D. Meanwhile, it plans to push July's output level to around 225,000-250,000 BOE/D, assuming no significant change in crude prices. The company expects to continue restoring its production in subsequent months as the oil market and crude prices continue improving. Skeptical of the rebound U.S. oil giant ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) also curtailed a significant amount of its production to combat lower oil prices and storage issues. It initially expected to shut in 100,000 barrels of oil (BPD) of output in Canada by May while cutting its U.S. oil output by 125,000 BPD during that month. However, it unveiled deeper cuts toward the end of April. For May, it expected to curtail a total of 265,000 BPD by shutting in additional volumes in the contiguous 48 states. On top of that, it planned to hold back 460,000 BPD in June -- roughly a third of its total output -- including 100,000 BPD from its Alaska operations and additional curtailments in the lower 48 states. The company plans to start bringing some of those volumes back online. CEO Ryan Lance stated in an interview with IHS Markit in early June that "we're probably thinking of slowly coming back into the market over the next few months and slowly reducing the amount we have curtailed because of some strengthening in the price." Alaska is the first place it expects to restart as it plans to resume normal operations in July. However, the company was a bit surprised by how quickly oil prices bounced back, since market fundamentals remain weak. That's why it expects oil prices to remain volatile in the coming months, and why it's not ready to resume pumping at full capacity just yet. A more bullish view Those more cautious plans stand in stark contrast to peers Parsley Energy (NYSE:PE) and EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG). Parsley said earlier this month that it would restart a vast majority of the wells it shut in last month, bringing nearly 26,000 BPD back online. Meanwhile, EOG Resources said that it planned to accelerate its production in the second half of this year, fueled by its view that oil prices would recover further. That strategy includes bringing back the 125,000 BPD that it curtailed last month. Caution is a good thing Oil company executives are notoriously bullish to a fault when it comes to oil prices. However, given this year's shellacking, some are wary of the recent rebound since there are still concerns about how quickly demand will bounce back from the COVID-19 outbreak. That caution by some producers is positive because it suggests the U.S. oil industry won't flood the market with oil in the near term, which could have put downward pressure on crude prices. Pakistan announced it was reopening a key border crossing with Afghanistan on June 22 to allow trade between the neighbors. Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables, and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in northwestern North Waziristan district. Pakistan has already reopened its border with Iran. Pakistan put its entire population of 220 million in lockdown in March, but the government last month eased restrictions, saying it was necessary to save the economy even though cases went up. On June 21, Pakistan reported 119 more COVID-19 deaths and 4,951 new cases, raising its total to 176,617 cases including 3,501 fatalities. Critics say, however, that a lack of sufficient testing is preventing a clearer picture of the extent of the outbreak in the country. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa BETHLEHEM Michael Farley clearly remembers his last day at work before the pandemic in March. It was Friday the 13th when he was sent home early from his job at Bethlehem Public Library. Over the weekend he watched the world slowly begin to close down. He can remember walking through the grocery store and seeing the bare shelves where there used to be paper products and cleaning supplies. School buildings were closed and his children were at home with him during the day. He turned to them and said, One day your kids are going to ask you, what was is like living through the pandemic of 2020? It then occurred to me that this really is a historic time. Its global, it affects everyone, Farley said. I was thinking we should all document what daily life is like because everything has changed dramatically. Then coincidentally, at the librarys next department meeting there was a discussion of the library collecting stories about people's experiences during the pandemic. Farley immediately volunteered. Farley and five other librarians came together to create a page on the librarys website where people can share their quarantine memories. People can submit written entries, photos, audio and video from their time during the pandemic. Within just a couple of days the library had about a dozen submissions. Some people submitted poetry, others wrote short narratives. One person took pictures of himself going through empty airports and train stations. He also submitted a picture of himself on an airplane that was essentially empty, except for two other people. Others shared stories about juggling working from home while homeschooling their children. Some people even got in touch with their creative side. A man submitted a song he wrote about Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who became a household name, during the pandemic. Eventually, the submissions will appear on a page on New York Heritage Digital Collection website, which is a research portal dedicated to documenting the states history. It is yet to be determined when that will happen, Farley said. When he first began to look into the project Farley said he noticed a lot of libraries and other organizations were doing something similar. He said a simple Google search with words like quarantine, memories, and archive yielded millions of results. Nominate your favorite people and places now Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Nominate your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. I thought, OK, this is already happening. We should have this in our community, Farley said. So far, Farley said he has seen a lot of personal and heartfelt submissions. The situation on a global scale is largely documented. Its the things in our personal lives we dont hear about, but I think people are interested in that, Farley said. If you hear someones personal story it really grabs you...Everyone is experiencing something right now, and you can likely relate to it. Sandras story seems familiar, and I feel Ive heard it many times. She wrote that her eyes got teary and hands shook as she typed her resignation letter. She knew that she might not be able to get another high paying tech executive position quickly, and it may seem to others that she failed, but she had to do it as it was impacting her mental health and, ultimately, family life. I was suffocating, and I could not survive in a toxic environment anymore. I felt so lonely as I was the only Black women executive in our team with 10 white males and one white woman. I was under constant pressure to work harder and prove that I belong here. I felt I was invisible and not valued. She overheard comments that she did not deserve it but got the job because she was a Black woman. She did not get the same level of respect and authority as her colleagues. Some of my colleagues actions were very subtle, and some activities were prominent, but she could not speak to anyone. She did have few allies, but the expectation was to keep her chin up and move on. Toxic workplaces did cost businesses $223 billion over the last five years, per 2018 data. Racial discrimination and harassment remain pervasive throughout the workplace, with 40% to 76% of ethnic minority employees experiencing at least one unwanted race-based behavior within a 12- to 24-month period. Thus, employee engagement and satisfaction decline drastically, resulting in higher turnover. In 2018, Black women represented only 1.3% of senior management and executive roles of S&P 500 firms and 2.2% of Fortune 500 boards of directors. There are only four Black male CEOs in the Fortune 500, and there is not a single Black female CEO. A similar pattern exists in mid-management and senior leadership across the corporate world. I was shocked to read the message of a consulting firm expressing their support of the Black community who had recently recognized health care heroes with a picture of all white professionals! In a difficult time like this, Black employees are hurt and tired. They no more need a glossy press release, social media posts, leadership lectures or false hopes. Employees will hold leaders accountable for their commitment and demand change. If you dont mean it, dont say it. They are only ready to listen to your genuine thoughts and actionable plan. Be prepared to answer questions like this: Are you going to give your time, treasure and talent for social injustice? Will you support a bill that is in favor of a Black agenda? Will you be an ally of minority employees, be their mentor, support their advancement and speak for them if you see injustice at work? How diverse is your leadership team and board, and what intentional efforts are you going to execute to change the landscape? Many companies can recruit diverse talent but struggle with retention and promotion due to various reasons. A handful of companies have identified that discrimination and inequalities are deep-rooted in corporate culture and have established formal diversity and inclusion programs. However, only 42% of Fortune 500 companies have designated diversity leaders. A chief diversity officer of one of the large tech companies said that D & I programs are built with good intentions, but to make it successful, every employee has to be part of it, and it starts from the top. It has to be adapted in every corner of the corporation like any other policy, and there should be consequences for not following it. And then there are trailblazers right here in Indiana. They have been leading by example to foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging that centers around their people and communities they serve. In a tough time like this, they stood by them in solidarity, listened to their employees and vowed to support a fight against racial injustice change. Anthem has pledged a $50 million grant for racial injustice and health inequalities program. Eli Lilly will invest $25 million and 25,000 employee volunteer hours toward fighting systemic racism in Indianapolis over the next five years. Lilly, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, Radio One and WISH-TV created The Indy Day of Solidarity We Stand Together event for people and organizations to come together to acknowledge the trauma of racial injustice, understand its many forms and create a call to action for lasting change. You can see the video here. TechPoint is committed to a list of action-oriented goals, including intentional efforts to increase Black representation on their board. Roche Diagnostics priority during these challenging times has been its own employees. Last week, the companys senior leaders and its African American Business Resource Group hosted 11 intimate and open discussions where employees could have a candid dialogue about recent events and build connections with one another. Roche also has robust mental health benefits, including access to Lyra Health counselors and meditation apps. The racial injustice has no place in the workplace or outside the workplace. Rupal Thanawala is managing director at Trident Systems, a leading business and technology consulting practice, and tech editor for the Indianapolis Recorder. Contact her at rupalt@indyrecorder.com. Fault Lines explores the lesser-known stories of black women who have fallen victim to police violence in the US. Turkey Seeks Diplomatic Gains After Risky Libya Military Intervention By Dorian Jones June 20, 2020 Turkey is seeking to reap diplomatic rewards from its military success in Libya. Recent gains by Turkish-backed forces of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) are enhancing Ankara's influence in Libya and with the European Union. Turkey sent military personnel to Libya in January to support the Tripoli-based GNA. It had been under sustained attack from forces led by Libyan General Khalif Haftar, who has a power base in eastern Libya. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) has the backing of countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Russia. The Turkish military deployment to Libya, widely seen as a gamble by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, turned out to be a game changer in the civil war. Haftar's forces were driven from the suburbs of Tripoli and continue to sustain territorial losses. Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Hakan Fidan, the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, led a high-level delegation Wednesday to Tripoli, underlining the critical role Turkey is now playing in Libya. According to pro-government Turkish media reports, Ankara is looking to establish an air and naval base in Libya. The Turkish government so far hasn't officially commented on the news reports, but Ankara's military presence in Libya could be a big bargaining chip with the European Union. "Libya is so strategically important to the EU, as Libya is the gateway of Africa to Europe," said retired Turkish ambassador to Qatar Mithat Rende. The Libyan civil war's chaos made the country one of the main smuggling routes for migrants trying to enter the EU. Ankara already has a deal with the EU to prevent refugees and migrants from trying to enter through Turkey, in exchange for billions of dollars in aid. Political science professor Ilhan Uzgel of Ankara University said Erdogan now sees an opportunity to extend Turkey's role as the EU's gatekeeper to Libya. Ankara has myriad issues it's negotiating with Brussels in the renewal of a customs union on visa free travel. "Turkey used the Syrian refugees as a bargaining chip against the EU, it was a policy of blackmail, and it worked somehow. Now with Libya, Turkey has a new card or leverage against the EU. So, they [the EU] may not be happy, but the EU is usually making a bargain with Turkey over the refugee issues," said Uzgel. France and Germany have sharply criticized Turkish military intervention in Libya, although with Germany taking over the EU presidency in July, German Chancellor Angela Merkel could be looking to Erdogan for a deal. "Turkish military presence in Libya would strengthen its position vis-a-vis EU in general and Germany in particular," said international relations expert Zaur Gasimov of Bonn University. "The fears of more influx of refugees have never been stronger than now in Europe, already heavily challenged by the [coronavirus] pandemic and economic recession," he added. Merkel spoke by telephone with Erdogan this month about Libya. Friday, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio flew to Ankara for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on stabilizing the North African country. "They [the EU] don't like his [Erdogan's] personality; they don't respect him. But they know that he can make a deal, and he keeps his promises in a way," Uzgel said. In the U.S., the Trump Administration also could see Ankara as a partner in Libya. "Turkey and the U.S. can together make a positive difference [in Libya]," Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump and Erdogan agreed this month to cooperate on Libya, although the nature of the cooperation remains unclear. Also this month, the U.S. military accused Russia of seeking to push for a strategic foothold on NATO's southern flank at the expense of innocent Libyan lives. Moscow is a key backer of Haftar, although it denies any military involvement. But Turkey's Libya military intervention is seen as thwarting Russian ambitions. A meeting between Russian and Turkish foreign ministers called by Russia for June 14 to discuss Libya was canceled. "The cancelation came from Turkey," Uzgel said. " It's the rule of any conflict it's usually the losing side who asks for a cease-fire. Turkey does not want to stop in Libya." Moscow, however, is accused of establishing a substantial military presence in Libya. On Thursday, the U.S. Africa Command published what it said were new images of Russian warplanes in Libya. "Russia has sent its military jets to Libya, but we have not heard they had used their jets effectively against GNA forces. It could have been used effectively because [Turkish] drones are no match against fighter jets. But they haven't been used. It appears more like symbolic importance; it's more of a bluff than a tool in a fight" said Uzgel. Moscow may be reluctant to risk its relations with Turkey, which have markedly improved in the past few years, much to the alarm of Turkey's NATO partners. The two countries have strong trade ties and are cooperating in the Syrian civil war, despite backing rival sides in the conflict. Turkey, Russia and Iran are part of the Astana Process, which is seeking to end the conflict. While Moscow and Ankara struck an agreement to enforce a cease-fire in Afrin, the last rebel-controlled region. Observers say that despite Turkey's success in Libya, it still needs to handle Moscow with care. Russia can undermine Turkey's efforts to stabilize Libya or push back against Turkish interests elsewhere. However, Gasimov believes pragmatism is likely to prevail. "Turkey and Russia would highly likely manage a deal in Libya, as they did in Syria, and indeed the Libyan antagonism would even bond them closer," he said. Gasimov said Russia could be accommodating to Turkey's demand to end Haftar's leadership role, as part of any Libyan deal. "The Russian position is heterogeneous and dynamic. Haftar, who studied in the U.S.S.R., is not seen any more as the only key factor for Russia's presence in Libya. Moscow is searching for alternatives," he said. Any Russian deal, though, is likely to be limited by Turkey's desire to work with its Western allies in Libya. "Ankara can make a deal with Moscow but on its terms," said Uzgel. "They may be a short-term limited deal with Russia. Anything more and the EU would not be happy or the United States. There may be a temporary small-scale deal with Russia." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mommys very mad, said a crestfallen president of the United States. Richard Nixon was on the telephone with his daughter Julie, who had called to congratulate him for his speech that night, naming William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell to the U.S. Supreme Court. It was October 21, 1971. The nominations were a masterstroke by Nixon. The Senate would confirm the two conservative nominees; the South and big business would rejoice, and he would avoid the bruising he received when two previous nomineesJudges Clement Haynsworth and G. Harrold Carswellhad been rejected on charges of racial insensitivity and unethical behavior, in 1969 and 1970. But along the way, Nixon had promised his wife Pat that he would name a woman to the high court. The first lady had lobbied him, privately and in public remarks. And so, when she heard Nixon name two men, she was furious. Richard Nixon holds his left hand on two family bibles and raises his right as he takes the oath as 37th President of the United States on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969. Pat Nixon holds the bibles. That Pat Nixon was angry has been reportedmost notably in Julie Nixon Eisenhowers revealing biography of her mother. But until this year, when the Nixon presidential library released a fresh batch of previously expurgated conversations captured by the White House taping system, weve not been able to listen in on, or know the extent of this discord in the Nixon household. The president knew he had done bad. He didnt call his wife to check on her reactionhe used a go-between, his longtime secretary Rose Mary Woods. Just to tell you what youre in for, Woods reported back. This is personal for her shes really, really teed off. She had been promised it would be a woman, Woods told the president, and now Pat Nixon felt she made a fool of herself. She didnt make a fool of herself! Nixon replied. It was the chauvinists at the American Bar Association she should blame, not him. Their judicial qualification committee had given a proposed female nominee, California appellate Judge Mildred Lillie, a cold shoulder. Without the ABAs endorsement, said Nixon, a woman would be rejected by the Senate. It would hurt women, the cause of women, to have her turned down by the Senate! he argued to Woods. Story continues Top: The all-male U.S. Supreme Court had two vacancies after the resignations of Hugo L. Black and John M. Harlan on Oct. 16, 1971. Below were six rumored potential candidates that could have filled the open seats, including three women, but Nixon instead nominated two other men: William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell. But Nixon was not the most intimate of fellows. He had a difficult time expressing feelings. And in this case, he paid for his propensity for avoiding personal confrontations. What shes really upset about, Woods told him, is she went out on a limb and shes mad because you didnt call and tell her yourself. Oy. Dick Nixon was in trouble. He did what many American males of his generation might have done: He drafted his daughters to argue his case. Julie could call Pat, Nixon advised Woods. Try Julie, will you? Before too long, Julie was on the phone with her dad. President Richard Nixon poses with First Lady Pat Nixon and their daughters Patricia and Julie in this 1970 family portrait. Mommys very mad, he told Julie. Mommy said she is hurt because I didnt tell her. The thing that is sad, said Julie, is that she thinks she doesnt have any influence with you. Nixon coaxed Julie to tell her mother she should be blaming the ABA, not him. The main thing is not blame me! Nixon told his elder daughter, Tricia, in a separate but similar conversation that evening. We are preparing a woman for the next spot, he promised. Neither Julie nor Tricia appear to have shared their mothers fury. They bothand Rose Mary Woods, tooseemed to take it in stride that the ABA was correct, that Lillie was not qualified and that, given the state of womens professional advancement in the 1970s, there were no female candidates eligible for the court. Woods told Nixon that when Pat had complained that her husband could have found another qualified woman, Woods had challenged her: Who are they? Rose Mary Woods, President Richard Nixon's secretary at her White House desk in 1973. And while Pat insisted to Woods that her husband should have ignored the ABA, and sent Lillies name to the Senate anyway, Julie and Tricia agreed with their dad that defeat was inevitable, and so to be avoided. Like Ralph Kramden calling on Ed Norton, or Fred Flintstone commiserating with Barney Rubble, the president next phoned his friend, Attorney General John Mitchell. My wife is really put out, Nixon said. She is so goddamned mad. The attorney general, however, had problems of his own. His wife Marthaa notably outspoken womanwas raising hell in the Mitchell household. You think your wife is mad. My wife wouldnt even talk to me, Mitchell said. He had put the blame on the ABA too, to no avail. Thats what Im trying to tell Martha here for the last 20 minutes and Im not getting across! In the taped conversations with Woods, Mitchell and his daughters, Nixon expressed great satisfaction with his choices of Rehnquist and Powell, and no great regret that Lillie failed to impress the ABA. Rehnquist and Powell would help steer the Supreme Court to the right, contributing to landmark decisions that changed the course of American history. They replaced more liberal Justices Hugo Black and John Marshall Harlan who, aged and ill, had retired in September. U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell and his wife Martha Mitchell at the White House in 1971. We really threw a bombshell at those [liberal] bastards in Congress and the media, he told Mitchell. And make sure to emphasize to all the southerners that Rehnquist is a reactionary bastard, which I hope to Christ he is, Nixon said, in a segment of the tape that has been previously opened. There appears no evidence, in the newly released segments of the tapes, that Nixon had deceived Pat, oras some historians and commentators have argued, and other tapes indicatethat he never really wanted a woman on the court. In fact, from a sense of guilt or fairness, he is heard telling Mitchell, with seeming sincerity: Weve got to have a woman, John. Next time. Tell Martha to calm down, Nixon told his friend. Nixon, center, shakes Lewis F. Powell, Jr.'s hand as William H. Rehnquist, right, looks on during a ceremony at the White House in Dec. 1971. There would be no next time for Nixon, however. In his five-and-a-half years in office before resigning in August 1974, he named four Supreme Court justices to the high court. But Rehnquist and Powell were the last. The first female justice, Sandra Day OConnor, was named by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The newly released portions of the Nixon White House tapes are part of the Nixon presidential librarys re-release effort, in which, with National Archives funding, the thousands of hours of tape recordings are getting a fresh look, with the goal of opening previously closed segments of conversations that dealt with politics and other matters. The batch from October 21, 1971 were opened in January. As the late Benjamin Bradlee, the Watergate-editor of The Washington Post, once told me: The tapes are the gift that keeps on giving. In 2018, Casper Police Chief Keith McPheeters asked the City Council for body cameras for his officers. The chief cited several reasons for purchasing the cameras, most notably that the footage could help the community understand the circumstances surrounding an officers decision. Moreover, the chief said, citizens with concerns about an encounter with an officer would be able to come to the station and view the footage. It protects the citizens and it protects the police, he said. The chief was right. Body cameras provide accountability, both for police and for the people who accuse officers of wrongdoing. Thats why were distressed by the Casper Police Departments decision to withhold footage recorded by Officer Michael Quirins body camera early on the morning of Jan. 5. In a legal claim filed against the city, Quirin is accused of slamming Adrianah Rodriguez, a 110-pound unarmed black woman, to the ground multiple times. Her claim further alleges that Quirin pinned her to the floor while she was handcuffed, placing his entire body weight on her back and wedging his knee into her neck. Quirin had responded to a noise complaint at a party that smelled of marijuana. He told the partygoers that he wanted to see their IDs. According to Rodriquezs attorney, the officer flew into a rage after she told him that she knew her rights and suggested he calm down. Police say Rodriguez pulled her identification away from him amid a chaotic situation involving other partygoers who acted aggressively. So what really happened? Right now, we have the word of several witnesses and a police report. We also have a police department statement indicating Quirin was suspended without pay after an investigation. And we know prosecutors threw out the case against Rodriguez days later. But we dont have to take anyones word for what happened that morning. We know that two officers were on scene at the time that Rodriguez was arrested. We know they were equipped with body cameras. So where is the footage? The police have it. And when the Star-Tribune first sought that footage this spring, the department said it was unable to fulfill this newspapers request due to state law. Except thats not true. The Wyoming Legislature in 2017 updated public records law to allow body camera footage to be released in certain circumstances. But theres a catch. The law leaves that decision in the hands of the law enforcement agencies whose officers produced the footage. That was a mistake, and one with a predictable outcome. Police are inclined to release footage when it shows them in a positive light. They are inclined to deny access when the footage might depict officers actions negatively. This flaw in the system must be addressed. In light of the ongoing debate about police use of force and accountability, lawmakers should require body camera footage to be released after officer complaints. As the chief himself said, it protects both parties by offering a neutral depiction of what occurred. But the Legislatures mistake doesnt absolve the police in Casper of the responsibility to do the right thing now. There is nothing stopping them from releasing the footage. Police know that. Earlier this month, the department changed its story. Officials no longer argued that the law left them unable to release the footage. Instead, they claimed that releasing it was too much work. Specifically, they said that the department didnt have the resources to protect the identities of the members of the public who were filmed by blurring them out in the footage. To be blunt, we dont buy this explanation. First, the department has released dozens of slickly produced videos in the past few years. It apparently has the resources to make a video with drone footage of its patrol cars arranged in a heart shape. It has the resources to record its officers eating spicy peppers. And it has the resources to produce an elaborate lip sync video featuring more drone footage, multiple locations, costumes, dozens of extras, dozens of uniformed officers, cameos from other agencies and a fake newscast. Clearly, the department has the resources to blur some faces if necessary. Moreover, the people in the arrest video are the ones who sought out publicity. They want their story told. Its hard to take the department at its word that its concern here is truly about the privacy rights of the citizens who have accused one of its officers of excessive force. The department also has a history of releasing body camera footage when it feels its officers acted appropriately. Its quickly made available videos of police shootings. It quickly publicized footage when a drunk driver struck an occupied police vehicle. And, to be clear, there is nothing in state law that prevents police from sharing the video with the public. The subsection that a police spokeswoman cited in her denial of the Star-Tribunes request states body camera footage can be released in response to a complaint about law enforcement personnel when its not contrary to the public interest. In this instance, Rodriguez did make a complaint and one that prompted disciplinary action against the officer. And clearly, there is a public interest in understanding when and how police here use force against the citizens they are sworn to protect. So why the denial? If Rodriguez and the witnesses who spoke to the Star-Tribune are telling the truth, footage of a white officer with his knee on the neck of a black woman would be troubling to most people, especially during a time when police officers across the country are under intense scrutiny. But we are amid a national conversation about police use of force. The footage is of vital public interest during this conversation. And, according to the chiefs own argument for buying body cameras, the footage helps a community understand an officers decision. It protects the citizens and it protects the police, McPheeters said. Fair enough. Release the footage and let us all see what happened. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain tested positive for novel coronavirus Covid-19 on June 17. As his fever has subsided and oxygen level has improved, he is likely to be shifted to general ward tomorrow. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jains condition has improved, following the plasma therapy that was administered to him in a bid to treat coronavirus, the Office of Delhi Health Minister informed on Sunday. The health condition of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has improved after being administered plasma therapy. His fever has subsided and oxygen level has improved. Doctors say that he can be shifted to the general ward by tomorrow, the Office of Delhi Health Minister said. Jain, who was in charge of the Health Department of Delhi government and tested positive for COVID-19, was administered plasma therapy in Max hospital in Saket after his condition worsened on Friday. On Friday, Jains condition deteriorated and he was put on oxygen support. He was put on oxygen support after his lung infection increased. Also Read: Centre grants armed forces power to acquire critical ammunition upto Rs 500 crore Also Read: Security forces eliminate 3 terrorists in J&Ks Zadibal Jain was admitted to a hospital in northeast Delhi on June 15 after he complained of breathlessness and high fever. Earlier, the Delhi government had said that Jains health was improving. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on June 17. Delhi on Saturday witnessed the highest single-day spike of 3,630 COVID-19 cases. In a bulletin, the Delhi government informed that there are 56,746 positive cases in the national capital. With 3,630 COVID-19 positive cases on Saturday, the total number of cases in the national capital reached 56,746 including 27,741 active cases, the government said in the bulletin. Also Read: Rajya Sabha Polls 2020: BJP MLAs Covid positive report creates unrest among other leaders For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Photo: Getty From today, UK tourists will be allowed to visit Spain without a quarantine period, Spanish officials have said. Spain's foreign affairs minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said the change was made out of respect for 400,000 Brits who have second homes in the country. Rules on home soil, however, mean that anyone returning to the UK will have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. The foreign affairs minister said that Britons will go through a triple check on arrival in Spain. First they will state their country of origin, giving details so that they can be contact traced. Then they will have a temperature check. She said discussions are still ongoing about a reciprocal arrangement for Spanish tourists visiting the UK. "We do hope that [the British authorities] will be sensitive to the 250,000 Spaniards that are also living in the UK and would very much like to enter the UK without quarantine," she said. READ MORE: Airbus extends furlough scheme in UK, Spain We will allow British visitors to enter Spain, just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen areas, as from the 21st of June freely and without the need of a quarantine, she continued. Airlines that warned against a 14-day quarantine period in the UK will welcome Spains move. On 12 June British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair said they would sue the British government over the rules for new arrivals. The airlines said they are seeking a judicial review to overturn the government ruling, saying it will have "a devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy and destroy thousands of jobs". It also comes as airlines continue to furlough and lay off workers. Airbus extended its furlough programme for 5,300 of its employees. Irish airline Aer Lingus also confirmed it would slash 500 jobs. The UK foreign office is still warning citizens against all but essential travel. READ MORE: Aer Lingus to axe 500 jobs (Bloomberg Opinion) -- The European Commissions plan for a 750 billion-euro ($842 billion) fund to deal with the economic consequences of the pandemic is a quantum leap in Europes crisis response. Yet, for all the good intentions, political leaders still have to agree on the details of the scheme. The European Council a gathering of prime ministers and presidents will meet on Friday to discuss the plan, although most observers only expect a breakthrough to happen in July. The EU is still wrestling with the opposition of the so-called frugal four: Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. The countries leaders penned a letter to the Financial Times this week, expressing their doubts over several aspects of the proposal, including the fact that a chunk of the money will come as grants. The four nations should be careful about the fights they pick. Theres a strong economic case for having a hefty instrument to support European countries most affected by the crisis. This would be a great show of solidarity by the continent. However, it would be reasonable for Sweden and Denmark to ask whether such a mechanism should involve all 27 European Union countries or just be limited to the 19-strong euro area, to which the Swedes and Danes dont belong. And it would be entirely rational for the fiscally cautious Dutch and Austrians to insist on adequate checks and balances to make sure any emergency funds are well spent by recipient nations. Its hard to be confident that they will be. The decision to set up a recovery fund at the EU, rather than at the euro-zone level, makes practical sense. The Commission can use its existing powers to borrow the money on the financial markets, rather than setting up a new mechanism. For their part, euro-area countries have spent months haggling over the possibility of creating some form of joint budget, only to produce a minuscule pot of money that couldnt even be used in the event of a shock. Story continues By contrast, the EU already has a budget, used to fund pan-European projects and to support its more vulnerable regions. And yet, it isnt clear why well-run EU countries such as Sweden or Denmark should sign up to a system of further fiscal transfers that would chiefly benefit ailing euro-zone nations. Europes fiscal problem is mostly to do with its single-currency union, which has a joint monetary policy but no system of transfers to support countries that face an isolated shock. The Covid-19 pandemic is a common threat, but its having asymmetric effects across the union, as some countries such as Spain and Italy suffer more than others. It seems right that some of these governments receive help in the form of grants, rather than loans, as the pandemic is no ones fault and it would be dangerous to make financially strained countries even weaker. But this is essentially a question for the euro zone. The other significant problem with the recovery fund relates to how the money will be spent. The biggest share of the 750 billion-euro pot will be disbursed to individual member states after they present their own post-crisis economic reform programs. In theory, the Commission should oversee the quality of these proposals and only hand out the money if a country sticks to its early commitments. But its far from certain whether the Commission will have the political strength or even the legitimacy to refuse the money to a country because it doesnt like its proposal. Even worse, Brussels may choose to disburse later rounds of funding even if a country has reneged on its initial pledges. In a recent panel discussion, Luis Garicano, a member of the European Parliament and an early proponent of a recovery fund, told me hed like to see more of a role for MEPs in vetting the grants and unlocking the money. The Netherlands and Austria may want to pick up on his idea, or come up with more precise and stringent criteria for the Commission to allocate resources. Unfortunately, theres a long history of countries mismanaging EU funds, so theres a strong case for better supervision this time around. The leaders of the frugal four may feel they have domestic support for their battle, but they risk becoming isolated at the European level. Instead of pushing back against a necessary upgrade to Europes economic infrastructure, they should seize their chance to improve its functioning. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Ferdinando Giugliano writes columns and editorials on European economics for Bloomberg View. He is also an economics columnist for La Repubblica and was a member of the editorial board of the Financial Times. 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. Iran asks Romania to allow fact-finding team to probe judge's death Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 June 2020 10:26 AM Iran's international police have requested to send a fact-finding mission to Romania to investigate the death of a fugitive Iranian judge in Bucharest. Brigadier Hadi Shirzad, head of Iranian international police, announced on Saturday that they had sent a letter to the Romanian Interpol Police for permission and asked for additional information about the death. The police also called for Judge Gholamreza Mansouri's body to be returned to Iran. "In order to investigate the situation of the scene of the incident and its exact cause, a team of Iranian police will be formed and if a positive response is received from Romania, they will be sent to that country," Shirzad added. Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday reports about Mansouri's death. According to the information Iran received from Interpol in Bucharest Mansouri had jumped out of the hotel window to his death. Romania's police said Mansouri had fallen to his death in what preliminary investigation indicated was a suicide. Circumstances around his death are uncertain at the moment, but preliminary reports indicated that Mansouri apparently fell out of a window in the Duke Hotel at 2:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) on Friday. The fugitive judge had visited Iran's embassy in Bucharest to discuss possible ways to return to the country. Iranian Judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmaeili announced on Saturday that the judge, accused of receiving 500,000 in kickbacks, had been arrested in Romania and his extradition had been disrupted over the coronavirus pandemic. Mansouri, placed under judicial control, was due to appear before a Romanian court on July 10 regarding the Iranian extradition request. Iran calls for explicit, clear response from Romania Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Saturday that Romania had been urged to "explicitly, clearly and precisely" explain the conditions under which the fugitive judge had lost his life or had been killed. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has previously warned that he is being prosecuted and is pursuing his case through Interpol," Mousavi said, adding, "We have asked the relevant authorities in Romania to explicitly, clearly and precisely report to us the cause and manner of the incident so that we can take further action." Mansouri was implicated in a major ongoing financial corruption case involving Akbar Tabari, the former deputy head of the judiciary for executive affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In unprecedented remarks the Friday Prayer Imam of the city of Shiraz, southern Iran, has claimed that Iranian Shiite cleric-missionaries propagating Islam are being killed in South America. Speaking at Friday prayers ceremony, June 20, the mid-ranking clergy, Lotfollah Dezhkam, stopped short of going into details but insisted that the Islamic Republic should train more missionaries and deploy them in different countries across the globe. There have been no reports about any Shiite clerics being killed in Latin America and it is not clear what the Imam was referring to. Brazil is one of the Islamic Republic's targets for propagating the Twelver-Shiite doctrine, Dezhkam said. An institute directly supervised by the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Al-Mustafa International University (MIU), has in recent years trained an unknown number of Shiite missionaries to promote the faith in Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. Meanwhile, MIU also takes newly converted Shiites to Iran for religious studies and tours in Qom and Mashhad. Qom and Mashhad are home to important Twelver-Shiite seminaries in Iran, respectively. During the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, MIU was singled out as the main factor in spreading the virus. MIU hosts hundreds of Chinese Muslims of Uighur ethnic minority who initially spread the deadly virus in the city of Qom south of the Iranian capital city Tehran. First a medical school dean and later the Sunni Friday Imam of the city of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid announced that the coronavirus had entered Iran through Chinese students linked to MIU. The revelation led to MIU's denial, accusing the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of spreading lies. MIU has so far trained 50,000 students from 122 nations. One teacher and advisor at Al-Mustafa, Mohsen Rabbani, served for decades as the Islamic Republic's top intelligence officer in Latin America and is wanted for his role in the 1994 AMIA terror attack in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives. Rabbani's top disciple and graduate of Al-Mustafa, Edgardo Ruben Suhail Assad, has established more than twenty Shiite religious centers in Latin America. Al-Mustafa and the Islamic Development Organization closely coordinate their efforts in sending missionaries abroad. In a landmark for DACA recipients, including those from the African Diaspora, the NAACP celebrates todays Supreme Courts ruling in its favor against the Trump administration in NAACP, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al. (Case number: 18-5243, Appellate - DC Circuit). This case was consolidated with the Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California. The Supreme Court held that the Department of Homeland Securitys decision to rescind DACA is reviewable under the Administrative Procedures Act and was arbitrary and capricious. Further, the Supreme Court determined that the administration did not follow the legally mandated procedures, nor did it weigh how ending the program would affect those who had come to rely on its protections against deportation and the ability to work legally. In a 5-4 opinion authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Supreme Court affirmed the district courts ruling in the case brought by the NAACP. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, praised todays ruling: For far too long, the voices of the undocumented DACA recipients from the African Diaspora were silenced. There is no democratic dream for anyone if we dont allow our DREAMers to fully participate." This is a tremendous victory for America. Todays Supreme Court ruling in our favor is an incredible victory for justice, in the spirit of the NAACPs groundbreaking Supreme Court victory in Brown v Board of Education. We know the value of affirmative litigation to ensure that the nation lives up to its ideals. This ruling exemplifies the ways in which ensuring the Civil Rights for our community pushes the needle on social justice for the benefit of all. Although today represents an exciting victory, we won a battle; the war wages on. Trump could rescind DACA again tomorrow if he wants. The fight truly ends when Congress passes a permanent solution that protects DREAMERS, and the NAACP will continue that fight along with its allies. Interim General Counsel Janette Louard stated: DACA represents the best of American ideals by allowing children of immigrants to stay in the only home they have known. It means that nearly DACA recipients can live in this country and continue to contribute to society. There are approximately 700,000 DACA recipients in this country, and the vast majority of DACA registrants are people of color. Many of the DACA recipients are from the African Diaspora including Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and the continent of Africa. More than 90 percent of DACA recipients are employed and 45 percent are in school. Thousands of DACA recipients are health care workers who have helped our nation address the coronavirus crisis. The NAACP, represented by attorney Joseph Sellers of Cohen Millstein, was joined in this lawsuit with the American Federation of Teachers and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. ### Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence again Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Yemens internationally recognised govt says STC has attacked state institutions and citizens properties in Socotra. Yemens internationally recognised government says Southern Transitional Council (STC) fighters have staged a full-fledged coup in the strategic island of Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The militias of the so-called Transitional Council in the Socotra carried out a full-fledged coup that undermined state institutions in the province, Yemens official news agency reported, quoting an unnamed government official. By the end of Saturday, the separatist group, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), had taken control of most of the remote province from forces of Yemens internationally recognised government headed by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. These militias launched an attack with various medium and heavy weapons, targeting state institutions and citizens properties, and stormed government camps and headquarters as well, the official said. The government will not accept this absurdity. The secessionist STC also arrested several military personnel and civilians opposed to the presence of UAE-funded militias on Socotra, the officials said. Those arrested included Brigadier Abdel-Rahman al-Zafrani, commander of the air force in the province, they said. No casualties were reported, said the four security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media. The STC fighters were the on-the-ground allies of the UAE, once Saudi Arabias main coalition partner in the years-long war against the Houthi rebels, who control vast swaths of territory in the countrys north. The STC raises the flag of the former communist state in the south and has pushed to again split the war-torn country in two, as it was from 1967 to 1990. 190919074008631 Socotra Governor Ramzi Mahrous condemned the separatist attacks in his province, saying from his home in the Indian Ocean island that his forces would fight back. He did not elaborate. On Friday, separatists seized several state buildings, including the governors headquarters, as they pushed into the provincial capital, Hadibo, and engaged in fierce fighting with forces loyal to the government of exiled President Hadi. Self-rule in Yemens south The fighting in Socotra threatens to cause irreversible damage to the World Heritage Site, which has rare dragon blood trees, plant species, spices and marine life, many of which are found nowhere else. Earlier this year, the separatists declared self-rule in Yemens south and seized control of the city of Aden, a bid that sparked fears of fresh chaos in a country already embroiled in five years of conflict. The Yemeni government and provinces of Hadramout, Shabwa, al-Mahra, Abyan and the administration of Socotra have rejected the STCs move, which has also drawn widespread international criticism. Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in late 2014 when Houthi rebels, said to be linked to Iran, seized the capital Sanaa and forced Hadi to flee the country and take refuge in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition launched a military offensive in support of Hadi in March 2015. Five years of conflict have left thousands of civilians dead and nearly 3.7 million internally displaced, according to the UN. The impact on the countrys infrastructure has been devastating, with major overland routes and airports severely damaged. Last year, the UAE announced it was ending its role in the conflict. However, observers believe the Gulf country continues to be active through its proxies. Before its withdrawal, the UAE set up a military base in Socotra, which enjoys a strategic location overlooking a vital international shipping lane. It also awarded Emirati citizenship to hundreds of residents and has recruited many others to help consolidate its grip over the island, raising tensions with Hadi. By Mark Peterson Last week I wrote about the sijo contest hosted online by the Sejong Cultural Society based in Chicago. And I've heard rumors of another sijo contest being organized in Southern California. This gives me hope that the "sijo movement" that I've been waiting for is getting off the ground! The response from the article last week was welcoming, so I've decided to write a little more about the winners in the contest. I've written several articles about sijo in the past year, and during that time I see several signs that there is more interest in America in the sijo as a widely-known, widely-practiced poetic form. Why have I termed an interest in sijo as a "movement"? It's because I see us in Korean Studies in the U.S. as playing "catch-up ball," in regard to catching up to the popularity of haiku. Japanese haiku is well-known in America, and it is well-practiced meaning that all students in the last 30 years or so have been studying and writing haiku. That's the thing! Haiku is not just an abstract or object of study, but students actually compose haiku. By contrast, because of the cultural cold war going on between Korea and Japan, most Koreans do not know what a haiku is. And yet every American student that has completed the third or fourth grade knows what a haiku is and has actually written a haiku or two. I am dismayed that in the Korean educational system, sijo are portrayed as an ancient and dead form. The classics are taught but new sijo are not assigned, not written. Sijo is a dead form in Korea, but it's a living form in America! It's a strange question, but I often ask college students and sometimes some college graduates if they wrote a haiku when they were in school. They almost always say yes (some can't remember anything that far back), and then I've asked them if they can repeat the haiku they wrote back then. Most cannot. But once in a while one will say well, it was about my dog, or about summer, and then it's interesting to see some people pull their haiku from their memory and recite it. The Korean saying to express jealousy is: "my cousin bought some land, and I got a stomach ache." Well, I have a stomach ache about the Japanese culture's success in getting haiku planted so firmly in American culture. As a Korean studies specialist, I hope to see sijo, as a representative of Korean culture similarly planted in American culture. It's starting to happen. Last week I shared with this readership some of the prize-winning sijo from the Sejong Cultural Society's contest. I found myself focusing on the winners of the "Adult Division", now in its second year. The adult division, as you would expect, shows mature and moving sijo, as I indicated last week. But the student's sijo are in some ways as remarkably mature and moving. I mentioned that most of those who enter and win the contest in recent years and been non-Korean-Americans, but one of the best poems this time was a Korean-American who writes of her experience as a young Korean-American. Her name is Esther Kim from Maryland. Her poem: "In Middle School" I thought that beauty meant discarding my Korean self. I wished to leave my yellow skin, but my umma comforted me; she said, "Yellow is the color of forsythias, bright and beautiful." A similar poem dealing with ethnicity of a Black American's experience was submitted by Briaja Brooks from Cleveland, Ohio. My skin is light, my eyes are hazel and my hair is blonde I'm one of a kind, But it is not what it seems I am just as colored as my mother's blueberry black skin. A student from Albany, New York, Riley Taylor, in her bio that accompanies the winning sijo on the Sejong Cultural Society's webpage explains that her older sister, who was born prematurely, but whose goal in life is to be a nurse in the neo-natal ward is the inspiration for her poem. Inhale, exhale, healthy newborns; a mother watches through the glass. Angelic little humans: so precious, so fortunate. She then walks to her fading newborn, why is this life so unfair? Young students write in mature terms beyond their years. Another poem of life and mortality was written by Trace Morrisson from Hartland, Wisconsin, who is planning to enlist in the Air Force and hopes to be a pilot. Given his own plans, his poem about a serviceman coming home carries a powerful impact. "Coming home" Air felt lighter, food tasted better, music more upbeat, sun brighter. Not seeing my brother in two years, I remained eager. But he came home in a plane, in a pine box, covered in a flag. It is my hope that you have enjoyed these poems, and that you can join the movement and help spread the good word about sijo. Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah. After the violent faceoff, the dead bodies of Chinese soldiers were honourably handed over to China by the Indian Army. Several Chinese dead bodies were scattered on the ground near Galwan river or Patrolling Point (PP) 14 after the clash with the Indian troops on the night of June 15-16, sources told Aajtak and India Today. Around 100 Indian soldiers had fought against Chinese troops numbering over 350. While twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives, the number of casualties on the Chinese side is yet to be disclosed by PLA.The Galwan Valley incident started after 16 Bihar Regiment soldiers were ordered to ensure that the Chinese troops had abandoned an observation post. A small patrol team was sent to the location. The team found that the Chinese troops had not vacated the observation post with 10-12 soldiers still posted there despite the two countries reaching an agreement on the same. Another patrol team of 50 soldiers led by Colonel Santosh Babu was then sent to confront these Chinese troops. While this was happening, the Chinese troops had already called for backup from the rear position in the Galwan Valley. Reinforcement of around 350 soldiers had arrived at the post. By the time India's second petrol team could reach the post, the area was already surrounded by Chinese troops. The discussion between the patrol team and the Chinese troops turned violent. The 350 Chinese troops then joined the conflict outnumbering the Indian soldiers. Their first attack was on the 16 Bihar Regiment CO and Havildar Palani. After the CO went down, the Regiment attacked the Chinese ferociously despite being heavily outnumbered and stones raining from the higher reaches. The fight went on for over three hours, till late in the night, in which several Chinese troops were either dead or seriously injured. Next morning, several bodies of Chinese soldiers were found lying in the open near the post. The bodies were shortly handed over to China. A total of around 100 troops took part in the operations from the Indian side, while the Chinese had over 350 people on the location. However, the 16 Bihar Regiment had managed to uproot the Chinese post at Patrolling Point 14. Also read: Coronavirus cure: Gilead signs pacts with 4 more firms for manufacturing of remdesivir Also Read: RIL share hits all-time high after firm becomes net debt-free ahead of target Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 13:41:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported two new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the national count to 206, the country's National Center for Communicable Disease (NCCD) said Sunday. "A total of 314 tests for COVID-19 were conducted across the country yesterday and two of them were positive," the NCCD's head Dulmaa Nyamkhuu told a daily press conference. One of the new patients is a 66-year-old Russian driver who has recently entered Mongolia via Altanbulag border point, while the other is an 80-year-old Mongolian national who returned home from Europe on a chartered flight on Saturday, said Nyamkhuu. All the 206 confirmed cases in Mongolia are imported ones, mostly from Russia. Among the confirmed cases, 139 people have recovered. No local transmissions or deaths have been reported in the country so far. Enditem Books of the week review Here are three suggested titles for summer reading pleasure. The first is Original Politics: Making America Sacred Again. In it Albuquerque author Glenn Aparicio Parry revisits a subject historians have studied Native Americas early contributions to Americas political concepts. For one, Parry says, give the Iroquois the credit they deserve because they gave American colonists the ideas for a participatory democracy and for unifying as a confederation. And Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine were inspired by Native Americas egalitarianism in proclaiming the colonies independence from kings, Parry states. Parrys wide-ranging book moves forward in time, exploring the relevance of Native wisdom and political philosophy to the present-day. The author urges Americans to replace the narrow centuries-old Western practice of linear thinking the effect on just the human world with circular thinking, by applying the still-valid Native concept of embracing humans and nature. we need to move with the knowledge that everything we do is interconnected, Parry argues. He believes that even in a worst case scenario, if the country had a fascist government, it doesnt mean America cant fulfill its ultimate sacred destiny to become a model of unity in diversity. He hopes the country can see itself for what it is now and for the beautiful ideals that we began with, ideals influenced or directly appropriated from Native America Parry said. Original Politics is the second volume of a planned trilogy; the first was Original Thinking: A Radical Revisioning of Time, Humanity and Nature. The third is to be about love. Parry will be in conversation with radio host and producer Harlan McKosato in a virtual event on Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Those interested in attending should RSVP to rsvp@bkwrks.com. In response, Bookworks will send an email confirming the link in order to register for the free event. n n The second recommended title is Victory from the Shadows: Growing Up in a New Mexico School for the Blind and Beyond. The authors, who live in Albuquerque, are Gary Ted Montague, a person with low vision and the books subject, and his wife, Elaine Carson Montague. The sensitively written memoir follows Garys years learning to adjust as a resident of the Alamogordo-based school and into the challenges of adulthood. He later retired from Sandia National Labs. Perseverance is a major lesson his life conveys. Elaine Montague said she and her husband believe their book will help erase some of the misconceptions that exist about the capabilities of those persons with vision loss (and help) to improve their opportunities for education and employment. They also would like the book to be used in teacher-training programs. Victory from the Shadows won first prize in the Adult Non-Fiction (Biography) category awarded by the National Federation of Press Women in its 2020 Professional Communications Contest. n n The third book is Wrenched from the Land: Activists Inspired by Edward Abbey. The volume contains the thoughts of 16 activists expressed in interviews by ML Lincoln, an author and the producer/director of the film documentaries Wrenched and Drowning River. Among the activists interviewed are Santa Fean Jack Loeffler, an aural historian of indigenous and Native cultures; Terry Tempest Williams, a Utah native whose voice combines ecological consciousness and ethical social change; Shonto Begay, a Navajo artist who is an activist for environmental rights; and Charles Chuck Bowden, who was the first American to write about the anarchy from the Mexican drug wars and border violence. Abbey, who died in 1989, is remembered for his books The Monkey Wrench Gang, Desert Solitaire and The Brave Cowboy, which was adapted to the screen and retitled Lonely Are the Brave. Lincoln and Diane Sward Rapaport edited the book. Colours can play a significant role in changing our mood. Some small changes in your home or office can give you positive energy; for example painting a wall a different colour can make you feel the change you need. Using a natural materials effect in paints is trendy and popular this year, according to Amr Hendy, paint designer and expert. Hendy explains that painting trends include effects such as stone, concrete, wood, leather, marble, iron, crystal, copper and brick. A concrete effect, for example, is a good choice and can be suitable for modern and ultra modern designs. Neutral colours, such as the colour of concrete, give the feeling of nature and warmth," Hendy says. Wall paint colours should be matched with furniture, curtains, antiques and carpets. A wood effect can also be added next to the concrete, along with other details such as stainless steel, glass and mirrors, to add richness and luxury to any room space, he added. "Whether outdoors or indoors, you can make use of the positive influence of natural materials, and design paints according to the place. We can also find metal effects in paints among 2020s trends." "Wall paint design can include a set of metallic effects such as copper, rust or gold. The main idea is how to be creative and mix effects with other colours and materials. Choosing paints with natural effects has advantages, such as being easy to be designed and implemented in a very short time. Cheerful colours can create magical surroundings. The stone and brick effect can also be used for both interior and exterior designs; it can be made in a way that you can almost feel the texture, touch and the appearance of raw stone or bricks," he added. As for choosing materials, Hendy emphasised that you must look for high quality, to withstand the elements, such as sun or storms. "Marble effect is more suitable for pillars, and living rooms. For example you can paint the wall behind the television with a marble colour effect in order to transform the area into a luxurious vista." "Grey colour is predominant this year in the design of the walls and pillars, especially dark shades. To create a distinctive corner and renovate your home or office, you can use the effect of different materials in paints inside a wooden frame or panels, and hang it in the wall. Currently, it is considered one of the high-end wall decor ideas. In order to achieve the 3D effect, which still exists this year as a continuing trend, it can be made manually in a professional way to reach a final result with a feeling of depth," Hendy added. Classic design, he continued, will never be out of fashion. In the world of design, it is acceptable to mix different styles, so you can use silver and gold shades to obtain a classic style and to create a rich scene, while you can also add modern details. "In general, classic designs and styles always include neutral colours such as beige and grey, but recently classic style has been introduced in a different way globally. You can use bold colours such as blue, burgundy, dark green and brown." "These colours are not widespread until now in Egypt, as some people are sometimes cautious with new trends. But soon it will be accepted and widely used. A classic style is full of details, and though many of us might not opt for dark colours, it may refresh a home and turn it into a masterpiece, Hendy concluded. Search Keywords: Short link: Cameron Lamb's family says his story will be told now that KCPD detective is charged KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One day after the indictment of a KCPD detective , the family of Cameron Lamb spoke with FOX4. Laurie and Aqil Bey said they were told of the decision Tuesday while out of town. Exceptional report on the family that pushed for further investigation following the tragic death of their son . . . Read more: By Pepe Escobar June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - - Nixon 68 is back with a vengeance, with President Trump placing himself as the guarantor/enforcer of Law & Order. That slogan guaranteed Nixons election, and was coined by Kevin Phillips, then an expert in ethnic voting patterns. Philips makes for a very interesting case. In 1999, he became the author of a seminal book: The Cousins Wars: Religion, Politics, and the Triumph of Anglo-America, where he tracks how a small Tudor kingdom ended up establishing global hegemony. The division of the English-speaking community into two great powers one aristocratic, chosen and imperial; and one democratic, chosen and manifest destiny-driven, as Philips correctly establishes was accomplished by, what else, a war triptych: the English Civil War, the American revolution and the U.S. Civil War. Now, we may be at the threshold of a fourth war with unpredictable and unforeseen consequences. As it stands, what we have is a do-or-die clash of models: MAGA against an exclusivist Fed/Wall Street/Silicon Valley-controlled system. MAGA which is a rehash of the American dream simply cannot happen when society is viciously polarized; vast sectors of the middle class are being completely erased; and mass immigration is coming from the Global South. In contrast, the Fed as a Wall Street hedge fund meets Silicon Valley model, a supremely elitist 0.001% concoction, has ample margins to thrive. The model is based on even more rigid corporate monopoly; the preeminence of capital markets, where a Wall Street boom is guaranteed by government debt-buybacks of its own debt; and life itself regulated by algorithms and Big Data. This is the Brave New World dreamed by the techno-financial Masters of the Universe. Trumps MAGA woes have been compounded by a shoddy geopolitical move in tandem with Law and Order: his re-election campaign will be under the sign of China, China, China. When in trouble, blame a foreign enemy. That comes from serially failed opportunist Steve Bannon and his Chinese billionaire sidekick Guo Wengui, or Miles Guo. Here they are in Statue of Liberty mode announcing their no holds barred infowar campaign to demonize the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to Kingdom Come and free the Chinese people. Bannons preferred talking point is that if his infowar fails, there will be kinetic war. That is nonsense. Beijings priorities are elsewhere. Only a few neo-conned Dr. Strangeloves would envisage kinetic war- as in a pre-emptive nuclear strike against Chinese territory. Alastair Crooke has masterfully shown how the geoeconomic game, as Trump sees it, is above all to preserve the power of the U.S. dollar: His particular concern would be to see a Europe that was umbilically linked to the financial and technological heavyweight that is China. This, in itself, effectively would presage a different world financial governance. But then theres The Leopard syndrome: If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change. Enter Covid-19 as a particle accelerator, used by the Masters of the Universe to tweak things a bit so they not only stay as they are but the Master grip on the world tightens. The problem is Covid-19 behaves as a set of uncontrollable free electrons. That means nobody, even the Masters of the Universe, is able to really weigh the full consequences of a runaway, compounded financial/social crisis. Deconstructing Nixon-Trump Russiagate, now totally debunked, has unfolded in effect as a running coup: a color non-revolution metastasizing into Ukrainegate and the impeachment fiasco. In this poorly scripted and evidence-free morality play with shades of Watergate, Trump was cast by the Democrats as Nixon. Big mistake. Watergate had nothing to do with a Hollywood-celebrated couple of daring reporters. Watergate represented the industrial-military-security-media complex going after Nixon. Deep Throat and other sources came from inside the Deep State. And it was not by accident that they were steering the Washington Post which, among other roles, plays the part of CIA mouthpiece to perfection. Trump is a completely different matter. The Deep State keeps him under control. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter One just needs to look at the record: more funds for the Pentagon, $1 trillion in brand new nuclear weapons, perennial sanctions on Russia, non-stop threats to Russias western borders, (failed) efforts to derail Nord Stream 2. And this is only a partial list. So, from a Deep State point of view, the geopolitical front containment of Russia-China is assured. Domestically, its much more complicated. As much as Black Lives Matter does not threaten the system even remotely like the Black Panthers in the 60s, Trump believes his own Law & Order, like Nixon, will once again prevail. The key will be to attract the white women suburban vote. Republican pollsters are extremely optimistic and even talking about a landslide. Yet the behavior of an extra crucial vector must be understood: what corporate America wants. When we look at whos supporting Black Lives Matter and Antifa we find, among others, Adidas, Amazon, Airbnb, American Express, Bank of America, BMW, Burger King, Citigroup, Coca Cola, DHL, Disney, eBay, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, IBM, Mastercard, McDonalds, Microsoft, Netflix, Nike, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Starbucks, Twitter, Verizon, WalMart, Warner Brothers and YouTube. This whos who would suggest a completely isolated Trump. But then we have to look at what really matters; the class war dynamics in what is in fact a caste system, as Laurence Brahm argues. Black Lives Matter, the organization and its ramifications, is essentially being instrumentalized by selected corporate interests to accelerate their own priority: to crush the U.S. working classes into a state of perpetual anomie, as a new automated economy rises. That may always happen under Trump. But it will be faster without Trump. Whats fascinating is how this current strategy of tension scenario is being developed as a classic CIA/NED playbook color revolution. An undisputed, genuine grievance over police brutality and systemic racism has been completely manipulated, showered with lavish funds, infiltrated, and even weaponized against the regime. Just to control Trump is not enough for the Deep State due to the maximum instability and unreliability of his Demented Narcissus persona. Thus, in yet another priceless historical irony, Assad must go metastasized into Trump must go. The cadaver in the basement One must never lose track of the fundamental objectives of those who firmly control that assembly of bought and paid for patsies in Capitol Hill: to always privilege Divide and Rule on class, race, identity politics. After all, the majority of the population is considered expendable. It helps that the instrumentalized are playing their part to perfection, totally legitimized by mainstream media. No one will hear lavishly funded Black Lives Matter addressing the real heart of the matter: the reset of the predatory Restored Neoliberalism project, barely purged of its veneer of Hybrid Neofascism. The blueprint is the Great Reset to be launched by the World Economic Forum in January 2021. It will be fascinating to watch how Trump deals with this Summer of Love remake of Maidan transposed to the Seattle commune. The hint from Team Trump circles is that he will do nothing: a coalition of white supremacists and motorcycle gangs might take care of the problem on the Fourth of July. None of this sweetens the fact that Trump is at the heart of a crossfire hurricane: his disastrous response to Covid-19; the upcoming, devastating effects of the New Great Depression; and his intimations pointing to what could turn into martial law. Still, the legendary Hollywood maxim no one knows anything rules. Even running with a semi-cadaver in a basement, the Democrats may win in November just by doing nothing. Yet Teflon Trump should never be underestimated. The Deep State may even realize hes more useful than they think. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday came down heavily against state Congress president Mullappally Ramachandran for calling health minister KK Shailaja Covid Rani and Nipah Rajkumari. The CM said the remarks were anti-women. He also questioned Congress partys silence over the remarks. His remarks were anti-women. They were intended to target her personally. Sad, he is stooped to such a low. What is surprising is the continued silence of the party leadership, the CM said. Though his remarks triggered a controversy and invited criticism from many sections, the PCC chief has, however, refused to apologise on the issue, saying his a section of the media had twisted his words. Ramachandran said Rani and Rajkumari were not derogatory terms and there was no need to apologise over them. He had made these remarks on Friday while Inaugurating the one-day fast of opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala before state secretariat demanding withdrawal of a government circular insisting on Covid-free certificates for expatriates returning to the state. He said he used these epithets with good intention to expose the states failure on Covid-19 and there was no need to apologise. I stick to what I said. Queen and Rajkumari are not derogatory terms either. I always hold women in high esteem. Recently a UK paper (The Guardian) had called the minister a rock star, he said on Saturday. But chief minister Vijayan said the Congress leaders justification exposes the decay that has gripped the party. The minister was targeted to sabotage the ongoing fight against the pandemic. We have no idea why some good words about the state is making Congress leaders so nervous, the CM said, adding the government will not allow the party to attack her personally. Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases crossed 3,000 in Kerala on Satruday with the state recording 127 infections - its highest single-day spike so far. . Out of 3039 cases, 1,566 have recovered and 1,450 are active cases. Out of 127 fresh cases on Saturday, 87 are expatriates and 36 came from other states, the CM said. New World Centre (Photo: Google Streetview) SINGAPORE Six more places have been added to the list of public venues visited by confirmed community cases during their infectious period. In a media release on Saturday (13 June), the Ministry of Health listed The Poiz Centre along Upper Serangoon Road, Sheng Siong Supermarket in New World Centre along Jalan Berseh, Sheng Siong Supermarket at 301 Geylang Road, 18 Marsiling Lane a HDB block and Boon Lay Shopping Centre. It also included Geylang Serai Market, visited in this instance from 7.30am to 8am on 4 June, which was also visited on different dates and times previously. Public places visited by cases in the community during infectious period, published 13 June (Table: Ministry of Health) The MOH said that as a precautionary measure, persons who had been at these locations during the specified timings should monitor their health closely for 14 days from their date of visit. They should see a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection (such as cough, sore throat and runny nose), as well as fever and loss of taste or smell, and inform the doctor of their exposure history. It added that there is no need to avoid places where confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been. The National Environment Agency will engage the management of affected premises to provide guidance on cleaning and disinfection. First published on 25 May, the list which excludes residences, workplaces, healthcare facilities and public transport will be updated on a rolling 14-day basis or one incubation period. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Other Singapore stories: COVID-19: Singapore confirms 347 new cases; total surpasses 40,000 On The Mic: Data security amid a pandemic Who can we trust? F1 Singapore Grand Prix is off, as COVID-19 restrictions make it 'impossible' Singapore People's Party to field 5 candidates at upcoming general election: report US President Donald Trump rebooted his campaign trail starting off with an indoor rally amid the coronavirus pandemic with an embarrassing turnout. During his comeback rally on Saturday he declared that the silent majority is stronger than ever before, but what was meant to be a show of political force was instead met with thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases among his campaign staff. During his comeback rally Trump declared that the silent majority is stronger than ever before. Source: AP Ignoring health warnings, Trump went through with his first rally in 110 days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans, put 40 million out of work and upended Trumps re-election bid. Prior to the rally, Trump tweeted that almost one million people had requested tickets, however images show the crowd was dismal, especially compared to what Trump envisioned. Almost One Million people request tickets for the Saturday Night Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020 Campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space outdoors and about a third of the seats at his indoor rally were empty. Looks very lonely there & embarrassing, one person remarked on Twitter. Trumps excuse for mediocre turnout Trump addressed the mediocre turnout, blaming the media for declaring dont go, dont come, dont do anything and by insisting there were protesters outside who were doing bad things. The small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful, and Tulsa police reported just one arrest on Saturday afternoon (local time). Health officials also objected to the rally, citing the danger of infection spreading among the crowd and sparking outbreaks when people return to their homes. The Trump campaign itself acknowledges the risk in a waiver attendees must agree to, absolving them of any responsibility should people get sick. Story continues President Donald Trump supporters listen as he speaks during a campaign rally in Tulsa. Source: AP Trump also leaned in hard on cultural issues on the podium, including the push to tear down statues and rename military bases named after Confederate generals in the wake of nationwide protests about racial injustice. The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalise our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments. Tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control, Trump said. They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place. Trump said about a million people had registered to turn up at the rally, however the turnout was described as 'embarrassing' online. Source: AP Trumps rally was originally slated for June 19, or Juneteenth, a day which recognises the emancipation of the last slaves in America now the day is commemorated and recognised in some parts of the country. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond, juneteenth.com says. ...of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents. I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2020 Trump said on Twitter in the lead up to the rally it would be pushed back a day, after African-American supporters and friends asked him to change the date of the rally. Tulsa is also where a where a 1921 white-on-Black attack killed as many as 300 people. TikTok videos may have impacted turnout There are suggestions the poor turnout could also be thanks to TikTok users, after Mary Jo Laupp posted a video on the platform encouraging people to register to go to the event on Trumps website and not show up. In her video, Ms Laupp encouraged people to Google two phrases to help people understand why there was concern over Trump initially holding the rally on June 19 Juneteenth and Black Wall street. The Tulsa race riot of 1921, also known as Black Wall Street Massacre, is described by the Oklahoma Historical Society as what is believed to be the single worst incident of racial violence in American history. During the course of eighteen terrible hours on May 31 and June 1, 1921, more than 1000 homes and businesses were destroyed, while credible estimates of deaths range from 50 to 300, the Oklahoma Historical Society says on their website. By the time the violence ended, the city had been placed under martial law, thousands of Tulsans were being held under armed guard, and the state's second-largest African American community had been burned to the ground. So Ms Laupp, prior to Trump changing the date of his rally, described the rally as a slap in the face to the Black community. Her video calling for people to register for the rally and not show up garnered more than two million views. Mary Jo Laupp devised a clever plan on social media to ensure the rally was not at capacity. Source: TikTok/Maryjolaupp Ms Laupp explained in another TikTok she took offence to the president holding the rally on Juneteenth in Tulsa Following the news of the rallys turnout, Ms Laupp posted another video to her TikTok, saying she thought there would be an overflow and Trump would have managed to get everyone in their seats. Ms Laupp had put her phone down to celebrate her granddaughters birthday and was oblivious to the news of the turnout until a friend alerted her through social media. What did you guys do? Like seriously, are you kidding me right now? she said smiling. To those of you who are in your 20s and teens, to those of you who arent even old enough to vote yet remember this moment. Remember this feeling because its not always going to feel like this, there are going to be moments youre frustrated, but remember this, remember you in doing one thing and sharing information had an impact. I know sometimes it feels like politics is way better than you, but speak up and keep speaking up, you can do it. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 00:57:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- The 66-article draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has six chapters. -- The draft requires the HKSAR to establish a commission of safeguarding national security which shall be supervised by and accountable to the Central People's Government. -- It also provides that the Central People's Government shall establish an office of safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature reviewed a draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China. The draft law was submitted for deliberation at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) from Thursday to Saturday. Entrusted by the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, an official with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee explained the draft law to the session Thursday. With 66 articles, the draft law has six chapters, namely the general principles; the HKSAR's duties and institutions of safeguarding national security; crimes and penalties; jurisdiction over national security cases, application of laws and procedures; institutions of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR for safeguarding national security; and supplementary provisions. Establishing and improving at the national level the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security is a major measure to uphold and improve the system of "one country, two systems," said Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, at the closing meeting of the session. It is also a fundamental solution to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and ensure the steady and sustained development of the cause of "one country, two systems," Li said. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the 19th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2020.(Xinhua/Shen Hong) RESPONSIBILITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, HKSAR The Central People's Government shoulders the fundamental responsibility for national security affairs related to the HKSAR, while the HKSAR bears the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security and shall fulfill its obligations, according to the draft. The executive organs, legislature and judiciary of the HKSAR shall, in accordance with relevant laws, effectively prevent, stop and punish acts and activities that endanger national security, says the draft. Safeguarding China's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, it says. Any institution, organization, or individual in the HKSAR shall abide by this law and other HKSAR laws on safeguarding national security, and shall not engage in any activity that jeopardizes national security, the draft reads. Any HKSAR resident standing for election or taking up any position of public office shall sign documents to confirm or swear to uphold the HKSAR Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the HKSAR, it says. The HKSAR is required to step up efforts to safeguard national security and prevent terrorist activities. In safeguarding national security, the HKSAR shall uphold the principle of the rule of law, according to which the HKSAR shall respect and protect human rights, and anyone shall be presumed innocent until convicted by the judicial organs, according to the draft law. Photo taken on June 11, 2020 shows the city view of Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang) HKSAR TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION The draft requires the HKSAR to establish a commission of safeguarding national security which shall be supervised by and accountable to the Central People's Government. The HKSAR commission of safeguarding national security shall be chaired by the Chief Executive and establish the post of the national security adviser, who shall be appointed by the Central People's Government, it says. The draft makes stipulations on what constitutes four categories of crimes that threaten national security and their corresponding penalties, including secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. Except in specific circumstances, the HKSAR shall exercise jurisdiction over criminal cases stipulated in this law, the draft says. People from all walks of life attend a campaign in support of the national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong, south China, May 24, 2020.(Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO SET UP NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICE IN HKSAR The draft law provides that the Central People's Government shall establish an office of safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The office is obligated to analyze and appraise national security situation in the HKSAR, and provide comments and suggestions for major strategies and policies in this regard. The office is required to supervise, guide, coordinate with and support the HKSAR in performing its duties on safeguarding national security. It shall also collect and analyze intelligence information concerning national security, and deal with criminal cases concerning national security in accordance with the law. The office and related organs of the central authorities may exercise jurisdiction over a tiny number of criminal cases that jeopardize national security under specific circumstances, which is an important manifestation of the central government's overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR, the official explained while briefing lawmakers. The provisions of this law shall prevail when local laws of the HKSAR are inconsistent with this law, the draft says, adding the power of interpretation of this law shall be vested in the NPC Standing Committee. 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Till a vaccine for COVID-19 is discovered, precautionary measures are the only way to keep away the disease, she said while addressing the students and faculty of the Sainath University during a webinar. Our scientists are working hard for a vaccine. Not venturing out of home unnecessarily, avoiding crowded places and maintaining social distance are good precautionary measures, a Raj Bhavan release said quoting Murmus webinar address. The governor said that it is normal to get irritated, tensed and anxious following exposure to coronavirus-related news all day. Every individual is afraid of coronavirus as it is increasing every day. Negative feelings are found in people due to this fear. We can come out of all these problems by changing our lifestyle by including yoga and exercises in daily life, she said. Murmu also stressed on enhancing ones immunity by following the recommendations of the AYUSH ministry. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and closure of educational institutions, Murmu said that she believed online classes helped the students. Within 24 hours, the health offices have reported in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 601 new infections with the Coronavirus. On the previous day, the number had located with 770 cases, noticeably higher than on previous days. The increase in case numbers is mainly due to major outbreaks in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse and Berlin, it was said by the RKI. Due to an outbreak in a meat processing operation of the East Westphalian Gutersloh district exceeds the Federal government and the lander agreed threshold of 50 Corona infections within a week per 100,000 inhabitants currently clear. The SPD politician Karl Lauterbach called for a Lockdown. Until Saturday, the number of acquired new infections rose to well over 1000. For many employees of the battle company, Tonnies Tests were still pending. All of the approximately 6500 Tonnies-employees at the location in Rheda-Wiedenbruck had to with all household members in quarantine. "We have no significant entry of coronavirus cases in the General population," said the district administrator of the Kreis Gutersloh, Sven-Georg Adenauer. The reproduction number, in short the R-value, according to the RKI estimates with data 20.6., 0.00, 1.79 (before: 1,06). This means that an Infected person in the means of infecting more than one other people. The R-value in each case forms the infection from happening about a week and a half before. Since the middle of may, the RKI is also a so-called Seven-days-R. It refers to a longer period of time and is therefore subject to less current fluctuations. According to the RKI estimates of this value increased with data 20.6., 0.00, 1.55 (previous day: 1,17). He shows that the Infection occurred from 8 to 16 days. the estimated reproduction numbers (R-value and 7-day R-value) over 1, show that the number of new cases don't go back at the moment and was from the RKI. This would be related to the local clusters. "Because the case numbers in Germany to a low level, influence these outbreaks, the value of the reproduction number of relatively strong." A General increase was used to derive so far. keep Track of all the important developments from Germany and the world in the Liveblog of the F. A. Z. in Total have been infected since the beginning of the Corona-crisis 189.135 people in Germany demonstrated that Sars-CoV-2, as the RKI reported on Saturday morning (data 20.6., 0: 00). 8883 confirmed with the Virus infected people have died thus, in Germany. Three Covid-19-deaths in under 20 Year olds have been sent. The deceased were between 3 and 18 years of age and had pre-existing conditions. About 174.400 people have survived the infection, according to the RKI estimates. Among the transmitted Covid-19-cases, it was indicated to the RKI, according to well-13.600 cases, that the Concerned in medical facilities such as hospitals, medical practices, dialysis facilities, or emergency services were working. 73 percent of these Patients were female, 27 percent male. In the middle of the Affected were 41 years of age, 20 of them died. Updated Date: 20 June 2020, 19:19 The news of the terrible tragedy in the Galwan Valley on June 15, expectedly, evoked anger, sadness, and loathing in all of us. Within hours, however, the tragedy of the moment was sullied by a tragic-comedy of errors. In one instance, television anchors struggled to read an imagined list of Chinese casualties circulating on WhatsApp; in another, an apparently made-in-China television set was attacked with sticks all for the benefit of a phone camera, that was, most likely, made in China. Before you boycott your weekly made-in-India Chinese meal, take a few minutes to read between the lines. This incident has changed the India-China relationship forever. This is the most serious engagement that the Indian military has had on the boundary with China since 1967. All guidelines and rules of engagement that were put in place since 1993 that dictated behaviour at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) now stand questioned. In this environment, what role do we play as citizens and consumers of information, especially at a time when operational and political reasons have dictated that information is sparingly made public? Here are a set of four questions we should examine to try and make sense of the developments. One, do we know what China will do? We do not. That is what makes the situation so complex and serious. Till last week, we proudly talked about how LAC is a disputed border where no bullets have been fired since 1975. The confirmed loss of 20 Indian lives makes the claim moot now. However, what we can bank on is the fact that States act rationally, in their own interest, to achieve their own goals. And, with almost no exception, they aim to spend the least amount of resources to achieve them. So, the question we need to ask is what are Chinas goals? Is it to merely occupy the Galwan Valley? Or is it to put India in its place and establish its superiority? The answers to this and more lie in the patterns of behaviour. Two, how, then, do we look for patterns? Contrary to how they are represented in popular culture, Chinese leaders are not inscrutable. Their actions are quite predictable, as long as one knows how to look for patterns in them. As journalist Shekhar Gupta has argued, there were signs since last year that an intrusion was likely. Many of these patterns exist in the pages of history. For instance, before believing that WhatsApp forward that lists names, purportedly of dead Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers, it would help to know that releasing casualty details is a sensitive affair in PLA that often takes years. For instance, there is still no definitive number of the total number of casualties in the Nathu La-Chola La standoff in 1967. How likely is it that the names of those dead in Galwan would be available? More such patterns exist, waiting to be read. The PLAs statement on June 16 mentions causalities but neglects to claim that they were only Indian. This is as close as we are going to get for a confirmation, at least for now, that some of the dead were indeed Chinese. Similarly, read-outs of the conversation between the two foreign ministers use terms such as peace and tranquility, a nod to an earlier agreement for behaviour along LAC. This indicates that while the frameworks are under question, they are still allowing the two sides to converse. Three, where can we find factually accurate information? As Dhruva Jaishankar of the Observer Research Foundation has pointed out, information about developments at LAC are most trustworthy when they come from the government or military, in both countries, or through analysis of geospatial imagery. But when news comes from social media, it is prudent to verify it. Take the Chinese news outlet Global Times. The organisation and its reporters are very active on Twitter. However, Twitter cannot be legally accessed in the Chinese mainland, which suggests that their aim is to engage with readers abroad, in this case, India. This is most likely a part of State-sponsored psyops meant to misdirect, browbeat, or troll people while vigorously defending Chinese claims. As readers, instead of depending on publications such as the Global Times, we should look at news sources that are read within China. For instance, news about India in The Peoples Daily is a far better indicator of how the government wants the news to reach its citizens. Even after the Galwan skirmish, the news did not make it beyond the back pages indicating that China wants to keep this incident, as well as the issue at LAC, away from public scrutiny. And finally, what are Indias options? What can the government do? Are surgical strikes like in Pakistan a possibility? Or, will there be war? These are critical questions doing the rounds, and correctly so. However, as we deliberate on this, we must be aware of two points. First, China is not Pakistan, and to believe that Indias approach to China can be similar will be a folly. Second, and more important, there are very real costs for war, whether with Pakistan or China. There are other punitive measures, from external balancing by aligning with other countries, to re-looking at the economic relationship with China, to building up domestic capacity. The governments response will be predicated on the long game, and as we wait for these patterns to emerge, a good place to start would be to look for indications that the element of competition in the relationship is dominating the element of cooperation. Deep Pal is a non-resident fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research. He tweets @DeepPal_ The views expressed are personal His colleagues, his family and friends, and the whole country, want Detective Garda Colm Horkan to get the funeral he deserves. The fact that his people are undertakers, who have already buried two of their own, somehow makes it more important. It takes a lot for anything to break through right now, to take our minds off pandemic obsession. But Colm Horkan's death stopped us all in our tracks. So random, so senseless, so tragic. And it echoed too with many of our current preoccupations. We have never been more aware of those who serve us, those who protect us, who tend to us when we are sick, who feed us, who bring our post, who staff our shops in difficult times. Also, while some complained that this country became something of a police state in recent weeks, the situation as it unfolded only served to undermine how policing in this country is not based on a them-and-us mentality. A leak of gas and the explosion of an explosive device are among the theories of the incident. Chairman of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Mykola Chechotkin doesn't rule out an act of terror was a cause behind the explosion of a Kyiv-based apartment building. "The police are considering all theories. According to preliminary estimates, the explosion occurred on the 6th, 7th, 8th floors. The staircases between the 5th and 8th floors were destroyed in the explosion," he told reporters on June 21, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoOne body found in debris of Kyiv apartment block hit by explosion (Photos, video) The key theories considered by the police "include a gas explosion, an explosion of an unknown explosive device, there are many other versions," he said. As UNIAN reported, several apartments in a nine-storied apartment block at 1/5 Solomii Krushelnytskoi Street in Kyiv's Darnytsky district were damaged by an explosion at about 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. The explosion destroyed interfloor structures between the fourth and eighth floors. Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko reported two persons had been killed in the explosion. According to him, two theories are being examined the explosion of gas or an improvised device. According to police, one person was killed, three were unblocked, 21 people were evacuated. The search for three more victims continues. Danny Fitzpatrick has made a career out of his passion for politics. He has been a consultant to candidates and is in his second term as town supervisor in LaFayette, Onondaga County. He's now seeking the Republican nomination in the 126th Assembly District. But the political route wasn't his "plan A." As a student at Syracuse University, he joined the Army ROTC program and eyed a military career after graduation. In 2009, he was named cadet of the year. However, his military aspirations came to a halt. He was transferring paperwork when he had an epileptic seizure or a severe migraine with aura. After a visit to a neurologist, he received a medical discharge after nearly three years in the ROTC program. "That kind of left me in a tough situation where I had no backup plan," Fitzpatrick said in an interview. "There was no 'plan B.' I try to make that one of my mottos in life. I don't have plan B so there's no focus on what happens when I fail. It's correct course for a new plan A." It wasn't long, though, before he embraced the idea of a career in politics. He was chair of the College Republicans at Syracuse University, where he earned bachelor's degrees in history and political science. To get a better sense of whether politics was the right path, he contacted then-U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, a former Oneida County district attorney and family friend. Fitzpatrick went to Washington, D.C., for a summer and worked for Arcuri. "It got me kickstarted that maybe there's something to this political thing," Fitzpatrick said. His interest in politics was ingrained at a young age. He was born and raised in LaFayette. His mother, Diane, is a state Court of Claims judge. His father, William, is the longtime Onondaga County district attorney. "I remember distinctly my father being called away for all sorts of murder scenes and crimes as a kid," Danny Fitzpatrick said. "We had to have mugshots taped to the front door because people had threatened to murder my family over the course of the years. You get used to seeing which mugshots were up to be aware of that person. If that person is at the door, they're here to kill you. That was definitely a different aspect of growing up the son of a DA and a local politician-turned-judge." Fitzpatrick recalls his mother campaigning for LaFayette Town Board while she was pregnant with his brother, Sean. In 1996, Diane Fitzpatrick was a delegate for Bob Dole at the Republican National Convention in San Diego. "That really got me engaged because 7-year-old Danny was so positive Bob Dole was going to be president of the United States," he said. "Obviously, that did not happen." When U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato ran for reelection in 1998, Fitzpatrick conducted his first poll. He surveyed his classmates to learn whether their parents supported D'Amato or the Democratic challenger, Chuck Schumer. He considers the 9/11 attacks a pivotal moment in his development. He was a seventh-grader at the time and remembers that his first concern was for his mother, who had an office in the World Trade Center. (His mother was home in central New York at the time.) Fitzpatrick had a cousin who was a New York City firefighter. Jeff Olsen, was in one of the towers when it collapsed. "That really ingrained the desire to do something for my country," Fitzpatrick said. "My intention was always military. It was never politics. But when the military thing didn't pan out the way I anticipated, the shift to politics made a lot of sense." After graduating from Syracuse University, he began working on local campaigns. He left central New York to work for Thom Tillis' Senate campaign in North Carolina and at a political action committee for the National Rifle Association. In 2015, he moved back to LaFayette and worked for Ryan McMahon, who was then the chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature and is now in his first term as county executive. He's been a consultant for other campaigns and managed his father's reelection bid in 2019. While he is a Republican, he said he's developed great relationships with Democrats over the years. Former Syracuse Mayor Tom Young, a Democrat, is a family friend. Fitzpatrick said Young recently sent him a note and a donation to his Assembly campaign. Outside of politics, he enjoys golf and traveling. His family took vacations to different parts of the world, including Ireland and Saudi Arabia. After he got married in 2017, he and his wife, Trish, went to Malta on their honeymoon. Fitzpatrick is an animal lover, too. He and Trish have five rescue dogs. He's had several encounters with animals while campaigning for state Assembly. He found a stray dog, cat, snapping turtle and a deer that was later found to be dehydrated. Trish, an Otisco native, runs a company in Columbia, South Carolina. Fitzpatrick noted that there's an attraction to settling in South Carolina, but they wanted to stay at home. "There's always something lurking behind me. Here's an opportunity elsewhere," he said. "It's really been about planting my roots permanently here in central New York." The primary election is Tuesday. Fitzpatrick and John Lemondes are the candidates for the Republican nomination in the 126th Assembly District. The district includes parts of Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland and Onondaga counties. Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Alberta-based Enbridge says it has reopened a branch of pipeline beneath the water separating two Great Lakes after an inspection revealed no damage, but another parallel branch of the line remains closed due to shifting observed in its anchor assembly. The company has also responded to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers call for proof that the damage to the anchor assembly on one of the dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac will not pose a threat to the area. In a letter to Whitmer on Saturday, Enbridge president and CEO Al Monaco says the company shares the governors commitment to keeping the Great Lakes safe and is forwarding information about the incident on Line 5 with U.S. pipeline regulators and the state. Enbridge closed Line 5 on Thursday after discovering that an anchor support on the eastern branch, which runs parallel to the western branch under the strait that connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, had shifted from its original position. The pipeline carries oil and natural gas liquids used in propane from Superior, Wis., to Sarnia, Ont. Enbridge says in a statement that it has reopened the western branch after a remote operated vehicle inspection revealed no issues or damage to the anchor structures or pipeline on that section. As we have verified that the west leg is not affected, we resumed normal operations on that line today at approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Time, the companys statement on Saturday said. The east leg will remain shut down. Our federal regulator, (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), has no objections to this plan. Enbridge says that while doing seasonal maintenance, it discovered a screw anchor support on the eastern leg shifted from its original position, which it said affected that anchor support and not the pipeline itself. It said it reported the damage to the State of Michigan and the PHMSA on Thursday, the same day it says it discovered the damage to the anchor support assembly. Whitmer said Friday that the damage lies approximately 46 metres from a section of the pipeline where damage to the pipeline coating was discovered on or around May 26. She said the damage and how it occurred called into question the viability of the pipeline. Monaco said in his letter to Whitmer that Enbridge is continuing to assess the fitness for service of the dual pipelines using divers and remotely operated vehicles. We are committed to keep the State of Michigan and PHMSA informed of new information as it develops, he wrote. With files from The Associated Press Members of the Hispanic and Latino community are opening more small businesses this year in the U.S. according to the U.S. Business Bureau. This also means a growing number of successful Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs in the country. 2020 is a good year for Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs in the U.S. There is a surge of opening more small businesses owned by Latino and Hispanics according to a published article in The Guardian. In fact, the JP Morgan Chase & Co. posted on its website that the Latino-owned businesses may be the country's economy's best bet. They also found out that Latino and Hispanics are opening more small businesses in the country compared to other races and groups. They estimate that Latino entrepreneurs will make up 29 percent in the country by 2050. It is not a surprise anymore why many Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs thrive in the United States. Here are some of them: 1. Alberto Perez- Zumba Fitness He is also called through his nickname as "Beto." He started his career as an aerobics instructor in Colombia and later came up introducing Zumba. At the time, he also improvised new exercise techniques for a class he was taking in America. Today, there are more than 200,000 Zumba Fitness classes around the world and it is estimated that more than 15 million people are enrolled in Zumba classes in different locations. 2. Jorge Perez- The Related Group Jorge Perez was born in Argentina and arrived in the United States in 1968. He settled in Miami and set up affordable buildings and has made a name in the housing empire. Jorge Perz co-founded The related Group along with New York developer Stephen Ross. Today, his company focuses on high-end condominiums and his net worth has already reached billions of dollars. In fact, because of his achievement in business, he is now called "The Condo King of South Florida." 3. Carlos Castro- Todos Supermarket Carlos Castro's entrepreneurship journey was not easy. He first arrived in the U.S. illegally and was deported back to El Salvador. He tried to enter the United States legally for the second time and this is when his career as an entrepreneur began. He founded the Todos Supermarket in 1990. It became the first supermarket that directly catered to the Latino shoppers living in the Washington D.C. area. 4. Marcelo Claure- BrightStar and Sprint Marcelo Claure could perhaps one of the most well-known and successful entrepreneurs in the U.S. today. He began his journey when he founded the mobile device BrightStar. He then became the Chief Executive Officer of Sprint. Today, his company serves over 200 carriers in around 50 countries worldwide and has an annual revenue of $7 billion. 5. Tony Jimenez- MicroTech Tony Jimenez had served and spent 24 years in the military. He later worked closely with the Department of Defense on a variety of platform transformation challenges. This led him to establish MicroTech that specializes in IT issues for both government and private sectors. Today, he is contracted to on a hundred federal government projects. New projects await Shipyard Famagusta as the North Turkish Cypriot company finishes up its new workshop. Once complete, it will be capable of machining big capacity shaft, rudder, propeller equipment, used in future newbuildings. Engineer Cagla Izkan at Famagusta Shipyard said another project plan for the year ahead is increasing the companys new build work, in its continuous efforts to assist its clients at all times. Izkan pointed out the shipyards efforts to adopt some measures to facilitate the ships activities after the pandemics high effect to the shipping industry: Due to our efforts, port authorities have accepted to charge a fee and give same day permits to vessels to enter the yard after all crew gets tested by port health department and all results come back negative. We are constantly in contact with port authorities and are assisting our customers. Speaking of coping with industry changes such as new class legislatons of sulphur cap and ballast water systems, Izkan said: Our first step towards these kind of changes are education. We always try to employ people keen to improve themselves hence when faced with a new rules, they are interested to learn more about it either through articles, seminars or courses. We always have people following up on the sector and regulatory bodies, trying our best to stay up to date with regulations. For instance, we have recently manufactured and installed the first ballast water management system. It was a new system for our entire team but we have researched, asked questions to suppliers, spoke to designers and eventually delivered the project successfully to our client. Izkan said the company was addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, with the main current focus being the health and safety of its employees and clients while meeting their requirements and constantly being in contact with port authorities. As part of our plans to address this pandemic, we continue to work with a reduced number of workers, with a controlled number per area. We have also embraced other measures such as monitoring the temperature of each employee twice a day (in the morning and at the end of the day), including more fruits and vegetables to the menu at the shipyard kitchen, introducing sanitizing stations and being mindful about our employees mental health. As we do with all challenges we face, we will continue to improvise, adapt and overcome. Shipyard Famagusta Cyprus is perfectly positioned to provide services for vessels operating in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as being very close to the major east west trade routes. They aim to provide ship owners, operators and managers with a high quality service experience, through offering short lead times, with a dedicated technical teams working hard to ensure vessels suffers minimal downtime, but also meets the required standards needed to help keeping ships seaworthiness and have still 100 professional workers within the shipyard. -Tradearabia News Service The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will set up a six-member committee to decide on the tender specifications to upgrade government-owned telecommunications companies BSNL and MTNLs 4G services, officials familiar with the development said. The move comes shortly after Chinese troops killed 20 Indian soldiers close to the Line of Actual Control, and the central government thereafter instructed BSNL to not use Chinese equipment for the upgrade, which is likely to cost 7,000-8,000 crore. The new process will likely disqualify Chinese companies, an official said. The DoT official said the committee will be headed by a senior DoT official and will have a representatives from BSNL and MTNL, two independent experts and another representative from the industry. The deliberations will start on Monday and new tenders are likely to be issued later next week, said a DoT official. Formal orders for cancellation of procurement of equipment from China will also be issued on Monday. The official said they will encourage procurement of domestic equipment and technology. The Indian sector will aim to become atmanirbhar, the official mentioned above said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis urge to industries to become self-reliant. According to Mahesh Uppal, a consultant on telecom regulation: India may be the second largest producers of mobile phones, but 75% of the internal components come from China, that will make it difficult to make the sudden switch, Uppal said. The five key players in the electronics manufacturing, he said, are Ercisson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei and ZTE, with the last two being Chinese companies. Huawei was also due to participate in the 5G spectrum trials, which are still at the proposal stage, according to DoT officials. The presence of Chinese equipment, said Uppal, is fairly ubiquitous in the market. Another DoT official said that the specifications that will be mentioned in the tender process will be realistic. We will bear in mind the capabilities of the service providers in competition. They will also be futuristic, as it will be the entry point into 5G requirements, the official said. Separately, the DoT is also in consultation with private telecom service providers to encourage the use of equipment manufactured in India. These consultations will commence in the latter part of the week, the official said. Former DoT advisor (technology) R K Bhatnagar said that the Indian sector was equipped to handle the challenge. The Centre for Development of Telematics, the governments research and development think-tank for telecom, can be the key player on Core Network and their solution will be upgradable to 5G also in coming months. In the last decade they have done technology transfer covering multiple products and that too to multiple private and government (PSU) players. Bhatnagar added that under the Government funding and Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order of 2017, domestic manufacturers have are given an advantage. Domestic industries are given preference under the act, Bhatnagar said. In case the bids are higher, they are asked to match the lowest bid. A young drink-driver who swerved at a garda patrol car during a high speed chase in Offaly has been banned from the road for 15 years. Having heard that flashing lights were shone on gardai pursuing Alastair Smith and that his jeep was airborne on occasions during the event, Judge Keenan Johnson said it was like something from a hillbilly film. Mr Smith was aged 20 and already disqualified when gardai saw him driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara dangerously in Tullamore town centre at 2.45am on Sunday morning October 15, 2017. Garda Jean Tierney, driver of a patrol car, said the jeep came from William Street to Hayes Cross with a flashing light on and while going in the middle of the road and making illegal turns, it went out the Clonminch road. Garda Tierney said she was travelling in excess of 100kph in a 50kph zone while she was behind Mr Smith's vehicle. As the pursuit continued, Garda Tierney's car was joined by two other patrol cars as the jeep drove across 14 townlands to Clonaslee, Co Laois. A passenger in the back of the jeep was shining a hunting lamp at the gardai while the chase continued and rubbish and debris was also thrown at the pursuers. When Garda Tierney drove alongside the jeep it attempted to sideswipe her. Sparks were visible after the jeep became airborne and the chase concluded when the jeep collided with a tree after going into Clonaslee village. Mr Smith then jumped into the rear seat and was subsequently arrested. There were three others in the jeep, two males and a female, and one of the passengers was a juvenile. He pleaded guilty to the endangerment of Garda Tierney, several counts of dangerous driving at different locations, driving without insurance and a licence, and other motoring offences, including having no tax. Shane Geraghty, BL, prosecuting, said Mr Smith had 10 previous convictions and had a two-year driving ban imposed on him in July 2015 and a four-year ban imposed in November 2015, both for dangerous driving. The court was told by Gerard Groarke, BL, defending, that the jeep belonged to Mr Smith's father and the incident occurred when his parents were away for the weekend. Mr Groarke said the accused had been diagnosed with autism and ADHD at an early age and started smoking cannabis at the age of 15. He also began abusing alcohol but no longer used cannabis and alcohol was also no longer a problem. Psychiatric reports, along with probation reports, were handed in to Judge Johnson to aid his sentencing. There were also references from Coolraine FC and an employer, Turkish Barber. The court further heard Mr Smith worked at his father's garage. In his own evidence, Mr Smith said he had made bad decisions when he was under pressure at the time his father was in hospital receiving chemotherapy and he said he was truly sorry for what he had done. Along with the hairdressing and mechanical work with his father, he looked after horses and rescued donkeys which would otherwise be slaughtered. Mr Smith's mother told the court the accused was a different man since the incident, was working and was trying really hard. Judge Johnson imposed the 15-year disqualification, saying the type of driving was as bad as he'd ever heard and the accused was very lucky it had not been much worse. When he asked if Mr Smith had funds available, the court was told he was receiving a 200 per week disability payment but hoped to return to work as a barber an earn more. Judge Johnson adjourned further consideration of sentencing to July 16 next. - Impressive photos of her female police officer were shared online and excited many people - The stunning images were shared to celebrate her birthday - The photos have gathered some reactions with many people gushing over her Stunning images of a female Ghanaian police officer have evoked pleasant commentaries after her photos were shared on social media to celebrate her birthday. In spite of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has greatly impacted social activities, many have found reason to celebrate the special moment with loved ones. READ ALSO: Abuller Ahmed joins K24 days after ditching Switch TV READ ALSO: Money moves: Diamond's baby mama Hamisa Mobetto flaunts brand new Toyota Prado TX In honour of the beautiful police officer's momentous occasion, admirable images of the beautiful police offer were shared online. The policewoman, who was identified as Efya Little, wore broad smiles as she posed for the camera in her police uniform with matching nose mask. In one of the photos, she donned a white and blue attire with its matching face mask and accessorised her looks with a gold watch and a red handbag. TUKO.co.ke saw the photos after a popular online platform shared the photos along with the caption: Super happy birthday to my gorgeous police woman Efyalittle. You are simply adorable and since its your birthday, We cant just let it go without telling you that the country is very proud of you and your work. Youve made the job attractive. Happy birthday Efyalittle.'' READ ALSO: Heartbroken Akothee discloses she hasnt seen sons in 6 months, prays COVID-19 will end READ ALSO: Nakuru: Kijogoo atemwa na mke kwa kuchovya asali ya kijakazi wao The stunning images gathered some comments from many who found the images of the pretty police officer impressive. Nhyiraba Adwoah Serwah wrote: ''Happy birthday Officer. May God bless you wirh many more years.'' ''Happy birthday beautiful woman. Gorgeous police officer,'' Daniel Ofei said. Danny Nartey simply wrote: ''Happy birthday.'' Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. I married a man every woman wanted - Pastor Joan Chege | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke In the recent social and cultural turmoil, there has been a lot of tear gas and pepper spray employed for crowd control. Since this tries to pass as a medical column (not a humor column that brings tears to your eyes), well try to summarize what each substance is and what medical effects and harm they may induce. I hope this doesnt destroy your day, but there is no gas in tear gas. Most of the chemicals called tear gas are solids or liquids mixed with a propellant that creates a solution of the chemical with air, called an aerosol, which creates the smoky appearance after the canister explodes. The most commonly used one is 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (labeled CS from the last names of the 2 scientists who synthesized it in 1928.) The U.S. Army adopted it for controlling riots in 1959. All the tear gas chemicals, which includes CS, are called lachrymator agents because they induce uncontrollable tearing (Latin for tear is lacrima.) Other tear makers or lachrymators include CR developed in Britain in the 1950s, CN or phenacyl chloride/chloroactophenone and one of the components of the brand Mace and more toxic than CS, bromoactone, xylyl bromide, and pepper sprays oleoresin capsicum (OC) and the synthetic version PAVA. Today tear gas is synonymous with CS. Tear gasses all work by irritating mucous membranes in eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and skin. They work in seconds with eyes tearing up and becoming painful, causing temporary blindness, coughing, sneezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and for some, digestive symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. From the California Poison Control System, severe injuries occur in 6.8% of folks. Some are oddly resistant to the effects. Worst injuries are to eyes 54%, respiratory system 18% and skin 18%. Long-term detriment has never been assessed. The actual physical effect of the canister striking you in the face may be worse. Recently, one person had her glasses broken by the container, blinding her in one eye. There are sporadic reports of deaths from exposure, especially in people with lung disease such as asthma. Actual studies on these results are almost non-existent. The history of them begins before World War I. The Hague Convention of 1899 prohibited the use of poison or poisoned weapons in warfare. Nobody in World War I felt irritant gases violated the rule, and tear gasses were the most common form of chemical weapon. The U.S. Chemical Warfare Service developed tear gas grenades in 1919. Use of tear gas and other chemical weapons in warfare was prohibited by the Geneva Protocol of 1925, a treaty signed by most countries. Ironically, police and civilian self-defense use is not similarly banned. Pepper spray works in a totally differently mode. Capsicum (KAP-sih-cum) is the genus of peppers that include hot or chili or red peppers. Anyone who has eaten or cooked with them knows how they can burn your mouth or skin. The main ingredient that does that is capsaicin. Pepper spray was engineered into a weapons-grade chemical agent by Kamran Loghman when he worked for the FBI in the 1980s. He also wrote the guide for police departments on how it should be used. After he saw it used on docile protesters in 2011 at the University of California, he came to regret his work and said, I have never seen such an inappropriate and improper use of chemical agents. The capsaicin is extracted from oleoresin or oil of the pepper/capsicum (OC), emulsified in propylene glycol and suspended in water, then pressurized to make the pepper spray. Contact causes sensory nerves to create an incredible burning sensation. In eyes it causes tearing and involuntary closure, and perhaps temporary blindness. These let up after an hour or so. The effects can be dangerous to people with chronic lung conditions. It has been implicated in some deaths after exposure. OC is what is commonly found in bear sprays hikers and campers use. Here, too, long detrimental reactions have never been studied. So, as you watch TV reports of protesters being tear gassed (I verbed) in Minneapolis or in Washington, D.C., to clear the square in front of a church for a photo-op with a Bible, this might help you understand protesters screams. Protesting is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment, except if you are a teenager wanting to go out for the night and are told no. . . Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, commissioning new Ministers for the Church, on Sunday, cautioned that those who use ungodly spiritual powers to promote their work would be ostracised. The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana said Christian Ministers today were under scrutiny to test their genuineness, as some believed that the bad nuts utilized the powers of lesser gods and other ungodly beings to perform miracles or promote their churches. The Ministry is now under strict scrutiny for people who these ungodly places to look for powers. The Methodist Church will not hesitate to pull your collar or drive you out if you are found seeking help somewhere to promote your ministry because that is not of the Church, he warned. Most Rev. Boafo gave the caution, when on behalf of the Church, he commissioned 22 new Ministers in Accra, as part of the total 68 being ordained nationwide. To help observe the social distancing protocols, the ordination was performed in six centres. They are: Thomas Clegg Chapel - Kaneshie and Resurrection Chapel - Adentan, Greater Accra Region; Wesley Chapel - Cape Coast, Central Region; Bethel Chapel Takoradi, Western Region; and in Kumasi, Ashanti Region at the Ebenezer Chapel at Bantama and Calvary Chapel, Amakom. The Christian Council Chairman advised the Ministers to study the Holy Bible diligently in order to be good stewards to lead the children of God towards a positive future. They were also to work in humility, while obeying and submitting to the duties of the Church and seeking the approval of God in their interventions. The Presiding Bishop said the event proved that the Methodist Church was alive amid all the unfortunate incidences, such as COVID-19. Since the church is alive, its purpose has not changed. You need to ask yourself why you have been called. Remember that you did not call yourselves but God did; and your work does not end with this commissioning. You have a current and future role to play as a shepherd, he told the Ministers. Most Rev. Dr Boafo entreated the Church to warmly welcome the Ministers and readily support them in their duties towards building the Church. The Ministers commissioned in Accra are Emmanuel Adzibri Hammond, Albert Akaniliskum Akanferi, Gloria Amarquaye, Raphael Kweku Ampem, Emmanuel Andzie, Barry Kwadwo Boafo, Benjamin Franklin Essel, Alfred Fraiku, Herbert Mensah Hodasi, Thomas Kyeremeh, Ebenezer Noble Nartey and Ekow Nunoo-Mensah. Others were Obed Kingston Acquah, Isaac Amankwah, Thomas Amoah-Dankwa, Baafi Amoako Amofah, Kwame Darko Asumadu-Yeboa, Paul Appiah, Gloria Asamoah-Awusabo, Esther Maseyo Azu, Kwame Obeng Gyimah, and Roland Percy Essuman Quansah. They were all given a Holy Bible to preach the good news to humanity. They individually pledged to dedicate themselves to the gospel, be diligent in prayer, never to be ashamed in rightly handling the word of truth (Holy Bible), and to forever honour Jesus Christ as the Head of the body, the Church and a preeminent in everything. In an interview with Rev Gloria Amarquaye, she gave the assurance that they would heed to the advice of the Presiding Bishop by working in humility and engaging the congregation in the decision making processes. Another new Minister, Rev Boafo, said he was going to adhere to the doctrine of the Church in all his dealings, making the Holy Spirit his guide. Rev Essel also said he would not seek spiritual interventions from any other gods to promote his ministry. I know that the Almighty God I serve has greater might to do all I ask of him and so I need no other spiritual intervention from what is not of the Lord, he said Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Life after COVID-19 lockdown: New Zealand churches returning to normal, give advice to US Christians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Earlier this month, New Zealand announced that it was lifting restrictions on public gatherings aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, having gone several days without any new cases. The island nation instituted a series of shutdown measures back in March, including a travel ban on foreigners to the country and restrictions on mass gatherings. A return to normal activities and public events in New Zealand has also included its churches, which overwhelmingly followed the lockdown rules. The Christian Post interviewed a few churches to get their perspective on the lockdown, how they adapted to the situation, and what advice they have for Christians in the United States. Adapting to the shutdowns To respond to the coronavirus, New Zealand enacted a 4-level national alert system, with each level varying in the extent to which in-person contact was restricted. Level 4, or "lockdown," was enacted on March 25 and involved shutting down the country due to high risk, with the situation being the virus was not contained. Level 1, "prepare," involved the virus being contained within the country, albeit still not contained abroad. The nation went into level 1 on June 8. Ian Faulkner, minister at Auckland Methodist Central Parish, told CP that all Methodist church services were suspended during government lockdown. One response in the Auckland Methodist Central Parish was to create a webpage based virtual church service that I contributed to. Eleven services were conducted in this way from Palm Sunday until 7 June, Faulkner said. I appreciated that a telephone-tree maintained by lay members was operating to keep others in touch with what was happening and to check on their wellbeing. For them, indoor worship began last Sunday, with a service in English and one in Fijian, an Asian Pacific language spoken by a growing number of people in New Zealand. The Rev. Helen Jacobi of St. Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland, an Anglican congregation, said they had no choice but to close as every activity was closed in our level 4 lockdown. We prerecorded videos for Sunday mornings which were on our website, YouTube and Facebook, noted Jacobi. We then held a congregational zoom meeting each Sunday where we shared news and discussed the weekly readings in small groups. Jacobi reported getting good viewing numbers for the online worship videos, with more people tuning in than had previously attended services in person. She reported staying home for six weeks, followed by two Sundays where worship involved social distancing, no singing, no morning tea. When they returned to the normal worship setting, Jacobi told CP the congregation was particularly thrilled as they could finally catch up and spend time with each other. Pixie Rowe, wife of the Very Rev. David Rowe, dean of Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul, and herself a native of the United States, told CP that they switched to online services fairly quickly due to many of their congregation being senior citizens, a major at-risk population for the pandemic. We therefore recorded in advance, the first three Sundays services. We also recorded daily prayers, and those have continued to be available through our website, Rowe said. After the Easter season, we began doing Zoom services, and these were again well received. A large number of our older folk were already used to zoom as many people here have relatives elsewhere in the world. As with St. Matthew-in-the-City, Wellington Cathedral saw a higher viewership for their online services than previous in-person attendance figures, with Rowe estimating that they had about four times the viewers for the video prayers as they had for morning prayers. Services returned to the Cathedral when the nation went down to level 2, but still included safety measures such as not serving drinks, having only wafers for Communion and not wine, using hand sanitizer, and no touching during the passing of the peace. The whole building had been cleaned professionally as well, she recalled. This ended up only being one week, but the turnout was very good. An absence of defiance In the U.S., the majority of churches have adhered to limits on in-person worship services, with most switching to online services. Nevertheless, many congregations have resisted state government-imposed restrictions, with some considering lockdown measures to be a violation of their religious freedom rights. None of the ministry leaders in New Zealand that CP interviewed reported defying government lockdown orders, neither could they recollect any specific congregations that defied the orders. Jacobi of St. Matthew-in-the-City told CP that there was extremely good acceptance from all of us regarding the government lockdown rules. New Zealand has a very different system of government and cultural understanding of individual rights than the U.S., she said. We did not hesitate to comply for the good of the majority and the police were also very quick to stop people out and about under level 4 to check they were authorized to be out. Faulkner of Methodist Central recalled hearing about one church that held drive-in services in which some of the people left their cars despite being told to stay inside their vehicles. Gary Corbett, an administrator with Ponsonby Baptist Church of Auckland, told CP that neither his church nor any he knew of had attempted to defy the lockdown orders. As part of their efforts to help during the shutdown, Ponsoby Baptist set up a virtual community cupboard in which people could take and leave food items. A fund was set up which received donations for church funds and from church people. Anyone could apply for a small emergency grant for food or other expenses, Corbett added. So far there has been only two grants given out, which was less than we expected. There may be more applications in future as the economic fallout of the pandemic continues to bite. Rowe of Wellington Cathedral also told CP that she did not know of any churches that had defied the government orders, including smaller home gatherings. People here in Wellington were very careful and did not even travel much further than 5 miles from home. Some never used their cars for over six weeks, Rowe said. She noted that there was a great deal of communication through texting and messaging among Cathedral members, especially during the first few weeks of the shutdown. They also oversaw the dropping off of food with notes of encouragement among various neighborhoods in the country, with Rowe reporting that prayer requests and offers of help became the new normal. Advice for American churches While New Zealand has fully reopened, much of the U.S. maintains varying levels of in-person gathering restrictions, with several states gradually easing them in recent weeks. When asked to give advice to American churches still weathering the restrictions, Corbett of Ponsonby Baptist said to be responsible and follow strict physical distancing guidelines. We should surely be an example of looking out for others well-being and unselfishness, he suggested. Rowe recommended both staying indoors but also keeping up communication with others even as one keeps distance for health reasons. Ring your congregation, text them, shop for them. Keep your distance and think of others, pray for them, wave to them, Rowe added. You have more televised services already than anywhere in the world. Use them, email your fellow believers, encourage each other, and dont make it a political thing. Just love them like Jesus. When you get back together, you can rejoice. Faulkner offered positive encouragement, telling CP that American congregations to be assured that you will be able to meet again. The health and well-being of people is a paramount Gospel approach to the crisis that surrounds us. Best of all, we are with God, Faulkner said. For much of 2020, the American worker has been tested like never before. Panic and uncertainty tied to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led most governors to shut down essential businesses in their respective states for weeks or months at a time, pushing the unemployment rate from a 50-year low of 3.5% in February to one of its highest readings since the Great Depression, 13.3%, as of June 2020. With little clarity as to when economic activity will return to normal, lawmakers on Capitol Hill passed, and the president signed, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law on March 27. The CARES Act hasn't done nearly enough for most working Americans At $2.2 trillion, the CARES Act is the single biggest piece of relief legislation to ever come out of Washington, D.C. Aside from providing $100 billion to hospitals to help combat COVID-19, the CARES Act set aside $500 billion for distressed industries, close to $350 billion for small business loans, and $260 billion for the expansion of the unemployment benefits program. This expansion entails approved beneficiaries receiving an extra $600 a week, through July 31, 2020, or until they have a new job. But there's little question that the CARES Act will be best remembered for putting money directly into the pockets of at least 159 million Americans, including senior citizens receiving Social Security benefits. According to the Internal Revenue Service, at least $267 billion has been dispersed via direct deposit, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. At maximum, these Economic Impact Payments, as they're officially known, can total $1,200 per individual or $2,400 for a couple filing jointly. Additionally, an extra $500 can be added to what a household or parent receives for each qualifying dependent under the age of 17. Although throwing a lot of money at the coronavirus pandemic seemed like the prudent thing to do at the time, in hindsight these stimulus payments did very little for most Americans. An April 22 Money/Morning Consult survey found that almost three-quarters of respondents had spent, or planned to spend, their entire stimulus payout in four weeks or less. Considering that lockdowns in certain states lasted for months, and close to 21 million people remain on unemployment benefits through May (up from 1.7 million at the beginning of March), there's a clear need for additional stimulus. The question is, will America get it? The House passed the HEROES Act, but it's dead on arrival in the Senate During April and May, approximately one dozen second stimulus proposals emerged on Capitol Hill, or gained steam through social media after being proposed by highly influential people. The only one to actually reach any level of congressional vote was the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act for short. On May 15, the Democrat-led House passed the 1,815-page HEROES Act by an almost perfect party-line vote (217 to 189). At $3 trillion, the HEROES Act would supplant the CARES Act as the costliest piece of financial relief legislation to ever come out of Washington, if signed into law. Without getting too far into the weeds, the HEROES Act provides $1 trillion to aid states in paying frontline workers, establishes a $200 billion hazard pay fund for frontline workers, and expands the $600 a week given to unemployed beneficiaries through January 2021. It also provides a direct payment to working Americans and seniors, with individuals and couples qualifying for a maximum of $1,200 and $2,400, respectively, once again. The difference being that dependents (limit three) are worth as much as $1,200 each this time around, with no age-limit restrictions. However, there's a lot about the HEROES Act that the Republican-led Senate simply won't agree to, including handing over $1 trillion to states and extending the unemployment benefits kicker of $600 for an additional six months. In fact, I'd argue that the biggest hurdle Democrats and Republicans will need to overcome on Capitol Hill is this extra $600 given to unemployed persons. Democrats view it as necessary given still-high unemployment rates, whereas the GOP views it as a disincentive to get back to work. These off-the-cuff solutions could take the place of a direct second stimulus check With the understanding that the HEROES Act is dead in the water, here are three off-the-cuff proposals currently being considered by the Senate and/or White House that might replace the traditional check in hand that most folks are probably looking for. 1. Payroll tax holiday The first idea being considered is a payroll tax holiday. Most working Americans pay 12.4% of their earned income, up to $137,700 in 2020, into the Social Security program (or 6.2% if employed by a company or someone else). Reducing or eliminating this payroll tax for a period of months or years would lead to larger take-home pay for working Americans. However, this idea, which has been touted repeatedly by President Trump, has two shortcomings. First, it does nothing for those folks who are out of work. Second, but more important, it substantially reduces the primary revenue source for the Social Security program. In 2019, the payroll tax was responsible for 89% of the $1.06 trillion collected. With little or no payroll tax revenue coming in, Trump's plan would sacrifice short-term economic gain for long-term pain for the Social Security program. 2. Back-to-work bonus A second unique proposal making the rounds is one that pays a back-to-work bonus. Since the GOP has a huge objection to extending the $600 a week unemployment benefits kicker, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) introduced the Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2020 on June 1, This bill would pay up to a $1,200 "hiring bonus" to unemployed workers who land a job. According to Brady's bill, newly hired workers would qualify for two additional weeks of the $600 kicker, equating to the $1,200 bonus. Keep in mind, though, that this $600 added payout would end July 31, 2020, so Brady's bill is very limited in regard to the period it would be in effect. As you might have gathered, the biggest concern with this proposal is that it does nothing to help essential workers who've been employed this entire time, but who may have suffered financial constraints due to COVID-19. 3. Explore America tax credit Maybe the wildest idea of all, which wouldn't put money directly into the hands of workers and seniors, is the "Explore America" tax credit. A May 18 roundtable that included President Trump produced the possibility of providing up to $4,000 in tax credits to Americans who take a vacation in the U.S. by the end of 2021. This credit would allow Americans to write off their transportation expenses, hotel costs, and even their dining expenses. The concern with this proposal is that it doesn't do anything for workers who need money now and don't have the finances to travel. Suffice it to say that nothing remains set in stone when it comes to a second stimulus proposal. About the only thing that's close to a certainty is that a second stimulus proposal remains very much on the table. Curtis Webster, Jr. needed community. It was 2014, and he wanted to find other parents like himself, men who were married to physicians: Websters wife, Allison, is an emergency room doctor. So Webster went on Facebook and created a group called Dads Married to Doctors. It turned out he was far from alone; the group has attracted thousands of fathers in 25 countries since its inception. That was before the coronavirus pandemic. These days, life has a host of new challenges. For fathers like Webster, who are married to front-line doctors, caring for their children during the pandemic has forced them to expand the role of fatherhood. Webster who works as both a stay-at-home father to his daughters, ages 5, 7 and 11, and as a remote business owner in information technology and support found comfort in knowing others are experiencing similar home-life balance challenges. All of them are trying to be supportive husbands and parents as they cope with uncertain times together. Curtis Webster, Jr. with his wife Allison and their daughters. (Curtis Webster, Jr.) I try to be more creative as a father during this time and figure out new ways to entertain the kids, new ways for my wife and I to date, new ways for us as a family to interact, Webster, 38, told NBC News from Cary, North Carolina. The mothers, he says, have this whole decontamination process. Like here at our home, my wife will come into the garage, shell change out of all her clothes. We have a first-floor shower, so shell hit the shower, and then at that point shes ready to come and re-interact with the family and re-engage, he said. One of the challenges in 2014 was finding fathers in similar roles to Webster's so he could better understand his responsibility as a father married to a doctor. In 2020, his challenges grew. Caring for his children now meant answering tough questions about the pandemic and explaining new safety rules put in place for interacting with family and friends. It wasnt easy, but it was necessary. Weve been able to talk about why its important that when we go out, we wear our mask. We would see our friends, we would go out for our evening walks and we would see our friends and their first thought process, as we would always do, is run up and give everybody hugs, and then wed have to be, Oh, hold on, hold on. Wait, no, no. Social distance, give them space, he said. Story continues At the start of the year, Webster and his wife were working on how to spend more time with their children and building a better work-life balance. The pandemic threw those goals off course, which made parenting both harder but newly meaningful. I was already in the process of learning about my girls and their different personality traits and how they handle situations and how they best learn, but I never had to see it firsthand," Webster recalled. "I would go to the schools when I could. I would go and visit them for lunches and volunteer, but seeing them firsthand and being that teacher and having to jump into that role was definitely something I had to rise to, he explained. Curtis Webster, Jr. with his daughters. (Curtis Webster, Jr.) For Webster and his wife, spending time with their children shifted dramatically, due to unforeseen challenges like home schooling and being together all day, every day, but theyre also coping together. I think during this pandemic, celebrating fatherhood might look a little different, Chris McGilvery told NBC News from Canyon, Texas, about Fathers Day 2020. McGilvery a 35-year-old father of two young boys, ages 1 and 5 works as an instructional designer for online courses. He also co-founded the educational nonprofit Give More HUGS, which works with students in underprivileged areas so they can have equitable access to leadership development and learning. McGilvery has been the primary caregiver at home during the pandemic. His plan was to transition back to full-time work this year after his wife, Taryn, completed her residency in family medicine. Then came COVID-19. As the pandemic hit, McGilvery continued to spend more time at home with his family but is transitioning back to work next week. Chris McGilvery and his wife Taryn with their sons. (Taryn McGilvery) It wasnt easy. Residency, McGilvery noted, is probably the most grueling time for physicians. The training hours. You barely get to see your spouse, and youre barely around each other. He had been looking forward to seeing her more and getting into a new, more normal, routine. That didnt happen. Yet McGilvery said the pandemic has shown him the importance of family life and supporting his wife and children. I think the pandemic really helped me see that its really important to be balanced and to be present, and to be there for your kids and your family, and I want to continue to strive to do that every day for my boys and my wife, he said. Chris McGilvery and his son. (Chris McGilvery) But there have been opportunities found here, as well. McGilvery, who has a Filipino mother, is reading a Spanish-language book with his children and has made a concerted effort to broaden their reading selections. They are Filipino, they are German, they are Irish, and I want them to understand who they are and who the world is. And so, we read diverse books to the kids, he explained. For Chris Murdock, 42, in Nashville, Tennessee, spending more time with his 7-year-old daughter, Ella Grace, means doing so while juggling his work for the executive search firm he co-founded, IQTalent Partners. Murdock has been managing his team from home while two-thirds of his employees are on furlough to keep his business afloat. Chris Murdock and his daughter cooking in the kitchen. (Courtesy Chris Murdock) His wife, Dr. Jennifer Andrews, works as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "She's always been about taking care of kids, taking care of patients, doing what's best for her co-workers, and so Ella has gotten to see this," Murdock said. But now that his wife is working remotely, from home, Murdock noted, referencing the telehealth that many physicians now practice, which was very rare before, Im still in charge of child care for the most part, he said. Chris Murdock with his wife Jennifer and their daughter. (Courtesy Chris Murdock) Murdock discussed the pressures put on him as a dad and a remote business owner in the pandemic. Ive been at a zero salary for over a month now. Were doing everything we can to make sure we still have a business in three, six, 12, 18 months, he said. Doing so means keeping his team safe, but also making sure his daughter is supported. He even tried to make his daughters birthday in May memorable by having a socially distanced celebratory drive-by with her friends and family after he cancelled her big birthday party. We took pictures of every car that went by. We took pictures of her sitting in her birthday throne, and it was the first time shed gotten to see these friends of hers in person. It was just such a magical moment and sad at the same time, because she couldnt play with them, he explained. As Fathers Day approaches this weekend, these fathers are practicing parenthood to its fullest expression: tough, not always balanced, but always trying their best. But the challenges arent limited to the pandemic, because 2020 hasnt only raised questions about the coronavirus. As Black Lives Matter demonstrations spread nationally in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, the conversations turned to identity and race in Websters home. Weve been able to talk about how we can best prepare them to live as young black girls in this world and be the best that they can be, but also navigate the norms and the perceptions of society. So, weve been able to have some amazing, deep and fine and interesting conversations and go through the whole gamut during these times, as weve had more time together, he said. All in all, Webster sees this as an opportunity to learn more about his daughters and not have to miss out on meaningful moments throughout the day. I think that we just need to take a moment and just be like, Hey, these moments have been hard during the pandemic, but, hey, Im here. My kids are here. My wife is supported. Here we go. Lets just continue this journey," Webster said. "So cheers to all the dads." Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, says he has no hand in the saga between his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, and the police. Agboola had been restricted from leaving his official quarters at the government house on Saturday night by police officers led by Bolaji Salami, commissioner of police. The deputy governor alongside some of his personal aides were trying to move their properties out of the government house when police stopped them. The governor was accused by some of the supporters of Ajayi of giving the orders that the police acted on. Advertisement There are reports that the deputy governor would decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the intention to contest against Akeredolu in the forthcoming election in the state. But, Segun Ajiboye, Akeredolus spokesman a statement on Sunday, said the governor had no hand in the saga. He said it is a normal practice in government for inventory of offices and residential quarters to be taken before an official leaves such premises. Ajiboye said it is worrisome that aides of the deputy governor insisted on leaving the premises with items wrapped in unclear ownership. He said the involvement of the commissioner of police was to restore law and order, describing the allegations against the governor as absolute falsehood. It should, however, be placed on records that it is a time-tested code in governments business for officials to take inventory of offices and quarters before and after an official is moving in or out of offices or quarters, the statement read. Read Also: Ondo Deputy Governor Set To Join PDP To Contest Against Akeredolu Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police intervention which was at the instance of an almost manipulated security apparatus at the Government House was most desirable to restore law and order. It becomes particularly worrisome and suspicious when aides of the Deputy Governor insisted on leaving the premises with items wrapped in unclear ownership as late as 11pm. Governor Akeredolu reiterates his commitment to the rights of all, including the Deputy Governor governor. But he has a duty to be firm and dispassionate in exercising the roles assigned to him. The incident is being investigated under Part 2 of Article 270 (violation of fire safety requirements) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The death toll from an explosion at a residential building in the Pozniaky area in Kyiv's Darnytsky district on Sunday morning has risen to three after one more body was found under the debris, officials say. "By 20:00 Kyiv time [on June 21], three dead bodies had been found on the scene," the press service of Ukraine's Emergency Situations Ministry said. Read alsoPolice raiding gas company that services Kyiv building which exploded on Sunday As UNIAN reported, several apartments in a nine-storied apartment block at 1/5 Solomii Krushelnytskoi Street in Kyiv's Darnytsky district were damaged by an explosion at about 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. The explosion destroyed interfloor structures between the fourth and eighth floors. Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko says two theories are being examined the explosion of gas or an improvised device. More than 100 people lived in the destroyed part of the building, he said. Tents have been set up for victims. In addition, some of them will be accommodated in a boarding school at 121/3 Kharkivske Shose Highway, and will be provided with food. The incident is being investigated under Part 2 of Article 270 (violation of fire safety requirements established by law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. "With the completion of the prisoners swap between the two sides and a halt in the violence, arrangements will be made for the venue and date of intra-Afghan talks," TOLO News quoted Najia Anwari, a spokeswoman for the Ministry, as saying on Saturday. Kabul, June 21 (IANS) The venue and time of the start of intra-Afghan talks will be finalized after the completion of the prisoners swap between the Kabul government and the Taliban, the State Ministry on Peace Affairs said. But, a former senior Taliban leader in Kabul, Jalaluddin Shinwari, has said that the intra-Afghan talks had been delayed due to the emergence of mistrust between the Afghan government and the Taliban. "There has been mistrust between the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and (the Talban) and this has resulted in the suspension of intra-Afghan talks during the current week," said Shinwari. While a reduction in violence by the Taliban is considered a precursor of a swift start of the intra-Afghan talks, there are widespread reports of deadly battles between the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) and the Taliban outfits in various regions across the nation. In a latest sign of escalating violence, two commanders in the Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on Friday night in Helmand province amid an unannounced truce between the two sides and while peace efforts by the Afghan government and its allies are underway, TOLO News reported. Reports say that nine Taliban fighters have also been killed during the firefights with ANDSF in Helmand and Logar provinces. In another incident, three Afghan security force members were killed as a result of a roadside mine in Kohsan district of Herat on Friday night. On Friday, Afghan forces displayed dozens of weapons and motorcycles they seized from the Taliban in Paktia province after the Taliban launched a coordinated attack on Afghan forces in Sari-roza district of the province. Under the US-Taliban peace agreement that was signed between the sides in Doha on February 29, the Taliban demanded the release of 5,000 of its detainees in the Afghan government jails as part of efforts for the intra-Afghan talks. --IANS ksk/ The Nigeria Immigration Service said it arrested two Indians and turned back seven Cameroonians for illegally entering the country without proper documentation. The two Indians both male were intercepted during the screening of 444 Indian nationals that were being evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, the Lagos Airport Comptroller of the NIS, Abdullahi Usman, said at a briefing on Saturday. During the screening, the culprits were discovered to have entered Nigeria through the land border and had visa-on-arrival application approval which they failed to present to Immigration at the border, Mr Usman said. The two unnamed offenders who are are 32 and 29 years old will be prosecuted according to the Nigeria Immigration laws as a deterrence to others, the official added. The men had found their way to Nigeria illegally through Cotonu, Benin Republic where they spent a month as indicated by the Beninese stamp, dated February 9 on their passports. They allegedly failed to present themselves for immigration checks at the border.. This was at a time countries were considering banning international flights to contain the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic. The seven other migrants Cameroonianswho attempted entering the country by boat along Ikot Obong Creek in Akpabuyo local government of Cross River State were denied entry and turned back to their country. Though Nigeria had shut its land borders to curb smuggling and illegal arms infiltration before the pandemic, the measure does not affect movement of people entering the country with proper documentation. On his part, the Comptroller-General, NIS, Muhammad Babandede, warned migrants to desist from breaking the Immigration laws of countries of transit or destination to avoid sanctions that may result into stopping them from coming to Nigeria or payment of fees chargeable depending on the gravity of the offence committed and what the law stipulates for any of such offence. Mr Babandede directed the commands at the border to intensify patrol and reconnaissance along the flanks, creeks, waterways, and inroads into the country in order to frustrate the attempts of the irregular migrants. NEWTOWN The countys first Juneteenth celebration was held at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Friday, with a focus on education and celebration. On this hollowed moment, let us be reminded of our scared memorial Juneteenth, our freedoms bedrock on which we stand as fellow citizens. With that, Rich Blye, chairman of Juneteenth Artistic Collaborative Experience, opened the event, which was planned with the assistance of another county grassroots organization, Taylor Made Vets. Bye said the goal of the celebration included remembering the day, memorializing ancestors, education and celebrating black history in America. Once we start realizing that the perspective of African Americans is American history, then we can celebrate the other holidays together, said Blye. Pastor Nate Goodson of the Prayer Chapel Church of God and Christ in Upper Darby opened the celebration with a prayer. We cant forget the protests that have been going on in the country as a result of the death of George Floyd. But isnt it a great thing we can all come together and just celebrate this wonderful day, in spite of all of the negativity that has been going around? said Goodson. Bless your name for giving us the victory and freedom over slavery. We in gratitude unite all of our hearts to reflect on where you have brought us. As we enter this Juneteenth holiday celebration, let us remember all of our ancestors who longed to see this day. Amen. With education a main theme of the day, members of the Third Regiment Infantry, United States Colored Troops Civil War re-enactors presented an excellent explanation of the history of the Civil War, much of it not covered in school textbooks. They touched on the displacement of native tribes, the harvesting of crops such as tobacco and cotton which relied on slave labor, and how the nations first presidents came from both southern and northern states. Pennsylvania was in it in the beginning, because we had slavery in Pennsylvania. Dont let those Quakers try to fool you. When William Penn came here, one of the first things he did was buy Africans so he could clear Philadelphia downtown. So yes, slavery was here in Pennsylvania too, said re-enactor Joseph Becton. Becton spoke about the 3/5th clause in the Constitution which counted only three of every five enslaved people to give slave-holding states stronger representation while still denying the slaves their freedom. As the nation grew, the north and south reached agreements such as the Missouri Compromise, which required one southern slave state to join the nation along with each union state. Power stayed with those who owned slaves, said Becton. Power, money, land and finally freedom for each one there was slavery. He then focused on freedom. Africans like me wanted to be free. Do you think we cared what flag it was? It could have been St. Andrews flag. We didnt care what flag it was. We wanted freedom, Becton said. The desire to be free is what caused nearly 11,000 black soldiers to join the first federal training facility for colored troops in the north. It was located on land in Cheltenham Township owned by the son-in-law of the abolitionist Lucretia Mott. That camp is what the Third Regiment re-enactors based their beginnings on 30 years ago. Re-enactor Larry Harris pointed out that the Emancipation Proclamation didnt free all slaves, only those in southern states that were in rebellion. He then read General Order Number Three. First read in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, it finally told the enslaved people of Texas they were free. That was the origin of Juneteenth. Speaker Muhammad Abduraheem called on those present to serve one another and to band together as a family. If we dont band together, there are going to be some problems, meaning for mankind, said Abduraheem. I grew up in a time where if my neighbor had food, I had food. Service is what I built my life on, not just yourself but to mankind. Griffin Miller sang an awesome rendition of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing. Former Upper Darby mayor Tom Micozzie was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his support of the Juneteenth celebration. During his tenure, he was instrumental for recognizing it in the township. A number of artists read their poetry, including Eboni Ferguson of Lansdowne who read two poems focusing on homeless veterans, centering on our homeless heroes and inspiring black women. Jo Ann Hodges lead those in attendance in a recitation of the Ebony and Ivory Challenge whose goal is to demonstrate the importance of equality and reduce the amount of racism in our society. Frank Ross came from Cleveland, Ohio, to teach the African-American Grand March to attendees. It was first performed at Juneteenth in 1865, Ross said. Dr. Faruq T. Iman spoke about black history. It started hundreds of millions ago in Africa. Before there was America, there was Africa. Before there was Europe, there was Africa, said Iman. We populated the world. We were the very first people to walk on the face of this earth. We taught the world how to read, how to write, how to navigate, how to farm, how to look at the stars, and yes, what it means to be human. The day ended with Army veteran Jimmy Batts playing Taps in memory of all fallen soldiers, slaves and people who have suffered violence. This wasnt the only celebration in the county for Juneteenth. Friday evening, Chester hosted a fireworks display over the city to honor the holiday. Accordingly, the values of culture, lifestyle and cuisine of the local communities have been utilised. The locals themselves have implemented these models and benefited from them. However, in order to develop community-based tourism, Hanoi Citys authorities should enhance methodical investment, especially in technical and tourism infrastructure. Helping local people improve skills in developing tourism Just a few days after Hanoi removed social distancing orders, the municipal Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Thuong Tin District Peoples Committee, held a training course on civilised behaviour in tourism activities. Ha Thai is a lacquer village near Hanoi specialising in producing souvenirs . With techniques of making handicrafts with traditional materials, the local artisans have created thousands of products such as bowls, plates, flower pots, trays, paintings and mosaics to meet the tastes and demands of both domestic and foreign customers. Previously, the main materials were wood covered with paint; however, there are now many other products made of bamboo, rattan and ceramics. Ha Thai Villages products are compact and affordable, so they are very popular. Deputy Secretary of the Duyen Thai Communal Party Committee Ngo Dinh Tien still pondered: Ha Thai is located near the centre of the capital and has favourable transportation conditions and traditional craft. However, the villagers have only focused on making products for export but havent payed attention to tourism development. In addition, they still lack communication and foreign language skills to interact with international visitors. Community-based tourism is a model focusing on utilising the cultural values, lifestyle and cuisine of a community. This trend has developed strongly in the world as tourists demand for experiencing cultural activities has increased. For this tourism form, people play a central role in guiding guests to experience the culture, lifestyles and cuisine as well as providing the tourists with other services. In Hanoi, the old quarter, the trade villages, ancient villages and relic sites that are located within the community are the areas with great potential for developing community-based tourism. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the consumption demand of tourists. They tend to search for destinations to discover by themselves instead of joining crowded tours. This is a good opportunity for the development of community tourism. Nguyen Minh Hanh, an official from the Hanoi Municipal Department of Tourism said: Hanoi always focuses on cultural and trade village tourism forms. The human resources directly involved in community tourism activities are local people who are important links to determine the quality and the development of the community-based tourism form. Over recent years, the department has coordinated with the localities to organise training courses on necessary skills for the locals in the potential destinations, trade villages and ancient villages in Co Loa Commune (Dong Anh District), Huong Son Commune (My Duc District), Cuu Village (Phu Xuyen District) and Lai Xa Village (Hoai Duc District). Thanks to support from the municipal Department of Tourism and the local authorities, many attracted community-based tourism models have been formed with synchronous products, especially Bat Trang Pottery Village, Duong Lam Ancient Village and Dao Thuc Water Puppetry Village. Visitors to these destinations can visit and experience cultural activities, enjoy the local specialties and buy souvenirs imbued with local identities. They even can stay at homestays. Most of the services are provided by the local people. For example, the catering services in Bat Trang Village were mostly spontaneous in the past; however, there are now many restaurants serving typical foods. Duong Lam Ancient Village has now over 100 households that have joined the supply chain of tourism services, which has brought about stable income for them. Nguyen Thu Thuy from Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, a visitor to Bat Trang Pottery Village, said: When I visited the ancient pottery kiln area that has been preserved for hundreds of years, the hosts welcomed me and introduced it both professionally and enthusiastically. They were also very happy although I only visited and did not taking part in paid services.. Methodical investment The community-based models have been formed mainly on the outskirts of the capital, bringing about practical effects. However, they are still facing limitations in their development. Bat Trang pottery has been popular both in the country and abroad for around 1,000 years with many beautiful and applicable designs. However, the village has only welcomed around 200,000 guests per year. In addition, Duong Lam Ancient Village is a museum rural life in the northern Vietnam. According to deputy head of the villages management board, Nguyen Trong An, it received around 150,000 guests in 2019. The figure was not adequate given its potential. The numbers of visitors to other destinations, such as Dao Thuc Water Puppetry Village, Cuu Village and Hong Van Ornamental Creature Village, are also not high. In fact, Hanoi has just only focused on instructing local people with the tourism skills, developed services and souvenirs, and invested infrastructure for several tourist attractions, trade and ancient villages with high potential for the development of community-based tourism. Therefore, other ancient and trade villages still face difficulties in both basic and tourism infrastructure. In addition, the planning and implementation of the plans for potential trade and ancient villages has been slow. For example, the development plans for Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village have been launched in 2016 but they have not yet been completed. Trinh Xuan Tung, an official from the Hanoi Municipal Department of Tourism, said: In order to exploit the tourism potential, the localities should pay more attention to environmental landscapes and installing signs for visitors. In addition, it is crucial to develop specific plans and form functional areas to welcome and serve visitors. In particular, the localities should coordinate with travel enterprises in attracting and serving tourists. In 2013, the Hanoi Municipal People's Council issued the Resolution No.25/2013/NQ-HDND on the policies to encourage the development of specialised and concentrated agricultural production areas and trade villages; as well as to invest in clean water supply in rural areas and the city. Accordingly, the regulations on the support for tourism infrastructure have been outlined. The organisations and individuals will receive the aid from State budget to purchase materials for construction of car parks, public toilets, and display areas for products. The support will not exceed VND1 million per trade village. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the municipal Peoples Committee to consider the increase of the support for the investment in tourism infrastructure in the trade villages in the near future. Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy got down on his knees and shined rapper Lecrae's shoes after claiming white Christians should shine stranger's shoes to "repent" for the "shame" and "embarrassment" of racism. From CNS News, "Chick-Fil-A CEO: White People Should Shine Blacks' Shoes to Show 'Sense of Shame,' 'Embarrassment' for Racism": Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy says white people should find black strangers, go up to them, and shine their shoes to show repentance for their sins of racism. He once bought 1,500 shoe brushes for his employees to shine strangers' shoes to exhibit their remorse for racism, Cathy said Sunday during a panel discussion at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. By shining shoes, white Americans can express shame, embarrassment, humility and contrition, Cathy said. If you want a good laugh, you can watch the embarrassing scene here: After shining Lecrae's shoes, the rapper said while laughing that Cathy should also give him "some stock in Chick-Fil-A." Though people think of Chick-Fil-A as a Christian conservative company, that all changed in 2017 when they donated money to the SPLC and decided to put the pursuit of profit before all else. The cult of "wokeness" has replaced Christianity in many people's minds. The worship of drug-addicted felons like George Floyd has replaced the worship of Jesus Christ. Place where George Floyd died is now where baptism takes place and Floyd is now a proclaimed Saint pic.twitter.com/2eX1oAWnpE Paleo-Economist (@PaleoEconomist) June 17, 2020 Pelosi presents folded flag to George Floyd's brother. I must be wrong. I thought they only did this for service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice? pic.twitter.com/7CivuC1VBW Greg (@Im_bonafide) June 14, 2020 This is their god now: So, constitutional conservatives have now thrown due process under the bus & deify a street criminal who robbed a pregnant woman - holding gun to her stomach - in home invasion. Not a good look @sentedcruz - Appeasing the mob & taking a knee will only hasten America's demise. pic.twitter.com/HzPtl4ElNu Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 8, 2020 Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds. Some 300 people took part in demonstrations on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica Sunday, the latest in a string of protests in France against rape and violence against women. Protestors in Bastia rallied near the city's courthouse with signs that read "no is no" and "let's educate our sons", and chanting "we are strong, we are proud" and "feminists and radicals are angry". The demonstration was organised as local women opened up about their experiences of abuse and rape, using the viral hashtag "#Iwas" on social media. "The words have just come flooding out," said a 22-year-old protester during the demonstration, pointing out that many women in Corsica did not dare to file a police complaint because they were often "afraid of the attacker or his family". Demonstrations against sexual abuse and femicide have been held across France over the past year, prompting the government to announce new measures in November to combat violence against women. One woman is killed in France every three days by their partner or ex-partner, while marital violence affects 220,000 Frenchwomen every year, according to government figures released last year. But in 2018, only about 18,500 perpetrators were found guilty of abusing a partner or ex-partner. During the lockdown against the coronavirus, French groups monitoring the problem reported a surge in domestic abuse. Search Keywords: Short link: Theres nothing confirmed though but rumours have been floating on the web since months. So we compiled them, giving an idea of what can be expected. Apple is soon expected to announce its biggest software update for all the platforms with new features and updates during its WWDC conference. While there will be an update for Apple TV, MacBook, iPad and Apple Watch, the most important will be the arrival of iOS 14. The new software version will be powering the iPhones. Theres nothing confirmed though but rumours have been floating on the web since months. So we compiled them, giving an idea of what can be expected. iOS 14 release date Apple iOS 14, which is scheduled to get introduced on June 22, will likely be released later this year in September. The iPhone 12 series is expected to arrive with iOS 14, which will then be rolled out to older iPhones after a few days. Once the OS version is introduced at WWDC, it will be given to developers for testing. It often happens that the OS version reveals something about the upcoming iPhones as well. iOS 14 or iPhone OS? Although many of us were thinking the next version to be naturally called as iOS 14 until last month, this month things changed a bit when tipster Jon Prosser hinted the OS version to be called iPhoneOS. We are hearing this for the first time but then it makes sense as well considering the naming scheme of other OS versions - watchOS, tvOS, macOS and iPadOS. Something similar happened last year when Apple introduced iPadOS for tablets, leaving iOS exclusive to iPhones only. iOS 14 features One of the features that are expected to arrive in iOS 14 include the ability to view apps in a list, something that is done in Apple Watch. This will let them also view apps that are installed separately and reach to their apps faster using filters. Some home screen widget options could be there as well. Apple was said to be working on a fitness app for the iPhone, Watch and TV. This can now be unveiled along with the new iOS version. The app is said to let users download fitness videos and mark them through workouts. Messages might also get an update with a Slack-like mention system and retractable texts. Like weve seen on WhatsApp and some other texting apps, Messages may show typing status too. An augmented reality app might make a debut too. As per the reports, this is codenamed as Gobi and will likely provide more information about locations around them. Some Apple-designed QR codes were also found inside the Gobi app. In the camera section, expect a Shot on iPhone water mark option displayed on the side. Safari, on the other hand, may get the ability to read out text on the webpage. A number of Longford gardai have been on duty in Castlerea Garda Station ahead of the funeral of the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan, in order to allow the station members to attend the funeral of their dearly departed friend and colleague today. The funeral Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Detective Garda Colm Harkin is due to take place at noon today, Sunday, in St James' Church, Charlestown, Co Mayo, in the diocese of Achonry. The chief celebrant of the Mass will be Monsignor Tommy Johnston, Parish Priest of Det Gda Horkan's hometown of Charlestown. Monsignor Johnston will also deliver the homily. Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Achonry, Paul Dempsey; Fr Dermot Meehan, Diocesan Administrator; Monsignor John Doherty; and Fr Joe Kennedy CP, Garda Chaplain, will celebrate the Mass. Read also: 'If you were creating a template for what you'd want a guard to be, Colm Horkan was that', says Granard Superintendent of his close friend The funeral will be broadcast live on MidWest Radio 96.1FM and will also be live-streamed on www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/charlestown and on www.seeitonline.ie. A minute's silence will be led by members of An Garda Siochana at four stations across county Longford, including Longford, Granard, Ballymahon and Lanesboro. Members of the public are welcome to join in the tribute to the late Detective, but are advised to respect social distancing measures and to bring their own pen should they wish to sign the book of condolence. Follow www.longfordleader.ie and our social media accounts for updates on the funeral proceedings and tributes paid to the late detective throughout the day. Read more: Longford Garda Stations to lead a minute's silence in memory of Detective Garda Colm Horkan Britain will outline its plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown this week, health minister Matt Hancock said on Sunday, potentially relaxing the two-metre rule on social distancing, allowing many businesses to reopen in early July. Were about to see another step in the plan, Hancock told BBC TV. This week we will announce further details of the measures we can take to relieve some of the national lockdown measures at the start of July, including on July 4. German authorities expressed shock Sunday over a rampage of an "unprecedented scale" overnight in the city centre of Stuttgart, where hundreds of party-goers ran riot, attacking police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows. Two dozen people, half of them German nationals, were arrested provisionally, as police reported 19 colleagues hurt. "They were unbelievable scenes that have left me speechless. In my 46 years of police service, I have never experienced this," said Stuttgart police chief Frank Lutz. Tensions built up shortly after midnight when officers carried out checks on a 17-year-old German man suspected of using drugs, said Stuttgart deputy police chief Thomas Berger. Crowds who were milling around at the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz, immediately rallied around the young man and began flinging stones and bottles at police. The groups of mostly men also used sticks or poles to smash windows of police vehicles parked in the area. "I sharply condemn this brutal outbreak of violence, these acts against people and things are criminal action that must be forcefully prosecuted and condemned," Baden-Wuerttemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann said in a statement. At the height of the clashes, some 400 to 500 people joined in the battle against police officers and rescue workers. As officers pushed back against the crowd, they broke up into small groups, carrying on their rampage around the city centre, smashing shop windows and looting stores along nearby Koenigstrasse, a major shopping street. - 'Party scene' - Videos posted on Twitter showed people breaking shop windows, leaving goods strewn on the streets. A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked, according to regional broadcaster SWR. In all, nine shops were looted while 14 others suffered damage such as broken windows. As smaller scale clashes had already broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people, officers had already bulked up their deployment overnight with an extra 100-strong team. But the scale of the violence overwhelmed the officers, forcing them to call in reinforcements from other parts of the state. Only four and a half hours later were they able to quell the violence that has been described as "civil war-like scenes" by Social Democrat regional MP Sascha Binder. Police on Sunday ruled out any political motives for the rampage, describing the perpetrators as people from the "party scene or events scene". An unusually large number of people were in the city centre to enjoy the summer's night because discos and clubs are still shut over he coronavirus pandemic, said Stuttgart mayor Fritz Kuhn. Some of the rioters were charged up by alcohol, he said, adding that others may have been driven by "the addiction of putting a little film on social media." Asked about the nationalities of the 12 non-Germans who were detailed, Berger said they stemmed from a range of countries from Croatia and Portugal to Afghanistan and Somalia. Calling the riots of "an unprecedented nature," interior minister for the region Thomas Strobl vowed to "use all available means available under the rule of law to go after the rioters." A sportswear shop vandalised early Sunday after hundreds of people ran riot in the south German city of Stuttgart In all, nine shops were looted while 14 others suffered damage such as broken windows Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Were going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on the visas, he told Fox News Channel. Asked if there would be exclusions from the new restrictions, Trump said very few. You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and theyre pretty tight, he said. And we may even go very tight for a period of time. Trump, who has been expected to announce new restrictions, declined to provide further details. Critics have said Trump looked set to use the pandemic to achieve his long-standing goal of limiting immigration into the United States. His tough stance on immigration is central to his pitch to voters as he runs for re-election. Major American companies, particularly in the tech sector, have urged Trump to refrain from blocking the flow of foreign workers into the United States, saying it would hurt the economy. The new action would be Trumps latest step to restrict immigration in response to the pandemic and economic fallout. In April, he ordered a temporary block on some foreigners from permanent residence in the United States. He also announced new health-focused rules in March that allow for the rapid deportation of immigrants caught at the border and virtually cut off access to the US asylum system. At the same time, he announced the land borders with Canada and Mexico would be closed to non-essential crossings, a measure that has been extended several times. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday denounced a debate on racism and police brutality in the U.S. held by the United Nations Human Rights Council, pointing out that China's authoritarian state is a member of the body. Why it matters: A widespread push for police reform has swept multiple cities and states across the U.S. in response to massive Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality after George Floyd's killing. What they're saying: "The @UN_HRC debate on policing and race in the U.S. marks a new low for that body," Pompeo tweeted on Saturday. "Our vigorous, ongoing civic discourse is a sign of our democracys strength and maturity. We were right to leave this joke of a 'human rights' forum comprised of Venezuela & recently, Cuba & China." "Americans work through difficult societal problems openly, knowing their freedoms are protected by the Constitution and a strong rule of law," the secretary of state added. difficult societal problems openly, knowing their freedoms are protected by the Constitution and a strong rule of law," the secretary of state added. The tragic events of 25 May in Minneapolis in the US which led to the death of George Floyd led to protests throughout the world against injustice and police brutality that persons of African descent face on a daily basis in many regions of the world," Dieudonne W. Desire Sougouri, Burkina Faso's coordinator of the UN African Group, said while proposing the debate on Monday. of 25 May in Minneapolis in the US which led to the death of George Floyd led to protests throughout the world against injustice and police brutality that persons of African descent face on a daily basis in many regions of the world," Dieudonne W. Desire Sougouri, Burkina Faso's coordinator of the UN African Group, said while proposing the debate on Monday. This is why the African Group calls upon the Human Rights Council to organize an Urgent Debate on current violations of human rights that are based on racism, systemic racism, police brutality against persons of African descent and violence against peaceful demonstrations to call for an end to be put to these injustices," Faso said. The bottom line: Through video footage of some U.S. protests and Floyd's killing, a reality for black people has become increasingly apparent that law enforcement sometimes doesn't tell the whole truth when they injure civilians. Go deeper: Top State Department official resigns over Trump's response to racial injustice Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) The American Bar Association is under fire over its announcement that former President FW de Klerk will address its upcoming 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting Egypts president Saturday warned that an attempt by Turkey-backed forces in Libya to attack the strategic city of Sirte would cross a red line" and trigger a direct Egyptian military intervention into the conflict. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, in televised comments, said Egypt could intervene in neighboring Libya with the intention of protecting its western border with the oil-rich country, and to bring stability, including establishing conditions for a cease-fire, to Libya. El-Sissi warned that any attack on Sirte or the inland Jufra air base by forces loyal to the U.N.-supported but weak government in Tripoli would amount to crossing a red line. Lets stop at this (current) front line and start negotiations to reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis, he said. El-Sissi spoke while inspecting Egypts air force and commando units stationed in the Sidi Barrani air base in the countrys western region along the porous desert border with Libya. He said Egypt is ready to provide arms and training for Libyan tribes to defend their country. He told tribal representatives attending his speech that if Egypt were to intervene, its forces would advance with tribal leaders at the vanguard. El-Sissi's strong comments come after Libyan fighters allied with the Tripoli-based government earlier this month advanced toward Sirte, a move that ignored an Egyptian initiative, backed by the east-Libya camp, to stop fighting and embark on peace talks. In addition to the apparent financial crunch that many in the oil industry are feeling today, oil traders, national oil companies, shippers, oil giants, pipeline companies, or small oil companies in the shale patch are weathering a variety of oil market storms, including a shifting geopolitical power landscape, fierce and costly market share battles, and impossible future planning. Much ado has been made about the dire situation that some of the powerhouses in the market now face, such as Saudi Aramco (who, in the midst of the war for market share in April exported an additional 3 million barrels per day in April in a rather nice balance sheet addition) and the recent job cuts, and the pickle of having to keep up their dividends while cash strapped. But here is a look at some of the other oil market players that are finding themselves on equally dangerous footing. Oman with its Handout Analysts may be overstating Omans role as a mediator in a volatile region, but make no mistake--Oman is in trouble, financially speaking. Omans struggles are not surprising, giving the countrys extreme sensitivity to oil price shocks. In fact, Oman is one of the most vulnerable when it comes to oil prices. In fact, Omans fiscal breakeven for oil is $82 Brent, according to Fitch Ratings--this is the minimum oil price that Oman needs to balance its budget. There is no balancing going on with Brent at just half that. These oil revenues were supposed to account for nearly two-thirds of Omans overall 2020 budget, according to PwC, which was based on Brent $58. At nearly one million barrels of oil produced daily, it exports almost all of it. Related: Saudi Arabias Oil Exports To The U.S. Set To Drop To 35-Year Low To help it stay afloat in these troubling times, Oman is putting feelers out concerning some financial assistance from other Gulf countries. It is likely to get it if its situation becomes critical enough--from either Qatar or the UAE, or even Saudi Arabia. Angola As Africas second-largest oil producer, Angola relies on oil revenues, which contributes 90% of the countrys total export revenue. The value of its oil exports fell by nearly half in May, from April levels, netting Angola about $380 million in cash from its crude oil sales for the month, as both oil prices and Angolas production levels fell from 1.402 million barrels per day in March, to 1.313 million bpd in April, and then to 1.280 million bpd in May, according to OPECs MOMR. Nigeria, a Complete and Utter Disaster Africas largest oil producer is facing a crisis of independent oil producers dubbed a complete and utter disaster, by Nigerias third-largest independent oil company, Shoreline Group. In Nigeria, independent oil producers make up about a fifth of Nigerias oil production or 400,000 barrels per day. Nigerias debt-laden independent producers have fared particularly bad because most of those companies purchased their assets about six years ago when oil was trading around $100 per barrel. For state-run NNPC, things are not much better, as demonstrated by it telling all its partners and suppliers to bring down their costs by a whopping 30% and 40% as the pain now spreads from oil to the support industry. NNPCs goal was to trim another $10 per barrel of its production costs by the end of 2021. That figure seems woefully insufficient given Nigerias $144 per barrel breakeven cost for crude oil--the highest in the world thanks to the countrys refining costs and high level of government corruption. Venezuela What with all the corruption, it is hard to say just how much the oil price crash has contributed to Venezuelas woes, but there is no doubt it has played a significant role. The country sitting atop the worlds largest oil reserves has been reduced to a single oil rig, leaving billions of barrels untouched, while the country has plunged into chaos and financial ruin. In addition to stifling U.S. sanctions on its oil exports, Venezuelas oil production has slumped to just 570,000 barrels per day. Bahrain Bahrains addition to the list of countries in peril due to the oil price crash is debatable. Surely its Saudi-puppet status would earn it a bailout from the Saudis if they were truly in trouble, but Bahrains crude oil breakeven price is $96 per barrel--the second highest in the world only after Nigeria. Saudi Arabia may also feel more duty-bound in assisting Bahrain since it helped to create the oil-price crash. Oil accounts for 85% of Bahrains budget. Related: Pirates Threaten Oil Operations In Gulf Of Mexico Despite its precarious finances due to its high breakeven cost, Bahrain seems to be pushing ahead with even more exploration. BP, in the Blink of an Eye Earlier this month, BP shocked the market when it announced it was slashing 10,000 jobs--or 15% of its total workforce--thanks to the current climate. While some other smaller oil companies had announced multiple job cuts spread across multiple tranches over the last couple of months, BP held off during the height of the pandemic--but even BP had to pay the piper eventually. But the bad news for the global oil giant doesnt stop there. In addition to the job losses, it announced this week it would writedown its oil and gas assets by $17.5 billion, leaving analysts to wonder whether the oil giant could keep up its dividends. Iraq Similar to Venezuela, Iraq was in trouble well before the most recent oil price crash. Political unrest, no 2020 budget, the coronavirus, and a massive $20 billion deficit is just a jumping-off point. Iraq is unable to pay billions in public salaries for June and July, and it must contend with OPEC breathing down its neck to cut production to fall in line with its production quota. Meanwhile, its oil production has slipped from 4.57 million bpd in March to 4.165 bpd in May, while trying to make ends meet with a $60 fiscal breakeven. Vitol For the worlds largest oil trader, the situation is bleak. Its first-quarter net profit fell 70% to just $180 million. Part of Vitols problem is that it held a large amount of inventory heading into 2020, hoping that global demand would improve--but we all know how that assumption turned out. Qatars LNG Aspirations at Stake Qatar may not be an oil powerhouse, but it certainly is a major LNG producer. And while oil prices have crashed, so have LNG prices, with the IEA saying that the LNG market would see the largest demand shock on record this year. And the rambunctious expansion of global LNG capacity heading into the year didnt help matters. Qatars LNG trade accounts for 62% of its total export revenue. Its 2020 budget assumed a $55/barrel oil price. Qatar was planning to have the worlds largest LNG project come online in 2024, but has since been delayed. However, Qatar is insisting that its LNG projects will not be affected by the price volatility. For Every Loser While some are losing big and struggling to stay afloat, others are reveling in the crash. Goldman banked a cool billion-with-a-b during the oil price crash as it correctly anticipated that oil prices would slip into negative territory. Another frontrunner was the worlds second-largest oil and metals trader Trafigura, which banked a net income of more than half a billion, mostly supported by its oil trading division as the volatility paid off. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In a climate of unpredictability, unstable milk pricing and milk processing problems, Iowas dairy farmers still have an advocate in the Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA). The organization continues to represent the state's dairy farmers through state and national legislative initiatives. The organization currently represents over 90 percent of the dairies in the state of Iowa. The the Iowa State Dairy Association was first chartered by the Iowa Legislature in 1876, and its initial concerns were to help dairy farmers breed more profitable cows, promote the use of silage, and improve butter. The organization also led the fight against Bovine Tuberculosis. ISDA also played a major role in helping to develop a dairy school at Iowa State University in Ames. In the 1980s, the organizations efforts had become stagnate, but in 2001, the ISDA board began to restructure so it could again impact the dairy industry. With renewed vision, the organization again became an active voice for the dairy industry, and in 2006 another staff member was added. Today, Larry Shover serves as ISDA president, while Mitch Schulte serves as executive director of the organization. ISDAs vision statement in part says: A prosperous Iowa dairy industry that attracts a new generation of farmers, and has a positive impact on local communities. According to the ISDA, the organization seeks to unify the voices of dairy farmers, and to advocate for the economic welfare of Iowas dairy farmers. Membership in the organization is open to dairy farmers who produce milk or dairy replacement heifers. Memberships are also open to any company or association interested in the dairy industry. The ISDA is dedicated to building a strong communication link between producers, processors, consumers, legislators, and environmental organizations, representing dairy farmers at all dairy supply chain levels, from the dairy farm to the consumers tables, said Jenna Finch, associate director for ISDA. The organization communicates dairy farmers concerns to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and is currently working with the National Milk Producers Federation to stay informed on the USDAs dairy assistance program. That information is then relayed to the organizations members. Some of the legislation and concerns that ISDA is currently addressing are agricultural production and exemptions, governors tax proposals (Invest in Iowa Act), governors Rural Iowa Bill, livestock abuse definitions, foreign animal diseases, child care proposals, and promoting a veterinary diagnostic lab. ISDA has a lobbyist at the Iowa State Capital, and directors of the organization participate in the Day on the Hill at the state capital each year. Environmental issues, foreign trade, processing issues, governmental programs, competition with plant based proteins, and developing new dairy products are some of the ongoing issues that ISDA will continue to address. The dairy industry is constantly evolving to meet consumer demands, said Finch, who reminds everyone that June is Dairy Month. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 How is it possible that elected trustees on the Peel District School Board (PDSB) still have a job when they are responsible for the most vile, racist, perverse and utterly despicable school board in recent Canadian memory? How is the unelected education director in Peel still holding down his job? Have they, in Peel, with the second largest school board in the province, not presided over schools where Black students are called the N-word, Muslim students are characterized as mad bombers, and one trustee branded Bramptons McCrimmon Middle School with a large African Canadian student population as McCriminal? Have school officials not watched as police handcuff and traumatize elementary school students; and, according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission ruling, discriminate against a Grade 1 student placed her on her stomach and her wrists handcuffed behind her? Have principals not cavalierly removed Black students from classes, leaving them, as one vice-principal explained, to spend days staring at a white wall not learning and parents never know about the de facto form of suspension? And repeatedly, Black students are suspended from school, as early as junior kindergarten. Do teachers not make life hell for devout Muslim students, only grudgingly giving room for them to engage in Friday prayers? The teachers know whats happening. So do principals and vice-principals and education personnel. Parents have begged, cried, pleaded, protested, marched for changes. Worse, the mayors in Peel region know but cite jurisdictional limits as a reason they dont call a news conference and demand changes on behalf of their beleaguered citizens. And most damning of all, the provincial Education Minister Stephen Lecce having commissioned a review that three months ago described the incredible litany of abuses and education malpractice has sat on his hands, waiting patiently, for the PDSB to respond to the recommended changes. It reminds you of American prosecutors pursuing charges only after videos of the murder of a Black man is leaked to the press. Like COVID-19, racism has infected the PDSB to deadly effect. But, unlike the response to COVID-19, our political leaders have acted as if they have all the time in the world. No problem here. No need for masks. No need to disinfect the malignant rot. They dont give a damn. Oh, on Thursday, as parents and students rode the wave of protests sweeping the world, and marched on the board, the trustees offered to cooperate with the minister and Lecce, dutifully, accepted their offer. How utterly civilized as if we are talking about how to fix a few broken windows. No, the issue is a matter of life and death. Every Black child not educated to the hilt, not fed a heavy dose of self-esteem, denied the full exposure and benefit of a complete education is destined to feed the industrial prison complex. We know that. Black citizens face a racist culture in which anti-Black racism is baked into our most basic interactions. There is no margin of error. Education is the consensus answer, the agreed-to source of escape from a life of misery and crime. To ignore this is to be guilty of malpractice. And you, a trustee, call my childs school McCriminal? How utterly abominable! How then can we tolerate educators working so diligently against the outcomes all of us desire just because they refuse to learn and grow empathy and love for students other than their kind? This is not a secret. We identified its name many times before and called it so. Few listened, until, maybe, George Floyd. And for how long? In this space on March 23, before everyone came face-to-face with the impact of a racist knee on a Black mans neck, Peel parent Danielle Dowdy, absolutely distressed at the conduct of her publicly funded PDSB called the boards practice unfathomable. Everybody focus their attention on Toronto, and everyone else across the GTA slide under the radar. Whether its health care, education or justice, all these systems work together and collectively they are stepping on Black peoples necks right across the board. Peel has 155,000 students in 257 schools in one of the most diverse boards anywhere. More than eight in 10 students are racialized, one in four is Muslim, and the teaching staff is 67 per cent white. Are you surprised that there is strenuous resistance, even at the trustee level, to anti-Black racism training? Even as the world becomes attuned to the devastating impact of systemic racism we have Exhibit A right in our back yard. The school, our school, the sacred space that is supposed to level all playing fields and give each young citizen a chance to assume his or her place in society as an equal citizen, this space has been infected and polluted and destroyed and rendered poisonous. Our political leaders fiddle while lives are burned up. For crying out loud, if Quaker Oats can admit Aunt Jemima has racist roots and remove the branded image that has greeted breakfasts for 130 years, certainly we can root out the racists at one of our school boards. Immediately. Spa City proposes Juneteeth as a holiday SARATOGA SPRINGS Mayor Meg Kelly has proposed declaring Juneteenth a holiday for city employees in 2021. "As of this year, Juneteenth is not officially a state holiday," said Kelly in a statement. "But we are going to work with our unions to make Juneteenth a holiday for our employees for 2021. I am thrilled that this historically significant day is becoming more recognized across the state, country and right here in Saratoga Springs." Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, when the last of the nation's slaves working in Galveston, Texas, learned of the proclamation and were freed. On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he will make Juneteenth an official state holiday next year. Clearwater to journey down Hudson to NYC ALBANY The Clearwater, the environmental flagship sloop, will begin a journey down the Hudson River to unite and support the river's communities during the pandemic. It will leave Albany on Monday for a two-week voyage to New York City in an initiative called Our River Connects Us. During to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit organization has adapted its learning into a virtual experience to give river residents an opportunity to experience the river from home. Throughout the journey, the Clearwater crew, will host interactive livestreams and videos to share the experience across social media platforms. Each leg of the journey will include educational components. The Clearwater will be sailing between Albany and Beacon between Monday and Friday, between Beacon and Piermont from Friday to June 29 and between Piermont and New York City from June 29 to July 2. Water conservation rules in effect immediately ROTTERDAM Town leaders said, effective immediately, they will be enforcing water conservation measures. Restrictions were recommended by the town Public Works department due to current severe drought conditions. All residential and commercial properties in Consolidated Water District 5 are restricted from any unnecessary outdoor water use. Consolidated Water District 5 consists of all properties within Rotterdam boundaries, excluding Rotterdam Junction. The water conservation measures are in effect through July 31. Violations face fines. Residents using private wells for sprinkling must obtain a permit from the Water Department. Residents requiring a new private well permit or a renewal of an existing permit should call 518-355-7575, Ext. 395 to schedule an inspection. Historic site will present two-program series FORT HUNTER The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter and the Fulton County Historical Society present a virtual two-program series. At 6:30 p.m. July 8, Schoharie Crossing Education Director David Brooks will present "15 Miles on the Sacandaga Canal? - The Canal Craze," discussing the construction and success of the Erie Canal and the subsequent "canal craze" that sparked the idea of a Great Sacandaga Canal. At 6:30 p.m., July 15, Fulton County Historical Society Executive Director Samantha Hall-Saladino will present "Sacandaga Soiree: Tides and Tourism," exploring the tourism boom on the Great Sacandaga Lake from the 1940s to the present. The flight resumption is gradual, starting with Friday's flights serving international and domestic routes, comprising those from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, North Sumatra province's capital of Medan to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta to Bali's Denpasar and Jakarta to Medan. "Now we are focusing on the gradual recovery of all flight networks along with monitoring the development of the situation related with the COVID-19 pandemic," AirAsia Indonesia's President Director Veranita Yosephine Sinaga said in a statement. The flight resumption came after the government eased restrictions on air travels earlier this month to ramp up the virus pandemic-dashed airline industry along with the gradual reopening of the economy. Under the relaxed rules, planes are allowed to carry passengers with a maximum of 70 percent to 100 percent of their seat capacities, according to the Transport Ministry. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the tourism sector, plunging the number of foreign tourist arrivals for 86 percent to 160,000 people in April, according to data from the National Agency of Statistics. Indonesia has gradually restarted business activities under tight health protocols to avert further risks of the pandemic on the economy which has stretched deep albeit the virus infection rate remains afloat as of late. The Health Ministry reported on Friday that the virus has killed 2,373 people across the vast archipelagic nation and infected 43,803 others. No more British troops will face prosecution over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, the veteran's minister Johnny Mercer has said. As much as 10million of taxpayers' money has been spent on an inquiry into soldiers conduct, codenamed Operation Northmoor, which at its peak saw 120 investigators looking into 675 criminal allegations from 159 separate complainants. But the Royal Military Policy investigation has now closed without charging any servicemen who served in the war-torn region. Allegations it looked into included those from Taliban bombmaker Serdar Mohammed, who claimed his arrest and detention for 106 days was unlawful. Critics have accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of failing to investigate crimes sufficiently, including the shooting of four young men, Two were aged 12 and 14. The decision comes after an inquiry by the Royal Military Police, codenamed Operation Northmoor, closes without any charges being brought Mr Mercer, a former army captain who served in Afghanistan, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I've said this government is going to war on Lawfare, and I meant it. 'This is another significant moment we retake ground ceded over the years to those who seek to rewrite history and line their own pockets with no regard at all for the damage they have done to some of our nation's finest people. 'We now know that none of the historical allegations from Afghanistan have led to prosecutions, and that most of the compensation claims were eventually withdrawn. 'I recognise this has meant that many of our remarkable Armed Forces have been living under the unique burden of vexatious claims and a cycle of seemingly endless reinvestigation.' The MoD said Operation Northmoor was closed after a 'thorough and independent' investigation which, it said, had found 'insufficient evidence to refer any personnel to prosecutors'. The government is also proposing a law that would mean prosecutions against British soldiers serving overseas must be brought within five years of the alleged crime being committed In November 2019, the then five-year Operation admitted that fewer than ten soldiers were still under investigation. Former defence secretary Michael Fallon had said in 2017 that it would be wound down, but inquiries continued long afterwards. The end of the Operation comes after the British government introduced a bill to protect soldiers from prosecution for crimes committed outside the UK in March this year. The new legislation proposed placing a five-year time limit on any prosecutions, meaning soldiers would be unlikely to face court action relating to the 2003 invasion of Iraq or 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The measures will, if approved, only cover British soldiers serving outside the UK, meaning those who committed offences during the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles will not be protected. The MoD has already paid out millions of pounds to settle claims brought over cases of unlawful killing and torture, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Mercer said: 'This package of legal measures will reduce the unique pressure faced by personnel who perform exceptional feats in incredibly difficult and complex circumstances. 'This important next step has gone further than any other government before to protect military personnel who put their life in jeopardy to protect us.' Boris Johnson is also thought to be looking at providing further protections for troops that served in Northern Ireland. Chile on June 20 increased its estimates of the number of cases and deaths in the country after a labour union confirmed another death of an employee at state-owned Codelco due to coronavirus. According to reports, the labour union has said that a second employee of Codelco has died due to coronavirus. Codelco is a state-owned world's largest copper producer. Chilean government on Saturday increased the number of deaths due to the disease from just over 4,000 to more than 7,000 now. Earlier this month the labour union had confirmed the death of a mine worker at Chuquicamata copper mine linked to Codelco. Read: Chileans Mass Produce Caskets To Deal With COVID Onslaught "As part of the measures to face the Covid-19 health emergency that affects the country and particularly the Antofagasta Region, Codelco finds it necessary to halt the construction of all its projects in the area and operate the Chuquicamata Division only with Calama workers. The demobilization will begin to be implemented immediately or to the extent that the current shifts end, and will allow the decrease in displacement from other regions and the reduction of the density of the own staff and those of collaborators," the company said in a statement released on its website on June 20. Read: Chile Troops Help Cook Food In Poor Neighborhoods COVID-19 in Chile In Chile, 2,50,919 cases of COVID-19 have occurred (2,31,393 with laboratory confirmation and probable 19,526, without laboratory confirmation) until June 18, according to the country's health ministry. The first case in Chile was reported on March 3 and since then the numbers have steadily increased in the Latin American country. The state of catastrophe in Chile has been extended for another 90 days to control the spread of the virus. Read: Chile Renews State Of Catastrophe For 90 More Days Amid COVID-19 Crisis Read: Chile Reports Reduction In New COVID Numbers Say what you will, but movies mirror real life, even if a little flashily. Just like our Mother Indias and Betas, Bollywood has given us plenty of screen fathers that have seemed like our own dads. On Fathers Day, we take a look at some iconic dialogues of on-screen dads that every father can relate to (and so can their kids). Anupam Kher (Dharamvir Malhotra, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 1995) : Fail hona aur padhai na karna ... hamare khandaan ki parampara ha Yes, this is the version of dad we mostly wish for, but there are some cool dads out there whod relate to this, too. They preach only what theyve practised, accept their kids with all their flaws, and are a comedic voice of reason at times, too. In short, they dont expect the world of you; they already have found it in you. #cheesy. Ram Kapoor (Tej Khullar, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, 2013) : Isko dekh ke pata chalta hai ki kuch janwar apne hi bachchon ko kyun kha jaate hai This father is constantly at war with his own creation. They live to roast you, and do it in style. There is no escape from their quips and sarcasm. Theyd chide you in front of anyone and anything, but that is just how they express their love. (So, maybe learn to deal with it!). Amitabh Bachchan (Raj Malhotra, Baghban, 2003): Joh bachche apne maa baap ko pyar nahi de sakte, sahara nahi de sakte, maan samaan nahi de sakte... unhe main kabhi maaf nahi karta Youve either said this as a dad, or heard some version of it as a child (though not as dramatic as Mr Bachchan makes it sound). This version of dad usually pops out when youve gone out of line, done something drastic and stupid or simply talked back when you shouldnt have. How do you escape this? You dont! You just let things cool down (and try to disappoint them less). Ronit Roy (Bhairav Singh, Udaan, 2010): Agar isse mere ghar mein rehna hai, mera kamaaya hua khaana hai pehnana hai to mere hi hisaab se rehna padega This one is for all the strict dads out there, the ones who are all about tough love. They wont sweet talk when youre wrong and are just bracing you for the tough world outside. Too much, you say? Well, they dont know any other way to function and it is their way or the highway. So choose I dare you to! (#loljk). Just learn not to screw up often. Manoj Bajpayee (Sardar Khan, Gangs of Wasseypur, 2012): Agar humare bete ko kuch ho jata to itna goli maarte ki aapka driver bhi khali khoka bech bechkar rayees ban jaata! Too intense for any normal dad to say, but totally relatable at the same time, this one is for the fiercely protective dads out there. Mess with them all you want, but if you mess with their child, theres nothing under the sun that could save you. These dads should probably just let their children carry a Beware of Dad sign at all times. Farooq Sheikh (Mr Thapar, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, 2013): Jaha tumhara jee chahe jaao, jo jee chahe karo, jis tarah zindagi jeeni hai jiyo, beta ek baat yaad rakhna zindagi mein chahe jo ho jaaye, kuchh bhi, mai humesha tumhare saath hoon Selfless and supportive, youve heard this at least once in your life. This version will go out of their way to help you, make sure you follow your heart, provide even in situations when they possibly cant, and be your anchor when it gets rough. One can agree that almost every dad is like this in some capacity at least. #parentingwin. Tigmanshu Dhulia (Ramadhir Singh, Gangs of Wasseypur, 2012): Beta, tumse na ho paayega Youd probably hate it if your dad has ever said this to you, but there are dads out there whod rather show their child the mirror than choose to sugarcoat their words. They know your limits, they know your potential, too (after all, they created you), so its kind of fair if they choose to tell you what you just cant do. Amrish Puri (Baldev Singh, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 1995): Ja Simran ja jeele apni zindagi ja beta ja Reluctant at first, angry if you defy them, but all mushy and supportive when they realise what you truly desire. This is how one can sum up the dad who has ever said this to their child (completely coincidental if your name is actually Simran). These dads have their rules and regulations that come with them (its just part of the package), but since they love you more than anything else, they are open to bending the rules every once in a while. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Canada's Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O'Toole (L) walks with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during a wreath laying ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldieron May 27, 2015 in Ottawa, Canada. The King and Queen is on a three-day visit to Canada. (Photo by Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images) Erin OToole Camp Seeks Police Probe, Accuses MacKay Camp of Theft OTTAWAConservative leadership candidate Erin OTooles campaign says it has filed a formal complaint with police seeking an investigation of his rival Peter MacKays organization. In a release late Friday, OTooles campaign says the complaint involves the theft of confidential campaign and strategy data. It says the OToole campaigns systems were hacked earlier this week. It names MacKay campaign organizer Jamie Lall. In a brief tweet, Lall said not a single word of the allegation is true. The OToole release says details have been shared with RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, and Toronto police. We call on Peter MacKay and his team to immediately return and delete any stolen data or videos currently in possession of staff and volunteers, the OToole campaign said in a release. We further insist on swift cooperation from Mr. MacKay and his campaign with the RCMP, OPP, and Toronto Police Service and the immediate termination of all involved in this potentially criminal action from their campaign. The allegations come after MacKay, OToole, and fellow candidates Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan squared off in two leadership debates this week. The debates will likely be the final faceoff between all four candidates before the ballots are sent out to party members early next month. Aides to President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden appeared on Fox News Sunday, a day after Trump held his first campaign rally in three months amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the president and his campaign claiming protesters blocked attendees and the Biden team admonishing Trump for holding an indoor rally without social distancing or mask requirements. Mercedes Schlapp, a Trump campaign adviser, told Fox News Chris Wallace that the campaigns expectations of a huge crowd at Tulsas BOK Center were not met partly because supporters were scared to come to the city and were concerned about protesters coming in. There were protesters who blocked the paths, and so we saw that have an impact in terms of people coming to the rally, Schlapp added. Reporters for CNN, The Associated Press, Politico and other outlets said they witnessed no violence or protesters blocking entrances. Trump during the rally pinned the smaller-than-expected crowd size on media frenzy and protesters outside doing bad things. But AP reported that small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful. Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon. Joe Bidens record can be summed up as 4 decades of betrayal, calamity and failure he NEVER did ANYTHING! pic.twitter.com/y7f9FoDtl4 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2020 Schlapp noted that what was amazing ... was the fact that over 5.3 million people watched (the rally) on all of our digital media channels. She also noted that Trump went out to talk directly to the American people, to talk about the failed record of Joe Biden. The fact that Joe Biden has been a career politician that has done nothing but only supported failed institutions. The Trump campaign has targeted Biden for focusing on virtual events over public appearances. But Symone Sanders, Bidens senior adviser, told Wallace that Trumps rally was unwise amid a public health crisis. She said the president made a damning admission that he told his people to slow down (coronavirus) testing. This is an attempt to lessen the numbers only to make them look good. Trump administration officials said Trumps comment was tongue-in-cheek. As of Sunday, nearly 120,000 Americans have died from coronavirus. Biden took to Twitter after Trumps nearly two-hour speech, saying only, Speed up the testing. Speed up the testing. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 21, 2020 Pressed by Wallace on why Biden hasnt held a press conference in 80 days and on routine accusations by Trumps team that the former Delaware senator is holed up in his basement Sanders noted that Biden does interviews and takes questions from the press regularly. Weve adjusted to this new normal like the rest of America, she said. Weve been campaigning virtually, but just cuz were campaigning virtually doesnt mean were not meeting voters. The reality is, what weve been doing is following (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. She said charges that Biden was not up to the challenge of the White House were despicable, unfounded and salacious falsehoods from Trump. Sanders also pushed back against critics of protests over racial injustice since the May 25 death of George Floyd. Trump aides and allies have said the Tulsa rally has drawn unfair criticism while protesters large gatherings have gotten a free pass from the press. Sanders argued protesters were rightfully calling for an end to systemic racism and police brutality, while Trump had ignored public health experts recommendations. There is no double standard here, Sanders said. Protesting is an American right. The president has to lead. And President Trump has demonstrated so many times in every sense of the word that he is unable to do so. Related Content: Hyderabad: An MCA student from University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been offered a hefty pay package of Rs 40 lakh per annum in addition to other benefits by Japan-based company Works Applications Co Ltd. Ravichandra Mangipudi, a student of MCA course at School of Computer & Information Sciences, UoH, was selected under the campus placement by the company to work at their Singapore company as R&D Engineer, UoH, also known as Hyderabad Central University (HCU), said in a release. "I am happy. The faculty at the university is good. It was very good for me to pursue the course in the university. Research was also quite active in the university," Ravichandra told PTI. Mangipudi, who hails from Visakhapatnam, said he developed interest in computers after doing an online course while pursuing B.Sc. "There is a very good faculty-student ratio that allows for more personal attention from teachers, projects in cutting-edge technology that make students highly competent. There is a Special Assistance Programme from UGC for the School on thrust area of Green Computing," it said. Works Applications Co. Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo, Minato-ku, is an ERP system manufacturer. It has business in the development, sales and support package system. Currently, it has branches in Singapore, Shanghai, Chennai, Los Angeles and New York, and has more than 2800 employees worldwide, it added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. After a prolonged bull rally, volatility once again rules the markets. The S&P 500 finished the week in the green, but Friday June 19s session saw dramatic swings due to technical factors as well as alarming headlines related to a COVID-19 resurgence and a slowdown in the economic recovery. Against this backdrop, what investors want, what will really bring back the animal spirits of the marketplace, is long-term stability. They arent looking to day trade; they are looking to park their money and watch it grow. Fiscal stimulus policies have pushed interest rates down to near zero. Treasury bonds are yielding less than 1%. This leaves the stock market. Fortunately, Wall Street pros believe compelling plays are still out there. Today, weve pulled up three stocks from the TipRanks database that have sparked the interest of Wall Streets analysts. These are stocks that have impressed the analysts, who have responded by noting their solid upside potential and clear investment value for the long haul, with each ticker earning a Strong Buy consensus rating. For all three, an analyst has noted the long-term potential in the headline. Lets find out why theyre so compelling. Sportsmans Warehouse (SPWH) Based in Utah, Sportsmans Warehouse operates 95 retail locations in 25 states. The chain specializes in outdoor gear and clothing, for a clientele heavily involved in camping, fishing, hunting, and shooting. The first thing to note, when assessing SPWH as an investment, is the recent stock performance. SPWH shares have climbed an astounding 145% over the last three months. The stock does not pay a dividend, but the recent share appreciation delivers a fine return. The next thing to note is that the company beat the forecast in its most recent quarterly report. This win came despite it being an outdoor apparel and equipment chain during the lockdowns of recent months. Some points to note: SPWH operates in rural regions, where the coronavirus pandemic was less severe, and the calendar Q2 is, for seasonal reasons, the companys slowest. In this most recent quarter, SPWH posted a 1-cent profit instead of the 6-cent loss expected. Story continues 5-star analyst Ryan Sigdahl, of Craig-Hallum, calls SPWH in his headline, One Of The Best Positioned Retailers In The Near And Long Term. Going into detail, he elaborates: We believe SPWH is one of the best positioned specialty retailers in the current environment (COVID and social unrest) as it has spurred demand for necessities and personal protection, but it is also one of the best positioned over the medium term with several key competitors de-emphasizing/exiting the hunting category (market share opportunity) and increased participation in outdoor recreation. Shelter-in-place restrictions have driven increased interest in camping, hiking and fishing, and we dont think these trends will change anytime soon. Sigdahls Buy rating on the shares is supported by his new $16 price target, which was raised from $12. This indicates confidence in a robust 28% upside potential for the coming year. (To watch Sigdahls track record, click here) With 4 Buy ratings, the Strong Buy analyst consensus view on SPWH is unanimous. The stock has risen sharply in recent weeks, but the analysts have set their sights higher, and see room for continued growth. Shares are selling for $12.48 apiece, and the average price target of $14.88 implies a one-year upside potential of 19%. (See Sportsmans Warehouse stock analysis on TipRanks) Ciena (CIEN) Next up is a telecom company, the world leader in optical connectivity. Ciena is a major name in networking equipment and software services. The company boasts an $8.2 billion market cap, over 2,000 patents, and 1,500 customers, as well as a presence in 35 countries. Cienas products include software for analytics and intelligence, control and automations, and programmable infrastructure. This is another company that has strongly outperformed the markets in recent months. CIEN shares are up 49% over the last three months, gaining on the companys usefulness as millions of workers switched to remote work and telecommuting. Like many companies, Ciena did see a dip in Q1 earnings, but that was mitigated by two related points: calendar Q1 is the lowest earning quarter in the companys cycle, and earnings bounced back strongly in Q2. That most recent quarter showed non-GAAP profits of 76 cents per share, which was well above the estimates. Covering the stock for J.P. Morgan, 4-star analyst Samik Chatterjee calls it an attractive long-term investment, and rates CIEN a Buy. His $63 price target, raised from $53, implies an upside potential of 17% for the coming 12 months. (To watch Chatterjees track record, click here) Fleshing out his opinion, Chatterjee writes, We recommend CIEN shares as our top pick within Networking Equipment coverage given favorable positioning with: 1) secular growth for the underlying optical industry levered to growing bandwidth needs; 2) benefit from accelerating bandwidth needs in a post-COVID-19 normal; 3) continued share wins from well-established technology leadership CIEN shares have 16 recent analyst reviews, including 12 Buys and 4 Holds, giving the stock a Strong Buy consensus rating. Rapid share appreciation recently has pushed the trading price close to the price target but the stock still shows a healthy 14% upside potential. Shares are trading for $53.62, and the average price target is $61.27. (See Ciena stock analysis on TipRanks) Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Last on our list, Science Applications, is a Washington DC consulting firm and government contractor. Like all of the Beltway Bandits, SAIC is heavily dependent on the Federal government for revenues; fortunately for the company, thats a well that typically does not run dry. SAIC provides engineering, scientific, and technology expertise to governmental service agencies. While shares are down since the start of 2020, SAIC has gained 54% over the last three months. Aside from share appreciation, SAIC also offers investors a reliable dividend payment. The company recently declared its next payment, at 37 cents per share, to go out in July. SAIC has been keeping the dividend reliable, and slowly growing the payment, for the past seven years. The current payment provides a yield of 1.8%. While this doesnt sound like much, it beats the tech sector peer average by a full half-percentage point. SAIC has been able to weather the coronavirus storm, at least in part by winning several new US government contracts in recent months. The company won a $655 million contract with the Air Force, and a $325 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security, in February. Both contracts are IDIQ indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity. In May, the company signed a $650 million national security contract, and earlier this month, it signed a contract for torpedo testing with the US Navy. The run of new contracts gives SAIC a stable foundation going forward, which has not escaped the notice of the analysts. Josh Sullivan, 5-star analyst with Benchmark, says that the Record IDIQ Contracts Supports Long-term, and in his comments writes, 2021 FCF outlook improved to $500 million from $450 million the record IDIQ wins in the quarter supports the long-term momentum Sullivan puts a Buy rating on SAIC, with a $105 price target to suggest room for 31% upside potential. (To watch Sullivans track record, click here) 8 Buy ratings and just a single Hold give SAIC shares a Strong Buy from the analyst consensus. The average price target is an even $100, and indicates an upside potential of 24% for the coming year. (See Science Applications International stock analysis on TipRanks) President Trump and John Bolton at the White House in 2018. (Associated Press) To the editor: The excerpts from former National Security Advisor John Bolton's book are not revelatory; they're confirming. ("Trump administration seeks restraining order to block Bolton book," June 17) The ignorance of President Trump is staggering. The incompetence of his administration is overwhelming. The timidity of the Republicans in Congress is sad and disappointing. They took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, yet they cower before Trump. They know he is unfit for office. All he wants is adoration and to promote the Trump brand. If he is reelected in 2020, that will be the end of the great American experiment. John Jones, Canyon Country .. To the editor: Bolton has spent decades in public service, often in contentious dispute. He ultimately resigned from his senior White House role in disgust. These are not the actions of a man motivated by cowardice and the avarice for a best-seller spot. Bolton concluded that his first-person testimony during the House impeachment investigation last year would not persuade spineless Republicans to call for removing Trump from office. The test of his strategy was whether the Senate would summon sufficient courage to subpoena him to testify. When Senate Republicans failed the test, he correctly concluded that the best course to oust Trump was to publish the account of the president's corruption so close to the election that it could not be ignored. We owe a debt of gratitude to Bolton for his effort to remove this immoral and ignorant president. Joseph Ingraffia, Morro Bay .. To the editor: Trump's push to obtain an order by a federal judge blocking the release of Bolton's book is laughable. His fervor in trying to prevent publication tells us everything. Now we don't even need to buy the book. Just the material that the media have reported is enough to validate the fact that Trump is a vicious and dangerous man. Ellen Faulk, Santa Monica Business as usual is not an option once the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz, who wants new climate-laced metrics to measure growth beyond the blunt instrument of GDP. Interviewed by AFP, Stiglitz said the debilitating effects of COVID-19 worldwide offered governments a chance to forge a green recovery with a new emphasis on fairness. "And it shouldn't be just going back to where we were," he said. "GDP does not take into account the inequalities, the lack of resilience or the lack of sustainability. What we want to do now is to lead the economy in a direction that reflects all these concerns." Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel prize for economics in 2001 who served as a top adviser at the World Bank and in Bill Clinton's White House, has long argued that gross domestic product is far too broad a measure. A decade ago, he co-chaired a commission convened by the French government that recommended a new approach encompassing metrics for sustainability and a "green GDP". "We argued for a dashboard," he told AFP, "We pointed out that if we had had better measures, we would have had a better sense of the damage that the 2008 crisis was doing." Today, "the most important indicator is the impact of greenhouse gas emissions", Stiglitz said. "What we've been learning more about is the multiple manifestations of climate change, in terms of for instance how it will affect extreme weather events. What we have learned is the complexity in climate change itself." Stiglitz is not alone in demanding a break with the past as the world strives to overcome a pandemic that has so far killed more than 450,000 people and infected at least eight million, according to an AFP tally. - 'No spare tyres' - Shutdowns sparked by the outbreak have led to dizzying declines in growth rates and mammoth government bailouts in a number of countries, especially in Europe and the United States. Some of the rescue packages have come attached with strings demanding companies refocus their investment plans on strategies to fight climate change. An overarching plan was unveiled Thursday by the International Energy Agency and International Monetary Fund. The project aims to boost GDP growth by 1.1 percentage points, "save or create" nine million jobs, and slash CO2 emissions by 1.5 billion tonnes in each of the next three years. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said world leaders have a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to reboot their economies and tackle global warming at the same time. But those goals continue to pull against each other, Birol acknowledged, pointing to lessons learned from the global recession triggered by the 2008 collapse of the US housing market. Stiglitz, who has extensively criticised the laissez-faire policies that led up to 2008, said the current crisis had again exposed short-sighted thinking. "We created an economy without spare tyres, without extra hospital beds, we didn't do pandemic preparedness, we didn't do a lot of the things that would have enabled us to respond to the pandemic," he said. "It's not that we could have prevented it, but we could have had a much more resilient economy, more able to respond to that." Stiglitz said there were grounds for hope now, especially in the European Union, whose executive arm is pushing a five-year "Green Deal" as part of a strategy to achieve "carbon neutrality" by 2050. But the plan remains hostage to other financial pressures, as EU leaders squabble over a coronavirus recovery plan worth 750 billion euros ($843 billion). The 2050 goal is "attainable" and "very positive", Stiglitz said. "But it's not enough to have that aspiration. You have to actually start spending the money. And obviously the pandemic is being a big impetus to begin spending the money." Stiglitz said he backed proposals by both the European Commission and by US presidential contender Joe Biden to impose a tax on carbon-intensive goods from abroad. "I think this is something that needs to be implemented. Of course it would have to be used in a non-protectionist way," the economist said. This is the shocking moment a group of men attack each other and a woman is dragged to the ground in a 'road rage' brawl at traffic lights in Leeds. The footage, captured on another motorist's dash cam, shows a silver Corsa and gold Toyota Yaris stopped just before a roundabout in Pudsey. Police were called to the scene on Saturday evening and arrested a man and a woman, both aged 24, on suspicion of stealing a car and possessing drugs. The footage, captured on another motorists dash cam, shows a silver Corsa and gold Toyota Yaris stopped just before a roundabout. A woman is dragged out of the car (pictured right) At the start of the clip a man wearing a white t-shirt and sleeveless body warmer is set upon by two other men. He manages to drive them back, while another man drags a woman out of the Yaris and pulls her onto the floor. She gets back to her feet after her friend attacks the man who pulled her to the ground and shouts 'help' as the men chase and attack each other. Another man enters the fray and tries to keep the brawling men apart. One person who witnessed the incident told LeedsLive: 'There were five cars involved all behind one another at the traffic lights. 'One guy was a lot worse off than the rest. He had three of them kicking his face at one point. 'Another car, not involved in the incident, had a brick land on its bonnet. It was dented and scratched. The men are separated by another who holds his arms out to stop them fighting each other 'It was literally on the line of the traffic lights. Their silver Corsa and gold Toyota Yaris were blocking the cars from passing, then as other cars pulled up they blocked the opposite side of the road. A statement from West Yorkshire Police said: 'Police were called to Bradford Road, Stanningley, Leeds at about 5.38pm on Saturday June 20 to reports a number of persons from two cars had begun fighting. A car was driven off from the scene during the incident. 'Officers attended and arrested an arrested a 24-year-old female and a 24-year-old male on suspicion of the theft of a car and possession of drugs with intent to supply. They remain in custody. 'Enquiries remain ongoing and anyone who saw the incident or has information is asked to contact Leeds District Police on 101 referencing crime number 13200308613.' 40% of Republican voters worried America on brink of second civil war, poll says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As protests over racial injustice erupted in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd late last month, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio warned of extremists looking to start a second civil war. A new poll released by Rasmussen Reports Monday says some 40% of Republicans believe America is on the brink of another civil war. These people are violent, domestic extremists, the Florida Republican warned of the extremists he said had infiltrated protests in May. They range from Antifa groups who are radical to the left to some other groups, radical to the right. In fact, groups that I would argue dont even belong on the political spectrum as we know it. And their goal, while they are ideologically opposed to each other they hate the police, they hate the government, and they want this country to fall apart some of them want a second civil war. On Tuesday, Air Force Staff Sergeant Steven Carrillo, 32, already in custody for the alleged ambush, murder and attempted murder of sheriffs deputies in Santa Cruz, was charged with the murder of Federal Protective Service officer David Patrick Underwood as well as other federal charges. Underwood, 53, was killed and his partner wounded on the night of May 29 while they guarded a federal building in Oakland during a nearby protest over Floyds death, Forbes reported. Evidence from the attack tied Sergeant Carrillo to the boogaloo movement, a loose group of far-right individuals who are pro-gun, anti-government, and believe that another civil war in America is imminent. The term boogaloo, notes Forbes, comes from the 1984 movie Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo. Followers of the movement call themselves boogaloo boys or bois. In their survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted June 11 and 14, Rasmussen Reports noted in their results Monday that 34% of likely U.S. voters think America will experience a second civil war sometime in the next five years. Only 9% believe that a second civil war is "very likely." Two years ago, 31% of voters predicted another civil war is likely and 11% felt it was very likely. While two years ago Democrats were more concerned about a civil war happening, Rasmussen noted that its now Republicans who are concerned. Some 40% of Republicans compared to 28% of Democrats are more likely to see a second civil war on the horizon while 38% of independent voters are concerned about the threat of domestic warfare. Respondents in the survey were also asked if they believe removing Confederate symbols, names and monuments throughout the country honoring those who fought in the first civil war will help race relations and 39% of all voters said it would. This shows an increase from a similar poll in 2017 when only 28% of voters felt such actions would help race relations. Some 27% of voters disagreed that removing Confederate symbols would help compared to 39% who disagreed in 2017. The number of people who think removing the symbols will do nothing for race relations remained unchanged when comparing the results of the two polls at 28%. When it comes to the protests over Floyds killing, 37% of voters believe it will lead to meaningful racial change in America but when that number is broken down by race, blacks (29%) remain the least hopeful that they will experience meaningful change. Among whites, 35% believe the protests would lead to meaningful change while 48% of other minority voters believe change will come from the protests. A majority of blacks, 54%, are far more confident than whites, 36%, and other minorities, 40%, that the removal of Confederate symbols, names and monuments will help race relations. Some 64% of Democrats think getting rid of all traces of Confederate symbols will help race relations while only 19% of Republicans and 31% of unaffiliated voters support this view. Among voters who see the erasure of Confederate history as hurting race relations, 50% believe a civil war is likely in the next five years. A group of local activists, including many current or former Mechanicsburg high school students, held a rally in the borough Saturday night with a particular focus on the way black history is presented in schools. The event, held in support of the wave of racial justice protests that have swept the nation in response to recent police killings of black citizens, fell on the day after Juneteenth, which commemorates the freedom of the last slaves in the United States shortly after the Civil War. The rally also fell simultaneously with President Donald Trumps campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of the infamous 1921 race massacre, at a time when Trump is under intense criticism for his handling of racial issues. Many of the local student speakers at Saturdays rally remarked that they were never taught about Juneteenth or the Tulsa killings in school, something that Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School student Nathaniel Babitts said required a re-thinking of the way black history was taught. The current method, Babitts said, largely relegates the nations history with race to a separate set of lessons, taking black voices and cramming them into a mini-unit and failing to incorporate them with the rest of the historical narrative, which becomes almost exclusively white. Further, the narrative is taken as a simple linear progressionfrom slavery, to the Civil Rights movement, to the present. We are taught to see black history as a series of white choices, Babitts said. That legacy is still there, Tulio Huggins, who graduated from MASHS last year, said of the 1921 Tulsa incident, in which white rioters destroyed most of the citys prosperous black business district, resulting in dozens and possibly hundreds of deaths, by some historical accounts. It can be seen, Huggins said, in the current economy, in which wages for black workers are chronically lower than those of whites, black unemployment higher, and black business ownership lower. Black business ownership is also significantly more tenuous than white ownership, a fact highlighted during the ongoing COVID-19 economic downturn, which has shut down an estimated 41 percent of black-owned businesses, compared to only 17 percent of white-owned businesses, according to a recent University of California study. While many of the young speakers, such as Babitts and Huggins, are black, most of Saturdays crowdwhich numbered roughly 100was white. Mechanicsburg Borough is roughly 95 percent white, according to the latest U.S. Census estimates. Upper Allen Township, which is also part of the Mechanicsburg school district, is slightly more diverse at 88 percent white. Speakers encouraged the group to actively embrace the Mechanicsburg areas growing diversity, and reckon with its past. The Rev. John Ward-Diorio, head of St. Pauls United Church of Christ, stressed the need for the areas traditionally white, Christian culture to address the ways in which Scripture has been misinterpreted to justify inequality. We read it that way because it allowed us to rationalize the horrific treatment of other people, Ward-Diorio said. Ignoring this history has had, and will have, negative ramifications, and folks of color, particularly those of African-American descent, have paid the price for that, Ward-Diorio said. Cole Goodman, a black Harrisburg-area activist who said he has been to many protests in recent weeks, emphasized that attendees at local rallies in predominantly white communities are just as critical as those in urban areas. You all are just as important as those who are protesting in the cities, Goodman said. Youre a soldier in this fight. We need you. This cant just be a hashtag, this cant just be a fad. I dont want to learn in two months that weve moved on, Mechanicsburg Borough Council member Sara Agerton said. We need to be upset about it all the time. Get out of your comfort zone and make a change. Agerton was not the only local public official to attend Saturdays event. At least one Mechanicsburg school board member, Brian Sanker, was also in the audience, and was supportive of the points made by Babitts and Huggins. You look back on it and say why didnt I learn that in school? Sanker said. I think thats the direction were going in, is to break down some of those silos. Sanker also said part of that is making the school district more reflective of the local demographics. Theres a lack of black teachers. Its a problem across the state, Sanker said. Id love to empower more people of color to be teachers. Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com. Love 12 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An ecumenical memorial service for the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan was held at Portlaoise Garda station at noon this Sunday. Monsignor John Byrne and Church of Ireland Rector, Peter Tarleton led the service. A minute's silence was observed upon the stroke of 12pm. As well as serving members, also in attendance were retired members of An Garda Siochana, and representatives from the Prison Service, Ambulance Service and Laois Civil Defence. Addressing the crowd, Chief Superintendent John Scanlan said that Detective Garda Colm Horkan was a "true member of society. "He gave his life defending that society. As we stand here today we also need to remember our own colleagues in this division which has also unfortunately contributed to that. We pray here this morning for Betty Peters. Betty Peters husband Tom died last year. He was with Garda Michael Clerkin when they were blown up by a bomb in Garryhinch in 1976. "She also gave service, gave most of her life caring for Tom Peters and I am glad to say we were fortunate that Garda Michael Clerkin, Sgt Jim Cannon, Detective Garda Tom Peters, Detective Garda Ben Thornton and Garda Gerry Bohan were awarded Scott Medals prior to the passing of Tom Peters. "We want to remember the other members of Garda Horkan's graduation class who have also passed to their eternal reward - Eoghan Fitzgerald, Garda Ambrose Fogarty and Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe - past graduates who have paid a high price in the service of this State. We need to remember them all and carry on their good name the proud tradition of this organisation. "I want to acknowledge the presence of our sister services, the Ambulance Service, Civil Defence and the Prison Service. The Prison Service itself has two members of the Horkan family serving in it. The Horkan family is a family of service to the public. "It is ironic that Garda Horkan's dad on father's day has to bury his son having previously buried his wife and Garda Horkan's twin sister Collette. We hang in this life on a very thin thread but we are a proud people, a proud nation and I'm especially proud of you young member of An Garda Siochana who stand before me here today in honour of Garda Horkan. "It is important that we maintain those links with each other and those who have gone before us. I want to acknowledge the presence here today of the retired members of An Garda Siochana. They too will have memories. "My personal memory is being in Ballinamore when Gary Sheehan was shot dead. Private Kelly of the Irish Defence Forces died alongside him that day. "I also want to remember the people in the Maryborough centre here in Portlaoise who died recently and I want to acknowledge the work of the frontline staff who helped them in their final hours. The public service called up like never before in these difficult times. "This time will pass and life will go on. I would ask you to honour the memory of Garda Colm Horkan in your lives and careers and your service," concluded Chief Superintendent Scanlan. 'The Parting Glass' was sung by Ramona Farrell of the Irish Prison Service. The Last Post and National Anthem concluded the service. Situation in Ladakh's Galwan Valley (Image: Planet Labs via AP) The Indian media has been belligerent in its commentary on the alleged intrusion of Chinese troops across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. However, mainstream Chinese media did not seem to be too bothered. A tweet by veteran China journalist and former The Hindu correspondent in Beijing, Ananth Krishnan summarized the coverage, or lack of it. He pointed out that China's official media broadly buries news of the worst clash on the India China border in 50+ years. Not mentioned in People's Daily and PLA Daily, the official papers of the Party and PLA. Global Times Chinese carries on page 16. It was not just the print media that chose to ignore the bloody clashes in the countrys south. Chinas public broadcaster, CGTN, whose anchors go into maniacal rage when issues of territorial sovereignty are raised were unusually silent. Take a look at what happened a few days before the India-China combat at the border. Reports of a US Naval carrier group on a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific seas surfaced. The Chinese communist party-owned Global Times took affront and declared that the US move exposed its hegemonic politics in the region, and China could counter it by holding military drills and showing its ability and determination to safeguard its territorial integrity. Not a recent trend Why then did Chinese troops killing Indian soldiers receive hardly any ink Beijings media? One plausible reason is that India figures low on Chinas list of priorities. India does receive coverage for all the wrong reasons Delhi as the rape-capital and most polluted (much to Beijings relief). India also gets attention for its messy politics that Chinas media cannot wrap its head around. Much of Chinese media outlets are State or Communist party-owned and toe a strict state line, especially on foreign relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modis electoral victory in 2014 was a big India moment in the Chinese media. For the first time an Indian leader featured on Chinese language magazine covers, hanging on newsstands outside subway stations. Chinese intelligentsia and media commentators believed Modis win was about to trigger a breakthrough moment in relations between the two countries. Now that the euphoria has died, it seems back to business. America, Japan and other regional countries occupy the top slot on foreign headlines. China, meanwhile, became Indias largest trading partner but with a huge trade deficit in Beijings favour. This is why a call to boycott Chinese goods in India will have little to no impact on the Chinese economy. Global Times, however, couldnt resist taking a dig with an article headline Indians can hardly resist buying Chinese quality goods: analysts. In essence, India is hardly of significance to China and does not pop up much in the Chinese public sphere. India-China same same Indian media houses also do not seem to want more than the cursory coverage of China on a daily basis. Even today, only two of Indias print publications have a reporter in Beijing. PTI, Indias largest wire agency, is also represented. None of Indias vernacular papers has a reporter on the mainland, while even back in 2015, China had more than half a dozen reporters in India, writing in both Mandarin and English. Indian foreign policy is still largely unaccustomed to the idea that China has emerged as the second largest economy in the world and focuses a lot of energy into thinking of China as an adversary in the race to become Asias dominant power. India has more or less conceded the trade war to Beijing; New Delhi must come to terms that its foreign policy must modulate priorities along those lines. A paper by Brookings India published in March said: India has also emerged among the key overseas markets for several Chinese companies with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues at stake. Whether this can be better leveraged by Indias trade strategy, which has so far failed to balance the trading relationship or secure market access for Indian firms in China, needs to be explored. Given the present situation at the border, any such exploration will possibly be delayed further. For a foreign policy still seemingly stuck in its Nehruvian moorings, a new Look-East policy would probably put India more firmly on Beijings radar. For now, the present crisis may just have put India on a stronger look-West trajectory. Danny Geevarghese is a writer who lives in Beijing. Views expressed here are personal. Source of Tianjin coronavirus case still unclear as investigations continue Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/6/20 13:14:28 Virologists said on Friday night that the source of COVID-19 case revealed on Wednesday in North China's Tianjin Municipality is still unclear after three potential sources of infection were rejected in the current investigation, as further tracing continues. The patient was very likely to have been infected by anyone entering China with the virus or someone coming from high-risk areas such as Beijing, said Zhang Ying, deputy director of the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who was in charge of sourcing the virus. But the entire search revealed no contact between the case and people entering the border or from other high-risk areas in Beijing. Another possibility was that the virus may arise from contaminated frozen food as the patient had cleaned frozen seafood in a local hotel. However, the nucleic acid tests on all meat and aquatic products stored in the hotel have so far been negative. Samples from three local wholesale markets from which the hotel purchased foods also tested negative. The case may also be contaminated in the infected environment. However, the environmental samples also tests negative so far. The source of the infection in this case has not been found at present, Zhang said. But the work did not stop. The virus has been sent to China CDC to sequence the genetic code of the virus to find the connection this virus has with virus strains found in other areas, and the result will be used to further trace the source. The case of unknown origin has triggered public concern in the city, but virologists remind people not to panic as all close contacts of the patient have been quarantined and all their tests have returned negative. Cases with an unknown source must be taken very seriously, and infectious diseases must be traced to their source, China's leading medical expert Wang Guangfa, said on his Sina Weibo on Saturday, urging authorities in Tianjin to ensure that every step is followed throughout the sourcing of the virus in Tianjin. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At his rally Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, President Donald Trump explained what happened with the ramp at his West Point commencement speech one week ago. Here is the presidents explanation in full. To show you how fake they are, you might have seen it. So last week they called me, and they said, Sir, West Point. West Point. Were ready. I said, Oh, thats right, I have to make the commencement speech at West Point. You know, they delayed it for six weeks, because of COVID. So they delayed it. And I went there. One thousand one hundred and six cadets were graduated, and beautiful. Right? Beautiful get-up. Advertisement Sothis is just to show you how bad the fake news isso they say to me, Sir, were ready to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I say, Lets go! This is after saying hello to a lot of cadets, inspecting little areas of a building that was very exciting, actually its beautiful, very old. Studied a lot of our great generals, some of our presidents that went there. West Point is beautiful, right on the Hudson River. But after an hourthe general that runs it is a fantastic guyafter an hour, we land, we do some more inspections, and they say, Sir, are you ready? Yes, I am! So we walk like the equivalent of about three blocks, which is fine. We go on stage, which is fine. They make speeches, then I make a speech, it lasted a long time, maybe 45 minutes, maybe longer, I dunno, but a long time. The sun is pouring down on me, okay? Advertisement Advertisement But they said to me before the speech, Sir, would you like to salute each cadet? Each single cadet? Or maybe theyll be in groups of two. Would you like to salute? Like this? Like this? Almost six hundred times, do you know what that is? SIX HUNDRED TIMES! Thank God they were in twos! Cause let me tell you, you do that six hundred times, you go home and you sayits like a workout without a weight, right? Six hundred times! So I did that. Advertisement Then the incredible helicopters, brand new, gorgeous helicopters, the Apaches and the other new ones that we just bought, so they fly over. And the kids throw the hats in the air, its beautiful, it really is, and it was a beautiful day. And were all finished. I was on the stage for hoursHOURS!sun, I came home, I had a nice tan, meaning I had a nice sunburn. The suns going right like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I make the speech, right? I salute for probably an hour and a half, maybe more, but around that. Watch, if Im off by two minutes, theyll say, He exaggerated! It was only an hour and twenty-five minutes. He exaggerated! He lied! He lied! Hes a liar! These people are sick, the fake news. So then, I finish saluting. My final salute, I said, Thank goodness, thank you very much. But think of it, so, essentially almost 600 times. Now, the general says, Sir, are you ready? I said, Im ready, general, where are we going now? You have to understand, I left early in the morning to get there. Now its sort of late in the afternoon. A lot of these fakers were with us, so they know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said, Sir, we can now leave the stage. I said, Thats great, general, Ill follow you. And he goes like this: Right here, sir. And the stage was higher than this one, and the ramp was probably ten yards long. I say, General! Now, you gotta understand, I have the whole corps of cadets looking at me. And I want them to love their president, I did this big thing. I love them, I love them, theyre incredible. And they do! I said, General! Ive got myself a problem, general, because Im wearing leather-bottomed shoes. Which is good, if youre walking on flat surfaces. Its not good for ramps. And if I fall downlook at all those press back there, look at them. Advertisement And this was a steel ramp. You all saw it, cause everybody saw it. This was a steel ramp. It had no handrail. It was like an ice skating rink! And I said, General, I have a problem, and he didnt understand that at first. I said, Theres no way! He understood. I just saluted almost 600 times, I just made a big speech, I sat for other speeches, Im being baked. Im being baked like a cake. I said, General, theres no way I can make it down that ramp without falling on my ass, general. I have no railing. Its true! Advertisement Advertisement So I said, Is there, like, something else around? He said Sir, the ramp is ready to go! Grab me, sir, grab me! I didnt really want to grab him. You know why? Cause I said, Thatll be a story too. Advertisement So now I have a choice: I can stay up there another couple of hours and wait till Im rescued, or I can go down this really steep, really, really, reallyits an ice-skating rink, its brutal. So I said, General, get ready, cause I may grab you so fast. Because I cant fall with the fake news watching. If I fall, if I fall, I remember when President Ford fell out of the plane, you remember? I remember when another president, nice man, threw up in Japan, and they did slow-motion replays. Its true! Right? I dont want that, general. So hes standing there, big strong guy, and hes got these shoes, but theyre loaded with rubber on the bottom. Because I looked, the first thing I did, I looked at his shoes. Then I looked at mine. Very, very slippery. So I end up saying, Okay, general, lets go. I will only grab you if I need you. Thats not a good story, falling would be a disaster. It turned out to be worse than anything. I would have been better off if I fell and slid down the damn ramp. Right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what happens is I start the journey. Inch by inch, right? And I was really bent over, too, I didnt like that, you know, I didnt like this picture. This picture Im sure will be an ad by the fakers. So I was bent over, right? And then we finally reached almost the end, and the fake news, the most dishonest human beings, they cut it off, you know why? Because when I was ten feet short, I said, General, Im sorry, and I ran down the rest, right? I looked very handsome, that, that was the only good part. I wouldnt want to run down the whole thing, because a fall there would be definitely bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So I took these little steps, I ran down the last ten. And by the way, their tape? Take a look. In almost every instance, it ends just before I run. And they said it was the number one trending story. I called my wife, I said, How good was that speech? I thought it was ahey, look, I will tell you when I make good ones and bad ones. Like so far tonight, Im average. But were having fun. Were having fun. So far tonight. Advertisement But I call my wife and I said, How good was it, darling? She said, Youre trending number one. I said, to our great first lady, I said, Lemme ask you a question. Was it that good, the speech, that Im trending number one? Because I felt it was really good. Advertisement No, no, they dont even mention the speech. They mention the fact that you may have Parkinsons Disease. Its true. Its true. ITS TRUE! They say, Theres something wrong with our president! Ill let you know if theres something wrong, okay? Ill let you know if theres somethingIll tell you what: Theres something wrong with Biden, that I can tell you. So then my wife said, Well, it wasnt only the ramp. Did you have water? I said, Yeah, I was speaking for a long time. I didnt want to drink it, but I wanted to wet my lips a little bit, you know? Youre drinking for, youre working hard up there, with the sun pouring down on you. I love this location, the suns like this, this way they save on lighting, right? Thats why they did it, probably. So what happens is I said, What does it have to do with water? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said, You couldnt lift your hand up to your mouth with water. I said, I just saluted 600 times! Like this! And this was before I saluted, so whats the problem? She said, Well, I know what you did, you had on a very good red tie thats sort of expensive. Its silk, because they look better, they have a better sheen to em. And I dont want to get water on the tie, and I dont want to drink much, so I lifted up the water. I see we have a little glass of water, where the hell did this water come from, right? Where did it come from? And I looked down at my tie, cause Ive done it, Ive taken water, and it spills down into your tie, it doesnt look good for a long time. And frankly the tie is never the same. So I put it up to my lip, and then I saybecause I dont want it to! Just in case. And they gave me another disease. They gave me another disease. Anyway, thats a long story, but heres the story. I have lived with more the ramp than the water, but Ive lived with the ramp and the water since I left West Point. Not one media group said I made a good speech or I made a great speech. But the kids loved it, because they broke their barrier, which wasnt good in terms of COVID, but they broke their barrier, and they wanted to shake hands, they wanted to, and I dont want to tell anybody, but there were a couple of kids, they put out their hand and I actually shook their hand, okay? I actually shook it. Cause they were excited. They were excited! Theyre with their president, they were excited. The most beautiful young people, men, women, the most beautiful young people youve ever seen. So think of how you feel, if youre me. I go there. How did I do? Sir, that was a great speech. You know, all my people, Sir, that was one of your best, that was great. I say, Thats great, I agree, it was a good speech. I liked that speech. They dont mention the speech, but they have me going down this ramp at an inch at a time. Its so unfair. It really is. So unfair. They are among the most dishonest people anywhere on earth. Theyre bad people. Bad people. Okay, thats enough of that. I wanted to tell that story. Does everybody understand that story? After George Floyds death, the demand for equity and reform of policing methods became loud and clear. by Dr Lionel Bopage with Michael Colin Cooke The Scene The morning of July the 25th 1983 is etched in my brain. I saw a group of people running or walking very fast away from the environs of Colombo. On enquiring I found they had shut up their shops and were escaping the riots that were taking place. Later in the day I saw the suburbs of Borella and Maradana ablaze. I witnessed mobs looting and burning properties belonging to Tamils and assaulting the inhabitants of those properties with impunity. Lorries and cars were being set ablaze and the passengers and drivers were being set upon. Many of the bystanders were gleefully applauding the activities of the frenzied mob. I was saddened and shocked to see many of these thugs were enjoying their sadistic and murderous activities. I saw security personnel who instead of intervening were just bystanders to the carnage and barbarity taking place. Whilst driving along Kiribathgoda Mawaramandiya road, I was forced to stop by a mob roaming on a CTB depot service truck. They approached me shouting obscenities, brandishing swords and crowbars. I yelled back in Sinhalese asking them if they had gone mad. On hearing my fluency in the language, they left me alone. By the end of the July 1983 tragedy between 2,000 to 3,000 Tamils had been killed, many had been burnt or hacked to death. Many Tamil women had been raped before being killed. Thousands of homes of Tamils had been burnt, about 100,000 people had been made homeless and became refugees. Fast forward to May 25, 2020. In the city of Minneapolis, a black man arrested for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store. His death at the hands of a white police officer was captured live, with his three colleagues looking on. George Floyd was handcuffed and was lying face down on the street. Floyd was completely compliant and pleaded for his life, said he could not breathe and called for his mother. Passers-by also pleaded to Derek Chauvin, the officer in question, to take his knee off the dying mans neck, to no avail. Chauvin had his knee on Floyd even after the breath of his life had been extinguished. This was one of the latest in a long list of extra-judicial murders of black people, who are statistically more likely to be arrested, jailed and harassed by the police reflecting a long history of discrimination against Afro-Americans since the advent of slavery in the 1600s to the present day. There was no outcry within the country or internationally on the complicity of the J R Jayewardene government and the indifference and participation of the security forces in the Pogrom. The immediate result of this Black July pogrom was a full-blown civil war that lasted for over a quarter of a century. Floyds murder brought together tens of thousands of people, black and white in hundreds of cities across the United States. Anger spread across the globe, including Colombo and especially in the mother of colonialism, the United Kingdom. The Aftermath The government of the day in Sri Lanka in 1983, headed by the creator of the executive presidency, J R Jayewardene, and his coterie of senior ministers, blamed the victims for their plight and air-brushed away their nefarious role in the killings, lootings, rapes and the torching of properties, falsely accusing their political opponents, including me, who had no role in the Pogrom. The movement for democratic rights of the Tamil people had started off peacefully but was met by a series of riots and repressive measures state - sponsored. Further curtailment of their rights and pogrom scaled up their peaceful agitations into a full-blown civil war, that lasted 26 years. Meanwhile in the South the JVP was forced to go clandestine. It escalated the JVPs political paranoia against the state and resuscitated and reinforced their politically futile and deadly insurrectionist tendency. This situation developed into an armed uprising which engulfed the south six years later, resulting in tens of thousands of illegal executions committed by both the state and the JVP; the great majority of those executions committed by the security forces, whose activities were subsequently rewarded. In 2020, we have more of the same. A President who, instead of tackling the looming economic crisis and the corruption that permeates every layer of society (many belonging or related to the political class and some of the bureaucrats being alleged to be major beneficiaries), is busily deflecting attention. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, like J R Jayewardene, is finding convenient scapegoats under the guise of nationalism: minorities, journalists, human right activists and the political formations that are critical of his activities. Like all authoritarian leaders, he is busily making himself less accountable by militarisation of the bureaucracy, securitification of society and sidelining the parliament. The United States have a President Donald Trump, whose attention span is less than that of a gnat and who seemingly spends all his waking hours twittering his prejudices, when not watching Fox News and basking in the praise of his followers and those whose livelihoods depend on him. Meanwhile in the country he presides over, the number of those infected by COVID-19 and dying of it is the largest in the world. In his parallel universe, he is actually presiding over the most successful program against the pandemic. Inconvenient facts are blamed on his Democratic opponents, the World Health Organisation and China. So, it comes as no surprise that, just as in Sri Lanka, the victims of systematic racial abuse and police brutality are blamed, rather than the perpetrators of injustice. There has been widespread condemnation of George Floyds death from all sides. Republican grandees like George Bush and Mitt Romney, Democratic representatives, Governors of many states, countless grassroots organisations all have come together in an attempt to change the political debate on race. It is too soon to tell how it will play out, but the signs look good. In Sri Lanka there is hardly any discussion about the 1983 pogrom, apart from a few brave individuals and community groups across the communal divide and some in the international community. The same is true of the two insurrections in the South and the long civil war mainly in the North and East. Nobody of the state apparatus has yet been brought to book for their crimes, and no compensation has been offered to victims. And the institutions involved - the security apparatus and the political establishment have not been reformed. After George Floyds death, the demand for equity and reform of policing methods became loud and clear. Numerous statues and monuments, honouring figures from the white majority community, associated with colonisation or slavery are being defaced or removed. Prominence was given to the right of minorities to be brought back from the margins of history, to the chagrin of supporters of the Confederacy and British Imperialism, and especially when the statues and legacy of Winston Churchill were called into question. Conclusion The 83 pogrom and George Floyds murder offer us a sobering political lesson. The initial protest movement for the rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka started off peacefully but resulted in a number of riots and a pogrom against the Tamil community, leading to a full-scale civil war. On the 9th of June a peaceful protest in Colombo held by the Frontline Socialist Party in support of the demands of fairness and equality of the black people in the US and to condemn the discriminatory policies implemented against them was brutally broken up by the police. This was done on the pretext that the protestors were not observing social distancing regulations. The participants and witnesses refute the pretext the regime has offered. This ruthless action of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime is nothing but an expression of sympathy towards the discriminatory policies of the Trump presidency and past US regimes in their treatment of minorities. In the United States, many in the white community have come out in support of their black comrades. Nothing equivalent has happened in the majority community in Sri Lanka. In the US, more racist elements amongst the whites have been emboldened, with a resurgence of neo-Nazi groups and the Ku Klux Clan. In Sri Lanka also, we can see similar social media and mainstream media manipulations by militant Sinhala ultra nationalist groups. They continue to slander the Muslim community, helped by the complicity or indifference of the authorities, with tragic consequences to the social cohesion and national unity of Sri Lanka. Progressive people around the world have become aware that not to protest has ethical and political consequences. George Floyd is serving as a catalyst to question racism, slavery and colonialism. We should remember not only Floyds needless death but also the lessons from Sri Lankas own blood-stained past. We hope it can also serve as a political trigger for the masses to question the scapegoating of minorities and the persecution of the governments opponents, journalists, civil society actors, human rights activists and the Trade Union Movement. We can do no less. The Senate Republicans were not interested in any evidence, the chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, said on the CNN program State of the Union. They were corrupt in that respect. The books revelations have been met with frustration from Capitol Hill Democrats, who were angry that the former national security adviser waited until the release of his book for which he was reportedly paid $2 million to accuse Mr. Trump of misdeeds that went far beyond those for which he was impeached. At the same time, Republicans dismissed the book as either false or motivated by money. After Mr. Nadlers appearance on CNN, Peter Navarro, Mr. Trumps trade adviser, appeared on the program and disputed several claims in Mr. Boltons book. He also said the former national security adviser should be prosecuted. That guy should be turning in his seersucker suit for an orange jumpsuit, Mr. Navarro said. John Bolton has put highly classified information sprinkled throughout a very large book. I predict this: He will not only not get the profits from that book, but he risks a jail sentence. Democratic leaders expressed some interest on Sunday in calling Mr. Bolton to testify before Congress. Mr. Nadler at first said he was not interested in hearing from Mr. Bolton, but later said his committee may call him to hear more about allegations that Mr. Trump considered interfering in an investigation of a state-owned Turkish bank. The president has done a lot of impeachable things, including what Boltons talking about, Mr. Nadler said. But we have an election coming up. We know the Republicans in the Senate will not entertain an impeachment in any event. That would at this point be a waste of time and effort. Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California and leader of the House managers who prosecuted the president during the Senate trial, accused Mr. Bolton of cowardice and greed but said that he, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in leadership would consider their next steps. - As the world celebrated fathers, Kenyan celebs were not left behind as they also wished their fathers a great day - There are those female celebs who marked the day celebrating both their fathers and husbands and even baby daddies - Male celebs also celebrated their fathers with radioman Jalang'o wishing his late dad was around to see how great of a man he had become On Sunday, June 21, the world celebrated fathers, honouring them for helping to bring them into this world and the role they played in nurturing them. Kenyan celebrities were not left behind as they took to social media to wish their fathers and husbands a Happy Father's Day as the world celebrates dads. READ ALSO: Lucy Gatimu: Mother trolled for seeking help with school fees now helping poor families get food Kate Actress celebrated her father sharing a picture while feeding him cake at her wedding. Photo: Catherine Kamau Source: UGC READ ALSO: Louis Otieno's son Silas Miami confirms he's gay, has married his mzungu lover Kate Actress, Julie Gichuru and Wahu Kangwi were some of the celebs who celebrated both their fathers and husbands in sweet messages shared on social media. Julie even celebrated her grandfather, showing the three generations of men who had been integral in her life. READ ALSO: Heartbroken Akothee discloses she hasnt seen sons in 6 months, prays COVID-19 will end READ ALSO: Former Machachari star Baha, identical brother release new song together Others like Akothee, Massawe Japanni and Nana Owiti also celebrated their husbands and baby daddies as the world marked Father's Day. READ ALSO: Abeny Jachiga: Kisumu police return to mourn week after burying Luo musician at 2am There were also celebs like Jalang'o and Sleepy David who remembered their deceased fathers wishing they were around to celebrate the day with them. There were male celebrities who wished their dads a Happy Father's Day with others not forgetting to salute themselves, as fathers. Here are more posts TUKO.co.ke was able to spot from celebrities: READ ALSO: Forget about curvy cop Linda Okello, meet Ghana's voluptuous officer who boasts of curves for days 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. Fighting spirit husbands, Spirit wives and breaking soul ties with Pastor T | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke The world is celebrating Father's Day 2020, today (June 21, 2020). When it comes to Bollywood, the popular faces of the industry have made sure that they make this occasion memorable. The Bollywood celebs wished their super dads on Father's Day with some super adorable social media posts, to the much excitement of the fans and cine-goers. From Amitabh Bachchan to Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Soha Ali Khan, and others took to their respective social media pages to share some rare pictures and videos of their loving fathers, along with special messages. Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest superstar of Hindi cinema, dedicated a special post for his late father, the legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan on Father Day 2020. ' ... ... ... ...!!', wrote Big B on his post. Anushka Sharma shared some unseen stills with her father Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma from her wedding album, this father's day. The actress also quoted a conversation between her and father, that happened during her pre-university days in her touchinh post. Sonam Kapoor, the fashionista took to her official Instagram page to post an adorable picture with father Anil Kapoor and sister Rhea Kapoor, along with a long, emotional note. Check out Sonam's post here. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who has been highly active on Instagram these days, took to her official page to share a cool picture of her parents to wish her father Randhir Kapoor on father's day. She also wished her husband Saif Ali Khan by sharing a picture of him with their little son Taimur. Alia Bhatt wished her father, the veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on father's day with a unique picture and a touching note. Madhuri Dixit, the senior actress wished her late father Shankar Dixit and husband Dr. Shriram Nene a happy father's day, with a lovely collage posted on her official Instagram page. Soha Ali Khan, the actress-writer made two adorable posts on her Instagram page on the occasion of father's day, which are specially dedicated to her late father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and husband Kunal Kemmu. Shilpa Shetty, the actress who is highly excited about the father's day and international yoga day coming together, shared an interesting video of her husband Raj Kundra and son Viaan Raj on her Instagram page. Also Read: International Yoga Day 2020: Taapsee, Shilpa, Malaika & Others Encourage Fans To Stay Fit With Yoga Akshay Kumar Was Shooed Away By Watchman 32 Years Ago, Now Owns House At The Exact Location Tom Pettys estate has issued a cease and desist order to the Donald Trump campaign to force it to stop using Pettys song, I Wont Back Down. Trump was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind, his surviving family wrote in a letter posted to multiple social media platforms late Saturday evening. Trump played the song on Saturday at the start of his Tulsa, Okla., rally. That particular rally had already seen much controversy from originally scheduling it on Juneteenth to six Trump staff members testing positive for coronavirus. RELATED: Trump rally in Tulsa features some empty seats, talk of coronavirus, confederate statues The rally was Trump's first since the nation started shutting down due to the coronavirus in March. This is not the first time a cease-and-desist letter has been sent to a presidential candidate on Petty's behalf. Nor is it the first time it's been sent regarding "I Won't Back Down." While he was alive, Petty sent a cease-and-desist letter to George W. Bush during his 2000 presidential campaign. Other artists that have sent cease-and-desist letters to the Trump and his campaign include Queen, Nickelback, Rihanna and Pharrell. Tom Petty died of cardiac arrest stemming from an accidental drug overdose on Oct. 3, 2017. T J S George By Lets face it. The coronavirus emergency that has dislocated our world will not go away any time soon. Before it does, it will have changed our ideas of life and living. Abandoning the usual practice of hugging friends to show our regards for them is merely an outward sign of the changes overtaking us. The very opposite of hugging, social distancing, is the new norm. There is a political angle to the coronavirus crisis which is more worrying. Any kind of crisis gives unlimited powers to ruling elites who, for that reason, welcome crises and emergencies. A national emergency helps elected leaders to turn into autocrats without attracting the stigma of autocracy. Indias first two emergencies were necessitated by the China war (1962) and the Pakistan war (1971). But the Indira Gandhi emergency of 1975 was politics all the way through; she wanted to overcome a court ruling that made her election invalid. That emergency led to one man, Sanjay Gandhi, exercising power according to his whims. The present emergency, though not declared as such, gives the prime minister of the day the same privilege. The temptation to exercise power beyond constitutional limitations is strong among politicians irrespective of party labels. The clever ones do it without attracting condemnation. China is a good example of this. Today people in China can pretty much do what they please, including the airing of a fair amount of criticism of those in power. This flows from the perceptible improvement in the quality of life in China. Although the Government allowed prosperity to develop, it never gave up its police-state character. In Turkey, people are happily irresponsible if Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk is to be believed. His forthcoming novel Nights of Plague says that even during major plague pandemics, mosques in Istanbul conducted funerals, mourners still visited one another to offer condolences and tearful embraces. But, Turkey remains the world leader in jailing journalists. It is clear that countries do what they want but pretend to be otherwise. Typically, they have adapted themselves to social distancing. But is this not a reworking of our time-tested caste distancing? When it was a legally protected privilege, the caste system was rampantly misused. Inhuman punishments of the lower castes for presumed offences were all too common. Originally, it was justified as a means to protect occupational skills and to identify people by the skills they cultivated. It became birth-based and discriminatory under the British policy of divide and rule. The privileged in India took advantage of colonial policies and turned casteism into an excusable practice. I had once mentioned in this column my childhood playmate, Konnan. That was a contemptuous abbreviation of his name, Govindan. He was the grandson of a slave. Yes, a slave, a human being whom another human being could legally own in our village in those days. Konnan and I never understood the ramifications of the word as we played games. No one told us about it either. Clearly all discriminations, caste-wise or otherwise, are in the mind. If you feel it inside you, it is there. If you dont, it doesnt exist. The same applies to religious differences as well. Most of the time we hear about this religious group clashing with that religious group. Occasionally, we also hear heart-warming stories. The other day West Bengals Imams Association asked Muslims to donate their Zakat fund in such a way that household necessities could be distributed to the poor, whether Hindu and Muslim. In a Rajasthan district, Hindu youth arranged roza-iftar for Muslims admitted to the local hospital during Ramzan. Again, if you feel communal inside you, it is there, otherwise it doesnt exist. Vayalar Rama Varma, an acutely sensitive poet, put it in words that were beautiful and fearsome at the same time. Man created religions / Religions created gods / Man, religions and gods together / shared the earth / shared the mind of man / We became Hindu, Mussalman, Christian / We became strangers to ourselves / India became a lunatic asylum. Religion has become the most profitable business in the world today, money-wise and power-wise. Thats one reason why communally oriented political parties do well in power games. Caste distancing may have acquired a fashionable face as social distancing. But the basics remain unchanged. If it takes a pandemic to create a political atmosphere favourable to the ruling class, they will welcome it. Lifes unalterable principle is: The ruling class must rule on. If it is over the dead bodies of you and me, so be it. T J S George A Kilkenny-based medical device manufacturer has hired 10 people over the course of the pandemic lockdown as demand for its alcohol-free hand sanitiser grows. CF Pharma, which now employs 50 people, has launched SaniHub 360, a range of sanitising products aimed at public and private entities, including schools. The company is five years old and has generally made medical devices for hospitals. Key to its product line is a solution called Hypochlorous which is used for 'wound irrigation' in hospitals. It is a very efficient disinfectant, pH neutral and extremely safe, making it suitable for children and those with skin conditions such as eczema. CF Pharma founder Claire Hughes said the company had a primary clinical test to show it kills coronavirus. "We have used it in a hospital setting because that was where the need was," she said. "Prior to Covid, people really thought sanitisation wasn't a huge concern but post-Covid there is going to be a new way of thinking." The company has been in talks with the Department of Education, school principals, churches and other bodies about the product line which includes a foot pump system to deliver the solution. Hughes said the company was already supplying schools in the UK. Click here to read the full article. June 20 was always meant to be the day the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival would hand out awards at an energetic, paper airplane-filled gala, making it one of the most important dates on the global animation calendar. While other aspects of the festival were changed dramatically by the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, festival organizers felt it symbolically important to preserve that date. To that end, 10 days ahead of the festivals official June 30 close, prizes were awarded via a live-streamed video on the festivals YouTube channel in a charming ceremony which allowed spectators to interact with and congratulate the winners as prizes were announced. And of course, as is customary for Annecy, fill the chat with cries of lapin (French for rabbit) every time one of the furry creatures appeared on screen. More from Variety Coming full circle, Remi Chayes Calamity, featured in a Work in Progress panel hosted by French producers Maybe Movies at last years festival, won the festivals top prize, the Cristal Award for best feature film. The win continues a fine run of French form in the competition following last years winner I Lost My Body and Funan, a co-production with Belgium, Cambodia and Luxembourg, the year before. Some competition films screened on the festivals digital platform this year, but the Calamity team decided to hold off on its full premiere until a time when can be held in a brick-and-mortar theater. Instead, Maybe Movies and Paris-based sales agent Indie Sales opted to share an introduction to the film delivered by Chaye and a 17-minute behind-the-scenes presentation featuring previously unseen clips from the now-finished film. Story continues Russian production The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks, from 1995 Annecy winner and Russian animation legend Andrey Khrzhanovsky (The Grey Bearded Lion), won this years Jury Award, while Mariusz Wilczynskis Kill It and Leave this Town, a critical hit at its Berlin premiere, received the sections Jury Distinction. A Norway-Latvia co-production from Bivrost Film & TV and Ego Media, Ilze Burkovska Jacobsens autobiographical documentary My Favorite War was selected as the best feature from this years Contrechamp selection. Now in its second year, Contrechamp acts as the festivals platform for films from exciting emerging talents from around the world. The only title directed by a woman from either of the festivals main feature sections, My Favorite War ruminates on a childhood spent in the Soviet Union and how truth can be hard to come by amidst a flood of authoritarian propaganda. Jae-huun Ahns South Korean feature The Shaman Sorceress, another former Annecy Work in Progress participant (2016), was recognized with the Contrechamp Jury Distinction. Schoooms Odyssey picked up another trophy for the mantels of producers Picolo Pictures and director Julien Bisaro. Having already won best short film for kids-up-to-six at Prix Jeunesse and a best animated short for kids at Belgiums Anima 2020, it took top TV honors at this years Annecy, winning the Cristal for Best TV Production. Bisaro, Annie-nominated for his storyboard work on Xilam-produced I Lost My Body, will direct the The Wolf, the companys next feature outing. In Schoooms, he delivers a 2D animated special for preschoolers, shot with an arresting sense of an immersive nature, which follows plucky owl chick Shooom, hatched just before a storm, on a journey to find its mother. Robin Shaws The Tiger Who Came to Tea, produced by Lupus Films in the U.K. for NBC Universal, received a Jury Award for a TV Special, while Amazon Prime Videos Undone was picked by the jury as the best TV Series in competition. A day after winning the prestigious Fipresci award for a short film, Oscar-nominated director Theodore Ushevs The Physics of Sorrow, a hit at both Toronto and Clermont Ferrand, took todays Annecy Cristal for best short film and provided one of the evenings most touching moments, as his acceptance speech also included the moment he was first told hed won the Cristal. Ushev leapt out of his chair, cheered, laughed and cried as he talked about how important this award is to him. A first-person account from a nameless narrator recounting life highlights from childhood through to a melancholic twilight in Canada, his short was always one of the favorites from a stacked field and made Varietys list of 10 shorts not to miss. Spanish auteur Alberto Vazquez, director of Birdboy: The Forgotten Children and the highly anticipated Unicorn Wars which premiered its first blood-soaked cotton candy trailer during this years festival, won the Jury Award in the short film category with Homeless Home. The darkest entry in competition this year, both narratively and aesthetically, the film is set in a black and white, demonized version of Vazquezs native Galicia and metaphorically examines issues that rural natives face when returning home after years spent elsewhere. Yifan Baos The Town about the importance of family and putting on a brave face against conformity was picked as the sections best first film. Soetkin Verstegens black and white stop motion Freeze Frame and Max Hattlers Serial Parallels shared a Jury Distinction. This years Cristal for a commissioned film was awarded to Daniel Almagor and Raman Djafaris colorful music video for Traveler from NYC-based brass band Lucky Chops, while the Commissioned Film Jury Award went to Gavin Stranges Turtle Journey, commissioned by Greenpeace and produced by legendary U.K stop motion outfit Aardman Animations. From the Moscow School of New Cinema, Kirill Khachaturovs Naked won the Cristal for this years top graduation film, while Sura from Korean National University of Arts grad Hae-Ji Jeong and Pile from the U.K.s Royal College of Art alum Toby Auberg both won jury prizes. In VR, Raqi Syed and Areito Echevarrias Minimum Mass, a sci-fi tale exploring the emotional fallout after a miscarriage, took the Cristal for Best VR Work, with Martin Allais and Nicolas Casavecchias Battlescar Punk Was Invented by Girls winning a jury prize. 2019 ANNECY INTL. ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTION WINNERS FEATURE FILMS CRISTAL FOR A FEATURE FILM Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary, (Remi Chaye France, Denmark) JURY AWARD The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks, (Andrey Khrzhanovsky, Russia) JURY DISTINCTION Kill It and Leave this Town, (Mariusz Wilczynski, Poland) CONTRECHAMP AWARD My Favorite War, (Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen, Latvia, Norway) CONTRECHAMP JURY DISTINCTION The Shaman Sorceress, (Jae-huun Ahn, South Korea) SHORT FILMS CRISTAL FOR A SHORT FILM The Physics of Sorrow, (Theodore Ushev, Canada) JURY AWARD Homeless Home, (Alberto Vazquez, France, Spain) JURY DISTINCTION (TIED) Freeze Frame, (Soetkin Verstegen, Belgium) Genius Loci, (Adrien Merigeau, France) JEAN-LUC XIBERRAS AWARD FOR A FIRST FILM The Town, (Yifan Bao, China) OFF-LIMITS AWARD Serial Parallels, (Max Hattler, Germany, Hong Kong) TV AND COMMISSIONED FILMS TV SERIES AND FILMS JURY AWARD FOR A TV SERIES Undone: The Hospital, (Hisko Hulsing, U.S.) JURY AWARD FOR A TV SPECIAL The Tiger Who Came to Tea, (Robin Shaw, United Kingdom) CRISTAL FOR A TV PRODUCTION Shoooms Odyssey, (Julien Bisaro, Belgium, France) COMMISSIONED FILMS CRISTAL FOR A COMMISSIONED FILM Lucky Chops Traveler, (Daniel Almagor, Raman Djafari, Germany) JURY AWARD Greenpeace Turtle Journey, (Gavin Strange, United Kingdom) GRADUATION FILMS CRISTAL FOR A GRADUATION FILM Naked, (Kirill Khachaturov, Russia) JURY DISTINCTION Sura, (Hae-Ji Jeong, South Korea) JURY AWARD Pile, (Toby Auberg United Kingdom) VR WORKS CRISTAL FOR THE BEST VR WORK Minimum Mass, (Raqi Syed, Areito Echevarria, France, New Zealand) JURY DISTINCTION Battlescar Punk Was Invented by Girls, (Martin Allais, Nicolas Casavecchia, U.S., France) Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has told the Delhi High Court that Google Pay is a third party app provider (TPAP) and does not operate any payment systems. Therefore, its operations are not in violation of the Payment and Settlement System Act of 2007, RBI has told a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan. RBI has also told the court that since Google Pay does not operate any payment system, it does not find a place in the list of authorised payment system operators published by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The RBI's submissions came in response to a PIL by financial economist Abhijit Mishra who has alleged that Google's mobile payment app, Google Pay or GPay in short, was facilitating financial transactions without the requisite authorisation from RBI. Mishra has claimed that GPay was acting as a payments system provider in violation of the Payments and Settlements Act as it has no valid authorisation from the central bank of the country to carry out such functions. He has also contended that GPay does not figure in NPCI's list of authorised 'payment systems operators' released on March 20, 2019. The bench said the matter requires detailed hearing as it affects other third party apps and listed it on July 22. Also read: Trump to announce new H-1B visa curbs with fewer exclusions Also read: India-China border row: Govt grants emergency funds to armed forces for war preparedness Home Just In Three Nepalis in UAE barred from repatriation as they test coronavirus positive Abu Dhabi, June 21 Three Nepalis who were preparing to fly home from the United Arab Emirates have been barred from a repatriation flight on Sunday morning after they tested positive for coronavirus. Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines and Flydubai had scheduled three flights for today. Of them, the first flight took off Abu Dhabi International Airport at 4:25 am local time today, carrying two minors, 26 women, and 123 men. However, three persons scheduled to fly there could not board their flight as they tested positive for coronavirus in rapid diagnostic tests conducted at the airport before the flight. The Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi says most of the returnees include senior citizens, women, members of the families with recent death cases, and those living in the UAE on visit visas. Embassy officials and representatives of the organisations of Nepali migrant workers bid saw off them at the airport. Nepal on June 21 claimed that 90 percent of its coronavirus cases are migrant workers who returned from abroad, mostly from India, as the country's tally inched closer to the 10,000-mark with 421 new cases. The virus has now spread to 75 of the total 77 districts in the country, the Health Ministry said. The confirmation of 421 new cases pushed Nepal's coronavirus infection tally to 9,026. Dr Basudev Pandey, director at Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health said 90 per cent of Nepal's coronavirus cases are migrant workers, who returned from abroad, mostly from India, and 98 per cent of the infected people did not show any symptom. Of the 421 new cases, 64 are female while 357 are male, the Health Ministry said at its daily media briefing. 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 death toll due to COVID-19 on Sunday increased to 23 following the death of a 69-year old paralysis patient, who recently returned from India after treatment, said the Health Ministry spokesperson. On Sunday, 194 recoveries were reported, eight of them females and 186 males. With this total recovery cases have reached 1,772, of which 149 are females and 1623 males. Currently, 7,231 coronavirus active patients are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. LIMERICK native Alicia McMahon is beyond excited having made a deal to turn her book manuscript into a screenplay for a movie. It has been a long process for Alicia from writing to publishing My Nanas Voice - An Irish girls journey from Maiden, to Mother, to Crone. The entire process from the initial notion to the day it was published (September 2018) took her seven years. I finished the audio book a few months ago (in my own voice). I am one step closer to my dream of seeing my story on the big screen, said Alicia who grew up in Foynes and Shanagolden. Her next step is to find funding and a filmmaker/director to agree to take it on, once the screenplay is complete. Protagonist and first-person narrator Alicia began her memoir later in her life a tribute book for her ailing Nana Murphy. When Alicia was 18-years-old, she felt compelled to leave her motherland to find work. She found herself in the United States. Once in the US, she shares the terrifying situations she experiences as a young mother of two and how her "crone voice" has guided her throughout tough circumstances in her life. Alicias story is unusual in that, at one point in time, she went from being homeless in a battered womens shelter with her two young daughters to working directly on Bill Gates personal CEO Summit, all within a short period of time. She has produced business conferences for Bill Gates, Fortune, and Adobe, and she is currently an executive administrator for Congruex Group in Boulder, Colorado. Throughout her journey, she helps listeners comprehend how she developed her own understanding of intuition (she calls it her crone voice) and how that has aided her throughout her life. The funny thing about writing your own story is that it forces you to process your life and digest feelings that you may not have processed during that time, said Alicia. I found this to be extremely therapeutic, even with the scary parts of my life. Having to explain my feelings so the reader can understand it, forced me to relive those situations and process them. It allowed me to identify how I really felt and unbeknownst to myself at the time, this turns into strength and subsequently confidence. At the end of each chapter, Alicia shares a pertinent quote that reflects her strength and thoughts about that time in her life. Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport expects to handle 500.000 passengers this year at most due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, it is expected to register its slowest year since 1994. Ljubljana has been impacted not only by the virus but also the bankruptcy of its main customer, Adria Airways, late last year. Flights are slowly resuming to the Slovenian capital, with Lufthansa returning from Frankfurt and Wizz Air from Charleroi this week. They follow Air Serbia and Montenegro Airlines which reinstated operations from their respective hubs earlier on. We are very pleased that traffic is resuming, especially with larger carriers. However, these figures are far from what we are otherwise used to at this point in the year, Ljubljana Airports General Manager, Zmago Skobir, said. He expressed concern that some airlines might not have enough demand to justify maintaining services to the city during the winter. Following an almost three-month hiatus, the first flight from Frankfurt to Ljubljana on Monday saw 92 passengers while there were 35 on the return Lufthansa service. Wizz Air handled 97 travellers on its flight from Charleroi, while there were 54 on the way back. However, there were significantly more people booked that simply did not show up for their Wizz flights, which is a trend being seen across the continent. "It's important to note that airlines have downsized, meaning they now have smaller fleets and are looking towards markets that are open, commercially attractive, and where they won't have problems with the consequences of Covid-19", Mr Skobir said. As a result of the significant decline in traffic, Ljubljana Airport plans to lay off up to 120 employees. Without such a measure, the company will run into even greater liquidity problems, the General Manager noted. Unions have requested for any decision over staff dismissals to be delayed until the end of the year when the full impact of the virus can be better assessed. They have also requested for all infrastructure investments to be delayed in order to save money, and in turn jobs. Mr Skobir has said that all non-essential investments, valued at some eight million euros, have been halted, while the construction of the airports new passenger terminal is ongoing as it has been deemed necessary for Ljubljanas long-term development. By Chang Se-moon The Korean American University Professors Association (KAUPA) was established in 1986 to facilitate academic and social exchanges of scholars between North America and Korea, to award scholarships to Korean American and Korean Canadian students and to encourage academic research and scholarly cooperation among members. One unique attribute of KAUPA is that it encompasses all different disciplines. Regular membership in the association is open to all those who hold active or retired academic positions at colleges and universities in the U.S. or Canada. Associate membership is wide open to anyone who supports the objectives and activities of the association. The president of KAUPA is professor Young B. Choi of Regent University who also works as editor of the organization's newsletter. Actually, professor Choi is a special scholar in that he can speak Korean, English, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese. He also writes poems in all five different languages. KAUPA is an academic organization with a number of worthy projects in progress. Today, I am introducing selected activities although information on all KAUPA activities is available on their website (KAUPA.Club). One recent activity of KAUPA was to arrange a May 16 cyber concert of heartfelt gratitude, dedicated to the victims of COVID-19, people working hard on the front line and families suffering throughout the world in difficult situations. Ten well-established musicians, all KAUPA members, arranged the cyber concert. These musicians are Jee Hyun Lim (soprano), In Dal Choi (baritone), Eun-joo Kwak (piano), Kyoung Cho (soprano), Ryu-kyung Kim (mezzo soprano), Won Cho (bass baritone), Hyeri Choi (violin), Misoon Ghim (mezzo soprano), Misook Yun (soprano) and Youngsuck Kim (tenor). KAUPA just announced its 2020 scholarship program. The application deadline is Aug. 1. Qualifications are Koreans, Korean Americans and Korean Canadians who are enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students in all majors in the U.S. or Canada. Canadian or U.S. citizenship is not required. Scholarship funds apply to educational, living and travel expenses incurred while attending an educational institute. Educational expenses include tuition and fees, course-related expenses, room and board and research expenses. Always interesting to read in the KAUPA newsletter are activity reports on KAUPA members. According to 2020 newsletters, Dr. Tae (Tom) Oh was promoted to full professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, while professor Kwang-soo Kim of Harvard University made a breakthrough in Parkinson's disease treatment as reported in the May 13 issue of the New York Times. Associate professor Kyoim Yun at the University of Kansas published a book titled "The Shaman's Wages: Trading in Ritual on Cheju Island," while associate professor David C. Oh of Ramapo College in New Jersey received three awards during 2019, including the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant and the Faculty Research Paper Award from the National Communication Association. Assistant professor Chong-kyoon Lee of James Madison University and assistant professor Jinyoung Kang of Mary Baldwin University received the research excellence award from the Center for Social Value Enhancement Studies in the Republic of Korea, to establish a social innovation ecosystem. Professor Young W. Park of Fort Valley State University in Georgia was a keynote speaker at the 2019 International Conference on Asian Dairy Goat Conference, held in Nepal. Professor Jongwook Woo at California State University Los Angeles developed his own COVID-19 Dashboard recently as tempo-spatial analysis to show the trends of the confirmed cases, fatality rate, test rate per population and the number of tests in the world using Tableau. He was interviewed by Arirang TV in Seoul, May 19. Moon-sook Park, associate professor of music at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and You-seong Kim, associate professor of music at North Park University in Chicago, introduced Korean art songs to North America by publishing two books, "Korean Art Songs: An Anthology and Guide for Performance and Study: Volumes I and II." These books are the first authoritative anthology of Korean Art Songs, published in the United States. Just in case you are not familiar, Korean art songs include Arirang, Bimok, Myeong-tae, Gang-gang-sullae and many more. Here is an item that professors in many universities in Korea may want to think about. KAUPA is promoting a close working relation between professors in the U.S. and professors in Korea under the pilot KAUPA-Korea Program. Professors in both continents may contact President Choi of KAUPA (ychoi@regent.edu), if interested in pursuing working relations. Finally, I would like to add that there are other Korean American academic organizations that are focused on particular majors. One such organization is the Korean-American Economic Association (KAEA) that was established in 1985 and where I served as president in 1999. The KAEA has been an integral member of the Allied Social Science Association, which is a group of academic organizations studying social sciences that are officially recognized by the American Economic Association. Chang Se-moon (changsemoon@yahoo.com) is the director of the Gulf Coast Center for Impact Studies. Details emerging from the debriefing of Indian soldiers involved in the brutal Galwan Valley skirmish shine fresh light on the heroism of outnumbered Indian soldiers who fought off numerically superior rivals, string together the tactics of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and provide a clearer picture of how the clash unfolded on June 15, people familiar with developments said on Sunday. The seven-hour deadly conflict --- involving three staggered clashes --- along the undefined Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh saw the Indian soldiers put up a fierce fight against Chinese troops who had been pulled out of another sector and freshly deployed on the disputed border to carry out the premeditated attack at a time when a de-escalation plan was being implemented, said one of the persons cited above, asking not to be identified. There was no official word from the army on the new details of the clash. The Galwan Valley skirmish resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, and the Chinese army possibly suffered more than twice the casualties, as stated by Union minister General VK Singh (retd) in a TV interview on Saturday. It was the first deadly conflict between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the LAC in 45 years. The first wave of fighting erupted at around 6pm after Colonel B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar, led a squad of around 30 soldiers to a location near Patrol Point 14 (PP14) to verify if the Chinese soldiers had removed some of the installations they had erected in the area, after an understanding was reached at a meeting between senior military commanders on June 6, said the first person cited above. The squad, however, found that the tents and an observation post were still intact and the Chinese soldiers had not retreated. The number of Chinese troops at this location was around 20, including their commanding officer, he said. The Indian squad confronted the Chinese troops but the latter refused to remove their installations and vacate the area, leading to a scuffle in which Colonel Babu was pushed around, the person said. The manhandling of the colonel enraged the Indian troops who thrashed the Chinese soldiers and forced them to retreat towards PP14, a second person said. Babu and his men burnt down the Chinese tents and dismantled the observation post that was within the Indian side of the LAC. The Indian squad found something was amiss as the Chinese colonel and the troops they had confronted minutes ago were totally unfamiliar. Rival soldiers patrolling the same areas can recognise each other. These were new faces. The Chinese PLA had sent in soldiers from some other area to carry out a pre-planned assault that would soon unfold, he said. Soldiers familiar with each other are less likely to engage in a brutal conflict like the one that would play out in the dark a couple of hours later, he said. The wily tactics of the Chinese were at play and Babu sensed it right away, he added. The Indian squad called in for reinforcements and decided to patrol up to PP14 to check what the Chinese troops were up to and if they had pulled back to their side of the LAC. Now in command of around 80 soldiers, including a few officers, Babu led the squad right up to PP14 where the Chinese soldiers had gathered in large numbers, taken vantage positions and armed themselves with stones, iron rods and nail-studded clubs, the first person said. The Indian squad would soon face off with around 250 rival soldiers who were fully prepared for a dirty fight that night. The second round of fighting began here. Babu and two others were fatally hit by Chinese soldiers and they fell into the river. The Chinese may not have known that they had struck the Indian commanding officer, he said. However, the moment the Indian soldiers realised that Babu had fallen, they fought against the Chinese soldiers with all their might and killed 16 of them and inflicted life-threatening injuries on scores of others in a fearsome counter attack, the person said. Commanding officers in the army are regarded father figures who command immense respect and loyalty. India suffered all of its 20 casualties in the second of fighting. A lull in fighting allowed both sides to call for reinforcements before the soldiers engaged in the final wave of fighting that involved around 600 soldiers on both sides, with the Chinese PLA deploying more than 400 troops in that skirmish, the person said. The bodies of the troops who perished in the skirmish were exchanged the next day. The Indian soldiers were carrying weapons and ammunition but did not open fire as they were following border agreements between the two countries, the government said last week, following a political controversy over whether the Indian soldiers were carrying weapons that could have been used to defend themselves. Apart from 16 Bihar, the Indian soldiers involved in the clash were from 3 Punjab, 3 Medium Regiment and 81 Field Regiment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On Saturday about 6:30 p.m., one car trailed another in the 600 block of North Central Avenue. Someone in the trailing vehicle apparently took aim and fired at a 27-year-old man in the first vehicle. Whatever else was going on in that mans life, he was also a father. His 3-year-old son, identified as Mekhi James, was riding with him. One of the bullets hit the little boy in his back. He died. The childs father is known to police and appears to be the intended target of the shooting, police said. A last ditch attempt to resolve a decade-long dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over a huge new hydropower dam on the Nile has failed, raising the stakes in what -- for all the public focus on technical issues -- is a tussle for control over the region's most important water source. The talks appear to have faltered over a recurring issue: Ethiopia's refusal to accept a permanent, minimum volume of water that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, or GERD, should release downstream in the event of severe drought. What happens next remains uncertain. Both Ethiopia and Sudan -- a mutual neighbor that took part in the talks -- said that progress had been made and left the door open to further negotiation. Yet the stakes in a region acutely vulnerable to the impact of climate change are disconcertingly clear. Ethiopia has threatened to start filling the dam's reservoir when the rainy season begins in July, with or without a deal, a step Egypt considers both unacceptable and illegal. In a statement late Wednesday, Egypt's irrigation ministry accused Ethiopia of refusing to accept any effective drought provision or legally binding commitments, or even to refer the talks to the three prime ministers in an effort to break the deadlock. Ethiopia was demanding "an absolute right" to build further dams behind the GERD, the ministry said. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry threatened on Monday to call for United Nations Security Council intervention to protect "international peace and security" if no agreement was reached. A day later his Ethiopian opposite, Gedu Andargachew, accused Egypt of "acting as if it is the sole owner of the Nile waters." Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris even warned of a water war. "We will never allow any country to starve us, if Ethiopia doesn't come to reason, we the Egyptian people will be the first to call for war," he said in a tweet earlier this week. Although both sides have played down the prospect of military conflict, they have occasionally rattled sabers and concern at the potential for escalation helped draw the U.S. and World Bank into the negotiating process last year. When that attempt floundered in February, the European Union and South Africa, as chair of the African Union, joined in. "This is all about control," said Asfaw Beyene, a professor of mechanical engineering at San Diego State University, California, whose work Egypt cited in support of a May 1 report to the UN. The so-called aide memoire argued that the GERD and its 74 billion cubic meter reservoir are so vastly oversized relative to the power they will produce that it "raises questions about the true purpose of the dam." Egypt's concern is that once the dam's sluices can control the Nile's flow, Ethiopia could in times of drought say "I am not releasing water, I need it," or dictate how the water released is used, says Asfaw. Yet he backs Ethiopia's claims that once filled, the dam won't significantly affect downstream supplies. He also agrees with their argument that climate change could render unsustainable any water guarantees given to Egypt. Both sides describe the future of the hydropower dam that will generate as much as 15.7 gigawatts of electricity per year as a matter of national survival. Egypt relies on the Nile for as much as 97% of an already strained water supply. Ethiopia says the dam is vital for development, because it would increase the nation's power generation by about 150% at a time when more than half the population has no access to electricity. Though more than 4,000 miles long and a byword for plenty, the Nile is -- in water terms -- poor. The river discharges just 1.4% as much water on average as the Amazon, one sixth of the Mississippi and less than half as much as the Danube. Those water volumes are predicted to be further reduced by climate change. Worse, the populations along the Nile are some of the fastest growing in the world. In 1954, when Egypt decided to build the High Aswan Dam, the combined population of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan (including today's South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011) was 51 million. That figure is now an estimated 272 million. In 2050, according to UN population projections, it will be 466 million. Still, geopolitical fears have turned eminently resolvable issues -- such as setting a filling schedule for the dam that won't cause sudden shortages downstream -- into episodes of diplomatic trench warfare. Time and again, the two sides have fought each other to a standstill over seeming technicalities, according to William Davison, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. Ethiopia's perception of a historical wrong that must be righted, combined with rampant mistrust and the sensitivity of the issue in both countries "have turned what is a tricky technical dispute into a zero-sum political game," said Davison, speaking by phone from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Take just one example. In 2015, the leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan agreed to appoint a neutral consultant to assess the key question of what impact the dam would have downstream -- one of several studies Ethiopia failed to produce before beginning GERD's construction in 2011. It took a year to agree on a (French) consultant to do the work, but when he set out how he planned to do go about it, Ethiopia objected. The assessment never began. The reason was that the consultant chose current water usage as the baseline against which to measure the dam's potential impact. That's routine practice, except that the current levels were set by Egypt and Sudan in a 1959 bilateral treaty that divided the Nile's water between themselves, evaporation and the Mediterranean Sea, leaving none for other riparian states. In its own May aide memoire to the UN Security Council, Ethiopia accused Egypt of using negotiations over the dam as a kind of back door route to impose the terms of such "colonial-era treaties" to which it had never been party."How do you expect me to say zero for me, 100% for others?" Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Energy, Irrigation and Electricity Seleshi Bekele said in an interview in Addis Ababa last year, when asked about Egypt's concern that the dam might cut into its share of the Nile. "The mind-set, the way the question is raised irritates me, what about other poor people? Don't they need to develop?" Egyptian water ministry officials say their country's two thirds share of the Nile's water isn't as unfair as it sounds. The river's average annual flow of 84 billion cubic meters makes up just 5% of the volume of rain that falls in the Nile basin each year, a gift to nations and their farmers that is unevenly distributed. Egyptian officials also see Ethiopia's reluctance to conduct studies and consult before building the GERD as part of a pattern, as it seeks to establish "hydro-hegemony" over the region. They cite Ethiopia's construction of another dam without prior cross-border consultation -- Gibe III, on the Omo River -- which the UN, in 2018, warned was causing water loss that threatened Lake Turkana in Kenya, a world heritage site. Some of these concerns appear to have answers. Built just 20km (12 miles) from the border with Sudan, and with a reservoir that backs up through some 150 miles of mountain gorges, the Renaissance dam would be uneconomic for Ethiopia to use for irrigation, unlike Gibe III. An independent panel appointed by the three countries estimated in 2013 that the GERD would lose about 3% of water passing through it, to evaporation and seepage. But it also said it would make up for at least some of that loss by regulating summer floods in Sudan and reducing evaporation in Lake Nasser, the desert reservoir behind Egypt's High Aswan Dam. The four-to-seven year fill period tentatively agreed by the three parties is more than enough to protect Egypt's water supply in any but the most extraordinary of droughts, according to Asfaw, the California professor, noting that Egypt filled the Aswan dam's reservoir -- over twice as big as the GERD's -- in five years. Equally, he said, Egypt got aspects of his work wrong when it claimed Ethiopia's dam was too big, mistaking turbine capacity for reservoir size. There's plenty to negotiate in the filling and coordinated operation of the GERD, says Asfaw, "but there is no engineering case for any threat of war." Pip Edwards has hit back at critics after her activewear brand P.E. Nation was slammed online over a 'tone-deaf' Instagram post about the Black Lives Matter movement. The post, which was uploaded earlier this month, declared that there should be 'equality for all' - but failed to mention the critical protest itself by name. Many fans took umbrage at the fact the post failed to mention the suffering of black people after Mr Floyd's death at the hands of American police. 'Do your research!' Pip Edwards, 40, (pictured) has back at critics after her brand P.E. Nation was slammed over a 'tone-deaf' Instagram post about racism earlier this month Dozens of angry commentators replied to the post, accusing P.E. Nation of ignoring the suffering of people of colour - and even threatening to boycott the brand. One person even branding Pip's behaviour as 'quintessential white privilege'. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph this weekend, a defiant Pip said: 'Do your research, scroll through our Instagram, learn who we are as a brand, don't jump on the bandwagon and if you are going to criticise, have something poignant to say... talk with truth.' 'Equality for all': The post, which was uploaded earlier this month, declared that there should be 'equality for all' - but failed to mention the critical protest itself by name Pip, who runs the successful fashion label with Claire Tregoning, said that equality is entrenched within the brand philosophy of P.E. Nation, and that this is clearly evident within its social media posts. Pip said the sheer amount of backlash is due to 'tall poppy syndrome', something which she believes is endemic to Australia. Calls for racial equality, particularly at the hands of police, have resulted in worldwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in America. 'Not good enough': Dozens of angry commentators replied to the post Backlash: One fan of the brand (pictured) said the message was 'tone deaf' and 'misses the mark completely' as it didn't mention Black Lives Matter Mr Floyd died on May 25 after a police officer stood on his neck for eight minutes, during which bystanders pleaded for his life. Another high-end fitness brand, Luluelemon, have made numerous posts about Black Lives Matter, and donated $250,000 to related charities. Major brands have flocked to throw their support behind the movement, often using the 'Black Lives Matter' slogan. The phrase 'Black Lives Matter' is used to tell the public about the disadvantages people of colour suffer in society, which are disproportionate to those suffered by white people. July 15, 1941 ~ June 15, 2020 Roy Eldon Uptain was born on July 15, 1941 to Earben and Doris Uptain. He graduated from Buhl High School. He married Phyllis Jean Williams in 1965 while serving his country. They together had celebrated 55 years of marriage. During his time in the Army, he was an SP-5 with training in helicopter and aircraft mechanics. He served in the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged in 1966. He received awards for his service: Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Overseas Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Upon his exit from the service he worked as an airplane and helicopter mechanic in California and Twin Falls, Idaho. He then went to work for Idaho Frozen Foods, he followed them through many name changes and a career of 28 years before retiring. Roy enjoyed hunting and firearms for targets, old west shoot outs, and his favorite high-powered silhouette shooting. He was an avid outdoors man and camper. He spent as much time as possible in the mountains. He and the love of his life traveled to many places in the US and Canada with his favorites being, Alaska and Canada for all its wildlife and mountainous glory. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Earben and Doris; brothers, Raymond, Clinton, Jerry; sister, Thelma; and a few nieces and nephews. Roy is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Jean Uptain; sister, Louise Burkhaulter; brother-in-law, Richard (Carol) Williams; sister-in-law, Valerie (Matt) Dinkel; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial services will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave. N, Buhl with a light luncheon following the service at Farmer Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers please plant a tree or donate to Buhl City Parks. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Roys memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com By Jonathan Spicer and Irem Koca ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey had lost some ground in its battle with the coronavirus but a focus on hygiene, masks and social distancing will protect people and help the economy rebound in the second half of the year. This month, Ankara opened restaurants and cafes and lifted weekend stay-home orders and most intercity travel bans. But since June 1 new COVID-19 cases have doubled to nearly 1,600 per day, raising concerns of a re-emergence. "The numbers in recent days show that we have lost our position in the fight against the epidemic," Erdogan said in a televised address. "But we aim to remove the pandemic from our agenda by respecting the cleaning, mask and distance rules." As Turks have poured out into streets, parks, malls and to vacation spots, face masks were made compulsory in major cities on Thursday. On Friday new virus cases dipped to just over 1,200 with total cases at more than 185,000, the thirteenth highest https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-MAP/0100B59S39E/index.html in the world. Graphic: Coronavirus cases in Turkey back on the rise https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/editorcharts/gjnvwynnovw/eikon.png A separate general lockdown of several hours was imposed Saturday so students could go out to attend high school exams. Some Turks posted pictures on social media of tightly packed crowds near schools and criticised the decision to hold tests. "Take a good look at these photos ... shame," said one on Twitter. A week ago, Turkey's top medical association criticised the decision to ease restrictions too soon. Health and government officials have told Reuters a harder line on social distancing may be adopted even while they said there is no plan to slow the economy, which emerged this month from a near standstill since mid-March. Most economists expect Turkey's economy to contract this year. But Erdogan said economic recovery signals have been "quite strong" since May, adding "we expect great momentum from the second half of the year." Graphic: Global coronavirus cases and deaths https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-MAP/0100B59S39E/index.html (Editing by Jason Neely and Giles Elgood) Two iconic local markets are back in business this week. The Peterborough Farmers Market reopened at Morrow Park this past Saturday. The new board of directors has a new lease agreement with the City of Peterborough. They have been working closely with the Peterborough Public Health team, and have an extensive plan to help everyone feel safe shopping for local food outdoors. Check them out this Saturday morning at Morrow Park, at the corner of George and Lansdowne Street in Peterborough, and learn more at Peterboroughfarmersmarket.com. And the Lakefield Flea Market opened for business Sunday. The market is located at the fairgrounds in Lakefield and runs every Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with all proper public health protocols in place. Never Bin Cleaner Is your dumpster a disaster? Is your can clean? Never Bin Cleaner is Scott Scalettas new business, cleaning and sanitizing waste dumpsters and bins for both residential and commercial customers. Scott offers on-site cleaning, disinfecting and everything is Eco-Friendly. He also offers power washing and walkway and driveway cleaning. Visit neverbincleaner.ca for details. Great Canadian Giving Challenge We all know that the charitable and not for profit sector has been hit hard this year, particularly those that depend on fundraising events. The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is a national public contest to benefit any registered Canadian Charity. Every $1 donated to a registered charity in June via CanadaHelps.org, automatically enters the Charity to Win an additional $20,000 donation! Just go to Canadahelps.org and do a keyword search for Peterborough. Business leaders And finally, a shoutout to realtor John Bowes who announced his retirement last week after 70 years in the real estate business. Happy 93rd birthday Mr. Bowes, and congratulations. And Rocky Caravaggio passed away last week. An Italian immigrant, who with his brother Nick and their families have made a lasting impact on the Peterborough community. Thanks for a life well lived, Rocky. MBABANE Wife number five. Last weekend was a special one for Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala and one of his bodyguards, Innocentia Tsabedze, popularly known to her friends and colleagues as Mdee. The CJ has both male and female bodyguards who are all members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The head of the Judiciary decided to make things official by traditionally marrying Tsabedze during a ceremony held last week Sunday at the CJs homestead situated at Lawuba in the Shiselweni Region. Maphalala homesteads Confirming the ceremony was two of the chief justices close relatives, who were found in one of the Maphalala homesteads. The two said they were present when Tsabedze went through the kuteka ceremony that made her the CJs wife. I am related to the judge as we share the same grandfather. I was there when the ceremony took place and it was this past Sunday, said a relative. They also stated that Tsabedze was the CJs fifth wife and listed the other wives, in no particular order, as LaDube, LaNkhosi, LaMabilisa and LaNdlovu. The latest one is the fifth wife and she is LaTsabedze, who is a police officer, added the other relative. They stated that their grandfather was a charmer who didnt fear talking to the opposite sex hence he was a polygamous man with 11 wives. One of the relatives punned that the CJ most likely took after their grandfather. Polygamy is legal in Eswatini and is widely practised by some men. Efforts were made to get comment from both the CJ and his new wife but they did not respond to questions sent to them through text and WhatsApp. At one point, the officer answered her mobile phone when called but as soon as the reporter introduced himself, she terminated the conversation. Subsequent phone calls were not answered and the same applied to the CJ. But National Commissioner of Police William Tsintsibala Dlamini wished the newlyweds a prosperous future and stated that he had not been aware of the love relationship. He said as such it would be difficult for him to comment because the horse has already bolted from the stable (ingoto seyengce indlela) since the chief justice has already established a family with the officer. The police boss had been asked on what police protocols and ethics say about love relationships between officers and the principals to whom they have been assigned to provide security. It would have been better if it was still at a love relationship stage but these are now married, which makes it difficult to comment. If only we got to know about it when it was just a love relationship, but now the only thing we can do is to have consultations in terms of deployment, which we cannot disclose to the media for security reasons. The matter is now difficult to deal with because it might seem as though I am on a collision course with the chief justice. We respect the office of the chief justice and we cannot hang his linen publicly, Dlamini said. prosperous future He continued: All we can do is to wish them a prosperous future in their marriage because it is now difficult to find a woman of integrity worthy of being made a wife and also for a woman to find a man of high integrity to become her husband. I can assure them that as an organisation we will support them where possible. We wont point fault in their marriage. We accept their marriage. Dlamini said generally, security protocols dictate that a principal to whom an officer has been assigned remains a principal. He said if there is anything, they always have to observe whether whats happening is still in the interest of the principals security. This determines whether the assigned officer continues to be deployed to the principal and also whether protocols are still being adhered to. This is done to show respect to the principal because it might happen that the officers workmates are no longer comfortable under the situation. If the protocols no longer permit, we then have to change gear, he said. The NATCOM said even in this instance, and with due respect to the chief justice, they will consult and reach a consensus with him on what needed to be done because there is now a family member within his security detail. He said once this happens, it is no longer a usual situation, which is why there is need for consultation, under respectful conditions as stated, because we respect that this is a woman who wanted marriage and a man who wanted a wife. We respect this. There is nothing that was stopping them from reaching an agreement regarding their private lives. We now have to see to it that security protocols are followed lest we be blamed by the world as an organisation. Our responsibility is the security of the principal, Dlamini added. According to the Bangalore Principles, which is an international set of core values designed to provide guidance to judges and to offer the Judiciary a framework for regulating judicial conduct, a judge should not violate universally accepted community standards or engage in activities that clearly bring disrepute to the courts or the legal system. In attempting to strike the right balance, the judge must consider whetherin the eyes of a reasonable, fair-minded and informed member of the communitythe proposed conduct is likely to call into question his or her integrity, or to diminish respect for him or her as a judge. If that is the case, such conduct should be avoided, reads section 104 of the principles. cultural diversity In Section 105 they accept that in view of cultural diversity and the constant evolution of moral values, the standards applying to a judges private life cannot be laid down too strictly. However, it states that this principle should not be interpreted so broadly as to censure or penalise a judge for engaging in a non-conformist lifestyle or for privately pursuing interests or activities that might be offensive to segments of the community. In Section 106, under An alternate test, the principles say it has been suggested that the proper question is not whether an act is moral or immoral according to some religious or ethical beliefs, or whether it is acceptable or unacceptable by community standards (which could lead to the arbitrary and capricious imposition of a narrow understanding of morality), but how the act reflects upon the central components of the judges ability to do the job for which he or she has been empowered (fairness, independence and respect for the public) and on the publics perception of his or her fitness to do the job. Six factors have been listed for consideration when making judgments on such a matter and these are: the public or private nature of the act and specifically whether it is contrary to a law that is actually enforced; the extent to which the conduct is protected as an individual right; the degree of discretion and prudence exercised by the judge; whether the conduct was either harmful to those most closely involved or reasonably offensive to others. The degree of respect or lack of respect for the public or individual members of the public that the conduct demonstrates; and the degree to which the conduct is indicative of bias, prejudice or improper influence. public expectations It has been argued that the use of these and similar factors would assist in striking a balance between public expectations and the judges rights, states the principles. It is the first time in Eswatini that a State security officer falls in love with and eventually marries the principal, especially one who is head of one of the three arms of government. An incident that could be likened to this is that of the King of Thailand who, last year, married the deputy head of his personal security detail, and gave her the title of queen. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, aged 67, became the constitutional monarch after the death of his father in 2016 and he has been married and divorced three times before and has seven children. Meanwhile, Maphalala is the first liSwati to hold the position of chief justice, having been appointed to the position by His Majesty King Mswati III on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission. He was appointed after the sacking of Lesotho-born Michael Ramodibedi who famously christened himself makhulu baas. Ramodibedi, now late, was sacked after a much-publicised impeachment process that dominated local and international news. He was fired for being at the centre of a conspiracy to fix cases by predetermining judgments and for also defrauding the Eswatini Revenue Authority. Pound to Euro Exchange Rate Struggles to Advance despite Risk-Aversion A lack of fresh drive for the Euro hasnt stopped the British Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate from falling. Factors continue to stack up and weigh against the Pound, keeping investors hesitant to buy the British currency. Looking ahead there is little sign this will change either, unless upcoming UK data is highly impressive. The Euro (EUR) may remain appealing unless there is a downside surprise to the Eurozone coronavirus situation. After opening last week at the level of 1.1142, GBP/EUR saw mixed movement for much of the week. It wasnt until after Thursdays Bank of England (BoE) decision that the Pound saw a more notable downward shift. On Friday, GBP/EUR was trending near a June low of 1.1050. Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) Exchange Rate Keeps Falling on Britains Coronavirus Woes For much of the past week, the Pound (GBP) was holding its ground against the Euro (EUR). The Euro (EUR) was seeing slightly weaker performance as market safe haven rose. Investors bought the safe haven US Dollar (USD), which is the Euros biggest rival. This left the Euro less appealing for much of the week. However, ultimately the Pounds weakness was the primary cause of GBP/EUR movement. After the Bank of Englands (BoE) June policy decision on Thursday, the Pound took a hit. As was widely expected, the bank ramped up its quantitative easing (QE) scheme during the decision. The QE is designed to keep supporting Britains economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, foreign exchange markets were surprised by news that BoE Chief Economist Andy Haldane had voted against more QE. Rather than being seen as hawkish, it led to concerns that the BoE might not be willing to do whatever it took to support Britains economy. It was due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemics potential for continued impact on Britain, as well as concerns over slow progress in Brexit negotiations, that kept Sterling unappealing even amid stronger than expected UK retail sales data. Record high public debt also weighed on the Pound before markets closed on Friday. According to Kit Juckes, Chief Global FX Strategist at Societe Generale: UK public sector finances for May show how heavy the cost of the pandemic has been in the first two months of the fiscal year, Pound Sterling (GBP) Forecast: UK PMIs Could Support GBP Exchange Rates Outlook Part of the reason for continued Pound Sterling (GBP) weakness is concern that Britains economy will not weather the coronavirus pandemic very well. This is also due to anxiety over Britains high infection and death count. As a result, if the latest UK data comes in stronger than expected, it could boost hopes that Britains economy can weather continued months of coronavirus pandemic-influenced weakness. Next Tuesday will see the publication of Britains June PMI projections. The data will give investors a better idea over how Britains economy is performing this month. With many UK businesses reopening in recent weeks, strong PMI data could make investors more optimistic. On the other hand though, weak PMIs would instead worsen coronavirus anxiety. Pound Sterlings outlook will also remain pressured by concerns over the governments handling of coronavirus and Brexit. Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates Forecast: Eurozone Data Could Boost Support Recent weeks have seen little in the way of notable developments in the Eurozone and the Euros movement. However, potential developments in political and economic outlooks could change that. Investors will be keeping a close eye on major EU meetings, which could lead to more info on the EUs coronavirus recovery plans. If these plans impress investors, the Euro is likely to remain broadly appealing. It is more likely to hold its ground against Sterling and a recovering US Dollar (USD). On the other hand, if EU coronavirus fears worsen or if next weeks Eurozone PMIs disappoint, the blocs outlook could quickly worsen. In fact, if investors begin to grow concerned over the Eurozones outlook, the Euro could shed much of its resilience. Overall, coronavirus developments and PMI data will be the focus for the Pound to Euro exchange rate over the next week. Northern Ireland has reported no new confirmed cases of coronavirus for the first time since lockdown. The department of health said there were no positive results out of the 995 tests analysed in their laboratories on Friday, meaning the total remains unchanged at 4,866. However the figures do not include samples taken at drive-in test centres, which are sent to private labs. Health minister Robin Swann welcomed the landmark as significant progress in forcing the virus into retreat. This is due to a massive collective effort by people across Northern Ireland, he added. It is vital that we all maintain this progress and keep following public health advice on social distancing and washing our hands. Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride warned the public not to become complacent. We have undoubtedly made important strides forward and the people of Northern Ireland deserve great praise for the sacrifices they have made in our response to this virus, he said. Covid-19 remains a very real threat and now is not the time to drop guard. I urge everyone to keep doing the right thing in terms of hand hygiene and social distancing. Please stay safe and save lives. One further death was reported in Northern Ireland on Saturday, bringing the total recorded by the health department to 545. This figure mainly reflects deaths in hospital and the most-up-to-date overall figure, for the period ending 12 June, stands at 802. Mr Swann said: My thoughts are with the family and friends of the person whose death is reported today. Many lives have been cut short and we must always be mindful of the terrible toll that Covid-19 has inflicted. I want to see a way being found to permanently commemorate all those who have lost their lives in this pandemic. Northern Ireland, with a population of 1.88 million, continues to ease its lockdown restrictions quicker than the rest of the UK. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, pubs and bars will be able to open from 3 July and hair salons and barbers are expected to follow three days later. Additional reporting by Press Association Press Release June 21, 2020 Angara calls for more government support for MSMEs to go online Senator Sonny Angara called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to step up its efforts to provide assistance to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in finding markets to sell their wares during this COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the community quarantines imposed across the country, many MSMEs, including those from the indigenous communities are having a difficult time selling their products because the movement of people, as well as access to traditional markets, is restricted. "In order to continue operating and generating revenues during the community quarantines, entrepreneurs have started shifting to online markets. This is currently where all the action is so if the businesses that were shuttered for the past three months are thinking of resuming operations immediately, online is the way to go," Angara said. In his comments on President Duterte's 12th report to Congress on the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Angara told the DTI to ramp up its efforts to assist MSMEs in tapping the online market as a way to restart their operations. He cited the case of the community weavers from Batangas who have no one to sell their products to right now because of the restrictions on travel. Based on a report, the weavers are now considering a shift to selling fish and vegetables once they are able to sell their remaining inventory. "It would be a shame to lose our cultural heritage due to this pandemic. These are traditions that are worth preserving and I'm certain there will be a strong demand for these products once access to them is made available," Angara said. Recognizing that shifting online could be more difficult for some than others, Angara said the DTI should also explore ways to get the products of communities in far flung areas, the IPs and anyone who relies on traditional methods of selling, to market whether it is online or not. Angara also urged the Department of Agriculture and DTI to ramp up its efforts to make the products of farmers and fisherfolk available online. A strong advocate of the development and promotion of local industries, Angara, through his "Tatak Pinoy" platform, is constantly finding ways to help grow small businesses through innovation, developing supply chains and access to markets. Angara lauded the DTI on its plans to boost local products and industries, and launch a national media campaign to encourage Filipinos to "Shop Local. Eat Local. Travel Local. Buy Local." He encouraged the DTI to continue building partnerships with e-commerce platforms such as shopinas and Lazada to make "Go Lokal!" products available for orders and delivery. "This is as good a time as any to introduce these groups and other MSMEs to selling their products online. They should take advantage of this opportunity to tap this market that continues to grow especially now when most Filipinos would rather stay at home than go out," Angara said. "We encourage our online shoppers to support small businesses, as well as our local industries by buying Philippine-made products. Everyone needs help during this pandemic and by supporting our local businesses, you also help in saving jobs and reviving the economy," he added. Motorists, unaware of the full extent of the drama, looked on as the van was flagged down about 10.30 am by two bogus road workers at the entrance to the South-Eastern Arterial. The Armaguard van in Richmond in 1994 after it was emptied of more than $2 million. Credit:John Woudstra A gang of courteous crooks made off with more than $2 million after hijacking an Armaguard truck in an audacious robbery in Richmond yesterday. It is believed to be the largest haul of cash taken in Victoria. Police said that when the van was stopped in traffic two other members of the gang jumped into the back and handcuffed three guards. The robbers then drove off with the van. Detective Sergeant Ross McKenzie, of the armed robbery squad, said the robber was particularly daring. They (the thieves) were very confident, he said. They knew what they were doing. It was a very well-planned robbery and very well-executed. No one was injured and Detective Sergeant McKenzie described the robbers as courteous and very confident. At least one of them was armed with what was believed to be a revolver, but no shots were fired. The robbery rates with some of the states most notorious thefts, including when five armed bandits stole jewellery and antiques worth $4.5 million from a Yarra Glen home on 24 October 1985, and the great bookie robbery on 21 April 1976, when at least $1.4 million was stolen from the Victorian Club in Queen Street; estimates of the actual taking range up to $12 million. The three Armaguard guards were last night undergoing trauma counselling after spending most of the day with detectives from the armed robbery squad. Police said they had been handcuffed and hooded during the robbery. Over the years Kareen Kapoor has been seen in several films that have been loved by fans. Ajnabee is one such film. It was loved by fans for its unique story, the climax, and the music of the film. In this movie, we see Akshay Kumar as Vikram Bajaj a married man settled in Switzerland married to Bipasha Basu. Vikram frames Bobby Deol who is his neighbour and has recently moved to Switzerland. Bobby Deol is seen married to Kareena Kapoor in the film. Akshay Kumar plans a fake murder so that he can get money. Bobby Deol finds out about his plan and is in turn framed for the crime. At the end of the movie Booby Deol finds Akshay and Bipasha who was supposedly murdered by Bobby. This was the second time when Akshay was seen in the role of a bad guy. Apart from this, Ajnabee was also the debut film for Bipasha Basu. Here is all you need to know about the making of the film- Read Also | Kareena Kapoor Khan's Romantic Films From The Last Decade For Couples To Watch Together Making of Kareena Kapoor's Ajnabee This film is directed by the directing duo Abbas-Mustan. While speaking about the film, Kareena Kapoor expressed on how the film is a suspense thriller and not a film about "wife-swapping". She added that there is a very thin line between what people perceive as the concept of the film. After this Akshay is seen talking on how the film of such kind has not been made in Bollywood before. Read Also | Kareena Kapoor Starrer 'Ki & Ka' Is A Must Watch This Weekend; Here's Why After this director, Abbas-Mustan are seen talking to the fans where they expressed that the film was specially made for the young moviegoers and captures the youthfulness that the film requires. After this, the directing duo are seen talking about the performance of Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu. They express that both the actors are talented and working with them was very nice. Furthermore, they spoke about the hit songs of the film. They added that the songs were shot in different locations like Switzerland, Mauritius and Singapore as per the script requirement. They also talked about Mehbooba Mehbooba which is the climax song shot on a cruise ship. Read Also | Kareena Kapoor Movies That Could Not See The Light Of The Day; From 'Shuddhi' To 'Lajjo' In the video, the cast of the film is seen talking about their experience of working in the film. Kareena Kapoor expressed how the directors were very much in sync with each other and there was no conflict. Akshay Kumar was seen talking about the songs and how they were going to become a hit before the release of the film. Bobby Deol also revealed how he has worked with Anu Maalik before and the film's music will be loved by the fans. Read Also | Kareena Kapoor Khan Or Deepika Padukone: Who Wore The Pink Satin Outfit Better? 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. (Newser) For the nation, the answer to "Got any change?" has become more complicated. There are coins around, though fewer than before the pandemic, and they're not necessarily in circulation. "With the partial closure of the economy, the flow of funds through the economy has stopped," Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told Congress last week, USA Today reports. Like other employers, the US Mint cut production to protect its workers from catching the coronavirus. The other issue is the location of the coins. Once retailers shut their doors, coins that would've gone toward a refreshing pack of mints or Big Gulp started piling up in consumers' jars and drawers at home. And people were unable to get rid of their unwanted change in coin-sorting machines, per NPR. "The flow of coins through the economy ... kind of stopped," Powell said. story continues below To deal with the problem, the Federal Reserve is stepping in to ration coins distributed to banks. One bank in Tennessee that usually goes through 400 to 500 rolls of pennies a week will now receive only 100 rolls. "You think about all your grocery stores and convenience stores and a lot of people that still operate with cash," the banker said. "They have to have that just to make change." The Weigel's convenience store chain put up signs asking cutomers to use exact change and offering to buy coins, per WATE. One House member said stores that run out of coins might have to round up or down "in a time when pennies are the difference between profitability and loss." Powell said the Federal Reserve is working with the Mint, and he thinks the problem will only be temporary. As the economy reopens, he said, "we are starting to see money move around again." (Read more coins stories.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 20:58:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VALLETTA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Police in Malta have mounted a nationwide search for 21 migrants who went missing from one of the detention centers on the island, a government spokesman confirmed on Sunday. The spokesman said the migrants were not found during a routine check on Saturday. The spokesman said the authorities believe that the migrants escaped from the Hal Far detention center on Saturday morning, shortly before the routine check. However, investigations are under way to establish when the escape actually happened since it could have happened on Friday night, the spokesman said. A police spokesman said on Sunday that so far none of the 21 migrants had been found and confirmed that police are stationed in various points to apprehend the migrants who should be in detention. In line with Malta's immigration policy, migrants are held in detention until they are interviewed and their identity and papers are confirmed and regularized. A good number of migrants who were brought to Malta after being rescued during a boat crossing from Libya or Tunisia towards Europe have applied for some form of protection or asylum. The last time migrants entered Malta was on June 6 when the country accepted over 425 migrants. Enditem Representative image The sea route from Boston to Kolkata is long, arduous and fraught with risks. A ship leaving the Port of Boston goes on to the Gulf of Maine, enters the North Atlantic Ocean heading for the Strait of Gibraltar, thereon to the Alboran Sea and the mighty Mediterranean, emerging in the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, heading for the Arabian Sea and then on to the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait and finally, the Bay of Bengal before narrowing in to the Kolkata Port. Imagine embarking on such a hazardous voyage over 300 years ago when parts of the passage were through unknown domains. Surely, such bravado could only be justified by the promise of bounty at the end. In the 17th century, that prize was the trading city of Calcutta, whose port was renamed last week to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. The new name for the Kolkata Port honours the role of an unsung political hero who was also the founder of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. But it also brings the spotlight back, albeit briefly, on the oldest surviving port in the country, one that evokes memories of a bygone era when India was a hugely influential destination on the global maritime routes. At its peak, Calcutta, as it was then called, sent out and received ships to and from every corner of the globe though it has the trading links with Europe and West Asia that are better known. There is, for instance, evidence of trade between Calcutta and Massachusetts back in the 17th century with items such as lumbar, wines and ice being shipped from the US city to India while silk, saltpetre, ginger and jute went the other way. The voyages must have required some courage since the Hooghly was and remains a fierce river. Watercolour paintings from that era capture the ferocity of the waves even as menacing dark clouds loom overhead. Undeterred, the Yankee traders sailed forth, covering a distance of some 10,000 nautical miles between the two cities. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology at Harvard University holds evidence of the booming trade between business families in both cities. According to a wonderful collection of essays titled Calcutta through 300 years produced by Marg Publications in 1990, one of the merchants of Calcutta, Ramdoolal Dey, became so popular with the American traders that in 1801 they presented him with a portrait of George Washington. In turn, well known Indian families like Mitter and Dutt commissioned their portraits for presenting to their American trading partners. In many of these canvases, the port of Calcutta is a visible presence. Set up in 1870, the port is an integral part of modern Kolkatas rich trading history dating back to the time when the British first set up a factory at Hughli in 1651 after seeing the potential of trade with the Mughal empire's richest province. Subsequently in 1690, they established a new settlement called Calcutta. The agency driving this was the rapacious East India Company which was given trading rights by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1717 against yearly payment of Rs 3,000. By this time, it had become the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies and true to its reputation, it exploited the free trade rights to enrich its coffers. It was only in 1870 that the port was brought under the administrative control of the government and a Port Commission was appointed to develop it further. The start of the industrial revolution in 1760 led to a boom in machine-made textiles and sadly turned India from being a large exporter to an importer of cotton yarn. By the first few decades of the 1800s, Arab ships from Cairo were sailing down the Red Sea carrying bales of cotton yarn and headed for Calcutta. The city was now a throbbing and thriving centre of commerce with large agency houses like Barings -- the same that finally collapsed in 1995 -- in partnership with local merchants like Gisborne, using the port to bring British yarn to the country. In his monumental work Empire of Cotton, Sven Beckert writes about how British merchants virtually reversed the cotton trade: Tellingly, Manchester manufacturers McConnel & Kennedy, who had earlier in the century found most of their yarn customers in continental Europe, by the 1860s were corresponding with customers in Calcutta, Alexandria and similar distant parts of the world. Paintings dating back to the 1850s capture a bustling port with massive ships, their masts aflutter, sailing into a dockside lined with palm trees and small fishing boats. When the camera was invented in 1816, almost inevitably it was to Calcutta, the first city of the country, that its lens turned to. Some of the earliest pictures of the time capture the ongoing construction work to build the two large entrances to the riverine port. But the limitations of the new invention prevent these photographs from capturing the grandeur and the sheer beauty of the ships coming down the river. For that, we need to turn to artists like William Daniell and poets like James Atkinson who describe their first view of the city in ecstatic terms. Facing rough weather today, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port can look back on a glorious past when it was the gateway to the wonders of India. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office and the FBI North Alabama Violent Crimes Task Force will hold a press conference at noon on Monday to update the community about the septuple homicide that occurred in Valhermoso Springs. Authorities found seven people, including a 17-year-old, dead when they arrived at ranch-style home located on the 500 block of Talucah Road shortly before 11:30 p.m. on June 4. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn said the victims died of multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were James Wayne Benford, 22, of Decatur; Tammy England Muzzey, 45, of Valhermoso Springs; Emily Brooke Payne, 21, of Valhermoso Springs; Roger Lee Jones Jr., 20 of Decatur, Jeramy Wade Roberts, 31, of Athens; and William Zane Hodgin, 18, of Somerville. The name of the 17-year-old female has not been released to the public. No suspects have been arrested at this time, but law enforcement said during a press conference on June 12 that they believe the suspects or suspects are no threat to the community. Authorities believe the shooting was drug related. BERRIEN COUNTY, MI After two days of searching, authorities believe they have located the body of a man who went missing in the St. Joseph River on Friday, June 19. The Berrien County Sheriffs Office Marine Unit recovered a body in the river at 8:47 a.m. Sunday, June 21, approximately a half mile downriver from where a 45-year-old man was last seen Friday evening, a news release from the sheriffs office states. The name of the individual is being withheld until positive identification is made and his next of kin are notified, the release states. Friday, at about 7:15 p.m., a 45-year-old Berrien County man went under in Royalton Township, about a mile from the Jasper Dairy boat launch near Berrien Springs. The man, along with another adult and three children, had been spending the day on the river on a pontoon boat and swimming, the release states. While swimming, one child began to struggle and the man rescued the child but did not resurface after going underwater. Authorities believe the body located Sunday morning is the body of the missing man. An autopsy will be performed at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine. Also on MLive: Berrien County man missing in St. Joseph River Protest outside youth center demands justice for Kalamazoo teen Kalamazoo County moves into low risk category for coronavirus PSU major Oil India Limited (OIL) on Sunday said it will move the Gauhati High Court, challenging the Assam pollution control board's order to close all its production and drilling operations at the Baghjan oilfield in Tinsukia district. The Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) issued a "closure notice" to the company on Friday, alleging that it violated environmental laws while operating at the oilfield. However, the PSU major claimed that it had the "PCBA's consent" for all its operations in the state. "Oil India will move the Gauhati High Court on Monday for a stay of the closure notice, if we do not receive a favourable reply from the PCBA," OIL Spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika told PTI. The company replied to a show-cause notice issued by the PCBA on Friday. Hazarika alleged that the PCBA issued the closure notice on the same day without considering its reply. "OIL had sent a detailed reply to the PCBA's queries and subsequently, requested it to withdraw the closure notice. The company is expecting a favourable response," he said. The well number 5 at Baghjan has been spewing gas "uncontrollably" for the last 26 days and it caught fire on June 9, killing two of the company's firefighters at the site. Following the accident, the PCBA sent the show-cause notice on June 10, seeking details of OIL's operations for the last 15 years at Baghjan within a week. "As the queries were related to operations for 15 years and all our senior officials were busy in controlling the Baghjan well, we sought some more time on June 18, which the PCBA rejected on the same day. So we sent our replies immediately on the next day," Hazarika said. In its closure order issued on June 19, the PCBA mentioned that OIL had sought more time for replying to the show cause notice, which was rejected by it. "You are directed to close down all the production as well as drilling operations of all your installations of Baghjan oilfield forthwith and to take all necessary measures for extinguishing the fire/blowout of the well no. BGN-5," the PCBA member-secretary said in the notice. The Baghjan oilfield has a total of 22 producing wells 18 for crude, four for gas. The oilfield has been in operation since 2003. Asked about the allegations levelled by the PCBA in its notice, the company spokesperson said, "We approached the PCBA before carrying out every operation. Without taking the consent of the PCBA, OIL has not carried out any operation in Assam." The PCBA has alleged that OIL has been "nonchalantly" violating the provisions of the law in force, causing pollution to the environment. "It is observed that you have been operating your Baghjan oilfield activities without obtaining prior consent to establish/operate from PCBA, which is a serious violation of the provisions of Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981 as well as Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," the notice said. The pollution control board also said it is mandatory to obtain prior permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the state PCB as per the EIA Notification, 2006 and provisions of various related laws. "You are operating your Baghjan oilfield installation without any effluent treatment plant. The Baghjan oilfield is just 500 metres to the Naguri-Motapung wetland, which is part of the eco-sensitive zone of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park which is affected severely due to the negligence from your end," the PCBA alleged in the notice served to OIL. The pollution watchdog asked the energy major to take steps to prevent spillage of hazardous wastes into water bodies through designated drains and treatment facilities. The company is supposed to install a blowout-prevention system according to the environment clearances given to it to avoid accidents during drilling, but it had failed to do that, the PCBA alleged further. "You are destroying the aquatic life of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Maguri-Motapung wetland of endangered species in the name of exploring oil without any mitigation measures. "It is observed that you have been operating your production as well as drilling installations without being equipped with proper safety and precautionary measures for which often major accidents occur at the drill sites/production installations," the notice said. The PCBA further accused OIL of "negligence and carelessness" towards the safety of people's lives and properties in the neighbouring areas as well as towards protection of the environment in view of the accident. "It is seen that you have not been submitting the annual report regularly under section 9 of the Hazardous and Other Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, which is a serious violation and liable to be punished under the law in force," the PCBA notice said. Meanwhile, a tripartite meeting was held among the authorities of OIL, Tinsukia district administration and members of a youth organisation on Saturday to find ways to end the blockade. The state-run company continues to face public ire over the incident and its production is getting affected in a big way due to bandh and blockades, Hazarika said. NEWTON The board of directors and executives at Peoples Bank announce the promotion of Kim Boyd Leaks, Jeff Hooper, Jim Perry and Tim Turner to executive officers as of May 11. The announcement was made by Lance A. Sellers, president and chief executive officer. These individuals are valuable assets to our bank, Sellers said. They provide a solid extension to our already exceptional executive team, and it is a privilege to have them as we continue to lead Peoples Bank forward. Kim Boyd Leaks has been with the bank since 1994 and has served as senior vice president, chief banking support officer since 2001. Sellers said Leaks is an exceptional leader for the banking support teams and human resources inside the bank as well as an active member of the community. She frequently speaks at events for retail banking and womens leadership. She lives in Newton with her husband, Frank. She also has a son, Curtis Boyd, and three grandchildren she enjoys spending time with. Serbias governing conservative party led by President Aleksandar Vucic is set for a landslide win in Sundays parliamentary election, results projected by Ipsos and CeSID pollsters showed. The projection shows the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on track to win 62.4 percent of the votes, while the Socialist party a junior coalition partner in the outgoing government is seen coming second with 10.7 percent of the votes. The centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance led by former water polo player Aleksandar Sapic is seen in third place with 4.1 percent of the votes. Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for the countrys electorate of almost 6.6 million, many of whom were expected to skip voting partly because of fears of coronavirus infection. Ipsos and CeSID saw turnout at 48 percent compared with 56.7 percent in 2016. The State Election Commission is due to announce preliminary results, including turnout, later in the evening. Turnout was hit by a boycott by some opposition parties, who say the vote will not be free or fair owing to Vucics grip on the media. It was the first national election in Europe to take place during the coronavirus epidemic. The voting, initially planned for April but postponed because of the pandemic, comes as Serbia is still reporting dozens of new cases daily after completely relaxing its strict lockdown rules. President Vucics party had earlier on Sunday appeared set for a landslide victory, having faced little challenge from the divided opposition. 2008525185459486551 I am very pleased that today until midday there were no serious irregularities, that the elections are held in a democratic atmosphere, Vucic said after voting in Belgrade. I hope for a success. I hope for a good result. While Serbian voters are not choosing a president Sunday, Vucic has dominated the campaign through the mainstream media which he controls, denouncing and ridiculing his critics. He has refuted allegations of abusing his formal ceremonial powers as president by taking a leading role in the campaign. For the last four years, we really gave our utmost, so I hope that today Serbian voters will come out and confirm that they are satisfied with our work, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said at a voting station in Belgrade. I hope people will today give their trust to President Aleksandar Vucic and his team. Partial opposition boycott Citing the lack of free and fair voting conditions and a danger to public health, several main opposition groups are boycotting the vote. But a number of smaller parties decided to run, saying the boycott would only sideline an already marginalised opposition. Sergej Trifunovic, a prominent Serbian movie actor and the leader of an opposition group that broke ranks with the main pro-boycott group, said if you want to be a politician, you have to be in parliament. Its very important that, with gloves and masks, you protect your health and by using a pen (for voting) you maintain your dignity and defend your freedom, he said. So, all of you, go out and vote. Health authorities provided face masks, gloves and sanitisers at the polling stations. In Belgrade, people could be seen largely respecting social distancing rules, and many wore masks. Authorities have said that voting was no more risky than going to a shop or any other closed space. Serbia reported 91 new virus cases and one more death on Sunday, bringing the countrys COVID-19-related death toll to 261. A former extreme nationalist, Vucic briefly served as information minister in the government of late strongman Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s wars in the Balkans. While Vucic now says he seeks European Union membership for Serbia, critics warn that democratic freedoms have eroded since his party came to power in 2012. The president has called on his supporters to vote in large numbers to get a strong mandate for internationally mediated peace negotiations on the future of Serbias breakaway former province of Kosovo. Nine civilians were killed in the restive eastern DR Congo after they were kidnapped by an Islamist militia group, local officials said on Sunday. The Allied Democratic Forces militia or ADF has been blamed for killing around 500 people in retaliation for an army crackdown on their bases in the forests around the Beni region. The nine victims' bodies were found in the province of North Kivu, which borders Rwanda, regional administrator Donat Kibwana said. "These victims were hostages kidnapped on Friday by the ADF," the local official said. In another incident on Saturday in Fizi, in neighbouring South Kivu province, militia gunmen attacked an army unit, killing two soldiers, a local army spokesman said. Dozens of militia groups operate in eastern DR Congo, a legacy of the two Congo wars in the 1990s that pulled in neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda. The army last year launched a campaign against the ADF after the militia was blamed for dozens of massacres in the region, which also struggles inter-ethnic fighting. The ADF is a mainly Muslim movement that originated in neighbouring Uganda in the 1990s, opposed to the rule of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. In 1995, it moved into the DRC, which became its base of operations, although it has not carried out attacks inside Uganda for years. Search Keywords: Short link: Parents from across the state took to Twitter and posted tweets using #righttolearn to urge the Maharashtra government to allow regulated online learning for students up to Class 2. According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) released by the state, online learning is banned up to Class 2. As a parent, as a teacher, I want my children to have the right to learn. Let the children open the wings of their knowledge and let this pandemic not stop them from learning. I support online classes, read a tweet by one of the parents in Mumbai. Parents of students from Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh also joined the Twitter storm to protest against the decision to ban online classes up to Class 5 by their respective state governments. Several parent bodies from across these states participated in the campaign and tweeted on Sunday afternoon. On June 17, the Members of the International Schools Association (MISA) wrote to state education minister Varsha Gaikwad, recommending two 30-minute sessions for pre-school students everyday, with adequate breaks in between. The joy and benefits of online education should not be taken away from students, the association stated in the letter. In families where both parents work, children need some learning stimulus and social interaction with their peers for some time, for their psychological and physical well-being. For this, we are hoping that a few minutes of interaction are allowed by the state, said Pradnya Shinde, a parent from Malad. Some parents, however, were of the opinion that attending online classes will be extremely stressful for students. Beyond the dangers of screen time for students, online classes will also cause stress for parents, as children as young as three and four years cant sit alone for classes and need constant hand holding. For a couple of months, schools can trust parents with their children instead of bombarding them with instruction-based learning, said a parent from Dadar. Officials from the education department in the past said that the decision to not hold online classes for students until Class 2 was taken after several complaints from parents about the ill effects of screen time. New Delhi, June 21 : A 94-year-old former Foreign Ministry official was injured and his wife stabbed to death during a robbery at their home in Safdarjung Enclave of the South West district of the national capital, the police said here on Sunday. The couple - B.R. Chawla and Kanta Chawla - lived by themselves after the death of their two children a few years ago. According to the police, the crime took place around 9 p.m. on Saturday when the newly appointed security guard of the building with accomplices barged into their house and overpowered them. When Kanta tried to resist, one of the accused stabbed her with a sharp object. "She became unconscious and fell on the sofa," a senior police officer said. The robbers escaped with all the cash and jewellery kept in the cupboard of bedroom, he added. After their escape, Chawla alerted the neighbours. Chawla's wife was taken to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to the injuries. A case has been registered and the CCTV footage of the building is being scanned. A TV channel sparked controversy in Bolivia on Thursday after it broadcast live the final minutes of a COVID-19 patient's life while doctors tried desperately to save him. The "No Lies" program said it took the decision to show a COVID-19 patient's death in a hospital in the eastern city of Santa Cruz to jolt into action authorities who had neglected the health services. The program airs nightly on the Santa Cruz-based PAT channel, in a region with some 60 percent of Bolivia's 21,000 cases and around half its 679 deaths. The program showed the patient's death over a 30-minute period as doctors tried to resuscitate the patient. The country's ombudswoman, Nadia Cruz, slammed the broadcast for "sensationalism," saying it "repeatedly and morbidly " exhibited "images showing cardiopulmonary treatment being carried out on a person, which unfortunately ended in death." The broadcast "evidently conflicts with the national legal order," Cruz said, adding that it "can generate a kind of collective fear." Her office is an independent body appointed to investigate complaints against the government or public organizations. The broadcast was widely criticized on social networks, including by prominent journalists. "What a lack of respect for the family, for the deceased. We lost a lot of things with this virus, including empathy," said journalist Maria Trigo, from the newspaper El Deber de Santa Cruz, in a Twitter message. Fabiola Chambi, a journalist with the Cochabamba daily Los Tiempos said broadcasting the death showed "a lack of respect and humanity." The government has yet to comment on the controversy. (AFP) (CNN) While China is engaged in a tense border standoff with India high in the Himalayas, a small group of islands thousands of miles away could be another military tinderbox waiting to explode. Both Tokyo and Beijing claim the uninhabited islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China, as their own, but Japan has administered them since 1972. Tensions over the rocky chain, 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo, have simmered for years, and with claims over them dating back hundreds of years, neither Japan nor China is likely to back down over territory considered a national birthright in both capitals. In that respect, the islands are not unlike the rocky heights of the Himalayas, where decades of tension on an ill-defined border between the territories of China and India erupted Monday night, precipitating a clash that cost the lives of at least 20 Indian troops. The fighting, though deadly, was relatively confined -- and the two sides have talked down the tensions in the days since. But an unexpected flare-up in the Senkaku/Diaoyus could trigger a military confrontation between China and the United States. That's because the United States has a mutual defense treaty with Japan. If Japanese territory is attacked by a foreign power, the United States is obligated to defend it. Fears of a possible confrontation were heightened last week with the announcement from the Japanese coastguard that Chinese government ships had been spotted in the waters close to Senakaku/Diaoyu Islands every day since mid-April, setting a new record for the number of consecutive days. By Friday, those sightings had reached 67 days in a row. Taking unyielding stances In response to the increased Chinese presence, Yoshihide Suga, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, reasserted Tokyo's resolve at a news conference last Wednesday. "The Senkaku Islands are under our control and are unquestionably our territory historically and under international law. It is extremely serious that these activities continue. We will respond to the Chinese side firmly and calmly," Suga said. In a statement Friday, China's Foreign Ministry echoed that Japanese government's sentiments, from the reverse perspective. "The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are an inherent part of China's territory, and it is our inherent right to carry out patrols and law enforcement activities in these waters." Similar comments were recently published in China's state-run Global Times newspaper. The report, titled "Japanese conservatives disrupt recovering China-Japan ties by hyping Diaoyu Islands dispute," criticized attempts underway in Japan's Okinawa prefecture to change the administration of the islands, noting it could do serious harm to Japan-China relations. On its surface, the move, brought forward by the city council of Ishigaki, where the islands are administered, seems fairly innocuous. According to Japan's Asahi Shimbun, the council wants to decouple the islands from the populated parts of Ishigaki island to streamline administrative practices. But in the resolution before the Ishigaki City Council, the city "asserts the islands are part of Japanese territory." It's the kind of language that rankles in Beijing. "Changing the administrative designation at this time can only make the dispute more complicated and bring more risks of a crisis," Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. The vote in Ishigaki is expected at Monday's council meeting. Before the past week, the most recent "crisis" over the islands occurred in 2012. That year, Japan nationalized the then-privately owned islands to ward off a planned sale to Tokyo's then-governor, a hardline nationalist who was reportedly hoping to develop the islands. The plan sparked massive and highly unusual street protests across China, amid a groundswell of nationalist sentiment. Demonstrations turned violent as protesters hurled debris at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, ransacked Japanese stores and restaurants and overturned Japanese cars. In a stark illustration of how the islands are seared into the Chinese consciousness, one Chinese man was beaten into a coma by his fellow countrymen simply because he was driving a Toyota Corolla. A history of contention China says its claim to the islands extend back to 1400s, when they were used as a staging point for Chinese fisherman. However, Japan says it saw no trace of Chinese control of the islands in an 1885 survey, so it formally recognized them as Japanese sovereign territory in 1895. A group of settlers manufactured dried fish and collected feathers, with the islands having more than 200 inhabitants at one point, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry. Japan then sold the islands in 1932 to descendants of the original settlers, but the factory failed around 1940 and the islands were eventually deserted. The Japanese surrender at the end of World War II in 1945 only served to further cloud the issue. The islands were administered by the US occupation force after the war. But in 1972, Washington returned them to Japan as part of its withdrawal from Okinawa. Self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a Chinese province, also claims ownership of the chain. And objections to the administrative reclassification of the islands in Taiwan shows the depths to which the islands hook their respective claimants. Tsai Wen-yi, a city councilman in Taiwan's Yilan County, said if the Japanese change goes through, he'll organize a flotilla of fishing boats from the area to "defend" the islands from Japan, according to a report from the Taipei Times.a report from the Taipei Times. Defense of the Senkaku/Diaoyus has been a priority of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) in the past few years. The Council on Foreign Relations notes Tokyo has established new military bases nearby to protect the islands. The JSDF has also been building up its marines and drilling them on island warfare. Although the islands are uninhabited, there are economic interests involved, according to the CFR. The islands "have potential oil and natural gas reserves, are near prominent shipping routes, and are surrounded by rich fishing areas," it says. What could trigger a clash It all adds up to potential trouble, says William Choong, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore "Compared to other flashpoints in the region -- the South China Sea, Taiwan, and North Korea's weapons programs -- the East China Sea combines a unique and combustible mix of history, honor and territory," Choong wrote this month on The Interpreter, the blog of the Lowy Institute in Australia. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) paints a scenario where something easily imaged -- the crew of a disabled ship or plane landing on one of the islands -- could turn into a serious international incident. "If Chinese fishing crews, coast guardsmen, or military members landed on the Senkakus, then the Japan Coast Guard would no doubt seek to remove them in a law enforcement action. But given that China does not recognize Japan's claims, it is certainly possible that Beijing could see this as an escalation, which might result in a substantial military response from China," the AMTI website says. In the current climate in the Indo-Pacific, China is indicating it's ready to push its claims. For example, in the South China Sea, China has moved aircraft onto the man-made islands it has built up; it has sunk one Vietnamese fishing boat and and rammed another; it has harassed a Malaysian-chartered survey ship and sent one of its own into waters claimed by Indonesia; in the past few weeks alone, Chinese warplanes have been warned off by Taiwanese fighters at least five times. And in a ironic nod to what's going on in the East China Sea, Beijing reclassified its island claims in the South China Sea, giving the Spratly/Nansha and Paracel/Xisha islands more prominent status in the country's governmental hierarchy. Then there's the India-China border in the Himalayas. Before and after last Monday's deadly clash, state-run Chinese media was heavy with stories and images of the the new military hardware Beijing could bring to bear in the mountains. Choong argues it would be unwise to think the Senkakus/Diaoyus aren't marked for similar attention at some point. "The question is not whether China, now the target of a full-court press by America, would want to challenge Japan over the islands. The question is when, and how? This is what keeps Japanese (and American) policymakers awake at night," Choong wrote. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Why this Japan-China island dispute could be Asia's next military flashpoint" The white iPhone with chipped paint that Moroccan journalist Omar Radi used to stay in contact with his sources also allowed his government to spy on him. They could read every email, text and website visited; listen to every phone call and watch every video conference; download calendar entries, monitor GPS coordinates, and even turn on the camera and microphone to see and hear where the phone was at any moment. Yet Radi was trained in encryption and cyber security. He hadnt clicked on any suspicious links and didnt have any missed calls on WhatsApp both well-documented ways a cell phone can be hacked. Instead, a report published Monday by Amnesty International shows Radi was targeted by a new and frighteningly stealthy technique. All he had to do was visit one website. Any website. Forensic evidence gathered by Amnesty International on Radis phone shows that it was infected by network injection, a fully automated method where an attacker intercepts a cellular signal when it makes a request to visit a website. In milliseconds, the web browser is diverted to a malicious site and spyware code is downloaded that allows remote access to everything on the phone. The browser then redirects to the intended website and the user is none the wiser. While Amnesty could not definitively state that the Moroccan authorities were behind the attack, the group was able to use forensic evidence to conclude this was very likely the case. The episode reveals not that authoritarian governments are actively listening to the calls, monitoring the web traffic and reading the emails of journalists and human rights activists but that they can do so undetected. I kind of suspected (I was hacked), said Radi on an encrypted video chat from Rabat. The Moroccan authorities are buying every possible and imaginable surveillance and espionage product. They want to know everything. Radi is an investigative journalist who co-founded the local news site Le Desk, a partner with the Star in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. He specializes in the connections between politicians and business people as well as social movements and human rights. In other words, hes a thorn in the governments side and a prime target for surveillance, hacking and harassment. In 2017, he was arrested while reporting on a security crackdown in the Rif region, and again this past December after one of his tweets described a local judge as an executioner. I was prosecuted for contempt of court, but thats just the official charge. In fact, I was punished for my entire body of work. They pile things up and then they look for a pretext to arrest, he told Forbidden Stories, an investigative journalism group that coordinated this report with the Star and 14 other outlets. Radi spent a week in pretrial detention, was later convicted to four months and is currently out pending appeal. Shortly after his release, he was approached by Amnesty International, which asked to look at his phone. The spyware they found commonly known as Pegasus can be traced back to the Israeli cyber surveillance company, NSO Group. NSO Group, which was valued at $1 billion USD last year, sells surveillance software to governments and law enforcement agencies intended to combat terrorism. Over the last several years, however, reports from around the world have implicated NSO Groups spyware in the targeting of journalists and human rights activists. Radi is the third prominent Moroccan human rights figure to have been targeted using the NSO groups network injection spyware. Last October, Amnesty International documented the cases of activist Maati Monjib and human rights lawyer Abdessadak El Bouchattaoui. A recent report by The Citizen Lab at the University of Torontos Munk School identified 13 journalists, including a reporter for the New York Times, targeted by Pegasus software employed by the Mexican and Saudi Arabian governments. But what makes Radis case unique is that he was infected last September, only three days after the Israeli company issued a policy that vowed the company would cut off clients if they were found to misuse the surveillance technology to target journalists and human rights activists. We fully understand the potential for our products to be misused by our customers, thereby resulting in adverse human rights impacts. Therefore, as responsible corporate citizens, we have committed ourselves to high ethical business standards, seeking to ensure that only vetted and legitimate government agencies will use our products and that we take all reasonable steps to prevent and mitigate the risks of adverse impact on human rights from their misuse, the policy states. We include obligations to respect and protect human rights in our contractual agreements with our business partners and customers...We have an escalating set of remedies culminating in the termination of use of our products after a substantiated case of severe misuse, material breach of commitments or a refusal to co-operate in an investigation. Contacted for this story, NSO said due to client confidentiality it could not confirm if the Moroccan government was using its software. In response to questions about what actions it took after learning that Monjib and El Bouchattaoui were targeted, NSO said it followed the steps outlined in its Human Rights Policy, which it described in a letter sent this month to UN Special Rapporteur On the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression David Kaye. In recent instances in which NSO has received concerns or complaints regarding alleged misuse, it has immediately stopped the customers use of the system, it stated in the UN letter. NSO has reinstated the system only after gaining comfort that the system was not misused. Amnestys new report notes that the NSO server used to hack Monjib and El Bouchattaoui was shut down shortly after the previous report was made public. Shortly afterward, a new server that operated in the same manner was set up and used to hack Radis phone, the report said. The NSO group said it was deeply troubled by the allegations in the new report. We are reviewing the information therein and will initiate an investigation if warranted, the company said. Bill Marczak, a research fellow at The Citizen Lab, says NSO has promoted its Human Rights Policy as groundbreaking but hasnt backed it up with examples of cracking down on misuse of its spyware. There hasnt been a whole lot of public evidence that NSOs Human Rights Policy has helped human rights at all, he said. Were still waiting for that evidence. Amnesty International found files and altered code on Radis phone that indicate he was hacked several times over the course of 2019 and most recently on January 29, 2020. I started to think: what could I have said on the phone that was sensitive? Do I have sources that might be in trouble if the people listening to me find out who Im talking to? Radi asked. This month, an article on the Moroccan news website Chouftv reported that Radi was part of a group of journalists organizing a support campaign for an imprisoned colleague. Radi says the article contained details taken from conversations he had on the encrypted apps Signal and WhatsApp, and he suspects government intelligence officers leaked the information gleaned from his phone. Its a way of saying: You are being watched, he said. Radis sources have grown more reluctant to talk as it has become evident that journalists phones are being tapped. I think the monitoring tool is working really well right now, he said. Unlike previous hacking methods, network injection leaves virtually no trace, according to the Amnesty Report. There is no email with a malicious link. No missed call on WhatsApp. The malicious code even wipes crash logs, making it impossible to determine exactly what weaknesses were exploited to take over the phone, said Claudio Guarnieri, head of Amnesty Internationals Security Lab, in an interview. The attackers took measures to eliminate traces that would reveal the vulnerability that they were using, which is useful to prevent (it) from being found and fixed, he said. Guarnieri said it is reasonable to conclude that the Moroccan government is behind the attack. The NSO, by their own admission, only sell to law enforcement and governments, he said. That coupled with the context...who would be interested in going after these individuals? he said. And then, the way the network injection attacks are being conducted. They require some level of access to either the person itself the ability to be in proximity in the case where the network injection is performed using tactical equipment. Think of (an ISMI catcher, also known as a Stingray) placed in a van that is parked in front of a house or having access to the mobile operators themselves, said Guarnieri. Stingrays mimic cell phone towers and any phone within a certain distance will connect to the device automatically. This will give the operator technical data about the phones, which can then be used to identify an individuals cell phone number and figure out who they are talking to. Amnesty International says that it cannot be sure a Stingray was used to hack Radis phone, but the only other way the group says the spyware could have been remotely injected was with access to the mobile network infrastructure, something only the phone company would have (and the Moroccan government could commandeer). Either way, the attacker identifies the phone being targeted and waits for that phone to connect to a website over the cellular data network. The website must use clear text which means the URL starts with http not https. When the phone makes a request to visit a clear text site, the attacker intercepts the demand and redirects the phone to another website, where the Pegasus spyware is downloaded before the phone proceeds to the requested website. Amnesty asked me if there were URL redirects, if there were URLs that changed quickly and thats when it rang a bell. I realized that indeed, this had happened. But I didnt realize at the time that it was really an injection, said Radi. On the phone, there are a lot of things that can trigger a URL change or that kind of thing, so I didnt think that was it at first. Normal people are unlikely to be targeted by NSO spyware, said The Citizen Labs Marczak, because its so expensive that states only use it to target a small number of people. Its a niche tool that is used on people who the government is interested in, he said, adding that the more people are hacked, the greater the chance that the phones weakness will be found and fixed. Then NSOs product is useless, he said. The average user does not really need to worry, he said. But certainly journalists, dissidents, civil society organizations and lawyers, these are targets that typically repressive governments that buy the spyware are interested in. Amnesty has advised Radi on what to do to avoid surveillance, including making sure everything on his phone is updated to the latest version and using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), but Radi says its a battle you can never win. We change phones. We try to protect ourselves. Its David vs. Goliath. They still have a way of knowing whats going on in our phones, in our computers. The goal is not to protect ourselves 100 per cent but to avoid it, to make it difficult for them, and to learn certain reflexes. He has started using friends phones and swapping SIM cards to change his number frequently. Amnesty says there is some evidence that turning off your phone and restarting it could sever the connection with the attacker. Even if hes able to protect his sources, Radi fears the surveillance will be used to develop a smear campaign against him. Thats how they operate. Its destroying peoples image, digging up things about them and making them public, he said. Radi recounts the recent episode of journalist Hajar Raissouni, who was arrested on her way out of a gynecologists office with her fiance. Along with the doctor, they were imprisoned for having had an abortion, which is illegal in Morocco. How did they know she was at her gynecologists office? Radi asked. Radi says the government falsified documents to make it look like Raissouni had an abortion even though the medical expert hired by Raissouni reviewed her records and concluded it did not happen. Amid international outcry, she was pardoned in October. But all the press insulted Hajar because she (supposedly) had an abortion in addition to having sex outside of marriage. So defamation and discredit has already been thrown at her. Its gibberish that has no limits. There are no ethics, no morals. Its the height of immorality that governs the operation of these services, he said. Its a state that protects itself, that protects its interests by denouncing, by discrediting people who point the finger. Forbidden Stories is an international consortium of 40 journalists publishing in 30 media organizations around the world, including the Toronto Star, that pursues the work of reporters who were threatened, jailed or assassinated. Gone are the days when hiding wrinkles amounted to papering the cracks with thick foundations and a topping of powder. Talk to a skincare professional these days about fighting the signs of ageing and the term controlled damage will almost inevitably come up. The idea behind this popular approach is to micro-wound the skin in some way to significantly speed up its natural cell turnover (the process of shedding old cells, which goes sluggish with age). Sensing damage, skins in-built repair mechanism goes into overdrive and produces a surge of fresh, plump collagen, elastin and epidermal skin cells, forcing out the dried-up and discoloured cells that give you lines, blotches and slackness. Its a concept that has become increasingly mainstream. But could it, in fact, be damaging your skin? Inge Van Lotringen investigated if 'controlled damage' skincare treatments accelerate signs of ageing (file image) That is the concern of a growing number of beauty professionals, who believe that over-indulging in some of these techniques could actually be accelerating the signs of ageing. Medical needling (perforating skin with miniscule needles), lasers (deep-heating skin with focused light beams) and chemical peels (using acid to dissolve the glue that makes old cells stick to your face) are all examples of controlled damage. For home use, wildly popular alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) skincare for chemical peeling, and microneedling patches and rollers (pressed into skin to open channels for delivering active ingredients more deeply) promise professional results. Meanwhile, clinically active doses of vitamins A (retinol) and C, sold off the shelf in many local chemists, may not technically inflict micro-damage but their potency comes with an initial side of flushed cheeks and stinging that enthusiastic users have come to take for granted. The problem with all of this is that it works rather too well. Clearer, plumper skin is suddenly achievable in months, or even weeks, no matter what your age. And so, quite naturally, we want more of this with potentially damaging results. I spend a lot of time restraining my clients, figuratively, says Dr Vicky Dondos of Medicetics Skin Clinics in London and Cirencester. They get so excited about the positive changes to their skin, they want to do treatment courses back-to-back in a desperate push to hold back the years. But they dont realise that the harder you stimulate the skin without mitigating the damage, the greater the kickback. You can go one step forward, two steps back, and end up with worse, not better, skin. Removing too much of the skins protective top layer of dead cells may give a noticeable glow, but it also makes the live cells underneath vulnerable to UV light and environmental attack, leading to inflammation (which is at the heart of every degenerative affliction). Dr Vicky Dondos of Medicetics Skin Clinics in London and Cirencester, revealed environmental factors combined with an anti-ageing regime can worsen the signs of ageing (file image) Meanwhile, sustained controlled damage to skins deeper layers can tip over into chronic trauma which may well go unnoticed until its too late. Both disable the skins repair mechanisms and ability to re-generate: dubbed inflamm-ageing, its precisely the opposite of what you were trying to achieve. To add to this, says Dr Dondos: Anything that lowers our immune threshold pollution, stress, wayward hormones, i.e. the realities of modern life worsens the kickback you get from controlled damage. This is especially the case when it comes to uneven pigmentation (or age spots). The more your skin is already on red alert from environmental factors, the more your anti-ageing regime can worsen the signs of ageing. So what to do? Dr Dondos advocates responsive skin care, in-clinic and at home. If anything causes undue irritation, you adjust, replace, or take a break from it, she says. Always. When it comes to intensive clinical treatments, you want to do a course thats tailored to your skin. Then you abstain for two skin cycles the time in which skin naturally regenerates. (One cycle takes four to six weeks for a woman over 40). Dr Dondos explained that intense treatments such as lasers, makes skin more vulnerable to UV radiation (file image) This functions as a fallow period, in which you let skin do the work you stimulated it to do which is to produce lots of fresh cells that will soften lines, fade blotches and firm. Its a bit like the essential rest day after an intensive fitness training session, which allows your muscles to recuperate and grow. And you dont have to go cold turkey on skincare during your fallow months, says Dr Dondos. I tell clients to feed their skin with protective antioxidants, calming skin-barrier building ingredients such as ceramides, and a non-negotiable SPF30 or higher. Any intense treatment, and laser in particular, makes skin even more vulnerable to UV radiation than it already is. Overall, skin doctors agree that moderation is key. Controlled damage treatments are great when you need them for a specific issue, but they shouldnt be part of your weekly or even monthly regime, says Dr Sophie Shotter of Illuminate Skin Clinic in Kent. As for potent cosmetic ingredients such as retinol and glycolic acid, biochemist Nausheen Qureshi, of Elequra skincare, advises tiny but regular quantities rather than nuking skin with ten per cent acid concentrations or maximum-dose retinols. You want to achieve long-term skin health rather than short-term gains that can turn sour, she says. Dr Ben Johnson of Osmosis skincare, said 'controlled damage' skincare treatments weakens the support structure and integrity of the skin over time (file image) However, there are some in the beauty industry for whom even the most controlled damage is anathema and their voice is growing. Forcing cell turnover by wounding skin is a recipe for disaster, says Dr Ben Johnson of Osmosis skincare. He believes that skin being as it is in a constant state of renovation is perfectly capable of removing its dead cells in a timely fashion. True, with age, skins ability to maintain itself by creating replacement collagen slows, he says but damaging skin simply shifts already-depleted resources from maintaining the deep-lying dermis, where collagen is made, to repairing the new damage. It results, temporarily, in a better-looking top layer of skin but, over time, he argues, it weakens the support structure and integrity of the skin, speeding up the ageing process. To make matters worse, says Dr Johnson, research shows skin can only recover 85 to 90 per cent from its wounds, so you are creating a level of permanent inflammation, compounded by the seriously ageing DNA damage that most heat treatments induce. The fact is, he says, repeated short-term gains from controlled damage lead to long-term skin deterioration. He suggests you feed skin with bioavailable active ingredients [meaning they can easily be taken up and used by the body] and the energy it needs to protect, safely remove damage, and repair itself. Thus, it will remain in optimal condition. Dr Ben Johnson recommends feeding your skin with bioavailable active ingredients to keep it in optimal condition (file image) Its a healing model of anti-ageing that he is not alone in espousing. Chanel recently incorporated an extract of the solidago plant, found in the southern Alps and known for its soothing properties. It is said to prevent the formation and inhibit the activity of senescent or zombie skin cells that hang around after they should have died off, inflaming nearby cells. You can find it in the brands Sublimage Lessence Fondamentale (Ultimate Redefining Concentrate, 280 at debenhams.com) which promises to leave skin firmer, toned and radiant. Brands such as Allies Of Skin and Medik8 use a peptide called teprenone to help cells thrive. Experts at Medik8, which features the peptide in its Calmwise serum (see box below), focus on the fact our skin cell DNA contains a string of amino acids called telomeres which shorten as the cell replicates, eventually triggering cell death. Teprenone help stabilise the telomeres, helping to prolong cell life and so enhancing the skins barrier function. Estee Lauder has long studied and incorporated technology based on sirtuins proteins that protect the DNA and healthy function of our cells; the brands new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Dual Infusion (285, esteelauder.co.uk) boasts the very latest research in this field. And Johnsons Osmosis skincare relies, on a stabilised oxygen molecule called trioxolane for sustained skin improvement with no associated damage. A patented anti-inflammatory ingredient, trioxolane accelerates the skins natural healing process and repairs free-radical damage a far safer bet than DIY controlled damage. What you should use instead By: B.Vanlalvawna Yoga has gained increasing popularity all over the world. In response to a historic address by the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi to the UN General Assembly in September 2014, the United Nations adopted the 21st June, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, as the International Day of Yoga(IDY) in December 2014 with an overwhelming support of its 177 members! Yoga was well known and practiced in Azerbaijan even before 2014. However, practitioners in Azerbaijan by and large agree that Yoga following has grown exponentially since the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in June 2015. Last year, IDY was celebrated in many iconic locations across Baku including at Heydar Aliyev Centre, Gobustan, Yanar Dag, Icherisheher, Ateshgah, Boulevard etc and we had the opportunity to take IDY out of Baku to regional cities like Lankaran, Samakhi and Gabala. The support and enthusiasm Yoga received from friends in Azerbaijan and the regional cities of Azerbaijan was unparalleled, reflecting the universal recognition of the benefits of Yoga. IDY 2020 will be a unique one. It will be celebrated at a time when the world is facing an unprecedented period and as many countries continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This also means that unlike in the past we will not be able to celebrate the IDY together- in squares and in halls, as the need to maintain social distancing will not allow us to congregate and participate in Yoga events together. The Government of India has come up with a very innovative and creative way to celebrate IDY this year. This years IDY will be celebrated on the theme Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family. To take this forward, the Embassy has organised a series of programmes in collaboration with some of the most renowned Yoga Gurus in Azerbaijan with the intention of introducing Yoga to the larger community and also to encourage Yoga enthusiasts to practice Yoga from the warmth of their homes. These are being broadcasted live on the Embassys facebook page. Please join us. The relevance of Yoga has a new meaning this year more than ever. As people confine themselves at home leading to loneliness and sometimes depression, as panic over the risk of infections rises and as we are surrounded by negative news and fear, it has become all the more important that each of us remain fit and calm. That we turn to a time tested solution- Yoga. Remember Yoga is 5000 years old. It has been tested through generations over the years and it has passed the test. Therefore, today, Yoga is recognised as the best form of physical and mental practice . This is the main reason why it is gaining popularity by the day. Yoga is known by many as a physical exercise, but it is much more than that. Yoga can bring calmness to the mind besides making a person physically fit. It unifies the body and the mind. It introduces and maintains harmony and brings nature closer to man. A systematic practice of Yoga and following the Common Yoga Protocol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-GJh9GeOxE), which is showcased as part of the annual International Day of Yoga is a good starting point to achieve physical and mental balance. I will also recommend that you watch and practice animated 3D videos of the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, a keen practitioner of Yoga at the link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKrFtLRqyz6MWIswWKBazJOux333ZMyvX ,to guide you further . The unique poses and stretching exercises introduced by Yoga can help reduce tensions in muscles and joints. This could in turn help in relaxing the muscles and decreasing tensions in the human system. Breathing techniques of Yoga can help discover ones true essence and improve balance within the body. A healthy mind and body with strong immunity is what we all need as we face an invisible virus which invades with no discrimination. Yoga can lead us to the way of attaining a wholesome well being and transform ones life in a positive way. A very happy International Day of Yoga! The author is the Ambassador of India in Baku. Views expressed are his own. The 54-day old infant, allegedly slapped and thrown on a cot at home by its father at a town in Kerala, continues to be in critical condition at a hospital, police said on Sunday. The child, admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital at nearby Kolencherry after the attack on Thursday, had fits several times and the next 24 hours would be crucial, they said. The baby was initially admitted to a private hospital in Angamaly, about 30 km from here, but was later referred to the other hospital, considering the serious nature of her injuries, police said. Doctors there grew suspicious over the man's claim that his daughter had fallen down from the cot and informed police. Shaiju Thomas, 40, was questioned and arrested, based on a statement from his Nepali wife, with the help of a translator, they said. He has been charged under various sections of the IPC, including 307 (attempt to murder) and Juvenile Justice Act. Police said the man, short tempered in nature and an alcoholic, had suspicions over the parentage of the infant and that probably led him to attack the child. After snatching the infant from his wife, Thomas allegedly slapped the child twice before throwing her on the cot in their home. He also used to beat the child whenever he came to their rented home at Angamaly after consuming liquor, they said. However, it was not immediately clear if he was in an inebriated state when he flung the child on the cot. Thomas, who met the 34-year-old woman through the social media, married her last year at a church in Nepal. It was his brother, a pastor settled in Arunachal Pradesh, who arranged their marriage, police said. By Tony Cartalucci June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - " Chinese media highlighted a recent plea by Beijing to the US to lift sanctions against Syria. Chinas CGTN in an article titled, Chinese envoy asks U.S. to lift unilateral sanctions on Syria, would report: A Chinese envoy on Tuesday asked the United States to immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Syria. Years of economic blockade have caused tremendous hardships to the Syrian people, in particular women and children. The sufferings caused by the devaluation of the Syrian currency and soaring commodities prices, including food prices, fall heavily on civilians across the country, said Zhang Jun, Chinas permanent representative to the United Nations. Chinas attempts to aid Syria economically and challenge American sanctions aimed at Damascus follows Russias open opposition to the US-led proxy war against the Syrian government which included Moscows direct military involvement in the conflict and Russias leading role in liquidating US-armed militant groups across the country. US sanctions against Syria have long since outlived the alleged motivation for Americas involvement in the conflict claims of supporting the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people and opposing alleged human rights violations by the Syrian government. It has been indisputably revealed that the US deliberately engineered the conflict from organizing protests before 2011 to arming and deploying militants to the country to shift 2011 street protests into a destructive proxy war. It has also long been revealed that so-called freedom fighters were in fact extremists drawn from various terrorist organizations including Al Qaeda and its many franchises. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Since Syrias security operations were in response to what is now revealed to have been US aggression-by-proxy and eventually direct US military aggression against the Syrian government the sanctions themselves are revealed to be merely an economic component to US attempts to decimate the Syrian nation not in any way aid or assist the Syrian people. And of course US sanctions against Syria have complicated the lives of all Syrians from the vast majority who remained in support of the Syrian government and lived in government-controlled areas of Syria throughout the conflict to even US-backed militants who eventually turn in their arms and surrender to government forces they all collectively face economic hardship and a difficult road ahead in rebuilding their nation. Thus the altruistic excuses the US used to first impose sanctions on Syria and its increasingly feeble excuses used to continue justifying them now are revealed as little more than propaganda and should be taken into consideration when questioning why the US has imposed sanctions on other nations. The US engineered and executed what was a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria one that it is still actively attempting to perpetuate for as long as possible and one now admittedly perpetuated to make it a quagmire for the Russians. Not only is Washingtons humanitarian justification for placing sanctions on Syria revealed as empty, but it is Washington itself who is guilty of trampling human rights in Syria. China and many others for that matter have asked for these sanctions to be lifted. Washington to no ones surprise refuses but the inability of so-called international institutions to hold Washington accountable or to alleviate Syrias current crisis reveals that the international order these institutions serve is dysfunctional and that alternatives desperately need to be found. Chinas economic aid and efforts to reconstruct Syria will eventually be realized it is only a matter of time and how China will get around US sanctions. This will be done either by directly opposing them or creating global systems that are entirely independent of and insulated from American interference. Either way if Washington insists on maintaining its current policies a global system independent of and insulated from America is one in which America finds itself cutoff and withering a prospect that benefits neither the American people nor even Americas ruling special interests. Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, especially for the online magazine New Eastern Outlook. - " Source " - Post your comment below World Yoga Day is observed every year on 21st June. This year Yoga is being celebrated at home due to the social distancing measures, here are some Yoga Day images, quotes, messages, and photos to share it with your loved ones. People all across the world observe world yoga day on 21st June every year. India has been celebrating international yoga day since 2015 under the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. In the wake of the ongoing pandemic and due to social distancing measures, the United Nations kept Yoga for Health-Yoga at Home as the theme for this year. Addressing the nation on Yoga Day 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world has now restored to virtual yoga due to COVID-19. He further said that Yoga unifies people and the world, thus it is helping us in fighting the pandemic; he also added the importance of the pranayamas in building immunity and resolve respiratory illness. PM Modi also started an online competition called My Life My Yoga wherein he asked the citizens to participate in the competition by uploading their yoga videos. Yoga is one of the best ways to maintain physical and mental health, the major asset is that you dont require any equipment; all you need is some space and a mat. Also Read: Happy Fathers Day 2020 wishes, quotes messages: Happy Fathers day Images, Whatsapp Status, HD wallpapers and Greetings International Yoga Day 2020: Quotes, images, Facebook and WhatsApp Status https://t.co/NV1T2l1pz3 pic.twitter.com/dtUnygErHJ Aryan (@Aryan02613989) June 18, 2020 Read: Solar Eclipse June 2020 start and end time: Surya Grahan timing in Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu & Kashmir Especially with the advent of the virus, yoga can help us remain fit and healthy, not just physically but also mentally. Here are a few quotes and wishes that you can use to embrace yoga and its advantages. Also Read: International Yoga Day 2020: Shilpa Shetty to host live yoga session with Kiren Rijiju Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the significance of yoga and pranayama on the sixth edition of International Yoga Day 2020 on Sunday. He urged everyone to make yoga and pranayama part of their routine. Although the Covid-19 crisis could not let the recreation of large public events to commemorate the day like those during the previous years, the spirit was not dampened by the pandemic. People adhered to social distancing and preventive guidelines while performing yoga and pranayama in small groups. Keeping the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in mind, this years theme is Yoga at home and Yoga with family. Scores of leaders and politicians took to the comfort of their homes to break into asanas or perform breathing exercises. In pics: India celebrates Yoga Day 2020 amid Covid-19 crisis President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted out pictures of him performing yoga. Greetings on #InternationalYogaDay. The ancient science of Yoga is Indias great gift to the world. Glad to see more and more people adopting it. Amid stress and strife, especially with #Covid19, practicing Yoga can help keep the body fit and mind serene. pic.twitter.com/1ZGqsTnn4A President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 21, 2020 Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and his spouse performed yoga at the lawns of Uparashtrapati Bhawan today. On #InternationalYogaDay, the Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu and his spouse Smt. Ushamma performed yoga on the lawns of Uparashtrapati Bhawan today, following the theme for the Yoga Day this year- 'Yoga at home and Yoga with family' . pic.twitter.com/gXBSrUYs9P Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) June 21, 2020 Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal stayed at his residence and performed yoga to commemorate the day. Hon'ble CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal practicing yoga at his residence on the #InternationalYogaDay. Wish everyone good health on this special occasion. pic.twitter.com/Sn43m3J7n2 CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) June 21, 2020 Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda was seen performing a host of yoga asanas in a small group at his residence. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also performed yoga at his residence. Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla performs yoga at his residence on #InternationalYogaDay today. pic.twitter.com/yr03xcf9m0 ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020 International Yoga Day, PM Modis brainchild, came into existence in the year 2014 when the prime minister rallied for the international observance of a day dedicated to yoga every year. The new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has infected close to nine million people and killed over 460,000 globally. Nigeria is one of the worst hit in Africa, having recorded over 19,000 infections and 506 deaths as of Saturday night. The outbreak has overshadowed human activities and crippled the economy and health services in many countries. There was, however, a glimmer of hope during the week as a drug trial in the UK showed potential for the cure of the disease. Here are some of the stories which made headlines: Nigeria records 19 new coronavirus deaths The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced 661 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday night, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 19, 808. Nineteen deaths were also recorded from the virus on Saturday, bringing the number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 506. As of the time of reporting, 35 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. Only Cross River state is yet to report any case in Nigeria. U.S. halts hydroxychloroquine clinical trial after finding no additional benefit for COVID-19 patients The National Institutes of Health announced Saturday that it had halted clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for adults hospitalised with Covid-19. A data and safety monitoring board met late Friday and determined that while there was no harm, the study drug was very unlikely to be beneficial to hospitalised patients with Covid-19, the NIH said in a statement. Hydroxychloroquine, which has been frequently touted by President Donald Trump who claimed to have used it himself, is typically used to treat malaria and rheumatoid conditions, such as arthritis. Immunity to COVID-19 may wane just 2-3 months after infection, study suggests Protective immune responses that build up during a SARS-CoV-2 infection may weaken just two to three months laterparticularly if the infection didnt come with any symptoms, a new study suggests. The finding does not necessarily mean that people will no longer be immune to the novel coronavirus after a few months. The lower levels of the immune responses measured in the study may still be enough to thwart the virus, and there are other types of immune responses not examined in the study that play a role in immunity. Overall, there are still many unknowns about potential immunity to SAR-CoV-2 infections, including who is most protected and how long that protection may last. COVID-19: NCDC denies sending positive samples to Cross River The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has debunked allegations by the Cross River State Government that the agency was shipping positive and negative test kits and cartridges into the state. The Director-General, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the statements by the Cross River Commissioners of Information and Health are a misinterpretation of the Federal Ministry of Healths COVID-19 testing strategy and efforts to protect the health of Nigerians from this disease. We would like to state unequivocally, that there is no plan to transport positive samples from one state to the other. FG releases N4.5 billion special COVID-19 allowance for striking doctors, others The federal government has released N4.5 billion to 31 federal teaching and medical centres across the country, an official has said. Labour minister Chris Ngige said the payment which covers hazard and inducement allowances for April and May is made with the expectation that it would ameliorate the plight of resident doctors across the country who downed tools since Monday over unpaid salaries and allowances. Advertisements Chris Ngige. [PHOTO CREDIT: Sahara Reporters] The resident doctors announced the commencement of a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday morning in a communique issued at the end of their virtual extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting. Firm bets on lab-produced breast milk Biomilq is targeting infant nutrition by attempting to reproduce mothers breast milk in a lab. The start-up has just earned the backing of the worlds top investors, by raising $3.5 million in Series A funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Bill Gates investment firm focused on climate change. The co-founders hope that the breast milk produced by Biomilq from culturing mammary epithelial cells will help reduce the carbon footprint from the global infant formula market. COVID-19: Cases from AU member states reach 287,385 The 54 African Union member states have reported a total COVID-19 cases of 287,385 with 7,708 deaths and 132,959 recoveries according to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The South African region has the highest number of confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries. Breakdown of incidents according to the region is as follows : Central Africa 28,188 cases; 624 deaths; 12,530 recoveries, Eastern Africa 30,647 cases ; 924 deaths 12,446 recoveries, Northern Africa 77,405; 3,210; 31,717, Southern Africa 91,866; 1,871; 49,738 and Western Africa 59,279; 1,079; 26,528. COVID-19: EU, UN hand medical supplies to Nigeria The European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) have handed over urgently needed essential medical supplies to the Nigerian government to fight COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The EU and UN received delivery of vital supplies to help the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The current shipment includes, among other items, 545 oxygen concentrators, more than 100,000 test kits, infrared digital no-touch thermometers and numerous Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Others are laboratory supplies and emergency health kits that will boost the Nigerian Governments efforts on COVID-19 response and care for those affected by the Coronavirus, the report announcing the development stated. When I was a child I noticed that my father would smile, nod, and speak to every Black person we passed in public. At first I believed this was an indication of his popularity (dont get me wrong, my pops is one cool cat), but he later explained that he made it a habit to speak to Black people because he felt each deserved a dignified personal acknowledgment here in Canada. I didnt fully understand the power of recognition until, like every member of my five-generation-Canadian Black family, I faced systemic, subtle, and flagrant racism on my own journey. Ive since found myself searching for knowing eyes of understanding, this shared acknowledgment became my first step toward achieving justice. The thought of reform of our institutions can seem intimidating until we remember that we hold the power to transform them and have the moral imperative to do so when they fail to reach equitable outcomes. It has been promising seeing a proactive and multi-partisan federal Black caucus activating around these issues. Unfortunately, many of our leaders are not on the same page about the urgency of this work. Some are stalling it, while others are weaponizing their ignorance and centring their own feelings. This is a disservice to the long fought movements working for change. Last year, the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released. It was met with an uproar over the language it included that superseded the energy to do anything about it. Canadians argued passionately over when genocide ended and racism began in our history, but stopped short of translating that conviction into action on the recommendations provided. Thus is our great Canadian cycle: debate the language until everyone is too exhausted to act. Call it whatever you want, but do something. Undoubtedly this work will continue to hit nerves and solicit backlash from people unwilling to humble themselves and learn or get out of the way of progress. As we peel back this series of bandages covering societal wounds that never properly healed, it is, of course, painful. But sharing in that pain is what allyship is, so its important to get comfortable with that discomfort. Dont be bamboozled by those who didnt show up prepared and begin making up definitions on the spot to justify their own unwillingness to act. As we transform our institutions to suit the changing needs of our society, we must apply racial and gender equity lenses at each turn and be thoughtful of the unique impacts our public and private institutions have long had on the lives of Black and Indigenous people and women especially. The pile-on of fresh challenges mixed with grief in the context of COVID-19 has been heavy. Especially for those fighting on multiple important fronts for health equity, migrant worker protections, food security, reforms to our child welfare systems, education system transformation, and revolutionary thinking around justice and policing systems. This is a daunting task, and my friend Toks Weah reminds me that its made possible when each one of us takes responsibility toward making your corner of Canada a hostile environment to anti-Black racism. Protect instead of penalizing whistleblowers during this global airing of grievances. Understand the multiplicity of current and historical experiences of Black people living in Canada. Identify and rectify racial and gender pay gaps and reinforce leadership pipelines. Listen widely. Track racial data. Prioritize mental health supports. Step forward with fewer surface-driven performances of solidarity and dig out the roots that will lead to justice within the institutions you participate in shaping. Canadians have been gaslighting, dismissing, and assassinating the character of those fighting against anti-Black racism for centuries; forcing them to silence and diminish themselves to maintain the comfort of others. Early champions in the fight against institutional anti-Black racism have watched their own livelihoods dissolve as a reward for their efforts. Anti-Black racism is a problem that permeates every one of our systems. It shouldnt be a revolutionary act to support a redirection of priorities that centres the wellness of all Canadians. Acknowledgment is the minimum. We must stay focused on the ultimate goal, which is justice. We, too, shape Canada. Photo credit: Anton Petrus - Getty Images From Prevention A plume of Saharan dust is making its way to the Caribbean and the Gulf states in the next several days. With large amounts of dust in the sky, sunrises and sunsets are expected to be particularly colorful and vivid. The dust can also spur respiratory issues due to lower air quality. A plume of dust from the Sahara Desert is traveling nearly 5,000 miles to the United States, bringing dry air and the potential for some really gorgeous sunsets, depending on where you live. Saharan dust tends to make its way over the Atlantic Ocean to parts of the Gulf states during the summer, hitting its peak around late June to the middle of August. The phenomenon, referred to as the Saharan Air Layer, forms in the African desert during the end of spring and into the beginning of fall and takes up a 2- to 2.5-mile thick layer of the atmosphere. Parts of the Caribbean are expected to get the dry dust this weekend, while states closest to the Gulfincluding Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisianaare forecasted to experience the Saharan dust by this upcoming week, per The Weather Channel. Fire in the sky tonight Saharan dust bringing out the sunset colors pic.twitter.com/wofgXGgtnm Steve Weagle (@SteveWeagleWPTV) June 23, 2019 The presence of such a large amount of dust has been known to prevent the development of tropical storms during the hurricane season. National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration officials say the dry air from the Saharan dust has about 50% less moisture than that of the average tropical atmosphere during this time of year. With nearly half the moisture removed, the dry air actually creates downdrafts around the tropical storm, essentially weakening it. Amazing! This happens mostly this time of the year.The positive outcome is that it puts hurricanes on hold temporarily, and it creates gorgeous colors at sunrise and sunsets that are so surreal. Call it a gift from the Sahara.Check out last year's sunset with the Sahara dust. pic.twitter.com/24Zd98grH6 Angela Brent-Harris (@AngelaBrentHar1) June 17, 2020 Particles are usually so tiny you can barely see them, but with a burst of dry dust at this capacity, residents in select states will be able to see its stunning effects. Depending on your location, the Saharan dust will create a hazy sky as it passes over select areas, with potential for intensely red and orange sunrises and sunsets, according to The Weather Channel. Story continues This summer, the gulf coast gets some Saharan Dust which makes for super cool sunsets like tonights! Read more about mineral dust and why its important here: https://t.co/WoOcH2K1sM pic.twitter.com/pfyZ2ekhKv Mallory Gaspard (@mallorygaspard) June 18, 2020 These vivid colors come out to play when the sun is particularly low and its beams are spread out. Thats when the suns light bounces off the dust particles in a process called scattering, illuminating the air with hues of yellow, orange, and red. That said, with so much dust comes a whole new set of issues for allergy sufferers. Dust particles can find their way into your nose and eyes, causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Pulmonologist at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Anoop Nambiar told Texas NPR radio station TPR that the Saharan dust affects small children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues like asthma. If you live near the Gulf states during the event and experience breathing or allergy symptoms, he suggests staying inside (or wearing a mask) when possible. If the particles dont seem to bother you, its a gorgeous sight to seeso be sure to safely enjoy the views! Support from readers like you helps us do our best work. Go here to subscribe to Prevention and get 12 FREE gifts. And sign up for our FREE newsletter here for daily health, nutrition, and fitness advice. You Might Also Like A psychiatrist reprimanded in Queensland over an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former patient has been appointed to a senior clinical role in the NSW public health system. In 2012, the Medical Board of Australia launched disciplinary action against Dr Andrew Leggett over his treatment of a female patient, alleging the psychiatrist allowed the relationship to become personal and sexual. Dr Andrew Leggett, who was reprimanded in Queensland over an inappropriate relationship with a former patient, is now working in the NSW public health system. Credit:Facebook It launched action that saw Dr Leggett take voluntary redundancy and leave the public system. The psychiatrist was then reprimanded in a tribunal in 2015 after admitting to a relationship with the former patient. He was ordered to complete a course of counselling with a specialist in boundary violation issues. The doors and windows of the legislative house remain closed and no one gets in, not even through the dog flap. Its as if politics has shut itself up in its own castle and is peering out from behind the curtains at the uproar on the street, an unhelpful attitude which only increases the citizens feeling of distrust and causes further unrest. by Zulkifli Nazim In a weird, disorientating age marked by political earthquakes and volcanoes shock election results, constitutional chaos, new parties, new leaders, new governments, it is better to go below the pseudo calm surface and look at what is animating all this turmoil people never realised the movements of the tectonic plates underneath far below the surface. They were just taking everything and anything at face value. Courtesy: Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka There is mass disillusionment, certainly, with the organs of the state that are supposed to mediate and regulate these forces - three quarters of the population believe, that politics is not fit for any real purpose. In the gap between the mentality of a sclerotic governing class which has grown rigid and unresponsive with age, unable to adapt or compromise. Right throughout, the political scenario has not been uniform. It has encompassed great changes to the ways in which we work, play and communicate, to the technologies we use and to the tales we tell about ourselves. On and on, the ever growing rivalry between people, communities, races, religions and caste, the economic system that was built around that principle imploded during the financial crash on the advent of the Corona Virus, with spectacular global consequences. In Sri Lanka, After the Covid-19 pandemic, logic contradicted the lived reality of millions. Our political leaders tried to carry on as if nothing had really changed; the grammar and syntax of institutional power remained the same, as did the lens through which the press evaluated and reported it. But although liberal capitalism has so far endured, superficially at least, something important did change, and that was the logic behind the economic system, the justification it offered up for its existence. Now, although the economic system staggers on for the time being, the infrastructure around it is crumbling. We dont yet know what will emerge from the rubble. The doors and windows of the legislative house remain closed and no one gets in, not even through the dog flap. Its as if politics has shut itself up in its own castle and is peering out from behind the curtains at the uproar on the street, an unhelpful attitude which only increases the citizens feeling of distrust and causes further unrest. At this rate rebellions will begin to take root. They will definitely come from the left and the right, from the young and the old, and they will soon manifest themselves at the ballot box, on the street, and in a vast array of different forms. They will go off haphazardly, in multiple directions, and political pandemonium will certainly ensue; either politics throws open the doors or it wont be long before they will be kicked in by angry citizens. Now that organised civil society has less of a say, and they still fall far short of whats needed. It is imperative that citizens initiatives bring the needs of the people to the doorstep of the legislator. But what we see are new political instruments that are made to function as desperate ways of keeping the citizen out. What path those new forms may take, and the disturbances they inevitably produce, is certainly going to have a revolutionary impact on us all. Without drastic adjustment, this system cannot last much longer. If you look at the history of voting, the decline in voter turnout and party membership, and at the way politicians are held in contempt, if you look at how difficult it is to form governments, how little they can do and how harshly they are punished for it, if you look at how quickly populism, technocracy and anti-parliamentarianism are rising, if you look at how more and more citizens are longing for participation and how quickly that desire can tip over into frustration, then you realise we are up to our necks in annoyance and defeat. Our familiar idea of mass democracy is the one in which most people are content to stay home and let someone else speak on their behalf an elected representative, a judge, a professional critic, expert or commentator. It involves professionally managed parties, agencies, newspapers and publishers, through whom matters of importance are safely routed, and where everyone plays by the same rules. But in order for this to work, the vast majority of people must be content to stay quiet most of the time, and to trust those who speak in place of them. That, it seems, is something that people are increasingly reluctant to do. As trust in professional politicians and the media declines around the world, support for direct democracy has been rising. Where politics becomes infused by the logic of crowds, it becomes less about peaceful political representation, and more about mobilisation. Whether on the street or online, crowds are not a proxy for something else, as, for example, a parliament is meant to be a proxy for its electorate or a judge is the face of the justice system. They dont purport to represent society as a whole or what the whole nation thinks. As the election draws near, the activity of intrigue and the agitation of the populace increase; the citizens are divided into hostile camps, each of which assumes the name of its favourite candidate; the whole nation glows with feverish excitement; the election is the daily theme of the public papers, every media audio, visual and social, the subject of private conversation, the end of every thought and every action, the sole interest of the present. As soon as the choice is determined, this ardour is dispelled; and as a calmer season returns, the current of the State, which had nearly broken its banks, sinks to its usual level: but who can refrain from astonishment at the causes of the storm that brought about devastation. Historical paradigms do not end neatly and tidy up behind them as they leave; nor do new ones arrive fully formed, ready to fill the void. What we can say is that we are living simultaneously through the slow-burn decline of a still-present past, and the birth pangs of contested futures. Many of those who traditionally navigate the political terrain on our behalf pundits, columnists and politicians are scratching their heads, and staring at outdated maps in utter confusion. Most journalists continue to fixate and patronize on the personalities, parties and parlour games of Parliament, as if the answer to where the turmoil comes from must lie somewhere within its limits. Gradually, many of the political, economic and social building blocks of the country around us are transformed. While most news coverage feels weightless and free-floating and most news coverage is a historical, landing with instant exciting displays, but little context. We see the ways in which the tone of most news coverage reflects the outlook of our formal politics, and formal politics is failing in our midst. It is travelling into the crevices where an alternative politics is beginning to materialize. We, the ordinary clueless citizens are grounded, embedded and sunk in concrete, earth and water, suffocating, drowning and buried alive. For the first time in 45 years, India has lost soldiers (that too, 20 at the last count) to a Chinese attack with sticks, stones, rocks, and nail-studded clubs, even as machine guns, artillery, and tanks were lined up in the rear. Apparently, some Indian soldiers were beaten to death; some were pushed down a steep slope into the Galwan river below, and others died of hypothermia in the cold desert of Ladakh. China has given India a bloody nose in a most bizarre way. Our immediate reaction is to rant: Boycotting Chinese goods, burning the effigy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and ... Geoffrey Berman arrives at his office in New York on Saturday. (Kevin Hagen / Associated Press) President Trump on Saturday fired a top federal prosecutor who has overseen sensitive investigations into the presidents allies, taking aim at yet another government official who has exposed misdeeds or maladministration by Trump or his appointees and associates. The firing of Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, culminated an extraordinary day of brinkmanship and fed growing concerns about the future of checks on executive power and Atty. Gen. William Barrs independence from the White House. Trump has pushed out five inspectors general since April, including several watchdogs who brought concerns to Congress last fall about Trumps pressure on Ukraine, and a career civil servant who reported on severe shortages of protective equipment at U.S. hospitals battling the coronavirus. Barr, one of Trumps most steadfast allies, announced Bermans firing in a stinging letter to the prosecutor Saturday afternoon after Berman publicly refused to resign. Barr and New Yorks top federal prosecutor had clashed on Friday in dueling statements, with Barr announcing the prosecutors resignation and Berman pledging to remain in his job to ensure important cases continue unimpeded. Bermans office has been investigating Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Trumps personal lawyer, whose actions on behalf of the president were central to the impeachment inquiry, a person familiar with the matter has said. Speaking to reporters before heading to a rally in Oklahoma, Trump seemed to distance himself from Bermans firing. Thats all up to the attorney general; Atty. Gen. Barr is working on that, Trump said. Thats his department, not my department, but we have a very capable attorney general, so thats really up to him. Im not involved. Bermans initial refusal to step down raised the prospect of a legal fight over his position. But the crisis abated Saturday evening when Berman announced he was leaving office immediately, citing Barrs decision to name the offices top deputy, Audrey Strauss, as acting U.S. attorney. On Friday, Barr had said another U.S. attorney would be taking over the job, an unorthodox move that drew criticism from legal experts and former prosecutors. Story continues It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as this districts U.S. attorney and a custodian of its proud legacy, Berman said. The president has long been irked by the work of prosecutors under Bermans command. They have targeted Trumps onetime personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, as well as Giuliani. Cohen was sentenced in last 2018 to three years in prison after admitting to various crimes that included buying the silence of adult-film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both said theyd had affairs with Trump. Federal prosecutors are probing Giulianis business dealings and whether he acted as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, the Associated Press reported. Giuliani played a leading role in trying to dig up dirt in Ukraine on former Vice President Joe Biden, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Trumps efforts to pressure Ukraines president to investigate Biden and his son led to the presidents impeachment in December. Two of Giulianis associates who helped in the Ukraine operation have been charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan with violating laws banning foreign campaign donations. Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are set to stand trial in February. Trumps former national security advisor John Bolton has alleged in an interview and a new book that he believes Trump sought to obstruct justice in attempting to intervene in a Southern District investigation into a Turkish bank. Berman, a longtime Republican, was tapped for the prosecutors post in January 2018 by then-Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. He was later appointed to fill the job permanently by federal judges when the Trump administration failed to nominate a successor. It is not clear what sparked Barrs decision to remove Berman. The attorney general issued a statement Friday evening that Berman was stepping down and announcing that Jay Clayton, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, would be nominated for the post. The only problem: Berman said he had no idea he was resigning. Earlier that day he had met with Barr, and the pair discussed his next moves, according to a person familiar with the matter. Barr suggested that Berman could become the assistant attorney general for the Civil Division if he agreed to step aside, but the prosecutor declined the offer. Not long after Barr announced the resignation, Berman fired back, issuing a public statement that he had learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was stepping down as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning. Citing his appointment to the job by federal judges, he said he would resign once the Senate confirmed his successor. On Saturday morning, according to wire service reports, he showed up to work, telling reporters, Im just here to do my job. Barr then sent Berman a letter that afternoon saying he had asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so. Democrats pounced on Bermans firing, saying it was just the latest example of the attorney general seeking to protect the president. I have said this from day one: Bill Barr was hired to personally protect the President, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said in a tweet. His actions last night make clear he is unfit to lead the Justice Department. He should resign. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he welcomed Bermans testimony Wednesday at a hearing slated to examine whether Barr is allowing politics to interfere in prosecutions. Democrats and former prosecutors say Barr has crossed the line several times. He waded into the sentencing of Roger Stone, ordering prosecutors to reduce their recommended sentence of the longtime Republican operative and self-admitted dirty trickster. The Justice Department is also seeking to drop the case against Michael Flynn, the former national security advisor who pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to federal agents about his conversations during the presidential transition with a Russian envoy. Barr told CBS News he did not think Flynn committed a crime. Not long after being sworn in as attorney general in early 2019, Barr took the unusual step of issuing a defense of the presidents conduct the morning he released special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs findings in his two-year investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election. Neal Brandenburg spray-paints a homemade stencil with his daughter Ruby, 11. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) During the first week of the shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Neal Brandenburgs daughters were bouncing off the walls. The stay-at-home dad usually has the house to himself while his wife is at work and daughters Noa, 6, and Ruby, 11, attend Culver City schools. The 'staycation' with children was not going smoothly," he said. "I just desperately needed something to do that could entertain them. Two weeks in, and the tedium had gone too far. As Brandenburg scrolled through Instagram, he came up with an idea. A friend in New Jersey, Sarah Chamberlin, had posted a photo of her daughter lying on the pavement, eyes closed. Purple chalk butterfly wings spread out from her sides, and antennae twisted out of her head. Today, the family would try chalk art, Brandenburg decided. In the garage, he grabbed a long-forgotten bag of chalk. He placed masking tape on the asphalt so Noa and Ruby could color in the lines. A few hours later, a multicolored mosaic and a "Space Invaders" alien had appeared on the street. Neal Brandenburg is a self-taught artist. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) "Hey, that was pretty fun," Brandenburg thought. "We should do it again tomorrow." But the family had worn down the chalk pieces far enough that their fingertips were scraping the pavement. After a trip to Target and the purchase of a bucket of pastels, they were back in business. As the week continued, the Brandenburgs colored away: a flower inspired by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, an apple reminiscent of Henri Matisse, a simplistic robot. Culver City neighbors stopped to check out the chalk drawings that had become a giant montage. Everyone was just bored and going for walks and bike rides. There was nothing else to look at; we were in a pretty sleepy neighborhood, Brandenburg said. So the street art became a bit of a destination. A week later, the ephemeral illustrations would be erased. As Brandenburg took an evening walk with his dog in early April, storm clouds rolled in, covering the nearly full moon. Story continues All the chalk just washed away in like 25 minutes," he said. "It was sort of cathartic. But the artwork wasnt finished. Lindsay Rojas walks past Brandenburg's Spider-Man-themed drawing in Culver City. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Over the next few weeks, Brandenburg began to look online for inspiration. An education lawyer by training, he had no artistic experience. If he was going to make art, he decided, he would do it well. He found a volunteer form for Art Share L.A., a nonprofit that operates an affordable housing building for artists and exhibits art to the community. He signed up. I just wanted to carry paint cans for them, Brandenburg said. I really wanted to see people doing street art. Scrolling through Instagram, he found an account belonging to I Am Fake with an image of a nurse, a symbol of the frontline healthcare workers battling the coronavirus. She gazes skyward, chin tilted up and shoulders back, wearing a blue surgical mask emblazoned with a red-and-yellow "S" the Superman shield. The image struck Brandenburg. He wanted his daughters to understand this message. The strength of nurses. The importance of health. The protection of masks. Again, the family took chalk to the street. "Here we go again! he posted on Instagram. Brandenburg attempted his own superhero mask. He had purchased sprayable chalk and made stencils representing Spider-Man, Iron Man and Black Panther. Neal Brandenburg and daughter Ruby, 11, use nuts as weights to hold a stencil in position while creating an Iron Man-themed "Heroes Wear Masks" drawing in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Earlier in the year, Ruby had taken a one-day spray-paint class and had become the familys expert. I kinda taught you in the beginning, she said, turning toward her dad. And then you found a bunch of other skills that you taught me. Beside each hero, the family paints the message Heroes Wear Masks, an homage to the image of the nurse Brandenburg had seen on Instagram. The chalk artwork, he said, has become a public service announcement for his daughters and other kids in the neighborhood. A kid comes over to see Spider-Man, and the parent has an opportunity to say, Oh, look, heroes wear masks. Youre wearing a mask. You're a hero. You're just like Spider-Man. That's pretty cool, right?' Brandenburg said. So if youre 5, and you're getting that reinforcement from something that you thought was neat on the street, that's the goal: indoctrinating little kids. Ruby remembers seeing a young neighborhood boy learning to ride a bike. As his mom was teaching him how to pedal, he pointed to the Brandenburgs artwork. He was like, Oh, my God, its Black Panther! Ruby recalled. A Black Panther-themed "Heroes Wear Masks" artwork along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) One morning, Brandenburg woke to a text from another neighbor. Linked to the text was an article from The Times. The lead photo showed a woman wearing a mask while walking two golden retrievers on the sidewalk and heading toward the Brandenburgs Spider-Man artwork. Brandenburg was equally shocked and proud. The sort of unrelenting creative energy that I've been feeling during coronavirus, I don't know where that came from, he said. It was just all on our street and just for our little neighborhood. It never occurred to me that anybody would really care. He thought back to the Art Share L.A. volunteer form he'd filled out. On a whim, he decided to email the nonprofit again, asking if he and Ruby could come paint some superheroes as part of the groups Lets Paint the Town project. The response dinged in his inbox: Yes! The day before the familys professional art debut, Brandenburg and his older daughter bought glossy poster boards and real spray paint. They decided they'd need some practice before painting for Art Share. But as the paint shot onto the cardboard, the colors smeared. Their supplies exhausted, the two were left to hope for the best when they tackled their street painting. The next day, the Brandenburgs arrived in Studio City, near the Wasteland outfitter on Ventura Boulevard. They began spraying superheroes Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther and the paint came out bright, crisp, perfect. Looking around, the father-daughter duo watched the other, more experienced artists as they painted murals on the buildings walls. Real artists, Brandenburg mused, not realizing his own artwork was taking on an elevated status. As the Heroes Wear Masks images grew in popularity, Brandenburg put together a website to showcase the art. A passerby checks out a Spider-Man themed stencil along Traction Avenue near 3rd Street in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Soon, though, it became clear the site would serve another purpose. Following the death of George Floyd on May 25, Brandenburg realized that supporting the Black Lives Matter message was more important than reinforcing the need to wear masks. Ahead of a planned protest near Culver City Hall, Brandenburg found an image of a raised fist on the internet and cut it out for Ruby to spray-paint. Doing the art with my daughter gives us a way to confront these issues, have conversations around these issues and continue an ongoing dialogue about them, he said. He posted the downloadable Black Lives Matter image on his website so others could print it. Brandenburg said he hopes the art will proliferate. People from as far as Massachusetts and New York have been printing it, he said. As for the chalk-spraying father and daughter, they said art may need to take a back seat at least for a while. Ruby, who plays lacrosse, does improv and is on stage crew, has a full plate. She hopes to continue art through classes, which she hasnt taken for years. Brandenburg began a full-time job as an attorney for educational organization Green Dot Public Schools on Monday. Art may have to be relegated to nights and weekends. "I just desperately needed something to do that could entertain them. Neal Brandenburg Neal Brandenburg walks by a mural painted by artist Sara Sandoval on Traction Avenue near 3rd Street in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) I dont know how long [art] will keep my interest. But right now, I'm still totally hooked on it, he said. I feel like for years I've been needing [an artistic outlet] and not knowing which way to go for it. It sort of clicked, and it's incredibly satisfying. Though Heroes Wear Masks wont be his main focus, Brandenburg said he expects the message will be relevant for some time, particularly in light of Gov. Gavin Newsom's order this week requiring all Californians to wear masks in most public settings. I think there's a very good chance that there will be a coronavirus surge this fall, Brandenburg said. But one day, he hopes the necessity of wearing masks will wash away, just like the chalk in that April rainstorm. Silly me. Ive been thinking about a troubling element in todays society: how easily some of us can be duped by people and organizations that tell us what we want to hear. Not telling the truth, mind you; telling us what we want to hear. Fox News and MSNBC figured this out a long time ago and are making a fortune because of it. For some of us, if Joe Scarborough says it, it must be true. For others, if Sean Hannity says it, it must be true. If social media proclaims something that fits our political agenda, then, by golly, it must be true. We are becoming a nation of dupe addicts a haven for groups and organizations that want to spread propaganda that has no basis in truth but fits a political point of view. Thats exactly what Russia is accused of doing in the 2016 elections and is probably well into it this year. Here is a classic example. A photo that has been making the rounds on the Internet shows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up a Bible in an apparent response to President Trump holding up the Bible in the photo opp in Lafayette Park across from the White House. The accompanying story describes her desecration of the Bible and denounces her. I became aware of the photo because three Cerro Gordo County Republicans posted it on their Facebook pages and expressed their outrage at Pelosi. The only problem is, the photo is a fake. The incident never happened. An online publication called the Babylon Bee used a photo of Pelosi tearing up President Trumps state of the union speech and doctored it to having her tearing up the Bible. And obviously people fell for it. Check your sources, people. A quick check on Google will provide the web page of the Babylon Bee in which the editors clearly define their publication as pure satire, done for fun more than anything else. Google also shows that there are 58 satire websites in the world, 21 of them in the United States, some spewing Republican propaganda, others offering Democratic perspectives and most all of them intending to entertain rather than inform. Some of the other stories featured recently in the Babylon Bee have these headlines: Celebrities show solidarity with protesters by burning own homes to the ground. Democrats propose replacing all police with traveling bands of Hippies singing `Imagine. Florida recount finally wraps up; Al Gore declared president. Trump announces he is gay so he cant be fired from the presidency. Podiums at next presidential debates to be equipped with Life Alert buttons. The Onion, one of the oldest satire websites, has stories this month about the NRA raising millions of dollars by holding donors at gunpoint; and an award being offered to the person who can create the best Martin Luther King quote. The lesson is simple and I apply it to me as I offer it to you: Its okay to stand for something as long as we dont fall for everything. Our journeys in life should not become Gullibles Travels. Silly me. John Skipper retired from the Globe Gazette in February 2018 after 52 years in newspapers, most of that in Mason City covering North Iowa government and politics. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Scottish-born actor Alan Cumming currently lives in New York with his husband of eight years, illustrator Grant Shaffer. Although he is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom - having become a US citizen in 2008 - the 55-year old says he may leave his adopted home if President Donald Trump is re-elected. Speaking to Australia's The Sunday Project via video video link this weekend, Alan described Trump as 'toxic and dangerous'. Gone? Scottish-born actor Alan Cumming (pictured) is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom - having become a US citizen in 2008. But this weekend, the 55-year old said he may leave his adopted home if President Donald Trump is re-elected 'If he gets in again, if America is stupid and corrupt enough to let him back in, I don't want to be here. It's really at that point. 'It's so toxic and so dangerous. And he is so out of control,' the Josie and the Pussycats actor said. Alan is currently living in Upstate New York, however a recent visit to Manhattan left him shaken. 'Helicopters overhead. It was very weird sort of experience to be there. Both with COVID and the recent protests. The curfew was on there. Outspoken: Speaking to Australia's The Sunday Project via video video link this weekend, Alan described Trump as 'toxic and dangerous' Thoughts: 'If he gets in again, if America is stupid and corrupt enough to let him back in, I don't want to be here. It's really at that point,' Alan said Alan added: 'It's so toxic and so dangerous. And he is so out of control'. Pictured: President Donald Trump 'It didn't feel New York could be itself. It was sad. It was pretty bleak to be there,' he told The Project. The Eyes Wide Shut actor has just been appointed the artistic director of Australia's Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Last year, he revealed that he turned down an appearance on The Good Wife spin-off The Good Fight alongside Julianna Margulies due to a pay dispute. Settled in: Alan Cumming currently lives in Upstate New York with his husband of eight years, illustrator Grant Shaffer (left) A recent visit to Manhattan left him shaken, the star told The Project: 'Helicopters overhead. It was very weird sort of experience to be there. Both with COVID and the recent protests. It didn't feel New York could be itself. It was sad. It was pretty bleak to be there' Alan, who played Eli Gold on The Good Wife during its seven season run, told US Weekly that he was supposed to appear with Julianna. 'Both of us were going to go back They were not going to pay us. Whats the reason to take us back? Because were big parts of the story, and obviously, it was also going to be a big cache for the show,' he said. 'That costs. Why should we do it for a guest star thing when the last time we were working on this show we got much more?' the star added. The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his cabinet has risen by 9 per cent despite the controversy around the arrest of his former justice minister. Japanese authorities arrested former justice minister Katsuyuki Kawai on suspicion of buying votes in a 2019 upper house election. Katsuyuki Kawai resigned in October 2019 as Japan's justice minister over a separate scandal also involving his wife, in which they allegedly tried to offer money to politicians to secure a seat in the upper house of the parliament. In a televised address, Abe apologised for appointing Kawai as a justice minister and said that he would present a full explanation about the scandal to the people of Japan. According to a poll by the Mainichi Shimbun daily, the latest rebound of support from the public comes after the government lifted restrictions on domestic travel. In the previous survey conducted after the resignation of a senior prosecutor, the approval rating had dipped to 27 per cent, which is often considered as a danger sign for the government. Read: Japan: Tokyo Gov Seeks 2nd Term, Says Japan Unprepared For Pandemic Domestic travel curb lifted During a meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters on June 18, Abe had announced that the social and economic activities will be brought up to the next level in Japan, lifting restrictions on cross-prefectural travels. He also expressed that the governments intent is to coordinate with the countries where the level of COVID-19 infections is kept stable, like Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Japan has reported nearly 18,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 952 deaths, comparatively way lesser than other major economies. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of a "new and dangerous phase" of the pandemic. During a media briefing on June 19, the WHO Director-General said that the pandemic still poses a major threat even countries are eager to open up their societies and economies. According to the latest report, almost nine million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide with more than 467,000 deaths, overwhelming the health care facilities across the globe. Read: Japan Spots Unknown Submarine In Its Territorial Waters Near Amami Islands (Image: Twitter / @JPN_PMO) Eight minority corrections officers in Minnesota filed discrimination charges with the state Department of Human Rights saying that they were barred from guarding or making contact Derek Chauvin, the white former police officer charged with murdering George Floyd. Chauvin, 44, was booked at the Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul, Minnesota, the same day he was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day. Those charges would later be upgraded to second-degree murder. Cell phone footage showed Chauvin kneeling on on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as the African-American father-of-five pleaded 'I can't breathe!' The Star Tribune reports that as Chauvin arrived, all officers of color were ordered to a separate floor and told by a supervisor that, because of their race, they would be a possible 'liability' around Chauvin. Dereak Chauvin (pictured in mugshot left and right) was a former Minneapolis Police Department Officer who now faces murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd Discrimination charges filed on Friday say minority corrections officers at the Ramesy County Jail (pictured) were barred from guarding or making contact with Chauvin when he arrived on May 29 'I understood that the decision to segregate us had been made because we could not be trusted to carry out our work responsibilities professionally around the high-profile inmate solely because of the color of our skin,' one active sergeant wrote. 'I am not aware of a similar situation where white officers were segregated from an inmate.' Attorney Bonnie Smith, who is representing the eight officers, said the move has left a lasting and damaging impact on worker morale. 'I think they deserve to have employment decisions made based on performance and behavior,' said Smith. 'Their main goal is to make sure this never happens again.' Jail Superintendent Steve Lydon reportedly told his superiors that the decision was made in haste after he was informed Chauvin would arrive in 10 minutes. The move was made 'to protect and support' minority employees by keeping them away from Chauvin. Cell phone footage showed Chauvin (pictured) kneeling on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes while the African-American father pleaded 'I can't breathe!' George Floyd (pictured) died at a local Minneapolis hospital after his disturbing interaction with Chauvin and three other officers on Memorial Day 'Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made a decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings,' Lydon reportedly said in a statement amid an internal investigation and provided to The Star Tribune. The formal charges filed Friday are expected to automatically launch a state investigation into the matter - making it the second Department of Human Rights racism investigation into police in recent weeks. The first was triggered by the death of George Floyd and examined the Minneapolis Police Department, which has been since been abolished in a vote by the city council. The probe will analyze Minneapolis Police Department policies and procedures over the last 10 years to determine if the department, currently under the direction of Chief Medaria Arradondo, engaged in discrimination. The incident in the discrimination charges began on May 29, four days after George Floyd was killed and public outrage spawned protests across the country. A Black sergeant who usually oversees the transport of high-profile inmates began a routine pat-down of Chuavin, but was soon ordered to stop. He was replaced by a white officer, according to charges. A colleague reportedly told him that Lydon had instructed all minority employees from the fifth floor, where Chuavin was housed, and banned any interaction with Chauvin. In each instance, minority officers were reportedly swapped out for white officers to perform standard duties. The group of minority officers later gathered on the third floor to discuss the unusual change and console each other over what they deemed a 'segregation order.' Protests have erupted across the United States and the world after video of George Floyd's death went viral on social media The Minneapolis Police Department (pictured) is to be disbanded and replaced with a community-led public safety system Some officers cried, while others wondered if they should quit their jobs, according to charges obtained by The Star Tribune. Those who had complaints were told to talk to Lydon. Written statements show all eight officers scheduling time to speak with Lydon, where he reportedly admitted to banning the officers from the fifth floor but was adamant that it wasn't racism. Lydon defended his decision, charges said, but reversed his decision within 45 minutes. A complaint to top officials by a union steward sparked an internal investigation. Lydon reportedly said during his interview that he acknowledged that George Floyd's death could 'likely create acute racialized trauma' and felt responsible to protect minority staffers from Chauvin. He maintained that the decision was not made over questions of professionalism or concern for Chauvin's safety. 'I realized that I had erred in judgment and issued an apology to the affected employees,' said Lydon. By then, at least on officer's work schedule had changed for the weekend. Police fire tear gas and less-lethal rounds at protesters during a demonstration at the intersection of East Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota (pictured) The next day, several officers reported seeing surveillance footage that showed a white lieutenant, who was given special access to Chauvin's jail cell, sitting on his bunk bed and allowing him to use her cell phone. Such actions are considered a significant policy violation and caused officials to move Chauvin to the Hennepin County jail before finally being placed in the Oak Park Heights maximum security prison. After the incident, dozens of jail staffers reportedly met with Sheriff Bob Fletcher and had an acting sergeant read a two-page letter on behalf of minority employees. The letter addressed the orders from Lydon, the surprise he felt at being labeled a 'liability' around Chuavin and the instruction to notify other officers of color of floor reassignments. The letter read: 'I immediately left feeling sick to my stomach. The hurt and anger these officers displayed was evident not only in their body language, but in their voice.' The sergeant alleged that the order had caused tension among staff and cast doubt on the professionalism of officers. He did not call for Lydon's resignation, but acknowledged that his judgement 'caused us officers to lose faith in his ability to run this facility.' Fletcher promised to reassign Lydon from the jail and send an e-mail about how the agency could move past the incident, The Star Tribune reports. Staffers said he never did. As of Saturday, a sheriff's office spokesperson said Lydon had been removed from his position as a jail superintendent and will report to Undersheriff Bill Finney, who is leading the Detention Division in the interim. Pictured (left to right): Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane The recent discrimination charges will spark a second Department of Human Rights racism investigation into police in recent weeks after the first was triggered by the death of George Floyd (pictured) Fletcher is reportedly 'reviewing the matter to determine if any additional action is necessary,' the spokesperson said. However, the department's recent admission to reassigning officers of colors directly goes against its initial narrative pushed to the media. When Reuters questioned the segregation orders, the spokesperson initially said there was 'no truth to the report' and that Chuavin 'was treated according to procedure.' The blatant denial of any wrongdoing was salt on the wound for officers of color. 'They were calling us all liars,' one acting sergeant told The Star Tribune. He asked to be anonymous over fears of retaliation. 'I cant go to work and hold my head up knowing that they can just brush this under the rug.' The sergeant said he was so disheartened by the segregation order that he left work in tears. He also turned down a promotion and the additional pay with it. The spokesperson said he responded that way because 'When I asked, thats what I was told.' All eight employees deemed the order the 'most overtly discriminatory act' they've experience while working for the Ramsey County Jail. Pictured: Protesters gather at the scene where George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was pinned down by a police officer kneeling on his neck before later dying in hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota One officer noted that when a man is booked for domestic assault charges against a women, female officers are not ordered to avoid them despite how they may feel. 'My fellow officers of color and I were, and continue to be, deeply humiliated, distressed, and negatively impacted by the segregation order,' the charges said. The Ramsey County Jail was characterized as a 'hostile work environment' over the reported failure to address the incident. 'The damage had been done.' said attorney Bonnie Smith. 'These jobs are super sensitive, highly dangerous at times and involve an immense amount of trust.' 'They struggle walking into a building where the superintendent is still affiliated.' In addition to Chauvin's arrest, officers Thomas Lane, 37, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, and Tou Thao, 34, have all be charged. They were hit with aiding and abetting to second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. The three officers were taken into custody in early June and held on a $1million bail. Lane and Kueng have since been released from jail on bond. Thao remains in police custody. As demonstrations continue to grip the nation, one man was killed and 11 others injured in Minneapolis after suspected gunmen fired several rounds on Saturday night. Photographs posted to social media showed windows at the Landmark's Uptown Theatre and another storefront shot out. One man is dead and 11 people suffered non-life-threatening wounds in a shooting in Minneapolis, police said early Sunday The area of the gunfire is reportedly three miles from a neighborhood that was overcome by rioting amid protests. Police had not yet released details on what led to the shooting which is reported to have involved people firing 'around 80 rounds' at each other. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting as of 4 a.m. A preliminary investigation indicated that 'individuals on foot' started shooting around 12:30 a.m. and later fled the scene. The victims have not been identified. Photographs posted to social media show windows at the Landmark's Uptown Theatre and another storefront shot out. Screams were audible on a live video posted to Facebook that showed the aftermath at the scene. Alberta-based Enbridge says it has reopened a branch of pipeline beneath the water separating two Great Lakes after an inspection revealed no damage, but another parallel branch of the line remains closed due to shifting observed in its anchor assembly. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/6/2020 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Enbridge logo is shown at the company's annual meeting in Calgary on May 9, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Alberta-based Enbridge says it has reopened a branch of pipeline beneath the water separating two Great Lakes after an inspection revealed no damage, but another parallel branch of the line remains closed due to shifting observed in its anchor assembly. The company has also responded to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's call for proof that the damage to the anchor assembly on one of the dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac will not pose a threat to the area. In a letter to Whitmer on Saturday, Enbridge president and CEO Al Monaco says the company shares the governor's "commitment to keeping the Great Lakes safe" and is forwarding information about the incident on Line 5 with U.S. pipeline regulators and the state. Enbridge closed Line 5 on Thursday after discovering that an anchor support on the eastern branch, which runs parallel to the western branch under the strait that connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, had shifted from its original position. The pipeline carries oil and natural gas liquids used in propane from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. Enbridge says in a statement that it has reopened the western branch after a remote operated vehicle inspection revealed no issues or damage to the anchor structures or pipeline on that section. "As we have verified that the west leg is not affected, we resumed normal operations on that line today at approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Time," the company's statement on Saturday said. "The east leg will remain shut down. Our federal regulator, (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), has no objections to this plan." Enbridge says that while doing seasonal maintenance, it discovered a screw anchor support on the eastern leg shifted from its original position, which it said affected that anchor support and not the pipeline itself. It said it reported the damage to the State of Michigan and the PHMSA on Thursday, the same day it says it discovered the damage to the anchor support assembly. 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. Whitmer said Friday that the damage lies approximately 46 metres from a section of the pipeline where damage to the pipeline coating was discovered on or around May 26. She said the damage and how it occurred called into question the viability of the pipeline. Monaco said in his letter to Whitmer that Enbridge is continuing to "assess the fitness for service of the dual pipelines" using divers and remotely operated vehicles. "We are committed to keep the State of Michigan and PHMSA informed of new information as it develops," he wrote. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2020. With files from AP TORONTO, June 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardinal Resources Limited (ASX / TSX : CDV) (Cardinal or the Company) is pleased to announce that the senior secured credit facility (as amended in February 2020 and March 2020) (Facility) has been assigned from Sprott Private Resource Lending (Collector), L.P. (Sprott) to the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), a Ghana Government owned infrastructure investment vehicle. The Company has been informed that completion of the acquisition by GIIF occurred on 4 June 2020. As a result of the acquisition, Cardinals senior debt facility provider is now GIIF. The balance of the Facility is approximately US$23.8 million (following a US$0.4 million repayment of the debt to Sprott prior to the transaction) and Cardinal has also been provided with further funding (from previously restricted cash) totaling an additional US$3.1 million which now forms part of Cardinals working capital. As part of the transaction, Cardinal has agreed to amend and restate the Facility under Ghanaian law. Solomon Asamoah, CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund stated: As one of Africas largest and most significant new gold discoveries, we at GIIF are very pleased to be able to enter into this very important transaction which ensures increased Ghanaian participation, through our capacity as a Sovereign owned fund. As stated many times by our President, H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, we believe it is very important that there is increased paid participation in all sectors of the domestic economy by Ghanaians, including the mining sector. GIIF is looking to play an important role by supporting both feeder and spin-off industries made possible by the increased economic activity and accompanying new infrastructure arising from the mining operation. The development of this large-scale gold mine is very important to Ghana as it will assist in bringing much needed jobs to the Upper East Region of Northern Ghana. Archie Koimtsidis, CEO and Managing Director of Cardinal stated: On behalf of the Board of Cardinal Resources, we would like to thank GIIF and their entire team. The Company is very impressed with the GIIF organisation, especially the range of Ghanaian infrastructure projects that the organisation has managed to complete in such a short timeframe. It has been a pleasure working with GIIF since Q4 - 2019 to reach this point and we are very pleased that the Board of GIIF has approved this initial investment with its acquisition of the entire Sprott debt facility. This investment clearly demonstrates to all investors that Ghana is Open for Business as per The President, H.E. Nana Akufo Addos speech at the 2019 Mining Indaba Conference in Cape Town, where he eloquently articulated the importance of Ghanaian paid financial participation into Ghanaian projects for the benefit of all its citizens long into the future. Cardinal is confident that GIIF will be a valuable stakeholder in the development of its 5.1* Moz Gold Mine in the Upper East Region of Ghana, West Africa and we would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Sprott Lending team for the sale of the debt facility to GIIF. *The Namdini Project has a published gold Ore Reserve of 5.1 Moz (138.6 Mt @ 1.13 g/t Au; 0.5 g/t cut-off), inclusive of 0.4 Moz Proved (7.4 Mt @ 1.31 g/t Au; 0.5 g/t cut-off) and 4.7 Moz Probable (131.2 Mt @ 1.12 g/t Au; 0.5 g/t cut-off). A Feasibility Study released in Q4 -2019 demonstrated that Cardinals flagship Namdini Gold Project in Ghana's Northern District has the potential to be a low capital cost, high-margin development opportunity at a US$1,350 per ounce gold price. The material commercial terms of the Facility (below) remain unchanged or are otherwise more favourable for Cardinal, as set out below: 24-month repayment term (the Sprott arrangements had a maturity date of 1 March 2021) Interest rate of 7.75% + the greater of 3 months LIBOR or 1% per annum Early repayment flexibility is continued and as per the arrangements with Sprott, a 5% redemption premium applies to all future repayments of the Facility Secured against the assets of Cardinal and its wholly owned subsidiaries in Ghana Upon a change of control of Cardinal, GIIF may require repayment of the Facility (under the prior Sprott arrangements, immediate repayment was required in such circumstances) Corporate Activity Please refer to the Companys announcements of 16 March 2020 and 30 March 2020 in relation to the approach from Nord Gold. The Company continues to work with the Special Purpose Committee and its advisors, Maxit Capital LP (Nth America), Hartleys Limited (Australia), BMO Capital Markets and Cannacord Genuity, to review all strategic alternatives. ABOUT CARDINAL Cardinal Resources Limited (ASX/TSX: CDV) is a West African goldfocused exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa. The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Gold Project and released its Feasibility Study on 28 October 2019. The Company announced completion of the Feasibility Study (FS), which was released 28 October 2019. The technical report on the FS, prepared in accordance with NI 43101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, was issued on SEDAR at www.sedar.com on 28 November 2019. Cardinal confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in its announcement of the Ore Reserve of 15 October 2019, and included in the Companys completed Feasibility dated 28 October 2019. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. Authorised for release by the Board of Cardinal Resources Limited. For further information contact: Archie Koimtsidis Alec Rowlands CEO / MD IR / Corp Dev Cardinal Resources Limited Cardinal Resources Limited P: +61 8 6558 0573 P: +1 647 256 1922 Cannings Purple Peta Baldwin or Warrick Hazeldine E: pbaldwin@canningspurple.com.au E: whazeldine@canningspurple.com.au Competent / Qualified Person Statement The scientific and technical information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves at the Namdini Gold Project has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Richard Bray, a Registered Professional Geologist with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Mr. Ekow Taylor, a Chartered Professional Geologist with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Bray and Mr. Taylor have more than five years experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which is being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and as a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI43101. Mr. Bray and Mr. Taylor are fulltime employees of Cardinal and hold equity securities in the Company. For further information regarding the Namdini Gold Project please see Feasibility Study (FS) for the Namdini Gold Project, titled "Namdini Gold Project Feasibility Study 43-101 Report" by David Gordon, FAusIMM, Daryl Evans, FAusIMM, Nicolas Johnson, MAIG MPRm and Glenn Turnbull, FIMMM, MAusIMM, which was released on October 28, 2019. The technical report on the Feasibility Study, pursuant to NI 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, was issued on SEDAR at www.sedar.com" www.sedar.com on November 28, 2019. Disclaimer This ASX / TSX press release has been prepared by Cardinal Resources Limited (ABN: 56 147 325 620) (Cardinal or the Company). Neither the ASX or the TSX, nor their regulation service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release contains summary information about Cardinal, its subsidiaries and their activities, which is current as at the date of this press release. The information in this press release is of a general nature and does not purport to be complete nor does it contain all the information, which a prospective investor may require in evaluating a possible investment in Cardinal. By its very nature exploration for minerals is a highrisk business and is not suitable for certain investors. Cardinals securities are speculative. Potential investors should consult their stockbroker or financial advisor. There are a number of risks, both specific to Cardinal and of a general nature which may affect the future operating and financial performance of Cardinal and the value of an investment in Cardinal including but not limited to economic conditions, stock market fluctuations, gold price movements, regional infrastructure constraints, timing of approvals from relevant authorities, regulatory risks, operational risks and reliance on key personnel and foreign currency fluctuations. Except for statutory liability which cannot be excluded and subject to applicable law, each of Cardinals officers, employees and advisors expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the material contained in this press release and excludes all liability whatsoever (including in negligence) for any loss or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any information in this Announcement or any error or omission here from. Except as required by applicable law, the Company is under no obligation to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in this press release or any other information made available to a person nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information. Recipients of this press release should make their own independent assessment and determination as to the Companys prospects, its business, assets and liabilities as well as the matters covered in this press release. Forwardlooking statements Certain statements contained in this press release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Cardinal and its projects may also include statements which are forwardlooking statements that may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, anticipated timing of the feasibility study (FS) on the Namdini project, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These forward looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cardinal, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forwardlooking statements. Cardinal disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after todays date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than required by the Corporations Act and ASX and TSX Listing Rules. The words believe, expect, anticipate, indicate, contemplate, target, plan, intends, continue, budget, estimate, may, will, schedule and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements. All forwardlooking statements made in this press release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Former President John Dramani Mahama has served notice that since the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made the issue of corruption a major item of debate in the lead-up to the 2020 elections, he has readily picked up the gauntlet. I intend to address all the allegations of corruption made against me over the years, and I will also take on fully, Nana Akufo-Addo on his own record of corruption, he stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic. Mr Mahama, who was speaking in his first public comments on the Airbus saga, debunked claims that he personally benefitted from the deal financially. He also dismissed allegations of wrongdoing in the purchase of the two aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces. Let me state without any equivocation that no financial benefit accrued to me. Neither was there any form of inducement in the purchase of the aircraft. My singular motivation was to equip and retool the Ghana Armed Forces in a manner that would make the discharge of their national and international roles efficient and less burdensome and for all the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make, they do not deserve less. I am happy that the said aircraft have become the backbone of the Ghana Air Force and its operations. They are used for troop transportation, logistics deployment and medical evacuation, the former President stated. Background Earlier this year, news went viral that Airbus, Europes largest aerospace multinational, admitted paying huge bribes in order to secure contracts in Ghana, under the erstwhile Mills-Mahama administration. Airbus was found guilty by a High Court in London and is to pay a fine of 3 billion pounds (3bn) as penalties. Anti-corruption investigators according to The Guardian Report, has described the court's decision as the largest ever corporate fine for bribery in the world after judges declared the corruption was grave, pervasive and pernicious. Ghana under late President John Atta-Mills in 2011 and former President John Mahama in 2015, acquired three Airbus C295 planes from the company as part of an effort to augment and modernize the fleet of the Ghana Armed Forces. It emerged that the first order of the military aeroplane arrived in the country on November 17, 2011, followed by a second on March 19, 2012. The last order arrived in the country on December 4, 2015. President John Dramani Mahama, in November 2014, announced that Ghana was to acquire an additional C295, in addition to other aircraft, including five Super Tucanos, Mi-17s and four Z-9s. A total of about $150 million was spent in acquiring all the three aircraft, one of which overshot the runway recently. Ghana's Ministry of Defence stated that the accident happened because the aircraft had not gone for its scheduled maintenance. Following the naming and involvement of former high-ranking former Ghanaian officials in the scandal, Ghanas Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu launched further investigations into the matter in February. Special Prosecutor Invitation The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in March invited four individuals to assist in investigations into the alleged act of bribery and related offence in the purchase of three aircrafts from Airbus SE for Ghana. A public notice by the OSP said the individuals identified by acronym in the Statement of Facts and accepted as findings of fact in a judgement of the UK Crown Court are to assist in the investigation of corruption and corruption-related offences in the purchase of the Aircraft. A public notice by the OSP said: "SAMUEL ADAM FOSTER a. k. a. SAMUEL ADAM MAHAMA a UK/Ghanaian citizen, and the three other UK nationals: PHILIP SEAN MIDDLEMISS, LEANNE SARAH DAVIS and SARAH FURNEAUX are hereby invited to assist the Office of the Special Prosecutor in the on-going investigation of bribery and corruption involving in excess of 3,596,523.00 Euros and 1,665,000.00 Euros respectively, and collaborating with Ghanaian public Officers to use their public office for private profit or benefit in the purchase of three (3) C-295 aircraft by the Government of Ghana from Airbus SE". Source: Peacefmonline/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Washington, June 22 : US President Donald Trump has held his first campaign rally since the US coronavirus lockdown began, in front of a smaller than expected crowd. Trump had boasted earlier this week that almost a million people had requested tickets for the event at Tulsa's Bank of Oklahoma Center, the BBC reported. But the 19,000-seat arena was far from full and plans for him to address an outside "overflow" area were abandoned. There had been concerns about holding the rally during the pandemic. Coronavirus was one issue Mr Trump touched on in his wide-ranging, almost two-hour-long speech to cheering supporters in Oklahoma, a Republican heartland. Trump said he told officials to slow down Covid-19 testing because so many cases were being detected, in remarks later described as a joke. Those attending the rally had to sign a waiver protecting the Trump campaign from responsibility for any illness. Hours before the event began, officials said six staff members involved in organising the rally had tested positive. However, it is unclear why attendance was lower than initially anticipated. Mr Trump referred to those in the stadium as "warriors", while blaming the media and protesters for keeping supporters away. There were some volatile scenes outside the venue but no serious trouble was reported. Trump's re-election campaign event was one of the biggest indoor gatherings held in the US since the country's Covid-19 outbreak began, and came at a time when Oklahoma is seeing a rise in confirmed cases. More than 2.2 million cases of Covid-19 and 119,000 associated deaths have been reported in the US, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In his opening remarks, Trump said there had been "very bad people outside, they were doing bad things", but did not elaborate. Black Lives Matter activists were among the counter-protesters to gather outside the venue before the event. On the coronavirus response, Trump said he had encouraged officials to slow down testing because it led to more cases being discovered. He described testing as a "double-edged sword". "Here is the bad part: When you do testing to that extent, you are going to find more people, you will find more cases," he told the cheering crowd. "So I said 'slow the testing down'. They test and they test." The coronavirus, Trump said, had many names, including "Kung Flu", a xenophobic term that appears to be a reference to China, where Covid-19 originated. Almost 120,000 people have died with Covid-19 in the US since the pandemic began, a number that health experts say could have been much higher had testing not been ramped up. Testing, health officials say, is important to understand where and how widely coronavirus is spreading, and therefore prevent further deaths. A White House official later said the president was "obviously kidding" about Covid-19 testing. Taking aim at his Democratic presidential rival, Trump described Joe Biden as "a helpless puppet of the radical left". The president also struck a combative tone when he touched on anti-racism protests - and the toppling of statues - which began after the killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, by police in Minneapolis. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalise our history, desecrate our monuments - our beautiful monuments - tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming," he told the crowd. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) The government has warned people about a suspicious phishing attack, which in the garb of revealing "official information on COVID-19" could steal all your personal data, including bank account and debit or credit card details. Such phishing attack will start from today, so people have been advised to be extra cautious before such emails. Malicious actors are planning a large-scale phishing attack against Indian individuals and business, including small, medium and large enterprises, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has said. The phishing the campaign is expected to use malicious emails under the pretext of local authorities in charge of dispensing government-funded COVID-19 support initiatives. "Such emails are designed to drive recipients towards fake websites where are deceived int downloading malicious files or entering personal and financial information," the ministry statement said. The phishing campaign is designed to impersonate government agencies, department and trade associations who have been tasked to oversee the disbursement of the government financial aid programmes. "The malicious actors are claiming to have 2 million individuals or citizens email IDs and are planning to send emails with the subject" Free COVID-19 testing for all residents of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad, inciting them to provide personal information," the government said. Such emails could come from different fake email ids created by malicious actors impersonating various authorities. People could receive emails from ids such as "ncov2019@gov.in" and the attack, the campaign could start from today, June 21. What you can do if you receive malicious email John Wilsons student mural The Incident made such an impression on David Siquieros that the famous muralist and head of Mexicos Department for the Protection and Restoration of Murals requested it be preserved. It was, for a few years. Now, with each passing day, it gains newfound relevance and newfound pain its act of reckoning is far from done. Hyperallergic Multiple pleas have been filed in the Supreme Court by foreign nationals, who are presently in India, challenging the Centre's decisions of blacklisting over 3,500 citizens of 35 countries for their alleged involvement in Tablighi Jamaat activities. Four writ petitions, including one by a Thai national who is seven months pregnant, have challenged the Centre's decision of April 2 by which 960 foreigners were blacklisted and another subsequent decision on June 4 by which over 2,500 foreign nationals were blacklisted for 10 years from travelling to India. "The impugned decision, by its very unilateral nature, infringes the principle of natural justice, particularly 'audi alteram partem' by blacklisting the said foreigners present in India without first granting an opportunity of being heard or notice of any form, and resultantly depriving the aggrieved foreign nationals of their right of locomotion and travelling back to the country of their citizenship," the plea filed by the Thai woman said. The petitions, filed through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi and drafted by advocates Ibad Mushtaq and Ashima Mandla, contended that the en masse blacklisting of over 3,500 foreigners from 35 nations, who are currently in India without affording any opportunity to prima facie defend themselves, is an egregious and blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. It said that the sudden blacklisting, apart from registration of FIRs against such foreigners, led to the forfeiture of their passports by state authorities, thereby resulting in a complete deprivation of their personal liberty sans procedure established by law. "The impugned decision, therefore, has been passed arbitrarily against the aggrieved foreign nationals, being devoid of any documentary proof or evidence to substantiate the allegations of alleged Tablighi activities, and in the absence of any opportunity being afforded to defend or to explain, is an affront to not only the right to life and personal liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 but also to the rudimental principles of natural justice," the plea said. The Thai woman said that she is in seven months pregnant and having been quarantined in March, like the other petitioners, she was released from quarantine only in late May. She said she is still at a facility under restricted movements, without the avenue to go back to her home nation and experience the birth of her child with security and dignity, with her loved ones. "In barely 50 words, the impugned decision as reflected in the press release dated April 2, 2020 has arbitrarily first forfeited the personal liberty of more than 960 foreign nationals, belonging to 35 countries, presently in India, having entered on valid tourist visas, by merely alleging their involvement in 'Tablighi Jamaat Activities' despite the guidelines of the Respondent No.1 (MHA (the Ministry of Home Affairs)) placing no bar on attending religious congregations or visiting religious places," it said. The plea said that the figure was recently been revised on June 4 and now more than 3,500 foreigners stand blacklisted. "The Respondent No.1 (MHA) baselessly and arbitrarily passed a blanket ban on the aggrieved foreign nationals under the garb of alleged visa violations pursuant to alleged Tablighi activities, forcing such persons to remain in India under restricted movements," it said. The plea added that the decisions are based on an erroneous presumption and have equated the mere act of attending a religious congregation or a religious place of worship on the same footing as with Tablighi work such as preaching religious ideologies, making speeches in religious places and proselytization, negating any intelligible differentiation between the two separate and distinct activities. The plea sought direction of the courts calling for record and thereby declaring the impugned decision of arbitrary and unilateral blacklisting of 960 foreigners by the MHA and the subsequent blacklisting of around 2,500 foreigners to be in violation of Article 21 and therefore void and unconstitutional. It also sought direction to MHA and Ministry of External Affairs to remove the said foreigners from the blacklist and reinstate their visas and to facilitate them to return to their respective countries. AICC observers Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoi, who had flown here Friday evening, were kept under quarantine for the second consecutive day as per COVID-19 protocols in Manipur, while a war of words erupted between the ruling BJP and the Congress. While the Congress claimed that the BJP-led government has lost majority, the BJP claimed the issue had been settled with the victory of its candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. Nobody has been allowed to see Ajay Maken, Congress spokesperson, and Gaurav Gogoi, General Secretary in-charge of North East, who came here as AICC observers after the sudden political developments in Manipur including formation of Secular Progressive Front (SPF) led by O Ibobi Singh following the resignation of four ministers belonging to National People's Party and five others from the government. The state authority had placed the two All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders in a paid quarantine centre at an Imphal Hotel in accordance with the state's guidelines on pandemic. As they had already booked rooms at the said hotel before their arrival here, they were guided by an Additional Superintendent of Police rank officer to the hotel, official sources said. Both of them have to stay in isolation and undergo COVID- 19 test, a government spokesperson said. A state Congress leader, on the condition of anonymity, said they are not allowed to see the AICC leaders as they are in quarantine centre. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav took a swipe at the Congress, saying it could not the Rajya Sabha seat and was claiming majority in the Assemby. "Congress party couldnt win d RS seat in Manipur. Yet went to governor claiming they have majority in Assembly. Their leader Ajay Maken and MP Gaurav Gogoi entered Manipur disregarding Corona guidelines. They have been promptly quarantined by d state health authorities (sic)," he tweeted. In the Rajya Sabha poll in Manipur taking place in the backdrop of high political drama triggered by the resignations, BJP's Leishemba Sanajaoba defeated rival Congress candidate T Mangi Babu by four votes. In a counter to Ram Madhav, Ajay Maken tweeted, "Congress always regards rules & traditions-We came here with permission with full knowledge & booked quarantine centre in advance. It is a support to the Manipur PCC & its people in fight against a Govt formed by manipulation against popular votes!" Gaurav Gogoi, MP, also hit back at Ram Madhav, saying "You are a senior leader of your party. I would have hoped that you would check your facts before tweeting. May be the last minute manipulation to block four Congress votes has induced a false sense of confidence." Three Congress defectors -- Ksh Biren Singh, S Bira Singh and Surchandra Singh -- were not allowed to cast their votes as cases are pending against them. However, the other four defectors could vote. The seven Congress legislators who had crossed over to the BJP shortly after the 2017 state polls, have been facing anti-defection cases. Their disqualification matter is with the Manipur High Court as well as the Speaker's Tribunal. One recently disqualified MLA was also barred from taking part in the voting process. Of the nine members who tendered resignation on Wednesday, BJP MLAs S Subhashchandra Singh, T T Haokip and Samuel Jendai could not cast their votes. Four NPP ministers, who had withdrawn their support from the ruling coalition, have exercised their franchise during the poll. The lone Trinamool Congress MLA T Robindro Singh, who also pulled out of the N Biren Singh-led dispensation, was not allowed to cast his vote. He lodged a complaint to the Election Commission in this regard. Smelling a chance, the Congress had stepped up efforts to oust the BJP-led government by urging Governor Najma Heptullah on Thursday to convene a special assembly session for taking up a no-confidence motion against the Biren Singh ministry. Election to the lone seat of the Parliament's upper house was seen as test of numbers between the government and the newly formed Secular Progressive Front (SPF) of the opposition headed by the Congress. Buoyed by the BJP candidate's victory, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the Rajya Sabha poll evidently settled the "majority and minority" issue. But, the Opposition leader O Ibobi Singh Saturday alleged that the government is actually in minority and asked it to prove majority in the House. "From day one, when the nine MLAs withdrew their support from the BJP-led coalition government, it has been reduced to minority", he told reporters. Ibobi continued, as per democratic norms, the newly formed Secular Progressive Front (SPF), have urged the Governor to call for a special assembly session. "If they are able to prove their majority, let them continue," the former chief minister added. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth on Sunday (June 21) said that in a State of around 24 crore population, there are only 6,000 COVID-19 active cases. Addressing `UP Jansamvad` virtual rally from Lucknow, CM Yogi said, "When we look at the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, we find ourselves in a satisfactory situation. In a state of around 24 crore population, there are only 6,000 active cases of the disease." "We have ensured the doorstep delivery of food packages. We have provided assistance and ensured that migrant workers safely reached their homes. We have also done the work of making people aware of safety measures by making continuous communication on how to contain the spread of coronavirus," he added. The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting Yoga recognized globally. BJP chief JP Nadda also joined the virtual rally from Delhi. "Today we have the opportunity to celebrate the sixth International Yoga Day under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I want to thank him on behalf of our countrymen for getting the Yoga recognized globally," he said. The 6th International Yoga Day is being observed today with the theme of `Yoga at home, Yoga with family`. The International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. It is observed on June 21 every year to spread awareness about the importance and effects of yoga on the health of the people. Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Gulf of Helsinki - Axel Schmidt/Reuters Gazprom has said it will take Germany to court over a decision not to exempt the Russian companys controversial gas pipeline from EU regulations governing energy markets. The pipeline, Nord Stream 2, is an $11bn (8.9bn) subsea link that aims to double the delivery of Russian natural gas to Europes biggest economy. However, the project has been buffeted by setbacks, including the introduction of US sanctions last December by President Donald Trump. Now, the Swiss subsidiary of Gazprom that is behind the project has criticised the decision by Germanys energy watchdog not to waive the regulations as "discriminatory" and opposed to the "constitutional guarantees of the Basic Law". The German regulator ruled recently that Nord Stream 2 must be forced to comply with European competition standards, in line with the EU Third Energy Package that governs energy monopolies. The package, introduced in 2009, states that the supplier of gas, in this case Gazprom, cannot also own the pipeline. In theory, this ruling means that Gazprom will be forced to give half of its pipeline capacity to independent gas suppliers in Russia. The pipeline, set to be completed by the end of the year, has the ability to deliver about 55 billion cubic metres of gas annually. Because the pipeline is only connected to its oil fields in Russia, Gazprom said no other suppliers would be able to use it and force it to run the pine at just half its capacity. Originally, Gazprom hoped to exploit a loophole in European law that allowed for the same company to control a pipeline and the gas within it, so long as the pipeline was offshore. As a result it built Nord Stream 2 under the Baltic Sea, passing through the waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. But in 2017, the European Commission said it would seek to close this loophole, throwing the project in to disarray. Two years later, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted to include offshore projects under the same regulatory framework, effectively scuppering Nord Stream 2. After an exemption to this new rule was denied, Gazprom is now expected to lodge an appeal in the Supreme Court in Dusseldorf, which is likely to redirect the appeal to the European Court of Justice. Hyderabad, June 21 : International Yoga Day was celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with governors of both the Telugu states greeting the people. Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan said that Yoga is 5,000 year old ancient art that brings balance of body, soul and mind. He tweeted that this year's theme of 'Ghar ghar se Yoga' highlights practice of Yoga with family and social distancing. He practised breathing exercise and few asanas at Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor, at Vijayawada. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in his message, called for making Yoga an integral part of life. "Yoga has the distinctive power to manifest tranquillity and strength at the same time. It heals not only the body but also the spirit. On International Yoga Day let us pledge to make this age-old practice an integral part of our lives," he tweeted. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan greeted people on the occasion of International Yoga Day. She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making this national tradition an international event. "Yoga is an invaluable part of our rich ancient Indian heritage. Yoga is now popular and is being practiced and promoted all over the world for its immense health benefits," she said in her message. "Regular practice of Yoga helps in perfect union of body and mind and contributes positively to the physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of the practitioners," she added. The governor said that the current Covid-19 pandemic situation has once again highlighted the need for better immunity. She stressed the importance of regular practice of Yoga to achieve better immunity levels and prevent infections. Earlier, addressing a programme through a video conference, she gave a call to the people to go back to their roots and rediscover the holistic lifestyle in order to be in the best of their health. She said that it was high time that we rediscover our rich heritage, culture and food habits to be in sync with nature and protect ourselves and our planet. The interactive session was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Isha Foundation on the topic "Vision for holistic lifestyle and natural consumption for future of India and planet". She lauded the unrelenting efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to which the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day. "The 21st June is the longest day of the year and it symbolizes that Yoga helps to have the longest life," she said. Responding to the appeal by the Prime Minister, people practised Yoga asanas at home in view of COVOID-19 precautions. Telangana's Finance Minister Harish Rao tweeted his pictures of doing Yoga. Greeting the people on the occasion, he called for making Yoga an integral part of life. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's daughter and former MP K. Kavitha also tweeted about Yoga. "Yoga not only adds more years to our lives but it gives more life to our years. I believe in Yoga, especially breathing techniques have helped me personally," she wrote. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 16:28 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066074a55 1 National merapi,merapi-eruption,merapi-mountain,Mount-Merapi,Volcano,volcanic-activity,volcanic-eruption,volcanoes-in-Indonesia,Central-Java Free Mount Merapi in Central Java erupted twice on Sunday morning, the Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) has reported. BPPTKG Yogyakarta said the first eruption reached 6,000 meters in height and lasted 328 seconds with a 75 millimeter amplitude, while the second eruption lasted 100 seconds. The current danger is hot clouds rolling down from the peak and other volcanic material from an explosive eruption, the center said through a written statement released on Sunday, adding that the public should stay outside a 3 kilometer radius of the peak to avoid any possible danger. The center also advised residents living near Merapi to be on alert for volcanic ash and possible lava flow, especially if rain falls around Merapis peak. National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Raditya Jati said that, as of Sunday morning, villages in eight districts surrounding Merapi had experienced ash rain, with the torrent of ash in Srumbung district being the most severe. Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. An eruption in 2010 left more than 300 people dead and forced almost 400,000 people to take refuge. Authorities have raised Merapis alert level to waspada (caution), the second-highest level in the countrys four-tiered alert system. (trn) SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Coming off of the nations Juneteenth celebration, a few hundred marchers took to the streets and then the steps of City Hall on Saturday (June 20) in a Unity Rally for Justice. The event was organized by the Minorities Together Movement, formed over the past month by Hawken School freshman Ethan Khorana and Gilmour sophomore Madison Maynard, who planned the march and rally in honor of people killed by police brutality. The Memorial Day killing of George Floyd figured in symbolically, with marchers taking a knee for over 8 minutes, as did the Minneapolis police officer who pinned Floyds neck to the pavement -- a hell of a long time to stand on someones head, Ethan noted. But the Minorities Together Movement actually started in the aftermath of the shooting death of Georgia jogger Ahmaud Arbery, which happened in February, but didnt cause national outcry until a video was leaked two months later. Originally, it was just going to be mostly a letter-writing campaign, but its already grown out of necessity, said Ethan, who knew Madison from the Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights. And we dont just cover racism -- we also cover the LGBTQ community, womens rights and people with disabilities. Or, as Madison summarized, the Minorities Together Movement opposes police brutality on the basis of racism, sexism, homophobia and disabilities. And when it comes to Black Lives Matter, that applies to Black women, Black transgender people and Black LGBTQ-plus people. Police reforms sought In addition to believing that June 19, or Juneteenth, should be declared a national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, Madison also feels that becoming a police officer should take more than the current standard of 21 weeks of training. Thats less training than it takes to become a barber, a massage therapist or an electrician, she told the crowd after they arrived at City Hall. It doesnt make any sense. More stringent licensing for officers is one of the issues Madison and Ethan would like to address next week when they meet with Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss and Police Chief Jeffrey DeMuth to discuss proposed changes to the citys policing system. The Minorities Together Movement would also like to see community review boards set up for police, along with "mandatory implicit bias training," public databases and less tax money put toward paramilitary training and equipment. Marchers attending the Unity Rally took a knee for over 8 minutes on the lawn outside Shaker Heights City Hall in memory of George Floyd, killed by Minneapolis police on May 25. (Tom Jewell, special to cleveland.com) Weiss, who took part in Saturdays march and rally, had issued his citywide report to residents the day before, noting that Juneteenth provides the opportunity to reflect on an important moment in U.S. history. "It also serves as a reminder that we have much work to do, which is a good segue into the continuing local and national discussion we are having regarding racial equity and justice," Weiss added. He cited a number of "action steps" now being pursued as a result of conversations with residents and community organizations, as well as the commitments and pledges that Weiss and City Council have made. The citys webpage now features enhanced transparency, with details on police accreditation, recruiting, hiring and training, including bias-free policing and de-escalation techniques, along with community engagement. Some of that training was derailed temporarily by the COVID-19 outbreak and is resuming now, Weiss noted. Were also in the early stages of creating an advisory group made up of primarily residents, diverse and inclusive, that will provide and help guide our community conversations on a wide range of issues relating to health, to race and equity, including community policing, housing, health and community involvement, Weiss stated. Then there was the June 8 resolution passed by council expressing outrage and condemning the killing of Floyd, as well as supporting the right of Americans to peacefully protest. Councilwoman Carmella Williams, who helped write that legislation, spoke at Saturday's Unity Rally. "This nation's inability to acknowledge racism is at the heart of our problem," Williams said of the "complicated relationship with equity and justice." Williams believes it would be helpful to "think of racism like the virus that it is, having permeated every aspect of our society. It is not an African-American problem; it's an American problem." Equally disheartening are the deaths that followed Floyds, including that of Rayshard Brooks, shot twice in the back June 12 as he fled a Wendys parking lot with a stun gun taken from one of the officers trying to arrest him on a drunken-driving charge. Cautionary tales The rallys lead-off speaker was Lawrence Lane, a friend of the Khorana family who is old enough to remember military trucks riding through his neighborhood during riots in 1968. Now he would like to see more community policing in those neighborhoods. Lane also recounted a blatantly racist traffic stop he endured for driving while Black during a visit to Atlanta and the concerns registered by Black parents everywhere. "This is not about 'Black and White,'" Lane said. "It's about right and wrong. This is not against the police -- it's about those that don't understand the value of life." Lane added that it really sunk in when he knelt for all that time on Saturday. Williams thought about the look on the officer's face as he "crushed the life" out of George Floyd. "That is pure hatred," Lane said. "How can you be so callous? Enough is enough." Adding that Black Lives Matter is not a trend but a movement that will continue until real change is made, Madison ran through a long list of victims, telling the crowd to say their names in memoriam. And while Madison and Ethan are still too young to vote, they urged those adults who were not yet registered to do so at the table set up by volunteers outside City Hall. Gilmour sophomore Madison Maynard and Hawken freshman Ethan Khorana, organizers of the Minorities Together Movement and the June 20 Unity Rally for Justice, at its starting point outside Woodbury Elementary School. (Tom Jewell, special to cleveland.com) For the march, Shaker police and auxiliaries had blocked off traffic at intervals along a route that started outside Woodbury Elementary School and continued along Clayton Boulevard. City Parks and Recreation Director Alexandria Nichols said the organizers originally wanted to just hold the rally in the City Hall parking lot. But city officials recommended the grassy slope right off the route, with trees also there to provide some shade on a hot day. "And, of course, most importantly, we will continue to listen and to learn from each of you," Weiss said in the June 19 mayor's report. "We know how active and passionate this community is about these issues. And we look forward to continuing that engagement." Read more from the Sun Press. The year is 1865... Liberation for an enslaved people had finally reached Galveston, Texas. This day in our history confirmed the freedom of the last remaining slaves in the deepest and most wretched parts of the South. It had been two years since President Abraham Lincoln signed an executive order declaring that all persons held as slaves would be free. We know this order as the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. The news spread slowly and often met resistance from plantation owners. Some blatantly refused to follow the orders of President Lincoln. You see...plantation owners feared retaliation for the years of bondage, the selling off families and the murder that they had inflicted upon African-Americans for hundreds of years . They feared a rebellion. So names like Gabriel Prosser, Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner kept them up at night. Black communities across this country are up at night. Still. Today we do not celebrate Juneteenth without undergoing the retraumatization of our ancestors, of our history here in America, as well the current state for black people in this country to date. Especially here in Wisconsin. Countries all over the globe celebrate June 19th as a day to recognize the end of slavery and to celebrate the culture and achievements of African-Americans. So I ask you to celebrate with us, just as we celebrate with you on the Fourth of July. I want you to reflect and educate yourselves on the very pivotal and essential role African Americans had in building the very nation you love. Happy Juneteenth, La Crosse. Keonte Turner is a school board member of the School District of La Crosse. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Washington, June 21 : US President Donald Tump said that he will be announcing new visa restrictions in coming days. We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas," Xinhua news agency quoted Trump as saying in a Fox News interview on Sunday. He however declined to give any details but acknowledged that there will be some exclusions. "You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and they're pretty tight," he said. "And we may even go very tight for a period of time." Fox News Chief White House correspondent John Roberts tweeted that the restrictions will be imposed on H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J-1 visas. H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Trump will reportedly sign an executive order to suspend the visas through the end of the year, as the administration is addressing a major economic fallout, including high unemployment among Americans, amid the coronavirus pandemic. That would be Trump's latest step to restrict immigration. In April, he temporarily halted the issuance of US green cards to some foreigners. Trump, who has maintained a hardline stance on immigration and used that to appeal to his voters, has been accused of using the pandemic to promote his political agenda. The men of Anambra state police command have arrested two men for allegedly filming a 12-year old girl while one of them ra.ped her in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the State. The spokesperson of the state police command, Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement released on Friday June 19, said one of the suspects, Sunday Akanigbo (30) reportedly ra.ped the victim, while his accomplice, Ikemefuna Muoma (28), was said to be filming the dastardly act. Haruna said both men confessed to the crime and would be charged to court soon. Shimla, June 21 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday greeted the people on the 6th International Day of Yoga and performed the traditional exercises at his residence here along with his family. "Do yoga, stay healthy," he tweeted. "Human beings get benefits from yoga. Include yoga exercises in your daily routine," he added. Thakur's wife, his two daughters and relatives also performed yoga to mark the day. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo STAMFORD Speed might have been a factor in a crash early Saturday morning that left two people with critical injuries, according to police. At 12:51 a.m., Stamford police responded to the area of 624 Hope St. for a report of a one-vehicle crash where the vehicle left the road and hit three pedestrians in the front yard of the home at that address, police said. Washington, June 21 : US President Donald Trump held his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma, despite warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in some states. Speaking to a crowd of supporters in the Bank of Oklahoma Center on Saturday evening, Trump touted his policies and tore into Democrats and media, while touching upon a series of national issues, including the pandemic, which has infected 2,254,630 and killed 119,714 others in the US, reports Xinhua news agency. The President blamed both the tallies, the current highest in the world, on testing, a claim that has been widely disputed. "When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you are gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please," Trump said. "They test and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on." He described testing as a "double-edged sword". Trump told those present that they were "warriors" for attending despite the coronavirus warnings and said that the "silent majority" was "stronger than ever before", the BBC reported. Taking aim at his Democratic presidential rival, he described Joe Biden as "a helpless puppet of the radical left". Earlier this week, Trump boasted on Twitter that almost a million people had requested tickets for the event. But the 19,000-seat arena was far from full and plans for him to address an outside "overflow" area were abandoned, said the BBC report. The Trump campaign initially said that the Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence would first speak at an outdoor stage set up for overflow crowds. But when the numbers failed to appear, campaign officials cancelled the outdoor appearance, blaming "radical protesters" and the media for attempting to "frighten off" supporters. Just hours before the rally, the Trump's re-election campaign said six staff members involved in organising it had tested positive for COVID-19. The President's re-election campaign rally is one of the biggest indoor gatherings in the US since the pandemic began. Those attending had to sign a waiver protecting the Trump campaign from responsibility for any illness. On Friday, Oklahoma's supreme court rejected a lawsuit asking that social distancing guidelines be followed. However, the Trump campaign said attendees would have to pass temperature checks before being allowed into the venue - and that they would be offered face masks. rump had initially planned to hold the rally on Friday. But he changed the date last week after learning it fell on June 19, known as Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the US. The choice of location is also controversial. In 1921, Tulsa was the scene of a massacre in which white mobs attacked black people and businesses, killing an estimated 300 people. ALMADEN DE LA PLATA, Spain Extremeno, an imposing black bull who weighs more than half a ton, was set to fight to death next month in the neoclassical ring of the Spanish city of Valencia. Instead, the coronavirus gave four-year-old Extremeno an unexpected lease on life. Valencias fiesta was called off, along with the bulk of a Spanish bullfighting season that normally runs from March to October. Although Spain ended its Covid-19 state of emergency on Sunday, bull breeders and matadors are continuing to lock horns with a left-wing Spanish government that they accuse of wanting to use the epidemic as an accelerator for bullfightings permanent removal, in line with the wishes of animal rights activists. I find it deplorable that the fiesta of the Spanish people has become so politicized, said Aurora Algarra, who owns Extremeno and is among the few women to run a bull farm, which she took over after her father died in 2006. We now find ourselves under tremendous attack from Spains government, but at least this crisis has united us in the face of adversity in a way that I had not seen before. The Vietnamese Trade Office in Australia on June 19 coordinated with 4 Ways Fresh, an Australia-based company specialising in the production and trading of Vietnamese agricultural products, to promote Vietnamese lychee at fruit and vegetable markets in Adelaide city in South Australia. Since the Vietnamese lychee was approved for entry into Australia in 2015, the fruit has been available for sales in this market annually, beside red lychee from Luc Ngan (Bac Giang) and Thanh Ha (Hai Duong). A survey by the office last year found that Australian consumers thought the yellowish skin of Golden Lychee was a sign of fading because of long-distance transportation. To change that perception, the office has coordinated with 4 Ways Fresh to launch an awareness campaign promoting this fruit as Golden Lychee: Fruit of Luck, which implies the fruit is not only tasty but its golden skin also symbolises good luck. The number of new COVID-19 cases dipped below 200 for the first time in five days. Figures provided Sunday, June 21, by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show 146 new cases, raising the states total to 61,230. Sundays figures, which have typically been lower throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as some county health departments do not provide weekend updates, included three new deaths, pushing the overall number to 5,846. The five counties with the highest amount of COVID-19 cases are as follows (with deaths in parentheses): Wayne County: 21,329 (2,569) Oakland County: 8,667 (1,036) Macomb County: 6,978 (862) Kent County: 4,210 (121) Genesee County: 2,117 (869) The states case fatality rate sits at 9.5 percent. MDHHS also reported 49,290 people have recovered from COVID-19, up from 44,946 last weekend. A person is considered to have recovered from the virus if they are alive 30 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. The number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state also continues to climb, with the amount now over 1.06 million. To find a testing site near you, check out the states online test finder, here, send an email to COVID19@michigan.gov, or call 888-535-6136 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Dozens of the 250 testing locations statewide offer free testing. COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. More on MLive: Sunday, June 21: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan Michigan reports 255 new coronavirus cases, 20 new deaths (Newser) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a couple of cute family pictures to commemorate Father's Day and Prince William's 38th birthday, both of which fall on Sunday. The photos, taken by William's wife Kate as usual, show William with his three children earlier this month on the grounds of Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the country home where the five of them have been staying during the coronavirus lockdown, Town & Country reports. story continues below Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are seen surrounding William on a swing and tackling him on the grass. William and Kate are so far still homeschooling their children, and there's no word yet on when they plan to return to Kensington Palace, Vanity Fair reports. (Other royals who have celebrated birthdays in lockdown include the Queen and Prince Philip.) Aster said it was a long process of trial and error to find the exact nuance of the visuals. There are some things we did in camera, but for the most part we had visual effect artists doing that in post, he said. Im sure for some of those shots we got to the point where we had 60 versions. In one iteration the tripping was way too distracting and you're not paying attention to the characters, and then you brought it down to the point where if you are paying attention to the characters, you'll never notice the tripping effects. The BJP MLA from Malwa, who is also reported to have attended a meeting with top BJP leaders, is now admitted in Bhopal's Chirayu Hospital, while BJP and Congress MLAs turn up voluntarily for testing. The COVID positive result of a BJP MLA who turned up to cast his vote at the Rajya Sabha elections at the assembly premises on Friday, has caused concern in the political circle in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP MLA from Malwa and his wife who have contracted the disease are now admitted in Chirayu hospital in Bhopal. This is the second lawmaker from the State to have tested positive for novel coronavirus. Previously a COVID-19 positive Congress lawmaker had arrived in a PPE suit to the assembly to cast his vote in the Rajya Sabha polls. As a precautionary measure, the assembly was sanitised after the MLA left the premises. Meanwhile, the BJP MLA who tested positive had attended BJP legislature party meetings and had come in contact with state assembly secretariat staff and selected media. Also read: Annual Kanwar Yatra postponed due to Covid 19 Also read: Yoga Day 2020: Delhi CM Kejriwal performs yoga It is worth mentioning that Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Prakash Javadekar, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also attended a meeting at BJP office on June 17-18, in which the MLA was present. After this news members from BJP and Congress units of the state are voluntarily getting themselves tested. We had eaten food together and also held a meeting with him. Some MLAs also have come for the COVID-19 testing. I am now looking into who all leaders came in contact with him, said BJP MLA Yashpal Singh Sisodia, who had come for testing at JP Hospital. Also read: Indias Covid-19 cases cross 4 lakh mark For all the latest National News, download NewsX App A former cyber-security adviser to the federal government has hit out at those behind the cyber-attacks on Australia, describing it as abhorrent behaviour but wouldnt go as far as naming the likely culprit. Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week confirmed Australia has been the target of increased cyber-attacks by a foreign entity, describing it as a sophisticated, state-based cyber actor. Former National Cyber Security adviser Alistair MacGibbon says that the purpose of the attacks was more than likely for strategy purposes and to steal Australias intellectual property. Of all the things during a COVID-19 world to steal the intellectual property of nations in order to advance your own industries I think is abhorrent and certainly not good global citizenship, MacGibbon told Sky News Sunday Agenda program. This is an affront to our sovereignty. However, like the Morrison, he declined to say who he thought was behind the attacks. CCP Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang has attempted to deflect attention that the Chinese regimes likely involvement behind the cyber-attacks by rubbishing the reputation of ASPI. Shuang accused their findings of being totally baseless and nonsense. But the Australian Strategic Policy Institute is standing by its findings that the attack was 95 percent or more likely to have been launched from China because of its scale and intensity. Michael Shoebridge of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told The Epoch Times on June 19: When you look at the culmination of capability and intent, the list narrows to the most likely suspect being the Chinese state. By Colin Brinsden Epoch Times staff contributed to this article Donald Trump was accused of having blood on his hands after claiming that he ordered a slow down in testing for coronavirus infections. Mr Trump made the comments at his first campaign rally in months, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which he held despite health experts warning of the risks involved with thousands of people enclosed in a venue during Covid-19. Testing is a double-edged sword. Weve tested now 25 million people. Its probably 20 million people more than anybody else. Germanys done a lot, South Koreas done a lot, he said at the event on Saturday night. Heres the bad part: when you do testing to that extent, youre going to find more people, youre going to find more cases. So I said to my people, slow the testing down please. Medical professionals and Democrats were quick to criticise Mr Trump, and Democratic coalitions have already released ads on Sunday using what the president said against him. The White House later walked back the statement made by the president by saying he was joking about asking to slow down testing. Economic advisor Peter Navarro even called the moment tongue-in-cheek when appearing on CNN Sunday morning. Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Show all 16 1 /16 Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter sits in the upper rows of the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally. There were reports of far lower numbers attending than the president's team had predicted Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump points to his shoe at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma during a lengthy explanation of why he walked so carefully on a ramp at West Point military academy a week earlier Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A police officer gestures during a Black Lives Matter event near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters take their seats in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president. Many people in the crowd were choosing not to wear face masks despite medical recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Merchandise vendors wearing face masks at the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a Donald Trump rally Getty Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporter Scott Hilliard, left, argues with Black Lives Matter protester Eugene Smith near the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by the president AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter and a Black Lives Matter protester face off in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally by Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester shouts at Donald Trump supporters outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Eric Trump, Donald Trump's second son, in the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of a campaign rally AP Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman wearing a T-shirt with the message 'I Can't Breathe' is arrested after refusing to leave the area outside the rally, which she said she had a ticket for AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A woman speaks to police officers during a protest against racial injustice outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Brad Parscale, Donald Trump's campaign manager, in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of the president's first rally in three months Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A protester against racial injustice is arrested outside a Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap speaking outside a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma REUTERS Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Trump supporters wait to enter a rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald Trump supporters and opponents clash outside the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of an election rally by the president AP But the damage was done. Our President didnt do the right thing in January. He didnt try in February. He seemed clueless in March. In April, thousands & thousands were dying weekly. In May he admitted he didnt like testing. Last night, he made it even more clear. Blood is on his hands, wrote Howard Forman, an emergency trauma radiologist and professor of public health at Yale University. Joe Bidens Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director, Kate Bedingfield, released a statement quickly after Mr Trumps comments. In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonights debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that hes putting politics ahead of the safety...of the American people, she said. Mr Biden joined the conversation by simply tweeting: Speed up the testing. Other Democratic politicians added their own thoughts about the moment. Tonight, Trump said he deliberately slowed testing as 120,000 people died. Months into this pandemic, there is still no plan for this public health and economic crisis. To start, we need more tests, more PPE, and real economic relief. And we must vote Trump out in November, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy wrote: From the beginning, the lack of a response hasnt been an accident. Its been by design. His plan has been to let people die. This guy is a danger and a menace and its wild that now he just admits this openly and believes no one will care. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey called Mr Trumps push for a lack of testing criminal negligence as the coronavirus death toll rises. The US has more than 2.2 million confirmed cases of coronavirus and 119,719 people have died from the novel virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. It was not confirmed if the US has actually slowed down on testing at the suggestion of Mr Trump, but the rate of hospitalisations and deaths increasing in areas across the country instead of declining has caused concern among health experts. There really is no correlation, in the president describing it, between an increase in testing and an increase in cases. Of course youre going to find more cases, Dr Sanjay Gupta said on CNN when reacting to the statement. The whole reason you do more testing is to find people, isolate them, slow down transmission, and decrease the number of cases. If youre doing testing right, that is how it should work. We have not been doing testing right. He went on to call the statement a public health travesty if the president actually called for a slow down of testing. That is the one tool we potentially had to potentially curb this pandemic, he said, adding how other countries were able to control their own curves through the tool. What do these other countries have? They have testing. New York state was one example in the US to show that an increase in testing can actually help lower the number of cases. The state quickly rose as the highest number of tests given per capita, and number of coronavirus cases, during the pandemic. But while the state has since decreased the number of new cases per day, it has not slowed down on testing. Harvard School of Public Health released a report stating the US should be testing five million people per day and 20 million per day by July in order to properly control the spread of the novel virus. The US reaching these testing numbers, especially with the Trump administrations lack of enthusiasm towards the public health tool, is unlikely. Gentlemen of the media, We in the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) have been inundated with petitions from all over the Country on the apparent professional misconduct of men and officers of some military outfits which goes against their constitutional mandates as clearly spelt out in sections 217-220 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended. These sections which comprehensively addresses the legal roles and functions of the Armed forces of Nigeria which are summed up thus:" THERE SHALL BE AN ARMED FORCES FOR THE FEDERATION WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF AN ARMY, A NAVY, AN AIRFORCE AND SUCH OTHER BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR THE FEDERATION AS MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ". Gentlemen of the media, we will list out the aforementioned sections of the Nigerian constitution at the end of this statement so Nigerians are made aware of the exact intendment and the mind of the law as the legal framework concerns the operations of the Nigerian military which is basically to maintain the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is not the first time we are been alerted that the military are veering off into purely civil matters even when there are grave threats to the nation. Only two days ago there were demonstrations in the North including the home state of the President Muhammadu Buhari which is Katsina by Nigerians who were demonstrating the breaches of security and the violent attacks of their communities by armed hoodlums. The entire Northern Nigeria are under one form of attacks or the other with thousands of civilians getting killed with communities getting burnt and destroyed. Armed Fulani herdsmen have killed inmocent farmers in Oguta in Imo State and many other places. The President has also reportedly expressed disappointment that the military is not doing enough to check the expanding frontiers of terror attacks. Yet, we are been told that officers of the Air Force of Nigeria are been misused and deployed to chase land owners around Enugu because they (Air Force officers) were allegedly bribed by the Housing ministry officials to take people's lands to sell to land SPECULATORS. We will also give you examples of Benin City in Edo state and other instances of invasions of Nigerian communities by armed Fulani herdsmen and terrorists which the Nigerian Air Force and the military should be rightly deployed to stabilize these places and allow citizens have unfettered enjoyment of their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental freedoms and Rights as enunciated in chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution but instead the Air Force of Nigeria is being deployed for illegality. The following is a text of a petition sent to us from Enugu State accusing the Nigerian Air Force of being misused to chase land owners all around so as to extort these assets for the benefit of some godfathers in the Enugu State ministry of Housing who allegedly sell dubiously to land SPECULATORS thereby depriving rightful owners their Right to own immovable property as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. The presentation goes thus: "RE: PROPOSED ILLEGAL TAKEOVER OF A PORTION OF OUR LAND PROPOSED NEW ENUGU CITY PROJECT located at Ugwuaji Awkunanaw. Enugu South LGA. BY ENUGU STATE MINISTRY OF HOUSING ENUGU STATE: SOS APPEAL TO HURIWA". It says: "The attached letter to the Hon. Commissioner of Lands was indeed written at a time when the Ministry of Housing didnt have a substantive Commissioner responsible for the smooth running of the ministry. Sole supervision of the Ministry was left in the hands of the Permanent Secretary who had to be attentioned in that letter. Different level of resistance have had to be mounted against the actors of State who, in the guise of some false promises of development have turned Enugu State into the new epicenter for land grabbing activities. In this particular instance, the situation was somewhat contained until Mr. Vitus Okechi was named the substantive Commissioner for Housing. He has, since then, sworn to annex all community lands to himself and a few cronies. Unsurprisingly, besides the many disappointing moves he has made thus far, he has recently gone as far as engaging the services of men of the Nigerian Airforce, whose focus and objective should have been on external and territorial incursions into the Nigerian Airspace. How he manages to drag this expected-to-be-highly-disciplined officers to the role of land grabbing beats the imagination of the ordinary mind. HURIWA is kindly requested to appeal to and to task the dear Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, whose antecedents suggest, is peace loving and subservient to the dictates of the rule of law to call this his lieutenant, Commissioner of Housing Mr. Vitus Okechi, to order, before hapless citizens resort to self-help and anarchy sets in. HURIWA is equally kindly requested to draw the attention of the Heads of Security agencies to wit; The Chief of Air Staff, to this dangerous trend of men and officers of the Security architecture, abandoning their core responsibility and becoming undertakers for land grabbers in Enugu. Examples are rife everywhere. PS: FYI ONLY Members of the community have concluded arrangements to send petitions to the Office of the NSA, the Minister of Defence as well as to the Chief of Army Staff by Monday. A peaceful protest will follow immediately on the same day. Now we have these allegations against the segment of the Nigerian Military at a time of grave threats to national security. Nigeria burns but those who should quench the fire are busy chasing rats literally. We read that As we speak, there are reports of the Fulani herdsmen converting forest reserves and farmlands in Ovia and Orhionmwon, from where they are said to launch alleged criminal attacks on unsuspecting farmers and travellers. Of note is the occupation of the Odighi forest where an unconfirmed report has it that there are over 2000 Fulani herdsmen who have forcefully occupied a vast expanse of the forest as their habitation and fortress. Apart from eye witness reports, the social media has been awash with videos of these young men either being offloaded in their hundreds from long haulage trucks or streaming in a dreadful surge in the streets of Benin City. Also Emeka Alex Duru, a senior Editor writing about breakdowns of law and order in the Country has the following words to tell us: "The recent resolution by the House of Representatives on the Federal Government to check the influx of herdsmen from other African countries to Nigeria, demonstrates the extent of frustrations Nigerians have encountered in the hands of these unscrupulous pastoralists. Obviously flustered at the nefarious activities of the herders, the lawmakers are waking up to action after years of glossing over the precarious situation. The House has thus, mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Army and Interior to interface with the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, respectively, on the best ways of policing and securing the Nigeria borders. Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje had earlier raised similar alert, calling on the Government to seek the review of the West African Protocols that allow free movement of citizens of member states, in order to check migration of herdsmen into the country. The governor observed that such movements always cause conflicts and destruction of human lives, stressing the need for the government to use the international restrictions created by the COVID-19 to stop the inflow of armed herdsmen to Nigeria". The Senior Editor also rightly stated that: "Elsewhere, suspected herdsmen had struck in Ukpabi-Nimbo community of Enugu State on Monday, April 25, 2016, leaving in their trail 50 persons dead and properties destroyed. Even the recent May 15 and 16 clashes in Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State that left 73 killed, 81,110 displaced, houses and businesses destroyed, were attributed to activities of the foreign herdsmen. Similar ugly incidents had taken place in other parts of the country at various times. Many lives had been lost and property destroyed on such occasions, especially as responses to the crisis at both the federal and state levels had been very poor and ineffective." Gentlemen of the media, Nigeria is under imminent threat of war and there is a spike in violence all across as stated above, yet as we have seen the petition from Enugu State, the Air Force of Nigeria are being used for commercial Land related civil matter by the officials of Enugu State ministry of Housing. We urge the Chief of Air Staff to Step and stop these abuses and professional misconduct of his officers who are disgracing their esteemed uniform and professional careers. We will end by quoting from Sections 217 to 220 of the Nigerian constitution thus: Section 217 states: (1) There shall be an armed forces for the Federation which shall consist of an army, a navy, an Air Force and such other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly. (2) The Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf, equip and maintain the armed forces as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of - (a) defending Nigeria from external aggression; (b) maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air; (c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and (d) performance such other functions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. (3) The composition of the officer corps an other ranks of the armed forces of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria. Section 218 states: (1) The powers of the President as the Commissioner-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation. (2) The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly. (3) The President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he think fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces of the Federation his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation. (4) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the regulation of - (a) the powers exercisable by the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation; and (b) the appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of members of the armed forces of the Federation. Section 219 states : The National Assembly shall - (a) in giving effect to the functions specified in section 217 of this Constitution; and (b) with respect to the powers exercisable by the President under section 218 of this Constitution, by an Act, established a body which shall comprise such members as the National Assembly may determine, and which shall have power to ensure that the composition of the armed forces of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria in the manner prescribed in the section 217 of this Constitution. Section 220 states: (1) The Federation shall establish and maintain adequate facilities for carrying into effect any Act of the National Assembly providing for compulsory military training or military service for citizens of Nigeria. (2) Until an Act of the National Assembly is made in that behalf the President may maintain adequate facilities in any secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Nigeria for giving military training in any such institution which desires to have the training. COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO; NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad K Sangma and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flew to Manipur capital on Sunday and held meetings with the four former ministers, whose resignation has plunged the Biren Singh government into trouble, in an apparent patch-up bid. The opposition Congress questioned why the two leaders were not quarantined under COVID-19 norms like the two AICC observers when they arrived in Imphal on Friday. Sangma and BJP leader Sarma first met Chief Minister N Biren Singh and then held talks with the Manipur National People's Party legislators to iron out the differences, sources in the NPP and the BJP said. Sangma is heading a government in Meghalaya with ally BJP whose two MLAs had also contributed in his party nominee's victory in the Rajya Sabha poll. Though it was not immediately known what decisions were taken during the meeting with the legislators, the sources said a strategy was discussed to save the BJP-led government of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Sarma also confirmed visiting Manipur for a day, but did not comment anything on the political crisis in the northeastern state. "I have come here to meet all our friends and to congratulate them on the massive victory in Rajya Sabha," Sarma said over phone. The move by Sangma and Sarma, who is also convener of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), is seen here as an effort to repair the cracks in the the BJP-led coalition in Manipur. The Biren Singh ministry was put on a sticky wicket following the resignation of nine ruling coalition members, including four NPP ministers, on Wednesday. Besides the NPP ministers, the rest five included three rebel BJP MLAs, the lone All Indian Trinamool Congress legislator and an Independent. Meanwhile, Manipur Congress President Moirangthem Okendra, said while the two Congress observers -- Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoi -- were placed under quarantine as per Covid protocols on arrival at Imphal on Friday evening, Sangma and Sarma have been meeting people. The Meghalaya CM and Sarma are putting up in a hotel which is near to the hotel where Maken and Gogoi are spending time in quarantine for the third day Sunday. "This is highly condemnable...they (Sangma and Sarma) came and were meeting people freely while Congress leaders were guided to the hotel by the police from airport itself on June 19," Okendra said. "Maken and Gogoi were quarantined by the Manipur government. Are the norms valid only for Congress people? Is this your political revenge? Is law not equal for all?" Assam Congress spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee said in Guwahati. Reacting to this, Sarma, who is leading the fight against the novel coronavirus is Assam, said no rule related to COVID-19 guidelines has been violated by him. "A person who comes for a day-long visit is exempted from quarantine in both Assam and Manipur," said Sarma. After the victory of the BJP candidate Leishemba Sanajaoba the party claimed taht it is in command in Manipur. But without a final decision on the disqualification cases against the seven Congress MLAs who had crossed over to the BJP shortly after the 2017 state polls, proving majority on the floor of the 60-member house would be a difficult task for the ruling dispensation in the present condition when nine legislators have left them. Their cases are pending under anti-defection law with the Manipur High Court as well with the Speaker's Tribunal. In the June 19 Rajya Sabha election, three Congress defectors -- Ksh Biren Singh, S Bira Singh and Surchandra Singh -- were not allowed to cast their votes as cases are pending against them. However, the other four defectors could vote. The seven Congress legislators, who had crossed over to the BJP shortly after the 2017 state polls, have been facing anti-defection cases. Their disqualification matter is with the Manipur High Court as well as the Speaker's Tribunal. One recently disqualified MLA was also barred from taking part in the voting process. Of the nine members who tendered resignation on Wednesday, BJP MLAs S Subhashchandra Singh, TT Haokip and Samuel Jendai could not cast their votes. Four NPP ministers, who had withdrawn their support from the ruling coalition, exercised their franchise. The lone Trinamool Congress MLA T Robindro Singh, who also pulled out of the N Biren Singh-led dispensation, was not allowed to cast his vote. He lodged a complaint to the Election Commission in this regard. Smelling a chance, the Congress had stepped up efforts to oust the BJP-led government by urging Governor Najma Heptullah on Thursday to call a special assembly session for taking up a no-confidence motion against Biren Singh ministry. The four former NPP ministers, including deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh, had claimed that they were forced to walk out of the ruling dispensation due to bad treatment meted out to them by the government. Manipur NPP chief Thangminlien Kipgen who met Sangma and Sarma issued a press release highlighting the reasons that prompted them to leave the BJP-led coalition. He mentioned the refusal to form steering committee in order to bring a confidence amongst the coalition partners, lack of common minimum programme, allotment of ministerial portfolios and no invitation/consultation with the party to share views/ideas to decide on a consensus candidate of 2017 Rajya Sabha Election, 2019 Lok-Sabha Election and in the recently concluded Rajya- Sabha Election, 2020. "This functioning of the present government is autocratic and undemocratic," the state NPP chief said in the statement. DARBY, Pa. (AP) Joe Biden unleashed a stinging critique Wednesday of President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus, calling on Trump to "wake up to the havoc caused by the pandemic and do more to prevent further harm. Donald Trump wants to style himself as a wartime president," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said at a recreation center in the Philadelphia suburbs. "Unlike any other wartime leader, he takes no responsibility, he exercises no leadership. Now he has just flat surrendered the fight. Biden has steadily stepped up his attacks on Trump's leadership in recent weeks. But his remarks Wednesday were especially sharp, trying to counter the populism Trump hopes to ride to reelection with stern warnings about how dangerous such an approach would be. At times pounding his lectern for emphasis, Biden said the Republican president wants to declare the pandemic over even as the outbreak continues to kill Americans and disrupt the economy. We may lose some of the progress weve begun to make, all because hes lost interest, Biden said. The U.S. has topped 2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and some states are reporting increases in cases after reopening their economies. A surge has been reported this week in Florida and Arizona, likely political battlegrounds in the November election. Still, Trump is eager for the country to return to normalcy. He's hoping that the reopening of businesses and other aspects of life will revive the economy and his reelection prospects. Trump will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday for his first major campaign rally in months despite concerns from local health officials. Biden is taking a much different course. He's spent much of his time inside his Delaware home to prevent the spread of the virus. Most campaign activities, including fundraisers, have moved online, a strategy that probably will continue in the coming weeks. Story continues Biden has announced a virtual fundraiser next week with former President Barack Obama, the first time the two have appeared together in months. When Biden does make public appearances, they usually are limited to locations in Delaware or nearby Pennsylvania. Those events have included strict rules for wearing masks and practicing social distance. He hasn't taken questions from reporters since April 2. Beyond Pennsylvania, Biden hasn't visited any of the premier battleground states such as Michigan and Wisconsin since the pandemic struck. Biden's toned-down campaign style was on display before his Wednesday remarks when he appeared at a nearby soul food restaurant and bar to participate in a socially distanced listening session to hear how the pandemic has affected small businesses. Sitting 6 feet (1.8 meters) from one another around tables outdoors, local business owners expressed concerns over a lack of guidance from the federal government on reopening. Scott Richardson, the owner of Occasionally Yours Cafe and catering company in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, said he cut his workforce from 12 employees to four. He told Biden that he voted for Trump in 2016, but now he says the president is more interested in day trading than long-range planning to combat the coronavirus. Biden told the group that no one in the Trump administration is taking responsibility during the outbreak. Bidens campaign has pledged to resume a normal campaign schedule that will take him around the country, but not before authorities and health officials deem it safe. Trump officials have argued that Biden is using the pandemic as an excuse for holding heavily controlled events. Neither Trump nor Biden engages in many unscripted moments with voters. But Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for the presidents reelection campaign, slammed Biden for preferring campaigning from the comfort of his basement rather than traveling the country meeting voters and making the case for his candidacy. These events have been either tightly controlled or covered by press in a pool arrangement, Murtaugh wrote of the former vice presidents recent stops. At what point will Biden subject himself to the scrutiny American voters deserve when considering the next President of the United States? ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that the last name of the Occasionally Yours Cafe owner is Richardson, not Peterson. Email contributing columnist Steve Flores at floressteve32@yahoo.com. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed are his own. Labor leader Anthony Albanese is keen to press the point that a massive federal clean-up job on Victorian Labor will be rolled out by officials based in Melbourne, not in Canberra. Credit:Golding Theres no question interim administrators including former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and Gillard- and Rudd-era frontbencher Jenny Macklin have their work cut out. Sources inside Victorian Labors headquarters reckon systemic branch stacking by the likes of former minister Adem Somyurek has saddled the party with as many as 4000 supposedly fake members, who need to be turfed. That could be up to 25 per cent of the current 12,000-strong membership base. No wonder observers say the Docklands HQ has been feeling busier in the past week. Then again, its worth noting that Bracks and Macklin are stationed inside the headquarters. State secretary Clare Burns is in Canberra. Burns, who is due to take maternity leave from next month, left Victoria before the pandemic for Canberra, where her partner is based. Thankfully, her Liberal opponents cant take potshots. Sitting under pink and blue blankets on the living room floor in Conroe, three young girls held teddy bears with their hair tied back in giant bows. It took us like an hour or two, Adalynn Sessions, 7, said as she described the process of a building a giant fort with her family Saturday after a practice run Friday night. We tried from the ceiling fan. Yeah, then we got the hang of it, Paisley Anderson, 7, added. The girls, who were helped by their family and siblings and sat in the comfort of unicorn pajamas, would sleep on the cushion of happy camper and no probllama designs, and wake with Llama sleeping masks to block out the sun. I slept like this, Anderson said as she sprawled out across her side of the fort. But the girls do not believe they would be able to camp out in the living room every night. Thats one reason why theyve decided to build the fort. So, we can see how it feels without sleeping in a bed because homeless people dont have any beds, Anderson said. The girls mother, Cassidy Smart, serves on the board of directors for Family Promise of Montgomery County. The nonprofit organization provides a 90-day program to qualified families who are experiencing homelessness. The collaborative effort provides various support services to help parents and their children get back on track. As part of a national initiative, Family Promise asked the community to spend A Night Without Bed and post photos on social media of their families building a tent in the backyard or a fort in the living room to raise awareness about Family Promises mission and families who experience homelessness. Conroe resident Arielle Kirkland can still barely believe she and her family slept in a car only a year ago. She never thought she and her family would be homeless. She had always worked hard and had a full-time job. Her husband was a plumber. They had a three-bedroom home and two cars. Until they didnt. We had a rundown camper. Barely anything, it was halfway shelled out, but it was some place for us to put our heads, said Kirkland, who at first slept in the van with her family while she was almost nine months pregnant. It was just a mattress on the ground with a newborn and a 12-year-old. That was all we had. Its not always sleeping outside and in a tent. Kirkland shared her husband developed an addiction to methamphetamine and lost his job. Due to the stress of caring for a loved one with an addiction, she lost her job as well. Her husband now remains in jail. The biggest thing for me was it takes money to make money, Kirkland said. I didnt have money to put in the gas tank, so how would I get to some place to try to make money? I think a lot of homeless families fall into that horrible cycle. They just need a little bit of help to get it going again. Her son was 10 weeks old when she entered Family Promises 90-day program. At the end of December, Kirkland graduated from the program, which requires drug tests and has specific criteria families must meet to qualify. Family Promise, definitely, its an amazing program because it helps homeless families get back on their feet, which is what they did for me, Kirkland said. I got my full-time job back, a new car, apartment, fully furnished and with everything we need. My son is completely provided for as well as my other kids. According to information from Family Promise, one in 16 children in the U.S. experiences homelessness by the first grade. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and since all the nearly 10 host organizations that help shelter families have canceled, Family Promises Director Marilyn Kasmiersky said the organization is currently serving three families at this time. That includes six children. We have only had one host congregation since mid-March, so that has been a real big challenge to us on where we are going to shelter the families where they are safe and keeping their personal safety and sanitation in consideration, Kasmiersky said on Wednesday. That has been a really big challenge on how that looks because our budget was not set up for six months at a motel. Family Promise receives about 150 calls a month, but Kasmiersky said the phone rang more when the pandemic started. Smart said there are currently 30 qualified families on the waiting list. She shared families are seeking services for various reasons that range from the impact of the pandemic to issues with domestic violence. The need is expected to continue to rise. Surrounded by blankets and pillows in their fort, the girls said Saturday that they believe families may feel sad and scared when they face homelessness. I think that we should help them, Sessions said. I think we should find them and give them money so they can buy more stuff. Smart asked the girls if they wanted to help the families. The girls nodded and replied with yes, maam. Thats why we are doing this, so we can show the whole wide world that there are families that dont have a home and we can help.Our communities can help them, Smart said. Family Promise plans to host a mobile food pantry starting at 8 a.m. on July 14 at the Conroe Church of Christ. The church is located at 1860 Longmire Road in Conroe. The organization also plans to host the annual Bed Race and Chili Cook Off event Oct. 3. Annual sponsorship opportunities and more information is available on the Family Promise of Montgomery County website. mellsworth@hcnonline.com Roughly three months since Prince Harry officially stepped down as a senior member of the royal family, the Duke of Sussex is reportedly having a hard time with his new life in Los Angeles, California. In April 2020, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle officially dropped their royal duties to live a private and independent life. They first relocated to Canada before eventually setting up a permanent base in Meghan's native city in L.A. According to sources, the move has not been particularly smooth for the 35-year-old Duke of Sussex, especially after he left the United Kingdom in the middle of a global pandemic caused by the coronavirus. Harry's struggle doubled after his father, Prince Charles, tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be isolated for his recovery. During their first few weeks in the United States, Prince Harry and his 28-year-old wife were seen doing volunteer works, delivering food packs to the families affected by the health crisis. The Sussexes also announced their plans of launching a new charitable organization, which will be called the "Archewell Foundation," so they could continue their philanthropic activities even outside the U.K. From the surface, it looks like the royal couple is thriving in their newfound life, but sources close to the sixth heir to the throne claimed that he is struggling bigtime to adapt to the L.A. way of living. Early this year, Harry's close friend suggested that the Duke of Sussex is finding his new life a bit challenging. Speaking to Radio Times, Dr. Jane Goodall said that things have been challenging for Queen Elizabeth II's grandson lately. "I don't know how his career is going to map out, but yes, I've been in touch, though I think he's finding life a bit challenging just now," Dr. Goodall said. Since there are several speculations on Prince Harry's current state, the Duke is now reportedly looking into the possibility of having a tell-all interview to talk about his mental health. Bombshell Interview Ever since they stepped down as senior royal, Harry has not said a word to explain the real reason behind their decision. According to a source, however, the Duke is considering to have a candid and no-holds-barred interview in a new Apple T.V. + original documentary. "He'll discuss how the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death sent him spiraling... and how therapy allowed him to begin to heal," a source told In Touch Weekly. The insider claimed that if this plan pushes through, the interview would surely rock the royal family to its core and upset Queen Elizabeth II. "It would be seen as a betrayal, for sure," the source added. Apart from the interview, Harry and Meghan will also have an upcoming autobiography written by royal correspondents Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. "Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making Of A Modern Royal Family" will be out this August 11, 2020, and it is already expected to be a global bestseller. The autobiography promises to give readers an honest and closer look at Harry and Meghan's royal life and the details that lead them to the controversial Megxit. READ MORE: Royal Shock: Kate Middleton DECLARED She'd Be The Future Queen With THIS! Gardai and public representatives will gather outside Kilkenny Garda Station at noon today to pay their respects to Detective Garda Colm Horkan whose funeral takes place today. Superintendent Derek Hughes expressed his condolences with the Horkan family and colleagues of Detective Garda Horkan on behalf of Kilkenny Gardai noting that a number of personnel stationed in Kilkenny were classmates of Detective Garda Horkan at the Garda College in Templemore. We are all impacted deeply by the sudden and tragic death of Detective Garda Horkan who died in the line of duty carrying out the core function of An Garda Siochana Keeping People Safe. The solidarity expressed by local representatives and members of the public in Kilkenny at this time serves as a great comfort to the Garda family and will be communicated to Detective Garda Horkans collegaues, friends and family. Books of condolences are open at Kilkenny and Thomastown Garda Station. Detective Garda Horkan was fatally shot while on duty in Castlerea on Wednesday night. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness extended his sympathies with the family and friends of Detective Garda Horkan who served his country as a member of An Garda Siochana for 24 years. "On this sad occasion I'm asking the people of Kilkenny City and County to sign this online book of condolences for Detective Garda Colm Horkan who's life was tragically taken in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the greater Garda community. This online book represents the current set of circumstances that we are in due to Covid-19 and will be presented to the family of Garda Horkan on behalf of the people of Kilkenny," said Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness. Mayor John Coonan also said that his thoughts and prayers are with the family of the detective and all gardai following the tragic death. "On behalf of the citizens of Kilkenny City I would like to offer our condolences and prayers to the family of Detective Garda Colm Horkan who sadly lost his life in the line of duty. "I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers also to all of his colleagues in Castlerea Garda Station and to every member of An Garda Siochana." OnScene A man fleeing Constable deputies in Harris County late Friday night ultimately crashed into a railing and then jumped more than 60 feet from an overpass trying to escape, officials said. The man was apprehended after the fall, Constable Alan Rosens office said in a Tweet. He was injured but responsive. Bhopal, June 21 : On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for familiarizing the world with the power of yoga, saying that the the significance and relevance of yoga has become more relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his message commemorating the day, Chouhan said the world will be a healthier place with more people practising yoga, adding that global leaders such as Modi could worry about the health of the world, he added. "If we bring the science of yoga into our daily life, then our body will be able to deal with thousands of diseases such as corona. Take a pledge to practise yoga and live a healthy life on International Yoga Day," Chouhan appealed. Sharing his experience, he said: "I myself have been doing yoga for many years. I feel the benefits of it. It is the strength of yoga which enables me to work for 16 hours without rest. If I have to leave early in the morning, I do the breathing exercise 'Anulom-Vilom' or whichever is possible in the car." Quoting Maharishi Patanjali, he said: "The personality of man is made of seven chakras, infinite energy is present in these chakras. Every chakra can be opened. I believe the power of yoga is infinite. The power of yoga and its benefit can be realised by practising and not through words." Stressing there is no age limit for yoga, the Chief Minister shared a verse "Prakyamada Siddhimapnoti Sarva Yogeshvatnritta"-- that the old, young and the sick can practise it. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Amid the nationwide call for boycott of Chinese products, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) say the move may increase the cost of many products by 40 per cent, delaying economic recovery. Industry bodies such as Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), SME Chamber of India and All India Manufacturers Organisation (AIMO) have suggested that the gover nment should think of a long term plan to shift dependency on China for imports and advised not to take decisions simply based on public sentiment. This is a serious matter and have to be done rationally and smartly with a proper strategy, else many products on which we are exports dependent, the cost will immediately shoot up as we do not have an immediate alternative plan, FISME President Animesh Saxena said, adding that India must make domestic market competitive. Small industries have for long been seeking steps to reduce over dependence on China. Currently Chinese products dominate market on many segments such as toys, and electronics. Our domestic toy making industry, for instance, is slowly destroyed and over 80 per cent items today are imported and 75 per cent are from China, said Ramesh Gupta, a wholesaler from Jhandewala. He adds that it is not that India cannot manufacture those products, but they cannot compete with them in terms of price, giving them a major cost advantage. For the pharma sector, too, India imports two-thirds of its active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), or key ingredients of drugs, from China. When supply from China was disrupted during the nationwide lockdown, the cost for many basic drugs rose by 40 per cent. Businesses also added that this is a time when India can rejig its model and can emerge as a manufacturing hub. Finance Minister Nirmala sitharaman had already announced a host of measures to support small industry. Grappling with several One of the biggest initiatives was to change the definition of MSMEs which now includes a greater number of firms within the formal classification of MSMEs. This is likely to help in the transition of their mindset. They are now aiming to grow higher without the fear of losing out on the benefits given to MSMEs. By PTI MUMBAI: In a response to social media abuse amid the 'outsider versus insider' debate in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput's death, Sonam Kapoor on Sunday said though she acknowledges her privilege as a star child, her identity is a matter of pride for her. Sonam, who comes from a family of Bollywood producers and actors, shared screenshots of the expletives-laden messages, directed towards her, veteran actor father Anil Kapoor, producer sister Rhea, among others in the next of her kin. "This is some of comments coming my way. All the media and all the people who've encouraged this sort of behaviour and instigated it. This is on you. People talking about how one should have been kind to someone are doing worse to others. "I encourage you guys to see my comment section. And I'm sure you don't hope that the same comes your way. I hope your parents don't have to see this sort of stuff," she wrote on Twitter. Today on Fathers Day id like to say one more thing, yes Im my fathers daughter and yes I am here because of him and yes Im privileged. Thats not an insult, my father has worked very hard to give me all of this. And it is my karma where Im born and to whom Im born. Im proud Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) June 21, 2020 Sonam said the remarks she made public aren't even the "worst of it". The actor and her team are reporting these comments to the authorities, she added. Rajput, 34, was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. His death has reignited discussions around the struggle of survival in Bollywood, navigating cliques, particularly for outsiders. The "Neerja" actor said she is proud to be the daughter of a movie star who has worked hard to sustain in the industry. "Today on Father's Day I'd like to say one more thing, yes I'm my fathers daughter and yes I am here because of him and yes I'm privileged. "That's not an insult, my father has worked very hard to give me all of this. And it is my karma where I'm born and to whom I'm born. I'm proud. To be his daughter," she wrote. The 35-year-old actor said she has disabled the comments section from her and her father's Instagram pages to avoid the barrage of hate. "I don't want my 64 year old parents to go through this. They did nothing to deserve this. And I'm not doing it out of fear you morons, I'm doing it out of common sense to preserve my mental health and my parents," she said. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition scrambled to save its government in Manipur Sunday with two senior leaders flying into Imphal to talk to rebel legislators whose resignation pushed the alliance to the brink of collapse late last week. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived in the afternoon on a chartered flight. Sarma played a crucial role in cobbling together the coalition after the 2017 assembly election and is the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), of which Sangmas National Peoples Party (NPP) is a part. A senior leader said that the two leaders met the rebel NPP leaders to convince them to come back into the BJP fold. Last Wednesday, nine MLAs-- three from BJP, all four from NPP, one from the Trinamool Congress and one independent -- withdrew support to the N Biren Singh government. The BJP lawmakers later joined the Congress but it is not clear whether they will attract proceedings under the anti-defection law. A new coalition led by the Congress, called the Secular Progressive Front, has staked claim to power. I heard Sangma and Sarma are in Imphal today. Their presence will have no impact even if the CM is replaced. The only solution is Congress-led SPF government, Manipur Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei said. In 2017, the Congress won 28 seats and the BJP 21, but the latter quickly cobbled together a coalition and staked claim to power. Later, eight Congress rebels joined the BJP. In the 60-member House, the BJP has 18 members, and the Congress has 20. The BJP currently enjoys the support of four Naga Peoples Front legislators and one Lok Janshakti Party member. The fate of seven rebel MLAs who joined BJP from the Congress hangs in the balance after the Manipur high court barred them from the assembly until the speaker took a call on their disqualification. An eighth member resigned after a Supreme Court order. So, effective strength of the House is 52. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Australian police are urgently seeking help from the public to find a missing woman and a toddler. Kimberley Burden, 28, and a two-year-old girl are believed to be in the Perth metropolitan area and police have grave concerns for their welfare. It is thought they are using public transport. Police hold grave fears for this two-year-old girl (pictured) who is missing and believed to be in the Perth metropolitan area. She is thought to be wearing an apricot or pink tracksuit Kimberley Burden, 28, (pictured) is missing with the toddler and police are concerned for their welfare. Please call police on 131 444 immediately if you have seen this woman in Perth West Australian Police described Kimberley as fair skinned with red/brown hair, wearing black three-quarter-length pants, a green singlet and a white jumper. The toddler is described as fair skinned with red curly hair and is thought to be wearing a pink or apricot coloured tracksuit. Police are asking anyone that has seen them to call 131 444 immediately. Download International Yoga Day GIF Images, Wallpapers for Whatsapp DP, Profile Picture & Facebook Status: As the country prepares to celebrate yoga day tomorrow, let us have a look at some quotes describing the benefits of practising yoga in one's life. Download International Yoga Day GIF Images, Wallpapers for Whatsapp DP, Profile Picture & Facebook Status: The International day for yoga is celebrated every year on June 21 since its inception in 2015. With the intention of promoting Global health, harmony and peace through yoga, the united nations had declared the longest day of the year, June 21 as the International Yoga Day also known as the yoga day. It is a well-known fact that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is a Yoga Enthusiast. According to him, Yoga is an undeniable gift of Indias ancient tradition. It embodies the human mind and body and brings about Harmony between man and nature. Many celebrities and world personalities recommend Yoga as an ultimate physical exercise to keep ones body fit and bring peace to the mind of an individual. Yoga incorporates Meditation, breathing exercise and poses which are designed to bring relaxation and reduce stress. The benefits of Yoga are innumerable and it has been proven by science that Yoga helps in keeping the heart healthy, reducing depression, relieving migraine and improve lifestyle quality among other benefits for the body. Yoga Day makes it possible for people in different communities to come together and practice the ancient art that unites the mind and body. In India, people gather in open spaces and even PM Narendra Modi also takes part in Yoga event along with thousands of people. Start your day with a fresh quote and take time to practice some Asanas to achieve a healthy mind and body. Send some inspirational quotes to your friends and family, so that they may also be encouraged to inculcate the Practice of yoga in their life. British film star Tom Hardy has topped a list of the most attractive celebrity dads, as voted by the public. Hardy, 42, who has a 12-year-old son named Louis, was voted the hottest famous father in a poll of 4,210 people commissioned by UK-based online marketplace OnBuy. The actor placed ahead of fellow film star and father-of-three Chris Hemsworth, 36, who came in second place, and Idris Elba, a father of two, who came in third. Two other Brits appeared on the list: David Beckham, who shares four children with wife Victoria, and Gordon Ramsay, whose wife Tana welcomed their fifth child, a son named Oscar, in April. Here, FEMAIL reveals the top ten hot celebrity dads... 10 hottest celebrity dads revealed 1. Tom Hardy 2. Chris Hemsworth 3. Idris Elba 4. James Marsden 5. David Beckham 6. Ty Burrell 7. Barack Obama 8. Stanley Tucci 9. Will Smith 10. Gordon Ramsay Advertisement 1. Tom Hardy Tom Hardy: English actor and heartthrob Tom Hardy (pictured in June 2019), 42, a father-of-three, landed his way on top of the list with 24 per cent voting for him as the most attractive celebrity dad. Tom is married to actress Charlotte Riley, 38, with the couple sharing two children. He is also father to son Louis with ex-girlfriend Rachel Speed 2. Chris Hemsworth Chris Hemsworth: Coming in second place is Chris Hemsworth (pictured in June 2019), 36, known for his part in Thor. The father-of-four swindled the hearts of 21 per cent of respondents. Voted People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2014 its no surprise that he made it on the list Chris and his wife Elsa Pataky share three children together, daughter India Rose, eight, and twin sons (pictured previously) Tristan and Sasha, six 3. Idris Elba Idris Elba: Next up is father-of-two Idris Elba (seen in 2018), 47, known for his captivating performance in Luther. A more recent winner of sexiest man alive in 2018, it was almost a certainty that his name was going to make the list Idris has two children, Isan Elba (pictured together), 18, with his first wife Hanne 'Kim' Norgaard, and Winston, 6, with his current wife Sabrina 4. James Marsden James Marsden: In fourth place is father-of-three James Marsden (pictured in January 2020), 46, best recognised for his roles in X-men, Hairspray and The Notebook. He is dad to Jack, 19, and Mary James, 14, from his former marriage with actress Lisa Linde, and William Luca, who he shares with ex-partner model Rose Costa 5. David Beckham David Beckham: No list is complete without David Beckham, and the sporty dad-of-four of placed fifth in OnBuy's list. David, pictured at his home recently David and his wife Victoria Beckham are parents to Brooklyn, 21, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 15 and Harper, 8 (pictured together) 6. Ty Burrell Ty Burrell: Father in real life to two girls and dad of three in everyones favourite family show Modern Family, Ty Burrell (pictured in January 2020), 52, places sixth on the list with 6 per cent of the votes 7. Barack Obama Barack Obama: President to some and dreamboat to others, father-of-two Barack Obama (pictured in a video on April 202), 58, takes seventh place with 5 per cent of the votes. The politician is father to Malia Ann, 21, and Sasha, 19, with his wife Michelle Obama, 56 The politician is father to Malia Ann, 21, and Sasha, 19, with his wife Michelle Obama, 56 (pictured together) 8. Stanley Tucci Stanley Tucci: In eighth place is father-of-five and celebrated actor Stanley Tucci, 59, (pictured in 2009). He was named by 4 per cent of people polled in the new survey. Stanley and his wife Felicity Blunt welcomed their first child together - Matteo - in 2015, and then welcomed daughter Emilia in 2018. Felicity is the stepmother to the three children Stanley shared with his first wife Kate, who tragically died in 2009 after battling breast cancer. Nicolo and Isabel are now 20 while Camilla is 18 9. Will Smith Will Smith: Hilarious onscreen and off-screen, Will Smith (pictured in October 2019), 51, and father to three, was voted the ninth most attractive dad. He's father to Trey, 27, from his first marriage to Sheree Zampino. The actor also shares two children Jaden, 21, and Willow, 19, with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith 10. Gordon Ramsay Gordon Ramsay: It looks like a few of us would be happy to be called an idiot sandwich by Gordon Ramsay (above in 2019), 53, who completed OnBuys list in tenth place with one per cent of the votes. Known for his painful honesty, it seems like it's a plus to some Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-22 05:33:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FRANKFURT, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-four people were arrested and 19 police officers injured after a police drug check triggered riots in the German city of Stuttgart late Saturday and early Sunday, local police said on Sunday evening in a statement. The riots broke out during a police inspection over suspected drug offense in the city center of Stuttgart. A large number of surrounding people began to attack the police during a preliminary arrest of a suspect at around 11:30 p.m., the police said. Eventually several hundred people were involved in the clashes, throwing stones and bottles at the police, and rescue workers deployed were also partially attacked, the Stuttgart police said. Around 30 shops and facilities were damaged, and at least eight stores were looted, according to the police. Twelve patrol cars were also partially damaged during the operation. Rioters moved through the city center in a multitude of small groups of different sizes and the situation only calmed down around 4:30 a.m., according to the statement. German press agency DPA reported that seven of the 24 people arrested were under 18 years old, and seven were between the ages of 18 and 21. The police said on Sunday afternoon in a press conference that the acts of violence were not politically motivated, but were caused by people partying, and others looking for a fight, according to the DPA report. Enditem Press Release June 20, 2020 De Lima on slow distribution of SAP: There should be synergy between DSWD, LGUs Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has underscored the need to investigate the delays and other logistical problems concerning the distribution of the cash assistance for families that were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. De Lima, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 441 directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry on the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) under Republic Act No. 11469, or the "Bayanihan To Heal As One Act." "In order for the distribution of the remaining cash aid under the first tranche of the SAP and the cash aid under its second tranche may be facilitated in an expeditious and smooth manner, mechanisms that will respond to the glitches faced in the implementation thereof must be reviewed," she said. Last March 30, Mr. Duterte announced that the 200-billion-worth of aid which will be allotted for "low income households who are badly affected by" the COVID-19 pandemic is the "largest and widest social protection program in the country's history." Despite issuing the guidelines on the implementation of the SAP by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) later on, De Lima said their apparent lack of coordination with the LGUs, attended by their failure to immediately mobilize an information drive, unnecessarily created an even more burdensome scenario for Filipinos needing to be promptly catered to. Data from the DSWD showed that only 10,135,634 families have so far received the first tranche of the cash aid out of the 18 million Filipino families targeted to receive emergency subsidy - comprising only about 12% of local governments, as of April 30. The 6th Weekly Report of Duterte to the Joint Congressional Committee pursuant to the Bayanihan Act revealed that the DSWD cited several reasons for the delays in the distribution of emergency subsidy which include, among others, postponement of payout due to exposure of staff to positive COVID-19 cases. According to the same report, the DSWD also cited supposed threats received by DSWD personnel from LGU officials in some areas, and slow processing by the LGUs, specifically at the barangay level, due to reports of politicizing or inaccurate lists of eligible beneficiaries, for such delays. "Glaringly, DSWD who was previously quoted telling LGUs that this is not the time for a blame game, did not mention any culpability on its part in the delay of the implementation of the SAP," De Lima said. De Lima said it is necessary to determine the veracity of the claims of the DSWD in order to make the necessary improvements to be implemented in ensuring that the right of Filipinos to social protection is upheld especially in the time of a pandemic where the consequences of their social status is most felt by them. "There must be synergy between the efforts of the DSWD, LGUs and other concerned government agencies - which can only be achieved once the existing gaps are addressed and weaknesses resolved," she said. "A senate inquiry in in aid of legislation will be the proper venue to hear the conflicting claims between the stakeholders, and help resolve the reported attendant issues in the implementation of the SAP - which the Senate, along with the House of Representatives, granted unto the President through the Bayanihan Act," she added. Based on media reports, the 2nd tranche of SAP cover beneficiaries from Metro Manila, Central Luzon, except the province of Aurora, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo Province, Cebu Province, Bacolod City, Davao City, Albay, and Zamboanga City. French Coronavirus Deaths Rise by 19 to 29,633 Saudi Press Agency Saturday 1441/10/28 - 2020/06/20 PARIS, Jun 20, 2020, SPA -- The number of deaths in France from COVID-19 has risen by 19, in the last 24 hours, to stand at 29,633, Reuters quoted the French health ministry as saying on Saturday. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 641 to 160,093. France's coronavirus death toll is the fifth-highest in the world. --SPA 22:28 LOCAL TIME 19:28 GMT 0015 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed reports of an impending suspension of non-immigrant work visas such as H-1B and L-1, which most impact Indian companies operating in the US and Indians hoping to work here, and said an announcement is expected tomorrow or the next day. Were going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas, Trump said to a Fox News interviewer when asked about his plans to suspend these visas, which have been reported before widely, including by Hindustan Times. And I think its going to make a lot of people happy. And its common sense, to be honest with you. He refused to preview the details of the order, but linked it to the state of the economy struggling with record unemployment numbers caused by the lockdown of large parts of the US to fight off the coronavirus epidemic. We have plenty of people looking for jobs, he said. Asked if there will be exclusions, or exemptions, the president said there will be some to protect the flow of workers for big businesses. He did not specify. President Trump had suspended most categories of immigration, in April, exempting relatives of US citizens and healthcare professional, to ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens. Non-immigrants visas were spared at the time, but they are due any day now. The United States grants 85,000 H-1B short-term work visas to highly skilled foreign professional every year. More than 70% go to Indians hired either from among those enrolled here for higher studies or those brought from India. They are recruited both by US companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft and Indian IT services majors TCS, Infosys and Wipro. And L-1 visas are used for intra-company transfers. These visas, specially H-1Bs, have been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration for a long time, going way beyond the unemployment crisis brought on by the Covid-19 virus outbreak. Increased scrutiny, tighter rules and qualification standards started just weeks after Trump took office; with the issuance of the April 18, 2017 executive order rolling out his Buy American, Hire American vision. Rejection rates of H-1B visas have been going up steadily since, as has been increased demands for additional information that that make the programme prohibitively tiresome and expensive, companies have said, by piling up the paperwork and costs. Many Indian companies have recalibrated their business models and ramped up local hiring. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio Republicans on Friday censured a former party head who has drawn scorn for campaigning against Donald Trump's reelection and asking GOP voters to pick Democrat Joe Biden. I get that theres folks who are mad at me now, but when they look back at all this, theyll just be mad at themselves, Matt Borges said. "The party, and the people in it, are too good to have their standard-bearer be Donald Trump, who is so bad. He said the censure would not stop him from trying to prevent Trump from winning a second term. A resolution to strip Borges of his title of emeritus party chairman cited additional reasons, including previous Federal Election Commission violations and his promotion of a measure to legalize marijuana. But it is Borges' leadership of the Right Side PAC that has most rankled the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee. Through Right Side, Borges is appealing for Republicans to vote for former Vice President Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, over the GOP incumbent in November's election. The state central committee's resolution formally disassociates itself from" Borges on account of Mr. Borges misconduct and pattern of using his former status as Ohio Republican Chairman to advocate for proposals which had not been endorsed" by the committee. Borges said that for Republicans like him who view Trump "as an existential threat to the country and to the party, these are the voters that we're going to talk to and try to convince that they can feel good about a vote for Joe Biden in the fall. Jammu: Security At three terrorists were killed during a joint operation by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Pozwalpora area of Zadibal area of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the second encounter in Srinagar. In the last encounter, top Hizbul commander Junaid Sahrai among three terrorists were neutralised by the armed forces. The Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the encounter report and tweeted, "#ZadibalEncounterUpdate: Third #terrorist killed. Search operation going on. Further details shall follow." According to reports, three terrorists, including one who was involved in the killing of BSF troopers in Pandach area of Srinagar last month, were killed on Sunday. The gunfight between holed up terrorists and the security forces started in Srinagar city after several attempts to make them surrender had failed. IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar told reporters that the security forces tried their best to persuade the holed up militants to surrender. "Even their parents were brought in to persuade the holed up militants to surrender, but they refused," the IGP said, adding that combing operation was carried out in the region. Security forces had surrounded the area for a cordon and search operation following information that a group of militants was hiding in Zadibal and Zoonimar Pozwalpora. As the cordon was tightened around their hideout, the terrorists fired triggering an encounter. Kulgam encounter: According to ANI, a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army and CRPF began in the Lakadpora area of Kulgam on early Sunday in which the forces killed one terrorist, believed to be affiliated to the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group. The dead body of the terrorist was recovered by the security forces. According to sources, at least 3-4 terrorists were hiding in orchards of the Larkipora area of Kulgam, which is on the border of Shopian-Kulgam. The slain terrorist was active in south Kashmir for the past few years. Police sources told ANI that another terrorist managed to escape from the spot. Sources further added that two weapons were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorist. The recovered weapons were of the same make and model, which the Border Security Force (BSF) had recovered after shooting down a Pakistani drone in Kathua region on June 20. The weapons brought in by the drone from across the border were being supplied to Jaish-e-Mohmmad terrorist Ali Bhai, who is currently active in South Kashmir. Mobile internet services snapped: Authorities, meanwhile, suspended mobile internet services and imposed restrictions in the city to maintain law and order. Restrictions on the movement of people have also been imposed in most parts in downtown areas of the city. Kentucky lawmakers have warned the state was heading towards a disastrous primary election this week, as ballot problems, voter confusion and a severe shortage of polling places threatened to suppress turnout amid the coronavirus pandemic. State officials on both sides of the political aisle released a joint statement condemning US District Court Judge Charles Simpsons ruling against a case that argued having just one polling site in most of the states 120 counties would result in voter suppression. We believe the judge disregarded evidence from our expert witness that one location will suppress the vote, particularly among African Americans, read the statement, co-authored by Jason Nemes, a Republican state representative, and Keisha Dorsey, a Democratic councilwoman for Louisville Metro. The lawmakers were both behind the lawsuit, which demanded an increase in statewide polling locations. Reports have indicated voters throughout Kentucky received inaccurate absentee ballots which many requested in order to vote from home rather than flocking to the polls in droves amid a Covid-19 outbreak that do not match their party affiliations. In Kentucky, voters must be members of a party to participate in its primary elections. In a typical election year, Kentucky has about 3,700 polling sites, according to most reports. When Election Day arrives on 23 June, there will be just 200 polling sites across the state with some of those sites having to serve upwards of 600,000 residents. Voting rights expert Ari Berman wrote in a tweet: There will be one polling place for 616,000 registered voters in Louisvilles Jefferson County, where half states black voters live. He added: This is going to be a disaster. Local officials blamed the pandemic and a seemingly rushed effort to send out ballots, which led to some voters reportedly receiving inaccurate paperwork. "It's possible they got the wrong ballot, when there's over 2,200 different ballot styles and there are two ballots sitting next to each other one is a Republican and the other is Democrat," Nore Ghibaudy, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Clerk's Office, told WDRB in Louisville, Kentucky. "You've got to remember this is a very unique situation. We have sent out over 200,000 ballots in a short period of time working 24 hours a day seven days a week." Other officials meanwhile said a large turnout of voters in some counties would lead to an angry mob with long lines, packed polling sites and further confusion about the primary process. It we get a massive turnout at Kroger Field, thats just going to be an angry mob, Don Blevins Jr, a clerk for Fayette County, told Washington Post, adding: That does worry me a little. Meanwhile, closely-watched races could lead to bigger turnout than in recent years, with 937,000 voters requesting early ballots, the newspaper reported. Judge Simpson pointed to three measures the state implemented amid the coronavirus pandemic, including making absentee ballots available for all voters, providing early in-person voting options for 15 days leading up to Election Day, and establishing a polling place for Election Day in-person voting. Voting rights activists said the states issues could cause it to have an Election Day similar to Georgias recent primaries, plagued by a shortage of polling sites, widespread confusion and missing absentee ballots. Ben Jealous, president of People For The American Way, described the situation as Our Next Electoral Nightmare. Half Kentuckys Black voters live in one county, he wrote. It will have one polling place... for 616,000 registered voters. Damage control The ongoing tussle at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China has seen some notables missing in action, at least in terms of visibility. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is reportedly preoccupied with his wifes health, while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, is also keeping a low profile. It seems the Narendra Modi government has taken a conscious decision to keep the foreign minister and our diplomatic machinery at the forefront as the idea of a limited action put forward by security and military experts has not found much favour. Congress options Ekla chalo re the Congress is thinking of the impossible in poll-bound Bihar. The grand old party wants to go it alone. The partys pointman and veteran IPS officer Nikhil Kumar is veering around to the view that a tie-up with Rashtriya Janata Dal is not a great idea. Insiders say the Congress is engaged in a protracted battle for seat-sharing and is finding RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav rather tough. In a grim scenario, it is better to give a chance to party nominees and hope to cross the single digit figure than to get an alliance share barely running into double figures. Sonia Gandhi is still keen for a seat-adjustment with RJD so nothing can be ruled out. Hotels vs stadia The Delhi government is busy converting posh, five-star hotels into Covid-19 hospitals in the national capital. But many wonder if a strategy to convert hospitality hotels into hospitals will be effective. Most hotels like Taj Mansingh, the Suryaa and the Lalit have wall-to-wall carpeting and in some instances the passages are too narrow to have nursing stations, etc. Would not it have been better to convert some of the 17 stadiums in Delhi into makeshift Covid hospitals? Following in their steps Is the late Arun Jaitleys daughter Sonali contemplating joining politics? There is nothing official about it by going by Sonalis Twitter timeline, though it is evident that the young lawyer has a deep interest in politics and like her father shares an ideological bond with the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Informed sources say some behind-the-scene deliberations are on and something may be on the cards after Jaitleys first death anniversary in August this year. Will Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of late Sushma Swaraj, also join the BJP? Babus put upon The coronavirus pandemic is showing little sign of receding. Central government babus who grudgingly attend work are unhappy to be saddled with additional work. They have been informally told to maintain a diary of all those who call on them or their bosses and check about their well-being at least for 14 days from the date of appointment. This is proving to be both tricky and a time-consuming assignment. Wait your turn In the Supreme Court, video-conference hearings are posing their own set of problems. A common tendency is for lawyers to speak simultaneously when little can be heard. The honourable judges are said to have found a way to deal with this. A court official has been posted to signal camera placard to the lawyer speaking. Others are expected to remain quiet. Elected, but cornered Jyotiraditya Scindia has finally made it to the Rajya Sabha but his troubles have not ended following his defection from the Congress. In BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Scindia figures rather insignificantly in posters that have been put up in some Assembly segments going for by-elections. Scindias photo appears in a corner while chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state BJP chief V.D. Sharma are depicted taller on top or in the middle of the poster, in company of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Donald Trump's ex security advisor's explosive tell-all book will reveal the US president's arguments with European leaders. John Bolton writes in a highly controversial memoir of his time in the White House that Trump accused the French President Emmanuel Macron of leaking their conversations. It also details how he called the then-president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker 'vicious'. Writing in The Room Where It Happened - a book the US Justice Department has tried to stop being published - Bolton also describes how Trump threatened to pull out of Nato in 2018 and the panic that ensued. Trump, at his first Nato summit in 2017, complained that too many allies were not meeting their 2014 commitment to spend two per cent of GDP for defence by 2024. John Bolton (pictured) writes in a highly controversial memoir of his time in the White House that Trump accused the French President Emmanuel Macron of leaking their conversations A new extract from the book serialised in The Telegraph details how he threatened that other European countries like Germany had to start paying the two per cent or the United States 'was just going to do its own thing'. Bolton writes that at the time Trump was 'not following any international grand strategy or even a consistent trajectory'. He adds that this 'left the rest of us to discern - or create - policy'. Trump's former National Security Adviser said that 'it was not Trump's directness but the veiled hostility to the alliance itself that unnerved other Nato members and his own advisers.' In further clashes with Europe, Bolton claims Trump regarded the then-president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker as a 'vicious man who hated the United States desperately'. Writing in The Room Where It Happened - a book the US Justice Department has tried to stop being published - Bolton also describes how Trump threatened to pull out of Nato in 2018 and the panic that ensued Bolton says Trump said Juncker sets the Nato budget, although he did not describe how that was accomplished. Trump also stressed that he wanted to decrease rather than increase US Nato payments to the same level as Germany's. The extract goes on to describe one of the bilateral Nato meetings in July 2018 that Trump had with Angela Merkel. During the meeting Trump accused Macron of always leaking their conversations, which Macron denied, 'smiling broadly', according to the book. At the same summit Trump later asked why Nato hadn't built a $500m bunker rather than the headquarters - which he called a 'target'. The book describes one of the bilateral Nato meetings in July 2018 that Trump had with Angela Merkel. During the meeting Trump accused Macron of always leaking their conversations, which Macron denied, 'smiling broadly', according to the book It comes as a US judge denied yesterday a request by the Trump administration for an injunction to block publication of the book that alleges the president sought China's help to win re-election. 'While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy,' U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said in his ruling. The administration had sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the publication of 'The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,' saying it contained classified information and threatened national security. The book, scheduled to hit store shelves on Tuesday, is already in the hands of media organizations. 'Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States. He has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability,' the judge wrote. But he said an injunction would be too late to stem the harm. 'With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe and many in newsrooms the damage is done,' Lamberth said. Lamberth also said Bolton had acted unilaterally by proceeding to publish without waiting for prepublication review by the government. A civil suit is pending against Bolton that seeks to force him to give the United States the right to all of the profits from the book. In further clashes with Europe, Bolton claims Trump regarded the then-president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker as a 'vicious man who hated the United States desperately' Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House to fly to a campaign rally in Oklahoma, Trump again charged that Bolton had released classified information and lauded the judge's rebuke of Bolton as 'a great ruling.' 'The judge was very powerful in his statement on classified information and very powerful also on the fact that the country will get the money, any money he makes,' Trump said. 'Whatever he makes, he's going to be giving back.' In a later interview with Fox News Channel, Trump called what Bolton did 'treasonous.' 'He should go to jail for that for many, many years,' he said. Publishers Simon & Schuster and Bolton's lawyer Charles Cooper welcomed the ruling. 'We respectfully take issue, however, with the Court's preliminary conclusion at this early stage of the case that Ambassador Bolton did not comply fully with his contractual prepublication obligation to the government,' Cooper said in a statement. Bolton's book has drawn wide attention for its withering portrayal of Trump. Bolton describes Trump as imploring Chinese President Xi Jinping for help in winning his 2020 re-election bid, and details alleged improprieties not addressed in Trump's impeachment trial. Trump ousted Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, last September after 17 months as national security adviser. Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 9:58AM After launching in markets like Europe and Southeast Asia, the Huawei P40 series will be making its way to Canada. The company will be debuting the P40 Pro first on July 10, with the P40 arriving at an unspecified later date. It will be coming to multiple carriers, and it will be available in Black and Silver Frost. We don't have the official pricing yet. But a limited-time offer will give buyers a free Huawei Watch GT 2, and 12 months subscription of 50GB Huawei cloud storage. On top of that, Huawei P40 Pro owners can join the Huawei Next Image Awards, where they can stand a chance to win up to US$10,000 (around CA$13,607). Source: GizmoChina Sher Bahadur Deuba to take oath as new Prime Minister of Nepal today Nepal's new PM Sher Bahadur Deuba wins vote of confidence in Parliament Our friendship with India and China remains of 'paramount importance': Nepal at UN Nepal PM's India visit cancelled due to surge in Covid-19 cases in Gujarat Nepals FM radio stations broadcast propaganda to back claim on Lipulekh India oi-PTI Pithoragarh, June 21: Nepal's FM radio channels close to the border with India are broadcasting propaganda to back Kathmandu's claim on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, residents in India's border villages said. Nepalese parliament recently adopted a new political map of the country showing these areas as part of its own territory, a move strongly opposed by India. "Some Nepalese FM channels have of late started playing anti-India speeches in between Nepali songs," said Shalu Datal, a resident of Dantu village in Pithoragarh's Dharchula sub-division. "As people on both sides of the border listen to Nepali songs, they also hear the anti-India speeches delivered by Nepalese Maoist leaders in between them," he said. The main FM stations playing anti-India content between songs are Naya Nepal and Kalapani Radio, Datal said. "Some old channels like Mallikarjun Radio and a website named annapurna.online are also broadcasting reports depicting Kalapani as Nepalese territory," he said. The FM stations are situated at Chabrigar near the district headquarters in Nepal's Dharchula. The stations have a range of about three kilometers and can be heard in Dharchula, Baluakot, Jauljibi and Kalika on the Indian side of the border. These radio stations have also started giving weather reports on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, treating them as Nepalese territory, Krishna Garbiyal, a Rang community leader based in Dharchula said. However, the district administration and police said they have no information about any anti-India propaganda launched by Nepal through its FM radio channels. "We have no feedback from our intelligence units on the subject," Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Preeti Priyadarshini said. Dharchula Circle Officer V K Acharya also expressed ignorance. Nepal confident India, China will resolve differences through peaceful means "Our intelligence units have not yet spoken about any such anti-India propaganda by Nepal," he said. Ashok Nabiyal, a leader from Vyas Valley, said Indian intelligence agencies active on the border need to take cognizance of the situation to be able to counter the propaganda. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, June 21, 2020, 19:16 [IST] India marked International Yoga Day with low-key events Sunday as the nation battles coronavirus, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the crisis had made the ancient practice even more relevant. The annual event -- proposed by Modi and adopted by the United Nations in 2014 -- is observed mostly in India, but also worldwide on the Northern Hemisphere's longest day. As the virus crisis forced practitioners to celebrate the occasion indoors, or with small outdoor sessions, Modi -- an avid yogi himself -- called on people to draw strength from the practice's physical and mental benefits. "Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the world is realising the need of yoga now more than ever," Modi said in Hindi in a video speech shared on social media Sunday. "COVID-19 virus attacks our respiratory system. Pranayam (breathing exercises) helps the most in making our respiratory systems strong." Since taking office in 2014, the Indian leader has spearheaded an initiative to reclaim the practice as a historic part of Indian culture. Indian scholars believe yoga dates back 5,000 years, based on archaeological evidence of poses found inscribed on stones, and references to Yogic teachings in the ancient Hindu scriptures of the Vedas. The event came as the South Asia nation of 1.3 billion people reported a record single-day spike of 15,413 new coronavirus infections on Sunday. It took the nationwide total to over 410,000 cases, including more than 13,250 deaths. A Sadhu holy man performs yoga at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river, on the eve of International Yoga Day in Allahabad Fakhria Momtaz a teacher and founder of Kabul's first yoga center for women, takes part in a session at Shahrak Haji Nabi hilltop during International Yoga Day Yogi Swaroopanand performing a pose during in Amritsar A group of men go theough some poses on a rooftop in Amritsar New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who is being treated for the coronavirus infection in an ICU of a private hospital in Saket in the national capital, is responding to the treatment and could be shifted to the general ward by Monday, hospital sources said. The sources said that the Delhi minister, who tested coronavirus positive, will be kept under observation for the next 24 hours and if he doesn't develop respiratory trouble or fever again, he may be shifted out of the intensive care unit on Monday.' Jain was on oxygen support on June 20 though his health parameters began to improve. According to reports, the 55-year-old minister's fever subsided and oxygen level in his body improved after he was administered the plasma therapy procedure. On Friday, the 55-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's health had deteriorated after he developed pneumonia during treatment for coronavirus at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi. He was then shifted to the Max Hospital in Saket. AAP MLA Somnath Bharti earlier tweeted that Jain's health was stable. "Just spoke to the hospital and was relieved to know that the Delhi Health Minister and my close colleague Satyendar Jain ji is stable now. Wish him quick recovery," he said. Jain was tested twice this week after he developed symptoms of coronavirus, including high fever and breathing difficulty. He tested positive the second time on Wednesday. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Atishi, Delhi government adviser Abhinandita Mathur and AAP media panelist Akshay Marathe have also tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine. Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet scheme offering 5lakh health cover to families from economically weaker sections has been hit as the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, does not have enough staff to register patients during night hours. All energies are directed at combating Covid-19, hospital authorities say. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY) under Ayushman Bharat offers secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) that form the bottom 40% of the Indian population. However, GMCH-32, the only tertiary care hospital under the UT administration, has two employees to register the patients, a process which hospital staff say requires at least eight employees completing three shifts in 24 hours. Though the matter has been brought to the UT administrations notice through an online complaint filed by 22-year-old social activist Vaibhav Gupta, no measures have been taken to rectify the problem. Patients with Ayushman Bharat Scheme Card can avail of services from 9pm to 5pm, but not at night when the counters close, which can be very inconvenient for patients, especially during emergencies, Vaibhav said . Admitting that the staff crunch was making things difficult, hospital medical superintendent Dr Ravi Gupta said, We are sorting it out and have also asked for staff from director health services, who is also the CEO of Ayushman here. But as all our energies are diverted towards dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic many services are unavailable. However, he was optimistic that authorities would soon find a way out of the problem. PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January 2019 after its equipment was implicated in wildfires that killed more than 100 people and burned tens of thousands of homes across Northern California. It was the largest utility reorganization in U.S. history. The company is emerging from Chapter 11 saddled with nearly $40 billion in debt after it agreed to settle claims from people, insurers and local government agencies for $25.5 billion. Web Toolbar by Wibiya OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2020 /CNW/ - As Canada begins to ease restrictions and take steps to restart the economy, the Government of Canada is working closely with provinces and territories to keep Canadian families and communities safe and healthy. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the upcoming launch of a new nation-wide mobile app to provide notifications of exposure to COVID-19 across Canada, with beta testing to begin in Ontario. The app, originally developed by the Government of Ontario, will help Canadians and public health officials identify and isolate the spread of the virus more quickly, which is an important step toward containing the virus and safely restarting the economy. Use of the app will be voluntary. If someone tests positive for COVID-19, a health care provider will give them a unique temporary code, so they can upload their status anonymously to a national network. Other users who have downloaded the app and come in contact with that person will be notified, through the app, that they may have been exposed to the virus. The app will also provide users with information on steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe, and we are working with the provinces and territories so they can customize public health information based on their own jurisdiction. The Canadian Digital Service is leading the development of the app, in collaboration with the Ontario Digital Service and building upon technology developed by Shopify volunteers. The app will undergo a security review by BlackBerry. It incorporates Bluetooth technology provided by Apple and Google to anonymously record instances where users have come into close contact. To protect confidentiality and privacy, the app will not disclose the identity of users. This information will never be shared with any other entity, will not be stored by the app, and will never leave the user's phone. No personal information is collected by the app, and it does not track the user's location to ensure the privacy of all Canadians. The app will be available to Canadians for free download in the coming weeks, with health authorities in Ontario being the first to distribute the unique, temporary codes to people who test positive for COVID-19. We are working with the other provinces and territories to make it available in their jurisdictions as well. We anticipate other provinces and territories will come on board in the coming weeks and months. The Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments will continue to work together to restart our economy through a gradual and phased approach, while protecting the health of all Canadians. Quotes "As we move forward with restarting the economy, we must keep working together to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This new mobile app will put the privacy of Canadians first, and act as an extra measure of safety to help protect our families and communities from the virus." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada "This app is another way for Canadians to keep each other safe by protecting themselves and their loved ones. It will complement other public health measures to limit outbreaks of COVID-19, including testing and contact tracing." The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health "The exposure notification app is a secure and easy to use digital tool that will help protect the health and safety of Canadians. Today's announcement shows the unprecedented collaboration happening across Canada during this crisis. It is an example of what we can deliver for Canadians when we work in the open, together, across jurisdictions and sectors. I ask all Canadians to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by downloading this app." The Hon. Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government "Federal, provincial, and territorial governments agree on the value of innovative solutions to assist in reopening the economy, supporting individuals' risk management, and further flattening the curve. The advisory council will help bring together some of Canada's best and brightest minds to ensure that the application upholds the highest standards of trust for the benefit of Canadians." The Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Quick Facts For the next five months, he lived, trained and patroled with the Montagnard and Vietnamese soldiers. One of his most memorable moments besides the firefights was when he was served duck soup during the usual evening festivities. The ducks head was still in the soup. Youve never lived until youve had a 100-year-old egg and a ducks head, Daniel said. Daniel returned to the States to Fort Carson, Colorado, serving with a mechanized battalion, where he was the executive officer. He got sick and no one knew what it was at first, but it turned out to be malaria he picked up from the jungles of Vietnam. He dropped from 165 to 125 pounds from the sickness. He also got married on March 22, 1969, to Janet Armstrong, his high school sweetheart. They didnt have much of a honeymoon, as Daniel was in the hospital. It was around this time that Daniel was due to get out of the Army. But he had liked one thing in Vietnam: when the pilots flew, they did their job and flew home again. He always had to stay behind. He thought it would be nice to be a pilot. A large mass of grasses and other vegetation has been swept into a western Michigan lake, creating what one professor calls a 'bizarre' floating island. The unusual floater was first spotted by boaters as sailed through Muskegon Lake ahead of the annual Parade of Power rally on Saturday. The phenomenon itself is not particularly rare, but this chunk of vegetation is surprisingly large. The exact size of the floating island is unclear. Norton Shores photographer Joe Gee shot video of the floating vegetation Thursday in Muskegon Lake using an aerial drone. His footage shows a pontoon boat circling the island and looking small by comparison. Scroll down for video An island made of grasses and vegetation appeared in Muskegon Lake in Michigan after an expert said the shoreline broke off 'I've lived my whole life in the Muskegon area, and I've never seen anything like it,' Gee told the Detroit Free Press. The floating vegetation is almost certainly the result of record-high water levels and resulting shoreline erosion, said Alan D. Steinman, director of the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University. Water levels for the Great Lakes and smaller nearby lakes have been on the rise throughout this year. Lake Michigan, which feeds into Muskegon Lake, in January recorded water levels that were 17 inches higher than they were in January 2019. On June 18, the United States Army Corps of Engineers reported that Lake Michigan's water levels were at 582.17 feet. Mysterious Piece of Floating Land Check out this mysterious piece of land floating around the Muskegon Lake. Where did it come from? Joe Gee Photography https://JoeGee.com Posted by Joe Gee Photography on Thursday, June 18, 2020 Alan D. Steinman said the island was 'almost certainly result of record-high water levels and resulting shoreline erosion' The 'bizarre' chuck of land was first spotted by boaters sailing through Muskegon Lake on Thursday ahead of the annual Parade of Power rally on Saturday 'Since January 2013, Lake Michigan went from record lows to record highs,' Deanna Apps, physical scientist for the Army Corps Detroit District, told Ludington Daily News. 'The lake has changed five-and-a-half to six feet in seven years. There have been consistent wet patterns, especially in the last couple years.' In December 2019, Muskegon Lake's water levels were so high that they caused flooding in people's home in West Michigan, Fox 17 reports. Steinman admitted he was perplexed after seeing Gee's video because the plants appear not to typical shoreline vegetation, such as reeds. He said that's 'really strange.' 'We have had (floating islands) in the past, but they tend to be much smaller, cattails that break off from a coastal wetland,' he said. 'This one is bizarre.' Water levels of the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan, have been steadily rising and breaking records over the last year. Steinman: 'We have had (floating islands) in the past, but they tend to be much smaller, cattails that break off from a coastal wetland. This one is bizarre' While riverbank or shoreline erosion typically occurs in a crumbling fashion, he said high water can undermine a patch of plants and 'at some point it cleaves off, sort of like a glacier.' Also, Steinman said the floating island doesn't look like any piece of Muskegon Lake shoreline he's seen before, 'and I know the vegetation along this shoreline,' he said. Steinman said it's a remote possibility the vegetation floated into Muskegon Lake from somewhere else along Michigan's shoreline, or even from across adjacent Lake Michigan, which interacts with the smaller lake's waters. 'I'm bewildered, to tell the truth,' he said. 'I'd like to find it and get out on it, or close to it, to figure out the vegetation. I'm on Muskegon Lake, and I'm looking out my window, hoping it will float by.' Modis revoking of Kashmirs autonomous status and its division into two states has created major new tensions in the region. So have Modis plans to fashion a purely Hindu state in India, and Chinas growing influence over Burma. by Eric S. Margolis Last week, the worlds most populous nations, India and China, both nuclear armed, clashed in the high Himalayan region of Ladakh. At least 20 Indian troops died and 12 were reportedly taken prisoner before a cease-fire went into effect. So far, there were no reports of Chinese casualties. Ladakh is one of the worlds most remote, obscure and inhospitable places, a plateau averaging 4,200 meters altitude (about 14,000 feet) with frigid temperatures, scant oxygen, little rainfall, and howling winds. This bleak moonscape has long been called Little Tibet because of its semi-nomadic ethnic Tibetan yak-herders. China has pretty much crushed the life out of Tibets ancient culture while India has helped preserve the Tibetan way of life. China and Indias confrontation in airless Ladakh reminds me of the bon mot about Ethiopia and Eritreas battle over the barren Ogaden desert region between them: two bald men fighting over a comb. Ive been over much of Ladakh by jeep, foot and even yak, and atop the worlds highest glacier, Siachen, that overlooks Ladakh. India and Pakistan have been fighting over Siachen for decades, making it the highest war in history and another crazy conflict. As a Pakistani officer told me, we hate one another so much we will fight to prevent them from occupying our part of Hell. My book War at the Top of the World (available through Amazon) is all about the conflict in the Himalayas and Kashmir between India, Pakistan and China. So why are China and India at daggers drawn over the Galwan River Valley in Ladakh? Both are busy dealing with the coronavirus epidemic. Delhi and Beijing have conducted off and on diplomacy to ease Himalayan border tensions. The clash in Ladakh was no accident but clearly a planned offensive act by China and the biggest military operation since the two Asian giants went to war in the Himalayas in 1962, producing a serious defeat for India. China then said the war was a serious message to India to restrain its ambitions in the region. This time, it appears that the Chinese sent another message to India. Part of this problem was due to the British Empire which never properly demarcated its Himalayan borders between the British Indian Raj and then independent Tibet. Some borders were never surveyed; others drawn with thick pens, leaving whole regions with unclear borders. But in those days no one cared about the vast emptiness at 14-17,000 feet. That is, until China moved in an occupied Tibet in 1950-1951, putting it on Indias northern border. Since then, India and China have been uneasy rivals with both sides laying claims to parts of the Himalayas, Karakorams and the great rivers that course down from the Tibetan Plateau, providing water for much of Southeast Asias peoples. Two recent issues have sparked the latest round of fighting - with threats of a much bigger war between Asias two giants. First, Indias new Hindu nationalist government under PM Narendra Modi has made no secret of its growing hostility to both China and its close ally, Pakistan, Indias longtime rival. Modis revoking of Kashmirs autonomous status and its division into two states has created major new tensions in the region. So have Modis plans to fashion a purely Hindu state in India, and Chinas growing influence over Burma. But a more important source of Chinas anger has been growing efforts of the Trump administration to build a close military alliance with India to counter-balance Chinas increasing military power. Though seeming counter-intuitive to Trumps efforts to secure re-election by getting Beijing to buy more produce from American farmers, the Pentagon is preparing for a future war with China. Trump came close to facing military coup in recent weeks and is trying to avoid angering the Pentagon and Washingtons active and retired military establishment. Meanwhile, the fiercely anti-Muslim White House has quietly allowed four million Hindu Indians to emigrate to the United States as a way of countering the growing number of Muslims in our nation. Trump even offered to mediate the intractable Kashmir dispute, a proposal scorned by all sides. When the coronavirus roared into New York, chef Anna Klinger wouldn't let it put a fork in her restaurant. Al di La, the Brooklyn trattoria she runs with her husband, Emiliano Coppa, hadn't done much takeout until then. Their northern Italian food simply didn't travel well. Now it had to. Because tagliatelli has a tendency to glue itself together into a ball, Klinger cooked it less and added more sauce. She offered Negroni cocktails to go and pints of her ice cream. She slimmed down the menu (goodbye, liver.) Now the kitchen is waiting to pivot again anticipating the day diners can return, in masks, of course, 6 feet apart. Klinger vows to do what it takes. "What choice do we have?" she asked. "There are so many lives that are tangled with this restaurant, not just our own. And we still love it and we still do it every day. I can't imagine not doing it." The virus has decimated the restaurant industry, leaving millions unemployed and shuttering countless spots for good. Many dine-in restaurants have turned to delivery or takeout. Some have become food banks or trading posts. "It's either you adapt or you die," said Octavio Olivas, chef and owner of Ceviche Project in Los Angeles. "Just keep hustling." According to the Department of Labor, the leisure and hospitality industry suffered its most brutal month ever in April when nearly 5.5 million chefs, waiters, cashiers and other restaurant staff lost employment. But the sector rebounded somewhat in May with an addition of more than 1.2 million jobs. TV host and cookbook author Padma Lakshmi has no doubt the pandemic will change the restaurant landscape, with many locations unable to weather the storm. "Most restaurants operate on a very slim margin. And even really big restaurants by very famous chefs often pay their invoices from 45 days ago with the earnings from today," she said. "You can see how very quickly that would be a house of cards." Those restaurants that survived with takeout during the initial days of COVID-19 are now gradually opening their doors to welcome patrons to a very different dining experience than they offered this winter. In California, the public health department mandates that bar areas be closed, menus be disposable and waiters not pour water tableside. Patrons must wear masks to the bathroom, and salt and pepper shakers may not be left on the tables. "It's like opening up a new restaurant in a whole new world," said Kevin Meehan, co-owner and chef at the Michelin-starred Kali in Los Angeles. "It's like a 'Top Chef' challenge, if anything." Kali, a seasonal California restaurant that serves such delicacies as prawn crudo and beet tartar, closed its doors on March 13, and Meehan sheltered with his family for three weeks, preparing meals for his twin daughters and making bread for neighbors. Then he took baby steps back, dipping into a rainy-day restaurant fund to hire back a small group of workers to make takeout. He decided on family-style comfort food, adding written instructions on reheating and a warm greeting from the kitchen. "Fine dining is creating memories. And how do you do that via a bag out of a box?" he said. "I wanted to make them comforting and delicious at the same time. So I put on the back burner being the creative, chef artist." Kali used to offer five lunch servings and seven dinner seatings a week. The virus cut it down to just four takeout dinners a week, with income dipping to as little as 25% pre-virus levels. Last week, Kali took its first steps to welcoming patrons in again. On top of everyday health codes, Meehan has had to comply with new anti-virus mandates. He and his business partner have taken notes on how other restaurants in the area are reopening. "This is coronavirus," he said. "This isn't a joke. This isn't a health code violation. This isn't like my chicken being at 43 degrees, not 42 degrees." There are still so many unknowns. What if a patron forgets to wear a mask? Meehan has devised a clever way to remind them: His masked servers gently point to a sticker on their chest that says, "Please hide your smile." His menu currently has four appetizers, four entrees and two desserts all dishes he calls his "greatest hits." He laughs that when you go see Billy Joel in concert, you want to hear "Piano Man," not the new stuff. "This is peoples' first time going out to dinner for a long time and I need to kick ass and I need to crush it," he said. Not too far away in Los Angeles, chef Olivas has also needed to evolve. Few foods are are more difficult in a take-out world than raw fish, but that's his bread and butter. A lawyer-turned-chef, Olivas opened the 480-square-foot Ceviche Project last spring as an intimate space where he would interact with patrons and serve the freshest seafood. "The challenge for me was how can I make them have the same experience as if they were sitting here," he said from his 28-seat restaurant. Now, every weekend, you can find him outside it, carefully putting his prepared dishes into car trunks for pickup. Olivas sourced special packaging and rethought the menu: juice in a separate section, an ice bed for some dishes and showcasing the versatile shrimp. He soon plans to feed people again at his restaurant. He's ordered tables for the sidewalk, umbrellas and palm trees, all to take advantage of southern California's summer nights. "I think this is an opportunity, and hopefully we can keep doing it even after this ends," he said. "We need to keep going and we need to make it better and we need to grow." In the Lehigh Valley, the farm-to-table restaurant Bolete is definitely growing it's building six private patios on church-owned land across the street from its spot in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Patrons will pre-order their meal and drinks, and will get a little basket with disposable flatware and a cooler. A florist is making the spaces beautiful and there's a luxury portable restroom. When the virus hit, Bolete abandoned its five-course tasting menu in favor of curbside-pickup, family-style meals and things it would never normally do, like mac and cheese. It also offered high-end provisions, like duck egg salad. Erin Shea, the owner, general manager and wife of the chef, Lee Chizmar, said the past few months have reminded her of 2007, when Bolete opened. "You have to get as scrappy as when you started," she said. President Donald Trump arriving on stage to speak at a campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday. Read more TULSA, Okla. President Donald Trump launched his comeback rally Saturday by defining the upcoming election as a stark choice between national heritage and left-wing radicalism. But his intended show of political force amid a pandemic featured thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases on his own campaign staff. Trump ignored health warnings to go through with his first rally in 110 days one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans, put 40 million out of work and upended Trump's reelection bid. The rally was meant to restart his reelection effort less than five months before the president faces voters again. "The choice in 2020 is very simple," Trump said. "Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob, or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans?" Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances about the coronavirus, which he dubbed the "Kung flu," a racist term for COVID-19 that originated from China. He also tried to defend his handling of the pandemic, even as cases continue to surge in many states, including Oklahoma. He complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad and suggested the testing effort should slow down. "Here's the bad part. When you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more cases," he said. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down.' They test and they test." In the hours before the rally, crowds were significantly lighter than expected, and campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to address an overflow space outdoors. When Trump thundered that "the silent majority is stronger than ever before," about a third of the seats at his indoor rally were empty. Trump tried to explain away the crowd size by blaming the media for declaring "don't go, don't come, don't do anything" and by insisting there were protesters outside who were "doing bad things." But the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful, and Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon. Just hours before the rally, Trump's campaign revealed that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the coronavirus. Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said that "quarantine procedures were immediately implemented," and that neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event. News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma, and the president raged to aides that the information had been made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Trump devoted more than 10 minutes of his 105-minute rally with the crowd laughing along trying to explain away a pair of odd images from his speech last weekend at West Point, blaming his slippery leather-soled shoes for video of him walking awkwardly down a ramp as he left the podium. And then he declared that he used two hands to drink a cup of water because he didn't want to spill water on his tie. But Trump also leaned in hard on cultural issues, including the push to tear down statues and rename military bases honoring Confederate generals in the wake of nationwide protests about racial injustice. "The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments. Tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control," Trump said. "They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place." Trump also floated the idea of a one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of burning an American flag, an act of protest covered by the First Amendment. And he revived his attacks on Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a U.S. citizen who emigrated from Somalia, claiming she would want "to make the government of our country just like the country from where she came, Somalia: no government, no safety, no police, no nothing just anarchy." "And now she's telling us how to run our country," Trump continued. "No, thank you." After a three-month break from rallies, Trump spent the evening reviving a lot of his greatest hits, including boasts about the pre-pandemic economy and complaints about the media. But he made no mention of George Floyd, the Black man whose death under the knee of a white Minnesota police officer launched weeks of protests from coast to coast. Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus. The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spike in many states, while the choice of host city and date it was originally set for Friday, Juneteenth, and in a city where a 1921 white-on-Black attack killed as many as 300 people prompted anger amid a national wave of protests against racial injustice. But Trump and his advisers forged forward, believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president, who is furious that he has fallen behind Democrat Joe Biden in polls, and reassure Republicans growing anxious about the state of the presidential race and their ability to hold onto the Senate. But the smaller-than-expected crowds may only increase GOP worries. The president's campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere, accusing protesters of blocking access to metal detectors and preventing people from entering the rally. City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. Trump's campaign, for its part, declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. The crowd that gathered was far less than that, though the rally, being broadcast on cable, will also target voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer, but there was no requirement that participants use them. Participants also underwent a temperature check. "I don't think it's anything worse than the flu," said Brian Bernard, 54, a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who sported a Trump 2020 hat. "I haven't caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years, and if I haven't caught a cold or flu yet, I don't think I'm gonna catch COVID." Lemire reported from New York. Associated Press writers John Mone and Ellen Knickmeyer in Tulsa, Okla., contributed to this report. International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 every year. But this year, things are a little different as the world struggles to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The good thing, though: Yoga can be done from home. In his message on the sixth International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for Yoga more than ever. "If our immunity is strong, it is of great help in defeating this disease. For boosting immunity, there are several techniques in Yoga, various asanas' are there," he said. For most of us, the last few months have been stressful and hard. But for some, yoga and workouts at home have been a saviour. Studies have shown that yoga, in particular, can work wonders when it comes to soothing the body and calming the mind. Vikram Kolmannskoga, meditator, psychotherapist and Professor of Gestalt Therapy and his partner Daniel Gjerde, a yoga teacher, told us the what role the pandemic can play on our mental health and how yoga can be an important tool in these uncertain times. Vikram and Daniel live in Oslo. How did your journey as a yogi start? How has your life changed since you started? Daniel: My journey started in 2005 in London, when I took my first yoga class. I felt so large and open. In 2011, I took my first yoga teacher training. Meditation has really been my core practice using different tools I have learned over the years. Meditation helped me explore my mind. My inner world is a very different environment these days than 10 years ago. This I believe is the same for everybody, as everything changes, but I do recognize that I have chosen and are constantly trying to choose the direction of my mind, with the tools that I have learned. How has yoga helped you during the pandemic? Would you recommend that others give it a try too? Daniel: Yoga and meditation have helped me during the lockdown and the pandemic. When we suddenly are in the midst of a situation like this, then there are many things we can do which are helpful. I took online training with my teacher. I practised almost daily-- breathing and different meditations. I practised physically challenging yoga and even yoga Nidra for sleep, which is a kind of guided meditation. I would definitely recommend others to practice. It helps us get a clearer idea as to what is more important in a given situation and wisdom kicks in. To sit with ourselves in our mind, especially during this pandemic, when we are more physically alone, is very difficult. But can we find some kind of joy in what is challenging? This is something yoga can teach us through physical yoga practice, asana. Can we be in an asana or pose that is challenging, observing the movements in the mind without reacting? Yes, this feeling of being challenged can be translated into joy! The lockdown has been an immensely stressful period for most. Mental health is a serious issue across the world. How have you coped with it? Vikram: It is easy to live in a trance or illusion. The reality is all of us will die; death is one of the existential truths. I think the pandemic was a real reminder for many of these truths. This can be very frightening and difficult to accept. But this can be a moment of awakening: How do I really want to live my life here and now, knowing that my life will end? What is the most important thing to me, knowing that we will all at some point fall ill and die? I chose to further cultivate wisdom and compassion. I am grateful that I had had years of meditation practice. During lockdown and the pandemic, I think it is easy to over-consume news about the pandemic and feed fearful and stressful thoughts. Daniel and I are generally very conscious of what and how much we 'eat' in this broad sense. Daniel: Yes, I believe it has, or actually I know it has. Being aware of what you take in through your senses, that is yoga. This can be helpful when the mind wants to hold on to negativity, it works as a tool. By meditating, you might find the mind getting calmer. Can exercise and yoga really help mental health? Vikram: Gestalt therapy - the form of therapy I practise, teach and research - has some intersections with yoga, and the founders practised yoga and zen. Awareness is both a method and a goal of gestalt therapy. While certain therapeutic forms are primarily concerned with thoughts and talking, gestalt therapy is a holistic approach to the person and personal experience. One can be aware through and of bodily sensations, feelings, thoughts and sense impressions. Can yoga be a substitute for other forms of workout, especially gym workouts? We're in the middle of a pandemic when most gyms are shut. Can yoga thus be a more accessible form of working out especially now? Daniel: I would not say it is a substitute. It is different. A lot of the physical yoga we experience today is taken from gymnastics. Yoga is very strengthening and we get more flexible and more open. This happens physically and energetically and mentally at the same time. If you want to build muscle, it is not a substitute, if you want to lose weight it is not a substitute. We can get stronger and we can lose weight, but that is not the main focus in yoga. What we do get which you might not get in other forms of workouts, is the effect it has on the mind. For most, it is going to be tough to reach a yoga trainer now, amid a pandemic. What tips do you have, in that case? Daniel: I would, of course, suggest, to find a teacher you connect with, but these days, you can find a lot of stuff online. I suggest to just start somewhere, not worrying about if it is "the best", just start doing it. Everything works out. As time goes you might find other teachers and practices that are more useful for where you are in your practice at that particular time. In fact, I will be teaching a live meditation class for thirty minutes each week from August. You can get the details here. Vikram, what do you suggest people should do to deal with the panic and uncertainty that the pandemic causes? Vikram: First of all, I really believe in the importance of normalisation. Much suffering is due to the fact that one thinks one is alone or going crazy. Anxiety can be a very normal reaction to an abnormal situation such as the pandemic, so there is no need to stigmatise yourself or others. And some anxiety, existential anxiety, is something that gestalt therapists believe is natural since life always entails uncertainty. Hundreds of studies within the field of mindfulness - which includes yoga practices - indicate that mindfulness is effective for reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It can be helpful to stop engaging in worrisome and catastrophe thinking and focus ones attention on what one can see, hear, smell, taste, and sense here and now - whether one is doing asanas or not. Very simple breathing may be calming, such as extending and focusing on the exhale. A kind touch, such as placing your own hand on your belly or chin, may also help. Many may find it helpful to visualise a loving and safe person or place. This interview is part of our series #YogaTalks where yoga enthusiasts who have built a community, share with us their experiences with yoga during the pandemic. By Trend Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has been working on founding a relationship with the National Depository Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NDC), which should allow foreign investors to access the securities market of the Azerbaijan Republic, RBI told Trend. "Central Bank of Azerbaijan, NDC and RBI are also working on the legislation improvement and on the implementation of the world best practices on the Azerbaijani securities market," the bank said. "In general, it is our aim to further assist emerging markets in the CIS region to grow fast and sustainably," the bank added. "Certainly, we are looking forward to further increase both the quality and quantity of the services we provide for our Azerbaijani partners." "Apart from delivering traditional and cutting-edge financial solutions, we are planning to further tighten bilateral relationship by boosting the quantity of bilateral meetings between us and our customers," the bank said. "Although, usually, every year we pay a visit to Baku to have on-sight meetings with Azerbaijani banks, we are still looking forward to further enhance such exchanges in future." "We also welcome our valuable business partners in Vienna in January every year upon their visit to the annual Euromoney conference," the bank said. "Regulatory measures also in Azerbaijan need to be further improved to meet the world level," the bank said. "Implementation of international requirements considering local specifics makes this task for the Azerbaijani government and the Central Bank so challenging. The regulations should be designed in a way that the market players can feel secure and at the same time, comfortable to make use of a diverse set of financial products and services both locally, and globally." RBI is the second biggest bank in Austria. Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) regards Austria, where it is a leading corporate and investment bank, as well as Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as its home market. Thirteen markets of the region are covered by subsidiary banks. Additionally, the group comprises numerous other financial service providers, for instance in the fields of leasing, asset management, as well as M&A. To support its business activities, RBI operates representative offices and service branches at selected Asian and Western European locations. RBI is active in Azerbaijani market through its local subsidiary Raiffeisenbank Moscow (RBRU). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Press Release June 21, 2020 Bong Go urges government to thoroughly study proposals to allow backriding; appeals to commuters to abide by safety protocols if allowed Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Diseases, to thoroughly study the proposed guidelines and determine the necessary health and safety protocols needed to be in place in permitting motorcycle back-riders. He also appealed to commuters to comply with health safety guidelines to be implemented. "Malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan kung papayagan ang 'backriding' sa motorsiklo lalo na dahil limitado pa ang public transportation. Huwag lang po natin madaliin. Siguraduhin dapat na magagawa ito sa ligtas na paraan," he said. Go lauded the decision of the IATF to allow backriding in principle provided that the proper guidelines are put in place. He further stressed that the proposal will improve mobility of the public and also provide livelihood, especially to drivers of motorcycle riding apps. He, however, emphasized that a thorough scientific study considering both health and transportation safety aspects must be conducted in order to provide riders and commuters the necessary guidelines if this mode of transportation is deemed scientifically advisable. "Dapat pag-aralan muna kung 'yung mga proposals tulad ng paggamit ng plastic dividers sa gitna ng nagmamaneho at ng pasahero ay sapat upang hindi makahawa ng sakit. Ikonsidera rin dapat kung ang mga proposed safety measures na ito ay hindi makakasama sa kaligtasan ng pagmomotorsiklo at sa kalsada," he stressed. As early as June 4 when more stringent quarantine protocols were gradually lifted, the Senator suggested to the government to study further the possibility of allowing backriding in motorcycles, given the limited public transportation options, especially in big cities, such as Metro Manila. He cautioned, however, that, above all, health safety should be a primary consideration. "Una sa lahat, buhay muna ng tao ang pinaka-importante sa anumang desisyong gagawin ng gobyerno," he emphasized. According to IATF officials, they are amenable in principle to allow backriding amid persistent public complaints that the ban on backriding placed greater inconvenience on commuters as public utility vehicles operate at a reduced capacity in areas under general community quarantine. The GCQ status of Metro Manila was extended until June 30. IATF Resolution No. 47 released June 19 stated that a Technical Working Group is directed to convene and determine the safest and most effective manner to reduce the rate of disease transmission in backriding in motorcycles. "For this purpose, this mode of transportation is hereinafter allowed in principle upon the approval of the requirements to be set by the TWG," the resolution stated. The IATF's Technical Working Group tasked to develop the protocols is composed of the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards and Metro Manila Development Authority. Senator Go noted that the shortage on public transportation made it harder for Filipinos to return to work. He encouraged Filipinos to cooperate with the authorities and wait for the protocols to ensure the disease does not spread further. "Hindi pa tapos ang laban. Andyan pa rin ang banta ng pandemyang ito. Kaya hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na huwag maging kampante. Sumunod tayo sa mga health protocols, lalo na ang social distancing at pagsuot ng face masks,'' he reminded the public. "Kung ano po ang gagawin natin sa susunod na mga araw, kung paano po tayo magtutulungan na maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit, kung paano po natin mas maisasaayos ang ating health facilities ito po ang tanging makakapagsabi kung kailan tayo makakabalik muli sa normal na pamumuhay at tuluyang matapos ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19,'' he continued. In a recent presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed that the DOH is conducting a study of a special suit that could prevent human-to-human transmission of pathogens. Ride-hailing service Angkas also presented proposed safety measures that they believe could keep their drivers and passengers safe if backriding is allowed. "Pinapayagan na in principle ang back-riding upon the approval of the requirements na ise-set ng technical working group," Roque added. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano assured the public that government would look into making adjustments that can address the needs of the general public when it comes to transportation without compromising their health and safety. As of June 1, buses, trains, taxis, ride-hailing services, shuttle services and bicycles, among others, are permitted to operate under the first phase of the DOTr's transport plan which runs from June 1 to 21. Tricycles are also allowed, subject to the approval of the local government unit. In the presser, Roque stated that passenger jeepneys may be allowed also in the second phase, running from June 22 to 30, but only if the DOTr determines that current supply of PUVs could not meet public demand. "Ang hangad po natin dito ay mabigyan ng transportation options ang ating mga kababayan na ligtas at maaasahan kahit na kasalukuyang mayroon pong community quarantine measures," Go said. Go also encouraged various stakeholders to contribute their ideas and participate in the study to ensure that the needs of the general public can be addressed without compromising health and safety protocols in place. "Tulungan po natin ang ating mga kababayan na maging mas madali ang kanilang pamumuhay at mapagaan ang kanilang pinapasan na hirap dulot ng krisis na ito," he said. Marking a radical change in public posture, the Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted aggression since Friday, with use of words such as revenge and payback causing discomfort for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won 18 of the states 42 seats, marking the partys highest ever growth in Bengal. Violence has marked all recent elections and the crucial Assembly elections in 2021 are unlikely to be an exception. If another party worker of ours is touched we will burn down the Danton police station, BJP state general secretary Sayantan Basu said at a demonstration in West Midnapore district on Saturday, triggering a strong reaction. Basu made the inflammatory remark in the presence of BJP state president Dilip Ghosh. The duo led the agitation to condemn the murder of a local party worker. In what is being seen as a chain reaction, Basus convoy was obstructed in Hooghly district by agitating TMC workers on Sunday. Since the last panchayat polls, 104 BJP workers have been murdered in Bengal. Had I not stopped the angry people in West Midnapore, all policemen present at the spot would have been lynched. Police stations have become TMC offices. We will pay back, inch by inch said Basu. Significantly, the aggression in BJPs approach surfaced on Friday when Ghosh tweeted a new slogan: Badla o hobe, badal o hobe. (There will be revenge as well as change). The slogan appeared with Ghoshs photo and a map of West Bengal. With all eyes fixed on the Assembly polls, the new slogan became a direct reply to Banerjees slogan before the historic 2011 polls in which she overthrew the 34-year-old Left govt. Badla noi, badal chai (We need change, not revenge) Banerjee had said, implying that if TMC came to power it would not seek revenge for the political killings during the Left regime headed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Also Watch: Covid & bickering within BJP: Himachal CM Jairam Thakur faces twin battle By raising a completely different slogan with the same words, Ghosh wants to fan aggression, said political observers. Ghosh, however, stood his ground. People understand only the language they speak. Cowards talk of forgiveness. Only violence can be the reply to violence, Ghosh told reporters on Sunday on the sidelines of a World Yoga Day event. Though Ghosh referred to China, his statement was read with a different connotation altogether. BJP is like the Jaish-e-Mohammed. They are terrorists. People should keep them out. They will destroy Bengal, quipped the mayor of Kolkata and urban development minister Firhad Hakim. Ghoshs new slogan will definitely increase violence. It is time to observe how voters react to it, said Tapas Roy, minister of state for parliamentary affairs. These are signs of insanity. Mamata Banerjee came to power saying there would be no badla or revenge but she did just the opposite. The same TMC people who perpetrated violence are now with the BJP, said Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) legislator from Jadavpur and leader of the Left Front in the Assembly. Incidentally, on June 9, Union home minister Amit Shah sharpened his attack on the chief minister, saying that while democracy has strengthened its roots in the entire country West Bengal remains the only state where political violence is propagated. Shah made the remark during his West Bengal Jan Samvad virtual rally. Paying homage to party workers who lost their lives since 2014, he said, I pay my respect to their families as theyve contributed to the development of Sonar Bangla (golden Bengal). BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said, Banerjees slogan Badla noi, badal chai gave an assurance of peace to people who were tired of the CPI(M)s politics of violence. TMC came to power as a savior of the masses but eventually betrayed them. People are tired of this violence. BJP wants to establish peace and development. Ghoshs slogan does not reflect a politically civilised attitude. The common man wants peace above everything else. Voters dont expect their representatives to propagate violence, said Udayan Bandopadhyay, a Kolkata-based professor of political science. Before coming to power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee promised to end political violence but killings and turf wars continued. The 2018 panchayat polls saw a spate in violence. While only 10 people died on the day of polling, against an all-time high of 76 in 2003 and 39 in 2013, the elections stood out because of rigging, booth capturing and burning of ballot papers in front of the media and policemen. More people were killed after the elections. TMC, which won 34 % of the panchayat seats uncontested, was blamed for resorting to violence because the state election commission had been asked by the Calcutta high court and the Supreme Court to ensure free and fair elections. The poll results triggered the rise of the BJP. In an Oval Office interview with Axios on Friday, President Trump suggested he's had second thoughts about his decision to recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela and said he is open to meeting with dictator Nicolas Maduro. Driving the news: Asked whether he would meet with Maduro, Trump said, "I would maybe think about that. ... Maduro would like to meet. And I'm never opposed to meetings you know, rarely opposed to meetings. "I always say, you lose very little with meetings. But at this moment, I've turned them down." The big picture: Trump also indicated he doesn't have much confidence in Guaido, who has failed to wrest control of the Venezuelan government despite support from the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Asked whether he regretted his decision to follow his former national security adviser John Bolton's advice on Guaido, Trump initially said "not particularly," but then went on to say, "I could have lived with it or without it, but I was very firmly against what's going on in Venezuela." Trump said that at the point he weighed in and recognized Guaido, "Guaido was elected. I think that I wasn't necessarily in favor, but I said some people that liked it, some people didn't. I was OK with it. I don't think it was you know, I don't think it was very meaningful one way or the other." Why it matters: If Trump meets with Maduro, it would completely upend his administration's policy on Venezuela. Top administration officials, including Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo, have invested a huge amount of energy in supporting Guaido. And in March, Attorney General Bill Barr announced that the Justice Department was charging Maduro with narcoterrorism. The DOJ press release announcing the charges referred to him as the "Former President of Venezuela." Behind the scenes: A former Trump administration official told me Trump's comments to Axios tracked with their firsthand experience of the first two and a half years of his presidency, when Venezuela policy was a hotter issue in the West Wing than it is now. In 2017, the Venezuelan government reached out to the White House and the State Department at least twice to express Maduro's willingness to meet with Trump, the former official said. In one of these instances, the Venezuelan Embassy called the White House switchboard. The other request came in a letter. Maduro also publicly expressed his desire to meet with Trump. The former official said it was a "recurring concern" inside the administration during 2017 and 2018 that Trump would meet with Maduro. "It was really stop and go there for a while," he said. "And the Venezuelan opposition was beside themselves." The president signaled a general openness to meeting Maduro in 2018, but also reiterated that "all options" were on the table a signal he was considering military action against Venezuela. In his book, "The Room Where It Happened," Bolton writes this of Trump's private feelings about Guaido, after throwing the full diplomatic weight of the U.S. government behind him: New Delhi: Amidst Nepal government's border dispute with India, massive protests have erupted across the country against Prime Minister KP Oli-led government. The people have expressed their anger at the governement's failure to deal with the growing corruption in the country and the rise in numnber of coronavirus infections. Citizens also showed their displeasure on the ongoing border dispute with India calling it a diversionary tactic to distract attention from the issue of corruption. On Sunday protests were held in Darchula while last week thousands of students gathered in Kathmandu and criticised the government's inability to deal with the coronavirus epidemic. People in Darchula were upset that China was interfering in their country's internal matter and that PM Oli had become a 'puppet' at the hands of the Chinese. When Zee News Media team arrived at the border for ground reporting, the people said they were very upset that Nepal was involved in a border dispute with India. On June 17, Nepal's Army Chief along with Nepal Police Chief Shailendra Thapa visited the Indo-Nepal border. For the first time since Nepal's border dispute with India, Nepal's Army Chief General Puran Singh Thapa visited the area near Kalapani. It is said that during this tour, Nepal decided to set up six new border posts Dumling, Darchula, Lakam, Lali, Mallikarjun and Jauljibi at the Indo-Nepal. The sixth edition of the International Yoga Day will be celebrated on June 21. In view of the coronavirus pandemic and the consequent restrictions on movement and public gathering, this year's theme is 'Yoga at home, yoga with family.' To guide a beginner through the process, various apps have been developed. Several apps even help intermediates and experts with new asanas to achieve better flexibility and fitness. Click here for Moneycontrols full coverage of the International Yoga Day Here are the top-five apps that you can download for practising yoga at home: 1. Pocket Yoga | Android & iOS: It has over 27 different sessions of varying duration and difficulty. It carries over 200 illustrated pose images showing correct posture and alignment with voice and visual instruction guides. The app is available on Google Play and comes at a cost of Rs 250. 2. Asana Rebel | Android & iOS: This Yoga-inspired app lets you choose from different workouts session between 10-30 minutes, and enjoy more than 400 workout variations to keep you from monotony. The app also allows you to connect with other users so that you can connect with the larger yoga community and share experiences. It has over one million downloads on Google Play Store and is free of cost. Also read: Five scientific reasons why yoga must be a part of your daily routine 3. Universal Breathing | Android & iOS: Breathing is an important part of yoga and this app helps you with exactly that. It also helps one experience guided meditation. The app has a paid as well as a non-paid version. 4. Alo Moves | Android & iOS: This app allows access to over 2,500 video classes from world-class instructors. While the focus of the app remains on yoga, it also offers options like cardio, HIIT, barre, and pilates, to those who may need a break from their weekly routine. It comes with a 14-day trial period, after which payment is charged to users' Google Play account once the purchase and subscription are confirmed. Daily Yoga offers 500+ asanas, 70+ yoga programs, 500+ guided yoga, pilates, as well as meditation sessions to users. Florida Man Confesses to Murders of George Floyd Protesters Found Dead: Documents A Florida man openly confessed to the murders of two women who were reportedly involved in Black Lives Matter protests earlier this month, according to court documents and an arrest report. Aaron Glee Jr. gave a full account of kidnapping 19-year-old protester Oluwatoyin Salau and 75-year-old Victoria Sims, a volunteer. While at the hospital, Glee had made voluntary admissions to officers guarding him that he had murdered two women in Tallahassee, documents said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper. He would also place a telephone call to his mother and make these same admissions. Later on, he would admit in detail that on different dates, he had kidnapped and murdered both (Salau) and Sims, the documents said. The report noted that Glee began speaking to Salau on June 6 at a bus stop on Apalachee Parkway before she told him that she had been sexually assaulted earlier that day. Salau posted about her assault on Twitter. Glee then offered to take her to his house to sleep and called Sims, who picked both of them up in her white sedan, according to the documents. Oluwatoyin Salau in a selfie file photo. (Oluwatoyin Salau / Instagram selfie) Footage showed that Salau also arrived at the Apalachee Parkway stop. That footage also demonstrated that she and Glee did engage in an extended conversation while seated on a bench at the bus stop, the arrest report said. At approximately 7:07 p.m., a white Toyota, the same make and model of the one owned by Sims, arrived in the area of the bus stop. Glee and (Salau) departed in that Toyota moments later. Glee then told investigators that he sexually assaulted Salau when they arrived at his home, adding that he kept her imprisoned at his home for several days. He wasnt sure for how long because he was heavily under the influence of alcohol, according to documents. The documents also stated that Glee, who has a lengthy criminal record, was worried that he would go back to prison again if he let her escape. Glee stated that he was aware that he would be arrested and likely sentenced to prison if he allowed (Salau) to leave the residence, an arrest report said. Glee indicated that he determined that his only course of action was to end her life. Glee also admitted to killing Sims, ransacked her apartment, and stole her vehicle. Officials said Glee was arrested in Orlando but was extradited back to Tallahassee, where he is facing two counts of murder and one count of sexual assault. The police department told news outlets last week that Salaus posts on Twitter were not connected to Glees assault. Tallahassee Police officials said in the update that Salau contacted them on June 6 to report a possible sexual battery that occurred the previous evening. The department wrote that there is no indication that the original battery Salau reported is related to her death, adding that the information and description Salau provided to police and posted on social media prior to her disappearance does not match the person ultimately found to be responsible for her murder. Soon after, as officers followed up on her case, Salaus family reported her missing, according to the update. The company behind the Eskimo Pie brand is vowing to change the name of the ice cream bar. Reuters reported the brand's name and marketing would change. The announcement comes as several brands are making changes in response to concerns over racism. "We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory, Elizabell Marquez, a marketing head with the brand's parent company, Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, told news outlets. "This move is part of a larger review to ensure our company and brands reflect our people values," she said. The word has been noted for its racist history, even though the treat has been around since the early 1920s. Other brands have made similar moves recently. Quaker Oats announced Wednesday that it will retire the Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the characters origins are based on a racial stereotype. Video: Founder of the Jim Crow Museum reflects on Aunt Jemima brand Other companies said they are reconsidering racial imagery in their branding. The owner of the Uncle Bens rice says the brand will evolve in response to concerns about racial stereotyping. Earlier this year, Land OLakes announced that it would no longer use the Native American woman on its packages of butter, cheese and other products. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford University EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Between 1864 and 1869, thousands of Chinese migrants toiled at a grueling pace and in perilous working conditions to help construct Americas first Transcontinental Railroad. The Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project seeks to give a voice to the Chinese migrants whose labor on the Transcontinental Railroad helped to shape the physical and social landscape of the American West. The Project coordinates research in North America and Asia in order to publish new findings in print and digital formats, support new and scholarly informed school curriculum, and participate in conferences and public events. ------- Contact We welcome information on descendants of railroad workers, as well as on materials that may assist with historical research on the Chinese who helped construct the Central Pacific Railroad. Project leaders may be reached via their Stanford University affiliation, or by postal mail via the address below: Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project c/o American Studies Program, Stanford University Stanford, California 94305-2022, USA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. https://web.stanford.edu/group/chineserailroad/cgi-bin/website/ 2. https://makeagift.stanford.edu/get/page/makeagift?pgnTPC=399&stp=207&olc=17955&cturl=close https://web.stanford.edu/group/chineserailroad/cgi-bin/website/support-the-project/ There may be 36 other intelligent civilizations in the galaxy, but odds of communicating with them are small CBC. Hidden assumption, here. Arctic records its hottest temperature ever CBS With bees in short supply, soap bubbles could assist with pollination, study finds CNN The fund managers who kept faith with Wirecard FT #COVID-19 China? India Korea EU/UK Syraqistan New Cold War Trump Transition U.S. attorney says he will leave office after Attorney General says Trump fired him CBS. Norms Fairy sheds tear. One Press Release on OSHA Violations Yields Compliance Equal to 210 Inspections (press release) Duke Sanford School of Public Policy 2020 Police State Watch The End of Policing left me convinced we still need policing Matthew Yglesias, Vox Video shows FDNY firefighters light off illegal fireworks in Brooklyn New York Post. Normally, Id pass over the following thread, but its worth a read: Last night was the loudest I have ever heard fireworks in my entire life. It sounded like war. Son of Baldwin (Robert Jones, Jr.) (@SonofBaldwin) June 20, 2020 I have also received this communication from a friend in a large urban area: ok this may be foily, but the fireworks he described have been going off in my neighborhood. and the same thing, very powerful, professional, I can see them from my balcony. black neighborhoods observe July 4 in a big way, and it typically starts before July 4, but this is way in excess of previous years, and my NextDoor list is talking about this I remember seeing fireworks not just firecrackers, but real, star-burst-y, professional Fourth of July fireworks in the sky over Minneaopolis, IIRC on the night the Third Precinct burnt. At the time, I put it down to youthful exuberance, but now it seems odd. Like clockwork is odd. These days, I dont like odd. Have any readers experienced this? The Nova Scotia shooter case has hallmarks of an undercover operation Macleans Black Injustice Tipping Point Imperial Collapse Watch The ungoverned globe Benjamin Studebaker, Aeon Class Warfare Mekong region at risk of extreme weather eventsreport Inquirer.net Sudan says talks on Ethiopias Nile dam did not produce deal Al Jazeera COVID-19 is the quiz, climate change the final exam Jeff Masters, Yale Climate Connection. Sadly, Masters blog at Weather Underground is defunct; this is his new home. Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. 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That there was an appearance to the contrary at West Point a week before, he explained, was because of his fear of ruining an expensive silk tie. (Newser) A Canadian agency is investigating after a plane filled with 500 puppies landed in Toronto, and 38 of them were found dead. Others were illdehydrated, vomiting and weak, the Guardian reports. "It was a nightmare," a witness said. The Ukraine International Airlines plane landed June 13 Pearson airport carrying French bulldogs. Canadian law prohibits ferrying animals in an unsafe way that could injure them or cause suffering. There also are regulations to prevent spreading disease when importing animals, per the Globe and Mail. The airline said it was cooperating with the investigation and posted an apology online Friday, calling it a "tragic loss of animal life." story continues below Flights often leave Ukraine and Eastern Europe packed with young puppies brought west for resale, said an SPCA International official in Ukraine. "These commercial operations are run by large puppy mills that house and breed hundreds and thousands of dogs every year in typically unsterile conditions," he said, per the CBC. There isn't enough room in the cargo hold to safely put hundreds of animals, he said, resulting in what the witness called a "horror show." French bulldog puppies can sell for $3,000 to $4,000 each, said a professor who is studying the issue with the government. "We have no idea how many dogs come in, where they go, where they come from," he said. (Read more animal welfare stories.) China will have overarching powers over the enforcement of new national security law in Hong Kong, according to details released on Saturday that signalled the deepest change to the city's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The planned law has alarmed foreign governments as well as democracy activists in Hong Kong, who were already concerned that Beijing is eroding the high degree of autonomy granted to the territory when it was handed over from British rule. According to details released by the official Xinhua news agency, Hong Kong will establish a local national security council to enforce the legislation, headed by the city's leader Carrie Lam and supervised and guided by a new central government commission created by Beijing. A mainland adviser will also sit on the new Hong Kong body. New local police and prosecution units will be set up to investigate and to enforce the law, backed by mainland security and intelligence officers deployed to Beijing's new commission. Lam will also have the power to appoint judges to hear cases related to national security, an unprecedented move likely to unnerve some investors, diplomats and business leaders in Hong Kong Currently senior judges allocate judicial rosters up through Hong Kong's independent judicial system. "From these initial details, this new law presents unprecedented legal questions that we will have to confront in coming years," Simon Young, a barrister and professor at the University of Hong Kong's law school, told Reuters. Young said he was troubled by the apparent "broad supremacy" of the new law over current and future Hong Kong laws. Officials in Beijing and Hong Kong have sought to reassure investors that the law will not erode the city's autonomy, insisting it will target only a minority of "troublemakers" who pose a threat to national security. Xinhua said human rights and freedom of speech and assembly would be protected, echoing previous comments by authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong. The details were unveiled after a three-day meeting of the top decision-making body of China's parliament. It is unclear when the law will be enacted but political analysts expect it to take effect ahead of Sept. 6 Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong. Under the new law, no institutions, organisations and individuals in Hong Kong should engage in activity endangering national security, Xinhua said. This was widely expected to raise concerns for some religious, human rights and foreign-backed groups that have long been based in Hong Kong but are not welcome on the Chinese mainland. China, which sees a growing national security threat from Hong Kong, says the draft law is aimed at tackling separatist activity, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Critics fear it will crush wide-ranging freedoms that are seen as critical to Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre. Allegiance Under the details released on Saturday, any Hong Kong residents running for election or working for the government will have to swear allegiance to the city and its mini-constitution, the Basic Law. No details of penalties for specific crimes were released, however. China's move to impose the law directly on Hong Kong, bypassing the city's legislature, comes after a year of sometimes violent anti-government and anti-Beijing protests. Mainland and local authorities have blamed "foreign forces" for fomenting the unrest. At the time of the handover, China promised to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years under what is known as the "one country two systems" formula of governance. Beijing proposed the new legislation last month, drawing rebukes from Britain, the United States and other countries. China has repeatedly told foreign governments not to interfere in its internal affairs. Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), one of the fastest growing global mining companies and the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East, has announced that its subsidiary Maaden Waad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (MWSPC) has signed new financing agreements for $2.3 billion with leading local and regional financial institutions. The proceeds from these agreements will be used to pay down the existing loans, said a statement. MWSPC has also completed the amendment, rescheduling and transfer of a $1.8 billion loan, previously held with the Public Investment Fund, to the Public Pension Agency. The new financing facilities provide attractive and flexible corporate loan terms and conditions in place of the more restrictive project financing terms and conditions originally put in place. The covenant-lite terms of the refinancing arrangements, combined with an extended debt repayment schedule, are a step towards significantly strengthening the long-term cash flow position for Maaden as part of its strategy to pursue new growth and development projects, it said. The financial institutions who supported this deal are Alinma Bank, the National Commercial Bank, Al-Rajhi Bank, Bank Albilad, Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank, Bank AlJazira, Samba Bank, Saudi Fransi Bank. Maadens Chief Executive Officer Mosaed Al Ohali said: We are proud of the strong appetite from banks to lend to Maaden MWSPC during the current challenging market conditions. This is a reflection of our financial strength and growth prospects and the durability of our assets. With abundant phosphate deposits in the north of Saudi Arabia, Maaden is well placed to build on its position as a leader in the global phosphates market and make Saudi Arabia a major contributor to global food security. The mining sector is the third pillar of Saudi industry and is considered one of the most important sectors for achieving the goals of Vision 2030, alongside the petroleum and petrochemicals sectors, as it strongly supports economic growth and job creation in remote areas, he said. The MWSPC integrated phosphate fertilizer production complex, located at Waad Al Shamal Minerals Industrial City, is considered one of the largest in the world. It comprises a $8-billion joint venture investment between Maaden (60%), Sabic (15%), and The Mosaic Company (25%). TradeArabia News Service Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 23:10:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia registered on Sunday 3,379 new coronavirus cases, raising the total infections in the kingdom to 157,612. Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus rose to 1,267 after 37 new fatalities were added, while 2,213 more recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 101,130, the health ministry tweeted. Among the 55,215 active cases are 2,027 in critical condition, according to the ministry. It is worth noting that the decision to lift anti-coronavirus restrictions on all Saudi cities, including the return to normal of all economic and commercial activities, came into effect starting 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. Enditem Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Want to get out of town this summer? If you plan to fly, the advice from at least one Albuquerque travel agent isnt what you might expect. You just might be happier staying home for now, says Dan Martinez of Torres Travel of Albuquerque Inc. You can get there, Martinez told the Journal last week. But you cant enjoy it. And, once you return, New Mexico remains one of a few states that still require air travelers to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival. Exemptions include out-of-state residents traveling here for business. Travel-related cases are what brought the virus into New Mexico in the first place, and we want to be extra-cautious about New Mexicans bringing the virus home with them, said David Morgan, a spokesman with the state Department of Health. New Mexicans should continue to avoid unnecessary out-of-state travel. Martinez and other travel agents interviewed say that if you travel by air, there may be fewer nonstop flights as airlines gain their footing after a dramatic plunge in air travel due to the coronavirus. After travelers arrive at a destination, vacation attire will likely include masks, and vacationers may find long waits to get into restaurants that operate under limited capacity. Everything is up in the air, said Kathy Hash, of Escape Travel USA in Albuquerque. You fly out of here, but each place you stop can have a different regulation. Yet, whether for leisure or business reasons, passenger traffic at the Albuquerque International Sunport is slowly improving after dropping to 97% of normal for several weeks as the pandemic appeared to reach its peak in late April and May. Over the past seven days, the Sunport has had an average of about 3,200 passengers a day. It has very gradually started to increase to the point that today, were about 80% down, said Jonathan Small, a Sunport spokesman, told the Journal on Thursday. The bottom fell out in April,said Brad Hawkins, Southwest Airlines spokesman. The airline, the major carrier at the Sunport, had 30 flights daily in February and March of this year. In May, we went down to eight departures a day. Southwest has doubled that to 17 daily this month and expects to be up to 26 departures in August. What the expectation is now is that normal is not going to be normal, Hawkins said. Nearly all states are opening up their economies while urging residents to stay home if possible. Many of those that issued self-quarantine orders for out-of-state travelers have lifted them. In Alaska and Maine, alternatives to 14 days of self-isolation are now being offered. Travelers who present proof that they have recently tested negative for coronavirus can forgo the quarantine. Alaska also offers testing at the airport upon landing, requiring the traveler to quarantine until the test result comes back. Yet Rhode Island and Massachusetts still require a quarantine. Martinez, whose travel agency has operated since 1988, said Hawaii has taken a strict approach that requires out-of-state travelers to stay in their hotel rooms during their 14-day quarantine. You cant leave the room for 14 days, and they call and check the room to see if youre there,Martinez said, adding that electronic room keys are good for only one entry. You cant go to the beach, the pool or the restaurants, Hawkins said. You have to order food in, and anyone who is caught outside will be challenged and arrested. Self-quarantine required New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham amended the states COVID-19 travel restriction effective June 1 to exempt certain types of travelers from the 14-day quarantine. Those are airline employees, those performing public safety or public health functions, military personnel, federal employees or those employed by a federal or national defense contractor, first responders, health care workers, those arriving because of a court order, and people traveling into New Mexico to conduct business. In New Mexico, 24% of those who tested positive for the virus have been asymptomatic. For that reason, travelers may be unaware they are carrying the virus, the amended restriction says. Symptoms may not appear for up to 14 days after infection, state health officials say. Those in self-isolation after an airline trip into New Mexico can be visited by family or household members, but those visitors are directed to then self-isolate or self-quarantine for 14 days. The order, which doesnt address road travel, permits the state Health Department to make temporary holds of individuals or groups and the agency can go to court to seek compliance and impose civil or criminal penalties. As of Friday, there hadnt been a case requiring enforcement action, said Morgan of the Health Department. The Health Department has an information booth outside the security doors at the Sunport where arriving passengers enter the public side of the terminal, Small said. The city of Albuquerque has taken over manning the station, and theres no requirement that travelers stop there. Passengers must wear masks in the airport and while traveling. To reinforce that rule, United and American Airlines announced last week that people who dont comply could face being banned from future flights. Last week, American Airlines kicked a conservative activist off a flight to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after he refused to wear a mask. After reviewing the incident, airline officials said the man would be barred from its flights as long as the mask requirement is in place, according to news reports. They contended he gave contradictory responses about having a medical condition. United Airlines said noncompliant customers could be placed on an internal travel restriction list, losing their travel privileges on United for a length of time to be determined by a comprehensive incident review. Southwest hasnt adopted that kind of policy but is vigilantly enforcing the wearing of masks or face coverings during flights, Hawkins said. We dont want to be the police, but everyone on the plane needs to feel safe and comfortable, he said. Masks have been required in public places in New Mexico since May 15. But Transportation Security Administration officials may ask travelers to briefly adjust their masks during the security screening process, so their identities can be visually confirmed when they show their ID and to ensure that face coverings dont alarm the body scanner, said a TSA spokeswoman. TSA permits containers of liquid hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags. More information can be found at http://go.usa.gov/xvhAE. Meanwhile, some restaurants at the Sunport are opening, Small said. But no bars are opening. Hold off for now Martinez, a former sergeant-at-arms at the New Mexico State Senate, said that until last week, he hadnt received a call to his travel agency since March 16. A customer phoned to change airline tickets for a flight in November. If someone did ask his advice, Martinez said, I would tell them just to hold off. I love to travel. Im not knocking that. But its just not worth it. Hash, who specializes in Caribbean and international travel bookings, said most of her customers are delaying their trips to next year. Viking River Cruises, which normally runs European river cruise ships, is moving some of its ships to the U.S., she said. She said the company intends to offer cruises on the Mississippi and the Great Lakes. Because Americans are not able to travel, they figured theyll bring some ships this way. Although there have been visits to her travel website, which also sells vacations to national parks, nobodys calling. Nobody wants to do anything because theyre not sure whats going to happen, she said. Although some national parks are opening, many are closed, Martinez said. Youre basically stuck at your hotel (if you go to a national park), Martinez said. For the governors happiness, you might as well just go to Downtown Albuquerque, rent at the Hyatt and just shut the door. Naas gardai remembered their slain colleague Colm Horkan, who died in a shooting incident in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, last Wednesday in an ecumenical prayer service today at Naas garda station. The ceremony was timed for noon to coincide with the funeral of Det Gda Horkan, 49, at St. James Church, Charlestown, Co Mayo. Among those present were Naas Mayor Carmel Kelly, James Lawless TD and Cllr Fintan Brett, a County Mayo native whose family and Garda Horkans family are neighbours. Read more County Kildare news About 300 people attended, mainly serving and retired gardai along with emergency services personnel and members of the public, including children. They observed a minute's silence. Supt Oliver Henry paid tribute to the dedication of Gda Horkan and expressed sympathy on behalf of locally based personnel to his grieving family - father Marty, sister Deirdre and brothers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig. Naas parish priest Fr Liam Morgan said it was a privilege to be asked to be there. Extending sympathy to the family of Gda Horkan, he said those present would also be mindful of the families of all serving gardai because they carry an unspoken anxiety that their loved ones will return safely. Referring to the shooting incident Fr Morgan said: Our brother was suddenly and violently taken from us. However, God will come to his aid and show him love and forgiveness. He said Gda Horkan was steeped in his community, he served with distinction as a garda and was proud to wear the uniform. Rev Philip Heak, of the Naas St David Church of Ireland parish, said the CoI community and the wider community remember Gda Horkan and are thinking of his family . Quoting from Pauls First Epistle to the Corinthians, he said love is patient and kind and keeps no memory of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Addressing the gardai working in Naas, he said may you and all of the emergency services be protected and blessed in your work. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Last Post by Gda Dave Prendergast. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (June 22, 2020) will hear on the petitions seeking modification of its earlier June 18 order staying the `Rath Yatra` in Puri and all other places in Odisha in view of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The Supreme Court`s single-judge bench comprising Justice S Ravindra Bhat will hear the matter at 11 am tomorrow via in-chamber hearing. As many as four petitions have been filed with the top court. BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra on Sunday said that he has moved the apex court seeking a modification of its earlier order staying the annual Jagannath Yatra at Puri in Odisha. He assured the court that the Rath Yatra will be held without a congregation of devotees and services of 800 sevayats will be used, all of whom have tested negative for the infection. In a tweet, the Patra wrote: "Today I filed an Application for clarification/modification of earlier order of SC and sought permission for the Holy Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu in Puri scheduled for 23rd June. Hope all our prayers are answered by the Lord of the Universe " Today I filled an Application for clarification/modification of earlier order of SC and sought permission for the Holy Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu in Puri scheduled for 23rd June Hope all our prayers are answered by the Lord of the Universe #JayJagannath pic.twitter.com/cIBKq4SVqX Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) June 21, 2020 Earlier on June 18, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde had remarked that such gatherings cannot be allowed to take place at the time of a pandemic. "Lord Jagannath will forgive us if we stay the Rath Yatra this year... In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, Rath Yatra cannot be allowed this year," the apex court had observed. The court also said that the Rath Yatra will not be held anywhere in Odisha in 2020 to avoid large gathering that could spread COVID-19 pandemic. On June 15, a petition was moved by an NGO seeking direction to stay on the Rath Yatra. The petitioner, NGO Odisha Vikas Parishad, had stated that if the Rath Yatra is allowed, then COVID-19 infection will increase manifold. It sought an immediate order directing the respondents, including the Odisha government, not to grant any permission for holding the Rath Yatra till the disposal of the accompanying writ petition. Meawhile, the Odisha government has decided to abide by the Supreme Court's ruling to not hold the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri this year. The decision was taken on Thursday at a state cabinet meeting in Bhubaneswar chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The chariot festival is scheduled to be held on June 23. Describing 26/11 convict Tahawwur Rana, a Pak-origin Canadian businessman as a flight risk, the United States has opposed his release on bail, arguing that if he were to flee to Canada, he may escape the possibility of death sentence in India. Given the stakes, allowance of bail in any amount would not guarantee Ranas presence in court. Granting bail would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs, straining its relationship with India, Assistant United States Attorney John J Lulejian told a federal court in Los Angeles last week. Rana, 59, was ordered to be released from jail on compassionate ground after he told a US court that he has tested positive for the COVID-19. He was rearrested in Los Angeles on June 10 following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive. On Friday, US District Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the Central District of California, scheduled his bond hearing for June 30. His attorney has been asked to submit his plea by June 22 and the federal government''s response is due by June 26. In his submission on behalf of the US Government, Lulejian urged the Los Angeles court that Rana be not released pending resolution of the extradition proceeding against him to India. Moreover, to protect the US ability to meet its treaty obligations to India, the US attorney also requested the court to notify the parties within a reasonable time in advance of any contemplated release order. Asserting that Rana is a flight risk, and arguing that his escape to Canada would jeopardize his extradition to India, the US attorney said the court should detain him without bond. India seeks his provisional arrest on a number of offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder in violation of sections 120B and 302 of the IPC, murder in violation of section 302 of the Indial Penal Code and conspiracy to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating in violation of sections 120B and 468 of the IPC. He is also sought by India for conspiracy to use as genuine a forged document or electronic record in violation of sections 120B and 471 of the IPC. Rana, the US attorney said, is sought for his role in 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The complaint details how Rana and his co-conspirator, David Headley (Headley), conspired with Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds more. Lulejian argued that if Rana is extradited to India and the Indian courts convict him of the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and/or murder, he faces the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment. In light of these serious penalties, Rana has every incentive to flee the US to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with India or a country that may not extradite him without assurances from India that it will not to seek the death penalty, he told the court. For example, if Rana returns to Canada, his country of citizenship, and India seeks to extradite him pursuant the extradition treaty between the two nations, the later scenario may occur, the US attorney feared. According to the extradition treaty between Canada and India, extradition may be refused when the offence for which extradition is requested is punishable with death under the laws of the requesting state and the laws of the requested state do not provide such punishment for the conduct constituting the offence, unless India assures Canada that the death penalty shall not be executed, if imposed. Thus, if Rana were to flee to Canada, he may escape the possibility of being sentenced to death for his alleged role in facilitating the murder of 166 men, women and children. Rana should not be given the opportunity to potentially create such a result, which would be an affront to the victims and their families, as well as the Indian legal system, said the US attorney. In addition to being a flight risk, Rana, a convicted terrorist, poses a danger to the community, the US attorney said. As detailed above, a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The fact that Rana conspired with Headley and members of a terrorist organization, knowing what would happen, demonstrates his lack of respect for human life, Lulejian argued. At Ranas trial in Chicago, the US presented evidence that but for the intervention of law enforcement aganecies, attackers were planning to storm the Jyllands Posten facility in Copenhagen, take hostages, behead innocent employees of the newspaper, throw their heads to the street below, and set up a stronghold fight to the death with Danish forces. Further, Headley testified at trial that after Rana, who provided him the cover to conduct surveillance of Mumbai, learned that Lashkar-e-Taiba mercilessly slaughtered approximately 166 men, women and children in that city, he praised the attacks, stating that the victims deserved it, he informed the Los Angeles court. If India convicts Rana of the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and/or murder, he does not face a sentence of years, but instead a potential life sentence or the death penalty. Thus, the justification used for shortening Ranas sentence is not applicable in the instant case where the penalties are more significant, the attorney said. Asserting that Rana poses threat to the community if released on bail, the US attorney said in the years since the attacks in Mumbai and the plans to attack the Danish newspaper, he has never publicly expressed remorse for his conduct, disavowed his actions, or his association with Lashkar-e-Taiba, which remains an active terrorist organization. Ranas lack of empathy and his callous and wanton disregard for human life demonstrates that he continues to pose a danger to the community today as he did 11 years ago, said the US attorney. MILWAUKEE The protracted nearly three-month shutdown of the Forest County Potawatomi Communitys two Wisconsin gaming facilities due to the global COVID-19 pandemic have had far-reaching impacts on employees, tribal members, and the tribes gaming and governmental operations. The 1,700-member tribe operates Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukees Menomonee Valley near downtown. Drawing more than six million visitors annually, primarily from Wisconsin and neighboring Illinois, the expansive 1.1 million square foot facility is one the nations largest tribally owned and operated casinos, employing approximately 2,700 as one of Milwaukees top 25 largest employers. Jeff Crawford, Attorney General for the Forest County Potawatomi Community, said 66% percent of its Milwaukee casino employees are drawn from area minority communities black, Hispanic and Native American, among others. The tribe also employs 200-plus in northern Wisconsin at its Potawatomi Carter Hotel & Casino at Wabeno in Forest County. The Forest County Potawatomi Community closed its Wisconsin gaming facilities on March 16 in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee held a soft June 8-9 reopening for invited guests only. Beginning June 10, the property was opened on a limited basis to existing Fire Keepers Club members only. Potawatomi Carter Hotel and Casino at Wabeno in Forest County is slated reopen later this month. Phased reopening underway The reopened Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is currently only hosting existing Fire Keepers Club members, accompanied by one guest, through an online reservation on the propertys website and downloadable app. Four three-hour reservation windows are available to eligible guests daily. Only invited guests or those who have a reservation will be allowed on the property during the phased reopening. Potawtomi Hotel & Casino encourages guests to have patience during this phase and does not want guests to come to the property unless they are invited or have a specific reservation. The Potawatomi Hotel & Casino reopened with significant operational changes due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Its phase one reopening plan included reduced 9 a.m. to midnight casino operating hours and several major COVID-driven health and safety protocol changes that guests and staff were required to observe. Guests must bring their own masks and staff will also wear face coverings. Guests and employees alike will have their temperatures taken upon arrival. Anyone with a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees will not be allowed to enter. Other operational changes include slots-only gaming operations, installation of plexiglass panels to separate slots players, and the closure of spa, fitness center and other amenities. Currently, only 25% of hotel rooms are available for guest occupancy. In regard to restaurant operations, while dine-in service is prohibited, take-out service is available from select on-site restaurants and cafes. (Reopening was) more of a science decision versus and economic decision, said Rodney Ferguson, Potawatomis CEO and general manager. We wanted to make sure that we had all the PPE in place, as well as all the training in place, to make sure that every guest and team member who came back to the property felt safe. Impact on employment widespread Crawford said that while the initial impact of COVID-19 was blunted for employees, the severity of the impacts grew as the COVID-spurred closure of the tribes gaming facilities extended into April, May and June. The immediate impact to the employees was not that significant, Crawford noted. For the employees, we continued to pay them even though they werent working for approximately 30 days. After 30 days, however, we did have to furlough just over 3,000 employees. Crawford reported that the tribe as a whole employs nearly 4,500 employees 2,700 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, 700-plus for the tribal government, 400-500 for the tribal economic development corporation, and 200-plus at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Around 4,000 of the Forest County Potawatomis employees are based in the state, with tribal employees living in 31 of 72 Wisconsin counties. About 700-750 of the 2,700 employees at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee are currently back on the job, Crawford said. With the limited partial opening, Crawford said the tribes Milwaukee gaming facility is probably functioning at less than 25 percent of capacity, though he noted early reports on business volumes with the limited opened were meeting the tribes admittedly conservative estimates. We are trying to walk a fine line that every business is trying to walk can you be open and do it in a responsible manner? Crawford explained. We need to make sure that we have our steps and processes in place, and people also want to have their comfort level taken care of, they need to be assured that we are taking this seriously and taking their best interests in mind. With the tribes flagship Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee partially reopened and Potawatomi Carter Hotel & Casino coming online later this month, Crawford said he expects the tribes gaming business to rebound, but adds the big caveat question is the pace of recovery for the tribes gaming business, which is dependent on a host of issues out of the tribes control. I dont think we anticipate any permanent losses of jobs in the Milwaukee casino, but it could be several months before we get fully ramped up in calling our employees back, he noted. Its hard to say, because if the demand is there and the health numbers are under control, then obviously that would mean a faster, more aggressive opening, but there are multiple factors. Every tribal casino, every business and government, is anticipating there will be additional waves of COVID that will impact businesses and employees. Dividends eliminated Beyond employment impacts, the temporary shutdown of gaming operations also have had a direct financial impact on the Forest County Potawatomi Communitys approximately 1,700 tribal members 800-plus living on or near the 12,000-acre Potawatomi reservation in Forest County and northern Oconto County; 500-plus living elsewhere in Wisconsin, particularly in the Milwaukee area; and the remainder scattered across other states. The tribe has 6.95 acres of trust land in the City of Milwaukee Tribal members do receive some dividends from the gaming operations, Crawford said, noting payments of dividends to tribal members has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns of the tribes gaming operations. Those (dividends) have ended. None of our tribal members are getting rich from the dividends, but if they are solely relying on those dividends, they are being severely impacted. Potawatomis main economic driver Crawford said gaming revenues comprise the vast majority of tribal government income. Gaming for Potawatomi and many tribes is the primary revenue generator for the tribal governments, although we have been diligently working on economic diversification, he noted. The vast majority of the tribal revenues come from our gaming operations. Over 90% of the tribal government budget is derived from tribal gaming. The Forest County Potawatomi has various revenue-sharing agreements with state and local governments. Crawford reported that the Potawatomis gaming compact sees the tribe pay 6.5% of net win to the State of Wisconsin, a number that he noted has generally been in the $30 million-plus range a year, a figure that pegs the tribes annual net win at around $460 million. In southeastern Wisconsin, the tribe pays 1.5% of net win to the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Countyan estimated $6.9 million annually to each. The nearly three month closure of the Forest County Potawatomis two Wisconsin gaming operations at Milwaukee and Wabeno has had a devastating impact on tribal government finances and operations. When we had to shut the casinos down it ended all the meaningful revenues the tribe was receiving, Crawford said. Our revenue has essentially disappeared since mid-March weve lost at least $70 million net as of the end of May. Weve had a trickle of federal dollars flowing back to the tribe. As a result, tribal government employment and tribal services have seen deep cuts. Weve had to cut our tribal government in half, Crawford explained. We essentially dont have an effective operating budget for providing services. We are down to essential government services to take care of the needs of our members. Approximately 60% of our government employees have been furloughed. We are not giving a full array of government services to our members because entire departments have been shut down, entire services have been shut down. While many services have been scaled back or curtailed altogether because of COVID-19, Crawford credited proactive tribal public health and safety response to the global pandemic with sparing Potawatomi tribal members residing on the reservation from infection. Fortunately, because the tribe has taken this seriously, to our knowledge no tribal members living on the reservation have been infected, he said, noting the tribe is prepared to handle any infections that may arise on the reservation. The COVID-19 pandemic has made budgeting almost impossible for the Forest County Potwatomi. One thing it (COVID) is having an immediate impact on is budgeting, Crawford said. The current fiscal year budget has been destroyed. Tribal governments are generally on the federal government fiscal year, ending Sept. 30. Tribes are going through their budgeting processes right now and I think most tribes are having to anticipate revenues being down, at least through the next fiscal year, and then making adjustments accordingly to your programs, your number of employees, some of your activities. We are anticipating not hitting our prior full-year revenue number. With more than 500 recognized tribes individual sovereign governments in the U.S., Crawford noted theres not a one-size-fits-all economic scenario for COVID-19 impacts on tribes. Not everyones positioned the same, he said. Some tribes are better positioned economically to weather the storm, others are not. Every tribe has been negatively impacted the question is how long will it take for tribes to recover and get back to where they were pre-COVID. I think thats going to be the big unknown. Some tribes are going to take a longer time to get back where they were pre-COVID than others. Crawford estimated that it will take the Forest County Potawatomi Community an estimated 1-2 fiscal years to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Diversification important For the Forest County Potawatomi Community, diversification of tribal business enterprises beyond a singular reliance on gaming revenues has been an important area of focus for the tribe under the aegis of its Potawatomi Business Development Corp. (PBDC). Weve been diversifying our economy since 2002, Crawford noted. We do have non-gaming businesses. We own and operate a data center, we have a cybersecurity firm, we own a construction management company and these types of businesses have not necessarily been as impacted (by COVID-19) and thats good. While non-gaming tribal enterprises include 1Prospect Technologies, Advancia, Advancia Technologies, Advancia Aeronautics, Potawatomi Training, Potawatomi Federal Solutions, Silver Lake Construction, Greenfire Management Services and Redhawk Network Security, Crawford noted that tribal gaming operations at Milwaukee and Wabeno still comprise 90% of the tribes annual governmental revenues. Said Crawford, The COVID pandemic has brought into clearer focus that we need to increase our diversification. Moving forward, two things are immediately crucial for the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Getting our gaming operations going is absolutely necessary and diversifying our economy is critical to our future, Crawford noted. COVID to likely spur changes Among the hard lessons coming out of the economic devastation left in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic is the need for changes in tribal government budgeting and services operations. Among the areas of focus for tribes, Crawford said, are creating new or growing existing rainy day emergency fund set-asides. I think a lot of tribes are going to be looking at their budgeting processes and reevaluating keeping cash reserve emergency funds, he said. A lot of tribes are going to be asking, Whats our emergency fund? Tribal governments have to pay their way as they go, Crawford explained. Tribes have to have a balanced budget every year, he said. We do not have the property tax, income tax structure that mainstream state, federal and local governments have. We cant tax our way out of COVID-19. We cant run a budget deficit to get us out of COVID-19. We cant print money to get out of COVID-19. Moving toward self-sufficiency Helping somewhat soften the COVID-19 blow for the Forest County Potawatomi and other tribes, Crawford said, have been initiatives in recent years toward gaining self-sufficient food security. In 2017, the tribe started Bodwewadmi Ktegan (Potawatomi Farm) in Forest County at Blackwell, with a mission of providing a natural, sustainable source of vegetables, fruit, greens, fish and animal protein to the tribal community. To date, the Forest County Potawatomi Natural Resources Department has built four greenhouse-type high tunnels with two more under construction to allow vegetable to be planted earlier and stay in the ground later than its northern climate would typically allow. The tribe also planted apple, pear and plum orchards, brought in pigs, beef cattle, bison, chickens and turkeys, and planted strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and honeyberry patches. An aquaponic facility was established to provide year-round vegetables and fish. Honeybees were brought in to pollinate crops and provide honey. And a retail store has been established to sell to the general public. One of the things weve been doing, and what some other tribes have been doing, is focusing on food sovereignty we would produce all the food that we would need, Crawford explained. Thats been a wise decision on our tribes part. We have our own farm and during the (COVID-19) pandemic weve been able to use food production from our farm to provide food for the tribal members in need, especially the elders. That effort will continue into the future. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. (Natural News) Businesses throughout the country are eager to resume regular operations after the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced employees to find alternative ways to report to work earlier this year. While others telecommuted, employees required to be on the premises were allowed to have shifting schedules. But despite these safety measures, health experts are worried about employees being exposed to various products used to disinfect their offices since the EPA-approved (Environmental Protection Agency) list of cleaning agents for COVID-19 includes several that have yet to be proven safe for humans. Could coronavirus safety measures be harmful to employees? Companies mean well, but health and environmental safety experts have expressed their concern for returning workers and consumers who may be exposed to chemicals, most of which are untested for human health. Prioritizing workplace sanitation is crucial to preventing the further spread of coronavirus and these measures are twofold: Business-owners want to follow the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and at the same time, it helps protect workers. Rich Feczko, national director of systems, standards and innovation at Crothall Healthcare, a company that cleans hundreds of hospitals, explained that before the coronavirus pandemic, staff usually freshened lobbies every three hours. Restrooms were sanitized every four hours and other areas were cleaned at night. But after the pandemic, workers have had to quicken the pace. Now, public places like lobbies and elevators are disinfected by workers at least six to eight times daily and restrooms are cleaned every two hours. Claudia Miller, an immunologist, allergist and co-author of the book Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, warned that this could spell trouble for workers returning to their offices. Because cleaners often use very toxic chemicals, employees could also be in danger. Reconsidering the use of some cleaning agents Cleaning companies often choose disinfectants from hundreds on List N, the EPAs month-old list of products that can kill coronavirus. Lesliam Quiros-Alcala, an exposure scientist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said that while chemicals have been tested and are proven effective against the pathogen, this doesnt guarantee that they are also safe for humans. Animal studies have shown that certain chemicals are linked to negative side effects, such as: Increasing the risk of neurological and dermatological problems. Increasing the risk of respiratory ailments such as asthma. Reproductive toxicity. Environmental health experts also warn that risks are rising with the increase in exposure to these chemicals. To avoid potential health problems, experts suggest using safer methods of killing off the virus. For example, Quiros-Alcala suggests using 70 percent rubbing alcohol to clean an elevator instead of disinfectants with potentially harmful chemicals. The CDC has approved the use of rubbing alcohol against coronavirus. Harsh disinfectants pose a risk to employees Ian Cull, president of Indoor Sciences, an environmental consultancy, said that the risks of aerosolizing a lot of the disinfectants on List N have yet to be studied. He added that there are only a handful of disinfectants on the list that have been approved for aerosolizing, misting or fogging. The EPA is currently conducting studies to determine if sprayers and foggers help fight coronavirus. Cull cautioned that enclosed areas with poor ventilation, such as high-rises that recirculate air, also increase exposure to cleaning agents. Miller noted that disinfectants are an immediate risk to some workers. In at least 10 percent of people, such as those with asthma; those with allergies, immune disorders or weak immune systems and migraine sufferers may experience the following symptoms when exposed to disinfectants: Headaches Irritability Memory loss Mood swings Nausea Seizures Trouble concentrating Vomiting Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can also cause neuro-immune sensitization and intolerance to common chemicals, foods and drugs. Using new tech to fight the pandemic Merrick Group, an industrial cleaning company in Pennsylvania, now offers its services to businesses, hospitals and schools. The company uses a proprietary process that releases a combination of isopropyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium onto surfaces via a CO2 gun. The chemical, which doesnt need to wiped, dries within a minute. According to the EPA, the chemical is safe for some food grade and hospital surfaces. But the healthcare sector is being more cautious. Geoff Price, the co-founder of Oak Street Health, a company of primary care centers for adults that treat 85,000 patients in 56 clinics, said that the company is maintaining a science-based approach. Price said that existing technologies are effective, but only if theyre applied correctly. At Oak Street, patient transport vans are cleaned with wipes. Companies have also resorted to other alternatives to chemical solutions, like ultraviolet light. At Breckenridge Grand Vacations, a company that owns 800 rooms in five resorts in Breckenridge, Colorado, 50 Puro UV disinfection lights are used to kill pathogens within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure. (Related: New York Citys coronavirus disinfection program: Subway trains to be blasted with ultraviolet-C rays every night to kill the virus.) The Puro UV disinfection lights are only used in empty rooms. Prior to the pandemic, the lights have been used mainly in hospitals. However, experts have yet to confirm if the disinfection lights are also effective in larger spaces. For now, commercial landlords who cant wait for scientifically proven methods to fight coronavirus may resort to cheaper methods, even if they may prove harmful in the long run. How can businesses protect employees returning to work post-pandemic? At the height of the pandemic, most companies in America and around the world have allowed employees to telecommute. However, if employees are required to show up at the office, employers can offer shifting schedules that allow employees to work beyond the typical workday. Doing so can result in staggered commute time, with fewer people in a public space. Offering shifting schedules can even limit exposure to the coronavirus and other illnesses. By prioritizing health and safety, businesses can help ensure that the workplace remains safe and employees dont force themselves to report to work while sick. Sources include: Bloomberg.com CNBC.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI A 51-year-old woman accused of robbing four banks and attempting to rob a fifth over a four-month span in Kalamazoo County in 2019 was sentenced last week to two and a half years in prison. Earlisa Johnson, who witnesses referred to as pleasant and polite while robbing the banks, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony bank robbery March 12 in U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan. She was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker on Monday, June 15. Johnson, who pleaded guilty to robbing an Omni Credit Union, a Fifth-Third Bank and a Huntington Bank in Kalamazoo County in 2019, was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,501 equating to the total amount of money she took in all of her robberies. Through her plea agreement with the federal government, she had one count of attempted bank robbery at an Avia Credit Union dismissed and a fourth count of felony bank robbery at a Fifth-Third Bank also dismissed. She was ordered to pay restitution for the amount taken in the fourth robbery; however. Johnson was also ordered to spend three years under supervised release once she is out of prison, according to her sentencing report. Also on MLive: Pleasant bank robber pleads guilty on three counts Woman polite in robbing four banks, federal complaint says Woman arrested in Kalamazoo bank robbery Pleasant woman robs Huntington Bank in Kalamazoo Masked woman robs Kalamazoo credit union, escapes on foot The coronavirus continues to baffle us. Some 100 days after it brought Bay Area life to a standstill and six months since scientists discovered it health experts around the world are still scrambling to understand the virus that causes COVID-19. Even as people begin to resume regular life, there is little progress in getting the pandemic under control. There is no vaccine, no proven treatment, and we have no idea what lies ahead. After months of reporting on the virus, here is what The Chronicle does know. The virus is still killing thousands of people every day. While the Bay Areas aggressive response to the coronavirus pandemic early on helped flatten the curve, case numbers are once again on the rise with the economy reopening, people gathering for large-scale protests, and many generally growing restless with stay-at-home orders. The Bay Area had 19,072 confirmed cases as of Saturday, including 525 deaths. California now has more than 174,000 confirmed cases, including more than 5,400 deaths. The U.S. has the highest case numbers of any country in the world, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counting a total of more than 2.2 million confirmed cases and more than 119,000 deaths. I know people are eager to return to normal activities and ways of life. However, its important that we remember this situation is unprecedented, and the pandemic has not ended, said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC. The virus can spread in more ways than we thought. We know COVID-19 is an infectious, respiratory illness that primarily spreads through person-to-person contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The CDC has updated its guidelines since March to warn that the virus may also be transmitted by contaminated surfaces, aerosols, and asymptomatic carriers. The asymptomatic part is whats causing this thing to go on, said Jay Levy, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. When people are sick, they know it, and theyre going to be in quarantine. But the asymptomatics have a lot of virus and theyre healthy, so they dont know it. You need to wear a mask. The CDC still recommends the familiar protective measures to help reduce the risk of transmission: Wear face coverings at all times. Stay 6 feet apart from others when possible. Avoid physical contact, and dont shake hands, fist-bump or hug. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or use alcohol-based sanitizer. Check out venues ahead of time to make sure they have social distancing protocols in place. People with any symptoms of illness must stay home. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle It affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Special Report This week marks 100 days since the Bay Area began sheltering in place. What have we learned in that time? And what does the future hold for our region and the fight to contain COVID-19? See More Collapse Initial reports suggested that those most at risk of becoming seriously ill are over age 50 or have underlying health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or weakened immune systems. Now we know that young adults are equally susceptible to COVID-19, with many requiring hospitalization, even intensive care. The majority of coronavirus infections in San Francisco are people in the 18-to-50 age bracket, according to data collected by the Department of Public Health. Everybody is capable of having a severe form of this disease, said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chairwoman of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSF. Every age group can end up in the hospital. 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. Antibodies may not save you. One of the most crucial hurdles for immunologists trying to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is the question of whether people infected with the virus become immune and, if they do, how long that resistance lasts. Its impossible to know whether an individual is safe from the coronavirus based on an antibody test, scientists say, and that may depend on the severity of illness. The antibody test can tell an individual potentially whether or not theyve been infected. But the honest truth is we dont have enough data to know what that means, said Bryan Greenhouse, a UCSF associate professor of medicine and a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub investigator who is leading antibody studies in Bolinas and the Mission District of San Francisco. Nick Otto / Special to The Chronicle We dont know when this is going to be over. The coronavirus that caused SARS appears to have disappeared about a year after scientists identified it in 2004. That was due to an aggressive global response that placed the affected areas under quarantine. Its too soon to say what will happen with the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, and the world will need to be on continuous watch until experts develop a vaccine or the virus flames out. While several drugs are undergoing clinical trials, there is no proof that hydroxychloroquine or any other drug can cure or prevent COVID-19. (The most recent treatment that scientists are exploring is dexamethasone.) Stanford and UCSF researchers believe that the discovery of rare coronavirus antibodies could lead to the development of a vaccine. There are currently 11 candidate vaccines under clinical evaluation and 128 in pre-clinical evaluation, according to the WHO. Until one proves effective, we will have to rely on continued testing and contact tracing to control the spread of the virus. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Ce dimanche apres-midi, a 15h35, RTL-TVI nous propose de replonger dans l'ambiance d'une emission musicale culte des annees 1990 : 10 qu'on aime. A cette occasion, Morgane, 16 ans a l'epoque, un des talents reveles par l'emission, s'est confiee a Telepro. Comment une ado de 16 ans se retrouve-t-elle dans 10 quon aime ? Je chantais deja depuis longtemps et on ma propose Un amour aussi grand, compose par Claude Barzotti, quon voyait beaucoup dans lemission a lepoque, et Anne-Marie Gaspard. A 13 ans, javais deja sorti un 45 tours et je faisais deja beaucoup de scenes... Jai toujours adore la scene depuis la maternelle. Cest vrai que cest different a la tele. Cette periode etait un conte de fees. Je vivais comme dans un reve. Cette periode vous manque-t-elle ? Aujourdhui, labsence demission du type de 10 quon aime manque a la fois aux artistes et au public. A lepoque, il suffisait de passer dans 10 quon aime pour se rendre compte que le public accrochait. Il ny a plus cette proximite, excepte dans les festivals. Est-ce que ce style de variete des annees 1990 fonctionnerait encore ? Je chante toujours et cette passion ne me quittera jamais. Je nai plus rien sorti parce quil ny a plus dopportunites de faire de la promo. Cest complique ou alors tout passe par Internet. Jadore la scene et ne chanter que pour le Web ne minteresse pas. Mais je vais refaire un album et on verra. Jai remarque pendant le confinement que le public a une nostalgie de cette periode-la. Extrait d'une interview parue dans le magazine Telepro du 18/06/2020 A day after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, scrapped its order mandating five days of institutional quarantine even for those with mild Covid-19 symptoms, but said that every person who tests positive be taken to Covid Care Centres (CCC) for an assessment of their clinical conditions, some district administration officials in the city are calling the move impractical on the grounds that it would increase the risk of the infection. Meanwhile, with no new standard operating procedure (SOP) issued yet, there was confusion on how to deal with new cases on Sunday, and some other district officials said they continued with the previous protocol sending health officials to the patients residence for a clinical diagnosis The order on Saturday night, issued by principal health secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, said all individuals who are positive will be referred to the COVID Care Centres for assessment of clinical conditions, the severity of illness and presence of comorbidities. To be eligible for home isolation, a patients house needs to have a separate room with an attached bathroom, and space for isolation for a dedicated caregiver and other family members. As of Sunday evening, 12,106 Covid-19 patients in the city are under home isolation. But, senior officials in the government said that another problem had emerged because of a Friday order that coincided with the one in which five days institutional quarantine was made mandatory for all patients the scrapping of the contract of the company that was handling the contact and management of all home quarantine patients. A senior government official said that on Saturday, when the LG withdrew the mandatory five-day institutional quarantine rule, he allowed Portea Medical to operate for the time being, until an alternative was given by the Delhi health department. The rule, however, has a catch, the official said. The company has been allowed to operate, but it has not been allowed to take any new Covid patient since Fridays order. So, they are tracking only the old 10,490 patients that were in home isolation until Friday. As a result, there is no one now to follow up on the new asymptomatic and mild patients in home isolation, the officer added. An analysis of government data revealed that since Friday, 9,767 new Covid-19 cases have been added in the Capital. Of these, about 1,600 were admitted in hospitals, Covid Health Centres and Covid Care Centres. The company used to make calls twice a day to every patient under home isolation. The patients temperature, signs of any symptoms and other factors were recorded. In case anyone reported of any symptoms, the information was sent to the district surveillance officers (DSOs) for shifting him/her to a Covid facility, another government official said. At Mondays DDMA meeting, the health department is likely to inform the LG that it is going to rope in medical students to make the phone calls. It is also being planned that the surveillance teams will be made responsible for tracking these patients, a government official said. However, with districts already facing a major staff crunch, the chief ministers office has raised concern as to who will follow up with every patient for 14 days, the official said. In any case, the decision to send all patients to care centres for assessment has district officials worried at a time when the Capital is recording an average of 2,652 new Covid-19 new cases a day for the past week. How will they travel to a care centre? We dont have enough infrastructure to take all new cases, there are logistical issues. And we cant allow them to go to a centre on their own, as it will increase the risk of transmission, said a district magistrate. While the ambulance fleet has been augmented and 500-odd more ambulances will be added to the existing fleet soon, it wont be possible to take all patients to CCC for clinical assessment, a Delhi government official said. A second district magistrate said: The order doesnt say all new cases have to be taken to CCC. Our teams are going to the homes of people who have tested positive and doing the assessment there. But a senior Delhi government official said, The order is clear and has to be implemented. There will be no separate SOPs, which will be issued. Saturdays order said: All individuals who are positive will be referred to the COVID care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and presence of co-morbidities. According to a Delhi government official familiar with the matter, the DMs in all 11 revenue districts will be in charge of the management of patients under home isolation in localities under their jurisdiction. The health department will submit a plan for the same to the DDMA by Monday afternoon, the official said. Meanwhile, several Covid-19 patients who were under home isolation were shifted to institutional quarantine following Delhi L-Gs order on Friday, which was then revoked on Saturday. A doctor with a district surveillance team said: After Fridays order, we had shifted a few people from home isolation. Now they will be shifted home only after a proper physical assessment of their house is done as per the new order. Dr Jugal Kishore, head of community medicine at Safdarjung Hospital said, Bringing them to centres for clinical assessment will only increase the risk of transmission. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Facing no challenge from opposition, President Aleksandar Vucics party is expected to win an absolute majority. Voting has started in Serbias parliamentary elections in which President Aleksandar Vucics Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is expected to emerge as the winner. More than 6.5 million people are eligible to vote in the parliamentary, provincial and local elections that were postponed from the scheduled April 26 date due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are 21 registered parties and coalitions in the running to reach the three percent threshold required to obtain seats in the 250-member National Assembly. According to an IPSOS poll published on Thursday, SNS is expected to win an absolute majority with the Socialist Party of Serbia who form the ruling government in coalition with the SNS to finish second. Theres absolutely no uncertainty about what the result will be at all, Eric Gordy, a professor at UCLs School of Slavonic and East European Studies told Al Jazeera. Its another series of elections [Vucics] government has called under conditions in which they know that they will win and so, they are seeking to expand their mandate to further weaken the opposition and theyll succeed in that. Most of Serbias fractious opposition is boycotting the parliamentary elections, saying that they are not legitimate due to systemic corruption and lack of independent media. Fifty-five of the 88 opposition MPs have been boycotting parliament since late last year, claiming there is no democracy, no normal dialogue and freedom of expression. The SNS party of ruling populist President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to win in a landslide. [Darko Vojinovic/AP] Last year, the opposition put forward conditions for the polls to be free and fair, most notably having equal access to media. However, none of the conditions were met by the government. Over the years, Serbias media watchdog, the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI), has regularly concluded in its reports that Serbian media has dedicated much of their airtime on politics to positive coverage of Vucic and his ruling coalition, with little to no criticism. Theres an absolute monopoly over control of information, Gordy said. The majority of all political news is about him [Vucic], Gordy said. The SNS list of candidates for the parliament, in fact, is not listed under the partys name. Instead, its called Aleksandar Vucic for our children even though Vucic is not up for re-election. In its latest annual report by democracy watchdog Freedom House, titled Dropping the Democratic Facade, Serbia for the first time since 2003 was downgraded from a semi-consolidated democracy to a hybrid regime. Years of increasing state capture, abuse of power and strongman tactics employed by Aleksandar Vucic have tipped Serbia over the edge, the report, released in May, said. Gordy said the opposition in Serbia remains divided, and lack an identity and a common purpose. Its a group of parties that has itself never closed the books on its far-right path, so in many respects theyre as bad as the semi-authoritarian regime, Gordy said. Election campaign posters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party reading Aleksandar Vucic For our children are seen in Belgrade, Serbia [Marko Djurica/Reuters] Convicted war criminal for re-election The opposition includes the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), founded in 1991 by Vojislav Seselj, a convicted war criminal who is up for re-election. In 2018, the UN court in The Hague convicted Seselj of war crimes and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for the persecution of Croats in northern Serbia in the early 1990s. However, as he had already served time while in custody, he did not return to prison. Seselj led the SRSs return to parliament in 2016 after an absence of eight years, winning more than eight per cent of votes and making his party the third largest in the parliament. He remained an MP despite Serbian law stipulating that an MPs mandate must end if he/she has been delivered a sentence longer than six months. During the last parliamentary session, Serbias Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) demanded for Seselj to be stripped of his parliamentary mandate but the Administrative Board of the Assembly of Serbia, never reviewed the issue, according to YIHR. His party remains committed to the Greater Serbia ideology that helped fuel the bloodshed during the war in former Yugoslavia. He regularly appears as a guest on Serbian talk shows and, in February, the SRS at a municipality hall in Belgrade promoted his book which denies the Srebrenica genocide. Candidates accused of war crimes Three other candidates running in the election from three different lists have been accused of committing war crimes in Kosovo and Bosnia in the 1990s while two SRS MP candidates are under arrest warrants by the UN court, according to the YIHR. In 2015 the UN court charged parliamentarians Vjerica Radeta and Petar Jojic with contempt of court for allegedly having threatened, intimidated or offered bribes to witnesses standing in the trial against Seselj. The Belgrade Higher Court ruled the following year there were no grounds for them to be extradited. Emilija Orestijevic of the Belgrade-based Centre for Free Elections and Democracy told Al Jazeera that issues such as the coronavirus pandemic and the issue of Kosovo have taken a central spot in the run-up to elections. Perhaps, there is a culture where society has become used to people who have a bad history, thats perhaps a reason why theres been no reaction, Orestijevic told Al Jazeera. Ivan Djuric, programme director of YIHR, told Al Jazeera from Belgrade that regardless of the various parties spread throughout the ruling government or in the opposition, they all advocate the same politics. It is politics of spreading hatred and intolerance towards people in the region, denying war crimes and the [legitimacy of the] Hague tribunal, Djuric said. He added that those who are against such politics and believe war criminals should not sit in parliament are a small minority in this especially insignificant election. This majority the silent majority, the loud majority and the parliamentary majority all majorities in Serbia want to seal this topic. They dont want anyone to deal with this topic, nor for the official truth to be questioned, Djuric said. House Judiciary Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) told CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that Attorney General Bill Barr "deserves impeachment" for his alleged politicization of the Justice Department, but described the endeavor as "a waste of time" because Senate Republicans are "corrupt" and will not vote to convict. Driving the news: Nadler has launched an investigation into the firing on Friday of the powerful U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman, who had been investigating President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani among other politically charged cases. The backdrop: Barr announced Berman's resignation on Friday night and said Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton had been nominated for the position. Berman responded publicly by saying he had "no intention of resigning" and would "step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate." In a letter on Saturday, Barr said he had recommended that Trump fire Berman after the top prosecutor created a "public spectacle" with his refusal to resign. Trump later contradicted Barr, telling reporters he was "not involved" and that it was the attorney general's call to fire Berman. Berman then resigned Saturday after Barr assured him that he would be replaced temporarily with his chief deputy, Audrey Strauss. Nadler has asked Berman to testify before the House Judiciary Committee but said on CNN that it's unlikely he will appear this week. What they're saying: "I don't think calls for [Barr's] impeachment are premature, any more than calls for the president's impeachment were premature," Nadler said. "But they are a waste of time at this point because we know that we have a corrupt Republican majority in the Senate which will not consider an impeachment no matter what the evidence and no matter what the facts." "So we're instead going to do what we have to do without that, including barring $50 million from his own personal budget." Asked whether he was calling every Senate Republican who voted to acquit Trump "corrupt," Nadler responded: "I think in the sense of being corrupt against the interests of the country, yes." What to watch: The committee is holding a hearing on Wednesday with two whistleblowers from the Justice Department who are expected to testify about the "unprecedented politicization" of the agency under Barr. Go deeper: Nadler seeks hearing with Barr after DOJ drops prosecution of Michael Flynn Annular Solar Eclipse 2020, Solar Eclipse June 2020 start and end time, Surya Grahan timing in Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu & Kashmir and in different cities of India, Surya Grahan time in India 2020: People across India witness a rare celestial event on June 21. It will be visible across most of North India and also in some parts of East and West India. Annular Solar Eclipse 2020, Solar Eclipse June 2020 start and end time, Surya Grahan timing in Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu & Kashmir and in different cities of India, Surya Grahan time in India 2020: The biggest solar eclipse of 2020, popularly called surya grahan in India, is finally here. Today, on June 21, sky gazers across India will witness a rare annular solar eclipse, wherein the sun will be partly or completely obscured during a solar eclipse. Todays eclipse is predicted to last for about 6 hours. This is the third eclipse event of the year. The annular solar eclipse, which has already started at 9.15 am, will be visible until 3.04 pm. It will be most effective at 12.10 p.m. The cities that will witness the centurys deepest annular solar eclipse today are Chennai, Bhuj, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bangalore, and, Delhi. However, the ring of fire will be seen where the eclipse will be at its peak, i.e across Rajasthan, Haryana, and, Uttarakhand. The peak eclipse will occur at 12.10 p.m. Solar Eclipse 21 June 2020: Start and end timings of Surya Grahan in some cities are mentioned here: City Solar Eclipse Start Time Solar Eclipse End Time New Delhi 10:20 13:49 Mumbai 10:01 13:28 Hyderabad 10:15 13:34 Bangalore 10:13 13:32 Chennai 10:22 13:42 Kolkata 10:46 14:17 Pune 10:03 13:31 Surat 10:03 13:31 Jaipur 10:15 13:34 Ahmedabad 10:04 13:32 Surat 10:04 13:32 Jaipur 10:15 13:44 Kanpur 10:25 13:57 Patna 10:37 14:10 Dehradun 10:24 13:51 Shimla 10:23 13:48 Tehri 10:25 13:52 Ludhiana 10:21 13:45 Agra 10:20 13:51 Sirsa 10:17 13:43 Nagpur 10:18 13:51 Indore 10:11 13:42 Bhopal 10:15 13:47 In J&K, the annular phase of the eclipse is not visible but a spectacular partial solar eclipse started at 10.21 a.m. and will be at its peak at 11.58 a.m. where a large portion of the sun is covered by the moon. Delhi: #SolarEclipse2020 as seen in the cloudy skies of the national capital. pic.twitter.com/Y29PNlnpWW ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020 Punjab: #SolarEclipse2020 as seen in the skies of Amritsar today. pic.twitter.com/usRHFtjlgP ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020 Todays eclipse will be visible in most of North India and in some parts of West as well as East India. However, people living in areas with a poor magnitude of the eclipse or in areas with poor weather conditions can still enjoy the first annular solar eclipse through live streams. Also read: Indias Covid-19 cases cross 4 lakh mark Also read Yoga Day 2020: Delhi CM Kejriwal performs yoga In India, The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences is webcasting the eclipse. The Virtual Telescope Project will also host a live stream of todays eclipse. Another live stream is the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Some other live streams on todays eclipse can be seen at TimeandDate.com and Slooh.com as they will be streaming the eclipse live on their YouTube. One can also follow the path of the eclipse using the NASA tracker. Also read: Large-scale phishing attack using COVID-19 as bait expected today, warns Centre Union home minister Amit Shah reviewed the coronavirus situation in Delhi with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal in the third such meeting in a week as it was decided to designate containment zones afresh and be more aggressive in contact tracing and quarantining. At the meeting, it was also decided that a serological survey will also be conducted from June 27 till July 10, under which 20,000 people will be tested with the objective of ascertaining the infection spread in the general population. The Centre has also asked the Delhi government to link one major designated Covid-19 hospital to every district in Delhi for treatment and management of the disease. These were the recommendations of the V K Paul Committee that was appointed by the home ministry to plan the coronavirus response in the capital. Shah has advised the Delhi government to implement all the recommendations. At the meeting, the Delhi government was also instructed to monitor every single death, whether the person was in home isolation, how many days after home isolation he reached hospital and what was the final cause of death. All these details will now be communicated to the Centre, sources told News18. The review meeting, held virtually, came as the national capital recorded 3,000 fresh novel coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the Covid-19 tally in the city near the 60,000-mark, while the death toll due to the disease increased to 2,175, authorities said. It was the third day on the trot that the number of cases touched or crossed the 3,000-mark. On Saturday, Delhi had witnessed 3,630 cases, the highest single-day spike here. On Friday, the number was 3,137. As many as 63 fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 2,175 and the total number of cases at 59,746, according to the latest Delhi health department bulletin. Delhi is expecting a surge in coronavirus cases, which might touch 1 lakh by the end of this month and 5.5 lakh by the end of the next month. The discussions come ahead of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority's (DDMA) crucial meeting on Monday wherein important decisions such as effective contact tracing are likely to be taken. "In the meeting with the Union home minister, a detailed discussion was also held to make contact tracing robust in the city. All participants discussed the strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Delhi," an official said. Principals, academics and parents are concerned about the impact of new university fees on already-stressed year 12 students who have chosen HSC subjects based on degrees that have suddenly become more expensive. The changes come on top of a difficult year for the 2020 graduating class, which has already had its final year heavily impacted by COVID-19 and faced weeks of remote learning and alterations to many HSC assessments. Viveca Tang is a year 12 student at Pymble Ladies College, and she is worried about the fee hike for law degrees, which puts her university plan in flux. Credit:Steven Siewert Under tertiary reforms proposed by the federal government last week, student fees for some subjects will be cheaper but the cost of others will soar, with law, business and humanities subjects the hardest hit. The student contribution for political science will grow from $6804 to $14,500 a year, while students will pay an extra $7696 a year for communications. Other courses, such as nursing, engineering and maths, will be cheaper. Cities and citizens, Black and White, across America, its politicians from congressmen and senators in Washington DC to mayors and governors in Americas cities and states and even its police forces, all woke up to the reality of police brutality and anti-Black bias. All because one White policeman killed one Black man in Minneapolis. Police forces in the cities and counties kneeled, apologised to the Black Lives Matter protesters, and in some cases joined them. All despite President Donald Trump and his White Supremacist support base raging against the protesters and calling them some of the same epithets that protesters and dissenters against Narendra Modi are called in India Left extremists, anti-nationals, terrorists, etc. In India, police atrocities are par for the course, especially during communal riots, but Indians are happy when the police, instead of maintaining the rule of law, side with them against the other as they did during the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, the Gujarat pogrom of 2002, and the most recent Delhi pogrom. In the Modi-era, they have become the new normal during peaceful protests, too. Such is the India, such is the policing we desire for ourselves today. In Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed by the White policeman, the City Council voted to disband the police force itself. In New York, Los Angeles, etc., mayors have decided to defund police forces and instead channel money to youth and other social programmes. In Seattle, people, Black and White, laid siege to a police station and the police had to yield and vacate the station and streets in the citys Capitol Hill area. The protesters called it the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone and declared that This area is now the property of the people. The area has been converted into a Shaheen Bagh-type place of protest and celebration, with speeches, music and readings of poetry on racial justice because one White policeman killed one Black man. Americans know their rights. Americans know and respect their Constitution. In India, the Shaheen Bagh protesters were called anti-nationals and terrorists, a Union minister wanted to goli maro gaddaron ko. Another BJP leader started off a pogrom against the anti-CAA/NRC protesters, and our middle class cheered on. On Twitter and WhatsApp, messages with pictures of burning houses were Burn some more of them, teach them a lesson. What kind of nation and society and individuals have we become? What then is the meaning and value of our freedom struggle and our Constitution and their ideals? In America, there was one powerful voice against the Seattle protesters, that of President Trump himself, who called them domestic terrorists. Not even the Seattle police agreed with him. When Trump ordered Mayor Jenny Durkan to take back your city. If you dont do it, I will, she replied to the President, Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker. The Seattle fire chief, instead, came out to chat with the protesters and set up portable toilets for them. One city police chief elsewhere told the President of the United States on television to keep your mouth shut. Here in India, would one dare to say that to even Anurag Thakur, let alone to the Great Leader and his deputy, when they spew and spread falsity and hatred? When Americans saw in the initial days of the Black Lives Matter protests that the police were reacting brutally against the protesters, they came out and joined the protests in greater numbers, braving the coronavirus pandemic, and they turned the tide. Indians, on the other hand, watched the plight of the migrant workers walking and dying along the highways, and the Indian rich and middle classes hid in the safety of their homes, exchanging recipes and dutifully banging plates and lighting diyas when their god commanded, and left the migrant workers to their fate. This, then, is the difference between India and America: The latter is the worlds greatest democracy, because the people of America keep it that way for the most part. India, for its part, is now effectively a one-man rule, with the institutions of democracy bent to his will, because the people of India dont know what a democracy is, or its value to their own lives. In India, police brutality is a daily constant from the forcible collection of hafta from poor street vendors to beating up or harassment of the minorities and the poor to staging fake encounter killings and murdering the father of a rape victim inside a police station in UP. The Delhi police have used the lockdown period to make arrests to suit the governments convenience, including that of a seven-month pregnant lady, but our middle class the most influential electoral constituency has nothing to say about any of it. Most Indians are just not bothered about whats happening to the idea of rule of law, the very basis of democracy. But then, they dont even care anymore for democracy. Modi-cracy is enough for them. Every year, 21 June is celebrated as International Yoga Day to highlight the many benefits of yoga International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21 June to highlight the many benefits of yoga. Not only does yoga help us strengthen our mind and body but it also helps manage many chronic conditions and reduce the risk of other diseases. Two billion people in the world will be over 60 years of age by the year 2050. Research has shown that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be prevalent in 10-20 percent of this population, suggesting a very high risk of development of dementia. Hence, there is a pressing need for prevention strategies which are not only cost-effective but ones that can be made available to the masses. This is where yoga and meditation come into play. Neural network studies show that mind-body practices have significant benefits in cognitive enhancement and preservation and improvement in thought process, stress handling and behaviour in people. In a trial of 81 people who were randomised to try kundalini yoga (a form of yoga that combines breath, movement and sound) and memory training, it was demonstrated that both helped in memory improvement. However, only kundalini yoga helped in improving executive functioning and mood. This demonstrates a clear value of yoga practices in the prevention of dementia. Kirtan kriya, which is a form of meditation involving chanting of mantras, has also been shown to be effective in improving both memory and cognition. It remains to be seen whether large-scale randomised trials will replicate these benefits. How yoga and meditation work Alternate use of mudras and chanting mantras have been suggested to enhance verbal and visual skills, awareness and attention. It also improves neural transmission and causes long-term changes in neural circuits. Additionally, yoga and meditation improve the quality of sleep and help manage depressive symptoms. In recent times, stress has become the norm for most people. Stress increases cortisol levels and causes sympathetic nervous system overactivity which damages hippocampal circuits (the site of memory). Stress also leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, hypertension, disturbed sleep and diabetes all of which are significant risk factors of dementia. Meditation reduces stress. It stimulates specific points in the hypothalamus reverting stress-induced damage. Meditation also promotes relaxation and induces sleep; both of which help repair the nervous system. Additionally, meditation puts the brain in a hypometabolic state that reduces oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent neuroinflammation thus reducing and stabilising brain damage. The benefits and applications Kirtan kriya or active meditation has been shown to reverse neurotransmitter dysfunction by increasing the levels of transmitters like acetylcholine. Yoga has shown to improve synaptic dysfunction, which is a classic characteristic of dementia. So, there are multimodal mechanisms and there is research data to support the benefit of yoga and meditation for prevention and treatment of dementia. It's known that medical therapeutics have limited effect on dementia. On the other hand, yoga and meditation are easily available and scalable for communities and larger populations. They do not have adverse effects or any interaction with the usual medications. This suggests that yoga and meditation are simple, cost-effective and significantly relevant therapies to help prevent dementia. This article was written by Dr Praveen Gupta, Director and HOD, Neurology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram. For more information, read our article on Dementia. 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. Even though Greece is slowly but steadily lifting strict COVID-19 restrictions across the country, it is keeping more than 120,000 asylum seekers in lockdown, crammed in overcrowded camps to contain the spread the coronavirus. The virus has killed 190 people in this relatively infection-free country. In a terse weekend statement, Greece's Migration and Asylum Ministry said confinement for those in the countrys migrant holding centers would be extended through July 5, the second such extension decreed by authorities since they were first imposed in March. No explanation for the extension was provided by the ministry in the single-sentence announcement it issued late Saturday. The announcements timing, hours after 2,000 people rallied in Athens streets for World Refugee Day, demanding an end to the confinement of asylum seekers and improvement in migrants abysmal living conditions, was controversial. "While restrictions on freedom of movement to protect public health can be necessary and justified," said Eva Cosse, of the Human Rights Watch in Athens, "they must be based on scientific evidence, neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in their application... respectful of human dignity and subject to review." "The camp lockdowns do not meet these criteria," Cosse said. "And yet ... these discriminatory lockdowns continue." A total of 121,000 migrants have been stranded here since a number of Balkan countries sealed their borders in 2015 to stop refugees after more than a million poured in from Turkey, the biggest mass migration since World War II. While entries have dramatically dropped since then -- none have been recorded since June 8, according to the U.N. refugee agency -- COVID-related containment measures have aggravated already appalling refugee living conditions. As of June 9, a total of 31,203 refugees and migrants were living in five camps on five islands in the Aegean, with a total capacity of 6,095, according to government statistics. "Even with financial support from the European Commission, Greek authorities have done little to protect camp residents from COVID-19 or mitigate the risk of infection in the facilities," Cosse said. "They haven't addressed the overcrowding that makes social distancing impossible, the lack of health care, or lack of access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene products," she said. Rights groups and the United Nations have expressed concern that the health restrictions were eroding the rights of migrants. "The Greek government should stop using COVID-19 as an excuse to force people to live in segregated, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. They should be lifted immediately," Cosse said. The allegations come amid a startling rise in violent attacks in Moria, the country's most dreaded refugee camp, on the island of Lesbos, where the facility's population of 17,000 -- nearly seven times its capacity of about 2,500 -- live in what aid officials describe as a tense and lawless environment with no security or means of escape. Since the start of the pandemic, five people have been killed and 15 have been wounded in vicious stabbings in the camp, according to Lesbos media and medical officials. Government officials were not available for confirmation. Prior to the pandemic, medical officials say, most violence included beatings and minor stabbing. Since the lockdown, though, many cases have turned into brutal chest stabbings -- attacks that resemble what they call "prison or gang-style violence." In other shows of rising brutality, one victim was raped with a bottle, and the fingers of a young man were cut off. Unlike the previous leftist government that greeted migrants with open arms, Greece's new, conservative administration has made no secret of its bid to block migrants. Earlier this year, and after a sudden surge immigrants, leading government officials sanctioned higher security measures along the country's sea and land borders with Turkey against what they called an enemy invasion." In a separate message issued in light of Saturday's World Refugee Day, the country's migration ministry said Greece remained at the center of Europe's lingering refugee crisis, "bearing a disproportionate burden." "The country is safeguarding the rights of those who are really persecuted and operates as a shield of solidarity in the eastern Mediterranean," it added. This year, 10,095 migrants and refugees have reached Greece, using rickety, rubber rafts to cross the Aegean Sea, mainly from Turkey. International aid organizations have criticized Greece for conducting illegal migrant pushbacks -- a practice is has consistently denied, blaming Turkey, instead, for allegedly escorting illegal migrants to Greek waters despite a 2016 deal with Europe to help stem the tide of illegal migration in exchange for billions of dollars in urgent aid." Extremism takes many forms, and among its most vulnerable victims are women. At 14, Bahargul Erkin was forced by her father to marry a 52-year-old man who had six wives. Erkin spoke to CGTN about the influence of extremism in Xinjiang as well as her escape from her forced marriage. This is one of many human stories in our exclusive documentary 'Tianshan Still Standing: Memories of fighting terrorism in Xinjiang.' You can watch the full documentary here. Jharkhand is set to launch a 100-day employment scheme for urban unskilled workers similar to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) amid the coronavirus pandemic and increasing unemployment, officials said on Sunday. A brainchild of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, the scheme will be known as Mukhyamantri SHRAMIK (Shahri Rozgar Manjuri For Kamgar) Yojna, which is aimed at enhancing livelihood security for urban poor. Jharkhand will be the second state in the country after Kerala to launch an employment guarantee scheme for the urban poor. Kerala runs Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (AUEGS). Formulation of the scheme has been done. The scheme will be rolled out once it gets approval from the state cabinet, Vinay Kumar Choubey, Jharkhands urban development secretary, said Like MGNREGS, the scheme will also have a provision for unemployment allowance, if any urban local body fails to provide work to job seekers within 15 days, Choubey said. A worker will be entitled to one-fourth of the wages for the first 30 days of unemployment and it will be half in the second month. If the worker does not get a job for third, they will be entitled to equal to basic minimum wage, officials said. They will be given priority in the existing schemes. If they could not be accommodated in existing schemes, exclusives schemes for the purpose will be created and ULBs would be given separate funds for this. There are lots of opportunities of jobs in urban areas right from sanitation work to development projects, Choubey said. Like labourers in MGNREGS, urban workers will also be registered and they would be provided job cards. A special website is also being designed, similar to the website functions in MGNREGS, Choubey said. The scheme will be conducted by the urban development and housing department through the state urban livelihood mission. Municipal commissioners, executive offices or special officer of municipal bodies will be the nodal officer of the scheme. Economists have appreciated the concept of the scheme and said it became necessary after the influx of migrant workers to the state. Till now there was a notion that poor means rural people. So, a lot of poor alleviation schemes were launched for rural areas. However, there is also a chunk of urban poor and they also need job guarantee like in rural areas, Harishwar Dayal, a Jharkhand-based economist, said. The new scheme will help the migrant workers who returned to urban Jharkhand after corona outbreak, Dayal added. More than five lakh migrant workers stuck outside the state returned to Jharkhand since May 1 during the coronavirus pandemic. The state rural development department has done a skill mapping of 2.5 lakh workers and it revealed that 30% of workers who returned from different states are unskilled labourers. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said expanded mail-in voting could cost him re-election in November, according to a Politico interview published on Friday, as states continue to press for absentee balloting amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Trump and his fellow Republicans have said voting by mail invites tampering, although numerous studies have found little evidence of widespread voter fraud connected to mail-in balloting, and have filed lawsuits and threatened to withhold federal funding over the issue. "My biggest risk is that we dont win lawsuits," Trump told Politico in the interview, conducted on Thursday. "If we dont win those lawsuits ... I think it puts the election at risk." The coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 118,000 Americans and led to fears of a second wave of infections in the autumn, has pushed a number states to expand mail-in voting. Some parts of the country have seen a recent spike in cases. Long lines in Georgia's nominating contest last week following other voting problems in several other states in recent weeks also have raised concerns about potential voting problems in November's presidential contest. Meanwhile, lawsuits over mail-in voting have been filed in several states, including California, Texas and Arizona. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in April showed most Americans, including a majority of Republicans, want the government to require mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 presidential election if the coronavirus outbreak continues to be a threat. In March, as Congress wrestled with coronavirus economic relief and Democrats pushed to expand access to voting, including mail-in balloting, Trump told Fox News: "If you ever agreed to it you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again." Asked if he would accept the results of the election no matter the outcome, Trump told Politico that was a question "you can never answer." He told Fox News last week he would "go on and do other things" if he did not win a second term. (Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Paul Simao) SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XP Inc. (XP), a leading, technology-driven financial services platform and a trusted provider of low-fee financial products and services in Brazil, announced the creation of an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) board and initiatives to provide the best products, services, content and recommendations focused on ESG, in addition to further leveraging the company's internal standards and practices. The Company seeks to lead ESG initiatives in the Brazilian financial markets, democratizing access to content and quality products to customers. This is a natural move, recognizing the importance of the theme ESG in the world, and its potential benefits for Brazil specifically. According to Bruno Constantino, XP Inc.s CFO, XP understands its responsibility in our society, and we can leverage our ecosystem, bringing others into ESG initiatives, improving quality of life and enhancing sustainability to drive positive social and environmental impacts. To lead this initiative, the Company appointed Marta Pinheiro as director of ESG. Ms. Pinheiro has been with XP for more than three years, with responsibilities including the integration of acquired brokerage firms Rico and Clear, the development of the Bank and related products, and the creation of the Innovation area, amongst others. Leading XPs ESG efforts is a great opportunity and I plan to contribute to the development of the Brazilian financial markets, generating long-term value to our clients, investors and society. We are focused on ensuring XP continues to make a positive contribution through best practice ethical behavior, social responsibility and, above all, total transparency with all stakeholders, said Marta Pinheiro. Early initiatives include the production of exclusive content, analysis of platform assets, education of the partners network, adoption of governance best practices, and association with commitments and ESG pacts, amongst others. Below are some highlights of the Companys ESG initiatives: Story continues XPs commitment to gender equality, aiming to increase the number of female employees by 10% in one year, while preserving XP's culture of meritocracy. Among the measures to be implemented include: shortlists of at least 35% of women as finalists in our selection process, training of leaders on unconscious biases, participation in the corporate citizen program (extension of maternity and paternity leave), and remote work options. In addition, the Company will intensify partnerships with training programs for minority groups; Dedicating R$100 million of seed money for the development of a Fund-of-Funds ESG ecosystem, which will invest in exclusive strategies of major Brazilian asset managers that invest in companies with high ESG standards. These funds will have a minimum investment of R$500, democratizing this type of product for all investors; The construction of a new headquarters, aligned with intention to adopt permanent remote work options. The new facility, initially named Villa XP, will follow eco-efficient standards, using 100% renewable energy and technologies for reusing water and utilizing sustainable materials, among others. More details about the Company's vision for the future of Villa XP can be found in this link ; Launched in March 2020 by XP Inc., with the aim of helping families in need, the Juntos Transformamos movement has generated R$32 million in donations in total, with R$5 million dedicated to health initiatives and the remainder earmarked for supplying food to those in need. Of the total, R$30 million was donated by XP Inc. For more information, visit: www.juntostransformamos.com.br. XP will continue to expand internal actions related to diversity, inclusion and support to the community, in addition to environmental matters. In the coming months, XP plans to build a strategic diagnosis to guide the next steps and implement actions related to ESG best practices at a global level., including an official report that will allow all stakeholders to follow the development of our ESG initiatives. About XP XP is a leading, technology-driven financial services platform and a trusted provider of low-fee financial products and services in Brazil. XPs mission is to disintermediate the legacy models of traditional financial institutions by: Educating new classes of investors; Democratizing access to a wider range of financial services; Developing new financial products and technology applications to empower clients; and Providing high-quality customer service and client experience in the industry in Brazil. XP provides customers with two principal types of offerings, (i) financial advisory services for retail clients in Brazil, high-net-worth clients, international clients and corporate and institutional clients, and (ii) an open financial product platform providing access to over 600 investment products including equity and fixed income securities, mutual and hedge funds, structured products, life insurance, pension plans, real-estate investment funds (REITs) and others from XP, its partners and competitors. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," aim, "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond XP Incs control. XP, Incs actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to several factors, including but not limited to: competition, change in clients, regulatory measures, a change the external forces among other factors. For any questions, please contact: Carlos Lazar, Head of Investor Relations Investor Contact: ir@xpi.com.br Andre Martins, Investor Relations Specialist IR Website: investors.xpinc.com There is no gainsaying that integrity is the substance upon which personal and national development are usually anchored. In evidence, Warren Buffett notes that if an employee is both intelligent and energetic, but lacking in integrity, the first two virtues will be used to ruin and maim the vision of the employer. Africa, like other continents of the world, has had its woeful shares of tales and nagging socio- economic slides. In spite of this nauseating worldwide catastrophe, the developed world has built a sterling system out of it. One is, therefore, tempted to revisit the old luck or effort harangue, but in evidence, development, as observed by all advanced students of life, is effortful and anything short of this is a funny misguide. For many decades, the virtue of integrity has flipped our noble list of precious attributes, as a matter of fact, a man who demonstrates integrity is branded gibberish and unarguably demented. The big question is, "How did integrity tail the way of the smoke or become a vanished character trait?" While this piece may not be adequate at sheding light on the origo of this recalcitrant phenomenon, it will contend that without integrity, Africa, particularly, Nigeria may just be building castle in the air. The fight for integrity, for some, should be fought with the drop of their blood. An exemplary example of such an integrity fighter is Comrade Evans Ayeni, the President of Initiative for Integrity Award in Africa (IIAA). Being an academic of untainted reputation, he has joined fortified efforts with many noble dons and gallant integrity Marshals to see integrity return to the lips of every Nigerian and by extension, African States. This select group of patriotic Nigerians would not wink or bat this eye lids until the ball of integrity is happily thrown into the air for all to see and catch. This brings us to Initiative for Integrity Award in Africa (IIAA), which has positioned itself as the monitoring eyes of the Nigerian people, ranking and awarding governors across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, as it deem it fit. For fairness, the initiative has ensured that the opinions of Nigerians domiciled across the various zones are harnessed and marshalled in order to dutifully reflect the differing viewpoints of the people. Similarly, the Initiative for Integrity Award in Africa (IIAA) has its razor-edged researchers who nose the ground for veracity. The ranking modalities, as spelt out, cut across prompt response to the needs of the citizenry such as employment, infrastructure, payment of salary; protection of lives and property, respect for human rights; fairness in the allocation of resources, citizens' access to information among others. Accordingly, the following Governors have been adjudged the best performing governors across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu (South West); Governor Udom Emmanuel (South South); Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (South East); Senator Atiku Bagudu Abubakar (North West); Engr. Prof. Babagana Umaru Zulum (North East); and Alh. Abdulraham Abdulrazaq (North Central). The Initiative for Integrity Award in Africa (IIAA) has equally acknowledged the performance of other governors. The revival and rejig of integrity is the Messiah that Nigerians truly clamour for and that which Africa crave,too. Samuel Ogunnaike is the Special Assistant on Media to the President of IIAA, Comr. Evans. O. Ayeni, GCIA Even as the Congress is at loggerheads with the government on the Chinese intrusion at Galwan valley and killing of 20 Indian soldiers by PLA troops, some Congress leaders are also taking on Chinese social media handles to counter Chinese propaganda. A Twitter handle @shenshiwei whose bio says that he is producer of CGTN, tweeted a video statement attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "No outsider was inside #Indian territory in #Ladakh nor had any border post of the Indian Army captured by outside forces." Chinese media has translated the speech by Modi on the all-party meet called by him on Friday. But it was rebutted by Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi who commented on the Chinese Twitter handle: "As a democratic nation, Indian Parliament is the most Supreme. @PMOIndia is answerable to the constitution & Indian citizens. Galwan valley is, was and will always be a part of India. We'll take back Aksai Chin from China, acc to resolution passed by parliament in 1962." Tyagi said "Political differences apart we are in full support to the Army and the government to counter Chinese propaganda and transgressions." The Congress however is taking on the Prime Minister on the issue of Chinese transgressions. The Congress hit back and said, "The PMO's statement is clearly a lame attempt to obfuscate the truth. First of all, the PMO and the government need to clearly state their position. Is Galwan Valley not part of Indian territory? Why is the government not coming forward and strongly rebutting the Chinese claim over Galwan Valley?" Peter Navarro asserted Sunday that Donald Trump was being 'tongue-in-cheek' when he claimed during his rally that he told his administration to cut down on coronavirus testing so U.S. numbers would artificially be decreased. During an interview with CNN's State of the Union, host Jake Tapper asked Navarro about the moment the president said during his rally Saturday night: 'I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.' 'C'mon now, Jake, that was tongue-in-cheek,' the White House trade adviser repeatedly told Tapper. 'I don't know that it was tongue-in-cheek at all,' the host pushed back. 'He has said similar things for months.' Navarro, who claimed talking about coronavirus is 'not in my lane,' insisted that Tapper instead ask him about 'serious issues.' 'I think testing is a very serious issue. I'm not the one making jokes about it,' Tapper asserted. 'Come on. It was a light moment,' Navarro shot back. White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro claimed Sunday morning that Donald Trump was being 'tongue-in-cheek' when he claimed he told his people to 'slow down' testing to artificially lower U.S. coronavirus numbers 'I don't know that it was tongue-in-cheek at all,' Tapper pushed back. 'I think testing is a very serious issue. I'm not the one making jokes about it,' he said when Navarro said it was a 'light' moment Donald Trump told the crowd at his comeback rally on Saturday night that he told his administration to slow down testing so the number of confirmed cases would be lowered Trump told a cheering crowd in Tulsa, Oklahoma during his comeback rally Saturday night that he directed his administration to slow down testing for coronavirus. He claimed the success in testing capabilities and availability is a 'double-edged sword' that has led to more cases being discovered than any other country is reporting. During the rally, Trump said the U.S. has now tested 25 million people far more than other countries. The 'bad part,' Trump said, is that widespread testing leads to logging more cases of the virus. 'When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please,' the president said. A White House official later told reporters that Trump was just joking and made the comment in jest. 'He was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million + in testing,' the official said. When asked about the moment, Navarro dismissed that the president was being serious. Tapper countered: 'I'm not sure that a deadly pandemic, where almost 120,000 Americans died, is really a good subject for a 'light moment.'' But Navarro asserted the president is taking those deaths 'absolutely seriously.' Trump also ignited outrage by calling COVID-19 the 'kung flu', a racist term referencing its origins in China. President Trump on Saturday told supporters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he ordered his administration to slow down the pace of coronavirus testing So far, more than 119,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 and more than 2.1 million have been infected. The image above shows Kim Desmond (left) getting swabbed for coronavirus at a testing site in Denver on Saturday Trump opted to hold his first rally in 110 days despite concerns from local health officials that it could lead to further spread of the virus in Tulsa. Most of those in attendance declined to wear a mask. The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis. And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona - states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early - daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June. When announcing his Tulsa rally, Trump also previewed that he would be hosting more rallies soon in swing states of Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. Rising case numbers in the U.S. can partially be explained by the wider availability of testing especially compared to other countries. Mild cases, previously undetected because of limits on who could be tested, are now showing up in the numbers. The campaign of Trump's Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, released a statement on Saturday blasting the president for saying his administration slowed testing. 'In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonight's debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that he's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people - even as we just recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work,' campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said. Trump sparked outrage on social media when he referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' 'Trump's catastrophic mismanagement of our nation's response to the worst public health crisis in over 100 years began with ignoring countless warnings from his own officials and selling us out to the Chinese government for a hollow trade deal and that mismanagement continues to this day as he continues to put his own political interests first while many states see spikes in deadly infections.' She added: 'To hear him say tonight that he has ordered testing slowed - a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better - is appalling.' Trump's 'kung flu' reference was also not well received as dozens of people voiced their disgust on social media. 'It has more names than any disease in history,' the president told thousands of his supporters inside the BOK Center on Saturday. 'I can name kung flu. I can name 19 different versions of names.' The coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, has been referred to by the president as the 'Wuhan virus' or the 'Chinese virus'. Linking the virus, which has caused a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 119,000 Americans, to China has led to an uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans in recent months. The president has defended his handling of the pandemic, though his administration has been blamed for its response to the virus that has so far infected more than 2 million Americans. In March, the president denied that using the term 'Wuhan virus' or 'Chinese virus' was racist. It's 'not racist at all,' Trump told reporters in March. 'It comes from China. I want to be accurate.' The reaction to Trump's comments on Saturday was fierce, as Twitter users assailed the president for using racist language. Jennifer Taub tweeted: 'Trump is a racist pig. He just called Covid-19 'Kung Flu'.' An organization called Republican Voters Against Trump tweeted: 'Enough of this racist bile. Enough.' Peter Rosenberg tweeted: 'Yo this man just said 'Kung Flu' to describe Coronavirus ... he is unhinged because this rally is empty.' Rabia O'Chaudry tweeted: 'He just said Kung Flu. He's so effing disgusting.' Santiago Mayer tweeted: 'Everytime the President calls it 'Kung Flu' he is belittling the nearly 120,000 Americans who have died of Coronavirus. 'What he is doing is not only not Presidential, but it lacks basic human decency and humility. 'F*** him.' Another Twitter user wrote: 'Not Kung Flu...we HAVE to get 45 out.' On March 17, Weijia Jiang, a White House correspondent for CBS News, reported that a White House official referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' right to her face. 'This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the 'Kung-Flu' to my face,' Jiang tweeted. 'Makes me wonder what they're calling it behind my back.' The next day, Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump aide, said reports that a White House official used the term 'kung flu' were 'highly offensive.' 'I'd like to know who they are,' Conway said when asked to comment about the remark. 'But hold on, you can't just say that and not name them. Tell us who it was. 'Come up here and tell us who it was.' Conway declined to condemn the White House official, though she said 'of course it's wrong.' CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reported in March that a White House official referred to coronavirus as 'kung flu' to her face 'But you can't just make an accusation and not tell us who it is,' Conway said. She then turned to Jiang and asked: 'Who is it?' Jiang replied: 'I think you understand how these conversations go. I am also a journalist.' 'I don't know how these conversations go and that's highly offensive,' Conway replied. 'So, you should tell us all who it is. I'd like to know who it is.' Conway continued: 'I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals. I'm married to an Asian.' 'I mean, I'm not engaging in hypotheticals,' she said. 'I'm married to an Asian ... my kids are partly - I'm married to an Asian American, my kids are 25 percent Filipino.' Conway's husband is George Conway, a conservative lawyer who has gained a massive Twitter following after emerging as one of Trump's fiercest critics. George Conway is half Filipino. Dubai, June 21 : Residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed yoga gurus on screen during a Facebook live yoga session organised by the Consulate General of India in Dubai on Saturday evening, a day ahead of the sixth International Day of Yoga. This year the consulate, as well as yogis globally, went digital on its page (facebook.com/IndianConsulate.Dubai) for the annual event instead of mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Gulf News. Besides over 100 virtual followers of the session, roughly two dozen people also assumed the positions on consulate premises - face masks on while maintaining social distancing norms. Joining the small group was Vipul, the consul general of India in Dubai, who addressed the gathering before taking part in yoga. He said this year Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for yoga at home to mark the international day, in light of the pandemic. The theme for this year is 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family'. "That's why we thought that we will use these digital means so that people can join us on the internet to do yoga with us," Gulf news quoted Vipul as saying. "In the pandemic situation, it is important that we keep up with yoga. It is important for our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing... especially in the pandemic situation when everyone is constrained to be home most of the time; everyone's anxiety levels are very high. I think yoga can provide us that much-needed support so that we can calm ourselves down." Last year, more than 4,000 people from different nationalities attended the International Day of Yoga in Dubai, organised by consulate. One of the supporting the event was Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Some armed men invaded the Nigerian high commission in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, destroying some apartments under construction. The affected buildings were reportedly being constructed to house staff and visitors. A Ghanaian businessman had accused the commission of encroaching on his land. He was said to have visited the place last week, presenting evidence that he is the real owner of the land. However, he reportedly returned to the site on Friday in the company of armed men who supervised the demolition. Officials of the commission reportedly contacted the police but efforts were not made to prevent the demolition. The Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities are yet to react to the issue which comes five months after the ministry of foreign affairs denied reports that the Nigerian commission in Ghana had been evicted in Accra. In a statement, Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson of the ministry, had said there was no diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana. Nwonye had said though the lease of the property on No.10 Barnes Road, Accra, has expired, the high commission was exploring the possibility of renewing the lease agreement with the host authorities. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Solar Eclipse myths busted: No harm in cooking and eating food India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, June 21: India set to witness an annular solar eclipse on Sunday, wherein the Sun will appear like a "ring of fire". The phenomenal celestial event takes place when the moon comes in between the earth and the sun, leaving the sun's visible outer edges to form a "ring of fire" or annulus around the moon. Fact check: Solar eclipse will destroy the virus, rain will dilute it, is it true? | Oneindia News People living in Anupgarh, Suratgarh, Sirsa, Jakhal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Dehradun, Tapowan and Joshimath will be able to see the annular phase. However, people living in the rest of India can witness a partial eclipse. There are also many superstitions that revolve around this solar eclipse or Surya Grahan, right from restricting consumption of food at a particular time to actually banning people from watching the celestial event live. Some of which are associated with the food that we eat during the eclipse. However, scientists have busted the myths. Solar Eclipse 2020: Check timings in your city to watch rare 'ring of fire' eclipse' Professor M N Vahia, Dean School of Mathematical Sciences, NMIMS said there is no religious text that claims that eclipses are dangerous. They are mere superstitions created by people who are scared of the eclipses. "On the contrary we can even see how eclipses have been beautifully discussed in ancient literature", he added. "No scriptures recommend hiding away during its occurrence. One should have more faith and understanding about the working of the universes and not be carried away by superstitions", he said. We are not that important. "Unlike the common belief, the sun does not send any special radiation during the eclipse. Even though we call it a Solar Eclipse, the sun is completely unaware of its occurrence. The sun is too big to be bothered about where the moon's shadow falls," Vahia said. "We are exaggerating our own sense of importance in the universe. Eclipse is a small drama and to the Universe it is an irrelevant phenomenon," he said rejecting the false claims about impacts of eclipses on human life. He also mentioned that we do not get to see many eclipses in our lifetime and hence one should not miss this rare opportunity that occurs every 18 years. We should not waste it by hiding in the house and staying hungry fearing myths being imposed on us. "Eclipses are fantastic to see but it is not worth losing your eyes", he cautioned about seeing the eclipse with naked eyes. The safest way of looking at the eclipse is through a pinhole cardboard by getting it projected it on the screen. Myths! Eclipses have been a source of anxiety for people everywhere and have even scared them. It may be common to feel anxious when you first observe an eclipse, to see the sun disappear and that too not because of clouds. Solar Eclipse 2020 today: Myths, Dos, Don'ts to witness rare 'ring of fire' eclipse What did Eclipse mean to different cultures? Most cultures viewed it as a period during which the sun or the moon is being attacked by an animal or a demon. Vikings, Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese and many others imagined an animal eating the sun and excreting the sun from the other end. They used to think that there is a great animal in the sky. To threaten the animal, people even pelted stones at animals on earth, made noises, used drums to scare the demons run away. Eskimos turned their utensils upside down to prevent bad influences from falling into their cooking. West Africans gathered in open spaces to urge the shadow to leave the sun. American Indians thought the sun lost some of its power and hence sent burning arrows in the direction of the sun to rekindle it. In Egypt, the King, a representative of the Sun made rounds of the city to assure people. Babylonians, Greeks, Romans considered it an omen and the month of eclipse was considered important. Armenians thought the sun was invaded by a black planet. Japanese lit fires and displayed shiny jewels to compensate for the dulling of the sun. A few, like Maoris of Assam considered eclipse as a good omen, means an imminent victory over their enemies, while most people around the world believed it a bad omen. There are also evidences that at around 585 BC, an eclipse predicted earlier, occurred during a war between the Medians and the Lydians. They called off the war and declared peace. Indian myths: In Mahabharata's Kurukshetra war, there are references of two eclipses Solar and Lunar that occurred within a gap of 13 days between each other - solar followed by lunar. One may find it unique but the fact is not. There are evidence that such event occurs every 800 years i.e Solar and Lunar eclipse succeeding each other within days. Kolam tribes of India consider solar eclipse is the time when debt collectors come to collect the debts from the sun. The debt collector insists the Sun to pay off the debts since too many sins have occurred on earth. If the sun is completely covered, they feel happy, because the total solar eclipse means the debts have been completely paid off. If the eclipse covers only the top part of the sun then it is a bad omen for humans and if it covers only bottom part of the sun then it is bad sign for animals because their part of debt is not paid for. Korku Tribe in Central India also thinks the eclipse occurs when the human sins overflow. There is a unique practice where they take a shaft used for grinding food, and place it vertically in a plate with water. As long as the eclipse is on, the rod remains vertical on its own, they say. Later, eclipses have been used by people to collect donations to help the gods to fight the demons. There are records of huge donations made by rich people in earlier days which are actually a blessing to track the occurrence of eclipses centuries ago. These have been carved in stones, temple pillars, etc as records. The oldest record of eclipse comes in Rig Veda. It describes how great Sage Arti saved the Sun from the Svarbhanu who tried to destroy him. The notable change in colour of the solar disc during the entire process of the eclipse has been beautifully described in a passage in the Pancavimsa-Brahmana. It explains as Arti repelled its darkness, first the sun became a black sheep, then a silvery sheep, then a reddish one and with the arrow with which he set free its original appearance that was a white sheep. This is nothing but the notable feature is the change in colour of the eclipse. One will find this pattern while witnessing the eclipse - first black, and since our eyes get used to the dullness it will start appearing silvery and bright, and as our eyes get set it appears reddish and eventually it regains its original colour. Conventional Indian Myths: The occurrence of eclipse is mentioned in Samudra Manthan - the churning of ocean by the Gods and the asuras. It occurred when the Gods and the Asuras wanted to be immortal by consuming nectar that is available under the sea, the sea had to be churned. Since neither of them had the power they came together to churn the sea. However, when the nectar finally comes out the gods cheat, by sending a beautiful woman Mohini to distract the Asuras. Mohini distributes the Amrit among the gods, but one Asura, Rahu realises the trickery joins the gods and drinks the nectar. But before he consumed it, the sun and the moon realised and cut his head. As it was not quick enough - the head and body of the Rahu survived. Now people believe that forever revengeful Rahu tries to eat them up but since he is disembodied it comes through the other end as he gulps them down on eclipses. It was in 499 AD Aryabhata realised that eclipse is all shadow and that there are no demons involved. He reinvented the idea that Rahu and Ketu are just points in the sky and hence they are two dark planets that cause eclipse. Varahamihira converted Rahu and Ketu from mere myths to celestial bodies thus making it dark points in the sky. They are no more Asuras and are being worshipped as Navagrahas. Studies show that the Earth, which used to take 400 days to complete rotation, has been slowed down by eclipses. Ancient record of eclipse helps to know about the movement of the sun, rotation of the earth and how it is slowing down over years and its impact. Eclipses have always fascinated people from an earlier period. It may be just the shadow of the moon on earth but it is a remarkable experience to witness it. "Eclipses are one of the spectacular events you can witness in your life time and therefore don't miss the opportunity due to superstitions". with PIB inputs nicolle nordman I got an email that said let me find it and read it to you. The heading is ATTENDANCE REQUIRED!! All in capitals, two exclamation points, W.W. Business Update Meeting. OK. So this is what the email says: Please join your territory manager for an important business update tomorrow, Thursday, May 14 at 4 p.m. Eastern, 3:00 p.m. Central, via an audio-only conference call. It is important that you make yourself available to attend this meeting. And then it says, Thank you in advance for your attendance. W.W. Field Management Team. So I worked my regular shift. Dialed in at 3 oclock. The territory manager, reading from a script, essentially said that theyre restructuring the company based on changes that needed to be made for business decision reasons, and that at the end of that call, I would no longer be employed by the company. And click. That was it. 3-minute phone call. [music] And I just I started crying. I mean, Ive been with the company 18 years. We were fired in a 3-minute call, where we were muted. We werent given any information. We were not treated with any empathy. We were not treated with any caring. We werent told how important we were to the company. We werent thanked for our many years of service. We were just told, youre not important. We dont care. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Three months after mass layoffs began across the U.S., 20 million Americans remain out of work because of the pandemic. Federal unemployment benefits are about to run out. And Congress cant agree on a new package of financial help. Today: My colleagues speak to laid off workers about the state of their unemployment. Its Wednesday, June 24. nicolle nordman Hi. My name is Nicolle Nordman. I am 53 years old. I live in Homewood, Illinois. Its a suburb of Chicago about, oh, about 35 miles south of Chicago. I actually have a Juris Doctorate. So I was a lawyer. But I stopped working full-time back in 1993, because my daughter was born with an illness called cystic fibrosis, which is a genetic disease which causes a lot of complications to the lungs. And she needed a lot of care for her first several years. And I decided that rather than paying a nurse and a babysitter, I would stop working and stay home with her. So all my degrees kind of just fell to the wayside. And I ended up staying at home with her. julie creswell And can you tell me where were you working most recently? nicolle nordman I was employed by Weight Watchers for the last 18 years. I had started out part-time. Once she got older and got that lung transplant, I went to work for them full-time. And I had been working for them full-time for almost seven years now. julie creswell Can you talk to me what was Weight Watchers providing in terms of benefits or financial help, or payments after the firings? nicolle nordman They paid us for a week after, an extra week. And theyre giving us a lifetime membership for Weight Watchers. I guess thats about it. julie creswell Health care benefits, any sort of retirement? nicolle nordman No. Im hoping that Im going to get unemployment. Ive applied. I have not gotten anything yet. And you know, if I get the unemployment Ill be OK until they cut out that extra money at the end of July. But after that, I cant really live on $250 a week. So Im going to have a big problem. You know, I dont know. I mean, Im going to have to find another job. And Im 53 years old and have worked for the same company for 18 years. And you know, yes, I have several college degrees. But Ive never used any of them because or its been a long time since Ive used any of them, lets say. So you know going back and using any of them is next to impossible. Its been 26 years since shes 27, so 27 years since Ive used any of them. So I dont know what Im going to do. I really dont. I have no idea. I think about that every night. I dont think Ive gotten a full nights sleep in three weeks. I fall asleep at 3:00 in the morning and then Im back up at 7:00 wondering the same things. And some days I think, OK, its going to work out somehow. And then I move on. And then the next night, its not, not so good. But I mean, I know theres what, several million people in the country going through exactly the same thing as me. [music] julie creswell I know its a little early. But have there been any silver linings? nicolle nordman I guess, you know, I am stronger than I thought I was. I didnt let this you know push me back into a depression or anxiety spiral, even though I am having some sleep issues. Its nothing like what it was, you know, seven years ago before my daughters transplant. And Im not going to let them take away the strength that Ive gained over the last seven years. Im not going to let them destroy that. julie creswell Thank you so much, Nicole. nicolle nordman Thank you. I appreciate you doing this. [phone ringing] analia rodriguez Hello? sabrina tavernise Hi. Is this Analia? analia rodriguez Yes. sabrina tavernise Hi, Analia. This is Sabrina Tavernise from The New York Times calling. analia rodriguez Hi. How are you today? sabrina tavernise Im OK. Im OK. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. So Analia, I want to go back to the beginning when you first lost your job and what happened. analia rodriguez OK. My name is Analia Rodriguez. Im 45 years old. I was working at the airport in Fort Lauderdale as a bartender. And I got laid off on March the 20th. sabrina tavernise What was that day like? How did you find out? analia rodriguez I was scheduled to go to work. And I received a phone call telling me not to go, that they were, like, closing. And later on, I got a letter on the mail. So, yeah. It was devastating. It was really bad. The type of news is something that you dont want to hear. Its nothing that we expect, especially when we have the health insurance benefits. And you know, in my case, its a must. sabrina tavernise Why is it a must for you? analia rodriguez Well, my husband had an accident last year. He was riding his motorcycle. And he had an accident. Hes suffering from a brain injury. And he also lost his leg. So for me, keeping my health insurance was so important. I worked really hard just because I wanted to be able to take care of him. So sabrina tavernise Yep. analia rodriguez Now this happened. So once again, we are starting from scratch. sabrina tavernise So you were laid off on March 20. And then what happened? What did you do? analia rodriguez I applied for the unemployment online. I mean, it was very hard. It was so much traffic. But its very understandable, Im not the only one here. Theres hundreds of people that are trying to get through it. I woke up at 2 oclock, at 4 oclock, 6 oclock, 7 oclock. And it was impossible. Youre trying to apply. You get to a certain point, and then they kick you out of the website. And it doesnt even save your information. sabrina tavernise How many times did you try on the website? Do you remember, roughly? analia rodriguez In the beginning, it was every day, you know, every hour. Different hours. I would pick different hours in the day to try to get through it. I called customer service. Like, today, before this interview, I tried seven times to call to see whats going on. And finally, I got someone to help me today. And fair enough, she didnt even know anything. Like, she couldnt help me. I mean, I need the money. I really need it. We are struggling really bad. sabrina tavernise Analia, how are you guys doing for food? analia rodriguez Well, we have a food distribution, you know? So you have to go in a car, and you have to make the line. sabrina tavernise What is the line like? analia rodriguez The lines are, like, crazy long. Even though if you go early, you have to wait in the car for so long. Its embarrassing, you know? Because Im not doing anything that Im not supposed to do. Its embarrassing for me as a person, after working 20 years, coming to this country. And I work really hard to be part of the system. I came here with a one-year-old son by myself. I never applied for any help. Anything. Because I felt like I could work for it. I dont want free stuff. I want what is mine. And thats why Im at this point that its so embarrassing. You have to go and feel like youre begging for money, begging for food. You know, I have to email my landlord telling him that Im going to you know, I cant even give him an answer. OK, listen. My money is going to come in July. And Im going to pay you everything that I owe. No! I dont have an answer. Because I dont know when my money is going to be coming. sabrina tavernise Yeah. analia rodriguez So its, like, you cannot borrow money from a friend. When are you going to pay him back? So I didnt sit home waiting for my money or my checks. I had to do something because we need to survive. And then I had to sell my car. sabrina tavernise Sorry. When did you sell your car? Tell me about that? analia rodriguez Well, because I dont have any income. And I cant pay for anything. So I was, like, OK, you know what? Im going to try to make a deal, somebody wants my car. Obviously, they dont give you the money that probably the car is worth. But I could have some money to keep going on. And I had to go to a pawnshop. And I had to sell my wedding ring. sabrina tavernise Did you think about it really hard for a long time? Or how did you think about that decision? analia rodriguez Well, it took me almost two months to think about it. That ring for me, it was like an attachment to him, a reminder, you know, hes going to survive. Remember, youre married to this guy. It had a meaning, you know, for me. sabrina tavernise Yeah. analia rodriguez So I cried for a few nights. I couldnt sleep. But my family is first. And I dont see that the money is going to come anytime soon. I had to do what I have to do. sabrina tavernise Analia, thank you for telling me your story. analia rodriguez Thank you for listening. And Im sorry if I get, like. so frustrated. But it is the truth. sabrina tavernise OK. Thank you very much, Analia. analia rodriguez Thank you. michael barbaro Well be right back. [phone ringing] ben casselman Hello? Nakitta? nakitta long Hi. [LAUGHS] Yes. ben casselman Hi. nakitta long Can you hear me now? ben casselman I can hear you fine. Nakitta, thanks so much for doing this. Im sorry for all the tech confusion. nakitta long Youre welcome. Its OK. ben casselman Maybe just to start out, tell us who you are, whats your name? How old are you? Where do you live? nakitta long OK. My name is Nakitta Long. I live in North Carolina. Im 44 years old. ben casselman Tell me where you were working. What were you doing? nakitta long I was working in a automotive manufacturing facility. We make airbag sensors and parts for all the vehicles that are on the road, pretty much. And I was hired through a temp agency. I had been working there almost two years. And so being hired on permanently was the goal. ben casselman So it was a temp job, but you were hoping it would become permanent? nakitta long Yeah. We were continuously getting promised it would become permanent. So we continued to stay and tough it out. ben casselman How did you learn that you were going to lose your job? nakitta long It was one of my days off. It was during the weekday. My 3-year-old was running around. And I got an email from the temporary offices agent. And she said, you know, Ive been trying to reach you. Dont go back to the location. And Im thinking, what did I do wrong? Did I mess up a part? What did I do? And so when I called her, she just was like, your job is done, effective immediately. Do not go back to the plant. I need your badge. And I, you know, stopped. I dont really know what I did. But I know I disconnected from the environment. I disconnected from my 3-year-old. I disconnected from everything. Like, Ive got to deal with this. I have to deal with this. What is this about? What is going on here? This cant be happening right now. Because I have never really been able to save for retirement because my job is temporary. The money hasnt really been there. So I dont have it right now in me to go out here and do this. Where is my resume? Ive got to update my resume. Oh, my God. Im too old for this. I dont want to go back out here and do this. OK. Am I going to be able to find something where Im going to be able to cater around my 3-year-old? Am I going to even be able to find a job at all? What am I going to do? I just thought about my kid. How is my next decision going to affect them? So it was so many thoughts going through my mind. I just had to write down, OK, what bills do I have? What can I let go of? What can I do? Because I dont want my kids to be deprived of the life that Ive worked so hard to provide for them. I dont want them to suffer through this because of this. How do I keep the atmosphere still positive, still optimistic for them, when Im going crazy inside. Like, oh, my God, what does this mean? All of these things were going through my head. I was just in [INAUDIBLE]. ben casselman Thats a lot of thoughts all at once. nakitta long Yeah. ben casselman And even as you were thinking about all of that, you were thinking about protecting your kids and not letting them see what you were dealing with. nakitta long I wanted to make sure that I maintained the environment where they felt like, mom, shes going to figure it out again. She always does. Mom always gets it right. She always makes it right for us. My daughters 17. And shes talking about college. Shes excited to go away and do all those things that kids want to do when they get 18. They think the worlds an oyster, right? And I was, like, OK. How do I let them experience that and still deal with what were doing? ben casselman Have you always been in manufacturing? nakitta long Pretty much. I had always been in manufacturing the entire time that I was in school, because I had kids. So I could juggle that. I did manufacturing, raised my kids and I went to school. And so when it came time for me to graduate and be able to use that degree, I was constantly told I was overqualified. Because I would put the masters degree, thinking it was a great accomplishment. But the employers would say, well, if you have a masters degree, whats going to happen is youre going to get here and youre going to realize its not enough money, and youre going to want to leave. So I couldnt win on either spectrum. I couldnt really get my foot in the door on any level to do anything. Because I was either overqualified because of my degree, or I was underqualified because Id never had any experience in criminal justice. ben casselman You have a masters degree in criminal justice? What were you planning on doing with that originally? nakitta long I originally planned to go onto law school and get my J.D. and be a judge. ben casselman But it never quite came out that way. nakitta long No, because life happens. And you have to make adjustments. I was a single mom for quite some time. So I just got really stuck in that cycle of having to take care of my family, make ends meet. ben casselman How much did you make in that job? nakitta long We started out, when we first got there at $14.25, I believe, an hour. And then, when I ended it was $15.25. And Ive been at that for almost a year. ben casselman Hm. Was that enough for you to get by? nakitta long It was just enough. I still had to apply for food stamps. So it was not enough. But I made it work, because it was better than a lot of other jobs that I had worked working substantially harder, making substantially less. I mean, I went to school. I did everything I was supposed to do. And I was told I was promised that this was part of the dream for a better life. You know? Those posters that they had up in the schools. And I dont know if they have them up anymore. You know, a high school graduate makes this much. Someone with a masters degree makes this much. Where is that at? Because Ive never seen that. Ive never seen $50,000 a year. ben casselman Once you sort of got through that first wave of emotions, and youre sitting there and looking at the money you have and the money thats going to be coming in, what decisions did you make? nakitta long I lost my job on March 30. So this was around tax time. What was able to keep my family inside the home that we have and to keep me from begging, you know, bill collectors from cutting off my lights, cutting off my water, cutting off the gas was that I was able to tap into my tax refund. And that that was what I was living off of. And I applied for unemployment. So I called every day, about 20 times a day. Constantly calling back, hang up, call right back. Hang up, call right back. Nothing, no one. So Im like, OK. ben casselman How long did it take to resolve that? nakitta long On April 14, I was able to get a resolution. And it said that my claim had been approved, $223 a week, after all my time working. And the additional $600 from the federal government was the amount that I was able to sustain my bills. Because I dont know who can live off $223 a week. Im not sure. ben casselman Youre getting $600 a week from the federal government? Youre getting $223 from the state of North Carolina? How does that compare to what you were earning when you were working back at the plant? nakitta long It is actually more than I was earning. And I think thats probably the sad part about it, that it is actually more. Im bringing in now $300 a little bit over $320 more, I mean, give or take a few dollars, than I was making going to work every day. So its allowed me to pay my bills a little bit more comfortably. ben casselman You say its sort of sad that youre making more on unemployment than you were working. Why do you say that? Why do you say thats sad? nakitta long That I have to make a decision between working and making less, and staying home and making more, when Id rather be working. Why can that not be included in salaries? Why can that not be included in wages? I love to work. I want to contribute to society. Be with my peers. I want to meet people at work that are different from me. I want to get out the house, away from my family. [LAUGHS] ben casselman [LAUGHS] We all want that right now. nakitta long Right? But I want to contribute to society. I dont know. Maybe its me. Dont we all? ben casselman So what are you doing today to prepare for that day when unemployment benefits run out? nakitta long Right now I am writing my bills as we speak. Im writing my bills out. Im writing down what I can cut. Im looking and researching areas to live that we can move to to maybe get a livable wage and live safely. Im doing all of that. ben casselman You said youre thinking about leaving North Carolina? nakitta long Im considering moving to another state if the opportunities are there, for the dreams that I have for my family are there. Im very open to that, moving to another state, yeah, exactly. ben casselman Do you remember a time when you didnt have to worry about money every day? nakitta long [LAUGHS] No. No. [music] ben casselman Well, Nakitta, I really appreciate your taking the time to talk to us and to share your story with all of us. And I hope that things work out for you soon. nakitta long I appreciate that. Thank you for taking the time talking to me. ben casselman Nakitta has one week left on her state unemployment benefits. Then shell have to apply for an extension. Shes still getting the extra $600 a week from the federal government for now, but that runs out at the end of next month. Shes been looking for jobs. But with two kids at home, her options are more limited. So shes really been looking to cut back financially. She told me shes thinking about getting rid of her car. And shes planning for the future. Shes wondering whether with her masters degree in criminal justice she could get into professional counseling. And she wrote me an email. She said, I know Ill be able to bounce back. Im just not sure how long it will take or what sacrifices I will have to make. michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording (dr. anthony s. fauci) Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, ranking member Walden. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to discuss with you today the role of the National Institutes of Health and research addressing Covid-19. michael barbaro On Tuesday, during an appearance before a House committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that the next few weeks would be critical to confronting the dramatic surge of infections in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona. archived recording (diana degette) Ive seen some data the last few days that, while cases are going up in this country, deaths are going down. Should we see this as a positive sign, or should we still be worried? archived recording (dr. anthony s. fauci) I think its too early to make that kind of link, Congresswoman. Let me explain. Deaths always lag considerably behind cases. michael barbaro During the hearing, Fauci cautioned that the current decline in deaths from the virus could quickly reverse and begin to climb again. archived recording (dr. anthony s. fauci) So youre seeing more cases now while the deaths are going down. The concern is, if those cases then infect people who wind up getting sick and go to the hospital, it is conceivable you may see the deaths going up. So I think its too early to say, because the deaths are going down. michael barbaro Italian prosecutors hid evidence that a key figure in the murder of a Rome cop by two US students was a police informer, a defence lawyer told AFP Saturday. Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth are on trial in Rome over the killing of Mario Cerciello Rega, who was in plain clothes when he was slain in a night drug bust on July 26 last year. The two face life sentences if found guilty of knowingly killing a police officer. "This is the latest worrying development to give us the impression they are trying to hide something in this trial," Elder's lawyer Renato Borzone said. The prosecutors' office was not immediately available for comment. Elder, 20, has admitted to stabbing Cerciello with an 8-inch combat knife. But he insists Cerciello and his partner Andrea Varriale did not identify themselves, and he thought he was fighting for his life against drug dealers. The San Francisco native, who was 19 at the time of the incident, says Cerciello attacked him from behind, while Varriale wrestled with Natale-Hjorth, then 18. Varriale says when he and Cerciello stopped the youngsters, they were attacked. Cerciello was left with 11 wounds. - 'Lies' - Natale-Hjorth initially told investigators he had not been involved, but his fingerprints were found on a ceiling panel in the hotel room where the students had hidden the knife. Under Italian law, anyone who participates even indirectly in a murder can face homicide charges. The defence says lies told by Varriale in the immediate aftermath of the stabbing -- such as whether or not the policemen were armed, as they should have been while on duty -- seriously undermine his credibility as a witness. In the latest twist, Elder's lawyers discovered a statement taken during the police investigation was illegally withheld by the prosecution ahead of the trial. "It's extremely serious, it cannot be considered a mere error," Borzone said. In the statement, policeman Fabrizio Pacella admitted drug dealer Italo Pompei was an informant of his. Pompei was introduced to the Americans by an intermediary, whose bag they stole when they were sold fake drugs. Borzone said the fact Pompei was a police source could answer many questions surrounding the case, including why Cerciello and Varriale left their designated patrol area, without informing central command, to track down the two young Americans. Italy's best-selling Corriere della Sera daily suggested the policemen may have been determined to recover the stolen bag because it had a mobile phone inside which could have unmasked Pompei. "If they've lied about what happened before (the attack), they've lied about what happened during," Borzone said. The case continues with three hearings next week, when Pompei and the intermediary will take the stand. The hearings at the Rome court are being held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, despite a nationwide lockdown imposed in March having been nearly entirely lifted. Victoria's surge in coronavirus infections continues as family and work clusters expand and derail plans to reopen the state. Another 19 cases were diagnosed on Sunday, the fifth straight day of double-digit new infections, and only one of them is an overseas arrival. The state saw 25, 13, 18 and 21 new cases over the four previous days while the rest of the country had none or just a handful each. Four cases are linked to known outbreaks and three were identified from about 15,400 routine tests overnight. Victoria has diagnosed another surge in coronavirus infections as family and work clusters expand and derail plans of Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) to reopen the state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday announced the state's infectious total had reached 1,836 cases, of which 121 remain active. 'It is still a very serious situation,' Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Sunday. 'We have had particularly some concerns around family gatherings, extended family members across many households, visiting each other even when they have been exhibiting mild symptoms.' Two clusters are driving the outbreak - a family that has 11 infections over nine households, and 13 contractors who worked at the Stamford Plaza hotel. One of Sunday's new cases was from the family outbreak and three were workers at the hotel. The other eight cases are under investigation. All but one of Saturday's 25 cases were local transmissions, including infections that health authorities are yet to trace to a source. The new outbreaks prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to extent the state of emergency by four weeks until July 20. NSW recorded five new coronavirus cases on Sunday, all of which were returned travellers safely in hotel quarantine. On Saturday, when Victoria had 25 new cases, NSW and WA each had one - neither locally transmitted - and the rest of the states zero. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday announced the state's infectious total had reached 1,836 cases, of which 121 remain active Mr Andrews said families gathering (file image pictured) were mainly responsible for the spike which caused him to halt the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on Saturday The suburban Melbourne council areas of Hume, Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Moreland and Cardinia have the highest number of new cases since June 1. A student at Camberwell Grammar School also has the virus, as well as a teacher from Springside Primary School at Caroline Springs. Two cases are linked to two aged care facilities, Lifeview Willow Wood at Cranbourne and Royal Freemasons Springtime at Sydenham. One new case from Saturday is also linked to an H&M store at Northland Shopping Centre and another to a family outbreak at Coburg. This includes a GP who did not work while infectious. Three protesters at the Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne two weeks ago have tested positive. It will not be known for up to another week whether they infected other activists during the demonstration. Mr Andrews said Victorian families were mainly responsible for the coronavirus spike, spreading it between members during social events. 'The experts tell us that, largely, the numbers are being driven by families - families having big get-togethers and not following the advice around distancing and hygiene,' he said. One of the outbreaks is 13 contractors who worked at the Stamford Plaza hotel (pictured) in Melbourne, with three new cases on Sunday Testing at a drive through clinic in the carpark of Bunnings in West Footscray Did 'Chairman Dan' Andrew's strict lockdown cause new outbreaks? Experts claim slow approach to lifting coronavirus lockdown restrictions could actually be fuelling a spike in cases. Australian National University microbiologist Peter Collignon claimed the strict lockdown measures have done more harm than good, as people were more likely to break the rules because they were considered to be too severe. 'If you overdo it, you find people rebelling,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'Having a really strict lockdown when you have a low community restriction has not given better results. 'My view is Victoria always went too far.' Professor Collignon added the matter was made worse as Victoria had initially carried out fewer COVID-19 tests than its neighbour state New South Wales, during the early days of the virus outbreak. Advertisement Mr Andrews said about half of the state's cases since the end of April have come from transmission inside someone's home. 'You can see how this could happen. People feeling relaxed at home. Letting their guard down. Letting old habits creep back,' he said. Mr Andrews was criticised by Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien for blaming the outbreak on Victorian families, but the premier renewed this claim on Sunday. 'The substantial increase in the number of household contacts spreading the virus among extended family groups shows the battle against coronavirus is far from over,' he said. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus can turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days.' Mr Andrews on Saturday stalled the easing of lockdown restrictions and rolled back the number of guests allowed to gather at houses to five. Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12. They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos, and Premier Daniel Andrews arrive to give more bad news about coronavirus outbreaks in the state It comes after thousands of protesters gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne's CBD on June 6. A third protester was on Thursday confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 after attending the mass gathering. The effect will not be known for another week A NEW 'HARDSHIP' PAYMENT Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victorians who contract COVID-19 and/or their close contacts will receive a $1,500 payment if they cannot afford to take sick leave. 'This is about making sure there's no financial reason for these people not to isolate and to go to work instead,' he said. Advertisement The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people. From midnight on Sunday, the number of visitors in a house will be reduced from 20 to five. Outside, people will only be allowed to gather in groups of 10 - a decrease from 20. Chief Heath Officer Brett Sutton said Victorians may even be forced to wear face masks in public if cases keep going up at this rate. 'Masks have been a hot topic, obviously. The existing national advice has been that they are not required,' he said. 'The World Health Organisation advice has been that masks are really recommended only when physical distancing can't be maintained and where there is high community transmission. 'I remain open to the idea. I think we have to bear in mind that we will do whatever is required that might help to turn things around in Victoria, because we need to get to a point where we are driving numbers back down to zero.' Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship in Victoria will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12. They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday. Pictured: Cafes in Melbourne's Centre Place open for dine in customers on June 1 Victorian AFL player tests positive Essendon player Conor McKenna spent 14 days in quarantine and tested negative for the virus five times before eventually testing positive. He was planned to make a return for the Bombers at a game against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, but that match has been postponed even though his teammates have tested negative. McKenna is asymptomatic and is said to be doing well. Though the Saturday match has been postponed, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan reassured fans that all others will proceed. All of the players and football department staff at the Essendon club will be asked to self-isolate until the health department has finished their investigation. Essendon Football Club's Conor McKenna has tested positive for the coronavirus. He recently returned to Australia from Ireland Advertisement Mr Sutton will discuss the issue with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee later on Sunday. 'I will raise the issue with my AHPPC colleagues, I'm on the phone to them shortly, and I will raise it as a consideration for Victoria, so I remain open to the idea,' he said. The Premier said he had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the possibility of reintroducing a stay at home order to ensure Victorians follow the rules. 'As we've seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days,' Mr Andrews said. 'That's why we need to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities.' Mr Andrews also threatened authorities would go door-to-door to make sure close contacts of coronavirus patients who were ordered to self-isolate were doing so. 'We will go door-to-door, getting the message out there to communities across the state that these restrictions are there for everyone,' he said. 'We'll go door to if we have to make sure people are doing the right thing.' The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people The state's Chief Health Officer said Victoria is 'absolutely at risk of a second peak' of COVID-19. 'We are at a point where we have to turn it around or the numbers get beyond us,' Professor Brett Sutton said on Saturday. 'We are indeed at a crossroads.' A $1,500 payment for those who contract COVID-19 and their close contacts has also been announced. The cash would go to people who can't afford to take sick leave. 'This is about making sure there's no financial reason for these people not to isolate and to go to work instead,' Mr Andrews said. Those who are currently working from home are required to continue to do so until July 31. Seoul, June 21 : North Korea said on Sunday that it had no intention to cancel its plan to send anti-Seoul leaflets across the border, calling an inter-Korean agreement that bans such activity "a dead document". On Saturday, the North's state media said Pyongyang was printing anti-Seoul propaganda materials in large numbers and preparing to send them across the border, reports Yonhap News Agency. South Korea's unification ministry expressed regret and urged Pyongyang to withdraw the plan immediately, calling it a violation of an inter-Korean summit agreement. "We, clearly aware that leaflet scattering is the violation of the North-South agreement, do not have any intent to reconsider or change our plan at a time when the North-South relations have already been broken down," a spokesman for the North's United Front Department (UFD) said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The South Korean authorities must no longer talk about the agreement that has been already reduced to a dead document," the spokesperson added. Sending propaganda leaflets into the South is one of the retaliatory measures the North has vowed to take in response to anti-Pyongyang leaflets that defectors in the South send via large balloons into the North. North Korea has called South Korea an "enemy" and vowed to cut off all cross-border communication lines in anger over the leaflet issue. Last week, it even blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong that was opened as a result of a 2018 summit between their leaders, reports the Yonhap News Agency. The South Korean government has sought to legislate a ban against the leaflets and filed a criminal complaint against two defector groups engaging in such activity. The North, however, criticized Seoul for moving too late and coming up with "little more advanced excuses". Does Wyoming need 200 or so boards and commissions? Probably not. But winnowing the list will not be easy. An examination of the full roster is daunting and time-consuming. The Joint Interim Committee on Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions has the task of deciding if a board or commission is necessary, can be merged with another or be eliminated entirely if it hasnt been active. An example of the latter could be the Board of Coroner Standards. The terms of all the members of that board expired on Jan. 3, 2019 and were not renewed, Gayle Symons, a member of the Wyoming Government Efficiency Commission, told the committee last week. The state board was in the limelight in 2017 when members refused to investigate the Teton County Coroner for alleged misconduct during an inquest into the death of a Jackson man. The state board members said they had no legal authority to conduct such an investigation, a position upheld by a Wyoming Supreme Court decision earlier this year. The state board was created by the Legislature in 2014. Supporters said it was needed to provide oversight over the elected coroners in the state. The government efficiency commission recommended the review of the state boards and commission, including the licensing boards that are self-supporting. Symons questioned whether a smaller board, like the state Board of Podiatry whose only task is to regulate Wyoming podiatrists, should be considered for consolidation with another board. According to the Orthopedic Doctors website, Wyoming has 23 podiatrists, including one in Smoot. The consultants driving the states costly efficiency study, Alvarez and Marsal, developed a matrix with their recommendations for consolidating the boards and commissions. Under this structure both the coroners board and the podiatry board would be under a Health Professions Licensing entity. The consultants recommendations would substantially reduce the number of boards and commissions to 29 categories with a separate one for 11 independent boards and commissions. It it not unusual, meanwhile, for a board or commission to just go away. In 2011, the Legislative Service Office studied the state boards and commissions for the management audit committee. The researchers found a few entities that had not met for a year or more. The list included the Telecommunications Council; the Education Planning and Coordination Council; The Governors Domestic Violence Elimination Council; The Advisory Council for Innovative Education and the Governors Food Safety Council. Furthermore, the researchers concluded that the innovative education council was failing in all areas. The council that year had a budget request of $600,000 for a trust fund established earlier to support innovative measures in education in the classroom or through additional training or certification for instructors, administrations and other education staff. The council was to use a grant application process to determine which projects received funding. The group also was responsible for evaluating the efficiency and validity of currently funded projects. The council was to consist of nine members, including four appointed by the state superintendent; two by the governor, the teacher of the year and with the governor and superintendent to serve as ex-officio members. The council also was to meet twice a year, host an annual conference and dispense grant money. The council, the researchers found, had not met in three years since 2008. The only current member of the council, the report said, was the teacher of the year. A single education department employee had been carrying out the duties of the nine-member council including grant reviews and distributions. But the education department had not followed through on other duties assigned by the Legislature, including holding an annual conference. This council may have come back in a different iteration. But there is no innovative education council listed on the consultants matrix. Joan Barron is a former longtime capitol bureau reporter. Contact her at 307-632-2534 or jmbarron@bresnan.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After Nepals parliament endorsed the political map that shows the disputed areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its territory earlier this month, some Nepalese FM radio stations close to India-Nepal border in Uttarakhands Pithoragarh have started giving weather bulletins of these three areas. These FM radio stations are located in Darchula district of Nepal and can be heard in the bordering areas of Dharchula, Baluakot, Jauljibi and Kalika towns on the Indian side in Pithoragarh, according to locals. Krishna Garbiyal, a prominent leader of the Rung community in Dharchula said these Nepalese FM stations have started giving information on weather reports of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura considering these areas as their own territories, like India, did recently with PoK. Also read: Not just Indias Galwan, China has a long list of territorial disputes In the first week of May, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had started including cities like Muzaffarabad and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in its weather forecasts, stating PoK was part of India. Locals living in the bordering areas, especially in Dharchula, said that Nepalese FM channels have unleashed propaganda in between songs by including speeches of Nepali politicians and leaders regarding these areas belonging to Nepal. People in Dharchula confirmed that after India inaugurated the road till Lipulekh Pass - the traditional trading route with Tibet - Nepalese FM channels have started playing speeches in between Nepalese songs. As Nepalese songs are listened by villagers on both sides of the border, these anti-India speeches, delivered by Nepalese leaders from time to time affect the psyche of people living on both sides of the border and are fuelling seeds of disharmony in the relations between the people on the two sides, said Shalu Dayal, a resident of Dantu village of Dharchula. Dayal claimed that besides some of these FM stations playing anti-India speeches in between Nepalese songs, some old FM channels and websites on the Nepalese side were also highlighting reports of Kalapani being part of Nepal. Ashok Nabiyal, a social activist from Dharchulas Vyans Valley said Indian intelligence agencies active at India-Nepal border need to take cognisance of this propaganda so as to counter these anti- India speeches in these bordering areas. Nepalese propaganda is clearly aimed at influencing locals on this side of the border and strengthening their claims, but our authorities are yet to take any pro-active measure to counter this propaganda and misinformation, he said. The local authorities in the district said they are yet to get information about these developments We do not have any such information neither our intelligence units have given us any feedback on this issue, said Preeti Priya Darshani, superintendent of police (SP) Pithoragarh. Dharchula circle officer VK Acharya said, none of our intelligence units have given us any information regarding anti-India propaganda in Dharchulas bordering areas recently. Nepal claiming Indian territories in its map has disturbed traditional relations between people of Nepal and Uttarakhand in the bordering regions of the state. Locals, officials and experts have rubbished the Nepalese claim. Even as there have been good relations between the Nepalese and the people living in border areas on this side, Nepals recent claims have not gone well with the people. Nrip Singh Napachayal, former Uttarakhand chief secretary, who hails from Pithoragarhs Rung community said Nepal has erroneously shown Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as their territory and was unleashing misinformation through its communication mediums. These actions of Nepalese have disturbed the traditional relations between the people on the two sides, which have much in common linguistically and culturally. Traditionally and historically, Kalapani has always been venerated as a sacred source of Kali river, while river Mangti has always been regarded as the sacred river of the tribal community living here, he said. The Kali River originates at Kalapani at an altitude of 3,600 metres and flows southwards. Named after Goddess Kali, whose temple is situated in Kalapani area near the Lipulekh pass at the border between India and China, the rivers upper course forms Indias continuous eastern boundary with Nepal. Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are part of the Indian border with China and they have no relation with Nepal border. Lipulekh Pass has served as the entrance of Indian traders and Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, which has never been objected by any ruler of Nepal till now. These claims are surprising and can vitiate the harmony between the people on two sides of the border who have been living in this region for thousands of years in peace and harmony, he said. Uttarakhands noted historian Ajay Singh Rawat said historically Indian tribal people of Vyans valley have been doing trade with Tibet from Lipulekh pass from 6th century. There is no evidence when Nepalese traders have carried out the trade from Lipulekh pass. The Kailash Mansarovar yatra by Indian pilgrims has also been going on traditionally from the same pass from centuries without any objection from the rulers of Nepal, said Rawat. Even the British travellers to Tibet before independence and Indian scholars on Kailash Mansarovar have pointed out Kalapani as the origin of river Kali also called Mahakali in Nepal and Sharda in Pithoragarh. Charles A Sheering, British traveller and administrator, who visited Tibet in 1905, has written in his book that Kalapani is considered as the original source of Kali river... there are more than half a dozen small springs which all combine and form the source of River Kali, said Rawat. Citing historical records, Dr Rawat said that immediately after the Sugauli Treaty, landlords of Vyans valley in the present Dharchula area had moved an application in the court of the then commissioner of Kumaon in March 1817, saying that after the treaty only two villages - Tinkar and Changru - had gone to Nepal side while 6 other villages of the valley had remained within the Indian territory. Since then, all 6 villages are within the Indian territory, said Rawat. On June 18, Nepals parliament passed a constitutional amendment under which it unanimously voted to endorse the new political map issued last month that shows the disputed areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepal. The border row escalated last month after India opened an 80-kilometre-long road to Lipulekh on the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region to facilitate pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar. The Indian side maintains that Nepals shifting claims are contrary to the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1815 by Nepal and the British. The Treaty of Sugauli between the British and Nepal was signed in December 1815 and ratified in March 1816. It defined river Kali as the western border of Nepal. India asserts that the river begins in Kalapani as this is where all its tributaries merge, but Nepal claims that the river begins from Lipulekh Pass. (Natural News) Five state governors are now in hot water after issuing mandates that force nursing homes to take in COVID-19 patients a blatant disregard for guidance set earlier by the federal government. According to the Epoch Times, lawmakers from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis have already sent letters to the governors demanding information not just on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at nursing homes in their states, but also the number of hospital discharges to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The letters also demanded that the governors supply them with information regarding their executive pandemic orders and directives on nursing homes, as well as other relevant documents and communications between their offices and the state departments of health regarding COVID-19 mitigation in long-term care facilities. The lawmakers also demanded that the governors supply copies of communication between their states health departments and state nursing home administrators. In the letter, the lawmakers noted that the ongoing pandemic, which is caused by the Wuhan coronavirus, has affected the elderly population disproportionately especially those who are currently living in nursing homes and other long-term care and assisted living facilities. We owe it to those who died and their grieving families to get to the bottom of why these deadly decisions were made by these governors, ensure we stop this from still taking place, and prevent tragedies like these from happening again as we continue to battle this deadly virus, said Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, a Republican and a member of the Coronavirus Crisis subcommittee. Among the governors currently being questioned over their decision to order nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients is New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, as reported by the Associated Press, issued an order on May 25 that ordered nursing homes and long-term care facilities to accept COVID-19 patients. Due to this, the AP said, over 4,500 COVID-19 patients were shipped off to New Yorks already beleaguered facilities, where they reportedly caused 6,432 deaths before the mandate was scrapped. (Related: Nursing home infections and deaths are still rising, even after coronavirus lockdown.) Just like fellow Democratic governor Cuomo, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is also being put to task for her offices directives regarding the spread of coronavirus in her state. Whitmer, according to the Detroit Free Press, issued a directive ordering nursing homes to create dedicated units for COVID-19-affected residents provided, of course, that the facilities still have 80 percent of their capacity available. For nursing homes who are at 80 percent capacity, COVID-19 residents must be sent to a regional hub, which the state will designate. According to data furnished by the state Department of Health and Human Services purportedly the results of a new extensive data validation effort one of every three deaths linked to COVID-19 in Michigan was a nursing home patient. This translates to at least 1,505 deaths out of 6,061 coronavirus-related mortalities in the state. Other governors that are being asked to submit information regarding their coronavirus directives include Gavin Newsom of California, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania. As reported by ProPublica, the states that issued directives similar to New York have since logged grim and devastating outcomes: Michigan lost 5 percent of its 38,000 nursing home residents to COVID-19, while New Jersey lost 12 percent of its more than 43,000 residents the highest so far in terms of nursing home deaths in the country. Just about the worst possible thing to do is knowingly introduce coronavirus to the most vulnerable populations, yet thats exactly what several states did by mandating nursing homes accept infected patients, Jackie Walorski, the representative for Indianas second congressional district and a Select Subcommittee member, said, adding that the misguided policies enforced by the governors must be scrutinized closely. The leaders who put them in place have a lot of tough questions to answer, Walorski, a Republican, said. As of press time, over 2.1 million Americans have been infected with COVID-19, of whom 118,435 have died. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com RepublicanWhip.org APNews.com FreeP.com DetroitNews.com ProPublica.org Tributes have poured in for a young man who died after swimming in a Scottish beauty spot. Keivan Ulhaq, 20, 'got into difficulty in water' at Lochore Meadows, near Lochgelly, Fife, last night. He was pulled from the water by bystanders and the emergency services were called around 6pm. Keivan Ulhaq, 20, 'got into difficulty in water' at Lochore Meadows, near Lochgelly, Fife, last night Mr Ulhaq was taken to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, but died a short time later. His heartbroken friends have paid tribute to him on social media. One said: 'Cant believe Im writing this right now. 'Keivan you were only 20 years old you didnt deserve any of this.' His heartbroken friends have paid tribute to him on social media and said he's 'one in a million' They added: 'This world is a cruel world always taking young lives away, Im going to miss you so much, will always be on my mind, I love and miss you so much rest easy my brother.' Another commented: 'Rest in peace to one of the closest friends Ive ever had. It will never be the same without you... dont even want to believe that its true.' A third wrote: 'You were one in a million, one of the soundest guys out there.' He was pulled from the water at Lochore Meadows by bystanders and the emergency services were called around 6pm Another devastated friend said: 'We are all absolutely heartbroken and don't know how we are going to go on without you. You were always the life and soul of the party.' Councillor Darren Watts, from the Cowdenbeath Ward, Fife, said: 'Incredibly sad news to wake up to this morning. 'My thoughts are with his family and friends right now.' A spokesman for Police Scotland said: 'Around 6pm on Saturday, June 20 police were called to a report that a 20-year-old man had gotten into difficulty in water at Lochore Meadows and had been pulled out. 'He was taken to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, for treatment but died a short time later.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 10:39:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Local residents play traditional instruments at a century-old teahouse of a scenic spot in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) "This so-called legislation on China's Xinjiang is another example of the hegemonic policy" of the United States, said the president of Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association, adding that such a move will "undermine the sovereignty of independent nations in the world." COLOMBO, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association (SLCFA) on Saturday strongly condemned the so-called "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020" signed by the United States, saying it is a flagrant move to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. SLCFA President Ananda Goonatilleke told Xinhua that all matters concerning Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are China's internal affairs, and any U.S. interference violates international rules and norms endorsed by the United Nations, international law and basic norms of international relations. "This so-called legislation on China's Xinjiang is another example of the hegemonic policy" of the United States, Goonatilleke said, adding that such a move will "undermine the sovereignty of independent nations in the world." Tourists and a performer dance at the Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Fei) Goonatilleke said that Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about combating violent terrorism and separatism. The counterterrorism measures taken by the Chinese government are in compliance with Chinese laws and turn out to be effective, he said, as there has been zero violent incident in the region for more than three years. "The United States is also a victim of terrorism and should have supported China's anti-terrorism measures," he said. "But the disgusting truth is, the United States is proving its typical double standard on counterterrorism." Members of the UN envoys delegation visit a photo exhibition at the Xinjiang International Convention & Exhibition Center in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Bing) As the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 120,000 lives in the United States, largely due to gross mismanagement by the top administration, Goonatilleke said, hawks in Washington are merely trying "to divert the attention elsewhere by curbing the national independence and state sovereignty of other countries." On Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Chinese government and people express strong indignation at and firm opposition to the signing of the so-called "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020" by the United States. This so-called act deliberately denigrates the human rights conditions in China's Xinjiang, viciously attacks the Chinese government's Xinjiang policy, blatantly violates international law and basic norms in international relations, and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, the ministry said. MBABANE A new era has dawned in the property market. Senate has passed the Sectional Titles Regulations of 2019, paving way for the ordinary liSwati to own separate, single sections of buildings and shared ownership of common property. The passing of the regulations will also fully operationalise the Sectional Titles Act of 2003. Heralding the latest development, which has been eagerly awaited by emaSwati, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development said the Act and the regulations would benefit the ordinary person as it would stimulate the housing market. The ministry said this was a huge leap in providing an alternative to home ownership in Eswatini because emaSwati are now eligible to acquire ownership of sections of buildings. It is hoped that this will make housing accessible to a larger percentage of the population, especially on title deed land properties in the gazetted 13 urban centres in the country. SUBDIVISION OF BUILDINGS This will be possible through allowing the subdivision of a building or buildings and the land upon which they are situated into single and common property, said Lungelo Nkambule, the ministrys Communications Officer. She described this as a major shift from the present set-up where a developer only rents out units to different tenants for life. Sectional titles will allow any developer who wishes to sell his or her building as individual units to do so if they meet the necessary requirements under the Act. Sectional title enables that a single apartment unit is purchased with full ownership rights, Nkambule said. She stated that each unit can be bonded by a financial institution hence making the acquisition of the property easier. Through the introduction of sectional titles, Nkambule said the ministry was opening up the housing market to a wide segment of the population that is presently precluded from fully partaking in the real estate industry, in particular, the low and middle income groups. Potential or interested buyers of sectional title property, who are bona fide emaSwati, will be happy to know that ownership will still be superseded by the provisions of the kingdoms constitution and other laws that regulate the ownership of property in the country. EXISTING UNITS Therefore, properties in sectional title schemes shall be sold to people who are citizens of Eswatini. Section 11 of the Act stipulates the sale of existing units by developers, first preference has to be given to a tenant who is a liSwati national to acquire the unit they presently occupy, Nkambule said. There have always been concerns that the foreign nationals who are mostly tenants of such properties would also be given a chance to purchase the units once the regulations are in place. According to Nkambule, in the event that the liSwati national who is a tenant fails to acquire the unit, second preference should be given to another liSwati who is not a tenant. Of paramount importance is that the piece of legislation advocates for the empowerment of emaSwati nationals in the acquisition of sectional title units. However, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development does not prescribe who a liSwati national is as such is a prerogative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, she stated. Potential buyers of sectional title deed property should have the means to purchase the individual units (affordability), depending on the price of same. Nkambule, however, highlighted that since the real estate industry was not regulated in the country but market forces of willing buyer willing seller prevail, it becomes difficult for the ministry to estimate how much each unit or section will cost since property prices are informed by a number of variables. LOCATION OF PROPERTY These, among others, include location of the property; size of the unit or section; availability of amenities such as healthcare facilities, education facilities, shopping centres etcetera, she said. Explaining the process to be followed by developers wanting to sell their properties in terms of the Act, she said they should submit an application to that effect. She said the Act and regulations have a number of processes in place that each and every developer needed to familiarise themselves with. These include the engagement of a qualified architect or surveyor in terms of the requirements of the Act and regulations; the building should also meet the requirements of the Building and Housing Act; public health and engineering requirements should also be adhered to since developers will be expected to sell habitable units, sections and or buildings; first preference given to emaSwati nationals who are tenants to acquire the units, etcetera, she stated. REGULATIONS BOARD Now that the Regulations are in place, Nkambule said to operationalise the sectional titles in the country, the ministry has to put in place the Sectional Titles Examination Committee (STEC) to work with the Sectional Titles Regulations Board (STRB). The STRB is already in place having been appointed in 2018 for a three-year term and its members include Registrar of Deeds Thabiso Masina (chairman), Principal Secretary Clifford Mamba, Director of Housing and Human Settlements Bhekithemba Matsebula and lawyer Mabandla Manzini, who is also acting judge of the Supreme Court. Nkambule said STEC would be in place by June 2020 or early July 2020 and once it has been gazetted, its main task would be to examine the respective professionals willing to participate in the preparation of draft sectional plans in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Act. NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI One person was killed and another seriously injured in a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV Saturday. Police responded to the crash at 3:07 p.m. June 20, at M-37 and 96th Street, south of Newyago, according to a Facebook post by the Newaygo County Sheriffs Office. Authorities said the motorcycle, which had two passengers, and the SUV crashed head on. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries, police said. The driver of the SUV was uninjured, police said. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, police said. Sheriffs deputies were assisted on the scene by Michigan State Police, LIFE Ambulance and Newaygo Fire Department. More on MLive: Motorcyclist hospitalized after southwest Michigan crash 2 teen bicyclists injured when struck by car on dark road in Holland 1 killed, 1 seriously injured in Grand Rapids crash involving 2 motorcycles By Express News Service Balaraman was just sixteen when he first went to the sea. Over the last three-and-a-half decades of his life as a fisherman, never has he stayed away from the ocean this long. Even when the Indian Ocean Tsunami came in 2004, we kept away only for a couple of months. Now it has been around four months since we ventured into the sea. This is the longest I have stayed away, says the 52-year-old fisherman from Kasimedu. Many businesses, traders, and vendors have been hit by the several spells of intensive and not-so-intensive lockdowns in the State, but none suffered as much as the fishermen. In between these various spells, almost all other commercial activities got a breather of few days, to earn a few bucks or collect pending salaries. Thanks to the fishing ban that came into effect mid-April and lasted till the first week of June, those dependant on fishing were deprived of even that tiny window of relief. Later, even as they started limping back to normalcy, yet another lockdown has dealt a brutal blow. Visuals that went viral on Friday of a fish vendor throwing tonnes of fresh catch into a dumpster in Villivakkam after the city corporation, in a late-evening move, banned trade during the lockdown period encapsulates the pain they have been going through. The anger, frustration, and hopelessness among the fishing communities across the Tamil coast is palpable. I used to make at least Rs 500 a day, says Kumar*, a fisherman from Kasimedu. I have two daughters, studying in classes 10 and 7, and the money was enough to barely get by. My average daily expense would be around Rs 300. Now, the last few months have been like a nightmare. Kumar has already pledged two of his wifes gold chains for money. Despite that, and after cutting back on our expenses, we have had to borrow Rs 40,000 till date to get by. The State government has announced Rs 1,000 relief for ration card holders per month apart from groceries, and another Rs 1,000 through the welfare boards for fishermen. But, that hardly helps. How are we to make ends meet in the city with that money? During the lockdown, cost of essentials have also been on a rise. The association has approached the government seeking more support. We are not sure if help will come our way. Chennai is just the starting point for a long chain of trouble that trails all the way till Thoothukudi. The lockdown in Chennai and its neighbouring districts has hurt fishermen in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, and Kancheepuram equally, for most of their catch is sold in the capital city. As we travel southward along the coast, its not the ban in Chennai that hurts them. Its the disruption in international trade that has dealt a body blow to fishermen, traders large and small, and massive seafood exporters who were employing tens of labourers. Big fish eat small fish The sharp rise in Covid cases in India has made it an unpopular destination for seafood trade. Many countries that used to relish the shrimps, prawns, crabs, and cuttlefish from the waters of Indian Ocean, have now stopped buying fearing transmission of the deadly virus. The fact that the Chinese think the virus originated in the wet-market of Wuhan has not done any good for the seafood trade, internationally. The fishermen of Rameswaram, who enticed the palates of Japanese with the succulent shrimps caught off the Tamil coast, are now languishing at homes. The seafood exporters, who sell fish and associated products to other countries, are at the top of the chain. Below them are the traders engaged to buy fish from boat owners. At the very bottom of this chain are the fishermen who work for these boat owners, and go to the sea in groups. The ban on sale has affected all of these people, though unequally. In Ramanathapuram, for instance, two of the four major seafood processing companies have slashed buying rates by a whopping 70 per cent. That means, shrimps, crabs, prawns, and cuttlefish that were being bought for Rs 500 per kilogram was being bought for a mere Rs 150 after the lockdown came into effect. Now that there is no regular cargo movement, the trade has completely stopped. The companies are not buying fish anymore. Fishermen across the State are worried that once the business resumes, to improve their profits lost during the lockdown period, seafood companies may try to buy fish at dirt-cheap prices. A pattern of this fashion has already emerged. As all these fish products exported from Tamil Nadu can be deep-frozen and stored for months, many exporters are holding on to tonnes of stock. However, they are yet to pay the fishermen for the procured commodities. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting held at the Nagapattinam Collectorate recently, a Thoothukudi-based exporter openly said that he was not sure about paying reasonable rates to the fishermen and traders to whom he owes money. We need to be given a minimum support price for our catch to ensure our livelihoods are intact, says RMP Rajendra Nattar, a fisher-representative from Nagapattinam. But, Nattar knows its easier said than done. When normalcy returns, the big boat owners have no choice but to sell their catch to exporters for remunerative prices. It is always better than the going local market rate. We get the best catch in a year in the first two months after the fishing ban ends, for the fish stocks would have rejuvenated. And yet this year, we are struggling for money, says Nattar. Further down in Rameswaram, the fishermen are battling a crisis of different nature. Those who ventured out to the sea recently realised the fish stocks have actually depleted and not rejuvenated. It has gone down by 40 per cent, says Martin*. We think it could be because of the change in ocean currents, induced by Cyclone Amphan. The hunt for elusive schools of fish has become further costlier now, thanks to the Centres decision to hike fuel prices. Feeding Frenzy A days fishing trip costs around Rs 1 lakh, say boat owners. This includes Rs 50,000 spent on fuel, loading labour charges, ice loading charges, food, water, and rations of fishermen going to the sea, and other miscellaneous expenses. That apart, 25 per cent of the catch is allotted for 10 fishermen on the boat. The boat owner has the responsibility to ensure the livelihood of fishermen who work for him, so that he returns the next day, says K Anandavelu, a boat owner from Akkaraipettai. The difficulties in selling fish is as much as catching them. The bargain a fisherman can strike with the mid-level trader who comes to procure stock for export companies will determine the success of his venture. We can hold on to our catch only for a day or two. By then, we have to sell them to traders who retail it locally or to those who sell it, in turn, to export companies, says S Mohandas of Akkaraipettai. If the trader does not offer a good price, we are ruined. Our losses mount. We are then forced to dump the catch in the sea. Rudder Shudder At the end of all this comes the boat maintenance costs. Usually, the boats are given for repair during the ban period. Now that they have been idle for an extended duration, the fishermen are worried that costs could escalate. The nets have been torn apart by rats, engines have been idle, and the belt chains hae gathered rust, says Kumar. He has no idea where the money would come from. Its the chicken or egg conundrum -- the boat needs money to be fixed, he needs the boat to make money. Fishermen across the State have been demanding loans under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme of the Centre. While it was launched for farmers, it was recently extended to include fishermen. However, in many districts, the loan amounts were not released due to the lockdown, allege fishermen. In Nagapattinam alone, there are 2,000 applications filed of which 1,000 are for mechanised boats. Not many of these applications have been cleared, they say. We need to get out there to make money, to overcome the losses we have been suffering over the last few months. But, without loans, we are having to pawn of the jewellery of our women and children. Or, we are at the mercy of loan sharks, says K Arutchezhiyan, the leader of Pazhayar Registered Boat Owners Association. Those who cannot settle for either of these options go to sea on faulty boats. What happens to them if the boat conks is a mere two-column accident report on newspapers. Those like Kumar and Arutchezhiyan are stranded in this sea of financial troubles, with a mere Rs 2,000 aid to row to safety. Will they make it to the shore with that, or will the government throw in more life-support, only time will tell. Sinking deep in despair Apart from crippling their business for about three months, the lockdown has also spawned add-on woes for fishermen and boat owners International embargo hits tail-end fishermen Exporters are not able to sell the catch in international market as most countries have stopped importing fish from India over the fear of Covid. As a result, the prices of catch have plummeted. This has hurt seafood processing companies, and in the process, the small fishermen who sell to these companies Fishing ban period another blow for industry Owing to relaxations made in the different phases of lockdown, most other traders could get a breather. However, the fishing ban remained even though fisherfolk from across the State clamoured for it to be shortened. Coupled with lockdown, this had led marginalised fishermen into a debt trap Rising petrol & diesel prices burn hole in fishers pockets Riddled with problems already cornering from all sides, boat owners have another coming on their way. The drastic rise in the prices of petrol and fuel has eaten into their already rotting business. On Saturday, the fuel prices were increased for straight 14th day. In Chennai, petrol price shot to Rs 82.87, diesel to Rs 75.29 Long idle period triggers chicken or egg conundrum The almost three month-long stalemate, which includes the fishing ban period, has shown a rusting effect on boats and nets. Fishermen and boat owners need money to fix the rusted engine of the boat, but on the other hand, they need to take the boat to the sea in order make a good catch to make some money Mid-level traders turning sharks using crisis The fishermen depend on mid-level traders, who come to procure catch for export companies, for good pricing of their catch. They cant hold on to the catch for more than one or two days, as they would begin rotting. These traders, using it as an opportunity, force the fishermen to accept a low procurement prices (Names changed) (Reporting by Antony Fernando, Nirupama Viswanathan, Lalitha Ranjani and Godson Wisely Dass) (Written by Gokul Chandrasekar) Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of Medical Worker Day. The message reads as follows: Dear medical workers, representatives of the healthcare system, I congratulate you on Medical Worker Day with special warmth. This year we are celebrating Medical Worker Day in a difficult situation due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. I would not be exaggerating, if I said that you are our heroes in the fight against the coronavirus. Just like our soldiers defend the borders of the homeland with dedication, these days you are fighting against the pandemic and saving lives with your unconditional dedication. The profession of a doctor is a calling, dedication, honor and responsibility, and during these difficult times, you stay true to that high mission with your dedication and the work you do day and night. On behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Armenia, I express gratitude to you for acting as frontrunners in the fight against the coronavirus with honor. The Government of the Republic of Armenia does not spare and will not spare any resource to increase and strengthen the capacities of the healthcare system and create all the necessary conditions and opportunities for you. Dear compatriots, taking the opportunity, I would like to address you once again. Today, the healthcare system in Armenia is working miracles, and it is the objective of each and every one of us to support the healthcare system with our line of conduct and our observance of the anti-epidemic rules. I have said it before many times and will say it again individual effort is the formula for the development of our statehood, the empowerment of our people and the solution to all of our problems, and it is the implementation of work with this awareness that will help us overcome the epidemic crisis and all the other challenges facing our country together. By showing responsibility, we can ease the workload of our doctors and provide them with the opportunity to return to their families. Dear medical workers, Once again, I congratulate you on Medical Worker Day and wish you and your families good health, patience, endless vigor, love and happiness. I am certain that we will overcome this challenge victoriously and through combined efforts. I love you, take pride in you and bow to you. Washington: TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music took partial credit for inflating attendance expectations at a less-than-full arena at President Donald Trump's first political rally in months, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. Social media users on platforms including the popular video-sharing app have said they completed the free online registration for the rally with no intention of going. Prior to the event, Trump's campaign manager Brad Parscale said there had been more than one million requests to attend. However, the 19,000-seat BOK Centre arena had many empty seats on Saturday evening and Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence cancelled speeches to an expected "overflow" area outside. The Tulsa Fire Department tallied the crowd at about 6200 people. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Kenneth Imasuagbon, has insisted he would not step down for Governor Godwin Obaseki in the forthcoming primary in the state. Mr Obaseki resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few days ago and joined the PDP after he was disqualified from the APC governorship primary. There is pressure on other PDP aspirants to step down for Mr Obaseki. If there is anyone who should step down for the other, it is Obaseki, Mr Imasuagbon, a lawyer, told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday. Mr Imasuagbon said he has been on his governorship project for the past 16 years and would, therefore, not give it up in just 24 hours because of Mr Obaseki. Mr Imasuagbon said he sought to contest for governorship under the APC in 2016 but was muscled out of the race by Adams Oshiomhole, the then governor of the state, who helped Mr Obaseki to succeed him. Obaseki now has a problem in APC and he has now come to PDP and he wants to muscle me out again, he said. This cannot happen. He said he has a lot of following and support across the board in Edo and that he is confident he would win the PDP primary. He said he is in Benin, consulting with the people. Most people who became governor now, they had no plan to become governor or any plan of what they want to do for their state. For me, it has been a deliberate thing because I want to serve my people, Mr Imasuagbon said. What Is Yoga? Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means "union", i.e., of the mind, spirit and body. Yoga concentrates on structured movement (Asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayama), which are its integral parts. One who wants to write an essay on Yoga Day is advised to start with what is yoga. Students can also start with the history of yoga. Ganga Quiz: Free Online National Quiz For Students Yoga Benefits Students can write about the importance of yoga because of its benefits towards a healthy mind and body. It is advised to include a few points regarding the increase in flexibility, muscle strength and body tone. International Yoga Day Essay An essay on International Yoga Day is a good idea to discuss various facts. The United Nations has recognised its universal appeal regarding the International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014. The draft resolution proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. How To Become A Yoga Instructor International Yoga Day Theme One can also write an essay regarding the International Yoga Day theme. Listed below the Yoga Day themes. Washington: North Carolina's governor has called for the removal of Confederate monuments from State Capitol grounds, citing public safety after anti-racism protesters in Raleigh pulled two statues down with ropes on Friday night. Crowds in Washington DC also toppled a statue of a Confederate general late on Friday, capping a day when thousands of people marched through US cities in Juneteenth observances commemorating the abolition of slavery. Crews add The Henry Wyatt Monument to a truck after removing them from the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, June 20. Credit:AP Video footage on Twitter showed cheering protesters in Raleigh taking down two Confederate statues with ropes and hanging one to a lamp post. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said on Saturday he had ordered other Confederate monuments to be moved from the State Capitol grounds to "protect public safety". Rawat congratulates PM Modi in a video message, says the whole world is celebrating Yoga Day due to his efforts. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday performed yoga at his residence on the occasion of International Yoga Day. Extending greetings to all, he said that with the successful efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the whole world is celebration Yoga day on June 21. Greetings on International Yoga Day. With Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts, the whole world is celebrating Yoga Day on June 21. Lakhs of people gathered together to perform Yoga in the previous years but this year due to COVID-19, the Prime Minister has requested people to perform Yoga at home, Rawat said in a video message on Twitter. He said that Yoga boosts immunity that can help to fight COVID-19. Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat performs yoga on #InternationalYogaDay today. pic.twitter.com/GOs9zI75Mw ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020 Also read: Delhi LG pulls back order on home isolation after Kejriwals opposition Also read: PM comes to migrants respite with Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan The International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. Also read: Delhi CM Vs Centre on isolation rules: Kejriwal slams LGs order For all the latest National News, download NewsX App On Friday night, Brazil became the second country in the world to surpass 1 million cases of the coronavirus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The nation is on track to overshadow the U.S. for the most coronavirus deaths in the world by the end of July, according to one model. The U.S., which currently has the world's highest number of cases and deaths, currently has more than 2.2 million cases and more than 119,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins. Brazil is fast-approaching 1.1 million cases and has just under 49,000 deaths. Brazil reported a record-breaking 54,771 new cases on Friday, according to Reuters, and the country is expected to top 50,000 deaths over the weekend. The country's health ministry said that the spike occurred because numbers were underreported on Thursday, according to The Associated Press. Coronavirus - Brazil An excavator digs more graves at the Vila Formosa cemetery. Lincon Zarbietti/picture alliance via Getty Images The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which is part of the University of Washington's School of Medicine, has projected that Brazil's death toll will exceed that of the U.S. in July. Alexandre Naime Barbosa, a medical professor at the Sao Paulo State University, told Reuters that the toll of the virus is likely much higher than what is currently being reported. "That number of 1 million is much less than the real number of people who have been infected, because there is under-reporting of a magnitude of 5 to 10 times," Barbosa said. "The true number is probably at least 3 million and could even be as high as 10 million people." The country's president, Jair Bolsonaro, has downplayed the risk of the virus, and the ministry has said the recovery rates are far more significant than the number of illnesses and deaths. While it appears that northern parts of the country are seeing a decrease in overall cases, AP reported that Southern areas are facing an increase. Story continues "There is a lot of regional inequality in our public health system and a shortage of professionals in the interior," Miguel Lago, executive director of Brazil's Institute for Health Policy Studies, told the AP. "That creates many health care deserts, with people going long distances to get attention. When they leave the hospital, the virus can go with them." Yusuf revisits the songs of Cat Stevens Back on campaign trail, Trump dismisses COVID testing "He was in a panic - I was in a panic," man confesses to the murder of his best friend Beijing yesterday unveiled details of its new national security law for Hong Kong, paving the way for the most profound change to the city's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The much-anticipated legislation, which has provoked deep concerns in Europe and Washington, includes a national security office for Hong Kong to collect intelligence and handle crimes against national security, the official Xinhua news agency reported. It said Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam could also appoint specific judges to hear national security cases, a move likely to unnerve some investors, diplomats and business leaders in the global financial hub. National security activities would protect human rights and freedom of speech and assembly, it added, without providing details. China says the draft law is aimed at tackling separatist activity, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, but critics fear it will crush wide-ranging freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre. The details of the law were unveiled following a three-day meeting of the top decision-making body of China's parliament. The exact time frame for enacting the law was unclear, although political analysts expect it will take effect ahead of key legislative council elections in Hong Kong on September 6. China's move to impose the law directly on Hong Kong, bypassing the city's legislature, comes after a year of sometimes violent anti-government and anti-Beijing protests that mainland and local authorities blame "foreign forces" for fomenting. Some political commentators say the law is aimed at sealing Hong Kong's "second return" to the motherland after Britain's 1997 handover failed to bring residents of the restive city to heel. At the time of the handover, China promised to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years under what is known as the "one country two systems" formula. Beijing proposed the new legislation last month, drawing a swift rebuke from the west. Underscoring global concerns over the move, the European Parliament last Friday voted in favour of taking China to the International Court of Justice in The Hague if Beijing imposes the security law on Hong Kong. Also last Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would in future treat Hong Kong as a Chinese city, rather than a semi-autonomous one, and the US was working its way through a decision-making process over who would be held accountable over curbs to Hong Kong's freedoms. China has repeatedly warned foreign governments against interfering in its internal affairs. Officials in Beijing and Hong Kong have been at pains to reassure investors that the law will not erode the city's high degree of autonomy, insisting it will only target a minority of "troublemakers" who pose a threat to national security. Hong Kong has said the law will not erode investor confidence and people who abide by it have no reason to worry. Despite such assurances, the law has alarmed business groups, diplomats and rights organisations, further strained ties between the west and China, and prompted the G7 foreign ministers to urge Beijing not to go through with it. Associated Press (Natural News) For refusing to comply with the states stay-closed-forever reopening plan, a Massachusetts workout facility recently had its power cut off by local politicians. It was actually the regions power company that shut the place down, electrically speaking, after a judge ruled that the gym was in violation of Governor Charlie Bakers third-phase provisions for health clubs, which had not yet gone into effect. According to local news outlet WHDH, both electricity and water service were cut off for Prime Fitness & Nutrition, Inc., leaving the business unable to operate and forcing it back into mandatory closure. Electricity and domestic water service were shut off in Prime Fitness & Nutrition, Inc. on Thursday after a judge granted the town the ability to shut down the gym, WHDH reported. Dave Blondin, the gyms owner, had already racked up thousands of dollars in fines for violating the state orders by the time the utilities to his business were shuttered. But he does not care, and has even indicated that he would go to jail if necessary to maintain customer access to gym. Potentially arrested its 100 percent worth it, Blondin is quoted as saying, defending his right to keep his business open for the benefit of his paying customers. I do not care about that; that does not scare me. If they think that its going to scare me, then they can go right ahead and do so, he added. Why are otherwise law-abiding Americans being punished while Antifa terrorists are left to do what they please? Like many other businesses that have been intimidated into staying closed due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Fitness is at risk of permanent closure if it is unable to pay its bills. For this reason alone, Blondin has a constitutional right to remain open if he so chooses. Judge Susan Sullivan, however, disagrees. He maintains that the town in which the gym is located has a right to keep the facility closed out of concern for public safety. This behavior needs to stop, she says. Im not looking to punish. Civil contempt is not about punishment; its about coercion. A GoFundMe page was set up to help support Prime Fitness, as well as to raise money for the fines imposed against its owner. The hope is that it can somehow survive all of this and one day reopen for good, the normal way. Meanwhile, the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle is open for business with no police in sight. Even though none of its residents are social distancing or following government guidelines, nobody is stopping it from existing. Not only that, but reports have emerged of all sorts of other gross behavior taking place within the CHAZ, including people urinating and defecating all over the grass and sidewalks, potentially spreading the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and other diseases to passersby. The mainstream media is completely ignoring the massive risks associated with the CHAZ, not to mention all of the families with young children that are strolling through the area because they are being told that it is akin to a street fair or carnival. Why is it that an otherwise law-abiding business owner is being targeted with total shutdown through the local utility companies for violating some made-up reopening plan that has no basis in actual law, while Antifa and Black Lives Matter terrorists are free to do whatever they please in Seattle without consequence? The same goes for the protests and riots, which involved hordes of people gathered closely together to demonstrate against racism. Why do the so-called rules not apply to them? For more related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and the selective way in which restrictions are being enforced, be sure to check out Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com Tonight (June 19), LiveNation and LiveXLive Media are hosting Lift Every Voice: A Juneteenth Special to honor the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. The program includes performances by Justine Skye, Mick Jenkins, Common, and Fantastic Negrito, as well as interviews with Vic Mensa, Leon Bridges, T.I., and more. Charlamagne tha God hosts with Gia Peppers, and proceeds benefit the racial justice nonprofit Color of Change. Watch the livestream below. Earlier this week, Pharrell and Usher both offered their own perspectives on making Juneteenth a national holiday. Usher penned an op-ed for The Washington Post, while Pharrell gave a speech in his home state of Virginia alongside governor Ralph Northam. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork Gemma Collins believes her beloved rescue cat Twinkle died from coronavirus. The former TOWIE star, 39, opened up about her cat's last moments and said she was put on a ventilator by a vet before she dying later that same day. Gemma's claims come after a new report from University College London which discussed fears that cats could cause a second wave of Covid-19. Opening up: Gemma Collins has revealed she believes her beloved rescue cat Twinkle died from coronavirus The TV personality's cat Twinkle died last month at 25 years old. She announced the furry friend's death in an Instagram post which she captioned: 'I rescued her 22 years ago she passed last night. 'I'm absolutely [heart] broken. I love you Twinkle.' She told The Sun: 'I was so upset about it - I think she had Corona. She'd never had breathing problems, and it was just so weird how she died. Devastated: The former TOWIE star, 39, opened up about her cat's last moments and said she was put on a ventilator by a vet before she dying later that same day 'I took her to the vet and it was so awkward because of Corona, I had to leave her on the boot of my car in a box and I just said to the vet please keep her alive. 'And then he called me two hours later and said he'd put her on a ventilator and she's died.' Gemma then revealed that she was so upset that she couldn't speak for two days. She also added that she feels because she and Twinkle had a bond and will be reunited in heaven. The British Veterinary Association website crashed two months ago after it seemed to suggest that all of the 10.9million cats in the UK should have a curfew throughout the coronavirus pandemic. It was then revealed that only cat owners who had to self-isolate should keep pets indoors because a study found that cats can spread the virus. So sad: Sharing an image of her feline friend, Gemma wrote: 'I rescued her 22 years ago, she passed last night. 'I'm absolutely [heart]broken. I love you Twinkle' The Blue Cross website states: 'There is no current evidence that cats, or other pets, in the UK have been infected with the new coronavirus, and there is nothing to suggest that cats can transmit Covid-19 to people. 'It is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after stroking your pets for protection against viruses, and bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella. 'Government guidelines advise cat owners to wash their hands before and after touching their cats.' However, 10,000 farmed minks were killed in the Netherlands after they were suspected of transmitting the virus to at least two humans. In an article for The Lancet Microbe, experts from University College London said there was 'increasing evidence' that some animals can pass Covid-19 on to humans. U.S. President Donald Trumps campaign on Sunday brushed off the underwhelming size of the crowd at his first political rally in three months, blaming fake news media reports of the threat of coronavirus infections and the possibility of protests for keeping people away. The 19,000-seat BOK Center arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma, appeared to be a bit more than half full Saturday night, even though the presidents campaign last week boasted that a million people had registered to attend. The Trump campaign said about 12,000 people passed through metal detectors at the entrances. An outdoor rally for an overflow crowd was called off because few were there, while the arenas upper gallery was largely empty. For the cheering supporters who did show up, Trump gave them what they came to hear: nearly two hours of red-meat political taunts. He railed against his Democratic opponent in the November national election, former Vice President Joe Biden, attacked radical left protesters demonstrating in recent weeks against police abuses in the U.S., and blamed China for the spread of what he called the kung flu, his derisive term for the coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 120,000 people in the U.S. and infected more than 2.2 million. Trump called his sign-waving supporters warriors and declared that "the silent majority is stronger than ever before." He boasted about his conservative judicial appointees, low taxes, the booming stock market, the wall under construction on the southern border with Mexico to keep out undocumented immigrants and adding to the U.S. military budget. Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale on Sunday said the crowd size was kept down by several factors. A weeks worth of the fake news media warning people away from the rally because of COVID and protesters, coupled with recent images of American cities on fire, had a real impact on people bringing their families and children to the rally, he said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued warnings that large gatherings such as Trumps rally are possible breeding grounds for the spread of the coronavirus. The Trump campaign checked the temperatures of rally-goers and handed out face masks to everyone, although it did not require anyone to wear one. As news cameras scanned the crowd, only a small portion of those watching the rally appeared to be wearing a mask. Parscale said protesters even blocked entrances to the rally at times, although media reporters on the scene said they saw few protesters and that people who wanted to attend the rally appeared to walk in unimpeded. Parscale dismissed reports that TikTok and K-Pop fans had flummoxed the Trump campaign by registering for tickets to the rally, to make it appear there would be a huge crowd, with no intention of attending. The campaign manager said, We constantly weed out bogus numbers, as we did with tens of thousands at the Tulsa rally, in calculating our possible attendee pool. These phony ticket requests never factor into our thinking. He added, For the media to now celebrate the fear that they helped create is disgusting, but typical. And it makes us wonder why we bother credentialing media for events when they dont do their full jobs as professionals. Trump campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp told Fox News Sunday that despite the Tulsa crowd size, 5.3 million people watched on Trump campaign digital channels, giving the rally a much broader reach than might have appeared from the telecast of the event. Bidens campaign scoffed at the size of the Tulsa crowd, saying, "Donald Trump has abdicated leadership and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him." National polls show Biden pulling out to an average lead of 9.5 percentage points over Trump less than five months before the election, according to a compilation of polls by Real Clear Politics. Biden has shunned any political rallies, giving television interviews from his home in the eastern state of Delaware and making a few appearances in nearby Philadelphia for speeches before small gatherings. He has not held a news conference in nearly three months. Andrew Marr in during rehearsals in the BBC Election 2005 studio (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images) BBC host Andrew Marr revealed last night (19 June) his dad Donald has died. The 60-year-old took to social media to tell his followers the news and explained colleague Nick Robinson would be standing in to take his place on this Sundays edition of The Andrew Marr Show. He tweeted: "Good luck and thanks Nick Robinson for taking over Sundays show. Read more: Noel Edmonds launches New Zealand radio station dedicated to helping plants grow "My lovely dad has just died and I am out of action." The tweets saw a host of sympathy for the political journalist, including from stand in Robinson, who responded: Sad news. All my thoughts are with Andy and his family. Sad news. All my thoughts are with Andy and his family. https://t.co/1QesxgRQ63 Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) June 19, 2020 Political journalist Pippa Crerar tweeted: Im so sorry to hear your sad news, Andrew. Thinking of you. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock, who is set to appear, responded: Im so sorry for your loss Andrew. Sending all my condolences and thinking of you and your family. Im so sorry for your loss Andrew. Sending all my condolences and thinking of you and your family. Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) June 20, 2020 Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner said: So sorry to hear the news about yr dad, sending my deepest condolences to you and the family. BBC Breakfast host and Marrs colleague Naga Munchetty said: "Sending love and condolences." Former Conservative minister Damian Green added: "So sad to hear. Condolences to your family." Read more: Piers Morgan says Kate Garraway's situation is 'unbearably sad' as husband Derek remains in hospital Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer added: "Im so sorry Andrew. My condolences." Story continues As well as Mr. Hancock, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth, actress Kristin Scott Thomas, theatre director Sir Nicholas Hytner, ONS national statistician, Sir Ian Diamond and Professor Peter Piot will all also appear. The Andrew Marr Show will air from 9am on Sunday on BBC One. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 26F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 26F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Footage has shown scores of mask-wearing patients packing hospital corridors and forming long queues for coronavirus tests in scenes said to have been triggered by Beijings explosive new outbreak. Despite being 965 kilometres away from the Chinese capital, Xijing Hospital in Xian, capital of Shaanxi Province in north-western China, has been requesting that all inpatient and outpatient visitors be given nucleic acid tests, local residents have reported online. Videos show patients packed shoulder to shoulder in the enclosed hospital corridors, with no possibility of social distancing as they wait to be called for swabs. The influx of people was triggered by a new coronavirus outbreak in Beijing. Source: AsiaWire/Australscope Similar scenes were seen in Wuhan at the height of the outbreak before the city was put on lockdown. Xian, a city of 12 million, has reported 308 locally transmitted cases in three days since the start of the outbreak. The provincial health commission said it had recorded one additional imported case on June 17 a passenger who had flown to Xian from Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, before testing positive during quarantine. But fears over a potential second wave are growing as Beijing scrambles to contain its explosive new outbreak, which saw 158 new COVID-19 cases in just seven days. Mainland China has 26 new confirmed coronavirus cases, down from 27 a day earlier, driven largely by the latest outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese capital. Of the new infections on Saturday, 22 were in Beijing, the National Health Commission said in a statement, the same as a day earlier. The infections are believed to have originated in Beijing Xinfadi Agricultural Produce Wholesale Market, which supplies 70 per cent of the citys fresh fruit and vegetables, and is 10 times the size of Wuhans Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market the suspected epicentre of the pandemic. Cities as far as Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in south-western China some 1930 kilometres away have recorded new cases which have since been traced to Xinfadi market in Beijings Fengtai District. Story continues The citys streak of zero cases lasted nearly two months before it was broken when a primary school pupils father tested positive for the virus on June 11. People ignored social distancing as they awaited coronavirus tests. Source: AsiaWire/Australscope The 52-year-old claimed to have no recent travel history and did not meet anyone from outside the capital. The source of the latest outbreak has yet to be identified. Some 32 neighbourhoods in Beijing are now listed as medium risk as the citys COVID-19 alert level was moved from two to three, placing gated communities on so-called closed management. Those living in the districts are forbidden from leaving the capital as over 1000 flights are cancelled, and inbound and outbound train and bus journeys are also halted. Huaxiang subdistrict in Fengtai, where the market is located, is the citys only high risk residential area so far. Nursery, primary and secondary schools are shut, and the reopening of universities has been delayed. Australscope 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. Treating a rare type of malignant lung cancer could improve, thanks to near-infrared irradiation and a cancer-targeting compound. Nagoya University oncologist Kazuhide Sato and colleagues tested the treatment and published their findings in the journal Cells. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare type of cancer that affects the lung lining. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but is usually diagnosed too late, leading to a poor prognosis and very limited treatment options. Sato and colleagues investigated the effectiveness of near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) as a treatment strategy for MPM. NIR-PIT has been fast-tracked for approval by the US Food & Drug Administration for treatment of a type of malignant head and neck tumor. For NIR-PIT to work, a cancer-targeting compound must first be injected. The compound is made of an antibody, which targets a specific structure on the cancer cells, and a photoabsorber, called IR700. When near-infrared light is shone on the body part affected by cancer, the compound aggregates on the cancer cell membranes, leading to acute cell rupture and tumor death. The lungs and chest cavity contain a large amount of air and are thus very good at effectively transmitting near-infrared light. NIR-PIT is a safe phototherapy option that can target a region of interest. The antibody-IR700 conjugate is also non-toxic to the body in the absence of near-infrared light irradiation. We thus thought that NIR-PIT could be an effective strategy for controlling localized MPM." Kazuhide Sato, Nagoya University Oncologist For NIR-PIT to work on MPM, the scientists needed a compound that specifically targeted MPM cancer cells. They focused their attention on an antibody called NZ-1, which targets a specific part of a transmembrane glycoprotein called podoplanin. Podoplanin is normally found on many cell types in the human body, but is particularly abundant in some types of cancer cells, including MPM. The team's research showed that podoplanin was widely expressed in a variety of MPM cell lines. They found that NZ-1 conjugates well with the photoabsorber IR700 and that NZ-1-IR700 specifically bound to podoplanin on cells in the lab. When podoplanin-positive cells, including MPM cancer cells, were mixed with NZ-1-IR700 and then irradiated with near-infrared light, the cells immediately swelled and ruptured. The team then injected NZ-1-IR700 in mice with MPM tumors. The compound gradually accumulated at the tumor sites. Shining near-infrared light on the tumor sites led to a reduction of fluorescence from cancer-tagged cells, indicating the treatment worked well as an anti-cancer strategy. Sato and his colleagues say further studies are needed to find ways that ensure the treatment will not kill healthy podoplanin-positive cells. The researchers also suggest a more focused dose of light could be achieved by shining it into a drainage device inserted into the chest cavity, which is normally used anyway in MPM patients to drain the chest from excess fluids. Police forces are dumbing down education standards in a desperate bid to meet Boris Johnsons pledge to recruit 20,000 extra officers, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. New schemes aimed at fast-tracking graduates and enrolling police officers in on-the-job degrees have been shelved in favour of a blue collar first approach. By last January, all 43 police forces in England and Wales were supposed to ensure that applicants were either graduates or non-graduates who agreed to study for three years to obtain a degree in professional policing. New schemes aimed at fast-tracking graduates and enrolling police officers in on-the-job degrees have been shelved in favour of a blue collar first approach [File photo] But many have scrapped this to focus on recruitment programmes aimed at a wider pool of school- leavers. Just ten of the 43 forces have introduced the Degree Holder Entry Programme, while 22 have started the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, where new officers juggle traditional training with academic theory. Last night a police source said that while the target for recruiting new officers was 20,000 by March 2023, constabularies need to find 28,000 to compensate for officers signing off or retiring. They added: Chief Constables have crunched the numbers and realised theyve got to target school-leavers who dont want to continue their education, even if that means missing out on a small number of academically brighter, more ambitious applicants. The College of Policing said: Forces are now taking a phased approach to implementing the new training. Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly keen to sign Hollyoaks stars Jennifer Metcalfe and Sarah Jayne Dunn for their new series later this year. Bosses are reportedly hoping to continue the soap's streak of success on the show by signing one of the stunning stars to take to the ballroom this autumn. It comes following claims that show bosses have imposed new restrictions to ensure the forthcoming series complies with the Government's coronavirus guidelines. Exciting: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly keen to sign Hollyoaks stars Jennifer Metcalfe (left) and Sarah Jayne Dunn for their new series later this year A source told The Sunday Mirror that bosses wanted to sign Jennifer, 36, after years of her being branded one of soap's sexiest stars. The actress has played feisty Mercedes McQueen since 2006, and previously took part in ITV's Dancing On Ice in 2011. A source said: 'Soap stars always do well on Strictly and Jen is one of the most loved and sexiest out there right now. 'She's been at the centre of some of Hollyoaks' biggest ever story lines over the years. Only last year, her character was shot as she spun around a dance floor.' Sex bomb: Jennifer has played feisty Mercedes McQueen on Hollyoaks since 2006, and has long been branded one of the soap's sexiest stars Dazzling: She previously took part in ITV's Dancing On Ice in 2011 (pictured with skater partner and now ex-boyfriend Sylvain Longchambon) Soap star: Sarah has played Mandy Richardson on the soap on and off since 1996, and bosses have reportedly had her on their wish list 'for a while' Elsewhere a source told The Daily Star On Sunday that bosses have also approached Sarah, 38, who has played Mandy Richardson in the soap on and off since 1996. A source said: 'Sarah has been approached by Strictly bookers. They have had her on their wish list for a while, so they're really hoping she signs up. 'There isn't long before the line-up needs to be confirmed, so Sarah will need to decide soon if she's going to go for it. 'Sarah would make the perfect contestant. The Hollyoaks cast would all be behind her 100%.' Hollyoaks stars have long boasted a successful track record on Strictly with fellow cast members Ricky Whittle, Danny Mac, and Chelsee Healey all reaching the final. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jennifer Metcalfe, Sarah Jayne Dunn and Strictly Come Dancing for comment. Changes: It comes following claims that show bosses have imposed new restrictions to ensure the forthcoming series complies with the Government's coronavirus guidelines It comes following reports that TV executives hope celebrities and their professional dancers will be able to 'exclusively bubble' by the show's anticipated launch date in September. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could front the show from separate rooms to adhere to the social distancing rules, while costume fittings may be conducted over Zoom as producers adjust to the TV industry's new normal. An insider told The Mirror: 'At the moment only singles can bubble with another household but by September it's very likely to have been extended to couples and even whole households. 'The celebs and their pros will exclusively bubble together allowing them to dance all day and still go home to their loved ones in the evening. 'It'll be easier for Tess in the main studio than Claudia in the so-called Clauditorium, where she'll have to try and stay apart from all the dancers.' Aims: TV executives reportedly hope celebrities and their professional dancers will be able to 'exclusively bubble' by the show's launch (winners Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher pictured) The source added that weekly coronavirus tests and daily temperature checks may be included as part of the crew's new routine, while hair and make-up artists can resume their normal duties using suitable PPE. As reported last week, the choreographers will isolate together in a hotel for two weeks from the end of July to practise and pre-record their group dances. Judge Bruno Tonioli, who is currently in Los Angeles, is said to have pulled out of the franchise after prioritising the US series Dancing With The Stars over the UK version of the hit show. Closer than ever: Strictly pros will isolate together in a hotel for two weeks to pre-record group dances (2019 line-up of professional dancers pictured) Shake-up: Judge Bruno Tonioli, who is currently in Los Angeles, is said to have pulled out of the franchise after prioritising the US series Dancing With The Stars Sources have claimed that no decision has been made about the future of Blackpool, after reports alleged that producers scrapped the much-loved week in an attempt to save the show. The publication also states that a same-sex pairing could be delayed until next year, while bosses are said to have secured the majority of the line-up, with Jamie Laing expected to make a return after departing the show prematurely due to an injury. MailOnline has contacted BBC representatives for further comment. Can Vodafone Idea survive in a three-pronged battle in the private mobile services space? For the answer, consider this: Starting FY23 Vodafone Idea has the burden to pay an additional over Rs 9,200 crore annually that includes its AGR dues as well as the increase in the deferred spectrum payment, once the two-year moratorium offered by the government is over. Vodafone Idea will have to cough up an additional Rs 5,235 crore every year till 2040 to pay its remaining portion of the AGR dues. That is, of course, if the Supreme Court endorses the formula of the Department of ... New Delhi: Google is celebrating Father's Day 2020 with a special doodle that lets users design a digital card for their fathers. The doodle represents crafts having pencils, paper cut-outs, flowers as well as cards and envelopes. The google doodle blog read, ''Whether they're near or far, make Dad a little piece of art from your heart in todays interactive, digital card-maker Doodle. Happy Fathers Day!'' The cards comes with many different theme. In the time of coronavirus pandemic when most of the people are stuck in different places, google makes a way easier to send heartfelt wishes to father's around the world giving ones The doodle transports users to a time when hand-made cards were used to celebrate such occasions. The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after months of a political battle with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He immediately joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Ward 2, Apoi in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday. Mr Ajayis spokesperson, Tope Okeowo, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on telephone Sunday evening. He did not speak on whether his boss will pick the governorship election form of his new party. He did not resign as deputy governor but resigned as a member of the APC and he formally joined the PDP at his ward today, Mr Okeowo said. Mr Akeredolu and his deputy have been at loggerheads over the coming governorship election in the state. This newspaper reported how Mr Ajayi was prevented from leaving the government house in Akure on Saturday in an official vehicle by the states commissioner of police, Bolaji Salami. Mr Salami said he recently caught wind of Mr Ajayis moves to defect from the APC to PDP, an action he said should render him unqualified for some official benefits. In response, Mr Ajayi argued that he ought to enjoy the perks of office as an incumbent deputy governor. He said he used his personal funds to buy the Toyota Hilux truck from which he was being denied access. After several hours of delay, the deputy governor eventually left the government house to his private residence in another vehicle. Mr Akeredolu in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Segun Ajiboye, earlier on Sunday, said reports linking him to the incident were false. He said he did not ask the commissioner of police to restrain his deputy from leaving the Government House. The governor said Mr Ajayi and his aides were intercepted when they wanted to leave the government house with items wrapped in unclear ownership as late as 11 p.m. APC had also lost Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy to PDP on Saturday. Mr Obaseki will now fly the PDP ticket in the Edo governorship election in September. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began, Kim Barbagallo closed her Willowbrook salon, Fringe: The Art of Hair, and planed to quickly reopen in Castleton Corners. She was open for one day only. Then her new salon was shuttered for three months due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. So when she heard that Phase 2 -- which allows for the opening of hair salons -- would start Monday, Barbagallo got excited. Not only is it a reopening for her salon, its a grand opening of the new location. For the safety of her clients, she has put the following procedures in place: All stylists will wear masks, chairs will be 6-feet apart, there will be no sitting in the waiting area, and clients will be given a mask and a disposable cape. In addition, there is hand sanitizer and alcohol in every hair station, which will be disinfected between clients. We are only booking one client, per chair at a time. And they dont have to move from that chair, said Barbagallo. Each client will have a temperature check and each employee will have a temperature check a few times a day, and each client and employee will have their own files. Everyone will have to fill out a questioner before coming in, she added. MANY SALONS HAVE SAFETY RULES IN PLACE Like Barbagallo, Staten Island salon owners have all put a host of safety rules in place to protect customers amid the coronavirus pandemic. At Sola Salons, a franchise that includes 29 individual studios in Port Richmond, has many protections in place for its salon owners, said Tina Marcopoulos, operations manager and franchisee of Sola Salons. We are following what Gov. Andrew Cuomo has put out and we have come up with our own safety plans and guidelines, said Marcopoulos, noting only hair salon owners at Sola Salons can open on Monday, as estheticians and other businesses there must open in later phases of the states plans. We have a mandatory health assessment, whereby everyone needs to screen themselves and all of their clients daily. Sola has come up with best practices for how to reopen their studios and how to disinfect them, she added. She noted that hands free door openers were installed at Sola Salons, and the business has ramped up cleaning protocols, hands free soap dispensers have been installed, and increased signage about social distancing and hand washing has been erected. With small individual studios at Sola Salons, many of the stylists there said they will only have one client at a time. Were alternating days so theres only one stylist and one client inside at a time, said Andrea Di Falco, owner of Tangled at Six in Sola Salons. We cant serve any food or beverages. Face coverings must be worn by both stylist and client for the duration of the appointment. Anyone showing any signs of illness will not be permitted inside the building. Unless you are physically or otherwise unable, you must come to your appointment alone. Di Falco said her salon will also sterilize the salon between each client. Were going to be using disposable chair covers and capes, she said. Lisa Meshel, owner of Painter + Mane in Sola Salons, said she too will only take one client at a time. I will require masks and temperature checks are required for all appointments. My clients will have to sit in their car until I am ready to take them, and I will be thoroughly disinfecting my whole studio in between each client, which limits the amount of people I can see per day, she said. I am telling clients if they feel sick at all or are showing any symptoms at all to please stay home and reschedule their appointment. I will be getting a COVID test once a week to ensure I am not getting anyone sick, added Meshel. APPOINTMENTS BY APP AT BARBER SHOP Ricardo Manzanillo, co-owner of MT Clippers Barbershop in Grasmere and VIP Barbershop Corp in Tompkinsville, said unlike in the past, walk-in clients will not be taken. And appointments have to made on a free App called MT Clippers Barbershop. Manzanillos said his safety plan also includes the following: The use of face mask for staff and client will be required. Every customer entering the shop must be subject to a temperature check. Waiting area will be closed until further notice in order to keep social distancing. Hand sanitizer dispenser in every barber station. Additional time will be factored in before and after a reserved service for implements disinfection. Use of a clean cape for every customer. NO BLOW DRYERS' At Gina Michele Salon in Sunnyside, the owners will also be implementing safety precautions, including not using blow dryers, said Gina Aguinaga, who owns the salon with Michele Harding. We wont take walk-ins. Appointment only for now. Customers have to wear masks. We will be wearing masks and shields, said Aguinaga. We arent using blow dryers for now because the virus is airborne. WE JUST CANT HUG YOU Although many hairstylists miss their loyal clients they say they they will keep their distance when they reunite for hair cuts, color and styling. For the safety of our customers and staff, we are only accepting one customer at a time. We have partitioned each chair. We honor all New York City health requirements. Masks must be worn at all times. We look forward to serving our community as we have done for the past 14 years. We Love you. We just cant hug you, said Kasia Zajac, owner of Molto Carino salon in South Beach. ** CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE IN NEW YORK ** FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER 22 Chinese Students Have Been Blocked from Returning to China Honest News Straight to Your Home. Try the Epoch Times yourself, and get a free gift. The news of 22 Chinese students from the U.S. becoming stranded at Zurich Airport on their way back to China has drawn public attention. The students bought expensive tickets to return to China but were told they could not board the plane while transferring in Switzerland. With hundreds of people living and working in close proximity, mines - and the camps that house their workers - seemed like fertile territory for the coronavirus to spread. So far, the global mining sector has yet to face the kind of outbreaks that paralyzed U.S. meat plants and wreaked havoc on the cruise industry. But, as lockdowns ease and mines start ramping up output, there's reason to be cautious. Vladimir Putin dispatched the army to Russia's biggest gold operation last month after it reported hundreds of cases, and a couple of South African mines were temporarily halted as employees tested positive. In Chile, tensions are rising as miners in the biggest copper-producing nation seek to maintain output, while unions call for operational curbs as more workers fall ill. From Quebec to Queensland, the industry is on high alert. Screening, quarantining and social distancing have become standard, and workers in remote mining camps are faced with new rules governing everything from canteen meals to vacation schedules. New apps are also helping to educate employees on virus risks. Here are five mining and metals companies that have changed their work practices as a consequence of the pandemic: - Sibanye Stillwater, South Africa. About 40,000 employees - almost half of Sibanye Stillwater's South African workforce - are using the company's WeAre1 app. The app allows staff to self-screen, speeding their return to work as the world's largest platinum miner boosts production following a national coronavirus lockdown. To maintain social distancing, the company has cut the number of workers entering the cages that are lowered to mining areas more than two miles (3.2 kilometers) underground. Workers wear masks and other protective equipment and are also been given food parcels to ensure proper nutrition. - Norilsk Nickel, Russia. MMC Norilsk Nickel's airline NordStar has recently resumed some services to the remote Arctic city of Norilsk, after cutting most flights in late March as the virus spread. Everyone traveling to Norilsk is being quarantined for 14 days by the city's authorities. To minimize downtime, the world's largest palladium and nickel miner is recommending employees take their 41-day annual vacation in one go. However, the company has also shut its Black Sea resorts - where workers traditionally take subsidized holidays - until at least the end of June. - Newmont, Canada. Newmont Corp. is unveiling a raft of measures across its global gold-mining portfolio. At Eleonore in northern Canada, it has set up thermal cameras at the mine entrance. The on-site gym - a key perk of any fly-in, fly-out mining camp - has been shut. Self-service food options have also been stopped in the cafeteria, the world's No. 1 gold miner said. Output at the mine is being ramped up after it was put on care and maintenance in March. - BHP, Australia. Some pandemic innovations are offering BHP Group workers the option to remain at home, even as restrictions are lifted. Thanks to remote access to large data sets and specialist programs, that includes workers responsible for designing Queensland coal operations and mapping out exactly where mining activity is conducted. At the world's largest miner's South Walker Creek coking coal operation in central Queensland, a thermal imaging camera checks the temperature of staff arriving on site, while foot-operated hand sanitizer stations have also been fitted at mine gates. - NLMK, Russia. On top of temperature checks, disinfection, social distancing and the use of respirators, the pandemic has pushed NLMK to accelerate its digital initiatives. Temporary screens separate workers in the control room at NLMK's Lipetsk site. The Russian steelmaker's so-called virtual bypass program - allowing wide-angle photos and viewing - has been expanded to all assets under repair or construction. That allows virtual tours of construction sites, with engineers able to zoom in on inaccessible areas without having to be there in person. A weekly at-home saliva test to make it easier for the public to check themselves is being piloted by the Health Secretary. It is hoped saliva testing will be more effective and simpler than the currently used throat and nasal swab tests, which are believed to return unreliable results in up to 30 per percent of cases. Requiring Britons to spit in a tube isn't as uncomfortable as swabs used at hospitals, drive-in test facilities and in home packs, which can go deep into the nose and throat. If successful, the new procedure which officials hope will pick up asymptomatic cases could massively increase the ease and accessibility of testing. Up to 14,000 patients, including GP practice staff and their families, council workers, university employees and students, will take part in the four-week trial in Southampton. US health officials approved at-home saliva tests at the start of May, leaving Britain trailing behind other nations in its response to Covid-19 once again. It is hoped that saliva testing will be more effective and simpler than the currently used swab tests HOW WOULD A SPIT TEST WORK? The test involves patients spitting sputum - a mixture of saliva and phlegm - into a tube. The collection of the sample can be done anywhere - at home, work or in hospital - by the patient themselves, and the person does not need to have symptoms. Nasopharyngeal swabs, considered the gold standard, normally require a trained medical professional. They are invasive and painful because to be accurate, the swab must be pushed deep into the nose until it meets resistance. It can cause someone to gag or suffer a nosebleed. The sealed tube with saliva is sent to a lab, where technicians read it for RNA - the viruses genetic information. Advertisement Health chiefs announced last night that the saliva kits will be delivered to the homes of participants, or their workplaces, every week. Participants will put their saliva in a pot and have it collected by university staff. They should receive the results within 48 hours the same amount of time it takes to get results from swab tests. Ministers hope the scheme could provide a blueprint for how to carry out a national mass testing programme, The Times reports. Number 10 is under mounting pressure to halve the average test result waiting time as it moves out of lockdown. Covid-19 swab tests require a sample from the back of the throat, which can make patients gag and provide incorrect results as a consequence. But self-tests for the nose use shorter swabs than ones carried out by professionals in hospitals, which can make the eyes water and trigger nosebleeds because they have to be pushed back so far. By the end of July, up to 400,000 people per week will be sampled with hopes of determining whether mass testing can reduce infection rates. Research has estimated that around 10 per cent of throat and nasal swab tests produce false negatives where the result is negative even if someone has the virus although this could be as high as 30 per cent. The new procedure would enable the Government to expand the ease and accessibility of testing to identify virus patients who don't show symptoms. Matt Hancock said: 'Saliva testing could make it even easier for people to take coronavirus tests at home without having to use swabs. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the trial will 'benefit not only our but the global response' to the virus Call to check cancer staff every week Cancer patients are being put at risk at specialist treatment centres due to a lack of testing, a leading charity warns. Cancer Research UK has written to the Prime Minister urging him to improve the testing of NHS staff and patients massively. The charity is particularly worried that doctors or nurses may be passing on the virus to patients when they are asymptomatic. Earlier this month Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that between 70 and 80 per cent of those with Covid-19 had no symptoms. Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable as their immune system is significantly weakened. The charity says doctors and nurses working in specialist cancer centres should be tested at least once a week and patients should be checked whenever they come in for a diagnostic procedure, operation or appointment. In her letter to Boris Johnson, Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell says: 'We are still worried that antigen testing is not happening at the pace and scale required. 'If staff are unable to carry out cancer diagnosis and treatment in covid-protected environments and persuade patients it is safe to resume treatment, it will be difficult to restore services to pre-pandemic levels.' Figures from Cancer Research UK revealed to the Mail earlier this month showed 2.4million patients were awaiting screening, diagnostic procedures or treatments as a result of the disruption to the NHS during the pandemic. A Department of Health spokesman said: 'All health and care staff are eligible for testing, including if they have no symptoms.' Advertisement 'This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing could pick up cases earlier.' He added that the trial will 'benefit not only our but the global response' to the virus. The tests had been developed by Optigene. The results of the saliva tests will be shared with the Government's test and trace scheme so anyone with a positive result will be asked to provide details of their recent close contacts. If the trial is successful, swab testing will be deployed nationally and officials at the Department of Health believe it could massively boost testing as well as allow for mass surveillance testing to identify asymptomatic cases. It could help identify local flare-ups without the need for a widespread lockdown. The Department of Health and Social Care said it was in talks with suppliers of saliva-based tests to facilitate their mass-production should the trial prove successful. One of the key problems with the test and trace strategy is that patients are currently asking for a test only once they experience virus symptoms. The Health Secretary has previously said that between 70 and 80 per cent of people with the virus do not have any signs at all meaning they are not entering the system and sharing their contacts. But if the Government could make the process easier to do, they could ask members of the public to test themselves at random if they were close to a localised outbreak. Ministers hope the test and trace strategy will enable them to safely ease the lockdown over the next few weeks and replace it with local restrictions where there are small scale flare-ups. Professor Keith Godfrey, an expert in epidemiology at the University of Southampton, said: 'Through this initiative we believe we can contribute to safely restoring economic activity during national relaxation measures.' Professor John Newton, the Government's testing tsar at PHE, has previously said saliva tests are 'really interesting' in the diagnosis of Covid-19. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators officially approved the first home saliva test for coronavirus - from Rutgers University - a month ago, on May 8. In April, the developers RUCDR Infinite Biologics, based at Rutgers University in New Jersey, were given emergency use authorisation for the kits. Professional-use tests are pushed considerably further back into the nostril to get a reliable sample. Paediatric nurse practitioner Jessica Peck shared a diagram of how the coronavirus test is carried out on Twitter and said: 'This is how far back we have to put the swab to test you for #COVID19z. You might want to follow medical recommendations and #StayAtHome' The Katy City Council is scheduled to meet in special session on Monday to discuss a variety of issues. The meeting will be held via teleconference in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The special meeting is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Monday, June 22. To attend the video conference, go to www.zoom.com, click join a meeting and input meeting ID: 850 7354 2026. To attend the meeting via telephone call 1-888-475-4499 and enter the meeting ID: 850 7354 2026. The council is expected to approve the closure of Star Lane between Katy-Fort Bend Road and Katy Mills Circle from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 4, as part of the citys Fourth of July display. Other issues before the council include: Authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with the Katy Management District No. 1 and Katy Development Authority as part of the Katy Boardwalk project. Considering final plat approval for Cane Island Section 27. Authorizing the mayor to sign the Texas Department of Emergency Managements Coronavirus Relief Fund terms and conditions. For more information or to view the entire agenda go to www.cityofkaty.com. School board The Katy ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 22, in the board room of the Katy ISD Education Support Complex, 6301 S. Stadium Lane in Katy. The public may view the meeting via livestream at https://tinyurl.com/wv7bzbg. In order to address the board individuals are instructed to email to publicrecords@katyisd.org by 2 p.m. Monday, June 22, with your name, specific topic of discussion, and a phone number. The board has a full agenda of 17 discussion/action items including discussion of the districts compensation plan for the 2020-21 school year as well as a compensation increase for the school year. Other items on the agenda include: Installation of shade structures at Jordan High School. Electrical easements associated with the construction of Junior High School No. 17. For more information, go to www.katyisd.org. Chamber webinar The Katy Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a webinar for noon Thursday, June 25. The free event is titled 9 Ways to Reduce Your Cancer Risk. Kendra Windisch from MD Anderson Cancer Center is scheduled to make the presentation with a focus on getting information on reducing cancer risks and learning more about cancer screenings. To register for the webinar, go to https://tinyurl.com/y9rthkm4. Rope cutting The Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to welcome the Coalition of African-American Pastors with a ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 25, at 27120 Fulshear Bend Drive, Suite 900-181, in Fulshear. For more information about the Coalition of African-American Pastors, go to https://caapusa.org. For more information, contact the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce at 832-600-3221. rkent@hcnonline.com Washington, June 21 : Six staffers working on US President Donald Trump's upcoming rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for the coronavirus, or COVID-19, a campaign spokesman said. "Per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented," Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump's 2020 campaign, said in a statement on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported. "No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today's rally or near attendees and elected officials," Murtaugh added. The announcement came only hours before the Tulsa rally, the first of its kind for Trump in more than three months, amid warnings from health experts against large-scale gatherings, as some states, including Oklahoma, are seeing a surge in confirmed cases, while they are reopening. Attendees of Saturday's rally will receive temperature checks, hand sanitizer, and masks before entering the BOK Center, which can hold 19,000 people, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said earlier this week. They have also been asked to sign a waiver releasing the Trump campaign from responsibility for possible exposure to the coronavirus. Trump, in an interview with Axios on Friday, said that they are "going to have a wild evening" in Tulsa. "We have to get back to business. We have to get back to living our lives. Can't do this any longer," Trump said. "And I do believe it's safe. I do believe it's very safe." But the president stressed that he won't wear a mask. "If people want to wear masks I think that's great," he said. "I won't be. Not as a protest but I don't feel that I'm in danger." The coronavirus can spread between people interacting in close proximity -- for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing -- even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain," the agency said in the public guidelines. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, has said that he wouldn't personally attend political rallies over health concerns. "I'm in a high risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not," Fauci, 79, told an interview with Daily Beast earlier this week, adding that when it came to Trump's rallies "outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd" and "crowd is better than big crowd." Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Haiti - News : Zapping... When will the country reopen ? Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe has a date in mind but he prefers to wait for the agreement of the other members of the Government as well as that of President Moise to announce the date and the new measures 5 online debates on the Compas The Ministry of Culture and Communication organizes from June 21, 2020 to July 24, 2020, the MCC-DEBATE, 5 online debates around the theme "The compass between organization, financing and heritage development". It will be a question of reflecting on the measures to support and develop the production of musical works ; the enhancement, protection and promotion of musical works, the safeguarding, enhancement of dance and Compas music, as a major element of our intangible cultural heritage in Haiti, while monitoring the Conventions signed by the Haitian State in the field. 46th anniversary of FASCH The Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH) of the UEH today celebrates the 46th year of its foundation which dates back to June 19, 1974. We wish a happy birthday to the entire Fascheloise community. We share these wishes as well with all alumni of FASCH, all categories combined. Minister for the Status of Women at Cabaret Prison Friday Marie Ghislaine Monpremier Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights proceeded to the distribution of hygienic kits to the civil prison of women in Cabaret. Rony Colin on site inspection Rony Colin the Mayor of Croix-des-Bouquets, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor Jean Jonas Saint-Juste, executives and technicians of the Town Hall, conducted this week an evaluation visit of the construction works of the public places of Bon Repos and Cesselesse (Lilavois 48) which should be inaugurated shortly HL/ HaitiLibre Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sebastian Partogi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, June 21, 2020 14:09 580 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406606e015 1 Books #literature,#literary,#books,#booksale,#bookstore,#online,#eCommerce,#publishing,#Gramedia,#MarjinKiri,#ebooks Free Since she started working from home in March, Jasmine Puteri said she had more time on her side to read books. Now I no longer have to spend time commuting every day from home to my office in Central Jakarta using the bus or MRT, and Im fed up of watching Netflix series all the time, Jasmine said. During the pandemic, the 32-year-old, who works at an environmental NGO, has ordered eight books online, comprising Indonesian titles from local online bookstore togamas.com from Sleman, Yogyakarta, as well as English titles from bookdepository.com. The titles include non-fiction on environmental issues, such as the 2020 The Future We Choose by Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac as well as The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells, both on the subject of climate change. I consider books an essential need, because I also use them for my career development. However, I am mindful not to buy impulsively: I allocate my transport money, which I dont spend recently since the quarantine period, to buy more books, Jasmine said. Aqmarina Andira has also picked up more books during the pandemic. At the beginning of the quarantine period, the 31-year-old corporate employee used to work from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to keep her mind off all the fearsome news about the coronavirus outbreak. At some point, I became aware that I couldnt go on like this; thus, I decided to spend my time from late afternoon to evening to read books to afford myself some sort of solace instead, said Aqmarina, who has bought seven paper books and six audio books via Audibles throughout her two months in quarantine so far. Audiobooks have risen in popularity, with one platform, Storytel, for instance, seeing 38 percent growth in subscribers, with its streaming revenue growing by 45 percent. Others are enthralled by Kindle. Saving paper: A kindle e-book reader is pictured at the Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany. (AFP/Daniel Roland ) Winny Triwandhani, a 30-year-old corporate employee, revealed her love of reading as her favorite form of escapism since she was little. By rereading books, like [young adult book] I Capture the Castle by Dody Smith and [historical fiction novel] Desiree by Annemarie Selinko [on the late French general Napoleon Bonapartes first lover], I can run as far away as possible from our current situation, Winny said. To seek solace amid the devastating pandemic, some have also been re-reading old titles, like Jasmine, who rediscovered The Diary of Anne Frank. She said the claustrophobia that the Jewish girl must have felt when she was hiding from the Nazis might be similar to the claustrophobia some people are feeling right now under quarantine. The pandemic has brought down sales figures of many Indonesian publishers both major and independent ones. Yet, most of these publishers businesses have been sustained by an increase in online sales obviously coming from people stuck at home during the large-scale social restriction period. Leading publishing house Gramedia Pustaka Utamas marketing general manager, Yola Putryanie, revealed that book sales had dropped by more than 50 percent, but the decline had been buffered by a fourfold increase in online orders with the most popular genres being adult fiction and childrens fiction as well as cookbooks. Changing course: Independent publisher Marjin Kiri has published more new titles to bring in buyers. (Courtesy of marjinkiri.com/-) Marjin Kiri, an independent publisher focusing on progressive titles, meanwhile, has seen sales figures decline by up to 55 percent in the period between March and April 2020. But recently, our sales figures have improved, since we published new titles, said its editorial staff member Pradewi Tri Chatami. Meanwhile, Haidar Bagir, president director of Mizan, a publisher concentrating on Islamic books, said initially he had expected sales to drop by 60 or 70 percent, but fortunately, Mizans strong online presence had stopped the decline at 50 percent. Haidar said online book orders had increased fourfold, sustained by Mizans strong social media promotional campaigns, including online book fairs, such as the one focusing on childrens books called Komidi Putar (Carousel), where buyers can enjoy discounts of up to 90 percent. We also enlist our editorial staff, who arent handling the production of new titles at this time, to contribute to our online campaign efforts, Haidar told The Jakarta Post over the phone. Globally, the publishing industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, with publishers unable to print new books. Printing of new titles dropped to almost zero in spring. Five international publishing organizations the International Publishers Association, the International Authors Forum, the European and International Booksellers Federation, the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organization as well as Science, Technology and Mathematics have called on governments around the world to support the book industry. In many countries, our industry is already struggling for oxygen. We must find ways to ensure the future of authors, publishers, editors, designers, distributors, booksellers and those who work in collective management, so that the book industry can bounce back once this pandemic is conquered, the joint statement reads. A world without books would be a sad and impoverished place. We are working hard to come through this crisis, but we need help to survive. We need governments to help us go through it together. Prominent book fairs, such as the Bologna Childrens Book Fair and the London Book Fair, are also not happening. Meanwhile, Frankfurt Book Fair business development vice president Claudia Kaiser said that, at the moment, they were still thinking about organizing the fair, held annually as a platform to push the industry. The upcoming fair, she said, might be smaller, inviting German and European publishers and exhibitors in compliance with hygiene and physical distancing standards. For business-to-business meetings outside Europe, we plan to do it online; we are preparing a platform to make rights sales easier right now, Kaiser said. (ste) Three police officers and two Taliban militants were killed and 16 people wounded in a Taliban attack on a district police station in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan Saturday night, a local official confirmed Sunday. Britain is facing a dementia timebomb as official figures reveal the number of people living with the devastating brain disease has jumped by almost 40 per cent in just five years. The statistics, compiled by the Liberal Democrats from local NHS data, show that in April 2014 there were 380,350 people across the country diagnosed with dementia. By March last year, that number had rocketed to 526,800 a rise of 39 per cent. Last night Lib Dem MP Layla Moran warned that urgent changes were needed to the way social care was organised and funded or else the country would be unable to cope with even larger numbers of people with dementia in the future. The Alzheimers Society charity said Britain was completely unprepared. The number of people living with dementia has jumped nearly 40 per cent in five years. Pictured: A nurse comforts a senior man (stock) Ms Moran said: This is one of the biggest social and healthcare challenges we face. We face a dementia timebomb and these figures show it starkly. The MP said that social-care budgets, the NHS and the families of people with dementia will increasingly be strained as the number affected increases. She added: We need a sustainable long-term plan for social care and we need to get away from a system teetering on the edge of collapse that we currently have. Critics say the current system, in which NHS care is free while many aspects of social care are charged for, discriminates against people with dementia because those patients often need round-the-clock care to help them live, but not hospital treatment. Critics argue it means that while people with cancer or heart disease have a good chance of passing on their wealth to their children, those with dementia end up having to sell their homes to fund years of very expensive care. The rise in the number of cases is due in part to the countrys ageing population. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of over-60s in the UK grew from 14.9 million to 16.2 million. Lib Dem MP Layla Moran warned that urgent changes were needed to the way social care was organised and funded or else the country would be unable to cope with even larger numbers of people with dementia in the future Doctors are also now more likely to spot signs of dementia and diagnose it. Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimers Society, said: By 2040, 1.6 million people in the UK are likely to be living with dementia. Many will rely on social care. Currently, at least 70 per cent of care-home residents and 60 per cent of home-care users have some form of dementia. With a growing diagnosis rate, social-care demand will also increase. But the UK is already in a social-care crisis and is completely unprepared for these kinds of numbers. People with dementia have been worst hit by the pandemic, accounting for a quarter of all Covid-19 deaths in the UK. The pandemic has also exposed the grim realities of our underfunded and over-stretched social-care system. The Health Department said an increase in diagnoses was to be welcomed as it meant doctors were getting better at spotting the illness. A spokesman added that the Government had also committed to spending an extra 83 million a year on dementia research over the next decade. Along with half a million other fliers in the U.S., I jumped on a plane for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started last Saturday. Should I feel guilty for getting on a plane and risking catching the coronavirus or spreading it to others? Am I breaking the governor's stay-at-home order? Will I take heat from friends or readers for flying right now? Who would have ever thought that flying would present such a moral dilemma? But it does. My recent COVID-19 test results were negative, so I felt good about that. I'm also a bit of a germ freak, so I'll have my N95 mask on from start to finish, so there's not much of a chance of me transmitting a bug outside my mask or from my frequently sanitized fingers. I checked my temperature on the morning of my flight, and it was a low 98.1 degrees. Also, as a correspondent for SFGATE, I'm considered an essential worker. I need to see, feel and hear what it's like to fly and report back to my readers about the experience so they'll be better equipped when they eventually fly. Plus, Alaska Airlines agreed to foot the bill for my roundtrip flight, so I took off last Saturday for Palm Springs and flew back 24 hours later to SFO. Fares to Palm Springs are currently at summertime lows, running as cheap as $97 roundtrip on either Alaska or United last week, the only two carriers with nonstops to PSP from the Bay Area. This week, summertime fares are around $200 roundtrip. As I was making my decision about this trip, I read with interest a social media post from a friend who made the long-haul trip from Honolulu to Boston. One of her many wise tips: "Stop thinking the airlines owe you a sanitized flight. You are responsible for your own safety and if you fly, protect yourself with grace and good humor." With that advice in mind, I decided to take the plunge, booked the tickets and began my preparations. My biggest fear as the flight approached? What if I'm sitting near someone who spews out a big sneeze or has a coughing fit in the middle of the flight, and apologizes with "oh, it's just allergies!" What if I'm the offensive sneezer? Who knows. That's the life of frequent flier in the age of COVID-19, I guess. Here's how it went. Booking the flight was quick and easy. While Alaska says that starting June 30, it will ask travelers to answer a barrage of health questions prior to flying, that policy had not kicked in yet. So, booking the flight and getting the boarding pass on my phone felt normal and unremarkable. I felt good that my first pandemic flight would be a short one, with a total duration of less than an hour. I had both a cotton and an N95 mask (and planned to wear both). Plus I had a pack of antibacterial wipes, extra paper towels, a bandana and a large 8-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. (TSA's 3 oz rules don't apply to hand sanitizer these days, but the bottle did slow me down at screening as the agent had to remove it from my bag for a look.) ALBANY U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the North Country's most prominent Republican, joined President Donald Trump on Saturday for a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla. the first the president has held since the coronavirus pandemic began. Stefanik has increasingly tied her own re-election to Trump's, as she was catapulted into the spotlight late last year for staunchly defending the president during impeachment hearings. Trump has singled her out as "a new Republican star" and, over the past six months, she campaigned for him in Iowa and was named a co-chair of his re-election bid in New York. "I am so excited to be here in Tulsa, Okla. as we restart off the rallies heading towards November," Stefanik said in a video posted to Twitter Saturday. "There is so much energy and enthusiasm and over 1 million RVSPs truly amazing not just Republicans, but a huge amount of Democrats who want to support this president's record of results." Turnout for the rally was lower than expected, leaving large chunks of the arena's upper level empty. Neither Stefanik, nor other campaign surrogates, spoke at the event but her appearance prompted thousands of dollars in donations to both her own campaign and that of her Democratic opponent, Tedra Cobb, who actively tweeted during the event. Stefanik tied the event to a "48-hour moneybomb" fundraiser, in which she promised that all donations would be quadrupled and split with the Trump re-election campaign. Stefanik campaign spokeswoman Maddie Anderson said the campaign raised more than $150,000 during the fundraising push, with an average donation of $25. Anderson attributed the number to "the overwhelming enthusiasm of supporters in her district who were excited to see her participate (in the rally)." Cobb also held a fundraiser linked to the rally, urging her supporters on social media Saturday at noon to help reach a goal of $25,000 before the event ended. By 10:30 p.m., Cobb announced that "we blew our #TulsaRally goal out of the water," but a campaign spokesman did not respond to a request for comment seeking exactly how much money was raised. Cobb had tweeted often in the hours leading up to and during the rally, capitalizing on Trump's mispronunciation of the congresswoman's last name and lower-than-expected turnout at the event. Nominate your favorite people and places now Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Nominate your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. "OUCH," Cobb captioned a video of the faux pas. And on a photo showing small groups heading into the rally: "They risked thousands of lives for an audience of one. Was it worth it, @EliseStefanik?" The president has also been criticized for hosting such an event as the threat of coronavirus persists. Many rally-goers did not wear masks and did not abide by social distancing guidelines. For her part, Stefanik wore a mask for at least part of the rally as many of her congressional colleagues did not though her compliance was intermittent. "The president knows her as Elise," Anderson said, when asked for comment on the pronunciation error and associated Cobb tweet. "Voters also know her as Elise and her opponent as Taxin Tedra. No amount of Taxin Tedras Far Left Twitter meltdown is going to take away from the fact that North Country voters know Elise has a strong and effective working relationship with the president, whereas Taxin Tedra supports raising taxes, banning guns and impeaching President Trump." The online back-and-forth, as well as high fundraising numbers, indicate continued interest in the race for New York's 21st Congressional District as Stefanik's profile has grown nationally. The election is a rematch, following Cobb's loss to Stefanik in 2018. Appellate division judges have rejected an appeal filed by prosecutors seeking to revoke the pre-trial release of a Vineland man charged in the stabbing death of an off-duty corrections officer. Cumberland County prosecutors filed the appeal after Zachary T. Latham, 18, was set free pending trial in the May 4 killing of William T. Durham Sr. The killing occurred during a brawl between Latham and members of Durhams family following a long-simmering feud, authorities said. The Durhams reported to police that Latham began harassing the family and posting videos of them on social media after Durhams wife, Catherine, told Latham to slow down after he allegedly sped down the street they share. The dispute boiled over on May 4 when the family alleged that Latham swerved his car toward one of the Durhams sons as the teen road his bike, authorities said. Much of what followed was captured on cellphone video, culminating in a violent confrontation in the driveway and garage at Lathams home. Latham was armed with a stun gun and a knife when he confronted the Durhams in front of his house. Durham Sr. and his two sons, ages 21 and 17, were unarmed, prosecutors said. Two friends who were with Latham jumped into the fight as Lathams wife recorded the melee with her cellphone. Durham Sr., 51, suffered multiple stab wounds, including one that punctured a lung. He died later at a hospital. Latham was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two second-degree counts of aggravated assault and various weapons offenses. Catherine Durham and her sons were also charged. While Lathams attorney argued he was the victim and was only defending himself, the prosecution responded that Latham initiated the violence and could have retreated into his home and called police. In arguing for his pre-trial detention, prosecutors also noted that Latham, who recently turned 18, had a pending juvenile court matter from an unrelated incident weeks earlier in which he was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and criminal mischief. The courts pre-trial services unit had recommended he remain detained based on the severity of the new charges, but Superior Court Judge William F. Ziegler found pre-trial release was presumed, based on his reading of state law. He released Latham with conditions, including that he live elsewhere while the case proceeds. PBA Local 105, which represented Durham, denounced the decision to release Latham and urged the courts to reconsider the move. In its appeal, prosecutors claimed Ziegler misinterpreted state law regarding detention and failed to consider the danger Latham posed to Durhams family and the community. After receiving the motion for leave to appeal from the prosecutors office and a brief from defense attorney Nathan Perry, Appellate Division Judges Clarkson S. Fisher Jr. and Douglas M. Fasciale reviewed the matter and denied the motion on June 18. Its unclear if the prosecutors office will take the case to the state Supreme Court. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae had no comment on the matter when contacted Sunday. Latham is scheduled to return to court Aug. 20 for a pre-indictment hearing. William T. Durham Sr., a correctional officer at South Woods State Prison, was stabbed to death in a fight with a neighbor. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Amid the rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party-led government in the national capital on Sunday (June 21) issued fresh orders on home isolation and institutional quarantine for infected persons saying that individuals who are tested positive will be referred to Covid care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and co-morbities. "Individuals who are positive will be referred to Covid care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and co-morbities. Physical assessment to be done for adequate facilities for home isolation so that cluster of cases doesn't develop in locality," said the Delhi government. The new order added that if an infected person has got adequate facility for home isolation and after clinical assessment it is found that the person has no co-morbidities & doesn't require hospitalisation, the person will be offered to either continue to stay in Covid centre/paid isolation facility or can opt for home isolation. "Rest will have to continue to stay in Covid care centres as per MoHFW guidelines. Those in home isolation must follow home isolation guidelines by MoHFW and stay in touch with health care providers so if their condition deteriorates, they can be moved to Covid hospitals," noted the Delhi governmment. It is to be noted that Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday rolled back his order of mandatory 5-day institutional quarantine for COVID-19 patients in the national capital after due to strong objection raised by the AAP government. Recalling his order, a tweet from Delhi L-Gs office said, Only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institutional isolation." June 21, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Since 2011, the US and allies have promoted, trained and supplied militants trying to bring about regime change in Damascus. Having failed in that effort, they have tried to strangle Syria economically. The goal has always been the same: to force Syria to change politically. This month, June 2020, the aggression reaches a new level with extreme sanctions known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. The new law is fraudulent on two counts. It is called Caesar in reference to a 2014 propaganda stunt involving an anonymous Syrian who was alleged to be a military photographer. He claimed to have 55,000 photos showing about eleven thousand victims of Syrian government torture. As the Christian Science Monitor said at the time, the Caesar report was A well-timed propaganda exercise funded by Qatar. A 30 page analysis later confirmed that the Caesar report was a fraud with nearly half the photos showing the OPPOSITE of what was claimed: they documented dead Syrian soldiers and civilian victims of rebel car bombs and attacks. The Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act is also fraudulent by claiming to protect civilians. In reality, it is punishes and hurts the vast majority of 17 million persons living in Syria. It will result in thousands of civilians suffering and dying needlessly. Pre-Existing Sanctions The US has been hostile to Syria for many decades. Unlike Anwar Sadat of Egypt, Syria under Hafez al Assad refused to make a peace treaty with Israel. Syria was designated a state sponsor of terrorism and first sanctioned by the U.S. in 1979. After the US invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, Syria accepted about one million Iraqi refugees and supported the Iraqi resistance in various ways. In retaliation, the US escalated punishing sanctions in 2004. In 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressured Syria to change their foreign policy and be more friendly to Israel. Syrian President Bashar al Assad pointedly declined. Twelve months later, when protests and violence began in Syria in 2011, the US, Europe and Gulf monarchies (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) quickly supported the opposition and imposed more sanctions. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In 2016, after five years of crisis and war, a report on the humanitarian impact of sanctions on Syria was prepared for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. It noted that U.S. and E.U. sanctions on Syria are some of the most complicated and far-reaching sanctions regimes ever imposed. The 30 page report went on document with case studies how humanitarian aid which is supposed to be permitted is effectively stopped. The sanction regulations, licenses, and penalties make it so difficult and risky that humanitarian aid is effectively prevented. The report concluded with thirteen specific recommendations to allow humanitarian and development aid. But there was not relaxation or changes in the maze of rules and sanctions to allow humanitarian relief. On the contrary, as the Syrian government was expelling terrorists from east Aleppo, southern Damascus, and Deir Ezzor, the US and EU blocked all aid for reconstruction. The US and allies were intent to NOT allow Syria to rebuild and reconstruct. In 2018, the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Idriss Jazairy, prepared a report on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights in Syria. He noted, Unilateral coercive measures on agricultural inputs and outputs, medicines, on many dual use items related to water and sanitation, public electricity and transportation, and eventually on rebuilding schools, hospitals and other public buildings and services, are increasingly difficult to justify, if they ever were justifiable. Before 2011, 90% of pharmaceutical needs were filled by Syrian factories. Those factories which remain have trouble getting raw materials and cannot get replacement parts for equipment. For example an expensive dialysis machine or MRI machine from Siemens or General Electric is rendered useless because Syria cannot import the spare part or software. On paper, they can purchase this but in reality they cannot. Over 500,000 civilians returned to Aleppo after the terrorists were expelled at end of 2016. But reconstruction aid is prohibited by US sanctions and UN rules. They can receive shelter kits with plastic but rebuilding with glass and cement walls is not allowed because reconstruction is prohibited. This article describes numerous case examples from war torn Aleppo. The author had a personal experience with the impact of sanctions. A Syrian friend could not get hearing aid batteries for a youth who was hard of hearing. Sanctions prevented him from being able to order the item because financial transactions and delivery is prohibited without a special license. A stockpile of the specialized batteries was easy to purchase in the USA but took almost a year to get to the destination in Syria. US Economic Bullying and Terrorism The Caesar Act extends the sanctions from applying to US nationals and companies to any individuals and corporations. It claims the supra-national prerogative to apply US laws to anyone. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons include blocking and seizing the property and assets of a person or company deemed to have violated the US law. This is compounded by a fiscal penalty which can be huge. In 2014, one of the largest international banks, BNP Paribas, was fined $9 Billion for violating US sanctions against Cuba, Iran and Sudan. The Caesar Act claims the Syria Central Bank is a primary money laundering institution and thus in a special category. It aims to make it impossible for Syrian companies to export and import from Lebanon. It will make it extremely difficult or impossible for Syrians abroad to transfer money to support family members in Syria. In addition to these extraordinary attacks, the US is undermining and destabilizing the Syrian currency. In October 2019, the Syrian currency was trading at about 650 Syrian pounds to one US dollar. Now, just 8 months later, the rate is 2600 to the US dollar. Part of the reason is because of the threat of Caesar sanctions. Another reason is because of US pressure on the main trading partner, Lebanon. Traditionally, Lebanon is the main partner for both imports and exports. In spring 2019 US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, threatened Lebanon if they did not change their policies. It was blatant interference in Lebanese internal affairs. In Fall 2019 street protests began, and the Lebanese and Syrian banking crisis also began. With the devaluation of their currency, prices of many items has risen dramatically. Agricultural, medical, industrial and other raw materials and finished goods are almost impossible to acquire. The shortage of food is compounded because wheat fields in North East Syria, the bread basket of Syria, have been intentionally set on fire. In the past week, sectarian groups in Lebanon have blocked World Food Program trucks carrying food aid to Syria. Meanwhile, in eastern Syria, the US and its proxy militia control and profit from the oil fields while the Syrian government and civilians struggle with a severe shortage oil and gas. James Jeffrey and US Policy In a June 7 webinar, the Special Representative for Syria Engagement, Ambassador James Jeffrey, brazenly stated the US policy. The US seeks to prevent Syria from rebuilding. He said, We threw everything but the kitchen sink . into the Caesar Act. The exception to punishing sanctions are 1) Idlib province in the North West, controlled by Al Qaeda extremists and Turkish invading forces and 2) north east Syria controlled by US troops and the proxy separatists known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. The US has designated $50 million to support humanitarian aid to these areas. Other US allies will pump in hundreds of millions more in aid and investments. US dollars and Turkish lira are being pumped into these areas in another tactic to undermine the Syrian currency and sovereignty. In contrast, the vast majority of Syrians about 17 million are being- suffocated and hurt by the extreme sanctions. The US has multiple goals. One goal is to prevent Syria from recovering. Another goal is to prolong the conflict and damage those countries who have assisted Syria. With consummate cynicism and amorality, the US Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey described his task: My job is to make it a quagmire for the Russians. Evidently there has been no significant change in foreign policy assumptions and goals since the US and Saudi Arabia began interfering in Afghanistan in 1979. In his 2018 End of Mission statement the United Nations Special Rapporteur was diplomatic but clear about the use of unilateral coercive sanctions against Syria: the use of such measures may be contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States. Caesar and the Democrats The economic and other attacks on Syria have been promoted by right wing hawks, especially fervent supporters of Israel. Eliot Engel, chairman of the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, pushed to get the Caesar Act into law for years. This was finally done by embedding it in the humongous 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. In a hopeful sign that times may be changing, a progressive candidate named Jamaal Bowman may unseat Engel as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming election. Eliot Engel is supported by Hillary Clinton and other foreign policy hawks. Jamaal Bowman is supported by Bernie Sanders. While this may offer hope for the future, the vast majority of Syrians continue as victims of US foreign policy delusions, hypocrisy, cynicism and cruelty. Rick Sterling is an investigative journalist who has visited Syria several times since 2014. He lives in the SF Bay Area and can be reached at rsterling1@gmail.com. - " Source " - Post your comment below Anu Kuruvilla By Express News Service KOCHI: The number of students going abroad for higher education has increased over the years, with Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the US being the most preferred ones. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has upset these carefully laid plans. Travel restrictions and the uncertainty about when the campuses will reopen have left the students a worried lot. However, experts have sought to allay these apprehensions since world over, the education sector has embraced the new norm of the teaching-learning process. If the students are worried about not being able to realise their ambition of joining varsities or colleges abroad, I would ask them not to worry, said Eldho Kuruvilla, founder and chief mentor, VedAtma Consulting, Kochi. New normals are being adopted in education, he added.With online classes becoming the byword today, students will be able to pursue any course from anywhere, said Eldho. According to him, Covid might prevent students from getting the on-campus experience, but none of the foreign colleges and universities will shut the doors on global students. These education institutions need students, even for their most prestigious courses. Of course, just like it happens in the case of the on-campus admission, the colleges might come up with a foolproof process, he said. According to him, one advantage the students will have due to Covid is that they will be able to do courses from the foreign universities for fees that will be a lot less compared to what they would have had to fork out otherwise. But, this might not be enough for those who were looking forward to experiencing the culture of the country. Post-Covid, countries will find ways to coexist with the disease and allow international travel, said Eldho. Regarding the opportunities available to students, he said they should realise that Covid has not impacted them. The opportunities remain the same and more opportunities may come up, he added. The level of competition might go up in the country, said B S Warrier, an education expert. With more students forced to curtail plans for overseas education, the number of students applying for the same course will increase, he said. And this could well lead to those(second tier students) other than the toppers losing out on the opportunities. So, those who have scored lower marks might not get a chance to enrol in leading colleges, he said. Ramallah, June 21 : A senior official of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Movement unveiled that Fatah considers declaring a Constituent Assembly to adopt a Palestinian constitution. Mahmoud el-Aloul, deputy chairman of the movement told Xinhua on Saturday that the proposals are on the table for discussion depending on the Palestinian leadership of eliminating all bilateral agreements and understandings reached with Israel. The Palestinian decision to end the bilateral agreements and understandings reached with Israel, besides severing security and economic cooperation, was made in response to the Israeli plan of annexing parts of the West Bank. "Our position concerning these plans (Israel's annexation plan) is strict and stable and we reject all of it," el-Aloul said. As soon as this fall, patients could be quickly and cheaply tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 with a device invented by University of Arizona optical scientists. The portable pathogen detection system, developed by Botanisol Analytics, uses a laser with sensors that can instantly analyze the chemical makeup of a virus test sample. Botanisols device, called a Raman vacuum ultraviolet spectrometer, is based on technology invented nearly a decade ago by UA professor Tom Milster of the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, along with co-inventors Pramod Khulbe and Barry Gelernt. Raman spectrometers, which identify substances by detecting the vibrational modes of molecules, are widely used in industrial and biomedical applications. The spectrometer plugs into a standard wall outlet, requires minimal training to operate and it doesnt need chemical reagents to create reactions for diagnostics unlike like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests commonly used to detect COVID-19. Whats really cool about Raman (spectrometry) is, its kind of a general signature for whatever is there, said Milster, who serves as an adviser to Botanisol and continues to work on the basic science behind the spectrometer at his UA lab. PCR is extremely sensitive, but its very specific, he said. (Raman spectrometry) is a different philosophy on how to do the testing, its just a complementary technology. MILTON - State police say they are confident the 1986 disappearance of a two-year-old boy from his central Pennsylvania house will be solved and those who perpetrated this tragedy will be brought to justice. Corey James Edkin was last seen about 12:10 a.m. Oct. 12, 1986, before his mother, Debbie Mowery (then Wise), left for a convenience store in Milton to pick up a pizza. Significant advances have been made recently in the case, Trooper Brian Watkins, the current lead investigator, said Sunday. He cited cooperation from individuals and advances in forensic technology. I am confident the individuals who caused this tragedy will be brought to justice, he said. Police would not say if they believe Edkin is alive or dead. His birthday was June 11, 1984. James Edkin, Coreys father, said Sunday investigators have told him an arrest could be coming but nothing else, he said. I think of him every day, James Edkin said. Thank goodness for forensic advances, he said. Alberta Sones, who with her two children shared the Second Street house in New Columbia, Union County, told police in 1986 she was awake while Mowery was gone and did not hear anything. The Edkins were divorced in October 1986 and she had remarried. Calls to Mowery were not returned. After the toddler was reported missing, an extensive search using dogs was conducted in the area and along the Susquehanna River but no trace of him was found. The home was within of 200 yards of the river and a little more than a mile upstream from Milton. Investigators over the years have concluded the little boy neither walked away from the house nor was he abducted by an unknown individual, Watkins said. Trooper Philip Davis, who is now retired, said in 2015 there is no way the child of his age could have gotten out without someone knowing it. In 1986, Edkin was three feet tall and weighed about 30 pounds. His mother said he was wearing gray pajamas with a cartoon character on the front. The FBI and a federal grand jury investigated the disappearance without reaching any conclusions. Mowery and a relative reported receiving ransom calls in June 1987 with one caller threatening to sell Edkin for $25,000. The calls stopped when tracing equipment was put on her telephone, police said. A nationwide effort to find Edkin was undertaken when the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in 1998 distributed a picture of the boy when he was 2 and what he could look like as a young adult. The image, included in the mail, generated about 35 leads, some from as far away as Hawaii. But none of the leads panned out. More from PennLive Young people facing surge of positive COVID cases: report Second wave of coronavirus cases? Were still in the first, experts say Carlisle car show goes on with smaller, but excited crowd, event spokesman says Seven billion dollars. Seventy-one thousand jobs. Thats what the outdoor industry does for Montana. Thats why, for the last 20 years Ive been involved in public service, Ive been an advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. LWCF helps the outdoor industry, it helps the economy, it helps employment, and it helps the environment. It helps ensure Montana is the Last Best Place, and that it stays that way. So Ive got some good news on that front. This week, the Senate passed my Great American Outdoors Act, landmark legislation that will not only invest $9.5 billion into addressing maintenance backlogs on public lands across the country, but will finally fully and permanently fund the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). As Ive been telling folks in Washington since 2009, when I first sponsored legislation to fully and permanently fund the LWCF, this is the best conservation tool we have at the national level. It has invested more than $600 million into Montanas public lands since its inception in 1964. Without it, we would miss out on vital resources that help our state create and maintain areas like the Blackfoot Clearwater watershed, where LWCF funding helped to consolidate former timber lands. To many of us, fully funding this critical conservation initiative was plain old common sense. Unfortunately, common sense often comes in short supply in Washington, D.C. For decades, partisan politicking, buck passing, and lobbying from special interests have obstructed this program from doing its job to the fullest extent, preventing our state from receiving money that supports those 71,000 jobs and our $7.1 billion outdoor recreation economy. But now, after years of Montanans hard work and unwillingness to take no for an answer, the Senate this week finally passed the Great American Outdoors Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. This Montana grassroots momentum finally allowed us to break the dam and spur Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump to reverse their opposition to LWCF. I welcome their change of heart, which is a testament to what we can accomplish in Washington when we put the will of the people above petty party politics and do the right thing for the country. So, as the Great American Outdoors Act heads to the House of Representatives, we should applaud the tireless work of the conservation advocates, Main Street business owners, and other folks across Montana who poured decades of their lives into getting this done. We owe you all a huge "thank you" for what youve done to make sure these lands stay pristine for our kids and grandkids, and their kids after that. I am proud to have stood with you every step of the way. And I look forward to celebrating with all of you when we are able to do so safely, of course on the public lands that make Montana what it is: the Last Best Place. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, is Montana's senior senator. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 22:28:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Amid the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming 22nd China-EU leaders' meeting on Monday is expected to boost much-needed confidence in the global fight against the virus and offer more certainty in a time of unprecedented instability. This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, and with cooperation and consensus always greater than competition and difference, China and EU have proven themselves to be long-term, comprehensive strategic partners. Since the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders from both sides have maintained close communication and coordination via phone calls, video-conferences and other means. The frequent exchanges are proof of deep political mutual trust and close strategic coordination between the two sides, which have laid the groundwork for concrete cooperation to tide over the health crisis confronting the world. The mutual support between China and Europe has set an example for the global epidemic battle. When the epidemic broke out in China, the EU and several European countries expressed support for China and sent over urgently needed supplies. When the COVID-19 outbreak began in Europe in March, China promptly sent protective supplies and medical teams to Europe. Following this momentum, Monday's meeting is expected to promote cooperation in the battle against the novel coronavirus in such fields as expertise sharing, as well as vaccine and medicine development. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a heavy toll on the world, closer cooperation between China and the EU will inject more confidence into reviving the global economy. The past few years have witnessed the rise of protectionism and its threat to derail the world economy even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemic has unfortunately generated some talk about "decoupling." As both China and the EU remain firm supporters of an open world economy, a joint declaration by China and the EU to revive their economies will serve as an example for others to follow. The upcoming China-EU summit also comes at a time when the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the global fight against COVID-19 has been undermined by U.S. withdrawal from the UN agency. No country is immune to the epidemic, and global cooperation is the only solution to the current health crisis facing humanity. In the fight against COVID-19, China and the EU have clearly expressed support for the WHO's leading role. The two are staunch advocates of improving the global health system and remain a force against unilateralism. For forty-five years, a healthy China-EU partnership has been an essential anchor for world stability and development. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has posed tremendous uncertainty, it is more important than ever to keep the China-EU relationship solid. The world depends on it. Enditem But so did New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts, which opened later than most other states. Hiring rose 5.2% in Michigan, the second-best job growth in the country in May, behind Vermont's 6.4% gain. Michigan's gain in part reflects the recall to work of many autoworkers last month. But the state also posted a sharp increase in construction jobs. Montana and Pennsylvania each reported a job gain of 4%, the third-largest increase, though Montana allowed businesses to restart earlier than Pennsylvania did. The rush to reopen probably does not bear the sort of fruit that some of these states might have been hoping," Kamins said. Still, the outlook is cloudy for many small businesses. In Pennsylvania, Kelly Morgan reopened the four fitness centers she owns with her husband, Dave, several weeks ago, in defiance of a state closure order that wasn't lifted until early this month. Her Morgainz Fitness gyms are still limited to a reduced capacity. "Its literally like someone dropped us in a hole for two months, and were going to spend the next year climbing out of it, Morgan said. By IANS NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held detailed discussions with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and all three service chiefs on the India-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh in the backdrop of the recent clash between troops of the two countries that led to the killing of 20 Indian soldiers. In the over half-hour discussion at his residence, Singh reportedly suggested to the CDS and the three service chiefs to be "fully prepared" to take any unprecedented action as per the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in view of the ongoing situation in Ladakh. It is learnt that the Army has been advised by the Defence Minister to be very cautious during patrol duty and enhance strict vigil at the border with China. The other two forces have been asked to keep proper observation on land and sea lanes. The minister also discussed some critical defence deals which are expected to be inked during his visit to Russia. Singh's meeting took place ahead of his June 24 visit to Russia where he will witness the Victory Day Military Parade being organised in Moscow on the 75th anniversary of the Russia victory in World War II. A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the Victory Parade along with Russian contingent and other invited contingents. The marching contingent taking part in the Victory Day Parade is led by a major rank officer of the gallant Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment had fought with valour in World War II and has a proud distinction of earning four battle honours and two military crosses among other gallantry awards. The visit of the Defence Minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia. The meeting was held a day after India's strong rejection of China's claim of sovereignty over Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh where 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 during a "violent face-off" after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) attacked them. The External Affairs Ministry clarified that China's claim over Galwan Valley was not in accordance with its own position in the past, noting that attempts of transgression by Chinese side were invariably met with appropriate response from the Indian troops. Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-21 10:11:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene its 20th session from June 28 to 30 in Beijing. The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee Saturday, which was presided over by Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. Enditem Robert Gibbes began to accumulate property in South Carolina before any settlers landed at Charles Town. Born in Sandwich, England, in 1644, he moved to Barbados as a young man. He was one of the Barbadian Adventurers, along with John Yeamans, that hired William Hilton to explore the coast in 1663. He and his brother served in the assembly at the Cape Fear settlement, which failed in the late 1660s. They both frequently traveled from Barbados to Carolina. As the European presence in South Carolina expanded, Gibbes career in the government was launched. He was appointed sheriff of the colony in 1684. In 1692, he served as Colleton Countys representative in what would later be called the Commons House of the Assembly. Six years later, as the Colleton Familys deputy, Gibbes became a member of the Grand Council and by the early 1700s he was the colonys chief justice. When Governor Edward Tynte died on June 26, 1710, Gibbes was one of three proprietors deputies residing in the colony. The other two were Thomas Broughton and Fortescue Turberville. Tynte had instructed the three to elect an interim governor upon his passing. The three originally elected Broughton, but Gibbes convinced Turberville to change his vote, supposedly promising him a hundred pounds and three places besides. Broughton denounced the bribe and his followers gathered at his plantation. They armed themselves and headed into Charleston, where Gibbes resided. As the crowd drew near, Gibbes sounded an alarm and called out the militia. As Broughtons men approached, the drawbridge at Meeting and Broad streets was raised. Eventually, Broughtons supporters gained entry and marched to the guard house, where the militia was posted. One account notes that, after much parading, and occasionally a show of violence by both parties, Broughton was proclaimed governor by his followers. However, in order to restore peace, he withdrew and allowed Gibbes to hold the seat. Gibbes did not accomplish much during his term. The lords proprietors official appointment of a governor was delayed and his reputation was tarnished by the act of bribery. The most noteworthy action he took was sending Yamassee Indians and Col. John Barnwell to put down an uprising of the Tuscarora in North Carolina in 1711. That same year, in a speech to the Commons House, Gibbes voiced concern over the growing number of slaves in relation to the white population of the colony. After serving as acting governor for nearly two years, Robert Gibbes was relieved of his office when the official governor, Charles Craven, arrived in March 1712. Gibbes remained in South Carolina and died on June 24, 1715. His son and two of his grandsons served in the South Carolina Commons House of Assembly. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Maribeth Cortez, with her husband, Jerry, wonders if her son Jeremiah DeLap, 39, died of COVID-19 after a four-day illness in early January. The Orange County coroner wants to know too. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) A cluster of mysterious deaths, some involving infants and children, is under scrutiny amid questions of whether the novel coronavirus lurked in California months before it was first detected. But eight weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide hunt for undetected early COVID-19 deaths, the effort remains hobbled by bureaucracy and testing limits. Among those awaiting answers is Maribeth Cortez, whose adult son, Jeremiah DeLap, died Jan. 7 in Orange County while visiting his parents. He had been healthy, suffering on a Friday from what he thought was food poisoning, and found dead in bed the following Tuesday, drowned by fluid in his lungs. China didn't announce its first COVID-19 death until four days later. But by DeLap's Feb. 1 funeral service, frightening stories of a deadly new virus in Wuhan dominated the news. "Everybody that knew him when they were talking to me after this all started would say, 'Do you think he died from that?'" Cortez said. "And I said, 'I don't know.'" She still doesn't. Preserved samples of DeLap's lungs are among tissue from more than 40 California deaths waiting for a decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on whether to test for COVID-19. Orange County has nine of the cases, as does Los Angeles County. Kern County has identified two respiratory deaths that might suggest COVID-19, both of young women, one of whom died Dec. 21. Interviews and internal documents show medical examiners in Shasta, Sacramento and Santa Clara counties, meanwhile, are scrutinizing the deaths of children and babies, amid growing recognition of COVID-19 infection rates in children who show mysterious inflammatory symptoms. A positive finding in any of the cases could dramatically rewrite the narrative of COVID-19 in the United States. Researchers tracking the virus' genetic mutations peg its jump from an unknown animal host to humans as occurring in November. China's first documented illnesses began in early December. Story continues It was well into March before most California coroners and medical examiners began to routinely test decedents who fell under their jurisdiction for COVID-19, using now-familiar nasal swab tests that must be done within days of death. Even then, testing is limited to a fraction of cases those who had symptoms of respiratory failure, traveled to China or died without witness. Checking for missed cases of COVID-19 requires examining preserved tissue, a test available only through the CDC. It took months for CDC pathologists to realize the virus had already killed people in the United States in early February. At the time, U.S. health officials believed they could control the spread of the virus by monitoring international travelers and isolating a dozen known infected individuals in California and four other states. DeLap, 39, worked as a house painter in Basalt, Colo., near the Aspen ski area. He returned to his inland Riverside County hometown for Christmas, and was at the home of his roommate's parents in nearby Orange County on Jan. 3 when he became sick. He thought the cause was something he ate the night before. DeLap believed he was on the mend, even going for a walk Monday, but was worsening again Tuesday morning when he spoke to his mother. "He was having trouble breathing and I told him he should try and go to the urgent care," Cortez said. "He told me he'd talk to me later and he went and [lay] down." He was found dead in bed hours later, his lungs filled with fluid and his body still burning from fever. The sudden January death of Jeremiah DeLap, 39, is among cases now considered for COVID-19 testing. (Family photo) The Orange County coroner ruled DeLap's death the result of severe acute lobar pneumonia, one lung so congested it had doubled in weight. But the coroner did not identify the organism infecting DeLap. The thought that it might have been the coronavirus haunted Cortez as she heard story after story of similar deaths. DeLap was an organ donor, so four weeks ago Cortez called the organization that received his tissue to ask if they were going to test it for COVID-19. Unknown to Cortez, the Orange County coroner harbored similar questions. DeLap's death is among nine cases from late December to March that the county has asked the California Department of Public Health to consider. The deceased range in age from 33 to 61 and include an elderly homeless man found in his RV and a young surfer who collapsed. Initial autopsies attributed their deaths to congested lungs, pneumonia or blood clots. If the state agency agrees, the cases will be forwarded to the CDC for more review before preserved tissue is tested for COVID-19. Los Angeles County's medical examiner has forwarded nine cases for review, but county lawyers blocked the release of details. Tissue from a 10th Los Angeles death, a 17-year-old boy who died March 18, was sent two months ago to the CDC for COVID-19 testing. It came back last week positive for two other viruses: streptococcal pneumonia and human metapneumovirus. After the CDC confirmed a Silicon Valley tech worker's Feb. 6 death as the nation's first known COVID-19 fatality, Newsom called on medical examiners statewide to hunt for missed cases extending back to mid-December. But the CDC is limiting California a state of 39 million people to just eight to 10 cases a week. The state Health Department has stepped in as a gatekeeper between county morgues and the federal lab. By the end of May, the state agency had forwarded only two cases to the CDC and had 40 other deaths under state review. Such restrictions did not exist before the COVID-19 pandemic. They are new to Dr. Deirdre Amaro, the Shasta County sheriff's forensic pathologist who relies on the CDC lab for infectious disease workups when someone dies inexplicably in her rugged, deeply forested Northern California county. Amaro was jolted this winter by the back-to-back deaths of two children, one an infant, and local accounts of other sick children. She called a Jan. 29 meeting with county health and hospital officials. She remembered someone in the room theorizing that it was a "bad year" for respiratory syncytial virus, usually referred to as RSV. It is a common childhood disease that seldom kills. Since Ive been here ... we have never had sequential cases that are pediatric deaths. I do NOT want to practice forensic pathology in a setting where that is the norm, Amaro said. The emotional/psychological toll is too great. She had already sent tissue from one of those pediatric deaths to the CDC for testing when the California Health Department set up hurdles. She has since sought virus testing for another pediatric death and is awaiting a decision on whether the CDC will accept the cases. Early reports out of China and California suggested COVID-19 had very low infection rates among children. "What has emerged now, the experience we've had on the East Coast and in Europe has been markedly different," said Dr. Roberta Lynn DeBiasi, chief of the pediatric division at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and a co-author of several studies on COVID-19 and children. DeBiasi is among researchers who in May began documenting growing numbers of hospitalized children with COVID-19 and symptoms normally associated with an otherwise rare inflammatory illness called Kawasaki disease. Some had high fever, joint pain and rashes. Others had abdominal pain. An alarming number showed organ failure and heart damage, DeBiasi said. Amid those reports, a California Health Department physician phoned Amaro, who in addition to her own two deaths told her of others two infants sent from Shasta County to hospitals in Sacramento. Dr. Chante Buntin, the state Health Department medical consultant, wrote to Sacramento County's coroner expressing interest in infants and children who died with what might have been "COVID-like symptoms, Kawasaki-like symptoms in California during the period of December to present. Sacramento County's coroner has sent a single case to the CDC for testing but has not provided further details. California has no confirmed child deaths from COVID-19. The CDC in early April listed three suspected virus-related deaths of children nationwide, but has since not updated that information. The federal health agency has, however, alerted pediatricians to watch for signs of what it now calls "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children," or MIS-C. The California Department of Public Health did not answer questions about its hunt for child deaths, and gave only limited responses to broader questions about postmortem testing. The agency did provide an email exchange in which a state epidemiologist offered to intervene on a "flood of requests" from California medical examiners, health departments and pathologists seeking COVID-19 testing for both deceased adults and children. Dr. Shua Chai told the CDC that California would narrow its criteria for testing the dead, based not on the questions arising in morgues but to fit the number of cases the CDC lab would take. "The capacity will really help drive our prioritization," Chai said. At first the federal agency said it could handle only three to four cases a week and that it could take as long as two months to send back results. On May 1, the head of the CDCs COVID-19 mortality team suggested the federal lab would take as many as 10 a week. "Im not saying this will be acceptable by my leadership," warned Dr. Sarah Reagan-Steiner, clinical lead on the CDC's COVID-19 mortality unit. There was no response to repeated questions sent to the CDC public affairs office over several months regarding postmortem testing. The state Health Department's press office defended the state's reliance on the CDC and the federal agency's 10-case weekly limit. Medical examiners in other states are not only testing many more dead, but also using other methods such as postmortem testing for antibodies. The state agency's press office said the CDC testing was "highly specialized and requires careful validation." "Other types of testing may not provide results that are as reliable as CDC testing." In Seattle, the King County medical examiner considers death itself as a reason to test on the spot for the virus with a nasal swab. "COVID-19 is so new as an infection, and it probably affects different people in different ways," associate Medical Examiner Dr. Sharon Yarid said. "So anyone who dies basically had, you know, already some reason to be tested." King County is scanning funeral homes for cases to test and checking blood serum from older cases for signs of COVID-19 antibodies. Family members have only to ask to have a death tested for the virus. The liberal guidelines have led to the identification of 58 additional COVID-19 deaths, including young adults, and accounting for more than one out of 10 local deaths attributed to the virus. Thats nearly double the 29 coronavirus deaths identified under the more restrictive policies of the Los Angeles County medical examiner, though Los Angeles County has more than five times the number of COVID-19 cases. (The medical examiner handles only violent, sudden or unusual deaths, which account for a relatively small percentage of overall COVID-19 deaths.) Yet when it comes to testing preserved tissue, Yarid is also at the mercy of the CDC. She said she had asked the federal lab to evaluate a troubling Feb. 6 death. As of last week, Yarid said she had not received an answer. Those frustrated by the hurdle in answering the question was it COVID-19? include family members of a man found dead on a Los Angeles bus bench in late January. The Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner's office classified the death as "complications of alcohol abuse," though there was no sign of recent alcohol use. The man's brother, who asked not to be named in order to preserve family privacy, said the medical examiner had refused repeated requests to test the body for COVID-19. They have not, they havent really gotten off of that February, March, early April mindset that we live in an environment of testing scarcity, said the brother. Los Angeles County supervisors cited such complaints this month in telling the medical examiners office to provide COVID-19 testing for families who ask for it. A spokeswoman for the medical examiner said the office was still working out a procedure. Not all California medical examiners are seeking CDC testing for missed COVID-19 deaths. So you found that there were several cases that were not identified early on ... what does that tell you? Ventura County Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young said. How does that add to where we're at with dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic right now? San Diego officials told The Times that a paper review of more than 700 deaths had turned up none that met the state's written criteria deaths from Dec. 17 to March 16, with signs of respiratory failure, fever or cough, or known exposure to COVID-19 or international travel. San Mateo County, a part of Silicon Valley home to California's earliest COVID-19 cases, identified one suspect death. According to agency emails, a county pathologist checked the freezer for tissue to send to the CDC, and discovered the samples had been "tossed," along with tissue from everyone else who died prior to March 11. For the record: 1:29 PM, Jun. 22, 2020: This article incorrectly refers to streptococcal pneumonia as a virus. It is caused by a bacterial pathogen. 10:10 AM, Jun. 21, 2020: In an earlier version of this article, Maribeth Cortez was erroneously referred to as Maribeth Ortiz. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) 10.1 Million People Watched Trumps Tulsa Rally Online, Campaign Says More than 10 million people watched President Donald Trumps reelection rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20, according to Gary Coby, the campaigns digital director. The total doesnt include television viewers. More than 2.5 million people watched the rally prior to Trumps speech, according to Tim Murtaugh, the campaigns communications director. The campaign noted the viewership numbers amid media reports spotlighting the fact that not all of the seats inside the venue were filled. The campaign had celebrated receiving 1 million ticket requests. Some 12,000 people attended the rally, based on a count of those who passed the metal detectors. President Donald Trump points at the crowd as he enters his first re-election campaign rally in several months in the midst of the CCP virus outbreak, at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20, 2020. (Leah Millis/Reuters) Murtaugh noted that the medias coverage prior to the event may have contributed to the lower turnout. The news media, which encouraged protesters and bombarded Americans for more than a week with dire warnings against attending a Trump rally, are still unable to prevent President Trump from reaching the people, Murtaugh said. These numbers represent unmatched enthusiasm behind the Presidents reelection and a massive audience that Joe Biden can only dream of. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hasnt held a rally since the beginning of the CCP virus pandemic. As of June 21, Biden led Trump by nearly 9.5 points in an average of polls maintained by Real Clear Politics. Trump held a $78 million lead in fundraising at the end of May. The president raised a record-breaking $14 million in a single day on his birthday, June 14. As is customary, Trump covered a range of topics at the rally, including the COVID-19 outbreak, the nationwide riots, the media, and socialism. Biden is a very willing Trojan horse for socialism, the president said. Members of the Biden campaign shared stories and comments on Twitter about the lower-than-expected turnout at the rally. The Biden campaign also formally responded to a portion of Trumps speech in which Trump recalled jokingly suggesting that testing for COVID-19 should be slowed due to the high number of cases turning up due to increased testing. The Biden campaign treated the anecdote as an actual policy directive. In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonights debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that hes putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people, Biden campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield said in a statement. A White House official told Reuters that the president was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million + in testing, the official said. WASHINGTON Desperate for face masks, California paid $800 million to a politically connected firm that failed to deliver most of the state's order. State officials in Mississippi paid nearly $500,000 to a company whose owner was convicted on federal fraud charges after he resold to grocery stores food that was intended for animals or meant to be destroyed. The state of Georgia paid a company nearly $7 apiece for masks that normally cost less than half that. As the novel coronavirus spread across the United States, the Trump administration left states and cities to fend for themselves amid shortages of key medical equipment. States and municipalities competed against each other _ and the federal government _ driving up prices and creating a chaotic every-man-for-himself environment. The Los Angeles Times used public records requests to collect spending data from 20 states and large cities. They showed that amid the scramble to buy face masks, winners and losers emerged. Large states and those that entered the market early, like Washington, got some of the best deals, paying fair rates for N95s _ the most protective and coveted masks on the market. Smaller states and those that were slow to respond to the crisis found themselves on the outer fringes of the medical supply chain. With no choice but to abandon contracts and longtime suppliers, some of them paid exorbitant prices. "It was brutal," said Nick Vyas, executive director of the Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management at the University of Southern California. Large, well-funded states were mostly able to buy the protective gear they needed, Vyas said. But smaller states simply couldn't compete. "They ended up having to pay more for supplies," he said. Supply chain experts fear these disparities could continue as businesses reopen and virus transmission rates rise in more than 20 states. In Mississippi, the urgency to buy face masks led the state to do business with a contractor who had pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. The state placed multiple orders for masks with Silver Dollar Sales, a grocery outlet owned by Randy Sparks, who in 2018 admitted to participating in a conspiracy to resell food products that were supposed to be used as animal feed or for agricultural purposes. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington, the scheme had involved producing fraudulent paperwork. Still, purchasing records show that Mississippi officials agreed to buy more than 91,000 KN95 masks _ a Chinese standard similar to N95 _ from Sparks for $6.50 each. It was more than double what many other states paid for similar masks. Mississippi finance records show that the state paid $466,982 to Silver Dollar Sales. It's unclear how many masks Sparks ultimately delivered. When reached by phone, Sparks declined to comment and referred questions to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency. Gregory Michel, the agency's executive director, declined to be interviewed by The Times and did not respond to written questions. The state's deal with Silver Dollar Sales was not an anomaly. Across multiple transactions with other companies, Mississippi officials agreed to pay inflated prices for relatively small orders of KN95 masks. "In a crisis, you're trying to balance cost, quality and timing," said Trevor Brown, a professor of public management at Ohio State University. "In this case, I would imagine, timing prevailed." Brown said states and cities where coronavirus outbreaks emerged after heavyweights like California and New York had entered the market were at a distinct disadvantage. The domestic market had been picked clean. And while large states and the federal government were buying masks from China in the millions, smaller ones struggled to get sellers' attention. In mid-March, as governors pleaded for federal intervention to help them buy lifesaving medical supplies, Trump announced that the federal government was "not a shipping clerk." States and cities would have to purchase their protective gear _ and they'd have to do it without the president mobilizing industry to increase production. The conditions were perfect for a frenzied gray market. Unprepared and inexperienced at buying vast quantities of medical supplies, many states initially turned to contracted vendors, only to find that those distributors were already stretched thin and struggling to restock. Solicitations poured in from brokers claiming to have connections in China, where they could secure shipments of N95 or KN95 masks. Citing the public health emergency, many states dispatched with their competitive bidding requirements and turned to vendors they'd never worked with before. Steven Haynes, an entrepreneur in Dallas who got into the protective gear market at the beginning of the outbreak, said New York and California drove up prices for everyone else. "New York in particular _ they just bought everything _ and they couldn't care how much they paid," said Haynes, who has sold masks to three other states. "They needed it. They were the center. But then nobody wanted to sell below the New York benchmark." In Houston, city officials tried to get around this problem by bundling their orders with nearby cities, counties and medical centers, hoping to get the attention of a proven supplier. Still, they found that companies like 3M and Honeywell were focused on states ordering hundreds of millions of masks. Jerry Adams, Houston's chief procurement officer, said the city wound up buying N95 masks from doctors' and dentists' offices that had closed during the pandemic. When a local real estate developer and entrepreneur approached the city, offering 10,000 KN95 masks for $5.50 apiece, Adams knew the price was high. He said the market was pushing smaller buyers like him to what he considered a less protective product, at a price larger buyers were paying for the gold standard: N95s. But he agreed to pay. "At that time, we had no N95s anywhere close to being delivered," Adams said. Since then, the city has acquired about 18,000, but most of its mask orders still have not arrived. Some states that were early to the market got the best deals. State purchasing records show that Washington, where the virus first established a deadly toehold in America, worked with sellers offering millions of N95 face masks for $3 or less. When other states jumped into the mask market weeks later, prices had doubled. The possibility of a second viral wave this fall has led some researchers to study ways states and cities might avoid the price gouging, fraud and failed deliveries that affected whether many Americans received adequate protection in the early days of the outbreak. Academics at USC are working on ways states and municipalities might band together on future orders to lower their costs. Vyas, the supply chain expert, said the university is planning to share lists of proven contractors with states. Rich Tong, a Seattle-based former Microsoft executive, and Sandra Archibald, former dean of the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, are also trying to help states buy protective gear wisely. Through their nonprofit Restart Partners, they are introducing states and cities to a model Tong created that projects how many masks, gloves and other supplies governments should stock during the pandemic. Equipped with more information to plan their purchases, Archibald said, states could avoid paying high shipping costs for expedited delivery. As manufacturing ramps up in the U.S. and shipments from overseas arrive, state officials said they are seeing mask prices drop. But they are nervous costs could skyrocket again in the fall. At the outbreak of the virus, "everybody got caught flat-footed," Adams said. Now he's trying to be better prepared, with more supplies stockpiled than before. "What I'd like to know," he said, "is what is the second wave going to look like?" PHOTOS: Have you seen these missing children? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0